otherwise make up the hedge, that the land should not be destroyed, but
by renewing and keeping national covenants. 4th, That so many are
speaking against them everywhere, accounting them a conspiracy against
royal authority, a popular combination for advancing private ends and
interests under the cloak of religion, or at least unnecessary and
unprofitable for the end intended by them, binding to things of such a
heterogeneous nature, as renders the keeping of them, and keeping within
the sphere of our own activity and station, inconsistent and impossible,
and such things as whereof we now have no occasion, and the like; which
is a loud call to us, or any that retain other thoughts of their nature
and ends, than the generality do, to speak for them; which cannot be
done more fitly, honorably, nor conspicuously any other way, than by
renewing and observing them. 5th, The practice of the godly in such a
juncture of time, as what ours appears to be, is a call and encouraging
consideration to set us upon this work: the godly usually in times of
great defection from the purity and power of religion, and corruption of
the ordinances of God's worship, set about renewing their covenant,
thereby to prevent covenant curses, and procure covenant blessings; as
we find both in scripture record, 2 Chron. xv. 12, 13; xxix. 10; xxxiv.
30, 31; Ezra x. 3, and in our own ecclesiastic history. And the practice
was justified by the success, for the most part terminating in some
reviving and reformation. 6th, The time being come to such a crisis,
that such as would keep the word of Christ's patience cannot any longer
do it in a distinguishing way from those that are covenant-breakers, but
by renewing covenant, and thereby making a test and trial of the
well-wishers to the covenanted interest in the land, is a call to set
about this work: in former times the godly held fast this their
profession, by suffering for their adherence to covenanted duties,
resisting unto blood, striving against the sin of covenant-breaking;
whereas now our call seems to be more clear to do it, by renewing those