r fathers understood it, as the same was explained and
applied to the present condition of things in these engagements. After
which the minister having prayed for the gracious presence and
assistance of the divine Spirit, to enable us both to engage and
perform; commanding those who were to renew their covenant to stand
upright, and hold up their right hands, he proceeded to the
administration of the oath, causing the people to elevate their hands at
the end of each article. The covenants being renewed, the minister
addressed himself to those that had entered into covenant to this
purpose. Now, you who have renewed your covenant with God must not
imagine that you may sit down upon your performance and rest yourselves
as though your work was perfected and finished; nay, but you must
consider with yourselves that now it is but beginning; your race is
before you, the greatest, part of the work is before your hand:
covenanting is relative to performing; you must, therefore, meditate
upon, and ponder your engagements more now than before; for now you have
put a new bond upon your souls, to walk with God in all the ways of new
obedience. In order therefore to your performing, as you have
undertaken, I would put you in mind of several particulars, which you
must have much and frequently upon your hearts, and before your eyes.

1st, You must know that a holy life is what becomes Covenanters; it is
not holiness in name, show and appearance, but holiness in reality, in
truth and substance, that must be interwoven with all your actions and
duties; though others should not look to conscience, yet you must;
though others slight and neglect religion, you must by no means do it;
you must put on a Joshua's generous and holy resolution, "That whatever
others do, you and your house will serve the Lord." You must consider
upon it, that well-set speeches concerning the covenant, is not what you
are principally to study, but well-set hearts; you must shake off
laziness as well as hypocrisy.

2d. You must be very regular in your walk; an uniform conversation in
the way of holiness is that which greatly adorns a Christian, and
consequently, a Covenanter. And if you endeavor such a regular course of
life, you will not shape yourselves according to the company you fall
into. As some have a religion for every company, so they have one for
man and another for God, and will be more careful and afraid lest their
hypocrisy be discovered by men, tha