farinaria to set up their Dagon of dowe but the Lord by his wonderfull wisedome disappointed them After that the enemies of Christs Gospel have beene still undermining this poore Church under a covering of ceremonies but when they were almost come to the cope of their desires even to give us the Masse cloathed with an English coat most cunningly woven from the top throughout with juggling wordes wordes of two faces like the Oracles of Apollo which one way had a sense for Gods glory but another way a sense for to make Christ Iesus a dumb and a deafe idoll that all this nation at last should be partly entised partly constrained to returne to worship a god of bread which can not defend himself from the teeth of a Mouse When this was almost atchieved and done the Lord in a most wonderfull manner disappointed them After that they gathered their forces by Sea and Land to doe by violence what they could not performe by wiles the Lord and not we disappointed them the Lord blessed for evermore at Dunce-hill Har-ezer mons adjutorij the hill of help and at Newburne wrought their disappointment East West South North the Lord hath done great things for us the LORDS hand hath beene seene by Sea and by Land Except our enemies hearts bee harder then the heart of Pharao they must confesse and say with Pharaohs Magicians Exod. 8.19 This is the finger of GOD. The 1 use The 1 use Let us learn here to trust in God in greatest dangers even when there is nothing but confufed noise Isa 9.5 with garments rolled in bloud though our enemies were never so strong our God is able to disappoint all their designes hee will not suffer any weapons to prosper that are lifted up against his servants if we can stand still with the foot of faith Exod. 14 13 we shall not faile to see the Salvation of the Lord Psal 23.4 In the valley of the shaddow of death we shall not need ro feare any evill for he shall bee with us Exod. 15.3 the Lord said Moses is a man of warre and therefore let not our hearts tremble for the boast of men who are but like dogges barking at the Moone it is but little or nothing that man can doe What is he worth Isa 2.22 wherein is hee to bee accounted of the Lord can easily disappoint all his designes Let GOD arise Psal 68.1 and his enemies shall bee scattered These that hate him shall flee before him As smoak is driven away so shall the Lord drive them away as waxe melteth before the fire so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God The 2 use The second use When the enemies of God are strong and are in plotting great designes against GODS inheritance let us heere learne how to pray to God let us take unto us words even these words of this text Arise O Lord and disappoint them If we cry unto the Lord Arise the Lord shall not faile to answere Now will I arise Isa 33.10 saith the Lord When Hee is risen he will worke wonders Isa 33.11 Mine enemies saith He shall conceive chaffe and bring forth stubble thus all their counsells shall be but a conception of chaffe and when their designes are ready to be borne they shall be but children of stubble David in the second Psalme considering how God maketh the counsels the conceptions of wicked men to be but false conceptions cryed out Psal 2.1 Why doe the heathen rage and the people imagine a vaine thing the word in the Hebrew signifieth a trifle RIK inane or emptinesse a nothing He also there scorneth the vaine Kings and Rulers of the earth and that because they take counsell against Christ He that sitteth in the heavens saith He shall laugh Psal 2.4 the Lord shall have them in derision After that for a space hee hath laughen at their follie hee will breake them with a rod of yron vers 9 and dash them in pieces like a potters vessell Thus the LORD bringeth down the plots and designes of high-towring ambitious wicked men Behold a real disappointment where now I pray you will all their designes and their boasts and their armies bee when the Lord hath broken them all into Shardes like an old pitcher Behold the men that would but burn and slay Behold the men thaâ— would have all their will Beholâ— the men that would neither beâ— ruled by Gods law nor Mans law but by their owne wilfull wills the LORD hath throwne theâ— downe the evill they would havâ— done it lay not in their hearts oâ— hands to doe it the LORD hath treade them downe he hatâ— wounded the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpes of such a goe on still in their trespasses they are nothing but like a broken sheard Psal 68.21 Behold them bridled by the power of this greaâ— LORD who according