be_v our_o present_n concern_v to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_o those_o more_o especial_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n ought_v at_o this_o time_n to_o discharge_v their_o great_a and_o weighty_a office_n with_o all_o faithfulness_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o these_o person_n give_v some_o remarkable_a proof_n of_o their_o hearty_a desire_n and_o endeavour_v to_o amend_v their_o own_o life_n and_o of_o those_o that_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n if_o it_o will_v please_v god_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o great_a one_o of_o the_o land_n to_o do_v some_o eminent_a thing_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o the_o reform_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o kingdom_n if_o they_o will_v no_o long_o connive_v at_o the_o cry_v sin_n among_o we_o by_o let_v they_o go_v unpunished_a but_o will_v from_o henceforth_o severe_o check_v as_o they_o may_v easy_o do_v with_o great_a success_n the_o profane_v of_o the_o christian_a and_o 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execute_v judgement_n on_o achan_n they_o bring_v out_o this_o grievous_a offender_n and_o his_o family_n and_o first_o stone_v they_o and_o then_o burn_v they_o they_o also_o bring_v forth_o the_o accurse_a thing_n which_o have_v be_v steal_v and_o â—id_v and_o deal_v with_o they_o as_o thing_n devote_v and_o curse_v i.e._n they_o utter_o destroy_v and_o consume_v they_o with_o fire_n and_o therein_o exact_o obey_v the_o order_n and_o command_n that_o god_n have_v give_v when_o they_o have_v do_v this_o they_o go_v against_o the_o king_n of_o a_z and_o his_o people_n and_o 22._o smite_v they_o so_o that_o they_o let_v none_o of_o they_o remain_v or_o escape_v let_v we_o learn_v hence_o our_o indispensable_a duty_n at_o this_o time_n we_o must_v reform_v ourselves_o and_o other_o the_o magistrate_n be_v oblige_v more_o especial_o to_o punish_v sin_n wherever_o they_o find_v it_o and_o we_o be_v all_o of_o we_o oblige_v to_o act_v according_a to_o what_o god_n have_v enjoin_v we_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v be_v a_o victorious_a people_n never_o look_v to_o thrive_v and_o prosper_v in_o battle_n till_o you_o leave_v off_o fight_v with_o god_n till_o you_o resolve_v to_o obey_v his_o commandment_n and_o to_o conform_v your_o life_n to_o the_o law_n which_o he_o prescribe_v you_o this_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o be_v inculcate_v by_o joshua_n when_o he_o be_v take_v his_o farewell_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o go_v the_o way_n of_o all_o flesh_n he_o let_v they_o know_v that_o if_o they_o will_v keep_v and_o do_v all_o that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o they_o turn_v not_o aside_o therefrom_o to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a but_o that_o they_o cleave_v unto_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n than_o one_o man_n of_o they_o shall_v chase_v a_o thousand_o and_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n shall_v fight_v for_o they_o jos._n xxiii_o 6_o 8_o 10._o then_o they_o shall_v see_v the_o happy_a success_n of_o their_o arms._n we_o who_o own_o the_o honourable_a name_n of_o christian_n have_v a_o write_a book_n of_o law_n viz._n those_o which_o be_v give_v we_o by_o christ_n jesus_n our_o bless_a lord_n if_o we_o turn_v not_o aside_o from_o these_o but_o careful_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v and_o do_v all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o god_n will_v reward_v our_o obedience_n by_o enable_v we_o to_o chase_v our_o enemy_n though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o numerous_a if_o we_o may_v credit_v ecclesiastical_a history_n there_o appear_v to_o constantine_n the_o great_a in_o his_o expedition_n against_o maxentius_n a_o cross_n a_o auspicious_a sign_n in_o the_o heaven_n with_o this_o inscription_n on_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o or_o by_o this_o overcome_v the_o cross_n without_o doubt_n be_v the_o emblem_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v the_o holy_a institution_n of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n by_o this_o you_o shall_v conquer_v by_o conscientious_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o this_o most_o holy_a religion_n by_o live_v and_o act_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n you_o shall_v vanquish_v your_o most_o implacable_a foe_n you_o see_v then_o your_o duty_n and_o your_o interest_n you_o must_v abandon_v your_o sin_n and_o cleave_v unto_o god_n with_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n otherwise_o you_o can_v never_o prosper_v the_o very_a heathen_n have_v this_o notion_n that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o be_v conqueror_n be_v to_o have_v the_o divine_a presence_n with_o they_o according_o when_o ever_o they_o go_v to_o war_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n they_o constant_o pack_v