AN ORDINANCE OF The Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT; WITH instructions For the taking of the LEAGVE and COVENANT in the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales. WITH AN EXHORTATION For the taking of the Covenant; And for satisfying such Scruples as may arise thereupon. Together with the LEAGUE and COVENANT, Subscribed with the Names of so many of the Members of the House of Commons as have taken it. All which are to be red in all Churches and chapels within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales. 5. FEB. 1643. ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That the Ordinance, with Instructions for the taking of the League and Covenant, together with the Exhortation and the League and Covenant, be forthwith printed and published: H: elsing, clear. Parl. D. come. Printed for E. Husbands, and are to be sold at his shop in the Middl●-Temple. 2. Febr. 1643. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, enjoining the taking of the late Solemn League and Covenant throughout the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales. WHereas a Covenant for the preservation and Reformation of Religion, The maintenance and defence of Laws and Liberties, hath been thought a fit and excellent means to acquire the favour of Almighty God towards the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland; and likewise to unite them, and by uniting, to strengthen and fortify them against the Common-Enemy of the true Reformed Religion, Peace and Prosperity of these kingdoms; And whereas both Houses of Parliament in England, the Cities of London and Westminster, and the kingdom of Scotland have already taken the same; It is now Ordered and Ordained by the Lords and Commons in parliament, that the same Covenant be solemnly taken in all places throughout the kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales. And for the better and more orderly taking thereof these directions ensuing are appointed and enjoined strictly to be followed. Instructions for the taking of the solemn League and Covenant throughout the kingdom. I. THat the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament do speedily sand( to the Lord general, and all other Commanders in chief, and Governours of towns, Forts, Castles, and Garrisons, as also to the earl of Warwick Lord High admiral of England) true Copies of the said solemn League and Covenant to the end it may be taken by all Officers and Souldiers under their several Commands. II. That all the Knights and Burgesses now in Parliament, do take special care speedily to sand down into their several Counties( which are or shall hereafter be under the power of the Parliament) accompetent number of true Copies of the said League and Covenant unto the Committees of Parliament in their several Counties; And that the said Committees do within six dayes at the most disperse the said Copies to every Parish Church or chapel in their several Counties, to be delivered unto the Ministers, Churchwardens, or Constables of the several Parishes. III. That the said Committees be required to return a Certificate of the day when they received the said Copies, as also the day they sent them forth, and to what Parishes they have sent them, which Certificat they are to return to the clerk of the Parliament appointed forth Commons House, that so an Account may be given of it, as there shall be occasion. IV. That the several Ministers be required to read the said Covenant publicly unto their people the next Lords day after they receive it; and prepare their people for it, against the time that they shall be called to take it. V. That the said League and Covenant bee taken by the Committees of Parliament in the place where they reside, and tendered also to the Inhabitants of the town, within seven dayes after it comes to the said Committees hands. VI. That the said Committees after they have taken it themselves, do speedily disperse themselves through the said Counties, so as three or four of them be together on dayes appointed at the chief places of meeting for the several divisions of the said Counties, And summon all the Ministers, Churchwardens, Constables, and other Officers unto that place; where, after a Sermon preached by one oppointed by the Committee for that purpose, they cause the same Minister to tender the League and Covenant unto all such Ministers and other Officers, to be taken and subscribed by them, in the presence of the said Committees. VII. That the said Committees do withall give the said Ministers in Charge to tender it unto all the rest of their Parishioners the next Lords day, making then unto their said Parishioners some solemn exhortation concerning the taking and observing thereof: And that the said Committees do also return to the several Parishes the Names of all such as have taken the Covenant before them, who yet shall also Subscribe their Names in the book or Roll with their neighbours in their several parishes: And if any Minister refuse or neglect to appear at the said Summons, or refuse to take the said Covenant before the Committee, or to tender it to his Parish, that then the Committees be careful to appoint another Minister to do it in his place. VIII. That this League and Covenant be tendered to all men, within the several Parishes, above the age of eighteen, as well Lodgers as Inhabitants. IX. That it be Recommended to the Earl of Manchester to take special care that it bee tendered and taken in the university of Cambridge. X. That for the better encouragement of all sorts of Persons to take it; It be recommended to the assembly of Divines to make a brief Declaration by way of Exhortation to all sorts of persons to take it, as that which they judge not onely lawful, But( all things considered) exceeding expedient and necessary, for all that wish well to Religion, the King and Kingdom to join in, and to be a singular pledge of Gods gracious goodness to all the three kingdoms. XI. That if any Minister do refuse to take, or to tender the Covenant, or any other