turning awaâ— from the Lord serving the gods of the Nations having among them Root bearing Gall and Worm wood who might bless themselves iâ— their presumption of Impunity notwithstanding the threatned curse Buâ— much more in after Generations they that never dwelt in thâ— Land of Egypt and never saw the plagues punishing that Lands wickedness but afterward might see the abominations and the Dungy gods as iâ— is in the Hebrew of other Nations were in hazard of that defection anâ— presumption when the Covenant might be worn antiquated out of daâ— and mind which might encourage them much more than at that timâ— when it was in every Bodies mouth and memory to say I shall have peaâ— thô I walk in the imagination of mine heart 2. The threatned punishmenâ— of the breach of this Covenant was perpetual The Lords anger and jealousie shall smok against Covenant-breakers all the Curses written shall lyâ— upon them their names shall be blotted out from under Heaven verâ— 20. He shall separate them unto evil vers 21. Not only in that agâ— wherein the Covenant was Renewed but the Generation to come oâ— their Children that should rise up after them shall observe the punishment of the Posterity when they shall have forsaken the Covenant oâ— the Lord God of their Fathers and the Lord shall have rooted theâ— out of their Land for the same vers 22. to 28. which was not accomplished till many Centuries afterwards Quest 14 Quer. If the Obligation of National Covenants where the matter iâ— lawful he perpetual and binding upon Posterity Answ If any Engagements can be supposed binding to Posterity certainly Nationaâ— Covenants to keep the Commandments of God and to adhere to his institutions must be of that nature It cannot be denyed that several Obligations do bind Posterity Publick Promises with annexation of curseâ— to the breakers make the Posterity obnoxious as well as those who personally came under the Engagement Neb 5 12 13 That promise of the Jewish Nobles and Rulers would have brought their Posterity under the Curse if they had exacted usury of their Bretheren as Joshua's Adjuration did oblige all posterity never to build Jericho Josh 6.26 and the breach of it did bring the Curse upon Hiel the Bethelite in the dayes of Ahab Publick Vowes do bind Posterity Jacobs Vow Gen. 28.21 did oblige all his posterity virtually comprehended in him Hos 12.4 The Rechabites found themselves obliged to observe the Vow of their Fore-father Jonadab Jer. 35.6.14 Publick Oaths do oblige posterity Joseph took an Oath of the Children of Israel to carry up his Bones to Canaan Gen. 50.25 which did oblige the posterity some hundreds of years after Exod. 13.19 Josh 24.32 National Covenants with Men before God do oblige posterity as Israels Covenant with the Gibeonites Josh 9.15.19 for the breach whereof many Ages after the posterity was plagued 2 Sam. 21.1 So Zedekiah's Covenant with Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. 17.18 19. Especially National Covenants with God before Men about things Moral Objectively obliging are Perpetual Jer. 50.5 And yet more especially as Grotius observes when they are of an Hereditary nature that is when the subjeâ—t is permanent the matter Moral the end Good and in the form of them there is a Clause expressing their perpetuity All which Ingredients of perpetual Obligations are clear in Scotlands Covenants Which are National Promises adjuring all the Members of the Scottish Church under a Curse to preserve and promote Reformation according to the Word of God and to extirpate what is in Doctrine Worship Discipline or Government opposite thereto National Vowes devoting the then engaging and suceeding Generations to be the Lords people and to walk in His wayes National Oaths solemnly sworn by all Ranks with hands lifted up to the Most High GOD never to admit of Innovations or submit to Usurpations contradictory to the Word of God National Covenants wherein the King Parliament and People did Covenant with each other to perform their repective duties in their â—everal places and stations inviolably to preserve Religion and Liberty Yea National Lawes solemnly ratified by King and Parliament and made the foundation of the Peoples Compact with the King at his Inauguration And Finally they are National Covenants with God as party contracting to keep and do the Words of His Covenant The subject or parties contracting are permanent as long therefore as Scotland is Scotâ—and and God is Unchangeable who hath given His revealed Will for the Rule of Mans Obedience Scotlands Reformation in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government must be endeavoured to be preserved in a conformity to it The Matter of them is morall containing nothing but what is antecedently and eternally binding albeit there had neveâ— been a formal Covenant The Ends of them perpetually good to wit For defence of the true Religion as it was then reformed and is expressed in thâ— Confession of Faith and which had been for many years with a blessing from Heaven preached and professed in this Kirk and Kingdom as Gods undoubted Truth grounded only upon His written Word And for maintaining the Kings Majestie his Person and Estate c. Having before our eyes the Glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of thâ— Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peacâ— of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included And in thâ— very Forme of them there are Clauses expressing their perpetuity Aâ— in that Article of the National Covenant subscribed anno 1638 there aâ— these words Being convinced in our minds and confessing with our mouths thâ— the present and succeeding Generations in this Land are bound to keep the foresaâ— National Oath and Subscription inviolable In the Solemn League these Art. 〈◊〉 That we and our posterity after us may as bretheren live in Faith and Love and tâ— Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us Art. 5. We shall endeavour that thâ— may remain conjoined in a firm Peace and Vnion to all posterity IV. Next from vers 16. to 20. This faithful Watch-maâ— warns Vers 16.17 that and all Generations of the danger of breach 〈◊〉 Covenant Shewing First The Inductives to this sin exposing peopâ—â— to the danger of it and involving them in the guilt of it before he laâ— before them what shall be the punishment of it Quest 15 If it be enquired then What are the chief Temptatioâ— inducing to this sin of Covenant-breaking Here it is Answered Dwelling among and converse with a People of a false Religion 〈◊〉 ye know how ye have dwelt in the Land of Egypt and ye have seen their aboâ— nations c. as it is noted in a Parenthesis v. 16 17. This induces boâ— Persons Families and Tribes vers 18. and in this order first Person then Families then Tribes to symbolize with them in perjury Peopâ—â— are more readily seduced to sin by the perverse example of these thâ— live among
