Reformation and the Cause of God, is now made so manifest
before Sun and Moon, that we suppose none will deny it; And tis no lesse
undeniable, that not only many known Malignants, but diverse who joyned in
the late rebellion within this Kingdom are employed, yea, put into places
of trust; All which how contrary tis to the Word of God, no man can be
ignorant who will attentively search the Scriptures, for we finde therein
condemned confederacies and associations with the enemies of true
Religion, whether _Canaanites_, _Exod._ 23. 32. and 24. 12. 15. _Deut._ 7.
2. or other heathens 1 _King_ 11. _v._ 1, 2. such was _Asa_ his Covenant
with _Benhadad_, 2 _Chron._ 16. to v. 10. _Ahaz_ his confederacy with the
King of _Assyria_ 2 _King._ 16. 7. 10. 2 _Chron._ 28. 16. to v. 23. or
whither the association was with wicked men of the seed of _Abraham_, as
_Jehoshaphats_ with _Achab_ 2 _Chron._ 18. 2. compared with chap. 19. 2.
also his association with _Ahaziah_ 2 _Chron_, 20. 35. and _Amaziachs_
associating to himself 100000. of the ten Tribes when GOD was not with
them, 2 _Chron._ 25. 7, 8, 9, 10. The sin and danger of such associations
may further appear from _Isaiah_ 8. 12. 15. _Jer._. 2. 18. _Psal._ 106.
35. _Hos._ 5. 13. and 7. 8, 11. _Cor._ 6. 14, 15. and if we should esteem
Gods enemies, to be our enemies and hate them with perfect hatred, _Psal._
139. 21 how can we then joyn with them as confederates and associates,
especially in a cause where Religion is so highly concerned; and seeing
they have been formerly in actuall opposition to the same cause.

3. We are commanded if it be possible and as much as lieth in us to have
peace with all men, _Rom._ 12. 18, to seek peace and pursue it, _Psal._
34. 14. war and bloodshed is the last remedy after all the wayes and means
of peace have been used in vain. The intended war of the nine Tribes and a
half against the two Tribes and half was prevented by a Message and Treaty
of Peace _Josh._ 22; The like means was used by _Jepthah_ (though not with
the like success) for the preventing of war with the King of _Ammon_
_Judg._ 11. The very light of nature hath taught Heathens not to make war
till first all amicable wayes of preventing bloodshed were tried; yet this
war hath been driven on without observing any such method of proceeding
except by a message wherein not so much as one breach was represented. Yea
though these two Kingdoms are straitly united in Covenant, yet these who
have c