print_a record_n they_o declare_v that_o in_o their_o undertake_n they_o shall_v prefer_v no_o earthly_a consideration_n to_o their_o dutâ—…es_n for_o preserve_v of_o religion_n in_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worshipe_n discipline_n &_o government_n as_o it_o be_v already_o establish_v &_o to_o endeawour_v to_o settle_v it_o in_o england_n &_o ireland_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n &_o also_o in_o their_o answer_n to_o some_o committee_n of_o shire_n they_o declare_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o before_o their_o eye_n in_o that_o undertake_n but_o the_o preservation_n &_o good_a of_o religion_n &_o the_o endeavour_v the_o settle_n of_o it_o in_o england_n &_o ireland_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o first_o place_n &_o before_o all_o worldly_a respect_n &_o his_o maj._n rescue_n from_o â—…his_n base_a imprisonment_n his_o re-establishment_n upon_o his_o throne_n in_o all_o his_o just_a power_n the_o saiftie_a of_o this_o kingdom_n from_o danger_n on_o all_o hand_n &_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o union_n &_o brotherly_a correspondence_n betwixt_o the_o kingdom_n under_o the_o government_n of_o his_o maj._n &_o of_o his_o royal_a posterity_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n so_o that_o the_o gentleman_n the_o author_n of_o this_o pamphlet_n publish_v his_o mistake_n to_o the_o world_n when_o he_o will_v infer_v thus_o be_v this_o right_n that_o where_o our_o allegiance_n bind_v we_o to_o duty_n to_o a_o great_a latitude_n this_o shall_v be_v hold_v out_o to_o people_n as_o the_o only_a standard_n of_o their_o loyal_o &_o duty_n to_o the_o king_n be_v it_o find_v doctrine_n to_o insinuat_fw-la to_o the_o sense_n of_o intelligent_a man_n that_o we_o be_v not_o otherwise_o bind_v to_o defend_v he_o be_v it_o well_o by_o such_o a_o clause_n to_o give_v occasion_n to_o wicked_a man_n to_o think_v they_o be_v no_o further_a oblige_v to_o he_o then_o he_o shall_v descend_v that_o which_o they_o account_v religion_n and_o that_o the_o folly_n of_o 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who_o sometime_o can_v not_o only_o have_v be_v a_o member_n but_o a_o precedent_n of_o any_o judicatory_a in_o europe_n &_o have_v speak_v for_o the_o cause_n &_o interest_n of_o christ_n before_o king_n to_o the_o stop_n of_o the_o mouth_n of_o gainsayer_n he_o be_v triumph_v over_o particular_o by_o the_o archprelat_n sharp_a who_o then_o with_o the_o black_a crew_n of_o his_o false_a brotherhood_n do_v sit_v in_o parliament_n as_o constitute_v the_o three_o estate_n and_o be_v condemn_v to_o die_v in_o the_o manner_n abovemention_v so_o that_o that_o parliament_n which_o be_v consecrate_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o two_o noble_a witness_n in_o the_o entry_n be_v shut_v up_o and_o close_v with_o the_o blood_n &_o death_n of_o this_o worthy_a witness_n but_o which_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v with_o admiration_n behold_v this_o half_a dead_a man_n when_o the_o day_n of_o his_o death_n come_v have_v a_o wonderful_a revive_n &_o be_v beyond_o the_o expectation_n of_o all_o gracious_o 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explaine_v confirm_v &_o vindicate_v of_o any_o or_o all_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o purpose_n here_o speak_v to_o after_o full_a information_n have_v in_o those_o particular_n till_o then_o let_v the_o reader_n rest_v satisfy_v with_o the_o hint_n that_o be_v give_v here_o &_o in_o the_o follow_a sheet_n of_o the_o case_n &_o carriage_n of_o those_o worthy_n &_o pardon_v what_o be_v speak_v short_a &_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o worth_n as_o to_o those_o who_o have_v appear_v before_o the_o high_a commission_n court_n induce_v thereto_o by_o the_o evil_a counsel_n of_o some_o other_o or_o the_o not_o thorough_a &_o narrow_a examination_n of_o the_o complex-case_n as_o circumstantiate_v or_o be_v otherways_o circumvent_v and_o be_v now_o suffer_v upon_o some_o other_o account_n wherein_o they_o find_v more_o clearness_n &_o satisfaction_n and_o as_o to_o other_o also_o who_o have_v not_o