there is none other Face of Kirk nor other Face of Religion than was presently at that time by the favour of God established within this Realm which therefore is ever stilled Gods true Religion Christs true Religion the true and Christian Religion and a perfect Religion Which by manifold Acts of Parliament all within this Realm are bound to subscribe the Articles thereof the Confession of Faith to recant all Doctrine and Errors 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. Par. 12. Act 194 and 197. Parl. 14. of K. James 6. And all Magistrates Sherifs 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 King's 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 hinderance of the execution of the Acts of Parliament against Papists and Adversaries of true Religion Act 106. Parl. 7. K. James 6. On the other part in the 47. Act Parl. 3. K. James 6. It is declared and ordained seing the cause of God's true Religion and his Highness Authority are so joyned as the hurt of the one is common to both And that none shall be reputed as Loyal and Faithful 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 coming to maintain our Soveraign Lords Authority and at the uttermost of their power to fortifie assist and maintain the true Preachers and Professors 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 that have joyned and bound themselves or have assisted or assists to set forward and execute the cruel Decrees of Trent contrary to the Preachers and true Professors of the Word of God which is repeated word by word in the Article of Pacification at Perth the 23 of Febr 1572. Approved by Parliament the last of April 1573. Ratified in Parliament 1587. And related Act 123. Parl. 12. of K. James 6. with this addition That they are bound to resist all treasonable Uproars Hostilities raised against the true Religion the Kings Majesty and the true Professors Likeas all Liedges are bound to maintain the Kings Majesties Royal Person and Authority the Authoritie of Parliaments without the which neither any Laws or lawful Judicatories can be established Act 130. Act 131. Parl. 8 K. James 6. And the Subjects Liberties who ought only to live and be governed by the Kings Laws the common Laws 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. King James 6. Which if they be innovated or prejudged the Commission anent the Union of the two Kingdoms of Scotland and England which is the sole Act of the 17. Parl. of King James the 6. Declares such Confusion would ensue as this Realm could be no more a free Monarchy because by the fundamental Laws ancient Priviledges Offices and Liberties of this Kingdom not only the Princely Authority of his Majesties Royal descent hath been 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 Laws 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 4 Act of K. Charles 1. That all Kings and Princes at their Coronation and Reception of their Princely Authority shall make their faithful Promise by their Solemn Oath in the presence of the Eternal God That during the whole time of their Lives they shall serve the same Eternal God to the uttermost of their power according as He has 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 Realm according to the Confession of Faith immediatly preceeding and shall abolish and gain-stand all false Religion contrary to the same 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 Laws and Constitutions received in this Realm no wayes repugnant to the said Will of the Eternal 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 coming And that they shall be careful 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 * K. Charles the first his Majesty at his Coronation in Edinburgh 1633. As may be seen in the order of the Coronation In obedience to the Commandment of GOD conform to the practice of the Godly in former times and according to the Laudable Example of our Worthy and Religious Progenitors which was warranted also by Act of Council commanding a general Band to be 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 lawful General Assemblies and of Parliaments unto which it hath relation set down in publick Catechisms and which had been for many years with a Blessing from Heaven preached professed in this Kirk and Kingdom as Gods undoubted Truth grounded only on His written Word The other cause was for maintaining the Kings Majesty 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 National Oath and Subscription inviolable We under-subscribing considering divers times before and especially at this time the danger of the true reformed Religion * His Highness's honour by whose noble enterprise so signally countenanced of the Lord we have obtained this reviving in our bondage of the Kings
honour and of the publick peace of the Kingdom By the manifold innovations and evils generally contained and particularly mentioned in Supplications Complaints and Protestations †Remonstrances Declarations Testimonies of old and of late Do hereby profess and before God His Angels and the World solemnly declare That with our whole Hearts we agree and resolve all the dayes of our life constantly to adhere unto and to defend the foresaid true Religion and forbearing the practice of all Novations ‡ Former or latter introduced in the matter of the Worship of God or approbation of the corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk or civil places and power of Kirk-men * Or any other Corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk Prelatick or Erastian either tried or to be tried till they be tryed and allowed in free Assemblies and in Parliaments to labour by all means lawful to recover the Purity Liberty of the Gospel as it was established professed before the foresaid Novations And because after due examination We plainly perceive undoubtedly believe that the Innovations evils contained in our Supplications Complaints and Protestations †Remonstrances Declarations and Testimonies have no warrand of the word of God are contrary to the Articles of the foresaid Confessions to the intention and meaning of the blessed Reformers of Religion in this Land to the above written Acts of Parliament and do sensibly tend to the Re-establishing of the Popish Religion and Tyranny and to the subversion and ruine of the true reformed Religion and of our Liberties Laws and Estates We also declare that the foresaid Confessions are to be interpreted and ought to be understood of the foresaid Novations and Evils no less than if every one of them had been expressed in the foresaid Confessions and that we are obliged to detest and abhore them as well as the particular heads of Papistry abjured therein And therefore from the knowledge and Conscience of our duty to God to * The Government and Countrey our King and Countrey without any worldly respect or inducement so far as humane infirmity will suffer wishing a further measure of the Grace of God for this effect We promise and swear by the Great Name of the Lord our God to continue in the Profession and Obedience of the foresaid Religion That we shal defend the same and resist all these contrary Errors and Corruptions according to our Vocation and to the uttermost of that power that God hath put in our hands all the dayes of our life And in like manner with the same heart We declare before God and Men That We have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of God or to the diminution of the †The Civil Magistrates Kings Greatness and Authority But on the contrary we promise and swear that we shall to the uttermost of our power with our means and lives stand to the defence of ‡ His Highness his Person and Authority when lawfully chosen and established as King or Suprem Magistrate over us our dread Soveraign the Kings Majesty his Person and Authority in the Defence and Preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Laws of the Kingdom As also to the mutual defence and assistance every one