Good Soldiers a Great Blessing, Sermon
Good Souldiers A Great Bleſſing; BEING So repreſented in A SERMON Preached on the day for Election of Officers, in the Honourable Artillery Company in Boſton, June 3d. 1700.
By Benjamin Wadsworth, Paſtor of a Church in Boſton.
1 Sam. 18.17.
Be valiant and fight the Lords Battels.
Boſton in New England, Printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Samuel Phillips, at the Brick … near the Old Meeting-Houſe. 1700.
Good Souldiers A Great BLESSING.
Iſaiah III.2.
The Mighty man, and the man of War—
THE Prophet Iſaiah was imployed in delivering God's meſſages to his profeſſing people the Jews, when they were chargeable with great degeneracies, with many and groſs ſins; ſome of which are mentioned in the 6, 8, 9 verſes of the preceeding Chapter, as well as in ſundry other places. For theſe ſins, God by his Prophet threatens them, with various and terrible Judgments. In the firſt verſe of this Chapter he threatens them with Famine: he would take away the Stay, and the ſtaff, the whole ſtay of Bread, and the whole ſtay of water. In the ſecond verſe (containing our Text) God threatens to take away their men of chief Note, that were moſt Eminent, Uſeful and Serviceable in their Military, their Civil, and Eccleſiaſtical Affairs. Our Text refers to the firſt of theſe, their men that were moſt Eminent, Uſeful and Serviceable in Military Affairs, the Mighty man, and the Man of War; their valiant able Warriours, theſe God threatens to take away from them in Judgment. From whence we may obſerve this Doctrine.
That Valiant, Able Warriours among Gods People, are juſtly accounted a great Bleſſing to them.
This is very plain, otherwiſe the taking away of ſuch men, would not be threatned as a Judgment, Curſe, or Puniſhment. War conſidered meerly and abſolutely in it ſelf, is not good, nor ſhould it be deſired by any man. No War was ever begun or carried on, with ſufficient reaſons and juſt grounds on both ſides. Either the Aſſailant or Defendant, ſurely ſins; one party ſurely ſins, and both commonly ſuffer. War therefore conſidered meerly in its ſelf▪ cannot lawfully be deſired; for in deſiring of it, we deſire the ſin and miſery of ſome or other, neither of which is lawful in it ſelf. Tho' tis thus, yet in ſome caſes, War is not only lawful, but alſo commendable, yea a neceſſary duty. Before I ſpeak directly to the Doctrine, I ſhall endeavour a brief Anſwer to theſe two Inquiries, viz.
1. To whom does it belong to make War?
2. What are the juſt cauſes of War?
Queſt. 1. To whom does it belong to make War?
For Anſwer, It belongs to the Chief Supream Authority, juſtly Establiſhed over a people, to make War. For the Supream Authority, is to defend the Subjects in their Perſons and Priviledges, and to revenge the groſs wrongs done to them by Enemies. It ſeems juſt and reaſonable alſo, that the Supream Authority may delegate or communicate power, to far diſtant Provinces or Plantations under them, to make War in ſuch and ſuch caſes, under ſuch and ſuch limitations, as the matter may be circumſtanced. Notwithſtanding what has been ſaid, it ſeems juſtifyable for the ſmalleſt part or handful of any Nation, (tho' they have no direct Order or Commiſſion, from the Supream or Subordinate Authority over them) to make a defenſive War, when they are unjuſtly and ſuddenly aſſaulted by cruel Enemies; but 'tis no way allowable for private unauthorized perſons to make an offenſive War. If upon Spoils or Robberies done by ſome of a Neighbouring Nation, private perſons ſhould, without Order or Commiſſion from Authority, go and make War upon that Nation, they would ſin greatly. Such a courſe as this would be likely, to Embroil Nations in continual Wars, Uproars and Confuſions.
Queſt. 2. What are the juſt cauſes of making War?
For Anſwer, I ſuppoſe the moſt of them may be comprehended under theſe three general heads. Either,
1. Defence, or ſelf preſervation from the unjuſt aſſaults of others. A Peoples fighting for the defence of their Perſons, Liberties and Properties, ſeems altogether reaſonable, having nothing to be ſaid againſt it. Self-preſervation, is a principle implanted in all men, as well as other Animals, and that by God himſelf. 'Tis alſo lawful for a people to make, or help in, a defenſive War, when their Allies or Confederates are unjuſtly aſſaulted and moleſted: thus Joſhua and the Iſraelites, being in League or Confederacy with the Gibeonites, came to fight for them againſt their Enemies, Joſh. 10.
