Good Courage Discovered and Encouraged, Part 2
Bee of good Courage.
The ſecond thing I propounded in the proſecution of this point, is the reaſons wherefore a Chriſtian ſhould bee couragious: And my doctrine is built upon a fourefold ground.
Firſt, Gods people ſhould be of good courage, in reference unto the condition, unto which God hath called them. God hath appoynted all Chriſtians to be ſouldiers. A Sacrament is a ſouldiers oath, when we were baptized we tooke preſſe money, and vowed to ſerve under the colours of Chriſt, and as manfull ſouldiers to fight againſt the world, the fleſh, and the Devill: and as oft as wee have beene at the Sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord, wee have renewed our ſolemne, and ſacred obligation in that kind, in reference to Chriſt, who is called The Captaine of the Lords hoſt, Joſ. 5. 16. and the Captaine of our ſalvation Heb. 2. 10. Inàure hardneſſe (ſaith the Apoſtle) as a good culd…er of Chriſt, 2 Tim. 2. 4, Epaphroditus my fellow ſouldier, Phil. 2. 25. Beloved, wiſdome is not more neceſſary for a Counſellor, nor eloquence for an Orator, then courage for a ſouldier. Souldiers we are, wee muſt therefore, Be of good courage.
Secondly, the weighty ſervices wherein the Lord of Hoſts is pleaſed to imploy us. Men imployed in peculiar ſervices are commanded to put on fortitude: As Ioſhua who was a Commander to guide, and governe the hoſt, the armies of the Iſraelites in their paſſage to Canaan, Bee thou ſtrong and very couragious, that thou maiſt obſerve to Ioſh. 1. 7.doe according to all the Law, which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee, turne not from it, to the right hand or to the left. And Ezra, in regard of his office, is thus ſpoken unto: Ariſe, for the matter belongeth unto thee, bee of good courage, and doe it: and common Chriſtians, in reſpect of ſervices required of them, are to be couragious in their places, Ioſ. 23. 6. Be yee therefore very couragious to keepe, and to doe all that is written in the booke of the law of Moſes, that you turne not aſide therefrom, to the right hand or to the left.
Shall I hint ſome ſervices that are charged upon all our conſciences
The worke of mortification, to pick out our eyes, to chop off our hands, to cut off our feet; doe you thinke that a milke ſop, a man that is not a man of a ſtout ſpirit will doe this. Novv to maſſacre fleſhly luſts, is (as it vvere) for a man to mangle, and diſmember his owne body, it is a worke painefull and grievous, as for a man to cut off his owne feet, to chop off his ownehands, and to pick out his owne eyes, as Chriſt and the Apoſtle Paul doe expreſſe it.
Beſides this, there are in Chriſtians boſomes, ſtrong holds to be battered, fortifications to be demoliſhed: there are high hils and mountaines, that muſt be levelled with the ground ther are trenches to be made, vallies to be filled. O beloved, I may not mention the hils that lye before us in heaven way, which we muſt climbe up; and craggy rocks that we muſt get over: and without courage certainly the ſervice put upon our hands will not be diſcharged.
Ther are alſo the wals of Iruſalem to be repaired, and the Temple to be reedefied: If Nehemiah had not beene a a man of a brave ſpirit, hee would never have gone through ſtitch with that Church worke, thoſe weighty ſervices which hee did undertake. How this is appliable to us for the preſent time, the time of our begun reformation, I ſpeake not; but rather doe referre it to your conſiderations; I beſeech you to reade Neh. 4 17, 18. They which builded on the wall, and they that did beare burthens, with thoſe that laded: Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the Builders every one had a ſword girded by his ſide, and ſo builded, and he that ſounded the Trumpet was by us. While they were at worke they were all ready for warre.
Thirdly, Chriſtians muſt bee couragious, in reference to the 3. huge Armies, with which they are aſſaulted.
There are armies
Of Devils.
Of Luſts.
Of men and women in the world, that doe wage warre with every Chriſtian, that in good earneſt makes out after his God in heaven way.
For the Devils, it is the argument of the Apoſtle, and from thence I tooke it, Epheſ. 6. 10. Brethren, be ſtrong (ſaith hee,) for we wreſtle not againſt fleſh, and bloud, but againſt principalities, and powers, againſt the Rulers of the darkneſſe of this World, againſt Spirituall wickedneſſes in the heights. Marke for the number they are many, Our name is legion, for wee are many: How many thouſands, neither you nor I know. There is ſtrength in them, they are Powers, Principalities, and they are Rulers, they have very great authority in the Darkneſſe of the World; in Midnight men, Darke men, Men who love not Sunne-ſhine light, but rather delight to lye in holes and caves.
I meane, in regard of the Darkneſſe of their minds, and their wilfull ignorance of the things of God. And they are in the height; they fight with much advantage (as ſome obſerve,) being over our heads. And they are Spirits, they worke inviſibly, and they fight againſt our Soules, they labour to keepe our hearts in thraldome, they ſeeke to beggar and to undoe us in regard of our grace, and Spirituall joyes.
The Holy Apoſtle Peter ſayeth, The Divell your adverſary, goeth about like a roaring Lyon, ſeeking whom hee may devoure. An Adverſary, and a Devill, and a ſtrong one, as a Lyon roaring, and then hee is active, hee walkes about, and hee is full of malice, ready to devoure: Theſe things touched upon, doe tell us, that wee, who are alwayes ſurrounded, beſieged by ſuch enemies, have need of courage.
There are armies of luſts, I know not how many. The1 Pet. 2. 11. Apoſtle ſaith, Fleſhly luſts that fight againſt the Soule. Theſe ſoes lye within us, and they ſtrike at the head, and the heart, endeavouring to let out the precious life of our immortall ſoules.
As the Captaines of the King of Syria, had a command1 King 22. 31. to fight againſt, neither ſmall nor great, but the King of Iſrael. And the Apoſtle ſaith, that luſts in his boſome were ſuch enemies, as ſtill carried him captive, and haled him as a priſoner. (You know the expreſſion, Rom. 7. 2….) Beloved, doth not experience oftentimes prove thus much, that pride, paſſions, unbeliefe, hypocriſie, earthly mindedneſſe, creature confidence, ſenſuality, doe take up armes againſt our precious Soules. Alas! alas! luſts, deceitfull luſts, many deceitfull luſts, are ſtill, ſtill tyrannizing in our boſomes, which of us hath not cauſe to complaine with the Apoſtle, when I would doe good, they are at hand preſent with mee: ſtrong in mee, ever ſtabbing, and ſtriking, and poyſoning, and wounding; if I would but pray, or weepe, or amend. Theſe Rebels raiſe their ſtrengths, and combine their forces to hinder mee: and no ſooner can Sathan hold up finger, and temptation ſhew it ſelfe; But they are ready furiouſly to march out againſt Chriſt, his government, graces, glory. Beloved, I appeale to your conſciences, whether in regard of this black guard, maintained within us, wee have not need to bee of good courage.
