of_o the_o covenanter_n plea_n will_v fain_o say_v something_o to_o weaken_v this_o conclusion_n of_o the_o bishop_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o oath_n to_o be_v lawful_a in_o itself_o and_o only_o appear_v to_o be_v evil_a to_o he_o that_o swear_v it_o but_o though_o he_o make_v a_o flourish_n towards_o it_o if_o we_o apply_v his_o discourse_n to_o our_o present_a case_n of_o the_o covenant_n it_o vanishech_v into_o air_n 19_o for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o err_a conscience_n do_v not_o obligare_fw-la it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o it_o do_v ligare_fw-la and_o consequent_o suspend_v the_o performance_n of_o the_o thing_n swear_v so_o long_o as_o the_o party_n apprehend_v the_o matter_n to_o be_v sinful_a whether_o it_o be_v indeed_o so_o or_o not_o that_o be_v no_o one_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o covenant_n to_o endeavour_v to_o extirpate_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o prelacy_n while_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o so_o to_o do_v be_v sinful_a and_o to_o the_o injury_n of_o the_o church_n 20._o and_o it_o be_v all_o one_o whether_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o party_n as_o i_o have_v say_v do_v thus_o judge_v the_o thing_n unlawful_a when_o he_o swear_v it_o or_o be_v since_o so_o convince_v for_o we_o may_v not_o aggravate_v a_o rash_a oath_n with_o unlawful_a practice_n that_o be_v against_o conscience_n 21._o but_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v unlawful_a in_o itself_o as_o have_v ample_o appear_v in_o such_o a_o case_n true_o there_o be_v no_o dispute_n for_o here_o conscience_n dictate_v nothing_o but_o truth_n and_o duty_n and_o it_o be_v sad_a adventure_n for_o a_o king_n himself_o to_o second_o herod_n and_o to_o fulfil_v a_o wicked_a oath_n by_o a_o more_o wicked_a act_n against_o his_o conscience_n and_o his_o brother_n and_o his_o god_n too_o si_fw-mi facere_fw-la intendit_fw-la bis_fw-la peccat_fw-la &_o ex_fw-la con._n tolet._n case_n con._n intention_n quam_fw-la habet_fw-la peccandi_fw-la &_o ex_fw-la juramento_fw-la supra_fw-la rem_fw-la injustam_fw-la the_o case_n of_o abbot_n in_o henry_n the_o eight_o time_n be_v too_o weak_o compare_v with_o the_o case_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o we_o unless_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o abbot_n be_v as_o useful_a in_o the_o church_n as_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n that_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n be_v declare_v to_o have_v run_v into_o a_o proemunire_n as_o the_o abbot_n be_v that_o the_o abbot_n have_v none_o to_o represent_v they_o in_o the_o parliament_n as_o the_o bishop_n have_v not_o and_o especial_o that_o the_o king_n be_v not_o active_a or_o any_o way_n consent_v to_o the_o act_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o abbot_n as_o he_o be_v not_o to_o the_o covenant_n for_o the_o extirpation_n of_o the_o bishop_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v undertake_v case_n xvii_o whether_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o second_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v not_o against_o former_a obligation_n and_o consequent_o sinful_a resol_n the_o first_o spring_n of_o all_o obligation_n be_v in_o god_n law_n bound_v we_o love_n bind_v we_o oath_n and_o covenant_n bound_v we_o but_o how_o as_o god_n in_o nature_n or_o scripture_n bind_v we_o he_o require_v we_o to_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o and_o not_o to_o wrong_v he_o to_o obey_v authority_n and_o observe_v their_o command_n to_o pay_v our_o vow_n and_o fulfil_v the_o oath_n that_o be_v go_v out_o of_o our_o lip_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o sure_a rule_n that_o as_o god_n himself_o be_v ever_o the_o same_o so_o his_o moral_a obligation_n upon_o we_o change_v not_o neither_o can_v any_o act_n of_o we_o take_v off_o or_o weaken_v our_o obligation_n to_o he_o 3._o hence_o