It will conclude that the heart of Covenanter identity is to be found most broadly in a persistent commitment to the “attainments” of the Second Reformation in Scotland from 1638-1653. Only in the context of the Second Reformation did memories of martyrs, political dissent, weekly worship and Sabbath keeping, and even Reformed theology make sense and help to maintain the Covenanters’ conviction that they were the true, continuing Church of Scotland, which alone upheld all facets of the Second Reformation.

From the Preface to William J. Edgar, History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, 1871-1920, x.