Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	king_n	majesty_n	subject_n	3,135	5	6.4839	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34784	The Covenant with a narrative of the proceedings and solemn manner of taking it by the honourable House of Commons and reverent Assembly of Divines the 25th day of September, at Saint Margarets in Westminster : also two speeches delivered at the same time, the one by Mr. Philip Nye, the other by Mr. Alexander Hendersam.	Henderson, Alexander, 1583?-1646.; Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672.	1643 (1643)	Wing C6621; ESTC R3970	18,809	36

THE COVENANT WITH A Narrative OF The Proceedings and Solemn Manner of Taking it by the Honourable House of COMMONS and Reverent Assembly of DIVINES the 25th day of September at Saint Margarets in Westminster ALSO TWO SPEECHES Delivered at the same time The one By Mr. Philip Nye The other By Mr. Alexander Hendersam Published by speciall Order of the House LONDON Printed for Thomas Vnderhill at the Bible in Wood-Street 1643. THE COVENANT That was read svvorn unto and subscribed by the Honourable House of Commons and Reverend Assembly of DIVINES the 25. of September WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdomes of England Scotland 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 Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ the Honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie and His posterity and the true publique Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdomes wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the treacherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdomes ever since the Reformation of Religion And how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Ireland the distressed Estate of the Church and Kingdome of England and the dangerous Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland are present and publique Testimonies We have now at last after other meanes of Supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the Preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practise of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemne League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe And each one of us for himselfe with hands lifted up to the most high God doe sweare 1 That wee shall sincerely really and constantly through the Grace of God endeavour in our severall 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 Kingdomes 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 Kingdomes to the neerest Conjunction and Vniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Forme 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-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deanes Deanes and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schisme Prophanenesse and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to found Doctrine and the power of Godlinesse lest we partake in other mens sinnes and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues And that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdomes 3 We shall with the same Sincerity Reality and Constancy in our severall Vocations endeavour with our Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdomes And to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdome That the World may beare witnesse with our Consciences of our Loyalty And that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesties just Power and Greatnesse 4 We shall also with all faithfulnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have beene or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his People or one of the Kingdomes from another or making any Faction or Parties amongst the People contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publicke tryall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve Or the supreame Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5 And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace betweene these Kingdomes denyed in former times to our Progenitors is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath beene lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments We shall each one of us according to our Place and Interest endeavour That they may remaine conjoyned in a firme Peace and Vnion to all posterity And that Justice may be done upon the wilfull 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 Kingdomes assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintenance and pursuing thereof And shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever Combination Perswasion or Terrour to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed Vnion 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 Kingdomes and Honour of the King But shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition And promote the same according to our power against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever And what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveale and make knowne that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall doe as in the sight of God And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many sinnes and provocations against God and his Sonne Iesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits therof We professe and declare before God and the world our unfained desire to be humbled for our owne sinnes and for the sinnes of these Kingdomes especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel That we have not labored for the purity and power thereof and that we have not endeavored to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of other sinnes 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 and charge both in publicke and in private in all duties wee owe to God and man