Thirdly, the armies of people: The Apoſtle Paul ſaith, hee fought with men who were as beaſts, Beaſts after the manner of men, 1 Cor. 15. 32. David tels you they were Dogges, and they were Tygers, and Wolves, and Beares, and Buls, and Lyons, ſo in the Pſalmes hee phraſeth them. I promiſe you, a man that is ſo beſet, thus aſſaulted, if hee bee not a man of courage what will become of him? There are Sanballets and Tobiah's, men of malignant, miſchievous Spirits, to doe us miſchiefe in Heaven way. had wee not need in that regard to bee couragious? And truly, women if they cannot uſe weapons, they will caſt, and fling ſtones, ſhoote their arrowes even bitter words. David met with oppoſition in that kind, from one that was neare, and ſhould have beene better. Michol ſhee jeared him in his righteous, and holy zeale, in reference to God; you know the ſtory, and therefore I report it not. And doubtleſſe, had not hee beene a man of an Heroick Spirit, hee might have beene daſht out of countenance and baffled and cooled in his zeale, becauſe of her reproachfull language.
There are thoſe that are ready to performe ill offices, Sheba▪ like, to blow a Trumpet of ſedition, of contention, to caſt coales, and kindle ſtrife betweene the head and the members, the King, and his Subjects; to ſet all on a …i…me in the Kingdome. In this regard, wee had need to bee ſteele to the back, that wee bee not diſheartned. From all theſe three particuiars, I might apply that paſſage, 2 Sam. 10. 9. 12. When Ioah ſaw the front of the battaile againſt him before and behind; hee ſayed hee of good courage, and let us play the men: His ſpeeches did ſparkle Spirits, he herein proved himſelfe a man meete to bee a warlike Commander, for danger and difficulties did adde heart and heate.
My Maſters, you ſee our caſe, let us play the men for our people, and for the Cities of our God. Beloved, you perceive by that which I have pointed at, that our enemies are more and worſe, we are beſet before, and behind, above, and below, without and within; not onelyonly our Cities, but our Soules are oppoſed, endangered. Hell and Earth, Men and Devils, yea and our ſelves are Adverſaries to our ſelves. Therefore there is good reaſon, why wee ſhould put on Courage.
Fourthly and laſtly, Wee have need of Courage, becauſe of the various afflictions to bee expected. For ought wee know, heavy things may befall us, and muſt bee borne by head, and ſhoulders by us, before wee get to our Caſtle, our place of refuge, our reſt in Heaven; how ſtony, how thorny, how deepe, and how dangerous our wayes may prove, before wee get to our journeyes end, wee cannot tell. It may bee, wee muſt travaile through bloud, through our owne bloud, and therefore wee need Courage.
After our Saviour had ſuggeſted to his Diſciples, Mat. 10. 21. Brother ſhall deliver brother to death; the Father the Child, and the Child ſhall raiſe againſt the Parents, and cauſe them to be pat to death, and you ſhall be hated of all men for my names ſake; Hereupon hee adds, verſe 26. Feare not, 32. Feare not. Beloved, we know not what may be our portion here on earth, before we come perfectly to enjoy God our portion, and be happy in enjoying of him for ever. Wee may live to ſee the Citie fired, our eſtates waſted, our wives abuſed, our children torne in peices lin be-meale, peice-meale before our eyes: beleeve mee without courage, theſe ſights will be hard and heavy to be beheld, ſuch like ſights will cauſe us to fownd away, to ſinck into the duſt, if wee provide not courage. Thus have I run over my reaſons, and now I requeſt you all, ſeriouſly to conſider, whether in all the fore-mentioned regards, we have not abundant cauſe to endeavour, to get the grace the text commends, and to doe the duty that in the text God cals for, Be of good courage.
I come now to the application of all that hath beene delivered by way of uſe. The uſes of this poynt that I ſhall ſpeake to, they are but two.
The firſt Reproofe,
The ſecond Exhortation.
For Reproofe, hence I have occaſion for to blame both unworthy cowardlineſſe in ſome, and wicked audaciouſneſſe in others: both vices contrary to this vertue, both extreames, oppoſed by this practize of Chriſtian fortitude, which my text perſwades.
Firſt I muſt check an unworthy daſtardlineſſe, which diſcovers it ſelfe three wayes in the boſomes of men.
Firſt, when men by reaſon of puſi…animity, & lowneſſe of ſpirit, dare not appeare in the cauſe that they are convinced, to be the cauſe of God. There were ſome, Ioh. 12. 43. who, though they beleeved on Chriſt, yet they durſt not profeſſe him for feare of the Phariſees, leſt they ſhould bee excommunicated. The conſciences of many tell them, that ſuch a way is the way of God, doubtleſſe this is heaven road; ſurely theſe are the courſes to be taken to enjoy God, and communion with him, and yet for feare of I know not what, ſcornes, mocks, loſſe of friends, or the like; they dare not be ſeene. It may be they will goe to Chriſt with Nichodemus in the night, for feare too many eyes obſerve them, and take notice of them in ſuch unwounted paths, exerciſes which ſeeme to proclaime ſtrictneſſe and preciſeneſſe. You ſee I am in haſte, and therfore cannot inſtance in particulars.
Secondly, others by reaſon of cowardlineſſe ſoone grow diſcouraged in ſad and weighty undertakings, becauſe they find the way to heaven craggy, the duties difficult, the ſervices ſomething hard; and becauſe they have not expected ſucceſſe on a ſuddaine; here upon their ſpirits ſhrinke up; I have reference in this expreſſion to the original word uſed to this very purpoſe, in Num. 21. 4. And the ſoul of the people was much diſcouraged, becauſe of the way. Their ſpirits were ſhortned (as it is in the Hebrew) they run up by reaſon of diſtreſs, and al vigour gave in. As a Cravant begins to looke pale through feare; his ſpirits fly to the heart, you ſhall ſee no blood in his face: O did he think to be mocked, and to be purſevanted? and did he expect to be impriſoned? and did he conceive to bee put on ſuch a dead taske, and to worke himſelfe downe in his ſtrength, reſpects amongſt men, and other outward comforts, and reape nothing but the wind. Much hath beene done, and much hath beene endured, many weeks, moneths, yeares, are run up, ſince hee expected a good crop, of increaſe and comfort: but hopes being fruſtrated, and expectations diſappoynted; hee ſits downe dejected: Becauſe Reformation is driven on heavily, things ſtick in the birth, therefore many are diſheartned.
