the_o eqvity_n of_o the_o solemn_a leagve_n and_o covenant_n justify_v against_o a_o infectious_a and_o libellous_a pamphlet_n entitle_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o late_a solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n discover_v as_o it_o be_v late_o send_v from_o oxford_n and_o intercept_v by_o the_o way_n to_o london_n write_a by_o way_n of_o caution_n to_o all_o those_o who_o either_o have_v or_o shall_v read_v the_o say_v dangerous_a paper_n print_a for_o john_n field_n 1644._o the_o eqvity_n of_o the_o solemn_a leagve_n and_o covenant_n justify_v it_o be_v my_o fortune_n to_o meet_v with_o a_o frivolous_a and_o groundless_a pamphlet_n pen_v as_o by_o the_o title_n appear_v on_o purpose_n to_o traduce_v the_o equity_n and_o justness_n of_o our_o sacred_a solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n and_o to_o poison_v the_o people_n with_o a_o misunderstanding_n thereof_o and_o be_v inform_v that_o many_o of_o the_o paper_n be_v by_o malignant_n and_o other_o ill_a member_n procure_v and_o disperse_v abroad_o by_o stealth_n and_o in_o a_o clandestine_v way_n i_o think_v myself_o bind_v by_o the_o duty_n i_o owe_v unto_o god_n and_o the_o public_a obligation_n of_o this_o covenant_n wherein_o i_o have_v a_o peculiar_a interest_n to_o take_v in_o hand_n to_o answer_v it_o and_o remove_v those_o scruple_n and_o ill-contrived_a stumbling-block_n which_o be_v cast_v in_o the_o way_n of_o those_o which_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o come_v in_o and_o subscribe_v to_o this_o holy_a covenant_n i_o will_v not_o at_o all_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o bitterness_n of_o the_o traitorous_a and_o seditious_a preamble_n which_o sufficient_o set_v forth_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o author_n but_o consider_v that_o oxford_n be_v the_o place_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v where_o all_o their_o doctrine_n be_v rail_v i_o purposely_o pass_v it_o by_o and_o will_v in_o a_o facile_a moderate_a way_n betake_v myself_o to_o the_o ground_n work_n of_o the_o business_n it_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v write_v to_o a_o gentleman_n of_o his_o own_o party_n now_o in_o durance_n which_o desire_v satisfactiun_v upon_o the_o point_n who_o be_v intend_v to_o take_v the_o covenant_n as_o a_o mean_n to_o procure_v his_o liberty_n which_o before_o he_o absolute_o resolve_v upon_o he_o desire_v information_n from_o this_o dangerous_a counsellor_n who_o tell_v he_o if_o his_o resolution_n and_o advice_n may_v in_o time_n be_v herad_a it_o stand_v this_o upon_o these_o two_o point_n i._o that_o no_o man_n can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n enter_v this_o covenant_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o gross_a and_o palpable_a iniquity_n of_o the_o content_n thereof_o ii_o that_o he_o who_o through_o his_o own_o ignorance_n and_o cunning_n of_o other_o have_v be_v seduce_v or_o by_o their_o threat_n and_o menace_n force_v or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_v bring_v to_o enter_v this_o covenant_n with_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o content_n but_o have_v by_o the_o take_n of_o it_o contract_v their_o guilt_n of_o a_o grievous_a sin_n it_o bind_v to_o a_o speedy_a repentance_n for_o the_o same_o these_o be_v notable_a convince_a point_n indeed_o if_o they_o be_v prove_v but_o he_o care_v not_o for_o the_o reality_n of_o proof_n so_o he_o may_v reduce_v his_o argument_n to_o some_o specious_a frame_n for_o the_o main_a scope_n or_o end_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o by_o reason_v upon_o these_o two_o point_n be_v set_v down_o in_o these_o two_o particular_n first_o in_o the_o resolve_v and_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n as_o he_o style_v it_o in_o the_o refusal_n of_o this_o covenant_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o gross_a and_o palpable_a iniquity_n of_o the_o content_n thereof_o second_o for_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o conscience_n ensnare_v by_o enter_v this_o covenant_n wherein_o be_v consider_v the_o not_o bind_v of_o it_o if_o take_v which_o particular_n