up_o their_o god_n and_o carry_v they_o with_o they_o think_v that_o they_o be_v never_o safe_a without_o they_o and_o especial_o that_o they_o can_v not_o prosper_v in_o battle_n unless_o their_o god_n go_v with_o they_o upon_o this_o persuasion_n the_o trojan_n think_v themselves_o secure_a whilst_o they_o have_v the_o image_n of_o pallas_n with_o they_o and_o the_o city_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v destroy_v as_o soon_o as_o that_o be_v go_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n it_o be_v the_o usual_a custom_n of_o the_o pagan_n to_o call_v forth_o the_o god_n of_o the_o place_n before_o they_o besiege_v it_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v there_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o assault_v it_o for_o they_o will_v defend_v they_o from_o all_o danger_n upon_o the_o like_a apprehension_n some_o of_o the_o heathen_n use_v to_o tie_v up_o their_o god_n and_o fasten_v they_o with_o chain_n that_o they_o may_v not_o go_v away_o and_o leave_v they_o as_o several_a writer_n witness_v all_o this_o show_v that_o they_o be_v persuade_v of_o this_o that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o success_n and_o prosperity_n let_v we_o much_o more_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o only_a true_a god_n fix_v this_o upon_o our_o mind_n that_o his_o presence_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o success_n and_o victory_n there_o be_v never_o any_o good_a fight_v without_o his_o assistance_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o we_o can_v never_o have_v this_o as_o long_o as_o we_o continue_v in_o our_o sin_n we_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n expect_v the_o blessing_n of_o god_n to_o be_v with_o we_o till_o we_o amend_v our_o life_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o high_a piece_n of_o impudence_n and_o effrontery_a to_o imagine_v the_o contrary_n a_o vicious_a and_o wicked_a life_n will_v certain_o quash_n and_o frustrate_v all_o our_o warlike_a erterprise_n i_o hope_v the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o this_o will_v make_v you_o improve_v the_o time_n of_o fast_v and_o humiliation_n which_o be_v set_v apart_o monthly_o by_o our_o church_n to_o the_o great_a and_o worthy_a design_n of_o it_o namely_o the_o abhor_v of_o your_o former_a evil_a way_n and_o the_o speedy_a reform_v of_o your_o life_n we_o be_v apt_a to_o trust_v too_o much_o to_o the_o goodness_n of_o our_o cause_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n look_v not_o to_o our_o sin_n nor_o take_v care_n to_o remove_v that_o which_o provoke_v god_n but_o let_v we_o remember_v this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n unless_o our_o life_n be_v good_a also_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o our_o be_v religious_a and_o righteous_a in_o order_n to_o be_v bless_v in_o the_o erterprise_n of_o war._n let_v every_o one_o of_o you_o then_o begin_v to_o amend_v and_o reform_v himself_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v you_o will_v promote_v a_o general_n reformation_n if_o one_o achan_n bring_v a_o curse_n on_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n than_o one_o holy_a penitent_n who_o have_v be_v a_o great_a sinner_n but_o become_v as_o eminent_a for_o his_o repentance_n may_v bring_v a_o blessing_n on_o the_o whole_a community_n not_o
the_o armour_n of_o great_a and_o eminent_a warrior_n in_o the_o place_n set_v apart_o for_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o do_v devote_v they_o to_o god_n we_o may_v most_o effectual_o do_v this_o by_o dedicate_a our_o arm_n to_o god_n honour_n and_o not_o to_o sinister_a and_o unworthy_a ends._n hereby_o we_o may_v turn_v all_o our_o warlike_a expedition_n into_o crusades_n and_o whenever_o we_o fight_v engage_v in_o a_o holy_a war._n we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o ancient_a roman_n in_o a_o great_a distress_n make_v use_v of_o the_o weapon_n which_o be_v deposit_v in_o their_o temple_n and_o fight_v with_o they_o and_o attribute_v the_o success_n to_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o arms._n but_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o that_o if_o kindom_n do_v hallow_v their_o weapon_n by_o religion_n and_o virtuous_a design_n they_o will_v thrive_v and_o prosper_v in_o their_o martial_a attempt_n and_o meet_v the_o foe_n with_o good_a success_n 5thly_a it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n and_o right_o end_v unless_o our_o life_n be_v good_a and_o holy_a we_o must_v always_o remember_v that_o our_o sin_n be_v our_o great_a enemy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v our_o interest_n to_o vanquish_v these_o first_o which_o must_v be_v do_v by_o put_v on_o the_o spiritual_a armour_n a_o good_a soldier_n must_v be_v a_o religious_a man._n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o will_v offer_v a_o criticism_n to_o you_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o to_o prepare_v or_o make_v war_n