to the prayer of his servant heere hath clearly before the eyes of the world disappointed them Let railing Rabshakehs not onely boast men but also GOD himselfe with where is the god of thiâ— place 2 King 18 34 and the god of that placeâ— the gods of Hamath and of Arpad the gods of Sepharvaim Henah and Juah Let great men with Rabshakeh threaten to cause Gods people eate their owne dung 2 King 18 27 and drinke their owne pisse but the LORD hath hookes for their nose 2 King 19 28 and bridles for their lips for to turne them back from their course He shall so crosse their designes that they shall goe away disappointed with shame and disgrace Jos 5.14 Christ the Captaine of the Lords 〈◊〉 is all fire for the glory of 〈◊〉 Father and the well of his â—â—â—rch his zeal was such that it did eate him up Joh. 2.17 but alas for our heart it is but like a cold sinder in our bosome The third Petition Cast him downe NOw it follovveth that vvee heare Davids third petition Cast him downe The Prophet heere in his prayer goeth on as Abraham did in hiâ— request for Sodome He sought ayâ— more and more first that Goâ— for fifties sake Gen. 18.24 would spare thâ— Cities 28 Secondly that for fivâ— and fourties sake 29 Thirdly thaâ— for fourties sake Fourthly thaâ— for thirties sake 30 Fiftly that foâ— twenties sake 31 32 Sixtly and last that for tennes sake he woulâ— spare all the rest So David firâ— here intreated God but to arise After that he desired God to do more even to disappoint his enemies Thirdly here he desireth more that the Lord would hurlâ— and cast down his adversaries The doctrine Observe here what it is to be once familiar with God Thâ— more a man be acquaint with God he groweth in boldnesse in hiâ— sutes the prayers of a Christian must not be dwarfes still iâ— one stature They must grow up â—nd be enlarged A man
THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON To this is subjoined a Prayer for an Armie going to Battell and a thanksgiving after the Victorie By M. Zachary Boyd preacher of Gods word at Glasgow Prov. 21.31 The horse is prepared for the day of Battell but safety is of the Lord. Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1643. UNTO HIS EXCELLENCE MY LORD GENERALL LESLY EARLE OF LEAVEN c. Please your EXCELLENCE MOre then fifeteene hundred yeares ago Christs beloved Disciple heard a loud voice saying in heaven Wo to the inhabitants of the earth the reason is subjoined Rev. 12.12 for the Divel is come downe having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time his time is now shorter therefore his rage is increased for this cause hath he taken the Antichrist the man of sin by the hand 2 Thes 2.3 who with all his followers breath nothing but crueltie It is storied of the mother of Dominicus who after became a greaâ— patron of Monks that when she waâ— with childe of him she dreamed thaâ— she had in her womb a wolfe witâ— a burning torch in his mouth sucâ— indeed be all Babels beasts that camâ— out of the Antichristian den tâ—â— whelps of that great beast of Româ— they are all Ravenous wolves Mat. 7.15 thâ—â— have nothing in their minde but fiâ—â— and Gunpowder to blow up Kinâ— and Parliaments and if that suâ—ceed not to make havock of all renting the head from the member even the King from his most faithfuâ— Subjects whom they at this time â— being the loyall Catholick Subjectâ— declare to be but traitours and râ—bels as if the Fox would make tâ—â— flock believe that the shepheards dâ— were their great enemie and did dâ—prive them of many faire Prerogâ—tives but if he were in his place thâ—â— should have all according to the Good will and Pleasure This is the maine quarrell of Briâ—aine this day Satan in great wrath with the forces of Antichrist are in â—he open field The Lord is going to Battell against them and he hath â—hosen your Excellence to be his Gideâ—n Heer is the Sword even the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon I offer it to your Excellence as â—eartily as ever Jonathan gave unto David his Sword and his Bow 1 Sam. 18.4 My alleagance to my dear Master Christ necessitates all my endeavoures to help forward the Good Cause both by tongue and pen that man is happy of whom men may truely say that which Christ said of the Woman that powred the ointment on his head Mark 14.8 she hath done what she could This little book even that which I could is come to your Excellence to beg a look of favour It is not from any presumption of its worth that it durst look so high a lower patron might well have served higher meditations but love whiles maketh folke