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
vex us if we doe amisse War is not all he uses to chastise Those people with that doe his name despise Beleeve me I am sorry to behold And too to well I doe behold it now That such securenesse should this Land infold That nought mens hearts to watchfulnesse can bow In pity therefore least the plagues should come Before men be awaked I have writ And this my writing to the view have showne That every one may notice take of it Oh! let it now awake you Countrey-men Your selves deceive not judgements still are neere Rowse up your selves from sleepinesse agen See see how wrath doth round about appeare Prepare your selves for judgemens else will take In sinne you napping e're you be awake Let no untruth prejudicate affection Disdaine or hate which any ' gainst me beare Cause you to disrespect my sound direction Which stirs up and perswades you to prepare Disdaine me not what e're I seeme I may Now speake to purpose though I simple be Althâ—ugh my writing be not deek'd or gay I nothing write but needfull verity And none can taxe me that I ever writ Any to warne but what hath proved true Credit therefore my words may sooner get Seeing at this time needfull things I shew Not that I seeke to get my selfe applause But that I would advance the publike Cause I would be loath to see now War is gone A pestilent infectious disease To come our Townes and People now among To fetch them hence to death without release Or that the Lord should cause the earth deny To bring forth fruit our people to sustaine Or bring upon us dearth or penury Or vex us with some secret feare or paine Or that he should into our strong Holds send Or to our Armies death them to devoure Or vex us as he once did Egypts Land With plagues unknowne to any man before Or make this part envied by its foes A laughing-stock to all that by it goes I say I should be loath such things should come To light upon this Countrey to its harme And that because that I doe hold my tongue And doe's not men of what I feare forwarne Who knowes but God hath rais'd me up for this To write that men may warning take and rise From that securenesse which doth them possess And to amend of their iniquities In hope of this I write but if that still Men in their dull security persist And take no warning by what now I tell Surely with hardned hearts they are accurst And God a while his judgements takes away That he may plague them more another day But thus in writing I my duty shall Discharge by giving warning to prepare And though fierce judgements shall upon us fall To all the world I guiltlesse shall appeare And these my words shall once respected be And be observ'd by those that doe them read And other places though these will not see Shall warning take and fly their sins with speed And those that will not by them warning take Shall when as plagues shall fall upon them say That it was true which unto them I spake And wish they had been warned at this day And those in whom no watchfulnesse is seen Shall wish that they had far more watchfull been My prayer shall be that this may take effect And bring to passe that for which forth I send it I will not grieve although with disrespect I hated be by men through it offended For as I seeke not for to flatter any So neither I ' gainst private persons braule I send it forth for to awaken many To all therefore I write in generall What is amisse passe by that favour doe me If ought you reape that 's good give God the glory No greater praise or favour you can show me If not there 's nought that can make me more sorry Read o're the Booke observe and marke it well Awake from your security Farewell W. Meeke The Faithfull Scout Giving an Alarme to Yorkeshire especially to the East-Ryding and to all other places at this time freed from War CHAPTER I. That God hath variety of Judgements to punish sinfull and rebellious people withall IT was not without cause that the Apostle said It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb 10.31 For surely most miserable and wretched is their condition that by their evill actions have made God at senâ—ity with them it were better for such if they might so be free that a milstone were tyed about their neeks and they cast into the bottome of the Sea then that they should live to abide all the plagues judgements and miseries which the Lord hath to inflict upon them for who can name or reckon up all those sorts of punishments that he hath in his Amory ready at any time upon occasions to send to execute his fierce wrath upon those who walke perversly before him many severall sorts the Egyptians felt in their Land and them so strange as were never before that time heard of and yet the Lord threatens his owne people that if they would not be obedient but walk untowardly before him Deut. 28.61 hee would send plagues upon them which were not written in the Booke of the Law even new plagues which were never before