apostasy_n and_o black-flidings_a call_v one_o upon_o another_o and_o echo_v back_o one_o to_o another_o come_v let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o may_v not_o be_v forget_v you_o see_v by_o this_o time_n i_o have_v change_v my_o text_n though_o not_o my_o project_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o shall_v remember_v that_o in_o the_o handle_n of_o these_o word_n i_o must_v not_o manage_v my_o discourse_n as_o if_o i_o be_v to_o make_v a_o new_a entire_a sermon_n upon_o the_o text_n but_o only_o to_o improve_v the_o happy_a advantage_n it_o hold_v forth_o for_o the_o pursuit_n and_o drive_v on_o of_o my_o present_a use_n of_o exhortation_n come_v let_v we_o join_v etc._n etc._n to_o this_o end_n therefore_o from_o these_o word_n i_o will_v propound_v and_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v these_o three_o quaeres_fw-la 1._o what_o 2._o why_o 3._o how_o 1._o what_o the_o duty_n be_v to_o which_o they_o mutual_o stir_v up_o one_o another_o 2._o why_o or_o upon_o what_o consideration_n 3._o how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n this_o service_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v and_o in_o all_o these_o you_o shall_v see_v what_o proportion_n the_o text_n hold_v with_o the_o time_n the_o duty_n in_o our_o text_n with_o the_o duty_n in_o our_o hand_n press_v they_o on_o still_o in_o a_o exhortatory_n way_n for_o the_o first_o sc_fw-la what_o the_o duty_n be_v answ_n you_o see_v that_o in_o the_o text_n be_v to_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n by_o a_o solemn_a covenant_n and_o so_o be_v that_o which_o we_o have_v now_o in_o our_o hand_n to_o join_v our_o self_n to_o the_o lord_n by_o a_o covenant_n how_o far_o they_o correspond_v will_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n this_o be_v the_o first_o and_o main_a end_n of_o a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o his_o people_n as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o to_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n the_o son_n of_o the_o stranger_n that_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n 56.6_o isa_n 56.6_o etc._n etc._n and_o take_v hold_v of_o his_o covenant_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o first_o and_o main_a end_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o text_n the_o second_o be_v subordinate_a unto_o it_o namely_o to_o inquire_v thâ—_n way_n to_o zion_n i_o e._n to_o inquire_v the_o way_n and_o manner_n how_o god_n will_v be_v worship_v that_o they_o may_v dishonour_v and_o prevoke_v he_o no_o more_o by_o their_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n which_o have_v be_v bring_v in_o upon_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o apostate_n king_n and_o priest_n and_o prophet_n as_o in_o jeroboam_n and_o ahab_n reign_v etc._n etc._n and_o for_o which_o they_o have_v be_v carry_v into_o captivity_n and_o such_o be_v the_o covenant_n that_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o first_o place_n as_o i_o say_v to_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v knit_v unsepaparable_o unto_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v our_o god_n and_o we_o may_v be_v his_o people_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o subservient_fw-fr hereunto_o to_o ask_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n to_o inquire_v and_o search_v by_o all_o holy_a mean_n sanctify_v to_o that_o purpose_n what_o be_v that_o pure_a way_n of_o gospel_n worship_n that_o we_o and_o ouâ—_n child_n after_o we_o may_v worship_v the_o god_n of_o spirit_n the_o â—â—od_a of_o truth_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n in_o spirit_n â—3_n joh_n 4._o â—3_n oppose_v to_o carnal_a wâ—yâ—s_n of_o will-worship_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n and_o in_o truth_n oppose_v to_o false_a hypocritical_a show_n and_o pretence_n since_o the_o father_n seek_v for_o such_o to_o worship_v he_o now_o that_o this_o be_v the_o main_a scope_n and_o aim_n of_o this_o covenant_n before_o we_o will_v appear_v if_o you_o read_v and_o ponder_v it_o with_o due_a consideration_n i_o will_v therefore_o read_v it_o to_o you_o distinct_o this_o evening_n beside_o the_o read_n of_o it_o again_o to_o morrow_n when_o you_o come_v to_o take_v it_o and_o when_o i_o have_v read_v it_o i_o will_v answer_v the_o main_a and_o most_o material_a objection_n which_o seem_v to_o make_v it_o inconsistent_a with_o these_o bless_a end_n and_o purpose_n attend_v diligent_o while_o i_o read_v it_o to_o you_o the_o covenant_n we_o nobleman_n 〈…〉_o â—his_fw-la co_n 〈…〉_o it_o 〈◊〉_d haâ—d_a to_o câ—m_v 〈◊〉_d the_o 〈…〉_o and_o 〈…〉_o several_a pafaâ—â—s_n of_o the_o