A Caveat for Covenant-Contemners and Covenant-Breakers. The Sacred and Solemn League and Covenant mutually made and entered into by the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Religious advancement of the glorious work of Reformation, in the said three Kingdoms in Life, Doctrine, and Church-Government. The Preface or Preamble to the Covenant. We, Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the kingdom of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the Providence of God, living under one King, and being of one Reformed Religion, having before our eyes, the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity, and the true public Liberty, Safety and Peace of the kingdoms, wherein every one's private condition is included; And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts and practices of the enemies of God against the true Religion, and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the Reformation of Religion; and how their rage, power, and presumption are of late, and at this time, increased and exercised, whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and public testimonies. We have now, at last (after other means of supplication, Remonstrance, Protestations, and sufferings) for the preservation of ourselves and our Religion, from utter ruin and destruction; according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of God's people in other Nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us with our hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear; The Covenant. 1. THat we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of God, endeavour in our several Places and callings, the preservation of the reformed Religion, in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, against our common Enemies, the Reformation of Religion, in the kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches; And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion, confession of Faith, Form of Church Government, directory for Worship and catechising; That We and our posterity after us, may as brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us. 2 That we shall in like manner without respect of persons, endeavour the Extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, Church Government, by archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, and all other ecclesiastical Officers depending on that hierarchy) Superstition, heresy, Schism, Profanness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness; lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues, and that the Lord may be One in the three kingdoms. 3. We shall with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several vocations, endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and privileges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the kingdoms; and to preserve and defend the King's majesty's Person and Authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the kingdoms, that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our Loyalty; and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his majesty's just power and greatness. 4. We shall also, withal faithfulness, endeavour the discovery of all such as shall be Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, by hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any faction, or parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatures of both kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient. 5. And whereas the happiness of a blessed Peace between these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is by the good providence of God granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and settled by both Parliaments; We shall each one of us, according to our place and interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm Peace and Union to all posterity, and that justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the present Articles. 6. We shall also according to our places and callings, in this common cause of Religion, Liberty, and Peace of the kingdoms assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof, and shall not suffer ourselves directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion or terror, to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed Union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or give ourselves to a detestable indifferency, or Neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the kingdoms and honour of the King; but shall all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition; and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed. All which we shall do as in the sight of God. 7. And because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God, and his Son Jesus Christ; as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof, We profess and declare before God and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of this kingdom; Especially that we have not as we