person or persons do not take it the Lords day that it is tendered, that then it be tendered to them again the Lords day following, and if they still continue to refuse it, that then their Names be returned by the Minister that tenders i●▪ and by the Churchwardens or Constables unto the Committees, and by them to the House of Commons, that such further course may be taken with them, as the Houses of Parliament shall see cause. XII. That all such persons as are within the several Parishes when notice is given of the taking of it, and do absent themselves from the Church at the time of taking it, and come not in afterwards, to the Minister and Churchwardens, or other Officers, to take it in their presence before the return be made, be returned as refusers. XIII. The manner of the taking it to be thus, The Minister to red the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit, and during the time of the reading therof, the whole Congregation to be uncovered, and at the end of his reading therof, all to take it standing, lifting up their Right hands bare, and then afterwards to subscribe it severally by writing their names( or their marks, to which their names are to be added) in a parchment Roll, or a Book, whereinto the Covenant is to be inserted, purposely provided for that end, and kept as a Record in the Parish. XIIII. That the assembly of Divines do prepare an Exhortation for the better taking of the Covenant: And that the said Exhortation and the Declaration of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, joined in the Armies, for the vindication and defence of their Religion, Liberties and laws, against the Popish prelatical and Malignant party, and passed the 30th. of january last, be publicly red, when the Covenant is red, according to the fourth and sixth Articles: And that a sufficient number of the copies of the said Declaration be sent by the persons appointed to sand the true copies of the said Covenant, in the first and second Articles. AN EXHORTATION TO the taking of the solemn League and Covenant, FOR REFORMATION AND Defence of Religion, the Honour and happiness of the King, and the Peace and safety of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. IF the power of Religion, or solid Reason, if Loyalty to the King, and piety to their Native Country, or love to themselves, and natural affection to their posterity, if the Example of men touched with a deep sense of all these, or extraordinary success from God thereupon, can awaken an embroiled bleeding remnant to embrace the sovereign, and onely means of their recovery, there can be no doubt but this solemn League and Covenant will find wheresoever it shall bee tendered, a people ready to entertain it with all cheerfulness and duty. And were it not commended to the Kingdom by the concurrent encouragement of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines, the renowned City of London, multitudes of other persons of eminent rank and quality in this Nation, and the whole Body of Scotland, who have all willingly sworn and subscribed it, with rejoicing at the Oath, so graciously seconded from Heaven already, by blasting the Counsels, and breaking the power of the Enemy more than ever; yet it goeth forth in its own strength, with such convincing evidence of equity, Truth and righteousness, as may raise in all( not wilfully ignorant, or miserable seduced) inflamed affections to join with their Brethren in this happy Bond, for putting an end to the present miseries, and for saving both of King and Kingdom from utter ruin now so strongly and openly laboured by the Popish faction, and such as have been bewitched and besotted by that viperous and bloody generation. For what is there almost in this Covenant, which was not for substance either expressed or manifestly included in that solemn Protestation of May 5. 1641. wherein the whole kingdom stands engaged until this day? The sinful neglect whereof, doth( as we may justly fear) open one floodgate the more to let in all these calamities upon the kingdom, and cast upon it a necessity of renewing Covenant, and of entering into this. If it be said, the extirpation of Prelacy, to wit, the whole hierarchical Government( standing, as yet, by the known laws of the kingdom) is new, and unwarrantable: This will appear to all impartial understandings,( though new) to be not onely warrantable, but necessary; if they consider( to omit what some say, that this Government was never formally established by any laws of this kingdom at all) that the very life and soul thereof is already taken from it by an Act passed this present Parliament, so as( like Jezabels carcase, of which no more was left but the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands) nothing of jurisdiction remaines but what is precarious in them, and voluntary in those who submit unto them: that their whole Government is at best but a human constitution, and such as is found and adjudged by both Houses of Parliament,( in which, the judgement of the whole Kingdom is involved and Declared) not onely very prejudicial to the Civill State, but a great hindrance also to the perfect Reformation of Religion; Yea, who knoweth it not to bee too much an enemy there unto, and destructive to the power of godliness, and pure administration of the Ordinances of Christ? which moved the well-affected, almost throughout this Kingdom, long since to Petition this Parliament( as hath been desired before, even in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and of King James) for a total abolition of the same. Nor is any man hereby bound to offer any violence to their persons, but only, in his place and calling, to endeavour their extirpation in a lawful way. And as for those Clergy-men, who pretend that they( above all others) cannot Covenant to extirpate that Government, because they have( as they say) taken a solemn Oath to obey the Bishops, in licitis et honestis: they can tell, if they please, that they that have sworn obedience to the Laws of the Land, are not thereby prohibited from