Sermon Preached 24 October 1672, Sermon

Sermon Preached 24 October 1672 · Sermon

RELIGIO MILITIS.

A SERMON Preached to the Artillery-Company, October 24, 1672. At St. Michaels in Cornhil.

By JOHN MERITON, D. D.

LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the Sign of the Bible under the Piazzo of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1672.

To the Right Worſhipful, and my much Honoured Friends, Sir Richard Ford, Knight, Sir James Edwards Knight, Dannet Forth Eſquire, Sir Robert Clayton Knight, Aldermen; Lieutenant Col. Nicholas Osborne, Major John Graunt, Major Thomas Beckford, Major Thomas Cowden, Late Stewards of the ArtilleryCompany.

Worthy Sirs,

I Was much ſurprized with your deſire, that this plain Sermon might be Printed: Nor can I yet in cooler thoughts conjecture (though its ſhortneſs, the beſt commendation of bad Muſick, had poſſibly gainedit a Favourable Acceptance from the Pulpit) what might incline you to deſire its further Publication; unleſs (for I more value your Judgments, than fondly to imagine you could think it worthy) you had a mind to try, whether, in an Age, when many talk of what they know not how to practiſe, I could ſhew either Courage or Obedience, that had diſcourſed of them: Of both which I have here given ſome Proof. Of Courage, that having, for one Paſſage, full of Truth and Innocence, paſſed the Pikes, I have adventured once more to run the Gantlope; and of Obedience, that like the Centurions Servant, when you ſaid Do this, I have done it; to approve my ſelf,

GENTLEMEN, Your Ready and Faithful Servant JOHN MERITON.

p. 1Joſh. 1. 7.

Only be thou ſtrong, and very Couragious, that thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all the Law, which Moſes my Servant commanded thee.

THeſe words are part of Joſhua's Commiſſion, that God gave him, when in the room of his ſervant Moſes lately Deceaſed, he appointed him his Captain General, for the conduct of Iſrael into the promiſed Canaan. They p. 2had all along, in their March through the Wilderneſs, met with great oppoſition from the neighbouring Countrey's, the Amalekites, the Edomites, the Moabites, taking the Alarm, Muſtered up their Forces, and did all they could, both by Ambuſh and Skirmiſh to obſtruct their paſſage, and make it troubleſome and hazardous: And looking forward into Canaan, they had reaſon to look for more and more formidable Enemies; the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebuſites, the Canaanites, being all of them in antient poſſeſſion of the Countrey, and withal ſtrangers to God, were not like ſo far to acknowledg his right, as eaſily, and without blows to quit their own to theſe new Occupiers. So that in theſe circumſtances, God ſaw it needful to animate his ſervant Joſhua, and put life and metal into him, for carrying on the difficult enterpriſe; and this he doth, by telling him, he will be with him,Verſe 5. As I was with Moſes, I will be with thee, p. 3I will not fail thee, nor for ſake thee. Somewhat like Caeſars Venite to his Souldiers, (though infinitely more encouraging, for it was the mouth of the Lord of Hoſts that ſpoke it) Come on, and I'll go along with thee. And he muſt be ſtrangely faint-hearted and cowardly, that could let his ſpirit ſink, his face grow pale, or his arm ſhake, with ſuch a ſecond at his right hand.

Which preſence of God with Joſhua, (though a mighty ſupport) was by no means to be interpreted as a diſcharge from his own diligence and duty, as though all the work were now taken off his hands, and there were nothing left for him to do, No ſuch matter! It was rather to excite in him a Maſculine and Heroick bravery of ſpirit, as Paulus Emilius prayed to Hercules for Victory with a Spear in his hand, foreign.Plutarch in vit. God engaged himſelf not to forſake his ſervant Joſhua, and thereby obliged him to look to it, that he was neither forſaken p. 4of his courage, nor his conſcience, Only be thou ſtrong, and very couragious, that thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all the Law, which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee.

In which words, as an Epitome, and ſhort abridgment of his Military Diſcipline, God charges upon Joſhua two things, that would in all things render him a gallant and compleat Souldier.