too forward it made Mary to strivâ— to get Christ in her armes when iâ— was not lawfull to touch him Joh. 20.17 Your Excellence loyaltie couragâ— and zeal still levelling at Gods glory maketh you so dear to all his faithfuâ— servants that glad would we all bâ— to have any thing that might be tâ— you for a testimonie of our sincerâ— affection towards you A mite of love is better than a million of complements While in modestie I disparagâ— this worke as it is from mâ— selfe yet I can not in nicenessâ— altogether deny but GOD hatâ— made my penne to hit upon diverâ— things which may bring profitâ— to the Reader What ever thâ—â— worke bee after it hath been both preached penned and printed if it bee not so precious as purple and blevv silke vvhich the richeâ— sort did affoord at the making of the Tabernacle yet let it bee but like Goats-haire the poore mans gift I vvith a most willing minde offer it to the Lord vvho accepted as vvell the poore mans pigeon as the rich mans ox for a Sacrifice Lev. 12.8 This being such an offering for GOD I humbly desire that by the vvay it may get a favourable glance of your Excellence eye under vvhose patronage it may be respected in the going forth by your honourable authorising though it come far short both of your Excellence desert and of mine ovvne desire the treatise is small but it is an Earnest of more that little I have or am is most sincerely at your Excellence service for vvhom the Urims and Tummims of Levi in this land shall daylie bee presented before the Lord our altars shall still reeke vvith the incense of hearty prayers for your prosperitie and happinesse While at the Battell of Amaleck Joshuah fought in the valley Moses prayed on the mountaine Exod. 17 11 So vvhile your Excellencâ— Gods Joshuah shall in the valleâ— fight for GODS Israel againâ—â— Papists Prelats and Arminians Satans black Squadrons vvâ— the servants of the LORD vviâ—â— climb the hill and hold up ouâ— hands by prayers unto God sâ— that your Excellence may boaâ—â— Gods enemies and say unto them as Abijah threatned the idolateâ— of King Jereboams armie 2 Chro. 13 12 Behold God himself is with uâ— for our Captaine and his Priest with sounding Trumpets to crâ— alarme against you Novv Christ that great Jehovah the Captaine of the Lord host the God of Battels protect youâ— person perfect your graces prospeâ— your vvayes prolong your dayes direct your armie make you still victorious comfortable to your friends Cant. 6.10 terrible to your foes as an armie with banners that after yee vvith honour have finished your course 2 Tim. 4.7 and fought the good fight on earth yee may get glory in heaven vvith all these faithfull Commanders these noble vvarriours these great Generals of Gods armies Moses Joshua Barak Gideon Jephte Samson and Samuel and all others GODS vvorthies vvhose names are vvritten in the Booke of life Your Excellence most humble servant M. Zachary Boyd From Glasgovv the 27 of November 1643. THE SVVORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON Psal 60. vers 11. Give us help from trouble for vaine is the help of man 12. Through GOD wee shall doe valiantly for he it is that shall treade downe our enemies THat was a worthy speach of S. Augustin Aug. conf 6. Deus unicum habet filium sine peccato nullum sine flagello God hath one Son vvithout sin but none vvithout suffering The righteous are onely Gods children and these are the men of many troubles Psal 34.19 many are the troubles of the righteous Note By this means their soules are bleached Dan. 12.10 and as Daniel saith are tryed and made vvhite As for the wicked whose best fruites on earth are but stincking hemlocks Am 6.12 Psal 73.5 they both bud and flourish they are not in trouble like other men neither are they plagued like other men the paltry pleasures of the earth make them to forget God their Saviour Christ and the precious soul that lieth in their
