worshipping of Imagerie Relicts and Crosses dedicating of Kirks Altars Dayes Vowes to creatures His Purgatorie Prayers for the dead praying or speaking in a strange language with his Processions blasphemous Letanie and multitude of Advocates or Mediators His manifold Orders Auricular Confession His desperate and uncertain Repentance His generall and doubtsome Faith His satisfactions of men for their sinnes His Justification by works opus operatum works of Supererogation Merits Pardons Peregrinations and Stations His holy-water baptizing of Bells conjuring of Spirits crossing saning anointing conjuring hallowing of GODS good creatures with the superstitious opinion joyned therewith His wordly Monarchie and wicked Hierarchie His three solemne vowes with all his shavelings of sundry sorts His erroneous and bloudie decrees made at Trent with all the subscribers and approvers of that cruell and bloudie Band conjured against the Kirk of GOD And finally we detest all his vain Allegories Rites Signes and Traditions brought in the Kirk without or against the Word of GOD and Doctrine of this true reformed Kirk To the which wee joyne ourselves willingly in Doctrine Faith Religion Discipline and use of the holy Sacraments as lively members of the same in Christ our Head Promising and swearing by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD that wee 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 paines contained in the Law and danger both of Body and Soule in the day of GODS fearefull Judgement And seeing that many are stirred up by Sathan and that Roman Antichrist to promise sweare subscribe and for a time use the holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceitfully against their own consciences minding thereby first under the externall 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 Wee 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 witnesse that our mindes and hearts doe fully agree with this our Confession Promise Oath and Subscription so that Wee 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 wee shall answere to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed And because wee perceive that the quietnes and stabilitie of our Religion and Kirk doth depend upon the safetie and good behaviour of the Kings Majestie as upon a comfortable instrument of Gods mercy granted to this Countrey for the maintaining of his Kirk and ministration of Justice amongst us we protest and promise with our hearts under the same Oath Hand-writ and paines that wee shall defend his Person and Authoritie with our goods bodies and lives in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Countrey ministration of Justice and punishment of Iniquitie against all enemies within this Realme or without as wee desire our GOD to bee a strong and mercifull defender to us in the day of our death and comming 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 generall do abrogat annull and rescind all Laws Statutes Acts Constitutions Canons civill or municipall with all other Ordinances and practique penalties whatsoever made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professours thereof Or of the true Kirk discipline jurisdiction and freedome therof Or in favours of idolatrie and superstition Or of the Papisticall Kirk As Act 3. Act 31. Parl. 1. Act 23. Parl. 11. Act 114. Parl. 12. of K. James the sixt That Papistrie and Superstition may be utterly suppressed according to the intention of the Acts of Parliament repeated in the 5. Act Parl. 20. K. James 6. And to that end they ordaine all Papists and Priests to bee punished by manifolde Civill and Ecclesiasticall paines as adversaries to Gods true Religion preached and by Law established within this Realme Act 24. Parl. 11. K. James 6. as common enemies to all Christian Government Act 18. Parl. 16. K. James 6. as rebellers and gain-standers of our Soveraigne Lords authority Act 47. Parl. 3. K. James 6. and as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. K. James 6. But also in particular by and attour the Confession of faith do abolish and condemne the Popes Authority and Jurisdiction out of this Land and ordain the maintainers thereof to be punished Act 2. Parl. 1. Act 51. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 114. Parl. 12. K. James 6. do condemn the Popes erroneous doctrine or any other erroneous doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of the true and Christian Religion publikely preached and by Law established in this Realme And ordaine 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. K. James 6. do condemn all Baptism conform to the Popes Kirk and the Idolatry of the Masse and ordain all sayers wilfull hearers and concealers of the Masse the maintainers and re-setters of the Priests Jesuits traffiquing Papists to bee 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 condemne all erroneous bookes and writs containing erroneous doctrine against the Religion presently professed or containing superstitious Rites and Ceremonies Papisticall whereby the people are greatly abused and ordain 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 Crosses observing the Festivall dayes of Saints and such other superstitious and Papisticall Rites to the dishonour of GOD contempt of true Religion and fostering of great errour among the people and ordain 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 conceived 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 freedome thereof in her Nationall and Synodall Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions Policie 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 Realme As for instance the 99 Act Parl. 7. Act 23. Parl. 11. Act 114. P. 12. Act. 160. Parl. 13. of K. James 6. ratified by 4. Act