1. Valour and Courage, Only be thou ſtrong and very Couragious.

2. Obedience, and a compliance with the Divine Law, That thou mayeſt obſerve to do, &c.

1. Firſt, Valour and Courage: The phraſe is doubled, foreign and ſo is the command too, in this and the foregoing verſe, that may denote, as the greater ſtrictneſs of the charge, ſo that double courage and fortitude that is neceſſary it make an accompliſht warriour,

The one Natural, as a Souldier.

The other Spiritual, as a Saint.

p. 51. Natural courage, which is a ſtrength and ſtoutneſs of ſpirit, fearleſly to encounter hazards and hardſhips, which as it was neceſſary for Joſhua in his circumſtances, being to conduct a mutinous quarrelſome people, and combat warlike and combined enemies; So is it greatly requiſite in every Souldier, whether in, or under command, his Art and Profeſſion being to converſe with Sword and Pike, Blows and Bullets, Wounds, and Death in a thouſand ſhapes, and all its grim and diſmal appearances, he had need wear better armor within his breaſt, than that which he puts upon it. Neither the Sword, nor the Sword-man is right metal, whoſe ſoft edge is ſoon blunted, and rebated, with a few hard ſtrokes, and that puſillanimous tenderneſs for life and limbs, that in another man is eaſily overlook't, and paſs'd by as a pardonable infirmity, in the Souldier amounts to an heinous crime, as having in it the baſeneſs of treachery, and being falſe to his truſt and undertaking. p. 6When death, and dangers appear in their moſt frightful, ghaſtly complexion, and threaten high, the true Souldier, with an unappaled courage, makes as brisk a reply as Brutus did once to his Malus Genius, Plut. in vit.foreign. Thou ſhalt ſee me at Philippi, A match, Ile meet thee. What a brave ſpeech was that of Joab to his brother Abiſhai, when encompaſſed with an huge and formidable Army of2 Sam. 10. 12.2 Sam 10:12 Syrians, Be of good courage, and let us play the men, for our people, and for the Cities of our God. And upon the like occaſion Gentlemen, the Honour of your King, the ſafety of your Countrey, the happineſs and flouriſhing proſperity of this City at ſtake, I doubt not in you ſuch a generous and maſculine ſpirit; But God grant there never be greater cauſe to try your Courage, than there is to queſtion it.

2. Secondly, A Spiritual Courage is required that is ſuitable unto Saints; to this the Apoſtle preſſes the Epheſians, Be Chap. 6. 10.ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his p. 7might, and there are three things wherein this ſtrength and magnanimity is eſpecially to be exerciſed,

1. Enduring Afflictions.

2. Reſiſting Temptations.

3. Subduing and mortifying corrupt Affections.

In all which points, there is ſo much the more courage to be uſed, becauſe the enemies to be conquered, the World, the Devil, and the Fleſh, are moſt pernicious and deadly, and the Crown prepared for, and promiſed to the conqueſt, is moſt rich and glorious. So that what God hath (in the Text) ſaid to Joſhua, is particularly to be applyed to every Chriſtian, as if he were mentioned by name; and ſo much the rather, becauſe the Apoſtle hath already done it to his hand, He hath ſaid, Heb. 13. 5.Heb 13:5I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee: And he hath ſaid, Be thou ſtrong and very couragious.

1. Firſt, Be ſtrong and very couragious to endure Afflictions. Every good man p. 8eſpecially is in this world expoſed to croſſes, and troubles, and it well becomes him, with a mighty and magnanimous patience and ſubmiſſion to Gods will, to bear all his burdens, and take them, as the Camel doth his load from his Maſter, upon his knees, ſtrengthened with all might, unto Col. 1. 11.Col 1:11all patience, and long-ſuffering with joyfulneſs. The patience and long-ſuffering of God, is founded in his AllmightyNumb. 14. 17, 18.Num 14:17Num 14:18 power, Let the power of my Lord be great, (ſaith Moſes in the behalf of Iſrael) according as thou haſt ſpoken, ſaying, the Lord is long ſuffering. And when God is pleaſed to ſend croſſes, and calamities, all our might, and power is to be exerciſed, in Patience and Long-ſuffering.2 Tim. 3. 3.2 Tim 3:3 foreign, 'tis Saint Pauls word to Timothy, endure hardneſs; And it is urged with this Argument, as he would approve himſelf a good Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt, Tert…ll.Quid facis in Christi Militiâ delicate Miles? What makes the nice, and the delicate Souldier Marching under Chriſts p. 9Banners? How low, and hard, and full of croſſes ſoever thy condition may be in this world, Courage man! to give ground by a froward impatience, and pettiſh deſpondency, is a certain ſign of an impotent cowardize and feeble-mindedneſs, for if thou faint in the day of adverſity, thy Prov. 14. 18.Prov 14:18ſtrength is ſmall.

