which is imprinted in their spirits. We see now
that the wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. And
when the wicked rise, the righteous is hidden, and when they bear rule,
the people mourneth, but when righteous men are in authority, the people
do rejoice, and when the righteous rejoiceth, there is great glory, Ps.
xii. 8, Prov. xxviii. 12, and xxix. 2.

Seventh Reason. That which is the accomplishment and perfecting of the
malignant design that hath been driven on these years past, especially
since the Unlawful Engagement, cannot be a course approven of God. But the
present course is the accomplishment of that design. _Ergo_, That there
hath been a design, for a long time driven and endeavoured, both at home
and abroad, with much policy and industry, by many turnings and windings,
and by arguments of several kinds, as the exigence of the times did
furnish,--and that the design was, to have all such persons in trust and
power again, who had been secluded, that so they might compass their own
ends--hath not been denied hitherto and we are persuaded no man that fears
God and observes the times, is ignorant of it. Let the public papers of
the treaty at Breda,(373) and the public papers of this kingdom and church
at home, be consulted. They bear witness for us. Was not the foundation of
it laid in Holland, and many of them in both nations, brought home with
the king contrary to public resolutions, and by the prevailing influence
of some in the state, kept in the kingdom, contrary to public resolutions?
Was not the work of purging judicatories and armies obstructed, the godly
discountenanced and discouraged, great endeavours used to raise the
malignants in the South and in England, and, since the defeat, to raise
all without exception in the North, but when that could not be obtained,
by the withstanding of honest men in the state? The levies appointed,
which would have been a considerable force for the defence of the kingdom,
were rendered wholly ineffectual, partly by taking money for men, partly
by raising the malignant party, and then pretending to go against them,
they were pacified by an act of indemnity the fruit and result of all
which is, this present conjunction with them, and putting the power of
judicatories and armies in their hand. Thus the design is completed.

Eighth Reason. That which will increase the Lord's indignation and
controversy against the land yet seven times more, that is very