of King Charles So that the 6. Act Parl. 1. and 68. Act Parl. 6. of King James 6. in the yeare of God 1579. declare the Ministers of the blessed Evangel whom GOD of his mercie 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 hee was then offered in the Evangel and doth communicate with the holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirks of this Realme they were publikely administrate according to the Confession of Faith to bee the true and holy Kirk of Christ Jesus within this Realme and discerne and declare all and sundry who either gain-say the Word of the Evangel received and approved as the heads of the confession of faith professed in Parliament in the yeare of God 1560 specified also in the first Parliament of King Iames 6. and ratified in this present Parliament more particularly doe 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 Realme and true Religion presently professed so long as they keep themselves so divided from the societie of CHRISTS Body And the subsequent Act 69. Parl. 6. of King Iames 6. declares that there is none other Face of Kirk nor other Face of Religion then was presently at that time by the favour of GOD established within this Realme which therefore is ever stiled Gods true Religion Christs true religion the true and Christian Religion and a perfect Religion Which by manifold Acts of Parliament all within this Realme are bound to professe to subscribe the articles thereof the Confession of Faith to recant all doctrine and errours repugnant to any of the said Articles Act 4. and 9. Parl. 1. Act 45.46.47 Parl. 3. Act 71. Parl. 6. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. Act 123. Parl. 12. Act 194. and 197 Parl. 14. of King Lames 6. And all Magistrates Sheriffs c. on the one part are ordained to search apprehend and punish all contraveeners For instance Act 5. Parl. 1. Act. 104. Parl. 7. Act 25. Parl. 11. K. James 6. and that notwithstanding of the Kings Majesties licences on the contrary which are discharged and declared to be of no force in so far as they tend in any wayes to the prejudice and hinder of the execution of the Acts of Parliament against Papists and adversaries of true Religion Act 106. Parl. 7. K. Iames 6. On the other part in the 47. Act Parl. 3. K. Iames 6. it is declared and ordained seeing the cause of Gods true Religion and his highnes Authority are so joyned as the hurt of the one is common to both and that none shall be reputed as loyall and faithfull subjects to our Soveraign Lord or his authority but be punishable as rebellers and gain-standers of the same who shall not give their Confession and make their profession of the said true Religion and that they who after defection shall give the Confession of their Faith of new they shall promise to continue therein in time comming to maintaine our Soveraigne Lords Authority and at the uttermost of their power to fortifie assist and maintain the true Preachers and Professours of Christs Evangel against whatsoever enemies and gain-standers of the same and namely against all such of whatsoever nation estate or degree they be of that have joyned and bound themselves or have assisted or assist to set forward and execute the cruell decrees of the Councel of Trent contrary to the true Preachers and Professours of the Word of God which is repeated word by word in the Articles of Pacification at Perth the 23 of February 1572. approved by Parliament the last of April 1573. ratified in Parliament 1587. and related Act 123. Parl. 12. of K. Iames 6. with this addition that they are bound to resist all treasonable uproares and hostilities raised against the true Religion the Kings Majestie and the true Professors LIKE AS all Liedges are bound to maintain the K. Majesties Royall Person and Authority the Authority of Parliaments without the which neither any lawes or lawfull Judicatories can be established Act 130. and 131 Parl. 8. K. Iames 6. and the subjects liberties who ought only to live and be governed by the Kings lawes the common lawes of this Realm allanerly Act 48. Parl. 3. K. James the first Act 79. Parl. 6. K. James 4. repeated in the Act 131. Parl. 8. K. James 6. Which if they be innovated or prejudged the Commission anent the Union of the two Kingdomes of Scotland and England which is the sole Act of the 17. Parl. of K. James 6. declares such confusion would ensue as this Realm could be no more a free Monarchie because by the fundamentall lawes ancient priviledges offices and liberties of this Kingdom not onely the Princely Authority of his Majesties Royall descent hath beene these many ages maintained but also the peoples security of their Lands livings rights offices liberties and dignities preserved And therefore for the preservation of the said true Religion Lawes and Liberties of this Kingdom it is statute by the 8. Act Parl. 1. repeated in the 99. Act Parl. 7. Ratified in the 23. Act Parl. 11. and 114. Act Parl. 12. of K. James 6. and 4. Act of K. Charles that all Kings and Princes at their Coronation and reception of their Princely authority shall make their faithfull promise by their solemne Oath in the presence of the Eternall GOD that enduring the whole time of their lives they shall serve the same eternall GOD to the uttermost of their power according as he hath required in his most holy Word contained in the Old and New Testament And according to the same Word shall maintain the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his holy Word the due and right ministration of the Sacraments now received and preached within this Realme according to the Confession of Faith immediatly preceding and shall abolish and gain-stand all false Religion contrary to the sme and shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of GOD revealed in his foresaid word and according to the laudable Lawes and Constitutions received in this Realme no wayes repugnant to the said will of the eternall GOD and shall procure to the uttermost of their power to the Kirk of GOD and whole Christian people true and perfect peace in all time comming and that they shall be carefull to root out of their Empire all Hereticks and enemies to the true worship of GOD who shall be convicted by the true Kirk of GOD of the foresaid crimes which was also observed by his Majestie at his Coronation at Edinburgh 1633. as may be seen in the Order of the Coronation IN OBEDIENCE to the commandement of God conform to the practise of the godly in former times and according to the laudable example of our Worthy and Religious Progenitors and of many yet