is that shall tread down our enemies The use The use Let all our men of warre learne here to depend upon the Lord and not to goe to battell without the Lord they must all say to the Lord as Barak said to Deborah Jud. 4.8 If thou wilt goe with me then will I goe but if thou wilt not goe with me then I will not goe a Captaine were he never so couragious can doe nothing without the Lord an armie of Samsons without God will not prevaile it was not the cutting of Samsons haire that weakened him no not it is said of him Judg. 16.20 that he knew not that the spirit of the LORD was departed from him when that spirit of the Lord departs from men men have neither heart nor hand to do valiantly they flee like sheep before their enemies 2 Chron. 18.16 Josh 7.11 Israel hath sinned and they also have transgressed my covenant c vers 12 Therefore they could not stand before their enemies said the Lord to Joshua mourning for that shamefull flight of Israel from before the men of Ai It is onely the Lord that giveth courage to men the Lord said Psal 144.1 David teacheth my hands to warre and my fingers to fight onely the men that come from his fence-schoole will be men in the day of Battell he could make the lappers of water the smallest of the host of Israel to doe valiantly Judg. 7.13 a barley cake from his hand was sufficient to overturne all the might of Midian â—he horse saith Solomon Prov. 21.31 is prepared for the day of battell but safetie is of the LORD all victories depend upon him If we remaine still in his favour and keep his Covenant though Senacherib should arise from the dead and cover the whole land with his men in number like the sand of the sea though an armie from Rome or Spaine with all the English Papists and Arminians like an armie of Caldeans Habak 1.6 a bitter and hasty Nation should march through the breadth of our land to possesse the dwellings that are not theirs Habak 1.8 though they should come with horses swifter then Leopards and more fierce then the evening wolves yea and flee as the Eagle that hasteth to eat in a word though wee seeme to our enemies but grashoppers or creeping things that have no ruler over them Hab. 1.14 if we abide stedfastly in Gods Covenant the trueth of my text shall not lie He it is that shall treade downe our enemies he shall make them in their fairesâ— greenesse Joh. 4.7 to wither away likâ— a Kikajon or gourd some fearful destruction shall teach these thaâ— treade in their paths to tremble aâ— their end Well then seeing it is the Lord and he onely that treadeth down our enemies so that all depend wholly upon him let us by alâ— meanes beware to offend him leâ— us take good heede that we looke not to the numbers of out men as Israel did Jud. 20.10 when with foure hundred thousand men they foughâ— against the Benjamites let us learn of their losse in all humilitie to begin with fasting and prayer let us take good heed that there bee not among us an Achan Jos 7.18 that made Israel to flee from before the men of Ai let us seeke out all our sinnes as carefully as Joshuah sought out Achan as curiously as the people of Godsought out the leaven and let us cast them away Deu. 16.4 Moses said to Israel at the Passeover There shall not be seene with thee any leaven in all thy coast So the Lord saith to you all this day let not your sinnes your pride your covetousnesse Hab. 2.6 for thick clay your riot your drunkenesse your uncleanesse your chambering your charmeing your railing your backbiting your malice your envie your treacherie Mic. 6.10 and the scant measure which is abominable and all other such scandalous sinnes whatsoever let them no more be seene among you Eph. 5.3 This is the Apostles counsell but fornication and uncleannesse or covetousnesse let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints If yee would have God to be with you in the day of danger Ezek. 21.6 sigh now with the breaking of your loines and with bitternesse because the Lord is angrie with our nation and therefore loath your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities Eze. 36.31 let not your old sins abide any more in your companie let them no more be named among you woe to the pot whose scumme is in it now Ezek. 24.6 Dearly beloved strive now to redeeme the time Eph. 5.16 Yee may all see that the dayes are evill and therefore I exhort you to keepe GODS charge Zach. 3.7 and walke circumspectly not as fools Let every man turn from his evill wayes Bee like a people that hath made a Covenant with their God like a people with whom God hath made a Covenant of life and peace Mal. 2.5 If we break our Covenant with God Note which we have so solemnly sworne we shall be more fearfully plagued then that King Vladislaus who by the instigation of the Pope brake the League of a concluded Peace with Amurah the Turkish Emperour he swearing upon the Euangelists and the the other by his Ambassadours upon their Turkish Alcaron when the Turke saw the Battell joined and remembered the Christians perfidie in breaking their Covenant with him he pluckt the writing out of his bosome wherein the League was written and holding it up in his hand with his eyes cast up to Heaven said after this manner Behold thou crucified Christ Hist of the Turkes pag. 