full_o see_v the_o evil_a of_o some_o thing_n which_o in_o the_o follow_a debate_n be_v clear_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v sinful_a &_o yet_o as_o to_o other_o particular_n be_v endeavour_v to_o keep_v their_o former_a integrity_n &_o to_o guaird_a against_o compliance_n let_v none_o of_o those_o think_v that_o any_o thing_n here_o be_v say_v intentional_o to_o put_v they_o to_o shame_n or_o to_o proclaim_v before_o the_o world_n their_o weakness_n &_o defection_n or_o to_o make_v glad_a the_o heart_n of_o the_o wicked_a for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o other_o way_n for_o vindicate_v such_o as_o do_v suffer_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o particular_n and_o for_o prevent_v the_o fall_n of_o other_o into_o the_o same_o snare_n this_o way_n have_v never_o be_v make_v choice_n of_o &_o therefore_o see_v nothing_o be_v say_v upon_o any_o sinful_a or_o sinister_a design_n these_o brethren_n &_o christian_n will_v take_v this_o smite_v as_o a_o kindness_n &_o these_o reproof_n as_o a_o excellent_a oil_n that_o will_v not_o break_v the_o head_n they_o will_v not_o take_v in_o evil_a part_n the_o discovery_n here_o make_v they_o be_v of_o another_o spiâ—…it_n then_o to_o be_v embitter_v at_o such_o free_a &_o full_o â—…iping_v up_o of_o the_o evil_n of_o the_o course_n which_o many_o in_o this_o houâ—…e_n of_o darkness_n do_v follow_v yea_o it_o can_v but_o be_v hope_v &_o certain_o expect_v that_o such_o as_o true_o fear_v the_o lord_n will_v bless_v his_o name_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n for_o such_o thing_n make_v know_v to_o they_o that_o in_o time_n they_o may_v repent_v of_o the_o same_o &_o see_v cause_n of_o wonder_v at_o his_o goodness_n &_o mercy_n in_o not_o leave_v they_o to_o themselves_o in_o other_o particular_n of_o trial_n notwithstanding_o of_o their_o sail_v of_o duty_n in_o that_o their_o begin_a trial_n and_o who_o know_v but_o serious_a mourning_n and_o repent_v before_o the_o lord_n for_o faint_v so_o far_o will_v open_v a_o door_n for_o a_o great_a income_n of_o joy_n and_o consolation_n to_o the_o sweeten_v of_o the_o bitterness_n of_o suffering_n &_o to_o the_o strengthen_n and_o bear_v up_o of_o their_o soul_n under_o their_o mighty_a pressure_n so_o than_o the_o design_n both_o operantis_fw-la &_o operis_fw-la be_v good_a let_v no_o tender_a christian_n be_v displease_v with_o the_o way_n of_o the_o prosâ—…cution_n of_o these_o particular_n or_o think_v that_o there_o be_v too_o much_o sharpness_n use_v &_o that_o the_o consequence_n be_v draw_v too_o straight_o for_o if_o in_o the_o particular_n themselves_o truth_n be_v maintain_v as_o may_v be_v suppose_v will_v be_v grant_v the_o argument_n make_v use_v of_o can_v give_v no_o just_a offence_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o covenant_n which_o now_o be_v trample_v upon_o by_o this_o sinful_a &_o backslide_a generation_n upon_o which_o many_o otherwise_o not_o ill_o mind_v think_v not_o much_o especial_o now_o when_o it_o be_v reckon_v a_o crime_n once_o to_o name_v they_o as_o stand_v in_o force_n &_o oblige_v the_o land_n and_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o these_o who_o carry_v on_o with_o violence_n this_o woeful_a course_n of_o defection_n be_v so_o enrage_v at_o the_o same_o that_o they_o can_v endure_v to_o hear_v a_o covenant_n so_o much_o as_o name_v though_o it_o be_v even_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n this_o however_o incredibleiâ—…_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v &_o will_v hardly_o be_v receive_v by_o a_o christian_a ear_n be_v a_o well_o know_v truth_n now_o at_o such_o a_o time_n to_o put_v people_n in_o mind_n of_o their_o engagement_n unto_o god_n &_o to_o discover_v how_o such_o &_o such_o practice_n be_v contrary_a to_o their_o covenant_n obligation_n &_o vow_n can_v just_o be_v condemn_v but_o approve_v of_o all_o who_o desire_v to_o stand_v fast_o in_o this_o hour_n of_o temptation_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n the_o particular_n here_o assert_v shall_v meet_v with_o much_o contradiction_n from_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n