compeired personally John Earle of Rothes James Earle of Montrose John Lord Lowdoun Sir George Stirling of Keir Knight Sir William Douglas of Cavers Knight Sir Henry Wood of Bonytoun Knight John Smyth Burgesse of Edinburgh Mr. Robert Barclay Provest of Irwing Mr. Alexander Henderson Minister at Edinburgh and Master Archbald Johnstoun Clerk to the Generall Assembly and in the name of the present sitting Generall Assembly gave in to the Lord Commissioner and Lords of Privie Councell the petition above written which being read heard and considered by the saids Lords they have ordained and ordain the same to be insert and registrate in the bookes of Privie Councell and according to the desire thereof ordaines the said Confession and Covenant to be subscribed in time comming by all his Majesties Subjects of this Kingdome of what rank and quality soever THE ACT OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY Ordaining by Ecclesiasticall authoritie the subscription of the Confession of Faith and Covenant THe Generall Assembly considering the great happinesse which may flow from a full and perfect Union of this Kirk and Kingdome by joyning of all in one and the same Covenant with God with the Kings Majestie and amongst our selves having by our great Oath declared the uprightnes and loyalty of our intentions in all our proceedings and having withall supplicated his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privie Councell to injoyne by Act of Councell all the Lieges in time comming to subscribe the Confession of Faith and Covenant which as a testimony of our fidelity to God and loyalty to our King wee have subscribed And seeing his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privie Councell have granted the desire of our Supplication ordaining by civill authority all his Majesties Lieges in time comming to subscribe the foresaid Covenant that our union may be the more full and perfect We by our act and constitution Ecclesiasticall doe approve the foresaid Covenant in all the Heads and Clauses thereof and ordaines of new under all Ecclesiasticall censure that all the Masters of Universities Colledges and Schooles all Schollers at the passing of their degrees all persons suspect of Papistry or any other errour and finally all the members of this Kirk and Kingdome subscribe the same with these words prefixed to their subscription The Article of this Covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the generall Assembly being determined And thereby the Five Articles of Perth the governement of the Kirk by Bishops the civill places and power of Kirke-men upon the reasons and grounds contained in the acts of the Generall Assembly declared to be unlawfull within this Kirk wee subscribe according to the determination foresaid And ordaines the Covenant with this declaration to be insert in the Registers of the Assemblies of this Kirk Generall Provinciall and Presbyteriall ad perpetuam reimemoriam and in all humility supplicates his Majesties high commissioner and the honourable Estates of Parliament by their authority to ratifie and injoyne the same under all civill paines which will tend to the glory of God preservation of Religion the Kings Majesties honour and perfect peace of this Kirk and Kingdome The Confession of Faith subscribed at first by the Kings Majestie and his Houshold in the yeare of God 1580. Thereafter by Persons of all rankes in the yeare 1581. By ordinance of the Lords of the secret Councell and acts of the Generall Assembly Subscribed again by all sorts of Persons in the yeare 1590. By a new ordinance of Councell at the desire of the Generall Assembly with a generall Band for maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings Person And subscribed in the yeare 1638. By Us Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons then under subscribing Together with our resolution and promises for the causes after specified to mainetaine the said true Religion and the Kings Majestie according to the Confession foresaid and acts of Parliament And now upon the Supplication of the Generall Assembly to his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privy Councell subscribed again in the yeare 1639. by ordinance of Councell and Act of the Generall Assembly WEe all and every one of us under-written protest that after long and due Examination of our owne consciences in matters of true and false Religion Wee are now throughly resolved of the Trueth by the word and Spirit of God And therefore wee believe with our hearts confesse with our mouths subscribe with our hands and constantly affirme before God and the whole World that this onely is the true Christian Faith and Religion pleasing God and bringing Salvation to man which now is by the mercie of God revealed to the world by the preaching of the blessed Evangel and received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirke of Scotland the Kings Majestie and the three Estates of this Realme as Gods Eternall Trueth and onely ground of our Salvation as more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith stablished and publickly confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliaments and now of a long time hath beene openly professed by the Kings Majestie and whole body of this Realme both in Burgh and Land To the which Confession and forme of Religion wee willingly agree in our consciences in all points as unto Gods undoubted Trueth and Veritie grounded onely upon his written Word And therefore wee abhorre and detest all contrarie Religion and Doctrine But chiefly all kind of Papistrie in generall and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland But in speciall we detest and refuse the usurped authoritie of that Roman Antichrist upon the Scriptures of God upon the Kirk the civill Magistrate and consciences of men all his tyrannous lawes made upon indifferent things against our Christian libertie His erroneous Doctrine against the sufficiencie of the written Word the perfection of the law the office of Christ and his blessed Evangel His corrupted Doctrine concerning originall sinne our naturall inabilitie and rebellion to Gods Law our Justification by faith only our imperfect Sanctification and obedience to the Law the nature number and use of the Holy Sacraments His five bastard Sacraments with all his Rites Ceremonies and false Doctrine added to the ministration of the true Sacraments without the word of God His cruell judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament His absolute necessitie of Baptisme His blasphemous opinion of Transubstantiation or reall presence of Christs Body in the Elements and receiving of the same by the wicked or bodies of men His dispensations with solemne Oaths Perjuries and degrees of Marriage forbidden in the Word His crueltie against the innocent divorced His divellish Masse His blasphemous Priesthood His profane Sacrifice for the sins of the dead and the quicke His Canonization of men calling upon Angels or Saints departed
Kingdome made anno 1580. have been indeed the true main causes of all our evils and distractions AND therefore ordain according to the Constitutions of the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk and upon the grounds respective above-specified That the foresaid Service-book books of Canons and Ordination and the High Commission be still rejected That the articles of Pearth be no more practised That Episcopall government the civill places and power of Kirkmen bee holden still as unlawfull in this Kirk That the above-named pretented assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. 1608. at Glasgow 1610. at Aberdene 1616. at S. Andrewes 1617. at Pearth 1618. be hereafter accounted as null and of none effect and that for preservation of Religion and preventing all such evils in time comming Generall Assemblies rightly constitute as the proper and competent Judge of all matters Ecclesiasticall hereafter be keeped yearely and oftner pro re nata as occasion and necessitie shall require The necessitie of these occasionall Assemblies being first remonstrate to His Majestie by humble supplication As also that Kirk Sessions Presbyteries and Synodal Assemblies be constitute and observed according to the Order of this Kirk Which Act with all and sundrie the particular heads clauses and articles therein contained The Estates now conveened by His Majesties indiction warrant and authoritie foresaid Ratifies approves and confirmes in all points in manners as the same proports And gives thereunto the strength of a Law and Act of Parliament and ordaines execution to passe thereupon as effeirs And rescindes casses and annulls all Acts and Decrees of Parliament and Councell formerly made contrair and in prejudice of the said Act or any part thereof ACT V. ACT ANENT THE RATIFICATION Of the Covenant and of the Assemblies supplication Act of Councell and Act of Assemblie concerning the Covenant THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie considering the supplication of the Generall Assembly at Edinburgh the 12. of August 1639. to his Majesties high Commissioner the Lords of His Majesties Honourable Privie Councell and the Act of the Councell the 30. of August 1639. containing the answer of the said supplication the Act of the said General Assembly ordaining by their Ecclesiasticall constitution the subscription of the Confession of Faith Covenant mentioned in their Supplication And withall having supplicated His Majestie to ratifie and enjoyne the famine by His Royall authoritie under all civill paines as tending to the glorie of God preservation of Religion the Kings Majesties honour and the perfect peace of this Kirk and Kingdome Do ratifie and approve the said supplication Act of Councell and Act of Assembly and conforme thereto Ordaines and commands the said Confession and Covenant to be subscribed by all His Majesties Subjects of what rank and qualitie soever under all civill paines And ordaines the said Supplication Act of Councell and Act of the Assembly with the whole Confession and Covenant it selfe to bee insert and registrate in the Acts and books of Parliament And also ordaines the famine to be presented at the entrie of every Parliament before they proceed to any other Act That the same bee publickly read and sworne by the whole members of Parliament claiming voice therein otherwise the refusers to subscribe and swear the same shall have no place nor voice in Parliament And such like ordaines all Judges Magistrates or other Officers of whatsoever place rank or qualitie and Ministers at their entrie to sweare and subscribe the famine Covenant Whereof and of the said Supplication Act of Councell and Act of the Assembly the tenour followes c. THE SUPPLICATION OF THE GEnerall Assembly conveened at EDINBURGH the 12. of August 1639. to his Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties Honourable Privie Councell WEe the Generall Assembly considering with all humble