297. this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me which they have without cause violated now if thou be a God as they say thou art and as we dreame revenge the wrong now done unto thy name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjured people who in their deeds deny thee their God In that bloody battell of Varna as the historie records Certatum est totos dies noctesquâ—tres diu fortuna ancipiti sed tanto animorum ardore utrinque tantoque impetu ut caesorum sanâ—guine campi stagnarem That is the space of three dayes and three nights this bloody batâ—tell continued so that the field where it was foughten was turned into a poole of blood If such shame and calamities befell the Christians for breaking their League with an Infidel whaâ— worlds of miserie shall come upoâ— this Nation if we like the dog returning to his vomit break the Covenant which wee have so solemnly made with our GOD 1 Pet. 2.22 Doubtlesse all the miseries that ever came upon a Nation shall have their Rendevous heer famine pestilence and war shall not faile to revenge the quarrell of Gods Covenant By famine God shall make these who are now like Nazarites whiter than milk Lam. 4.7 to become
the Lord Arise O Lord c. In the second part wee have the petitions of his prayer which are foure in number 1. Arise 2. Disappoint him 3. Cast him downe 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy Sword Let us now come to the glosse and interpretation of every part of the text I. PART To whom the Prophet here maketh his Prayer HEE to whom the Prophet heere maketh his prayer is the Lord Arise O Lord. Observe heere the wisedome of David when he is in distresse The doctrine he goeth to the right hand even directly to the Lord As for Abraham he knew him not and therefore he spake not a word to Abraham to Jsaac or Jacob Psal 73.25 in any of his troubles whom have I in heaven but thee was his saying unto God The 1. use The 1 use Let us learne here in whom to trust at all times it is in the LORD All other things whatsoever will faile but the Lord faileth never Some helpers faile in will though they may they will not and some faile in power though they will they may not but the Lord is sure on all sides there is nothing that may doe us good but God is able to doe it looke how able he is in power he is as willing for our well If we want any thing that we desire it is either because we aske it not Jam. 4.3 or because wee aske amisse that wee may consume it upon our lusts or because what we aske is not expedient for us wee often seeke from God and weepe for things which we would have as children weepe for knives which their parents will not give unto them because they would be hurtfull unto them Many of Gods children have crying desires for wheate Psal 4.6 wine and oyle this worlds wealth and ease but God knowes that many would be hurt thereby and therefore grants not unto them their desires The Lord forbid that God had suffered us to get our hearts desire at all times the best of us had been in hell ere now if God had given us all our will a yeares peace or plentie O what a change maketh it among a people O how hurtfull is it to the souls of many who crammed with hypocrisie can crake of pietie and soulder their gracelesse doings with great ostentation The 2. use The 2 use Let this serve for reproofe to Papists who all slabbered in the dirt of mans inventions most foolishly distrusting GODS good will Jon. 2.8 forsake their owne mercie in steede of crying to the LORD they court the Lâ—dy Mary which is their Queene of heaven Isa 44.7 they also run from God to the Saints as though they had a greater regard unto us or loved us better then God If we had done the thousand parts of the wrongs to them that wee have done unto God though they had beene our fathers and our mothers they had all cursed us Gen. 9.25 as Noah did to Cham Cham so farre as I can reade had but once scorned his father and for that once his father cursed him but wee have ten thousand times scorned God and yet he hath blessed us and blesseth us still His wayes are not our wayes Isa 55 8 and his thoughts are not our thoughts for as farre as the heavens are above the earth as farre are his wayes above our wayes and his thoughts above our thoughts so it is of his mercy and love Isa 49.15 though a mother forget her childe the Lord can not forget his children thus they who goe to others then to God are deceived as if men not content with the light of the Sun would goe to seeke light from the Moone who hath all her light from the Sunne Of all such God may well say as he said in