Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	doctrine_n	worship_n	3,910	5	7.2192	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A36441	A phenix, or, The Solemn League and Covenant whereunto is annexed : 1. The form and manner of His Majesties coronation in Scotland, with a sermon then preached on that occasion, by Robert Douglas of Edenburgh, II. A declaration of the Kings Majesty to all his loving subjects of the Kingdoms of Scotland, &c. in the yeare 1650, III. The great danger of covenant-breaking, &c., being the substance of a sermon preached by Edm. Calamy, the 14 of Jan., 1645, before the then Lord Mayor of the city of London, Sir Tho. Adams : together with the shieriffs [sic], aldermen, and Common-Councell of the said city : being the day of their taking the Solemn League and Covenant at Michael Basenshaw, London.	Douglas, Robert, 1594-1674.; Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666. Great danger of covenant-breaking.; England and Wales. Sovereign (1660-1685 : Charles II)	1662 (1662)	Wing D2034; ESTC R5271	65,771	176

A PHENIX OR The Solemn LEAGUE and COVENANT Whereunto is annexed I. The Form and manner of His Majesties Coronation in Scotland With a Sermon then preached on that occasion by Robert Douglas of Edenburgh II. A Declaration of the Kings Majesty to all His loving Subjects of the Kingdoms of Scotland c. in the Yeare 1650. III. The great Danger of Covenant-breaking c. Being the substance of a Sermon preached by Edm. Calamy the 14. of Jan. 1645. before the then Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir Tho. Adams together with the Shieriffs Aldermen and Common-councell of the said City being the day of their taking the Solemn League and Covenant at Michael Basenshaw London EDINBVRGH Printed in the year of Covenant-breaking To the Reader Reader THou mayst expect some Reasons by way of Preface why these things thus collected are presented to thy consideration the principall part thereof having been the occasion of so much contest and trouble in these Nations and therefore desired by many it should have been buried in its own ashes But for that things of such publique concernment have been acted by the Heads of these Nations and in so solemn a manner in the presence of Almighty God it cannot so soon be forgotten but ought to be weighed and layd to heart with the good or evil consequences that have or shall accrew thereby it is therefore left to thy serious consideration A solemn League and Covenant For Reformation and defence of Religion the Honour and Happines of the King and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland WE the Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our Eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ the Honour and Happiness of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true Publick Liberty Safety peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included calling to mind the treacherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts Practices of the Enemies of God against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their Rage Power and Presumption are of late and at this time increased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England and the dangerous estate of the Church Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the preservation of our Selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a Mutuall and Solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most high God do swear 1. THat we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our severall places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion confession of faith form of Church-government Directory for worship and catechising That we and our posterity after us may as brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us 2. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavor the extirpation of popery prelacy that is Church-government by Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy superstition heresie schism prophanness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and therein be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdoms 3. We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our severall vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the rights and priviledges of the parliaments and the Liberties of the kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the Preservation and Defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the World may bear witnesse with our Consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesties just Power and Greatnesse 4. We shall also with all Faithfulnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evil Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from His People or one of the three Kingdomes from another or making any faction or parties among the People contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publick Tryal and receive condign Punishment as the degree of their Offences shall require or deserve or the Supream Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5. And whereas the Happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdomes denied in former times to our Progenitors is by the good Providence of God granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and setled by both the Parliaments we shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firm Peace and Union to all Posterity and that Justice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Articles 6. We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdomes assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and Conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the Kingdomes and the honour of the King but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever and what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveal and make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All

