The National covenant

Exhortation to the Lords of the council

We, the ministers of the Gospel, convened at this  so necessary a time do find ourselves bound to represent, as unto all, so in special unto your lordship what comfortable experience we have of the wonderful favour of God, upon the renewing of the confession of Faith and covenant; what peace and comfort hath filled the heart's of all God's people: what resolutions and beginnings of reformation of manners are sensibly perceived in all parts of the kingdom, above any measure that ever we did find, or could have expected; how great glory the Lord hath received hereby, and what confidence we have (if this sunshine be not eclipsed by some sinful division or defection) that God shall make this a blessed kingdom, to the contentment of the king's Majesty, and joy of all his good subjects, according as God hath promised in his good Word, and performed to his people in former times: and therefore we are forced from our hearts, both to wish and entreat your lordship to be partaker and promoter of this joy and happiness by your subscription, when your lordship shall think it convenient; and in the meantime, that your lordship would not be sparing to give a free testimony to the truth, as a timely and necessary expression of your tender affection to the cause of Christ, now calling for help at your hands.  Your Lordships profession of the true religion, as it was reformed in this land; the National Oath of this kingdom, sundry times sworn and subscribed, obliging us who live at this time; the duty of a good patriot, the office and trust of a privy Counsellor, the present employment, to have place amongst those that are first acquainted with his Majesty's pleasure; the consideration that this is the time of trial of your lordships affection to religion, the respect which your lordship hath unto your same, both now and here after, when things shall be recorded to posterity; and the remembrance, that not only the eyes of men and angels are upon your lordships carriage, but also that the Lord Jesus is a secret witness now to observe, and shall be an open judge hereafter, to reward and confess every man before His Father, that confesseth Him before men: all of these, and each of them, beside your lordships personal and particular obligations to God, do call for no less at your lordships hands, in the case of so great and singular necessity: and we also do expect so much at this time, according as your lordship at the hour of death would be free of the terror of God, and be refreshed with the comfortable remembrance of a word spoken in season for  Christ Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

This exhortation was prepared by Rev ministers of the Gospel who met at Edinburgh, February, 1638, and sent to every one of the Lords of Council severally, inviting them to subscribe the covenant

Extracted from The Covenants and The Covenanters by Rev. James Kerr.