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Taken and subscribed several times by King Charles II. and by all ranks in the said Three Kingdoms.

WITH

An Act of the General Assembly 1643, and an Act of Parliament 1644, ratifying and approv ing the said LEAGUE and COVENANT.

Jer. 1. 5. Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant, that shall not be forgotten.

Prov. xxv. 5. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

2 Chron. xv. 15. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart.

Gal. iii. 15.

-Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed by an oath, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto.

Assembly at Edinburgh, August 17, 1643. Sess. 14.

The General Assembly's Approbation of the Solemn League and Covenant.

HE Assembly having recommended 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 foresaid Committees the Covenant after mentioned, as the result of their consultations: and having taken the same, as a matter of so publick concernment and 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

tions. 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 publick 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. JOHNSTOUN.

CHARLES I. Parl. 3. Sess. 1. Act 5.

Act anent the Ratification of the calling of the Convention, Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, and remanent Acts of the Convention of Estates, and Committee thereof.

At EDINBURGH, July 15, 1644.

HE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by vir

Majesty, and the three Estates, in anno 1641, considering, that the Lord's of his Majesty's privy council, and Commissioners for conserving the articles of the treaty, having, according to their interests and trust committed to them by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament, used all means, by supplications, remonstrances, and sending of Commissioners, for securing the peace of this kingdom, and removing the unhappy distractions betwixt his Majesty and his subjects in England, in such a way as might serve most for his Majesty's honour, and good of both kingdoms; and their humble and dutiful endeavours for so good ends having proven inef fectual, and their offer of mediation and intercession being refused by his Majesty ; and thereby finding the weight and difficulty of affairs, and the charge lying on them to be great. er than they could bear; did therefore, in the month of May 1643, meet together with the Commissioners for the common burdens, that, by joint advice, some resolution might be taken therein; and in respect of the danger imminent to the true Protestant religion, his Majesty's honour, and peace of their kingdoms, by the multitude of Papists and their adherents in arms in England and Ireland, and of many other publick and important affairs, which could not admit delay, and did require the advice of the representative body of the kingdom; appointed and caused indict a meeting of the Convention of Estates (his Majesty having formerly refused their humble desires for a Parliament) to be on the 22d of June following: which diet being frequently kept by the Noblemen, Commissioners of shires and burghs, and they finding these dangers against this kirk and state

still increasing, resolved, after serious deliberation and advice of the General Assembly, and joint concurrence of the Commissioners, authorised by the Parliament of England, that one of the chiefest remedies for preventing of these and the like dangers, for preservation of religion, and both king doms from ruin and destruction, and for procuring of peace, That both kingdoms should, for these ends, enter into Covenant; which was accordingly drawn up, and cheerfully embraced and allowed.And at last a treaty was agreed unto by both kingdoms, concerning the said Covenant, and as sistance craved from this kingdom by the kingdom of England, in pursuance of the ends expressed therein And the Estates being still desirous to use all good means, that, without the effusion of more blood, there may be such a blessed pacification betwixt his Majesty and his subjects, as may tend to the good of religion, his Majesty's true honour and safety, and happiness of his people, did therefore give commission to John Earl of Loudon, Lord Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord Waristoun, and Mr. Robert Barclay, to repair to England, and endeavour the effectuating of these cnds contained in the covenant of treaties, conform to their instructions.

And the said Estates, having taken the proceedings above written to their consideration, do find and declare, That the Lords of council, and conservers of peace, did behave themselves as faithful counsellors, loyal subjects, and good patriots, in tendering their humble endeavours for removing the distractions betwixt his Majesty and his subjects, and in calling the Commissioners for the common burdens, and, by joint advice, appointing the late meeting of Convention, wherein they have approven themselves answerable to the duty of their places, and that trust committed to them; and therefore ratifies and approves their whole proceedings therein, and declares the said Convention was lawfully called, and also full and free in itself, consisting of all the members thereof, as any Convention hath been at any time bygone; and ratifies and approves the several acts made by them, or their committee, for enjoining the Covenant.And also, the said Estates of Parliament (but prejudice of the premises and of the general ratification above mentioned) ratify, approve, and confirm the foresaid mutual League and Covenant, concerning the reformation and defence of

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