King but Kingly Government 4. There is a fourth who professe they acknowledge a King but dispise him in their heart saying Shall this man save us I wish all had Davids tendernesse whose heart smote him when he did but cut off the lap of Sauls garment that we may be far from cutting off a lap of that just power and greatnesse which God hath allowed to the King and we have bound our selves by Covenant not to diminish I have gone through the three particulars contained in ver 12. I come to the other two in v. 17. which appertain also to this said work for our King is not only to be crowned but to renew a covenant with God and his people and to make a covenant with the people Answerable hereto there is a twofold covenant in the words one between God and the King and the people God being the one party the King and the people the other Another between the King and the people the King being the one party the people the other The covenant with God is the fourth particular propounded to be spoken of The sum of the covenant ye may find 2 King 23.3 in Josiah his renewing the covenant To walk after the Lord keep his commandments and testimonies with all thy heart and to perform the words of the covenant The renewing of the covenant was after a great defection from God and the setting up of false worship The King and the people of God bound themselves before the Lord to set up true worship and to abolish the false Scotland hath a preference in this before other Nations In time of defection they have renewed a covenant with God to reform all And because the King after a great defection in that family is to renew the covenant I shall mention some particulars from the League and Covenant 1. We are bound to maintain the true Reformed Religion in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government established in this kingdome and to endeavour the Reformation of Religion in the other two kingdoms according to the word of God and the best reformed Kirks By this Article the King is obliged not onely to maintain Religion as it is established in Scotland but also to endeavour the reformation of Religion in his other kingdoms The King should consider well when it shall please God to restore him to his Government there that he is bound to endeavour the establishment of the work of Reformation there as wel as to maintain it here According to the second article the King is bound without respect of persons to extirpate Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Scheism Prophanesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godlinesse and therefore Popery is not to be suffred in his Royall family nor within his Dominions Prelacy once pluck up by the root is not to be permitted to take root again all Heresie and Error whatsoever must be opposed by him to the utmost of his power and by the covenant the K. must be farre from tolleration of any false Religion within his Dominions 3. As the people are bound to maintain the Kings person and authority in the maintenance of the true Religion and liberties of the kingdom So the King is bound with them to maintain the rights and priviledges of the Parliament and liberties of the subjects according to the third article 4. We are bound to discover and to bring unto condign punishment all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evil instruments in hindring the reformation of Religion dividing the king from the people or one of the kingdoms from another or making any faction or parties amongst them hereby the king is bound to have an eye upon such and neither allow them nor comply with them but to concur according to his power to have them censured and punished as is expressed in the fourth article I shall sum up all this That a K. entring in covenant with God should doe as the kings did of old when they entred into covenant they and their people went on in the work of Reformation as appears there vers 8. And all the people of the Lord went to the house of Baal and brake it down c. And godly Josiah when he entred in covenant made a thorow reformation There is a fourfold reformation in Scripture and contained in the League and Covenant 1. A personal Reformation 2. A Family reformation 3. A reformation of Judicatories 4. A reformation of the whole Land Kings have had their hand in all the Four and therefore I recommend them to our King 1. A personal Reformation A King should reform his own life that he may be a pattern of godlinesse to others and to this he is tied by the Covenants The godly reformers of Judah were pious and religious men A King should not follow Machiavell his counsel who requireth not that a Prince should be truly religious but saith that a shadow of it and external simulation are sufficient A divellish counsel and it is just with God to bring a King to the shadow of a Kingdom who hath but the shadow of Religion We know that dissembling Kings have been punished of God and let our King know that no King but a religious king can please God David is highly commended for godlinesse Hezekiah a man eminent for piety Josiah a young king commended for the tendernesse of his heart when he heard the law of the Lord read he was much troubled before the Lord when he heard the judgements threatned against his Fathers house and his people it is earnestly wished that our Kings heart may be tender and be truly humbled before the Lord for the sins of his Fathers house and of the land and for the many evils that are upon that Family and upon that Kingdome 2. A Family Reformation The King should reform his Family after the example of godly kings Asa when he entred in covenant spared not his Mothers Idolatry The house of our king hath been much defiled by Idolatry The king is now in covenant and to renew the covenant let the Royal Family be reformed and that it may be a religious Family wherein God will have pleasure Let it be purged not only of Idolatry but of prophanity and loosness which hath abounded in it Much hath been spoken of this matter but little hath been done in it Let the king and others who have charge in that family think it lieth upon them as a duty to purge it And if you would have a Famiy well purged and constitute take David for a pattern in the purgation and constitution of his Psalm 10. The froward heart wicked persons and slanderers he will have far from him but his eyes are upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with him Ye may extent this Reformation to the Court A prophane Court is dangerous for a king it hath been observed as a provoking sin in England which hath drawn down

