when you thinke not of it will destruction and misery fall upon you to your amazement and terrour You likewise who are Ministers remember to put in minde your people committed to your charges of Gods great favour towards them in this their enjoyment of peace and doe you walk so before them in uprightnesse of heart adorning your profession with good workes and as it becomes Ministers seeking Reformation take heed you give no cause to your enemies to say you carry your selves unbeseeming your callings or cause you stand for let not this small time of tranquillity lull you asleep in security but alwayes stand upon your watch and be as ready to suffer as to live in the time of Gods patience and long-suffering arme your selves for fiery trialls as yet God hath not so purified his Church as he intends to do Oh therefore prepare to suffer and doe the worke of the Lord with diligence that how ever iniquity may abound and the love of many waxe cold yet you may be zealous for Gods glory and carefull to save those soules to you committed and likewise by your examples may strengthen others to undergoe with you all manner of afflictions of what kinde or quality soever they be of take heed that security possesse not you for if the watchmen fall asleep the city is in danger of the enemies surprisall be therefore alwayes awake for unto you is committed the charge neglect not but give warning blow the trumpet betimes that all may put on their armour and be ready for an assault if you give warning your duties are discharged but if you neglect the bloud of all that is lost shall be required at your hands I know the Devill goes about busily as Mercury did with Argus by his alâ—uring pleasures and delightfull sounds to bring all your eyes asleep but let him not have his desire but endeavour to keep your eyes open and to this end disdaine not to let this my Scout give you warning and let me likewise entreat you that if any of you shall seeme forgetfull of what I put you in minde of to doe the same to me that I have done to you all in generall and your wholesome admonitions shall ingage me to bee thankfull Lastly let me exhort all sorts of people in these parts and all over the Kingdome to consider seriously what God hath done for them and let them not think of say as the most part of common people doe that if this War were at an end there were no danger of any other trouble and upon that grow secure and Carelesse how they live but let them know that as God formerly sent his spirit of disunity into the Kingdome for the sin of the Kingdome so if the same or like sins remaine he will againe send the like or some other as fearfull But if they would enjoy this peace let them learne to prize it as they ought Propter praesentem aliquaÌ„ conditionem prosperam non obliviscamur prÄ™teritae miseriae sed subinde ad eam oculos reflectamus Eâ— enim re fit ut melius sentiamus beneficii gratiae magnitudinem et ex sensu illo Deum magis glorificemus in eoque gloriemur Fit etiam ut inspecta superiori miseria in rebus prosper is nos submisse geâ—amus neque altum sapiamus Vnde existit hÄ™c superbia c. Nimirum ex eo quod non recordentur prioris suae conditionis quare vel hac causa ut humilis simus jumin sublimi aliquo loco constitutis nunquam recedere ab oculis nostris debet pristina misera noâ—â—ra condition Rolloc in lohaâ— Pag. 576 577. by being truely thankfull unto God for it and to this end let them alwayes beare in minde former miseries and be not puft up with pride or presumption because of their present happy condition but let them behave themselves as if they still were under the red and that will worke in them not onely thankfulnesse for this their happinesse but likewise feare to provoke the Lord to bring any more such judgements upon them as formerly they have felt for according to the old Proverb A burnt child dreads the fire so a people that have been smitten should feare to be in the like condition againe Thus fearfull was the holy man of God Moses when the Reubenites and Gadites came unto him Num 32. to desire him co suffer them to build tents and strong holds on that side Jordan he was fearfull that they had desired that for an evill end and therefore he puts them in minde of provocations wherewith their fathers had formerly grieved God and of the judgements they suffered for their rebellions to the end that they might feare to doe the like least such miseries should come upon them and their brethren this was likewise the practise of Nehemiah as you may see in that place in the Margent Neh. 13.17 18. And this ought to be the practice of all them that either desire to please God or live free from Gods judgements Likewise let them remember how in the time of distresse when the Sword was among them and death looked in at their windowes when there was no going out nor comming in safety but they lived continually in danger then what would they not have done for peace would not many as they said willingly have parted with halfe their estates so that they might have enjoyed a freedome from the calamities they then suffered Now hath God done for them even abundantly above what they could aske or thinke in sending peace that they againe may sit under their vines and under their fig-trees Now let them take heede that they bewray not their Hipocrisie and make it appeare to all the World that they are no better then that * This Fellow being in danger of shipwrack promised St Christopher that if he might but come sâ—fe to land he would offâ—r to him a waxâ—n-candle of an incredible highnesse another hearing him told him he was never able to perform his promise Hold thy tongue foole said he I doe not speak as I thinke Ifâ—l but once get to land I le not give him so muchas a tallow candle Erâ—s Coll. nauâ—â—agium Zelander whom Erasmus tells of who in a distresse promised largely but with an intent to performe sparingly if he attained his desire But honour God by their estates which he hath suffered them still to enjoy in doing good to the poore members of Jesus Christ as in feeding the hungry cloathing the naked releiving the oppressed and if need be in offering willingly some part of their estates to further the Cause of Christ thus doing God will blesse them and all they have and increase his favours towards them but if they forget what God hath donne for them and in the time of this peace which God hath granted them to see how they will behave themselves towards him take an occasion to goe on in their former courses
watchfulnesse and endeavour to answer his expectation who lookes now to finde and have some fruit from you whom so carefully he hath not onely suffered to stand but even manur'd about If he finde none take heed what follows he hath more judgements then one and knowes how to make this part that now flourisheth an astonishment and by-word to all the earth But I doubt not but as God hath hitherto been mercifull unto us in sparing us so likewise he will open our eyes to behold our sinnes with repenting hearts for them and raise us up from security that still he may delight to dwell among us That he may be thus mercifull unto us shall be my daily prayer and to stirre men up thus to meet him shall be my constant endeavour leaving the successe to God W. M. From my Study in Skipsey February 16. 