VI. do condemn all baptism conform to the Pope's kirk,

and the idolatry of the mass ; and ordains all sayers, wilful hearers, and concealers of the mass, the maintainers and re- setters of the priests, Jesuits, trafficking Papists, to be punislu ed without any exception or restriction, Act 5. Pari. L Act 120. Pari. 12. Act 104. Pari. 13. Act 193. Pari. 14. Act 1. Pari. 19. Act 5. Pari. 20. King James VI. do con- demn all erroneous books aiKl writs containing erroneous doctrine against the religion jMCsently professed, or contain- iHg superstitious rites and ceremonies Papistical, whereby tlie people are greatly abused, and ordains tne home-bringerii of them to be punished. Act 25. Pari. 11. King James VI. do condemn the monuments and dregs of bygone idolatry, as going to crosses, observing the festival days of saints^ and such other superstitious and Papistical rites, to the dishonour of God, contempt of true religion, and fostering of great error among the people ; and ordains the users of them to be punished for the second fault, as idolaters. Act 104. Pari. 7. King James VI.
Likeas many Acts of ParUament are conceived for mainte- nance of God's true and Christian religion, and the purity thereof, in doctrine and sacraments of the true church of God, the liberty and freedom thereof, and her national, synodal assemblies, presbyteries, sessions, policy, discipline,
X 4 ^ and
48S ^he Confession of Faith;
and jurisdiction thereof ; as that purity of religion, and liberty of the church Avas used, professed, exercised, preach- ed, and confessed, according to the reformation of religion in this realm : As for instance, the 99th Act, Pari. 7. Act 2b, Pari. 11. Act 114. Pari. 12. Act 160. Pari. 13. of King James VI, ratified by the 4th Act of King Charles. So that the 6th Act, Pari. 1. and 68th Act, Pari. 6. of King James VI. in the year of God 1579, declare the ministers of the blessed evangel, whom God of his mercy had raised up, or hereafter should raise, agreeing with them that then lived, in doctrine and administration of the sacra- ments ; and the people that professed Christ, as he was then offered in the evangel, and doth communicate with the lioly sacraments (as in the reformed kirks of this realm they were presently administrate) according to the Confession of IFaith, to be the true and holy kirk of Christ Jesus within this realm. And decerns and declares all and sundry, who either gainsay the word of the evangel received and ap- proved as the Ijeads of the Confession of Faith, professed in Parliament in the year of God 1560, specified also in the first Parliament of King James VI. and ratified in this pre- sent Parliament, more particularly do express ; or that re- fuse the administration of the holy sacraments, as they were then ministrated ; to be no members of the said kirk with- in this realm, and true religion presently professed, so long sls they keep themselves so divided from the society of Christ's body. And the subsequent Act 69. Pari. 6. of King James VI. declares, that there is no other face of kirk, nor other face of religion, than was presently at that time, by the favour of God, established within this realm : *' Which therefore is ever styled God's true religion, *' Christ's true religion, the true and Christian religion, and '' a perfect religion ;" which, by manifold Acts of Parlia- ment, all within this realm are bound to profess, to sub- scribe the articles thereof, the Confession of Faith, to recant all doctrine and errors repugnant to any of the said articles, Act 4. and 9. Pari. 1. Acts 45, 46, 47. Pari. 5. Act 71. Pari. 6. Act 106. Pari. 7. Act 24. Pari. 11. Act 125. Pari. 12. Act 194. and 197. Pari. 14. of King James VI. And all magistrates^, sherifis, cjc on the one })art, are or- dained
Or^ National Covenant, 480
dained to search, apprehend, 'and punish' alf contraveners : For instance, Act 5. Pari. 1. Act 104.. Pari. 7. Act 25. Pari. 11. King James VI.; and that notwithstanding of the King's Majesty's licences on the contrary, which are discharged, and declared to be of no force, in so far as they tend in any wise to the prejudice and hinder of the execu- tion of the Acts of Parliament against Papists and adversa- ries of true religion. Act 106. Pari. 7. King James VI. On the other part, in the 47th Act, Pari. 3. King James VI. it is declared and ordained. Seeing the cause of God's true religion and his Ilighness's authority are so joined, as the hurt of the one is common to both ; that none shall be reputed as loyal ajid faithful subjects to our sovereign Lord, or his authority, but be punishable as rebellers and gain- standers of the same, who shall not give their confession, and make their profession of the said true religion : and that they who, after defection, shall give the confession of their faith of new, they shall promise to continue therein ill time coming, to maintain our sovereign Lord's authority, and at the uttermost of their power to fortify, assist, and maintain the true preachers and professors of Christ's reli- gion, against whatsoever enemies and gainstanders of the same ; and namely, against all such, of whatsoever nation", estate, or degr.ee they be of, that have joined and bound themselves, or have assisted, or assist, to set forward and execute the cruel decrees of the council of Trent, contrary to the true preachers and professors of the word of God'; which is repeated, word by word, in the articles of pacifir