if_o thou_o can_v make_v good_a tu_fw-la dominus_fw-la tu_fw-la vir_fw-la tu_fw-la mihi_fw-la frater_fw-la eris_fw-la i_o shall_v most_o willing_o subscribe_v thus_o far_o we_o have_v a_o fair_a porch_n to_o the_o building_n and_o which_o may_v take_v any_o man_n at_o the_o first_o fight_n but_o let_v we_o now_o make_v entry_n and_o see_v what_o furniture_n we_o can_v find_v within_o to_o entertain_v a_o man_n understanding_n he_o proceed_v to_o frame_v objection_n against_o the_o several_a article_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o first_o thing_n he_o except_v against_o be_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o prelacy_n and_o church-government_n by_o archbishop_n bishop_n etc._n etc._n by_o the_o first_o and_o second_o article_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o real_o and_o constant_o to_o endeavour_v the_o same_o now_o he_o bid_v he_o see_v the_o iniquity_n of_o this_o object_n 1._o first_o he_o say_v here_o be_v sedition_n subject_n enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n for_o a_o change_n of_o establish_a government_n without_o and_o against_o their_o sovereign_n command_n and_o authority_n answ_n i_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v not_o do_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o sovereign_n but_o this_o covenant_n against_o prelacy_n be_v ordain_v and_o enter_v upon_o by_o those_o who_o have_v sovereign_a authority_n communicate_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n and_o by_o they_o it_o be_v commend_v unto_o the_o people_n to_o be_v swear_v against_o as_o a_o government_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o good_a of_o the_o kingdom_n out_o of_o what_o law_n divine_a or_o civil_a and_o nationall_n do_v you_o read_v that_o a_o act_n of_o the_o grand_a estate_n of_o a_o kingdom_n lawful_o convene_v may_v be_v call_v sedition_n object_n 2._o second_o he_o say_v here_o be_v injustice_n to_o fellow-subject_n subject_n enter_v a_o covenant_n and_o bind_v themselves_o to_o do_v notorion_n wrong_v and_o injury_n to_o other_o that_o be_v to_o extirpate_v a_o company_n of_o man_n who_o function_n be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o have_v continue_v in_o this_o land_n from_o the_o first_o receive_v of_o the_o christian_a faith_n who_o immunity_n also_o and_o privilege_n be_v undeniable_o most_o ancient_a and_o legal_a in_o this_o kingdom_n answ_n 1._o first_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v prove_v yet_o though_o there_o have_v be_v many_o paper_n vent_v pretend_v the_o probation_n of_o it_o that_o so_o much_o as_o regulate_v episcopacy_n be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n muchlesse_a prelacy_n a_o order_n of_o a_o high_a strain_n with_o all_o its_o hierachicall_a appurtenance_n both_o of_o they_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o most_o and_o best_a protestant_n unquestionable_a and_o obvious_a to_o all_o man_n to_o be_v but_o of_o humane_a institution_n answ_n 2._o second_o i_o answer_v be_v it_o grant_v that_o their_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n be_v ancient_a and_o legal_a within_o this_o kingdom_n yet_o you_o must_v remember_v that_o those_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n be_v at_o first_o confer_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o favour_n and_o indulgence_n of_o the_o state_n in_o those_o day_n of_o the_o grow_a greatness_n of_o the_o clergy_n why_o then_o may_v not_o the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o state_n in_o the_o ancient_a and_o legal_a court_n of_o parliament_n derive_v to_o their_o successor_n now_o lawful_o assemble_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n deprive_v they_o of_o those_o immunity_n together_o with_o their_o greatness_n which_o have_v prove_v undeniable_o so_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o kingdom_n answ_n 3._o three_o i_o answer_v that_o our_o covenant_v to_o extirpate_v prelacy_n can_v be_v call_v injustice_n nor_o injury_n to_o our_o fellow-subject_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n also_o because_o the_o abolition_n of_o those_o accidental_a privilege_n the_o fruitful_a