1645. To the Reader concerning the occasion of writing this Booke ONce did I thinke to have with-held my Pen From writing ought to be for publike view Because I see mens labours with disdaine Rejected are receiving not their due Yet must I write although not having hope Then other men to be rejected more But in meere love to all men to lie ope What danger still this Countrey hangeth o're It may be that my words will counted be As idle as some mens before me were And those perhaps that blinded doe not see Will for my love my harmlesse musings jeere But let them do 't if they but some men rowse I le blame them not although they stir not thosâ—â— I see ' cause God in mercy towards this part A while hath stay'd his hand remov'd the Sword And doth as yet the Pestilence divert Which now in many places flyes abroad And suffers us if we with them compare In many places for to live in peace To heare of onely not to feele the Warre Which totally upon the Land doth ceaze That we in stead of giving thankes to God For his removall of the Plagues away And for correcting us with easie rod When otheâ—s beare the burthen of the day Goe on in sinne grow carelesse and secure Forget the troubles which our neighbours ' dure In truth I see and cannot hold my tongue Oppressions mighty still on every side Those men the first in doing all men wrong In whom the power of righting doth reside Yea some there are who should our wrongs redresse Who heavie burthens daily on men throw And with injustide poore men doe oppresse And boldly doe worke mischiefe by a Law Under pretence of publike good the State Is rob'd by some to serve their private ends And open Foes our Cause doth not defeate So much as those who seeme to be our friends Which makes some feare that some among us are Who meane more falsly then they let appeare Nor they alone our Ministers who should Be as our guides and leaders even they To cleave to their old courses still are bold And so to Reformation stop the way Yea still they stand for Superstitious Rites And betwixt God and Antichrist doe halt And still cry up to blinde the peoples sight Those Orders that apparent are in fault Like the Ephesians they doe stand for still Their old Diana to increase their gaine The Altars and the Groves on every hill By Arguments they stiffly would maintaine And like that flattering * Amaziah Amos 7.10 Priest of Bethel make Betwixt the Prince and people great debate Nay some of those who would Reformers seeme And ' gainst men backward in the worke doe cry These either of themselves too highly deeme Or else continue still in vanity As covetous as ever they remaine As carelesse still for ought but their owne ends Striving those whom they hate for to defame Mens ruine wishing rather then amends Walking before men so disorderly That many take offences at their wayes Too much addict to singularity Gods glory seeking not so much as praise Too busie factious rending Churches peace Denying that to which themselves they prease What honest heart doth now not grieve to heare The strange confusions that are us among What base impostors still there doth appeare The Countrey truth and Gospell still to wrong How few there are now zealous for Gods Cause But still Lukewarme and carelesse how things goe How many are there who are great in showes Who meerly for themselves their paines bestow Who for the publike Cause doth purely sight But have their actions mixt with private ends Or who doth stand so for his Countreys right As to oppose those who its freedome rends All looke for gaine all doe themselves respect Gods glory and the Publike they neglect Nay and not onely so but men doe strive To vex us more new mischiefes they invent Themselves of Gods good favour they deprive And move him daily unto punishment Where is our mourning where 's humility What sins are yet repented of or left Who sees not pride oppression bribery With covetousnesse adultery and theft With prophanation of the Sabbath Day And still contemning of Gods Ordinance Seeking how one another may betray Their covetous desires to advance In every place sin still a bounds yet none Smites on his thigh or cryes what have I done Where are our dayes of Fasting when doe we One day among so many separate To seeke our God by true humility His plagues to turne away from Church and State When have we one Thankesgiving for this favour Of peace and plenty which we now enjoy Even in this time when as the Armies savour On every side our brethren do annoy We lie secure we nought respect this love Nor once acknowledge that it is from God We still within our wonted courses move Nor feares nor dreames of any future rod. We nought respect our brethrens miseries Nor pity take on their calamities For all our sins we still our selves perswade To live in peace without ' en danger more No threatning still doth make us once affraid Though we have found true what 's threatned heretofore Our confidence is in our Armies strong That they will from us keep all dangers cleare No plagues that may arise our selves among Or other dangers we no whit doe feare We thinke it is not possible that we In these our parts should suffer any way Because far from us now 's the Enemy Thus put we far from us the evill day And by our deep security doe dare The Lord againe to bring upon us War But doe we thinke thus to escape his wrath And live in sin without controll at all Thinke we it is not true the Scripture saith Which threatens wrath ' gainst men that thus doe fall Let us not thus deceive our selves our God Hath as much power still as he had before Thinke not fond people that he wants a rod To punish those who doe despise his power He still hath plagues in store though none we see His armory as yet not empty is Though now we doe enjoy tranquillity H'ath plagues to
and scorned by the Lord our God And the rather we ought to doe so because we are so continually warned there is not one day wherein we hear not of some affliction oâ— misery which in one place or other our brethren doe suffer all which are as so many exhortations to stir us up to duty of preparation shall God give us so many warnings and shall we still be carelesse shall he let us see so many objects of his fierce wrath and shall we not feare shall the lion roare â—ound about us and yet we not tremble shall he let us see how hardly afflictions goe with other places for want of due preparation and shall not we prepare let us beware of this otherwayes our miseries shall be greater and so harder to bee borne then ever hitherto by any have beene suffered For alwayes it is ordinary not to pity those who might have prevented by their owne industry what through their negligence comes upon them so for us who have time to fly unto the Lord before the flouds of great water encompasse us if we do not in the time of affliction what pity can we expect therefore that our neighbours round about us may not have cause to laugh at our folly let us prepare to meet our God either by repentance to prevent or else by patience to endure what it shall please him to inflict upon us this will not onely be usefull and great comfort to our selves but pleasant to God and exemplary to our neighbours to stir them up to doe the like and likewise of great joy to the people of God and our brethren who will rejoyce to see us with patience undergoe the Lords afflictions thus rejoyced the Apostle Paul that the Hebrewes could with such patience under goe the spoyling of their goods Heb. 10.34 c and this would be of excceding great comfort to all those whose eyes are now upon us to see how vve vvould behave our selves in afflictions and let us the rather remember to doe this because there is no hope of escaping when once the flouds of afflictions doe encompasse us God will not be entreated to spare us after the time of mercy be once over and we shall finde patience if not formerly sought for hard to obtaine in the midst of misery let this therefore stir us up to prepare if nothing else will that we may with Eli say It is the Lord let him due what seemeth him good and vvith patient Job though