I cation at Perth, the 23d of February 1572, approved by Parliament the last of A})ril 1575, ratified in Parliament 1587, and related Act 125. Pari. 12. of King James VI.; with this addition, " That they are bound to resist all *' treasonable uproars and hostilities raised against the true *' religion, the King's Majesty, and the true professors.'^
Likeas,' all lieges are boujid to maintain the King^s Majesty's royal person and autliority, the authority of Par- liaments, without the which neither any laws or lawful ju^ dicatories can be established. Act 150. and 151. Pari. 8. King James VI, and the subjects' liberties, who ought only to, live, mid be governed by the King's laws, tte comn.ort
X 5 laws
A^O Yhe t^onfmion of Faith ;
laws of this realm allenarly, Act 48. Pari. 3. King James T. ■ Act 79. Pari. 6. King .Tansies IV. ; repeated in the Act 131. Pari. 8. King James VI. ; which if they be innovated and prejudged, " the commission anent the union of the two kingdoms of Scotland and England, which is the sole act of the 17th Pari, of King James VI. declares," such con- fusion would ensue as this realm could be no more a free monarchy: because, by the fundamental laws, ancient privileges, offices, and liberties of this kingdom, not only the princely authority of his Majesty'^s royal descent hath been these many ages maintained, but also the people''s security of their lands, livings, rights, offices, liberties, and dignities preserved. And therefore, for the preservation of the said true religion, laws, and liberties of this kingdom, it is statute by the 8th Act, Pari. 1. repeated in the 99th Act, Pari. 7. ratified in the 23d Act, Pari. 11. and 114th Act, Pari. 12. of King James VI. and 4th Act, Pai^l. 1. of King Charles I. " That all Kings and Princes at their coronation, and reception of their princely authority, sh^ll make their faithful promise by their solemn oath, in the presence of the eternal God, that, enduring the whole time of their lives, they shall serve the same eternal God, to the uttermost of their power, according as he hath required in- his most holy word, contained in the Old and New Testa- ment ; and according to the same word, shall maintain the true religion of Christ Jesus, the preaching of his holy "Word, the due and right ministration of the sacraments j now received and preached Vvithin this realm, (according to the Confession of Faith immediately preceding,) and shall abolish and gainstand all false religion, contrary to the same ; and shall rule the people committed to their charge, according to the will and command of God revealed in his foresaid word, and according to the laudable lawa «nd constitutions received in this realm, nowise repugnant to the said will of the eternal God ; and shall procure, to the uttermost of their power, to the kirk of God, and whol^ Clhristian people, true and perfect peace in all time coming : find that they shail be careful to root out of their empire all jhereticks and enemies to the true \^clship of God, wha lifoll be convicted by th^ tjcue kirk of God of the foresaid
Or, National Covenant. 401
crimes.''* Which was also observed by his Majesty, at his coronation in Edinburgh 1653, as may be seen in the order of tlie coronation.
In obedience to the commandment of God, conform to the practice of the godly in former times, and according to the laudable example of our worthy and religious progeni- tors, and of many yet living amongst us, which was war- ranted also by act of conned, commanding a general band to be made and subscribed by his Majesty''s subjects of all ranks ; for two causes : one was, For defending the true religion, as it was then reformed, and is expressed in the Confession of Faith above written, and a former large Confession established by sundry acts of lawful General Asst^mblies and of Parliaments, unto which it liath relation, set down in publick Catechisms ; and which hath been for many years, with a blessing from Heaven, preached and professed in this kirk and kingdom, as God's undoubted truth, grounded only upon his written word. The other cause was. For maintaining the King's Majesty, his person and estate ; the true worship of God and the Kinff''s authority being so straitly joined, as that they had tne same friends and common enemies, and did stand and fall together. And finally, being convinced in our minds, and confessing with our mouths, that the present and succeed- ing generations in this land are bound to keep the foresaid national oath and subscription inviolable.
We Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Mini- •lers, and Commons under-subscribing, considering divers times before, and especially at this time, the danger of the true reformed religion, of the King"'s honour, and of the publick peace of the kingdom, by the manifold innovations and evils, generally contained, and particularly mentioned in our late supplications, complaints, and protestations ; do hereby profess, and before God, his angels, and the world, solemnly declare. That with our whole heart we agree, and resolve all the days of our life constantly to adhere unto and to defend the foresaid true religion, and fforbearing the practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the worship of God, or apjirobation of tiie corniptioos of the piiWick govermuent of the kirk, or
X (> civil
492 The Confession of Faitft ;
civil places and power of kirkmen, till tliey be tried anal allov/ed in free Assemblies and in Parliaments) to labom-, by all means lawful, to recover the pm^ity and liberty of the Gospel, as it was established and professed before the foresaid novations. And because, after due examination, we plainly perceive, and undoubtedly believe, that the iniU)vations and evils contained in our supplications, com- pkiints, and protestations, have no warrant of the word of God, are contrary to the articles of the foresaid Confession, to the intention and meaning of the blessed reformers of religion in this land, to the above-written Acts of Parlia- ment ; and do sensibly tend to the re-establishing of ths Popish religion and tyranny, and to the subversion and ruin of the true reformed religion, and of our liberties,, laws, and estates ; we also declare. That the foresaid Confessions are to be interpreted, and ought to be under- stood of the foresaid novations and evils, no less than if every one of them had been expressed in the foresaid Confessions ; and that we are obliged to detest and abhov them, amongst other particular heads of Papistry abjured therein. And therefore, from the knowledge and conscience of our duty to God, to our King and country, without any worldly respect or inducement^ so far as human infirmity will suffer, wishing afm'ther measure of the grace of God for this effect ; we promise and swear, by the GREAT NAME OF THE. LORD OUR GOD, to continue ia the profession and obedience of the foresaid religion ; and that we shall defend the same, and resist all these contrary errors and corruptions, according to our vocation, and to the uttermost of that power that God hath put in our hands, all the days of our life.
And in like manner, with the same heart, we declare 1>efore God and men, That we have no intention nor de- sire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of God, or to the diminution of the King"*s greatness and authority ; but, on the contrary, we promise and swear, That we shall, to the uttermost of our power, with our means and lives, stand to the defence of our dread Sove- reign tlie King's Majesty, his person and authority, in the defence and preservation of the foresaid true religiuB-,
liberties^
Or, National Covenant. 4-95
liberties, and laws of the kingdom ; as also to the mutUcJ defence and assistance every one of us of another, in tlie same cause of maintaining the true religion, and his ]Majesty'saulhority, with our best counsel, our bodies, means,, and whole power, against all sort» of persons whatsoever ; so that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that cause, shall be taken as done to \\£ all in general, and to every one of us in particular. And that we shall neitheF directly nor indirectly sutler ourselves to be divided or withdrawn, by whatsoever suggestion,^ combination, allure- ment, or terror, from this blessed and loyal conjunction ; nor shall cast in any let or impediment that may stay or hinder any such resolution as by common consent shall be found to conduce for so good ends ; but, on the contrary, shall by all hn\ful means labour to further and promote the same : and if any such dangerous and divisive motion be made to us by word or writ, we, and every one of us, shall either suppress it, or, if need be, shall incontinent make the same known, that it may be timeously obviated. Neither do we fear the foul aspersions of rebellion, com- bination, or what else our adversaries, from their craft and malice, would put upon us ; seeing what we do is so well warranted, and ariseth from an unfeigned desire to main- tain the true worship of God, the majesty of our King, and the peace of the kingdom, for the common happiness of ourselves and our posterity.
And because we cannot I ofc"-for a blessing frdm God upon our proceedings, except with our profession and subscription, we join such a life and conversation as beseemeth Christians who have renewed their covenant with God ; we therefore faithfully promise for ourselves, our followers^ and all others under us, both in publick, and in our particultir families, and personal carriage, to endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of Christian libeity, and to be good examples to others of all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty we owe to God and man.
And, that this our union and conjunction may be obser- ved without violation, we call the LIMNG GOD, THE SEAliCHEll UE UUK HExVliXS, to witness, who
kiioweth
494^ The Confession of Faith, &c.
knoweth this to be our sincere desire and unfeigned resolu- tion, as we shall answer to JESUS CHRIST in the great day, and under the pain of God'*s everlasting \ATath, and of infamy and loss of all honour and respect in this world : most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with a happy success ; that religion and righteousness may flourish in the land, to the glory of GOD, the honour of our King, and peace and comfort of tis all. In witness whereof, we have subscribed with ouc hands all the premises.
