III - The Covenant of 1638

Wee Noblemen, Barrons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Ministers, and Commons under subscribing, considering divers times before, and especially at this time, the danger of the true reformed Religion, of the Kings honour, and of the publicke peace of the Kingdom: By the manifold innovations and evills, generallie conteined, & particularlie mentioned in our late supplications, complaints, and protestations: Doe heereby professe, and before God, his Angels, and the World solemnelie declare: That, with our whole hearts wee agree and resolve all the dayes of our life constantlie to adhere unto, and to defend the foresaid true Religion, and (forbearing the practise of all novations, alreadie introduced in the matters of the worship of GOD, or approbation of the corruptions of the publike Governement of the Kirk or civill places and power of Kirkmen, till they be tryed and alowed in free Assemblies, and in Parlaments) to labour by all meanes lawfull to recover the puritie and libertie of the Gospell, as it was established and professed before the foresaid novations: and because after due examination, wee plainelie perceave, and undoubtedlie believe, that the Innovations & evils conteined in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations, have no warrant of the Word of God, are contrarie 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 Parlament, and doe sensiblie tend to the re-establishing of the Popish Religion and tyrannie, and to the subversion and ruine of the true Reformed Religion, and of our Liberties, Lawes and Estates. Wee also declare, that the foresaid Confessions are to be interpreted, & ought to be understood of the foresaid novations and evils, no lesse than if every one of them had beene expressed in the foresaid confessions, and that wee are obliged to detest and abhorre them amongst other particular heads of Papistrie abjured therein. And therefore from the knowledge and conscience of our dutie to God, to our King and Countrey, without any worldly respect or inducement, so farre as humane infirmitie will suffer, wishing a further measure of the grace of God for this effect. Wee promise, and sweare by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD, to continue in the Profession and Obedience of the foresaid Religion: That we shall defend the same, and resist all these contrarie errours 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, wee declare before God and Men, That wee have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turne to the dishonour of God, or to the diminution of the Kings Greatnesse and Authoritie: But on the contrarie, we promise and sweare, that wee shall, to the uttermost of our power, with our meanes and lives, stand to the defence of our dread Souveraine, the Kings Majestie, his Person and Authoritie, in the defence and preservation of the foresayd true Religion, Liberties and Lawes of the Kingdome: As also, to the mutuall defence and assistance, every one of us of another in the same cause of maintaining the true Religion, and his Majesties Authoritie, with our best counsell, our bodies, meanes, and whole power against all sorts of persons whatsoever. So that, whatsoever shall bee done to the least of us for that cause, shall be taken as done to us all in generall, and to every one of us in particular. And that wee shall neither directlie nor indirectlie suffer our selves to bee devided or withdrawen by whatsoever suggestion, combination, allurement, or terrour from this blessed and loyall Conjunction, nor shall cast in, any let or impediment that may staye or hinder any such resolution as by common consent shall be found to conduce for so good ends. But on the contrarie, shall by all lawfull meanes labour to further and promove 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 either suppresse it, or if need bee shall incontinent make the same knowne, that it may be timeously obviated; neither doe wee feare the foule aspersions of rebellion, combination, or what else our adversaries from their craft and malice would put upon us, seeing what wee doe is so well warranted, and ariseth from an unfained desire to maintaine the true worship of God, the Majestie of our King, and the peace of the Kingdome, for the common happinesse of our selves, and the posteritie. And because wee cannot looke for a blessing from God upon our proceedings, except with our Profession and Subscription wee joyne such a life and conversation, as beseemeth Christians, who haue renewed their Covenant with God. Wee, therefore, faithfullie promise, for our selves, our followers, and all others under us, both in publike, in our particular families and personall carriage, to endevour to keepe our selves within the bounds of Christian libertie, and to be good examples to others of all Godlinesse, Sobernesse, and Righteousnesse, and of every deutie wee owe to God and Man,

And that this our Union and Conjunction may bee observed without violation, Wee call the living God, the Searcher of our Hearts, to witnes, who knoweth this to bee our sincere Desire, and unfained Resolution, as wee shall answere to IESVS CHRIST, in the great day, & under the paine of Gods everlasting wrath, and of infamie, and of losse of all honour & respect in this World. Most humblie beseeching the LORD, to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end: & to blesse our desires & proceedings with a happie successe, that Religion & Righteousnes may flourish in the Land, to the glory of God, the honour of our King, & peace & comfort of us all. In witnes whereof we haue subscribed with our hands all the premisses, &c.