câ—â—â—nant_n to_o which_o 〈…〉_o baron_n knight_n gentleman_n citizens_z burgess_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o commons_o of_o all_o sort_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n scotland_n and_o ireland_n by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n live_v under_o one_o king_n and_o be_v of_o one_o reform_a religion_n have_v before_o our_o eye_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n the_o honour_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o king_n majesty_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o the_o true_a public_a liberty_n safety_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n wherein_o every_o one_o private_a condition_n be_v include_v and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o treacherous_a and_o bloody_a plot_n conspiracy_n attempt_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n against_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o professor_n thereof_o in_o all_o place_n especial_o in_o these_o three_o kingdom_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n and_o how_o much_o their_o rage_n power_n and_o presumption_n be_v of_o late_a and_o at_o this_o time_n increase_v and_o exercise_v whereof_o the_o deplorable_a state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o ireland_n the_o distress_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o the_o dangerous_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n be_v present_a and_o public_a testimony_n we_o have_v now_o at_o last_o after_o other_o mean_n of_o supplication_n remonstrance_n protestation_n and_o suffering_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o ourselves_o and_o our_o religion_n from_o utter_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n according_a to_o the_o commendable_a practice_n of_o these_o kingdom_n in_o former_a time_n and_o the_o example_n of_o god_n people_n in_o other_o nation_n after_o mature_a deliberation_n resolve_v and_o determine_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o mutual_a and_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n wherein_o we_o all_o subscribe_v and_o each_o one_o of_o we_o for_o himself_o with_o our_o hand_n lift_v up_o to_o the_o most_o high_a god_n do_v swear_v i._o that_o we_o shall_v sincere_o real_o and_o constant_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n endeavour_n in_o our_o several_a place_n and_o calling_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n against_o our_o common_a enemy_n the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o ireland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n and_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o bring_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n to_o the_o near_a conjunction_n and_o uniformity_n in_o religion_n confession_n of_o faith_n form_n of_o church-government_n directory_n for_o worship_n and_o catechise_v that_o we_o and_o our_o posterity_n after_o we_o may_v as_o brethren_n live_v in_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o the_o lord_n may_v delight_v to_o dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o we_o ii_o that_o we_o shall_v in_o like_a manner_n without_o respect_n of_o person_n endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o poperty_n prelacy_n that_o be_v church-government_n by_o arch-bishop_n bishop_n their_o chancellor_n and_o commissary_n dean_n dean_n and_o chapter_n archdeacon_n and_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n depend_v on_o that_o hierarchy_n superstition_n heresy_n schism_n profaneness_n and_o whatsoever_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n lest_o we_o partake_v in_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o thereby_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o receive_v of_o their_o plague_n and_o that_o the_o lord_n may_v be_v one_o and_o his_o name_n one_o in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n iii_o we_o shall_v with_o the_o same_o sincerity_n reality_n and_o constancy_n in_o our_o several_a vocation_n endeavour_v with_o our_o estate_n and_o life_n mutual_o to_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_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 that_o the_o world_n may_v bear_v witness_n with_o our_o conscience_n of_o our_o loyalty_n and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o thought_n or_o intention_n to_o diminish_v his_o majesty_n just_a power_n and_o greatness_n iv_o we_o shall_v
