The Bible Battles, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV: Of that' which os to be done in fighting.
THe people of God in their fighting, had mind of God, ſo as while they1 Ch 5: 20. 2 Mac. 15. 27. ſtrucke him with hands, they prayed to him in their hearts, and truſted on him, and ſo procured a bleſſing vponupon their encounter. They had care to vnderſtand the mind and pleaſure of their Generall, whether manifeſtedIoſ. 8. 18, 19. by words or ſignes. Thus thoſe that were in ambuſh againſt Ai, obſervedIoſ; 4. 7-8. Ioſua his ſtretching out of his ſpeare, vnderſtood his meaning, and ſpeedily executed his will. For they remembred his inſtruction, and charge before given to them, beingCa. 6. 10, 11, 16, 20, ever obedient to him, doing as he would hauehave them, as he himſelfe did, what God commanded him. In the2 Mac: 12 50. 2 Sa. 10. 11 fight they encouraged one another, and kept cloſe together, and were ready to helpe one another, as need ſhould require. Here I thinke it not amiſſe to bring in the words of the Apoſtle ſpiritually intended, but fetched from warfare, and the duty of Captaines and ſouldiers in the battle againſt their enemies, which (omitting the Apoſtles ſcope) I will handle it after the letter very fitly to this my purpoſe in hand. The Apoſtle 1 Cor. 16. 13. ſetteth down foure1 Cor. 16. 13. duties of ſouldiers there expreſſed.
I. Is to watch, and this is 1. To obſerue and take the advantages giuen by the Enemy, but withall to ſee to our ſelves, to beware of miſtakes, leaſt we giuegive them advantage, carefully taking heed to prevent this, or ſpeedily to amend it, before the Enemy eſpy it, as wiſely and quickly, as once Hannibal did.
Secondly, to take heed of the ſignall, cryer, trumpet, and the Commander for directions, the mind of the General may not be miſtaken, as Lieuienant Yakeſtey did Generall Vere at the battle at Newport. A good ſoldier muſt watch with the eye, attend with the eare, and obey with his whole mind.
II. Duty is to ſtand faſt. 1. To the Iuſtice of the cauſe, the King and Country. Secondly, to the Generall, and to fellow ſouldiours in the battle. The Athenians took an oath not to leaue their fellowes in the fight. Thirdly, to ſtand faſt in this reſolution, rather to dy like men manfully, then to run away fearfulfully, or to yeeld cowardly, or which is worſt of all, to fly to the Enemy, trayterouſly, Stukely, Yorke, and others, Traytours, betrayers of our Country hauehave beene.
III. Duty is quit themſelues like men: which conſiſteth in theſe things. 1. In having the right vſe of reaſon for circumſpect carriage for their owne ſafeties, without amazedneſſe through baſe and vaine feare: By this preſent2 Sam. 21. 16, 17. vſe of reaſon and circumſpection did Abiſhai ſaue David from Iſhbi-be…ob the Giant. 2. In a quick and prompt alacrity of ſpirit manifeſted in a ready diſcharge of every action, in duety to be performed orderly and in due time and place; deteſting ſloath and negligence, and to beware of a confuſed diſtraction. Ioel commendeth the warriours which had a liuely courage,Ioel 2. 8. and were quick in execution of ſervice And Ieremy pronounceth aIer: 48. 10. curſe vponupon ſuch as doe the worke of the Lord in battell deceitfully or negligently 3. In a ma…like va…our, a heart not daunted in a preſent perill; being like to a vids Worthies, and2 Sam: 23. 1 Ch: 12. 8 like thoſe of the Tribe of G…d men of might, skilfu…l in Armes, and having faces like Lyons; and not hearts like fearefull hares.
IV. Duetie is to be strong: This is not only to be vnderſtood of the body when men are luſty & ſtrong, and well refreſhed, as Hannibals men were, before he fought with Sempranius the Conſul at Trebia; but this is meant of the ſtrength of the heart chiefly. Be ſtrong, ſaith God, to Ioſua, Ioſ: 1. 6.and to ſhew the meaning he addeth, Be of good courage; which is, not to be conquered in minde; but to hold out to the laſt. A braue ſpirit ſhould be like Shammah, fighting til the hand cleaue to the ſword; So that though2 Sam: 23. 13, 12. the hand be wearied, yet the heart holdeth out, which may get the day, as it did our men in the battell at Newport.
Such Souldiers and Captaines as theſe are worth treaſure, they that thus diſcharge their duty, are no mercenary and baſe fellowes, commonly falſe and faithleſſe; A few of the other are worth an hoſt of theſe, that make pay booty, and ſpoile their onelie ends.