Thirdly, thoſe that under darke clouds and ſhowres of ſufferings lye grovelling on the ground, through diſconſolateneſſe: He that faints in the evill day, his ſtrength is ſmal, Prov. 24. 10. There is mention of ſome, Ioſ. 2. 11. when the wind and tyde went againſt them; when the victory was carried on the other ſide, it is ſaid, their hearts melted, there was no more courage in them: The melting of the wax is the ſevering of part from part: The confirming of the parts together, is the ſtrength of it, the looſening of the parts weakens it: a mans ſoule runs out through fainting feares, as water; whereas it ſhould be confirmed, as a peice of ſteele. Chriſtians ſhould be magnanimous, and Fortitude will fortifie, and corroborate the ſoule. As the originall word ſuggeſts thus much, ſo the conjunction of ſtrength, and valour in the holy Scriptures doth import it: Be ſtrong and of good courage. Thinke of this, and take heed I pray you of daſtardly dejectedneſſe, and diſmaying feares, in ſad, ſuffering times, becauſe thereby both ſoule and body are much feebled, and much prejudiced.
The ſecond thing reproved, is wicked audaciouſneſſe: This branch of the reprehenſion is needfull, for certainely, there is in ſome men a kind of fire, that riſeth out of hell, or rather ſome mettall, which is digged out of the bottomleſſe pit, which is called Courage, and ſo accouted in the world. My meaning is, that there is a devilliſh, wretched reſoluteneſſe in the boſomes of ſome to hold on in ſinne; notwithſtanding divine reprehenſions, convictions, threatnings, and executions; which is as much oppoſite to true courage, as the greateſt cowardlineſs in the world. I told you before, that true courage is for good, upon a Command from God. The Apoſtle checks the Corinthians, becauſe they had ſo much boldneſs, as that they did dare to doe that which was offenſive, viz. to goe to law one with another, and that before Infidels, you dare doe it ſaith he, you have ſo much boldneſs, 1 Cor. 6. & the Apoſtle Peter checks men, They are not afraid to ſpeak evil of Dignities. Pſal. 12. 4.The Pſalmiſt brings in bad men thus reſolving, Our tongues are our own, and we wil ſpeak, and who is Lord over us.
Some there be, who though the Miniſter flaſh the very fire of hell in their faces, diſcovering the danger of their evill courſes; yet like unto the warre-horſe, they will adventure further, let the conſequence prove what it may: yea, although God be on them in wayes of heavy affliction, with one rod after another, and one blow bigger then another, though his providence pinch them in their perſons, impoveriſh them in their eſtates, cruſh them in their credit; and it may be they ſuffer much in their yoak-fellowes, Children and neere allies; yea, though the often recoyling of their conſciences, cauſe earth-quakes in their owne boſomes, yet on they will ſtill to doe wickedly. Theſe are the men of whom the Prophet complaines, Who make their faces harder then the Rock, and refuſe to returne.Ier. 5. 3. Men of this make are common in every place, and their way of living is much to be bewayled: and now I am neceſſitated to ſpeake unto them▪ becauſe their ſturdineſſe in refuſing to ſtoope unto God in reformation, is reputed courage.
To cruſh theſe wretched conceits, I heartily wiſh that the Scriptures may be peruſed; where you ſhall find, that thoſe who are commended for the moſt valiant Champions, and the ſtouteſt ſouldiers in the Campe of Chriſt, that they were the moſt ti…orous in matter of ſinne, and moſt cautious in references to God, that they might not in any kind offend His Majeſty. David, that durſt take a Lyon by the beard, and durſt adventure upon a Duell, a ſingle combat with Goliah, yet thus hee expreſſeth himſelfe to God, My fleſh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am afraid of thy Pſal. 119. 120.judgements. And Nehomiah, who had many wayes worthily expreſſed his magnanimity for God and his cauſe, yet no man was ever more awed with the feare of God. Hee perſwaded himſelfe, and others thereunto. Ought not wee to walke in the feare of God? And againe complayning ofNeh. 5 9. 15. the governours, who were his Predeceſtors, that they were uſurious, and very injurious in their places; hee addeth but ſo, Did not I (I durſt not) becauſe of the feare of the Lord my God. I am confident, that this poſition is full of truth, you may truſt to it, as ſound and orthodox: That there is no more Chriſtian courage, then there is Chriſtian feare in our hearts. There is no more true valour in Gods account, in conflicting with difficulties, and ſtout ſtanding under heavy preſſures, then there is a cautious, and timorous circumſpection, leſt ſinne of any kind ſhould be committed to the diſhonour, and provocation of God. Shall I thinke that a man that will ſweare, and roare, and curſe, and pox, and plague (I ſhould not have defiled my mouth with theſe words) ſhall I thinke that this man of Beliall hath Chriſtian courage? Hee may have morall magnanimity, as an heathen, as a Romane, but he wants the courage of a Saint, that courage which my Text cals for. Beloved, I pray you beleeve it, (I ſpeake as a Scripture man; and I ſpeake to men that muſt labour to be men valiant, as becommeth Saints) hee t…at rules his owne ſpirit, Prov. 16. 32.doth more then hee that overcomes a Citie. That man who takes downe his untamed luſts; and that man who bridles the unruly member the tongue Hee who conquers the rebellious mutinies in his owne boſome, and who notwithſtanding all avocaſions, is carefull ſtill to keepe cloſe to God, this is the valiant man indeed, God himſelfe, by Solomons pen, gives ſuch a one his Letters teſtimoniall to be magnanimous. And for my part I will adventer that which is deareſt unto my ſelfe in this world, in the hands of this man, if in the hand of any, in regard of valour, and holy, hearty, heroick reſolution. But I put off from this reproofe, wherein my zeale hath made mee bold, to ſpeake my mind: For I had rather counſell then reprehend: and before I goe forward, I wiſh that my checks lighting on ungracious hearts may make kindly and deepe impreſſions on them, for their amendment. And God grant that you that come to prayſe God, as becommeth Saints this day, may learne alſo hereafter to be valiant as it becommeth Saints, according to the directions of ſac…ed Scripture.
The laſt uſe, is an uſe of exhortation; (I feare, I have more to ſay then my time, and your occaſions will ſuffer mee to deliver.) It is on…ly this, to perſwade you all (my beloved,) I ſay all, without exception, Colonels, Captaines, other Officers, Souldiers, yea all the Servants of the Lord, to yeild to the word of exhortation, and in your places to endeavour Chriſtian courage; This uſe moſt uſefull my heart deſires to enlarge, wherein I faine would,
1. By Arguments perſwade it,
2. By Directions helpe you in it.
I have Arguments of two kinds, God grant they may come with ſome ſtrength upon your hearts, to move you to endeavour to bee truly valorous.
Firſt, From the conſideration of the rich commodities, that are the undoubted conſequences of Religious fortitude. O the booties, ô the boones, ô the benefits, that Chriſtians may enjoy in the way of Chriſtian valour. I will point at 6. and I ſhall doe little more then point at them.
