4 5 6 7 8 9. yet the Lord threatned to set a plumbe line in the midst of them and then he would not passe by them any more so though there be some places which may escape this War I mean the miseries of it in the extreamest manner yet still let them feare for their sins retained a time will come when God will not passe by them any more What shall I say more let me beseech all in all places who as yet by Gods speciall favour towards them have not undergone these heavy burthens of sufferings which many of their brethren have suffered that they would consider the great kindnesse they thus long have enjoyed and endeavour to frame themselves to be unfainedly thankfull to the Lord for the same and strive to get themselves affected with a fellow-feeling of their brethrens calamities and miseries that with sorrow of heart they may grieve for them as their owne and with all manner of humble intercessions desire the Lord to remove his hand from these parts that are afflicted and still for his mercies sake divert and turne away the judgements that are on the Land from them that as hitherto they have so still they may enjoy his favour and if it shall please him to bring any other correction upon them that he would so stir them up to be prepared at all times that they may not murmur but take patiently all manner of afflictions and be made more ready to obey him calling upon them in what manner soever he speake unto them and withall while they enjoy this rest when their brethren are in troubles let them strive so to take warning by their sufferings that they doe what God calls for by afflictions the works of repentance and good works one towards another even so and as well as if they were afflicted this doing wil witnesse to themselves and the world that they are lowly and obedient children who tremble at the sight of the rod and therefore the Lord doth to them as in mercy he did to Iosiah for his tender-heartednesse even spare them that they may enjoy peace in their dayes the consideration of which may adde inward comfort to their outward tranquillity 2 Kiâ—g 22.18 19 20. and assure them that they are a peculiar people to the Lord. But on the contrary if this peace and immunity from punishments work in stead of repentance c. vaine security pride and an increase of evills and impieties they then may have cause to feare and all other may thinke without breach of charity that because they are suffered to have their swinge in pleasures and earthly contentments God hates them and that they are bastards and not sons Heb. 12.8 even men who are allotted to most fearfull punishments to their destruction I might goe on but so much shall suffice to have spoken concerning those who as yet have not suffered the miseries of this War Now to such as have by the strength of the Holds wherein they have remained been safe and free from those troubles which many of their brethren have undergone let this word of exhortation come and be acceptable beware of growing proud by your deliverance or to a cribe that to the instrument which is due to the Author think not because you were delivered that your strength preserved you but give glory to God and praise him for it was he that delivered you and likewise take heed you doe not againe provoke him to wrath for though you as yet have escaped though formerly your enemies durst not or could not meddle with you yet I say grow not secure for if he once send your foes against you though your holds seeme invincible Ezek. 28.8.9 yet will he deliver them and you both into your enemies hands if he but once say Sword goe against such a place it cannot be still untill it hath made it desolate therefore it is a dangerous thing to have God as an enemy to fight against a place for why he hath many wayes and meanes to bring down strong Fortifications yea the strongest that can be made Strong was the fort of Sion when it was held by the Jebusites against David they were so confident * Sam. 4.6 7 Willet ibid. Quest 6. takes that to be the meaning of the words of its strength that they thought the blinde the lame were sufficient to keep it against all Davids force for they thought David could not come thither yet notwithstanding of its strength it was delivered into Davids hands and the Lord tells the Inhabitants of Jerusalem which place while it was in prosperity all the Kings of the earth durst not looke at that though there should remain but wounded men of the Caldeans Army * Psal 48.5 6. Ier. 37.10 Isa 10.4 yet should they take it and burn it with fire so strong are weak armies sent and set a work by God against any place all the policy in the world cannot disappoint what God that is infinite in wisdome shall determine to be done upon a place for as many wayes as men have to build up so many and far more hath the Lord to pull downe Of mighty strength surely was populous No Nahum 3 8 9 that was scituate amongst the rivers that had the waters round about it whose Rampart was the sea and her walls was from the sea Ethiopia and Egypt was her strength and it was infinite c. Yet was she carried away Ver. 10. shee went into captivity her children were dashed in pieces at the tops of all the streets and they cast lots for her honourable men and all her great men were bound in chaines Now where among all those strong Holdâ— and Castles which hitherto have withstood the force of the enemy is there one stronger then populous No which you hear was thus destroyed why then should any place or people presume upon their strength or think they can feele no trouble because of it Alas you see there is no resistance where God will have his judgements to enter how strong soever your workes have been formerly if Gods wrath be against you they shall be but like Fig-trees with the first ripe figs Nahum 3.12 if they be shaken they shall even fall c. Observe the place even the strongest workes when the Lord shall shake them shall be but as ripe figs which the least touch causeth to fall downe moreover that none may put any confidence in men for their number or strength though Workes fall the Prophet tells them Ver. 13 14 15 c. That their people shall be as drunkenmen and as women and the gates shall be set wide open to their enemies and their bars shall be burned with fire Read the places in the Margent there you may see at large described how weak all strong holds are Obâ—d 3 4 5 6 c. Isa 26.5 6 27.10 to save men from the fierce anger of the Lord so that I say
