instance if which God forbid we should see or know any person that should rise up against the King or Parliament wilfully infringe their just and good orders and priviledges or indeavour to set or maintaine division or dis-affection betweene the King and Parliament or betwixt the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland be his pretence as Papists and Popish persons want not excuses and colourable pretences he is declared a publick enemy of the State and peace of the Kingdome See the Declar. of Parl. Ian. 17. 1641. and we are by this Protestation bound by all lawfull means to bring such a person to condigne punishment So againe doe we see or heare any seeking wittingly and wilfully to disgrace suppresse or bring into contempt the true Reformed Protestant Religion or to vent and advance Popery or Popish Innovations within this Realme to set up any woodden stone or painted Image Crosse or other scandalous resemblances we are by vertue of this Protestation bound by all lawfull meanes and wayes according to the rules of Christian wisdome and prudence to bring that person or persons to condigne punishment for his demerits And we have warrant for this in the word of God Husha◠the Archite did prevent the dangerous plot against David and discovered it to him 2 Sam. 17.7 8 15. c. Mordecai discovered treason against Ahasuerus Hest c. 6. You the very Pagans would doe thus endeavour to bring to deserved punishment those that were enemies to their Idoll gods Religion King Country or publick-wealth And Gods word requires this of us Pro. 24 21 22. My sonne feare thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change that is to bring in any Doctrine worship or discipline or any thing contrary to the true Religion or word of God and the wholesome and good Lawes of the Land especially such as are fundamentall for their calamity shall rise-suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both Yea in case of seducing from the true to false Religion or worship of God as is well observed by a godly * M. I. G. Divine it is cleare that we must bring any to punishment how neare or deare so ever unto us See Deut. 13.6 7 8 9 10. If thy Brother the sonne of thy mother or thy sonne or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosome entise thee saying let us goe and serve other gods Thou shalt not consent unto them nor hearken unto them neither shall thy eye pitty them Our love to God and the true Religion ought to over-rule our affections to our friends and naturall Parents in the flesh much more our affections towards others which our Saviour confirmes Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more then me 〈◊〉 not worthy of me And in case of the publicke weale if any person be an enemy to it and will not be reclaimed our affection to our Country and the Common-wealth must over-rule naturall and private affection even to such as are neare and deare unto us and Cicero an Heathen determines this among other cases Cicero de Ossicijs l 3. That if a mans owne Father would betray his Country and do any thing that tends to the apparent ruine of the Common-wealth he must not keepe silence but preferre the safety of his Country before a Father and indeavour to hinder him or complaine of him This is just and reasonable for a publicke good of such concernement ought to bee preferred before a private Seventhly we also promise In all just and honourable wayes to indeavour to preserve the Vnion and Peace betweene the thrée Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland And there is great reason for it because they being now as it were one the division of them or disturbing their peace is the way to ruine all especially in these evill times when all our forces united together will be little enough and too little without Gods more then ordinary assistance to preserve our peace yea to keepe them from sinking and ruine by the common enemy to our Religion to our King and Kingdom And this is the first thing I here promised to speake off viz what we doe here promise vow and protest Now for The second What it is to maintaine and defend the true Protestant Religion or Doctrine and oppose the contrary viz. in our hearts to beleeve imbrace love professe and walk according to the Rules of the true Reformed Protestant Religion to justifie and defend the same as occasion requireth and calleth on us and to disavow the Popish Doctrine and Innovations which are contrary hereunto and set our selves against it and them or any that shall endeavour to attempt any thing contrary to the true Protestant Religion the Person Honour and Estate of the King the power and Priviledges of Parliament c. Thirdly The grounds and reasons of making and entring into this Protestation or Nationall Covenant are included in the preamble to the Protestation to which I referre you for fuller satisfaction only thus much here in a few words I conceive it may be of use 1. To binde all true Protestants more firmely to God his truth wayes and worship and to prevent the growth of Popery and Popish Innovations and in time to root out both as in conscience reason Religion and policy we should And this is a very speciall meanes to effect it for this binds us not only to embrace maintaine and defend the true Religion but also to reject Popery yea to oppose it and all such as seeke to advance or uphold it 2. To discover all Popish persons and such as stand disaffected to the true Religion and the peace and welfare of the King and Kingdome Church or State that they may be dealt with according as to justice doth appertaine 3. Thereby also the better to disappoint all the Adversaries plots and designes against true Religion the King Kingdome Church and State And 4. To continue and increase the honour peace and welfare of the same to all which purposes this bond may be of speciall use and the most effectuall meanes to accomplish such blessed ends Now Fourthly How far and how firmely this bond or Covenant bindeth us 1. How far in respect of the wayes and meanes to be used and that is only to lawfull wayes to doe all these things as far as lawfully I may and by all good wayes and meanes that is by such wayes and meanes as are warrantable by the Law of God and the wholsome and good Lawes and Statutes of this Realme As for instance when we see any Popery or Popish Ceremonies and Innovations in the Church which we have protested against we may not in a violent and tumultuous way without any lawfull call and warrant set our selves against them and remove them but by our prayers to Almighty God and petitions to his Majesty the honourable Assembly or others
