The Church of the Covenanters has a precious inheritance. The achievements of the past, the privileges of the present, and the victories of the future - all, all are hers, if she be faithful. The Old Blue Banner leads to the world-wide triumph of the principles it represents. This is no presumption; it is a foregone conclusion, the very language of logic. The certainty is based on God's revealed purpose, and glows in the richest hues of prophecy. Humility forbids boasting; we have not said that the Covenanted Church shall have this honor. But the Banner of the Covenant, by whomsoever borne, will surely be glorified with victory, as Jesus Christ, the great Captain, leads His conquerors to universal conquest." - J.C. McFeeters, Sketches of the Covenanters, p. 411.

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." - Isaiah 2:2

The Covenanters were the best theologians in history since the days of the Apostles. They gave us the most famous and most accurate statement of Christian theology and practice, outside of the Bible itself, in the Westminster Standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the Westminster Larger Catechism, etc.).

"All that learning the most profound and extensive, intellect the most acute and searching, and piety the most sincere and earnest, could accomplish, was thus concentrated in the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith, which may be safely termed the most perfect statement of Systematic Theology ever framed by the Christian Church." - William Hetherington, The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, p. 345, SWRB Reprint.

The Covenanters also lived what they believed and taught, many showing their great love for the Lord Jesus Christ through tremendous suffering and privation. Many suffered severe persecution, some were tortured and a large number resisted sin unto blood (Hebrews 12:4, Hebrews 11:36-38) - dying as faithful Reformation martyrs, singing the praises of the Lord as they went to their ordained reward of eternal bliss and blessedness in heaven.

The new SWRB Puritan Hard Drive contains many of the best and rarest Covenanter books. No other collection of digital Covenanter books, MP3s and videos even comes close to the size and extensiveness of the Covenanter collection found on the Puritan Hard Drive - nor has such a comprehensive and easy-to-use digital collection of Covenanter books, MP3s and videos ever existed before. The Puritan Hard Drive contains the cream of the cream of the best of the best concerning Covenanter theology, Covenanter history and Covenanter practice - a covenanted jewel in Christ's crown concerning unwavering and truthful testimony to His everlasting faithfulness to the elect in the covenant of grace. For Christ's crown and covenant no better Covenanter study tool exists than the Puritan Hard Drive!

The blood of the martyrs imposes obligations upon posterity from generation to generation. The martyrs deeply felt their responsibility for the Church, her purity, her doctrines, discipline, membership; for her loyalty to Christ, her separation from the world, and her administration in the Holy Spirit. Their zeal for the house of God brought them to the front; their passionate love for Jesus Christ placed them on the firing line. There they met every attack made upon Christ and His House; there they stood for the royal rights of Jesus and the honour of His kingdom; there they fell under the murderous fire, giving place to their successors. These soldiers of Jesus knew how to die, but not how to retreat. They did their work well and necessarily left it unfinished. The victory was assured, though not in sight. The death stricken hands reached the bloodstained banner out to another to be carried forward. This war still rages. The supremacy of Jesus Christ is yet disputed; His royal rights are yet usurped by mortals; His Bride the Church, still halts amid many opinions; the ordinances of grace are unblushingly corrupted; the teachings of the Gospel are adroitly doctored. The attacking forces are active, determined, and numerous, as in the days of the martyrs. The tactics differ, but the fight goes on. Heavy, heavy are the moral obligations, that fall to the successors of those who gave their lives for the truth. To recede would be cowardice, desertion from the ranks, perjury within the Covenant, treason against Jesus Christ. Is this too strong? Listen, 'If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.' Surely the times call for Christian Soldiers; yea heroes; possibly, martyrs. Do Covenanters feel their obligation to the Lord? - J. C. McFeeters, Sketches of the Covenanters, 1913, pp. 402-403, as cited in Greg Barrow's book, The Covenanted Reformation Defended.