2. Secondly, Be ſtrong and very couragious to reſiſt temptations. Which ſo long as we are in this world, the Devils walk and Principality; and ſo long as that bloud-thirſty Abaddon hath malice, and ſubtilty, VVe muſt never look to be freed from, for as a roaring Lion he walketh 1 Pet. 5. 8.1 Pet 5:8about, ſeeking whom he may devour. He tempts to Atheiſm and infidelity, pride and malice, hypocriſie, covetouſneſs and ſenſuality, And there is no ſafety in truce, parly, or complyance, but in a ſtout and reſolute reſiſtance, and that Victory that certainly follows upon it; for, reſist Jum. 4. 7.the Devil, and he will ſlee from you; yet, as erranda Coward as he is, he had the p. 10bold and daring hardineſs to aſſault our Lord Chriſt, in that famous Duel and Encounter, Matth. 4. but its obſervable, how the Captain of our Salvation, to ſet us the pattern of a valiant and vigorous reſiſtance, pickt up his fiery darts, and threw them in his face, It is written (ſaith the Devil) he ſhall give his Angels charge over thee; and it's written (ſaith Chriſt) thou ſhalt not tempt the Lord thy God. The Devil will never be worſted by a Meaky cowardly Milkſop, and you muſt either overcome, or fall into his Clutches, the Apoſtle bids rouze up your courage, and ſtand to your Arms, Put on the whole Epheſ. 6. 11, ….Eph 6:11armour of God, that ye may be able to ſtand againſt the wiles of the Devil, for we wreſtle not againſt Fleſh and Bloud, but againſt Principalities, againſt Powers, againſt the Rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſs, in high places. And though a man had ſtrength and courage enough to rout whole troops and ſquadrons of other enemies in the p. 11field, he were like to bear away ſad and mournful trophies, if he, whoſe name is legion, makes him Priſoner, and leads him captiveat his will.

3. Thirdly, Be ſtrong and very couragious in the ſubduing, and mortifying of corrupt affections. Such as are Pride, and Paſſion, malice, earthly-mindedneſs, ambition, hypocriſie, wrath, and revenge, the worſt enemies we have; and were it not for theſe, the Devil would more eaſily be vanquiſh'd. Samſon ſlew the Phili…ins, heaps upon heaps, and they could never have wronged him, had not Delilah, that lay in his boſome, betrayed him. Againſt theſe therefore we muſt ſtir up our whole ſtrength and courage, to ſmite them under the fifth rib. Theſe remaining luſts in good men, not wholly to be rooted out in this life, are like that remnant of Canaanites, that God left to prove Iſrael, to teach them War, and train them up in the Art-Military; and with whom he commanded them never to make Peace, p. 12or a League of Friendſhip. And verily the crucifying of a darling luſt, is an act of no leſs courage, then it was in Abraham, at Gods command to put a ſacrificing-knife to the throat of his beloved Iſaac. David got more true renown, by conquering a paſſionate revenge, in the caſe of Saul and Shimei, than in cutting off the head of Goliab. And Solomon hath laid it down for a rule (nor though a man of Peace, hath he at all undervaluedProv. 16. 32.Prov 16:32 Martial exploits and atchievements) He that ruleth his ſpirit (i. e. keeps his ſoul from being invaded by exorbitant luſts and paſſions) is a better man (i. e. ſhew's more Man-hood and gallantry of mind) than he that tak…s a City. God hath ſet up his Royal Standard, and on purpoſe Proclaimed open hoſtility againſt thoſe inſolent rebels which we harbour in our boſome; that we ſhould draw our ſwords, and that not only to brandiſh them, with a flouriſh, or play a Prize, and ſtrike with a falſe edge, but be at ſharps, run them p. 13through, ſlaſh and mangle them from head to foot, that we ſhould give fire, and ſpend our Powder and Bullet at home. In a word, that without any quarter given, we ſhould ſerve them as that wiſe woman did Sheba, at Abel of Bethmaacah, throw2 Sam. …0 21. the Traytors heads over the wall. And thus much for the firſt part of the charge, Be ſtrong and very couragious.