of us of another in the same cause of maintaining the true Religion and his Majesties Authority with our best counsel our Bodies our Means and whole power against all sorts of persons whatsomever So that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that cause shall be taken as done to us all in general and to every one of us in particular And that we shall neither directly nor indirectly suffer our selves to be divided or withdrawn by whatsoever Suggestion allurement or terror from this Blessed and Loyal Conjunction nor shall cast in any let or impediment that may stay or hinder any such resolution as by common consent shall be found to conduce for so good ends But on the contrary shall by all lawful means labour to further and promote the same and if any such dangerous and divisive motion be made to us by word or writ We and every one of Us shall suppress it or if need be shall incontinent make the same known that it may be timeously obviated Neither do we fear the foul aspersions of Rebellion Combination or what else our Adversaries from their craft or malice would put upon us seing what we do is so well warranted and ariseth from an unfeigned desire to maintain the true Worship of God * Honour of the Government the Majesty of our King and peace of the Kingdom for the common happiness of our selves and the posterity And because we cannot look for a Blessing from God upon our preceedings except with our Profession and Subscription we joyn such a Life and Conversation as beseemeth Christians who have renewed their Covenant with God We therefore faithfully promise for our selves our followers and all other under us both in publick in our particular Families and personal carriage to endeavour to keep our selves within the bounds of Christian liberty and to be good Examples to others of all Godliness Soberness and Righteousness and of every duty we owe to God and Man And that this our Union and Conjunction may be observed without violation we call the Living God the Searcher of our Hearts to witness who knoweth this to be our sincere Desire and unfaigned Resolution As We shall answer to Jesus Christ in the Great Day and under the pain of Gods Everlasting Wrath and of Infamy and loss of all honour and respect in this World. Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end and to bless our Desires and Proceedings with a happy success that Religion and Righteousness may flourish in the Land to the Glory of God the honour †Of our Soveraigns of the King and peace and comfort of us all In witness whereof we have subscribed with our hands all the Premisses c. This Article of the Covenant which was at the first Subscription ‡ Anno 1638. referred to the determination of the General Assembly being determined and thereby the 5 Articles of Perth the Government of the Kirk by Bishops the Civil places and power of Kirkmen upon the reasons and grounds contained in the Acts of the General Assembly declared to be unlawful within this Kirk We subscribe according to the determination foresaid A SOLEMN LEAGUE and COVENANT For Reformation and Defence of Religion WE Having before our Eyes the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ * The establishment preservation of the Government the Honour and Happiness of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to mind
Government which as it was primarly understood so still we owne to be only Presbyterial Directory for Worship and Catechising According to Scripture Isa 19.18 Jer. 32.39 Zech. 14.9 Act. 2.46 1 Cor. 7.17 Phil. 3.16 Gal. 6.16 Yet as our Fathers had reason to complain that The profane loose and insolent Carriage of many in their Armies who went to the assistance of our Brethren in England and the tamperings and unstraight dealings of some Commissioners and others of our Nation in London the Isle of Wight and other places of that Kingdom had proved great Lets to the Work of Reformation and setling of Kirk Government there whereby Error and Schism in that Land had been encreased and Sectaries hardened in their way So much more in our day we are obliged to confess the Offensive Carriage and Conversation of many that have gone to England who have proven very stumbling to the Sectarians there And also the tamperings of others in patching up an Union and Communion with them without a Testimony against their way And on the other hand we have had little Zeal in our endeavours after such an Uniformity Little praying for it And little mourning for the obstructions of it Yea of late many have embraced a Toleration introductive of a Sectarian multiformity of Religions without so much as a Testimony against the Toleration of Popery it self In the II. Article We are bound without respect of persons to endeavour the extirpation of Popery conform to the National Covenant where we are bound to abhor and detest all kind of Papistry in general and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland Likeas many Acts of Parliament not only in general do abrogate all Laws Statutes and Constitutions made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professors thereof or of the true Kirk Discipline Jurisdiction and Freedom thereof or in favours of the Popish Idolatry and Superstition But in special do constitute enact ratifie and aprove many Penal Statutes against Papists Which are founded upon Divine Precepts and other Scriptures Exod. 23.32 33. Exod. 34.12 13. Deut. 13. throughout Judg. 2.2 Zech. 13.2.3 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Thess 2.3.12 Rev. 17.5 16. Rov 18.4 5 6. Yet alas We have been so defective in this that upon the contrate the Land hath been polluted again with Idolatrous Masses Alters and other Monuments have been suffered to be again erected Penal Statutes have been so far from being executed against Papists that they have been by Arbitrary and Absolute Power stopped suspended and disabled by the Toleration in its own nature tending and in its design intended to introduce Popery and Slavery Yet this hath been accepted and addressed for by many Ministers and countenanced complyed and concurred with by many People without a Testimony or endeavour to withstand it Yea the Administration of the Government greatest Offices of Power and Trust hath been committed to permitted to abide in the hands of Papists And the Head of them great Pillar Promoter of Popery James the 7th hath been owned as King contrary to the Laws of God and Man which incapacitate him And Covenant obligations without respect of persons to extirpate Papists And all of us have had too little Zeal or Indignation against or fear of the manifest appearances of the coming in of Popery and intended Establishment of it in the Land And little serious Wrestling for the ruine and fall of Babylon and that the Lord would divide and overturn the Builders and Supporters thereof Many on the contrary have prayed for Blessings to the Person and Government of a Papist on the Throne the chiefest Supporter of it in these Lands In like manner We were bound To endeavour the Extirpation of Prelacy that is Church Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans Chapters Arch deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy As in the National Couenant to abhor and detest the Antichristian wicked Hierarchie and to forbear the practice of all Novations and approbation of the Corruptions of the publick Government of the Kirk as being contrary to the