The Necessity of a Well Experienced Soldiery

AFter a long Scene of Peace, Wars ever enter the Stage; Wars are in the same nature with Offences, necesse est vt veniant, they must be; though there be a 〈◊◊〉 , a woe to him that is the unjust cause of them:

Neither is there any particular place in the World (though at present never so quiet and secure) that can plead any exemption from such a Visitation, till the Lord hath created his universal, everlasting Peace in the world; till then the Church of God upon Earth is Militant, in a Civil as well as in a Spiritual sense, While Sin and the Sons of Ana • are unsubdu • d, while the Philistines are in the Land, they'll be bidding Defiance to the Host of the Living God, and Israel shall not be without her daily Annoying cares and fears. Thus while the Church hath her Enemies in the world, men ought to be in a readiness, not only to Pray with their hearts and tongues, but to fight with their hands for the Peace of Jerusalem.

The likeliest way to prevent an evil, is to be prepared for it, fore-warned, fore-armed, when the Army of the uncircumcised are in the field, especially when they grow skillful to destroy, it is time for David to Command, to teach the Children of Judah the use of the Bow.

A thorough dispatch of these words will not allow the expense of much time in speaking to the Analysis of the Chapter itself; yet for our better understanding and profiting by this text, I shall briefly speak a few words concerning the Context: to this end you may note, that this Chapter divides itself into these two Principal parts, viz.

First. A Narration brought to David, Concerning the Death of Saul & Jonathan, those former Victorious Champions of Israel.

Secondly. The Effects which this Sad Relation produced, which were these two, viz.

1. A mournful Poem, or Song, or a Funeral Elogium upon the loss of those two Skilfull & excellent Warriours, v 17. And David Lamented over Saul &c. David's afflictions produced us many a Song, and this is one among the rest.

2. A studious Care for their own Defense and safety, implied in the words of the Text; He bad them teach &c. Saul and Jonathan's Death, Israel's defeat, and the Philistines Victory, made David not only mournful, but also careful how to prevent the like disaster, when occasion should be for another on set.

The words of the Text are contained in David's Funeral song, and are inserted (if you observe) in a Parenthesis, in which respect there is something worthy of notice:

In the former Verse, David [you see] had just began to compose his mournful Song; The sad and unexpected news of Israel's Overthrow, Saul, and Jonathan's Death, those expert and valiant Commanders, who [under God] had been Judah's safety and the Defense of the Country; the loss of the these made David bread out into a deep Lamentation. And David Lamented &c.

Now least David's mourning should make others either heartless and fearful, or give them any occasion of suspicion concerning his own Valour and Courage, I say, least any should draw up this disheartening Conclusion. viz. seeing the Philistines have stain our Mighty and skillful, and David himself hereupon becomes thus dejected and sorrowful, it will now be in vain for us to think of resisting or prepare for further engaging; wherefore to remove this damp of daunting fears, before he proceeds any further to Lament, he inserts this solemn charge, that they should learn experience how to Fight, cause of sorrow should be no cause of Cowardice, David had good Courage in his great grief, Also he bad them teach &c:

David's Apostrophe from Lamenting to bid them prepare son fighting, is an Argument both of his Prudence, and constant Care and Courage. And David Lamented &c. But [left any hereby should judge David become either Careless or Cowardly ] before he goes on which his Lamentation, he makes this Pause in a Parenthesis. Also he bad them teach the Children of Judah the Use of the Bow. It was by this Instrument (we heard in the former Chapter) Saul was wounded, and so also Jonathan, and many others.

The Bow was a principal Instrument then used in their wars, by the more acute, nimble and skillful managing whereof the Phi listims [very likely] then gained their Victory over Israel;

Wherefore David makes this good use of it, viz. That for she better dealing with the Enemy, it was very expedient to teach the Children of Judah the exact using and skillful handling of that Weapon, q. d Our best Policy now is, (knowing where our Enemies skill and advantage lies) to Labor to match, or rather excel them in their own Art, and so we shall beat them with their own Weapons.

Skill is a great spur to Courage, and Warriours skillful and Couragious, are most probable to be Victorious. A skillful head or hand and a cowardly heart are most unequal Mates, pity it is they should ever meet in one person.

I shall speak but a word or two more to the Text, and so proceed to the Doctrine. He bad them Teach &c:

The Bow was a principal Instrument then used in War; and it is here figuratively to betaken for all kind of Martial Weapons: and so their learning the right and exact use of that, implies their learning the skill in the whole Art.

Many Doctrines worthy our notice, and very pertinent to this Days design may be deduced from the Words, I shall briefly name them, and center upon one of them chiefly.

He bade. i. e. David bade, Whence Observe.