be_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n under_o which_o latitude_n i_o see_v not_o but_o we_o may_v enter_v into_o the_o like_a covenant_n with_o lutheran_n or_o other_o reform_a church_n who_o government_n discipline_n and_o worship_n be_v yet_o exceed_o corrupt_v with_o degenerate_a mixture_n three_o neither_o in_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o government_n etc._n etc._n nor_o in_o the_o reformation_n of_o we_o do_v we_o swear_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o man_n but_o to_o what_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n witness_v that_o clause_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 1._o art_n 1._o so_o that_o upon_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o josiah_n and_o the_o people_n in_o nehimiah_n swear_v to_o namely_o what_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o statute_n and_o law_n which_o christ_n have_v leave_v in_o his_o word_n concern_v the_o regiment_n of_o his_o church_n four_o nay_o not_o so_o much_o for_o we_o be_v not_o yet_o call_v to_o swear_v the_o observation_n of_o any_o kind_n of_o government_n that_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v present_v to_o we_o but_o to_o endeavour_v the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o faithful_a and_o impartial_a and_o search_v and_o pursuit_n whereof_o if_o scotland_n or_o any_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n can_v hold_v we_o forth_o any_o clear_a light_n than_o our_o own_o we_o receive_v it_o not_o as_o our_o rule_n but_o as_o such_o a_o help_n to_o expound_v our_o rule_n as_o christ_n himself_o have_v allow_v we_o cant._n 1.7_o 8._o 2_o cor._n 11.16_o phil._n 4.8_o 1_o thâ—s_n 1.7_o 8._o in_o which_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o kiss_v not_o the_o lip_n only_o but_o the_o very_a foot_n of_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o zion_n 52.7_o isa_n 52.7_o so_o that_o still_o it_o be_v not_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n that_o we_o covenant_n to_o listen_v to_o in_o this_o pursuit_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o we_o will_v follow_v they_o as_o they_o follow_v christ_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v and_o a_o reformation_n through_o the_o assistance_n and_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o great_a king_n and_o prophet_n of_o his_o church_n resolve_v on_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n thus_o interpret_v under_o what_o notion_n or_o obligation_n the_o observation_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v commend_v to_o we_o sub_fw-la judice_fw-la lie_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o bosom_n and_o breast_n of_o authority_n we_o be_v as_o yet_o call_v to_o swear_v to_o nothing_o in_o this_o kind_n so_o much_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o instance_n answ_n 3_o i_o answer_v further_o to_o the_o satisfy_n of_o this_o second_o doubt_n that_o by_o this_o covenant_n we_o be_v bind_v no_o more_o to_o conform_v to_o scotland_n than_o scotland_n to_o we_o the_o astipulation_n be_v mutual_a and_o this_o astipulation_n bind_v we_o not_o so_o much_o to_o conform_v one_o to_o another_o as_o both_o of_o we_o to_o the_o word_n wherein_o if_o we_o can_v meet_v who_o will_v not_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o upon_o the_o precious_a fruit_n of_o christ_n prayer_n joh._n 17.20_o 21._o that_o they_o may_v be_v one_o as_o we_o be_v on_o and_o the_o beauty_n and_o safety_n of_o both_o nation_n and_o of_o as_o many_o of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n shall_v persuade_v to_o come_v into_o this_o holy_a and_o bless_a association_n obj._n 3_o a_o three_o objection_n fall_v upon_o the_o second_o article_n or_o branch_n of_o this_o covenant_n gospel_n we_o swear_v â—â—extâ—pâ—tâ—_n that_o wâ—â—ch_n may_v be_v the_o goveâ—â—nment_n of_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o it_o be_v fear_v by_o some_o that_o we_o swear_v to_o extirpate_v that_o which_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v upon_o due_a inquiry_n may_v be_v find_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n the_o way_n of_o evangelicall_n government_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v set_v up_o in_o the_o church_n answ_n where_o lie_v that_o think_v you_o in_o what_o clause_n or_o word_n of_o the_o article_n who_o can_v tell_v sure_o not_o in_o popery_n or_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o think_v that_o the_o way_n i_o can_v wish_v their_o person_n in_o rome_n since_o their_o heart_n be_v there_o already_o be_v it_o in_o superstition_n nay_o superstition_n proper_o consist_v in_o will-worship_n teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o tradition_n of_o man_n this_o can_v be_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n which_o christ_n have_v chalk_v out_o to_o we_o in_o his_o word_n