2. Another juſt cauſe of War is, Recovery of great damages. When Ziklag was taken and ranſacked, and the Wives, Children, & … of David and his men were taken away by the Amalekites; David and his men made War upon them, for the recovery of thoſe damage…, and did recover all. 1 Sam. 30. Ch. When Lot was taken Captive, and his Goods made a prey, Abraham, his Allie and Friend made War upon the Aggreſſors or Aſſailants for the Recovery of damages, and did deliver Lot, and reſcue his Goods. Gen. 14. I ſuppoſe under this Head, may be comprehended the unjuſt revolt of Subjects, and falling off of Tributaries; for the groſs default of ſuch, it ſeems Juſtifyable to make War upon them, to reduce them to their former juſt order, duty and obedience.
3. Another juſt cauſe of War may be, the revenging of Injuries. Though the caſe may be ſo circumſtanced, that there's no poſſibility of recovering damages, or repairing the loſs ſuſtained, yet it may be not only lawful, but alſo a duty to revenge Injuries. Thus if our Heathen Neighbours ſhould ſuddenly burn any of our Frontier Towns, & deſtroy the Inhabitants thereof, it would then be our duty, were it in our power, to revenge that Injury in the death of all the Actors in, and Abettors of, ſuch Murder, although we could not poſſibly recover damages, or pay our ſelves for the Goods unjuſtly deſtroyed, or taken away. Having briefly premiſed theſe things concerning War, which poſſibly are not wholly forreign to our preſent occaſion, we may now proceed to the Doctrine it ſelf: That valiant able Warriours among Gods People, are juſtly accounted a great Bleſſing to them.
Here it ſeems very natural to raiſe theſe two Enquiries: viz.
1. Who are to be accounted valiant, able, Warriours? Or when may perſons be juſtly ſo termed?
2. How does it appear that ſuch perſons among Gods people, are juſtly to be accounted a great Bleſſing to them?
Queſt. 1. Who are to be accounted valiant▪ able Warriours? Or when may perſons be juſtly ſo termed? In order to an Anſwer, we may note, That Souldiers as ſuch, are Inſtruments: that the goodneſs of Inſtruments is to be judged of bv their fitneſs or ſuitableneſs to obtain the end, whereunto they are deſigned. The Anſwer to the ſecond of the premiſed Queſtions, about the juſt cauſes of War, tells us, that the end of Souldiers as ſuch, or the uſe they are to be put to, is, to defend, recover damages, and revenge Injuries. Now the more fit Souldiers are for theſe Services, ſo much the more valiant and able they are to be accounted. Note alſo, Souldiers are either Rulers, or Ruled, Commanders, or Private Souldiers. Now firſt,
1. As to Private Souldiers, they may be ſaid to be valiant and able, when they have theſe following Qualifications. Namely,
1. When they are ſtrong and able of Body to go through hard, difficult Services. Men are not fit for Souldiers, unleſs they are ſit to endure hardneſs, 2 Tim. 2 3. Souldiers are often call'd to Encounter with Storms and Tempeſts, wet & dry, hot and cold, with hunger and thirſt: they are ſometimes called to frequent Watchings, long marches, to paſs Hills and Dales, craggy Mountains, and deep Rivers, ſuddenly to Intrench, to build Forts, to ſcale Walls, and other ſuch like Services, which contain more difficulty in them, than can be eaſily conceived of. Men had need have ſtrong hardy Bodies, to undergo ſuch Fatigues. Softneſs & delicacy does not become Souldiers, 'tis a diſgrace to a Camp. The Souldiers of Alexander in a fit of diſcontent, complained that they were forced to Fight not only against multitudes of Enemies, but alſo against Mountains and Rivers. Ateas the Scythian King gave a great Commend of his Souldiers, when he ſaid to Philip King of Macedon, Your Souldiers can fight with men, but mine can fight with hunger, thirſt, and ſuch like difficulties. Souldiers therefore ſhould ſhun all Intemperance. Every man that ſtriveth for the mastery, is temperate in all things. 1 Cor. 9.25. Scipio wept when he came into the Camp, and ſaw the Licentiouſneſs, Luxury and Intemperance there prevailing. When Alexander had Conquered Kingdoms by his Grecian hardineſs, he was himſelf Conquered by Perſian Softneſs and Debauchery.