Article of the forsaid Confession to the intention meaning of the blessed Reformers of Religion in this Land and to Acts of Parliament insert there and sensibly tending to the re-establishing of the Popish Religion and Tyranny to the subversion and ruine of the true reformed Religion of our Liberties Laws Estates Which Article concerning Prelacy being referred to the General Assembly was determined and declared Unlawful as being clearly condemned in the Word of God. Math. 20.25.26 Luk. 22.25 26. Act. 20.17.28 1 Pet. 5.3 3 Joh. 9. Yet we have been so far from paying these our Vows that Prelacy hath been by wicked Law established and in stead of Extirpation hath been submitted unto and complied with by us And in evidence thereof as it was required by wicked and Arbitrary Laws we heard and received Ordinances dispensed by the intruding Curats and payed them Stipends and Emoluments exacted for upholding that which we were bound to extirpate And not only so but many did bind and oblige themselves by Subscription Promise or Oath to be ordinary Church-members of the Prelatical Church And all of us even thô we did stand at a distance from and witnessed against that Faction yet we became very remiss in our Zeal and flack in our Prayers against Prelacy Instead of endeavours to extirpate Superstition and Heresie as we are bound by the same Article of the Solemn League and by the National Covenant to detest all Superstitions and Heresies without or against the Word of God and Doctrine of this reformed Kirk According to the Scriptures Deut. 12.30 31 32. Act. 17.22 Gal. 4.10 Gal. 5.20 Col 2.20 21 23. Tit. 3.10 Yet in the darkness of these times many dregs of Popish Superstition have been observed many Omens and Freets too much looked to Popish Festival-dayes as Pasch Yule Fastens-even c. have been kept by many And Prelatical Anniversary-dayes and Festivities devised of their own heart appointed for Commemorating the Kings Birth-dayes as May 29. and October 14. c. who were born as a Scourge to this Realm have been complyed with by many Yes some have superstiâ—iously made use of the Scriptures as a Fortune-book looking to that which was first cast up to them or to Impressions born in upon their minds from such and such parts of Scripture as Divine Responses wâ—th out a due search of them as the Lord hath commanded And many wavering and unstable have been seduced into damnable and pernicious Heresies as Quakers and delirious delusions of such as followed John Gibb All which have been Breaches of Covenant as well as Divine Commands Yet Heresies of all kinds have been Tolerated yea encouraged in our day without a witness against them from many Moreover we are bound in our Covenant to oppose extirpate Schism on the
secret thoughts which no law of Man can reach yet in our day extorted by threatnings of Torture and Death if they were not discovered in Answers to our persecuters impertinent questions In all which impositions on our Liberties as men we have too stupidly couched under all burdens and complyed with them The Churches Liberties have also been invaded by the Ecclesiastical Supremacy declared by a Blasphemous Law inherent in the Crown and by an Absolute Power which all were required to obey without reserve which are horrid encroachments on the incommunicable Prerogatives of JEHOVAH and His CHRIST as only King and Head of His Church And yet these have been established and homologated by our several involvements in the sin of Prelacy and its attending Patronages robbing the Church of the Liberty of election of Pastors Indulgence and Tolleration to the prejudice of and without a Witness for the Churches Liberties In that same Article we are bound also to preserve and defend the supreme Magistrates Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms As in the National Covenant is expressed likewise to defend his Person and Authority in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Country Ministration of Justice and punishment of iniquity and stand to his defence in the defence and preservation of the foresaid true Religion Liberties and Laws of the Kingdom As the Duty is qualified in Scriptures 2 Sam 5 3 2 Kings 11 17 1 Kings 12 16 2 Chron 26 16 21 Rom 13 3 4 1 Pet 2 14. But as our Fathers in their acknowledgement had reason to say Neither hath it been our care to avoid these things which might harden the King in his evil way But upon the Contrary he hath not only been permitted but many of us have been Instrumental to make him exercise his Power in many things tending to the prejudice of Religion and of the Covenant and of the Peace and Safety of these Kingdoms Which is so far from the right way of preserving his Majesties Person and Authority that it cannot but provoke the Lord against him unto the hazard of both Nay under a pretence of relieving and doing for the King whilst he refuses to do what was necessary for the House of God some have ranversed and violated most of all the Articles of the Covenant So in our unhappy dayes it is our Sin Shame and Sorrow that we have had to do with men mounted on a Throne of iniquity that have been subverting Religion and Persecuting it designing to introduce Poperie it self and Slaverie Destroying our Liberties Suppressing the Evangel and Oppressing its Professors Enacting and Executing manifest Injustice stoping the Ministration of Justice against Idolaters Adulterers Murderers and other Malifactors and and punishing Equity and Duty instead of Iniquity arrogating and obtaining a Monstrous Prerogative above all Rights and Priviledges of Parliament all Laws all Liberties a power to Tyrannize as be lists without control But as it was our Fathers sin to inaugurate the late King after such discoveries of his Hypocritical emnity to Religion and Liberty upon his subscription of the Covenant So when he burnt and buried that Covenant and degenerate into manifest Tyrannie and had razed the very foundation upon which both his Right to govern and the Peoples Allegiance were founded and remitted the Subjects Allegiance by annulling the Bond of it We sinned in continuing still to own his Authority when opposite to and destructive of Religion and Liberty And many in swearing the Oath of Allegiance including also the Supremacy with the boundless Prerogatives without any Restrictions or Qualifications when all the Authority he had was engaged and exerted in a Rebellion against GOD forgetting foregoing and disowning these Limitations in the Covenant And in putting in his Interest with the Application of the words of the Covenant to him thô stated in opposition to it in the state of the quarrel in our Declarations of war at Pentland and Bothuel-Bridge for which the LORD put us to shame and went not out with our Armies Again we desire to confess and mourn over this as the sin of the Land and breach of Covenant that the Duke of York hath been admitted to the exercise of the Royal Office against the Laws of GOD and man being incapable of the Covenants qualifications of a Magistrate and being a Papist incapable of taking the Oath of Coronation to maintain the True Protestant Religion and abolish and gainstand Popery which for the preservation of the true Religion Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom is statute by the 8 Act Parl 1 K Jam 6 That all Kings at the Reception of their Princely Authority shall take and swear Yet his Authority thô inconsistent with and