and thankfull acknowledgment the many recent favours bestowed upon us by His Majestie and that there resteth nothing for crowning of His Majesties incomparable goodnesse towards us but that all the members of this Kirk and Kingdome be joyned in one and the same Confession and Covenant with God with the Kings Majestie and amongst our selves And conceiving the main lett and impediment to this so good a work and so much wished by all to have been the Informations made to his Majestie of our Intentions to shake off civill and duetifull obedience due to Soveraignty and to diminish the Kings greatnes and authoritie and being most willing and desirous to remove this and all such impediments which may hinder and impede so full and perfect an Union and for clearing of our loyaltie WEE in our own names and in name of all the rest of the Subjects and Congregations whom we represent do now in all humility represent to your Grace His Majesties Commissioner and the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell and declares before God and the world that we never had nor have any thought of with-drawing our selves from that humble and duetifull obedience to his Majestie and to his goverment which by the descent and under the reigne of 107. Kings is most chearfully acknowledged by us and our predecessours and that we never had nor have any intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may tend to the dishonour of God or the diminution of the Kings greatnesse and authoritie But on the contrary acknowledging our quietnes stabilitie and happines to depend upon the safety of the Kings Majesties Person and maintenance of his greatnes and royall authoritie who is Gods Vice-gerent set over us for the maintenance of Religion and ministration of Justice Wee have solemnly sworn and do sweare not only our mutuall concurrence and assistance for the cause of Religion and to the uttermost of our power with our meanes and lives to stand to the defence of our dread Soveraigne his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion Liberties and Lawes of this Kirk and Kingdome but also in every cause which may concerne his Majesties honour shall according to the Lawes of this Kingdome and the duties of good Subjects concurre with our friends and followers in quiet manner or in Armes as we shal be required of his Majestie his Councell or any having his authority And therefore being most desirous to cleare our selves of all imputation of this kinde and following the laudable example of our predecessours 1589. do most humbly supplicate your Grace his Majesties Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell to injoyn by act of Councell that this Confession and Covenant which as a testimony of our fidelity to GOD and loyaltie to our King wee have subscribed be subscribed by all his Majesties Subjects of what ranke and quality soever THE ACT OF HIS MAJESTIES MOST Honourable Privie Councell at Edinburgh August 30. Anno 1639. containing the answer of the Supplication above-written THe which day in presence of the Lord Commissioner and Lords of Privie Councell
living amongst us which was warranted also by Act of Councell commanding a generall Band to bee made and subscribed by his Majesties Subjects of all ranks for two causes One was for defending the true Religion as it was then reformed and is expressed in the Confession of Faith above-written and a former large Confession established by sundry acts of lawfull General Assemblies and of Parliament unto which it hath relation set down in publick Catechismes and which had beene for many yeares with a blessing from Heaven preached and professed in this Kirk and kingdom as GODS undoubted Truth grounded onely upon his written Word The other cause was for maintaining the Kings Majestie his Person and Estate the true worship of GOD and the Kings authority being so straitly joyned as that they had the same friends and common enemies and did stand and fall together And finally being convinced in our minds and confessing with our mouths that the present and succeeding generations in this Land are bound to keep the foresaid Nationall Oath and Subscription inviolable Wee Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons under-scribing considering divers times before and especially at this time the danger of the true reformed Religion of the Kings honour and of the publick peace of the Kingdome by the manifold innovations and evils generally contained and particularly mentioned in our late supplications complaints and protestations doe hereby professe and before GOD his Angels and the world solemnly declare that with our whole hearts wee agree and resolve all the dayes of our life constantly to adhere unto to defend the foresaid true religion and forbearing the practise of all novations already introduced in the matters of the worship of GOD or approbation of the corruptions of the publick government of the Kirk or civill places and power of Kirkmen till they be tryed and allowed in free assemblies and in Parliaments to labour by all meanes lawfull to recover the purity and liberty of the Gospel as it was established and professed before the foresaid novations And because after due examination wee plainely perceive and undoubtedly beleeve that the innovations and evills contained in our Supplications Complaints and Protestations have no warrant 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 doe 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 lawes and estates Wee also declare that the foresaid confessions are to be interpreted and ought to be understood of the foresaid novations and evills no lesse than if every one of them had been expressed in the foresaid confessions and that wee are obliged to detest and abhorre them amongst other particular heads of Papistry abjured therein