to amend our lives and each one to goe before another in the example of a reall Reformation that the Lord may turne away his wrath and heavy indignation and establish these Churches and Kingdomes in Truth and Peace And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of 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 blesse our desires and proceedings with such successe as may be deliverance and safety to his people and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoak of Antichristian Tyranny to joyne in the same or like Association and Covenant to the glory of God the enlargement of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ and the Peace and Tranquillity of Christian Kingdomes and Common-wealths The Proceedings of the Covenant with the manner of taking thereof by the Honourable House of COMMONS and the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES THe Commissioners sent from the Honourable Houses of Parliament to the Kingdome of Scotland having besides other weighty Affaires instructions to take into consideration whatsoever might be effectuall for bringing the two Kingdoms to a more neer Conjunction and Union there was a Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates in Scotland and another Committee of the Generall Assembly of the Church designed to joyne with them in this great and necessary consultation in which after much agitation the result and conclusion was that a solemne League and Covenant taken mutually by both Kingdomes would be the most conducing meanes to such a happy Vnion Thereupon a form of Covenant by their Common assent was agreed upon and presented to bee read and considered of in the Generall Assembly where it had assent and approbation and was thence recommended to the Convention of Estates by an Order of the Assembly as followeth Edenb. August 17. 1643. Sess. 14. THe Assembly having recommended unto a Committee appointed by them to joyne with the Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates and the Commissioners of the Honourable House of the Parliament of England Certaine Propositions presented unto them by the aforesaid Commissioners of the Honourable House of the Parliament of England for bringing the two kingdoms to a more neere Conjunction and Vnion received from the aforesaid Committees the Covenant under-written as the result of their Consultations And having taken the same as a matter of so publike concernment and of so deep importance doth require unto their gravest consideration Did with all their hearts and with the beginnings of that joy which they did finde in so great measure upon the Renovation of the Nationall Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome All with one voice approve and embrace the same as the most powerfull meane by the blessing of God for setling and preserving the true Protestant Religion with perfect Peace in His Majesties Dominions and propagating the same to other Nations and for establishing his Majesties 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 unto the Kingdome of England That being received and approven there the same may be with publick humiliation and all religious and answerable solemnity sworne and subscribed by all true Professors of the Reformed Religion and all His Majesties good Subjects in both Kingdomes Ar. Jhonston Cler. Eccl. From that Honourable Convention it obtained like approbation with a recommendation to the Kingdom of England as in this Order of theirs appeareth At Edinburgh 17. of August 1643. THe Noblemen Commissioners of Shires and Burroughs now convened having received the Covenant above-written from their Committee as the result of their consultations with a Committee of their generall Assembly and the Commissioners of both Houses from the Parliament of England and having taken the Covenant into their gravest consideration did with all their hearts and great expressions of joy and unanimity approve and embrace the same as the most powerfull meane by the blessing of God for setling and preserving the true Protestant Religion with a perfect peace in all his Majesties Dominions and propagating the same to other Nations and for establishing his Majesties Throne to all ages And being very confident that their Brethren in the Kingdome of England will heartily receive and approve the same Therefore according to the earnest recommendation of that venerable Assembly of this Kirk now thinks it most necessary for the good ends afore-said that it be sent into that Kingdome with all diligence that being received and approved by their Brethren there the same may be with all religious solemnities swerne and subscribed by all true Professours of the Reformed Religion and all his Majesties good Subjects in both Kingdomes Extract Arch. Primrose Cler. Conven. Some Commissioners also were sent from the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland with instructions for furthering the Covenant and the intended union of the Churches of both Kingdoms This Covenant being presented to the Honourable House of Commons and considered by them in the severall branches and Articles thereof was recommended to a Committee to be chosen of their own Members and sorne of the Divines of the Assembly together with the Commissioners sent from Scotland to the intent that some expressions might be farther explained and that the Kingdome of Ireland also might bee expresly taken into the same league and Covenant with us Which being done with great care and diligence by those Committees and Commissioners It was then read in the Assembly of Divines and afterwards in the House of Commons and received a most full and universall assent from the Members of both Nemine contradicente This form of Covenant was presented also to the House of Lords by whom likewise it was taken into consideration and approved of as fit to be entred into by the three Kingdomes On Friday the 22. of September it was concluded by the House this Oath and Covenant should be solemnly taken publikely in the Church at Westminster called Saint Margarets Church the Monday following by the House of Commons and the Assembly of Divines To which purpose an Order was sent to the Assembly from the House to give them notice thereof and that some of the Assembly be appointed to pray and to exhort for the more solemn celebrating of so serious and weighty a service The Assembly appointed Mr. Philip Nye to make the exhortation Mr. Iohn White to pray before and Mr. Dr. Gouge to pray after the exhortation The House met at the usuall place and thence went with their Speaker to the Church the Assembly also at the same time with their Prolocutor A Psalme being sung solemne prayer was made after the prayer an exhortation to the Honourable House and Reverend Divines encouraging

