True Piety the Best Policy for Times of War, Sermon
True Piety THE BEST POLICY For Times of WAR. A SERMON Preacht at Boſton-Lecture on Auguſt 16. 1722. ſoon after a DECLARATION of WAR, againſt the Eaſtern Indians & Rebels.
By Benjamin Wadſworth, A. M. Paſtor of a Church of CHRIST in Boſton, N. E
Lev. 26. v. 3, 5, 6, 7, 15, 17.
If ye walk in my ſtatutes, and keep my commandments and do them, — ye ſhall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land ſafely. And I will give peace in the land, & ye ſhall lie down, and none ſhall make you afraid,— neither ſhall the ſword go thro' your land And ye ſhall chaſe your enemies, and they ſhall fall before you by the ſword. And if ye ſhall deſpiſe my ſtatutes, or if your ſoul abhor my judgments, and ſo that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant — I will ſet my face againſt you, and ye ſhall be ſlain before your enemies: they that hate you ſhall reign over you, and ye ſhall flee when none perſueth.
BOSTON: Printed by B. Green, Printer to His Excellency the Gov. & COUNCIL. 1722.
PRinted by Order of His Excellency the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL. Joliah Willard, Secr.
True Piety the beſt Policy, for Times of WAR.
DEUT. XXIII. 9.
When the Host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.
THESE words are a divine direction, given to a covenant profeſſing People of GOD. In the Words, we have one thing ſuppoſed, viz. That a profeſſing people are ſometimes obligd to go forth to War againſt their enemies. We have another thing commanded, viz. When they do ſo, they ſhould keep themſelves from every wicked thing.
1. WE have one thing ſuppoſed, viz. That a profeſſing people are ſometimes obliged to go forth to War againſt their enemies. GOD's People ſometimes have enemies moleſting, diſturbing, aſſaulting of them; ſtriving to rob and ſpoil 'em of their ſubſtance, & to captivate or deſtroy their Perſons. As Mens carnal minds are enmity againſt God, (Rom. 8.7.) ſo they naturally are againſt one another alſo. Man's fallen, corrupt nature, is deceitful above all things and deſperately wicked; it contains the Seed and root of all manner of wickedneſs againſt Men, as well as of Irreligion towards GOD. Out of Mens wicked hearts, proceed evil Thoughts and Murders, Mat. 15.19. Unregenerate wicked Men, are the Children of the Devil, his luſts they will do; and he's a Murderer from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. Mens hearts are naturally full of all unrighteouſneſs, wickedneſs, maliciouſneſs, envy, murder, debate, malignity; they're implacable, unmerciful, Rom. 1.29—31. In their fleſh there dwells no good thing; and what are the works of the fleſh? Why theſe are ſome of 'em. Gal. 5.20, 21. Hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, ſtrife, ſeditions, envyings, murders. Men under the reigning power of Sin, how do they live? Hear what the Apoſtle ſays: Tit. 3.3. We our ſelves alſo were ſometimes fooliſh, diſobedient, deceived, ſerving divers luſts and pleaſures, living in malice and envy, hatefull and hating one another. Such carriage among Men, is the genuine product of corrupt nature where it prevail, and reigns. Jam. 4.1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your luſts that war in your members. The prevalency of Men's curſed luſts, often produceth quarrellings, fightings between particular Perſons, in Families, and between Countreys, Kingdoms, Nations. Wicked Nations are often enemies to and they often War againſt one another. And ſome or other of ſuch Nations, are often open enemies to GOD's profeſſing People, ſeeking to ſpoil, ſubdue and overthrow them. This truth is ſo plain from Scripture and experience, that I need not ſay any thing for the demonſtrating of it.
