what_o then_o remain_v but_o that_o this_o first_o branch_n of_o the_o exhortation_n shall_v take_v place_n with_o every_o of_o we_o that_o we_o will_v all_o of_o we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n this_o day_n in_o a_o covenant_n in_o this_o covenant_n the_o main_a drift_n and_o scope_n whereof_o the_o preface_n and_o introduction_n to_o it_o will_v assure_v you_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n 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 the_o true_a public_a liberty_n safety_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o strike_v this_o covenant_n with_o god_n use_v let_v we_o then_o in_o the_o second_o place_n be_v exhort_v to_o be_v mindful_a of_o it_o so_o the_o psalmist_n press_v it_o upon_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n 15._o 1_o chron._n 16._o be_v you_o always_o mindful_a of_o his_o covenant_n none_o of_o we_o here_o present_a but_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n with_o our_o god_n upon_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n to_o be_v visible_a member_n of_o it_o we_o enter_v this_o covenant_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v as_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v our_o god_n and_o we_o will_v be_v his_o people_n this_o covenant_n many_o of_o we_o most_o of_o we_o i_o suppose_v have_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v in_o our_o receive_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n happy_o some_o of_o we_o many_o of_o we_o have_v upon_o occasion_n renew_v this_o covenant_n it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o special_a distress_n or_o upon_o the_o receive_n of_o some_o special_a mercy_n we_o have_v lay_v new_a engagement_n upon_o our_o soul_n bind_v they_o with_o new_a cord_n new_a vow_n new_a resolution_n and_o this_o be_v the_o service_n which_o this_o day_n our_o god_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o authority_n call_v we_o unto_o o_o let_v we_o not_o then_o be_v unmindful_a of_o this_o covenant_n take_v we_o heed_n of_o forget_v it_o it_o be_v that_o which_o moses_n charge_v upon_o the_o people_n deut._n 4._o take_v heed_n unto_o yourselves_o lest_o you_o forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n 23._o a_o caveat_n very_o necessary_a this_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v very_o subject_a to_o forget_v and_o the_o forgetfulness_n thereof_o be_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n 1_o subject_n we_o be_v to_o forget_v it_o as_o for_o our_o covenant_n with_o man_n we_o easy_o remember_v they_o especial_o if_o they_o make_v for_o our_o advantage_n but_o this_o our_o covenant_n with_o god_n though_o most_o advantageous_a to_o we_o all_o the_o advantage_n be_v we_o god_n be_v no_o way_n advantage_v by_o our_o covenant_n they_o be_v neither_o honour_n nor_o profit_n to_o he_o both_o to_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v confederate_v with_o the_o great_a god_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n what_o a_o honour_n and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v interest_v in_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o a_o better_a what_o a_o benefit_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o how_o subject_n be_v we_o to_o forget_v it_o a_o infirmity_n which_o we_o have_v draw_v from_o the_o loin_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n they_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n in_o state_n of_o innocence_n yet_o how_o soon_o do_v they_o forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n this_o be_v we_o much_o more_o subject_a to_o a_o truth_n which_o experience_n will_v make_v good_a to_o every_o one_o soul_n those_o vow_n and_o covenant_n which_o some_o of_o we_o have_v make_v with_o our_o god_n in_o time_n of_o distress_n and_o trouble_v how_o soon_o be_v they_o forget_v not_o unlike_o seman_n vow_n which_o in_o a_o stress_n at_o sea_n they_o make_v free_o but_o