in the Devil thus speaking to Christ at the great day of judgement Ego pro istis quos mecum vides nec alapas accepi nec flagella sustinui nec crucem pertuli nec sanguinem fudi sed nec regnum coeleste illis promitto nec ad paradisum evoco tamen se mihi suaque omnia consecrarunt I have not said saith the Devil been whipt and scourged and crucified neither have I shed my blood for these whom thou seest with me I do not promise them a kingdom of Heaven c. And yet these men have wholy consecrated themselves to me my service Indeed if the Devil could make such gainful covenants with us and bestow such glorious mercies upon us as are contained within the covenant our serving of Satan and sin might have some excuse But when as his covenant is a covenant bondage death hell and damnation and Gods covenant is a covenant of liberty grace and eternall happiness it must needs be a sin inexcusable to be willing and wilfully such a covenant-breaker 2. Let us examine concerning the vowes which we have made to God in our distresses in our personal distresses and our National distresses Are we not like the children ef Israel of whom it is said Psal 78 34. When he slew them then they sought him and they returned and enquired early after God c. Nevertheless they did but flatter him with their mouth c. For their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant Are we not like unto little children that while they are whipping will promise any thing but when the whipping is over will performe nothing Or like unto Iron that is very soft and malleable while it is in the fire but when it is taken out of the fire returns presently to his former hardnesse This was Jacobs fault He made a vow when he was in distresse Gen. 28.22 But he forgat his Covenant and God was angry with him and chastised him in his Daughter Dinah Gen. 34.5 in his two sons Simeon and Levi. And at last God himself was fain to call to him from heaven to keep covenant And after that time God blessed Jacob exceedingly Gen. 35.9 10 11 12. We read of David Psal 56.13 14 15. that he professeth of himself that he would go into Gods house and pay the vows which his lips had uttered and his mouth had spoken when he was in trouble But how few are there that imitate David in this thing Thirdly Let us examine our selves concerning ihis solemne League and Covenant which we are to renue this day And here I demand an answer to this question Q. Are we not covenant-breakers do we not make the times perilous by our falsifying of our oath and covenant with God In our Covenant we swear to six things 1. That we will endeavour to be humbled for our sins and for the sins of the kingdome But where shall we find a mourner in England for his own abominations that are committed in the midst of us it is easie to find a censurer of the sins of the Land but hard to find a true mourner for the sins of the land 2. We swear that we will endeavour to go before one another in the example of a reall reformation But who makes conscience of this part of the Oath What sin hast thou left or in what one thing hast thou been reformed since thou tookest this Covenant We read Ezra 10.7 That they entered into covenant to put away their wives and their children by them which was a very difficult and hard duty and yet did they it But what bosome sin what beloved sin as dear to thee as thy dear wife and children hast thou left for Gods sake since thou tookest this Oath I read Nehem. 5.13 that the people took an Oath to make restitution which was a costly duty and yet they performed it saith the Text. But alas where is the man that hath made restitution of his ill gotten goods since he took this Covenant I read 2 Chron. 15.16 that King Asa deposed his Mother Maachah her even her from being Queen after he had entered into Covenant and that the people 2 Kin. 11.18 after they had sworn a covenant brake in pieces all the Altars of Baall thoroughly But where is this thorough Reformation this thorough amendment of life Indeed here is much talk of a Reformation but little practice of a Reformation We say we fight for a Reformation but I fear lest in a little time we should fight away our Reformation or if not fight it away yet we should dispute it away For now all our religion is turned into Vtrum's into Questions insomuch as that there are some that call all religion into question and in a little while will loose all religion in the crowd of questions Inter disputandum veritas religio amittitur There was a time not many years agoe when God did blesse our Ministery in the City to the conversion of many people unto God but now there are many that study more to gain parties to themselves then to gain souls to God The great work of conversion is little thought on And never so few if any at all converted as in these days wherein we talk so much of Reformation And is this to keep Covenant with God 3. We swear to endeavour to amend the lives and reform not only our selves but also those that are under our charge But where is this Family-reformation indeed I read of Jacob that when he went to perform his vow and covenant he first reformed his family Gen. 35.3 And that Joshua resolved and per●ormed it for himself and his family to serve the Lord. And so did Josiah 2 Chron. 34. And ●h that I could add And so do we but the wickednesses committed in our families proclaim the contrary to all the world What Noblemans what Aldermans what Merchants family is more reformed since the Covenant th●n before we speak and contend much for a Church-reformation but how can there be a Church-reformation unless there be a Family-reformation What though the Church-worship be pure yet if the worshippers be impure God will not accept of the worship And if families be not reformed how will your worshippers be pure 4. We swear to endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion confession of Faith form of Church-government Directory for worship and catechizing c. But are there not some that write against an Vniformity in religion and call it an Idoll Are there not many that walk professedly contrary to this clause of the covenant There are three Texts of Scripture that people keep the quite contrary way The first is Mat. 6.34 31 25. Take no thought what you shall eat c. take no thought for to morrow And most people take thought for nothing else The second text is Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the kingdome of