ought, valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel, that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof, and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ into our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives, and each one to go before another in the Example of a real Reformation; That the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these Churches and kingdoms in truth and peace. And, this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches, groaning under or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like Association and Covenant, to the glory of God, the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquillity of Christian kingdoms, and commonwealths. Scripture Commands and Encouragements to Covenant makers and Keepers. EXOD. 19 5. If ye will obey my voice, indeed, (saith the Lord God) and keep my Covenant; then, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me, above all people. NUMB. 30. 21. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. DEUT. 23. 21. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; For, the Lord thy God will (surely) require it of thee, and it would be sin in thee. 2 CHRON: 15. 12, 13, 14, 15. And they entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soul. And, that, whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel, should be put to death, whether great or small, whether man or woman. And they swore unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting and with trumpets and with Cornets. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought the Lord with their whole desire, and he was found of them; and the Lord gave them rest, round about them. 2 CHON. 29. 10. Now it is in my heart, to make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. 2 CHRON. 34. 31, 32. And the King stood in his place and made a Covenat before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his Commandments and his testimonies, and his Statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul to perform the words of the Covenant, which are written in God's book. And he caused all that were present, in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the Covenant of God, their Father. PSAL. 25. 10. All the paths of God are mercy and truth, to them which keep their Covenant. PSAL. 50. 14. Offer to God praise and thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the most high. PSAL. 103. 17, 18. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to such as keep his (or their) Covenant. ISAIAH 56. 4, 5, 6, 7. Thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs, and to all that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and that embrace and keep my Covenant: Even unto them all will I give, in mine house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give an everlasting name that shall not be cut off; even unto every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and that taketh hold of my Covenant to keep and do it. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; and all their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted by me. JEREM. 50. 4, 5. In those days, and in that time (saith the Lord) the Children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together (just as Scotland and England have done) going and weeping; They shall go and seek the Lord their God. And they shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces thither-ward, saying; Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord, in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be broken nor forgotten. Scripture terrors and threatenings, to Covenant-Breakers and Despisers. LEVIT. 26. 25. I will bring a sword upon you, which shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant. 2 CHRON. 26. 25. Whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel (by entering into and keeping Covenant with God) was to be put to death, whether great or small, whether man or woman. NEHEM. 9 29. They entered into a curse, and into an oath to walk in the Laws of God. Therefore to enter into a Covenant with God and not to keep it, or perform it, is to be accursed. ESAY. 24. 5. The earth is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the Ordinances, and broken the everlasting Covenant. PSAL. 78. 37, Their heart was not right with God, neither were they steadfast in their Covenant. ESAY. CHAP. 33. 8. The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth, he hath broken the Covenant. JEREM. 11. v. 10. 11. The house of Israel, and the house of Judah have broken my Covenant, which I made with their fathers. Therefore, thus saith the Lord, behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape, and though they shall cry unto me, I will not harken unto them. JEREM. CHAP. 11. v. 10. 11. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of the Covenant. JEREM. 34. 18. 