no_o soon_o come_v a_o shore_n but_o they_o forget_v all_o such_o be_v our_o vow_n and_o covenant_n for_o the_o most_o part_n which_o we_o make_v in_o our_o distress_n 19_o not_o covenant_n of_o salt_n such_o be_v god_n covenant_n with_o levi_n and_o such_o shall_v his_o people_n covenant_n be_v with_o he_o covenant_n for_o perpetuity_n but_o rather_o covenant_n of_o snow_n which_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o the_o sun_n shine_v upon_o they_o they_o present_o melt_v and_o vanish_v away_o this_o forgetfulness_n we_o be_v very_o subject_a to_o and_o therefore_o great_a need_n of_o this_o caveat_n take_v heed_n lest_o we_o forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o our_o god_n 2_o the_o forgetfulness_n whereof_o in_o the_o second_o place_n be_v of_o such_o dangerous_a consequence_n a_o inte_n to_o all_o evil_n and_o that_o both_o of_o sin_n and_o punishment_n see_v both_o in_o our_o first_o parent_n they_o forget_v the_o covenant_n make_v with_o their_o god_n and_o so_o venture_v upon_o the_o eat_n of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n a_o seal_n of_o that_o covenant_n they_o thereby_o let_v in_o all_o those_o evil_n which_o have_v overrun_v and_o drown_v all_o their_o posterity_n even_o a_o deluge_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n 1._o no_o such_o a_o inlet_n to_o evil_n of_o sin_n as_o this_o whence_o be_v it_o that_o christian_n i_o mean_v nominal_a christian_n they_o dare_v let_v lose_v the_o reins_n to_o licentiousness_n yield_v up_o themselves_o servant_n to_o sin_n and_o satan_n in_o the_o obey_v and_o fulfil_n of_o divers_a inordinate_a lust_n in_o adventure_v upon_o foul_a and_o it_o may_v be_v scandalous_a evil_n certain_o they_o have_v forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o their_o god_n 17._o it_o be_v that_o which_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v of_o the_o adulterous_a woman_n prov._n 2._o she_o forsake_v the_o guide_n of_o her_o youth_n and_o forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o her_o god_n the_o latter_a a_o reason_n of_o the_o former_a she_o forsake_v the_o guide_n of_o her_o youth_n give_v over_o herself_o to_o adulterous_a love_n and_o enchase_v embrace_n of_o stranger_n why_o she_o have_v forget_v the_o covenant_n of_o her_o god_n that_o be_v her_o conjugal_a vow_n and_o promise_v make_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o whence_o be_v it_o my_o brethren_n that_o our_o heart_n general_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o run_v out_o inordinate_o after_o the_o creature_n bestow_v those_o affection_n upon_o they_o which_o we_o owe_v peculiar_o to_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n sure_o we_o have_v forget_v at_o least_o do_v not_o as_o we_o ought_v remember_v the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n wherein_o we_o have_v engage_v ourselves_o to_o take_v he_o for_o our_o god_n to_o set_v he_o up_o in_o our_o heart_n to_o love_v he_o fear_v he_o honour_v he_o trust_v in_o he_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n 2._o no_o such_o a_o inlet_n to_o the_o evil_n of_o punishment_n for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v that_o god_n threaten_v his_o people_n with_o the_o sword_n of_o temporal_a judgement_n the_o worst_a i_o will_v bring_v a_o sword_n upon_o you_o that_o shall_v avenge_v the_o quarrel_n of_o my_o covenant_n 25._o what_o be_v the_o quarrel_n of_o his_o covenant_n why_o they_o have_v forget_v it_o and_o forget_v have_v violate_v it_o this_o let_v in_o the_o sword_n and_o with_o it_o pestilence_n and_o famine_n as_o attendant_n upon_o it_o as_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o word_n of_o such_o dangerous_a consequence_n be_v it_o to_o forget_v this_o covenant_n which_o we_o have_v make_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n useful_a in_o restrain_v we_o from_o sin_n useful_a in_o put_v we_o on_o to_o duty_n in_o the_o one_o a_o bridle_n in_o the_o other_o