September 1643
[20 September, 1643.]
The Lords and Commons, considering a great Necessity and
Importance of uniting the Two Kingdoms of England and
Scotland in a Solemn and Religion Covenant, for the Defence
of the true, Reformed Protestant Religions, and the Laws and
Liberties of both Kingdoms, and for Reformation in this Church
agreeable to God's Ho y Word; have, for that Purpose, in both
Houses, agreed upon a Form of a Covenant, and do thereupon
Declare, That they cannot confide in such Persons to have or
execute Place and Authority in the Armies raised by them, who
shall not approve and consent unto the Covenant; and thereupon
have Ordered, That such Members of either House as are to
undertake any Charge or Command, in any the Armies raised
by Authority of both Houses, before their Departures from the
Houses to their Charge, shall publicly, at a Conference of both
Houses, declare their Approbation of the Draught or Form of
the Covenant passed in both Houses, and their full Purpose to
take and observe the same; and, until such Public Declaration,
shall forbear to enter upon any such Charge or Command.