h yet was accepted
and addressed for by many backslidden ministers, who to this day have
made no public acknowledgement of the sin of so doing, notwithstanding
all the reformation which is bragged of, and was countenanced, complied,
and concurred with by many people without a testimony or endeavour to
withstand it. Yea, the administration of the government and the greatest
offices of power and trust were committed into, and permitted to abide
in the hands of Papists; and the head of them and great pillar and
promoter of Popery, James the VII, was owned as King, contrary to the
laws of God and man and covenant obligations, without respect of persons
to extirpate Popery and Papists; and few during that time evinced any
just zeal or indignation against, or fear of the manifest appearances of
the coming in of Popery and intended establishment of it in the land.
And not only then, but even to this day, there is too much conniving at
Papists; the laws are not put in execution against them in their full
extent and latitude: And albeit this land, yea, whole Britain and
Ireland, were purged of Popery, yet cannot we be said to have made
conscience of performing this part of the oath of God, while there is a
confederating with Papists abroad and fighting in their quarrel, and
that, whilst in the meantime they are persecuting, with the height of
rigour and severity, all such as profess any thing of the reformed
religion in their dominions. And as there hath been great failures in
respect of extirpating Popery, so especially in the performance of that
part of the covenant which binds us to the extirpation of
Prelacy--"_i.e._ Church government by arch-bishops, bishops, their
chancellors and commissaries, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons,
and all other officers depending upon that hierarchy:" there hath been a
most wilful and palpable violation of the oath of God, though it be most
clearly our duty prescribed in his word.

Matt. xx. 25, 26. "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, ye know
that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they
that are great exercise authority upon them: But it shall not be so
among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your
minister." Luke xxii. 25, 26. "And he said unto them the Kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them," &c. Acts xx: 17. "And from
Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
Compared with verse 28. "Take heed ther