FOrasmuch as all works of honour and impor­tance are usually attended with manifold diffi­culties, which the spirits of men, unlesse quick­ned, many times suffer to grow up into discou­ragements: And whereas more especially those under-takings in which the honour of GOD, and the aduancement of the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST is con­cerned, besides those naturall impediments that arise from the weight of the Service, are commonly obstructed with many arti­ficiall lets, which the subtilty and malice of the Devill, and ill-af­fected Instruments readily make, and many times the corruptions of the well-affected, too easily entertain.

It seems not unnecessarie to offer to this Nation, now by so­lemne and sacred Covenant engaged with the Kingdom of Eng­land, for the mutuall preservation of Religion and Liberty, some considerations proving and pressing the necessitie of the speedie marching of our intended Army, to the relief of our Brethren, notwithstanding the expectation of money not fully answered, and the discouragements of this Winter season.

That we of this Nation are to affoord assistance to England in thi Cause, wherein they are engaged against the Popish and Prelaticall Faction, that so the intended corruption and subver­sion of the Protestant Religion may be prevented, and the just [Page 2]Liberties of both Nations secured, it is hoped may be taken for granted, it being the plain language of our Covenant.

Some it may be there are (and God be thanked there are no more) who either really think, or carry themselves as if they thought it utterly unlawfull to engage in this Cause, because we are so unhappie as to see his Majesty intangled in the counsels and practises of them whom we are resolved to oppose, and think that free-born Protestant Subjects, in any case of difference betwixt them and their Prince, have nothing left but the miserable refuge of passive obedience, which they will, have accounted due to his personall commands, as well as legall. But God forbid we should so part with our Religion and Libertie, the Inheritance of our Fa­thers. A great deal of honour and observance is due to Princes, but let us finde out some cheaper sacrifice for these Deities, than the honour and truth of him who is exalted farre above all gods, and the welfare and happinesse of whole Kingdoms, with which, whatsoever mortall man is weighed in the ballance, will be found too light. But in the mean time these States and Kingdoms are ve­rie much beholding to the patrons of this Doctrine, who thereby make the condition of the Subjects of great Brittain no whit bet­ter than that of the vassals to the great Turk, who can desire or ex­pect no more than a passive obedience to his will and pleasure.

Others there be, who pretend think to that Religion & Liber­ty may be secured by those wayes and counsels which have ob­tained his Majesties Countenance and Concurrence. But whe­ther a designe whose ingredients are Spanish Counsels, Romish Buls, Popish Contributions, and an Irish Cessation, be like to tend to the good of the true Religion, let any man judge who hath not renounced his understanding.

But this present undertaking is not intended to convince them who oppose or decline this Service, if there are any who either upon these grounds or worse are disposed to an opposition, or neutrality in this great Cause, And after so much blood shed, so many Petitions and Declarations made, such a Covenant as ours duely weighed doubt of the lawfullnesse and necessity of joyning with our Brethren in this mutuall defence. Such are to be left to the just censures of the Church, and deserved penalties of the State, which certainly are the most fit, and will be the most effe­ctuall meanes for their Conviction.

That which is now endeavored, is to quicken the hearts, and [Page 3]strengthen the hands of them who have Sworn and Subscribed this Solemne Covenant, that they may with the more speed and cheerfulnesse set their shoulders to the work in hand. For so it is many times, Probitas laudatur & alget. that a good Cause is at the same time praised and starved, And those that seem very much affected with the gene­rall representation of a businesse when it descends to action, and especially their own particular engagement, have a strange damp seazing upon them, and can hardly perswade themselves to act according to what they have apprehended.

If therefore there be any who either doubt of the absolute or present necessity of contributing their utmost assistance to this Cause of CHRIST so infinitely valuable, let the love they owe to GOD, and his Gospel which is endangered, to their Brethren who are so miserably spoiled both in England and Ireland, to themselves and their own Native Country, which is now within the noise of the Thunder (for the sharp Letters and terrible Pro­clamations from Oxford have already reached us) and will short­ly (unlesse GOD give us grace to prevent it by timely endea­vours) be under the storm: Let these threefold bands of love not easily broken by any Christian Spirit, prevail with them to lay to heart these ensuing considerations.

First, let it be duely considered what may be the ill conse­quents of disapointing the expectation of the wel-affected party in England, who having done their utmost to answer our desires, have set their hearts and hopes upon our assistance as the most probable means (under GOD) for the repressing the fury of the adversary, and rescuing them from those calamities that presse them even at their doors. Iob. 6.To him that is afflicted, pity should be shewed from his friend; but we shall instead of that, adde affli­ction to their affliction, if by deferring their hope, we make their hearts to faint, and give too much advantage to their and our adversaries to insult over them, and speake proudly in the day of their distresse.

