Good Courage Discovered and Encouraged, Title page – Dedication
GOOD COVRAGE DISCOVERED, AND ENCOVRAGED: IN A SERMON preached before the Commanders of the Military Forces, of the Renowned Citie of London.
In the Pariſh Church of Great St. Helens. May the 17. 1642.
By SIMEON ASH, Preacher in London.
DEVT. 20. 2, 3, 4.
And it ſhall be, when yee are come nigh unto the Battell that the Prieſt ſhall approach, and ſpeake unto the people.
And ſhall ſay unto them, Heare O Iſrael, you approach this day unto Battel againſt your Enemies: Let not your hearts faint, feare not, and doe not tremble, neither be yee terrified becauſe of them.
For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you againſt your enemies to ſave you.
LONDON, Printed by Iohn Dawſon for Iohn Barroughes, and are to be ſold at his ſhop at the golden Dragon neare the Inner Temple-gate in Fleet-ſtreet. 1642.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL, the Aldermen, and Commoners, unto whom the Militia of the Citie of London is committed, the Serjeant Major Generall, the Colonels, the Lieutenant Colonels, Ser…eant Majors, Captaines, and other officers of the trained Bands of the ſaid Citie.
Right Worſhipfull,
COrnelius, Centurion of the Italian Band is thus commended by the Holy Ghoſt, that hee was a devout man, and one that feared God. And I may report thus much to your h…nour and to move others to make imitation; that you have begun, and hitherto carr…ed on your Martiall affairs relig…ouſly. For having put the City into a poſture of defence; before the execution of the Militia; you joyntly ſought God by Prayer for good ſucceſſe. The Lord heard your Prayers, for you went forth, and returned home, without the leaſt touch of danger to your ſelves, or your Companies. This remarkeable Providence called you againe together, to praiſe the God of ſalvations, the God of your mercies.
Hereupon you were pleaſed to appoint me (very unworthy) to aſſiſt you in the ſervice of Thankeſgiving: A ſervice not unſeemly for the Hoaſt of Heaven.
This Sermon, which upon that occaſion I preached, through the Conſtructions of your Love found ſuch acceptance, that you commanded it to come abroad to doe you further ſervice.
And ſeeing you gave it good entertainment, as it was firſt preſented, it makes bold to wa…te upon you without change of habit, expecting your Protection.
Although I ſomewhat ſuſpect that ſundry amplifications in the Sermon which affected the Auditors, may not be ſo pleaſing to the Iudicious Reader, yet your deſires to have it prin…ed, as it was preached, makes me to run that adventure.
The Lord of Hoſts guide, guard, and encourage you in all your good undertakings for peace and truth, and make you carefull to put Chriſtian references upon all your ſervices, for the honour and ſafety of our King, the welfare of his Kingdomes, and the continued Proſperity of this famous Citie. This your prudent and pious perſeverance in the worke ſo well begun, will draw forth many prayſes to God, many prayers for you, and much rejoycing in the hearts of all them, who ſincerely affect you; of which number, I beſeech you account him one who is
Your Servant, in, and for Chriſt, SIMEON ASH.
GOOD COURAGE DISCOVERED, AND INCOVRAGED.
PSAL. 31. 24.
Be of good Courage.
RIght worſhipfull, and worthy Gentlemen, (whoſe deſires, and whoſe ſervice of thankſgiving, I am now attending,) I hope you are come hither with an intention;
Firſt, to honour God for preſervation enjoyed, through his providence, to whom you prayed. My Text lookes back unto ſuch a buſineſſe; The Lord preſerveth the faithfull; therefore letVerſe 23. the faithfull upon ſuch experiences in way of prayſe, in way of requitall learne to bee of good courage.
Secondly, I beleeve you are come together in expectation for the future, to receive further favours from the God of your preſent prayſes; and my Text lookes forward to that, Bee of good courage, and hee ſhall ſtrengthen thine heart, and wait I ſay on the Lord.
My Text is ſhort, the words in our tranſlation are not many, in the originall, there is but one word, foreign, The Septuagint renders the Hebrew word, foreign, Quit your ſelves like men; Viriliter agite, play the men, Rob… ramini, bee yee ſtrong.
The Counſell here given is for all Chriſtians, at all times needfull, but for you, and at this time, moſt ſeaſonable.
Bee yee couragious. Firſt, The Counſellour was, a Worthy, a Souldier, a Warriour, a Commander, a King: David, as the title tels you, Hee cals for courage.
Secondly, The Perſons counſelled, they are Saints, faithfull ones: O yee Saints love him, his manner is by his ſpeciall providence to preſerve you; Therefore bee yee of good courage. The point lies faire, which I conceive pertinent, and now purpoſe to proſecute.