it_o eternal_o follow_v that_o a_o latter_a obligation_n against_o a_o former_a be_v of_o no_o force_n but_o void_a of_o itself_o because_o the_o former_a obligation_n be_v from_o god_n and_o of_o a_o moral_a nature_n it_o be_v eternal_a as_o god_n be_v and_o fix_v and_o not_o to_o be_v break_v 4._o there_o seem_v to_o be_v three_o bond_n or_o cord_n of_o god_n to_o have_v have_v force_n upon_o we_o before_o the_o covenant_n be_v take_v or_o think_v of_o all_o which_o the_o covenant_n be_v against_o and_o endeavour_n to_o break_v in_o the_o second_o article_n of_o it_o to_o obey_v authority_n to_o keep_v our_o oath_n and_o promise_n and_o to_o serve_v the_o church_n in_o our_o generation_n 1._o first_o god_n have_v first_o both_o by_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o holy_a scripture_n bind_v we_o by_o his_o sovereign_a indispensable_a command_n to_o honour_v our_o parent_n to_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o we_o to_o submit_v to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n whether_o to_o the_o king_n as_o supreme_a or_o to_o those_o that_o be_v send_v and_o commission_v by_o he_o and_o of_o necessity_n to_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o conscience_n sake_n because_o the_o power_n that_o be_v be_v ordain_v by_o god_n ordain_v to_o be_v minister_n of_o god_n whosoever_o therefore_o resist_v resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o god_n himself_o 2._o be_v not_o these_o obligation_n upon_o we_o even_o on_o our_o very_a conscience_n before_o the_o covenant_n be_v take_v do_v not_o the_o covenant_n find_v these_o bar_n within_o we_o be_v not_o the_o conscience_n thus_o prepossess_v against_o it_o and_o lock_v up_o from_o it_o 3._o but_o how_o be_v the_o covenant_n contrary_a to_o these_o obligation_n yea_o rather_o how_o be_v it_o not_o it_o be_v impose_v and_o take_v against_o the_o king_n law_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o we_o have_v show_v be_v against_o the_o right_n both_o of_o king_n and_o parliament_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n set_v over_o we_o by_o the_o king_n and_o law_n make_v both_o before_o and_o since_o the_o covenant_n 4._o more_o particular_o god_n first_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v subject_n and_o obey_v our_o governor_n and_o the_o covenant_n will_v engage_v to_o disobey_v disown_n and_o destroy_v they_o i_o mean_v our_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n it_o will_v discharge_v we_o of_o our_o obedience_n and_o oblige_v we_o to_o resistance_n contrary_a to_o god_n express_v obligatiâ—â—_n upon_o we_o which_o can_v be_v 5._o again_o the_o civil_a authority_n require_v we_o to_o obey_v our_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n the_o civil_a authority_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n require_v we_o to_o declare_v that_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o resist_v they_o to_o endeavour_v to_o extirpate_v they_o to_o this_o also_o we_o oppose_v the_o covenant_n though_o god_n first_o have_v bind_v we_o to_o obey_v our_o ruler_n which_o can_v be_v 6._o i_o have_v speak_v to_o this_o under_o another_o argument_n before_o i_o shall_v here_o therefore_o only_o add_v the_o plain_a but_o very_o weighty_a and_o authentic_a testimony_n of_o mr._n perkins_n who_o very_o distinct_o foresee_v conse_n case_n of_o conse_n our_o case_n 7._o he_o lay_v down_o two_o rule_n among_o other_o that_o methinks_v may_v decide_v our_o controversy_n 1._o if_o a_o oath_n be_v take_v against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n or_o country_n whereof_o a_o man_n be_v member_n it_o bind_v not_o he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v sinful_o take_v only_o but_o it_o bind_v not_o at_o all_o he_o give_v the_o very_a reason_n for_o it_o which_o i_o be_o now_o improve_n because_o on_o the_o contrary_a god_n commandment_n bind_v we_o to_o keep_v the_o good_a law_n of_o man_n 8._o therefore_o the_o covenant_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v