Firſt, It will wind, and worke you into the boſome, and favour of God; Be of good Courage, and hee ſhall ſtrengthen thy heart. Put thou thy ſelfe forth in a way of bold adventure for him, and his providence ſhall bee ſweetly exerciſed for thy good. A worthy Commander how carefull is hee of a brave blade, a man that will fight at a Cannons mouth. Doth hee heare from him, that a bone is broken? Send for the Bone-ſetter. Is hee like to bleed to death? call for the Surgeon, let him poſt away to prevent that perill; Doth hee grow weaker and weaker? Is there any thing in the Campe, that may reſtore his Spirits, withhold nothing; nothing is too good, too coſtly, would hee eate gold, hee ſhould have it.
Thus it is with God, O what letters of commendation doth hee give in manifeſtation of his owne love to them in Pergamus, upon this very ground: Thou, ſaith the Lord, Rev. 2. 13.thou haſt held forth my name, and not denyed it even in thoſe daies, when Antipas my faithfull Martyr was ſlaine, even where Sathan dwelleth. Thou didſt fight for CHRIST in the Cave, where the Devill commanded, thou didſt ſtand and appeare for him, when other men did loſe life, and bloud. Here is a man that God will owne, ſuch a one, ſhall have Gods heart and hand to doe him honour, to yeild him comfort. And therefore I appeale to your conſciences, is not this Courage worth the having? worth the ſeeking?
Secondly, Your Courage will hearten you in the weightieſt and difficulteſt adventures, which the cauſe and glory of God, the welfaire of his Church, the honour of the King, the peace and proſperity of the Kingdome may put you upon. Heſter was a woman, yet valiant. Muſt I to the King for my people; If I periſh, I periſh. I will take my life in my hand and adventure: Nehemi…h had a hard taske to undertake, truly a dead peice of ſervice to ſet upon, yet notwithſtanding being a couragious man, hee will hazard his All, to obey the command of his God, and to ſerve the neceſſities of his brethren. This is recorded for the everlaſting credit of ſome of the Servants of God, the Prieſts, 2 …hron. 26. 17. 18. And Azariah the Prieſt went in after him and with him 4. ſcore Prieſts of the Lord that were valiant men; and they withſtood Vzziah the King, and ſaid unto him, it pertaineth not unto thee Vzziah to burne incenſe to the Lord.
Men of brave Noble Spirits will ſpeake, whatſoever it coſt them, upon a call from God, men of valour will appeare according to Gods command in ſervices ſad, and heavy. Wee ſay, that a well metled horſe, will take forward, and draw at a ſtanding tree, but that I ſhall ſpeake of in the next.
Thirdly, It will make us unwearied in our workes, though deſired, and expected ſucceſſe bee denied. You ſee it ſome time; (My ſimilitude is a plaine one, but beloved, it fully evidenceth the thing I ſpeake to,) A Carre-horſe of good mettall, will plucke, and fall on his knees, and up, and take forty pluckes at a ſticking load, whereas a Jade, if it come not at the firſt twitch, goes back, back, and you cannot get him forward. Iuſt thus is it with a Coward, if hee have not victory at the firſt skirmiſh, hee will hardly make a ſecond aſſault; if hee bee knocked downe, once, twice, or thrice, hee gives up all as loſt, and is ready to runne away; but a man of a ſtout Spirit in ſuch a caſe, will pluckt up heart, fight againe, ſo long as hee can either ſtand or ſtirre. Thus Moſes hee goes, the firſt, and ſecond, and third, and tenth time to Pharoah, notwithſtanding brow-beatings, repulſes, threatnings. Thus ſa…th the Lord, let my people goe. That was his meſſage, either it muſt bee granted, or hee will not ceaſe his importunity. Iſrael hee comes for, and Iſrael hee will have with him, or elſe, hee will not leave Egypt.
My beloved, let us bring this downe to our ſelves: Many prayers wee have made, and many faſts wee have kept for Sion: and before our deliverance bee compleat, wee know not, how many plucks wee muſt yet have, and how many ſhall wee take to repaire the walles, and to reedifie the Houſe of God, in caſe, God give us this mettall, which I am commending.
Fourthly, Courage will bee a meanes to keepe us from conſcience-waſting, and ſcandalous miſcarriages. What had become (thinke you) of Shidrack Meſheck, and Ab…dnego? or what had become of Daniel, if they had not beene men of undaunted hearts? The one had given off doing his duty, preſenting his indebted homage to his God, hee muſt not pray for the ſpace of thirty dayes to his God. The other three muſt bow downe in way of Idolatry to an Idoll. But marke the Sparkling of their Spirits; Bee it knowne unto thee ô King, wee know God can deliver us, but if hee will not, wee will not fall downe, nor worſhip that Image which thou haſt ſet up. They were by Courage kept out of the briers, and off the Rock, which might otherwiſe have torne and broken them wofully. And Daniel was preſerved from the neglect of his devotion to his God, by the ſame meanes.
Fiftly, Believe it, that our Courage will daunt our Adverſaries, and drive them away; The Captaine of that black guard, (the Devill I meane) will give back, if ſtoutly withſtood: Reſiſt him, and hee will flee▪ ſtand to it and hee will runne Iam. 4. 7.away. In like manner, will thoſe, who march under his colours againſt Gods people. It is ſaid expreſly 1 Sam. 4. 5. 7. when the Philiſtines heard the Iſraelites ſhout, O ſay they their God is among them, wo unto us. Without doubt, the very valour of Proteſtants will bee the daunting of the Papiſts. Let thoſe who appeare for Reformation, maintaine their ground, and the enemies thereof, will bee diſcouraged, vanquiſhed.
Laſtly, I might adde, that our Courage will incourage, I know not how many, One bold leader, will hearten hundreds. O ſaith Paul, my bonds, and ſufferings are famous, they are manifeſt in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the Brethren by reaſon of my bonds Wax bold, and ſpeake the word without feare, Phil. 1. 12. 13. 14. If you would know what word? It was the word of CHRIST, who was denyed, derided. Now to ſpeake for a Chriſt when Paul is in priſon, and in bolts, and fetters for the word of CHRIST, was an act of Manhood. And Pauls valour made them thus bold. The Cities Courage will make the Countrey couragious.
This true valour that I ſpeake for, may have influence I know not how farre, through the Kingdome in way of benefit, and advantage. Therefore looke you to it, Quit your ſelves like men, Be of good Courage.
The ſecond motive, is taken from the conſideration of the ſad conſequences of cowardlineſſe.
Firſt, A mans perſonall diſcredit, call a Souldier a cravant, and how doe you diſgrace him? They would faine, (ſaith Nehemiah,) Put mee in feare, that they might have had ſomewhat to reproach mee; Nehem. 6. 13. A Captaine, and a Coward, what a ſhame is it? If you deſire to maintaine your honour and reputation, in City and Countrey, hold up your hearts, Be men of valour.
