2. Suppose the ends of this Engagement to be good (which they are not) yet the meanes and ways of prosecution are unlawfull, because there is no ane equall avoiding of rocks on both hands, but a joyning with malignants to suppresse Sectaries, a joyning hands with a black devill to beat a white devil; They are bad Physicians who would so cure one disease as to breed another as evil; or worse. That there is in the present Engagement a confederacy and association in war with such of the _English_ who according to the solemn League and Covenant and Declarations of both Kingdoms, 1643. can be no otherwise looked upon but as Malignants and enemies of Reformation and the Cause of God, is now made so manifest before Sun and Moon, that we suppose none will deny it; And tis no lesse undeniable, that not only many known Malignants, but diverse who joyned in the late rebellion within this Kingdom are employed, yea, put into places of trust; All which how contrary tis to the Word of God, no man can be ignorant who will attentively search the Scriptures, for we finde therein condemned confederacies and associations with the enemies of true Religion, whether _Canaanites_, _Exod._ 23. 32. and 24. 12. 15. _Deut._ 7. 2. or other heathens 1 _King_ 11. _v._ 1, 2. such was _Asa_ his Covenant with _Benhadad_, 2 _Chron._ 16. to v. 10. _Ahaz_ his confederacy with the King of _Assyria_ 2 _King._ 16. 7. 10. 2 _Chron._ 28. 16. to v. 23. or whither the association was with wicked men of the seed of _Abraham_, as _Jehoshaphats_ with _Achab_ 2 _Chron._ 18. 2. compared with chap. 19. 2. also his association with _Ahaziah_ 2 _Chron_, 20. 35. and _Amaziachs_ associating to himself 100000. of the ten Tribes when GOD was not with them, 2 _Chron._ 25. 7, 8, 9, 10. The sin and danger of such associations may further appear from _Isaiah_ 8. 12. 15. _Jer._. 2. 18. _Psal._ 106. 35. _Hos._ 5. 13. and 7. 8, 11. _Cor._ 6. 14, 15. and if we should esteem Gods enemies, to be our enemies and hate them with perfect hatred, _Psal._ 139. 21 how can we then joyn with them as confederates and associates, especially in a cause where Religion is so highly concerned; and seeing they have been formerly in actuall opposition to the same cause.