Englands Covenant Proved Lawful and Necessary, Title page – To the reader
ENGLANDS COVENANT PROVED Lawfull and necessary Also at this Time, both by Scripture and Reason. TOGETHER With sundry Answers to the usuall Objections made against it.
By S. C. Preacher at B. F.
Eccles. 5. 4.
When thou vowest a vow unto GOD, deferre not to pay it; For Hee hath no pleasure in Fooles; Pay that which thou hast vowed.
LONDON, Printed for Henry Overton in Popes-head Alley, 1643.
Courteous Reader,
AT the first impression hereof, the time prefixed by the Parliament, for the Cities taking of this Covenant, being almost elapsed, & my immature conceptions not ready for the birth, yet importunity like an overhasty Midwife, would needs deliver me of it: whereupon I presumed that it would have perished in the birth, or have found no better entertainment than a misshapen Embryon: but beyond my expectation it hath been accepted of, approved, and (as I understand) given satisfaction to many, and was now this second time put unto the Presse before I knew of it: Had the Stationer given me but some few dayes warning, I would according to my poore abilities have added something for the enlargement of it: but presuming yet that some abler Person may happily undertake the worke: in the interim this is once againe sent abroad, that so the Ignorant may be informed of the weightinesse of avow, and Covenant: that the doubtfull may be resolved concerning the Lawfulnesse of this in hand; and that all may be excited to the carefull performance of what they binde themselves to hereby: If in any of these thou receivest satisfaction, and Benefit, praise God, and pray for him who is
Thine in the Lord S. C. July, 28, 1643.