Secondly, This is another a ſad conſequence of cowardlineſſe, it may tend to make us unprofitable, and unſerviceable in our places; I was afraid, and hid my talant, for I Matth. 25. 25thought, thou waſt a hard maſter. You know whoſe ſpeech it was. When a man hath both oportunities and a…ilities to doe, God and the King, the Parliament and Kingdome, good ſervice. God hath beſtowed a good head-piece, much wiſedome, an able body and healthfull, a ſtrong arme, a vaſt eſtate, a great command; and yet notwithſtanding, when the welfare of Church and Common-wealth, call him to make appearance, hee drawes back, dares not bee ſeene, all his talents are tied in a napkin, there is nothing traded for God, becauſe hee is a Coward, and dares not looke out of dores. There will bee a heavy reckoning for that man, Take him, bind him hand and foote. Cowardlineſſe makes men, though able, yet unprofitable, therefore take heed of it.
Thirdly, The good cauſes, which men owne and favour, may receive a great deale of dammage, and prejudice by the puſillanimity, the pooreneſſe of the Spirits of them, that appeare therein. There was a notable piece of policy, in the endeavour of the rayling wretch Rabſhecah, to affright the …ouldiers of Hezeki…h, 2 Chr. 32. 18. This they did, that they might make us afraid and take our City. Cowardlineſſe ties a mans hands behind him, that hee can doe nothing in the World, hee cannot keepe his ranck, and place, hee neither knowes when to charge, or diſcharge; his hands quake, his eyes cannot ſee, hee cries where am I? and what muſt I doe? Thus all is loſt, becauſe of cowardlineſſe, it is a mighty diſadvantage to bee a daſtard. Certainely, a man under the power of diſmaying, in feares is …arſe a man in the uſe of his intellectuals.
Fourthly, What ſad breaches cowardlineſſe, may make upon us, both in regard of ſinne, and judgements. I know not. The ſad example of Saint Peter is here conſiderable, O what a wound did hee receive, by reaſon of his unworthy fearefulneſſe; It coſt him deare before the cut was cured. You know his threefold deniall of his Maſter, with the black aggravations thereof; O I know him not, I am not any of them, you are miſtaken in mee, &c. But before that breach was, made up, it coſt him hot water, H…e wept bitterly.
Beloved, beloved, conſider what I ſay, many a man doth that under the command of cowardlineſſe, which is paine and anguiſh in his heart to his dying day. God is wonderfully incenſed, when men ſhrinke from him, becauſe of difficulties and dangers, Feare not leaſt I ſlay thee. Bee not diſmayed at their faces (ſaith God to Jeremiah,) leſt I confound thee before them, Ier. 1. 17. When God cals often, and cals loude upon men to take part with him, and yet they ſhrinke and draw back, believe it, the danger is not little. You know whoſe ſpeech it is; If you will deny mee Marke 8. 38.before men, I will deny you before my Father, which is in heaven.
A valiant Captaine, when the field is fought, and the victory is got, bids, bring in that cravant, that milke-ſop, who did runne away: Hiſſe him, turne him out of doores, as the ſhame of his Countrey; when Chriſt ſhall come and call, and ſay to ſome White-livered men, you were aſhamed to appeare for the ſtrict obſervation of the Lordsday, and you would not bee ſeene to favour the Reformation, which by Englands Parliament, at ſuch a time was endeavoured, and you would not labour to have the ſanctuary ſwept from all pollutions, and you would bee at no coſt, to have Chriſts-coine, bear his ſtamp alone, to have his ordinances pure without mixtures, but you would rather Iſſachar-like, lye under burthens, then ſtruggle for deliverance. You were afraid what might bee the iſſue of your boldneſſe in ſuch buſineſſes, if the times ſhould turn, and the tyde run another way, and matters change in ſuch and ſuch a manner. And hereupon you ſneakingly left me, and my cauſe and glory in the open fields. Beloved, this will be an heavy hearing to the cowardly Apoſtate at the laſt day, when the fearefull, and the unbeleeving muſt be ſent into the lake which burneth with fire & brimſtone. Therefore I intreat you againe, and againe, to conſiderRevel. 2. 8. well of this matter.
Laſtly, how farre cowardlineſſe may tend to diſcourage others: I wiſh you to conſider: I here remember, that when Iſrael of old, was to goe forth unto battaile, God commanded the officers to ſpeake thus unto th… people, What man is th…re, that is fearefull, and faint hearted, l…t him goe and returne unto his houſe, leſt his brethrens hearts faint (or melt) as well as his heart.
Gentlemen, God forbid that you who are come hither to day, to acknowledge your ſelves bound to God for your eſtates, lives, and liberties, & to have the word of truth, preached and preſſed upon you for your ſoules good. God forbid (I ſay) that you who give good examples in many other kinds, ſhould doe any thing which may tend to weaken the ſpirits, and to dampe the courage of any, who ſhall enquire, what doe they in London?
Having thus farre perſwaded you, to pluck up your hearts, as it becommeth Saints: I now intreat you, to give me leave to counſell you, what courſe to take, that you may be couragious, and I promiſe to doe it, as with ſincere reference to God, whoſe ſervant I am, ſo with unfained faithfulneſſe to you whom I now ſerve.
What ſhall wee doe, that wee may bee couragious?
My directions are in number ten, I will not be long in any one of them, becauſe I would not be tedious, I humbly beg your beſt attention, deſiring to ſpeake to your ſoules, and I beſeech the Lord to ſpeake to my heart, and yours.
The firſt helpe to Chriſtian courage (which makes way for all the reſt) is this: Labour clearly from Scripture grounds to evidence your propriety in God.
When David was utterly undone in outward appearance at Ziklag, being ſtript of all outward comforts, and expected that his brains ſhould be beaten out with ſtones, (They talked of ſtoning him) David incouraged himſelfe (hee confirmed1 Sam. 30. 6. and ſtrengthened his heart) as the originall expreſſeth it, in the Lord his God: Is there not more in God, My beloved, I pray you put this queſtion upon ſerious debate in your owne boſomes, my God to hearten mee, then in mine enemies my greateſt, my worſt enemies to diſmay mee? Take the improvement of this point in two particulars.
1 Gods omnipotency?
2 Gods Omnipreſence.
Is there not more ability in God, then power in all the world, if combined together. Bee ſtrong, and couragious, 2 Chro. 32. 8▪(ſaith Hezekiah) Be not afraid, nor diſmayed, for the King of Aſſyria, nor for all the multitude, that is with him, for there be more with us, then with him: with him is an arme of fleſh, but with us is the Lord our God to helpe us, and to fight our battailes, And the people reſted themſelves upon the words of Hezekiah, King of Iudah. At this time Senacherib had rayſed a very great Army, as holy Hiſtory reports: And rayling Rabſhekah was confident, that Iſraels God could not deliver; yet you ſee, that this thought. The Lord our God to helpe us, did ſteele and ſtrengthen their hearts.
