the tracherous 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 excercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England and the * Distressed dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies we have now at last †After all the Supplications Remonstrances Protestations Sufferings of our Fathers and our own Grievous Sufferings and Contendings after other means of Supplication Remonstrance Protestation Suffering for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods People in other Nations ‡ After all the maturity of deliberation that our circumstances could allow after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a muâ—ual 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. 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 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 Catechizing 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 2. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-goverment by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schism Prophanness and whatsoever shall be found to be contraâ—y to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness Lest we partake in other Mens 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 3. 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 Priviledges of the Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdom And to preserve and defend * The Civil Magistrates Person and Authority the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdoms That the World may bear witness with our Consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intention to diminish his just power and greatness 4. We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evil Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing †Between the Magistrate and Subjects the King from his People or one of the Kingdoms from another or making any faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant That they may be brought to publick trial and receive condigne 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 5. And wherâ—as the happiness of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms denied in former times to our Pregenitors is by the good Providence of God granted unto and ‡ Was in the dayes of our Fathers concluded hath been lately concluded and settled by both Parliamen's We shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain ‡ As they were then conjoyned in a firm Peace Union to all Posterity and that Justice may be done upon the wilful Opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Article 6. 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 our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever Combination Perswasion or Terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and Conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the Glory of God the good of the Kingdoms and honour †Of the Government 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 against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever And what we are not able our selves 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 distress and dangers the fruits thereof We profess and declare before God and the World our unfained 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 that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our Lives which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us and our true and unfained purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our power charge both in publick and in private in all duties we ow 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 a deliverance and safety to his People and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or
the Children of Israel in the Land of Moah beside the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. Whence we may have ground for moving and solving several difficulties Quest 1 I. It may be doubted If Covenanting with GOD especially National be a necessary or expedient Duty approven in the Scriptures Ans The Lawfulness of Oaths Vows and Covenants to for or before GOD will be questioned by none but Quakers and other Enthusiasts or Fanaticks In the Old Test it is here evident the Lord Commanded to enter into this Covenant and Oath v. 1. and 12. And it is never Abrogate in the New Test except in ordinary Communications wherein it was condemned in the Old as well as in the New. And it is so far from being Abrogate that it is Confirmed by the Apostle saying A Mans Covenant once confirmed cannot be disanulled Gal. 3.15 And concerning even Promissory Oaths saying That an Oath for confirmation is an end of all strife Heb. 6.16 Nor can the expediency or the necessity of this Duty be doubted by any who considers the Commands enforcing it the usefulness that the Saints experienced in it for restraining from Sin for Aggravating it in their Humiliations from this consideration That they had Vowed and Covenanted to the contrary for stirting up to the Duties bound upon them by the Law and for encouraging themselves in the hâ—pe of Pardon for their Short-comings We must not think it is inconvenient to Vow or that it is indifferent to Vow or not Vow It is said indeed Eccles 5.5 Better it is that thou shouldest not Vow than that thou shouldest Vow and not pay But that does not make Vowing either Inconvenienâ— Inexpedient nor Indifferent or not good simply No more than the Apostles saying 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better