contrary to the League and Covenant; that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatories of both kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient.

"V. And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace between these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is, by the good providence of God, granted unto us, and has been lately concluded and settled by both Parliaments; we shall each one of us, according to our places and interests, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to all posterity; and that justice may be done on all the wilful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent articles.

"VI. We shall also, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suf fer ourselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or terror, to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the kingdoms, and honour of the King; but shall, all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and, what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed.

"And because these kingdoms are guilty of many. sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son, JESUS CHRIST, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profess and declare, before God and the world, our unfeigned desire

to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms: especially, that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the gospel; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and that we have not endeavoured to receive CHRIST in our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives; which are the cause of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us; and our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our charge, both in public and private, in all duties we owe to God and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation; that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these churches and kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant we make in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success, as may be a deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to the Christian churches, groaning under, or in danger of, the yoke of antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like attestation and covenant, to the glory of God, the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST, and the peace and tranquillity of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths."

The General Assembly and Convention of Estates, having so cordially and unanimously adopted the solemn league and covenant, and having sent it to the parliament of England for their approbation, proceeded now to choose commissioners to attend the Assembly of Divines, convened at Westminster. Whereupon, the following persons were appointed: The earl of Lothian, Archibald Johnston, afterwards lord Warriston, and lord Maitland, afterward lord Lauderdale. These were denominated lay-assessors.

The ministers appointed on this commission, were Alexander Henderson, Samuel Rutherford, George Gillespie, Robert Baillie, and Robert Douglas.

To these commissioners, the following commission and instructions were given:

"Assembly, Edinburgh, Aug. 19, 1643, Session 14. "Commission of the General Assembly, to some ministers and ruling elders, for repairing to the kingdom of England.

"The General Assembly of the church of Scotland, finding it necessary to send some godly and learned of this kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect underwritten, therefore, gives full power and commission, to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Robert Baillie, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. George Gillespie, John, earl of Cassilis, John, lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnston, of Warriston, elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be ministers, to repair to the kingdom of England, and there to deliver the declaration sent unto the Parliament of England, and the letter sent unto the Assembly of Divines, now sitting in that kingdom; and to propose, consult, treat, and conclude with that Assembly, or any commissioners deputed by them, or any committee or commission deputed by the houses of Parliament, on all matters which may further the union of this island in one form of church-government, one confession of faith, one catechism, one directory for the worship of God, according to the instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive, from time to time, from the commissioners of the Assembly, deputed hereafter for that effect; with powers also to them, to convey to his majesty, the humble answer sent from this Assembly to his majesty's letter, by such occasion as they shall judge expedient; and sick-like, to deliver the Assembly's answer to the letter sent from some wellaffected brethren there; and generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the much

desired union and nearest conjunction of the churches of England and Scotland, and conform to these instructions aforesaid."

When the Scottish commissioners arrived, they were received with great respect and solemnity by the Assembly; and the prolocutor made a formal address to them in the name of the Assembly, which was answered by Mr. Alexander Henderson, in behalf of the commissioners. Speeches were also made on the occasion by Dr. Hayle and Mr. Case. These commissioners from Scotland were welcomed to the Assembly, and invited to give their aid in the business on hand, and to take a part in all the proceedings of the Assembly. Mr. Henderson, in the name of his brethren, expressed the lively sympathy of the Scottish nation with the present condition of England, and their readiness to lend their aid in whatever way they might be able; and especially, their cordial disposition to contribute their assistance in promoting the work in hand.

The Scottish commissioners were invited to take their seats as regular members of the Assembly; but this they declined, and chose rather to be considered as commissioners from the General Assembly of the church of Scotland, to deliberate and consult with this Assembly, on all matters which related to a conformity in religion, between the two nations; and in this capacity they acted, although they took their full share in the discussions of the Assembly.

But to effect communication, not only with the Assembly, but with the Parliament, a committee was appointed, consisting of certain select persons from the House of Lords, House of Commons, and the Assembly of Divines. Whatever the Scottish commissioners desired to communicate to any, or all these bodies, was transmitted through this committee.

CHAPTER IV.

Covenant approved by Parliament and the Assembly-Is solemnly sworn by the members of both Houses-Tendered to the people and taken by many-All persons in Office, and all persons Ördained required to take it.

As soon as the solemn League and Covenant was received by the Parliament of England, it was considered and approved, and then sent to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, where its several articles and engagements were read and seriously deliberated on, and a resolution adopted, to swear and subscribe the same. The time fixed upon by parliament, was, Monday, the 25th of September, 1643. Accordingly, on the day appointed, the house of Commons, the Assembly of Divines, and the Scottish commissioners, convened in the church of St. Margaret's, Westminster, when the solemn transaction was opened by a prayer by Mr. White, of Dorchester, one of the assessors of the Assembly. After which, Mr. Henderson, and Mr. Nye, each spoke in justification of taking the covenant, and exhibited the advantages which the church, in former times, had received from such sacred combinations. The covenant was then read, article by article, by Mr. Nye; upon which, each person, standing up, with his head uncovered, with his bare right hand lifted up to heaven, worshipping the great name of God, swore to the performance of the engagements of this solemn league. The solemnity was concluded with a prayer by Dr. Gouge. The members of the house of Commons now retired into the chancel, and respectively subscribed their names on one roll of parchment; and the members of the Assembly did the same, on another roll; on both of which, the covenant had been fairly transcribed. The swearing and subscribing the solemn league and covenant was performed by the house of Peers on another day, namely, the 15th of October; on which occasion, a sermon was preached