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
Lord and that he only brought downe and subdued their enemies under them c. and yet they forget to acknowledge the Lords power and strength and to exâ—oll it and show it forth to all about c. such a people may justly expect other judgements then formerly they felt See Deut. 4.32 33 â—4 35 39 Againe he doth bring forth such strange plagues and such variety of c. that all the â—aâ—th may feare before him whose power is so mighty Eccles 3.14 that no creature is able to resist it For it is very usuall that when men after punishments be inflicted will not yet feare the glorious and fearefull Name Jehovah Deut. 28.58 59 ver 61. Lam. 1.12 See Ezek. 5. ver 5. to the end then the Lord will make the plagues of such people wonderfull even such as none before them ever felt and such as are not written in the Booke of the Law thus the Jewes were punished as the Lamenting Prophet complaines they felt that sorrow which none before them ever felt God punished them more severely then ever he did any before them their miseries were un-utterable and all this was because they feared not the Lord though formerly he had sent many judgements to call them to repentance such indignation he hath against those that no betteâ— take notice of his power to feare his great and excellent Name to humble themselves under his mighty hand and to tremble at his judgements when they are abroad in the world Now againe consider this and if you see any place or people who have heen corrected with heavy and sharpe afflictions and yet now that they are removed they feare not the Lord but goe as boldly on in their sins as formerly they did then may you conclude that he will againe be upon that people with more fearful and strange plagues then ever yet they felt And as he multiplieth plagues c. to cause men to fear before him so to beat downe the swelling pride of wicked Tyrants who vaunt and boast themselves of their strength and power against the Almighty Isa 37. ver 29. to 36. as did Senacharib with whom the Lord met after an unusuall manner and cut downe his pride at once to his shame if hee had not thus cut him short hee would have continued in his blasphemous opinion that the God of Israel could not deliver his people from his hand but I say to disappoint these proud boastings of his he brought downe his high lookes in a moment and sent him away without doing any harme to his people Morever he doth thus use variety of judgements and manner of workings to comfort his owne people who otherwayes because of many exigences they are brought into would not know which way to turne themselves to looke for safety for many times his Church and people are so beset about with enemies and cruell tyrants that there is not the least hope of deliverance left unto them to mans thinking but only that they trust in the Lord knowing that he is both able and knowes how to deliver them notwithstanding of all their foes In this distresse were the Israelites at the Red Sea which way to betake themselves they knew not to the sight of man there was no hope of safety for them Exod. 14.13 yet Moses who knew that God had more wayes then one to destroy their enemies and deliver them comforts them and bids them that they should not feare but that they should stand still and see the salvation of God For saith he The Lord shall fight for you Ver. 14. and you shall hold your peâ—ce And yet though he thus comforted them it is very likely that Moses himselfe at that instant knew not how the Lord would deliver them for while hee spake to them he cryed unto the Lord for deliverance Ver. 14. truâ—ting on his power for their safety and accordingly otherwayes then they expected God did shew forth his mighty poweâ— and destroyed their enemies with a judgement never before showne upon any people In such a case was Jehoshaphâ—â— when the children of Moah and Ammâ—n and others besides them raised an Army against him he was in such a condition that he had no might at all to withstand them all that he and his people could doe was to lift up their eyes to heaven weake strength to make resistance to such an army 2 Cro. 20.12 to any mans thinking knowing that the Lord was able and knew how to worke their deliverance though they knew not and so did God work for them and sent a Spirit of disâ—nity among their enemies whereby they destroyed one another 2 Chro. 20.23 24 25. and left no other service for them to perform then to gather the spoile so graciously working for their good by such meanes as they thought not of And not onely to comfort his people but to keep them in awfull reverence towards him for the dearest of Gods children would go neâ—r to forget him if he did not sometimes put them in minde of their duties by correcting them by sundry sorts of corrections Deut. 8.2 thus he dealt with the Israelites in the wildernesse they were afflicted with hunger and had no other bread but what the Lord gave them from Heaven Ver. 3. that they might know that man lived not by bread alone but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of the Lord. Ver. 15. And hee led them through the by-pathes of the wildernesse into places where they knew not which way to take or whither to goe Ver. 16. and deprived them of water and affrighted them with fiery serpents c. and all this he did to humble them and to prove them and to keepe them in obedience to him who other wayes perhaps would have forgotten him and have attributed all to their own power and strength for this all men are prone to do and therefore doth he alwayes exercise them in afflictions that they may be ever more ready to under goe patiently what ever they shall endure and may in what state soever they bâ— learne to be content and that they may continâ—â—lly watch because they know not either in what houre or in what manner hee will send afflictions upon them Againe he uses variety of punishments that none may through any policy know which way to escape his hand man who is alwayes carefull to free himselfe from that whiâ—hiâ—e thinkes is troublesome See Gen 11.3 4 5 6 7 8 to this purpose invents many wayes and meanes to provide for his owne safety nature being alwayeâ— sâ—â—â—ions to preserve it self and therefore we see how to sedâ—â—â— themselves against the stratagems of War men have 〈◊〉 meanes whereby they remaine safe in the midst of â—angerâ— and sâ—â—e though the instruments of death surround them And likewise to â—ee themselves from infection by contagious diseases they have their cordiall preservatives pâ—esumes c. whâ—r by they