the dayes of Jeremiah Jer. 2.27 they have turned the back and not the face Jonah marketh such with this black blot Jonah 2.8 These that observe lying vanities forsake their owne mercie It was not so great a wonder under the law to see men idolaters Cant. 2.9 bcause then Christ but looked out at a window and shewed himselfe through a lattesse darklie but O now in his Gospel he come out at doores clearâ— with Behold me Behold me â— for us let our refuge in all diâ—esses bee to God and Christ his Sonne Iohn 17.3 this is life eternall said Christ in his prayer only Christ is Mediator onely by him our prayers are heard many Pagans did excell in morall things but because they knew not Christ they could not finde the doore of heaven this made a father to say of that great Philosopher Aristotle August Vae tibi Aristoteles laudaris ubi non es damnaris ubi es Wo to thee O Aristotle who art commended where thou art not and condemned where thou art The second Part. The Prayer WE have heard unto whom the Prophet here maketh his prayer it is unto the Lord now let us consider the prayer iâ— selfe Arise disappoint him caâ— him down deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy sword Iâ— this prayer there be foure petitions 1. Arise 2 Disappoinâ— him 3. Cast him down 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked witâ— thy sword Angustiati animi suspiria one calleth well thesâ— foure petitions the groanes of soul in a great straite The first Petition Arise THe first thing that the Psalmist here requireth of the Lord is that he would Arise and make him ready for his help Arise O LORD When God for causes known to himselfe delayes his help he seemeth to his servants to be like a man lying or sleeping Hence are all these formes of speaches of the godly Arise Psal 3.7 O Lord save me Psal 10.1 why standest thou afarre off O Lord why hidest thou thy selfe in times of trouble Againe Arise O Lord Psal 10.12 O God lift up thine hand forget not the humble Againe Awake Psal 44.23 why sleepest thou O Lord Arise cast us not off for ever againe vers 26 Arise for our help for thy mercies sake the Scriptures are full of Arise and awake which distressed men cry unto God whilâ— he delayes to help them The doctrine Observe here first that Goâ— cometh not ever at the first unâ—to his servants in their afflictions he will have them to taste yeâ— whiles to drink of the bitter cup before he let it passe from them that afterward they may thâ— better taste and see how good 〈◊〉 the LORD Psal 34.8 when he hath delivered them Cum differt auxilium videtur Deus sedere otiosus Isa 26.16 God sometime will seeme to his servants very carelesse of their miserie as iâ— he were a man lyen down to sleep but all that is to stirre up the hearts of his servants to cry the more mightily unto him and also to let them see their owne weaknesse of faith and how that
the mighty ones It shall bee at last sung in a song of victory vers 27. At our feete they bowed and fell at our feete they bowed and fell Where they bovved there they fell dovvne dead All our enemies like Adam in his sinne shall flee away and thrust their head in a bush If we be Gods friends God shall be their enemie whether they fight in valleyes or hills let them hitch up as high as they can were it to set their nest among the Stars Obad. 4. thence shall he bring them down As mountaines could not save his enemies in the day of water neither shall the fountaines save them in the last day of fire GODS friends may well say Psal 66.12 vve vvent through fire and vvater but his foes are burnt in the one and drowned in the other they shall not be able to make any shift for a shelter Let us flee Exod. 14 25. said the Egyptians for the LORD fighteth for Israel This at last shall be the case of all our enemies though they were in number like the sand Judg. 7.12 if we by a reformed life studie to please him who is the GOD of armies for as Moses sang at the red Sea Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of Warre he triumphingly at the last sets his foot upon the necks of all his enemies But if wee provoke GOD by our sinnes Josh 7.20 as Achan did at Jericho If we grieve the Angels who clap their vvings for joy at our conversion Luk. 15.10 if wee make griefe to goe to these thresholds of joy if we make these ministring Spirits to blush at our wicked deeds Heb. 1.14 if we draw back Heb. 10.38 so that GODS soul have no pleasure in us if we rebell and vexe his holy Spirit Isa 66.10 and for to speake so morgage our salvation or by some bastard idle thoughts barter away the joyes of a good conscience for any triffles of pleasure profite or preferment like Esau who preferred pottage to his birthright Gen. 25.34 or like the Gergesites who desired Christ the Saviour to depart from their costs Mat. 8.34 that they might save their swine in a word if such wicked thoughts lodge within us vve shall in the day of Battell flee like sheepe scattered on the mountaines 2 Chron. 