be_v express_v in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n by_o consecrate_v of_o war_n jer._n vi_fw-la 4._o and_o again_o in_o mic._n iii._o 5._o which_o hebraism_n may_v remind_v we_o now_o of_o consecrate_v or_o sanctify_v our_o war_n namely_o by_o unfeigned_a holiness_n and_o righteousness_n let_v we_o not_o profane_v our_o warlike_a weapon_n by_o a_o irreligious_a and_o wicked_a life_n but_o let_v we_o remember_v that_o the_o contrary_a will_v bring_v down_o a_o blessing_n from_o heaven_n upon_o we_o beside_o that_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o genuine_a efficacy_n it_o will_v prove_v advantageous_a to_o we_o for_o a_o good_a conscience_n together_o with_o a_o firm_a trust_n in_o the_o almighty_a will_v inspire_v we_o with_o the_o great_a courage_n and_o resolution_n and_o give_v the_o most_o undaunted_a boldness_n and_o valour_n to_o our_o spirit_n or_o if_o we_o meet_v not_o with_o success_n this_o comfortable_a principle_n within_o we_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v deject_v but_o will_v rather_o cheer_v we_o as_o the_o roman_a senate_n do_v their_o general_n when_o he_o be_v fly_v home_o after_o he_o be_v defeat_v by_o hannibal_n they_o meet_v he_o and_o hearten_v he_o and_o give_v he_o this_o commendation_n that_o he_o do_v not_o despair_v of_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n after_o so_o great_a a_o defeat_n last_o if_o you_o be_v victorious_a know_v how_o to_o demean_v yourselves_o ascribe_v your_o success_n to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o grand_a arbiter_n and_o disposer_n of_o war_n and_o to_o who_o belong_v the_o issue_n of_o it_o herein_o you_o may_v take_v that_o holy_a and_o warlike_a prince_n for_o your_o pattern_n who_o not_o only_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v the_o supreme_a lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o have_v gird_v he_o with_o strength_n unto_o the_o battle_n but_o that_o it_o be_v he_o who_o have_v subdue_v under_o he_o those_o that_o rise_v up_o against_o he_o it_o be_v he_o that_o give_v he_o the_o neck_n of_o his_o enemy_n that_o he_o may_v destroy_v those_o that_o hate_v he_o psal._n xviii_o 39_o 40._o or_o let_v we_o use_v such_o humble_a and_o thankful_a language_n as_o be_v suggest_v to_o we_o in_o psal._n xliv_o 3._o we_o get_v not_o the_o victory_n by_o our_o own_o sword_n neither_o do_v our_o own_o arm_n save_o we_o but_o thy_o right_a hand_n and_o thy_o arm_n and_o the_o light_n of_o thy_o countenance_n because_o thou_o have_v a_o favour_n unto_o we_o to_o this_o almighty_a sovereign_n and_o lord_n of_o host_n be_v all_o glory_n and_o honour_n now_o and_o unto_o eternal_a age_n amen_n the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o ill_a success_n of_o war._n a_o sermon_n preach_v on_o a_o fastâ—â—_n day_n appoint_v by_o their_o majesty_n for_o the_o implore_v god_n blessing_n on_o their_o force_n by_o sea_n and_o land_n joshua_n vii_o 12._o therefore_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n can_v not_o stand_v before_o their_o enemy_n but_o turn_v their_o back_n before_o their_o enemy_n because_o they_o be_v accurse_v neither_o will_v i_o be_v with_o you_o any_o more_o except_o you_o destroy_v the_o accurse_a from_o among_o you_o god_n have_v choose_v out_o a_o people_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n who_o he_o intend_v to_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o in_o a_o more_o singular_a manner_n and_o on_o who_o he_o purpose_v to_o confer_v mercy_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a nature_n these_o he_o preserve_v in_o egypt_n conduct_v through_o the_o wilderness_n and_o bring_v at_o last_o into_o the_o promise_a land_n but_o behold_v they_o be_v unmindful_a of_o this_o marvellous_a goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o and_o take_v not_o care_n to_o observe_v those_o strict_a command_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o particular_o that_o of_o utter_o destroy_v every_o accurse_a thing_n in_o the_o city_n which_o they_o take_v they_o be_v more_o signal_o guilty_a of_o this_o when_o jericho_n be_v take_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o god_n punish_v this_o gross_a violation_n of_o his_o command_n by_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v defeat_v in_o their_o next_o enterprise_n when_o they_o go_v against_o the_o man_n of_o ai_fw-fr some_o of_o they_o be_v smite_v and_o fall_v before_o they_o other_o not_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v the_o shock_n shameful_o flee_v away_o this_o with_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o by_o god_n himself_o in_o the_o text_n therefore_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n can_v not_o stand_v before_o their_o enemy_n but_o turn_v their_o back_n before_o they_o because_o they_o sin_v about_o the_o accurse_a thing_n the_o hide_v and_o detain_v of_o the_o golden_a wedge_n and_o the_o babylonish_n garment_n become_v their_o general_n crime_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o