And secondly, if after all these Overtures and Endea­vours, our promised and expected helpe should be deferred, the Malignants would be very diligent to improve this disappointment to an alienation of their affection from us, and the interruption of that Union, so happily made and confirmed betwixt us by the late Covenant, and our FRIENDS would bee ready to looke upon us as [Page 4]a people rather addicted to our own advantages then affected with their dangers, or the dangers of Religion it selfe: which we have publickly acknowledged to bee much hazarded by the at­tempts of Papists and Malignants there.

But it will be said that other mens expectations are not to bee the grounds or rules of our proceedings; It is answered nationall expectations are not to be slighted, but sometimes may have the strength of some arguments, especially when so raised as theirs have been, which may be conceived to be by these two grounds: First, a representation made to our friends in England by their Commissioners, of their hearty entertainment here, and that just sense and fellow-feeling of their calamities, which was expres­sed by the Generall Assembly and Convention of Estates, to which affections they will looke for actions sutable. Secondly, we understand by divers Letters that our Commissioners there, seeing their necessities, and yet their willingnesse to doe to their power, and many of them beyond their power, the better to comply with the Articles of the Treaty, have given very much encouragement to them to expect our speedy march, especially upon the sending away a considerable part of the money requi­red. And we are bound as much as in us lyeth, to make good the hopes they have given both for their credit & the honor of the Nation. For though our difficulties be many, yet it is im­possible that they should become so manifest and convincing to them, as to acquit us from a present undertaking of this service.

And lastly, by our present march wee shall not onely satisfie the expectation of our friends, but besides the reall service wee shall doe in our own persons in those parts where wee come, Wee shall give reputation to their Forces elswhere, disappoint and di­stract the enemy, who have flattered themselves with the impos­sibility of our present assistance, and ordered their affairs accord­dingly: And not only help to save the lives and estates, but the souls of many, who through a slavish feare are constrained to lie in a detestable neutrality, and ready to say a confederacy to the Papists, and so to stretch out their hands to a strange god.

As therefore all warlike undertakings, in regard of the mani­fold advantages of dispatch, are called Expeditions; so let us take care, that through our backwardnesse, this of ours lose not that name.

But the difficulties are so many: in regard of our necessities not [Page 5]supplyed with the full sum expected, and the manifold inconve­niences of a Winter march, that it seems unreasonable for any to expect we should undertake that which we can scarce hope to go through. For satisfaction to this great objection, let us consider something of the nature of difficulties in generall, and some things concerning our particular present difficulties.

First, it is hoped no man will take offence at him that prayeth GOD to remove the difficulties in our own hearts, which through sloath and self-love, are sometimes ready to say, There is a roar­ing Lyon in the way, when it is onely a barking Dog: it may be, if this prayer were heard, the greatest difficulties were removed, though it cannot be denied, there are many other.

Secondly, Difficultie is the constant companion of great and honourable undertakings; Mat. 26.39.the greater our difficulties are, the greater honour shall we gain to our selves, the greater love shall we shew to the Cause and Servants of CHRIST, who when he came to deliver us, never disputed the bitternesse of the Cup, but was satisfied that it was his Fathers will he should drink it: 2 Sam. 24.24.A man would not bestow a cheap courtesie on his friend, much lesse would he serve GOD with that which costs him nought; In a word, so ardent are those affections that become this Cause, that they ought not nor will not fear the encounter of the coldest win­ter blasts that can be met with.

Thirdly, All difficulties that fall short of impossibility, though they dis-hearten flat and dull spirits, yet they do but quicken those that are noble and active, and makes them double their di­ligent endeavours. Nothing but an absolute impossibilitie must stop us in our intended Course, for we have obliged our selves by Covenant, Eccl. 5.4. Zealously & constantly to continue in the pursuance of this Cause against all opposition, and promote the same according to our power, against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever. Let this be throughly weighed. Vow and pay.

Fourthly, The manifold experience we have had of difficulties may justly make us rather love them then fear them, let us reflect upon the unexpected relief GOD hath given us in our streights, for want of Money, victuals, and Ammunition in our former ex­peditions, and be discouraged if wee can, it is true the thought of them should not make us neglect the meanes and tempt GOD, but they may and must, when wee have used the means, make us trust him. The great things GOD that done [Page 6]for us, have surely their use, and there is none better then in the strength of them, and to set upon new, as David remembring the Lion and the Bear adventured on the Philistin. The place wither we are to go, may justly be called by us Iehovah Iireh, as it was then said, in the Mount of the Lord, it shall be seen; so may it by us in regard of the extremities wee have passed, the more difficul­tie, the less danger.