sent upon any and yet if wee looke upon the curses threatned wee shall finde them many Deut. 28.15 63. Lev. 16.18 22. strange and fearfull for he not onely threatens to turne every Blessing into a Curse but if that will not serve to deterre them from their evill wayes he tells them he will bring seven-times more plagues upon them then before and if they would not be reformed by them but still walke contrary unto him then hee would walke contrary unto them and punish them yet seventimes more nay and if that would not serve he would plague them yet seven-times more Yea and if for all this they still would walk stubbornely before him he threatens that still hee would encrease his judgements Verse 29. and walke contrary to them in fury and chastise them yet seven-times for their sins By all which fearfull threatnings he would have us to observe what variety of plagues he hath to inflict upon stubborne and stiffe-necked people Dicit Propheta Deum aperire Thesaurum suum nempe quoniam habet varios multiplices modos qui humano sensu comprehendi nequeunt ubi vuli impios perdere Cal. in Jer. 50.25 Lob 5.14 Psal 18.26 Ps 7 11 12.13 who will not be reformed to walke according to his command seeing that every time he punisheth he can change his judgements and yet make them every time more fierce and fearfull then other well therefore may he be said to have an Armory stored with weapons of indignation and wrath when hee hath not onely one or two but many yea infinite severall sorts and them too so strange that no man can conceive of them for contrary to all expectation
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
them and a worse death more shamefull and ignominious hapned unto them then that from which they fled In a word there is no place free from dangers Ezek. 9.6 Vid. infrâ— or that can priviledge those whom God will have punished judgements oftentimes begin at the Lords Sanctuary and in those places where men think themselves safest they there meet with the most dangers so that by this likewise the point is more cleerely proved c. And as the inflicting punishments upon men in all places doth witnesse the Lords variety of punishments so doth his sending them upon all sorts of men the rich man is not spared for his wealth nor the poore man for his poverty nor the noble man for his honour nor the Magistrate for his authority c. but all sorts and all conditions if they offend are met with one way or other God can doe unto wicked men for their destruction as he did unto Job for his correction and you know what sundry meanes he had to make him poore though a very rich man and one whom men in the world might think almost a thing impossible to make poore he had the Sabebeans the Caldeans Job 1.15 16 17 18 19. a fire from Heaven and a great wind from the wildernesse to bring to passe what he had determined so that nothing could save Job from these judgements which though to him they were but fatherly corrections yet I say may shew us what severall sorts of puments he hath to meet with the richest man that is if hee walke otherwayes then he would have him Ahab's Army 1 King 22.30.31 nor his greatnesse nor his shifts could save him from that death which the Lord had threatned against him subtle indeed he was in that hee disguised himselfe and advised Jehoshaphat to goe like a King by that meanes in all likelihold he was like to escape seeing the Syrians were to sight with neither small nor great but onely with the King of Israel whom they might take as they did to be Jehoshaphat he being only in Kingly robes and yet for all this could not Ahab escape for an arrow sâ—â—t from a bow at a venture hiâ— him betwixt the joynts of his armour and slew him worthy is the story observation for it doth plainly set before our eyes how God to execure judgements upon offenders will use even strange and unknowne meanes to the admiration of the beholders and the setting forth his power and wisdome to all the world For thus wonderfully met he with the Tyrant Maximinus Euseb de vita Constantine Lib 1. cap. 51 who having lost the day in the Field threw from him his princely robe and thrust himselfe among the common Souldiers and after disguised himselfe in the habit of a servant and hid himselfe in Townes and villages But saith the story he could not hide himself from the watchfull eye of Divine providence for after hee thought himselfe in safety marke it he was strucke with a thunderbolt to the ground his body being so withered he could scarcely be knowne such strange judgements were sent upon Nabuchadnezzar Belshazzar Herod Pontius Pilate Dan. 4.31 32 5.30 Acts 12.23 Euseb Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap 7. Socrat. eccl Hist lib. 1 cap 38. Arius the Heriticke c. and many other which I could name who were punished with strange judgements which were not before heard of I could further inlarge this Chapter by other proofes and arguments to testifie the truth of