certain_a disquisition_n and_o consideration_n represent_v to_o the_o conscience_n the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o oath_n entitle_v a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n for_o reformation_n etc._n etc._n as_o also_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o argument_n use_v in_o the_o exhortation_n for_o take_v the_o say_a covenant_n publish_a by_o command_n oxford_n print_v by_o leonard_n lichfield_n printer_n to_o the_o university_n 1644._o certain_a disquisition_n and_o consideration_n represent_v to_o the_o conscience_n the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o oath_n entitle_v a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n for_o reformation_n etc._n etc._n we_o nobleman_n baron_n knight_n gentleman_n citizen_n 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_n 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 estate_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 see_v it_o have_v please_v the_o composer_n of_o this_o covenant_n to_o set_v it_o forth_o with_o a_o introduction_n which_o contain_v that_o which_o it_o seem_v prevail_v with_o they_o and_o they_o expect_v shall_v work_v upon_o the_o three_o kingdom_n to_o take_v the_o follow_a covenant_n it_o will_v be_v behooveful_a in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o reduce_v the_o conscience_n to_o a_o clear_a and_o strict_a examination_n upon_o the_o content_n of_o this_o introduction_n and_o then_o if_o it_o shall_v find_v that_o all_o thing_n therein_o be_v true_a and_o withal_o sufficient_a to_o that_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v premise_v viz._n to_o infer_v a_o necessity_n of_o swear_v to_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o follow_a article_n the_o conscience_n will_v be_v direct_v to_o follow_v that_o dictate_n but_o if_o it_o fail_v in_o either_o of_o those_o we_o must_v betake_v ourselves_o to_o other_o consideration_n to_o be_v guide_v by_o we_o will_v therefore_o sincere_o propound_v the_o content_n of_o the_o preface_n as_o near_o as_o may_v be_v according_a to_o its_o method_n join_v together_o matter_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o discourse_n of_o the_o preface_n to_o be_v resolve_v into_o these_o principle_n 1._o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o advancement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o honour_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o king_n etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v aim_v at_o and_o endeavour_v 2._o especial_o when_o they_o be_v endanger_v 3._o the_o mean_n therefore_o necessary_a towards_o those_o end_n be_v to_o be_v use_v which_o be_v either_o supplication_n remonstrance_n etc._n etc._n or_o make_v war_n 4._o the_o former_a be_v first_o to_o be_v use_v but_o if_o they_o fail_v than_o the_o latter_a these_o be_v the_o universal_a maxim_n whereon_o by_o application_n to_o the_o present_a condition_n the_o take_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v enforce_v the_o three_o first_o then_o be_v grant_v they_o subsume_v that_o have_v use_v the_o former_a and_o fail_v of_o success_n we_o be_v all_o necessitate_a to_o use_v the_o latter_a viz._n to_o swear_v to_o join_v with_o the_o scot_n in_o arm_n which_o be_v the_o general_a and_o to_o those_o particular_n after_o mention_v in_o the_o article_n that_o such_o join_n in_o arm_n be_v the_o general_a end_n of_o the_o covenant_n will_v appear_v by_o compare_v the_o six_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o mutual_a assistance_n and_o defence_n of_o one_o another_o with_o the_o 14_o article_n of_o the_o instruction_n wherein_o the_o imposer_n of_o this_o oath_n appoint_v to_o be_v read_v public_o at_o the_o time_n when_o the_o covenant_n be_v read_v the_o declaration_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o scotland_n join_v in_o arm_n for_o the_o vindication_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o declaration_n the_o take_v this_o covenant_n be_v make_v one_o of_o the_o ground_n both_o of_o their_o confidence_n as_o they_o say_v that_o this_o war_n wherein_o they_o be_v so_o deep_o engage_v be_v of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o resolution_n which_o they_o profess_v with_o courage_n and_o constancy_n unto_o