_Saul_ brake a Covenant
with the Gibeonites, _In his Zeal to the Children of Israel and Iudah_:
Yet God could not then, and cannot now be mocked; Yea, it is too apparent
and undeniable, that among those who did take the Covenant of the three
Kingdomes, as there are many who have given themselves to a detestable
indifferency or neutralitie, so there is a Generation which hath made
defection to the contrary Part; Persecuting as far as they could that true
Reformed Religion, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, which
by the Covenant they ought to preserve against the common Enemies;
hindering and resisting the Reformation and Uniformity, which by the
Covenant ought to bee endeavoured; preserving and tolerating those cursed
things which by the Covenant ought to be extirpate, especially Heresie and
Schisme, encroaching upon, yea offering violence unto the Rights,
Priviledges, and Authority of Magistracie, Protecting and assisting such
as by the Covenant ought to have been brought to condigne triall and
punishment, and persecuting those who by the Covenant ought to be assisted
and defended; Endeavouring also a breach in stead of a firme Peace and
Union between the Kingdomes: So that there is not any one Article of the
Solemne League and Covenant which hath not been sinfully and dangerously
violated before God, Angels, and Men. Now if a Covenant for the
preservation and Reformation of Religion, the Maintenance and Defence of
Liberties was justly thought a _fit and excellent mean_, not only to
_strengthen and fortifie_ the Kingdomes against the common Enemie of the
true Reformed Religion, publike Peace and Prosperity; But also _to acquire
the favour of Almightie GOD towards the three Kingdomes, of England,
Scotland, and Ireland,_ as is expressed in the Ordinance of the Lords and
Commons for the taking of the Covenant, dated _February 2. 1643_.

Surely then the Authors and chief Instruments of the breach of that
Covenant, are to be looked upon as those who strengthen the hands of the
common Enemie, and provoke the wrath of Almighty God against these
Kingdomes. Yea, if this Covenant was the _Soveraigne and onely meanes of
the recovery_ of these embroiled bleeding Kingdoms, as is expressed in the
exhortation of the Assembly of Divines to the taking of the Covenant,
approved and ordered to be Printed by the House of Commons; The despising,
refusing, and casting aside of that remedy, must needs render the disease
much mo