a_o spur_n both_o way_n very_o useful_a and_o therefore_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n give_v way_n also_o to_o this_o second_o branch_n of_o the_o exhortation_n remember_v you_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o lord_n here_o in_o the_o text_n put_v his_o people_n in_o mind_n of_o give_v they_o a_o hint_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o they_o have_v forget_v that_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n of_o it_o they_o will_v be_v faithful_a in_o it_o not_o think_v that_o ceremony_n and_o sacrifice_n and_o those_o external_a observance_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n but_o that_o they_o will_v apply_v themselves_o to_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n use_v 3._o and_o this_o let_v every_o of_o we_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n be_v excite_v to_o do_v 3_o so_o remember_v we_o the_o covenant_n of_o our_o god_n that_o we_o may_v be_v faithful_a in_o it_o faithful_a in_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o part_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v bind_v up_o in_o this_o one_o word_n obedience_n true_a it_o be_v indeed_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o we_o can_v do_v yet_o we_o shall_v fall_v short_a of_o that_o exactness_n of_o obedience_n which_o the_o law_n require_v there_o will_v be_v many_o fail_n many_o infirmity_n but_o
unto_o our_o father_n to_o eat_v the_o fruit_n thereof_o 36._o etc._n etc._n behold_v we_o be_v servant_n in_o it_o 37._o and_o it_o yield_v much_o increase_n to_o the_o king_n who_o thou_o have_v set_v over_o we_o because_o of_o our_o sin_n also_o they_o have_v dominion_n over_o our_o body_n and_o over_o our_o cattle_n at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o we_o be_v in_o great_a distress_n now_o in_o this_o condition_n behold_v they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o course_n and_o because_o of_o all_o this_o we_o make_v a_o sure_a covenant_n 38._o and_o write_v it_o and_o our_o prince_n levite_n and_o priest_n seal_v unto_o it_o verse_n 38._o this_o be_v they_o wont_a to_o do_v upon_o these_o occasion_n now_o whether_o there_o be_v the_o same_o occasion_n to_o be_v find_v among_o we_o we_o of_o this_o nation_n or_o no_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o here_o present_a will_v make_v any_o question_n of_o it_o alas_o the_o evidence_n be_v but_o too_o clear_a and_o that_o as_o for_o our_o present_a affliction_n so_o for_o our_o former_a defection_n the_o one_o of_o which_o usual_o attend_v upon_o the_o other_o affliction_n upon_o defection_n so_o you_o find_v it_o in_o all_o the_o place_n forementioned_a and_o so_o we_o at_o least_o many_o of_o our_o brethren_n in_o this_o kingdom_n find_v it_o by_o sad_a and_o woeful_a experience_n at_o this_o day_n our_o defection_n go_v before_o and_o that_o a_o great_a defection_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n among_o we_o scour_v bless_v be_v god_n the_o door_n thereof_o be_v not_o shut_v up_o yet_o we_o can_v say_v but_o it_o be_v pollute_v and_o that_o by_o bring_v in_o human_a invention_n to_o thrust_v out_o divine_a ordinance_n the_o lamp_n some_o of_o they_o extinguish_v and_o put_v out_o the_o most_o of_o they_o burn_v dim_a either_o for_o want_n of_o oil_n or_o snuff_v how_o few_o burn_a and_o shine_a lamp_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o the_o most_o part_n how_o be_v it_o turn_v to_o a_o mere_a formality_n our_o condition_n therein_o be_v but_o too_o like_o that_o of_o israel_n herein_o the_o text_n little_a to_o be_v see_v in_o most_o place_n but_o a_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o the_o meager_a carcase_n of_o a_o cold_a and_o formal_a devotion_n the_o heart_n of_o religion_n be_v well_o nigh_o eat_v out_o little_a power_n of_o it_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o the_o great_a part_n multitude_n of_o scandalous_a person_n swarm_v everywhere_o