who_o principle_n will_v lead_v they_o to_o oppose_v what_o here_o be_v speak_v in_o vindication_n of_o truth_n &_o of_o the_o honest_a sufferer_n of_o christ_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n it_o may_v be_v expect_v that_o the_o same_o honour_n shall_v be_v do_v to_o this_o which_o have_v be_v do_v to_o other_o more_o worthy_a piece_n viz._n that_o it_o shall_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o fire_n there_o to_o receive_v a_o quick_a dispatch_n &_o answer_v which_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o book_n that_o it_o will_v render_v it_o much_o more_o desirable_a &_o confirm_v the_o weak_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o particular_n here_o speak_v to_o &_o of_o the_o unanswerableness_n of_o the_o argument_n here_o make_v use_n of_o &_o so_o the_o author_n expectation_n shall_v be_v full_o answer_v but_o if_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o the_o justice_n to_o commit_v it_o to_o examiner_n one_o or_o moâ—…_n who_o with_o sobriety_n &_o moderation_n shall_v publish_v their_o exception_n to_o the_o contrary_a &_o shall_v examine_v these_o paper_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n right_a reason_n &_o the_o fundamental_a &_o municipal_a law_n of_o scotland_n the_o particular_n here_o speak_v to_o shall_v be_v revindicate_v the_o lord_n grant_v life_n strength_n &_o liberty_n from_o all_o their_o exception_n only_o let_v not_o such_o as_o undertake_v this_o task_n improve_v the_o advantage_n of_o authority_n now_o on_o their_o side_n so_o far_o as_o to_o do_v nothing_o but_o rail_v at_o random_n &_o stuff_v their_o reply_n with_o unbeseeming_a to_o say_v no_o worse_o and_o unchristian_a expression_n &_o outcry_n of_o treason_n treason_n for_o in_o that_o case_n it_o will_v be_v think_v expedient_a not_o to_o answer_v such_o in_o their_o folly_n a_o good_a cause_n be_v a_o mighty_a second_o to_o a_o weak_a man_n and_o so_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o cause_n be_v
be_v base_a ezek._n 17_o 14._o &_o yet_o be_v take_v it_o must_v be_v keep_v so_o then_o his_o second_o case_n will_v not_o make_v much_o for_o he_o the_o three_o be_v in_o short_a this_o when_o it_o hinder_v a_o great_a good_a if_o the_o stand_n to_o it_o be_v find_v impeditive_a of_o a_o great_a good_a to_o which_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o a_o prior_n obligation_n than_o the_o oath_n cease_v to_o bind_v &_o so_o be_v it_o here_o for_o suppon_v the_o indifferency_n of_o episcopacy_n by_o adhere_v to_o the_o oath_n we_o hinder_v our_o own_o obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o thing_n not_o against_o god_n law_n unto_o which_o we_o be_v preobliged_n as_o also_o it_o hinder_v the_o great_a duty_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n unto_o which_o minister_n be_v bind_v before_o the_o take_n of_o covenant_n ans_fw-fr 1._o this_o man_n will_v disput_n strong_o if_o he_o have_v his_o will_n and_o if_o man_n will_v yield_v he_o all_o which_o he_o demand_v he_o will_v fight_v wonderful_o grant_v he_o once_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a &_o you_o see_v how_o he_o will_v disput_n to_o admiration_n for_o the_o loose_v of_o all_o covenant_n but_o iâ—…_n that_o be_v not_o yield_v what_o will_v he_o do_v then_o he_o have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v for_o all_o his_o argument_n run_v on_o this_o supposition_n &_o when_o this_o ground_n fail_v all_o be_v wrong_a with_o he_o but_o to_o discover_v his_o weakness_n yet_o more_o let_v this_o once_o again_o be_v grant_v &_o let_v it_o be_v suppon_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o against_o god_n law_n yet_o it_o be_v ans._n 2._o if_o this_o ground_n hold_v good_a man_n shall_v have_v a_o door_n open_v for_o loose_v of_o 〈◊〉_d from_o all_o their_o oath_n &_o vow_n himself_o conâ—…esseth_v that_o by_o this_o mean_n a_o wide_a gap_n may_v be_v open_v to_o all_o perjury_n &_o what_o course_n take_v he_o to_o prevent_v this_o do_v he_o limit_v 〈◊〉_d this_o position_n in_o any_o thing_n no_o not_o to_o all_o for_o all_o this_o hazard_n which_o he_o can_v but_o see_v may_v not_o