God and his righteousnesse c. And most people seek this last of all The third text is Joh. 6.27 Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for the meat that endureth for ever c. And most people labour not for the meat that endureth for ever but for the meat that perisheth As these three texts are kept so do many people keep this part of the Oath for there were never more divisions and differences in the Church never more difformity and pleading against uniformity then now there is 5. We swear to endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schisme c. And yet notwithstanding there are some that have taken this Oath that contend earnestly for a Toleration of all Religions 6. We swear against a detestable indifferency and Neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God c. And yet how many are there amongst us that are like unto Gallio that care not what becomes of the cause of God so they may have peace and quiet That will not be the backwardest of all and yet will be sure not to be too forward for fear lest if the times turn they should be noted amongst the chief of the Faction That are very indifferent which side prevail so they may have their trading again That say as the Polititian that they would be carefull not to come to near the heels of Religion lest it should dash out its brains And as the King of Arragon told Beza that he would wade no further into the sea of Religion then he could safely return to shoar In all these six particulars let us seriously search and try our hearts whether we be not amongst the number of those that make the times perilous The third use is for Humiliation Let the consideration of our Covenant-breaking be a heart-breaking consideration to every one of us this day Let this be a mighty and powerful Argument to bumble us upon this day of humiliation There are five considerations that are exceedingly soul-humbling if God bless them unto us 1. The consideration of the many commandements of God that we have often often broken 2. The consideration of the breaking of Jesus Christ for our sins how he was rent and torn for our iniquities 3. The consideration of the breaking of the bread and the pouring out of the wine in the Sacrament which is a heart-breaking motive and help 4. The broken condition that the Kingdome of England Scotland and Ireland and that Germany is in at this time 5. The many Vowes and Covenants that we have broken our Sacrament-covenants our Fasting-covenants our Sick bed-Covenants And especially the consideration of our often breaking of our Nationall-covenant which you come this day to renue This is a sin in Folio a sin of a high nature and if ever God awaken conscience in this life a sin that will lye like a heavy Incuba upon it A greater sin then a sin against a Commandement or against an Ordinance A sin not only of disobedience but of perjury A sin of injustice of spiritual Adultery A sin of Sacriledge A sin of great unkindnesse A sin that makes us not only disobedient but dishonest For we account him a dishonest man that keeps not his word A sin that not only every good Christian but every good Heathen doth abhor A sin that not onely brings Damnation upon us but casteth such into horrible disgrace and reproach upon God that it cannot stand with Gods honour not to be avenged of a Covenant-breaker Tertullian saith that when a Christian forsakes his Covenant and the colours of Christ and turnes to serve as the Divels souldier he puts an unspeakable discredit upon God and Christ For it is as much as if he should say I like the service of the Divel better then the service of God And it is just as if a souldier that hath waged war under a Captain and afterwards forsaking him turnes to another and after that leaves this other Captain and returns to his former Captain This is to prefer the first Captain before the second This makes God complain Jer. 24. What iniquity have your Fathers found in me that they are gone far from me c. And in the 11 ver Hath any Nation changed their God which are yet no Gods but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit Basill brings in the Devil insulting over Christ and saying I never created nor redeemed these men and yet they have obeyed me contemned thee O Christ even after they have Covenanted to be thine And then he addes Equidem ego istam futuram adversus Christum gloriationem hostis insolentem gravius longe esse statuo quam Geheimae supplicia That is I esteem this insulting of the Devill over Jesus Christ at the great day to be more grievous to a true Saint then all the torments of hell A saying worthy to be written in letters of gold Seeing then that covenant-breaking is so great an abomination the Lord give us hearts to be humbled for this great abomination this day And this will be a notable preparation to sit you to the renuing of your Covenant For we read that Nehemiah first called his people to fast before he drew them into a Covenant According to which pattern you are here met to pray and humble your soules for your former covenant-breaking and then to bind your selves anew unto the Lord our God As wax when it is melted will receive the impression of a seal which it will not do before so will your hearts when melted into godly sorrow for our sins receive the seal of God abidingly upon them which they will not do when hardned in sin Is every man that sins against the covenant to be accounted a covenant-breaker and a perjured sacrilegious person By no means For as every failing of a Wife doth not break a Covenant between her and her Husband but she is to be accounted a Wife till she by committing adultery break the Covenant So every miscariage against the covenant of grace or against this National-covenant doth not denominate us in a Gospell-account covenant-breakers But then God accounts us according to his Gospel to break Covenant when we do not only sin but commit sin against the Covenant when we do not only sin out of weaknesse but out of wickednesse when we do not only faile but fall into sin when we forsake and renounce the Covenant when we deal treacherously in the Covenant and enter into League and covenant with those sins which we have sworn against When we walk into Anti-covenant paths and willingly do contrary to what we swear then are we perjured and unjust and sacrilegious and guilty of all these things formerly mentioned The fourth Use presents unto you a Divine and therefore a sure project to make the times happy And that is Let all Covenant-takers labour to be covenant-keepers It hath pleased God to put it in your hearts