not to have known the way of Righteousness than after it is known to turn from it will make knowing the way of Righteousness to be either Inconvenient or Inexpâ—diâ—nt or not good simply For Vowing as well as Paying is expressly commanded Psal 76.11 And in some cases especially in necessary things Vowing and Breaking is better than not Vowing and yet Bâ—eaking the Law for the later is two Sins Omission in not Vowing and Commission in Breaking the former only the sin of Breaking the Vow as Mr Durham clears it at large on Command 3. Pag. 135.136 c. 2. As for National Vowing or Covenanting it is evidently approven in Scripture Precepts Promises and Practises Here is a Scripture Precept for it in the Old Test never Abrogated in the New. There are also Promises and these relating to the New Test times not only of Personal but of National Covenanting as Churches and Christian Societies Isa 19.18 21 23. to the end Jer. 50.4.5 Zech. 2.11 And as for Precedents we have very many of National Covenants made and renewed again and again for Preservation and Reformation of Religion Extirpation of false Worship maintaining their Laws Liberties and Government punishing and restraining the Wicked keeping the common Peace and mutual Defence against the common Enemies As here after that in Horeb Israels Covenant is solemnly Sworn under the Conduct of Moses And Renewed by Joshua Josh 24. By Asa 2 Chron. 15.13 14. Jehojadah 2 Kings 11.17 2 Chron. 23.16 Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29 10. Josiah 2 Kings 23.2 2 Chron. 34. Ezra chap. 10.3 Nehemiah chap 9. ult and 10.28 29. Yea alwayes in times of Humiliation and intended Reformation we find they fell about this Duty That the Lordâ— fierce Wrath might turn away 2 Chron. 29.10 To confirm Israels hope Ezrâ— 10.1 Nehem. 9. ult As also in the New Testament somewhat like this is hinted at 2 Cor. 8.5 Where the Churches of Macedonia gavâ— their own selves to the Lord and to the Apostles which at least implieâ— a Covenant Quest 2 II. It may be questioned What was the Nature of these Covenants at Horeb and of this in Moab and other National Covenantâ— in Scripture Was it a Covenant of Works or of Grace that was severaâ— times Renewed And do we stand bound to them as the Israelites them Ans These Covenants as to their Nature were neither the Covenanâ— of Works nor of Grace formally though matterially partaking oâ— both They have the same mutual contracting Parties GOD and Man thô here Man is to be considered not in his Abstract Singular Individual or personal Capacity But as a Member of a Community undertaking Vows The same obligations to all the duties of these forementioned Divine Covenants thô here they are to be takâ—n as Publick and National Duties in reference to Religion as a publick Interest The same sanctions and certifications of Blessings and Curses here to be understood aâ— Na ional With respect to the Matter of them in the Old Testament Dispensation they obliged to the observation of the whole Moral Judicial and Ceremonial Law of GOD as it was then calculate to the judaical Pâ—dagogie requiring indeed perfection legal accordding to the Tenor of the Covenant of Works but admitting Repentance and through Faith accepting Perfection Evangelical according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace And in the New Testament Dispensation they oblige to the same observance of the same Laws that are not abolished and of these Ceremonial Institutions of CHRIST that are substitute in the place of the former Pedagogical and Typical Ceremonies calculate to the Meridian of Gospel Light Purity and Simplicity With respect to the End in both Dispensations they had and have the same subserviency to the Covenant of Grace the same with the Law to restrain Sin to manifest it and to lead to CHRIST for Remission of it And with respect to the several sorts of People engaging under these Bonds they were to Believers according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace and to Unbelievers according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Works But as to their Form and Formality they were the Ecclesiastick and National Covenants of the visible Community of the Lords People engaging to be His and to keep His Wayes and Testimonies First Transacted Exod. 19.5 8. Exod. 24.7 8. Renewed here Deut. 29. and several times afterwards Quest 3 III. Another Question is Who may tender or impose it May it be without the Magistrate Here the Magistrate Moses is Authorized to make it But may it be done without him Or when it is so is the obligation of it Binding when the Magistrate or publick Father disalowes or discharges it The reason of the doubt is taken from Numb 30.3 5 8. Where it is said if a Woman in her Fathers house or Husbands vow a Vow unto the Lord and her Father or Husband disallow her not any of her Vows or Bonds wherewith she hath bound her Soul shall stand but shall be made of none effect Ans Justice and Order requires that whoever hath the greatest Influence upon or Authority over the Community should tender the Oath and it belongs indeed to Magistrates to enjoyn it but not so