The knowledge of Dietie, and Proprietie, will increaſe magnanimity in a fearefull heart, what are huge armies, ſtrong fortifications weapons of war, the ſtrength, ſtoutneſſe, skill, or experience of common ſouldiers, or warlike Commanders againſt the Lord Almighty? look back to the hiſtory laſt mentioned, where we read, that one angel in one night killed five thouſand men in the hoſt of the King of Aſſyri…. By this example, gueſſe at the ability of yourIſa. 37. 36. God, having made ſure your intereſt in him; and from thence gather courage.
2 As the ability, ſo the preſence of God by the efficacyIoſh 1. 9. of his all-ordering providence, may hearten all them, whoſe God hee is by ſpeciall Covenant; Have not I commanded thee, be ſtrong, and of a good courage, be not afrayd, neither be thou diſmayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whither ſoever thou goeſt. The Lord is with us, by the preſence of his ſpeciall favour, in all our good undertakings whetherſoever wee goe. The Chriſtian carries his commander, his refuge, his Caſtle, his God along with him, whether hee keepe in the Citie, or goe forth into the countrey; whether hee ſerve by land, or by ſea, his God is ſtill at hand. Aſſurance therefore, that the al-ſufficient, al-prepreſent God is ours, will lay a good foundation for good courage: Thoſe who adventure upon any ſervice without God going along with them, may expect defeats; notwithſtanding all meanes of defence: and therefore no m…rvell, if they tremble: But God taking part with his people, they may confidently from his preſence expect deliverance. If it had not been the Lord who was on our ſide, they had ſwallowed us up quicke &c. but bleſſed be the Lord, Pſal. 1. 6.who hath not given us, as a prey to their teeth. God and his people make one ſide; and becauſe their helpe ſtandeth in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth; therefore they have aboundant cauſe to be o… good courage.
Secondly, make ſure, that the cauſe you appeare in, is the cauſe of God. If a man marching to looke his enemies in the face, and being about to begin the battail…, ſhould feele the earth to ſhake under him, and the ground to ſink, every foot hee ſet forward: O how would this daunt him, and how would his heart recoyle, and give in within him? O beloved, I beſeech you, be you well confirmed in your owne hearts, that you doe ſerve for God. It is that which was added to give Courage to them in Iehoſaphats time, when they were ſurrounded, with Ammon, and Moab, and Mount Seir, as if wee ſhould ſay, with Denmarke and France, and Papiſts at home. Well, ſaith the man of God, Hearken yee all Iudah, and yee Inhabitants of2 Chron. 20. 15. &c. Ieruſalem, and thou King Iehoſaphat; Thus ſaith the Lord unto you: Bee not afraid nor d…ſma…d, by re…ſon of the great multitude for the battaile is not yours but Gods.
Beloved, hee that hath a …ad conſcience, and a bad cauſe, ever fights as a Coward, and is ready at every ſtroke to lay downe his weapons and runne away. A true man will ſtand to it, come who may come, for his cauſe is juſtifiable, and hee may with boldneſſe owne it; but theives, if they heare any noiſe, any whiſpering, they cry one to another, let us haſt and bee gone, for they know, their adventure's unwarrantable. When a man thus thinkes with himſelfe, being beſet with dangers and difficulties, what if I ſhould dye in this buſineſſe? could I with confidence owne it, at the Barre of IESUS CHRIST? The incouragement of his owne conſcience, will much embolden him. But if a mans owne heart tell him; that adventuring and dying in a ſuch cauſe, e ſhall ſinck into Hell, becauſe he oppoſeth the Commands and Government of IESUS CHRIST; the liberties, the comforts, the prayers of Gods people, how is it poſſible, that hee ſhould play the man, and bee truly couragious?
Thirdly, Conſider ſeriouſly, the many weighty conſequences of the good cauſe, which from good grounds, you undertake to maintaine. Sit downe and ſadly thinke what will the iſſue bee, if you deſert your Proteſtation, whereby you bound your ſelves, to ſtand for the true Proteſtant Religion, the honour of our King, the Priviledges of Parliament, the Lawes of the Land, and welfare of the Kingdome. Here it is notable, how the Philiſtines heartened one another, in the day of their deepe danger, 1 Sam. 4. 9. Be ſtrong, quit your ſelves like men ô Philiſtins that you bee not Servants to the Hebrewes; Quit your ſelves like men and ſight; Either pluck up your hearts, and fight now, or bee ſlaves for ever; that is the argument.
And I pray you, obſerve how Ioab pleads, When hee ſaw the battell before and behind. 2 Sam. 10. 12. Be of good Courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the Cities of our God. And that paſſage, Nehem. 4. 14. It is conſiderable, as either of the former; Bee not afraid remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your Breth…n, for your Sons, for your Daughters, for your Wives, and for your Houſes.
Marke it, my beloved, and make application, what if the Papiſts ſhould get the upper hand? What if the Parliament ſhould bee diſſolved? What if the malignant party ſhould effect their miſchievous deſires? Oh how darke and dolefull, how black and bloudy, would our times prove, we are all, many wayes obliged to ſtand for the government and worſhip of the Lord Chriſt: for the ſafety, and honour of our King, for the welfare of his three Kingdomes, for the Priviledges of our Parliament, and for our rights by Law; All theſe are to bee prized at an exceeding high rate: our happineſſe will bee great in the enjoying of them, and our miſery not ſmall, in the want of them. Every man according to his Relations and engagements, ſhould reaſon the caſe with himſelfe. What adventures ſhould I make, and what hazard ſhould I runne, that my ſelfe may not bee enſlaved, that my Wife may not bee abuſed, my Children maſſacred, and (which is above all,) that Chriſts holy Religion may not bee corrupted, and that Popery may not bee introduced and eſtabliſhed in England. Thus meditation upon the worth of the things to bee maintained, will bee a ſpeciall meanes to quicken and to augment Courage.
Fourthly, Keepe Chriſt your Captaine in your eye. For true valour, there never was, nor ever ſhall bee any like unto him. Gird thy ſword upon thy thigh, ô moſt mighty, with thy glory and Majeſty; and in thy Majeſty ride proſperouſly, and thy right hand ſhall teach thee terrible things; Pſalme 45. 3 4 How valiant a Champion was the Lord IESUS!Heb. 12. 2. Hee endured the Croſſe, and deſpiſed the ſhame; Hee went on, though dogges did barke, and Lyons did roare, though men reproachfully reviled him, and the Devils endeavoured to devoure him; though the earth (as it were) did ſhake under his feete, and the Heavens were black and thundring over his head. Although when his profeſſed enemies had conſpired his death, Iudas did betray him, and his other Diſciples did forſake him, yea although his God and Father did hide his face from him, when hee anſwered Divine Iuſtice for our ſinnes, yet hee ſhrunke not, hee drew not back, from the glorious worke undertaken. When outward dangers encompaſſed him, and the ſorrowes of Hell tooke hold upon his Soule, though hee was apprehenſive, and ſenſible of all, unto the utmoſt, and therefore both complained and prayed to his Father, yet was he not diſcouraged. Hee did not ſound, when hee ſaw his own bloud, yea although his body was wet all over with a bloudy ſweat, but he worthily did wade through the floud of his appointed paſſions.
