148 The Covenant of Work,. Chap.2 I . and commerce, whether in more publick, or private negotiations. Truth is the upholding, and perfidioufneffe is the bane and utter def}ruâion of it. When Papifts have maintained that Faith , or Covenant is not to be kept with Hereticks, reformed Churches have concluded upon it , that there is no fafety of any league or intercourfe of dealing with them. The example of John Hu fe is a lufficient warning. Thofe that hold no fuch principles; yet be- ing fuch in their prac}ices are equally dangerous. We look up- on thefe, as given up to avery Spirit of Atheifme ; if not wholly in their judgements to.deny a Deity ( and to utter with their mouths that which the Pfalmifts fool (ayes in his heart, ) yet utterly fleighting his fovereignty , and difregarding his judge- ments. They have arrived at that dedolency that the Apoftle mentions, Ephef.. 4..19. and therefore ranckt by him with the wort} of Heathens Rom, 1.31. put into that black bill ofungod- ly perfons, that mull be found in the Taft and molt perillous times, 2 Tim. 3. 3. How much more then will God and man have in deteftation thofe that have entred Covenant in an immediate way with God for faith and obedience to !land out in oppo- fition to fin, and Satan; yet (making defe&ion from God by finne and unbeliefe) f}and up in 'rebellion agáiní} him. Is the dreadful! Majefty of the great God of no more regard , then to pretend to him, engage with him and then ítand up in hoftility againff him? Is there any thing fo lovely or honourable in finne, to allure men to, run upon the wrath of God,that they may welter in it? or any thing fo unpleafing in the wayes of God , that nei- ther thedread of his name , nor the bliffe held forth in promife can perfwade to embrace them? A viler thing cannot be named, then a Chriftian in finne , a Chriftian in wayes of unbeliefe and wickedneffe. Were the name of a Chriftian off, and no Cove - nant bonds engaging to the Lord; then there were no more then a creature in rebellion, and that were bad enough ; the work of Gods hand to ftrive with its Maker. But,ftanding vef}ed in this Covenant-relation., honoured with this glorious Name here is an addition of Hypocrife Apoftafie and defection. We hate none more then thofe that are falfe to us.; and we may well con- clude, that God hates none more then thofe that are falfe to him, and therefore challenges his people, whether they have found any iniquity in.him,. 7erem. 2.5. What iniquity haveyour fathers found,'; Breach of Co- venant with God,is a great- er eval.
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