and_o yet_o continue_a member_n of_o the_o church_n 17_o swearer_n drunkard_n unclean_a person_n profane_a person_n such_o as_o hate_a reformation_n yet_o even_o they_o take_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n the_o seal_n of_o his_o covenant_n in_o their_o mouth_n pollute_v the_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n by_o their_o unworthy_a partake_n in_o they_o for_o the_o rest_n how_o have_v the_o great_a part_n be_v either_o mere_o civil_a or_o else_o lukewarm_a little_a heat_n little_a life_n little_a power_n of_o godliness_n to_o be_v feel_v or_o see_v sure_o our_o defection_n and_o our_o provocation_n have_v be_v great_a and_o our_o affliction_n at_o this_o day_n seem_v to_o answer_v it_o our_o case_n be_v now_o the_o very_a same_o with_o israel_n in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n asah_n 6._o in_o those_o time_n there_o be_v no_o peace_n to_o he_o that_o go_v out_o nor_o to_o he_o that_o come_v in_o but_o great_a vexation_n be_v upon_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n and_o nation_n be_v destroy_v of_o nation_n and_o city_n of_o city_n for_o god_n do_v vex_v they_o with_o all_o adversity_n so_o be_v it_o with_o they_o and_o be_v it_o not_o so_o with_o we_o at_o this_o day_n now_o in_o this_o condition_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v why_o now_o let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n now_o never_o be_v covenant_n more_o seasonable_a more_o needful_a for_o any_o people_n than_o it_o be_v for_o england_n at_o this_o day_n let_v we_o now_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n and_o that_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n covenant_n we_o have_v make_v but_o alas_o they_o have_v be_v temporary_a momentany_n soon_o forget_v let_v we_o now_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v no_o way_n so_o hopeful_a as_o this_o to_o appease_v the_o wrath_n that_o be_v go_v out_o smoke_v against_o we_o and_o burn_v among_o we_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o our_o present_a affliction_n and_o distraction_n to_o remove_v the_o evil_n which_o we_o feel_v to_o prevent_v the_o judgement_n which_o we_o fear_v to_o procure_v the_o mercy_n which_o we_o want_v to_o continue_v the_o mercy_n we_o enjoin_v to_o stay_v our_o god_n among_o we_o ob._n true_a you_o may_v say_v be_v it_o only_o such_o a_o covenant_n object_n a_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o covenant_n then_o may_v we_o hope_v for_o such_o a_o issue_n but_o alas_o this_o covenant_n here_o propound_v and_o tender_v to_o we_o we_o find_v it_o to_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n contain_v in_o it_o something_o to_o we_o impertinent_a and_o other_o scarce_o warrantable_a a._n a._o here_o i_o know_v some_o thing_n will_v be_v expect_v by_o way_n of_o satisfaction_n give_v i_o leave_v as_o brief_o and_o as_o full_o as_o i_o may_v or_o can_v liber_n be_v animam_fw-la to_o discharge_v conscience_n both_o i_o own_o and_o other_o by_o resolve_v such_o scruple_n as_o be_v most_o obvious_a and_o as_o i_o conceive_v of_o great_a importance_n in_o the_o general_n take_v the_o resolution_n thus_o though_o this_o be_v not_o the_o only_a thing_n in_o this_o covenant_n yet_o i_o take_v it_o and_o so_o will_v i_o have_v every_o one_o here_o present_a to_o look_v upon_o it_o to_o be_v the_o main_n viz._n the_o join_n of_o ourselves_o and_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n to_o the_o lord_n what_o else_o mean_v this_o grand_a design_n of_o a_o through_o reformation_n a_o personal_a a_o national_a reformation_n personal_a of_o our_o own_o heart_n life_n family_n national_a of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o three_o kingdom_n the_o former_a we_o promise_v to_o perform_v the_o latter_a we_o engage_v ourselves_o by_o all_o lawful_a way_n in_o our_o several_a place_n and_o station_n to_o endeavour_v and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o