towards them by both houses, in directing | siouers of the General Assembly appointed to unto them their commissioners assisted by two meet at Edinburgh, from time to time, with reverend divines; and in desiring some of the the Assembly's power to that end. And as the godly and learned of this church to be sent General Assembly doth most gladly and affec unto the assembly sitting there.-The Assem- tionately receive, and fully trust, the Commis. bly doth bless the Lord, who hath not only in- sioners and Divines sent hither; so do they spired the houses of parliament with desires hereby commend the aforenamed commission and resolutions of the reformation of religion, ers not only to the like affection and trust of but hath advanced, by several steps and de- the Assembly there, but also to the favour and grees, that blessed work; by which, as they protection of both houses of parliament.—And shall most approve themselves to the reformed for the further satisfaction and encouragement churches and to their brethren abroad, so shall of their brethren of England, the whole assem they most powerfully draw down from Heaven bly, in their own name, and in the name of the blessing of prosperity and peace upon all the particular churches in this kingdom Englaud. And as it is the earnest wish of whom they represent, do hereby declare, That, their brethren here, that the true state and from their zeal to the glory of God and proground of the present differences and contro- pagation of the Gospel, from their affection to versies in England may be more and more the happiness of their native king and of the cleared concerning religion; and that both kingdom of England, and from the sense of houses may incessantly prosecute that good their own interest in the common dangers of work first and above all other matters, giving religion, peace, and liberty, they are most w no sleep to their eyes nor slumber to their ling and ready to be united and associated eye-lids, until they find out a place for the with their brethren in a nearer LEAGUE and Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of SOLEMN COVENANT, for the maintenance of Jacob,' whose favour alone can make their the truly reformed protestant religion, against mountain strong, and whose presence, in his popery and prelacy, and against all popish own ordinances, shall be their glory in the and prelatical corruptions in doctrine, disc midst of them: so it is our confidence that the pline, worship or church-government; and fr begun Reformation is of God, and not of man; the settling and holding fast of unity and u that it shall increase and not decrease through formity of religion, betwixt the churches of his help, to whom nothing is too hard; who this island and with the best reformed churches can make mountains valleys, crooked things beyond the sea, which union and covenant streight, and rough ways smooth; and shall shall, by God's assistance, be seconded by your lead along, and make perfect, this most won- co-operating with their brethren in the use derful work, which shall be remembered to his the best and most effectual means that may glory, in the church, throughout all gencra- serve for so good ends: for the more speedy tions. And least, through any defect upon the effecting whereof, to the comfort and enlarg General Assembly's part, the work of Refor- ment of their distressed brethren, whose ho mation, which hitherto, to the great grief of all deferred might make their hearts to faint, the the Godly, hath moved so slowly, should be whole Assembly, with great unanimity of jus any more retarded or interrupted, they have, ment and expressions of much affection, hot according to the renewed desires of both houses approved, for their part, such a draught and their own former promises, nominated and form of a mutual League and Covenant be elected Mr. Alex. Henderson, Mr. Rob. Doug- twist the kingdoms as was the result of the las, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Rob. Bailey, joint debates and consultations of the comm and Mr. George Gillespie, ministers of God'ssioners from both houses of parliament, assisted Word; John earl of Cassels, John lord Maitland, sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston, Ruling-Elders, (all of them men much approved here) with commission and power to them, or any 3 of them, whereof two shall be ministers, to repair unto the Assembly of Divines, and others of the church of England, now sitting at Westminster, to propound, consult, treat, and conclude with them, and with any commissioners deputed by the houses of parliament, if it shall seem good to the honourable houses, in their wisdom, to depute any for that end, in all such things as may conduce to the utter extirpation of popery, prelacy, heresy, schism, superstition, and idolatry; and for the settling of the so much desired Union of this whole island in one form of church-government, one confession of faith, one common catechism, and one directory for the worship of God, acording to the instructions which they have received, or shall receive, from the commis

by the two reverend divines and the comm
sioners deputed from the convention of the
estates of this kingdom, and from the Genera
Assembly; expecting and wishing the like
probation thereof by the right hon. the lon
and commons in parliament, and by the ret
assembly there, that thereafter it may be s
lemnly sworn and subscribed by both king
doms; as the surest and strictest obligation
make both stand and fall together, in the cast
of religion and liberty.—And as the states
this kingdom have often professed, in ther
former Declarations, the integrity of their it
tentions against the common enemies of re
gion and liberty in both kingdoms, and ther
great affections to their brethren of England,
by reason of ɔ many and so near relations; so
doubtless, in this time of need, they will re
fail to give real proof of what before they pro
fessed: A friend loveth at all times, and
'brother is born for adversity.' Neither chal

