Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

confpiraces, attempts and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true religion and profeffors thereof in all places, elpecially in thefe three kingdoms, ever fince the reformation of religion; and how much their rage, power and prefumption are of late, and at this time, increafed and exereifed, whereof the deplorable ftate of the church and kingdom of Ireland, the diftreffed eftate of the church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous eftate of the church and kingdom of Scotland,are prefent and public teftimonies: We have now at laft (after other means of fupplication, remonstrance, proteftation and fufferings) for the prefervation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and deftruction, according to the commendable practice of thefe kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD's people in other nations; after mature deliberation, refolved and determined to enter into a mutual and folemn league and covenant, wherein we all fubfcribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most high GOD, do fwear,

I.

THA

HAT we fhall fincerely, really, and conftantly, thro' the grace of GOD, endeavour in our feveral places and callings, the prefervation of the reformed religion in the church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, difcipline and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religon in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, difcipline and government, according to the word of GOD, and the example of the beft reformed churches: And fhall endeavour to bring the churches of GOD in the three kingdoms, to the neareft conjunction and uniformity in religion, confeffion of Faith, form of church-government, directory for worship, and catechifing; that we, and our pofterity 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 fhall in like manner, without refpect of perfons, endeavour the extirpation of popery, prelacy, (that is, church-government by arch-bishops, bishops, their chancellors and commiffioners, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclefiaftical officers depending on that hierarchy) fuperftition, herefy, fchifm, profaneness, and whatfoever fhall be found to be contrary to found doctrine and the power of Godliness; leaft we partake in other mens

fins, 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 fhall, with the fame fincerity, reality and conftancy, in our several vocations, endeavour, with our eftates and lives, mutually to preferve the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms; and to preferve and defend the king's majefty's perfon and authority, in the prefervation and defence of the true religion, and liberties of the kingdoms; that the world may bear witnefs. with our confcience of our loyalty, and that we have no thoughts, or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatnefs.

IV. We fhall alfo, with all faithfulness, endeavour the dif covery of all fuch as have been or fhall be incendiaries, Malignants, or evil inftruments, by hindring the reformation of religion, dividing 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 public trial,and receive condign punifhment, as the degree of their offences fhall require or deferve, or the fupreme judicatories of both kingdoms refpectively, or others having power from them for that effect, fhall judge convenient.

V. And whereas the happiness of a bleffed peace between thefe kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is by the good providence of God granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded, and fettled by both parliaments; We, fhall each one of us, according to our place and intereft, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to all posterity; and that juftice may be done upon the wilful oppofers thereof, in manner expreffed in the precedent article.

VI. We fhall alfo, according to our places and callings, in this common caufe of religion, liberty and peace of the Kingdom's, affift and defend all thofe that enter into this league and covenant,in the maintaining and purfuing thereof; and shall not fuffer ourselves directly or indirectly, by whatfoever combination, perfuafion or terror, to be divided and withdrawn from this bleffed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part,or to give ourselves to a

Ff4

deteft

deteftable indifferency or neutrality in this caufe, which fo much concerneth the glory of GOD, the good of the kingdom, and honour of the King; but fhall all the days of our lives zealously and conftantly continue therein, against all oppofition,and promote the fame, according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and, what we are not able ourselves to fupprefs or overcome, we shall reveal and make known,that it may be timely prevented or removed; All which we fhall do as in the fight of God.

And, because the se kingdoms are guilty of many fins, and provocations against God, and his Son Jefus Christ, as is too manifeft by our prefent diftreffes and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profefs and declare, before God and the world, our unfeigned defire to be humbled for our own fins,and for the fins of thefe kingdoms, efpecially that we have not as we ought valued the ineftimable benefit of the gofpel, 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 fins and tranfgreffions fo much abounding amongst us: and our true and unfeigned purpose, defire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in public and in 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 prefence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the fearcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the fame,as we fhall anfwer at that great day, when the fecrets of all hearts fhall be disclosed; most humbly befeeching the Lord to ftrengthen us by his holy fpirit for this end; and to blefs our defires & proceedings, with fuch fuccefs, as may be deliverance and fafety to his people,and encouragement to other Chriftian Churches, groning under, or in danger of the yoke of Antichriftan tyranny, to join in the fame, or like affociation and covenant, to the glory of God, the enlargement of the kingdom of Jefus Chrift, and the peace and tranquillity of Chriftian kingdoms and common-wealths.

FINI S.

SOLEMN Acknowledgment

OF

PUBLICK SINS

AND

Breaches of the COVENANT;

AND A

Solemn Engagment

To all the

DUTIES contained therein

NAMELY,

Thofe which do in a more fpecial way relate unto the dangers of thefe times.

Together with

The act of the Commiffion of the general affembly, 1648, and act of Parliament 1649, for Renewing the League and covenant.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The act of the commiffion of the general Affembly, for renew ing the Solemn League and Covenant.

Edinburgh, October 6. 1648.

TH HE commiffion of the general affembly confidering, that a great part of this land have involved themselves in many and grofs breaches of the folemn league and covenant; and that the hands of many are grown flack in following and purfuing the duties continued therein; and that many, who not being come to fufficient age when it was firft fworn and fubfcribed, have not hitherto been received in to the fame: do, upon these, and other grave and important confiderati ons,appoint and ordain the folemn league and covenant to be renewed throughout all the congregations of this kingdom. And, because it is a duty of great weight and confequence, minifters, after the fight hereof, would be careful to take pains, in their doctrine and otherwife, that their people may be made fenfible of these things wherein they have broken the covenant, and be prepared for the renewing thereof with fuitable affections and difpofitions: And, that these things may be the better performed, we have thought it neceffary to condefcend · upon a folemn acknowledgment of public fins and breaches of the covenant, and a folemn engagement to all the duties contained therein, namely, thofe which do in a more special way relate unto the dangers of thefe times; and this folemn, acknowledgment and engagement,fent herewith,fhall be made ufe of, and the league and covenant fhall berenewed in fuch manner as follows. First, There fhall be intimation of a folemn public humiliation and faft the fecond Sabbath of December,to be kept upon the next Thursday, and the Lord's day thereafter; at which intimation, the League and Covenant, and the public acknowledgment of fins,and engagement unto duties,are to be publicdy read by the minifter, in the audience of all the people; and they are to be exhorted to get copies thereof, that they may be made acquainted therewith: and the humiliation and falt is to be kept the next Thursday, thereafter,in reference to the breaches of the covenant, contained in the folemn public acknowledgment, as the causes thereof; and the next Lord's day thereafter which is alfo to be spent in public humiliation and fafting, immediately after the fermon, which is to be applyed to the business of that day, the public acknowledgment and gagagement is again to be publicly read and thereafter prayer is to be made, containing the confeffion of the breaches mentioned therein, and begging merey for thefe fins,and ftrength of God for renewing the covenant in fincerity and truth:after which prayer,the Solemn League and Covenant is to be read by the minifter, and then to be fworn by him and all the people, who are to engage themfelves for performance of all the duties cuntained therein; namely, thefe which are mentioned in the public acknowledgment and engagement, and are oppofite unto the fins therein confeffed:and the actions is to be clofed with prayer to God,that his people may be enabled, in the power of his ftrenght, to do their duty, according to their oath, now renewed in fo folemn a way. It is alfo hereby provided, That all thofe who renew the League and Covenant,fhall again fubfcribe the fame: and that none be admitted to the renewing or fubfcribing thereof, who are excluded by the other act and direction fent herewith,

1

A. KER.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »