The Faithfull SCOUT Giving an Alarme to Yorkeshire especially to the East-Ryding and all other places at this time freed from the misery of WARRE OR A Treatise tending to stirre up men from security which possesses them because as they thinke all danger is past now that the Seat of WARRE is removed from them Written by Will. Meeke Hypocritae si vident ab omni parte omnia tranquilla nihil periculi metuunt quod si Deus illis minatur et non ostendit statim flagella sua derident aut spernunt Cal. Praelect in Jer. Printed at Yorke by Tho Broad and are to be sold by Nathanniel Brookes in London at the Angel in Cornhill 1647. To all Honest Religious and well-affected Persons in Holdernes in the East-Ryding of Yorkeshire more especially to the Inhabitants of Skipsey the Author wisheth Peace and Truth GReat and manifold have the blessings and favours of the Lord been to this our part of the Kingdome loving Countrey-men and Neighbours ever since the beginning of these miseries and distractions in the Kingdom For though the first spark of this unquenched fire broke out the first of all among us our men being I think the first that were called to stand Brother against Brother At the Leaguer at Paul in Holdernes against Kingston upon Hull and we the first that saw the beginning of miseries in the first planting and using Engines of Warre to Beleaguer Batter and Depopulate our owne Cities and strong Holds and therefore had cause to feare our troubles would be greater then wee could avoyde yet it pleased God on a sudden to turn our apparent feare into more joy then we could have expected by the sudden dissolving of that Army gathered by our Kingdomes foes in the pretence of the Kings defence and releasing of that place which at that time contained the Instruments of safety to the whole Kingdome and this was done so suddenly that our enemies and cruell disposed ones to Church and State of which we had many had not power to performe their intents in raising more forces according to their desires either to obtaine what they longed for or to bring into subjection those they hated but even in a moment had all their hopes dashed by being called away before they expected to the great comfort of all bearing good will to Sion After which time we for a good space only heard of warre and miseries but were our selves free from them or the feare of them and so might have remained if those to whom the Countreys welfare was committed and in whom trust was reposed had as faithfully discharged that which was committed to them as with ease they might have done but God who disposeth of all things to his owne glory and knowes how to extract good from evill seeing our wayes and doings nothing answerable to his benefits and favours made way to bring upon us a sharper correction then formerly we had felt and to this end because in what they did they aimed more at their own ends then his glory and to let us see that men trusting to carnal wit or policy cannot prosper he gave our Governours over to themselves to be seduced to betray the trust in them reposed and to give our Forts Strong-holds and Armies and with them the Countrey into the â—ands of the enemy to be used and abused by them at their pleasure which traiterous dealings although they wrought not so effectually as was by some desired and by them sought for yet did they make way for ensuing dangers for by the deceitfulnesse of one * Scarbrough Castle Hold which secured our part of the Countrey that division which then was spred into the most parts of the Kingdome broke in amongst us and set one part of the Countrey against another in great danger to destroy it all And by the traiterous dealing of him * who had the chiefe command of that party from which we expected safety Sir John Hotham our enemies prevailed and got the upper hands afar as that they had the Countrey at their pleasure and confined our Forces into a little strong Hold which alone was left of all their former liberty Kingston upon Hul which was then again Besieged And here againe begun our miseries which for a long time we had put far from us for then were we left in the hands of mercilesse miscreants whose tyrannicall exactions at that time were so great that our miseries were unexpressable and our woe increased to that height that we knew not which way to take to seeke comfort our condition was lamentable for even all hope almost of expecting deliverance or safety was excluded and the Sun of Gods favour seemed to be set upon us and the Lord shewed as if he would not be entreated of us But then againe when we were in the lowest ebbe of adversity when I say we had no hope left of recovery it pleased the Lord to rowse up himselfe as a Giant new awakened from sleep and even when our enemies thought they'd had all things sure and us in their wills to put power courage and magnanimity into the hearts of an handfull which discouraged and bet to repulse an Army seeming invincible by that meanes raising that Siege that had beene so enjurious to the whole Countrey Raising the Siege at Hull and not only were they at that time bet backe but presently that part of the Countrey was so freed that no constant Army durst abide in it Here begun the Lord againe to shine upon us with the comfortable rayes of his mercy and to dispell those clouds of sorrow which so long had over-spread our Horizon still many showers of troubles rained downe upon the borders as it were betwixt the parties for presently after raising the Siege and a good space after our Garrison Souldiers not daring because of their weake strength too fast to inlarge their Quarters the enemy dared to prey upon the Countrey neer them adjoyning by plunder and taxations making those parts to which they did resort to live in continuall feare In which distresse and feare they continued untill by Gods assistance our Army gained so much ground and that with so good footing that they wholly chased them away and put them in such feare as that they durst not come among us and at length through Gods good kindnesse towards us and the care vigilancy and courage of that small party if they should be compared with the numerous Forces which at that time the enemy had brought the worke into so good maturity that they cleared the coast and brought them who formerly had with so much audacity triumphed over them and the Countrey into such subjection that they were forced to betake themselves to their * Scarbrough Castle strong Holds being not able to abide the Field to retaine and keep their former liberty which being done the Countrey begun to enjoy againe its former tranquillity in some good measure and at length