2. When they have valorous couragious ſpirits. When they have hearts big enough to attempt hazardous things, to give a bold and vigorous (though dangerous) repulſe or onſet. A Souldiers ſtrength of body wont ſignifie much, unleſs he has courage of mind to manage it: without courage, his ſtrength is almoſt uſeleſs in War, unleſs it be like an Horſe or a Camel to bear and carry burdens. When the Iſraelites were going to War againſt their enemies, the Prieſts were to ſay unto them, Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrifyed becauſe of them, Deut. 20.3. And why ſhould not Gods Prieſts or Miniſters, ſo incourage Souldiers now? As for faint hearted Souldiers, they were to be diſmiſſed and ſent home, leaſt by their cowardly example, the hearts of others ſhould faint alſo, Deut. 20.8. Men dont deſerve the honourable title of Souldiers, if they have not the reſolute Spirit of Souldiers. If they want courage, a Plough or Spade, becomes them better than a Shield or Sword.
3 When they are well skill'd and accurate in the uſe of their weapons. Strength of body and courage of mind, may ſometimes prove uſeleſs, yea …, for want of Military skill. What ſignifies Shield or Spear, Gun or Sword, unleſs men know how to uſe them? David upon due conſideration▪ choſe rather nakedly to approach his …, than being furniſhed with that gallant armour which he had not proved, 1 Sam 17.30. For a … to wear a Sword, that knows not how to uſe it, ſeems as idle and fooliſh, as for a Child to boaſt of a Book, which he cannot read a word in. Souldiers ſhould alſo know the words of Command, that they may readily apprehend the mind of their Commanders in them, and ſpeedily yield obedience thereunto. So ſhould they underſtand the beat of the Drum, and the ſound of the Trumpet: otherwiſe they can't diſtinguiſh between a Charge and a Retreat, and then what follows, but confuſion inſtead of order, and overthrow inſtead of victory? If theſe things are not underſtood, who ſhall prepare himſelf for the battel, 1 Cor. 14.7, 8. Thoſe were highly commended that were expert in War, that had all manner of Instruments of War for the battel, and were men that could keep rank, 1 Chron. 12.33, 37, 38. They were well train'd and diſciplin'd.
4. When they are obedient to their Commander. 'Twas the commendation of thoſe Souldiers, Matth. 8.9. That they went and came, at their Commanders bidding. And truely without this qualification, Souldiers don't deſerve to be commended: 'tis not their buſineſs to diſpute and capitulate with, but yield obedience to, their Officers. When Roman Souldiers were Preſſed, each took his Oath, not to forſake his Captain or Country, which Oath was called, Sacramentum Militare. Obtemperaturas ſum et facturus quicquid mandabitur ab Impreratoribus, juxta vires; to the utmoſt of my power, I will obey thy Commander in all things. Cyrus was wont to ſay, 'Tis better for a Souldier to fear his Captain, than his enemies. Paulus Aemylius would ſay, a Souldier ſhould take care of three things, That he has a ſtrong body good arms, and a mind ready to obey. When a Souldier was once juſt ready to ſmite his enemy with his Sword, he forbore upon the Sounding of a Retreat, and being asked by one, why he ſuffered his enemy to eſcape, he anſwered, 'Twas better to obey his Emperor, than ſlay his Enemy. He's not a good Souldier, that knows not how to obey his Commander. I ſuppoſe thoſe who have theſe forementioned qualifications, may well paſs for valiant, able Souldiers.
We may further note, that the more Pious perſons be, ſo much the better Souldiers they commonly are. Thoſe who will Curſe and Swear, as though they would Damn their enemies into Hell, are ſometimes backward enough to look an enemy in the face, much more to ſmite him to the ground. Iphicrates ſpake like a brutiſh Heathen, when he ſaid, A Souldier ought to be coveteous of riches and pleaſures that he may the more boldly incounter dangers for the ſatisfying of his luſts: It better becomes Chriſtians to ſay, Souldiers ſhould be pious and gracious, that ſo they may the more boldly incounter dangers for the anſwer of a good Conſcience. Never were there better, bolder, and more couragious Souldiers in the world, than ſome of the holieſt of men have been. 'Tis mentioned as an eminent commendable effect of Faith in ſome, That they waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the Aliens, Heb. 11.34. As Prayers and Tears are the weapons of the Church, ſo men moſt expert at thoſe weapons are moſt commonly the beſt Souldiers.
