Rebellion In Ireland
It was during the King`s presence in Scotland that the Irish rebelled in October 1641. Many religious people had already fled from the north of Ireland when the ministers were deposed. Others later left in 1639 when the `black oath` was forced upon them, this being the abjurance of the National Covenant. Even among those that took the oath there was no escape from the wrath of the rebels, many being murdered.
In 1642, an army from Scotland landed in Ireland with the intent to subdue the rebellion. This army was under the command of General-Major Munro.
Ironically, members of the liberation army were compared by some of those they were helping as no better than the rebels themselves. Some of the refugees that landed in Scotland swore they thought the oppression and insolencies of the Scots army was worse than the rebels.
Livingstone was sent over to Ireland in April, 1642 to administer to the army, on the instructions of the Council of Scotland, his tenure to last for 12 months. In that time he observed the changes that had taken place in the people.
"Many of those who had been civill before, were become many wayes exceeding loose; yes, sundry who, as was conceived, had true grace, were declyned much in their tenderness; so as it would seem the sword opens any gaps".
He accompanied the army to Newry and tells of having met a party of rebels on the way. Emerging from the woods, the rebels were immediately killed with Livingstone commenting upon their physical condition. "They were so fat one might have his his fingers in the lirks of their breasts".
A plea went out to the General Assembly of Scotland from those in Ireland requesting ministers be sent to them. This was rejected but after four years some eight ministers were sanctioned
Livingstone did this on occasions during the period 1643 to 1646.
Livingstone returned to Scotland after his term of service but was later back over again in 1648 when he was asked to attempt to dissuade the Scots troops there from joining with the army of `Engagement` but this proved to be fruitless.
By undertaking this `engagement`, the more moderate Covenanters under the command of Hamilton, the Earl of Lanark promised to restore the now deposed. King Charles l on condition that he would re-affirm Presbyterianism in Scotland and to give it a trial in England for three years.
Charles had originally been captured by the Scots at Newark in May 1646, but had been handed over to the English Parliament in January 1647. He had escaped temporarily and sought refuge on the Isle of Wight. It was while there that the Army of Engagement took up his cause. In the eyes of the extreme Covenanters, Livingstone included, this represented a betrayal of the Solemn League and Covenant.
The defeat of the `Engagers` by Cromwell`s new model army at Preston on 17th/19th August 1648 was greeted with delight by some at home and when he arrived in Edinburgh on 4th October, insurance against any resurgence of `engagement sympathisers` was provided.
Charles was executed on 30th January 1649. His violent end was greeted with abhorrence by many in Scotland and Cromwell`s cause was not enhanced by it.