against_o the_o just_a law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n that_o be_v such_o law_n as_o be_v not_o unjust_a or_o evil_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o can_v not_o bind_v at_o all_o because_o god_n have_v first_o command_v we_o and_o bind_v we_o to_o the_o contrary_n 9_o 2._o again_o say_v mr._n perkins_n if_o at_o the_o first_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o oath_n be_v lawful_a and_o afterward_o by_o some_o mean_n become_v either_o impossible_a or_o unlawful_a it_o bind_v not_o the_o conscience_n when_o it_o begin_v to_o be_v unlawful_a it_o cease_v to_o bind_v say_v he_o because_o the_o bind_a virtue_n be_v only_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 10._o thus_o also_o have_v there_o be_v no_o law_n to_o render_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o covenant_n unlawful_a when_o it_o be_v take_v yet_o it_o be_v now_o unlawful_a to_o endeavour_v to_o change_v the_o government_n swear_v against_o yea_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o declare_v that_o we_o hold_v ourselves_o not_o bind_v by_o the_o covenant_n so_o to_o do_v the_o covenant_n can_v oblige_v either_o thus_o to_o endeavour_v which_o be_v forbid_v or_o not_o thus_o to_o declare_v which_o be_v require_v for_o the_o one_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o omission_n the_o other_o of_o commission_n but_o
be_v enough_o that_o such_o as_o it_o be_v it_o can_v be_v alter_v much_o less_o extirpated_a without_o the_o change_n of_o the_o law_n very_o many_o law_n that_o much_o concern_v if_o not_o establish_v the_o same_o now_o it_o be_v well_o enough_o know_v to_o be_v a_o grand_a part_n of_o the_o king_n prerogative_n that_o no_o law_n be_v make_v or_o alter_v without_o his_o fiat_fw-la much_o less_o then_o such_o law_n as_o concern_v himself_o so_o near_o as_o the_o change_n not_o his_o commissioner_n only_o but_o his_o government_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o apparent_a that_o the_o king_n be_v in_o such_o a_o condition_n when_o the_o covenant_n be_v first_o take_v that_o the_o covenanter_n do_v intend_v either_o to_o force_v his_o consent_n to_o change_v those_o law_n or_o else_o to_o root_v out_o the_o government_n by_o prelacy_n against_o the_o king_n and_o the_o law_n too_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o condition_n as_o may_v fair_o have_v be_v in_o all_o the_o covenant_n if_o the_o king_n shall_v please_v or_o if_o we_o can_v prevail_v with_o he_o to_o change_v the_o law_n or_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o great_a inconvenience_n that_o we_o have_v discover_v in_o this_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o prelacy_n but_o i_o be_o sorry_a to_o remember_v how_o the_o covenant_n be_v carry_v on_o as_o if_o the_o plot_n be_v lay_v to_o down_o with_o the_o bishop_n whether_o the_o king_n will_v consent_v or_o not_o or_o what_o ere_o come_v on_o it_o case_n ix_o whether_o to_o endeavour_v thus_o against_o the_o king_n right_n as_o oblige_v thereunto_o by_o the_o covenant_n be_v sinful_a resol_n without_o question_v it_o be_v for_o to_o covenant_n or_o swear_v to_o the_o injury_n of_o any_o be_v material_o sinful_a and_o void_a of_o itself_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v vow_v he_o will_v steal_v his_o neighbour_n horse_n in_o all_o covenant_n therefore_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n teach_v that_o inferior_n must_v except_v the_o right_n of_o their_o superior_n otherwise_o if_o a_o oath_n will_v discharge_v from_o subjection_n how_o soon_o may_v all_o government_n totter_v and_o dissolve_v no_o covenant_n can_v take_v off_o the_o force_n of_o the_o five_o commandment_n honour_n thy_o father_n and_o thy_o mother_n more_o than_o of_o six_o seven_o eight_o or_o of_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v therefore_o grant_v by_o all_o casuist_n that_o in_o iis_fw-la rebus_fw-la quae_fw-la superioris_fw-la potestati_fw-la subjiciuntur_fw-la