Good Soldiers Described and Animated

PREFACE.

AFTER the Great and Extraordinary Acceptance which the following SERMON met with, from so Numerous and Judicious an Audience in the Delivery of it from the Pulpit, I cannot but think it will be very acceptable to everyone from the Press. I can by no means therefore comply with the desire of the Reverend Author to me, that I would Excuse his yielding to the Printing of it. I think none that heard it will allow me to say a word on that head: And after such an uncommon Attention as the Discourse commanded when it was uttered, there is no room neither left for me to commend it to them that heard it.

THE Author in a kind and obliging Letter to me ascribes the unexpected and undeserved Favor of GOD to him, unto the Prayers of a very religious People, which Heaven hath committed to his Care; upon whom he had called to strive together with Him in Prayer to, GOD for him, that his Service might be accepted of the Saints. And now that it has pleased GOD to give a remarkable Answer unto their Prayers, I beseech Him also to give 'em Humbleness of Mind, whereby they may accept aright and improve His Grace shown them.

IT is a peculiar Honor to any Ministers of the Gospel, (and thro' Grace we have not a few among us who share in it) when in retired Places of Service; out of the way of Fame or any worldly reward, they are diligent in their Studies and laboring in the Word and Doctrine, to feed the Flock of GOD among them; Studying to show themselves approved unto GOD, Workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth; that by the help of GOD they may be wise to win Souls, be Masters of acceptable Words, and meet to stand and teach (if called of GOD thereto) before the Greatest of Men. The Author is among us a shining Example of this Diligence and Proficiency, and GOD is pleased to own and crown his Labors with an uncommon Success: There being within these Three last Months added to the Church in Bradford no less than Forty and Six Persons: May they indeed be so many Seals of his Ministry, and his Joy in the Day of CHRIST, and the LORD add many more to 'em daily, such as shall be saved.

MAY their worthy Pastor be long continued, a more abundant Blessing to them, and a diffusive one to others: And particularly I pray GOD that this Martial Lecture Sermon may be as profitable to the Gentlemen of the ARTILLERY COMPANY, and others of us, in the Reading of it, as it was Pleasant in the hearing: That as the Preacher was unto us as a very lovely Song of one that has a pleasant Voice, and can play well on an Instrument; So now that we have heard his words we may be of them that do 'em; And then we shall indeed know WHO has been among us.

AN Artillery-Election SERMON.

THE Relations in which the All-wise GOD, the Supreme and Absolute Monarch of the Universe, is pleased in His Adorable Sovereignty to place the Children of Men to this state of Probation. And the Powers, He sees meet to furnish them with, for the Service of their Generation in their respective Posts, are very many and various: yet all of them are Essential, or at+least Useful and Needful to the Well-Being of the Body Politick; Insomuch, that the Mechanic cannot say to the Civil Magistrate, I have no need of thy Conduct and Protection: nor can the Civil Magistrate say to the Labouring Tribes of Zebulon and Issachar, I have no need of your Obedience, and the Fruits of your Painful Industry; seeing even Crowned Heads themselves do (under God) depend continually on them for their Establishment, Preservation, and Supplies.

AND as it is GOD, the Fountain of Honor, who in His uncontrollable and mysterious Providence maketh Men to differ; setting up one, and pulling down another; and distributing Gifts to them, as to kind and degree, according to His Holy Will: So He requires and expects, that every Man should abide in his Calling, and seek to excel in his own Sphaere, in the Improvement of all his Endowments and Enjoyments for the Honor of GOD, his Bountiful Benefactor, and the Interest of his Prince and Country.

INDEED Men may seek to Excel, and may really do so, in some respects; and yet how much so-ever They may value themselves on the score of their Foreign Excellencies, They deserve little Commendation, because they donit seek to Excel in their proper Business: or because they have no higher view, than their own Credit or Secular Interest, in such their seeking to Excel.

THUS, for a Clergy-man to be an Ingenious Mechanic, or a considerable States-man, but a Mean Divine, a poor Clerk; or to seek to Excel, because he loves to have the Pre-eminence: or for an Advocate to be able to play skillfully on a Musical Instrument, while he is a Weak Disputant, and a Dull Orator; or to seek to Excel in the Art of Pleading, merely to draw the more Clients, and fill his own Coffers: In a Word, for a Professor of the Art of War, to be a Great Astronomer, but unacquainted with the Mysteries of his own Profession; to be Timorous, or False-hearted; or to seek to Excel in this Art, merely to gratify an Ambitious Humour,—How Dishonourable and Unbecoming is This!

