Naphtali, or, The wrestlings of the Church of Scotland for the kingdom of Christ contained in a true and short deduction thereof, from the beginning of the reformation of religion, until the year 1667 : together with the last speeches and testimonies of some who have died for the truth since the year 1660 : whereunto are also subjoyned, a relation of the sufferings and death of Mr. Hew McKail ...

A 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 Scotland, England, and Ireland.

WE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citi∣zens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of Scotland, Eng∣land 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 Jesus Christ, the Honour and Happinesse of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity, and the true publick Liber∣ty, Safety, and Peace of the Kingdoms, wherein every ones private condition is included; And calling to minde the treacherous and bloody Plots, Conspira∣cies, Attempts and Practices of the Enemies of GOD against the true Religion and Professours

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 time increased and exercised; whereof the deplor∣able 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 publick testimonies: We have now at last (after other means of Supplication, Remonstrance, Protestation and Suffering) for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times, and the ex∣ample of GODS People in other Nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemn League and Covenant: Wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for him∣self, with our hands lifted up to the most high GOD, do Swear,

1. That we shall sincerely, really and constantly, through the grace of GOD, endeavour in our seve∣ral places and callings, the preservation of the Reform∣ed Religion in the Chuch 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.

2. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the Extirpation of Popery, Prela∣cy (that is, Church-government by Arch-bishops, Bishops, their Chancellours and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy) Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Prophanesse, and what∣soever 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.

3. We shall with the same sincerity, reality and con∣stancy, in our severall vocations, endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms; And to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty's Person and Authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms; That the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our Loyalty, and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatnesse.

4. We shall also with all faithfulnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be Incen∣diaries, Malignants, or evil instruments, by hinder∣ing 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 broughr to publick triall, and receive con∣digne punishment, as the degree of their offences

shall require or deserve, or the supream Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge conve∣nient.

5. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms, denyed 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 conjoyned in a firme Peace and Uni∣on to all Posterity, And that Justice may be done upon the willfull Opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent Article.

6. 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 and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; And shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination, per∣swasion or terrour, to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and conjunction, whither 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 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 our selves to suppresse or overcome, we shall reveale 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 Jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof, We professe and declare before GOD, and the world, unfained 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 inesteemable 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, wich are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us. And our true and unfained purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in publick and in private, in all dutyes 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 indig∣nation, 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 peform 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 blesse our desires, and proceedings with such suc∣cesse, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches groan∣ing under, or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian Ty∣ranny, or to joyn in the same, or like Association & Co∣venant, To the Glory of GOD, the enlargement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace & tranquillity of Christian Kingdoms, and Common-wealths.