June 1643
[9 June, 1643.]
Whereas the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament have Declared, That there have been, and now is, a
Popish and traiterous Plot, for the Subversion of the true Protestant Reformed Religion, and the Liberty of the Subject; and
that, in Pursuance thereof, a Popish Army hath been raised, and
is now on Foot in divers Parts of this Kingdom; and have
further, in a solemn Manner, Declared, Vowed, and Covenanted,
That, in order to the Security and Preservation of the true
Protestant Religion, and Liberty of the Subject, they will not
consent to the laying down Arms, so long as the Papists, now in
open War against the Parliament, shall by Force of Arms be
protected from the Justice thereof; and whereas the Lords and
Commons have Declared, That there hath been a treacherous
and horrid Design lately discovered, by the great Blessing and
especial Providence of God, of divers persons, to join themselves
with the Armies raised by the King, and to destroy the Forces
raised by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, to surprize the
Cities of London and Westm. with the Suburbs, and by Arms to
force the Parliament; and the said Lords and Commons finding,
by constant Experience, that many Ways of Force and Treachery
are continually attempted, to bring to utter Ruin and
Destruction the Parliament and Kingdom, and, that
which is dearest, the True Protestant Religion; and
that, for the preventing and withstanding the same,
they have thought fit that all who are true-hearted, and
Lovers of their Country, should bind themselves each to other,
in a Sacred Vow and Covenant, in Manner and Form as followeth:
And accordingly A.B. in Humility and Reverence of the
Divine Majesty, declare my hearty Sorrow for my own Sins, and
the Sins of this Nation, which have deserved the Calamities and
Judgements that now lie upon it; and my true Intention is, by
God's Grace, to endeavour the Amendment of my own Ways;
and that I do abhor and detest the said wicked and treacherous
Design lately discovered; and that I never gave, nor will give,
my Assent to the Execution thereof; but will, according to my
Power and Vocation, oppose and resist the same, and all other of
the like Nature; and, in Case any other like Design shall hereafter come to my Knowledge, I will make such timely Discovery
as I shall conceive may best conduce to the preventing thereof:
And whereas I do in my Conscience believe that the Forces raised
by the Two Houses of Parliament are raised and continued for
their just Defence, and for the Defence of the true Protestant
Religion, and Liberties of the Subject, against the Forces raised
by the King, I do here, in the Presence of Almighty God, Declare,
Vow and Covenant, That I will, according to my Power and
Vocation, assist the Forces raised and continued by both Houses
of Parliament, against the Forces raised by the King without
their Consent; and will likewise assist all other Persons that shall
take this Oath, in what they shall do in Pursuance thereof; and
will not, directly or indirectly, adhere unto, nor shall willingly
assist, the Forces raised by the King without the Consent of both
Houses of Parliament: and this Vow and Covenant I make in
the presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all Hearts, with
a true Intention to perform the same, as I shall answer at the
Great Day, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be disclosed.