a_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n by_o covenant_n some_o particular_n i_o confess_v here_o may_v be_v find_v which_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v heterogeneal_a some_o of_o they_o foreign_a and_o other_o of_o they_o of_o mere_a civil_a concernment_n but_o upon_o a_o review_n we_o shall_v find_v most_o of_o they_o if_o not_o all_o of_o they_o to_o lie_v in_o a_o way_n of_o tendency_n unto_o that_o great_a and_o main_a end_n like_o so_o many_o lesser_a stream_n which_o though_o happy_o they_o have_v their_o several_a wind_n and_o turn_n yet_o at_o the_o length_n they_o all_o discharge_n and_o unload_v themselves_o into_o the_o same_o common_a channel_n all_o of_o they_o conduce_v either_o immediate_o or_o mediate_o to_o the_o promote_n of_o this_o desire_a reformation_n 1_o to_o this_o purpose_n tend_v that_o first_o branch_n of_o the_o first_o article_n where_o we_o promise_v to_o endeavour_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n a_o clause_n which_o seem_v to_o look_v direct_o upon_o they_o but_o withal_o it_o reflect_v and_o look_v back_o upon_o we_o who_o be_v much_o interss_v and_o concern_v in_o their_o whether_o woe_n or_o welfare_n in_o their_o peace_n we_o may_v the_o rather_o hope_v for_o peace_n in_o their_o ruin_n we_o can_v look_v long_o to_o survive_v such_o be_v the_o mutual_a engagement_n and_o concerment_n of_o both_o kingdom_n as_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o be_v like_a to_o stand_v or_o fall_v sink_v or_o swim_v together_o and_o such_o be_v that_o other_o clause_n in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o same_o article_n where_o we_o promise_v to_o endeavour_v the_o bring_n of_o all_o the_o church_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 government_n etc._n etc._n a_o design_n of_o high_a concernment_n no_o one_o thing_n tend_v more_o direct_o to_o the_o settle_n and_o establish_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o god_n in_o all_o of_o they_o 2_o to_o like_a purpose_n be_v the_o obligation_n in_o that_o second_o article_n which_o engage_v all_o to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o popery_n and_o the_o eradicate_n of_o such_o other_o evil_a weed_n as_o may_v endanger_v the_o suck_n out_o the_o heart_n of_o religion_n how_o ever_o hinder_v the_o growth_n of_o it_o 3_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o true_o though_o not_o
that_o it_o shall_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o desire_v the_o continuance_n of_o they_o this_o be_v the_o prelacy_n which_o we_o here_o engage_v our_o endeavour_n against_o not_o every_o covenant_n not_o all_o kind_n of_o prelacy_n or_o episcopacis_n i_o speak_v now_o in_o the_o language_n of_o other_o such_o as_o be_v of_o counsel_n in_o flame_a and_o contrive_v this_o covenant_n shall_v know_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o and_o no_o friend_n to_o this_o prelacy_n i_o be_o sure_a not_o prelacy_n in_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o notion_n thereof_o no_o some_o material_n of_o prelacy_n what_o ever_o government_n we_o have_v must_v yet_o be_v leave_v there_o can_v be_v a_o parliament_n without_o a_o speaker_n nor_o yet_o a_o committee_n without_o a_o chairman_n nor_o yet_o a_o enquest_n or_o jury_n without_o a_o foreman_n thus_o in_o the_o state_n and_o thus_o in_o the_o church_n there_o can_v be_v a_o synod_n a_o assembly_n a_o classis_fw-la a_o presbytery_n without_o a_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o a_o praeses_n a_fw-la primus_fw-la presbyter_fw-la one_o first_o in_o order_n and_o this_o in_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o word_n be_v prelacy_n not_o all_o prelacy_n then_o nor_o yet_o all_o episcopacy_n paul_n speak_v to_o the_o elder_n at_o ephesus_n 28._o and_o write_v to_o the_o elder_n at_o philippi_n he_o call_v they_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o 1._o bishop_n and_o shall_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v