look that way?

It is likewise manifest, that the second part of the answer, relating to
the capacity of acting, is loaded with the same inconvenience. 1. There is
no positive determination of the qualifications of persons to be
intrusted, as in former times it was agreed on by the Assembly and their
Commissioners, but that is now referred to the discretion of the
parliament, together with such diminutive terms, as give them great
latitude to go upon. Before, no trust was given to such persons. Now, it
is allowed they shall have some trust, and how much is not determined, nor
what degree of it is prejudicial to the cause, which it appears, the
parliament's proceedings in nomination of officers unquestioned by the
Commission, is a good commentary to expound that they may have any trust,
except to be general officers. 2. Our former established rule was, that no
persons should be intrusted, but such as are of known integrity, and have
been constant friends of the cause. But how far is this diminished? They
who are such, only recommended to be especially taken notice of. Less
could not be said by any. More ought to have been said by the Commission.
And though no such notice be taken of such by the parliament, but on the
contrary, those who have been most faithful, and suffered in the late
defeat at Hamilton,(347) are used as enemies, worse than malignants in
former times, yet there is no testimony given against such things.
_Quantum mutatus ab illo coetu qui quondam fuit!_(348)

Before we enter upon the chief question, we offer these manifest and known
truths to consideration:

(1) The occasion of contriving and subscribing first the national
covenant, and then the solemn league and covenant, was, the designs and
practices of the popish, prelatical and malignant party, against religion
and the work of reformation in these kingdoms. (2) Since the contriving
and subscribing of the same, it hath been the continual endeavour of that
party sometimes by undermining and some times by open opposition to undo
the same and to bear down all those that clave honestly thereto and
faithfully prosecute all the ends thereof. (3) That there hath been these
many years past and still is, such a party, in all the three kingdoms,
considerable for number, power, and policy. (4) That that party hath
always prosecuted their design under a colour of zeal and respect to the
king's authority and interest. (5) That that party hath always been the
a