2. The Second follows, that of obedience, and a complyance with the Divine Law, That thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all the Law, which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee. Men of a Military Profeſſion, are concerned ſeriouſly to mind matters of Religion; A faithful punctual obſervance of the divine Law, is both neceſſary for a Souldier: And that which adds to him the greateſt luſtre and ornament. Joſhua was a great Commander, and yet not ſo abſolute, but that he muſt acknowledg a Superiour Lord, and take Law from God, and Moſes in his name. The Law of Moſes was then the only Maniſeſtation p. 14of Gods will, ſuperadded to the originally imprinted Law of Nature: And although God hath to us amplified it in the Goſpel, and reprinted it in a fairer Edition, yet that was to be the rule and meaſure of his actings, and he was thence to learn all his poſtures, not varying from it, by exceſs or defect, or as the Text hath it, in a Military phraſe, not turning (or wheeling about) to the right or to the left. There's no ſuch compleat armour for a Souldier, as that which Saint Paul recommends out of Gods Magazine, theEpheſ. 6.Eph 6 Girdle of truth, the breſt-plate of righteouſneſs, the ſhield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit. And there's a walking orderly foreign beyond that of marching rank and file. Did God of old take ſuch order, that the Prieſt (whoſe office and imployment was the killing of Beaſts) ſhould be a man of holineſs, and can we think he'l allow the Souldier in his Profeſſion of killing men, to be a ſtranger to it? There is indeed a p. 15Licentious, fanciful, and Fanatical Generation of men, that ſay the Profeſſion of a Souldier is now inconſiſtent with Religion, and the ſtate of Chriſtianity. All things are under the Goſpel to be acted with tenderneſs and indulgence, love and lenity: And if they could with theſe fine ſmooth ſayings, perſwade others to lay down their Arms, they themſelves were like to be the firſt, that without ſcruple would run to take them up. The Foxes, in the Fable, with ſuch a plauſible and inſinuating artifice, would have drawn the ſheep into a fair and kind correſpondence, only there was a ſort of rugged, and ſcandalous creatures, with ſharp teeth, called Shepherds Dogs, that ſtood in the way, and obſtructed the Peace, let them all be but firſt knockt on the head, and matters ſhould then be menaged kindly and lovingly, to their own hearts content. They bring Arguments indeed, pitiful ſlender ones (God knows) to prove, that Religion forbids the uſe of the Sword, ſuch p. 16as it would hardly be worth while for me to anſwer; Swordmen themſelves may better do it, by a Religious deportment and converſation, the beſt and moſt effectual confutation of their feeble cavils, being like that Philoſophers walking up and down the room ſilently to refell his Arguments, that with mighty noiſe and buſtle, would needs prove there was no ſuch thing as motion. One of the great excellencies of Religion is, that as it conduces to mens eternal intereſt, and makes them happy in another world. So 'tis the accompliſhment and perfection of every ſtate and condition in this. This makes the Good Prince and the Good Subject, the good Husband, the good VVife, the good Maſter, the good Servant, the good Merchant, Mariner, Husbandman, Lawyer, Phyſician, yea and good Souldier too; unto whom (that I may ſpeak more particularly) it adds this ſixfold excellency and advantage.

p. 171. Skill.