any_o at_o their_o pleasure_n loose_v themselves_o from_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n by_o allege_v that_o the_o keep_n thereof_o do_v hinder_v a_o great_a good_a to_o which_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o a_o prior_n obligation_n viz._n the_o liberate_v &_o free_v of_o the_o country_n from_o oppression_n &_o tyranny_n 3._o have_v not_o joshua_n more_o to_o say_v for_o loose_v of_o his_o oath_n see_v the_o keep_n of_o the_o oath_n make_v to_o the_o â—…ibeonits_n do_v hinder_a obedien_fw-mi ce_fw-fr unto_o a_o particular_a command_n which_o god_n have_v give_v unto_o his_o people_n &_o yet_o god_n will_v dispense_v with_o that_o particular_a command_n in_o this_o case_n when_o it_o can_v not_o be_v obey_v without_o perjury_n which_o be_v direct_o against_o the_o law_n &_o light_n of_o nature_n &_o when_o the_o obey_v thereof_o will_v have_v give_v the_o heathen_n great_a occasion_n of_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n though_o he_o will_v not_o dispense_v with_o the_o breach_n of_o any_o moral_a law_n upon_o that_o account_n 4._o have_v not_o zedekiaâ—…_n as_o much_o to_o say_v for_o the_o loose_v of_o himself_o from_o his_o oath_n viz._n that_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o oath_n do_v hinder_v he_o from_o perform_v that_o duty_n to_o his_o kingdom_n &_o country_n unto_o which_o he_o be_v preobliged_n '_o but_o this_o new_a coin_a divinity_n be_v not_o of_o force_n in_o those_o day_n &_o his_o bare_a word_n will_v not_o make_v it_o pass_v now_o with_o tender_a conscience_n 5._o what_o be_v the_o great_a good_a which_o it_o will_v hinder_v it_o will_v hinder_v as_o he_o think_v their_o obedience_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n but_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o obey_v the_o magistrate_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v indifferent_a do_v every_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n bind_v the_o conscience_n subjection_n it_o be_v true_a be_v necessary_a but_o not_o obedience_n active_a &_o subjection_n may_v consist_v with_o obedience_n passive_a that_o be_v in_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n when_o active_a obedience_n can_v be_v give_v to_o the_o command_n passive_a obedience_n be_v consistent_a with_o the_o public_a peace_n &_o do_v no_o way_n hurt_v the_o majesty_n honour_n or_o credit_n of_o the_o ruler_n so_o that_o though_o stand_v to_o this_o oath_n may_v now_o hinder_v active_a obedience_n unto_o that_o command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n enjoin_v a_o countenance_v of_o &_o a_o concur_v with_o the_o abjure_a prelacy_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o hinder_v subjection_n or_o passive_a obedience_n &_o this_o be_v all_o which_o in_o those_o positive_a indifferent_a thing_n they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v oblige_v unto_o unless_o he_o will_v say_v which_o yet_o he_o dare_v not_o that_o the_o prelacy_n which_o be_v abjure_v be_v a_o government_n command_v of_o god_n to_o be_v perpetual_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n 6._o it_o will_v be_v consider_v also_o that_o their_o stand_n to_o this_o oath_n do_v no_o way_n hinder_v their_o obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o any_o thing_n command_v of_o god_n or_o in_o any_o indifferent_a positive_a thing_n save_v in_o this_o one_o particular_a if_o so_o be_v this_o must_v go_v under_o that_o name_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n &_o then_o the_o true_a question_n be_v not_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o great_a good_a to_o disobey_v magistrate_n then_o to_o keep_v a_o oath_n but_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o great_a good_a to_o obey_v the_o magist._n in_o this_o one_o particular_a of_o imorace_v that_o prelacy_n which_o be_v abjure_v or_o to_o stand_v to_o the_o oath_n and_o that_o will_v come_v to_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o great_a good_a for_o church_n or_o common_a wealth_n to_o have_v prelate_n then_o to_o want_v they_o &_o if_o this_o advocate_n will_v make_v this_o the_o question_n there_o