WHEREAS for Those, that are set at the Upper End of the World, and hold the Reins of Government, to seek, that they may Excel in the Secret Mysteries of State-Policy, and in all their Public Administrations, of Civil Power, to the Happiness, and (as far as may be) to the Satisfaction of the Common-Wealth: And for such, as Wait at God's Altar, to seek, that they may Excel (according to their Advantages) in Ministerial Gifts, and in Grace, to the Edifying of the Church, the Salvation of their own Souls, and the Souls of those that hear them: For those that are Employ'd in Educating of Youth, to seek, that they may Excel in Learning, and in the Art of Teaching, to the Softning the Manners, and Greatning the Minds of Youth, and Forming them for Public Service; still Training them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord: And for all Men of Business, and all Sorts of Relatives to seek, that they may Excel in their various Capacities and Stations for the Public Good: Briefly, for such, as are called to Learn, and as occasion serves, to Practice the Art Military, to seek, that they may Excel in all Martial Accomplishments and Atchievments, for the Security and Preservation of the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the People of GOD; This is Good and Acceptable in the sight of GOD our Savior.

AGREEABLY in the Sacred Oracles we find Good Soldiers, still mentioned with Honor: And particularly in our Text, the Soldiers belonging to the Tribe of Zebulun are commended, as being Men that Excel'd in Martial Qualifications.

IN this Chapter before us we've an Account of Two Musters of the Militia of Israel.

THE First, which was partly at Ziklag, and more fully at Hebron, was very considerable: for we are told, ver. 22. that there came to David to help him, until it was a Great Host, like the Host of God: i. e.

THE Second was a General Muster at Hebron. Agreeably we read, Chap. II. 1. All Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron—.

Now, Here let usobserve the Great and Noble Design, the Glorious Occasion, and Joyful Issue of these Musters.

THE Design of the Former Muster was to make David, King over Judah; which they effected to very good Purpose, and great Satisfaction, and Advantage: and David reigned over that Tribe only Seven Years; during which, there was a long War between the house of Saul and the house of David: But David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker, 2 Sam. 3. 1. David rose gradually; being first Anointed King in Reversion; then in Possession of One Tribe only, and at last of All the Tribes. And thus (says the Pious and Excellent HENRY) "The Kingdom of the Messiah, the Son of David, is set up by Degrees: He is Lord of all by Divine Designation, but we see not yet all things put under Him, Heb. 2. 8. But, Lord, How Long!

THE Occasion of the Latter Muster was, to perfect the Translation of the Kingdom of Israel from the House of Saul, after, the Death of Ishbosheth, to the Illustrious House of David; or to make David King over All Israel, ver. 38.

Now the Service, thus done by the Israelitish Regiments for their Prince and Country: occasioned Joy in Israel and many Thanksgivings to God: which, with their Military Skill, Obsequiousness, Courage, Loyalty and Faithfulness, is recorded to their Everlasting Praise, and for the Perpetual Instruction, Imitation, and Encouragement of that Order of Men: And also to teach the People of GOD, what Regards are to be paid to Men of their Character.

IN our Text we are informed, 1. Of the Quota of the Tribe of Zebulun, in this General Muster; They were Fifty Thousand. 2. We have their Character, consisting of Divers Articles; which we may particularly Consider and Explain, in speaking to this Observation from the Words, as related to the Context: Scil,

THAT Good Soldiers are an Useful, and Honorable Order of Men, and a Great Blessing to their Prince, and Country.

SUCH Soldiers, as are described in our Text, are no little part of the Beauty and Strength of God's Israel. They're an Honor to their Prince and Country, and deserve well of both.

IN Discoursing this Point, I shall, First, consider the Duty and Character of Soldiers, so far as it is laid before us in our Text. Secondly, Endeavor to confirm the Truth of our Doctrine. Thirdly, Make some Practical Reflections: and Conclude with a Brief Address to the Gentlemen, that have called me to this Service.

First. WE are to consider the Duty and Character of Soldiers, as Exhibited to us in the Text: or What sort of Soldiers these Zebulinites were.

And here,

1. THEY were (what it is proper all, that profess themselves Soldiers, should be) Expert in War. Instructi ad Bellum. They were not Raw and Unacquainted with the very Rudiments of Soldiery: but were well Disciplin'd, and like Abraham's Servants, Trained up in the Art of War.

THE Field-Officers, and all under Authority amongst them, were Men of Good Conduct; knew the Business of their respective Posts, how to behave themselves, and how to govern in an Army, both in the Camp and in the Field of Battle, according to the Usage of those Ancient Times. To allude to what is said of the Men of Issachar, They had Understanding, in Military Affairs, to know what Israel ought to do. They were no Strangers to Martial Law, and knew well When, and How to put it in Execution.