declaredly opposite to Religion and Liberty hath been owned and upheld by paying the Cess and Supplies expresly exacted for maintaining Tyrannie in the destruction of Religion and Liberty Our own Consciences within and Gods Judgements upon us without do convince us of the manifold wilful renewed Breaches of the Fourth Article which concerneth the discovery of Malignants consonant to the Scriptures 2 Sam 23 6 Esther 7 5 6 Psal 26 5 6 Psal 101 8 Prov 25 5 For their Crimes have not only been connived at but dispensed with and pardoned and themselves received into intimate Fellowship and entrusted with Counsels admitted into Parliaments and put in places of Power and Authority for managing the publick Affairs of the Kingdom whereby in Gods Justice they got at last into their hands the whole power and Strength of the Kingdom both in Judicatories and Armies and did imploy the same unto the enacting and prosecuting an unlawful Engagement in War against the Kingdom of England Notwithstanding of the discent of many considerable Members of Parliament who had given constant proof of their integrity in the Cause from the beginning Of many faithful Testimonies and free Warnings of the Servants of God of the Supplications of many Synods Presbyteries and Shires And the Declarations of the General Assembly and their Commissioners to the Contrary Which Engagement as it was the Cause of much Sin so also of much Miserie and Calamity unto this Land and held forth the grieveousness of our sin in Complying with Malignants in the greatness of our Judgement that we may be taught never to split again upon the same Rock upon which the Lord hath set so Remarkable a beacon And after all that is come to pass unto us because of this our trespass And after that Grace hath been shewed unto our Fathers and us once and again from the Lord our God by breaking these Mens Yoke from off their and our necks and sometimes delivering our Fathers so far from their insultings that He put them into a Capacity to Act for the good of Religion their own safety and the Peace and safety of the Kingdom should they and we again break his Commandment and Covenant by joyning once more
shall continue in the obedience of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk and shall defend the same according to our Vocation and Power all the dayes of our lives under the pains contained in the Law and danger both of Body and Soul in the day of Gods fearful Judgement And seing that many are stirred up by Satan and that Roman Antichrist to promise swear subscribe and for a time use the Holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceitfully against their own Consciences minding thereby first under the external Cloak of Religion to corrupt and subvert secretly Gods true Religion within the Kirk and afterward when time may serve to become open Enemies and Persecutors of the same under vain hope of the Popes Dispensation devised against the Word of God to his greater confusion and their double condemnation in the day of the Lord Jesus We therefore willing to take away all suspicion of Hypocrisie and of such double dealing with God and His Kirk Protest and call The Searcher of all hearts for witness that our minds and hearts do fully agree with this Our Confession Promise Oath and Subscription so that We are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded only in Our Consciences through the knowledge and love of Gods true Religion printed in Our Hearts by the Holy Spirit as we shall answer to Him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed And because we perceive that the quietness and stability of our Religion and Kirk doth depend upon the safety and good behaviour of * The lawfully established Suprem Magistrat the Kings Majesty as upon a comfortable Instrument of Gods Mercy granted to this Country for the maintaining of this Kirk and ministration of Justice amongst us we protest and promise with our Hearts under the same Oath Hand-writ and Pains that we shall defend his Person and Authority with our goods bodies and lives in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Countrey ministration of Justice and punishment of Iniquity against all Enemies within this Realm or without as we desire our God to be a strong and merciful Defender to us in the day of our death and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory Eternally Like as many Acts of Parliament not only in general do abrogate annul and rescind all Laws Statutes Acts Constitutions Canons civil or municipal with all other Ordinances and practick Penalties whatsoever made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professors thereof Or of the true Kirk discipline Jurisdiction and Freedom thereof Or in favours of Idolatry and Superstition Or of the Papistical Kirk As Act. 3. Act. 13. Parl. 1. Act. 23. Parl. 11. Act. 114. Parl. 12 of King James the sixth That Papistry and Superstition may be utterly suppressed according to the intention of the Acts of Parliament repeated in the 5. Act. Parl. 20. King James 6th And to that end they ordain all Priests to be punished by manifold Civil and Ecclesiastical pains as Adversaries to Gods true Religion preached and by Law established within this Realm Act 24. Parl. 11. King James 6th As common Enemies to all Christian Government Act 18. Parl. 16. King James 6th As Rebellers and Gain-standers of our Soveraign Lords Authority Act 47. Parl. 3. K. James 6. And as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. King James 6. But also in particular by and attour the Confession of Faith do abolish and condemn the Popes Authority and Jurisdiction out of this Land and orders the Maintainers thereof to be punished Act 2. Parl 1. Act 51. Parl. 3. Act. 106. Parl. 7. Act 114. Parl. 12. King James 6. Do condemn the Popes erroneous Doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of the true and Christian Religion publickly preached and by Law established in this Realm And ordains the spreaders and makers of Books or Libels or Letters or Writs of that nature to be punished Act 46. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. King James 6. Do condemn all Baptism conform to the Popes Kirk and the Idolatry of the Mass and ordains all Sayers wilful hearers and concealers of the Mass the mantainers and resetters of Priests Jesuits traffiquing Papists to be punished without any exception or restriction Act 5. Parl. 1. Act 120. Parl. 12. Act 164. Parl. 13. Act 193. Parl. 14. Act 1. Parl. 19. Act 5. Parl. 20. K. James 6. Do condemn all erroneous Books and Writes containing erroneous Doctrine against the Religion presently professed or maintaining superstitious Rites and Ceremonies Papistical whereby the People are greatly abused and ordaines the home bringers of them to be punished Act 25 Parl 11 K. James 6 do condemn the monuments and dregs of by gone Idolatry as going to the Crâ—sses observing the Festival dayes of the Saints and such other superstitious and Papistical Rites to the dishonour of God contempt of true Religion and fostering of great errour among the People and ordains the users of them to be punished for the second fault as Idolaters Act 104 Parl 7 K James 6. Like as many Acts of Parliament are conceaved for maintenance of Gods true and Christian Religion and the purity thereof in Doctrine and Sacraments of the true Church of God the liberty and freedom thereof in her National