the_o end_n to_o do_v their_o part_n whosoever_o therefore_o be_v not_o persuade_v in_o his_o conscience_n either_o that_o all_o these_o mean_n mention_v and_o all_o other_o such_o like_a have_v be_v use_v and_o have_v be_v reject_v or_o upon_o supposition_n that_o they_o have_v yet_o doubt_v of_o the_o consequence_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o army_n may_v be_v levy_v and_o such_o a_o war_n manage_v can_v without_o deadly_a sin_n though_o disengage_v from_o oath_n for_o any_o of_o the_o follow_a particular_n upon_o the_o former_a principle_n take_v this_o covenant_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v hereon_o we_o will_v brief_o run_v over_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o preface_n and_o consider_v the_o natural_a intimation_n from_o they_o only_o suppose_v for_o example_n the_o end_n of_o this_o covenant_n to_o be_v the_o assistance_n or_o at_o least_o consent_n in_o this_o present_a join_n in_o arm_n apply_v it_o to_o man_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n ay_o a._o b._n live_v under_o the_o king_n this_o can_v reasonable_o be_v a_o motive_n to_o war_n but_o obedience_n to_o he_o nor_o a_o motive_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o public_a league_n oath_n and_o covenant_n not_o prescribe_v by_o law_n without_o he_o much_o less_o against_o his_o express_a proclamation_n forasmuch_o as_o a_o oath_n for_o confirmation_n either_o assertory_a or_o promissory_a be_v to_o man_n for_o a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n and_o a_o public_a oath_n propound_v to_o a_o nation_n or_o nation_n be_v for_o the_o end_n of_o public_a strife_n and_o division_n and_o of_o any_o public_a strife_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o nation_n under_o one_o king_n proper_o so_o call_v the_o king_n be_v the_o supreme_a judge_n in_o all_o cause_n as_o well_o ecclesiastical_a as_o civil_a as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n 1_o pet._n 2._o and_o to_o we_o moreover_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n 24_o h._n 8._o c._n 12._o by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n art_n 37._o the_o book_n of_o homily_n and_o establishâ—d_fw-mi oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n and_o therefore_o such_o a_o oath_n and_o covenant_n may_v not_o be_v enter_v into_o without_o and_o against_o the_o allowance_n of_o the_o king_n who_o be_v the_o supreme_a judge_n even_o in_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_n itself_o be_v of_o the_o reform_a religion_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o very_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o which_o as_o difference_v from_o popery_n and_o other_o sect_n have_v be_v chief_o that_o it_o have_v always_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a in_o any_o case_n not_o in_o the_o danger_n of_o their_o religion_n for_o subject_n to_o take_v up_o arm_n against_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n have_v before_o my_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 jesus_n christ_n here_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o mind_n requisite_a towards_o the_o judgement_n of_o conscience_n will_v be_v this_o whether_o by_o this_o war_n consider_v with_o its_o circumstance_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n be_v more_o
think_v necessary_a long_o within_o the_o apostle_n time_n even_o as_o early_o as_o it_o be_v say_v by_o some_o i_o be_o of_o paul_n i_o be_o of_o apollo_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o say_v in_o his_o dialogue_n adversus_fw-la luciferian_n ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_fw-la summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_fw-la quaedam_fw-la and_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la s._n cyprian_n also_o epist._n 55._o non_fw-la aliunde_fw-la haereses_fw-la obortae_fw-la sunt_fw-la aut_fw-la nata_fw-la sunt_fw-la schismata_fw-la quam_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o so_o also_o lib._n 4._o epist._n 9_o unde_fw-la enim_fw-la schismata_fw-la et_fw-la haereses_fw-la obortae_fw-la sunt_fw-la et_fw-la oriuntur_fw-la nisi_fw-la dum_fw-la episcopus_fw-la qui_fw-la unus_fw-la est_fw-la praesumptione_fw-la contemnitur_fw-la etc._n etc._n master_n