in_o all_o thing_n which_o lie_v under_o the_o power_n of_o our_o superior_a this_o condition_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o all_o covenant_n oath_n and_o promise_n si_fw-la ipsi_fw-la etiam_fw-la placuerit_fw-la if_o it_o shall_v also_o please_v he_o that_o be_v our_o superior_a now_o nothing_o can_v possible_o intercept_v the_o conclusion_n but_o that_o either_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o lie_v under_o the_o king_n or_o that_o the_o alter_a of_o this_o government_n do_v not_o concern_v his_o power_n or_o that_o he_o give_v his_o consent_n either_o to_o the_o covenant_n or_o to_o the_o alter_a of_o this_o government_n but_o none_o of_o all_o these_o be_v true_a first_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v direct_o and_o immediate_o under_o the_o king_n or_o swear_v by_o we_o all_o to_o be_v supreme_a governor_n in_o all_o cause_n and_o over_o all_o person_n as_o well_o ecclesiastical_a as_o civil_a and_o indeed_o as_o as_o be_v hint_v before_o all_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n political_o consider_v be_v the_o king_n commissioner_n and_o in_o a_o plain_a line_n of_o subordination_n to_o he_o neither_o can_v they_o be_v take_v from_o he_o or_o indeed_o on_o purpose_n oppose_v or_o disobey_v without_o apparent_a injury_n to_o the_o supremacy_n if_o not_o with_o his_o royal_a assent_n and_o special_a commission_n second_o neither_o may_v this_o government_n be_v alter_v or_o any_o thing_n change_v therein_o or_o indeed_o any_o thing_n elsethat_o can_v be_v alter_v without_o law_n but_o by_o the_o king_n own_o act_n and_o the_o alteration_n of_o law_n be_v a_o thing_n subject_n also_o to_o the_o king_n power_n according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o kingdom_n without_o all_o dispute_n three_o neither_o do_v the_o king_n consent_n to_o the_o covenant_n but_o as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v proclaimêd_v his_o dissent_n against_o it_o which_o very_a thing_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o void_a it_o datur_fw-la juritatio_fw-la juramenti_fw-la aliquando_fw-la per_fw-la superiores_fw-la si_fw-la in_o illa_fw-la ipsa_fw-la materiâ_fw-la 219._o amese_n de_fw-fr consc_fw-fr p._n 219._o sint_fw-la superiores_fw-la circa_fw-la quam_fw-la juramentum_fw-la versatur_fw-la sic_fw-la parent_n so_o parent_n husband_n master_n prince_n may_v pronounce_v say_v dr._n ames_n either_o oath_n or_o vow_n make_v by_o child_n wife_n servants_z subject_n without_o their_o consent_n to_o be_v void_a in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o power_n therefore_o so_o far_o as_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v alter_v but_o by_o law_n it_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n at_o least_o not_o to_o alter_v it_o he_o have_v a_o negative_a upon_o both_o house_n and_o consequent_o his_o proclamation_n have_v pronounce_v the_o covenant_n long_o ago_o if_o this_o rule_n be_v good_a which_o i_o think_v none_o do_v question_n at_o least_o so_o far_o void_a i_o wonder_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v urge_v that_o the_o king_n so_o many_o year_n after_o in_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v give_v his_o consent_n to_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o have_v immediate_o upon_o its_o very_a birth_n crush_v by_o his_o proclamation_n yea_o so_o far_o as_o his_o proclamation_n can_v pronounce_v it_o void_a and_o destroy_v it_o i_o think_v it_o may_v well_o be_v a_o problem_n whether_o the_o king_n future_a consent_n can_v revive_v it_o if_o it_o have_v indeed_o be_v dead_a and_o bury_v so_o many_o year_n before_o but_o in_o what_o word_n do_v the_o king_n seem_v to_o consent_v he_o say_v it_o shall_v least_o displease_v he_o that_o man_n do_v keep_v their_o covenant_n these_o word_n do_v not_o express_v his_o consent_n to_o the_o covenant_n much_o less_o to_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o concern_v episcopacy_n it_o be_v far_o from_o he_o to_o