III - The Engagement to Duties

And because it is needfull for these who find mercy not onely to confesse but also to forsake their sinne, Therefore that the reality and sincerity of our repentance may appear, We do resolve and solemly ingage our selves before the LORD carefully to avoid for the time to come all these offences, whereof we have now made solemn publick acknowledgement, and all the snares and tentations which tend therunto: And to testifie the integrity of our resolution herein, and that we may be the better enabled in the power of the LORDS strength to perform the same, We do again Renue our Solemn League and Covenant, Promising hereafter to make Conscience of all the duties whereunto we are obliged in all the heads and Articles thereof, particularly of these which follow.

1. Because Religion is of all things the most excellent and precious, The advancing and promoving the power thereof against all ungodlinesse and profanitie, The securing and preserving the purity thereof against all error heresie and schisme, and namely, Independency, Anabaptisme, Antinomianisme, Arminianisme, and Socinianisme, Familisme, Libertinisme, Scepticisme, and Erastianisme, and the carrying on the work of Uniformity shall be studied and endeavoured by us before all worldly interests, whether concerning the King our selves or any other whatsomever. 2, Because many have of late laboured to supplant the liberties of the Kirk, we shall maintain and defend the Kirk of Scotland, in all her liberties and priviledges, against all who shall oppose or undermine the same or encroach thereupon under any pretext whatsomever. 3. We shall vindicat and maintain the liberties of the Subjects in all these things, which concern their consciences, persons and Estates. 4. We shall carefully maintain and defend the Union betwixt the Kingdoms, and avoid every thing that may weaken the same, or involve us in any measure of accession unto the guilt of those who have invaded the Kingdome of England. 5. As we have been always Loyall to our King, so we shall still endeavour to give unto God that which is Gods, and to Cesar the things which are Cesars. 6. We shall be so farre from conniving at, complying with, or countenancing of Malignancy, injustice, iniquity, prophanity and impiety, that we shall not onely avoid, and discountenance those things, and cherish and encourage these persons, who are zealous for the Cause of God, and walk according to the Gospel; But also shall take a more effectuall course then heretofore in our respective places and callings, for punishing and suppressing these evils, and faithfully endeavour that the best and fittest remedies may be applied for taking away the causes thereof, and advancing the knowledge of God and Holines and Righteousnesse in the Land. And therefore in the last place, as we shall earnestly pray unto God that he would give us able men fearing God, men of truth and hating covetousnes to judge and bear charge among his people, so we shal according to our Places & Callings Endeavour that Judicatories and all places of power and trust both in Kirk and State may consist of, and be filled with such men as are of known good affection to the Cause of God and of a blamelesse and Christian conversation.

And because there be many, who heretofore have not made conscience of the oath of God, but some through fear, others by perswasion and upon base ends and humane interests have entered thereunto, who have afterwards discovered themselves to have dealt deceitfully with the Lord in swearing falsly by his name; Therefore we who do now renew our Covenant in reference to these duties and all other duties contained therein, Do in the sight of him who is the searcher of hearts solemnly professe that it is not upon any politick advantage or private interest or by-end, or because of any terror or perswasion from men, or hypocritically and deceitfully, that we do again take upon us the oath of God, But honestly and sincerely and from the sence of our duty, And that therefore denying our selves and our own things and laying aside all self-interest and ends, We shall above all things seek the honour of God, the good of his Cause and the wealth of his People, and that forsaking the counsels of flesh and blood, and not leaning upon carnall confidences, we shall depend upon the Lord, walk by the rule of his word, and hearken to the voice of his servants: In all which professing our own weaknesse We do earnestly pray to God who is the Father of mercies through his Son Jesus Christ, to be mercifull unto us, and to enable us by the power of his might, that we may do our duty unto the praise of his Grace in the Churches. Amen.