THE Private Soldiers were Skilful, and Dextrous in Handling their Arms, and Obeying the Directions of their Commanders; so as to Defend themselves, and Destroy their Enemies. It was the Commendation of those, that came to David at Z • klag, Ver. 2. that they could use both the Right Hand and the Left, in ••• ing Stones, and shooting Arrows cut of a Bow: And of the G • dites, ver. 8. that they could handle Shield and Buckler: And of the Chosen Men of Benjamin, Jud. 20. 16, that they could everyone sling Stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss: i. e. with great Exactness. Now it's Evident both from Reason and Scripture, that all, that are called to be Soldiers, are obliged, as far as possible, to imitate these Examples in Military Skill, and Expertness in War.

2. THEY were (what it's very desirable all Soldiers should be) Men that could keep Rank. 〈…〉 . They deserved order, which is the Beauty and Strength of an Army. The Officers could do their part, and the private Soldiers their's; that their Ranks might not be broken by the Enemy; or that the Army might Rally again immediately, and repair any Breach that might happen, and still make g ••• their Front, and maintain their Ground, and prevent Disorder and Confusion in the Army, which often proves fatal in a Battle. Now this denotes and requires not only Skill, but 〈◊〉 and Strength and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . They were Men of Strong Bodies, able to endure Hardness, and perform great Exploits; Effective Men. They were also Men of Great Souls, that would die a Thousand Deaths, rather than play the Coward, and basely fly from their Colours, or desert their Posts: Men, that were not afraid to look their Enemy in the face; nor were they terrified with the Thunder of their Captains, or of their Shouting. Men, whose Hearts were inflamed with a true Martial Fire, that many waters could not quench, nor the floods drown: Men, not dismayed, but animated by Difficulty, and resolved on all proper occasions with that brave General, Joab, 2 Sam. 10. 12. To play the men for their People, and the Cities of their God; leaving the Event to Him, whose is the Victory.

EVEN thus, Men, fit for Battle, are Men of Might, ver. 8. who have faces like the faces of Lions, and are as swift as Roes upon the Mountains, not to flic from, but to pursue their Enemy. It's desirable, they should, with David, be girded with Strength, that even the bow of Steel may be broken by their arms, Psal. 18. 34. Then though' ( the Race is not to the swift, nor the Battle to the strong, yet) Humanely speaking, it may be hoped, that from the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty, their Bow will not turn back, nor their Sword return empty.

3. THEY were (what it's highly reasonable and needful all Soldiers should be) Men, that were not of Double Heart. Absque Corde & Corde. They were True Men; Men of Integrity. Double-heartedness is opposed to Faithfulness. Psal. 12. init. Help Lord for the Faithful fail—with a double Heart do they speak: q. d.

They have divers Setts of Thoughts, and speak according to the Company they are with. Such double-minded Men, donit make good Soldiers; there's no trusting of them, no depending on such Unstable Souls.

THE Men of Zebulun were not so: they were not governed by private, sinister Views, like furious Jehu, pretending Zeal for the Lord of Hosts, Zeal for the Church, the Church; whilst his main design was to aggrandise Himself and Family. No, they abhorred everything so mean and little, and had still the great Interests of their King and People very much at Heart.

[ THEY were not of Double Heart, ] This may intend, that they were faithful to one another. The Officers were faithful to each other; not striving to break one another from Envy, Revenge or for filthy Lucre: And they were faithful to the Soldiers under them, not imposing on them unnecessary Burdens, nor betraying them to their Enemies (as Joab did Uriah, ) not robbing them of, or detaining from 'em their Wages, or invading their Privileges; but carefully instructing them, by Precept and Example, in the Art of War: improving all their skill and interest for their safety and happiness, and to render them serviceable.

THE Private Soldiers (we'll hope) were also faithful to their Commanders, and one to another. They cheerfully observed the Laws of the Camp: were at their Officer's Commandment, verse. 32. And everyone minded His own Business.

THUS it's needful that All military Men, whether Officers or private Soldiers, should be faithful to one another. That they should be of one heart, in promoting the great Ends of their Calling, (as the Israelites were of one heart, to make David King, ver. 38.) that they should stand by one another, and endeavor to Preserve, Assist and Encourage one another. If Soldiers are not faithful to one another, if their heart be divided one from another, they'll soon be found faulty: they may easily mischief, yea destroy one another, and it's well, if they donit do so.

AGAIN, The Zebulunites were not of double Heart, but loyal and faithful to their King, and Country. They all (at least by their Representatives) readily took the Oath of Allegiance at the King's Coronation. 2 Sam. 5. 3. And in taking of it, they sware in Truth, in Judgment, and in Righteousness; without any mental Reservation; for they came with perfect heart to Hebron, to make David King, ver. 38: And there David made a League with them. Considered collectively, they were not of double heart, i. e., They were not some for David, and others secretly against him. And considered distributively, they were not of double heart: i. e.

In short, None of them (says the ingenious Mr. HENRY in Loc.)