the Lord kill us yet will we trust in him that come vvhat vvill nothing may be able to separate us from God but that vve may cleave close to him in the midst of affliction and make a sanctified uâ—e of all his corrections to our comfort in this and the world to come CHAP. IX How to prepare against particular affliction as Warre Pestilence c. to undeâ—gâ—e them patiently WHat afflictions the Lord may lay upon us we know not no how soone we know not therefore as I have before said it stands us in hand to prepare our selves for all conditions and because perhaps some would and cannot others can and will not to instruct the one and leave the other without excuse I will breifly lay down how and after what manner men may prepare themselves for all estates and conditions whatever And first to undergo patiently the burthen and misery of warre which for ought we know the Lord may againe bring upon us It is necessary that we repent us of and forsake all our sins which formely have Insium et tenaâ—em propositi virum non civium ardor prava jubentium nâ—n vultus instantis tyranai mâ—â—â—e quatit sâ—lidâ—â— c. Hâ—râ— lib. 3. Od. 3. or againe may provoke the Lords wrath against us and alwayes remember that this must be a principall generall rule in preparing against all other afflictions that so though our enemies should rise in a tumult against us yet they may not be aided against us by the Lord as set a worke by him to punish and destroy us but onely fatherly to chastice us and we being reconciled unto God through Christ haveing that inward peace of conscience may by such corrections be rather made better then worse for an outward war is never grievous to a man that hath inward peace as long as men are reconciled to God and at peace with him an earthly enemy may hardly entreat them but cannot utterly dismay them for they fear not them that can but onely kill the body but him that can cast both soule and body into hell So I say if we doe but truely repent what afflictions soever come they will not be as punishments to take * Psa 1 19.12 vengeance on us for sin but as fatherly chastisements to warn us from sin which will not seem intolerable and hard but light and easie to be borne and instead of making us murmure against God we shall say with holy * There is in afflictions vindicta divina castigatio paterua Vindicta divina est poena qua Deus ulciscetur peccata improborum eos destruet Castigatio paterna est poena qun Deus electos proprer peccata corripit ut cos ad resipiscentiam excitat corrigat cautiores tardioresque ad peccandum in postâ—rum reddat utquesiceos â—rudiat ne cum hoc mundo condemnentur Afflictions to the godly are not timoriai but paideiai not Revengements but Inftructions Polan Sintag lib. 6. cap. 4. pag. 340. col 2. Calvin Instit lib. 3. cap. 4. Sect. 31 32.33 34. Where you may reade of this at large David It is good for us that we have been afflicted when on the contrary the judgement of Warre comming upon men in their sins and so at enmity with God will be a heavy judgment and so will cause them to fret and repine and murmure against God to the further hardning of their hearts to their destruction for they are so farre from being amended by afflictions or taking any profit by them that rather by such beginnings they are prepared for hell which at length abideth for them saith Master * Instit lib. 3. cap. 4. sect 32. Calvin Secondly if men will be prepared against War c. let them get themselves disingaged from earthly pleasures profits c. for while their hearts are set upon such things they never can without a great deale of grief and inward trouble think of the comming of such times wherein they must loose them all a man with patience will never undergoe any hardship as long as he hath any way to free himselfe from it nor can one ever thinke of affliction as long as he hath all delights about him and to such as have placed their delights in temporall transitory things will the besome of destruction which sweeps all away seeme trouble some Isa 14.23 how hard would it goe with a man whose delight is in wealth and worldly riches to have them before
pathes of his Commandements our breaking with him will cause him breake in pieces our greatest hopes and give us over to become a shame and reproach to them who would much rejoyce to behold it But that they may never see their desires let us use all good meanes to continue and increase the love and brotherly kindnesse already begun to this end let us begin to betake our selves to some setled course in Religion and be not alwayes like children carried about with every blast of vaine Doctrine Heb. 13.9 I know it is not onely lawfull but necessary to search as much as we are able for the truth but yet it were well that at length we could finde something whereupon we might pitch and not alwayes stand in a dubious way subject to be curried like a Feather with every winde in thus doing we declare our folly and makes it apparent that whereas we might for the time the Gospell hath been among us have been reachers Heb. 5.12 we stand need to be taught and gives not onely occasion to our enemies to speak evill of us but even causes many of our well-wishers not to know what to thinke of us or what to make of us would we once settle our selves in some way we should presently know who would take part with us and who would be against us so should we come to know our friends from our foes so should we give satisfaction to many whose eyes are now upon us so should we hinder Sects for increasing and errours from spreading which otherwayes will endanger to contaminate many whom it may come to be a difficult businesse to bring into a right temper againe so should giddy-headed persons be restrained whose delight it is to trouble the Church with needles idle and foolish though knotty questions in a word so would their plots and intentions be frustrated who secretly in these times of distraction gather fuell to encrease the flame of our dissentions and their hopes frustrated whose chiefest hate is against â—ll Government it is too much apparant that there among us who busily go about to raise not to quench divisions discentions because they fear to hear of Government as a thing contrary to their dispositions they being imployed in actions and walking in such courses as if they came to triall were unlawfull and shamefull Moreover if we were once setled this would give some satisfaction to our Brethren in Scotland who no doubt but heartily desire to see the Kingdomes as they are happily united under one King so to be as neere as conveniently they may of one Religion and grieve to behold the Churches in the Kingdomes so pitifully dilacerated by these increasing divisions when both they and we have sworne to do our endeavours to unite them I know the obstructions that have hindered for applying the remedy have causâ—â— the disease to be more desperate and therefore the more difficult to becured yet no doubt if wee would but use the meanes they used with as much celerity and so accurately as they did we should find as good successe as they found And were it any discredit for us to follow them as far as they followed the Word of God many say Why should the Scots be our Teachers why should we imitate them in their actions and order our Church according to theirs c. To these I answer why did not we who have alwayes been accounted a Learned Nation and have so long enjoyed peace and prosperity in a large manner begin the work that they might have followed us but suffer them a poore dejected and despised people to begin the worke and not only so but through our backwardnesse hollow-heartednesse and cowardlinesse be forced to stand neede