tions, and Erecting and
keeping of Council-tables, that were used in the beginning, and for
carrying on, of the late troubles, were unlawful and seditious: And
particularly, that these Oaths, whereof the one was commonly called The
National Covenant, (as it was sworn and explained in the year one
thousand, six hundred and thirty-eight, and thereafter) and the other
entituled, A Solemn League and Covenant, were, and are in themselves
unlawful Oaths, and were taken by, and imposed upon, the Subjects of
this Kingdom, against the fundamental laws and liberties of the same;
and that there lyeth no obligation upon any of the Subjects from the
saids Oaths, or either of them, to endeavour any change or alteration of
Government either in Church or State; And therefore Annuls all Acts and
Constitutions, Ecclesiastical or Civil, approving the said pretended
National Covenant or League and Covenant, or making any interpretations
of the same or either of them. And also, it is hereby Declared by His
Majesty and Estates of Parliament, That the pretended assemblie kept at
Glasgow in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty eight, was in
itself (after the same was by His Majestie discharged, under the pain of
Treason) an unlawfull and seditious Meeting; and that all Acts, Deeds,
Sentences, Orders, or Decreets past therein, or by vertue of any
pretended Authority from the same, were in themselves from the
beginning, are now, and in all time coming, to be reputed unlawful, void
and null; And that all Ratifications or Confirmations of the same, past
by whatsoever Authority or in whatsoever Meetings, shall from henceforth
be void and null. Likeas, His Majesty and Estates of Parliament,
reflecting on the sad consequences of these rebellious courses, and
being carefull to prevent the like for the future, have therefore
Statute and Ordained, and by these presents Statutes and Ordains, that,
if any person or persons shall hereafter Plot, contrive or intend
destruction to the King's Majesty, or any bodily harm tending to death
or destruction, or any restraint upon his Royal Person, or to deprive,
depose, or suspend Him from the stile, Honour and Kingly Name of the
Imperial Crown of this Realm, or any others His Majesties Dominions, or
to suspend him from the exercise of His Royal Government, or to levy War
or take up Arms against His Majesty or any commissionated by Him, or
shall entice any strangers or others to invade any of His Majesties
D