parents_n of_o so_o many_o intolerable_a exorbitance_n be_v agree_v upon_o by_o the_o supreme_a court_n of_o justice_n the_o representative_a body_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o of_o itself_o be_v sufficient_a to_o annul_v the_o hierarchy_n but_o because_o authority_n be_v of_o little_a availment_n without_o the_o addition_n of_o forcible_a power_n in_o time_n of_o difficulty_n opposition_n &_o rebellion_n of_o desperate_a incendiary_n therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o loyal_a partee_n of_o the_o land_n shall_v be_v engage_v by_o covenant_n to_o defend_v the_o parliament_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o their_o most_o just_a proceed_n to_o redress_v the_o grievance_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o which_o prelacy_n be_v not_o the_o least_o as_o also_o for_o the_o chastize_v of_o delinquent_n and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o this_o prelatical_a government_n shall_v be_v convenient_a for_o a_o state_n or_o kingdom_n whereas_o 1._o they_o have_v be_v burdensome_a in_o all_o age_n what_o opposite_n in_o england_n have_v they_o be_v to_o our_o king_n till_o their_o interest_n be_v change_v 2._o second_o all_o reform_a church_n have_v expel_v they_o as_o incompatible_a with_o
reformation_n 3._o three_o they_o have_v set_v three_o kingdom_n together_o by_o the_o ear_n which_o now_o lie_v welter_v in_o their_o own_o blood_n 4._o four_o experience_n now_o show_v there_o be_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o their_o want_n either_o in_o scotland_n or_o england_n object_n 3._o the_o three_o objection_n be_v that_o here_o be_v sacrilege_n in_o spoil_v they_o or_o a_o church_n rather_o of_o those_o possession_n and_o interest_n which_o beside_o the_o right_n of_o dedication_n do_v by_o as_o good_a law_n and_o title_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o any_o liberty_n and_o possession_n do_v to_o other_o subject_n answ_n be_v it_o grant_v that_o the_o right_n of_o their_o possession_n hold_v good_a by_o law_n yet_o when_o their_o order_n and_o function_n shall_v be_v disannul_v by_o law_n there_o must_v be_v a_o necessity_n of_o dispose_v their_o revenue_n otherwise_o to_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o the_o end_n of_o the_o dedication_n be_v keep_v by_o dispose_v they_o to_o that_o use_n whereto_o they_o be_v at_o first_o intend_v it_o be_v vain_a and_o foolish_a to_o call_v this_o sacrilege_n and_o spoil_v of_o the_o church_n object_n 4._o the_o four_o and_o last_o objection_n against_o the_o first_o and_o second_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v that_o here_o be_v rebellion_n with_o the_o great_a impiety_n subject_n endeavour_v this_o by_o force_n of_o arm_n as_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o sixth_o article_n they_o that_o covenant_n bound_v themselves_o to_o do_v that_o be_v to_o compel_v your_o sovereign_n to_o such_o a_o extirpation_n and_o spoil_v against_o which_o he_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o by_o express_a oath_n and_o can_v be_v release_v of_o that_o oath_n without_o their_o consent_n to_o who_o he_o make_v it_o viz._n those_o that_o must_v here_o be_v extirpate_v and_o spoil_v answ_n 1._o first_o i_o answer_v that_o here_o be_v neither_o rebellion_n nor_o impiety_n in_o the_o least_o kind_n to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o those_o by_o arm_n which_o have_v be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o this_o present_a war_n against_o the_o parliament_n and_o enemy_n to_o reformation_n with_o who_o because_o the_o king_n be_v now_o there_o in_o person_n be_v seduce_v by_o evil_a councillor_n and_o such_o as_o have_v a_o design_n to_o alter_v our_o religion_n invade_v our_o liberty_n and_o bring_v in_o popery_n therefore_o we_o shall_v not_o defend_v ourselves_o our_o religion_n and_o liberty_n nor_o labour_n to_o deliver_v the_o king_n from_o they_o but_o you_o will_v say_v we_o covenant_n to_o compel_v his_o majesty_n to_o that_o which_o in_o conscience_n he_o can_v do_v that_o be_v to_o extirpate_v prelacy_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o my_o second_o answer_n answ_n 2._o