Conſider him, conſider him, (beloved,) that you may not faint in your minds; when a ſouldier ſees his Captaine content to take up with poore proviſions and undaunted, though hee meet with hard ſervices, harſh uſages, ſore affronts, hee thereupon growes the more reſolute. For thus bee reaſons within himſelfe. My worthy Commander, for his diet, takes up with a cruſt of courſe bread and a little water, hee hath not beene in bed theſe many nights, but ſtill, either watcheth, or elſe, hee lies upon the ground, the cold ground no wayes, no weather diſcourages him, Winter, Summer, wet, or dry, ſcorching heate, the pinching froſt, are alike unto him: Bullets, blowes wounds, bruiſes, broken bones, doe not cauſe him to ſound a retreat, to give back, and ſhall I ſhrinke? Beloved, if Chriſt had ſhrunke when Heaven frowned, and men deſerted, and Devils oppoſed him, what had become of you, and mee? Is this Chriſt my Captaine? and hath hee Captaine-like, Champion-like for mee both done and ſuffered thus worthily, thus incomparably, and ſhall not I put on Courage, and ſhew my ſelfe a man, a valiant man for him? I beſeech you, conſider this frequently and affectionately.
Fiftly, I commend unto you, mutuall Chriſtian communion, as a ſpeciall meanes of Chriſtian Courage. In the Prophet Malachy his times, when wickedneſſe wasMal. 3. 16. growen to a great head, and the power of godlineſſe was diſcountenanced in them, then thoſe that feared God, ſpake often one to another.
When Paul after ſhiprack, ſaw the brethren, who came Act. 28. 15.to meete him, hee tooke Courage. And alſo, upon a ſtrongAct. 18. 5. diſpute with ſome who oppoſed Chriſt, when Silas and Timotheus were come, Paul was preſſed in Spirit. God bee thanked for that unity and love which is amongſt you, amongſt you, the Aldermen and Commons of this City, unto whom the Militia is committed; God continue it, God knit your hearts together more faſt, and firme from day to day: God give you when you meete to conſider ſeriouſly what may heat, and hearten your Spirits in the way of Chriſtian valour, according to that which this day I have preached, and according to that, which this day wee all need.
Wee read in Iſay 41. 6. of a Company of Idolaters, animating each other, in promoting Idoll worſhip. They helped every one his Neighbour, and every one ſayd to his brother, Bee of good Courage. So the Carpenter encouraged the Gold ſmith, and hee that ſmootheth with the hammer, him that ſmiteth with the anvill, &c.
Doubtleſſe, at this day, thoſe who envy our hopes, and oppoſe our peace, doe meete and hearten one another, both by words and actions. God forbid therefore, that wee ſhould bee more regardleſſe of one another, having a better cauſe, and more incouragements.
Sixtly, ſet faith on worke in the promiſes of the Goſpell. The worthies in the primitive times, waxed valiant by meanes of faith; Hebr. 11. 34. You may doe well to informe your ſelves, what the Lord is pleaſed to ſpeake in the word of truth for your comfort. By the bond of his owne rich unchangeable grace, he is become your debtour to doe more then I can poſſibly expreſſe. Three things I thought to have ſpoken unto, under this direction.
Firſt, The promiſe of Gods aſſiſtance, Bee of good Courage, and hee will ſtrengthen thine heart. The ſweet Pſalmiſt ſaw much ſweetneſſe in this, and therefore doth mention it, once and againe when the Soule ſaith, I am ready toPſal. 27. 14. fall downe, yet taking courage, to march forward, it ſhall renew ſtrength, it ſhall receive an addition of new ſtrength, Eſa 40. 31. And that ſpeech of Solomon, Prov. 10. 29. is very remarkeable. The way of the Lord is ſtrength to the upright. They goe on and gather ſtrength in going, they walke from ſtrength to ſtregth, Pſalm. 84. 7. Truly this is an heartening conſideration.
Secondly, The promiſe of good ſucceſſe. Beloved, Chriſtians maintaining the cauſe and minding the glory of God, are as ſure of victory as if now they were ſinging the triumph, and going away as Conquerours. This is moſt certaine, for truth it ſelfe hath ſpoken it; In the World Ioh. 16. 33.yee ſhall have affliction, bee of good cheere, or bee bold, I have overcome the World. The Devill hath his deaths wound, Corruption hath (as it were) the knife at the heart of it and the power of wicked men is broken, they are but ſprunting and ſtriving for life.
By this argument, the Lord heartened his ſervant Ioſhua; Bee ſtrong and of a good Courage, for unto this people ſhalt thou divide for an inheritance, the land which I ſware unto their Fathers to give them; Joſh. 1. 6 As though the Lord had thus ſpoken; although thou mayeſt fight many battailes, receive many foyles, looſe many of thy ſouldiers, yet bee not diſmayed, for certainely as a Conquerour, thou ſhalt bring the people to Canaan.
Thirdly, Then the recompence aſſured upon all them, who ſtoutly ſtand to the cauſe of God, is more rich and large, then I can relate. To him that overcommeth, will I grant to ſit with mee in my Throne. And from this aſſurance,Rev. 3. 21. the Apoſtle Paul incourageth the Corinthians. Therefore my beloved Brethren, Bee yee ſtedfaſt, and unmoveable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord, for as much, as yee know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. God1 Cor. 15 58. will requite all paines taken, all ſorrowes ſuffered, and you that have loſt houſes, or land, or father, or mother, or wife, or Ma…h. 19. 29.children, for Chriſt, and his cauſe, beſides that inward peace, and tranquilitie and ioy, which an hundred fold exceed all ſublunary contents, to bee enioyed here, you ſhall inherit hereafter everlaſting life. And againe, feare none of thoſe things which thou ſhalt ſuffer. Behold the Devill ſhall caſt ſome of you into priſon, &c. Be thou faithfull unto death, and I will give thee a Crowne of life. Feed on theſe promiſes, for Cordials flow from them to cheere your drooping hearts, and to ſtrengthen courage.
Seventhly in large your louelove. If thoſe hearts which now doe but drop love, might flow forth ſtreames of love upon Gods cauſe, our Kings honour, and the Kingdomes welfare how wonderfully would our courage be increaſed. Both reaſon and religion, wil give in manifold ſtrong arguments to augment our love to our Prince, our Parliament, our peace, our priviledges, our poſterity: and doubtleſſe our love and valour, will grow together.