EVEN so, All Soldiers should be loyal to their rightful Sovereign, and faithful to their Country. Disloyalty and Rebellion in Soldiers, especially in Officers, is an horrid Crime, and of wretched Consequence.

INDEED, we donit exhort to Passive Obedience and Non-Resistance in the utmost Latitude, in which those Doctrines have been preached up by some, who (as the Pharisees and Lawyers did of old,) bind heavy Burdens on Men's shoulders, while they Themselves will not touch them with one of their fingers. For (as an Excellent Divine of the Church of England observes) We ought not to press on others, what in like circumstances we our+selves are unwilling to perform. But we've sufficient Warrant to put all our Hearers (and consequently Soldiers) in mind, To submit to the King, as Supreme; and to Governors, as unto them that are sent, 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. To exhort every Soul, to be subject to the Higher Powers, Rom. 13. 1. Not to speak evil of Dignities. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Jude. 8. And especially, not to speak evil of the Ruler of their People, Act. 23. 5. but to fear God and honor the King, 1 Pet. 2. 17.

Now when Soldiers are thus loyal, as David was to Saul, while his Subject; and as David's Soldiers were to Him; that can say heartily to their Prince, as Amasai of old, ver. 18. Thine are we David, and on thy side, Thou son of Jesse: The very Hearts of pious Princes and Rulers will be knit to such a Militia, as David's was to those, that came to Him at Ziklag, ver. 17.

ONCE more, May'nt we suppose, they were not of double heart, but faithful toward God? Some of them doubtless, and we hope many among fifty thousand, were Israelites indeed, not only toward their Prince, but toward their God. However, we are sure that all Soldiers should be so. All Men should serve God with Uprightness and with Singleness of heart. Their heart should be right with God, or they should be truly Religious. Soldiery is not inconsistent with the most eminent Virtue, the most shining Sanctity, the most elevated Piety.

I suppose, the Sun never shone on Three braver Warriers, than Abraham, Joshua and David: And yet who more Renowned for the Power of Godliness, than those Worthies? Cornelius, a Roman Captain, was a devout Man, and one that feared God with all his house. And he had a devout Soldier that waited on him continually, Act. 10. 2. 7.

THO' Men, in some sense, may be said to be G • od Soldiers, that are none of the Best Christians; yet the Better Men are, ( Coeteris Paribus, ) the better Soldiers they make. And verily such only are truly Religious, who are Sincere, and in whose Spirits there is no allowed Guile. And such Soldiers may expect to have God on their side, (when called forth to Service) to cover their Heads, and fight their Battels, to help them to do valiantly, and to tread down their Enemies. And such Only may expect to have the Lord of Hosts with them and for them: and to have occasion to call upon one another, saying, Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously!

So then, Soldiers should be Good Men, and True: Faithful to one another, Loyal to their Prince, and Devout toward God. And truly such, as are not Upright toward God, it's to be feared, would not long be Loyal to their Prince. Neither do they deserve, nor can they expect, their Prince should be faithful to them: For such, as we are toward God, we may expect others will be toward us. Psal. 18. 25, 26. David was an upright Man, a Man after God's own heart; and God blessed Him with subjects, that were loyal and not of double Heart. But it's time to say,

4. THESE Zebulunites were (and it's necessary all Soldiers, especially when called to Service, should be,) Well Arm'd. They appeared on this Occasion with all Instruments of War, (i. e. that were then in use and proper for that Service) to suppress any Insurrection; and to put down and subdue such as might presume to oppose the King's Coronation; to keep the public Peace, and grace the Solemnity.

SOLDIERS without Weapons are but naked Men. Counsel and Strength for War would not do well without Weapons of War. Indeed Wisdom is better without Weapons of War, than Weapons of War without Wisdom. Eccl. 9. 18. But alas! though' Men are as skillful as Abraham, as valiant as Joshua, and as loyal and devout as David, (who was a None-such for Faithfulness, 1 Sam. 22. 14.) yet unarm'd, they are unfit for Service, a mere and an easy Prey to their Enemies in ordinary Cases!

IT was great Policy in the Philistines of old, to suffer no Smith to dwell in the Land of Israel, (while they had Dominion over them) lest the Hebrews should make them Swords or Spears, 1 Sam. 13. 19. And it was no less Prudence in Abraham, not only to Train his three hundred and eighteen Men; but to have Arms ready to fit them for an Expedition on the least imaginable Warning. And sad was the Case of Israel, when in the day of Battle there was neither Sword nor Spear found in the Hand of any of the People.—1 Sam, 1 • . 20.