no_o more_o can_v heresy_n which_o be_v the_o opposition_n to_o sound_v doctrine_n nor_o schism_n which_o be_v the_o rent_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n nor_o profaneness_n the_o poison_n of_o her_o conversation_n none_o but_o superstitious_a heretic_n schismatic_n profane_a person_n will_v call_v these_o the_o way_n to_o zion_n nor_o these_o neither_o under_o the_o name_n and_o notion_n of_o superstition_n heresy_n schism_n profaneness_n for_o the_o heretic_n will_v not_o call_v his_o doctrine_n heresy_n nor_o the_o superstitious_a his_o inovation_n superstition_n nor_o the_o schismatic_a his_o turbulent_a practice_n schism_n nor_o last_o the_o profane_a person_n his_o lewdness_n profaneness_n though_o they_o love_v the_o thing_n they_o hate_v the_o name_n and_o this_o before_o we_o go_v further_o occasion_n another_o objection_n which_o you_o must_v give_v i_o leave_v both_o to_o make_v and_o answer_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n and_o then_o i_o will_v return_v object_n object_n how_o then_o can_v we_o swear_v the_o extirpation_n of_o these_o since_o who_o shall_v be_v judge_n etc._n who_o shall_v judge_v what_o be_v heresy_n etc._n etc._n while_o some_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o call_v that_o schism_n and_o superstition_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v not_o and_o other_o deny_v that_o to_o be_v heresy_n superstition_n schism_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v ans_fw-fr 1._o by_o the_o same_o argument_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o covenant_n against_o popery_n and_o drunkenness_n sabbath-breaking_a nor_o any_o other_o sin_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o gross_a but_o it_o will_v find_v some_o friend_n to_o justify_v and_o plead_v for_o it_o which_o if_o we_o shall_v not_o condemn_v till_o all_o party_n be_v agree_v on_o the_o verdict_n we_o shall_v never_o proceed_v to_o judgement_n while_o the_o world_n stand_v 2._o the_o word_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n and_o the_o judge_n say_v man_n what_o they_o please_v pro_fw-la or_o con_v 3._o and_o if_o the_o matter_n be_v indeed_o so_o disputable_a that_o it_o lie_v not_o in_o my_o faculty_n to_o pronounce_v sentence_n i_o have_v my_o dispensation_n to_o suspend_v till_o the_o word_n determine_v the_o controversy_n i_o now_o return_v if_o then_o in_o none_o of_o these_o the_o doubt_n must_v of_o necessity_n lie_v in_o that_o word_n prelacy_n and_o be_v that_o indeed_o the_o thâ—-way_n of_o gospel-government_n be_v that_o it_o indeed_o which_o bear_v away_o the_o bell_n of_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la what_o be_v it_o then_o that_o have_v destroy_v all_o gospel_n order_n and_o government_n and_o worship_n in_o these_o kingdom_n as_o in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n even_o down_o to_o the_o ground_n have_v it_o not_o be_v prelacy_n what_o be_v it_o that_o have_v take_v down_o a_o teach_a ministry_n and_o set_v up_o in_o the_o room_n a_o teach_a ceremony_n be_v it_o not_o prelacy_n what_o be_v it_o that_o have_v silence_v suspend_v imprison_v deprive_v banish_a to_o many_o godly_a learned_a able_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n yea_o and_o kill_v some_o of_o they_o with_o their_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n and_o thrust_v into_o their_o place_n idol_n idle_n shepherd_n dumb_a dog_n that_o can_v bark_v unless_o it_o be_v at_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n so_o they_o learn_v of_o their_o master_n both_o to_o bark_v and_o bite_v too_o greedy_a dog_n that_o can_v never_o have_v enough_o that_o do_v tear_v out_o the_o loin_n and_o bowel_n of_o their_o own_o people_n for_o gain_v heap_v live_v upon_o live_v preferment_n upon_o preferment_n swear_v drunken_a unclean_a priest_n that_o teach_v nothing_o but_o rebellion_n in_o israel_n and_o cause_v people_n to_o abhor_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o lord_n arminian_n popish_a idolatrous_a vile_a wretch_n such_o as_o have_v job_n be_v alive_a he_o will_v not_o have_v set_v with_o the_o dog_n of_o his_o flock_n who_o i_o say_v bring_v in_o these_o do_v not_o prelacy_n what_o have_v hinder_v the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n all_o this_o while_n in_o doctrine_n government_n and_o worship_n prâ—laâ—y_o a_o generation_n of_o man_n they_o be_v that_o never_o have_v a_o vote_n for_o jesus_n christ_n yea_o what_o have_v poison_v and_o adulterate_a religion_n in_o all_o these_o branch_n
