A CONFUTATION OF The Solemne LEAGVE and COVENANT AGAINST The persecuting dividing sense put upon it by such who seeke more themselves and their ends then the Glory of God or the Peace of the KINGDOMES By R. L. A true friend to all reall COVENANTERS LONDON Printed Anno Domini 1648. The Solemne LEAGUE and COVENANT pleading its own innocency WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion c. Which was not then Presbytery Presbeters being reckoned among the rest of their now despised brethren for Sectaries by their joynt adversaries the Bishops and the rest of that superstitious Popish faction Having before our eyes the glory of God c. Who is alone glorious in holinesse the brightnesse of whose glory is the man Christ Jesus the Spirituall not the formall exalting of Christ being the onely mite we have to cast into the treasure of his glory Ex 15.11 Heb. 13. And the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ c. Whose Kingdom is a Spirituall Kingdom within men not a carnall kingdom set up over men Luk. 17.11 Heb. 1.8 a Kingdome over whom there is no other King nor governour but him that swayes the Scepter of righteousnesse For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King he will save us The honour and hapinesse of the Kings Majesty c. Esay 33.21 It was not that honour and happinesse which he himselfe fought for against the Parliament and Covenant but that honour and happinesse wherein the happinesse and the safety of the Kingdome did consist And the true publique liberties safety and peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included c. These things though last named were first in our eyes and more precious in our esteem then the honour and happinesse of him who would then have destroyed us and did his utmost to make us slaves And calling to minde the traccherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and Practises of the enemies of God which were not then called Sectaries against the true Religion c. by which was not meant Church government nor unlimited Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction in the Clergy for those enemies we speake were then designing to advance those things but by true religion must be meant the power of godlinesse in godly people which our formall superstitious Church governors viz. the Episcopall Clergy did endeavour to persecute and destroy And professors thereof in all places especially in the three Kingdomes ever since the reformation c. Which hath its eye to what we were reformed from viz. from Popery superstition c. Which reformation was not then in Church government wee being then under the government of Popish superstitious prelats as if under any but the reformation we eyed was in those inward principles of condence and godlinesse shining forth in the conversation of particular Christians And how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time incâ—eased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdome of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and kingdome of England and the dangerous estate of the Church and kingdome of Scotland are present and publike testimonies c. Which power rage and presumption that put the three kingdomes into such a distraction was not then for want of suppressing Heresie and Schism so called but the contrary the suppressing and opposing truth under those names the persecuting and destroying good Christians for such persons viz. Seditious Hereticks and Schismaticks c. If you will not beleeve me aske Mr. Prynne and Doctor Bastwick c. We have now at last after other means of supplications remonstrances protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selvs our religion from utter ruin destruction c. Were not our supplications to the King and his Councel against the Prelates and their persecuteing such in the High Commission Starre chamber c. By whose meanes and from whose hands we indured these sufferings here spoken of against whom and their innoations did runne all our protestations and remonstrances here quoted as you may read in the preamble to the first protestation May 5. 1641. In these words That the designes of the Priests and Iesuits and other adherents to the See of Rome have of late beene more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly to the undermining and danger of the true reformed Protestant Religion and that divers innovations and superstitions have been brought into the Church c. Multitudes driven out of His Majesties Dominions c. who were banished then for Hereticks and Schismaticks Therefore I A B. doe in the presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest to maintaine and defend as farre as lawfully I may not further with my life sower and estate the true reformed protestant religion against all Popery and Popish innovations within this Realme c. Not against all disputeable controversies matter of doctrine discipline between godly people According to the commendable practises of these kingdoms in former times and the example of godly people in other nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a solemne League and Covenant c. Not to compell any others who hate both us our Covenant to enter into it to the prejudice of all faithfull Covenanters Wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himselfe with our hands listed up to the most high God doe sweare First that we shall sinceâ—ely realy and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our severall places and callings not out of them the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland not the setting up of it in England in doctrine worship discâ—pline and government against our common enemies not against our differing brethren that are our faithfull friends the reformation of religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God not besides it much lesse against it and the example of the best reformed Churches whose reformation is not differing from our first and chief rule the Word of God And shall indeavour to bring the Churches of God the Synagogues of Satan the Kingdome and throne of Antichrist whose dominion is over Kingdomes and Nations after a worldly secular manner against which we have cheifely covenanted in the three Kingdomes to the merest conjunction and uniformity in Religion confession of Faith forme of Church-Government Directory for worship and Catechising c. That according to our former Protestation lawfully we may not erring from the Rule of all Reformation Joh. 16.13 the chiefe Rule in our eye and first example in our mouthes the word of God allowing of no other infallible interpreter to our