SOLDIERS should then he Armed. But this is not all: They should have Armor suitable for them; Such as they are used to, and are capable of managing: otherwise their Condition will be like David's when going to encounter the great Goliath, in Saul's Armor: which because He had not proved, He wi • ely beg'd to be excused from wearing it. Briefly, They should have Armor, if it may be, adapted to the Circumstances of the Enemy, they are to fight with. Mr. HENRY observes on that Parenthesis in David's Elegy [Also he

1 Sam. 31. 3. who could do Execution at a greater distance with their Bows, than Judah could with their Slings) 'It is pity indeed, but that skillful, courageous, loyal, and devour Soldiers should be well Arm'd.

I will only add,

5. THESE Zebulunites were (and all Soldiers should be) Men ready, when called thereto, to go forth to Battle: Or to improve their military Abilities for the Service of the Public. They came up willingly to Hebron in Arms, to attend whatever Service there was for them to do There. And no doubt they were as ready afterward to serve David in his Wars, or to go out to Battle against the common Enemies of Israel. Thus in the days of Earak the Zebulunites were among those, that are commended in the triumphant Song of Deborah, the Israelitish Virago, for offering themselves willingly, and jeoparding their Lives unto the Death in the high Places of the Field, Jud. 5. 18.

ON some extraordinary Occasions Those, that are not bred to War, may be called forth to Battle: Thus that Heroine, Deborah, took notice, that out of Zebulun came those to fight against Sisera, that handle the Pen of the Writer: Then according to Sir Richard Blackmore's Paraphrase,

How much more should those, that are furnished with military skill and courage, cheerfully improve these Talents, when Providence gives them occasion; and fight for their Brethren, their Sons, and their Daughters, their Wives, and their Houses? Neh. 4.14.

INDEED, Soldiers are not always (it may be but seldom ) called to list as Volunteers in military Service; because it is reasonable, there should be an Equality: But when Soldiers are called forth by those in Authority, they should willingly engage in whatever Service, they are called to; and not choose with the Reubenites to continue in the Sheepfolds, to bear the Bleatings of the Flocks; rather than venture into the Camp, to be regal'd with the martial sound of the Drum and Trumpet: lest they expose themselves to the bitter Curse, denounced of old against such, as came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the Mighty.

BUT thus I have considered the several. Articles, in the Character of these Zebulunitish Soldiers, with what brevity I could: and proceed now to the Second general Head of our Discourse, which (that I may'nt be guilty of Tediousness) I shall but touch upon.

LET us then consider,

Secondly, THE Evidence of this Truth; That the described Soldiers, or such as answer this Character, are an useful and honorable Order of Men, and consequently a Blessing to the Public. Here,

1. WE may argue the Truth of our Observation, from the honorable mention, made expressly or by way of allusion, of this Order of Men and of their office and work in the Sacred Oracles. Here we find the Lord Himself in the Song of Moses, (Exod. 15. 3.) styled a Man of War. Here also we find our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Co-essential & Co-equal with the Father, termed a Leader and Commander to the People; (Isai. 55. 4.) And Captain of the Lord's Host, (Josh. 5. 14.) for it was doubtless He, that appeared to Joshua at Jericho with a Sword drawn in his Hand.

IN a Word, Many of those, of whom the Apostle (in the Eleventh to the Heb.) tells us, the World was not worthy, were famous Warriours. And these Scripture-Heroe's are celebrated, amongst other things, for this particularly, (to the Immortal Honor of good Soldiers, who are also good Men, ) That thro' faith they subdued Kingdoms; stopped the mouths of Lions; and waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the Aliens.

2. WE may further argue the Truth of our Doctrine, from the Judgment of the Wisest and Best of Men; and from the Experience of the People of God in all Ages. If we consider the days of old, and read what is reported concerning Abraham, the Father of the Faithful, His arming his trained Soldiers, that were born in his house, and consequently had their military Education under him; and the use He made of them: And if we consider, what is storied of David, (who is Himself frequently styled a Man of War,) How He took Care and gave Order, at his first coming to the Throne, that his Subjects might be instructed in the Art of War: we may be satisfied, what was Their Judgment in the Case. And if we search the Histories of succeeding Ages, we shall find a mighty Cloud of Witnesses to the present Truth.

BUT to look no further, than our own Land; The Magistracy & Ministry of the Country have from the Beginning acknowledged the Valuableness of this Order of Men. The Civil Magistrate, by granting Commissions to military Officers, and making good Laws for the Observation and Encouragement of frequent Trainings, Annually: And by countenancing and cherishing for many Years, and even to this Day, the ARTILLERY COMPANY in this Town: and the Ministers of the Gospel, by the many Sermons, they've Preach'd to this COMPANY, amongst other Tokens of their Regards for good Soldiers, have amply signified their Judgment in this Case.