will_v be_v some_o find_v who_o shall_v willing_o undertake_v the_o disput_n but_o if_o what_o be_v past_a &_o what_o be_v present_a be_v call_v in_o to_o give_v judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n the_o question_n will_v quick_o be_v decide_v yea_o &_o appear_v to_o indifferent_a beholder_n to_o be_v already_o determine_v if_o the_o persecution_n of_o godly_a faithful_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o the_o lay_n of_o countreyside_n waste_v &_o desolate_a if_o the_o feed_n of_o people_n with_o wind_n &_o lie_n if_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o atheism_n arminianism_n popery_n ignorance_n &_o profanity_n of_o all_o sort_n if_o the_o persecute_v of_o the_o godly_a &_o of_o godliness_n if_o the_o hinder_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n &_o christian_a duty_n &_o the_o like_a may_v have_v any_o weight_n in_o cast_v the_o scale_n 7._o as_o for_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o minister_n to_o be_v minde_v that_o but_o god_n have_v need_n of_o no_o man_n sin_n to_o work_v his_o work_n he_o call_v no_o man_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n by_o the_o way_n of_o perjury_n yea_o their_o suffering_n now_o for_o truth_n tend_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o phil_n 1_o 12._o &_o be_v much_o more_o edify_a than_o all_o their_o preach_v can_v be_v after_o they_o have_v proclaim_v their_o perjury_n unto_o the_o will_v 2._o who_o fault_n be_v it_o that_o minister_n can_v have_v liberty_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v their_o keep_n of_o the_o oath_n the_o thing_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o way_n be_v there_o no_o other_o way_n for_o one_o to_o have_v liberty_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o by_o break_v his_o oath_n what_o influence_n have_v the_o conscientious_a observe_v of_o the_o oath_n upon_o non-preaching_a what_o if_o that_o iniquity_n which_o be_v establish_v for_o a_o law_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n will_v there_o not_o be_v preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n notwithstanding_o of_o a_o conscientious_a observation_n of_o the_o oath_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n of_o this_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o oath_n which_o hinder_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n otherways_o it_o will_v always_o have_v do_v it_o &_o will_v always_o do_v it_o which_o be_v false_a but_o some_o other_o thing_n &_o now_o let_v the_o blame_v of_o not_o preach_v the_o gospel_n lie_v where_o it_o shall_v lie_v for_o there_o it_o will_v lie_v whether_o he_o will_v or_o not_o yea_o the_o conscientious_a observation_n of_o this_o oath_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lie_v in_o the_o way_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o breach_n of_o the_o oath_n do_v incapacitate_v a_o man_n for_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n both_o before_o god_n &_o man_n perjury_n be_v no_o qualification_n of_o a_o minister_n before_o the_o lord_n &_o who_o can_v
covenant_n and_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v no_o way_n secure_v it_o not_o be_v once_o name_v but_o wrap_v up_o in_o general_a under_o the_o reformation_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n &_o government_n unto_o which_o independent_o &_o separatist_n may_v assent_v purpose_v to_o preserve_v the_o same_o against_o the_o common_a enemy_n yea_o even_o such_o as_o enter_v into_o the_o covenant_n can_v not_o agree_v in_o its_o sense_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o parliament_n of_o england_n baffle_v the_o scottish_a commissioner_n declaration_n anno_fw-la 1647._o &_o other_o paper_n ans._n 1._o to_o say_v that_o the_o covenant_n be_v purposely_o frame_v in_o general_a term_n that_o several_a party_n may_v be_v fast_o unite_v against_o prelacy_n be_v a_o base_a &_o slanderous_a imputation_n but_o suit_v he_o well_o who_o plead_v for_o such_o a_o cause_n if_o the_o covenant_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v thus_o conceive_v in_o general_a &_o ambiguous_a