THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT FOR REFORMATION AND DEFENCE OF RELIGION, THE HONOUR AND HAPPINESS OF THE KING, AND THE PEACE AND SAFETY OF THE THREE KINGDOMS OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND.
Taken and Subscribed several times by King Charles II.,
and by all ranks in the said three kingdoms.
WITH AN ACT OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY 1643 AND AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1644, RATIFYING AND APPROVING THE SAID
LEAGUE AND COVENANT.
Jer. 50:5 - Come, and let us join ourselves to the
Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Prov. 25:5 - Take
away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in
righteousness.
2 Chron. 15:15 - And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for
they had sworn with all their heart.
Gal. 3:15 - Though it be but a man's
covenant, yet if it be confirmed by an oath, no man disannulleth or addeth
thereto. Assembly at EDINBURGH, August 17, 1643. Sess. 14.
The General
Assemblys Approbation of the SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT.
THE
Assembly having recommended unto a Committee appointed by them to join with the
Committee 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
Covenant after mentioned, as the result of their consultations: and having
taken the same, as a matter of so publick concernment and so deep importance
doth require, unto their gravest consideration, did, with all their hearts, and
with the beginnings of the feelings of that joy, which they did find in go
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 powerful
mean, by the blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant
religion with perfect peace in his Majestys dominions, and propagating
the same to other nations, and for establishing his majestys throne to
all ages and generations. And therefore, with their best affections, recommend
the same to the Honourable Convention of Estates, that, being examined and
approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence to the kingdom of England,
that, being received and approven there the same may be, with publick
humiliation, and all religious and answerable solemnity, sworn and subscribed
by all true professors of the reformed religion, an all his Majestys good
subjects in both kingdoms.
A. JOHNSTOUN. ___________________________
CHARLES I.
Parl. 3. Sess. 1. Act 5. ACT anent the Ratification of the
calling of the Convention, Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of
Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, and permanent Acts of the
Convention of Estates, and Committee thereof.
AT EDINBURGH, July 15, 1644.
THE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by virtue of the last act of
the last Parliament, holden by his Majesty, and the three Estates, in anno
1641, considering, that the Lords of his Majestys 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 Majesty and his subjects in England, in such a way as
might serve most for his Majestys honour, and good of both kingdoms; and
their humble and dutiful endeavours for so good ends having proven ineffectual,
and 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
1643, 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 Majestys honour, and
peace of thir kingdoms, by the 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 representative body of
the kingdom; appointed and caused indict a meeting of the Convention of Estates
(his Majesty having formerly refused their humble desires for a Parliament) to
be on the 22d of June following; which diet being frequently kept by the
Noblemen, commissioners of shires and burghs, and they finding these dangers
against this kirk and state still increasing, resolved, after serious
deliberation and advice of the General Assembly, and joint concurrence of the
Commissioners authorized by the Parliament of England, that one of the chiefest
remedies for preventing of these ad the like dangers, for preservation of
religion, and both kingdoms, from ruin and destruction, and for procuring of
peace,
That both kingdoms should, for these ends, enter into Covenant;
which was accordingly drawn up, and cheerfully embraced and allowed. - And at
last a treaty was agreed unto by both kingdoms, concerning 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 effusion 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 Majestys true honour and safety, and happiness of
his people, did therefore give commission to John Earl of Loudoun, Lord
Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord Waristoun, and Mr. Robert 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 above 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 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, consisting of all the members thereof, as any Convention
hath been at any time bygone; and ratifies and approves the several acts made
by them, or their committee, for enjoining the Covenant. - And also, the said
estates of Parliament (but prejudice 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 religion, the
honour and happiness of the King, and the peace a safety of the three kingdoms
of Scotland, England, and Ireland; together with the acts of the Kirk an Estate
authorizing the same League and Covenant; together also with the foresaid
articles of treaty 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
authorizing the same, and the articles of treaty foresaid, to have the full
force and strength of perfect laws and acts of Parliament, and to be observed
by all his Majestys lieges, conform to the tenors thereof respective.
Of the which League and Covenant, the tenor follows:
THE SOLEMN
LEAGUE AND COVENANT, for reformation and defence of religion, the honour
and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of
Scotland, England, and Ireland; agreed upon by Commissioners from the
Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, with Commissioners of the
Convention of Estates and General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; approved
by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and by both Houses of
Parliament, and the Assembly of Divines in England, and taken and subscribed by
them anno 1643; 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
Parliament of Scotland anno 1644. (And again renewed in Scotland, with an
acknowledgement of sins and engagements to duties, by all ranks, anno 1648, and
by Parliament, 1649; and taken and subscribed by King Charles II., at Spey,
June 23, 1650; and at Scoon, January 1, 1651.)
"We, noblemen, barons,
knights, gentlemen, citizens, burgesses, ministers of the 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 eyes 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 public liberty, safety, and peace of
the kingdom, wherein every one's private condition is included: and calling to
mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts, 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 reformation of
religion; and how much their rage, power, and presumption, are of late, and at
this time, increased and exercised, whereof the deplorable state of the Church
and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed state of the Church and kingdom of
England, and the dangerous state of the Church and kingdom of Scotland, are
present and public testimonies: we have now at last (after other means of
supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and sufferings), for the preservation
of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction, according 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,
"I. That 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 reformed Churches; and shall endeavour to bring the
Churches of GOD in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction 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."
II. That we shall, in like manner, without respect of persons,
endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy (that is, Church government by
archbishops, bishops, their chancellors and commissioners, deans, deans and
chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical officers depending on that
hierarchy), superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be
found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godliness; lest we partake in
other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; and
that the Lord may be one, and his name one, in the three kingdoms."
III. We
shall, with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several
vocations, endeavour, with our estates and lives, mutually to preserve the
rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms;
and to preserve and defend the king's majesty's person and authority, in the
preservation and defence of the true religion and liberties of the kingdoms;
that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty, and that
we have no other thoughts or intentions to diminish his majesty's just power
and greatness."
IV. We shall also, with all faithfulness, endeavour the
discovery of all such as have been or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or
evil instruments, be hindering the reformation of religion, dividing the king
from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any faction or
parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; that they may
be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of
their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatories of both
kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall
judge convenient"
V. And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace between
these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is, by the good
providence of GOD, granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and settled
by both Parliaments; we shall, each one of us, according to our place and
interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to
all posterity; and that justice may be done upon the willful opposers thereof,
in manner expressed in the precedent article."
VI. We shall also, according
to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and
peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League
and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer
ourselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or
terror, to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction,
whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a
detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth
the glory of God, the good of the kingdom, and honour of the king; but shall,
all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against
all opposition, and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets
and impediments whatsoever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or
overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or
removed: All which we shall do as in the sight of God."
And, because these
kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son
JESUS CHRIST, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the
fruits thereof; we profess and declare, before GOD and the world, our unfeigned
desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms;
especially that we have not, as we ought, valued the inestimable benefit of the
Gospel; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and the we
have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, not to walk worthy of him
in our lives; which are the causes of other sins and transgression so much
abounding amongst us: and our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and
endeavour, for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in
public and private, in all duties we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives,
and each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation; that
the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these
Churches and kingdoms in truth and peace.
And this Covenant we make in the
presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to
perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all
hearts shall be disclosed; most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by
his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with
such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement
to other Christian Churches, groaning under, or in danger of the yoke of
antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to
the glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST, and the peace
and tranquillity of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths."
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