Having ſpoke theſe few things of private Souldiers, we may now proceed to the other part of the diſtribution, viz Officers or Commanders, among whom there are various orders or degrees one above another: yet excepting the Chief Supream Commander, who as ſuch, is not to receive & obey, but to give out Commands, unto his army; I ſuppoſe they are all the more worthy to be accounted valiant, able Souldiers, by how much the more they have, of all the forementioned qualifications. If their hardy bodies will indure uncomfortable lodgings, mean diet, wet & dry, heat & cold, tedious marches, and great fatigues, this might animate their Souldiers to do ſo too. Commanders ſhould have ſingular Courage alſo, according to the Station they are in, they ſhould have enough for themſelves, and ſome to ſpare to their Souldiers too; that is by way of Example and Exhortation. We muſt not look for great Exploits to be done by that Company that has a cowardly Captain. A faint hearted Leader, will rather encourage the feet of his Souldiers to flee, than their hearts or hands to fight. They ſhould have good Skill likewiſe. 'Tis to be ſuppoſed, that every Officer according to his place, be it high or low; is able to Inſtruct all under him, in their duty, otherwiſe how can he give proper words of Command, or puniſh Offenders for not obeying them? You know what is like to become of blind guides and their followers. As for the Obedience of Inferiour Officers, to thoſe that are Superiour; 'tis as needful and commendable, as the Obedience of any Private Souldiers. Beſides theſe Qualifications, it ſeems very deſirable, that Commanders, eſpecially the chief of them ſhould be,
1. Men of great Prudence and Conduct. Great Prudence and Conduct is needful for the ordering of Marches, eſpecially through difficult paſſages, for the ordering of Scouts to diſcover Ambuſhments, and prevent ſudden Surprizal, for Entrenching and Fortifying in commodious places, for ſecuring of Stores, for chooſing time and place for battle, and ſuch like things of great weight.
2. Men well acquainted with their Souldiers, and Under Officers. This is needful, that ſo they may chuſe and order, for ſuch and ſuch Services, men that are moſt proper for the ſame. Joab choſe the choice men of Iſrael for the moſt difficult Service, 2 Sam. 10.9. This he could not have done, but that he knew his Army well.
3. Men of great Sagacity, Circumſpection, Watchfulneſs and Diligence. Men that will have not only a careful watchful eye, over all the Affairs of their own Army, but ſuch as will uſe all proper means to get Intelligence, about the Number, Skill, Courage, Preparation, Deſigns, & Motions of the Enemy. The knowledge of theſe things, gives great advantage on many accounts.
4. Men of great patience. Souldiers often meet with ſuch hard lodging, hard fare, with ſuch loſſes, diſappointments and difficulties, that they ſometimes begin to murmur againſt, and find fault with, their Officers, and all their managements▪ tho' never ſo prudent. Thus Davids men murmured againſt him, and talked of ſtoning him, 1 Sam. 30.6. Poſſibly good prudence and patience, might divert ſuch Storms, which if not diverted, would hurry all into confuſion.
5. Men of reſolution to puniſh Delinquents. They ſhould forbid all Impiety and Prophaneneſs, Intemperance and Debauchery, Injuſtice, and Diſhoneſty; and if ſuch Crimes are committed, they ſhould ſee them puniſhed. The Romans were wont to puniſh their delinquent Souldiers, ſometimes by Disbanding of them with diſgrace, ſometimes by with-holding their Wages, ſometimes by diminiſhing their food, ſometimes by beating and cudgelling them ▪ ſometimes by baniſhment, and ſometimes by death. Lamachus ſaid, Non licet in bello bis peccare, error enim in bello eſt mors. Men muſt not offend twice in War, for an Error in War is death. Souldiers will not be kept in order, without good Laws, and them well Executed.
