dishonouring God, opposing the Truth, hindering
Reformation; and seducing others; Whereunto we adde those Nullifidians, or
men of no Religion, commonly called Seekers: Yea, wee cannot but look upon
the Dangers of the true Reformed Religion in this Island, as greater now
then before; Not onely for that those very principles & fundamentals of
Faith which under Prelacy, yea, under Popery it self, were generally
received as uncontroverted, are now by the Scepticisme of many Sectaries
of this time either oppugned, or called in question; But also, because in
stead of carrying on the Reformation towards perfection, that which hath
beene already built is in part cast down, and in danger to be wholly
overthrowne through the endeavours of Sectaries to comply with many of the
Prelaticall and Malignant, and even the Popish party; and their joyning
hand in hand, and casting in their lots, and interweaving their interests
together in way of Combination, against the Covenant and Presbyteriall
Government; Yea, the unclean spirit which was cast out, is about to enter
againe with seven other spirits worse then himselfe, and so the latter end
like to be worse then the beginning.

We are extremely sorry that we have cause to aggravate these evils from
the crying sin of breach of Covenant, Whereof if we should hold our peace,
yet according to the Word of the Lord; other Nations will say, and many
among them do say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this People? and
what meaneth the heat of this great anger? And they answer one another,
_Because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord their God._ We would
not be understood as if we meant either to Justifie this Nation, or to
charge such a sin upon all in that Nation. We know the Covenant hath been
in divers particulars broken by many in both Kingdomes, the Lord pardon
it, and accept a Sacrifice; And wee doe not doubt but there are many seven
thousands in _England_ who have not onely kept themselves unspotted, and
retained their integrity in that businesse, but doe also mourne and groane
before the Lord for that sin of others. Yet we should but deny our own
sence and betray the Truth, if we should not resent so great a sinne and
danger, as is the breach of a solemne Covenant, sworn with hands lifted up
to the most High God: Which breach however varnished over with some
colourable and handsome pretexts, one whereof is the Liberty & Common
Right of the free People of _England_, as once