"There was one great, and even sublime idea, brought somewhat indefinitely before the Westminster Assembly, which has not yet been realized, the idea of a Protestant union throughout Christendom, not merely for the purpose of counterbalancing Popery, but in order to purify, strengthen, and unite all true Christian churches, so that with combined energy and zeal they might go forth, in glad compliance with the Redeemer's commands, teaching all nations, and preaching the everlasting gospel to every creature under heaven. This truly magnificent, and also truly Christian idea, seems to have originated in the mind of that distinguished man, Alexander Henderson. It was suggested by him to the Scottish commissioners, and by them partially brought before the English Parliament, requesting them to direct the Assembly to write letters to the Protestant Churches in France, Holland, Switzerland, and other Reformed Churches. . . . and along with these letters were sent copies of the Solemn League and Covenant, a document which might itself form the basis of such a Protestant union. The deep thinking divines of the Netherlands apprehended the idea, and in their answer, not only expressed their approbation of the Covenant, but also desired to join in it with the British kingdoms. Nor did they content themselves with the mere expression of approval and willingness to join. A letter was soon afterwards sent to the Assembly from the Hague, written by Duraeus (the celebrated John Dury), offering to come to the Assembly, and containing a copy of a vow which he had prepared and tendered to the distinguished Oxenstiern, chancellor of Sweden, wherein he bound himself 'to prosecute a reconciliation between Protestants in point of religion'. . . . [O]n one occasion Henderson procured a passport to go to Holland, most probably for the purpose of prosecuting this grand idea. But the intrigues of politicians (like the covenant breaker Oliver Cromwell - ed.), the delays caused by the conduct of the Independents, and the narrow-minded Erastianism of the English Parliament, all conspired to prevent the Assembly from entering farther into that truly glorious Christian enterprise. Days of trouble and darkness came; persecution wore out the great men of that remarkable period; pure and vital Christianity was stricken to the earth and trampled under foot. . .' - William Hetherington, History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, (Edmonton, Alberta: Still Waters Revival Books), pp. 337-339, as cited in The Duty and Perpetual Obligation of Social Covenanting by Greg Price, Samuel Rutherford, George Gillespie, et at.

"William Hetherington, concerning the Solemn League and Covenant (the epitome of second Reformation attainments), also comments that 'no man who is able to understand its nature, and to feel and appreciate its spirit and its aim, will deny it to be the wisest, the sublimest, and the most sacred document ever framed by uninspired men.'" - The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1856, SWRB reprint 1993, p. 134), as cited in Dr. Reg Barrow's Saul in the Cave of Adullam (a Debate with Doug Wilson).

Who Are The Posterity Bound By The Solemn League And Covenant?

A. We find in the Solemn League and Covenant the following references to 'posterity' which indicates that this National Covenant binds far more than simply the generation that was alive when it was originally sworn:

[H]aving before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the honor and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity (Preface);

[T]hat we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us (Article 1);

[W]e shall each one of us, according to our place and interest, endeavor that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to all posterity (Article 5).

B. Note who the 'all posterity' (as mentioned in the Solemn League and Covenant) includes in a letter written by the Westminster Assembly and sent to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1644:

Those Winds which for a while do trouble the Air, do withal purge and refine it: And our trust is that through the most wise Providence and blessing of God, the Truth by our so long continued agitations, will be better cleared among us, and so our service will prove more acceptable to all the Churches of Christ, but more especially to you, while we have an intentive eye to our peculiar Protestation, and to that public Sacred Covenant [i.e. the Solemn League and Covenant- GLP] entered into by both the Kingdoms [Ireland is not formally omitted here, but is omitted only because this English Assembly is addressing the Scottish General Assembly-GLP], for Uniformity IN ALL HIS MAJESTY'S DOMINIONS (The Acts Of The General Assemblies Of The Church Of Scotland: From the Year 1638 to the Year 1649 Inclusive, 4 June 1644, Session 7, 'The Letter from the Synod of Divines in the Kirk of England, to the General Assembly', pp. 231,232. Emphases added).

Unless the dominions referred to here are limited by name to specific dominions, the phrase 'in all his Majesty's dominions' must include all dominions that had and should become a part of the British Empire under the rule of the British monarch. Not only did the Westminster Assembly understand the 'all posterity' bound by the Solemn League and Covenant to be 'ALL HIS MAJESTY'S DOMINIONS', but the faithful General Assembly of the Church of Scotland also officially declared the same to be true in their letter to King Charles I (written in 1648):

As we do not oppose the restitution of your Majesty to the exercise of your Royal Power; So we must needs desire that that which is GOD'S be given unto Him in the first place, and that Religion may be secured before the settling of any human interest; Being confident that this way is not only most for the Honor of GOD, but also for your Majesty's Honor and Safety. And therefore as it was one of our Desires to the High and Honorable Court of Parliament that they would solicit your Majesty for securing of Religion, and establishing the Solemn League and Covenant IN ALL YOUR DOMINIONS [the Solemn League and Covenant having been sworn and made law by the Parliaments of England and Scotland, it was required that Charles I swear to establish it and to enforce it in all his dominions before he would be allowed to exercise his royal authority-GLP] (The Acts Of The General Assemblies Of The Church Of Scotland: From the Year 1638 to the Year 1649 Inclusive, August 12, 1648, Session 40, 'The Humble Supplication of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland unto the Kings Most Excellent Majesty', p. 439. Emphases added).