BESIDES (as I said) the Experience of all Ages does also evince, that such Soldiers, as these Zebulunites, are very useful for the preservation and security of the People of God. They are useful to prevent mischief. Solomon's Life-Guard of valiant Men, had every Man his Sword on his Thigh, because of fear in the Night. Cant. 3. 8. Again, They're useful to revenge Injuries, done to the Public: to recover Captives and Spoil, taken by the Enemy. Thus Abraham with his Soldiers brought back his Brother Let, and his Goods, and the Women also and the People, Gen. 14. 16. David with his men, they recovered all, that the Amalekites had carried away: and rescued his two Wives: there was Nothing lacking to Them—David recovered all. 1 Sam. 30. 18, 19. They're useful to suppress and destroy the Enemies of God's People. An Army with Banners is terrible to the Enemy. When all Nations compassed David, like Bees, He resolves, that in the name of the Lord▪ He would destroy them.

Finally, WE may argue, that such Soldiers, as we've heard described, are a public Blessing, an useful and honorable Order of Men, from Their Contrary. However, this Consideration will illustrate the Truth before us, as it is the nature of Contraries to do. Not only undisciplin'd and cowardly, but disloyal, treacherous and mutinous Soldiers are a Reproach, and Plague to their Prince and Country. Such Soldiers are but Armed Enemies; a most dangerous Sort of Men, both to Church and State. They that are not for Us, are against Us; and the more expert in War, the more bold and daring, the more active and strong, so much the worse.

Too many recent Instances, in the British Empire, do sadly verify this Assertion. O that this might never have been to be told in Gath, and published in the streets of Askelon!

BUT to mention no other Argument; I pass to make two or three Reflections on the preceeding Discourse. And,

First, FROM what we've heard, we may infer, Whether we are, and what we must be and do, if we would approve ourselves, good Soldiers of Jesus Christ. Why; we must answer the Character of these Zebulunites; be such Soldiers under Christ, as they were under David. If we are real Christians, we are listed under Christ's Banner; we are all, of whatever Age, Sex, or Quality, engaged in a Holy War. Our Enemies are very many, politick, powerful, deceitful, malicious, and indefatigable. Our eternal Happiness depends on our being good Soldiers, under this our Glorious Captain, or Generalissimo of the Saints, in this our militant State.

Now if we are, and would approve ourselves such, we must be his willing People, (Psal. 110. 3.) and serve Him not of constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.

'DIVINES say indeed, that in Baptism Christ gives Men Press-Money to serve Him: but He would not have them do it against their wills. He draws his People with the Cords of a Man, and the Bands of Love, Hos. 11. 4. He directs his Ambassadors to compel Men to serve Him, by force of Argument, not by force of Arms. All Real Christians offer themselves willingly, to serve in His War against their Ghostly Adversaries.

AGAIN, We must be clothed with the whole Armor of God: of the several Parts of which the Apostle speaks in the 6th of Ephes. —We must put on, and keep on our whole Armor, Night and Day, during Life.

AGAIN, We must not be of double Heart. We must be faithful and charitable one to another. As we are One Body, we should study to be of One Mind; to be sure, of One Heart. If the Hearts of Christ's Soldiers are divided, it is very lamentable. It pleases the Adversary; He has his wish: Divide & Impera, is an Old Maxim with Him.

THIS also grieves the faithful Servants of Christ: For the Divisions of Reuben there were great Searchings of Heart. It weakens the whole Army; And the more considerable the Persons, the more fatal. It wounds Religion; provokes God to withdraw from his People: But I forbear—. Christ's Soldiers should live peaceably one with another; and beware of making a mutiny in the Army: They must stand for, and stand by one another: forgive one another, and not fight with their Fellow-Soldiers: Mat. 18. ult. 24. c. ult. They should bear one another's Burdens: Gal. 6, 2. Rejoice in each others Wealth; for by this it is, that all Men know we are Christ s Disciples, His Soldiers, even by our loving one another, Joh. 13. 35.

AGAIN, We must be loyal and dutiful to Jesus Christ. We must be at his Commandment, and follow Him, where-ever He calls us. We must heartily espouse, and as far as possible maintain his Cause, and not imprudently betray it, or basely disown and desert it. We must therefore be strong and very courageous: not timorous and faint-hearted.

Rev. 21. 8. We have to do with a restless Adversary, who (as was said of Marcellus, a Roman Commander,) is never quiet, Nec Victor, nec Victus, neither Conquering nor Conquered. We must therefore be in good Earnest, and resist him steadfastly in the Faith: and not fight, as those that beat the Air. It's not eno' to ' make a flourish with our Weap • ns, as that Phrase signifies. Slight Skirmishes would not serve the Turn; we must come to down-right blows; and either kill or be killed. And therefore,

Finally, WE had need be very skillful in spiritual Soldiery; Expert in this War. We must not be ignorant of the Devices, and Stratagems of Satan. We must know ourselves▪ and realize the Vanity, the extreme Vanity of the World: And we must study to be more exact and accurate in managing our spiritual Weapons, in our spiritual Warfare.