shall continue in the obedience of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk and shall defend the same according to our Vocation and Power all the dayes of our lives under the pains contained in the Law and danger both of Body and Soul in the day of Gods fearful Judgement And seing that many are stirred up by Satan and that Roman Antichrist to promise swear subscribe and for a time use the Holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceitfully against their own Consciences minding thereby first under the external Cloak of Religion to corrupt and subvert secretly Gods true Religion within the Kirk and afterward when time may serve to become open Enemies and Persecutors of the same under vain hope of the Popes Dispensation devised against the Word of God to his greater confusion and their double condemnation in the day of the Lord Jesus We therefore willing to take away all suspicion of Hypocrisie and of such double dealing with God and His Kirk Protest and call The Searcher of all hearts for witness that our minds and hearts do fully agree with this Our Confession Promise Oath and Subscription so that We are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded only in Our Consciences through the knowledge and love of Gods true Religion printed in Our Hearts by the Holy Spirit as we shall answer to Him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed And because we perceive that the quietness and stability of our Religion and Kirk doth depend upon the safety and good behaviour of * The lawfully established Suprem Magistrat the Kings Majesty as upon a comfortable Instrument of Gods Mercy granted to this Country for the maintaining of this Kirk and ministration of Justice amongst us we protest and promise with our Hearts under the same Oath Hand-writ and Pains that we shall defend his Person and Authority with our goods bodies and lives in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Countrey ministration of Justice and punishment of Iniquity against all Enemies within this Realm or without as we desire our God to be a strong and merciful Defender to us in the day of our death and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory Eternally Like as many Acts of Parliament not only in general do abrogate annul and rescind all Laws Statutes Acts Constitutions Canons civil or municipal with all other Ordinances and practick Penalties whatsoever made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professors thereof Or of the true Kirk discipline Jurisdiction and Freedom thereof Or in favours of Idolatry and Superstition Or of the Papistical Kirk As Act. 3. Act. 13. Parl. 1. Act. 23. Parl. 11. Act. 114. Parl. 12 of King James the sixth That Papistry and Superstition may be utterly suppressed according to the intention of the Acts of Parliament repeated in the 5. Act. Parl. 20. King James 6th And to that end they ordain all Priests to be punished by manifold Civil and Ecclesiastical pains as Adversaries to Gods true Religion preached and by Law established within this Realm Act 24. Parl. 11. King James 6th As common Enemies to all Christian Government Act 18. Parl. 16. King James 6th As Rebellers and Gain-standers of our Soveraign Lords Authority Act 47. Parl. 3. K. James 6. And as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. King James 6. But also in particular by and attour the Confession of Faith do abolish and condemn the Popes Authority and Jurisdiction out of this Land and orders the Maintainers thereof to be punished Act 2. Parl 1. Act 51. Parl. 3. Act. 106. Parl. 7. Act 114. Parl. 12. King James 6. Do condemn the Popes erroneous Doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of the true and Christian Religion publickly preached and by Law established in this Realm And ordains the spreaders and makers of Books or Libels or Letters or Writs of that nature to be punished Act 46. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. King James 6. Do condemn all Baptism conform to the Popes Kirk and the Idolatry of the Mass and ordains all Sayers wilful hearers and concealers of the Mass the mantainers and resetters of Priests Jesuits traffiquing Papists to be punished without any exception or restriction Act 5. Parl. 1. Act 120. Parl. 12. Act 164. Parl. 13. Act 193. Parl. 14. Act 1. Parl. 19. Act 5. Parl. 20. K. James 6. Do condemn all erroneous Books and Writes containing erroneous Doctrine against the Religion presently professed or maintaining superstitious Rites and Ceremonies Papistical whereby the People are greatly abused and ordaines the home bringers of them to be punished Act 25 Parl 11 K. James 6 do condemn the monuments and dregs of by gone Idolatry as going to the Crâ—sses observing the Festival dayes of the Saints and such other superstitious and Papistical Rites to the dishonour of God contempt of true Religion and fostering of great errour among the People and ordains the users of them to be punished for the second fault as Idolaters Act 104 Parl 7 K James 6. Like as many Acts of Parliament are conceaved for maintenance of Gods true and Christian Religion and the purity thereof in Doctrine and Sacraments of the true Church of God the liberty and freedom thereof in her National Synodal Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions Policy Discipline and Jurisdiction thereof as that purity of Religion and liberty of the Church was used professed exercised preached and confessed according to the Reformation of Religion in this Realm As for instance The 99 Act Parl 7 Act 23 Parl 11 Act 114 Parl 12 Act 160 Parl. 13. of King James 6. Ratified by the 4 Act of King Charles 1. So that the 6 Act Parl. 1. and 68 Act Parl. 6. of