Concerning Flying in Times of Trouble, Title page – To the reader
A CASE OF CONSCIENCE, CONCERNING Flying in Times of Trouble.
Reſolved According to the Scriptures, and the Examples of Holy men.
Applyed to the preſent times and occaſions.
Jmprimatur. Edm. Calamy.
LONDON, Printed for John Bellamie and Ralph Smith, and are to be ſold at their ſhop, at the three golden Lions in Cornhill neare the royall Exchange. 1643.
To the Reader.
ABout foure moneths ſince, upon an occaſion that offered it ſelfe, I then drew up this Caſe, ſo as it is. It was communicated to divers private hands and had the Teſtimony of ſome Divines both Learned and Conſcientious, yet I laid it by mee, being not deſirous to expoſe it (among the many Impertinencies and unneceſſary and raw Scriblings now adayes) to the publicke view. But now the opinion and requeſt of ſome who judge it uſefull hath obtained it to the preſſe: for they ſay the condition of the times doth challenge it, wherein many ſeeme to be aſhamed of their former acquaintance with the great cauſe in hand; The truth is, many that came up to the Parliaments ſenſe in the head of the Tyde, are willing to ſhrinke away in the Ebbe of things. There is a poore and low and narrow Spirit in very many who thought well of the Parliament onelyonly ſo long as no body ſpake ill of it, or durſt speake out, if they thought otherwiſe, and loved it while they might be ſafe, and enjoy the worlds friendſhip, God will not honour himſelfe by ſuch ſelf-ſeekers; wee muſt bid a better price, before God will part with the rich commodity of Reformation; If we love the publicke cauſe, wee muſt not onelyonly keepe it company in its health, but ſtand by it and comfort it in its faintings. Amd this is the purpoſe of the following diſcourſe, which I commend unto the bleſſing of the Almighty.
S. T.