to renue your Covenant The same God inable you to keep Covenant It is said 2 Chron. 34 31 32. The King made a covenant before the Lord c. And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it And 2 Kings 23.3 The King stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord c. and all the people stood to the covenant This is your duty not only to take the covenant but to stand to the covenant and to stand to it maugre all opposition to the contrary According as we read 2 Chron. 15.12 13. And they entred into covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers c. That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether small or great whether man or woman For it is not the taking but the keeping of the Covenant that will make you happy God is stiled A God keeping covenant Deut. 9.4 Neh. 1.5 O that this might be the honour of this City That we may say of it London is a City keeping covenant with God Great and many are the blessings entailed upon Covenant-keepers Exod 19.5 6. Now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine And ye shal be unto me a Kingdom of Priests an holy Nation c. Psal 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant c. Psal 15.4 There are three Covenants I shall perswade you in an especial manner to stand to 1. The covenant you made with God in Baptism A Christian saith Chrysostom should never step out of doors or lie down in his bed or go into his closet but he should remember that word Abrenuncio that is He should remember the time when he did renounce the Divel and all his works Oh let us not forget that which we ought alwayes to remember Let us remember to keep that Covenant as ever we desire God should remember us in mercy at the great day 2. The covenants which we make unto God in our afflictions Famous is that passage of Pliny in one of his Epistles to one that desired rules from him how to order his life aright I will saith he give you one rule which shall be instead of a thousand Vt tales esse perseveremus sani quales nos futuros esse profitemur infirmi That we should persevere to be such when we are well as we promise to be when we are sick A sentence never to be forgotten The Lord help us to live accordingly 3. The covenant which you are to take this day The happinesse or misery of England doth much depend upon the keeping or breaking of this Covenant If England keep it England by keeping covenant shall stand sure according to that text Ezek. 7.14 If England break it God will break England in pieces If England sleight it God will sleight England If England forsake it God will forsake England And this shall be written upon the Tombe of perishing England Here lyeth a Nation that hath broken the covenant of their God Remember what you have heard this day That it is the brand of a Reprobate to be a Covenant-breaker c. It is the part of a Fool to vow and not to pay his vowes And God hath no delight in the sacrifice of fools Better not vow then to vow and not to pay Eccl. 5.4 5. It is such an high prophanation of Gods Name as that God cannot hold a Covenant-breaker guiltlesse It is perjury injustice spiritual adultery sacriledge c. And the very lifting up of our hands this day if you do not set heart and hand on work to keep covenant will be sufficient witness against you at the great day We read Gen. 31.44 45 46 48 49 52 53. That Jacob and Laban entred into a covenant and ●ook a heap of stones and made them a witnesse and said This heap is a witnesse c. And they called the name of the place Mizpah The Lord watch between me and thee c. The God of Abraham judge betwixt us c. Such as your condition this day You enter into Covenant to become the Lords and to be valiant for his truth and against his enemies And the very stones of this Church shall be witnesse against you if you break covenant The name of this place may be called Mizpah The Lord will watch over you for good if you keep it and for evil if you break it And all the curses contained in the book of the Covenant shall light upon a willing covenant-breaker The Lord fasten these meditations and soul-awaking considerations upon your hearts The Lord give you grace to keep close to the Covenant and in keeping of it to keep God and a good conscience which are both lost by covenant-breaking There are 4. things which I shall perswade you unto in pursuance of your Covenant 1. To be humbled for your own sins and for the sins of the K●ngdome and more especially Because we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel that we have not laboured to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us Gospel-sins are greater then legall sins and will bring Gospel-curses which are greater then legall-curses And therefore let us be humbled according to our Covenant for all our Gospel abominations 2. You must be ambitious to go before one another in an example of real reformation You must swear vainly no more be drunk no more break the Sabbath no more c. You must remember what David saith Psal 50.16 But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee To si● willingly after we have sworn not to sin is not only to sin against a Commandement as I have said but to sin against an Oath which is a double iniquity and will procure a double damnation And he that takes a Covenant to reform and yet continued unreformed his Covenant will be unto him as the bitter water of jealousie was to the woman guilty of adultery which made her belly to swell and thigh to rot c. Numb 5.22 3. You must be careful to reform your families according to your covenant the example of Joshua Jacob the godly Kings forementioned 4 You must endeavour according to your places and callings to bring the churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion c. O blessed Vnity how come it to passe that thou art so much sleighted and contemned Was not unity one of the chief parts of Christs prayer unto his Father when he was here upon earth John 17.11 Is not unity amongst Christians one of the