second_o i_o answer_v that_o no_o oath_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v but_o in_o licitis_fw-la &_o honestis_fw-la so_o far_o forth_o as_o the_o matter_n swear_v to_o be_v approve_v and_o find_v lawful_a and_o it_o hold_v good_a in_o divinity_n that_o such_o oath_n as_o be_v not_o lawful_a be_v rather_o to_o be_v repent_v of_o then_o persist_v in_o but_o upon_o politic_a consideration_n there_o need_v not_o any_o repentance_n where_o the_o same_o power_n which_o ordain_v the_o thing_n swear_v to_o do_v after_o the_o manifest_a inconvenience_n of_o it_o with_o the_o present_a constitution_n of_o public_a affair_n ordain_v also_o the_o abolishment_n thereof_o for_o then_o the_o obligation_n become_v altogether_o invalid_a and_o in_o no_o wise_a bind_v to_o the_o swearer_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v frivolous_a to_o say_v that_o the_o king_n can_v be_v release_v of_o such_o a_o oath_n as_o he_o have_v take_v to_o maintain_v prelacy_n unless_o the_o prelate_n give_v consent_n when_o at_o the_o best_a to_o use_v the_o language_n of_o the_o learned_a exhortation_n to_o the_o take_n of_o the_o covenant_n their_o whole_a government_n be_v but_o a_o humane_a constitution_n and_o such_o as_o be_v find_v and_o adjudge_v by_o both_o house_n of_o parliament_n in_o which_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n be_v involve_v and_o declare_v not_o only_o very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o civil_a state_n but_o also_o a_o great_a hindrance_n to_o the_o perfect_a reformation_n of_o religion_n his_o second_o exception_n be_v against_o the_o four_o article_n whereby_o he_o say_v he_o which_o enter_v this_o covenant_n do_v profess_v that_o he_o allow_v all_o those_o which_o adhere_v to_o his_o majesty_n in_o this_o cause_n shall_v be_v esteem_v and_o proceed_v against_o as_o malignant_n incendiary_n and_o as_o in_o the_o first_o article_n they_o be_v set_v out_o common_a enemy_n also_o by_o the_o same_o four_o article_n he_o bind_v himself_o to_o discover_v all_o such_o that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o punishment_n object_n now_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o the_o iniquity_n of_o this_o appear_v by_o what_o be_v say_v upon_o the_o former_a article_n but_o more_o especial_o by_o the_o duty_n unto_o which_o the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n and_o allegiance_n bind_v all_o subject_n viz._n the_o assist_v of_o his_o majesty_n against_o all_o attempt_n and_o the_o discover_v unto_o he_o all_o conspiracy_n duty_n contrary_a to_o what_o be_v undertake_v here_o answ_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v great_a equity_n and_o reason_n that_o those_o now_o about_o his_o majesty_n which_o have_v involve_v he_o in_o this_o war_n and_o be_v declare_v and_o know_v to_o be_v incendiary_n and_o malignant_n and_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o the_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v discover_v and_o proceed_v against_o thereafter_o and_o that_o the_o equity_n of_o that_o article_n may_v further_o appear_v the_o intent_n of_o it_o be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o those_o in_o the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n and_o allegiance_n viz._n the_o assist_v of_o his_o majesty_n against_o attempt_n and_o the_o discover_v of_o conspiracy_n which_o do_v not_o only_a evidence_n the_o equity_n but_o also_o the_o seasonablnesse_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v take_v in_o such_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o attempt_n practice_n and_o conspiracy_n in_o hand_n by_o a_o desperate_a partee_n of_o cavalier_n against_o religion_n and_o the_o kingdom_n the_o great_a of_o which_o attempt_n be_v absolute_o against_o his_o majesty_n though_o it_o seem_v otherwise_o by_o engage_a his_o person_n in_o a_o bloody_a and_o strange_a war_n object_n the_o three_o exception_n take_v be_v concern_v a_o clause_n in_o the_o three_o article_n for_o preserve_v and_o defend_v the_o king_n majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n without_o any_o thought_n or_o intention_n of_o diminish_v his_o just_a power_n and_o greatness_n