6. Men that are Godly and Conſcientious. 'Tis recorded to the endleſs praiſe of Cornelius, Captain of the Italian Band, Acts 10.2. That he was a devout man that feared God with all his houſe, and prayed to him always. Surely ſuch men are ſitter for Commanders, than thoſe who by their prophaneneſs and debauchery, ſeem to fight more daringly againſt God in heaven, than againſt men on earth. How ſhall we think thoſe will be faithful to their Countrey, and the Cauſe of it, who will not be faithful to God and his Cauſe? Conſtantius, the Father of Conſtantine the Great, removed thoſe profeſſed Chriſtians from being his Courtiers, whom (upon a deſigned trial) he found more ready to Sacrifice to Idols, than to diſobey his Commands, ſaying, thoſe who are diſloyal to God, will never be true and truſty to their Prince. How often▪ have Commanders of weak, depraved Conſciences, received bribes, Sold their Army▪ Cauſe, Countrey and all, only for their own preſent perſonal Preferment, Profit, and Pleaſure? Dr. Hammond ſaid to King Charles the Firſt, to this purpoſe, while God damn me, leads the Van, and the Devil take me, brings up the Rear, there's no likelihood of good ſucceſs. There's no reaſon to expect the ſucceſs of Armies, unleſs Gods preſence and bleſſing be with them: there's no reaſon to expect his preſence and bleſſing with them, if he is greatly provoked by them, and ſo he will be by Chriſtian Armies, if their Commanders are not conſcientious. When Moſes the chief Commander of Iſrael was praying, then Joſhua and the Army did prevail. We may now proceed to the ſecond Enquiry, viz.
Queſt. 2. How does it appear that ſuch Souldiers among Gods People are a great Bleſſing to them, and are juſtly to be accounted ſo? In order to an Anſwer, we need only premiſe, that a well ſettled peace, is a great Bleſſing to Gods people. When they have ſuch a peace, their Perſons, Civil and Religious Liberties, and alſo their Eſtates are ſafe. They may ſleep ſafely in their Houſes, follow their buſineſs without fear or danger, ſit quietly under their Vines and Figtrees, freely make uſe of their own; and which is more than this, they may Serve and Worſhip God, in obeying all his Commands, and attending on all the Inſtitutions of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, without diſturbance or moleſtation. Thus it is with Gods people, who are favoured with a well eſtabliſhed Government, and a well ſettled peace. That ſuch a ſtate of Affairs is a great Bleſſing, will be owned by every thinking Chriſtian; eſpecially if he conſiders, that Peace is promiſed as a very comprehenſive mercy, in caſe of Obedience, and War threatned, as a very comprehenſive Judgment, in caſe of Diſobedience. Lev 26.5, 6, 17, verſes.
We may now anſwer the Enquiry in ſaying, ſuch Valiant Souldiers as have been deſcribed, are very proper means under God.
1. To continue unto God's People, their Liberties and Properties when quietly Enjoyed. If Gods people have plenty and proſperity, yet if their envious Neighbours know them to be well furniſhed with valiant, able Souldiers, they will not much care to moleſt them. When a ſtrong man armed keepeth his palace, his Goods are in peace. David with his experienced Souldiers, did mighty Exploits in War, and when he dyed, he left the Land full of able Souldiers, which being known, the Neighbouring Nations dare not diſturb Solomon his Son, but he had peace on all ſides round about him, and Judah and Iſrael dwelt ſafely; every man under his vine and under his figtree 1 King ▪ 4.24, 25. But if a people have peace and plenty, without ſuitable men to defend them, they ſeem to be an inviting prey to their covetous Neighbours.
2. Able Souldiers are proper means to recover the Liberties and Properties of Gods People, when taken away. This was frequently experienced by the Iſraelites, as we are often told in the Book of Judges. The Jews experienced this truth alſo, as the Hiſtory of the Maccabees plainly informs us. Many other inſtances might be given were it needful.
3. Able Souldiers are very proper means to ſecure the Liberties and Properties (as well as the Lives) of Gods people, when they are indangered. Able Souldiers are very proper means, to prop up, and ſteady a ſhaking, tottering State. … was much oppreſſed and further endangered, when the Philiſtines did prevail, win the Victory, Slay Saul and his Sons in Battle; but David and his experienced Souldiers, did ſoon give check to their rage, ſuppreſs their power, curb their Inſolency, and ſecure Iſrael from their Outrages. Many Inſtances of this nature might be given, yea, ſeveral in our own Nation. England was much threatned, yea by ſome look'd upon as a devoted Sacrifice, when the Spaniſh (vainly called Invincible) Armado came againſt it an hundred and twelve years ago, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; yet the brave Engliſh Souldiers, by the Bleſſing of God, routed their Enemies, deſtroying many of them▪ and hunting others home, as heavy laden with … before they were … with envy page missing and to ſecure them when endangered. Yea, ſince the firſt planting of this Country by the Engliſh, our Souldiers have been made a Bleſſing to God's people here on all theſe accounts. This is too well known to need any proof.