Discipline as well as Doctrine and worship That you would go on vigorously in the prosecution of your late Solemne League and Covenant and the Ordinance of both Kingdomes published January 20 1643 and particularly for the thorough suppression and rooting out of all Sects Schismes and erroneous doctrines destructive to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse and tending to libertinisme and disobedience to God and man That our Armies may be quickned to be more active follow opportunities which may be of unspeakable consequence That reproachers and scorners of godlinesse and conscience by nick-names may be questionable and severely punished by a law That you would be exceeding cautious of confiding in them about Treaties who keep no Faith That Arminianisme and Socinianisme the enemies to free grace and Romes Decoy-ducks to bring in Popery be timely throughly supprest That seandalous and Popish Magistrates that regard not the Execution of Justice be removed and approved just men fearing God and hating coveteousnesse and unrighteousnesse be placed in their roomes in all places That Contemners of your former good Orders be severely punished Wakes and unnecessiry Ale-houses and Play-houses the very nurcerics of vice and randevouz for all prophane wretches be suppressed That the joynt consent and happy concurrence of the Noble Peers with your House may be still continued Especially that they and you would use all possiole meanes and speed that His Royall Majestie may have a right understanding of your just desires and proceedings and would with the Prince be graciously pleased to returne to His Parliament All which I mention not to shew you what to do impute not such folly to your humble servant but in all humility to spread before your wisdoms what is by many thousands heartily desired humbly craved according as in your pious and deep wisdom shall seem most agreable to the rules of piety true Christian prudence and polity which surely will compleat the blessed work of Reformation begun make this a most slourishing Church and State amiable to our God glorious to our friends terrible to our enemies and make you and your Posterities renowned while this is a Nation And because your difficulties be very many and great therefore heare a word of encouragement from him who greatly honours you and your Assembly and whose duty it is ex efficio speciali to teach instruct exhort reprove c. The cause you are about is eminently good and of great importance God and all good men are on your side and though your adversaries be many mighty and politick yet God your Master whose work you are about is stronger and wiser then they all and one Jacob can do more with God for you then 400. Edowites can do against you And though our enemies should prevaile yet ten times * See my View of the Solemne League p 5. c. more yet cast not off your confidence in God but remember that when we are lowest then are we neerest deliverance and when our enemies are highest then are they neerest destruction And Honoured Worthies you have found God going along with you so scattering your enemies and furthering his worke even by their wicked plots and oppositions that you should now greatly dishonour God and the cause if you should suffer any thing to discourage you or make you feare the perfecting of the long and much desired work of Reformation in its due time only if Religion and the worship of God and the discipline of Jesus Christ be first setled then other evills how great soever will vanish away till then it cannot certainly be expected It is true it is not possible it should be done in a trice the greatnesse and exactnesse of the work the great deale of rubbish in the house of God both wretched persons and things and the great oppositions which great and good works meet with must of necessity make the work long Wherefore Noble Senators arme your selves with patience and resolution alwayes look as upon the work with one eye so at Gods glory and the publick good and upon Gods power wisdom goodnesse promise and faithfullnesse with the other regard not the person and face of any but Justice Gods glory and the Publike good and doubt not of a desired issue in due time which is the humble and hearty desire of him who is resolved to his utmost power and to the last breath God inabling by all means lawfull to maintain and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion against all Popery and Popish Innovations the Kings Majesties Person and Royall Posterity and Legall Authority the power and Priviledges of Parliament together with their persons in all their just and good proceedings the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subjects c. And endeavour the Reformation of Religion c. according to our late solemn league and Covenant against the enemies of God the King and State and shall till death remain Your daily Oratour at the Throne of Grace THO. MOCKET THE Nationall Covenant DEUT. 29.9 Keep therefore the words of this Covenant and do them that ye may prosper in all that ye do THese words of Moses from God to the people of Israel contain a further reason of the exhortation delivered in the former Chapter of performing Obedience to Gods Commandments which Reason or Argument is two-fold First From the consideration of Gods great and wonderfull mercies and benefits vouchsafed unto them in their deliverance out of Aegypt ver 2.3.4 In their Journey in the Wildernesse v. 5 6. and in the confines of the promised Land v. 7 8. Secondly from their Faith given or promise of Obedience made unto God intimated in the word Covenant in this verse Upon these two Grounds Gods goodnesse to them and their promise to him Moses doth in this Chapter presse them to Obedience in these words Keep therefore the words of this Covenant and do them The words of this Covenant is the Articles and Conditions which the people were by vertue of this Covenant bound to perform unto God This Covenant that is That Covenant which the people of Israel by Gods appointment made with God in the Land of Moab vers 1. which is there said to be another Covenant beside or differing from that which he made with them in Horeb on Mount Sinai where the Covenant was given Exod. 20. not in substance for so it is the same with that but in respect of the persons with whom even all those of Israel who were then unborn or unfit to enter into Covenant with God v. 14 15. And 2. In respect of the place this being neer the border of Canaan in the Country on the out-side of Jordan And thirdly In respect of the manner of revealing Christ who is in this more clearly revealed then on Mount Sinai The Propositions or Points of Doctrine naturally arising from these words are two viz. Doctr. 1. That a Covenant once made must be faithfully observed Or Covenanters must keep touch with God 2. That
shall blot out his name from under heaven and the Lord shall separate him to evill out of all the Tribes of Israel according to all the curses of the Covenant that are written in this book of the Law Mark the grand reason of all this fierce anger of the Lord against such vers 25. Because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord God of their fathers For breaking of Covenant God caused Achan and all his to be stoned and burnt in the sire Iosh 7.11.15 and all Israel suffere I with him they could not stand before their enemies but were routed and smitten before th m. For this very thing Sauls breaking the Covenant made with the Gibionites though long before his time God punished all Israel with three yeers famine and in the end with the death of seven of Saith sons 2 Sam. 21. therefore also God rent the Kingdom from Solomon and gave ten Tribes to his servant Ieroboam 1 King 11 11. All these things give weight to this duty and the point in hand Thus we have seen it opened what a Covenant is what it is to keep it and how Also the point or duty cleerly proved That a Covenant once made may not be broken but must be carefully kept Thus of a Covenant in generall Now with the good leave of the great Assembly I will here take occasion to speak something concerning our Nationall Covenant Vow or Protestation in particular And here I will first set down the Protestation prudently commended to us by the Honorable House in these words I A. B. Do in the presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest to maintain and defend as far as lawfully I may with my life power and estate the true reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same Doctrine And according to the duty of my Allegiance His Majesties Royall Person Honour and Estate As also the Power and Priviledges of Parliaments the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subjects and every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good wayes and means endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force practice counsels plots conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained And further that I shal in all just and honorable ways endeavor to preserve the union and peace betwixt the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland And neither for hope fear nor other respect shall relinquish this Promise Vow and Protestation Touching this Nationall Covenant or Protestation we may here observe and consider 1. What we here promise and vow to maintaine and so what we here renounce 2. What it is to maintaine and defend the true Protestant Religion 3. Why for what ends we entred into this Protestation 4. How far this promise and Protestation doth bind us First What we here promise vow and protest viz. divers things which I conceive are in number 7. And the First is to maintaine and defend with our lives power and estate The true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realme contrary to the same Doctrine I will not set downe the principall Doctrines of the true reformed Protestant Religion and the Anti. See M Ley his book entituled A comparison betwixt the late Oath c. Protestant or Popish Doctrines and Innovations which we here protest against I will only set downe some Arguments and Reasons why we should with our lives power and estates maintaine and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion in the generall and consequently every particular branch and part of it against all Popery and Popish Innovations and every part and parcell of Popery and they are these 1. Because God hath commanded it and every one ought to make conscience of the commands of God and to his uttermost power observe and keep them JVDE v. 3. It was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith viz. the Doctrine of faith which was once delivered to the Saints Not only contend but contend earnestly with all vehemency and intention of spirit with all our might To this purpose also is that of the Apostle to Timothy 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the forme of sound words which thou hast heard of me and 1 Cor. 16.13 Stand fast in the faith that is both in the doctrine and grace of faith And no lesse is pressed on us Levit. 18.4 5. Deut. 4.40 and 5.32 33. and 6.3 17. and in very many other places Ye shall keep my statutes my iudgemonts my ordinances and commandements And if we cannot without drawing guilt on our soules breake the lawfull just and good commands of superiours how much lesss may we breake the righteous lawes of God 2. Our eternall salvation is built upon this There is no other Religion no other way or meanes in the world by which we can be saved Acts 4.12 1 Cor. 15. â— By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory or hold fast what I preached unto you If we deny renounce or forsake this never looke to goe to Heaven never hope to see the face of God with joy 3. Gods glory is greatly promoted and advanced hereby as by the deny all of the true faith or Religion he is greatly dishonoured it confirmes others in their idolatrous false or superstitious wayes and opens the mouths of the adversaries and wicked men to speake evill of and blaspheme the truth and good wayes of God 4. The true reformed Protestant Religion is the badge of the true Christian and true servants of God their Livery and Cognisance whereby they are distinguished from all I dolaters Pagans Mahumetans Papists and Jewes that still cleave to the Mosaicall Rights long since abolished by Christ Yea by the sincere embracing and profession hereof the true Christians and servants of God are distinguished from all hypocrites 5. The Gospell upon which the true reformed Protestant Religion which we professe and is established as the publick doctrine of this Church of England is undoubtedly built was confirmed by many miracles from Heaven and truly divine Look throughout the whole Book of God and see how many divine Ratifications there have been of the Gospell and consequently of the true Religion which we doe now publickly through Gods great mercy professe It is the same with that of the Apostles and people of God in those first primitive times and which our blessed Saviour himselfe taught professed and sealed with his bloud and this should be a great inducement to us to embrace maintain and defend it to the death 6. This hath been recommended to us by the