consent_v to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o that_o but_o rather_o as_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o king_n word_n to_o preserve_v not_o to_o extirpate_v religion_n in_o purity_n and_o the_o kingdom_n in_o peace_n indeed_o thus_o some_o will_v wrest_v one_o plea._n coven_n plea._n modest_a expression_n against_o the_o plain_a scope_n of_o that_o whole_a chapter_n in_o the_o king_n book_n frame_v by_o he_o on_o set_v purpose_n to_o show_v his_o dislike_n of_o this_o covenant_n to_o his_o death_n as_o any_o impartial_a reader_n thereof_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o four_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v say_v nor_o true_o be_v it_o by_o any_o that_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o that_o the_o king_n do_v ever_o consent_v to_o the_o alteration_n much_o less_o the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopal_a government_n he_o be_v indeed_o at_o last_o content_v upon_o a_o very_a hard_a bargain_n to_o give_v it_o a_o suspension_n for_o three_o year_n but_o the_o sword_n cut_v off_o that_o precede_a and_o the_o objection_n with_o it_o case_n x._o whether_o the_o govenant_v to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopal_a government_n be_v against_o the_o law_n and_o consequent_o sinful_a resol_n to_o swear_v absolute_o without_o submismision_n to_o the_o will_n of_o the_o supreme_a governor_n to_o endeavour_v that_o which_o can_v be_v do_v either_o according_a to_o scripture_n or_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o kingdom_n without_o his_o consent_n and_o act_n this_o transport_v the_o subject_n beyond_o his_o place_n it_o invade_v the_o soveraingty_n and_o carry_v sedition_n and_o rebellion_n in_o it_o this_o can_v be_v deny_v though_o the_o thing_n swear_v against_o be_v in_o itself_o unlawful_a especial_o when_o such_o covenant_n be_v public_o impose_v and_o take_v for_o no_o public_a reformation_n of_o thing_n amiss_o can_v proceed_v without_o tumult_n if_o not_o consent_v unto_o by_o the_o king_n who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v fright_v to_o do_v it_o by_o his_o subject_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n of_o rise_v up_o against_o he_o by_o public_a oath_n this_o be_v to_o hurt_v majesty_n and_o indeed_o to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v and_o if_o any_o shall_v swear_v to_o do_v it_o in_o their_o place_n the_o form_n of_o their_o swear_n contradict_v the_o matter_n swear_v for_o they_o can_v keep_v their_o place_n and_o take_v such_o a_o oath_n 3._o much_o more_o when_o the_o thing_n swear_v against_o be_v not_o evil_a in_o itself_o nor_o contrary_a to_o god_n word_n therefore_o mr._n crofton_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o covenanter_n plea_n
by_o the_o preobligation_n of_o god_n to_o our_o necessary_a duty_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o covenant_n we_o be_v to_o we_o if_o we_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n 6._o upon_o this_o ground_n i_o stand_v and_o assert_v that_o the_o argument_n ab_fw-la impeditivo_fw-la boni_fw-la be_v not_o so_o sleight_n as_o the_o reverend_a author_n of_o the_o covenanter_n plea_n will_v render_v it_o neither_o do_v that_o author_n himself_o say_v that_o in_o no_o case_n the_o argument_n will_v hold_v yea_o at_o last_o he_o seem_v to_o concur_v with_o other_o casuist_n in_o the_o allowance_n of_o it_o with_o these_o four_o grain_n or_o condition_n it_o must_v be_v a_o great_a good_a that_o be_v hinder_v this_o great_a good_n must_v be_v attainable_a no_o otherwise_o but_o by_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o oath_n this_o good_a must_v be_v certain_a and_o the_o oath_n must_v be_v only_o make_v to_o god_n 7._o have_v lay_v down_o these_o rule_n the_o say_a author_n bid_v a_o challenge_n to_o his_o absolver_n to_o apply_v they_o to_o the_o case_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o though_o the_o stress_n of_o the_o argument_n lie_v not_o