2. Courage.

3. Safety.

4. Honour.

5. Succeſs.

6. A Publick and beneficial uſefulneſs.

1. Firſt, Religion adds to the Souldier the advantage of Skill. How expert was David when a youth: who when Goliah, his proud Enemy, deſpiſed the poor ſtripling, as a raw and undiſciplin'd novice, ſlung a ſtone into his forehead, and laid that mountain of fleſh flat at his foot; would you know how he became ſo dextrous, and with ſuch art did the exploit, he himſelf tells you, that God, to the obſervance and pleaſing of whom, he applied himſelf with a ſtudious care, and utmoſt diligence, had train'd him up in his Artillery-Ground. The Lord my ſtrength Pſal. 144. 1.Ps 144:1teacheth my hands to War, and my fingers to fight. And at another time, when he over-reacht, and out-witted Achitophel, p. 18countermin'd, and defeated the cunning ſtratagem of that profound ſhrewd pated Politician; it was not ſo much his own Mother-wit, as a Religious care to pleaſe God, that made him his ArtsPſal. 119. 98.Ps 119:98 Maſter. Thou (ſayes he) through thy Commandments, haſt made me wiſer than mine enemies, for they are ever with me. He that has the higheſt and principal wiſdome, to go beyond the Devil in his plots, and baffle that bloody enemy of ſouls in his miſchievous deſigns (and the Job 28. ult.Job 28fear of the Lord that is wiſdom, and to depart from evil is underſtanding) is the likelieſt perſon, by the guidance, and direction of the only wiſe God, to blow up and ſcatter the petty projects of fleſhly oppoſites, that compar'd with that ſpiritual adverſary, are the acuteſt of them, thick-ſcull'd and heavy-headed enemies. Atheiſm, profaneſs, and irreligion, blaſt the beſt laid deſigns, and lead the ſubtle Artiſts and contrivers of them, into traps,Job 5. 12.Job 5:12 and unſeen precipices. God diſappointeth p. 19the devices of the crafty, ſo that their hands cannot perform their enterpriſe, they are ſhort and defective, both in the Theory and the Practice, their fine ſpun Policies come to nothing, and break like the Spiders web. And when any exploit is to be done, they are fumble-fiſted, and their hand hangs in their Glove; the ſtouthearted Pſal. 76. 7.Ps 76:7are aſleep (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) and the men of might have not found their hands: But what the Prophet ſayes of the Husbandman, holds true of the upright, obedient, and conſcientious Souldier, his God doth inſtruct him to diſcretion, Iſa. 28. 26.Isa 28:26and doth teach him.

2. Secondly, Religion gives the Souldier the advantage of Courage and boldneſs. Nothing doth ſo fix and conſolidate the mind, to a fearleſs and undaunted reſolution in dangers, as its being poſſeſſed and principled with Gods holy fear, for in the fear of the Lord there is Prov. 14. 26.Prov 14:26ſtrong confidence. Clavus clavum trudit,Nieremberg. omnes timor Dei pellit timores. David p. 20in the 112. Pſalm, deſeribes a man of a brave and bold ſpirit, that he ſhall not be Ver. 6, 7.mov…d, nor afraid of evil tydings; and who this man of courage and confidence is, he tells us, one that the world would little dream of, the divine Coward, one Ver. ….that feareth the Lord, and greatly delighteth in his Commandments. And when the People in Samuel's dayes, were by a thunder in Wheat-Harveſt, ſmitten with a pannick-fear, and ſcared almoſt out of their wits, it was excellent and proper counſel that he gave them (though to ſome it may look like a contradiction) fear 1 Sam. 12. 20, & 24.1 Sam 12:201 Sam 12:24not, only fear the Lord, and ſerve him in truth, with all your heart. This we have ſuggeſted in the Text, Be ſtrong and very Couragious; How ſo? Obſerve to do according to all the Law which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee.