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
Rom. 2.11 For God is no respecter of persons I Objection but will some say shall the Papists flourish againe among us Nay surely that they shall never doe for God hath threatned a finall overthrow to them which is in part executed against them in this part and if they doe not againe make head against us no other can harme us This Objection is a branch of the former Answer but we will answer it particularly at large because I finde in discoursing with men many too much addicted to thinke that as long as we can keep the Papists in subjection there is no feare nor danger of further misery as if God could or would punish us by none but them they I know hitherto have been the onely instruments of our miseries and indeed if they should continue among us in any power they would be so still but yet to thinke that God cannot or will not punish us by any other meanes then by them were presumption intollerable and yet why may not the Lord give them power over us againe because of our abominable sins and cause them againe to triumph this he may doe and yet have decreed their fall neverthelesse and I wish we doe not so far provoke him as cause him to do it the Lord had determined the fall of the Canaanites and yet gave them victory over his people more then once Though the Benjamites were to be destroyed by Gods owne command yet two dayes together they prospered in battle and slew the Israelites Judg. 20. and so it may be with us if we offend our God But though he should bring them downe every day more and more and suffer them no more to insult yet can he bring judgements upon us by other meanes he may let us pray he doe not cause disunity to arise among our selves which may breede us much misery he may bring in enemies by Sea upon us where a more fitting place in all the Kingdome considering our security nakednesse of weapons and unpreparednesse and withall the many open secret and unknowne enemies and disaffected ones and hollow-hearted luke-warme and men not earing which way things goe that are among us nay in authority and place ready to take part with any be they French Spanish Turks or Divels incarnate or what they will so they but oppose the Parliament they would be for them and these I say may work our ruine before ever we dream of them make our part o' th Countrey the seat of a more fearfull bloudy and destroying Warre then ever as yet either we or the Kingdome in any part have felt God in his mercy divert such judgements from us But if none of these punishments by War come upon us let us but call to mind the point we have in hand viz. That God hath variety of judgements c. and then continuing in our sins we can have but small hope to escape without punishment and the consideration of that may likewise answer that other objection namely that the maturity of our enemies sins as blasphemies c. may assure us of their destruction and so of our peace for we must know the Lord can both destroy them and us if we be wicked yea though them by us yet may we be destroyed by other meanes for in that we are made instruments to bring them to ruine it is no ground or signe that we shall not be destroyed Isa 10.12 See that place in the Margent But againe many say The Lord is a mercifull God and will not deale with us after our deserts Objection though we by our sins have and doe still provoke his incomprehenble Majesty and so deserve no other favours then continuall miseries yet for his Names sake and Covenants sake c. he will spare us and suffer us still to enjoy peace and quietnesse Answer Passim caelebratur paterna ejus bonitas voluntas ad benesicientiam proclivis sed exempla traduntur severitatis quae justum scelerum ullo rem esse ostenâ—â—nt praesertim ubi tolerantia-sua contra obstinatos nihil proficit Cal. Inst lib. 1. cap. 10 Sect. 1. Isa 48.11 That God is a mercifull God this Kingdoms experience may at large testifie and that he spares and will spare men deserving wrath for his owne sake the Scripture doth * witnesse as likewise that he is a just God a true God a God that will not suffer the least sinne to goe unpunished especially when men continue in sin and yet expect favour such men will suddenly cause the Lords patience to be out of date for he cannot endure that they should commit ill and expect that hee should patronage them for their ill by such meanes he is inforced to strike when he would not otherwayes he would be accounted as one of * them or such a one as they are ever Psal 50.21 co-partners with them in sin I could wish he had not the like cause to strike in this Countrey but I feare we by our sins have so far stir'd up his wrath that there is almost no remedy but that his ever-loving mercy must give place to justice in that the time of mercy hath not wrought those effects that he expects for it is alwayes expected that patience and long-sufferance should lead men to repentance which seeing we have altogether in a maner neglected not onely so but by his long-forbearance are lull'd asleep in security and in a strange manner because God hath formerly beene mercifull unto us perswade our selves that therefore he can or will be no otherwayes thus heaping up more sinnes in and by the same meanes which should draw us to repentance these our doings therefore I say duely marked may rather cause us feare that there is wrath laid up for us and that it shall suddenly be revealed against us then that the Lord will any longer continue his mercy and loving kindnesse unto us to spare us by diverting those plagues from us that he hath not only in store but in part executed upon many of our brethren who though their offences to mans sight seemed lesse then ours have already suffered more then we have done and therefore while we now see wrath against them notwithstanding of their former sufferings let us never flatter our selves with hope of immunity seeing we are in as great if not greater fault I le say no more but that I would have every one to know that God is mercifull but yet let them know that it is to such as hate or at least have a desire to hate and leave off sinning which when I see but in some reasonable manner practis'd among us I will then hope to see the Lords mercy not onely continued but encreased to us in the meane while I will trust in Gods mercy and hope the best but I will prepare and advise all I can to prepare to be ready at all times to undergoe what ever it shall please God to inflict upon
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
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