Now theſe things might teach us;
That God's People ought to Train up and encourage, good able Souldiers. 'Tis true, thoſe happy days are promiſed and much hoped for, wherein, Men ſhall beat their Swords into Plowſhares, and their Spears into Pruning-hooks: Nation ſhall not lift up a Sword againſt▪ Nation, neither ſhall they learn War any more, Mic. 4.3. But thoſe days are not yet come, and poſſibly before they do come, there will be occaſion to urge thoſe other words, Joel 3.9, 10. Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up: beat your Plowſhares into Swords, and your Pruning hooks into Spears, let the weak ſay I am ſtrong Thoſe are carnal men, who ſay, Chriſtians ſhould not uſe carnal Weapons: That is, Inſtruments of War, when the cauſe of God and his People require the Warlike imployment of them. Chriſt's Church upon earth is yet Militant, in a proper and …, as well as in a Spiritual ſenſe. Chriſtians have great reaſon to learn War, and make Warlike preparations. I ſuppoſe all the Lord's Batttels are not yet fought; and we don't know who of us may be call'd to ingage in ſome of thoſe that remain. Be Exhorted then to learn War, to indeavour after Military skill, a martial ſpirit, an ability to do Service againſt Enemies; if the cauſe of God and his people ſhould call you to it. To incourage you here unto,
Conſider,
1. The neceſſity of it, in an ordinary courſe of Providence. The preſent condition of the world, and wickedneſs of men, is ſuch, that we cannot be ſecure of any thing we have, unleſs we have ſome force and power, as well as juſtice on our ſide. It has been often ſeen, that under God, Souldiers have been the defence and protection of what God's People do injoy▪ If you have no Warlike force, your wealth and riches will be but an inviting, eaſy prey, to invading Enemies. Intreaties will not do with thoſe whoſe tender mercies are cruelty. The force of enemies, muſt be repel'd with force. Would you have your Country ſpoiled, your Houſes rifled and burnt, your Goods and Riches taken away, your Children daſht againſt the ſtones, your Wives and Daughters raviſh'd before your faces, your Women with Child ript open, your Aged Fathers and Mothers barbarouſly dragg'd about the Streets, your Churches overthrown, your ſelves Captived, Inſlaved, or contemptuouſly ſlain? If you would avoid ſuch Indignities, Inſolencies, and out rages as theſe are (which are frequently perpetrated by an Invading Enemy) then learn War; indeavour after Military skill and courage, to repell the pride and power of enemies. A few well diſciplin'd Souldiers, are commonly of more uſe and worth, than vaſt multitudes of untrained men. Abraham with three hundred and eighteen Trained Servants, overcame four Kings and their Armies, Gen. 14. Alexander the Great, with between thirty and forty thouſand well diſciplin'd Souldiers, routed the unskilfull untrained multitude of Darius, which conſiſted, ſome ſay of four hundred, ſome of ſix hundred thouſand men.
Conſider,
2. The eminent examples ſet before you. Some of the beſt of men, have been the beſt of Souldiers: They have attempted, and done great things in War, for the cauſe of God and his people. Such were Abraham, Joſhua, David, the Maccabees, Conſtantine the great; and Charles the Great, King of France and Emperor of Germany, who lived about nine hundred years ago. And not to mention any more, you might be encouraged by the Example of Our Great KING WILLIAM, a great enemy to Vice and Wickedneſs, a great and ſingular friend to, and encourager of, Vertue and Holineſs; and yet generally and moſt deſervedly accounted, as mighty a man of War, as any the World has ſeen for many Ages.
3. Great Commendations are given in Scripture, of Warlike accompliſhments, and Warlike actions. 'Tis ſpoke to the commendation of ſome that came to help David: They were armed with bows, and could uſe both the right hand and the left, in hurling ſtones, and ſhooting arrows out of a Bow. 'Tis ſaid of others, They were men of might, and men of war, fit for the Battel, that could handle Shield and Buckler, whoſe faces were like the faces of Lyons, and were as ſwift as the Roes upon the Mountains, 1 Chron. 12.2, 8. The heart of inſpired Deborah, was towards the Governours of Iſrael who offered themſelves willingly among the People. 'Twas ſpoke to the praiſe of Zebulun and Naphtali, That they Jeoparded their lives to the death, in the high places of the field Judg. 5.9.18.