calvin_n also_o himself_o upon_o philipp_n 1._o 1._o fateor_fw-la quidem_fw-la ut_fw-la sunt_fw-la hominum_fw-la ingenia_fw-la et_fw-la mores_fw-la non_fw-la posse_fw-la ordinem_fw-la stare_fw-la inter_fw-la verbi_fw-la ministros_fw-la quin_fw-la reliquis_fw-la praesit_fw-la unus_fw-la so_o that_o we_o can_v apprehend_v the_o abjuration_n of_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v a_o mean_a to_o that_o unity_n in_o this_o article_n mention_v that_o the_o lord_n may_v be_v one_o and_o his_o name_n one_o among_o we_o but_o rather_o the_o continuation_n thereof_o according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o holy_a martyr_n s._n cyprian_n unus_fw-la deus_fw-la unus_fw-la dominus_fw-la unus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la and_o that_o of_o ignatius_n ad_fw-la magnes_fw-la b_o {non-roman}_o subjecti_fw-la estote_fw-la episcope_n and_o vobis_fw-la mutuè_fw-la ut_fw-la christus_fw-la patri_fw-la ut_fw-la inter_fw-la vos_fw-la divina_fw-la quaedam_fw-la sit_fw-la unio_fw-la next_o profaneness_n be_v here_o also_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o with_o episcopacy_n yet_o who_o may_v not_o fear_v god_n judgement_n if_o he_o deny_v the_o detestable_a growth_n of_o profaneness_n since_o the_o contempt_n of_o that_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o this_o article_n as_o to_o bishop_n extirpation_n we_o must_v refuse_v upon_o that_o close_a upon_o which_o other_o take_v it_o lest_o as_o it_o be_v say_v we_o shall_v partake_v in_o other_o sin_n and_o consequent_o in_o their_o plague_n three_o because_o neither_o can_v we_o swear_v to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o that_o part_n of_o this_o church-government_n by_o archbishop_n a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n so_o confess_o ancient_a nor_o that_o part_n of_o this_o church-government_n by_o dean_n and_o chapter_n that_o be_v a_o society_n of_o grave_a divine_n of_o presbyter_n join_v to_o the_o bishop_n in_o his_o see_v of_o residence_n as_o assistant_n in_o council_n and_o government_n as_o james_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v his_o resident_a presbyter_n act_n 21._o 18._o and_o consult_v with_o they_o vers._n 20._o according_a also_o to_o the_o ancient_a general_n and_o continue_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n time_n and_o moreover_o endow_v with_o mean_n give_v to_o they_o by_o the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n of_o many_o which_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o endeavour_v to_o annul_v hebr._n 9_o 17._o and_o by_o the_o gift_n of_o many_o other_o donor_n who_o have_v true_a propriety_n in_o their_o good_n and_o may_v and_o do_v transfer_v the_o undoubted_a property_n to_o those_o to_o be_v enjoy_v by_o the_o right_a and_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a especial_o such_o endowment_n have_v be_v consecrate_v and_o devote_v unto_o god_n for_o pious_a use_n and_o which_o may_v not_o therefore_o by_o we_o as_o we_o conceive_v be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v alienate_v prov._n 20._o 25._o numb._n 16._o 38._o and_o as_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o piety_n so_o also_o to_o the_o encouragement_n of_o the_o most_o excellent_a part_n of_o learning_n the_o study_n of_o divinity_n and_o of_o holy_a scripture_n we_o shall_v with_o the_o same_o sincerity_n 3._o 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 because_o in_o the_o three_o article_n whereas_o we_o be_v require_v and_o that_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o bind_v ourselves_o absolute_o without_o limitation_n express_v to_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o be_v likewise_o tie_v simple_o and_o indefinite_o to_o defend_v the_o king_n person_n state_n and_o honour_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o the_o late_a protestation_n here_o when_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o swear_v to_o defend_v his_o majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n it_o be_v add_v 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 therefore_o this_o manner_n of_o swear_v we_o dare_v not_o admit_v till_o it_o be_v public_o declare_v by_o the_o imposer_n that_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n