glory and welfare of a Kingdom consists in the maintenance of truth SUch as have no confidence in God their hearts must needes faile them in undertakings of danger but faith feares not though in the vally of the shaddow of death HAving Christ to bee ours and our soules his though the world were on a light fire yet we shall not perish OUr knowledge of Christ is the cause of our love and if wee love him we will fight against his enemies VIctory joy pleasure and peace are comming to the people of God but only with the comming of Christ LOve can extend the passions of the heart to the thing loved and yet cannot apprehend Christ hee must be apprehended before he be loved that love will make us defend his cause DReadfull curses fall commonly upon all those that take part with the enemies of Christ fighting to maintaine the cause of Antichrist David saith none of their weapons shall prosper Psal 54.17 EVen the consideration that our warre is surrounded with the prayers of all Gods people is incouragement enough for a man to goe on RIghteous men shall rejoyce when they shall see the vengeance that comes upon the wicked and shall wash their feete in their blood YF God give quietnesse who can make warre when hee hides his face who can behold him whether it bee done against a nation or a man only OUr sorrowes and sicknesse our paines and perturbations pestilence famine and warre are the fruits of sinne and the manifestation of Gods displeasure against sinners VNgodly men may take councell together but it shall bee brought to naught yea though they make a confederacy it shall be broken to peeces for God will bee a Sanctuary and a rocke of defence to all his REprobates and ungodly men are Sathans Souldiers and yet Gods pentioners and revolted to the enemy Demas had been with Paul professed with Paul laboured with Paul and yet for this present world forsooke Paul POlicie succours or abundance doe but rather entangle and disable our resistance but the wisedome comfort and powerfulnesse of the holy Spirit are the armes with which wee shall beat downe our enemies IShmael Moab and the Haggarens Gabell and Ammon Amalecke and the Philistines the men of Tyre and Ashur all had severall gods yet all these conspire against the true God KEepe not backe thy sword from destroying of Gods enemies for God pronounceth a Curse upon those that doe his worke negligently EHud Joshuah David and his Worthies were all men of great knowledge given to temperance sobriety and chastity these ought to be the vertues of Souldiers COwards are alwayes enemies to God and his Cause to sit still in these times is to be luke-warm professors of base and sordid spirits HEe that joynes himselfe to a Rebell no man can know him from a Rebell such surely were never of us that have beene and are bloody against us A Reformation is the most of our enemies feare and the true cause that the Devill and his Instruments do so bestir themselves at this time REvenge the blood of Gods Saints and the many outrages committed against his Servants for the whole Church of God cals to come into the help of the Lord and his people against the mighty GOd teacheth us not to looke upon our Enemies as Countreymen and Kinsmen but as his enemies and siders with Antichrist therefore our eye must not pity them nor our sword spare them Jer. 48.10 EVery man stands upon his guard especially when our Enemies have drawne their swords upon us to invade our person and whatsoever else is deare unto us YOu may seeke peace and follow after it yet when the beast makes warre against the Saints of God you must then take up Armes Rev. 19.19 OUr Lives and Religion fought for with courage brings Christ to take our parts who wil not faile to give us victory in the end VIolence requireth resistance yea it 's lawfull alwaies to take up Armes when there is no safety without them Paul makes it a fruit of faith to be valiant Heb. 11.34 REad the Historie of the Bible for you shall finde that the Art Military is no where so wel to be learned as from that great and high Commander the Lords of Hosts Isa 10.24.26 PRinces are happy when their Armies are like King Davids souldiers surely Kings of Davids heart will have no souldiers but such as King Davids were 1 Chro. 12.38 IN Zebulon were fifty thousand men expert in warre that could keepe their order in Rankes besides they were not double-hearted KIng David had a great company of souldiers at his backe yet he slew Goliah alone and had none to help him so faith alone conquers EVery just and warranted war God is with and in the end giveth victory he helped the Rubenites and other Tribes and cast downe their enemies 1 Chron. 5.20 SOuldiers to bee religious couragious valiant and skilfull in military profession is required of God himselfe Deut. 23.9 HE that for ever suffered that we might not suffer for ever will not plead for those above that will not fight for him below OUr God will teach our hands to war and our singers to fight yea also cover our heads in the day of Barrell UNgodly men have their day wherein they may execute theirown pleasure as it were without controule but Christ the Judge of all shall have his day DElinquents Jesuits and Firebrands of mischiefe are not able to abide the triall of Justice and therefore past hope of recovery by any lawfull treaty EVery thing is that which it loves so the wicked are the worlds because they affect the world REspect nor protect a Newter for they that are not with God are against him but he will deale with them accordingly Curse ye Merosh Judg. 5.23 YF Samuel mourne because God hath cast away Saul Samuel must cease mourning because God hath cast away Saul by his just Judgement OUr best evidence of the maintenance of Christs Cause is when his Enemies are destroyed and his owne people refreshed and comforted VErtuous men such as Abraham Josuah and David are alwaies victorious and prevailent against Gods Enemies ROyall hearts ever disdain to follow pleasure though somtimes lawfull when they should be in the field this contempt was in Vriah 2 Sam. 11.11 PRayer is alwaies a speciall meanes to procure victory Israel fought but Moses prayers made them prevaile IGnorant men are not fit for service for not a multitude but art and exercise getteth victory Israels souldiers were all expert men Judg. 20.16 KIngdome is risen against Kingdome and Nation against Nation Gods Church is trodden underfoot it must be so for a time yet there is hope if we war aright EXalt thy self O God and deliver us from our Enemies defend us from those that rise up against us let thy glory bee above all the earth PIety makes men valiant for God being reconciled to such death if it come will be their advantage Araham David Josuah