Vile men, of Atheiſtical, debauch'd principles and practices, Dammers and Sinkers, may rant and ſwagger, and when furniſhed with Pipe and Pot-Ammunition, p. 21pretend high to ſeats of Proweſs and Chivalry, and might bear away great renown for Martial exploits, if (as when of old the Giants ſought it by fighting againſt the Gods) ſending defiances to heaven, and ſtorming it with full mouth'd Oaths, and Blaſphemies, would carry it, but however they may rufile, and look big, they can never be truly couragious, who carry that deadly enemy in their boſome, a guilty accuſing Conſcience, a diſmal Volume; which when it opens, more appales and diſpirits them, than the writing upon the wall did Belſhazzar, in his carowſing and drunken frolick; Conſcience, I ſay, that at the approach of death, uſes to awake and beat a frightful alarm, as old ſores ake and throb moſt at night to bedward, and there's nothing more like to make a whiteliver'd Souldier, than that black-mouth'd accuſer, nor will any man ſneak baſely, and cowardly run his head in a hole, or be backward to venture his life in ſo good a cauſe as the ſaving of his Countrey, like p. 22him that is madly bold and forward to venture his Soul, in ſo bad a one, as theProv. 28. 1.Prov 28:1 ſatisfying of his luſts. The wicked flee (ſaith Solomon when no manpurſueth, he is haunted with ſo many walking Ghoſts in a guilty Conſcience, that he runs for his life, when there is nothing behind him but his own ſhadow; he is Al a mort with the ſhaking of the tops of a few reeds or thiſtles, as if they were the Pikes of an armed enemy, arrayed in Battalia; his heart ſinks to his heel, at the ruſling of the wind among the leaves, as if it brought the more certain News of his death, than the report of Musket or Canon. What a doughty combatant was Cain like to prove, when having armed and enraged his own Conſcience againſt him, by imbrewing his hands in the bloud of an innocent brother, he ſtood whining and puling with fingerGen. 4. 14.Gen 4:14 in eye, Every body that meets me will kill me? But the righteous is bold as a Lion. That ſaying of David was no flaſhy vapouring huff, but the iſſue of an unſhaken p. 23gallantry of Spirit, Though an Hoſt ſhould Pſal. 27. 3.Ps 27:3encamp againſt me, my heart ſhall not fear, though War ſhould riſe againſt me, in this will I be confident.

3. Thirdly, Religion gives the Souldier ſafety, and ſecures him againſt danger. It were the leſs advantageous to a man at arms, if it only put into him ſpirit and metal to attempt and encounter dangers, and there left him of the forlorn, without hope of a ſafe and honourable retreat, or a ſtrong hold for his defence and protection, but the way of the Lord is ſtrength to Prov. 1… ▪ 29.Prov 1:29the upright. And let Swords claſh, and bullets fly thick, that man is out of harms way, and needs not flinch or fear colours, whoſe path is encompaſſed with a brazen wall. Holy David fighting upon great odds, againſt an whole Hoſt, was not more confident than ſecure; For in the time of Pſal. 27. 5.Ps 27:5trouble, he ſhall hide me in his Pavilion, in the ſecret of his Tabernacle ſhall be hide me, be ſhall ſet me up upon a rock. That is, a well fortiſied and impregnable Garriſon, p. 24into which the Prophet Iſaiah puts the righteous perſon, and he ſeems particularly to deſcribe the righteouſneſs of aIſai. 33. 15. 16.Isa 33:15Isa 33:16 Souldier, One that deſpiſeth the gain of oppreſſion, and ſtoppeth his ears from hearing of blood: He ſhall dwell on high, his place of defence ſhall be the munition of rocks, bread ſhall be given him, his waters ſhall be ſure: If enemies beleaguer him, and bring ropes and ſcaling ladders, they are all too ſhort, He dwells on high. If they bring Petards, and plant great Guns for Battery, all inſtruments of violence are (alaſs) too weak, to make a breach, and force an entrance, for his place of defence is the Munition of Rocks. And if perhaps deſpairing to ſtorm, they ſhall deſign to ſtarve him out of his ſtrong hold, that plot is like to fail, and come off as poorly as the other, for the man is as well ſtored with Victual as Ammunition, Bread ſhall be given him, his Waters ſhall be ſure. Gideon, a brave Souldier, when in obedience to God, he threw down Baals Altar, was p. 25ſorely threatned, by a rude rabble of enraged Idolaters, (And there is no madneſs like that of mens being mad for Religion) but God himſelf was of his guard, and gave him ſafe conduct, ſo that all their high bluſter of words proved meer Squibs and Crackers. And if it ſhall be ſaid, Religion is not alway the Souldiers defence; It was the hard hap of godly Joſiah, and ſince that of many a good man, to be wounded and ſlain in the day of Battel. I anſwer, God, when he ſees it beſt, delivers them either from, or out of dangers; or if neither of theſe, however at the long run he will infinitely reward them, ſo that, be the hazards and miſchiefs what they may, that they wade through, they are ſure, when all accounts are made up, not to come off loſers. Put the caſe, a General were able, (as we are ſure God is) to make his Souldiers ſhotfree, to cure the wounded, and quicken the dead, and at the head of his Army ſhould ſay before a Fight, Come on my ſtout hearts, fear nothing, He engage my honour, p. 26that not a man of you ſhall be a loſer by this Battel. And yet when they fall on, and are at it Pell-mell: Some indeed are untouch't, but others loſe, either a leg or an arm, or are killed outright. Well! the Fight over, and the General ſurveying his Army, the firſt, that loſt never a drop of bloud, he rewards well for fighting, them that loſt their limbs, he makes fiſhwhole, and gives them what is better than a leg or an arm; the ſlain he raiſes to life after a moſt glorious manner, makes them all Captains and Colonels, and beſtows upon them places of honour and command. Now which of all theſe loſt any thing by fighting! they ſure loſt leaſt that were quite knockt o'th head, and for a time loſt all in appearance.