and other ecclesiastical officers, depending
upon the hierarchy.' The prolocutor ma
a pious speech after the delivery of these Ope
nions; in which he desired that, in the taking
of this Covenant, the people might be th
roughly informed of the grounds, reasons d
consequences of it, being a matter of so v
importance: concluding with the prayers
the Assembly, That God would be pleased
to return in mercy to his people, and pitch is
tents over and about them."-Matters being
thus settled in foro conscientiæ, this new O
was first taken by all the lords and common,
then in town; all the officers in their a
were strictly enjoined to do the same; and
terwards, it was ordered to be taken through
out the kingdom.

our places and interests, endeavour that they Before this Covenant was wholly agreed to may remain conjoined in a firm peace and by both houses, the commons having referred union to all posterity; and that justice may be it, as a case of conscience, to the assembly of done upon the wilful opposers thereof, in man- Divines at Westminster, they appeared before ner expressed in the precedent Article. 6. the house, and expressed themselves as fol We shall also, according to our places and lows: "That they had, after a particular Seekcallings, in this common cause of religion, ing of God for his special direction in this ba liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and siness, fully debated and considered of it, in defend all those that enter into this League all its several particulars: That they did ap and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursu- prove of the said Covenant, and judged it ing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, di- lawful, in point of conscience, to be taken: rectly or indirectly, by whatsoever combina- That they did humbly advise, that the follow tion, persuasion, or terror, to be divided and ing Explications should be subjoined to the withdrawn from this blessed union and con- Covenant, viz. 1. By the clause in the first junction, whether to make defection to the Article of the Covenant, According to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detesta- word of God,' they understood, 'So far as we ble indifferency or neutrality in this cause do, or shall, in our consciences, conceive the which so much concerneth the glory of God, same to be according to the will of God.' £ the good of the kingdoms, and honour of the By Prelacy,' in the second Article, they king; but shall, all the days of our lives, zea- understood, Church-Government by arch Jously and constantly continue therein, against shops, bishops, their chancellors, commiss all opposition, and promote the same, accord-ries, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacom, ing to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal 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 Chtist, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof, we profess and declare, before God and the world, our unfeigned 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 inestimable 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, Battle of Newbury.] Sept. 23. A conference which are the causes of other sins and trans- was held between the two houses, at who gressions, so much abounding amongst us; and the commons presented to the lords a Letter our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and en- they had received from the earl of Essex's deavour for ourselves, and all others under our cretary, dated from Reading the day before power and charge, both in public and private, This Letter was to inform the parliament oft in all duties we owe to God and man, to amend Battle between the two armies. It was fought our lives, and each one to go before another in on the 20th of Sept. near Newbury, in Berk the example of a real reformation, that the shire, and is related at large by Clarendon Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy in- Rushworth, &c. Here both sides again clained dignation, and establish these churches and the victory, as in the first Battle at Edge-bik kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Cove The parliament, particularly, made themselve nant we make in the presence of Almighty sure of it, and ordered a committee of bat God, the Searcher of all Hearts, with a true in-houses to send to their lord-general and the a tention to perform the same, as we shall an- my forthwith, to let them know, How great va swer at that great day when the secrets of all lue and esteem the houses had for his exc hearts shall be disclosed; most humbly beseech-lency's conduct, and the great service done by ing the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spi- thein all, with the blessing of God; to acquaint rit for this end, and to bless our desires and pro- him also, That they were using all endeavour ceedings with such success, as may bring deli- to supply the army, and sending additions verance and safety to his people, and encou- forces, in order to take this opportunity for the ragement to the Christian Churches groaning prosecuting and perfecting of the work. They under, or in danger of, the yoke of Anti- also sent a committee into the city, to inform Christian tyranny, to join in the same, or like them of this great victory, and the advantage association and Covenant, to the glory of God, that might be hoped for from it: to urge the the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus- citizens to send a reinforcement of men, with Christ, and the peace and tranquillity of a supply of money and provisions; and to use all Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths." all diligence to hinder any such from being seat

to the king's army: likewise to order a day of thanksgiving, within London and Westminster, and the liberties thereof, for the great success of their lord-general.