their_o burdâ—n_n to_o renew_v it_o again_o and_o to_o make_v it_o more_o full_a stâ—â—le_n and_o impregnable_a then_o ever_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forgartâ—a_fw-mi which_o hint_n a_o 3._o answ_n and_o that_o be_v there_o be_v never_o yet_o so_o full_a and_o strict_a a_o covenant_n tender_v to_o we_o since_o we_o be_v a_o people_n former_a covenant_n have_v have_v their_o defect_n and_o fail_n like_o the_o best_a of_o god_n people_n but_o i_o may_v say_v of_o this_o in_o reference_n to_o other_o covenant_n as_o solomon_n of_o his_o good_a housewife_n in_o reference_n to_o other_o woman_n other_o daughter_n have_v do_v well_o but_o thou_o best_o exceed_v thâ—m_o all_o other_o covenant_n have_v do_v well_o but_o this_o have_v excee_v they_o all_o hâ—e_v paul_n among_o the_o apostle_n it_o go_v beyond_o they_o all_o though_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v bâ—rne_v out_o of_o duc_fw-fr time_n now_o if_o your_o lâ—sâ—s_n and_o covenant_n among_o man_n be_v either_o 〈◊〉_d or_o forâ—â—ited_v need_v man_n persuade_v you_o to_o have_v they_o renew_v and_o perfect_v of_o how_o much_o great_a concermnent_n be_v this_o between_o god_n and_o we_o oh_o you_o of_o little_a faith_n 4_o you_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n once_o a_o 〈◊〉_d and_o some_o will_v not_o be_v â—â—pt_v off_o though_o they_o have_v no_o pâ—rt_n nor_o portion_n in_o that_o mystery_n say_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n what_o they_o can_v and_o the_o sacrament_n be_v but_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n consider_v it_o and_o be_v convincâ—â—d_v but_o second_o it_o be_v object_v 〈…〉_o oâ—_n 2._o we_o â—â—â—â—at_a 〈…〉_o there_o be_v some_o clause_n in_o this_o covenant_n that_o serve_v rather_o to_o 〈◊〉_d we_o further_o from_o god_n thâ—n_a prâ—â—_n we_o neâ—râ—r_n to_o vint_fw-fr as_o bind_v we_o to_o inquire_v the_o way_n to_o zion_n of_o man_n rather_o than_o of_o god_n to_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o reform_v then_o from_o sâ—otland_n aâ—d_v other_o 〈◊〉_d and_o not_o from_o the_o lip_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d prophâ—t_v of_o the_o church_n 〈…〉_o in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d we_o swâ—â—r_v first_o to_o â—â—â—ntain_v the_o relight_n as_o it_o be_v already_o 〈…〉_o in_o doctrine_n goâ—â—â—â—mâ—â—â—_n and_o 〈…〉_o when_o in_o fiul_a the_o mest_z shall_v sweat_v they_o know_v not_o what_o and_o seconâ—ly_o we_o swear_v to_o conserm_v ourselves_o 〈…〉_o england_n to_o their_o 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d in_o scotland_n which_o be_v presbyterial_a and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v as_o much_o tyrannical_a and_o more_o antichristian_a then_o that_o of_o prelacy_n which_o we_o swear_v to_o extirpate_v yea_o some_o have_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o call_v it_o the_o antichrist_n that_o be_v now_o in_o the_o world_n answ_n 1._o to_o who_o i_o first_o answer_n beseech_v they_o in_o the_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n and_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n to_o take_v heed_n of_o such_o rash_a and_o unchristian_a censure_n lest_o god_n hear_v and_o it_o displease_v he_o and_o they_o themselves_o possible_o be_v find_v to_o commit_v the_o sin_n 20._o isai_n 5_o 20._o and_o incur_v the_o woe_n of_o they_o that_o call_v evil_a good_a and_o good_a evil_n second_o whereas_o they_o object_v that_o many_o shall_v swear_v to_o they_o know_v not_o what_o the_o most_o be_v total_o ignorant_a of_o the_o discipline_n of_o scotland_n and_o very_o few_o understanding_n it_o distinct_o i_o will_v have_v these_o remember_v and_o consider_v two_o example_n in_o scripture_n the_o one_o of_o king_n josiah_n 10.28_o josiah_n 2._o instance_n 2_o chro._n 34_o 30_o 3â—_n 32._o nehe._n 10.28_o the_o other_o of_o the_o woman_n and_o child_n in_o nehemiahs_n time_n josiah_n as_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o not_o be_v above_o eight_o year_n of_o age_n as_o verse_n 3._o while_o he_o be_v yet_o young_a begin_v to_o seek_v after_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o david_n his_o father_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o year_n he_o begin_v to_o purge_v judah_n and_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o purge_n and_o reformation_n he_o do_v by_o covenant_n wherein_o he_o swear_v to_o walk_v after_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o his_o testimony_n and_o his_o statute_n which_o sure_o at_o that_o age_n we_o can_v conceive_v he_o do_v distinct_o and_o universal_o understand_v no_o more_o can_v all_o the_o man_n their_o wife_n and_o their_o son_n and_o their_o daughter_n that_o take_v the_o covenant_n in_o nehemiahs_n time_n understand_v all_o thing_n inparticular_a to_o which_o that_o covenant_n do_v bind_v they_o since_o