Scotland sent her army to help the English Reformers in their fight for liberty.  The soldiers coming from Covenanted homes, marched, as was their custom, under the banner emblazoned with the inspiring-words: 

FOR CHRIST’S CROWN AND COVENANT.

They were led by General Leslie.  Victory followed victory until King Charles, overwhelmed with defeat, rode into Leslie’s camp in disguise and surrendered as his prisoner.

What now shall be done with the royal captive?  This was the question which called for the wisdom of both nations.  The Covenanters urged him to subscribe the Covenant and return to his throne.  He refused.  They pleaded, promising that their flag would lead the forces of Scotland in his support.  He yet refused.  They prayed and entreated him with tears to accept the Covenant and continue his reign.  He would not.  What could they then do, but deliver him up to the English army, whose battles they were fighting?

General Leslie led his command back to Scotland.  It was disbanded, for the land again had rest.  The suspense, however, concerning the king was painful.  The Scottish heart yet loved Charles.  Though he was false, cruel, treacherous, and tyrannical, the Covenanters were still devoted to him as their own king.  They prayed, took counsel, sent delegates, did everything in their power to have him restored.  All they asked was his adherence to the Covenant, their national Constitution of government.  Let him subscribe to this, and Scotland’s bravest sons will rally around him; the Blue Banner will wave over him in bold defiance of every foe.  But he would not yield.

[Illustration:  King Charles I.

King Charles I. came to the throne in 1625, and reigned over Scotland, England, and Ireland, 24 years.  His despotic will carried him into great excesses of cruelty, and brought upon him mountains of trouble.  In Scotland the Covenanters firmly resisted his encroachment upon their rights and liberties.  He was beheaded by the English Parliament in 1649.]

The king was now a prisoner in England.  While he lay at Carisbrooke Castle, the Earl of Lauderdale, a Covenanter of some eminence, accompanied by the Earl of Lanark, was stealthily admitted into his presence.  These men succeeded in making a compromise.  Lauderdale and Lanark agreed to raise an army to bring the king back.  The king in turn agreed to confirm Presbyterianism for three years; the permanent form of Church Government to be then determined by an assembly of divines, assisted by twenty commissioners to be appointed by the king.  This private treaty is known in history as “The Engagement.”  It contained the elements of a base and disastrous surrender of principle.  Presbyterianism on probation!  Built upon the rock of truth, it lasts while the rock endures.  Presbyterianism to be succeeded by an uncertainty?  How could the Church entrust the government of God’s house to the king’s commissioners?