the point in hand but I know it is needlesse and it may be will be accounted foolish by some that I have already or should heape up so many testimonies to prove an undenyable truth Therefore I conclude that God hath variety of judgements to punish obstinate and rebellious sinners withall CHAPTER II Shewing why and when the Lord uses variety of judgements c WHo can search into the unknown depths of the Lord for who ever hath been his counsellour Rom. 11.34 Deut. 29.29 yet those things that are revealed belong unto us and our children And as far as God hath been pleased to reveale himselfe so far may we lawfully search into to the comfort of the godly the terrour of the wicked and edification of all men in the way of truth And surely not in vaine hath the Loâ—d appointed such variety of judgements to take hold of and devoure those who walke stubbornly before him but hee sends abroad his unknowne plagues to the end to cause the glory of his power to shine the world over that every one may take notice of his unsearchable wisdome in providing judgements unavoydable for his enemies for this cause did hee send such strange and unheard of plagues among the Egyptians Exod. 10.2 that his power and mighty acts might be told to their posterity which should come after and that all the earth might know that he was the Lord and that none could do such wonders or produce such plagues as hee could doe for this through his many sorts of plagues he caus'd the Magicians to confesse when he tâ—â—â—ed their dust into lice which they could not doe but were forced to confesse that that was the finger of God Exod. 8.19 thus even against their wills acknowledging his power farre above the power of any creature and if that had not caus'd in them an acknowledgement of his power hee further would have made knowne his unspeakable strength to their terrour for the Lord alwayes punisheth those that will not worship him Euseb Eccles Hist lib. 4. cap. 13. more grievously then even wicked Tyrants can invent to punish those whom they hate as a Tyrant confessed for he will have it knowne that he is the Lord and that from the rising of the Sun and from the West there is none besides him Isa 45.5 6. that hee is the Lord and there is none else And therefore it is that hee doth many times many strange wonders and brings to passe without any meanes or at such times when as no other can be said to have any thing to do besides him even that all men may witnesse that he is God Isa 43.12 See Exod. 12.12 7.5 thus he threatned to bring many sorts of judgements against Gog as the Sword and the pestilence and Blond and overflowing Raine Hailestones Fire and Brimstone and why so Even to magnifie himself Ezek. 38.21.22 23. and sanctifie himselfe and that he might be knowne in the eyes f many Nations and that they might know that he is the Lord. So that you see how that one cause why God uses variety of judgements is that so his power and might may be knowne and confessed of all the world and therefore when God hath done many strange things for a people or nation when he hath wrought many strange deliverances Read Ezekiel Chap. 5. and note it well and exalted himselfe in their eyes and made it apparent before them that he is the
the same God that gives them victory over their enemies can and will doe the like to them if by their wayes they provoke him or plagne them with some other judgements as fierce and fearfull let the consideration of this move them to behave themselves humbly in the sight of God and to acknowledg that this favour which God hath done for them is not for their desert or worthinesse but onely of his free mercy towards his Church in freeing it from its enemies that alwayes have sought its ruine And let them not rejoyce with carnall joy I meane not onely because they have liberty to enjoy their estates c. but let the chiefe cause of their joy be in that God hath wrought for his owne glory and peoples deliverance and withall humbly and willingly confesse that God might as justly have given them into the hands of their enemies to have been in subjection under them as he hath given them into their hands and under their subjection and because all things are at his disposing humbly let them desire of him to perfect this begun work and to keep in subjection those that doe oppose Reformation and to divert those plagues which by their manifold failings by respects and selfeâ—ndâ— justly he might bring upon them chiefly that hee would be pleased if again he doe afflict them to let them fall into his owne hands and not in the hands of their former or any as bloudy and cruell enemies or if he doe that hee would furnish them with such a measure of patience that they might without murmuring undergoe it untill he sent them an happy and joyfull deliverance out of all their troubles Next let me intreat all Souldiers and those that are imployed in fighting the battels of the Lord both Commanders and others