James Renwick (Covenanter)

James Renwick
Inscription on the Renwick Monument, Moniaive
Born	James Renwick (1662-02-15)15 February 1662 Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Died	17 February 1688(1688-02-17) (aged 26) Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation	Minister, Covenanter, Martyr
Theological work
Tradition or movement	Presbyterian

James Renwick (15 February 1662 – 17 February 1688) was a Scottish minister and the last of the Covenanter martyrs.

James Renwick was born at Moniaive in the Parish of Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, in 1662. Renwick's father Andrew (or in some sources, Alexander) was a weaver by trade. His mother, Elizabeth Corson, had borne several children prior to James' birth, but all had died in infancy or early childhood. The young James was credited with having an affinity for the church from a very early age. Alexander Shields (and later John Howie) wrote:

In 1675, Andrew Renwick died and James went on to the University of Edinburgh, where he studied religion, in particular the presbyterian religion of his forefathers. In 1681, he saw several Covenanters martyred in Edinburgh, including Donald Cargill. At this point Renwick fell in with the United Societies; with their help he went abroad to study in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam, Groningen, and Leeuwarden. While in the Netherlands Renwick was ordained. Upon his return to Scotland in 1683 he gave his first sermon, at Darmead, Cambusnethan, choosing passages from the book of Isaiah. Renwick spent the next five years travelling around Scotland ministering. By July 1684 he was being actively pursued by the King's men. In 1688, he was finally captured and ordered to swear fealty to the King (James VII and II). He replied,

Renwick was thereupon sentenced to die by hanging. The sentence was carried out on 17 February 1688, in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Following his execution, Renwick's head and hands were severed and affixed to the gates of the city.