of their help to aide us in it If there be any discredit it is in that but to follow them as far as they goe in a right way is no discredit except it be a shame to doe well We may remember that it hath been to our cost that we have been so backward in the work they led the way but it was in our Borders they managed the Field but it was our losse that got the victory they call'd for the Reckoning but we paid the shot shall we blame them or despise them for this Nay let us blame our selves and our owne sins which provoked God thus to debase us and moved him to make use of them to begin and goe forward with his work who were lightly esteemed of in the world and accounted no better then a base and barbarous people before this is not unusuall with the Lord to imploy the weake things of the world 1 Cor. 1.27 to confound the things that are mighty to cast down the proud and exalt the humble We are a proud and haughty Nation and therefore God hath set them above us whom we despised and given them the honour and made us bear the burthen yea even caused us to sustaine them in the worke and to pay them the charges they were at in bringing it forward yea now God hath made them the head and we the taile they have the honour of this great worke and we must now follow them if we as they have done attaine to peace Nay and if we murmure at this and grow proud and scorne yet to be tractable or forward to goe on with the work of Reformation c. we may justly feare that for our sins God will more humble us and exalt them and cause them still more to gain by our losses untill they be as wealthy and famous as we have been and we as despised as they were It is not the way to gaine peace to murmure at Gods dealings with us or to despise those whom formerly wee have stood need of let us submit our selves to God we may see by Gods dealings with us that he as yet is displeased with us we are not yet sufficiently humbled for other sins more especially for this backwardnesse to Reformation for we some of us account it as a good and holy act to stand as men yet having their Religion to chuse we are yet lukewarme and carelesse and therefore may justly feare God hath yet a scourge in store to drive us forward against our wills Let us therefore be more zealous in this good work then we have been let nothing grieve us so much as our backwardnesse in it as yet there is no cause to feare their disloyalty whom many I hope needlesly suspect in some things they have showne themselves more carefull of our Nations honour then many of its owne Inhabitants and untill we see their generall actions contradict their former vowes let us not feare to account of them and call them Brethren If they prove otherwise then wee at first tooke them for let us blame our owne backwardnesse in not endeavouring to perfect that which by their assistance is brought into good forwardnesse Errata PAg. 13. line 6. for rejected read respected pag. 15. line 9. for the read that pag. 23. line 17. for created read createth Pag. 24. line 32. for invincible read invisible Pag. 25. line 4. for free shot read shot free Pag. 40. line 15. for unholding read upholding Pag. 41. line 9. for hath reade have Pag. 43. line 8. for hath read have Pag. 43.27 for feaâ—full read secret Pag 51. line 3. for ever read even Pag. 52. line 35. for wound read wounded Pag. 53. line 25. for call read care Pag. 55. line 34. for would be read are Pag. 55. line 35. with rich men read rich men Pag. 58. line 13. for freely read briefly Pag. 58. line 36. for root read rush Pag. 35. line 4 for we that read that we Pag. 84. line 9. for is unknowne read is not unknowne Pag. 104. line 13. for seeme read see me Pag. 105. line 25. for safety read safely In the Margent Page 45. for Tropeis aposniasma read Tropes aposciasma Pag. 53. for torrent read terrent Pag. 53. for notesque read noctesque Pag. 55. for budizousi read buthizousi Pag. 56. for deficile read difficile Pag. ibid. for miserente read miseâ—ante Pag. 59. for ecphugousin read ecphugosin Pag. 63. for accumelamus read accumulemus Pag. 80. for oporteat read oporter Pag. 83. fâ—r excitat read excitet Pag. 91. for paroimois read paroicois ibid. foâ— paroimia read paroicia Pag. 95. for persequeretur read persequerentur The Heads of the severall Chapters of this Booke COncerning the occasion of writing this Booke Fol. 13 CHAP. I. That God hath variety of Judgements to punish sinfull and rebellious people withall Fol. 20 CHAP. II. Shewing why and when the Lord uses variety of Judgements Fol. 27 CHAP. III. Seeing the Lord hath many sorts of Judgements men ought to examine their Estates how they stand before God whether they may expect peace or dangers A discovery of many sins in these parts found out by a slender examination Fol. 43 CHAP. IIII. We cannot expect any Peace or Tranquillity or to be free from Gods Judgements or plagues as long as we continue in our sins Objections answered many secret plagues discovered Fol. 43 CHAP. V. We may no onely feare that God hath Judgements in store for us but that wrath in some sort shall shortly be powred down upon us Fol. 57 CHAP. VI. The folly of those who think to escape Gods judgements by departing for the present to any other place or that thinke they shall not at all suffer because they have escaped some dangers Fol. 63 CHAP. VII A particular warning to those places who as yet have not felt the punishment of Warre or because of their supposed strength feare it not seeing God may and can punish them either by it or by other plagues Fol. 69 CHAP. VIII Because God hath variety of Judgements it behoves all men to prepare at all times to suffer Fol. 77 CHAP. IX How to prepare against particular afflictions as War Pestilence c. and to undergoe them patiently Fol. 82 CHAP. X. The Conclusion of the Booke with a short Exhortation to all sorts of men Fol. 98 An Addition to the Faithfull Scout Fol. 107 FINIS
can walke without feare or danger where death cuts downe on every side of them so that I say If the Lord used not many sorts of plagues men would sâ—eke to hide themselves from him though they can never doâ— it or to devise meanes to keepe themselves from danger and so to escape punishment but the Lord prevents their escaping by his variety of punishments which he hath in store that they cannot â—ell how to prevent them because they know not how they will come or what they will be for all the policy or devises that any can devise cannot free them from Gods hand when he will punish seeing hee hath not some few but many and them so strange that none knowes how to shun them they can finde no evasion but hee will meet with them by one plague or other if by their doings they have provoked him Lastly we must know that God uses variety of judgements c. that so it may be knowne that he hath an hand in all judgements that are sent upon the earth for if sometimes strangeâ— and unusuall things were not heard or seene Isa 42.9 43.12 13. if the Lord did not punish sometimes after one manner sometimes after another men would â—â—lye the Lord and say it were not he that sends judgements abroad in the world but they wâ—hâ—d ascribe it to Faâ—e Fortune c as if the Lord had forsaken the earth and suffered all things to run at randome without disposing or guiding or if no destruction came upon the enemies of his people but by chance or that he were impotent and could doe nothing but as iâ— happened according to the course of times c. Thus the Syrians thought for they would not beleeve that the God of Israel could doe any thing for his peoples safety in any place but on the hills 1 Kin. 20.23 they thought if they got the Israelites into the valleys there they should have them out of