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 plainness of spirit, and respect of those with whom they covenanted: that it was to advance the kingdom of Christ here upon earth, and make Jerusalem once more the praise of the whole earth, notwith

soon as this solemnity was over, Mr. Flenderson, one of the ecclesiastical Commissioners from Scotland, magnified what they had done, and assured them, of great success after it, by the experience of that nation, who, from their union in the first Covenant, found nothing hard they proposed to themselves; and told them, That were that Covenant now painted upon the wall within the Pope's palace, it would doubtless put him into Belshazzar's quaking condition; with many such high expressions, as can hardly be conceived without the view of the records and registry that is kept of them.”— Several lords then in town, the earl of Northumberland for one, did not appear at this ceremony; many members of the commons were also absent, and sent their excuses, next day, for ill health, or otherwise; but took it afterwards.

Ordinance for sequestring the Revenue of the Royal Family. ] Sept. 26. An Ordinance was agreed to by both houses for an absolute Sequestration of the King's Revenue, with those of the Queen's and Prince of Wales, and seizing them for the use of the parliament; to be printed and published all over the Kingdom.

The Manner of taking the Solemn League and Covenant by both Houses.] Sept. 25. This day having been appointed by parliament for their taking the Solemn League and Covenant, both houses, with the Assembly of Divines, and Scots Commissioners, met at St. Mar-standing all the contradictions of Men.'-As zaret's, Westminster, for that purpose. It apsears, by the Commons Journals, that an orler was made, by them, for printing a Narraive of the whole Proceedings and Manner of aking this Covenant, together with the Prayers, Exhortations, and Psalms used upon that ocasion. But as this piece, published by auhority, has never fallen into our hands, we hall content ourselves with giving Mr. Whit>cke's and lord Clarendon's account of the eremonial. The former tells us, that, “ Mr. | White, one of the assembly, prayed an hour to repare them for taking the Covenant; then Ir. Nye, in the pulpit, made some observaons touching the Covenant, shewing the warint of it from scripture, the examples of it nce the creation, and the benefit to the church. Ir. Henderson, one of the Scots commissioners, included in a Declaration of what the Scots ad done, and the good they had received, by ich Covenants; and then he shewed the prealency of ill counsels about the king, and the solutions of the states of Scotland to assist se parliament of England. Next Mr. Nye, the pulpit, read the Covenant, and all preent held up their hands, in testimony of beir assent to it. The Divines of the Assemly, and the Scots Commissioners, subscribdit: and then Dr. Gouge, in the pulpit, ray'd for a blessing upon it. Afterwards the embers of parliament, in their respective juses, subscribed their names in a parchment ill, where the Covenant was written." Thus Mr. Whitlocke. Lord Clarendon's account as thus: "The lords and commons, and their ssembly of Divines, met together at the church, ith great solemnity, to take the Covenant on e 25th of September; a double holyday, by e earl of Essex's return to London, and this ligious exercise. There two or three of their vines went up into the pulpit successively, it to preach, but to pray; others, according, their several gifts, to make orations upon e work of the day. They were by them dd, That this Oath was such, and in the atter and consequence of it, of such conrnment, as it was truly worthy of them, yea of Jose kingdoms, yea of all the kingdoms of the orld: that it could be no other but the result ad answer of such prayers and tears, of such ncerity and sufferings, that three kingdoms bould be thus born, or rather new born, in a ay: that they were entering upon a work of be greatest moment and concernment to themelves, and to their posterities after them, that ver was undertaken by any of them, or any of their fore-fathers before them: that it was

Sept. 28. The earl of Essex, being come up to town, was complimented by the Speakers of both houses, on his late victory; and this day be presented to the Lords several colours taken, at the late Battle of Newbury, from the king's army; one of which had the picture of the parliament house with two traitors heads upon each end of it, and this motto, Ut extra sic intra.' Another was a cavalier in pursuit of a Round-head; the word of the round-head, Quarter; the cavalier's, Qui sequitur vincit.'

The French Ambassador's Remonstrance, on account of the arresting Mr. Montague in his retinue.] October 8. A remarkable affair came on before the lords. The French king had sent over an ambassador extraordinary, in order to compose the differences between the parliament, and so near a relation to him as the king of England. The houses being informed, That this Ambassador came with good affections, ordered a deputation of lords and cominons to go down to Gravesend; to welcome him on his arrival, and wait upon him to his lodgings at Somerset-House, which was fitted up for that purpose. Soon after this Ambassador's arrival, Mr. Walter Montague, who followed him out of France, in his retinue, was arrested at Rochester; and, by the commons, committed prisoner to the Tower. A motion was also made, That the letters which

he had brought over with him, sealed with the arms of France, and directed to both their majesties of England, should be opened: but that passed in the negative. On the imprisonment of this gentleman, the Ambassador addressed the following Memorial to the house of lords. It was originally in French, and was translated on purpose to be read in that house, and entered in their Journals:

his lordship for a Safe-Conduct, for himself and followers to go to the king, his lordship shall desire to see a list of all those he intends to take with him.