circumcise_a to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o my_o author_n from_o these_o exuberant_a member_n and_o officer_n strip_v of_o this_o unnecessary_a equipage_n and_o reduce_v to_o the_o primitive_a simplicity_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n shall_v by_o authority_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v a_o meet_a and_o convenient_a government_n for_o the_o church_n in_o this_o kingdom_n it_o be_v not_o conceive_v that_o any_o man_n shall_v stand_v engage_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o oath_n and_o covenant_n to_o oppose_v authority_n in_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o it_o that_o be_v not_o this_o government_n but_o a_o new_a government_n now_o we_o do_v not_o swear_v against_o what_o be_v not_o neither_o can_v a_o man_n proper_o be_v say_v to_o endeavour_v to_o eradicate_v that_o which_o as_o yet_o be_v not_o plant_v nay_o more_o shall_v there_o be_v a_o episcopacy_n or_o prelacy_n find_v in_o the_o word_n as_o the_o way_n of_o gospel-government_n which_o christ_n have_v bequeathe_v to_o his_o church_n and_o this_o be_v make_v appear_v we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o swear_v to_o extirpate_v such_o a_o prelacy_n as_o that_o rather_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o oath_n to_o entertain_v it_o as_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o i_o have_v speak_v not_o in_o my_o own_o but_o in_o other_o word_n not_o to_o declare_v my_o own_o private_a opinion_n in_o this_o great_a controversy_n of_o the_o time_n the_o point_n of_o church-government_n account_v it_o in_o myself_o in_o this_o juncture_n of_o time_n too_o high_a presumption_n to_o anticipate_v or_o forestall_v the_o judgement_n of_o that_o venerable_a convention_n before_o who_o this_o controversy_n now_o depend_v expect_v a_o speedy_a and_o fair_a decision_n according_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o word_n but_o only_o to_o endeavour_v a_o satisfaction_n to_o those_o of_o my_o brethren_n or_o other_o who_o possible_o may_v conscientious_o stumble_v at_o this_o stone_n the_o suppose_a ius_fw-la divinum_fw-la or_o apostolicum_fw-la of_o episcopacy_n obi._n but_o though_o a_o ius_fw-la divinum_fw-la be_v not_o stamp_v upon_o this_o government_n yet_o a_o ius_fw-la humanum_fw-la be_v though_o it_o be_v not_o of_o a_o divine_a foundation_n yet_o it_o stand_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o be_v so_o plant_v how_o can_v we_o engage_v ourselves_o to_o endeavour_v the_o root_n of_o it_o out_o a._n here_o not_o to_o dispute_v what_o i_o can_v determine_v nor_o as_o it_o be_v suppose_v any_o other_o whether_o it_o be_v in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o establish_v by_o the_o law_n or_o no_o let_v it_o be_v yield_v that_o it_o be_v what_o then_o shall_v we_o conceive_v ourselves_o thereby_o so_o conclude_v and_o shut_v up_o under_o this_o government_n as_o that_o what_o ever_o inconvenience_n we_o shall_v find_v therein_o yet_o we_o may_v not_o by_o lawful_a way_n and_o mean_n seek_v and_o endeavour_v the_o alteration_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o case_n which_o subject_n scruple_n not_o in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n nor_o yet_o freeman_n and_o burgess_n of_o a_o corporation_n or_o member_n of_o the_o like_a society_n in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o government_n though_o swear_v to_o defend_v and_o maintain_v they_o yet_o find_v by_o experience_n some_o evident_a and_o notable_a inconvenience_n in_o they_o they_o will_v make_v no_o scruple_n neither_o need_n they_o to_o endeavour_v by_o lawful_a way_n and_o mean_v a_o change_n and_o alteration_n in_o they_o law_n and_o ordinance_n and_o form_n of_o government_n though_o very_o useful_a in_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o they_o yet_o afterwards_o through_o change_n of_o time_n they_o may_v degenerate_v and_o become_v unuseful_a