Furthermore, observe that not only did the Westminster Assembly and the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland interpret the 'all posterity' bound by the Solemn League and Covenant to be those who lived within the bounds of 'all his Majesty's dominions', but it was likewise interpreted to be the case by the Parliament of Scotland (April 29, 1648) in a letter to King Charles I. The legal phrase, 'in all his Majesty's dominions', that is used in this letter cannot be limited to the kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland unless those kingdoms were the only ones called 'the dominions of his Majesty' in the legal language of that period (which we will see in a future sermon was far from being the case).

[B]efore any agreement or condition be made with his Majesty [King Charles I- GLP] (having found his late concessions and offers concerning religion not satisfactory), that he give assurance by his solemn oath, under his hand and seal, that he shall, for himself and his successors, give his royal assent, and agree to such act or acts of parliament, or bills, as shall be presented to him, by his parliaments of both or either kingdoms respective, for enjoining the league and covenant, and fully establishing presbyterial government, directory of worship, confession of faith, in all his Majesty's dominions; and that his Majesty shall never make any opposition to any of these, nor endeavor any change thereof (John Brown, An Apologetical Relation Of The Particular Sufferings Of Faithful Ministers, p. 196. Emphases added).

Moreover, King Charles II swore as the King of Great Britain (June 23, 1650), and bound himself and his successors to the throne to enact the Solemn League and Covenant not only in Scotland, but also 'in the rest of my dominions.' Again since there is no stated limitation as to which dominions are in view, this legal language cannot be limited to two or three dominions, but must include all the rest of his Majesty's dominions throughout the world besides Scotland.

I, Charles, King of Great Britain, France [a mere nominal title that carried no legal right-GLP] and Ireland, do assure and declare by my solemn oath, in the presence of the almighty God, the searcher of hearts, my allowance and approbation of the national covenant and of the solemn league and covenant above written; and faithfully oblige myself to prosecute the ends thereof, in my station and calling; and that I, for myself and successors, shall consent and agree to all acts of parliament enjoining the national covenant and solemn league and covenant; and fully establishing presbyterial government, the directory of worship, confession of faith, and catechisms in the kingdom of Scotland, as they are approven by the General Assembly of this kirk and parliament of this kingdom; and that I shall give my royal assent to the acts of parliament enjoining the same in the rest of my dominions; and that I shall observe these in my own practice and family, and shall never make opposition to any of these, or endeavor any change thereof (John Brown, An Apologetical Relation Of The Particular Sufferings Of Faithful Ministers, p. 45. Emphases added). Let us now compare the language (especially that which addresses 'all his Majesty's dominions') that is found in another legal document that is completely unrelated to the Solemn League and Covenant, namely, the Oath of Allegiance to King James I. If the language of this oath includes all dominions of the King outside of England (which I can hardly doubt that any would deny), then likewise the same legal language of 'all his Majesty's dominions' in reference to the Solemn League and Covenant must likewise refer to 'all' dominions without exception and not mere selective ones. I, A.B., do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and declare in my conscience, before God and the world, that our sovereign lord, King James, is lawful and rightful king of this realm [England-GLP], and of all other his Majesty's dominions, and countries.... (John Brown, An Apologetical Relation Of The Particular Sufferings Of Faithful Ministers, p. 68. Emphases added).

Thus, I conclude from this brief survey that the intended posterity that are bound by the Solemn League and Covenant include those within 'all his Majesty's dominions.' We will in the next sermon clearly demonstrate that the colonies in America and Canada were certainly called in various legal documents 'his Majesty's dominions', thus bringing not only the kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland into covenant with the Lord, but also bringing the 'dominions' and colonies of North America (and elsewhere) into covenant with God by way of the Solemn League and Covenant. - Greg Price, A Defense of Covenanting & the Solemn League & Covenant (Part 14) & Who (Including Nations Like The United States and Canada) the SL&C Binds Today.

A free MP3 and PDF of this message is at

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1223082221462

- compliments of Still Waters Revival Books (SWRB)