endeavouring by all lawful means the abolition of those laws, when they prove inconvenient or mischievous. And if yet there should any Oath be found into which any Ministers or others have entred, not warranted by the Laws of God and the Land, in this case, they must teach themselves and others, that such oaths call for repentance, not pertinacy in them. If it be pleaded that this Covenant crosseth the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance; there can be nothing further from truth: for, this Covenant binds all, and more strongly engageth them to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person, and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the kingdoms. That scruple, that this is done without the Kings consent, will soon be removed, if it be remembered that the Protestation of the fifth of May before mentioned, was in the same manner voted and executed by both Houses, and after( by order of one House alone) sent abroad to all the kingdom, his Majesty not excepting against it, or giving any stop to the taking of it, albeit he was then resident in Person at Whitehall. Thus Ezra and Nehemiah drew all the people Ezra 10. Neh. 9. into a Covenant, without any special Commission from the Persian Monarchs( then their sovereigns) so to do, albeit they were not free Subjects, but Vassals, and one of them the menial Servant of Artaxerxes, then by Conquest King of Judah also. Neh. 1. Nor hath this doctrine or practise been deemed seditious or unwarrantable by the Princes that have sate upon the English Throne, but justified and defended by queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, with the expense of much Treasure and Noble blood, in the united Provinces of the Netherlands combined not only without, but against the unjust violence of Philip of spain; King James followed her steps, so far as to approve their union, and to enter into league with them as free States; which is continued by his majesty now reigning, unto this day; who both by his expedition for relief of Rochel in France, and his strict confederacy with the Prince of Orange, and the States general, notwithstanding all the importunity of spain to the contrary, hath set to his seal that all that had been done by his royal Ancestors, in maintenance of those who had so engaged and combined themselves, was just and warrantable. And what had become of the Religion, laws, and Liberties of our sister Nation of Scotland, had they not entred into such a solemn League and Covenant at the beginning of the late troubles there? which course, however it was at first, by the Popish and ascetic Projectors, represented to his majesty as an offence of the highest nature, justly deserving chastisement by the fury of a puissant Army; yet when the matter came afterwards in cool blood to bee debated, first by Commissioners of both kingdoms, and then in open Parliament here,( when all those of either House, who are now engaged at Oxford, were present in Parliament, and gave their Votes therein) it was found, adjudged and declared by the King in Parliament, that our dear Brethren of Scotland had done nothing, but what became loyal and obedient Subjects, and were thereupon by Act of Parliament publicly righted in all the Churches of this kingdom, where they had been defamed. Therefore however some men, hoodwinked and blinded by the artifices of those jesuitical Engineers, who have long conspired to sacrifice our Religion to the Idolatry of Rome, our laws, Liberties and persons to arbitrary slavery, and our estates to their insatiable avarice, may possibly bee deterred and amused with high threats and Declarations, flying up and down on the wings of the royal Name and Countenance( now captivated and prostituted to serve all their lusts) to proclaim all Rebells and Traytors who take this Covenant; yet let no faithful English heart bee afraid to join with our Brethren of all the three kingdoms in this solemn League, as sometimes the men of Israel( although under another King) did with the men 2 Chron. 30. of Judah, at the invitation of Hezekiah. What though those tongues set on fire by Hell do rail and threaten? That God who was pleased to clear up the innocency of Mordecai and the Jews against all the malicious aspersions of wicked Haman to his and their sovereign, so as all his plotting produced but this effect, that when the Kings E●●h. 9. commandement and decree drew near to bee put in execution, and the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, it was turned to the contrary, and the Jews had rule over them that hated them, and laid hands on such as sought their hurt, so as no man could withstand them; and that same God, who but even as yesterday, vouchsafed to disperse and scatter those dark clouds& fogs which overshadowed that loyal and Religious kingdom of Scotland, and to make their righteousness to shine as clear as the sun at noon day in the very eyes of their greatest enemies, will doubtlessely stand by all those who with singleness of heart, and a due sense of their own sins, and a necessity of reformation, shall now enter into an everlasting Covenant with the Lord, never to bee forgotten, to put an end to all those unhappy and unnatural breaches between the King and such as are faithful in the Land; causing their righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the Nations, to the terror and confusion of those men of blood, the confederate enemies of God and the King, who have long combined, and have now raled together the dregs and scum of many kingdoms, to bury all the glory, honour and liberty of this Nation in the eternal grave of dishonour and destruction. Die Veneris 9. Februar. 1643. AN Exhortation touching the taking of the Solemn League and Covenant, and for satisfying of such Scruples, as may arise in the taking of it, was this day red the first and second time; And by Vote upon the Question assented unto, and Ordered to bee forthwith Printed. H. elsing clear. Parl. D. come. A solemn Printed at London for Ralph Smith, at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill, near the royal Exchange. 