it_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a and_o detrimental_a cross_v that_o very_a end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v ordain_v thus_o be_v it_o with_o human_a law_n and_o constitution_n the_o best_a the_o wise_a of_o they_o they_o be_v like_o the_o man_n that_o make_v they_o mutable_a not_o unlike_o those_o liquor_n which_o will_v grow_v flat_a and_o sour_a with_o stand_v it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o god_n law_n they_o never_o degenerate_v never_o prove_v unuseful_a much_o less_o detrimental_a to_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v and_o by_o who_o they_o be_v observe_v but_o human_a law_n and_o constitution_n may_v which_o when_o they_o do_v no_o reason_n why_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o irrecoverable_o conclude_v under_o they_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o by_o lawful_a way_n and_o mean_n let_v that_o still_o be_v carry_v along_o seek_v a_o alteration_n for_o the_o better_a obi._n for_o the_o better_a ay_o may_v you_o say_v be_v we_o assure_v of_o that_o we_o will_v not_o be_v unwilling_a with_o such_o a_o exchange_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n alteration_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v dangerous_a as_o in_o the_o state_n so_o in_o the_o church_n a._o true_a they_o be_v so_o viz._n where_o they_o be_v manage_v by_o precipitate_a or_o sinister_a counsel_n not_o carry_v on_o with_o due_a deliberation_n and_o advice_n special_o where_o this_o exchange_n be_v make_v by_o guest_n and_o not_o by_o rule_n but_o that_o i_o trust_v will_v not_o be_v find_v to_o be_v our_o condition_n if_o multitude_n of_o unbiased_a counselor_n promise_v safety_n bless_a be_v god_n as_o yet_o the_o kingdom_n want_v they_o not_o whether_o for_o church_n or_o state_n and_o with_o what_o deliberation_n they_o have_v hitherto_o proceed_v in_o agitate_v the_o business_n of_o both_o special_o of_o the_o church_n let_v their_o enemy_n judge_n wherein_o their_o protestation_n be_v and_o i_o think_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v it_o that_o all_o shall_v be_v do_v as_o need_v as_o may_v be_v by_o rule_n and_o that_o not_o by_o a_o lesbian_a leaden_a rule_n such_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o prudence_n be_v which_o every_o one_o may_v bow_n and_o bend_v to_o his_o own_o interest_n but_o by_o the_o inflexible_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n which_o if_o this_o work_n be_v frame_v by_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o fear_v the_o alteration_n special_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o present_a church-government_n no_o government_n among_o we_o which_o indeed_o be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o nullity_n a_o anarchy_n a_o mere_a name_n and_o shadow_n of_o government_n the_o coercive_a power_n which_o animate_v any_o government_n be_v indeed_o the_o very_a soul_n of_o it_o without_o which_o it_o be_v but_o a_o cadaverous_a and_o liveless_a corpse_n be_v already_o by_o a_o overrule_a hand_n of_o a_o most_o immediate_a providence_n take_v away_o and_o that_o by_o unquestionable_a authority_n now_o it_o be_v a_o receive_a maxim_n better_a any_o government_n than_o no_o government_n tyranny_n then_o anarchy_n what_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o one_o the_o present_a no-government_n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n among_o we_o already_o feel_v to_o her_o eminent_a hazard_n what_o ever_o the_o succeed_a government_n shall_v be_v yet_o may_v we_o promise_v to_o ourselves_o in_o it_o a_o comparative_a happiness_n some_o other_o scruple_n possible_o may_v be_v start_v but_o i_o want_v time_n now_o to_o let_v slip_n after_o they_o neither_o be_v they_o such_o i_o suppose_v but_o that_o a_o little_a charity_n yield_v to_o the_o present_a necessity_n will_v soon_o take_v they_o up_o afford_v they_o a_o fair_a construction_n and_o resolution_n