of the kirk of Scotland to the king at Newcastle The troubles of our hearts are enlarged and our seares increased in your Majesties behalfe perceiving that your peoples patience is above measure tempted and is like a cart pressed down with sheaves and is ready to break while as besides many formes designes and endeavours to bring desolation and destruction upon us c. Our countrey is now infested The bloud of divers of our Brethren spilt and other acts of most barbarous and horrid cruelty exercised by the cursed crue of Irish Rebels and their complices in this kingdom under the conduct of such as have commission and warrant from your Majesty and unlesse we prove unfaithfull both to God and to your Majesty we cannot conceal another danger which is infinitely greater than that of your peoples displeasure c. therefore in the Name of our Lord and master Jesus Christ who shall judge the World in righteousnesse both great and small and in the name of this whole national kirk which wee represent we make bold to warne your Majesty freely that the guilt which cleaveth fast to your Majesty and to your Throne is such as whatsoever flattering preachers or unfaithfull counsellours may say to the contrary if not timely repented cannot but involve your selfe and your posterity under the wrath of the everliving God for your being guilty of this shedding of the bloud of many thousands of your Majesties best subjects Was his Majesty blameable in the spilling of so much innocent bloud of his best subjects in the three kingdomes and was it then our duty to protect our selves against his Majesties power and authority which he exercised to our ruine and destruction to the utmost of his strength and is it not so hath not the parliament several times declared as particularly in their Message to the king 25. August 1642. That the king by setting up his Standard against them did put the two Houses of parliament and in them the whole Kingdom out of his protection that untill his Majesty shall recall those proclamations and declarations whereby the two Houses of parliament and all that adhered to them are declared Traitors they could not without betraying their trust admit of any Treaty with his Majesty Now hath the King recalled these Proclamations and Declarations ye or no hath he given satisfaction for blood or security to the Kingdome if not would you have us betray our cause break our covenant and treate as Traitors Had we not better have done this at first before this great expence of blood and treasure Must the covenant needs be at war with it selfe can we be bound by the covenant to assist the Parliament and all that adhere to them in maintaining the true Religion the Libertyes and Freedom of the people c. In opposition to the Arbitrary power of the King and likewise bound to defend and protect the Kings Majesty and Authority while in opposition unto the same former things But it is not the covenant but the designing faithlesse covenanters which are thus full of contradictions but if ye shall still do wickedly 1 Sam. 12.25 ye shall be consumed both you and your King A POSTSCRIPT BRethren this breife Explanation of the Covenant is not intended to perswade any from taking it much lesse any from keeping it but rather to discover the usefulnesse and inocency of it it being at this time the designe of all the profest enemies of Christ and his people to make this bond of Christian Union become a bone of Division amongst us by a seeming compliance with some things contayned in it which serve best their own ends which is a totall subverting the maine end of the Covenant viz. the brotherly uniting together all godly people whether of Paul Apollo or Cephas Against the common enemy to the power of Godlynesse and purity of Religion the libertyes and freedome of the people the Covenant in the plaine and naked sence of it being as free from compulsion as the late paper entituled the Agreement of the people onely the violent prosecuting of both by the rigid uncharitable promoters acting more out of design and bitternesse of spirit than conscience hath converted the one into a snare and the other into a yoake there being not one clause in the Covenant binding to any conformity in matters of Religion but what is with such large and cleere exceptions and conditions as any man without prejudicing his christian liberty may take it and walk answerable to it it being acknowledged by the Assembly of Divines in their exhortation for their taking the Covenant pag. 33. That there is nothing contained in it but what was manifestly and fully included in that Protestation taken by the whole Kindome May 5. 1641. Upon which the Parliament gives this Interpretation pag. 7. Whereas some doubts have been raised by severall persons out of this House concerning the meaning of these words contained in the Protestation lately made by the Members of this House vid. The true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Inovations within this Realme contrary to the same Doctrine The House doth declare by those words was and is meant only the publike Doctrine professed in the same Church so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Inovations That the said words are not to be extended to the maintaing of any forme of Worship Discipline or Government nor of any Rites or ceremonies in the said church of England What could have been more said to satisfie every man in this point which is not affected to Popery and Popish Inovations Againe in the first Preamble to the solemne league and covenant entituled The excellent usefulnesse of the Covenant it hath these words Unton with God conformity to God and unity of the three Kingdomes are things most desireable in the first we are happy in the second holy in the third is strength peace and safety These are the kindly fruits of this covenant and a covenant that brings forth these how gladly should they be embraced and how willingly received they are lovely bands that binde us to be happy holy and safe The heart of man is backsliding and a covenane is like a hedge or wall to keep us from going backward It doth not say to hinder us from going forward From forgetting of those things which are behind reaching forth unto those things which are before pressing toward the Marke for the price of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.13 There being not one clause in the whole Covenant tending to binde or limit a believer in point of Faith or practice in matters of Religion but on the contrary making a strong provision for their further freedome the very businesse and end of the Covenant being to defend and preserve our Christian and Civill Liberties against the Popish Prelaticall persecuting party in the Kingdome which is not onely my sense but the