4. Fourthly, Religion adds to the Souldier honour and renown; And this many a one of that Profeſſion prefers to his ſafety, and ſo that be preſerved untoucht, matters not how he expoſes life and limbs to danger. Now there's nothing like Religion advances to honour and dignity, it p. 27makes a mans face to ſhine, and incircles his head with a glory. All the Orations and triumphs of Roman Conſuls and Di…tors, gave but a mean and trivial luſtre (like the glittering of a gloworm, or the ſhining of a piece of rotten wood in the dark) compar'd with the real and ſubſtantial brightneſs of them that have the 1 Pet. 4. 14.1 Pet 4:14Spirit of glory, and of God reſting upon them. And of theſe two, that holds true that the Apoſtle ſaith of the Law and the Goſpel, That which was made glorious, had 2 Cor. 3. 10.2 Cor 3:10no glory in this reſpect, by reaſon of a glory that excelleth. The righteous (ſaith Solomon)Prov. 12. 25.Prov 12:25 is more excellent than his neighbor. And repreſenting Religion under the name of wiſdom, as a magnificent Queen, diſtributing various and ample rewards to all her train, he reckons honour, withProv. 3. 15.Prov 3:15 riches to boot, as a left-hand boon and largeſs. Nay God himſelf puts in caution and ſecurity (that never yet broke his parole) to advance their reputation and renown, that are careful to lift up his Praiſe, by holy practices, and (as it were) p. 28dub them his Knight-Bannerets in the1 Sam. 2. 30.1 Sam 2:30 field, them that honour me, I will honour, and they that deſpiſe me, ſhall be lightly H… 2. ult.eſteemed. I will take thee O Zerubbabel my ſervant, the Son of Shealtiel, ſaith the Lord; and will make thee as a Signet, for I have choſen thee. God takes notice of his noble birth, the ſon of Shealtiel, not a Signet made of a ſhoe-buckle, but his higheſt honour was, Zerubbabel my ſervant, I will make thee as a Signet, for I have choſen thee. There is in vertue and goodneſs, that intrinſick beauty, and amiable commanding Majeſty, that it conquers and captivates, ſets up its trophies in the minds of obſervers, and conciliates reſpect and reverence from thoſe perſons that will not themſelves be at the trouble to practice it.