AND when GOD's People are aſſaulted, moleſted, threatened with ruin by their enemies; they're oblig'd to ſtand on their own defence, and to indeavour the conquering of thoſe, who unjuſtly ſtrive to conquer and deſtroy them. GOD has ſometimes expreſsly commanded His People, to fight againſt and deſtroy their wicked enemies. GOD ſaid to Moſes concerning Sihon King of the Amorites; Deut. 2.24. Contend with him in Battle. GOD gave an expreſs command to King Saul, 1 Sam. 15.3. Now go and ſmite Amatek, and utterly deſtroy all that they have, and ſpare them not. There are Wars of the Lord, (Numb. 21.14. 1 Chron. 5.22.) and Battels of the Lord, (1 Sam. …5.28.) and a Curſe has been denounc'd againſt ſome, for not coming to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord againſt the mighty, Judg. 5.23. It's as reaſonable, and often as neceſſary in theſe dayes, as it was in former ones; for GOD's People to fight againſt, and indeavour to ſubdue and deſtroy, their wicked enemies. They're indeed ſometimes, yea often, oblig'd to ſend forth their Hoſt, their Armies to fight againſt their wicked unrighteous enemies.
BUT thus much may ſuffice for the thing ſuppoſed in our Text, viz. That a profeſſing People are ſometimes oblig'd to go forth to War againſt their enemies.
2. WE have another thing commanded, viz. When they do ſo, they ſhould keep themſelves from every wicked thing. When GOD's People are ingag'd in War, then they ſhould keep themſelves from every wicked thing. Then, it is not to be taken excluſively of other times, as thô at other times they might Indulge themſelves in wicked practices: no Indeed, for they ſhould continually, perpetually keep themſelves from every wicked thing. But then eſpecially they ſhould be careful to ſhun all wickedneſs, when their Hoſt goes forth to War; leſt by Indulging any wickedneſs, they ſhould provoke GOD to frown on, and fight againſt them. We have general Precepts, Pray always, Pray without ceaſing. Continuing Inſtant in Prayer, Eph. 6.18.1 Theſ 5.17. Rom. 12.12. Yet GOD more particularly ſays, Call on me in the day of trouble, If any be afflicted let him pray, Pſal. 50.15. Jam. 5.13. In our affliction we ſhould ſeek God early. So that we ſhould Pray always, and yet eſpecially & peculiarly apply our ſelves to this duty in time of Trouble & Affliction. So, we ſhould be always careful to avoid every wicked thing; and ſhould yet be peculiarly and eſpecially careful to avoid it, when Ingaged in War againſt our enemies.
WHEN the Hoſt goeth forth againſt thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing. It may Imply,
1. THAT in time of War, Perſons are in peculiar danger of Indulging themſelves in vicious practices. Souldiers are apt to give themſelves ſuch a looſe, to take ſuch a liberty in unbecoming Words and Actions; which poſſibly they would be aſham'd or afraid to do, if at home and among their uſual Neighbours. Almoſt every condition and buſineſs of Life, has it's ſpecial or peculiar Snares and Temptations attending of it; a Souldier's calling is attended with very great and dangerous ones. Thô Souldiers have ſtrong Obligations to be Singularly Pious, yet they have ſtrong Temptations alſo to be very wicked; and they're frequently and ſhamefully overcome by their Temptations. John Baptiſt ſeems to have caution'd Souldiers, againſt the evils they were moſt peculiarly in danger of committing; for when they ask'd him, ſaying, What ſhall we do? He reply'd, Do violence to no man, neither accuſe any falſely, and be content with your wages. Luk. 3.14. So that the peculiar danger of Indulging wickedneſs, in time of War, might be one occaſion of this ſpecial command, then keep thee from every wicked thing. It may Imply,
2. THE very great Importance and Neceſſity, of keeping our ſelves from every wicked thing in time of War. A wicked thing, What is that? Why it's any thing, every thing that's contrary to God's Law. 1 Joh. 3.4. Whoſoever committeth Sin tranſgreſſeth alſo the Law, for Sinis a tranſgreſſion of the Law. Every thing that's contrary to GOD's Law, is Wicked, Sinful, and therefore hateful and loathſome to GOD. For Sin is the abominable thing whith He hates, Jer. 44.4. He is of purer eyes than to behold evil, he cannot look upon Iniquity, Hab. 1.13. And this Infinitely great and glorious GOD to whom Sin is ſo hateful. He orders, over-rules, governs all things as He will; even all things in the Armies of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the earth, none can ſtay his hand, or ſay unto him, what doeſt thou? Dan. 4.35. Victories and Defeats in Battle, even all events of Peace & War, are Intirely at GODS diſpoſe, He orders them as He will. Therefore it highly becomes a profeſſing People Ingag'd in War, to keep in good terms with GOD, to keep themſelves from every wicked thing; leſt otherwiſe they ſhould provoke Him to appear and fight againſt them. If they fight againſt Him by their Sins, they may juſtly fear that He'll fight againſt them in His Providence. Therefore, when the Hoſt goeth forth againſt thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing. Keep thee, this may refer both to the Souldiers that go forth to War, and to the reſt of the People that ſtay at home.