K. James 6. in the year of God 1579. Declares 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 Sacraments and the people that professed Christ as He was then offered in the Evangel and doth communicate with the Holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirks of this Realm they were publickly administrat according to the Confession of Faith to be the True and Holy Kirk of Christ Jesus within this Realm and decerns and declares all and sundry who either gain-sayes the Word of the Evangel received and approved as the heads of the Confession of Faith professed in Parliament in the year of God 1560. Specified also in the first Parliament of K. James 6. And ratified in this present Parliament more particularly do specifie or that refuses the administration of the Holy Sacraments as they were then ministrated to be no Members of the said Kirk within this Realm and true Religion presently professed so long as they keep themselves so divided from the society of Christs Body And the subsequent Act 69. Parl. 6. of K. James 6. declares That
honour and of the publick peace of the Kingdom By the manifold innovations and evils generally contained and particularly mentioned in Supplications Complaints and Protestations †Remonstrances Declarations Testimonies of old and of late Do hereby profess and before God His Angels and the World solemnly declare That with our whole Hearts we agree and resolve all the dayes of our life constantly to adhere unto and to defend the foresaid true Religion and forbearing the practice of all Novations ‡ Former or latter introduced in the matter of the Worship of God or approbation of the corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk or civil places and power of Kirk-men * Or any other Corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk Prelatick or Erastian either tried or to be tried till they be tryed and allowed in free Assemblies and in Parliaments to labour by all means lawful to recover the Purity Liberty of the Gospel as it was established professed before the foresaid Novations And because after due examination We plainly perceive undoubtedly believe that the Innovations evils contained in our Supplications Complaints and Protestations †Remonstrances Declarations and Testimonies have no warrand of the word of God are contrary to the Articles of the foresaid Confessions to the intention and meaning of the blessed Reformers of Religion in this Land to the above written Acts of Parliament and do sensibly tend to the Re-establishing of the Popish Religion and Tyranny and to the subversion and ruine 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 understood 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 abhore them as well as the particular heads of Papistry abjured therein And therefore from the knowledge and Conscience of our duty to God to * The Government and Countrey our King and Countrey without any worldly respect or inducement so far as humane infirmity will suffer wishing a further measure of the Grace of God for this effect We promise and swear by the Great Name of the Lord our God to continue in the Profession and Obedience of the foresaid Religion That we shal 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 dayes of our life And in like manner with the same heart We declare before God and Men That We have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of God or to the diminution of the †The Civil Magistrates Kings 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 ‡ His Highness his Person and Authority when lawfully chosen and established as King or Suprem Magistrate over us our dread Soveraign the Kings Majesty his Person and Authority in the Defence and Preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Laws of the Kingdom As also to the mutual defence and assistance every one of us of another in the same cause of maintaining the true Religion and his Majesties Authority with our best counsel our Bodies our Means and whole power against all sorts of persons whatsomever So that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that cause shall be taken as done to us all in general and to every one of us in particular And that we shall neither directly nor indirectly suffer our selves to be divided or withdrawn by whatsoever Suggestion allurement 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 lawful 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 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 Combination or what else our Adversaries from their craft or malice would put upon us seing what we do is so well warranted and ariseth from an unfeigned desire to maintain the true Worship of God * Honour of the Government the Majesty of our King and peace of the Kingdom for the common happiness of our selves and the posterity And because we cannot look for a Blessing from God upon our preceedings except with our Profession and Subscription we joyn such a Life and Conversation as beseemeth Christians who have renewed their Covenant with God We therefore faithfully promise for our selves our followers and all other under us both in publick in our particular Families and personal carriage to endeavour to keep our selves within the bounds of Christian liberty 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 observed without violation we call the Living God the Searcher of our Hearts to witness who knoweth this to be our