and_o all_o which_o he_o have_v to_o say_v against_o it_o be_v this_o that_o though_o he_o which_o enter_v this_o covenant_n may_v think_v this_o clause_n to_o be_v just_a and_o fair_a yet_o be_v it_o indeed_o a_o fearful_a collusion_n and_o mock_v of_o god_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o against_o his_o majesty_n authority_n and_o power_n than_o the_o intent_n and_o pursuit_n of_o this_o covenant_n answ_n all_o the_o answer_n which_o i_o shall_v give_v to_o this_o be_v that_o it_o be_v but_o his_o say_v so_o and_o i_o shall_v refer_v the_o impartial_a reader_n to_o my_o former_a answer_n object_n his_o four_o exception_n be_v against_o the_o five_o article_n and_o he_o object_n that_o he_o which_o enter_v this_o covenant_n do_v bind_v himself_o by_o that_o article_n to_o endeavour_v the_o continuance_n of_o peace_n between_o the_o two_o kingdom_n which_o according_a to_o the_o intent_n of_o this_o covenant_n he_o must_v do_v by_o join_v with_o those_o who_o have_v actual_o break_v the_o pacification_n and_o in_o pursuit_n of_o this_o covenant_n invade_v this_o kingdom_n which_o be_v also_o a_o fearful_a collusion_n and_o mack_v of_o god_n answ_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o say_v that_o the_o pacification_n between_o the_o two_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o scotland_n be_v break_v by_o this_o covenant_n when_o both_o the_o kingdom_n by_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n be_v join_v in_o this_o holy_a league_n for_o the_o mutual_a defence_n and_o preservation_n of_o each_o other_o peace_n and_o with_o as_o little_a reason_n may_v it_o be_v call_v a_o invasion_n or_o a_o collusion_n and_o mock_v of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v monstrous_a to_o conceive_v that_o any_o man_n shall_v affirm_v that_o ratification_n to_o be_v break_v when_o the_o person_n ratify_v do_v joint_o prosecute_v the_o preservation_n of_o it_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o covenant_n with_o all_o earnestness_n and_o alacrity_n which_o be_v manifest_v at_o this_o day_n by_o a_o ample_a testimony_n of_o the_o full_a and_o free_a concurrence_n of_o the_o body_n of_o both_o nation_n the_o five_o exception_n take_v be_v against_o the_o sixth_o article_n because_o he_o that_o enter_v this_o covenant_n do_v profess_v by_o the_o sixth_o
article_n that_o he_o allow_v and_o approove_v the_o assist_v and_o defend_v of_o all_o those_o that_o take_v this_o covenant_n in_o the_o maintain_n and_o pursue_v thereof_o against_o all_o opposition_n and_o let_v or_o impediment_n whatsoever_o and_o by_o the_o same_o article_n bind_v himself_o real_o and_o constant_o to_o endeavour_v the_o same_o to_o his_o power_n without_o give_v himself_o to_o a_o detestable_a neutrality_n in_o this_o cause_n or_o make_v a_o defection_n to_o the_o contrary_a part_n object_n now_o see_v say_v he_o the_o iniquity_n of_o this_o article_n which_o so_o plain_o speak_v the_o language_n of_o desperate_a rebellion_n that_o he_o which_o covenant_n with_o they_o do_v by_o this_o article_n bind_v himself_o to_o endeavour_v by_o force_n of_o arm_n to_o compel_v his_o sovereign_n to_o the_o reformation_n pretend_v by_o this_o covenant_n and_o do_v as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v cut_v himself_o off_o from_o return_v to_o his_o duty_n and_o obedience_n which_o be_v here_o call_v a_o defection_n to_o the_o contrary_a part_n answ_n i_o answer_v that_o by_o this_o you_o may_v see_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o author_n and_o the_o desperate_a sense_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o misinform_a the_o gentleman_n he_o write_v unto_o the_o equity_n of_o the_o article_n be_v apparent_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o firm_a adhering_n to_o this_o covenant_n and_o continuance_n in_o his_o same_o notwithstanding_o all_o opposition_n contradiction_n or_o dissuasion_n to_o the_o contrary_n whatsoever_o all_o the_o people_n stand_v to_o the_o covenant_n 2_o king_n 23.4_o this_o be_v josiah_n his_o care_n not_o only_o for_o himself_o but_o for_o all_o the_o people_n he_o make_v all_o that_o be_v find_v in_o judeth_n and_o benjamin_n