The churches thank-offering to God her King, and the Parliament, for rich and ancient mercies; her yeares of captivity; her first yeare of iubile; that is, for the marvelous deliverances wrought with God the first wonderfull yeare (since the yeare 88) beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same moneth following: in all which time, the Lord appeared for his church, as in the dayes of old, out of the middest of the bush, so the church burn'd with fire, and was not consumed. In the preface, the thank-offering is vindicated, and set free, from all the cavills and charges against it; where also it is cleared to be, as every mans duty, so every mans purpose, to offer willingly now, who doth not make full proofe, that he falls short of pagan, papist or atheist; and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most supreme law, the highest reason, and the unquestionable will of God.

¶ 2

We mind our Covenant no further then as it may be a Covenant of Salt, to assure us our outward Priviledges for ever. That's our great errour: the Church confutes it, and instructs us to Discretion.

VVE are not stedfast in the Covenant farther then it concernes our private wealth: so far we will hold-fast to it, as it doth main∣tain our outward Rights.

We are resolved upon the Question, and let us now be begged for fooles or madd men, if we doe not by all lawfull meanes, main∣taine the peace of our King, His Crowne and Dignity; and the Priviledges of Parliament: for herein (we must have a princi∣ple of profit to carry us) the Rights and Liberties of the Subject are maintained. Vowes are upon Him and Them; the Oath of God is betwixt us; the strongest engagement that can be to maintaine th•• LAW, and then the Law will maintaine us, and all the fore-men∣tioned. And that is all we looke after. We consider not how spiri∣tuals strengthen Politickes; that both King and Kingdome are estab∣lished

by Righteousnesse. Therefore the Church mindeth us of a great principle of State government which is this;

That true Re∣ligion and Godlinesse is the root of all true virtue, and the stay of all well ordered Common-weales: And to keepe the true Re∣ligion pure and unstained, ought to be the highest of all cares ap∣pertaining to publicke Regiments, and the peace therof.

Did not thy Father Iosiah doe judgement and justice, and it was well with him l 1.1. While he was yet young, he begun to seeke after the God of his father, and to pur••e Iudah and Ierusalem m 1.2. And there was never any King before him or since, that live•• so desired, or dyed so lamented, No not one. But his son Iehoiakim not so; His Eyes and his Heart were for oppression, and for violence to doe it n 1.3; therefore he was buried with the buriall of an Asse; they lamented not for him, saying, AH LORD, or AH IS GLORY: But what is this to the people? much every way, as what concerned the HEAD then, concernes the BODY now, because of that sympathy, and nea∣rest Relation betwixt them: and what concernes the BEE con∣cernes the BEEHIVE, and vvhat doth good or hurt to the one, doth the very same to both. Therefore this is added; They then and They onely doe seele the weight of Duty towards their Prince and Coun∣try; they know the just bounds of observation towards both, who can, in a gracious freedome of Spirit, arising from Their innocency and in∣dependancy (except on the living God) stand out, notwithstanding all shockes, against all corruptions in Doctrine and manners, having a tender sense of both, that there be no corruption in either: And so doe wish from an entire and ingenious heart, O KING LIVE FOR EVER. It is not the strength of all united hands, that can set the Crowne fast upon a Kings head: not the pollicy of as many heads can make it flourish there: nor can all the Arme of flesh put out to it's utmost strength confirme to us our Liberties, and establish the Right of Subjects: No, but it is RELIGION kept in it's purity; Iu∣stice, maintained in it's integrity; obedience (more beautifying then a Crowne) performed to Gods command in sincerity; This will doe it, even all the fore-mentioned. And we are convinced hereof by a common light, and naturall principles; and can conclude there∣from, when we are our selves, that vve should give out our strength and be most active for the first and last thing in the PROTESTA∣TION; To maintaine RELIGION in it's purity, and the BROTHER-HOOD in Sincerity; for therein are contained the very strength and spirits of the Covenant, as hath been said, and can∣not be to often thought upon.

But now vvhat blunts the edge of our indeavours and affections this way, comes now seriously to be considered on.

Notes

• l 1.1

  Ier. 22 ••••.
• m 1.2

  2 Chro. 34. 3.
• n 1.3

  Ier. 22.