3. We are commanded if it be possible and as much as lieth in us to have peace with all men, _Rom._ 12. 18, to seek peace and pursue it, _Psal._ 34. 14. war and bloodshed is the last remedy after all the wayes and means of peace have been used in vain. The intended war of the nine Tribes and a half against the two Tribes and half was prevented by a Message and Treaty of Peace _Josh._ 22; The like means was used by _Jepthah_ (though not with the like success) for the preventing of war with the King of _Ammon_ _Judg._ 11. The very light of nature hath taught Heathens not to make war till first all amicable wayes of preventing bloodshed were tried; yet this war hath been driven on without observing any such method of proceeding except by a message wherein not so much as one breach was represented. Yea though these two Kingdoms are straitly united in Covenant, yet these who have carried on this war did not only neglect to desire a Treaty, but also slight an offer of a Treaty made from the Parliament of _England_ upon the Propositions of both Kingdoms. 4. There are many clear and ful testimonies of Scriptures against the breach and violation of Covenants, although but between man and man, _Psal._ 55. 20. _Rom._ 1, 31. 2 _Tim._ 3. 3, Especially where the name of God was interposed in Covenants by any of his people, _Jer._ 34. 8, 10, 11, 18. _Ezek._ 17. 18. 19. How much more the violation of a Solemn Covenant between God and his people. _Lev._ 26. 15. 25. _Deut._ 17. 2. and 29. 21, 14, 25. _Jer._ 22. 8, 9. 1 _King._ 19. 10. _Dan._ 11. 32. _Hos._ 6. 7. If therefore the present Engagement be a breach of our solemn League and Covenant, then they who have before taken the Covenant, and have now joyned in this Engagement, must grant by necessary and infailible consequence, either that the Covenant it self which they took was unlawful, and such as they cannot perform without sin (which yet they cannot professe) or otherwise, that the Engagement is unlawfull and sinfull, as being a breach of Covenant, and so contrary to the Word of God; that the present Engagement is a breach of Covenant may appear by comparing it with each of the Articles, for it is against all the six Articles of the Covenant.