be_v not_o as_o to_o some_o it_o may_v sound_v that_o i_o bind_v myself_o to_o preserve_v and_o defend_v his_o majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o he_o shall_v preserve_v and_o defend_v true_a religion_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n since_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o nation_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n and_o by_o true_a religion_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o endeavour_v the_o preservation_n and_o defence_n of_o his_o person_n and_o authority_n though_o he_o be_v a_o persecutor_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o a_o abridger_n of_o our_o liberty_n such_o as_o be_v saul_n and_o nero_n in_o their_o time_n and_o sure_o a_o large_a declaration_n of_o our_o endeavour_n simple_o to_o defend_v his_o person_n be_v at_o this_o time_n necessary_a when_o through_o the_o division_n of_o the_o kingdom_n his_o sacred_a majesty_n be_v so_o endanger_v and_o that_o his_o majesty_n have_v often_o complain_v of_o affront_n offer_v to_o his_o person_n and_o have_v complain_v also_o that_o some_o have_v endeavour_v to_o kill_v his_o person_n in_o two_o set_a battle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o frequent_a in_o the_o mind_n and_o mouth_n of_o some_o shimei_n then_o that_o the_o king_n be_v popish_o affect_v a_o papist_n in_o his_o heart_n and_o therefore_o some_o furious_a zealot_n may_v not_o only_o upon_o these_o surmise_n conclude_v himself_o exempt_v in_o case_n from_o the_o duty_n of_o preservation_n and_o defence_n of_o his_o royal_a person_n but_o also_o mistake_v it_o as_o a_o debt_n to_o this_o covenant_n even_o to_o offer_v violence_n to_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n may_v not_o therefore_o some_o such_o full_a declaration_n and_o explication_n of_o our_o duty_n when_o we_o will_v by_o oath_n profess_v it_o seem_v necessary_a to_o the_o end_n here_o propose_v that_o the_o world_n may_v bear_v witness_n with_o our_o conscience_n of_o our_o loyalty_n we_o shall_v also_o with_o all_o faithfulness_n endeavour_v the_o discovery_n of_o all_o such_o as_o have_v be_v 4._o or_o shall_v be_v incendiary_n malignant_n or_o evil_a instrument_n by_o hinder_v the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n divide_v the_o king_n from_o his_o people_n or_o one_o of_o the_o kingdom_n from_o another_o or_o make_v any_o faction_n or_o party_n among_o the_o people_n contrary_a to_o this_o league_n and_o covenant_n that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o public_a trial_n and_o receive_v condign_a punishment_n as_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o offence_n shall_v require_v or_o deserve_v or_o the_o supreme_a indicatory_n of_o both_o kingdom_n respective_o or_o other_o have_v power_n from_o they_o for_o that_o effect_n shall_v judge_v convenient_a whether_o be_v not_o all_o those_o to_o be_v account_v to_o we_o as_o malignant_n etc._n etc._n by_o hinder_v reformation_n of_o religion_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v discover_v that_o they_o may_v receive_v condign_a punishment_n who_o we_o know_v to_o endeavour_v in_o their_o place_n and_o calling_n the_o continuation_n of_o church-government_n by_o bishop_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n as_o it_o now_o stand_v by_o the_o know_a law_n of_o this_o kingdom_n establish_v administer_v according_a to_o the_o right_a intent_n of_o those_o law_n against_o all_o alteration_n till_o it_o be_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n enact_v by_o his_o majesty_n
up_o of_o truth_n confess_v and_o undeniable_a 1._o scot_n and_o english_a be_v subject_n to_o the_o king_n 2._o of_o the_o same_o protestant_a religion_n the_o professor_n whereof_o do_v not_o differ_v in_o fundamental_n 3._o their_o join_n in_o arm_n as_o be_v allege_v be_v for_o the_o vindication_n and_o defence_n of_o their_o religiâ—n_n liberty_n and_o law_n 4._o against_o the_o popish_a prelatical_a and_o malignant_a party_n 5._o by_o these_o be_v mean_v the_o soldier_n raise_v by_o the_o king_n on_o the_o other_o side_n 1._o the_o king_n be_v our_o lawful_a sovereign_n 2._o of_o the_o same_o protestant_a religion_n 3._o he_o have_v protest_v and_o engage_v himself_o with_o all_o solemnity_n as_o