by common Consent shall be found to conduce for fo good Ends: But on the contrarie, fhall by all lawfull Meanes labour to further and promove the fame; and if any fuch dangerous and divifive Motion be made to us by Word or Writ, We, and every one of us, fhall either fuppreffe it, or, if need bee, fhall incontinent make the fame knowne, that it may be timeoufly obviated. Neither doe wee feare the foule Afperfions of Rebellion, Combination, or what else our Adverfaries, from their Craft and Malice would put upon us; feeing what wee doe is fo well warranted, and arifeth from an unfained Defire to maintaine the true Worship of God, the Majeftie of our King, and the Peace of the Kingdome, for the common Happineffe of our felves and the Pofteritie.

And because wee cannot looke for a Bleffing from God upon our Proceedings, except with our Profeffion and Subfcription wee joyne fuch a Life and Converfation, as befeemeth Chriftians who have renewed their Covenant with God: Wee therefore faithfullie promife for our felves, our Followers and all others under us, both in publike, and in our particular Families and perfonall Carriage, to endevour to keepe our felves within the Bounds of Chriftian Libertie; and to be good Examples to Others of all Godlinelle, Sobernelle, and Righteoufneffe, and of every Deutie wee owe to God and Man.

And that this our Union and Conjunction may bee obferved without Violation, Wee call the L1VING GOD THE SEARCHER OF OUR HEARTS to witnes, who knoweth this to bee our fincere Defire and unfained Refolution, as wee fhall an

fwere

fwere to JESUS CHRIST in the Great Day; and under the Paine of God's everlasting Wrath, and of Infamie and of Loffe of all Honour and Refpe& in this World: Moft humblie befeeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this End, and to bleffe our Defires and Proceedings with a happie Succeffe; that Religion and Righteousnes may flourish in the Land, to the Glory of GoD, the Honour of our King, and Peace and Comfort of us all. In witnes wherof we have fubfcribed with our Hands all the Premiffes.

THE Article of this Covenant, which was at the

firft Subfcription referred to the Determination of the General Affembly, being now determined; and thereby the Five Articles of Perth, the Government of the Kirk by Bifhops, and the Civil Places and Power of Kirkmen, upon the Reasons and Grounds contained in the Acts of the General Affembly, declared to be unlawful within this Kirk: We fubfcribe according to the Determination forefaid.

THE

Catechifme,

OR

Manner to teach Children

THE

CHRISTIAN RELIGION;

Wherein the MINISTER demandeth the Queftion, and the CHILDE maketh Anfwere:

Made by the excellent Doctor and Paftor of Chrift's Church, JOHN CALVIN; approved and used by the Church of Geneva, and by the whole Reformed Church of France.

Ufed by the Kirk of Scotland, ordinarly printed with the Book of Common Order, and approved by the First Book of Discipline.

EPHE S. II. 20.

The Doctrine of the Apofties and Prophets is the foundation of Chrift's Church.

EDINBURGH,

Printed by JAMES WATSON, His Majesty's Printer.

MDCCXX.

First Book of Discipline, Chap. 11. § 3.

AF

Fter noone muft the young Children be publickly examined in their Catechifm, in the Audience of the People; in doing whereof the Minister must take great diligence, as well to caufe the people underftand the Questions proponed as the Anfwers, and the Doctrine that may be collected therof: the order to be kept in teaching the Catechifm, and how much of it is appointed for every Sonday, is already diftinguished in the Catechifm printed with the Book of our Common Order; which Catechifm is the most perfect that ever yet was used in the Kirk,