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
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
have every day a piece so greatly was he beloved of God that even when all the City was in want and he hated of all in the City yet was he provided for now these and the like examples of Gods kindnesse towards his people in such distresse may imbolden us to suffer with patience seeing God is the same he was and as carefull over his people as ever formerly and will assuredly relieve those that are in distresse if they doe but truly confide in him Suppose two men were to goe to prison or to such a place where they were sure to finde want of all things the one he knowes of a friend that will relieve him in necessity and therefore he with better heart and more comfort enters the undelightfull place the other he knowâ— of none that will at all help be his want never so extreem and therefore sorrowfully enters and with bitter griefe undergoes such unwelcome wants It is even thus with Gods people and ungodly men with men that have faith and unbeleeving persons those who trust in the Lord they feare not to heare of famine they know of a friend who will one way or other relieve them 1 King 17.6 the ravens shall feede them if men will not or cannot in prison they shall have bread when men that have liberty shall want pulse shall make them fat and faire Dan. 1.15 when others shall idye because they cannot undergoe hardnesse one handfull of meale shall hold out to preserve them when full barnes shall waste and be empty in a word 2 Kin. 17.14 Psal 34 1â— they know that God will provide for them and therefore they feare not but considently and constantly relye upon him On the contrary wicked and unbeleeving men in time of dearth know of no succour 2 King 6.27 if the Barne floore or the Wine-presse faile them they are at a stand they know not which way to turne themselves and so the very thought of famine terrifies them and to undergoe it seemes intolerable therefore I say let us put our confidence in God and consider what favour other of Gods servants have had in such distresses and let that worke in us an assurance of Gods favour towards us and then having that assurance we shall be ready to undergoe with patience this or the like calamity Againe if none of these forenamed judgements do molest us but that the Lord hath decreed that we shall be destroyed by Forraine Foes let us pray night and day to the Lord to keep them from us or led Captives from our own land to strange places 1 Pet. 1.11 c. to prepare to suffer this patiently os paroimois c. Vita nostra eleganter dicitur paroimia id est Peregrinatio nam Deus nobis hic Domicilium non habitandi sed commorandi de dit let us remember that we are but strangers and pilgrims here on earth we no continuing * Heb. 13.14 city here we are not now at home but even while here we live we are in a strange Countrey where onely for a while we must abide to endure afflictions that we may have algreater desire to be fetched home to that city above which is the mother of us all have we any more to doe then holy men before us have had and they counted the time which they spent upon earth but as a pilgrimage and themselves as strangers in the earth what assurance or title soever they had of or to what they did possesse therefore we are no more now to strangers all places are alike they can be as well content in one place as another Gen 47.7 12.10 Heb. 11.13 should it not then be so with us although we should be driven or carried away our God is in all places and to him we may have free accesse in all places seeing in every place those that lift up pure hearts and hands to God Sapiens ubicunque est perigrinatur are accepted his watchfull eye of providence lookes upon us in all places and he is ready to assist all that call upon him with necessaries therefore what need we care whither we be carried if God have so decreed that it shall be so for let us not doubt but he will provide for our safety even in greatest extremity Psal 90.1 let us not feare but he that gave Jeremiah favour in the sight of his enemies Jer. 40.4 so that in a time of generall captivity he had free liberty â—o goe whither he would and likewise Gen. 39.4 Dan. 2.48 caus'd Jeseph and Daniel to finde such favour in strange landâ— that they were advanced to places of trust and dignity and in the time of the greatest bondage blessed his people with all manner of blessings in a strange land Exod. 1.7 but the same God will provide for us likewise if we put our trust and confidence in him as they did for the Lord hath alwayes a speciall care over his servants chiefly in the time of dangers so that how ever it goe with the wicked it shall goe well with them To be briefe let us take the words speken to Ebedmelech as spoken to us and that may cause us stand firme against all approaching danger Jer. 39.16 17 18. But yet perhaps it may seem an hard thing to be borne with patience to many to see strangers enjoy their labours lands houses and what was theirs and they themselves either be as slaves to them or forced to fly for their owne safety or carried by force to places where there is no hope of safety This indeed may seeme hard to flesh and bloud therefore let all men as I before shewed endeavour to draw their love and delight from them and withall consider that of all we do possesse we are but tenants at will and shall we not be as well content to suffer the Lord to doe what he pleaseth with his as that our temporall Landlords should dispose of theirs as they please it is nothing to us to whom an owner of land lets or gives it why therefore should we repine at what the Lord doth The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof he may therefore dispose of it as he pleaseth which thing seriously considered of should teach us to lay our hands upon our mouthes and not murmure though all we had we taken from us and given to others But againe if it should be so leâ— us consider to further and procure in us patience to endure it that we are not alone in such a condition but even the dearest of Gods children have been in the like Abraham Gen. 15.13 the Father of the faithfull had a Land promised to his seed for an inheritance but it was possessed by strangers foure hundred years before they enjoyed it nay in the most of that time they suffered hard and cruell bondage in Egypt David by the Lord was chosen King of Israel but he lived in exile