1. TO the Souldiers that go forth to War. Thoſe who go out to War, go in danger of their lives. It's true, if we ſtay at home, live in peace, ſeem to be moſt ſafe and ſecure and free from danger, yet we're liable to Death. Some grievous Sickneſs, ſudden fit, or unexpected accident may in a little while turn us out of the World. Prov. 27.1. Boaſt not thy ſelf of to-morrow, thou knoweſt not what a day may bring forth. Jam. 4.14. Ye know not what ſhall be on the morrow: for what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time, and then vaniſheth away. Thô all Perſons are thus liable to Death, and they know not how ſoon of ſuddenly it may overtake them; yet thoſe who go out to War, are in more apparent eminent danger of their lives. They Jeopard their lives to the Death in the high places of the Field, Judg. 5.18. They put their lives in their bands, as 'tis ſaid of Jeptha and of David when they went forth to Battle, Judg. 12.3. I Sam. 19.5. When Perſons are Ingag'd in Battle, thô they're never ſo Healthy, Stout, Strong, yet they know not but that the Sword, Spear, Hatchet or Bullet of the enemy may diſpatch 'em in a Moment, and ſend their Souls to an endleſs Eternity. Surely, Perſons in ſuch danger, if they will but think, conſider, and ſhew themſelves Men, muſt needs reckon they're ſtrongly oblig'd to keep themſelves from every wicked thing. They ſhould keep themſelves not only from Robbing, Stealing, Profane Curſing and Swearing Drunkenneſs, and ſuch groſs Scandalous Tranſgreſſions, but even from all known Sins as much as poſſible, whether Open or Secret, of Omiſſion or Commiſſion, whether more Immediately againſt GOD, or more Immediately againſt Men. Their Military condition, Circumſtances and Services, can't weaken their obligations to Obey that GOD who is a Man of War, the God of Armies, the Lord of Hoſts, the Captain of their Salvation, Exod. 13.3. 1 Sam. 17.45. Heb. 2.10. They ſhould not dare to Indulge themſelves in any known wickedneſs, in any thing diſpleaſing and provoking to GOD; therefore they ſhould not dare to Indulge themſelves in Impenitence or Unbelief, than which nothing can be more provoking to GOD, or hurtful to themſelves. Luk. 13.5. Except ye repent ye ſhall periſh. Mark 16.16. He that believeth not, ſhall be damned. They ſhould therefore be moſt ſpeedy, hearty, ſincere in Repenting of all their Sins, in Believing & Truſting in JESUS CHRIST our LORD for Pardon and Salvation. This, even this is the great, indiſpenſable, moſt neceſſary and profitable Duty Incumbent on all that are acquainted with the Goſpel; and it can't be neglected by profeſſed Chriſtians going out to War, without the higheſt madneſs and folly that can be. It's extreamly unſafe, to go out to War with the guilt of all our manifold, aggravated Tranſgreſſions lying on our Souls. If we fight againſt Men with our Bodies, and againſt GOD by our Sins, our danger is unutterable, inconceable. Who ever harden'd himſelf againſt God, and proſperd? Job 9.3. Do we provoke the Lord to Jealouſy, are we ſtronger than he? 1 Cor. 10.22. What, ſhall we ſet briars and thorns in Battle array againſt GOD? Shall we dare to run on the thick … of His Buckler? We are but … our own deſtruction, while by our Sins we're provoking an Infinitely Holy and Powerful GOD. It's true, If GOD be for us, who can be againſt us? Rom. 8.3…. But on the other hand, if GOD be againſt us, if He's our … for our continuing in Sin (for He … Pſal. 5.5.) then who can be for us? Who can protect and defend us, and render us ſafe? Surely none can. Thoſe therefore who go to fight againſt Men, ſhould take utmoſt care to be at Peace with GOD, Thoſe who Jeopard their lives in the high places of the Field (or on the Seas) ſhould be moſt careful to keep themſelves from every wicked thing, moſt careful that they dont fight againſt GOD by their Sins. They ſhould to be ſure be ſincere & vigorous in the exerciſe of every Grace, in the practice of every Duty; that ſo they may pleaſe and glorify that GOD, whoſe favour is moſt needful for them; even that GOD, in whoſe favour is life, and whoſe loving kindneſs is better than life, Pſal. 30.5. & 63.3. I might further ſay, thoſe who go forth to War, ſhould take utmoſt care to be at Peace with GOD, to avoid whatever provokes Him, and to do all they can to Pleaſe Him, for
