or, Argyll’s last Sleep
In the state prison of Edinburgh castle the second Marquis of Argyll was imprisoned before his execution.
Like his father, he was a staunch Protestant, and when the “test oath” which was looked upon as a pledge of loyalty to Charles II., but it insisted that the King should be acknowledged as head of the Church — was tendered to him, he declared that he took it in so far as it was consistent with the Protestant religion. The Duke of York, afterwards King James, was at this time Administrator of Affairs in Scotland; he was a bigoted Papist, and, as the heir to the throne, took this qualification as directed against himself. Argyll was charged with high treason, and condemned to be beheaded.
He escaped from the castle, however, disguised as the page of his daughter-in-law, Lady Sophia Lindsay, who had obtained permission to visit him while awaiting execution.
Going over to Holland, he remained there until the accession of James, when he joined the Duke of Monmouth in an insurrection. Misfortune dogged his footsteps everywhere, and he was taken captive near Kilpatrick on the Clyde, and was again condemned to death.
His peace of mind surprised everybody, for, like his father, he proved himself to be a true Christian, finding much solace and comfort from the Lord his Saviour.
On the day of his execution (June 30th, 1685) he dined very cheerfully, and, being used to sleep awhile after dinner, he retired to the couch in his cell, and fell into a peaceful slumber. An officer of State called to see him, and was shown into his cell. At the sight of the condemned man sleeping so pleasantly only an hour before his execution he was greatly perturbed, and, hurrying away to the house of a relative, in great distress, he exclaimed, “I have seen a man within an hour of eternity sleeping as sweetly as an infant!”
He evidently trembled as he looked into eternity, for he was a stranger to the peace which the Christian enjoys. But there are those who sleep, in a spiritual sense, who may be nearer to eternity than the condemned Marquis was. They have never been awakened to the sense of what it is to be guilty before God. They have not realised that to die in their sins means to be lost for ever. They do not think that death may choose them as its prey at any moment, and so they are undisturbed. Oh, if only they saw their great danger, they would awake from their slumber, and marvel that they had been indifferent for so long.
Argyll’s sleep was not one of indifference; he enjoyed the peace which is the Christian’s secret.
Yes, Christians have the secret! The sting has been taken out of death for them by the Lord Jesus Christ. He destroyed him who had the power of death that He might deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. And the Christian can say: “We know if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” Knowing, too, that the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus has atoned for their many sins, they have every right to be happy and peaceful in the presence of death — that which is such a terror to those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
On awaking from that peaceful slumber the Marquis was led out to execution but his peace and joy did not forsake him at this last great test.
He mounted the scaffold with great firmness, and on seeing the instrument which was to take off his head called “the maiden” he embraced it, saying: “This is the sweetest maiden that I ever kissed, and it will finish my misery, and be my inlet to glory.” Then, placing his head upon the block, the instrument did its work. Evidently for him it was far better to be with Christ, and he knew it.
Thank God, salvation and fitness for heaven are offered to everyone! They cannot be obtained by works of righteousness which we can do. If Argyll had built his hopes upon his own goodness or works he would have proved them to be the shifting sand in the hour of his trial. And the best of men will prove the same. But though salvation and fitness for heaven cannot be secured by the works of men, they can be found in Christ Jesus; in Him all is freely offered to whosoever will. Take it, for, whether you are noble-born or of lowly birth, your need is the same. If unsaved you must be shut out of heaven for ever. Rich and poor alike may have salvation and fitness without money and without price.
“Who (Christ) of God is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30.)
May every dear reader of this page be found resting in Christ as the second Marquis of Argyll was.
Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded 
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