at_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n etc._n etc._n to_o preserve_v and_o maintain_v the_o protestant_a religion_n the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o parliament_n 4._o that_o he_o have_v send_v many_o message_n for_o treaty_n towards_o peace_n both_o before_o and_o during_o the_o time_n of_o these_o war_n and_o express_v a_o desire_n of_o make_v the_o people_n witness_n of_o the_o equity_n of_o his_o proceed_n 5._o he_o have_v declare_v his_o will_n against_o both_o the_o scot_n and_o english_a who_o take_v up_o arm_n in_o this_o cause_n out_o of_o these_o principle_n whereas_o many_o more_o may_v be_v add_v in_o behalf_n of_o his_o majesty_n let_v the_o question_n be_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a for_o subject_n to_o covenant_n together_o without_o and_o against_o the_o express_a will_n of_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n to_o join_v in_o arm_n against_o the_o force_n raise_v by_o his_o command_n and_o that_o for_o the_o vindication_n and_o defence_n of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v by_o all_o possible_a obligation_n engage_v himself_o to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v and_o for_o security_n of_o his_o people_n have_v desire_v that_o difference_n may_v be_v compose_v by_o treaty_n and_o that_o the_o world_n may_v judge_v of_o his_o proceed_n in_o it_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o be_v here_o express_v the_o next_o labour_n for_o our_o conscience_n will_v be_v to_o examine_v whether_o any_o argument_n in_o this_o exhortation_n upon_o supposition_n that_o they_o all_o be_v truth_n in_o themselves_o do_v infer_v a_o lawfulness_n and_o necessity_n to_o covenant_n in_o our_o case_n all_o thing_n consider_v and_o if_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a it_o may_v be_v a_o motive_n to_o abate_v the_o confidence_n of_o the_o composer_n of_o it_o whosoever_o they_o be_v in_o particular_a and_o to_o procure_v a_o examination_n of_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o action_n wherein_o they_o may_v possible_o see_v that_o they_o have_v not_o either_o in_o their_o own_o action_n or_o in_o their_o judgement_n of_o other_o proceed_v so_o exact_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o conscience_n and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n now_o although_o we_o be_v confident_a that_o there_o be_v not_o in_o this_o exhortation_n any_o one_o argument_n which_o the_o assembly_n itself_o will_v undertake_v so_o to_o contrive_v as_o that_o it_o shall_v conclude_v for_o a_o necessity_n or_o a_o lawfulness_n of_o take_v such_o a_o covenant_n in_o such_o a_o case_n all_o thing_n consider_v and_o consequent_o the_o whole_a business_n which_o be_v of_o necessity_n for_o vindication_n of_o ourselves_o from_o sottishness_n etc._n etc._n be_v already_o do_v yet_o that_o it_o may_v without_o any_o danger_n of_o prejudice_n or_o error_n appear_v that_o we_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o such_o a_o presumption_n as_o we_o have_v except_v against_o in_o they_o we_o will_v as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v examine_v their_o whole_a discourse_n and_o evident_o unless_o indeed_o we_o be_v bewitch_v to_o think_v so_o discover_v what_o be_v untrue_a or_o uncertain_a if_o any_o thing_n of_o those_o kind_n shall_v occur_v and_o what_o be_v insufficient_a in_o their_o exhortation_n after_o we_o have_v by_o way_n of_o apology_n premise_v that_o we_o will_v not_o all_o answer_v they_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o reason_n we_o have_v as_o we_o hope_v prevail_v against_o those_o affection_n which_o may_v have_v arise_v upon_o those_o expression_n which_o concern_v ourselves_o and_o though_o with_o far_o great_a difficulty_n against_o that_o indignation_n which_o follow_v upon_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o not_o so_o very_o reverent_a expression_n and_o reflection_n upon_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n so_o far_o as_o not_o to_o suffer_v our_o judgement_n or_o conscience_n to_o be_v withdraw_v from_o a_o just_a and_o mere_a examination_n of_o the_o truth_n have_v see_v in_o they_o that_o zeal_n and_o confidence_n however_o they_o be_v excellent_a affection_n in_o those_o who_o