and Josiah were all valiant men ONely such men as have bought experience at a high rate are fit to command for advancement is the true reward of desert REst not too much upon meanes though the best be to be used for a horse prepared for the Battell is a vaine thing for safety saith Solomon is of the Lord Prov. 21.31 TRust in God with prayers and supplications asking councell of him prospereth an Army and procureth victory Judg. 20.18 23 26. YOu may put confidence in God for faith in Christ withstands all encounters yea it is he that mannages all just causes O Foolish Souldier thousands of thine Enemies stand about thee rather be sick then slothfull UNlesse we defend Gods glory when it 's in question our tongues and hands are tied by the Devill and not loosed by God RUn with patience unto the race that is set before thee by death Christ came unto us by death let us not grudge to go to him POlicie wisdome and experience is required in Commanders and no lesse dexterity and skill in common Souldiers but above all have a strong faith IT was faith which steeled Moses and made him esteem the reproaches of Christ greater then the Treasures of Aegypt Heb. 11.14 25 26. KNowledge of the experiences that Gods people have had in former Ages and his love exprest to his servants in these times is sufficient to take away all faint-heartednesse EVery good man sleepeth more secure in his Tent then the sinner in his Baricadoed Fortifications TRue faith brings the peace of God to our conscienes good report victory over our Enemies and bringeth us to all other blessings REcommend thy selfe to God by prayer before thou goest to God for no mans work can please God unlesse the person of the worker be first acceptable to him A Souldier to be indifferent in Gods Cause is both dangerous and damnable not to oppose them that oppose God is to be Gods Enemy IF a man consider seriously the evill of cowardice and the excellency of valour it will make him abhorre the one and be ambitions of the other LOve can extend the passions of the heart to the thing loved and yet cannot apprehend Christ he must be apprehended before he be loved and that love will make us defend his Cause YF we did but love Christ as well as we ought to doe or but so well as we say we doe wee would take his part more boldly OUr knowledge of a propriety in God challengeth and earnest affection UNlesse our knowledge of Christ breed humiliation we are vain-glorious never seeking Christs honor but our owne REjoyce in this honor that ye know Christ for it is a knowledge whosoever seeketh is wise whosoever getteth is rich whosoever keepeth is strong and whosoever injoyeth is blessed for ever PRovident policy though never so circumspect may be subject to errour therefore not to be trusted in much lesse to be gloried in IN much rest upon Confederates there is great danger but especially let not a Jehosaphat helpe and Ahab 2 Chron. 19.2 Chron. 25.6 KIng Ezekiahs comfort was that God was with him to fight his battells and Moses saith feare not but stand still c. 2 Chron. 31.8 Exod. 14.14 EVery wicked man hath the feet of a wolfe whatsoever he treads on shall never prosper but a whole Army fares the better for a good Ezekiah COwardly dismayings which put men upon sinfull shifts in troublesome times is odious both to God and man HE that dares not fight nor performe his charge for feare is to be punished God commands cowards to bee turned out of the Army EXpect not to prosper in any warre unlesse you hearken to Gods voice Oh that my people would have heard my voice then would I soon have destroyed their Enemies Psal EVery man that carries any command let him bee sure to order himselfe well or else his command will soon grow into contempt CAll to minde what God hath done for Israel hee is a Man of Warre his right hand is become glorious he hath dashed his Enemies in pieces Exod. 15. KNowledge in Commanders procures fear from Enemies love from friends and honor to themselves for Solomon saith knowledge is better then weapons of War YF you suffer Idolatry in an Army you procure the greatest of Gods Judgements upon you and so become naked of his protection this overthrew Joash 2 Chron. 25.7 OVer-many words pride envy and the fruits thereof tend to provoke the breach of peace therefore not to be suffered in an Army hence arose the bloudy wars betweene Ephraim and Jephta Judg. 12.9 VSefull peace may somtimes be made with such as may injure us when we go to war with others lest while we set upon one we be invaded by another 1 Sam. 7.14 Esa 37.19 REad how Abraham the first Generall accepted of aid in warre therefore let no man presume upon his owne strength Gen. 14.14 2 Sam. 10.6 PUrsue thine Enemy with a full Army Israel got nothing by sending a small number against Ai therefore use thy best strength to obtain victory Ios 8.1 JN the Tribe of Gad there were men for strength called Men of Might for courage they had faces like Lyons and for-footmanship as swift as Roes 1 Chron. 