Gods protection or power Ver. 28. and there they should vanquish them not considering that their former overthrows was from and by the Lord and therefore to let them know their destruction was from him hee show'd himselfe as well a God in the valleys as on the hills and delivered all that multitude into the hands of his people And as the Syrians were thus incredulous or heedlesse that judgements came or were sent from God and therefore stood need to bee awakened so are many even as yet in the same disease and therefore the Lord sends such judgements and plagues sometimes that all men may know that no plagues can come from or by any but from and by his command and shewes by the variety that is in the world that he alone is he that creates evill and hath his armory stor'd with all sorts of punishments that he will at any time use CHAP. III. â—eeing the Lord hath many sorts of Judgements men ought to examine their estates how they stand before God whether they 〈◊〉 expect peace or dangers A discoâ—â—ty of many sâ—mâ—es in these parts found out by a slâ—â—â—â—â— examination YOu have heard now the Lord is stor'd with variety of Judgements either to inflict upon his enemies or to comfort this peoples or to deliveâ— them from dangers or the Tyranny of the wicked It behoves us therefore all in these and all oâ—heâ— pâ—â—ts that are by Gods especiall favour in some good measure freed from the misery of War to examinie our estaâ—es that we may know what we may expect from the Lord wheâ—her againe more plagues to punish us or a further freedome from troubles For to being us into a sure and certaine knowledge of this we are to take notice of what was delivered in the precedent Chapter which hath showne why and when the Lord uses variety of judgâ—ments against a people and if by examination we finde our selves in some reasonable measure to have answered Gods expectation by taking warning by former judgements and aâ—cribing the glory power and Majesty the unto him and in feaâ—ing his greatnesse accordingly as he desires and submiâ—â—ing our selves under his mighty hand with reverence and humility not stubbornely exalting our selves against his judgements but thankfully imbracing what he shall send we may then hope that our God will no more reiterate his judgements upon us but in time more perfect this happy begun worke of our enjoying of peace and that we shall be a selected peculiar people in whom he will â—ake delight and who shal be as a brand pluckt from the fiâ—e or as a remnant whom he will save to declare the dangers from which we have been delivered to all the world to his praise But if on the contrary by due and unpartiall examination we find that as yet Gods former corrections have not wrought those effects fore mentioned in us but we that still remaine presumptuous stiffe necked c. then we may have cause to feare that though the feare of Warre be removed from us yet it is but to make us more unexcusable before God but that still we shall have sent upon us other punishments that we little as yet feare or dreame of Now therefore let it not be offensive to any if I a little examine our estate and by searching our doings show what we may expect And in very truth when I look over our people and see what security carelesnesse and presumption possesseth them how they blesse themselves in their iniquity and put far from them â—he evill day it causes me to feare that us yet there is not wrought that humility or reformation in any among us as God requires in those whom he will establish in peace For as yet for ought I can perceive the fearfull name of the Lord is not feared among us as it ought to be nor his mighty power and strength feared as it ought to be if they were the judgements that our brethren now suffer should as much make us â—fraid as though wee our selves did beate them the Lion hath roared who can but fear or who is there but should feare Amos 3.8 yet hee roares but who doth feare the voyce of the Lord was so fearfull to Adâ—â— that when he had sinned when he call'd he hid himselfe Gen. 3.10 and for shame durst not appear for he was affraid because he was naked When the Lord descended downe upon Mount Sinai though it were for their good yeâ— his dreadfull Majesty made them so affraid that they neither durst approach nigh unto him nor heare him yet the Lord Exod. 20.18 19. as I said hath roared among us and hath call'd upon us by his terrible voyce of War and not onely so but descended downe in judgements upon us and by fearfull and terrible sights hath spoken unto us to prove us that wee may feare before him and not sin â—ound yet for all this we feare not not come in humility trembling before our God or show that we have any desire that
I know not but me thinkes the Churches affaires among us go very slowly forward one maine cause of our former miseries was the want and negligence of Pastours many places whose stipends were sufficient to have maintained able Ministers have through the covetousnesse of men formerly in authority beene deprived of all teaching which hath occasioned great inconveniencies And still this is no whit amended for those in authority can be content to looke over these things vvithout reforming them nay even to take the in-comes of such places and yet never looke to provide any to teach the people a fearfull neglect for I dare say untill people be better instructed vve shall finde our desires longer in performing then vve expect and if this be the vvay to instruct the ignorant it is a nevv one vvhich none of the faithfull ever knevv of and I beleeve good Nehemiah vvould have scorn'd to have done it for his chiefest care vvas to provide teachers for the people Neh. 13.10 11. and maintenance for them and for that contended vvith the Rulers and vvhy should not the like be done by us vvho pretend Reformation Besides the sloathfulnesse of Pastours vvould be looked too that they be not idle and negligent as formerly they vvere this vvas Josiahs care 2 Chron. 35. to stirre up the Priests and Levitee to the worke and this ought to be the care of men in authority but as yet it hath been carelesly neglected vvhich makes so many Ministers as yet continue in their former sloathfulnesse So likevvise hovv many prophane or ill-affected Ministers are removed have vve not still drunkards câ—rders swearers and all manner of levvd livers and scandalous persons in the Ministry though they vvallovv in impiety and by their lives and conversations might shame even honest Heathen men though by them the people can learne nothing except all manner of sinne and vvickednesse though their doings are so evill that they vvere more fit to be cast out from hearing then be set in the place of Teachers yet even such as these are still in the Ministry uncast out nay unreproved Againe those that have had a great stroake in raising these Tumults vvho have beene great sticklers in unholding the Popish Army vvho have adventered estates and lives vvith the adverse party I meane Malignants and Papists against the Gospell of Jesus Christ and those vvho have stood for it these are not onely admitted to have their liberty among us but to enter our Pulpits againe to sovv sedition among the people vvithout restraint or rebuke And as in restraining of these so in neglect of Church Discipline and the keyes for the correction of manners we are as greatly to blame every mans will is his law which makes our Assemblies full of disorders and scandalizeth our profession not a little and truely now when we have this opportunity nay and have bound our selves in a Covenant to doe it and still neglect it I know not what to thinke but truly we may justly feare that such doings will bring upon us other miseries besides these which we have already undergone for how can we but thinke that now when according to our desires the Lord hath granted us opportunity to reforme what is amisse or displeasant to him and yet we doe it not that againe he will send upon us such woefull times that if we would we cannot I wish it may not be so but I assure you we may have cause to feare it * To this adde our breach of our Covenant which we have so solemnly taken almost I thinke I may say altogether in every point the fearefulnes of which may appear by these and the like places Isa 24.1 to the 13. 