Synodal Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions Policy Discipline and Jurisdiction thereof as that purity of Religion and liberty of the Church was used professed exercised preached and confessed according to the Reformation of Religion in this Realm As for instance The 99 Act Parl 7 Act 23 Parl 11 Act 114 Parl 12 Act 160 Parl. 13. of King James 6. Ratified by the 4 Act of King Charles 1. So that the 6 Act Parl. 1. and 68 Act Parl. 6. of K. James 6. in the year of God 1579. Declares the Ministers of the blessed Evangel whom God of His Mercy had raised up or hereafter should raise agreeing with them that then lived in Doctrine and Administration of the Sacraments and the people that professed Christ as He was then offered in the Evangel and doth communicate with the Holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirks of this Realm they were publickly administrat according to the Confession of Faith to be the True and Holy Kirk of Christ Jesus within this Realm and decerns and declares all and sundry who either gain-sayes the Word of the Evangel received and approved as the heads of the Confession of Faith professed in Parliament in the year of God 1560. Specified also in the first Parliament of K. James 6. And ratified in this present Parliament more particularly do specifie or that refuses the administration of the Holy Sacraments as they were then ministrated to be no Members of the said Kirk within this Realm and true Religion presently professed so long as they keep themselves so divided from the society of Christs Body And the subsequent Act 69. Parl. 6. of K. James 6. declares That
mutual bearing of one anothers burdens as became Covenanted Brethren On the other hand in stead of Union in Truth and Duty according to the Bond of the Covenant a Confederacy hath been studied in defection from the Covenant And an Union and Peace which wanted the foundation laid down in the foregoing Articles of the Covenant to wit Uniformity in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against Popery Prelacy Schism or Sectarianism for our Religion Laws and Liberties and the discovering suppressing and punishing the enemies of these Interests Such an Union hath not been studied or sought but on the contrare an Union against the Reformation and Uniformity for Prelacy or Sectarian Multiformity by maintaining Tyranny and strengthening Malignancy In the 6th Article We are bound according to our Places and Callings in this common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace to assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining thereof And in the National Covenant in like manner we are bound to stand to the mutual defence and assistance every one of us of another in the same cause with our best Counsel our Bodies Means and whole Power against all sorts of persons what soever So that whatsoever shall be done to the least of us for that Cause should be taken as done to us all in general and to every one of us in particular A duty very clear in the Scriptures Judg. 5.23 1 Chron. 12.1 18. Nehem. 4.14 Prov. 24.11.12 But alas Little Conscience hath been made of this Duty We have suffered many of out Brethren in several parts of the Land to be oppressed of the common Enemy without compassion or relief There hath been great murmuring and repining because of expence of means and pains in doing of our duty And not only so but many have Sworn and Subscribed Oaths and Bonds engaging against such assistances very directly and to condemn all such endeavours to assist defend or rescue them as Sedition and Rebellion And obliging them to assist their murdering Malignant Enemies by such concurrences as they required Yea many instead of coming out to the help of the Lord against the Mighty and defending their Brethren have come out to the help of the Mighty against the Lord His Cause Covenant and oppressed People concurring in Armes against them at all the Appearances that have been astayed for the cause of Christ Appearing at Courts held for informing against and Condemning their Brethren that were Present at or concerned in such Appearances for the Covenanted Cause And coming in as Witnesses against them Sitting in Assyses for Condemning them And guarding them to their Executions when Martyred for their Duty and the Interest of Truth Many again have denied to Reset Harbour and Entertain their Brethren Persecuted for maintaining the Covenanted Reformation And some have raised the Hue and Cry after them thereby occasioning and assisting in the cruel Murder of several faithful Brethren The most part have owned the Great Murderer who authorized all the rest and enacted all these Murders And assisted him and his Complices and Executioners of his murdering Mandats with their Purses and Estates in paying the Supplies professedly demanded and declaredly imposed for enabling them to accomplish these Mischiefs Yea many of our Brethren have been so far from assisting that they have added afflâ—ctions to their afflicted Brethren by their Reproaches and persecuting by the Tongue whom the Lord had smitten and talking to the grief of those whom He had wounded And as all sorts of us have been wanting in our Sympathie with and endeavouring succour to our suffering Brethren let be to deliver them from their Enemies hands according to capacity especially if they were such as differed from us in their Judgement So we cannot forbear with shame and sorrow to confess that many Ministers have all alongst discovered great unconcernedness with and contempt of poor despised and reproached Sufferers Condemning the Heads of their Sufferings Forgetting or refusing to pray for them publickly And declining yea disswading to contribute for the relief of the Banished of late Which hath been very discouraging to the afflâ—cted and stumbling to many In the same Article we are bound not to suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever Combination or Terror to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Vnion and Conjunction Whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves unto a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this Cause And in the National Covenant That we shall neither directly nor indirectly suffer our selves to be divided or withdrawn by whatsoever suggestion allurement or terror from this Blessed and Loyal Conjunction According to Scripture warrands Gen. 13 8. Psal 133. throughout Zech. 8.19 Heb. 12 14. 