And therefore from the knowledge and consciences of our duty to GOD to our King and Countrey without any worldly respect or inducement so farre as humane infirmity will suffer wishing a further measure of the grace of GOD for this effect Wee promise and sweare by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD to continue in the Profession and obedience of the foresaid Religion That wee shall defend the same and resist all these contrary errours 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 wee declare before GOD and Men that wee have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of GOD or to the diminution of the Kings greatnesse and authority But on the contrary wee promise and sweare that wee shall to the uttermost of our power with our meanes and lives stand to the defence of our dread Soveraigne the Kings Majestie his Person and Authority in the defence and preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Lawes of the Kingdome As also to the mutuall 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 counsell our bodies meanes and whole power against all sorts of persons whatsoever So that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that cause shall be taken as done to us all in generall and to every one of us in particular And that wee shall neither directly nor indirectly suffer our selves to be divided or withdrawn by whatsoever suggestion allurement or terrour from this blessed and loyall 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 lawfull meanes labour to further and promove the same And if any such dangerous and divisive motion be made to us by word or writ wee and every one of us shall either suppresse it or if need bee shall incontinent make the same known that it may be timously obviated Neither doe wee fear the foul aspersions of rebellion combination or what else our adversaries from their craft and malice would put upon us seeing what wee doe is so well warranted and ariseth from an unfained desire to maintain the true worship of God the Majesty of our King and peace of the Kingdome for the common happinesse of our selves and the posterity And because wee cannot look for a blessing from God upon our proceedings except with our profession and subscription wee joyne such a life and conversation as beseemeth Christians who have renewed their Covenant with God Wee therefore faithfully promise for our selves our followers and all others under us both in publike in our particular families and personall carriage to endeavour to keepe our selves within the bounds of Christian libertie and to be good examples to others of all Godlinesse Sobernesse and Righteousnesse and of every duty wee owe to God and Man And that this our Union and Conjunction may bee observed without violation Wee call the living GOD the Searcher of our Hearts to witnesse who knoweth this to be our sincere Desire and unfained Resolution as wee shall answer to JESUS CHRIST in the great Day and under the pain of GODS everlasting wrath and of infamie and losse 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 blesse our desires and proceedings with a happy successe that Religion and Righteousnesse may flourish in the Land to the glory of GOD the honour of our King and peace and comfort of us all In witnesse whereof wee have subscribed with our hands all the premisses The article of this Covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the Generall Assembly being determined And thereby the Five articles of Perth
kept and holden in their saids Burghs upon the dayes hereby appointed and that no markets bee kept upon the Mundayes for the goods hereby discharged in time coming And last the saids Estates of Parliament discharges and prohibits all markets and trysts to be kept hereafter upon Sunday throughout all this kingdome and discharges all the Lieges from all keeping thereof upon Sunday hereafter and ordaines this Act to stand in full force as a law while the next assembly that the inconveniences redounding hereby to the Lieges being represented to that Assembly the Assembly may consider thereof and as they finde the same sufficient they may supplicate the next ensuing Parliament to rescind this Act in whole or in part as after triall it shall be found hurtful to the Lieges ACT XIV ACT FOR TAKING ORDER WITH THE Abuses committed on the Sunday by the confluence of people for hyring of shearers on Sunday FOrsamekle as the prophanation of the Sunday is greatly occasioned in the time of harvest by the great confluence of people to publick places as ports or streets of townes and paroch Kirkes of Landward everie Sunday from morning to preaching time for hyring shearers the week following whereof there ariseth also sundry tumults disorders swearing drinking and often fighting on the Sabbath day For remeed hereof the Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties special authority refers and remits the samine to be taken order with to the Justices of peace and Kirk Sessions where the abuse shall be committed hereafter by the coufluence of the said people and hyring of the saids shearers upon the Sunday as said is as the saids Justices of peace and Kirk Sessions shall find the saids abuses then to be committed to deserve ACT XV. FOR DIRECTING LETTERS OF HORNING And Caption by the Lords of Session against the excommunicate Prelates and all other excommunicate persons THe Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall authoritie Considering the necessitie of reviving and putting in execution the 53. Act of the third Parliament of King Iames the sixth Anent Letters of horning and caption to follow upon excommunication of the Kirk after fourtie daies Renews and revives the said Act of Parliament and ordaines the Lords of Session to grant Letters and other Executorials against the excommunicate