SCOTLAND'S ALARM OR, Some considerations tending to demonstrate the necessity of our speedy marching to the assistance of our Brethren in England, notwithstanding all difficulties and necessities, real or pretended.  ESTHER 4. verse 13, 14, 16. Verse 13. 
Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King's house more than all the jews. 15. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, thou shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed, and who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.  Verse 16. 
If I perish, I perish.  Chap. 8. vers. 6. 
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto (Gods) people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?  
TOGETHER, With a Letter dated at Edinburgh, Novemb. the 29. 1643.  
Wherein is given full satisfaction to all men who desire to know the reasons why the Scots Army is not yet advanced into England.  
Printed, first at Edinburgh, and reprinted at London for Robert Bostock. Anno Domini. 1643.   

SCOTLAND'S ALARM: OR, Some considerations tending to demonstrate the necessity of our speedy marching to the assistance of our Brethren in England, notwithstanding all difficulties and necessities, real or pretended.  
FOrasmuch as all works of honour and importance are usually attended with manifold difficulties, which the spirits of men, unless quickened, many times suffer to grow up into discouragements: And whereas more especially those undertake in which the honour of GOD, and the advancement of the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST is concerned, besides those natural impediments that arise from the weight of the Service, are commonly obstructed with many artificial lets, which the subtlety and malice of the Devil, and illaffected Instruments readily make, and many times the corruptions of the well-affected, too easily entertain.  
It seems not unnecessary to offer to this Nation, now by solemn and sacred Covenant engaged with the Kingdom of England, for the mutual preservation of Religion and Liberty, some considerations proving and pressing the necessity of the speedy 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 afford assistance to England in thy Cause, wherein they are engaged against the Popish and Prelatical Faction, that so the intended corruption and subversion of the Protestant Religion may be prevented, and the just 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 unlawful to engage in this Cause, because we are so unhappy as to see his Majesty entangled in the counsels and practices of them whom we are resolved to oppose, and think that freeborn 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 personal commands, as well as legal. But God forbidden we should so part with our Religion and Liberty, the Inheritance of our Fathers. A great deal of honour and observance is due to Princes, but let us find out some cheaper sacrifice for these Deities, than the honour and truth of him who is exalted fare above all gods, and the welfare and happiness of whole Kingdoms, with which, whatsoever mortal man is weighed in the balance, will be found too light. But in the mean time these States and Kingdoms are very much beholding to the patrons of this Doctrine, who thereby make the condition of the Subjects of great Britain 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 ways and counsels which have obtained his Majesty's Countenance and Concurrence. But whether a design whose ingredients are Spanish Counsels, Romish Bulls, 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 duly weighed doubt of the lawfulness and necessity of joining with our Brethren in this mutual 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 effectual means for their Conviction.  
That which is now endeavoured, is to quicken the hearts, and strengthen the hands of them who have Sworn and Subscribed this Solemn Covenant, that they may with the more speed and cheerfulness 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 general representation of a business when it descends to action, and especially their own particular engagement, have a strange damp seizing upon them, and can hardly persuade 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 own 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 (unless 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 duly considered what may be the ill consequents of disappointing the expectation of the well-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 press them even at their doors. 
job. 6.  To him that is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friend; but we shall instead of that, add 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 speak proudly in the day of their distress.  
And secondly, if after all these Overtures and Endeavours, our promised and expected help 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 be ready to look upon us as a people rather addicted to our own advantages then affected with their dangers, or the dangers of Religion itself: which we have publicly acknowledged to be much hazarded by the attempts of Papists and Malignants there.  
But it will be said that other men's expectations are not to be the grounds or rules of our proceed; It is answered national 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 General Assembly and Convention of Estates, to which affections they will look for actions suitable. Secondly, we understand by divers Letters that our Commissioners there, seeing their necessities, and yet their willingness to do 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 lieth, to make good the hopes they have given both for their credit & the honour 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 we shall not only satisfy the expectation of our friends, but besides the real service we shall do in our own persons in those parts where we come, We shall give reputation to their Forces elsewhere, 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 fear 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 undertake, in regard of the manifold advantages of dispatch, are called Expeditions; so let us take care, that through our backwardness, this of ours lose not that name.  