1 Cor. 1.10 Eph. 4 3. Phil. 1.27 and 2.1 2. Jer. 9.3 Ezek. 22.25 2 Tim. 4.10 Hag. 1.2 Phil 2.21 Rev. 3.15 16. But alas It is long since our Fathers had reason to complain and confess that many in their day by perswasion or terror suffered themselves to be divided and withdrawn to make defection to the contrary part Many had turned off to a detestable indefferency and Neutrality in this Cause which so much concerneth the Glory of God and the good of these Kingdoms Nay many had made it their study to walk so as they might comply with all times and all the revolutions thereof It was not their care to countenance encourage intrust and employ such only as from their hearts did affect and mind Gods work But the hearts of such many times had been discouraged and their hands weakned their sufferings neglected and themselves slighted And many who had been once open Enemies and alwayes secret Underminers countenanced and employed Nay even those who had been looked upon as Incendiaries and upon whom the Lord had set Marks of desperate Malignancy Falshood and Deceit were brought in as fit to manage publick Affairs All which Sins and Breaches of Covenant have now encreassed to a greater height of heinousness For in our day these Incendiaries desperate and ingrained Malignants have only been imployed in and admitted to the management of Affairs in Church and State and none but they have been accounted Habile by Law And such divisions from this Covenanted Conjunction and defections to the contrary part have been enacted and established by Law. Yea all the unhappy divisions that have been in our day have been the woeful consequents and effects of Defections to the contrary part At the first erection of Prelacy many both Ministers and Professors partly by Terror and partly by Perswasion did withdraw from this Covenanted Conjunction and make defection unto Prelacy with which they combin'd in conforming with it and submitting unto the Ministry of the conforming Curats And afterwards by the terror of the fear of Men and the perswasions of their Counsels and Example many of us have been seduced into a Combination with Malignants in taking Oaths and Bonds contrary to the Covenants thereby
Form so far as it could serve the time and the Engagements thereof quadrate with their capacities are not to be rashly condemned for their Renewing old Vows which were and in so far only as they were before and then and are alwayes binding Yea rather it were suitable and seasonable for the Representatives who can easily mend what was not within their sphere to do in stead of despising the meanness of that party and carping at the imperfections of that action to imitate their Zeal in Renewing these National Engagements with solemn Acknowledgements of the Breaches thereof in a Form that will better please them This would be a notable mean of turning away the Lords fierce Wrath from the Nation 2 Chron. 29.10 Hereby Reformation in Church and State might be promoted and preserved Order and Union in the Church which hath been long wanting might be settled and established Former Defections might be honestly and honourably removed and remedied Future Innovations and Corruptions Schismes and Dâ—sorders might be prevented and precluded And all Malignant Enemies of Reformation might be by this Test discovered and excluded from all Trust in Church or State and capacity to do either hurt Yet without any constraint or restraint upon any Mans true liberty How pleasant and acceptable both to God and Man would it be as it may be hoped it will be when the Lords people in these Lands now sore and long scattered and divided shall return going and weeping seeking the Lord their God and asking the way to Zion with their Faces thitherward That at least the Owners Lovers of Reformation were saying Come and let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten THE NATIONAL COVENANT OR The Confession of Faith of the Kirk of Scotland subscribed at first by the Kings Majesty and his Houshold in the year 1580. Thereafter by Persons of all ranks in the year 1581. By Ordinance of the Lords of the Secret Council and Acts of the General Assembly Subssribed again by all sorts of Persons in the year 1590. By a new Ordinance of Council at the desire of the General Assembly With a general Band for maintainance of the true Religion and the Kings Person And subscribed in the year 1638. By the Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons then undersubscribing Together with their resolution and promises for the causes after specified To maintain the said true Religion and the Kings Majesty according to the Confession foresaid and Act of Parliament And thereafter upon the Supplication of the General Assembly to His Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of his Majesties Honourable Privy Council subscribed again in the Year 1639. by Ordinance of Council and Act of General Assembly And now again by Vs this present Year 1689. Acknowledging the publick breaches thereof and engaging to the Duties contained therein with Accommodation to our Case and Time. WE All and every one of Us underwritten Protest that after long and due Examination of our own Consciences in matters of true and false Religion We are now throughly resolved of the Truth by the Word and Spirit of God and therefore we believe with our hearts confess with our mouths subscribe with our hands and constantly affirm bef re God aâ—d the whole World that this only is the true Christian Faith anâ— Relâ—gion pleasing God and bringing Salvation to Man which now is by the Mercy of God revealed to the world by the preaching of the Blessed Evangel and received believed and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realms but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland * and sometimes by the Kings Majesty and Three Estates of this Realme as Gods eternal Truth and only ground of our Salvation As more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith stablished and publickly confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliament and now of a long time hath been openly professed by the Kings Majesty and whole body of this Realm both in Burgh and Land. To the which Confession and Form of Religion We willingly agree in our Consciences in all points as unto Gods undoubted Truth anâ— Verity grounded only upon his written Word And therefore we abhore and detest all contrary Religion and Doctrine But chieflly all kind of Papistry in general and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland But in special We detest and refuse the usurped Authority of that Roman Anti-câ—rist upon the Scriptures of God upon the Kirk the Civil Magistrate and Conscience of Men all his Tyrannous Laws made upon indifferent things against our Christian Liberty his erroneous Doctrine against the sufficiency of the written Word the perfection of the Law the Offices of Christ and His blessed Evangel His corrupted Doctrine concerning Original Sin our natural Inability 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 Riâ—es Ceremonies and false Doctrine added to the ministration of the true Sacraments without the Word of God. His cruel judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament His absolute necessity of Baptism his blasphemous opinion of Transubstantiation or Real presence of Christ's Body in the Elements and receiving of the same by the wicked or Bodies of Men. His Dispensations with solemn Oaths Perjuries and degrees of Marriage forbidden in the Word his cruelty against the Innocent divorced his devillish Mass his blasphemous Priest-hood profane Sacrifice for the Sin of the Dead and the Quick his Canonization of Men calling upon Angels or Saints departed worshipping of Imagery Relicks and Crosses dedicating of Kirks Altars Dayes Vowes to Creatures his Purgatory Prayers for the Dead praying or speaking in a strange Language with his Processions and blasphemous Litany and multitude of Advocates or Mediators his manifold Orders auricular Confession his desperate and uncertain Repentance his general and doubtsome Faith his satisfactions of Men for their sins his Justification by Works opus operatum Works of Supererogation Merits Pardons Peregrinations and Stations his Holy Water baptising of Bells conjuring of Spirits Crossing Saning Anointing Conjuring hallawing of Gods good Creatures with the superstitious opinion joyned therewith his worldly Monarchy and wicked Hierarchy his three solemn Vowes with all his Shavellings of sundry sorts his Erroneous Bloody Decrees made at Trent with all the Subscribers and Approvers of that cruel bloody Band conjured against the Kirk of God And Finally we detest all his vain Allegories Rites Signes and Traditions brought into the Kirk without or against the Word of God and Doctrine of this true reformed Kirk to the which we joyn our selves 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 we
