WHereas the Generall Assembly of the King­dome of Scotland, have seriously weighed and considered of the present Engagement against England, and the involving of both Nations in a most bloody and intestine War, the said Generall Assembly in the name of them­selves, and the whole Kingdome doe declare.

1. That they search narrowly into the sins which have procured so great judgments, and so sad an interruption of the worke of God, that they examine themselves, consider their wayes, be much in humiliation and prayer, study a reall and practicall Reformation, That they also mourne and sigh for the abominations of the Land, and stand in the gap to turne away the wrath. Amongst all these fearfull sins, the violation of the Solemne League and Covenant, would not be forgotten, but seriously laid to heart, as that which eminently provoketh the Lord, [Page 2]and procureth his judgements to be powred forth not only upon persons and families, but also upon States and Kingdomes.

Covenant-breakers though in common things, are re­ckoned by the Apostle in that Catologue of the abomi­nations of the Gentiles: But among the people of God, where his great name is interposed, the breach of Cove­nant even in meaner matters, such as the setting of servants at liberty provoketh the Lord to say, Behold I proclaime a li­berty for you (saith the Lord) to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine, and I will give the men that hath transgre­s [...]dwy Covenant, and (expressely mentioning Princes) he addes, I will give them into the hands of their enimies. The History of the Gibeonites, who surreptitiously procured the Covenant made to spare them, and whom Saul some ages thereafter in his zeale to the children of Israel and Judah sought to flay, as being cursed Cananites, eviden­ced with what vengeance, the Lord followeth Covenant-breakers, whereof there wants not in prophane History also both forrigne and domesticke examples: Therefore let all the inhabitants of the Land of whatsoever ranke, seriously ponder how terrible judgements the violation of a Covenant of recently made, so advisedly, and in so weighty matters, may draw on, if not timously preven­ted by speedy repentance.

2. That they so respect and honour Authority, as that they bee not the servants of men, nor give obedince to the will and authority of Rulers in any thing which may not cosinst with the word of God, but stand fast in the liber­ty wherewith Christ hath made them fre, and obey God rather then man.

3. That they carefully avoid the dangerous rocks and [Page 3]snares of this time, whereby many are taken & broken.

4. That they do not concur in, nor any way assist this pre­sent Ingagement, as they would not partake in other mens sines, and so receive of their plagues, but that by the grace & assistance of Christ they stedfastly resolve to suffer the rod of the wicked, and the utmost which wicked mens malice can afflict them with, rather then to put forth their hand to iniquity.

5. That they suffer not themselves to be abused with fair pretences and professions usuall in the mouthes of these that carry on this designe, & often published in their papers, But remember that the foulest actions have not wanted specious pretences; And if they who killed the Apostles did both pretend & intend to do God good ser­vice, what marvaile that they who ingaged against the Covenant pretend to ingage for it.

At the Assemblies 1598, 1599, 1600 It was declared with many vowes and attestations by the King, Statesemen, and Ministers who are aspiring to prelacy, that they intended no such thing as a change of the Government of the Kirke or an introducing of Episcopacy, yet they were really do­ing what they disclamed and professed not to doe. And suppose that some who have an active hand in carrying on the present publike affaires, have no designe either to destroy Religion, or utterly to slieght it: for it cannot be denyed, but the very undertaking of this War, sets the once suppressed Malignants on work againe, and successe therein puts them in a capacity to set up according to their principles, abolished and abjured corruptions, which will be the more hardly hindered, considering his Majest­ies propension, and professed resolution that way, Especi­ally seeing his Majesties concessions (though it hath been oft desired) have never been plainly declared unsatisfact­ory by the Parliament.

The Kings negative voice asserted in the papers of the Commissioners of this Kingdom unto England, which are owned in the late Declaration to the Kingdom of Eng­land, as the sense of this Kingdom, considered in relation to Religion, makes the danger yet the greater and more palpable, yea, may reach further to shake and unsettle Re­ligion established in this Land. If to the premises this be added which is not only often declared, but also deman­ded: That his Maj. be brought to one of his houses in ho­nour, freedom, and safety, which may infer the admitting of his Maj. to the free exercise of his Royall power, be­fore security had from him for Religion, or application made to him for the same, who sees not now what hazard Religion runs, certainly greater then a good intention can salve.

6. That they do not mistake, or misunderstand the nature of the true Reformed Religion, and of the Government of Jesus Christ, as if thereby either the prerogative of Kings, Priviledges of Parl. or Liberties of Burges, and o­ther Corporations were any waies hurt or weakened: whereas indeed Religion is the main pillar and upholder of civill authority, or Magistracie, and it is the resisting, & not the receiving of the Government of Christ, which hath overturned civill powers. If the Throne be establish­ed by righteousness (as we are plainly taught by the word of God) then it is overthrown by unrighteousnesse and iniquity.

7. That they beware of all things which may insnare their Consciences, as evill councell, evill company, false informations, rash promises, and especially that they be­ware of taking any Oaths, subscribing any Bonds, which may relate to the Covenant and Cause of God, unless such [Page 5]Oaths or bonds be approved by the generall Assembly, or their Commissioners for the publike affaires of the Kirk.

8. That they do not cast away their confidence, nor sink into dispair, because of the present dangers and difficul­ties, but live by faith, wait for better times, and continue stedfast as seeing him who is invisible, firmly believing that such a course as is not of God but against him, will come to naught.

9. To remember, that as the violation of the Covenant by some in England doth not set us free from the observa­tion thereof, and as no Laws nor Authority on earth can absolve us from so solemn an obligation to the most high God (which not only hath been professed by this Kirk, but in a Petition of the City of London, and in publike Testimonies of many of the Ministery of England So we are not acquited and assoiled from the obligation of our solemn Covenant, because of the troubles and confusions of the times, But that in the worst of times all those duties whereunto by Covenant we obliege our selves, do still lie upon us, for we have sworn (and must perform it) con­cerning that cause and Covenant wherein we solemnly ingaged, That we shall all the dayes of our lives Zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promove the same according to our power against all Impediments what­soever. And if against all lets and Impediments whatsoe­ver, then the altering of the way of opposition, or of the kind of Impediments doth not alter the nature, or tye of the Covenant, but we are obliged to all the duties there­in contained.