Conſider,
4. God is very angry with thoſe who will not venture their lives in fighting againſt his Enemies. As you may ſee, Judg. 5.23. Curſe ye Mer…z, ſaid the Angel of the Lord, Curſe ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof, becauſe they came not … the … of the Lord, to the help of the Lord againſt … mighty. Here's a bitter Curſe upon the …habitants of …, becauſe they would not venture their lives, in fighting for God's people, and againſt their Enemies. So Jer 48.10. Curſed be he that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and curſed be he that holdeth back his Sword from Blood. We ſhould not be cowardly Neuters, or idle Spectators, when the common cauſe of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt calls for our aſſiſtance. We ſhould love him above our lives, and therefore be willing to indanger and expoſe our lives, when his and his peoples Intereſt calls for it. We ought to lay down our lives for the Brethren. 1 John 3.16. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, takes our neglect of, or diſregard to his people, as a neglect of, or diſregard unto himſelf. Mat. 25.45, Surely ſince he has dyed for our Salvation, we ſhould be willing (his Providence calling us to it) to die for his Glory. And great ſhall be our reward, if we have ſuch a willingneſs, and our actions are agreeable thereunto. Titus the Roman General, to incourage his Souldiers in fighting againſt Jeruſalem, ſaid, The Soul of him that dies in War, is preſently received into the moſt pure, airy Element, and from thence carried and placed among the ſtares of Heaven. He had no reaſon to ſay this, but we have good reaſon to ſay, thoſe that ſincerely love, fight, and die for, the true Intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall immediately at death, have their Souls taken above the Stars of Heaven, to be with Chriſt in Glory. Thoſe that ſuffer with him, ſhall reign with him, but if we deny him, he will deny us. 2 Tim. 2.12. Let theſe few conſiderations animate you to learn War, to endeavour after Military Skill, Courage, and other Martial Accompliſhments: that if Providence ſhould call you forth, you may be qualified to do real Service, in defending the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of Gods people, in recovering their damages, or revenging unjuſt Indignities and Outrages committed againſt them. In all your Artilleries and Trainings, you ſhould act like Chriſtians. You muſt give an account to Chriſt, of your actions on Training Dayes, as well as on other dayes. On ſuch dayes therefore you ſhould Conſcientiouſly Serve Chriſt, by diligently endeavouring after more knowledge, skill, and accuracy in Military Matters, that you may imploy the ſame, in real Service for Chriſt and his People, if Providence ſhould call for it.
As for you Gentlemen of the Honourable Artillery Company; I wiſh you may go on, be encouraged and proſper, in thoſe great and generous qualifications, you aſpire after. I wiſh your Number, your Skill, your Courage, with all other deſireable Military accompliſhments and honours, may be increaſed. But let none of us ſo much aſpire after being Souldiers, as to forget that we are Chriſtians. If we had the greateſt and moſt deſirable Warlike accompliſhments and preparations that could be, yet we ought not to truſt in them for our defence or protection. Curſed be the man that truſteth in man, and maketh fleſh his arm, Jer. 17 5. We ſhould make the beſt preparations, and uſe the beſt means we can, in all affairs; but we muſt not have our dependance on any of them, but on God alone. The beſt means often fail; therefore the Wiſe man muſt not glory in his wiſdom, nor the ſtrong man in his strength. The race is not to the ſwift, nor the battel to the ſtrong, Eccleſ. 9.11. Let us uſe means, but not truſt in them. Let us take up with Sauls advice, 1 Sam. 18.17. Be valiant, and fight the Lords Battels. And with that of Joab, 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 the Lord do that which ſeemeth him good. An Excellent Speech of a General it was; to exhort to the doing of our beſt, and yet truſting in God, and leaving the event with him. He is a Man of War, Exod. 15.3. He teacheth to War, Pſal. 144.1. He Spirits men to it, Jer. 51.11. He helps in War, 2 Chron. 32.8. The victory is his, he gives it to whom he will; for he can ſave by many or by few. We ſhould therefore uſe the beſt means we can, and have our whole dependence upon God.
I ſhall conclude in ſaying, There is another Warfare, which every one of us ſhould be ingaged in. We ſhould get ingrafted into CHRIST, liſted under his Banner, reſolving by the help of his Grace, to fight againſt the World, the Fleſh, and the Devil: to fight the good fight of Faith, till we lay hold on Eternal Life: to be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as we know our labour ſhall not he in vain in the Lord.
FINIS.
End of the text · Benjamin Wadsworth, Good Soldiers a Great Blessing (1700)