Love will adventure farre: Women are the more feeble, the more fearefull Sexe, and yet love in a tender mother will produce bold adventures to ſave the babe of her wombe. The timorous mother, who is wont to tremble at the report of a Musket, will almoſt come to a Cannons mouth to ſave her Child from being broken in peeces: Love doth it.
Have you not in the countrey ſometimes ſeene an Ewe, in defence of her lambe, to turne head upon a maſtive dog, and to ſtampe, although at other times, the barking of a little whelpe, will make a whole flocke of them to runne away. O, love doth it. And the poore Hen, ſhee will fly at the Kite to ſave her brood; Love doth it. O that you and I had this Love; Love to Zion, to the Goſpel of peace, Love to Chriſt, and the pure ordinances of grace: Love will make brave and bold adventures.
And as it will adventure farre, ſo it will endure much, and long. The Apoſtle ſaith, Charity beareth all things, endureth all things, Iacob though he had tedious dayes, and1 Cor. 13. 7. weary nights, a fore ſervice under a ſowre Vncle, a churliſh Maſter, yet he ſerved ſeven yeares for Rachell, and they ſeemed unto him, but a few dayes, for the love hee had to her Gen. 29. 20.Love is ſtrong as death, many waters cannot quen…h love, neither can the flouds drowne it; if a man would give all the ſubſtance of his houſe for love, it would utterly be contemned. Cant. 8. 6. 7.What …f one ſhould come to a woman, and make this motion, be content that your child be torne in peices, and here is a thouſand pounds for you. Her anſwer would be ready. Not for a thouſand worlds: yea, ſhee would almoſt ſpit in his face, who ſhould preſſe ſuch a propoſition, what rend my child in peices? There is nothing can conquer love: ſo it would be with us, in reference to Gods commandements, the liberty of Goſpel ordinances: No promiſes, no threats, no means, fayre, or fowle would take us off from appearing in the defence of them, if our hearts were more enflamed with love.
Eightly, Walke exactly, keepe your conſciences cleare.
Notable is that direction of the Lord, Deut. 13. 8. Ye ſhal keep all the commandements which I command you this day, that you may be ſtrong: Suppoſe a man, who hath a wound, or an impoſtu mated ſwelling on his body, ſhould goe into the Campe, if any touch him, hee skritcheth, and he cries, come not neare me, you know the reaſon, and the application is familiar and eaſie to the point in hand, wounds in our conſciences, will make us timerous and cowardly; but The Righteous is as bold as a lyon: He that walkes uprightly, Pro. 28. 1.walkes boldly: Take a man who hath no brokenneſſe, no boyles, no …lanes, no bruiſes, handle him, ſhake him, cruſh him, crowde him, thruſt him, caſt him: notwithſtanding he can better beare all this rugged uſage, then another can a fillip with the finger. I beſeech you mind the application of this, for the Lords ſake take heed, make not inroads, and breaches upon your conſciences, goe not againſt your light, for guilt will make you cowardly. Adam as ſoone as hee had ſinned he runs and puts his head in a buſh, what was the matter? hee heard a whiſtling wind, and hee runs away: What haſt thou ſinned, faith God? I, that is the matter. For if Adam had kept his heart ſound, if hee had not ſinned, hee would with boldneſſe have encountred with any approaches, either of the creatures, or his Creator.
Ninthly, Improve your experiences. It would bee of ſingular uſe to us, to beſtow many houres, both together, and aſunder, in recounting the many great things which the Lord hath done for us, both in former times, & of later; we have nationall deliverances Citie deliverances, Family mercies & perſonal mercies to improve providence: Give me leave to cal to mind two moſt ſeaſonable now to be remembred, conſidering the end of our aſſembling at this time: I am credibly informed that your ſelvs who are here to honour God for your health continued, peace maintained, lives lengthened, had that day when you were abroad, two notable experiences of Gods providence for your preſervation; 1. There were muskets broken in the field; and yet neither the Muskettiers, nor any neare them received the leaſt harme, although the throng of people was very great. Might not ſome mens eyes, limbs, or lives have been loſt, by ſuch accidents; if the all-ordering hand of the Almighty had not prevented ſuch like dangers. The other paſſage of divine providence is more remarkeable.
2 Gods hand turned aſide graciouſly, and ſtrangely, a kindled match which was caſt towards a basket full of Gunpowder, which ſtood in the field for that dayes ſervice. From what malicious heart, and by what miſchievous hand this match was caſt, the Lord hee knoweth, whom we this day magnifie, as the God of our ſalvations.
Beloved, the remembrance of ſuch like providences, ſhould incourage our adventures for the Lord, whoſe hand hath diverted many unſeen, & unexpected dangers. But I had almoſt forgot to give in my proof, that the improvement of experiences, increaſeth courage. I pray you obſerve it in Ioſ. 10. 25. And I ſhua ſaid unto them feare not, nor bee diſmayed, be ſtrong and of good courage; for thus ſhall the Lord doe to all your enemies, againſt whom yee ſight.
Our God hath many times diſappointed the deſignes of our enemies: many of them who hated us, and endeavoured our undoing, and deſolation, have beene diſcovered and brought to ſhame, the Lord hath trampled upon them gloriouſly. Theſe meditations enlarged by particular pregnant inſtances, I commend unto you, as meanes to increaſe your courage.
Laſtly, when ever you have occaſion to ſhew your courage, goe out ſelfe denyingly in the ſtrength of your God, Be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Epheſ 6. 10. Through God we ſhall doe valiant y. Pſal. 60 12. David was a man, as in other kinds, ſo in this imitable; when hee came againſt Goliah (who threatned to pluck him in peices, as a Faulkoner doth a bird) his words are very obſervable.1 Sam. 17. 45. Thou commeſt to me with a ſword, and with a ſpeare, and with a ſhield but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hoſt…, the God of the Armies of Iſrael, whom thou haſt defied. Let theſe be the breathing of your ſeules. Some truſt in Chariots, and ſome in horſes, but wee will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but neare riſen an ſtand upright. Save Lord, let the King heare us when we c…ll.
Thus be carefull to make addition of prayer, unto all the other meanes of Chriſtian courage. Pray heartily, ſelfedenyingly, and believingly. Advance God, and plead his promiſe; and expect aſſiſtance according to his promiſe. B… of good courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen your heart, all yee that hope in the Lord.
FINIS.
It is ordered by the Committee, of the Houſe of Commons in Parliament concerning printing, that this Booke intituled, Good Courage diſcovered, and incourared, be printed.
Iohn White. 26. May, 1642.
End of the text · Simeon Ashe, Good Courage Discovered and Encouraged (1642)