A SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT, FOR REFORMATION; AND Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happiness of the KING, and the Peace & Safety of the three Kingdoms. OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, & IRELAND.  jer. 50.5. 
Come; let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant, that shall not be forgotten.  Prov. 25.5. 
Take away the wicked from before the King: and his Throne shall be established in righteousness.  2. Chron. 15.15. 
And all Judah rejoiced at ●he Oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.  
ABERDENE, Imprinted by Edw: Raban: And are to be sold at his Shop, at the end of the Broadgate. 1643.   

Sess. XIV. AUGUST. 17. 1643.  
The General Assemblies Approbation of the draught of the League and COVENANT presented to them.  
THE Assembly having recomended unto a Committee, appointed by them to join with the Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates, and the Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, for bringing the Kingdoms, to a more near conjunction and Union, received from the aforesaid Committees, the Covenant , as the result of their consultations: And having taken the same, as a matter of so public concernment, and of so deep importance doth require, unto their gravest consideration, Did with all their hearts, and with the beginnings of the feelings of that joy which they did find in so great measure upon the renovation of the National Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdom, All with one voice approve and embrace the same, as the most powerful mean, by the Blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant Religion, with perfect Peace in his Majesty's Dominions, and propagating the same to other Nations, and for establishing his Majesty's Throne, to all Ages and Generations. And therefore, with their best affections recommend the same to the Honourable Convention of Estates; that being examined and approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence, to the Kingdom of England; That being received and approven there, the same may be with public humiliation, and all Religious and answerable solemnity, sworn and subscribed by all true Professors of the Reformed Religion, and all his Majesty's good Subjects in both Kingdoms.  
A. Johnston.   

The Convention of Estates their Approbation of the draught of the League and COVENANT aforesaid, 17. AUGUST. 1643.  
THE Noblemen, Commissioners of Shires and Borrows now conveaned, having received the Covenant abovementioned from their Committee, as the result of their Consultations with a Committee of the General Assembly, and the Commissioners from both Houses of the Parliament of England; And having taken that Covenant unto their gravest consideration, Did with all their hearts and great expressions of joy and unanimity approve and embrace the same, as the most powerful mean, by the Blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant Religion, with a perfect Peace in all his Majesty's Dominions, and propagating the same to other Nations, and for establishing his Majesty's Throne to all ages. And being very confident that their Brethren in the Kingdom of England, will heartily receive and approve the same: Therefore, according to the earnest recommendation of that Venerable Assembly of this Kirk now met, thinks it most necessary for the good ends aforesaid; that it be sent into that Kingdom with all diligence, That being received and approved by their Brethren there, the same may be with all Religious Solemnities sworn, and subscribed by all true Professors of the Reformed Religion, and all his Majesty's good Subjects in both Kingdoms.  
Arch: Primrose, Cler. come.   

EDINBURGH, 11 OctoB. 1643.  
Ordinance for the solemn receiving, swearing, and suscribing of the League and Covenant.  
THE Commissioners of the General Assembly, having received from their Brethren sent unto the Kingdom of England, the solemn League and COVENANT under-written, as it was approven by the Honourable Houses of the PARLIAMENT of ENGLAND, and the Assembly of Divines in that Kingdom, and solemnly sworn and subscribed there. After due examination thereof, did all in one voice most heartily receive and embrace the same, as agreeing with the draught, unanimouslie and cheerfully approven and embraced by the late General Assembly, and Convention of Estates. As the most powerful mean by the Blessing of GOD, for settling and presetving the true Protestant Religion, with perfect Peace in his Majesty's Dominions, and propagating the same to other Nations, and for establishing his Majesty's Throne, to all ages and generations: And therefore, according to the power given to them by the said Assembly, Ordain this solemn Leauge and Covenant to be with public humiliation, and all Religious solemnities received, sworn, and subscribed by all Ministers and Professors within this Kirk: And, that this may be universally performed, It is also ordained that this League and Covenant be forthwith printed, & that the printed Copies, bound with some clean sheets of paper, be sent unto the Ministry, And that every Minister upon the first Lord's Day, after the same shall come to his hands, read and explain it, & by exhortation prepare the People to the swearing and subscribing thereof solemnly, the Lords Day next immediately following. And it is farther Ordained, that Presbyteries take account of the performance hereof in their several bounds; and that they proceed with the Censures of the Kirk, against all such as shall refuse, or shift to swear and subscribe this League and Covenant, as enemies to the preservation and propagation of Religion, And that they notify their names, and make particular report of their own diligence heereintill, to this Commission, or their Moderator, or Clerk to be delivered to them. And the Commissioners think it very convenient, for good example, and the better encouragement of others; that this Covenant be solemnly sworn, and subscribed by themselves now present, before the Congregation, in the East Kirk upon Friday next, the 13 of this instant, after Sermon, and exhortation to be made by Master Robert Dowglas, Moderator; And that the Commissioners of the Convention of Estates now in Town, and the Commissioners from the Parliament of England, and the Divines of that Kingdom here present, be earnestly desired to join with them in this solemn and Religious Action.  
A. Ker.   