unexpected_a defeat_n and_o withal_o here_o be_v add_v what_o they_o may_v expect_v for_o the_o future_a namely_o nothing_o but_o defeat_n and_o overthrow_v neither_o will_v i_o be_v with_o you_o any_o more_o except_o you_o destroy_v the_o accurse_a from_o among_o you_o i.e._n unless_o you_o destroy_v your_o sin_n which_o make_v you_o accurse_v and_o for_o the_o future_a strict_o keep_v the_o command_n which_o i_o give_v concern_v the_o utter_a destroy_v of_o whatever_o belong_v to_o those_o curse_a nation_n unless_o you_o do_v this_o i_o will_v never_o assist_v you_o to_o overcome_v your_o enemy_n but_o they_o shall_v continual_o vanquish_v you_o and_o prevail_v against_o you_o from_o the_o whole_a take_v this_o observation_n that_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o people_n be_v like_a to_o hinder_v their_o success_n in_o war_n and_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o turn_v their_o back_n and_o sly_a before_o their_o enemy_n beside_o the_o instance_n in_o this_o chapter_n there_o be_v sundry_a other_o which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o sacred_a history_n i_o will_v begin_v with_o that_o in_o judg._n two_o 11._o etc._n etc._n the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o serve_v baalim_fw-la and_o they_o forsake_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n and_o follow_v other_o god_n and_o provoke_v the_o lord_n to_o anger_n and_o they_o forsake_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v baal_n and_o ashtaroth_n these_o be_v their_o heinous_a sin_n now_o observe_v the_o effect_n of_o they_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n the_o anger_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v hot_a against_o israel_n and_o he_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o spoiler_n that_o spoil_v they_o and_o he_o sell_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n so_o that_o they_o can_v not_o any_o long_o stand_v before_o their_o enemy_n this_o refer_v unto_o the_o time_n between_o 〈◊〉_d be_v death_n and_o god_n raise_v up_o of_o the_o judge_n then_o it_o be_v that_o their_o enemy_n prevail_v against_o they_o in_o battle_n and_o miserable_o overthrow_v and_o destroy_v they_o which_o be_v here_o ascribe_v to_o their_o idolatry_n and_o other_o cry_v sin_n which_o provoke_v god_n to_o deliver_v they_o as_o a_o prey_n to_o their_o enemy_n and_o even_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o judge_n the_o same_o cause_n have_v the_o same_o effect_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v evil_a again_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o lord_n strengthen_v eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n against_o israel_n because_o they_o have_v do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o
lord_n and_o he_o gather_v unto_o he_o the_o child_n of_o ammon_n and_o amalek_n and_o go_v and_o smite_v israel_n judg._n iii._o 12_o 13._o markit_n the_o sin_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o strength_n of_o eglon_n moab_n and_o ammon_n prevail_v against_o god_n people_n because_o they_o walk_v not_o as_o such_o because_o they_o act_v sinful_o and_o wicked_o and_o at_o several_a other_o time_n it_o be_v particular_o record_v in_o this_o book_n that_o when_o the_o israelite_n do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n than_o he_o give_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n who_o prevail_v over_o they_o and_o grievous_o oppress_v they_o to_o this_o refer_v the_o psalmist_n word_n in_o psal._n lxxviii_o 56._o etc._n etc._n they_o tempt_v and_o provoke_v the_o most_o high_a god_n and_o keep_v not_o his_o testimony_n they_o provoke_v he_o to_o anger_n with_o their_o high_a place_n and_o move_v he_o to_o jealousy_n with_o their_o grave_a image_n when_o god_n hear_v this_o he_o 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time_n nothing_o will_v long_o prosper_v under_o their_o conduct_n let_v this_o check_n your_o fond_a presumption_n and_o teach_v you_o to_o stand_v in_o awe_n and_o not_o to_o sin_v against_o god_n with_o that_o high_a hand_n you_o former_o do_v which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o next_o inference_n from_o the_o premise_n 2._o remove_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o your_o fear_n and_o danger_n that_o be_v renounce_v your_o sin_n which_o either_o in_o themselves_o or_o through_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n do_v not_o only_o procure_v war_n but_o make_v they_o unsuccessful_a and_o fatal_a to_o we_o that_o you_o may_v fight_v your_o foe_n victorious_o see_v that_o you_o combat_v your_o sin_n that_o you_o grapple_v with_o your_o vice_n this_o be_v a_o war_n that_o be_v fight_v without_o noise_n a_o war_n that_o make_v no_o widow_n nor_o orphan_n a_o war_n that_o be_v always_o crown_v with_o victory_n and_o peace_n that_o you_o may_v not_o like_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o text_n turn_v your_o 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