On February 15, the Presbytery met in Belfast and drew up a `Representation' objecting to the King's death which was ordered to be read from every pulpit. This understandably soured relationships with the English Parliamentarians and led to Oliver Cromwell landing at Dublin on 15 August 1649 and his swift campaign to subdue Ireland.

The Engagement in Ireland

There were two agreements entitled "The Engagement", the first being in 1647 between Charles I and Scottish nobles in which the King agreed to the Solemn League and Covenant. The agreement also allowed the Presbyterianism faith for three years after which a definite settlement was to be made. On the other hand the Covenant was not to be forced on anyone who did not want to subscribe and in the Royal Household Episcopal worship would remain. But the Church never approved the agreement and after the defeat at Preston by Cromwell's forces power returned to the stricter Covenanters.

Arising from Cromwell's subjugation was another oath, also called "The Engagement" which renounced the claim of Charles Stuart, the heredity claims of King Charles' line, and bound signatories to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth as Cromwells government was known.

The Irish Presbyterians refused to take the oath and were subject of more severe punishments with very many fleeing to Scotland. Only a handful of ministers remained in Ireland ministering to their flocks through the "covenanticle" - the clandestine open air meeting. The vacant ministries were filled by other non-conformist ministers from England and plans were put in place to banish the leading Presbyterians from counties Antrim and Down. The government proposal was to remove some leading Presbyterians to Munster with the promise of cheap land and "freedom of conscience".

But Cromwell realised that Presbyterians, although dissenters, were essentially law-abiding and would not otherwise give him much trouble so persecution ceased. He also saw the opportunity to plant a Protestant population in Munster and Leinster by banishing priests and forcing Catholic land owners to move to Connaught. The seized land was then used to pay his soldiers, although many then quickly sold their allotted land on to whoever wanted it.

As a result, by 1653 there was an increase in ministers, rising from about 24 to 70 by the end of the year. All ministers who applied received an endowment of around £100 and there were soon five Presbyteries with some 80 congregations under 70 ministers ruled by a General Synod which met four times a year.