5. Fifthly, Religion gives ſucceſs and an happy proſperous iſſue of affairs: Nothing doth ſo intangle and perplex an enterpriſe, and make it miſcarry in mens hands, as their ſinning againſt God, they that walk in their own wayes, Sow the wind, p. 29and all the crop they are like to reap thence, is the whirlwind, to blaſt and ſcatter all they take in hand. The Iſraelites ſin made their Carcaſſes to fall thick and threefold in the Wilderneſs, ſo that of above ſix hundred thouſand that cameExod. 12. 37.Exod 12:37 out of Egypt, two only, Caleb and Joſhua, ſet foot into the promiſed Land: Nay, Moſes himſelf, for his infidelity and diſobedience, ſtriking the rock, when God bade him but ſpeak to it, was ſhut out of Canaan, and had his Leading-ſtaff taken from him. And when God put it into Joſhua's hands, it was done with the charge in the Text, and a reaſon annexed, that affairs might thrive better under his conduct and menagery, that thou mayeſt proſper whitherſoever thou goeſt. And again, ver. 8. then ſhalt thou make thy way proſperous, and then ſhalt thou have good ſucceſs. Not but that holy and good men have been worſted, and loſt the day. It is no new thing, for Gods Iſrael to flee before accurſed Amalekites, or be led captive by Babiloniſh conquerors, but it was p. 30ſin, that accurſed thing that foyl'd and routed them, and caſting Gods Law behind their back, made them to turn their back before their enemies. And there is no way lies ſo fair and ſmooth to ſucceſs and victory, as for the Menagers of Martial affairs, by a Religious and faithful obedience, to engage him that is the Lord of Hoſts, in their cauſe and quarrel.

6. Sixthly and Laſtly, Religion adds to the Souldier a publick and beneficial uſefulneſs, ſuch as anſwers thoſe juſt ends, for which God hath put the Sword into his hands; without which, the world perhaps would have no more cauſe to joy in the bare ſucceſs of arms, then the poor Polander at this day in the Great Turks proſperity. Neither the Civil nor the Military Sword is to be born in vain, God hath appointed the one and the other to ſet and keep the world to rights, ſo as that where the Sword of the Magiſtrate cannot enter, nor Juſtice and reaſon take place, by reaſon of mens bruitiſh luſts, & ungovernable paſſions, the Souldiers Sword is to cut a way for p. 31them. The ſtate of things would, its true, be very much better'd in the world, if reaſon and equity, righteouſneſs and honeſty could obtain ſuch an uncontrolled, and univerſal Empire, as might make the Souldier uſeleſs, and beat Swords into Plow-ſhares, and Spears into Pruning-hooks; but this neither being, nor to be expected, in our corrupt degenerate ſtate, where the moſt men, like bruits, blindly and eagerly purſue a meer ſenſual intereſt; God hath made the Military Sword a whip for the Horſe, a bridle for the Aſſe, and a rod for the Fools back.

Now without the ſway and influence of Religion, and a ſenſe of duty to God, this ſevere, boiſterous, and bloudy inſtrument can hardly be menaged to the ends of Juſtice and righteouſneſs; men would uſe it to promote their own luſts and paſſions, humours and intereſts, and cut and ſlaſh, only to carve the fat and large portions for themſelves; and ſo greater injury and miſchief would be done by the Sword than redreſſed; were St. John Luke 3. 14.Luke 3:14Baptiſts Military Lecture no part of the diſcipline, the world would have no diſeaſe p. 32more fatal and deadly than this laſt remedy. When Cain took up arms without any reſtraints of Religion, what woful havock did he make, deſtroying one quarter of the world at a blow? And among our ſelves, not long ſince, when they had the ſword in their hands, that were Saints, without Religion, and applauded themſelves in a godlineſs without righteouſneſs and honeſty, how were honours and eſtates, lives and liberties, the crown it ſelf, and the head that wore it, ſacrificed to pride and revenge, boundleſs ambition, and inſatiate avarice? I ſhould not on ſuch a day as this, bring ſorrows to remembrance, but that there is joy in thinking we are paſt them. And that they are not now the objects of ſenſe, but memory, olim meminiſſe. But on the other ſide the unbyaſſed holineſs and Religious integrity of a Sword-man, makes him a publick benefit: And as a ſecond to the Prudent, faithful and conſcientious Magistrate, the world is beholden to him for that little peace, juſtice, honeſty, and good order that are yet remaining in it.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Meriton, Sermon Preached 24 October 1672 (1672)