1. IT's GOD alone can … 'em Skill, Wiſdom, Prudence rightly to manage the Military buſineſs they're Ingag'd in. Some Skill & Prudence is needful for the right managing of any buſineſs whatſoever; and none but GOD, the Father of Lights and Fountain of wiſdom, can give it. 'Tis ſaid of the Husbandman: Iſai. 28.26. His GOD doth Inſtruct him to diſcretion, and doth teach him. Dan. 2.21. — He giveth Wiſdom to the wiſe, and knowledge to them that know Underſtanding. There's much Skill and Prudence needful, for a due managing of Military Matters, and GOD alone can give it, for He's the Giver of every good gift, …am. 1.17. David was wonderfully furniſh'd with Military Skill (as well as courage) and he thankfully ador'd GOD as the Author of it. Pſal. 144.1. Bleſſed be the Lord my Strength, who teacheth my hands to War, and my fingers to Fight.
2. IT's GOD alone can preſerve their Health. Warlike exerciſes require healthy Bodies; it can't be expected that Sickly Souldiers ſhould do much. Well, Souldiers are ſometimes crouded in Heaps, as it were, in Ships, or Garriſons, ſometimes expos'd to great Heats, Colds, Rains, to Hard fare, Hard lodging, Hard marches, (they're often oblig'd to endure hardneſs) by which their Health is endangered. And, it's GOD alone that can preſerve their endangered Health. He's the Healer of His People, the Health of their Countenance, (Exod. 15.26. Pſal. 42.….) it's His Prerogative to make ſore and to bind up, to wound and heal, to kill and make alive, and none can deliver out of his hand, Deut. 32.39.
3. IT's GOD alone can give Courage to act properly in Military Affairs. A Cowardly Souldier is but a poor tool indeed, likely to do more hurt than good; more likely to diſcourage his Partners and Fellow-Souldiers, than to deſtroy enemies, Deut. 20.8. Good courage and reſolution is neceſſary to conſtitute a good Souldier; and none but GOD can give ſuch courage. All hearts are in GOD's hand, He's the GOD of the Spirits of all fleſh; He can ſo diſpirit and diſcourage Men, that they ſhall fear where no fear is, and the ſound of a ſhaken leaf ſhall chaſe them, Lev. 26.36. Small dangers, or appearances or ſuſpicions of danger, ſhall fill 'em with Frights, Fears, Terrors. On the other hand, GOD can Incourage and Spirit Perſons to undertake great things, thô they're very hazardous. Prov. 28.1. The righteous is bold as a Lion. Pſal. 60.12. Through God we ſhall do valiantly; for he it is that ſhall tread down our enemies. GOD can fill Perſons with ſuch boldneſs and courage, as that Five ſhall chaſe an hundred, (Lev. 26.8.) Yea, One ſhall chaſe a thouſand, Joſh. 23.10. When King Saul heard how the Ammonites Inſulted thoſe of Jabiſh Gilead, it's ſaid, The Spirit of the Lord came upon him; and then he took ſpeedy couragious methods to relieve his Inſulted, threatened Subjects, 1 Sam. 11.6. &c. Thrô Faith ſome have ſubdued Kingdoms, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens, Heb. 11.33, 34. The lively exerciſe of Faith in GOD, fills the Soul with holy courage. The Lord is my light and my ſalvation, whom ſhall I fear? The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? — Tho' an hoſt ſhould encamp againſt me, mine heart ſhall not fear, &c. Pſal. 27.1, 3. Lively Faith works great courage; and whence comes this Faith? Why it is the gift of GOD, Eph. 2.8.
