rn with hands lifted up to the most high
God.--We were, and are abundantly satisfied, that our Solemn League and
Covenant of September 27, 1643, is not only warrantable for the matter
of it and manner of entering into it, but also of such excellency and
importance,--That it will be very hard in all points to parallel it;
and, therefore, as we did sincerely swear this covenant with God, with
all our heart, and with all our soul, much rejoicing at the oath with a
true intention to perform it, and not for promoting any politic design;
so we do believe and profess to the world that we still stand as firmly
engaged to the real performance of it, and that it is not in the power
of any person or persons on earth to dispense with it or absolve from
it."

_The harmonious consent of the Ministers of the county Palatine
Lancaster with their Reverend Brethren the Ministers of the province of
London._ Head V.

"We shall never forget how solemn it (the Solemn League and Covenant)
was sworn, and what rejoicing there was at the oath, sundry at the
taking of it weeping for joy; and when the Covenant was thus taken, we
thought with ourselves, that surely now the crown is set upon England's
head: We judged the day of entering into this Covenant to be England's
coronation-day, as it was the day of the gladness of our hearts."

_Mr. Philip Nye's Exhortation at the taking of the Covenant, September
29th, 1649, p. 2._

"This Oath is such, and in the matter and consequence of it of such
concernment, as I can truly say, it is worthy of us, yea, of all the
kingdoms of the world; for it is swearing fealty and allegiance to
Christ the King of kings, and giving up of all these kingdoms which are
his inheritance, to be subdued more to his throne, and ruled more by his
sceptre, upon whose shoulders the government is laid."

* * * * *

_THE NATIONAL COVENANT, OR THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE KIRK OF
SCOTLAND_;

Subscribed at first by the King's Majesty and his Household, in the year
of God 1580; Thereafter, by persons of all ranks, in the year 1581; By
Ordinance of the Lords of the Secret Council, and Acts of the General
Assembly. Subscribed again by all sorts of persons in the year 1590, by
a new Ordinance of Council, at the desire of the General Assembly, with
a Band for the maintenance of the true religion, and the King's person:
And subscribed in the year 1638, by the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen,
Burgesse