of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuance thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terror to be divided and withdrawne from this blessed union and conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or quit our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrallity in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the kingdome and honour of the King but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power againsts all lets and impediments whatsoever and what we are not able of our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveale and make knowne that it may be timely prevented or removed all which we shall doe as in the sight of God The principall thing contained in this sixth head is a mutuall assistance of each other in the pursuing and obtainining the ends of the Covenant which is in a brotherly firme uniting against the Common Enemie to the Covenanted cause viz. the preservation of the purity of religion the liberty and freedome of the people c. To endeavour to retaine unity where we cannot uniformity and to prefer the concurrence and assistance of one approved tryed friend to the Covenanted cause though differing in some particular circumstances before the compliance of many others which stood neuters to it or opposed it when we stood most in need of their help And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many sins and provocations against God and his sonne Iesus Christ as is too manifest by our present destresses and dangers the fruits whereof we professe and declare before God and the world our unsained desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of these kingdomes especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospell that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ into our hearts nor to walke worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of out sinnes and transgressions so much abounding among us and our true and unfained purpose desire and endevours for our selves and others under our power and charge both in publike and in prevate in al duties we owe to God and man is to amend our lives and each one to goe one before another in this example of a reall reformation that the Lord may turne away his wrath and heavy indignation and establish these Churches 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 performe 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 blesse our desires and proceedings with such successes as may be deliverance and safety to his people and incouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the Yoak of antichristian tyranny to joyne in the same or like Association and Covenant to the glory of God the inlargement of the kingdome of Iesus Christ and the peace and tranquility of Christian kingdomes and common wealthes c. What can be more said or what words can more fully containe to discover a people cordially and really sensible of the crying sins of persecuting and destroying good people under bad names exalting the forme of Godlinesse against the power thereof of opposing the Letter of the Gospell against the Spirit of it Let the Consciences of all Covenanters judge acknowledging the cause of the Kingdoms present distresses and dangers to flow from their many sins and provocations committed against God and his Son Jesus Christ especially the not valuing the mosteemable benefit of the Gospel but rather sliting deriding persecuting the most precious part thereof vid. The spirit and power of it not labouring for the purity power thereof but rather imprisoning it by the tradition and forme of it not indeavouring to receive Christ in hearts drawing neere to him with our mouths but having our hearts farre from him not walking worthy of him in our lives vid. Not living at all to him but to our selves promising â—eall not formall Reformation desiring to be strengthned by his holy Spirit whose teachings enlightnings and strengthnings are now become a by-word to many Covenanters ayming at the incoridgment of other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the same yoak of Antichristian tyranny and now make it the very worke of the Covenant to put the same yoake upon the neeks of our dissenting brethren which our own selves then groaned under like those Scribes and Pharisees Christ admonisheth the people against for they binde heavy â—â—â—thens and grievous to be borne and lay them on other mens shoulders Mat. 23.4 but themselves will not move them with one of their fingers For now the whole League and Covenant which containes thus many good Christan Engagements is all contracted or rather detracted into these three things viz. the Establishing and Setling Church Government according to that of Scotland the suppressing and punishing of Hereticks and Schismaticks c. The defending of or restoto his Majesty his Power and Greatnesse Now let us review the Covenant upon these particulars and see what we are engaged to in relation to these things and let the Covenant continue a rule and not be a snare to any much lesse to its true friends The preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Disciplune and Government against our common Enemies What is this to the setting of it up in England against the judgements of our best friends or if our brethren of Scotland should finde cause to make a more through Reformation in that Kingdome are we bound by this Covenant to hinder them our covenant to preserve the present Reformation in either Kingdome is no engagement to hinder reformation in both Kingdoms if those in whom the power of Reforming is find cause therefore what we are by this Covenant engaged to in relation to Scotland is to assist them against any that shall endeavour to drive the Reformation back again toward the Idolatrous superstitions of Rome not those which endeavour the pressing of it forward toward the pure rule of the Word The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdome of England and Iroland in Doctrine worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the be best referned Churches It doth not say according to the length and breadth in every thing to a tittle of that in Scotland neither doth it name this or that form of Government or particular Church or churches but only saith the word of God and best reformed churches which is wholly in the breast of the Reformers which