4. IT's GOD alone can Protect Perſons, and Preſerve their Lives in Battle. Every Arrow & Bullet that's Shot, is govern'd by the ſame Providence, that directed the Syrian Arrow between the Joints of Ahab's harneſs to kill him, 1 King. 22.34. Whoever the Souldier levels at when he Shoots, yet the Bullet hits the Mark that Providence aims at, and none other. Every Bullet that flies, thô ſeemingly at random, is as much under the Government of Providence, as the Sea to which GOD ſays; Job 38.11. Hitherto ſhalt thou come but no further, and here ſhall thy proud waves be ſtayed. GOD alone can protect in times of danger, Men can't defend themſelves. GOD is a ſhield, Pſal. 84.11. A ſhield was a defenſive piece of Armour, to ſecure Perſons againſt deſtructive blows, from Swords, Spears, &c. Well, with reference to the Warlike dangers, the I ſalmiſt call'd GOD, his Buckler, Deliverer, Shield, Fortreſs, High Tower, &c. Pſal. 18.2. and 144.2. Yea, he ſaid, Pſal. 140.7. O God the Lord, the ſtrength of my ſalvation, thou haſt covered my head in the day of Battle. He might have had his head broke, nay, cut off in Battle, if GOD had not cover'd and defended it. Thô ſome truſt in Chariots and ſome in Horſes, yet we ſhould remember the name of the Lord our God, (Pſal. 20.7.) for none elſe but He can preſerve us in danger. Thô the Horſe be prepared against the day of Battle; yet ſafety is of the Lord, Prov. 21.31. Men may fight, none but GOD can defend and protect.
5. IT's GOD alone can give Succeſs in War. As, whoever Plants or Waters, yet GOD alone gives the Increaſe, (1 Cor. 3.6, 7.) So, whoever Wars, and Fights, yet GOD alone can give Succeſs. The likelieſt means often fail. The race is not always to the ſwift, nor the battle to the ſtrong, Eccl. 9.11. Weapons are held in the hands of Men, Victory is held in GOD's hand, He gives it to whom He will. 1 Sam. 17.47. The Battle is the Lord's. 2 Chron. 20.15. The Battle is not yours but GOD's. The Lord is mighty in Battle, (Pſal 24.8.) Therefore it's nothing with him to help, whether with many or with them that have no power, 2 Chron. 14.11. The Army of the Syrians came with a ſmall company of Men, and the Lord delivered a very great Hoſt into their hand, 2 Chron. 24.24. GOD can cauſe even wounded Men, to ariſe and burn a City, Jer. 37.10. Gideon's three hundred Men, with their Pitchers, Lamps, Trumpets; did fright, rout, and vanquiſh a vaſt Army of the Midianites, Judg. ch. 7. Jonathan and his Armour-Bearer, routed and vanquiſhed the Army of the Philiſtines; at leaſt they two began the matter, 1 Sam. 14. ch. If an Army is never ſo numerous, skilfull, couragious, never ſo well provided with all warlike-ſtores; yet they can't command Succeſs. All events of Battles and Wars are Intirely at GOD's diſpoſe; and He often orders them quite contrary to the expectation of Men, poſſibly of moſt Men.