The Parliament justify their Conduct therein.] Oct. 9. At a conference between the two houses, it was agreed that the Answer to the French Ambassador's Message should be drawn up by a committee; which being done, it was agreed to, in these words;-" The lords and commons have considered of the Message in writing, delivered to the earl of Pembroke, and by him presented unto them, from the

"My lord the prince of Harcourt, peer of France, and master of the horse to the most Christian king, ambassador extraordinary to the king of Great Britain, being informed that Mr. Walter Montague left Paris since his ex-prince D'Harcourt, ambassador extraordinary cellency, and came over into England, from the queen, disguised amongst the retinue of M. De Gressy, hath been arrested at Rochester; and though he was charged with the care of her majesty's letters, for their majesties of Great Britain, was committed, nevertheless, prisoner to the Tower of London: his excellency declares to the houses of parliament, that he knew nothing of his person, nor of his disguise, neither did M. De Gressy; but, for the respect and consideration of her majesty's letters, which make it appear that the said Mr. Montague had the honour to belong to her, and she avoweth him, the said Ambassador demandeth, in the name of her majesty, and intreats them, in his own, that Mr. Montague may be put into his hands, with all the letters he was bearer of; to avoid the consequences that the just complaint of such a detention may produce."

After this is entered, what is, in the Lords Journals, called the Sense of that House, on the reading this Paper, viz. "That this Walter Montague, being a renegado, and a man banished the kingdom, for the mischief he did here; for him to be demanded of the two houses of parliament, in so high a manner as this, by an ambassador that pretends he comes to endeavour to procure peace; and giving himself so high a title, and treating the two houses so low; is a thing of so extraordinary nature, that, though the houses desire to maintain a good correspondency with France, yet this kingdom needs not fear any ill consequence that may follow upon this business; but hope that God will bless them and protect them, as he hath hitherto done."-It was also ordered to have a conference with the other house, on the subject of this Paper, and the lord-general Essex to deliver the sense of this house to the commons concerning it. The lord-general hereupon acquainted the lords, That it was reported the French Ambassador, lately come, had brought many attendants along with him, several of whom were conceived to be officers and commanders; and that if they should go to the king with him, it was likely they would not return. And it being probable that before the Ambassador gocs, he would apply to his lordship for a Safe-Conduct, he desired to know what he should do in this case. Whereupon the house ordered, That, when the Ambassador sends to

from the French king; by which he complains that Mr. Walter Montague, sent hither, u known to him, by the queen regent of France, with letters unto the king and queen ; and, under a disguise, having put himself into the company of M. De Gressy, had been arrested at Rochester, and carried prisoner to the Tower; and the said ambassador therein de sires, in regard it appears by these letters, that the said Mr. Montague belongs unto the queet regent, that both he and the letters may be delivered to him: to this they return for An swer, That they are most sorry they must deny him any part of his request: that the leten shall be restored, according to his desire; bat for Mr. Montague, a person heretofore ques tioned for disservices to this state; and sa dangerous, that, in the beginning of this pas liament, they made it their humble suit un the king, that he might be banished the cont and afterwards being, upon his own offer and of his friends, permitted to retiré himself out the kingdom; that he should now return, and in such a concealed manner; which, if nothing else, were cause enough for his apprehension, and to render him incapable of the patron of that great queen: this is a crime of so hegt and bold a nature, as the houses of parliame cannot pass by, neither in justice for what s already done; nor, in prudence, to secure state, for the time to come, from the practice and machinations of so turbulent and dis fected a spirit: nor can it be any just offes unto her majesty of France, whom they highly honour and esteem, as a good and glorioa queen; nor any disobligation to the amba sador the prince D'Harcourt, whom likew they desire to treat with all demonstrations i civility and respect; if, according to the lat of all nations, the law of this kingdom be p in execution against one who is a native, subject, a delinquent; who was in the nat of a banished man, and returns in a disguised habit (so disavowing himself, not to be avowed by any); a dangerous person, that formerly did, and in all likelihood will again, practist against the state; and whom they have caut to believe, by the manner of his coming, to be now come for that very purpose: these things considered by the lord ambassador, and by him represented to the queen, will, they doubt not, give her majesty ample satisfaction, and clear and satisfy the proceedings of the paris