sincere Desire and unfaigned Resolution As We shall answer to Jesus Christ in the Great Day and under the pain of Gods Everlasting Wrath 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 Soveraigns of the King and peace and comfort of us all In witness whereof we have subscribed with our hands all the Premisses c. This Article of the Covenant which was at the first Subscription ‡ Anno 1638. referred to the determination of the General Assembly being determined and thereby the 5 Articles of Perth the Government of the Kirk by Bishops 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 foresaid A SOLEMN LEAGUE and COVENANT For Reformation and Defence of Religion WE Having before our Eyes the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ * The establishment preservation of the Government the Honour and Happiness of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to mind
Government which as it was primarly understood so still we owne to be only Presbyterial Directory for Worship and Catechising According to Scripture Isa 19.18 Jer. 32.39 Zech. 14.9 Act. 2.46 1 Cor. 7.17 Phil. 3.16 Gal. 6.16 Yet as our Fathers had reason to complain that The profane loose and insolent Carriage of many in their Armies who went to the assistance of our Brethren in England and the tamperings and unstraight dealings of some Commissioners and others of our Nation in London the Isle of Wight and other places of that Kingdom had proved great Lets to the Work of Reformation and setling of Kirk Government there whereby Error and Schism in that Land had been encreased and Sectaries hardened in their way So much more in our day we are obliged to confess the Offensive Carriage and Conversation of many that have gone to England who have proven very stumbling to the Sectarians there And also the tamperings of others in patching up an Union and Communion with them without a Testimony against their way And on the other hand we have had little Zeal in our endeavours after such an Uniformity Little praying for it And little mourning for the obstructions of it Yea of late many have embraced a Toleration introductive of a Sectarian multiformity of Religions without so much as a Testimony against the Toleration of Popery it self In the II. Article We are bound without respect of persons to endeavour the extirpation of Popery conform to the National Covenant where we are bound to abhor and detest all kind of Papistry in general and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland Likeas many Acts of Parliament not only in general do abrogate all Laws Statutes and Constitutions made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professors thereof or of the true Kirk Discipline Jurisdiction and Freedom thereof or in favours of the Popish Idolatry and Superstition But in special do constitute enact ratifie and aprove many Penal Statutes against Papists Which are founded upon Divine Precepts and other Scriptures Exod. 23.32 33. Exod. 34.12 13. Deut. 13. throughout Judg. 2.2 Zech. 13.2.3 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Thess 2.3.12 Rev. 17.5 16. Rov 18.4 5 6. Yet alas We have been so defective in this that upon the contrate the Land hath been polluted again with Idolatrous Masses Alters and other Monuments have been suffered to be again erected Penal Statutes have been so far from being executed against Papists that they have been by Arbitrary and Absolute Power stopped suspended and disabled by the Toleration in its own nature tending and in its design intended to introduce Popery and Slavery Yet this hath been accepted and addressed for by many Ministers and countenanced complyed and concurred with by many People without a Testimony or endeavour to withstand it Yea the Administration of the Government greatest Offices of Power and Trust hath been committed to permitted to abide in the hands of Papists And the Head of them great Pillar Promoter of Popery James the 7th hath been owned as King contrary to the Laws of God and Man which incapacitate him And Covenant obligations without respect of persons to extirpate Papists And all of us have had too little Zeal or Indignation against or fear of the manifest appearances of the coming in of Popery and intended Establishment of it in the Land And little serious Wrestling for the ruine and fall of Babylon and that the Lord would divide and overturn the Builders and Supporters thereof Many on the contrary have prayed for Blessings to the Person and Government of a Papist on the Throne the chiefest Supporter of it in these Lands In like manner We were bound To endeavour the Extirpation of Prelacy that is Church Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans Chapters Arch deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy As in the National Couenant to abhor and detest the Antichristian wicked Hierarchie and to forbear the practice of all Novations and approbation of the Corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk as being contrary to the Article of the forsaid Confession to the intention meaning of the blessed Reformers of Religion in this Land and to Acts of Parliament insert there and sensibly tending to the re-establishing of the Popish Religion and Tyranny to the subversion and ruine of the true reformed Religion of our Liberties Laws Estates Which Article concerning Prelacy being referred to the General Assembly was determined and declared Unlawful as