cerely, uniformly, and constantly, we could never be an
unholy, and consequently, never an unhappy people; but it should be
written as a motto upon our walls and gates, JEHOVAH SHAMMAI, _the Lord
is there._ 2d, Because the entering rightly into and due observance of
this covenant would be our strength in the midst of all perplexing
thoughts, whether arising from inward corruptions, or from outward
temptations or dangers; the covenant yielded more satisfaction to David
when dying than a royal diadem, a melodious harp, a puissant army,
strong cities, a numerous offspring, or any earthly comforts could do,
when, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5, he supports himself with this, That "though his
house was not so with God," yet He had made with him "an everlasting
covenant, well-ordered in all things, and sure." The keeping of this
covenant had been to our nation a Samson's lock, whereby we should have
been able to oppose all our enemies; whereas the breach of it hath
opened a door to all sorts of enemies to creep in amongst us, and hence
is verified that which the Lord has threatened his people with for
their breach of covenant, Deut. xxviii. 44, that the enemy shall be the
head, and his people the tail.

Sermon being closed by prayer, the Acknowledgment of Sins was again
read, as preparative to the engaging part; and the minister, in the
first place, admonished all such as were guilty of such public steps of
defection as are confessed in the Acknowledgment, to make full and free
confession thereof before the congregation, with such a due sense of,
and sorrow for these public sins, as might evidence a hearty design of
abandoning them and of adhering more closely to covenanted duties, which
accordingly many did, both with respect to the perjurious oaths of the
late times and defections of the present.

Because many have made a handle of this, above any other part of the
action, to reproach and render the whole of the work contemptible,
calling it Jesuitic superstition, enthusiasm, advancing our own
confessions into the room of Christ's satisfaction, and expecting pardon
upon the score of superficial public acknowledgments:--therefore, to
vindicate this part of the work from such groundless calumny, we desire
it may be adverted. 1st, That this is a commanded duty, that such as
have violated the law and commandments of God, and being guilty of false
and unfaithful dealing in his covenant, should unfeignedly confess their
iniquity, which, if the