here_o i_o humble_o accept_v it_o 1._o i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o great_a good_n will_v accrue_v to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o their_o native_a country_n by_o not_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopacy_n or_o the_o present_a church-government_n and_o by_o declare_v that_o you_o be_v not_o bind_v so_o to_o do_v and_o thereby_o continue_v your_o employment_n in_o the_o church_n then_o by_o any_o sober_a and_o reasonable_a man_n can_v possible_o be_v imagine_v as_o thing_n and_o law_n now_o be_v by_o such_o endeavour_n 2._o what_o fruit_n can_v you_o look_v for_o from_o such_o cross_a proceed_n to_o government_n and_o law_n but_o the_o loss_n of_o your_o place_n your_o capacity_n to_o dispense_v your_o trust_n to_o employ_v and_o improve_v your_o talent_n and_o if_o so_o many_o fall_n together_o as_o be_v fear_v the_o distraction_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o discontent_n of_o the_o people_n the_o grief_n of_o our_o king_n and_o the_o great_a hazard_n and_o loss_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o on_o the_o other_o side_n how_o great_a advantage_n must_v needs_o follow_v upon_o a_o general_a conformity_n notwithstanding_o the_o covenant_n to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n how_o great_a satisfaction_n to_o our_o governor_n especial_o to_o our_o most_o gracious_a king_n who_o indulgence_n you_o yet_o rejoice_v in_o and_o he_o yet_o continue_v as_o the_o space_n of_o your_o repentance_n and_o obedience_n after_o two_o year_n patience_n and_o long_o suffer_v how_o much_o right_n will_v you_o thus_o do_v the_o law_n your_o self_n your_o family_n and_o your_o several_a congregation_n yea_o how_o much_o encouragement_n you_o that_o be_v leader_n may_v you_o hereby_o give_v to_o your_o brethren_n your_o nonconforming_a brethren_n who_o depend_v on_o you_o and_o wait_v your_o motion_n who_o you_o have_v as_o it_o be_v power_n to_o save_v or_o destroy_v your_o conform_v brethren_n who_o be_v scandalize_v by_o your_o mean_n before_o the_o people_n and_o make_v the_o scorn_n and_o reproach_n of_o such_o as_o count_v themselves_o extraordinary_a saint_n for_o your_o sake_n say_n we_o will_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o save_v our_o live_n but_o such_o and_o such_o be_v the_o only_a faithful_a and_o conscientious_a minister_n they_o will_v not_o conform_v how_o may_v you_o it_o be_v much_o in_o your_o power_n how_o may_v you_o thus_o allay_v our_o storm_n still_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o people_n and_o in_o a_o short_a while_n leave_v nothing_o among_o we_o but_o peace_n and_o unity_n and_o amity_n and_o all_o bless_a advantage_n of_o profit_v soul_n of_o destroy_v heresy_n of_o reform_v abuse_n and_o crush_a that_o spirit_n of_o profaneness_n you_o so_o much_o and_o continual_o complain_v of_o but_o be_v run_v from_o the_o only_a visible_a remedy_n of_o it_o in_o the_o world_n consider_v what_o i_o say_v and_o the_o lord_n give_v you_o to_o understand_v it_o 2._o give_v i_o leave_v therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o say_v also_o that_o these_o good_n can_v be_v attain_v by_o we_o any_o other_o way_n for_o by_o the_o law_n minister_n can_v discharge_v or_o attend_v upon_o their_o office_n neither_o can_v the_o people_n if_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o covenant_n not_o to_o own_o but_o to_o resist_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n concentre_v together_o in_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o church_n or_o state_n they_o must_v not_o own_o the_o government_n nor_o conform_v to_o the_o proceed_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o law_n about_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o civil_a authority_n will_v stand_v by_o it_o defend_v it_o protect_v it_o second_o its_o decree_n and_o act_n with_o the_o severe_a penalty_n the_o law_n have_v provide_v and_o what_o weep_a and_o complain_v what_o waste_v and_o