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The Solemn League And Covenant
(17 August 1643)
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 Assemblyxs 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 ad 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 Majestyxs dominions,
and propagating the same to other nations, and for establishing his
majestyxs 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 Majestyxs 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 remanent 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 Majestyxs 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
Majestyxs 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 Majestyxs 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 b 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
Majestyxs 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
Majestyxs 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, endeavor, 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 mane 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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