lague to the kirk, an obstruction to the
propagation of religion. I have reason to hope that such a wise and
well-constitute parliament will be lothe to lay such a yoke upon the
churches, of so little advantage to any man, and so prejudicial to the
work of God as hath been many times represented. Certainly the removing
it were the stopping the way of simony, except we will apprehend that
whole presbyteries will be bribed for patronage. I can say no more but
what Christ said to the Pharisees. It was not so from the beginning, the
primitive church knew nothing of it.

"But as for their pernicious disposition to a rupture among sectaries, I
can say nothing to them, only this, I conclude their judgment sleeps
not: _Shall they escape, shall they break the covenant, and be
delivered?_ &c. Ezek. xvii. 16, &c. which I dare apply to England, I
hope, without wresting of scripture, _And therefore thus saith the Lord
God, as I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant
that he hath broken, even it will I recompense on his own head_, &c.
This covenant was made with Nebuchadnezzar, the matter was civil, but
the tie was religious, wherefore the Lord owns it as his covenant,
because God's name was invoked and interponed in it, and he calls
England to witness. England's covenant was not made with Scotland only,
but with the high and mighty God, principally for the reformation of his
house, and it was received in the most solemn manner that I have heard,
so that they may call it God's covenant both formally and materially;
and the Lord did second the making of it with more than ordinary success
to that nation. Now it is manifestly despised and broken in the sight of
all nations, therefore it remains that the Lord avenge the quarrel of
his covenant[73].----England hath had to do with the Scots, French,
Danes, Picts, Normans and Romans, but they never had such a party to
deal with as the Lord of armies, pleading for the violation of his
covenant, &c. Englishmen shall be made spectacles to all nations for a
broken covenant, when the living God swears, _As I live, even the
covenant that he hath despised, and the oath that he hath broken will I
recompense upon his own head._ There is no place left for doubting.
_Hath the Lord said it_, hath the Lord sworn it? _and will he not do
it?_ His assertion is a ground for faith, his oath a ground of full
assurance of faith, if all England were as one man united in judgment
and affec