Doctr. 1. [Doct. I] It is the great Duty and Prudence of those Supreme Power and Authority, to Order that their People be Trained up and Experienced in the Military Arts, or in the right and skillful Managing of Martial Weapons.

David bade &c: We have here an Example of David's Kingly Care and Prudence, who (from the overthrow of Saul &c:) doth Command his Subjects (for the safety of themselves and preventing the like defeat) to excercise themselves to the skillful managing of that weapon; now every good example is binding. David as King accounting it his place or Duty to look after the Ordering of that Affaire, showeth it to be a Duty incumbent upon all Christian Rulers in Place of like Authority or Power; and they that are Rulers over others, are chiefly accountable for any neglect in this great Duty.

He bade THEM, i. e. his Chieftains, Lieutenants, or other under Officers that were experienced professors of that Art, and so able to teach, Whence Observe.

Doct. 2. [Doct. II] It is very necessary in all Military Exercises, and for the making a true Proficiency therein, that there should be such experienced persons that may be able, skillfully & expertly to Train up others in the expert knowledge of that Art. If there be none to teach, how can any be taught: that Body is a mere Chaos where all is alike. But again, He bade them Teach the Children of Judah, Whence Observe.

Doct. 3. [Doct. III] Martial Weapons and Military skill and Exercise do well become and truly belong to a Christian Common Wealth. Contrary to the Tenent of that abominable Sect, who would persuade us to a Stoical Apathy or stupidity, & never to use any means of defense against wrong or injury: such Armor they allege is unbecoming a Christians Coat; And therefore their only word of Command is, Lay down your Arms, that so they might have the advantage to take them up. But again, The use or skill of the BOW. Whence Observe.

Doctr. 4. [Doct. IIII] The Art or skill of a right and Exact Using or handling of Martial Weapons, is that which a Christian People ought to be carefully and diligently Instructed in. A Christian people ought to be Conscientiously Trained up and experienced in Military skill. There is a Civil as well as Spiritual Warfare that a Christian must be exercised in. This is the Point which I intend to handle, and that which I judge may be most useful at this time. In the handling of which, I shall only concern myself with these two things, viz. to Confirme and Apply; As for Explication, I know not almost what should be said, I say that Martal skill is that which a people ought to be taught and experienced in. Now as to the number or quality of persons that ought to be Instructed in this Science, is none of my business to discourse, but theirs whose duty it is to Inspect the Ordering of that Affair; Neither shall I now spend any discourse de Jure Belli, concerning the right or Lawfulness of Warr, the proof of the Doctrine will of necessity infer the Truth of that: If it appear that Military skill is that which ought to be taught, it will certainly follow that it is that which may (when occasion calls) be lawfully practiced, since this is the very and of that: that Art or scieroe is altogether vain which may not admit of a practical part. Neither again can it be expected that I should explain the Nature of Military skill and the manner how men should be disciplined in that science, that is a work neither within my sphere nor belonging to my place: But is the bussines proper to the field, not the Pulpit: and the explanation of it to be learned of those who have arrived Artists in that Profession, and are designed to instruct the unexperiencd therein. It is none of my busyness to teach that Art, but to show that it is a people's Duty to be carefully and diligently Instructed in it, I now preach matter of Duty, which ought to be practiced, especially more diligently and conscientiously then it is or hath been. That it is an Art or skill which is not Natural, but acquired with much Instruction, Industry, Practice, that men do not naturally or very easily come to be Artists in that profession, I suppose, will be readily granted by all that have any experience therein;

Besides the teaching and learning of it which the Scripture in many places doth attribute to it, doth employ that there is an art, skill or slight in it, which doth require study, discipline and Instruction, for the attaining to it.

But, that the Truth of the Point may appear, we may First, Look into the Scripture it false, and fee what that may afford in order to the confirming of it. And this we shall find not at all to be scant but rather to abound with such examples and presidents as do fitly testify to the truth of this Assertion; though that in the Text being it self of Divine Authority, may be sufficient to confirm the duty alleged.

That it was the practice (Commended and allowed by God) of the people of God in former ages, the scripture doth plentifully hold forth; Now seeing what is written is written for our instruction, it is our duty to follow those patterns till God shall be pleased wholly to remove all occasion for the like practice.

I know before I proceed, that all that can be Objected by any it, the Promise of peace in the Gospel times, that Jerusalem shall be a quiet Habitation, and that the Nations shall learn Warr no more &c: But how ever (as one answers well) we must not Antidate God's work, all Gospel Promises are not yet fulfilled; That time shall come, but in the mean time [so long as there's Warr and rumors of Warr in the World] we must stand upon our Watch & Ward, always in a Posture or defense for the peace of Zion. While that spirit in man that Lusteth to envy, to fewds and Quarrels, especially with that and those that are good, be more then it is at present Curb'd and suppressed, it is both duty and prudence to arm ourselves against the cruel invasions that may we know not how soon from thence arise.

