He subscribed the Solemn League and Covenant on 31 December 1648; and was one of the Commissioners appointed to visit the University of St Andrews in January 1649.

He was named by Oliver Cromwell as one of the commissioners for authorising ministers to enjoy their benefices, etc., in the provinces of Perth, Fife, and Angus.

He presented a petition from himself and other ministers of Fife against the Toleration and other encroachments, and having thus made himself obnoxious to the Government was imprisoned on a charge of praying for the King.

When Scoonie, near Leven in Fife became vacant, Moncrieff was one of the applicants for the post, and he had the honour of being presented by Charles I in June 1643.

In October the Solemn League and Covenant was subscribed at Dunfermline, and the ancient city gave the key note to the other Presbyterian churches in Fife.

For a short summary of the times from a Presbyterian perspective a work like Anderson's introduction to his Martyrs of the Bass might be consulted.

[9] As far back as 1650 Moncreiff had been convinced, along with James Guthrie and Samuel Rutherford and the leading Protesters, of the faithless character of the second Charles.

In that year the Western Remonstrance was drawn up, demanding clearer evidence of the righteousness and sincerity of Charles' principles and feelings, before entrusting him with kingly power.

In 1660, he along with other ministers was apprehended while drawing up an address of congratulation to Charles II, which at the same time reminded him of the obligations under which he ascended the throne.

The imposition of bishops by the king who outranked ministers and kirk sessions and therefore could control the church resulted in conflict with Presbyterians who believed in the divine right of Presbytery.

Ramsay, a minister of Angus, in that parish; none of the other heritors (Athernie and Finges) countenancing the intrusion, save Durie, the avowed enemy of Mr Moncriff.

After sermon ended, he took his promise to be faithfull in his charge of that flock, and ther was delivered to him the Bibell, the keys of the church doore, and the bell-tow.

When the sentence of intercommuning was passed upon any one, even his nearest relatives were prohibited, under severe penalties, from extending a friendly hand to him or ministering in any way to his needs or comforts.

He always said, however, that he “preferred to suffer where he had sinned and that he would endeavour to keep possession of the house [the land of his nativity] till its Lord should return to it,” and he lived to see 1688 and the Revolution.

[5] Wodrow records that during the usurpation, Mr Alexander Moncrief was persecuted by the English for his loyalty to the king, and his constant praying for him.

Frequently he was hotly pursued; and one time a party of horse came after him when fleeing, and, though attacked twice by them, by his own fortitude and resolution he got clear of them, and escaped.

[3][14] Being shortly after release Moncrieff was urged as a person of great courage and boldness, to present the protestation and petition against the toleration, and other encroachments upon the church and state, in October, 1658, signed by himself and several other ministers of Fife, to General Monk.

[14] Moncrieff seems to have been accused of writing works called "Remonstrance", and of making the "Causes of God's Wrath"; and he refused to retract any thing in them.

[14] Mr Moncrief seems to have been highly respected, by people in all walks of life and they plead on his behalf which softened the attitude of the government.

The parliament passed the following sentence upon him, on 12 July: "The king's majesty and estates of parliament, having considered the report of the lords of articles anent the process against Mr Alexander Moncrief, minister of Scoonie, and his own carriage before them, in owning his accession to the "Remonstrance" and "Causes of God's Wrath," do accordingly declare the said Mr Alexander to be for ever incapable of exercising any public trust, civil or ecclesiastic, and also discharge him of all public trust, civil or ecclesiastic, within this kingdom, until, in the next session of parliament, further order be taken concerning him, and discharge him in the meantime to go to the said parish."

[14] After this, the persecution somewhat abating, he brought his family to Perth for the education of his children, where he continued preaching the gospel; a few at first, but afterwards a great many attended his ministry.

[14] In a later chapter Wodrow refers to a petition presented by Moncrieff to the Privy Council, when residing at Reidie in December 1664, for permission to go to Edinburgh, where his "personal presence" was required in connection with a legal process.

Letters of intercommuning were also issued against him, along with Alexander Durham of Largo, in the following year, when he fled to the Highlands; and he was cited, with others, to appear before the Council on 11 August 1677.

[2] He married: Anna (died 25 October 1704, aged 84), daughter of Robert Murray of Woodend, minister of Methven, and had issue — The following epitaph to Moncrieff and his wife was erected on a monument and recorded before it faded at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.

stay passenger, mourn and marvel The friend of God, Christ's faithful champion, the great ornament of the church, here lies Mr. Alexander Moncrieff, of honourable parentage, minister at Scoonie for the space of 18 years, a notable preacher, powerful in the scriptures, not seldom inspired with a spirit of prophecy; full of faith, hope, and charity, another Barnabas, another Boanerges, upright in life and pure from wickedness; keeping fast to the reformed faith; a stout maintainer of the most pure discipline; who, having suffered many things from the ire of prelates and fury of malignants, being thrust from his charge, shut up in prison; at length being set at freedom, he exercised, fulfilled and adorned the ministry committed to him by the Lord, in the worst of times, and, by a sweet triumph, drew rebellions souls unto Christ.

Here also lies his dearest spouse, Anna Murray, who running the course of her life, by unfeigned piety, unshaken patience, singular prudence, true Christian charily, worshipping God, bearing the cross of Christ, managing her lawful affairs, and helping the faithful in affliction, surrendered her soul to God, 25 October 1704.