that they forget not to ascribe the glory of their many worthy victories to the Lord who teacheth their hands to War Psal 144.1 2 Psal 140.7 and their fingers to fight and covers their heads in the day of battel and subdues their foes under them Let them take heed of saying or thinking that their strength hath brought to passe this great worke neither let them rest so secure or perswaded that it is not possible for them to be removed or to loose what they have won or that because God prospers them that therefore they may continue 〈…〉 Drinking c. but let them sinner as Swearing if thus they continue in their vaine idle know that ly courses when the Lord hath performed his whore godby them against the Papists and popishly affected persons that then he will cast them his rod into the fire by bringing upon them some judgement which shall destroy them Let them therefore not be high-minded but feare and behave themselves as Souldiers under the banner of Jesus Christ blamelesse without offence that their civill and upright dealing may win love where ever they goe and so may honour their profession and Cause they stand for that none may have any just occasion to taxe them for any thing amisse Againe be likewise exhorted all you who are put in authority in these distractive times to dispose of the affaires of the Countrey in what kinde soever you especially who are in authority to call for and receive those taxations of what sort soever which in regard of present necessity are imposed upon and called from the Countrey for the maintenance of this un-civill War receive not such sumâ— with rejoycing but with a soule-grieving sorrow because you are forced to doe it and to this end consider that such rates are ever paid in to you with the bread and cloathing of poore labourers and helplesse children which I say although for the present it cannot be holpen ought to cause pity and compassion in you towards them to ease them of such burthens as soone as urgent necessity will give leave And in the meane time beware of looking for your owne private profits under pretence of a publique cause never looke to build your owne houses by the ruines of other mens especially the poore for that will occasion your ruine with a greater fall but as these are times of sufferings to all so be content to suffer with others and like good Nehemiah 〈◊〉 then you be to chargeable or cast 〈…〉 eate not the bread oâ— too great burthens upon the take onely maintenance for Governours or at even any gaine in or by those places it is a shame 〈◊〉 have had their beginnings and shall have or oâ—â—ends with these troubles which onely are conferr'd upon you because esteemed honest and just not that you should make a gaine of them but that in them you might further the publike Cause therefore carry your selves in them so uprightly and justly without covetousnesse or desire of private gaine that when you come to make up your accounts to the Publike you may say with Samuel Whose Oxe have we taken 1 Sam. 12.1 〈◊〉 whose Asse or whom have we defrauded or oppressed or of whose hands have we received any bribe to blinde our eyes therewith If your consciences can say as yet the people said to Samuel it will be great comfort unto you and then no doubt but the Lord will reward you But if on the contrary you make a gaine of the peoples losses if you aime not at the Publike but at your owne ends and exact with pleasure and delight these heavy taxations if you oppresse and defraud the Countrey or Publike c. then how ever you may escape for a while yet shal you not alwayes be free for God will meet with you one way or other and recompence upon your heads your deceitfull dealings So likewise you that are placed in authority to guide the affaires of the Countrey and to rectifie what is amisse and to see he oppressed relieved and the needly â—eâ— free see you doe justly according to equity and give not the people cause to curse you for if you doe God will heare them but rather walke so before them that they may blesse you for that is the way to have the Lord prosper you in all your actions Take heed of making your wills your lawes but as you stand for the Law so be tuled by Law and let your proceedings be according to Law when you are forced to doe what you would not doe it with sorrow and alwayes grieve for the calamities which by force without remedy are brought upon the people by these unhappy divisions if thus you doe God will continue his kindnesse towards you and encrease your honour and not onely so but posterity that yet are to come shall honour your name as oft as they heare of you for your care pains and constant endeavours and your unpartiall justice and equity in managing the Publike affaires committed to your charge But if you doe contrary to this and neglect those you ought to succour then though now while you enjoy your pleasures you feare no danger in an houre
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