Vindication of the True Sense of the National Covenant, Title page – To the reader
Vindiciae Voti. OR A VINDICATION OF THE TRUE SENSE OF THE NATIONALL COVENANT, in a briefe and moderate Anſwere to the Proteſtation Proteſted: Diſcovering the unſoundneſſe of that interpretation of the COVENANT, and the weakneſſe of the grounds there ſuggeſted for Separate and Independant Churches.
BY IOHN GEREE, Maſter of ARTS, and Preacher of GODS word in TEWKESBURY.
Publiſhed by the Authority of the Houſe of COMMONS.
LONDON, Printed by R. Oulton for Iohn Bartlet, and are to be ſold at the ſigne of the gilt Cup, neare ….
Chriſtian READER,
AFter I had ſent up this exerciſe about the Proteſtation to the Preſſe, there came into my hands a Pamphlet named The Proteſtation Proteſted, or a Remonſtrance ſhewing what is principally required of all thoſe that have or doe take the Proteſtation: Which Treatiſe ſo far as it doth concerne this title, ſeemed to me ſo irrationall, that I thought all underſtanding Chriſtians would rather have ſmiled at the weakneſſe, then have been any way moved with the Sophiſtry of it; But finding by experience that not onelyonly many of the more intelligent Chriſtians, but even ſome of reputation in an higher ranke, were much taken with it, and the effect of it, that ſome were ſcrupled, ſome attempted a tumultuous removing of things eſtabliſhed by Law, under colour of this Proteſtation, I thought it neceſſary
that many make of ſo ſolemne a vow, under which guilt by his expoſition he concludes the moſt of the beſt Miniſters, and people of this Kingdome, who have entred this Proteſtation; wherein thus far we willingly agree with him. A vow to GOD is a ſtraight and ſacred Band, that ſhould not be entred into raſhly, but with ſerious deliberation, Eccleſ. 5, 2. elſe in ſtead of an help, it may become a ſnare, and be ſo far from acceptation, that it prove an abomination, as in Iephtaes caſe, Iudges 11.30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39. After a vow is taken, there ought to be as much tenderneſſe to obſerve it, as caution before we undertake it, elſe we ſhall but double our guilt, and increaſe GODS diſpleaſure againſt us. What we vow is in it ſelfe good, and ſo caries with it an engagement to performance. Our Vow is ſecond ingagement ſuper-added to the firſt, if after it we be negligent, we breake more bonds, and ſo muſt needs be more guilty: Its not to be doubted but many enter this Proteſtation rather for company then conſcience, and ſo will make too little account of keeping it, and need admonition to obſerve, as well as to enter this Covenant. But that this neglect ſhould be ſo generall, as to include the generality of the Godly, as this Expoſitor doth make it, that I dare not aſſent unto, the Pſalmiſt hath taught me more tenderneſſe, Pſ. 73, 15. If I will ſpeake thus, behold I ſhould offend againſt the generation of thy Children. To condemne the godly was ſuch a thing to this bleſſed Pſalmiſt, that he would renownce ſenſe, and reaſon, and ſet upon a ſerious review, rather then daſh upon it: In whoſe ſteps had this Author troden, hee would not have been ſo raſh, to have put the foole upon them: He might with leſſe adoe then the Pſalmiſt have freed himſelfe from needleſſe Horrour, and the godly from unjuſt cenſure. But now to the point.