19 20. I will give the men that have transgressed my Covenant, and which have not performed the words of the Covenant which they made before me, into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seek their life. EZEK. 16. 59 Thus saith the Lord God, I will even deal with thee, as thou hast done, which hast despised the Oath, in breaking the Covenant. EZEK. 17. 15. 16. 18. 19 shall he prosper, shall he escape that doth such things? Or, shall he break the Covenant and be delivered? As I live saith the Lord God, surely, in the place where the King dwelleth, that made him King, whose Oath he hath despised, and whose Covenant he hath broken, even with him, in the midst of Babylon he shall die. Seeing he despised the Oath by breaking the Covenant (where as, lo, he had given his hand) and hath done all these things. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, as I live, surely, mine Oath which he hath despised, and my Covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. HOSEA. 1. 9 They have spoken words, swearing falsely, in making a Covenant; Thus judgement springeth up like hemlock, in the furrows of the field. AMOS. 1. 9 Thus saith the Lord, for 3. transgressions of Tyrus, and for 4, I will not turn away the punishment thereof, because they delivered up the whole Captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly Covenant. MALA. 2. 10. Have we not one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we (then) deal treacherously, every man against his brother, by profaning the Covenant of our Fathers. MAT. 5. 33. Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thine oaths and vows unto the Lord. ROM. 1. 31. Covenant-Breakers, are reckoned in the number of the worst of Sinners. The names of all the Knights and Burgesses in the House of Commons, in Parliament, that, at first, took the Covenant. Wil. Lenthal, Speaker. Benchamp St. John. Gilbert Gerard. Walter Earl.. James Cambel. Thomas Cheek. Robert Nicholas. Benjamin Rudyard. John Gurdon. Robert Harley. Francis Knollys. Edward Master. John White. Anthony Stapley. Dennis Bond. Laurence Whitaker. Michael Noble. Peregrine Hoby. William Cawley. John Moyl. John Pyne. George Searl. Hen. Vane, Senior. Nevil Pool. John Yong. Henry Herbert. Thomas Sandis. William Jesson Philip Lord Herbert. Tho. Barrington. Martin Lumley. John Trevor. Fran. Godolphin. Thomas Arundel. Edward Stephens. Gilbert Pickering. John Greve. Oliver Cromwell. Henry Vane, Junior. William Cage. Richard Erisey. Philip Lord Lisle. Wil. Heveningham. Isaac Pennington. Rich. Cresheld. Thomas Pelham. Thomas Parker. John Leigh. John Harris. Walter Yong. Augustine Skinner. John Ven. Wil. Strickland. John Franklin. Samuel Brown. Robert Seawen. Roger Hill. John Button. John Meyrick. Ambrose Brown. Richard Win. Edward Owner. Charles Pim. Cha. Lo. Cranborn. Benja. Weston. John Nutt. John Corbet. Roger Burgoyn. Peter Temple. Benja. Valentine. Tho. Walsingham. Oliver Luke. William Alenson. Humph. Salwey. Richard Moor. William Ashurst. Thomas Moor. Thomas Fountain. William Ellys. Henry Shelley. Rich. Shutleworth. George Gallop. Henry Ludlow. Robert Wallop. Arthur Hasilrig. Oliver St. John. Thomas Grantham. Fran. Barnham. Wil. L. Fitzwilliams Edmund Dunch. Hen Mildmay. Hugh Rogers. Thomas Hatcher. John Wray: Simon D' Ewes. Antho. Benningfield John Ash. Wil. Lord Munsun. Martin Lister. Robert Goodwin. Edward Thomas. Henry Lucas. Miles Corbet. Philip Smith. Cornelious Holland Wil. Spurstow. John Lowrey. Peter Wentworth. Henry Cholmley. Phil. Stapleton. Wil. Berrepoint. Roger North. Alexan. Popham. Thomas Hodges. John Maynard. Sam. Vassal. Anthony Irby. John Clotworthy. John Broxolme. Rich. Jervoise. John Blackistone. Walter Long. John Rolle. Robert Jennor. John Waddon. Wil. Masham: John Lisle. Edm. Fowel. Edw. Ash. Thomas Pury. Rich. Whitehead. Richard jenning's. Humph. Tufton. Thomas Dacres. Toomas Earl. John Downes. John Goodwin. Francis Drake. Wil. Waller. Samuel Luke. Francis Buller. Richard Harman. George Buller. Arthur Onslow. Richard Winwood. Robert Pye. He. L. Gray of Ruthen Richard Knightley. John Pim. Christo. Yeluerton. Anthony nicol. Peter Wroth. Robert Reynolds. Nath. Barnardiston. Henry Heyman. Will Purefoy. Valen. Walton. Micha. Oldsworth. Wil. Wheeler. Hall Ravenscroft. Tho. L. Gray of Groby Tho. Midleton. Edw. Hungerford. Christo. Wray. Richard See. Harbert Morley. Thomas Lane. Robert Cecil. William Bell. Thomas Soam. Harbot. Grimstone. Simon Snow. John Nash. Ralph Ashton. John wild. John Trenchard. Tho. Jervoise. Rich. Brown. Wil. Playters. Nat. Stephens. Richard Rose. Francis Rous. Gilb. Millington. John Brown. John H●ppissey. Edward Pool. Henry Pelham. William Hay. John Driden. Nat. Fienes. William Lewis. Gyles Green. William Litton. John Harvey. Edward Douce. William Stroad. Edm. Prideaux. Tho. Hoyl. Edw. Exton. Fran. Popham. Zouch Tate. John Curson. Alexan. Bence. John Glyn. Rich. Onslow. John Cook. Tho. Lo. Wenman. Bolstrode Whitlock. Go. Montague. Edw. Partriche. Henry Campion. Wil. Whitaker. Denzil Hollis. Edw. Wingate. James Fenys. Poyning's Moor. Edw. Biss, Junior. Wil. Jephson Edw. Montague. Walt. Knatchboll. Thomas Eden. Two most remarkable and visible Examples of God's wrath against Covenant Breakers and Despisers; The One Divine, the Other human; both Observable. 