'T^HE article of this Covenant, which was at the first •*■• subscription referred to the determination of the General Assembly, being now determined; and thereby the five articles of Perth, the government of the kirk by bishops, and the civil places and power of kirkmen, upon the reasons and grounds contained in the Acts of the General Assembly, declared to be unlawful within this kirk, we subscribe according to the determination afore^,. ijraid.
J- J 5^ IS.
SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT
FOa
REFORMATION AND DEFENCE OF RELIGION,
THE
HONOUR. AND HAPPINESS OF THE KINO,
AND
THE PEACE AND SAFETY OF THE THREE KINGDOMS OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND.
TUkFN AND SUBSCRIBED SEVERAL TIMES BY KING CHARLFJ U. AND BY ALL RANKS IN.TME SAID THREE KINGDOMS.
liriTM
An Act of the General Assembly 1643, and an Act of ParKament 1644, ratifying and approvisg the said LEACOk and Covenant.
Jra. 1. 5. Ceme^ amdlei ut join 9uritlvet t$ the Lord in a ^er^ual tovenant that
jhall not hi forgotten,
Prov. XXV. 5. Take aiaay the -atichtd from before the iing^ and his throne shall he established in righteousness.
^Chron. XV. 15. And all Judah rejoiced at the cath ; for they hadtvnm xuith all their heart.
4iAV. iii. 15. Though it be but a mans covenant, yet if it be confirmed by
an oath, m snan disanaulUth or adJtth thereto,
' ' ' \lt
[ 407 ]
Assembly at Edinburgh^ August 17. 1643. Sess. 14.
The General Assembly's Approhatimi of the Solemn League and Covenant.
T'
HE Assembly having recommentled unto a Committee appointed by them to join with the Conmiittee of the Honourable Convention of Estates, and the Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, for bringing the kingdoms to a more near conjunction and union, received from the foresaid Committees the Cove* nant after mentioned, as the result of their consultations : and having taken the same, as a matter of so publick con- cernment and so deep importance doth require, unto their gravest consideration, did, with all their liearts, and with the beginnings of tlie feelings of that joy, which they did find in so great measure upon the renovation of the National Covenant of this kirk and kingdom, All with one voice approve and embrace the same, as the most powerfur mean, by the blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant religion with perfect peace in his Ma- jesty's dominions, and propagating the same to other nations, and tor establishing his Majesty'^s throne to aU ages and generations. And therefore, with their best aiibclions, recommend tlie same to tlie Hon vention of Estates, that, being examined and approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence to th kingdom of England, that, being received and aj)proven there, the same may he, with publick humiliation, and all religious and answerable solemnity, sworn and subscribed by all true [)r()fessors of the reformed religion, and all his Majesty's good subjects in both kingdoms.
A. JOHNSTOUN;
Charles
I ^^^ 1
Charles I. Pari. 3. Sess, 1. Act 3.
Act anent the Ratification of the calling of the Con^ ventian^ Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty betwia:t the Kiiigdoyns of Scot- land and England, and remanent Acts oftlie Con* •vention of Estates, and Committee thereof.
At Edinburgh, July 15. 1644.
nPHE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by vir- •*• tue of the last act of the last Parliament, holden by his Majesty, and the three Estates, in ajino 164-1, consider- ing, that the Lords of his Majesty's privy council, and Commissioners for conserving the articles of the treaty, having, according to their interests and trust committed to them by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament, used all means, by supplications, remonstrances, and sending of Commissioners, for securing the peace of this kingdom^ and removing the unhappy distractions betwixt his Ma- jesty and his subjects in England, in such a way as might serve most for his Majesty's honour, and good of both kingdoms ; and their humble and dutiful endeavours for so good ends having proven ineffectual, ancL their offer of mediation and intercession being refused by his Majesty; and thereby finding the weight and difficulty of affairs,. and the charge lying on them to be greater than they could bear; did therefore, in the month of May 1645,. meet together with the Commissioners for the common burdens, that, by joint advice, some resolution might be taken therein ; and in respect of the danger imminent to the true Protestant religion, his Majesty's honour, and peace of their kingdoms, by tlie multitude of Papists and their adherents in arms in England and Ireland, and of many other publick and important affairs, which could not admit delay, and did require the advice of the repre- sentative body of the kingdom ; appointed and caused in- dict a meeting of the Convention of Estates (his Majesty
having
[ 499 ]