But the difficulties are so many: in regard of our necessities not supplied 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 general, 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 sloth and self-love, are sometimes ready to say, There is a roaring Lion in the way, when it is only 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, Difficulty is the constant companion of great and honourable undertake; 
Mat. 26.39.  the greater our difficulties are, the greater honour shall we gain to ourselves, the greater love shall we show to the Cause and Servants of CHRIST, who when he came to deliver us, never disputed the bitterness 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 courtesy on his friend, much less 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 dishearten 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 impossibility must stop us in our intended Course, for we have obliged ourselves 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 straits, for want of Money, victuals, and Ammunition in our former expeditions, and be discouraged if we can, it is true the thought of them should not make us neglect the means and tempt GOD, but they may and must, when we have used the means, make us trust him. The great things GOD that done for us, have surely their use, and there is none better than in the strength of them, and to set upon new, as David remembering the Lion and the Bear adventured on the Philistin. The place whither we are to go, may justly be called by us jehovah jireh, 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 we have passed, the more difficulty, the less danger.  
And as it is very well worth our labour, to recollect and consider the several passages of special providence, which have befallen us and others on this Cause of Preservation, and Reformation of Religion, So may it not be amiss in the mean time to take notice of this general 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 show their duty to him, and love to his Cause, but the Work that is done he doth it himself, and in the midst of all the means that are used, he seems resolved to bring his people out of Babylon, as once out of Egypt, by tentations, and signs 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 till he hath first reduced them to great straits & extremities, and emptied them of their own confidence. It is a work 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 Babylon's ruin shall not be done without power or might, for double must be rendered to her, and happy shall they be that reward her as she hath served us, giving her blood to drink, for she 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 concern the Church of GOD) strangely ordering things, that so little of men or means, but much of GOD may be seen, so that when he hath made the Mountains become plains, before his Zerobabels, the headstone may be brought fotth with shouting, crying not Armies, Counsels, Commanders, but Grace grace unto it.  
But this is a strange Dialect to States men, & Soldiers, 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 good encouragement to hope that he will make up our unwilling and unavoidable necessities. But in the midst of our business, let it be seriously laid to heart how much blood is spilt, how many Towns and Countries spoiled, how miserably our friends are distressed and distracted, while we are preparing only for their relief. We have professed to look 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 ourselves, as if they enemies Forces were as near Edinburgh as they are London. But this must not be interpreted quarrelling, but quickening.  
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 be there are some that quake and shiver at the thought of a Winter's march, and look upon it as an unreasonable motion, that our Army should then take the field, when other Armies betake themselves to Garrison.  
Let none take exception, if we pray GOD to keep 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 minds 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 Newcastle do not move us, let us look 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 King's Army march from Oxford to Brainford in November, the M. of Newcastle, 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.  

 iugulent homines surgunt de nocte latrones,  
 teipsum serves non expergisceris?   

Shall villains to destroy get up by night,  
And we not stir to save till day be light?   
For shame let not this be thought an impediment, much less made an excuse by any, GOD will either send such weather as 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 be doubted, we may have reason hereafter to complain that the Spring is too hot, when our work shall be made ten times more difficult by the increase of the enemy's strength from Ireland and other places, and the provision of Arms 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 ourselves, and suffer them to make use of those provisions for horse and man, which are now in the Country; though Winter be more cold, the Summer is like to be more hungry. Delays especially in Military affairs, are seldom or never without many dangers: Ours will have sin and danger too, if they be not timely looked unto.  
But the last and greatest difficulty is, the matter of money; how can it be thought that we should satisfy 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 war.  
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 we behave ourselves so, as evil Counsellors may give a good report of our deservings) we shall be compelled to raise an Army in defence of this Cause and ourselves, and though the terms are not so good as some expected, they are better than we are like to find, if our brethren in England be utterly spoiled, and we left to shift for ourselves. Let us therefore persuade ourselves to do that now, which otherwise we shall 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 work, we should make as good provision as might be, and to that end desire a considerable sum of money, the better to prevent future inconveniencies. So it is no less 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 be willing and ready to do our utmost to supply their unwilling wants, 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 doubtless 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 help not the good Protestants of England, because money is short, they must be lost and undone, because after this vast expense 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 less assistance must be expected from our friends, which be daily more and more exhausted, and that middle sort of men, which have the riches of the Kingdom, will rather with their money buy an unlawful peace, than maintain a lawful war.  