1. Josuah having made a League and Covenant with the Gibeonites, (notwithstanding they had craftily circumvented and deceived Josua therein) which remained inviolable among the children of Israel, till the days of King Saul who, in his foolish Zeal, had (it seems) slain some of the Gibeonites, and endeavoured to have destroyed them all from among the Israelites: Hereupon the wrath of the Lord was greatly incensed against Israel, which broke not out till King David's days, who was sorely vexed with a fearful famine over the whole Land, for at least 3, years together incessantly: which so greatly grieved and troubled David, that he inquired of the Lord what might be the cause thereof; And the Lord answered him, that it was for Saul's sake, and for his bloody-house, because he had broken the Covenant, and slain the Gibeonites, and his wrath would not be appeazed, till holy David, in just revenge of this breach of Covenant, had delivered up unto the Gibeonites (as they, by God's will, had demanded) 7 of Saul's Sons, or nearest Kindred to be hanged by them, as they were, and then (and not till then) was God pacified, and the famine immediately ceased. Josua 9 & 2. Sam. 21. 2. Vladislaus King of Hungary, and Amurath the great Emperor of Turkey, after fierce wars between them, having concluded a happy and Honourable peace for the said King of Hungary, and they having entered into a solemn League and Truce, by interchangeable writings, sealed and delivered each to other; not long after, Julian, a Cardinal of Rome, having persuaded him to renounce and violate this Covenant and Peace; the King of Hungary secretly prepared mighty forces suddenly to invade and set upon the Turks Territories, and Amurath the great Turk, at last hearing of this unexpected invasion by Vladislaus, made mighty preparation (presently) to oppose him; entered into a pitched field against him, in brief, Amurath, observing a mighty slaughter of his men, and himself, and his whole Army in great danger to be utterly discomfitted, and beholding also in the Hungarian-displayed-baners, the picture of a Crucifix, he presently plucked forth the writing out of his bosom, wherein the late League or Covenant was comprised, and holding it up in his hand, with his eyes cast up to heaven, he said these words. Behold, thou crucified Christ, this is the League thy Christians, in thy name, made with me, which they have without cause violated. Now, if thou be a God, as they say thou art, revenge the wrong now done unto thy name, and unto me, and show thy power upon thy pernicious people, who in their deeds deny thee their God; presently after this, the fight was fiercely followed on both sides, but it pleased the Lord, that Vladislaus was put to the worst, and in the fight, slain by one of the Turks janissaries, and his head cut off, and presented to Amurath, in the midst of the battle, who commanded it to be set on the top of a lance, and carried up and down in the field, to the terror of the Christians, who presently fled and left Amurath, total victor, with a most mighty and lamentable slaughter of the Christians. From both which most pregnant and eminent examples, we may profitably make this pertinent use and application. That if the Lord God hath so tender a respect to the exact performance of Leagues and Covenants, made not only twixt Man and Man, Christian and Christian, but even between Christians and Turks, or Infidels (such as the Gibeonites and this Amurath were) O how much more tenderly affected, and severely exasperated, will he be for the breach of Covenants, made betwixt his own glorious holiness, (who is a Consuming fire) and Wormling-Man (who is but as Combustible-Stubble in his presence) O consider this, and lay it timely and sadly to heart, O all ye Malignants and schismatics, who (now adays) dare so Audaciously and Maliciously scorn and contemn, and so Hypocritically, to violate and break This so Rational and Religious, so holy and honest, yea, I say, so pious and precious a Covenant, most duly and deliberately taken heretofore) by very many of you. O, whoever ye be, and wheresoever ye sit and shroud yourselves, tremble, yea tremble I say, and be astonished and confounded, at your so treacherous, and most audacious dealing with the most high God and us: And for the same, expect (for certain, God's Word is my warrant, you see, for what I say, and these 2, examples ratify it) expect (I say) the curse of God like a flying Roul, even some sudden and sore plague or punishment, inevitably to fall upon you or yours (if not upon you and yours) if ye timely and truly repent not; which the Lord give unto you (as space, so) grace, to perform and do it. Amen. By JOHN VICARS. LONDON, Printed by John Macock for John Rothwel and Edward Husbands. 1648.