The Militant Christian, Title page – Poem 2
THE MILITANT CHRISTIAN; OR, THE GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST, DESCRIBED In his Arms compleat; as also, The hardness of his Service: On 2 Tim. 2.3.
Together, with the Words of Command; many precious Encouragements, and Directions how to please CHRIST his CAPTAIN.
And how to Crown his Profession, by being best in the worst of Times.
By a Low-Countrey Soldier, dwelling in the Kingdom, Tribulalion and Patience of our Lord Jesus Christ.
foreign. 1 Tim. 6.12.
LONDON, Printed in the year 1668.
Christian Reader,
WIth thee, this Soldier must his Quarters take,
If not for's Worth, yet for his Captains sake:
His Captain is thy Saviour, and who will
Answer for slighting such a Generals Bill?
If thou a Preface large dost here expect,
This Man of Arms that Custom doth reject:
And without further Prologue, tells thee, he
Is one of those upon the Mount that be:
Who with the Lamb, against the Beast make War,Rev. 14.1.
In's Front he bears the Father's Character.
Fear not his Instruments of Warr: for those
Discharg'd are only at the Churches Foes.
When he doth shoot, thou'lt clearly see at whom,
They'r Beasts at Rome, or Monst…rs here at Home.
And in this Cause, our bold Disciple here,
…ikes at the High-Priests Head, not Malchus Ear.
Hee'l teach to Fence, but with a holy Slight,
The Devil and his Agents how to Fight.
If thou want'st Arms, and Voluntier wilt be,
Peruse this Book, thou'lt find Artillerie.
A Militant Christian! art thou so?
Heb. 6.12.Triumphant Saints were once so too:
Who now installed are on high,
Above the glittering Starry skie.
Good Soldier is thy proper Name:
O Heroe of Immortal Fame!
1 Tim. 6.12.Is Christ Captain? thy Cause is good:
He Conquer'd all that him withstood.
Thou hast the Armour that He wore:
Eph. 6.11. 1 Tim. 6.19.Thou hast his Magazene and Store.
Thou hast the Engine which He us'd,
The Weapons that the World refus'd.
Thy Walls are strong, thy Towers tall:
Which none can Penetrate, or Scale.
Isa. 43.2.Thou need'st not fear, where thou dost go:
Let all the World thy Warfare know.
Now as into the Field thou goes,
Embrace thy Friends, and face thy Foes.
Heb. 13.12, 13 Rom. 8.31.March forth, Christs Soldier, take the Field:
Be Valiant, make thy Foes to yield.
March after him who led the Van:
And overcome thee then, who can.
Heroick Valour doth become
Eph. 6.12.One fighting Hell, and facing Rome:
One Marching through the Pikes and Spears,
Which Champions have surpriz'd with fears.
Let Devils, Men, World, Death and Sin:
Resist thee, thou the day wilt win.
When great ones who the Lamb Oppose,Rev. 19.17, 18
Shall slaughtred be, to feast the Crows:
Hardness endure, and faithful be:Rev. 2.10.
Till Death thy Enemies will flee.
When thou thy Service hast renown'd,
Thy Captain then, will have thee Crown'd.Jam. 1.12.
And after thou, hast won the Day:
Thy Masters Joys shall be thy Pay.Mat. 25.23.
MIlitant Saint, advance, draw near,
Ʋnto this Soldier lend thy ear:
And hear a Metaphor Explain'd,
What is, by Allegories gain'd.
He opens to thee, thy Relation
To Christ, the Captain of Salvation.
How thou cam'st to be of his Band:
Thy Duty, his Words of Command.
What potent Enemies, with thee Fight:
And how to put them all to Flight.
To keep thy Ground, and face thy Foes,
And Conquer all that thee Oppose.
He shews thee Weapons, from the Word,
Surpassing Great Goliah's Sword.
Armour of Proof, He will thee tell,
To Shield thee from, the Shafts of Hell.
He shews thee how to Fence and Ward:
Thy Head, and Heart, how thou may'st Guard,
A Mighty Engine, to be had,
Exceeds all Archimedes made.
Better than those that were made use
For, or against great Syracuse.
A Glorious Standard, in the Field:
To' animate Friends, and make Foes yield.
The Trumpet sounding, Come away
Brave Voluntiers, and win the Day.
Walls, Bulwarks, Towers, Impregnable,
Which can't be won, by strength of Hell.
Here is enough, what wilt have more:
Here is Christs Magazene, and Store.
Here is Encouragement to endure:
Though Service hard, yet Pay is sure.
When thou hast ended all thy Strife,
Christ will thee give a Crown of Life.
Now Chear up Christian, get Renown:
Follow thy Captain, take the Crown.