term_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o he_o produce_v not_o instance_n thereof_o no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o be_v it_o not_o as_o clear_v as_o the_o sun_n shine_v at_o noon_n day_n that_o the_o reform_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n at_o that_o time_n be_v presbyterial_a and_o do_v not_o himself_o say_v a_o little_a before_o that_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o such_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotl._n as_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o second_o article_n of_o the_o league_n &_o covenant_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v that_o several_a sect_n do_v lurk_v under_o the_o lap_n thereof_o do_v â—…he_n think_v this_o a_o cogent_a argument_n to_o prove_v its_o ambiguity_n what_o sect_n be_v it_o which_o do_v not_o plead_v scripture_n shall_v scripture_n therefore_o be_v account_v ambiguous_a 〈◊〉_d no_o not_o at_o all_o let_v man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n &_o principle_n wrest_v word_n in_o the_o covenant_n as_o they_o please_v the_o covenant_n to_o any_o who_o shall_v read_v it_o be_v plain_a &_o clear_a enough_o &_o he_o who_o will_v wink_v may_v wander_v at_o noon_n day_n let_v man_n imagine_v &_o put_v what_o gloss_n they_o will_v on_o scripture_n it_o be_v plain_a &_o have_v but_o one_o sense_n but_o what_o will_v all_o this_o make_v to_o the_o business_n will_v the_o obligation_n of_o a_o covenant_n in_o which_o some_o man_n think_v there_o lie_v some_o ambiguity_n be_v loose_v upon_o that_o account_n this_o must_v be_v prove_v ere_o it_o be_v receive_v off_o his_o hand_n as_o a_o truth_n neither_o he_o nor_o any_o of_o his_o party_n have_v hit_v hertill_a attempt_v any_o such_o thing_n last_o be_v there_o any_o ambiguity_n in_o the_o second_o article_n yet_o say_v he_o be_v it_o not_o better_a to_o lay_v aside_o when_o now_o it_o be_v disclaim_v by_o kiâ—…g_v &_o parliament_n &_o all_o person_n of_o trust_n in_o the_o land_n a_o human_a for_o i_o which_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o composure_n of_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v have_v be_v &_o be_v like_a to_o be_v a_o seminary_n of_o variety_n of_o party_n &_o worse_a evil_n than_o prelacy_n be_v imagine_v to_o be_v when_o he_o have_v make_v it_o to_o appear_v that_o this_o composure_n be_v apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o be_v such_o a_o seminary_n of_o worse_a evil_n than_o prelacy_n his_o advice_n may_v be_v take_v to_o consideration_n but_o till_o then_o which_o will_v be_v ad_fw-la calendas_fw-la gracas_fw-la he_o must_v excuse_v the_o covenanter_n for_o neither_o king_n nor_o parliament_n though_o they_o have_v the_o pope_n with_o they_o can_v give_v a_o dispensation_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o a_o oath_n and_o king_n &_o parliament_n with_o all_o the_o person_n of_o trust_n will_v have_v enough_o to_o do_v to_o hold_v the_o broad_a roll_n &_o the_o curse_n off_o themselves_o their_o house_n &_o their_o posterity_n &_o to_o keep_v themselves_o out_o of_o his_o hand_n who_o will_v be_v a_o swift_a witness_n against_o false_a swearer_n though_o they_o undertake_v not_o to_o protect_v other_o from_o the_o wrath_n &_o vengeance_n of_o god_n the_o last_o particular_a which_o he_o exaggerate_v be_v the_o limit_a or_o conditional_a preservation_n of_o the_o king_n maj._n person_n &_o authority_n viz._n in_o the_o preservation_n &_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n etc._n etc._n he_o enquire_v whether_o this_o be_v right_a or_o not_o and_o if_o difference_n in_o religion_n loose_v a_o people_n from_o their_o duty_n to_o the_o king_n to_o which_o a_o short_a reply_n will_v suffice_v 1._o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n wrong_v here_o this_o will_v not_o ground_v the_o non-obligation_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o other_o particular_n &_o what_o have_v he_o gain_v then_o 2._o what_o ever_o wrong_n may_v be_v in_o word_v this_o article_n thus_o the_o blame_n be_v not_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o league_n &_o covenant_n for_o in_o the_o