And as it is very well worth our labour, to re-collect and con­sider the severall passages of speciall providence, which have be­fallen us and others on this Cause of Preservation, and Reforma­tion of Religion, So may it not be amisse in the mean time to take notice of this generall observation, That GOD delights to be very much seen in the carrying it on, he honours men so much as to employ them, and lets them shew their duty to him, and love to his Cause, but the Worke that is done he doth it himselfe, and in the midst of all the meanes that are used, he seemes resolved to bring his people out of Babylon, as once out of Egypt, by tentati­ons, and signes and mighty wonders▪ How strangely hath he reje­cted all humane confidences? Armies have been raised with great Preparations & Zech. 4.6, 7.Expectations, how small parts of them hath God made use of & indeed no part til he hath first reduced them to great straits & extremities, and emptyed them of their own confidence. It is a worke paralled to that mentioned by the Prophet, which the Lord declared to be accomplished, not by power nor by might, but by his Spirit. Though this Work of Babylons ruine shall not be done without power or might, for double must be rendred to her, and happie shall they be that reward her as shee hath served us, giving her blood to drinke, for shee is worthy; yet not by that power or might in an ordinary way, but by the Spirit of GOD the disposer of all affairs (especially those that concerne the Church of GOD) strangely ordering things, that so little of men or meanes, but much of GOD may be seen, so that when he hath made the Mountains become plains, before his Zerobabels, the head-stone may be brought fotth with shouting, crying not Ar­mies, Councels, Commanders, but Grace grace unto it.

But this is a strange Dialect to States men, & Souldiers, It may be so, but GOD will probably make it familiar in time.

Let this discourse be taken as it was intended, not to take men off the using preparations, but from trusting them, and standing so precisely upon all accomplishments, when GOD hath given so [Page 7]good encouragement to hope that he will make up our unwilling and unavoidable necessities. But in the midst of our businesse, let it be seriously laid to heart how much blood is spilt, how many Townes and Countries spoiled, how miserably our friends are distressed and distracted, while we are preparing onely for their reliefe. We have professed to looke upon their condition as our own, and well we may, for it is truly, though not presently and immediately our own; let us so carry our selves, as if they ene­mies Forces were as neer Edenburgh as they are London. But this must not be interpreted quarreling, but quickning.

And now let us descend from this general consideration of dif­ficulties, and take a particular view of the present difficulties that interrupt and retard our so much expected and desired aid.

And first, whereas it may bee there are some that quake and shiver at the thought of a Winters march, and looke upon it as an unreasonable motion, that our Army should then take the field, when other Armies betake themselves to Garison.

Let none take exception, if we pray GOD to keepe Winter out of our hearts, and we shall make a reasonable good shift for our bodies, the worst weather in the world, is that which our Saviour tells of; When iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. Christ never complained it was too hot, when he sweat drops of blood, GOD hath given us bodies able to endure much, let not our mindes refuse it; necessity makes all seasons alike, and that is our case, or I am sure the case of our friends, which we should make ours, or GOD will make it ours. But if the consideration of the condition of our friends, who endure a hard winter for want of coals from New-castle do not move us, let us looke at the carriage of our enemies, sure we shall be ashamed to decline that for the Service of Christ, which they so readily endure for Anti­christ. Did not the Kings Armie march from Oxford to Brainford in November, the M. of New-castle, with his Popish Army from Northumberland to York in Decem. Did not the Cavaliers take in Cicester in Glocestershire in the depth of Winter, Feb. 2. 1642.

For shame let not this be thought an impediment, much lesse made an excuse by any, GOD will either send such weather as [Page 8]we may endure, or make us able to endure such as he sends. If we complain the winter is too cold, it is much to bee doubted, we may have reason hereafter to complain that the Spring is too hot, when our work shal be made ten times more difficult by the increase of the enemies strength from Ireland and other places, and the provision of Armes and Ammunition (now so much wanting among them) which these dark winter nights, not­withstanding the guards at Sea, will befriend them with; Let us not favour our enemies while we think to favour our selves, and suffer them to make use of those provisions for horse and man, which are now in the Countrey; though Winter be more cold, the Summer is like to be more hungry. Delayes especially in Military affairs, are seldome or never without many dangers: Ours will have sin and danger too, if they be not timely looked unto.