WE must expect to meet with hard Things (as some of Us have done already! and) as Those have done, who are arrived, where the Wicked cease from troubling, and where the Weary are at rest: But let us not faint, nor be dismayed; He who hath delivered us, doth deliver; and in him we trust, that He will yet deliver us, 2 Cor. 1. 10.

IF we are real Christians, we have a glorious Commander, and a good Cause: We've good Armor, and good Company: and if we overcome, ( And we shall Overcome! ) we shall then have a glorious Reward.

LET us then encourage ourselves in the Lord our God, who hath given Leviathan to be Meat to his People inhabiting the wilderness. Our Enemies are already vanquished. Christ, our Captain, has overcome. We may therefore triumph before the Battle; and with loudest Shouts of Joy cry out, Thanks be to God, who giveth us the Victory; nay, who maketh us more than Conquerors thro' Jesus Christ our Lord!

Secondly, HENCE 'tis evident, that it's desirable, that such Soldiers, as have been described, and the Methods and Exercises proper to train them up should by all means be encouraged and countenanc'd.

SINCE such Soldiers are a Public Blessing, the People of God should be thankful for them; show them due Respect; Give them deserved Praise; and not grudge them a plentiful Reward of their difficult and hazardous Services.

HENCE also it follows, not only that it is praise-worthy in Christian Legislators to make Laws to oblige all proper Persons to attend Trainings and military Exercises; and This even in Time of Peace, that they may learn the Art of War; seeing Preparation for War, may be a means to prevent it, or, however, many pernicious Consequents of it: But also, that it's highly reasonable, that all in Authority, whether Migistratical or Military, should take Care, that those Laws are duly executed, and not trifl'd with and evaded; by Officers shifting off Trainings to the Edge of Winter, when the Days are short, and often cold, and little can be done; and then indulging the private Soldiers to come unseasonably, and to misspend their Time, and abuse Themselves in Drinking some inebriating Liquor; and not to break up till late at Night; turning Trainings into vile, intemperate Frolicks.

I only inquire, whether such Trainings are not a scandalous Trifling with a Wise, Just and Good Law, and to be greatly Discountenanc'd? And wish to Heaven, that the Field-Officers in each New-English Regiment, or Those that ought to inspect that Affair, be they who they will, would always exert themselves, to prevent Disorders of this Kind; and add upon the whole, The good Lord pardon our Training-Day-Sins!

WHEREAS, Training-Days appointed and attended in season, and duly improved for the right Ends of Training, (Scil. to make Men expert in War, and prepare them for military Service) are agreeable to the Will of God, and pleasing to Jesus Christ, and of great advantage to the Common-Wealth, tending to furnish it with a well-disciplined Militia.

Finally, LET all my Hearers of the Military Order suffer a Word of Exhortation: Labor, I beseech you, to answer the Character of these Zebulunites; that has been set before you, as the Time would allow.

STUDY to be expert in War: To be able to keep Rank: And be not of double Heart. Let such especially, as are Officers or Commanders, or that may probably be so, seek that they may excel in military Accomplishments.

To this End, Let all, whether Officers or Private Soldiers, be diligent in the use of Means. Conscientiously attend Trainings. Use makes perfect, in handling Arms, and in all military Postures and Motions, as well as in other Things. Give yourselves to Reading. Read frequently Histories of famous Warriers. The Scripture, and other Histories afford abundance of such Examples. Read also the excellent Sermons (of which there is an abundant Supply in the Country, both ancient and modern) wherein Soldiers are counseled, encouraged, and taught what they should be and do.

AGAIN, Be much in Prayer to God. Military Skill, and Courage, and Faithfulness are the good Gifts of God. The great God instructs the Husbandman to Discretion; He vouchsafes also to teach his Servants, whom he calls to such Service, the Art of War: And there is None teacheth like Him. Now these good Gifts are to be obtained in a way of Prayer, Ask, and it shall be he given you: for everyone, that asketh, receiveth.

ALL those famous Hero's of your Order, that you have read, or heard of, or seen. They have received all their Skill, and Courage from GOD. David could say, Thou girdest me with strength. Psal. 18. 39. He tencheth my hands to war. 2 Sam. 22. 35.—Go then to God in the Name of Christ, who gives to all Men liberally, and upbraids no man; and what he sees good, he will give unto you.

BRIEFLY, Give God the glory of all your military Attainments, and Exploits; and improve them for his Glory. Thus did David, Psal. 144. 1, Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war: and my fingers to fight. His is the Glory: And He is worthy to receive it; And expects that what we win by Prayer, we should wear with Praise. This is the way to have our Gifts increased, and continued with Comfort. Let not then the strong Man glory in his Strength; nor the valiant Man glory in his Courage: nor the skillful in his Conduct: But let him, that glorieth, glory only in the Lord, who is the Glory of all His People, and particularly of the Military Order.