they_o do_v enter_v into_o a_o gurse_n and_o a_o oath_n not_o only_o to_o refuse_v all_o intermarriage_n with_o the_o heathen_a as_o verse_n 30._o but_o also_o to_o walk_v in_o god_n law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o moses_n and_o to_o observe_v and_o do_v all_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o judgement_n and_o his_o statute_n sure_o there_o be_v in_o this_o multitude_n not_o a_o inconsiderable_a number_n that_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o moral_a precept_n judicial_a law_n and_o ceremonial_a statute_n which_o god_n command_v the_o people_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n instance_n moses_n 2._o objection_n against_o these_o instance_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n i_o know_v that_o may_v be_v reply_v against_o these_o instance_n 1._o that_o of_o those_o woman_n and_o child_n in_o nehemiah_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o same_o place_n they_o be_v of_o understanding_n verse_n 28._o every_o one_o have_v knowledge_n and_o have_v understanding_n verse_n 29._o they_o 〈◊〉_d unto_o their_o brethren_n their_o noble_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o curse_n etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o statute_n to_o which_o they_o swear_v and_o this_o government_n and_o disciplâ—â—_n to_o which_o we_o swear_v in_o this_o covenant_n those_o law_n and_o statute_n be_v ordain_v immediate_o of_o god_n himself_o and_o therefore_o be_v insallible_o right_a unquestionable_o holy_a and_o just_a and_o good_a jâ—siah_n and_o the_o people_n may_v lawful_o swear_v observance_n to_o they_o with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n but_o not_o so_o in_o a_o government_n and_o dâ—â—â—â—â—pline_n set_v up_o by_o man_n by_o a_o church_n be_v it_o never_o so_o pure_a and_o holy_a for_o their_o light_n be_v but_o a_o borrow_a light_n and_o they_o not_o privilege_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n as_o the_o apostle_n their_o resolation_n and_o ordinance_n may_v be_v liable_a to_o mistake_v and_o error_n and_o therefore_o to_o swear_v observance_n to_o they_o by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n be_v more_o than_o come_v to_o their_o share_n and_o as_o unwarrantable_a as_o it_o be_v unsafe_a for_o a_o people_n or_o person_n to_o do_v who_o be_v yet_o ignorant_a or_o unsatisfied_a in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o any_o particular_a to_o these_o objection_n i_o rejoin_v oâ—â—ectiâ—â—_n answer_v to_o these_o oâ—â—ectiâ—â—_n first_o that_o that_o description_n of_o the_o covenanter_n in_o nehemiah_n that_o they_o be_v of_o understanding_n and_o knowledge_n suppose_v not_o a_o distinct_a actual_a cognizance_n of_o every_o particular_a ordinance_n judgement_n statute_n and_o provision_n in_o all_o the_o three_o law_n moral_a judicial_a ceremonial_a in_o every_o one_o that_o take_v the_o covenant_n that_o be_v not_o only_o needless_a but_o impossible_a but_o it_o imply_v only_o a_o capacity_n to_o receive_v instruction_n and_o information_n in_o the_o thing_n they_o swear_v unto_o though_o at_o present_a they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o many_o of_o the_o severall_n contain_v in_o that_o oath_n and_o so_o far_o this_o rule_n obtain_v among_o we_o child_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o come_v to_o understanding_n and_o fool_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o this_o service_n as_o not_o capable_a of_o instruction_n ans_fw-fr 2_o to_o the_o second_o though_o more_o considerable_a yet_o the_o answer_n be_v not_o very_o difficult_a for_o first_o we_o do_v not_o swear_v to_o observe_v that_o discipline_n but_o to_o preserve_v it_o i_o may_v preserve_v that_o which_o in_o point_n of_o conscience_n i_o can_v observe_v or_o not_o at_o least_o swear_v to_o observe_v second_o we_o swear_v to_o preserve_v it_o not_o in_o opposition_n to_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n that_o may_v be_v find_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n but_o in_o opposition_n against_o a_o common_a enemy_n which_o be_v a_o clause_n of_o so_o wide_a a_o latitude_n and_o easy_a a_o digestion_n as_o the_o tender_a conscience_n need_v not_o kick_v at_o it_o this_o preservation_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o the_o government_n as_o to_o the_o person_n or_o nation_n under_o this_o government_n not_o so_o much_o to_o preserve_v it_o as_o to_o preserve_v they_o in_o it_o against_o a_o prelatical_a party_n at_o home_n or_o a_o popish_a party_n abroad_o that_o shall_v attempt_v by_o violence_n to_o destroy_v they_o or_o to_o force_v another_o government_n upon_o they_o that_o shall_v