But the last and greatest difficultie is, the matter of money; how can it be thought that we should satisfie the expectation of our friends and neighbours, when they fall so much short of sa­tisfying ours, in that which is the sinew and strength of warre.

This is a strong objection, but necessity is a stronger answer; we must be sure at some time or other (for we are made Traitors and Rebels by Proclamation already, and promised protection but upon a slender condition, that is, so long as wee behave our selves so, as evill Councellours may give a good report of our deservings) we shall be compelled to raise an Armie in de­fence of this Cause and our selves, and though the termes are not so good as some expected, they are better then wee are like to finde, if our brethren in England bee utterly spoiled, and wee left to shift for our selves. Let us therefore perswade our selves to doe that now, which otherwise we shal be in time constrained to, that is, part with what we have, for the vindication of our Religion and Liberty.

As it was just and reasonable, that for the better accomplish­ment of the intended worke, we should make as good provision as might be, and to that end desire a considerable summe of mo­ney, the better to prevent future inconveniencies. So it is no lesse just and reasonable, that our friends, having (as we are credibly informed) done their utmost, for this present, toward the satis­faction of our propositions in that point, we should bee willing and ready to doe our utmost to supply their unwilling wants, [Page 9]the cause being as certainly, though not so immediately ours, as theirs.

It may be more money might have been had, if Malignants, Neuters, and lukewarme-professors could have found in their hearts to have parted with it; but as some have done below, so doubtlesse some have done beyond their ability. Shall honest men be destroyed, because worldlings will not part with their Mammon: For that is the case, if we helpe not the good Pro­testants of England, because money is short, they must be lost and undone, because after this vast expence upon the Cause of GOD they are no richer?

And if this be an impediment, certainly it will be an everla­sting impediment; the longer we stay, the lesse assistance must bee expected from our friends, which bee daily more and more ex­hausted, and that middle sort of men, which have the riches of the Kingdome, will rather with their money buy an unlawfull peace, than maintain a lawfull warre.

Considering therefore, that GOD hath so in his providence ordered things, that our Brethren of England and wee, should be happily united in a Solemne Covenant (a thing wee would, not long since, have purchased at a dear rate) and hath disposed the hearts of the Parliament, readily to condiscends to the Arti­cles of the Treaty, without any materiall alteration: Seeing that notwithstanding the spoile of the Kings Armies, having a great part of the Kingdom under contribution, and almost de­stroying the trade of London: and notwithstanding the charge of their own Armies, which hath been exceeding great both in England and Ireland, and yet is like to be, they have used so much care, and so faithfull endeavours for the fulfilling our de­mands; Let us every man look upon his Covenant, wherein he hath engaged to his power, and then look to his purse; his barns, his shop and store-houses, and whatsoever he can call his, And last of all, look back into his own heart and conscience, and make an impartiall judgement of his ability, and do according­ly, left our hands in contribution, not being answerable to our Vow in the Covenant, we be accounted deceivers, and meet with a curse in stead of a blessing. What GOD hath denied us in mo­ney, he hath grant ed us in victuall, whereof he hath vouchsafed us plenty, let us not suffer his Cause to starve in the midst of it. Let us consider that there is now no place for concealments, wee [Page 10]have not to do with men, but with GOD, with whom we have covenanted, he searcheth our hearts, sees our actions and abili­ties. He takes notice what prophane Esaus there are among us, that preferre pottage to their birth-right; What churlish Nabals, who say of the servants and Cause of GOD, 1 Sam. 25.5. as he once of Da­vids, Shall I take my bread, and my flesh, and give it to men whom I know not whence they be? and he takes so strict notice, as to render to them according to their wayes, and according to the fruit of their doings, as you may see in that reckoning Christ makes at the 25 of Matth. v. 41. I was hungry and ye fed me not, naked and ye clothed me not, Depart ye cursed, &c.

But I wil not so much distrust your faithfulnesse and forward­nesse in this great Cause of Jesus Christ, which pleads so strong­ly for it self in every Christian heart. If this labour be superflu­ous, I am glad you wanted it not, if it be necessary, I am glad I spared it not.

I shut up all with the words of Ioab to Abishai, 2 Sam. 10.12. Be of good cou­rage, and let us play the men for the people and cities of our God, and let the Lord do what seemeth to him good, Only adding that lively encouragement of David to Solomon, 1 Chron. 12.6. Arise therefore, and be do­ing, and the Lord be with you.