25
September 1643 A.D. Solemn League and
Covenant Subscribed, 1643—By English Parliament, Westminster Assembly &
King Charles I
Myers, David T. “Solemn League and Covenant Subscribed (1643).” This
Day in Presybterian History. 25 Sept
2014. http://www.thisday.pcahistory.org/2014/09/september-25/.
Accessed 25 Sept 2014.
September 25: Solemn League & Covenant Ascribed (1643)
The Solemn League and
Covenant
Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 22:1
that
“a good name is to be more desired that great wealth.” Our names are
important because they are part of our identity. These posts go out to those
whose convictions identify them as belonging to the name “Presbyterian.”
As part of their name, there are various events which took place in the past
which help identify us. They educate us, inspire us, and challenge us to live
our own Christian lives more fully and completely. Our topic this day in
Presbyterian history is one of those events, namely, the Solemn League and
Covenant.
that
“a good name is to be more desired that great wealth.” Our names are
important because they are part of our identity. These posts go out to those
whose convictions identify them as belonging to the name “Presbyterian.”
As part of their name, there are various events which took place in the past
which help identify us. They educate us, inspire us, and challenge us to live
our own Christian lives more fully and completely. Our topic this day in
Presbyterian history is one of those events, namely, the Solemn League and
Covenant.
The Solemn League and
Covenant was written by the Rev. Alexander Henderson, a minister in the
Church of Scotland. That Church approved this document on August 17,
1643. It then was received by both the English Parliament and the
Westminster Assembly on this day, September
25, 1643. Why was it important that the English Parliament
approved it? The answer is that looming in the background was an English
Civil War between King Charles I and the English Parliament. The
Parliament realized that unless they had help from the Scottish church and
nation, they would not be victorious in this war. So they signed it as
well.
We reproduce it here, in a
paraphrased edition, copied from the book “Our Covenant Heritage,” written by
T.E. Edwin Nisbet Moore (and used by permission). With uplifted hand, the
two nations pledged that they would endeavor:—
(1) . . . the preservation of
the Reformed religion in the Church of England . . . [and} the reformation of
religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland . . according to the
Word of God and the example of the best Reformed churches: And shall endeavor
to bring the churches of God in the three kingdoms, to the
nearest conjunction and uniformity of religion . . . .
(2) . . . the extirpation of
popery, prelacy, . . . superstition, heresy, schism, Profanity, and whatsoever
shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness
. . .
(3) . . . [the] preservation
and defense of the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, . . . the king’s
majesty’s persons and authority, . . . the true religions
and liberties of the kingdoms. . .
(4) . . . this discovery of
all such as have been, or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or evil
instruments, by hindering the reformation of religion, dividing the king
from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any
fashion, or parties amongst the people contrary to this league and covenant . .
.
(5) . . . [the conjoining] in
a firm peace and union to all posterity . . .
(6) . . . [the assistance and
defense of] all those that enter into this league and covenant . . . And [we]
shall not suffer ourselves . . . to be divided and withdrawn from this
blessed union. . .
And because these kingdoms are
guilty of many sins, and provocations against God, and his Son Jesus Christ . .
. we profess and declare before God, and the world, our unfeigned desires to be
humbled for our sins . . . to amend our lives, and each to go before another in
the example of a real reformation, that the Lord may turn away his wrath . . .
. Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by His Holy Spirit . .
. to the glory of God, the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the
peace and tranquility of the Christian kingdoms and commonwealths.”
How this covenant was put into
practice however was less than desirable. Rather than allowing the Christian
citizens of the kingdom voluntarily to sign it, as had been done with previous
covenants, they required the ministers to report anyone who either disapproved
or would not swear to the covenantal words. The late J.G. Vos points out
that this compulsory requirement ended up debasing the covenant. Many,
like Charles II, signed it for reasons other than genuine acceptance. It
should have been left to a voluntary response by the people.
Words to Live By:
Moses in Deuteronomy 5:29
writes, “Oh that they
had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commands
always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!”
This is a worthy prayer to be prayed by all of God’s people in any
age. It is to be prayed for our families, our church families, and the
citizens of our nation. Will you pray it today, this week, this month, and
this year?
Moses in Deuteronomy 5:29
writes, “Oh that they
had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commands
always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!”
This is a worthy prayer to be prayed by all of God’s people in any
age. It is to be prayed for our families, our church families, and the
citizens of our nation. Will you pray it today, this week, this month, and
this year?
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