ruine_v of_o estate_n and_o family_n what_o public_a distraction_n and_o confusion_n must_v needs_o follow_v 3._o which_o three_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o our_o king_n and_o parliament_n by_o statute_n law_n can_v make_v it_o neither_o can_v any_o sober_a man_n and_o one_o that_o expect_v not_o the_o fruit_n of_o rebellion_n and_o treason_n for_o a_o reformation_n imagine_v how_o thing_n can_v alter_v without_o a_o miracle_n we_o have_v as_o much_o certainty_n both_o logical_a and_o moral_a as_o wise_a man_n know_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o case_n will_v bear_v 4._o last_o this_o oath_n be_v make_v at_o least_o in_o this_o article_n to_o god_n only_o to_o say_v the_o scot_n be_v party_n in_o the_o first_o article_n have_v some_o colour_n but_o not_o in_o the_o second_o for_o what_o be_v they_o concern_v in_o our_o government_n while_o it_o be_v be_v covenant_v not_o to_o meddle_v with_o they_o how_o ever_o both_o the_o party_n promise_v what_o they_o have_v no_o power_n or_o right_a to_o do_v as_o i_o suppose_v be_v now_o past_a the_o controversy_n with_o both_o nation_n and_o my_o dear_a brethren_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n let_v i_o serious_o request_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o though_o for_o your_o oath_n sake_n you_o ought_v to_o quit_v your_o own_o interest_n yet_o the_o church_n or_o the_o state_n you_o can_v pray_v satisfy_v yourselves_o in_o this_o one_o thing_n 1._o before_o you_o lay_v down_o who_o give_v you_o power_n to_o expose_v yourselves_o to_o a_o incapacity_n of_o serve_v god_n and_o his_o church_n in_o your_o high_a and_o holy_a call_n and_o give_v she_o up_o to_o the_o hazard_n and_o ruin_n you_o say_v you_o foresee_v by_o covenant_v against_o that_o which_o be_v now_o make_v as_o you_o know_v by_o law_n the_o condition_n of_o your_o station_n and_o discharge_v of_o seyman_n laz._n seyman_n your_o office_n 2._o it_o be_v the_o sentence_n of_o a_o learned_a presbyterian_a that_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n must_v proceed_v as_o providence_n make_v way_n and_o who_o have_v warrant_v you_o to_o plead_v your_o covenant_n in_o thing_n not_o necessary_a for_o the_o obstruction_n of_o it_o 3._o ask_v yourselves_o be_v not_o the_o law_n of_o god_n require_v all_o that_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v a_o faithful_a steward_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n to_o watch_n for_o soul_n in_o a_o constant_a distribution_n of_o all_o ordinance_n to_o their_o several_a congregation_n ask_v yourselves_o i_o say_v be_v not_o these_o law_n of_o force_n before_o your_o covenant_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v then_o that_o you_o plead_v your_o covenant_n to_o the_o void_a of_o they_o in_o such_o thing_n too_o as_o certain_o be_v not_o condition_n of_o god_n command_n case_n xviii_o whether_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v not_o sinful_a though_o take_v and_o impose_v by_o the_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n resol_n 1._o hitherto_o we_o have_v consider_v the_o covenanter_n as_o so_o many_o private_a and_o single_a person_n and_o find_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o such_o to_o endeavour_v a_o change_n of_o church-government_n against_o the_o law_n 2._o let_v we_o now_o look_v on_o they_o as_o unite_v and_o examine_v what_o validity_n that_o add_v to_o the_o covenant_n or_o what_o legality_n to_o such_o endeavour_n 3._o it_o be_v say_v and_o much_o insist_v on_o that_o the_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n take_v the_o covenant_n but_o indeed_o though_o this_o may_v much_o alleviate_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o particular_a private_a person_n in_o the_o gross_a it_o add_v weight_n to_o the_o transgression_n for_o so_o great_a a_o body_n of_o covenanter_n without_o their_o head_n cast_v no_o shadow_n upon_o that_o action_n other_o then_o to_o darken_v and_o put_v out_o all_o colour_n of_o