33 8 9. See the Addition to the faithfull Scout Moreover with these sins already named we may put in our prophanation of the Lords-Day as a sin which unrepented of will bring other of Gods judgements upon us it is the opinion of many good men in this Kingdome that the prophanation of that Day hath beene one of the chiefest causes of our miseries and indeed to prevent this I see our Nehemiahs hath taken care * In the Directory for publike Worship Neh. 13.17.18 Si unquam futurum sit ut haec Domini nostri in externo ministerio suo praesentia auferatur id accidat propier mundi istam ingratituaâ—uem Rol in Joh. p. 579 Isa 30.9 10 11 12 13 14. but that as yet hath taken small effect among us for we as much prophane it as ever even in times of greatest liberty by drinking playing revelling riding talking of earthly affaires and doing our owne pleasures upon it c. To these parts I le say no more then Nehemiah did to the inhabitants of Jerusalem What evill thing is this that you doe and prophane the Sabbath day did not you fathers thus and our God brought all this evill upon us and upon this part of the Countrey yet ye will bring more wrath upon us by prophaning the Sabbath And as the prophaning the Sabbath so the contemning of the Word preached will help to bring forward more wrath upon us we do not secretly whisper but even openly speake against the Ministers of the Gospell despising them that are sent of the Lord and the Word preached by them carelesly refusing to heare it as if it nought concerned us hence come our seldome Lectures dayes of humiliation or Thankesgivings our sloathfulnesse at Sermons and desires to have them over c. these do testifie we contemn Gods Word and our security and loathing to heare of any thing against our pleasures proclaime that we desire not the knowledge of the Lord or any thing that may bee good for us but rather that our teachers should sooth us up in our vilde courses and speake unto us smooth things and prophecie unto us deceits c. like those stubborne and rebellious Jewes whom Isaiah speakes of against whom for that sin very fearefull judgements are threatned and without doubt this now will provoke the Lord against us for there is scarcely any sin which doth so much displease him as to have his Word and Messengers despised as I could show by many examples of his wrath executed upon divers places for this sin but I have writ of this at large in another Treatise * Called Brittaines Hicrophanta Part. 4. Chap. 21. which I purpose God assisting me to send abroad when I have a fitting time to it therefore I refer you Neither are we free from Pride which alwayes cryes loud for vengeanee for pride alwayes goes not long before destruction and the efoâ—e what wee may expect let any judge Pro. 16.18 who still carry our selves as haughtily as ever especially in those places who as yet have not felt the rage of the enemy men and women of all sorts doe there behave themselves so prou lly towards their neighbours Isa 3.16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 as if it were pleasant
give us over to Popery hardnesse of heart Mat. 13.15 Acts 28.27.28 Luk. 3.20 Roma 21 24 26. Act. 19.9 or into a reprobate sence unnaturall uncleannesse bestiality open tyranny or to fall into Sects or Heresies c. for which these and the like crying sins he often punisheth the forenamed sins as by those places of Scripture in the Margent may appeare Againe let us not thinke that we shall escape punishment continuing in our sins seeing God may and many times doth punish men in and by those wayes and means which they take to be the comfortablest wherin they can walke as in and by their pleasures preferments wealth beauty c. yea making peace it selfe a plague and prosperity a a snare to catch them to their destruction for as one observes it is a plague to many that they are not plagued even the want of punishment is their punishment I know it is a thing desired of many to be rich and most men wish they may never be worse hurt but even wealth very oft pâ—oves no lesse hurtfull then the most fearfull plagues that ever are sent this the Apostle very well observes Those that will be rich saith he fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts 1 Tim. 6.10 which drowne * budizousi In profundum objiciunt men in destruction and perditionâ— they suck in so much pleasure by them that they forget all other happinesse while in the meane time they are insnared by Sathan to their destruction which surely is a punishment greater then any earthly sufferings the consideration of this Pro. 30.8 9. caus'd Agur to pray so fervently that he should not be made rich for he feared wealth would exalt him cause him to forget his Maker and the Philosopher thought to make his enemies rich was the greatest displeasure he could do them indeed very oft abundance of wealth proves a great deale of trouble to the possessours of it Who would be in so much care trouble and perplexity as with rich men in these dayes of danger for in their height of pleasures feares of danger perplex them and they scarcely can take rest because of continuall molestation that so one need wish their enemy no more trouble then to be rich for they may be assured that by that meanes they shall not be without vexation Mat. 19.23 But besides the vexation riches bringeth with them on earth Defipile est stare in alta dignitate carere cogitationibus elatis Stella de contemptu mundi lib. 1. ca. 13 See Mal. 2.2 Psal 69.22 they are in danger to deprive them of those celestiall pleasures which as far surpasse those earthly vanities as heaven doth hell And what vexations doe often come by preferment and honour even when men have their whole desire in injoyment of pleasures and dignities they most commonly are either inwardly vexed or their envyed happinesse dâ—th procure unavoydable misery which likewise by God are inflicted as punishments upon them though it may be not perceived and therefore the more fearfull To be briefe who knowes but even this small time of tranquillity which now we enjoy may be made a plague unto us for if the Lord do by it give us over to security and carelesnesse we shall presently be in a very deplorable condition and yet not to be pitied because we shall not know wherein we stand need of pity thus may we be severely plagued Eccles 7.2 3. even with judgements wounding us deeply in and by the same meanes which we take to be our onely comforts and the lesse that any take notice of this the more is the plague upon him Miserius inihil est misâ—rose non miserente for sencelesnes of Gods judgments is the greatest judgement of all and how much more a man thinkes himselfe happy though he sinne and yet enjoyes all temporall pleasures so much the mo e miserable is he Let every one that reads this consider of it and observe and mark how the case is with him whether or no he perceive or finde any of these secret judgements creeping in upon him and while there is time let us all beware we doe not provoke God to send them upon us and above all let us observe how sin decreases or increases if we see