LO these Things, we have searched them, so they are; hear them, and know them for your Good, Job. 5, 27.

I shall now conclude with a brief Address to the Ancient and Honorable Company who have called me to preach the Word at this time.

GENTLEMEN,

I easily believe, there is no need of dissuading Men of your Character from the horrid Vices, by which too many of the military Order in our Days have made Themselves Infamous. And I please myself, that you need no Arguments to prevail with you to continue loyal to the wisest and best of Kings upon Earth, our rightful and gracious Sovereign, King GEORGE: or to submit to His Excellency, the GOVERNOUR, whom GOD hath set over us: and to love your Country, and to be ready, if called thereto, to sacrifice your Lives for it's Preservation and Prosperity.

INDEED, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed and the only Potentate, who has the absolute Power of Peace and War, has for the present caused Wars to cease to the Ends of the Earth. And we shall have great cause to praise the Name of the Lord, if there may still be Truth, and Peace in our days: and to say, Let King GEORGE live forever, by whose wise and powerful Influence, under GOD, we enjoy great Quietness.

BUT alas, What Changes are in the Right Hand of the most High, is beyond Human View. This we know, that it is a sinful, contentious World, we live in: That the Time is not come, when the Nations shall learn War no more: That (as a grave Divine, now with God, would sometimes say,)

AND verily if we consider, how Iniquity abounds, even the Iniquities foretold by the Apostle (2 Tim. 3. init. ) to be the Sins of the last Times: and see how the Love of Many to Jesus Christ, His Church, the Ministers of the Gospel, and to one another, waxeth cold; We may justly expect perilous Times, yea that a Day of Trouble is near.—Deus avertat Omen!

I do therefore beseech you, (Brethren, and all the Sons of Mars amongst us,) that you will attend your Military Exercises from time to time, not only as an ingenious, laudable, and manly Recreation; but as a Preparation for War. Were your Martial Exercises indeed only for Diversion; yet considering the Nature of them; and how often the Christian Life is in Scripture compared to a Warfare; what Occasion they minister for noble and very useful Reflections; and especially when I consider, how often the inspired Doctor of the Gentiles in his incomparable Epistles, does allude to the Grecian Games: I must be excused, if I can see no Reason to •• ndemn, but rather to applaud Your Custom of having a Sermon annually preached to you; wherein you may be minded, how you ought to govern yourselves in respect of your Exercises, and what spiritual Use you, and others may make of them. How much more obvious is the Propriety of these your Anniversary religious Solemnities, if we consider their Original, and I suppose still professed Design of upholding them?

I beseech you then, to remember what you have received and heard, from Year to Year, from many faithful and eminent Ministers of the Gospel, who thro' the Goodness of GOD do several of them remain unto this present, but I suppose the greater part are fallen asleep.

AND I will only add, (for alas, what shall He say, that comes after so many Masters of Reason and Divine Oratory!) Remember, that how strong, and courageous, and skillful, and well-armed, how rich, and honorable, and learned, how virtuous, and useful, and well-beloved soever you are, still at your best Estate you are everyone of you altogether vanity. You are mortal, and must die like other Men. You are accountable to the Judge of all the Earth, who is no Respecter of Persons, for all that is done by you on this Stage of Action. And if you are not good Christians, Israelites indeed, as well as good Soldiers, you will be miserable thro' eternal Ages.

SEE to it then, that you are not of Double Heart; but be faithful unto Death, and whatever you do, and particularly in your Military Exercises, Do all to the glory of GOD, and in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verily I say unto you Blessed are those Soldiers, yea Blessed forever, are all they, whom the Lord, when He cometh, ( and He will come quickly, ) shall find so doing.

AND now the Lord of Hosts, who is the God of Peace, and Captain of our Salvation, be with you, and all His People. AMEN!

BOOKS Printed for, and Sold by Daniel Henchman, and Sold at his Shop.

SErmons wherein those Eight Characters of the Blessed, Commonly called the Beatitudes, Are Opened and Applyed in Fifteen Discourses. To which is added, A Sermon concerning Assurance of the Love of Christ. By Increase Mather, D. D.

A Treatise Concerning Conversion: Showing the Nature of Saving Conversion to GOD, and the Way wherein it is wrought; Together with an Exhortation to Labor after it. To which is added a Lecture Sermon had at Boston, July 2. 1719. Wherein the way to know Sincerity and Hypocrisy is cleared up. By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton.

THE Wars of the Jews. In Two Books. With the most Deplorable History of the Seige and Destruction of the City of Jerusalem. And the Burning of the Temple therein by the Romans, under the Command of Titus Vespatian, the Roman Emperor, &c.