from his Majesty without successe and the miseries of Ireland the distresses of England and the dangers and pressures of the Kingdom of Scotland growing to greater extremity such as were intrusted with the publike affaires of the Kingdom were necessitate according to the practise of former times his Majestie having denied a Parliament to call a Convention of the Estates for considering of the present affaires and for providing the best remedies which immediately upon their meeting by the speciall providence of God did receive information of divers treacherous attempts of Papists in all the three Kingdoms as if they had been called for that effect And by the same Providence Commissioners were sent from both Houses of Parliament to consider with the Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland of such Articles and Propositions as might make the conjunction betwixt the two Nations more beneficiall and effectuall for the securing of Religion Liberty against Papists Prelats with their Adherents Their Consultations with the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly did in the end bring forth this Covenant as the only meane after all other have beene assayed for the deliverance of England and Ireland out of the deeps of affliction preservation of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland from the extremity of misery and the safety of our native King and his Kingdoms from destruction and desolation This is the manifold necessity which Nature Religion Loyalty and Love hath laid upon them Nor is it unknown in this Honourable Reverend and wise Audience what errors and heresies in doctrine what Superstition and Idolatry in Worship what Usurpation and Tyranny in Government what cruelty against the soules and bodies of the Saints have been set on foot exercised and executed for many Generations and now of late by the Roman Church all which wee hope through the blessing of God upon this work shall be brought to an end Had the Pope at Rome the knowledge of what is doing this day in England and were this Covenant written on the Plaster of the Wall over against him where he sitteth Belshazzar-like in his Sacriligious pomp it would make his heart to tremble his countenance to change his head and Miter to shake his joynts to loose and all his Cardinals and Prelates to be astonied When the Reformed Churches which by their Letters have been exciting us to Christian Communion and Sympathy in this time of the danger of Religion and distresse of the Godly shall heare of this blessed conjunction for uniformity in Religion according to the Word of God and the defence thereof it shall quicken their hearts against the heavinesse of oppressing sorrows and feares and bee no other than a beginning of a Jubilee and joyfull deliverance unto them from the Antichristian yoke and tyranny Vpon these and the like considerations wee are very confident that the Church and Kingdom of Scotland will most cheerefully joyne in this Covenant at the first motion whereof their 〈◊〉 were moved within them And to give testimony of this our confidence we who are Commissioners from the Generall Assembly although we have no particular and expresse Commission for that ●nd not from ●a●t of willingnesse but of a fore-sight offer to joy● our hearts and hands unto it being a stored that the Lord in his own time will against all opposition even against the gates of Hell crown it with a blessing from Heaven The Word of God is for it as you have been 〈…〉 〈…〉 by the consent and testimonie of a Reverend Assembly ●● so many godly learned and grav 〈…〉 Divines In your own sense and experience you will finde that although while you are assaulted or exercised with worldly cares and fears your thoughts may somwhat trouble direct you yet at other times when upon seeking of God in private or publike as in the evening of a well spent Sabbath or day of Fast and Humiliation your disposition is more spirituall and leaving the world behinde you you have found accesse unto God through Jesus Christ the bent and inclinations of your hearts will be strongest to go through with this work It is a good testimony that our designes and wayes are agreeable to the will of God if we affect them most when our hearts are furthest from the world and our temper is most spirituall and heavenly and least carnall and earthly As the Word of God so the prayers of the people of God in all the Reformed Churches are for us and on our side It were more terrible then an Armie to heare that there were any servent supplications to God against us blasphemies curses and horrid imprecations there be proceeding from another spirit and that is all That Divine Providence also which hath maintained this Cause and supported his Servants in a marvellous manner unto this day and which this time past hath kept things in an equall ballance and vicissitude of successe will we trust from this day forth through the weight of this Covenant cast the ballance and make Religion and Righteousnesse to prevaile to the glory of God the honour of our King the confusion of our common Enemies and the comfort and safety of the people of God Which he grant who is able to doe above anything that we can ask or think FINIS