12.8 KEep all promises made by thy selfe or by others by vertue of thy Warrant for it is a true marke of piety Josuah was carefull of this to the deceitfull Gibeonites Ios 6.22.9.19 EVery determination in an Enemy to fight must cause thee to fore-see and attend such traps and ambushments which may in execution suddenly come upon thee CAll to mind what God himselfe wrought for the Israelites when they were refreshed and the Enemy strongly deceived by the sun-shine upon the water 2 King 3.22 23. HE that overthrowes an enemy by craft as plaine meaning Abijah was by Ieroboam shall be served as Ieroboam God loves no machivilian policy 2 Chron. 13.13 14 15 16 17. ALl advantages may be used or any stratagem for the overthrow of an Enemy so it be not against breach of oath godlinesse or the Law of nature and Nations REmember after the example of Christs parable to go forth to war With a full Army for an enemy is rather heartned then hurt by small numbers Luk. 14.31 GIdeon sent out spies into the Enemies camp to hearken after the feare and terrour that is in an Enemy is a great heartening to go forward Iudg. 7.10 11 13. EVill reports dis-heartens an Army and therefore not to be suffered this God punished in his owne people Num. 14.27 YOu may somtimes receive entertainment from the friends and subjects of an Enemy dis-joyning the hearts of such as bee at one with him may weaken this power and be a more easie way to get victory ONe victory gotten with a full Army fairly is almost the winning of a whole Countrey Caesars victory at Alexandria drew almost all France to him VSe all expedition in war as Saul did upon Nabash and Iosuah
THat man is blessed that lives a holy life nothing can make him poore he graceth all conditions honors and places HE that loves the world and yet hopes for heaven let him cease that love and know that if Christ makes us deny this world he will give us a better EVery man is afflicted in this world that he may be humbled yea many sores on thy flesh that fewer sinnes may be on thy soule REfraining of sin brings Christ into Armies but fruitfulnesse in goodnesse brings him into our hearts JN an Army none are so happily fed as those who wait upon God for their daily bread and are therewith satisfied competency is a good souldiers content GOod things are not wearisome in their continuall use our daily bread though daily received is to be daily craved HE that with patience kisseth Gods striking hand is happy for there is no greater argument of patience then the acknowledgement of a divine hand in our suffering THe patience of God is greater then the wickednesse of man yet let not sinners presume the silent Judge will at last speake home ORder and due execution of strict Discipline is the strongest guard to keep an Army from distruction if Moses offend he must taste of the great Generall Gods displeasure REconcile your consciences and carefully keep at a distance from all sin and put thy whole confidence in God rest upon his promise and fear not to prevaile LEarne of zealous Paul not to count your lives deare unto you that thereby you may finish your lives with joy EVery distrustfull suspicion of our owne present condition makes us feare least God is now filling up his cup of wrath for us to drinke off but remember Davids saying in 42. Psal 11. FEed not your fears nor fancies with such thoughts as are apt to terrifie and affright you Esa 33.18 THe true cause why God may be slack in delivering of an Army from an approaching danger may proceed from a neglect of praising him for deliverances past HHappy is the man that gets a resolution to live because his time is not yet come to die pitching his desires upon the pleasures which have neither bounds nor end AS thou knowest not when or where death will meet thee so thou must remember that alwaies and in every place he seeketh for thee NEver had any man perfect rest in this world for it deceives all that put their trust therein DIvers are the miseries and sorrowes of this life and few the pleasures to make us more desirous of heaven where there is nothing but pleasure OLd age may be good three waies naturally morally and spiritually the last is best when a man can looke both waies backward with comfort to his life past forward with joy to his reward to come REsolve that nothing shall hurt thee for sinne is the sting of all troubles plucke out the sting and devide all the malice of the Serpent DIrect an awfull eye towards thy last account and it will by many degrees be more carefull of the manner then the matter of actions both how and what thou doest EVerlastingly to be exiled from Gods in whom is life must needs be an everlasting death if Gods presence be fulnesse of joy the fulnesse of sorrow must needs be in his absence REmember our head is in heaven what makes our hearts upon earth it is fit the head and heart should go together YF this temporall life which we know be so precious and that time must determine it how precious is that which is equall with eternitie OLd in knowledge and obedience is blessed the hoarie head is a crowne of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse VErtue adds to a regenerate man a new splendor which together with the honor of his house challengeth respect from all RUine and destruction are in the paths of the wicked and the way of peace they shall never know that contemne and oppose the Gospell of Christ PRay still and God will answer and what is wanting in our endeavours God will make up of his sufficient mercies JN death and dust who can say this is the Skull of a King that of a Captaine this of a Polititian that of a Foole this of an Officer that of a Souldier KNowledge never rests till his faith be built on assurance that God hath pardoned his sin and given him a place in heaven EVery man whose eternall election and present justification is such that he can call God father his Saviour brother and the Holy Ghost his Comforter the terrors of death amaze him not for he knowes whom he hath trusted and whether death shall lead him FINIS