men rather growing more bold in sinne eâ—ery day more then other other let us then assure our selves the plague of God is against us and just cause we may have to feare Isa 22.14 that such iniquities shall not be purged till we die Or if we see men every day more then other given over to security and pleasures and carelesse of threatnings denounced against them by the Ministers and servants of God let us then likewise feare that the Lords hand is stretched out against us But if we see none of these secret judgements nor open plagues but that we still live under Gods protection in peace and tranquillity yet let us not grow bolder in sinne See Psal 69.22 23 24 25 27 28. Let us take heed that none of those or such like judgements fall upon us but alwayes call to mind this point and feare to offend and in the midst of prosperity beseech the Lord that our table may not become a snareunto us but that we may so be delivered from curses that Gods blessings may be upon us and all we have at all times in all places upon all occasions this if we doe we shall enjoy with increase our already begun peace but continuing in sin may cause us to expect nothing but wrath for there is no peace to the wicked CHAP. V. Wee may not onely feare that God hath Judgements in store for us but that wrath in some sort shall shortly be powred downe upon us OUr unmatched security causes me to stand upon this Point longer then otherwayes I would and makes me breake order and method that if by any meanes it may this my Scout may be faithfull to give an alarm to all sorts of men that they may be stirr'd up either to prevent by unfained repentance or to prepare against further danger Let it not seeme strange to any that I more then any should be thus fearfull of that of which as yet there seems no likelihood of appearance or that I should continually strike upon this string for truly me thinkes they are either blinde or quite fearlesse or carelesse what come that see not as well as I still clouds of wrath hanging over us ready againe to dissolve into showers it pities me that so few see it or feare it and those who doe see it or at least feare it should no better take notice of it or so little take care to prevent it or prepare against it and therefore to put them in minde that forget and instruct those who know not or consider not and to let all men know the ground of my feares in this Chapter as freely as I
all this considered may serve to beat down those presumptuous vain thoughts of safety because of strong holds or any other temporall defence whatever But let us suppose that Walled Townes may free men from the stroake of War if it should be so that God should no more send the sword against those places that have already escaped have they for that cause to boast themselves in their iniquity or to presume upon freedom from punishment nay let them not doe so for God hath not his quiver so poorly furnished that he hath but one arrow or his armory so empty that he hath but one judgement but he hath many other which may by him be inflicted upon them although they escape the judgement of War how many places are consumed by fire which have escaped the ruine attending on War and seeing these things are daily heard of except they make a sanctified use of these examples they themselves are in danger to be made examples to others therefore let them take heed of security and vaine confidence in the arme of flesh seeing they know not what is reserved for them it may be when God hath given the cup of his fury to others to drink up that he will give the dregs to them to suck out most commonly those whom he long spares and on whom he hath bestowed the greatest favours those I say suffer the sorest when his judgements are once let loose against them however while men continue in their sins even the least creature is ready if commanded by God to rise up in armes against us and the least plague is sufficient punishment if but sent by God therefore let none desire againe to see the day of the Lords vengeance for it will be a gloomy day a day of darknesse and not light a day of sorrow and griefe to all that see it and feele it A fearfull thing it is to fall into the hands of God if he be provoked to wrath men may be withstood but who is able to withstand or stand before the Lord when he is angry little therefore doe they know what they doe who in a boasting manner vaunt of their strength as if they were not at all to be medled with when alas they are weak and easie to be throwne downe while they harbour within them their sins for they undermine their foundations weaken their strength and layes them open to all the miseries that fly abroad they unfortifie more then they can build up and make all the means and indeavours which are used to prevent dangers instruments to further what they should prevent they bring back againe the troubles past they cry aloud for vengeance to be poured down upon those who delight in them and at the last cause the most famousest places to be destroyed with utter destruction and overthrow Consider of this you that have been saved by your strong hold as hitherto and if you would not have your houses destroyed your wives ravished your daughters defloured your estates wasted the fire of God to consume you the pestilence to cut you off terrour to affright you in any of your habitations then repent and bewaile your sins and take warning by what you have already seen and by what you heare others doe feele and so iniquity shall not be your ruine which otherwayes will make your famous places as much disrespected as now admired and bring downe their glory Micah 6.16 and make them as a by-word and an hissing to all the earth for God will have a controversie with you Terra Sodomitica o lim tam fructibus quam substantia civitatum fortunata nuncautem omnis exust a at que habitatorum impietate fulminibus conflagrasse memoratur Josep de bellis Judaicis lib. 5. cap. 5. Luke 13.3 and will not show pity towards you as long as you harbour such a guest as he hates and will not show favour too or pity viz. Sin Thinke not to be spared for any splendour or outward beauty Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them were scituate in pleasant and fruitfull places yet for their sins were destroyed for the famousnesse of places is not regarded by God as long as within they are full of ravening and wickednesse we daily see how the sword and other of Gods judgements devoures as well one place as another and without partiality lies full low as well the lofty pallace as the humble cottage populous cities are spared no more then peoplelesse villages what therefore can more men to thinke of immunity To concludes me thinke that Doctrine laid downe so plainly without exception by him who being Truth it selfe cannot die viz. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish should be a sufficient warning to all men to stir them up from sin and security for if men would but seriously ruminate upon it there could no objection or thought arise concerning hope of freedom from punishment which the very repeating it over would not answer and beat back how and by what meanes it is not fet downe that men may be prepared at all times and upon all occasions but if they continue in their sins without repentance that they shall perish nothing more certaine who then can say we shall escape who can promise safety to himselfe and Countrey let none cry peace when there is no peace nor let any hearken to a voyce of peace so long as the cry of sin is so loud for my part I wish this Countrey peace and I wish that all places that have not suffered may still enjoy peace and those that are free from sufferings may continue free but as yet I dare not promise to them that peace I wish them I dare not say the Lord hath said you shall no more heare the sound of the trumpet the alarme of War c. or if I could yet durst I not say the Lord had no more judgements in store for you I say I dare not say it for neither I nor any have assurance of it but rather the contrary because of the abounding of sinne in every place why should I flatter any to make them think they were in an happy condition when they are miserable why should I nuzzle men in security or make them put far from them the evill day when it may be neare at hand what I have said and will say is to stir up men from security and therefore feare the Lord for he hath still judgements in store to punish if men by their sins offend and provoke him CHAP. VIII Because God hath variety of Judgements it behooves aâ— men to prepare at all times to suffer Videntur omnia repentina graviora Tuscul Quest lib. 3. Multa sunt incommoda in vita quae sapientes commodorum compensatione leniunt Cie Sent. lib. 1. num 14. THat is alwayes the sharpest and hardest to be borne that comes suddenly before men be aware sudden falls unforeseene and feared breed great confusions and miserable events
and in great distresse along time before he enjoyed it and after he had possessed it was banished for a while by his owne Son and brought into great straits And so when captivity was threatned to Hezechiah he was so patient that he said no more Isa 39.8 but good is the Word of the Lord for he knew there was no resisting the Lord and did not his owne people I mean the Israelites suffer captivity threescore and ten yeares in Babylon what shall I more say have there not been many of the deare children of God of whom the world was not worthy that have â—andred in deserts and in mountaines and in dens and in caves of the earth having no constant habitation Heb. 11.38 1 Cor. 4.11 but tossed from place to place from one Kingdome to another why therefore should we be affraid to suffer in this kind but rather let their examples stir us up patiently to heare of and abide what ever in this case shall be inflicted Lastly to comfort us let us assuredly know that though we be tossed from place to place and be deprived of those things which now we enjoy and strangers possesse what we have laboured for so that we have not where to lay our heads Rom. 8.17 c. yet let this comfort us if we doe truly beleeve in Christ that we are heires apparant to a kingdome that far suspasseth all the kingdomes in the world Psal 145.13 for it is an everlasting kingdome a kingdom that hath no end which cannot be taken from us by any Heb. 11.9 10 14 15 16. This is that kingdom which the fathers sought for which they endured so many afflictions even with joy because they knew that this momentary affliction which they suffered Rom. 8.19 was not worthy to be compared with the glory which they should receive in that kingdome The consideration of this Phil. 3.8 caus'd the Apostle to count all earthly things as dung in comparison of it and even willingly to suffer the losse of all things to obtaine it and no marvell seeing to have it is to have an assurance of all things that are good as our Saviour himselfe testifies Mat. 6.33 What neede we then take such care though we be destitute of dwelling seeing God himselfe is our dwelling place our rocke of defence and place of hiding Psal 90.1 though our cities be destroyed we have a city above of which we are Citizens though other get our treasure and wealth we have treasure in heaven which iâ— safe being without the reach of all our earthly enemies the consideration of which I say ought to make us patiently endure the losse of all things seeing we have an assured title to heavenly things which are better and more enduring substances Againe if God shall give us over to be oppressed by tyrants many or few domesticke or forraigne whether they tyrannize over us in our estate persons or consciences whether by heavy and grievous taxations or by bondage and slavery or by forbidding or hindring us in the practice of religious and holy duties the meanes to be used to prepare to suffer such afflictions patiently are First to reflect upon our selves and lay the blame on our owne sins which have provoked God thus to punish us by * See Judg. 2.13 14. 3.12 4.1 Isa 10.5 6. Neh. 9.26 27. oppressours our owne actions are alwayes the causes of our miseries why should we then murmur at that which our selves procure but rather patiently endure it and confesse we are punished lesse Ezra 9.13 then our iniquities deserve untill we doe thus we can never patiently suffer afflictions but there will be in us a fretting and a murmuring while we suffer when we are chastised We shall be like a bullocke unaccustomed to the yoake as Ephraim was Ier. 31.18 19. untill he beheld and considered the cause and end of his sufferings and then he was instructed and smote upon his thigh So if we but duly consider what we have done and how we have provoked God we shall be willing to suffer what ever he shall send upon us because we have deserved farre more then we endure Magna solet jucunditas esse quae manat ex optima conscientia Secondly if we be oppressed it will mightily strengthen our patience under oppression if we have so carried our selves towards all men of what degree or place what ever that we have given no just occasion of offence to any or cause to them to deale so rigorously with us a good conscience is an excellent companion in affliction such a conscience as is void of offence Acts 24.16 aproscopon suneidesin 1 Pet. 2.20 Mat. 5.11 that can testifie that wee have done harme to no man or wronged any man if we have such a testimony within our selves we shall even rejoyce with exceeding great joy that we should be accounted worthy to suffer after that manner This was Davids comfort when he was oppressed by Saul and wicked and bloudy men Neque iniquitas mea fuit in causa neque peccatum meum quare me persequeretur Raâ—er Snoyg paraphras in Psal 59.3 Rom. 13.7 that what they did it was without cause though they laid wait for his soule and gathered themselves against him yet his conscience told him that it was not for his transgression or his sin it was not for any fault that he had committed against them c. even so let us endeavour to give no offence either to one or other in any thing but render to every one what is their dâ—le Tribute to whom Tribute is due custome to whom custome feare to whom fear honour to whom honour and then if we be still oppressed it will be without cause and then as I said we shall be comforted which will encrease our patience to endure oppressions Againe See these places Iudg. 2.15 3.12 4.3 6.1.2 3 4 5 6. Ver 11. thirdly in this likewise let us consider that we are not alone how oft were the Israelites given into the hands of cruell oppressours even many yeares * Iudg. 13.1 1 Sam. 13.19 together and sometimes were in such bondage and feare that they were forced to hide themselves in holes of rocks and caves c. and forced to hide what they had in any place where they could to save it yea in such servitude that they had not a Smith among them And so likewise by taxations they were so oppressed that sometimes they were forced to take the hallowed things of the Temple 2 Kin. 12.18 17.3 Socrat. Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. and pay them to their oppressours to the end to pacifie them thus were the Christians in the time of Julian the Apostate taxed exceedingly this hath beene a common oppression among wicked men and if we be with others in such a condition let us endeavour to beare it patiently as others have done Or if we be