1643 WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY. Rare Broadside Issued by Parliament Enforcing Presbtyerianism as National Religion of England.

An exceptionally rare broadside issued and used by the Parliament of England, under the Clerkship of Henry Elsynge [1606-1656]. The present order was printed as a result of the vote of Parliament and the Agreement of Scotland and the Westminster Assembly in September of 1643 to formally adopt the "Solemn League and Covenant." The covenant was, in the view of the Presbyterians anyway, between God and the political apparatus of the country in a way that reflects the theocratic reign of God through Kings, political structures, and legal structures in Old Testament Israel. The guarantee of Presbyterianism [with some nods to Independents] made theological way for the Scottish to align militarily with Cromwell and the British Parliament against the Royalists . . . because they were now warring for God's new Israel.  Many see the role of Scottish Presbyterian ministers during the American Revolution as a continuation of the 17th century Presbyterian engagement. The American adoption of the "N