being clearly condemned in the Word of God. Math. 20.25.26 Luk. 22.25 26. Act. 20.17.28 1 Pet. 5.3 3 Joh. 9. Yet we have been so far from paying these our Vows that Prelacy hath been by wicked Law established and in stead of Extirpation hath been submitted unto and complied with by us And in evidence thereof as it was required by wicked and Arbitrary Laws we heard and received Ordinances dispensed by the intruding Curats and payed them Stipends and Emoluments exacted for upholding that which we were bound to extirpate And not only so but many did bind and oblige themselves by Subscription Promise or Oath to be ordinary Church-members of the Prelatical Church And all of us even thô we did stand at a distance from and witnessed against that Faction yet we became very remiss in our Zeal and flack in our Prayers against Prelacy Instead of endeavours to extirpate Superstition and Heresie as we are bound by the same Article of the Solemn League and by the National Covenant to detest all Superstitions and Heresies without or against the Word of God and Doctrine of this reformed Kirk According to the Scriptures Deut. 12.30 31 32. Act. 17.22 Gal. 4.10 Gal. 5.20 Col 2.20 21 23. Tit. 3.10 Yet in the darkness of these times many dregs of Popish Superstition have been observed many Omens and Freets too much looked to Popish Festival-dayes as Pasch Yule Fastens-even c. have been kept by many And Prelatical Anniversary-dayes and Festivities devised of their own heart appointed for Commemorating the Kings Birth-dayes as May 29. and October 14. c. who were born as a Scourge to this Realm have been complyed with by many Yes some have superstiâ—iously made use of the Scriptures as a Fortune-book looking to that which was first cast up to them or to Impressions born in upon their minds from such and such parts of Scripture as Divine Responses wâ—th out a due search of them as the Lord hath commanded And many wavering and unstable have been seduced into damnable and pernicious Heresies as Quakers and delirious delusions of such as followed John Gibb All which have been Breaches of Covenant as well as Divine Commands Yet Heresies of all kinds have been Tolerated yea encouraged in our day without a witness against them from many Moreover we are bound in our Covenant to oppose extirpate Schism on the
secret thoughts which no law of Man can reach yet in our day extorted by threatnings of Torture and Death if they were not discovered in Answers to our persecuters impertinent questions In all which impositions on our Liberties as men we have too stupidly couched under all burdens and complyed with them The Churches Liberties have also been invaded by the Ecclesiastical Supremacy declared by a Blasphemous Law inherent in the Crown and by an Absolute Power which all were required to obey without reserve which are horrid encroachments on the incommunicable Prerogatives of JEHOVAH and His CHRIST as only King and Head of His Church And yet these have been established and homologated by our several involvements in the sin of Prelacy and its attending Patronages robbing the Church of the Liberty of election of Pastors Indulgence and Tolleration to the prejudice of and without a Witness for the Churches Liberties In that same Article we are bound also to preserve and defend the supreme Magistrates Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms As in the National Covenant is expressed likewise to defend his Person and Authority in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Country Ministration of Justice and punishment of iniquity and stand to his defence in the defence and preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Laws of the Kingdom As the Duty is qualified in Scriptures 2 Sam 5 3 2 Kings 11 17 1 Kings 12 16 2 Chron 26 16 21 Rom 13 3 4 1 Pet 2 14. But as our Fathers in their acknowledgement had reason to say Neither hath it been our care to avoid these things which might harden the King in his evil way But upon the Contrary he hath not only been permitted but many of us have been Instrumental to make him exercise his Power in many things tending to the prejudice of Religion and of the Covenant and of the Peace and Safety of these Kingdoms Which is so far from the right way of preserving his Majesties Person and Authority that it cannot but provoke the Lord against him unto the hazard of both Nay under a pretence of relieving and doing for the King whilst he refuses to do what was necessary for the House of God some have ranversed and violated most of all the Articles of the Covenant So in our unhappy dayes it is our Sin Shame and Sorrow that we have had to do with men mounted on a Throne of iniquity that have been subverting Religion and Persecuting it designing to introduce Poperie it self and Slaverie Destroying our Liberties Suppressing the Evangel and Oppressing its Professors Enacting and Executing manifest Injustice stoping the Ministration of Justice against Idolaters Adulterers Murderers and other Malifactors and and punishing Equity and Duty instead of Iniquity arrogating and obtaining a Monstrous Prerogative above all Rights and Priviledges of Parliament all Laws all Liberties a power to Tyrannize as be lists without control But as it was our Fathers sin to inaugurate the late King after such discoveries of his Hypocritical emnity to Religion and Liberty upon his subscription of the Covenant So when he burnt and buried that