I will never believe that our Privileges under the Gospel are now more narrow then theirs were under the Law: If that were a duty and privilege then for the people of God to prepare for Warr, and to fight for their Lives and Libertys, I cannot believe but that we especially under the Gospel ought rather to be duly prepared against those bloody attempts. I cannot believe that the people of God are bound to sit with their hands in their pockets & give themselves up as a prey to their Enemies, & Cowardly to part with those Privileges which Christ hath so dearly purchased. The Law of Nature, which is God's Law too, doth ever bind us, so far as we can in a just way, to prevent any evil unjustly offered.

In the Latter days, we are told there will be bloody times, Nation shall rise up against Nation &c: from hence it will follow that we under the Gospel ought to be more expert and fitted for Battle, then those in former ages; For God you know then did immediately and miraculously fight for his people, often times giving them very great Victorys, by very mean unlikely means.

But we in these days have no promise of such a miraculous & immediate assistance; God works now by men and means, not by miracles: Neither can we expect that the walls of Rome as the walls of Jericho shall fall with the sound of a Rams-born:

The Man of sin (no doubt) when his time is come, shall be overcome with the sword of men as well as the sword of the spirit. To her that hath shed the blood of the saints, shall blood be given to drink, now God alone knows whose Lot it will be to be called to that work, but yet he expects that his people be fitted for such a design, when he shall be pleased to call them to it. God hath his work for his Militia on Earth as well as for that in Heaven. Warr is an Ordinance appointed by God for subduing and destroying the Churches Enemies here upon Earth.

But this discourse is almost a Digression. I say, as yet we have no assurance of freedom from War, and therefore still to be prepared for it; Times are now most dangerous, But to return from whence I have thus digressed.

Abraham we read was the most renowned for Faith, and if that alone without the use of means would have done it, Could have believed his Enemies into the dust; Besides we read that he is called the Friend of God, and so had the better grounds to expect to live in Peace, and yet we find, he thought it both Reason and Prudence to be prepared for War; Thus the Scripture tells us that he kept his men both Armed & Trained, he provided them not only Weapons of War, but also taught them the Art and skill to use them; as appears soon after, by the great execution he did, and good success that he had thereby. Gen. 14. 14.

Again, the great Commendation that the Scripture gives of the Benjamites skill in slinging Stones at an hairs breadth, showeth that it is a thing very liking to God, and that which he requires as a Duty in his people, to be very exact & expert in the right using of Warlike Weapons; The Sling was an Instrument of War, much used in the times of Old, and the Benjamites we read, were the most renowned for their exact skill in handling the same; They could sling to an hairs breadth: This plainly shows that it is the duty of Soldiers now to learn to be wonderful expert, Benjamite like in the use of their Martial Weapons and Military Exercise.

Again, what other use do you think can we make of all those places in Scripture, which do so often mention the skill and Valour of all those Worthies of Old, why are they so Renowned in Holy Record, and so much commended for their Martial skill, endowments and exploits, as you may find in that [and many other places] 1 Chron: 5. 18. and Chap. 12. 8, 33. verses. Yea how many Pages in Sacred Writt are wholly taken up in mentioning of those who have been renowned for the Art of Soldiery; now to what purpose should all this be, but chiefly to instruct us in these two things, viz.

1. That it is an Art Commended and allowed by God.

2. That by these Patterns we should learn to practice, that as it is said, they were expert in War and handling their Weapons; So it is the Duty of a people now to be. And this still confirms the truth of the Doctrine, viz. That therefore a people ought to be instructed and trained up to the knowledge of it.

Certainly it requires good teaching and diligent learning to sling a stone at an hairs breadth, i. e. to be an exact and expert Soldier, to be acute in that Calling.

Again consider, what a Blessing David counted to be well experienced in that Art. 144 Psal. 1. and think you then, so long as there may be use for it, that it is not the duty of a people to be blessed with the knowledge of it.

Again Lastly as to Scriptural proof, The Soldiers that we read of in the Gospel time were not disbanded or discharged, but indeed allowed and encouraged, as those that came to John the Baptist, we find not one word of Reproof as to their Calling, but only good counsel how to behave themselves in it, Luke 3. 14. q. d. go on still, but do not so and so, be content with your wages, which implies indeed be content to be Soldiers.

So the Centurion that came to Christ, was good Christian & an excellent Believer although a Captain in that profession, Mat: 8. 8, 9. Surely Christ that commended him so much for his faith would have reproved him for his Office, had it not been that which was in itself commendable and requisite. But then for our further satisfaction, I shall now give you the Reasons of the Doctrine, why it ought to be so.