to_o stand_v to_o it_o so_o all_o his_o day_n they_o turn_v not_o back_o from_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n 2_o chron._n 34.32_o 33._o but_o as_o for_o that_o slander_n of_o compel_v our_o sovereign_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n to_o a_o reformation_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o proper_o to_o compel_v he_o but_o rather_o to_o expel_v those_o from_o he_o which_o be_v enemy_n to_o reformation_n and_o in_o time_n will_v approve_v themselves_o so_o unto_o he_o also_o if_o not_o resist_v by_o his_o faithful_a subject_n and_o compel_v he_o to_o enact_v what_o themselves_o please_v which_o what_o it_o will_v be_v if_o consider_v be_v enough_o to_o engage_v all_o true_a christian_a heart_n against_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o this_o covenant_n by_o that_o duty_n obedience_n and_o loyty_n which_o they_o owe_v unto_o their_o sovereign_n his_o crown_n and_o dignity_n and_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o kingdom_n without_o defection_n to_o the_o contrary_a part_n object_n his_o last_o exception_n be_v against_o a_o clause_n in_o the_o six_o article_n that_o he_o which_o enter_v this_o covenant_n do_v profess_v that_o he_o approve_v and_o bind_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o premise_n in_o the_o article_n as_o to_o that_o which_o much_o concern_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o good_a of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o measure_n and_o to_o mock_v god_n almighty_a to_o his_o face_n answ_n i_o answer_v let_v all_o man_n judge_v how_o unreasonable_a and_o hellish_a a_o slander_n this_o be_v and_o observe_v with_o what_o wrest_v these_o black_a character_n of_o a_o false_a comment_n be_v here_o bring_v in_o under_o pretence_n of_o write_a information_n to_o a_o gentleman_n to_o defame_v the_o genuine_a and_o innocent_a sense_n of_o a_o glorious_a covenant_n thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o first_o particular_a of_o his_o discouse_n which_o pretend_v to_o prove_v a_o necessity_n of_o refuse_v this_o covenant_n by_o a_o false_a imputation_n of_o gross_a and_o palpable_a iniquity_n upon_o the_o content_n thereof_o now_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o the_o second_o particular_a pretend_v to_o prove_v a_o necessity_n of_o repent_v of_o it_o if_o once_o take_v if_o he_o can_v have_v prove_v the_o premise_n than_o the_o conclusion_n will_v have_v follow_v more_o current_n for_o i_o grant_v what_o he_o say_v that_o the_o matter_n and_o intent_n of_o any_o covenant_n be_v unlawful_a it_o can_v bind_v to_o performance_n no_o more_o than_o herod_n oath_n do_v bind_v he_o to_o proceed_v to_o execution_n matth._n 14._o or_o the_o great_a curse_n under_o which_o the_o forty_o conspirator_n act._n 23._o combine_v themselves_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o paul_n can_v indeed_o oblige_v they_o to_o performance_n but_o the_o former_a point_n be_v not_o prove_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v rather_o defame_v and_o traduce_v then_o controvert_v just_o this_o latter_a point_n ground_v upon_o the_o former_a must_v of_o necessity_n fall_v of_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o need_v not_o a_o answer_n run_v altogether_o ex_fw-la falsa_fw-la hypothesi_fw-la upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n of_o iniquity_n in_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o prove_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v by_o the_o jesuit_n and_o jesuited_a impugner_n at_o oxford_n if_o they_o can_v furnish_v we_o with_o some_o convince_a argument_n in_o this_o way_n i_o myself_o who_o be_o a_o covenanter_n will_v not_o speedy_o repent_v of_o it_o but_o also_o persuade_v other_o but_o till_o than_o you_o must_v pardon_v i_o now_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v you_o notice_n that_o the_o frame_n of_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o false_a insinuation_n object_n that_o this_o covenant_n do_v contrary_a the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n and_o that_o the_o judge_n here_o take_v it_o with_o this_o reservation_n as_o thus_o i_o