Covenant even in meaner matters, such as the setting of servants at
liberty provoketh the Lord to say, _Behold I proclaim a liberty for you
(saith the Lord) to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine, and I
will give the men that hath transgressed my Covenant,_ and (not excepting,
but expressly mentioning Princes) he addes, _I will give them into the
hands of their enemies,_ The History of the _Gibeonites_, who
surreptitiously procured the Covenant made to spare them, and whom _Saul_
some ages thereafter in his zeal to the children of _Israel_ and _Judah_
sought to slay, as being cursed _Canaanites_, evidenceth with what
vengeance, the LORD followeth Covenant-breakers, whereof there wants not
in prophane History also both forreign and domestick examples: Therefore
let all the inhabytants of the Land of whatsoever rank, seriously ponder
how terrible judgements the violation of a Covenant so recently, so
advisedly, so solemnly made, and in so weighty matters, may draw on, if
not timously prevented by speedy repentance.

II. That they so respect and honour Authority, as that they be not the
servants of men, nor give obedience to the will and authority of Rulers in
any thing which may not consist with the word of God, but stand fast in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free, and obey God rather then
men.

III. That they carefully avoid the dangerous rocks and snares of this
time, whereby so many are taken and broken. Upon the one hand the sowre
leaven of Malignancy where ever it enters, spoileth and corrupteth the
whole lump, postponing Religion, and the Cause of God to humane interest,
what ever be pretended to the contrary, and obstructing the work of
Reformation, and propagation of Religion out of false respects and
creature interest. As this hath formerly abounded in the land, to the
prejudice of the Cause and Work of God, so of late it is revived,
spreading with specious pretences of vindicating wrongs done to his
Majesty. We desire not to be mistaken, as if respect and love to his
Majesty were branded with the infamous mark of Malignancy; But hereby we
warn all who would not come under this soul stain, not onely in their
speech and profession, but really & in their whole carriage not to prefer
their own, and the interest of any creature whatsoever, before the
interest of CHRIST and Religion. The characters of these have been fully
given in former Declarations, specially in the Declaration of the
Co