The love and faithfulnes of the Scottish nation the excellency of the covenant, the vnion between England and Scotland, cleared, by collections, from the [brace] declarations of Parliament, and, speeches of severall Independent brethren. By Theophilos.

The Goodnesse of God procuring succour and help to a sinfull people, ought to be matter of fear and trembling, even to all that hear of it: Jer. 33.9. We are to exalt and acknowledge him this day who is fearfull in praises, swear by that Name which is holy and reverent, enter into a Covenant and League that is never to be forgotten by us, nor our posterity.— And such an Oath as for matter, persons, and other circumstances, the like hath not been in any Age or Oath we read of in sacred or humane stories, yet sufficiently warranted in both.—Consort and Harmony a∣mongst men, especially amongst Saints, is very pleasing unto the Lord. It when but two or three agree and assent unto any thing on earth, it shall be confirmed in heaven: And for this because they gather together in his Name, much more when two or three Kingdoms shall meet and consent together in his Name, and for his Name, that God may be one, and his Name one amongst them. Ʋnity amongst his Churches and children, must needs—be very acceptable unto him:—We invocate the Name of the great God that his vows, yea, his curse may be upon us if we do not this; yea though we suffer for so doing,—that is,—to advance the king∣dom of—Christ here upon earth, and make Jerusalem once more the praise of the whole earth, notwithstanding all the contra∣dictions of men. What is this but the contents and matter of our Covenant? What do we vow?—Is it not the reformation of three Kingdoms, and a reformation universall doctrine, Discipline, and worship in whatsoever the Word shall discover to us.—And if in the Churches of Scotland any more Light and beauty in matters of Order and Discipline, by which their Assemblies are more order∣ly: —we shall humbly bow and kisse their lips that can speak

right words unto us in this matter, and help us into the nearest uniformity with the word and minde of Christ, in this great work of Reformation.—This Oath is such, and in the matter and conse∣quence of it, of such concernment, as I can truly say, it is wor∣thy of us, yea of all these Kingdoms, yea of all the Kingdoms of the world.—And surely it can be no other, but the result and An∣swer of such prayers and tears of such sincerity and sufferings, that three Kingdoms should be thus born, or rather new born in a day; we are now entring upon a work of the greatest moment, and concernment to us, and to our posterity after us, that ever was undertaken by any of us, or any of our forefathers, before us, &c.—It is a duty of the first Commandment, and therefore of the highest and noblest order and rank of duties; therefore must come forth attended with choicest graces. Fear, Humility, and in the greatest simplicity and plainnesse of spirit in respect of those with whom we Covenant: we call God as a witnesse betwixt us, who searcheth the heart, With him wisdom and strength, the decei∣ved, and deceiver is his. Job 12.19. He hath wisdom to discover, and strength to punish, if our hearts be not upright to our Brethren in this matter.—As it is the last oath you are likely to take in this kinde, so it is our last refuge, tabula post naufragium: if this help us not, we are like to remain to our dying day an unhappy peo∣ple, &c.—And as for you, Reverend Brethren, that are Ministers of the Gospel, there is yet an other obligation will lye upon you; let us look to our selves, and make provision to walk answerable to this our Covenant, for the Gospels sake; it will reflect a great aspersion upon the truth of the Gospel; if we should be false or un∣constant in any word or promise, though in a matter of lesse conse∣quence, &c. Mr Ny Speech at the taking of the Covenant by the Parliament and Assembly of Divines, Septemb. 25. 1643.

Notes

• Mr Nye his Speech.
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