Considering therefore, that GOD hath so in his providence ordered things, that our Brethren of England and we, should be happily united in a Solemn Covenant (a thing we would, not long since, have purchased at a dear rate) and hath disposed the hearts of the Parliament, readily to condescends to the Articles of the Treaty, without any material alteration: Seeing that notwithstanding the spoil of the King's 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 faithful 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 storehouses, and whatsoever he can call his, And last of all, look back into his own heart and conscience, and make an impartial 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 granted us in victual, 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, we 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 profane Esau's there are among us, that prefer pottage to their birthright; What churlish Nabals, who say of the servants and Cause of GOD, 
1 Sam. 25.5.  as he once of david's, 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 ways, and according to the fruit of their do, 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, etc.  
But I will not so much distrust your faithfulness and forwardness in this great Cause of Jesus Christ, which pleads so strongly for itself 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 joab 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.  
FINIS.   

A LETTER From EDINBURGH, NOVEMBER, 30. 1643.  
Giving full satisfaction to all men why the SCOTISH Army is not yet Advanced into ENGLAND.  
My true and constant Friend,  
GIve me leave to use this compellation of you who lives in the midst of so many changes and changelings. Suffer me also to entreat you to afford me a little of your patience (if it be not all spent) till you have perused and pondered these few lines, expressing the condition of our affairs here, and then pronounce your sentence.  
Master Hatcher and his Company with the Treaty, and the Money, came to Leith road November 21. so long a time it pleased God to keep him on Sea, and thereby to excroise our patience.  
The public Orders to the Shires concerning the general Rendezvous (which is appointed to be upon the 29. of December at Hatrlaw, a place four miles from Berwicke) were exped upon the fourth day after the arrival of the Ship, which was Novemb. 25.  
The nearest Regiments are appointed to march presently towards the borders, there to quarter and exercise themselves, and to meet with the Cavaliers, if any of them shall appear till the day of Rendezvous.  
Consider with yourself, what time you will allow for sending the Orders to the Shires, to call the Committees of the several Shires, to bring together the Soldiers to their Colours, and to march as fare as Berwick, from which some of the Regiments are no less than a hundred miles distant; after you have impartially considered these and other such necessary duties and distractions, you will not condemn us of delays or slackness.  
Ireland hath also bred us at this time, much trouble and hindrance, for upon the very day of Master Hatcher his arrival, Commissioners came from Ireland, expressing the unsupporable sufferings of our Irish Army: One of them swore to myself, that being present at a Parade, he did see a whole Regiment, whereof scarcely one hundred had either stockings or shoes, but all barelegged and  in this season of the year; and yet poor souls, they are ready to take the Covenant, and to spend their lives against the Cessation, if they had necessaries for their lives furnished unto them.  
Our Counsels were tossed betwixt two extremities, upon the one hand to bring them away, was to give up that Kingdom into the hands of Papists and Rebels; to suffer the poor Protestants there either to be driven forth, and to come upon us for relief, or their throats to be cut by their barbarity, which hath destroyed so many already; and to make the Rebels strong and united for invading these two Kingdoms. Upon the other hand, to keep them there, and to feed them with promises, and really to starve them, as we have done for a long time were to fall in the like barbarity.  
In this perplexity, we have been forced to dispatch from Air 4000 bolls of meal, which we had provided for the Western Regiments, and are providing other necessaries to be sent unto them with diligence. This hath been an unexpected & untimeous, but a necessary diversion of our counsels from the great business. And hath taken up a great part of our time, which the English Commissioners here do know; and the wise there cannot but acknowledge.  
The act of public faith is also concluded, and sent up that there be nothing wanting on our part: No sooner did the Committee of the convention of Estates resolve upon the day of general assembly in their meeting at Edenbrugh, have appointed a public fast and humiliation for a blessing from Heaven upon our expedition, which is to be solemnly kept in the Army, & in all the Kirks of the Kingdom Jan. 7. being the Lords day, and the wednesday following according to the warning sent to all the Presbitaries and the particular causes expressed therein, which I have herewith sent unto you.  
Thus have we resolved with our prayers and endeavours to join in the cause of God and to wait for his blessing for success.  
FINIS.