A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

2. If the taking of the solemn League and Covenant, be not enjoined by authority of Parliaments, under a penalty, but left arbitrary, this were an opening in stead of shutting of the door unto as many as are apt and inclinable •o refuse and ⟨p. 204⟩oppose the Covenant, yea, to as many as write or speak against it, and maintain opinions or practises contrary to it. The impiety and obstinacy of such persons, if not punished, but connived at, or tacitly permitted by the Parliaments, involveth them and the Nation as partakers of the sin, and so consequently of the judgement.

2. If the taking of the solemne League and Covenant, bee not enjoyned by authority of Parliaments, under a penalty, but left arbitrary, this were an opening in stead of shutting of the doore unto as many as are apt and inclinable •o refuse and ⟨p. 204⟩oppose the Covenant, yea, to as many as write or speak against it, and maintaine opinions or practises contrary to it. The impiety and obstinacy of such persons, if not punished, but connived at, or tacitely permitted by the Parliaments, involveth them and the Nation as partakers of the sinne, and so consequently of the judgement.

Although the oath which Joshua and the Princes of Israel made to the Gibeonites, was made unadvisedly, and without asking counsel from the mouth of the Lord, yet some hundred years after being broken, that breach brought a national judgement, till justice was done upon the offenders. How much more may a National judgement be feared, if even in our days the contempt and violation of a most lawful and sacred oath, be winked at? Surely God will not wink at their sin, who wink at his dishonour. Better not to have vowed, then not to pay and perform.

Although the oath which Ioshua and the Princes of Israel made to the Gibeonites, was made unadvisedly, and without asking counsell from the mouth of the Lord, yet some hundred yeares after being broken, that breach brought a nationall judgement, till justice was done upon the offenders. How much more may a Nationall judgement bee feared, if even in our dayes the contempt and violation of a most lawfull and sacred oath, bee winked at? Surely God will not wink at their sinne, who wink at his dishonour. Better not to have vowed, then not to pay and performe.