Covenant and degenerate into manifest Tyrannie and had razed the very foundation upon which both his Right to govern and the Peoples Allegiance were founded and remitted the Subjects Allegiance by annulling the Bond of it We sinned in continuing still to own his Authority when opposite to and destructive of Religion and Liberty And many in swearing the Oath of Allegiance including also the Supremacy with the boundless Prerogatives without any Restrictions or Qualifications when all the Authority he had was engaged and exerted in a Rebellion against GOD forgetting foregoing and disowning these Limitations in the Covenant And in putting in his Interest with the Application of the words of the Covenant to him thô stated in opposition to it in the state of the quarrel in our Declarations of war at Pentland and Bothuel-Bridge for which the LORD put us to shame and went not out with our Armies Again we desire to confess and mourn over this as the sin of the Land and breach of Covenant that the Duke of York hath been admitted to the exercise of the Royal Office against the Laws of GOD and man being incapable of the Covenants qualifications of a Magistrate and being a Papist incapable of taking the Oath of Coronation to maintain the True Protestant Religion and abolish and gainstand Popery which for the preservation of the true Religion Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom is statute by the 8 Act Parl 1 K Jam 6 That all Kings at the Reception of their Princely Authority shall take and swear Yet his Authority thô inconsistent with and declaredly opposite to Religion and Liberty hath been owned and upheld by paying the Cess and Supplies expresly exacted for maintaining Tyrannie in the destruction of Religion and Liberty Our own Consciences within and Gods Judgements upon us without do convince us of the manifold wilful renewed Breaches of the Fourth Article which concerneth the discovery of Malignants consonant to the Scriptures 2 Sam 23 6 Esther 7 5 6 Psal 26 5 6 Psal 101 8 Prov 25 5 For their Crimes have not only been connived at but dispensed with and pardoned and themselves received into intimate Fellowship and entrusted with Counsels admitted into Parliaments and put in places of Power and Authority for managing the publick Affairs of the Kingdom whereby in Gods Justice they got at last into their hands the whole power and Strength of the Kingdom both in Judicatories and Armies and did imploy the same unto the enacting and prosecuting an unlawful Engagement in War against the Kingdom of England Notwithstanding of the discent of many considerable Members of Parliament who had given constant proof of their integrity in the Cause from the beginning Of many faithful Testimonies and free Warnings of the Servants of God of the Supplications of many Synods Presbyteries and Shires And the Declarations of the General Assembly and their Commissioners to the Contrary Which Engagement as it was the Cause of much Sin so also of much Miserie and Calamity unto this Land and held forth the grieveousness of our sin in Complying with Malignants in the greatness of our Judgement that we may be taught never to split again upon the same Rock upon which the Lord hath set so Remarkable a beacon And after all that is come to pass unto us because of this our trespass And after that Grace hath been shewed unto our Fathers and us once and again from the Lord our God by breaking these Mens Yoke from off their and our necks and sometimes delivering our Fathers so far from their insultings that He put them into a Capacity to Act for the good of Religion their own safety and the Peace and safety of the Kingdom should they and we again break his Commandment and Covenant by joyning once more
Christian Doctrine and practical use of Saving Knowledge Directory for publick Worship Propositions concerning Church Government and Ordination of Ministers c. And other Writings clearing and confirming these Truths approven by this Church and agreeable with the Word of GOD. The advancing and promoving the power of this True Reformed Religion in our selves and others against all Ungodliness and Profanity And the securing and preserving the purity thereof against all Error Heresie and Schisme and namely Independency Anabaptisme Antinomianisme Arminianisme Socinianisme Familisme Libertinisme Scepticisme Quakerisme and Erastianisme shall be more studied and endeavoured by us And as we declare we willingly agree in our Consciences with this Doctrine of the Church of Scotland in all points as unto Gods undoubted Truth and Verity grounded only upon His written Word So we resolve constantly to adhere unto and maintain and defend and profess and confess and when called of GOD to be willing to suffer for every point of the said Doctrine as we shal desire to be approven and confessed by Christ Jesus before God and His Holy Angels 2. We shall also study more sincerity uprightness and heart integrity in the Worship of God and not satisfy our selves with the forme of it without the Spirituality that the Object of it requires And shal endeavour to Recover and Preserve the Liberty and Purity thereof from all Corruptions Novations or Inventions of Men Popish Prelatical Erastian or any other And if we cannot get these Corruptions Reformed and removed we shal study to keep our selves free of Communion and Participation with the same 3. We shall likewise by all Lawful means endeavour