6. IF Men die in Battle, none but GOD can ſave their Souls. The Soul is more worth than a World. Men can kill the body, are not able to kill the Soul; but GOD can deſtroy both ſoul and body in hell, Mat. 10.28. So, GOD can Save the Soul too, can pardon it's Sins (and will do ſo, if it penitently believes in CHRIST) and take it ſafe to Heaven when it parts from the body. Good Men may die in War, by the hands of enemies; godly King Joſiah did ſo. But if the godly ſhould die in Battle, in the High Places of the Field, yet their Souls go as ſafe to Heaven, as if, they'd di'd quietly in their Beds ſurrounded with attending, mourning Friends. Bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord, they rest from their labours, their works follow them, Rev. 14.12. Their Death is their gain, they go to be with Chriſt which is far better, Phil, 1.21, 23.
NOW ſince all theſe things are ſo, ſurely it becomes thoſe who go forth to War, to keep themſelves from every wicked thing. If they have any thoughtful ſerious regard to their own Perſonal ſafety, honour, uſefulneſs, they ſhould be moſt careful to avoid every thing which might diſpleaſe or provoke GOD, in whoſe hand is their breath, and whoſe are all their ways; and who alone can ſave or deſtroy. Nay, if they have any regard to the Welfare of thoſe they fight for, they ſhould be careful to keep themſelves from every wicked thing. If thoſe who go forth to War, ſhould die in Battle, or be greatly blaſted or defeated; this might be greatly and variouſly hurtfull to the People they are a part of. They ſhould not Indulge themſelves in any wickedneſs, leſt GOD blaſt them, and therein blaſt thoſe they repreſent, or act for. For thô GOD ſometimes proſpers and ſucceeds wicked Men in Fighting againſt Enemies; yet ſuch wicked Men have no ground to expect Succeſs. When Amaziah King of Judah was going to War againſt the Edomites, he hired an hundred thouſand Auxiliaries, even that number of the Men of Iſrael; but a Prophet of GOD ſaid to him, 2 Chron. 25.7. O King, let not the Army of Iſrael go with thee; for the Lord is not with Iſrael, to wit, with all the Children of Ephraim. As if the Prophet had ſaid, Don't employ 'em, don't let 'em go with you, becauſe GOD is not with them. Having greatly diſhonour'd and provok'd GOD, in worſhipping the Idols Jeroboam had ſet up (as well as by other wicked practices) GOD would not ſo honour 'em in His Providence, as to uſe them as Inſtruments to obtain Victories for Judah. GOD ſometimes proſpers buſineſs the letter, for the ſake of Pious Inſtruments imploy'd; conſider Jacob in managing Laban's Affairs; and Joſeph, in managing the Affairs of his Maſter in Aegypt.
WELL, as theſe words, keep thee from every wicked thing, may refer to the Souldiers that go forth to War; ſo they may refer,
2. TO the reſt of the People, even thoſe who ſtay at Home. Doth our Hoſt go forth, our armed Men to Fight againſt our Enemies? … we who ſtay at Home, ſhould keep our ſelves from every wicked thing. We ſhould be very ſtudious and careful to do ſo, not only for the Glory of God (which we ſhould ſupreamly a…m at, in all things, 1 Cor. 10.31.) but ſubordinately alſo,
1. FOR the ſake of thoſe who go forth to War. We've heard already, that the whole of their ſafety, welfare, uſefulneſs depends entirely on GOD's Bleſſing, His favourable Preſence, Protection, Aſſiſtance. Well, Let us not by our Sins provoke GOD to blaſt or frown upon, our Souldiers that go forth to Fight for us. They are part of our ſelves, are of the ſame body politick with us, are our Brethren,; our Bone and our Fleſh; and they expoſe themſelves to ſafeguard us, hazard their own Lives to preſerve ours. Juſtice and Gratitude requires, that we ſhould deſire and ſeek their Welfare; therefore we ſhould not by our Sins provoke GOD to bring evil upon them. For the Sins of a profeſſing People, GOD often brings a blaſt on thoſe they ſend forth to War. Why did GOD deliver a very great Hoſt of the Jews, into the hands of a ſmall Company of Syrian enemies? Why, 'twas becauſe the Jews had forſaken the Lord God of their Fathers, 2 Chron. 24.24. For the Sins of GOD's Profeſſing People, he threatened, That the Bows of their Enemies should daſh their young men to pieces, Iſa. 13.18. So, Jer. 11.22. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, behold I will puniſh you; the young men ſhall die by the ſword. Let us take heed therefore, that we don't by our Sins provoke GOD to defeat our Souldiers, or give them up to the rage and will of our enemies. If we indulge our ſelves in a Careleſs, Prayerleſs, Irreligious Life, in profane Curſing and Swearing, in the abominable, Sin if Drunkenneſs (which is grown ſhamefully common) in Lying, Stealing, fraudulent unrighteous Dealing, Malice, Envy, &c. I ſay, if we indulge our ſelves in theſe, or any other known wicked Practices; what is this but a Fighting againſt GOD by our Sins, and ſo a provoking Him to blaſt and diſappoint (if not to deſtroy) our Souldiers gone forth to Fight for us? We're unjuſt, perfideous, barbarous to thoſe gone forth to Fight for us; if we thus expoſe and hazard their welfare by our own wickedneſs. They are hazarding their Lives for our welfare, let us not requite 'em evil for good; let us not add to their danger, by adding to the number and weight of our own Iniquities. We ſhould not by our Sins provoke GOD to blaſt our Souldiers; but by earneſt Prayers, and an humble cloſe walking with GOD, we ſhould do what we can that He may be a Shield and Buckler, Safety and Protection to them. As we ſhould keep our ſelves from every wicked thing, for the ſake of thoſe who go forth to War; So we ſhould,
2. FOR our own Sakes, or for the ſake of this People in general. Are not our Souldiers gone forth for us, for our good, to defend the Lives and Eſtates of this People; and to Indeavour the deſtroying thoſe who would deſtroy us? Are not our Souldiers thus gone forth? And would we have them proſper & be ſucceeded for our wellfare? Then let us not by our Sins provoke that GOD, who alone can blaſt or proſper all our undertakings. Let us ſo live, ſo act as to pleaſe (and obtain the ſmiles of) that GOD, who does according to his pleaſure in Heaven, Earth, Sea and in all deep places, Pſal. 135.6. Let us abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good, denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, let us live ſoberly, righteouſly, godlily in this preſent world, Tit. 2.12. This in general is the beſt method we can take, to have our Armes ſucceſsful and proſperous. GOD ſaid to Joſhua, Joſh. 1.7. Only be thou ſtrong and very couragious, that thou mayſt obſerve to do according to all the law which Moſes my ſervant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayſt proſper whitherſoever thou goeſt. Let us obey GOD's Laws, if we would proſper in our ways, Deut. 29.9. Keep therefore the words of this Covenant and do them, that ye may proſper in all that ye do. 2 Chron. 24.20. Why tranſgreſs ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot proſper? Becauſe ye have forſaken the Lord, He alſo hath forſaken you. When we Sin againſt GOD, we wrong our own Souls, lay our ſelves open to His revenges, and walk in the way leading to ſhame and confuſion. For, whatever we think of it, yet 'tis true, That Righteouſneſs exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a reproach to any People, Prov. 14.34. The uſual method of GOD's dealing with His People, is ſet forth. 2 Chron. 15.2. The Lord is with you while ye be with him, if ye ſeek him he will be ſound of you; but if you forſake him he will forſake you. Iſai. 1.19, 20. If ye be willing and obedient, ye ſhall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuſe and rebel, ye ſhall be devoured with the ſword, for the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it. What, wont you believe what the LORD ſays? His Mouth declares (and He cannot lie, it's impoſſible for him to lie, Tit. 1.2. Heb. 6.18.) that if we rebel againſt Him, we ſhall be devoured with the Sword, or ſome Judgments or other (if we walk contrary to Him, He'll walk contrary to us, Lev. 26.27, 28.) For theſe things written aforetime, were written for our learning, Rom. 15.4. If our ways pleasd the Lord, we might expect that He would make our enemies to be at peace with us, (Prov. 16.7.) Or elſe ſubdue them before us, Pſal. 81.13,—15. O that my people had hearkened unto me, and Iſrael had walked in my ways; I ſhould ſoon have ſubdued their enemies, and turned mine hand againſt their adverſaries. The haters of the Lord ſhould have ſubmitted themſelves unto him, but their time ſhould have endured for ever.
