Summary of The National Covenant of Scotland (1638)

Introduction

The National Covenant of 1638 is one of the most significant documents in Scottish history. It was a formal protest and a religious-political manifesto signed by thousands of Scots, ranging from noblemen to peasants. Its primary purpose was to resist the ecclesiastical innovations imposed by King Charles I and to reaffirm the Presbyterian identity of the Scottish Kirk (Church).

Historical Context: The Root of Conflict

The tension leading to the Covenant was sparked by the "Divine Right of Kings", the belief held by Charles I that his authority came directly from God, giving him absolute power over both State and Church.

• Liturgical Imposition: In 1637, Charles attempted to force a new Book of Common Prayer (often called "Laud’s Liturgy") on the Scottish Church. This prayer book was viewed by the Scots as being too close to Roman Catholicism.

• The Riot at St. Giles: When the liturgy was first read in Edinburgh, it sparked a riot, traditionally blamed on a woman named Jenny Geddes, who threw a stool at the minister, symbolizing a nationwide rejection of Royal interference.

Core Principles of the Covenant

The document was drafted primarily by Alexander Henderson and Johnston of Wariston. It was structured in three main parts:

1. Re-affirmation of the 1581 King’s Confession: It began by echoing the earlier Protestant rejection of "popery" and the errors of the Roman Catholic Church.

2. Legal Justification: It listed numerous Acts of Parliament that supported the Reformed religion and the liberties of the Scottish Kirk.

3. The Solemn Oath: The most critical section was a vow to defend the "true religion" and the King’s person, provided the King did not infringe upon the Church’s rights. This created a conditional loyalty: the Scots would obey the King only as long as he obeyed God’s law.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The signing of the Covenant at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh on February 28, 1638, had immediate and far-reaching consequences:

• The Bishops' Wars: Charles I attempted to suppress the Covenanters by force, leading to military conflicts known as the Bishops' Wars. His failure to win these wars forced him to call the English Parliament, which eventually triggered the English Civil War.

• The Solemn League and Covenant (1643): The movement expanded as the Scots sought an alliance with the English Parliament, aiming to establish Presbyterianism across all of Britain.

• Religious Liberty: The Covenant established the "Crown Rights of the Redeemer," the idea that Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church, a principle that remains central to Reformed theology today.

Conclusion

The National Covenant was more than a religious document; it was a constitutional landmark that challenged absolute monarchy. It asserted that the law and the faith of the people were superior to the whims of a king, laying the groundwork for future developments in representative government and religious freedom in the Western world.