Prelates and all other excommunicate persons ACT XVI ANENT THE LARGE DECLARATION Or MANIFESTO THe Estates of Parliament conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that the supplication of the late generall Assembly to his Majesties Commissioner against a book called A large Declaration as followeth was presented unto Us by the Commissioners of the Kirk and recommended to his Majesties Commissioner for obtaining from his Majesties Justice and Goodnesse the desire thereof And as the said Book was examined by the appointment of the Assembly and found to be dishonourable to God and his true Religion to this Kirk and Kingdome to the Kings Majesty and to the Marques of Hammiltoun then his Majesties Commissioner and divers others persons therein and to be full of lies in averring known untruths in wilfull concealing and perverting many truths in wresting of intentions words and actions as is particularly contained in the censure of the book registrate in the Registers of Assembly So they having re-examined the same declares their judgement to be the same there-anent And therefore ordaines the Authours and Spreaders thereof to bee most severely punished according to the Lawes of this Kingdome against liesing-makers betwixt the Kings Majesty and his Subjects slanderers of the King and Kingdome and raisers of sedition and discord betwixt them that all others may be deterred from such dangerous courses Gods honour may be vindicate the innocencie of this Kirk and Kingdome and his Majesties Justice and goodnesse may appeare not onely in censuring such Malefactors but in discouraging all such underminers of his Majesties Throne and abusers of his Royall Name by prefixing the same to such scandalous and dishonourable Treatises ACT XVII STATUTARIE APPOINTING PARLIAments to be holden once every three yeare THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authoritie Considering that by reason of his Majesties ordinary residence forth of this his ancient and native Kingdome the grievances and complaints of his good Subjects cannot have so free and easie accesse to his Majesties eares as the same may be conveniently represented to his Majesties Commissioners and the Estates of Parliament from time to time and how necessary it is that frequent Parliaments be keeped within this Kingdome for preservation of the puritie of the true Religion now by Gods providence established within the same and for the equall and impartiall administration of Justice to all his Majesties Subjects and maintaining of peace and concord amongst them by applying of the true and lawfull remedies to their grievances and complaints and timous suppressing of all abuses and corruptions which otherwayes from small beginnings will grow to great disorders which frequent Parliaments were continually observed in this Kingdome before his Majesties Father of happie memorie went into England Have statute and ordained that every three yeare once at least a full and free Parliament shall be holden and oftner as his Majestie shall be pleased to call them within the bounds of this Kingdome in the most commodious place and convenient time to be thought upon appointed and affixed by his Majestie or his Commissioner for the time and the Estates of Parliament before the ending and closing of every Parliament and to be the last Act thereof And the whole Estates wisheth that as it was their happinesse to have his Majesties presence at all Parliaments while the King had his residence in this Kingdome so that his Majestie would be pleased to be present at each Parliament and they humbly supplicate his Majestie for that effect ACT XVIII ANENT THE KEEPERS OF THE CASTLES Of Edinburgh Striveling and Dumbartane THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority Considering that the commandement of the Castle of Edinburgh wherein the most part of the publike Registers and Records and the Honours of the Kingdome are keeped and siclike the commandement of the Castle of Striviling and Dumbartane being a charge of great weight and importance concerning as well the Kings Majesties honour and safetie as the securitie and safetie of this whole Kingdome ought not to be committed but to such persons as are knowne and approved by the whole course of their life to be true and faithfull Subjects to his Majesty and trustie and well affected Countrey-men loving and tendering the peace prosperitie and good of this whole Kingdome and the preservation and advancement of the true reformed Religion now therein by Gods providence established and professed and intertaining of Unitie betwixt the King and his good Subjects Have therefore statute and ordained and hereby statutes and ordains that the custody and keeping of the saids Castles shall be only intrusted to such persons as are natives
the two last Acts of continuation thereof the one bearing date the 19. of November 1640. and the other bearing date the 14. of January last by-past 1641. And in the mean time the Estates declares the said Parliament to be current to the effect above-written unto the day foresaid with continuation of dayes and ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes made and concluded in plaine Parliament in that Session thereof in June last by-past together with all former Acts of continuation made by the said Estates to stand and have the force and strength of Laws and Acts conform to the tenours thereof such like as any Acts and Statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generalitie foresaid the Act of the Committee of Estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof aye and while it be discharged by the Estates And ordaines the foresaids Acts with the Act of Election of Robert Lord Burghlie to be preses at this meeting of Estates together with this present Act of continuation to be published and printed conforme to the last Act of continuation of the date foresaid notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST AT EDINBURGH May 25. 