take_v this_o covenant_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o do_v not_o contrary_a the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n but_o answ_n 1._o first_o i_o answer_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o learned_a exhortation_n to_o the_o take_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o this_o covenant_n be_v so_o far_o from_o cross_v the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n and_o allegiance_n that_o â—t_a bind_v all_o and_o more_o strong_o engage_v they_o to_o preserve_v and_o defend_v the_o king_n majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o preservation_n and_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n answ_n 2._o i_o answer_v that_o the_o judge_n take_v it_o without_o any_o such_o reservation_n he_o speak_v of_o or_o any_o other_o at_o all_o but_o this_o latter_a part_n need_v no_o answer_n in_o regard_n as_o i_o say_v before_o of_o the_o ground_v it_o upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n of_o the_o illegality_n and_o injustness_n of_o this_o covenant_n which_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o prove_v and_o therefore_o i_o advise_v all_o to_o take_v heed_n both_o of_o the_o former_a and_o the_o latter_a and_o to_o weigh_v the_o former_a objection_n with_o the_o answer_v impartial_o and_o serious_o not_o as_o man_n fore-armed_n with_o prejudicate_a opinion_n but_o as_o those_o that_o desire_v sincere_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o necessity_n and_o excellency_n of_o this_o holy_a covenant_n the_o apostle_n peter_n speak_v of_o paul_n writing_n that_o in_o they_o some_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o they_o that_o be_v unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrest_v as_o they_o do_v also_o the_o other_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2._o epist_n chap._n 3._o vers_fw-la 16._o but_o here_o on_o the_o contrary_a though_o the_o text_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v understand_v we_o see_v that_o some_o who_o at_o lest_o think_v themselves_o learned_a and_o who_o be_v not_o only_a stable_n but_o stiffen_v as_o most_o of_o the_o oxford_n party_n be_v in_o their_o own_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o opinion_n will_v be_v try_v their_o skill_n or_o rather_o malice_n to_o wrest_v or_o as_o the_o greek_a word_n streblousi_fw-la impart_v to_o torture_v and_o set_v this_o covenant_n upon_o the_o rack_n to_o make_v it_o speak_v and_o confess_v a_o sense_n never_o intend_v by_o the_o composer_n or_o proposer_n of_o it_o and_o whereof_o if_o but_o common_a ingenuity_n be_v the_o judge_n it_o never_o will_v nor_o can_v be_v find_v guilty_a but_o at_o this_o time_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o the_o author_n of_o this_o base_a injurious_a paper_n but_o that_o in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o verse_n quote_v from_o the_o apostle_n peter_n let_v he_o take_v heed_n such_o wrest_n as_o this_o be_v not_o to_o his_o own_o destruction_n thus_o i_o hope_v in_o answer_v this_o virulent_a pamphlet_n i_o have_v give_v the_o reader_n some_o insite_fw-la into_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o holy_a league_n &_o covenant_n according_a to_o the_o sincere_a aim_n of_o those_o that_o make_v it_o take_v it_o then_o reader_n and_o swear_v to_o it_o who_o but_o a_o atheist_n can_v refuse_v the_o first_o article_n who_o but_o a_o papist_n the_o second_o who_o but_o a_o oppressor_n or_o rebel_n the_o three_o who_o but_o the_o guilty_a the_o four_o who_o but_o man_n of_o no_o fortune_n desperate_a cavilier_n the_o five_o who_o but_o light_n and_o empty_a man_n unstable_a as_o water_v the_o sixth_o in_o a_o word_n the_o duty_n be_v such_o that_o god_n have_v ordain_v the_o matter_n be_v such_o as_o god_n approve_v and_o the_o consequence_n will_v be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v promise_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o our_o peace_n and_o happiness_n in_o this_o life_n and_o the_o final_a consummation_n of_o it_o in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v this_o be_v license_v and_o enter_v according_a to_o order_n finis_fw-la