the Recovery and Re-establishment of Presbyterial Government which is the only order of Christs House of Divine Institution and seek to have it Redintegrated in all its parts Priviledges and Courts of Kirk Sessions Presbytries Synods and General Assemblies And that the true Discipline of the same Church may be impartially Exercised Both which we shall endeavour to Preserve aginst all that seek to Subvert and Pervert the same And when Restored and Recovered in its freedom and integrity shall Cordially submit unto the same as becomes the Flock of Christ 4. In like manner the carrying on the Work of Uniformity in the three Kingdoms shall be desired designed prayed for studied and endeavoured by us by Remonstrances Supplications Admonitions Testimonies and all other means possible lawful expedient and competent unto us in our capacities and that before all Worldly Interests whether concerning the Magistrate or our selves or any other whatsomever According to the Second Article 1. We shall do our outmost endeavours to have the Land purged of Popish Idolatry the Monuments thereof destroyed and so far as lies in our power shall never suffer the same to be reintroduced or errected again But shall endeavour to have the Penal Statutes against Papists of late stopped and suspended by the Tolleration revived left in full force and duely put in execution against those Enemies of Religion and all good Government 2. We shal Endeavour the extirpation of Prelacy by all approven means according to our Capacities and Vocations And in order thereto we shall never submit to that Prelatical Hierarchy of Arch-bishops Bishops c. having power of Order or Jurisdiction over preaching Presbyters whether Erastian or only Diocesan in any form or degree howsoever Reformed accommodated restricted or limited by Cautions or provisions of Men Since frequent and fatal experience hath taught this Church that they cannot be kept long within banks or bounds And the Word of GOD hath condemned that Office and Subordination it self in any degree We shall also by all lawful and legal means seek the removing of their substitute Curats depending on them from the Parish-Churches on which they have intruded And shall never submit to the Ministry of hear or receive Ordinances from nor pay any Stipends unto any Man that enters into the Cure of any Perish at the door of the Bishops Collation or Patrons Presentation 3. Because many have of late laboured to supplant the Liberties of the Kirk and have in a great measure obtained their design by the late Indulgences and Toleration We shall refuse withstand and witness against all such Encroachments on the Liberties of this Church in all times coming And shal withdraw our selves from CoÌ„munion with any such Meetings or Congregations that hold their freedom from and are modified by such Usurpations Purposing and promising to use all endeavours to have a settled Ministry according to Christs Institution without any dependence on subordination unto or homologation of an Ecclesiastick Erastian usurped supremacy in the Civil Magistrate Furthermore we shal strive to recover when recovered Maintain and Defend the Kirk of Scotland in all her Liberties and Priviledges according to our power against all who shall oppose or undermine the same or encroach thereupon under any pretext whatsomever 4. And as on the one hand we here enter into Vowes to detest and abhor all Superstition Heresie and Profaneness and whatsoever shall be found contrary to found Doctrine and the power of Godliness and to keep our selves so far as we can from all partaking in other Mens sins by consent unto assâ—ciation incorporation combination communion complyance with or conniving at their siâ—s So We resolve in the Lords strengâ—h to guard against all Schisme and sinful Separation or unjust rash and disorderly withdrawing from Congregations Societies or Families or any part of the Communion of the true Reformed Covenanted Church of Scotland holding purely and intirely the Doctrine Worship Dâ—scipline and Government of the same in Principle and Exercise according to the Rules of Christ and standing Acts and Constitutions of this Church And that we shall neither gather nor set up formed separate Churches or Societies under other Ordinances Government or Ministry distinct from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Nor withdraw from Minister or Member of that Body for any offence in any case where either the offence may be legally removed without our withdrawing Or cannot be instructed to be condemned by the Word of God or the Constitutions of this Church Or is in it self an insufficient ground of withdrawing Or a thing to be condescended upon forborn or forgiven But shall study to maintain Union and Communion in Truth and Duty with all the Ministers and Members of the said Church that do and in so far as they do follow the Institutions of Christ According to the Third Article 1. We shall endeavour with all sincerity reality and constancy according to our Vocations and Capacities by all possible lawful means to seek the removal of those things that corrupt prelimite or preclude the right constitution of Parliaments and other Judicatories The rescinding and taking away of these wicked Acts and Oaths that give entrance unto the Enemies of the Reformation to sit there as Members and exclude those that are honest and well affected to the Covenant and Cause of GOD. And