be_v sufficient_o ground_v in_o a_o unfallible_a truth_n yet_o they_o do_v in_o no_o measure_n help_n towards_o a_o discovery_n of_o truth_n or_o a_o removal_n of_o scruple_n in_o a_o case_n of_o conscience_n the_o whole_a discourse_n be_v intend_v by_o the_o author_n of_o it_o to_o consist_v of_o persuasion_n and_o resolution_n of_o scruple_n and_o be_v immediate_o resolve_v into_o a_o introduction_n and_o the_o body_n of_o the_o discourse_n as_o for_o the_o introduction_n it_o contain_v a_o collection_n of_o many_o place_n from_o whence_o the_o composer_n thereof_o presume_v that_o the_o necessity_n of_o take_v this_o league_n may_v be_v enforce_v but_o see_v it_o carry_v not_o clear_o in_o itself_o any_o discovery_n of_o the_o consequence_n it_o can_v not_o in_o reason_n be_v premise_v to_o any_o other_o discourse_n than_o such_o as_o in_o the_o process_n shall_v clear_v that_o which_o be_v there_o presume_v and_o see_v the_o follow_a discourse_n be_v no_o way_n order_v to_o a_o clear_n of_o those_o inference_n so_o that_o the_o design_n of_o he_o who_o make_v the_o introduction_n be_v no_o further_o prosecute_v we_o may_v here_o indeed_o observe_v a_o instance_n of_o the_o variance_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o assembly_n but_o be_v no_o way_n help_v in_o that_o which_o be_v the_o fundamental_a intention_n of_o the_o whole_a the_o resolution_n of_o our_o scruple_n which_o by_o the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o those_o thing_n here_o reckon_v up_o we_o profess_v to_o have_v be_v exceed_o strengthen_v upon_o we_o and_o that_o by_o such_o inference_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v if_o not_o clear_o see_v by_o this_o ensue_a parallel_n if_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n describe_v and_o practise_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o express_v in_o the_o most_o heroical_a action_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n or_o if_o solid_a reason_n inform_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o assist_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o example_n of_o holy_a saint_n and_o martyr_n and_o by_o a_o perfect_a information_n of_o the_o beginning_n and_o proceed_n of_o our_o present_a misery_n and_o of_o the_o stand_v know_v law_n of_o the_o land_n if_o loyalty_n to_o the_o king_n and_o piety_n to_o their_o native_a covatry_n or_o love_n to_o themselves_o and_o natural_a affection_n to_o their_o posterity_n if_o the_o example_n of_o man_n touch_v with_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o all_o these_o such_o as_o have_v be_v the_o most_o eminent_a among_o the_o clergy_n for_o piety_n and_o learning_n the_o instrument_n as_o it_o be_v confess_v use_v by_o almighty_a god_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o religion_n against_o all_o its_o enemy_n who_o with_o many_o other_o the_o most_o worthy_a of_o the_o laity_n have_v cheerful_o and_o constant_o be_v spoil_v of_o their_o good_n and_o suffer_v a_o long_a and_o tedious_a imprisonment_n and_o be_v and_o have_v be_v ready_a to_o suffer_v death_n itself_o in_o the_o present_a cause_n of_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n or_o if_o extraordinary_a success_n from_o god_n thereupon_o such_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o raise_v his_o majesty_n from_o a_o state_n of_o despise_a weakness_n to_o a_o power_n able_a to_o resist_v and_o probable_o able_a to_o debell_v all_o the_o force_n which_o his_o enemy_n of_o three_o kingdom_n can_v procure_v if_o any_o or_o all_o of_o these_o can_v awaken_v a_o nation_n hitherto_o stupefy_v and_o blind_v and_o thereupon_o imbroil_v in_o the_o misery_n which_o have_v attend_v upon_o this_o war_n to_o see_v and_o embrace_v the_o sovereign_a and_o only_a mean_n of_o their_o recovery_n there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n or_o fear_n that_o they_o will_v enter_v into_o a_o league_n with_o those_o who_o have_v lift_v up_o under_o what_o pretence_n soever_o their_o hand_n against_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n but_o they_o will_v rather_o repent_v they_o of_o their_o former_a disobedience_n endeavour_v to_o reduce_v their_o brethren_n to_o a_o labour_n for_o reconciliation_n and_o pardon_n from_o his_o majesty_n at_o least_o to_o