n unanimous and constant adhering to our first
Principles and the Solemn League and Covenant, And particularly in giving
a testimony against the present unlawfull Engagement in War: Yet it semeth
good to the LORD who hath his Fire in _Zion_ and Furnace in _Jerusalem_,
for the purging of the vessels of his house to suffer many adversaries to
arise with violence to obstruct and stop this great and effectuall door,
which the Lord hath opened unto us. But we know that he openeth, and no
man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth: yea, he will cause them
who say they are for the Covenant and are not, but are Enemies thereto,
and do associate with Malignants or Sectaries, to acknowledge that God
hath loved us, and that his truth is in us and with us. And now dearly
beloved, seeing the Lord hath kept you together so many years, when the
battel of the Warriour hath been with confused noise, and garments rolled
in blood, the Lord also sitting as a refiner to purifie the Sons of
_Levi_, and blessing you with unity and soundnesse in the Faith, we are
confident you will not cease to give a publick testimony for Christ, both
against Sectaries and all Seducers, who prophecie lies in the name of the
LORD, and against Malignants and Incendiaries (the Prelaticall and Popish
Faction) who now again bestir themselves to hold up the rotten and
tottering throne of Antichrist, and are (whatever they pretend) the reall
enemies of Reformation: As also, that as the Embassadors of _Jesus Christ_
and his Watchmen, you will give seasonable warning to the Honourable
Houses of Parliament, that now (after the losse of the opportunity of so
many years) they would, in their places, repair the Houses of the LORD,
that lyeth so long desolate, and promove the work of Reformation and
Uniformity according to the Covenant.

For if the Honourable Houses of Parliament had timely made use of that
power, which God hath put in their hands for suppressing of Sectaries, and
had taken a speedy course for setling of Presbyterial Government, (a
speciall and effectuall means appointed by God to purge his Church from
all scandals in Doctrine and Practise) Then had not the insolencie of that
party arisen to such a height, as to give occasion to the Malignants of
both Kingdoms to justifie and blesse themselves in their old opposition to
the work of Reformation, and to encourage one another, to new and more
dangerous attempts; Neither had the Malignant party ever grown so