ded) nor with the threats of these who
should be comfortable to us in our troubles: But are the more encouraged
to beleeve that God shall raise up the Tabernacle of _David_ that is
fallen, and repair the breaches thereof: For since we Covenanted with God,
and united our selves together, our dying Spirits have revived, and we
sing like those who have come forth from their Graves, for God hath had
mercy on _Jacob_: In testimony whereof he hath opened the bowels of the
Churches of _Holland_, who were strangers to us, and yet dear Brethren,
and tender Sympathizers with our afflictions and sorrows, who, when these
who were left of the Sword were in danger to dye by famine, did
plentifully relieve us in our straits, not onely by comfortable
encouragements to walk humbly with God, and wait for him who hides his
face from the house of _Jacob_ for a season; but also by their rich supply
in Victuals and others necessar for our relief and comfort, which we
humbly desire our Lord to repay seven-fold in their bosome, and become
your Supplicants to joyne with us in a grateful acknowledgement of their
singular favours: And upon the heels of these favours you have continued
your unparalled compassions in keeping your forces and enabling them,
together with the other Forces, for avenging the cruel murders, and
effusion of Christian blood in this Land, notwithstanding of your owne
multiplied difficulties. The Lord hath begun to delight into us, and in a
day of salvation hath helped us (So happy are the people who are in
Covenant with God.) We are these (indeed) who may justly be burnt up for
our unfruitfulnesse in the dayes of our plenty, & stubbornesse in the
dayes of our affliction, which has brought us so low, that where we once
enjoyed a blessed plenty, we must now beg of the crumbs that fall from
your Table: We cannot dissemble, but so farre as we can discern our owne
hearts, we would preferre the joyful sound of the Gospel to our much
wished Peace and precious lives: But it may be discerned, your
Consultations of before have been guided by the Spirit of the Lord; in
that when wee twice in our forward hasting desires begged the present
loosing and planting of some Ministers amongst us, you judged it more
convenient to supply us by turnes, as foreseeing that our Captivity was
likely to endure: Our hopes are so far revived, that we trust to see the
day when he shall take the Cup of trembling out of our hands, and put it
in the hands of