one hand as well as Defection on the other The Scripâ—ure makes this a great sin Rom. 16.17 1 Cor. 11.18 1 Cor. 12.25 Heb. 12.25 Jud. v. 19. Yet as many by defection both in complyance with Prelacy and Erastianism have broken the Churches Beauty and Bands Order and Union in making a Faction repugnant to her established Order and Censurable by all her standing Acts in bringing in Novations in the Government and making a rent in the Bowels of the Church by causing Divisions and Offences contrare to the Doctrine of the Church have made themselves guilty of Schism So others on the other hand have upon slender and insufficient grounds separate both from * Meaning such Ministers as were most faithful and zealous preached in the Fields and were not chargeable with Defection and Complyance with Enemies From whom some separate as John Gibb and others Ministers from Christian Societies and Families because of differences in judgement in incident debates not necessary nor material nor wherein the Testimony of Christ was much concerned or because of personal Offences easily removed Not observing the Rules of Christ for removing them nor having respect to His great Commands of Charity Forbearance Forgiving one another or Condescendency And between divided parties which in our day have long been byting and devouring one another there hath been too much both of sinful Union and Consederacy in termes ptejudicial to Truth and Duty on the one hand and of sinful heats Animosities Jealousies Pride Passion and Prejudices on the other hand grieving the Spirit of GOD and eating up the Power and much hindering the holy Practice and Spiritual Exercise of Religion And too much also of sowing discords among Brethren and promoting our contentions by too credulous and sedulous taking up spreading reports and reproaches one of another What shall we say We have been so far from endeavouring the extirpation of Profanness another evil engaged against in the Covenant and condemned in the Word of God Deut. 29 19. Job 21.14 Jer 23 15 Ezek 22 26. Hos 4.1 2 3. Heb. 12.15.16 that Profanity hath been much winked at and profane persons much countenanced and many times employed until Iniquity Ungodliness hath gone over the face of the Land as a flood Nay sufficient care hath not been had to separate betwixt the precious and the vile by debarring from the Sacrament all ignorant and scandalous persons according to the Ordinances of this Kirk And hence it hath come to pass that Profanity beginning at the Court and corrupt Clergy and descending from them like a flood hath overspread the whole Land So that the greatest part by far may rather be called Children of Sodom then of a land solemnly in Covenant with GOD And so far have we been from rooting out whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness lest we partake of other mens sins and be in danger to receive of their plagues that we have maintained much unsound Doctrine in the Arguments which we used for defence of our courses of complyance with Prelacy and Erastianâ—sm and walking willingly after the Commandments of Men And those among others unsound Notions have been intertained among us That lesser and circumstantial Truths are not to be suffered for That confession of these Truths hath not been called for in our day That People are not in hazard of the sins of others especially Magistrates and Ministers if they do not directly Act the same sins themselves contrary to express and plain Scriptures 2 Sam. 21.1 2 Sam. 24.17 2 Kings 21.11 12. Lev. 10.6 Isai 43.27 28 Jer 14.15 16. Micah 3.11 12. Whence both Ministers and People have been involved in the sins of Prelacy Indulgence and Tolleration thinking these only the sins of Prelates and of Usurping Rulers while they yeelded all the Conformity with them submission to them and approbation of them that was required by wicked Laws On the other hand many of us have rested too much in Non-complyance with these and having a form of Godliness but neglecting the power thereof In the Third Article whereas we are bound in our several Vocations To endeavour with our Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of the Kingdoms meaning true real and righteous Priviledges and Liberties consonant to the Word of God Deut. 1.13 Deut. 16.16 Isa 1.26 Like as all Liedges are bound by the Laws of the Land insert in the National Covenant to maintain the Authority of Parliaments without which neither any Laws or lawful Judicatories can be established Yet as our Fathers sound reason to complain that neither had the Priviledges of the Parliaments and Liberties of the Subject been duely tendered but some amongst them had laboured to put into the hands of the King an Arbitrary and Unlimited Power destructive to both and many of them had been accessory to those means and wayes whereby the freedom and priviledges of Parliaments had been encroached upon and the Subjects oppressed in their Consciences Persons and Estates So in our day since this long tract of Tyranny began they have had rather the name and shew than the real Power and Priviledges of lawfull by constitute Parliaments since they advanced the Regal Prerogative to such a boundless pitch of Absoluteness Being so corrupted that faithful Men and honest and honourable Patriots have been excluded and those admitted for constituent Members that by the Law of GOD and Man should have been debarred And so prelimited that the Members behooved to take such Oaths for instance the Declaration and Test abjuring and condemning the Covenants as engaged them to be perjured and conjured Enemies both to our Religion and Liberty Which was sinfully complyed with both by the Electors of Parliament-Members and by the Elected Yet the body of the Land did not make conscience of endeavouring the recovery of these Rights and Priviledges so perverted and polluted Whence nothing could flow from these Fountains so poysoned but injustice and oppression And in stupid submission did own these for their Representatives who betrayed their Liberties and made Laws to enslave the Nation and entail Slaverie on the Posterity On the other hand we that disowned them did not mind the Duty of preserving these Rights and Priviledges of Supreme Judicatories when inadvertently and unadvisedly we put in such Expressions and Stiles in some of our Declarations that do not belong to private Persons but to such Judicatories Again the Subjects Liberties Civil and Religious both as Men and as Christians which the Scriptures allow we should preserve 1 Sam 14 45 Acts 22 25 Acts 25 11 16 27. Gal 5 1. have been miserably encroached on by Arbitrary Government whereby the Subjects have been oppressed in their Consciences Persons and Estates by all the Oaths and Bonds pressing Conformity wâ—th these Corâ—uptions Novations and Usurpations in the Government of Church and State And persecutions for Recusancy and by impositions on the Natural freedom of