18.16 When the Israelites fled shamefully from before the men of Aï the Lord declared to Joshuah their great Generall the cause of their flight Israel hath sinned Josh 7.11 and have transgressed my Covenant c. vers 12. Therefore they could not stand before their enemies If Generalls of armies vvould not vvith Joshuah bee ashamed of the flight of their souldiers let them by all meanes endeavour that no wicked persons be tolerate in their armies For all such are but like Cuckoos which for a little space in Summer will sing a scurvy note to us but are sure to be gone before the winter blasts come Such profaine villaines vvill do no good in the day of danger when they must face a bloodie field and therefore a Generall must say of his armie as David said of his house I will walke within my house or in my armie Psal 101.2 with a perfect heart vers 3 c. I hate the worke of them that turne aside it shall not cleave to vers 4 mee A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know vers 5 a wicked person Who so privily slandereth his neighbour him shall I cut off Him that hath an high looke and a proud heart will not vers 6 I suffer Mine eyes shall be on the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me He that vvalketh in a perfect vvay vers 7 he shall serve we He that vvorketh deceit shall not dvvell vvithin my house Hee that telleth lies shall not tarrie in my sight I vers 8 vvill early destroy all the vviced of the land That I may cut off all vvicked doers from the Citie of the LORD The Generall of an armie should not onely honour GOD himselfe but also carefully see that he be honoured by others and should contemne all honour that is joyned with contempt of Christs Majestie It is storied of Gotherey of Boloigne a most excellent warriour that being in the very heate and hight of his honour he refused to bee crowned in Jerusalem with a Crovvn of gold and that because Christ his Lord had there beene crowned with a Crovvn of thornes O then what honour can come from these profaine who by wounds and passions and bloody oathes and other vilest vices Heb. 6.6 doe crucifie againe the King of glory Let these be the wordes of a generous Generall I hate the worke of them that turne aside it shall not cleave to mee a froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person c. These that delight in lies shall not tarry in my sight these who with Achan play punks for to fill their trunks with a golden wedge Josh 7.21 them will I cut off with all other vicious persons who like drunkards are couragious at the Barrell but cowards at the Battell Tumidi potando timidi pugnando all such that want grace shall have no place in my favour Let all Captaines make this a rule of their militarie Discipline wherewith as by a curb they may powerfullie pull in all these that give loose reines to themselves in all sortes of riot If this be carefully done they shall have their souldiers full of heart and health strength and courage 1 Sam. 17 13 to draw the strongest cities with ropes in a river they like Saul and Jonathan shall be swifter then Eagles 2 Sam. 1.23 and stronger then Lions The LORD shall teach their hands to warre so that a bow of steele shall bee broken by their armes Pal. 18.34 their enemies when they see them shall all agast with gastly lookes cry with the Egyptians at the red Sea Let us flee from the face of Israel Exod. 14.25 for the LORD fighteth for them against us Thus shall it be done to the armie of these that in holinesse fight the Battels of the LORD In whose royall hand is the royall gift of victorie in this life and after this life the victorious wreaths with palmes in hands Rev. 7.9 and crownes on heads in the Heaven of Heavens the place of our desired rest and the rest of all our desires To him bee glory for ever Amen A PRAYER FOR AN ARMIE IN THE DAY OF BATTELL O LORD the great GOD of Armies and commander of Battels in whose hand is the breath of all men who hast a full power to save or destroy there is none like unto thee Wee who stand in great need of thy help intreat thee for thy mercy this day Let not the sinnes of any like the sin of Achan deprive us of thy assistance and protection at this present