1644. 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 England, Scotland, and Ireland. WE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the kingdoms 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 kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the Kings 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, and how much their rage, power and presumption, are of late, and at this tune increased and exercised; whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church& Kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, are present and public Testimonies; We have now at last,( after other means of Supplication, Remonstrance, Protestations, and Sufferings) for the preservation of ourselves and our religion, from utter ruin 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 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 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. II. 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 chancellors and Commissaries, deans, deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hirarchy) Superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of godliness; lest we partake in other mens sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues, and that the Lord may be one, and his Name one in the three Kingdoms. III. We shall with the same sincerity, reality and 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 Kings Majesties 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 Majesties just power and greatness. IIII. 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. 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 hath been lately concluded, and settled by both Parliaments, we shall each one of us, according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm Peace and Union to all Posterity; And that Iustice may be done upon the wilful opposers therof, 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& Covenant, in the maintaining& pursuing thereof, and shall not suffer ourselves directly or indirctly by whatsoever combination, persuasion or terror, to be divided & withdrawn frm this blessed Union& conjunction, whether 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 the 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 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, and his Son Iesus 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 causes 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 power and charge, both in public and in 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 deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement 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. Wil: Lenthall Speaker Beuchamp St. John Gilbert Gerrard Walter earl james Cambell Tho: cheek Robert Nicholas Benjamin Rudyard John Gurdon Robert Harley Francis Knollys Edward Master John White Anthony Stapeley Dennis Bond Laurence Whitaker michael Noble Pere: Hoby Richard Barwis Edward Baynton William Cawley John moil John pine George Searle Henry Vane signior nevil pool John young Henry Herbert Thomas Sandis William Iesson Philip L: Herbert Thomas Barrington Martin Lumley John Trevor Francis Godolphin Thomas arundel Edward Stephens Gilbert Pykering John Creue Oliver cronwell Henry Vane junior. William Cage Richard Erisey Philip L: Lisle. William Heveningham Isaac Penington Richard Cresheld Thomas Pelham Thomas Parker John Leigh John Harris Augustine Skinner John Venn William Strickland Iobn Franklin Samuel brown Robert Scawen Roger Hill John Button John Meyrick Ambrosse brown Richard win Edward Owner Charles Pym Charles L: Cranborne Ben. Weston Dudley North John Nut jo: Corlet Roger Burgoyne Peter Temple Benjamin Valentyne Thomas Walsingham Oliver Luke William Alenson humphrey Salwey Richard More William Ashurst Thomas Moore Thomas fountain William Ellys Henry Shelley Richard Shuttleworth Henry Ludlow George Gallopp Robert Wallopp Arthur Hesilrige Oliver Saint-John Thomas Grantham Francis Barneham Will: L: Fitzwilliams edmond Dunch Henry Mildmay Hugh Rogers Thomas Hatcher John Wray Simonds D'Ewes Anthony Bedingfield John ash William L: Munson Martyn Lister Robert goodwin Edward Thomas Henry Lucas Miles Corbett Philip Smith Cornelius Holland William Spurstowe John Lowry Peter Wentworth Henry Cholmeley Philip Stapleton William Pierrepont Roger North Alexander Popham Thomas Hodges John Maynard Samuel vassal Anthony Irby John Clotworthy John Broxolme Richard Jervoyse John Blakiston Walter long John roll Robert Jennor John Waddon William Masham John Lisle edmond Fowell Edward ash Thomas Pury Richard Whithead Richard Jenyns Humphrey Tufton Thomas Dacres Thomas earl John downs John goodwin Francis Drake William Waller Samuel Luke Francis Buller Richard Harman George Buller Arthur Onslowe Richard Wynwood Robert pie Hen. L: Grey of Ruthin Richard Knightley John Pym Christopher yeluerton Anthony nicol Peter wrath Robert Reynolds Nathaniel Barnardiston Henry Heyman William Purefoy Valentine Walton Michael Oldesworth William Wheler Hall Ravenscroft Tho. L: Grey of Groby Thomas Middleton Edward Hungerford Christopher Wrey Richard Lee Herbert Morley Thomas Lane Robert cecil William Bell Thomas Some Herbottle Grimstone simon snow John Nash Herbottle Grimstone Ralph Asheton Edward Ayshcoghe John wild John Trenchard Thomas Jervoyse Richard Brown William Playters Nathaniel Stephens Richard Rose Francis Rous Gilbert Millington Walter Young John Brown John Hippisley Edward pool Henry Pelham William Hay John Driden Nathaniel Fyennes William Lewis Giles green William Lytton John Hervey Edward Dowce William Strode Edmond Prideaux Thomas Hoyle Edward Exton Francis Popham Zouch Tate John Curson Alexander Bence Squire Bence John Selden John Glynn Richard Onslow John cook Thomas L: Wenman Bulstrode Whitelocke George Mountagu Edward Partheriche Henry Campion William Whitaker Denzell holes Edward Wingate James Fenys. poinings Moore Edward Bisse, Junior. William Jephson Edward Mountagu Norton Knatchboll. Thomas Eden FINIS.