At Edinburgh, the 12 of October, 1643.  
THE Commissioners of the Convention of Estates, having received from the Commissioners of the General Assembly, the solemn League and Covenant under-written approven and solemnly sworn and subscribed, in the kingdom of England. And having taken the same to their serious consideration, do unanimouslie and cheerfully receive, & embrace it, as agreeing with that draught, approven by the late Convention of Estates, and General Assembly. And therefore, ordains the same to be with all Religious solemnities sworn and subscribed by all his Majesty's Subjects of this Kingdom: And that under the pain to such as shall postpone or refuse, to be esteemed and punished as enemies to Religion, his Majesty's Honour, & Peace of their Kingdoms; And to have their goods and rents confiscate for the use of the public, and that they shall not bruik nor enjoy any benefit, place nor office within this Kingdom. And als ordains all Sheriffs, Stuarts, and others his Majesty's Magistrates to Burgh and Land, and Committees in the several Shires, To be assisting to Ministers & Presbyteries, in procuring real obedience here-unto. And that with all diligence they make report to the Committee of Estates, of the names of all such persons, as shall postpone or refuse, to the effect course may be taken with them as aforesaid. And that they may be cited to answer to the next Parliament, as enemies to Religion, King and Kingdoms, and to receive what further punishment his Majesty and Parliament shall inflict upon them. And further ordains their presents to be printed with the former Act of the Estates, and published at the Market Crosses of the head Burrowes of this Kingdom; Wherethrough none pretend ignorance of the same.  
Arch: Primrose, Cler. Com.   

A SOLENM LEAGUE AND COVENANT, For REFORMATION, And Defence of Religion, The Honour & Happiness of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.  
WE, Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burges, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, by the Providence of GOD, living under one King; and being of one reformed Religion; Having before our eyes the Glory of GOD, and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ, the Honour and Happiness of the King's Majesty, and his Posterity, and the true public Liberty, Safety, and Peace of the Kingdoms; wherein every ones private condition is included; And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody Plots, conspiracies, attempts, and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true Religion, and Professors thereof in all places, especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion, & how much their rage, power and presumption are of late, and at this time increased and exercised; whereof the deplorable state of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present & public testimonies; We have now at last (after other means of Supplicaton, Remonstrance, Protestations and Sufferings) for the preservation of ourselves and our Religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD'S people, in other Nations, After mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn League and Covenant; Wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most high GOD do Swear:  
I. THat we shall sincerely, really, and constantly through the Grace of GOD, endeavour in our several places and callings, the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, against our common Enemies, The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of GOD, and the example of the best Reformed Churches; And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three Kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and Uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, Form of Church-government, Directory for Worship and Catechising; That we and our posterity after us, may as Brethren, live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.  
2. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the Extirpation of popery, prelacy (that is, Church Government, by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors, and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy) Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine, & the power of Godliness; Lest we partake in other men's sins, & thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; And that the Lord may be one, and his Name one in the three Kingdoms.  
3. We shall with the same sincerity, reality, & constancy, in our several vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliaments, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms, And to preserve and defend the King's Majesty's Person and Authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms; That the world may bear witness with our consciences of our Loyalty, and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatness.  
4. We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil instruments, by hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his people, or one of the Kingdoms from another, or making any faction, or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant, That they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatories of both Kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient.  
5. And whereas the happiness of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms, denied in former times to our Progenitors, is by the good Providence of GOD granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded, and settled by both Parliaments, We shall each one of us, according to our place & interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm Peace and Union to all Posterity, And that justice may be done upon the wilful Opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent Article.  
6. We shall also according to our places & callings in this Common cause of Religion, Liberty, and Peace of the Kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof: And shall not suffer ourselves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination, persuasion or terror, to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and conjunction, whither to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency, or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the 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: All which we shall do as in the sight of GOD.  
And, because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sins, and provocations against GOD, & his Son jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof, We profess & declare before GOD and the world, our unfeygned desire to be humbled for our own sins, & for the sins of these Kingdoms: especially, that we have not, as we ought, valued the inesteemable 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 lyues, which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us. And our true and unfeygned purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in public and in privity in all duties we owe to GOD and Man, to amend our lyues, and each man 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 ALLMIGHTIE 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 proceed, with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his People, and encowragement to other Christian Churches groaning under, or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian Tyranny, to join in the same, or like Association and Covenant; To the Glory of GOD, the enlargement of the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST, and the Peace and Tranquillity of Christian Kingdoms, and Common Wealths.  
FINIS.