national_a covenant_n which_o be_v subscribe_v at_o first_o by_o king_n james_n &_o his_o household_n anno_fw-la 1580._o and_o in_o obedience_n to_o a_o act_n of_o council_n together_o with_o a_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n by_o person_n of_o all_o rank_n anno_fw-la 1581._o and_o again_o subscribe_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n anno_fw-la 1590._o 1591._o the_o covenanter_n duty_n towards_o the_o king_n be_v so_o qualify_v in_o these_o word_n we_o protest_v &_o promise_v with_o our_o heart_n under_o the_o same_o oath_n hand_n write_v &_o pain_n that_o we_o shall_v defend_v his_o person_n &_o authority_n with_o our_o gear_n body_n &_o life_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o christ_n evangell_n liberty_n of_o our_o country_n ministration_n of_o justice_n &_o punishment_n of_o iniquity_n against_o all_o enemy_n within_o thâ—…_n realm_n or_o without_o so_o that_o if_o he_o annul_v the_o leagué_fw-fr &_o covenant_n upon_o this_o account_n he_o must_v much_o more_o annul_v the_o national_a covenant_n whereof_o king_n james_n be_v the_o author_n for_o in_o that_o there_o be_v more_o addâ—…d_n to_o the_o qualification_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o the_o king_n viz._n his_o minisiration_n of_o justice_n and_o punishment_n of_o juiquity_n so_o then_o this_o clause_n in_o the_o league_n be_v consonant_n unto_o that_o in_o the_o national_a covenant_n need_v not_o be_v so_o much_o quarrel_v at_o 3._o it_o be_v like_a he_o be_v displease_v with_o any_o such_o qualification_n but_o his_o reason_n be_v not_o very_o forceable_a viz._n because_o it_o will_v insinuat_fw-la that_o they_o be_v no_o otherways_o bind_v to_o defend_v he_o for_o it_o will_v only_o insinuat_fw-la that_o the_o covenanter_n be_v to_o prefer_v that_o which_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n unto_o that_o which_o be_v of_o lesser_a concernment_n &_o that_o they_o be_v to_o prefer_v the_o end_n unto_o the_o mean_a lead_n to_o the_o end_n that_o be_v when_o the_o king_n be_v in_o direct_a opposition_n unto_o the_o cause_n &_o work_v of_o god_n it_o become_v they_o to_o prefer_v the_o interest_n of_o christ_n before_o man_n &_o not_o to_o help_v the_o mighty_a against_o the_o lord_n but_o the_o lord_n against_o the_o mighty_a and_o when_o defend_v promove_a or_o any_o way_n advance_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n shall_v direct_o tend_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n &_o religion_n no_o christian_a be_v bind_v to_o concur_v and_o this_o be_v grant_v even_o by_o the_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1648._o so_o that_o the_o question_n betwixt_o the_o parliament_n &_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n be_v not_o whether_o religion_n &_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v prefer_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o king_n or_o not_o but_o whether_o the_o engadgement_n which_o be_v then_o carry_v on_o be_v not_o a_o prefer_n of_o man_n interest_n to_o christ_n for_o as_o to_o the_o thesâ—…s_n or_o major_a proposition_n it_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o parliament_n viz._n that_o christ_n interest_n shall_v be_v seek_v before_o man_n &_o the_o king_n interest_n only_o in_o a_o subordination_n to_o christ_n thus_o they_o do_v profess_v open_o their_o owne_n of_o the_o covenant_n &_o their_o resolution_n to_o prosecute_v the_o end_n of_o the_o covenant_n &_o to_o seek_v to_o secure_v &_o establish_v the_o king_n interest_n only_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n for_o in_o their_o letter_n to_o the_o presbytery_n print_v in_o their_o record_n may._n 11._o they_o show_v that_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o proceed_v for_o the_o preservation_n &_o defence_n of_o religion_n before_o all_o other_o worldly_a interest_n whatsoever_o &_o to_o carry_v on_o sincere_o real_o &_o constant_o the_o covenant_n &_o all_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o again_o in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o supplication_n from_o synod_n &_o presbytery_n jun._n 10._o insert_v likewise_o in_o their_o