1641. ACT ANENT THE ELECTION OF Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this meeting of Estates in Parliament THe Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall Authority this 25. day of May 1641. yeares to the which day the Parliament was continued by the last act of continuation thereof of the date the 13. day of April 1641. yeares foresaid Did unanimously with one uniforme consent elect and chuse Robert Lord Burghly to be President of this their meeting of Estates in Parliament ACT IIII. ACT ANENT THE CONTINUATION Of the Parliament to the 15. day of July 1641. yeares with continuation of dayes THE Estates of Parliament presently conveened by his Majesties speciall authority yet as of before continues this present Parliament and all summonds and actions intended or depending with all supplications grievances and other matters belonging to the said Parliament against all parties cited or desired to be sent home to Scotland as Incendiaries or cited for other crimes or causes and the former citations and continuations thereof and this present continuation to continue in the same force strength and effect as they were at the severall daies of compearances respectivè whereunto they were cited and as if they had been called or were now called per expressum upon the saids severall daies whereunto they were cited respective as said is or upon the severall daies of continuation whereunto this Parliament was continued from time to time notwithstanding of the not calling of them publikely in judgment at none of the saids dayes which was no wayes necessary to have beene done nor to be done before insisting against them in respect that they were both cited to severall daies of compearance with continuation of dayes that the Parliament was continued from time to time to certaine other daies also with continuation of dayes to the fifteenth day of July next to come with continuation of dayes and that for satisfying his Majesties gracious desire signified by his Majesties letter direct to the Estates for that effect beating date the 18. of May 1641. yeares And also for sundry grave and weighty considerations concerning the weal of the Estate Kirk and Kingdom known to the Estates But prejudice alwaies to the Estates of Parliament of their undoubted libertie to sit without prorogation except they consent to a prorogation and that by reason that all Acts of prorogation of Parliament are Acts of Parliament and no Acts of Parliament can be made without consent of the Estates conveened and sitting in plaine Parliament AT the which fifteenth day of July next to come ordaines the whole Estates to be present and to attend at Edinburgh or where it shall happen the famine to be holden for the time And such like ordaines his Majesties Advocate and Procutors of Estate all and every one of them to compeare and attend and to insist as they shall be commanded by the Estates against whatsoever persons indited or to be indited And discharges the said Advocate and Procutors every one of them to consult with or take upon hand directly or indirectly to defend any who shall seek their advise for pleading or maintaining them in any sort against any pursuit moved or to be moved against them in Parliament for any crime against the publick or to give any information for that effect And that because it is incumbent to the Kings Majesties Advocate and Procutors of Estate to pursue all who happens from time to time to be cited to the Parliament for any offence against the publike and no wayes to take their Patrocinie but prejudice likewise of the power granted to the Cornmittees of Estate contained in the Act of this present Parliament made thereanent dated the 11 of June last and mentioned in the three last Acts of continuation thereof The first dated the 19. November 1640. the second the 14. of January 1641. and the third dated the 13. of Aprill the same year 1641. yeeres And in the mean time the Estates declares the said Parliament to be current to the effect above-written unto the day foresaid with continuation of dayes and ordaines the whole Acts and Statutes made and concluded in plain Parliament in that session thereof in June last by-past together with all the former Acts of continuation made by the saids Estates to stand and have the force and strength of Lawes and Acts conforme to the tenours thereof such like as any Acts and statutes of any preceding Parliaments in any time by-gone And namely but prejudice of the generality foresaid the act of the Committee of Estates to stand in full force in all the clauses thereof ay and while it be discharged by the Estates and ordaines the foresaids Acts with the Act of election of Robert Lord Burghlie to be preses of this meeting of Estates together with this present Act of continuation to be published and printed conform to the last act of continuation of the date foresaid notwithstanding of this present continuation of the Parliament to the day above-written ACTS DONE AND PAST IN THE LAST SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF OUR SOVERAIGN LORD c. Beginning the 15. day of June 1641. and ending the 17. of November the same year according to the severall dates respective after specified prefixed thereto ACT V. ANENT THE OATH TO BE GIVEN BY Every member of Parliament August 18. 1641. FORSOMUCH as the honour greatnesse and happinesse of the Kings Royall Majestie and the welfare of the Subjects depend on the puritie of Religion as it is now established in this Kingdome the laws liberties and peace thereof which ought to be sought after by all good Christians loyall Subjects and true Patriots And to be furthered and maintained by