avin^ formerly refused their humble desires for a Parlia- tient) to be on the 22d of June following ; which diet being requently kept by the Noblemen, Commissioners of shires ^ and bur kirk and i>tate still increashig, resolved, after serious deli- )eration and advice of the General Assembly, and joint •oncurrence of the Commissioners authorised by the Par- ianient of England, that one of the chiefest remedies for preventing of these and the like dangers, for preservation of religion, and both kingdoms from ruin and destruction, itnd for procuring of peace, That both kingdoms should, for these ends, enter into Covenant ; which was according- ly drawn up, and cheerfully embraced and allowed. — And at last, a treaty was agreed unto by both kingdoms, con- cerning the said Covenant, and assistance craved from this kingdom by the kingdom of England, in pursuance of the ends expressed therein : — And the Estates being still desirous to use all good means, that, without the elFusion of more blood, there may be such a blessed pacification betwixt his Majesty and his subjects, as may tend to the good of religion, his Majesty^s true honour and safety, and happiness of his people, did therefore give commission to ~onn P^arl of Loudon, Lord Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord Waristoun, and Mr Roljert Barclay, to repair to England, and endeavour the effectuating of these ends contained in the covenant of treaties, conform to their instructions. —
And the said Estates having taken the proceedings al>ove written to their consideration, do find and declare, That the Lords of council, and conservers of peace, did behave themselves as faithful counsellors, loyal subjects, and good patriots, in tendering their humble endeavours for removing the distractions betwixt his IMajesty and his subjects, and in calling the Commissioners for the common burdens, and, by joint advice, appointing the late meeting of Convention, wherein they have approven themselves answerable to the duty of their places, and that trust committed to them ; and therefore ratifies and approves their whole proceedings therein, and declares the said Convention was lawfully called, and also full and free in
itself^
[ 50O y
Itself, consisting of all the members thereof, as any Con^ vention hath been at any time bygone; and ratifies and approves the several acts made by them, or their com--
mittee, for enjoining the Covenant. And also, the said
Estates of Parliament (but prejiiJice of the premises, and of the general ratification above mentioned) ratify,, approve, and confirm the foresaid mutual League and Covenant, concerning the reformation and defence of reli-^j gion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland ; together with the acts of the Kirk and Estate authorising the same League and Covenant ; toge- ther also with the foresaid articles of treaty agreed upon- betwixt the said Commissioners of the Convention of Estates of Scotland and the Commissioners of both the Houses of Parliament of England, concerning' the said- Solemn League and Covenant.-. And the said Estates
ordain the same acts, with the League and Covenant above specified, acts authorising the same, and the articles of treaty Ibresaid, to have the full force and strength of perfect laws and acts of Parliament, and to be observed by all his Majesty's lieges, conform to the tenors thereof,, respective. Of the which League and Covenant, the tejipe. follows.
THE
t 501 ]
THE
SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT
FOR
Refortiiation and Defence ofReligion^the Honour and Ilappincsa of the Knii(, and the Peace and Safety of the Three Kiuirdovis of Scotland, England, and Ireland; agreed upon by Commis^ sioners from the Parliament and Assembly/ of Divines in England, with Comviissioncrs of the Convention of Eslatex, and General Assembly in Scotland ; approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, and taken and subscribed by them, Anno 1(345; and thereafter, by the said authority, taken and subscribed by all Ranks in Scotland and England the same Year ; and ratified by Act of the Par- liamcnt of Scotland, Ainio 1644: And again renewed in Scotland, ivith an Acknou'ledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, by all Ranks, Anno l(i4S, and by Parliament 1(j49; and taken and subsci;ibed by King Chiwles II. at Spcy, June 25. 1650; and at Scoon, January }. 1651,
E Noblemen, Harons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of tlie Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, by the providence of GOD, living under one King, and being of one reformed religion, having before our eves the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity, and the true pul>- lick liberty, safety, and peace of the kingdoms, wherein every one's private condition is uicluded : And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, coiispdracies, at- tempts, and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true religion and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the rcfonnation of reli- gion; and how much theii' rage, power, and presumptioa are of late, and at this time, increased and exercised, where- of the deplorable state of the church aud kingdom ol" Ireland,
1 tilQ
w
602 The Solemn League and Covenant
the distressed estate of the church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and publick testimonies ; we have now at last, (after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and sufferings,) for the preservation of ourselves and oiu" religion from utter ruin and destruction, accordiiitr to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and Solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most High GOD, do swear,
1 . npH AT we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through •*■ the grace of GOD, endeavour, in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the word of GOD, and the example of the best reform- ed Churches ; and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunc- tion and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of church-government, directory for worship and catechising; that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.