IF we hearken to GOD's Voice, and walk in His ways, we may humbly expect that He'll Fight againſt and ſubdue our Enemies; but if we Fight againſt GOD by our Sins, we may expect that He'll raiſe up, multiply and ſtrengthen and aſſiſt Enemies againſt us. It's extreamly fooliſh and dangerous (as well as unjuſt and ungrateful) for a People to make War against Heaven by their wickedneſs; therein they provoke One that is ſtronger than they, that can blaſt or deſtroy them when He will, and uſe and ſucceed what Inſtruments He pleaſeth againſt them. Iſai. 42.24. Who gave Jacob for a ſpoil, and Iſrael to the Robbers? did not the Lord, he againſt whom we have ſinned? For they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient to his law. Jacob, Iſrael, even a profeſſing People of GOD were given up to the oppreſſing power of Enemies, Spoilers, Robbers, becauſe they were diſobedient to GOD, and would not walk in his ways. The Aſſyrian enemies, what were they, but only Inſtruments where-with GOD puniſh'd His rebellious People? Iſai. 10.5, 6. O Aſſyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the ſtaff in their hand is mine Indignation. I will ſend him againſt an hypocritical Nation, and againſt the People of my wrath will I give him a charge, (they were commiſſion'd by Heaven, as it were to this work) to take the ſpoil and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Our enemies, the Indians at the Eaſtward how falſe, perfideous, treacherous, rebellious, barbarous, wicked ſoever they are in themſelves; yet we're to look on them as the Rod of GOD's anger, the ſtaff of his Indignation. He may uſe what Rod He will, to chaſtiſe and correct us. If they're but a weak rod, yet they're in a ſtrong Hand that can ſtrike hard, can whip us and make us bleed terribly before He has done with us. It is GOD (and not only the Indian enemies) that is contending with us, managing a controverſy with us, bringing a ſword to avenge the quarrel of his Covenant, (Lev. 26.25.) Wicked Inſtruments are but His Rod, His Sword. Pſal. 17.13. The wicked which is thy Sword. Would we therefore that GOD ſhould put up his Sword, or throw his rod into the fire? Then the way we ſhould take is, humbly and penitently to turn from all our Sins, truſt in His Mercy thrô our LORD JESUS CHRIST for Reconciliation, and walk in His ways. It's not only our Indiſpenſable Duty, but alſo our higheſt Wiſdom, Prudence, Interest thus to do. All Politick Schemes, deep Projections warlike Stratagems, are but ſorry trifles and baubles compar'd to this moſt Wiſe Method. By a penitent turning to the Lord of Hoſts, the God of Armies. Let us engage Him to be on our ſide; then He'll be our refuge, ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble; we need not fear tho' the earth were removed, and the mountains carried into the midſt of the Seas; He can make Wars to ceaſe, break the Bow, cut the Spear in ſunder, and burn the Chariots in fire, Pſal. 46. Let us Ingage GOD on our ſide, and then He'll command deliverances for us, and help us to puſh and tread down thoſe that riſe up againſt us, Pſal. 44.4, 5. If GOD be for us, on our ſide, then we may boldly ſay, the Lord is mine helper, and I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me, Heb. 13.6.
SURE I am, now the Hoſt is gone forth againſt the enemy, we ſhould keep our ſelves from every wicked thing. In ſtead of growing more looſe and diſſolute, more rude and vicious, (as People are very prone to do in Time of War) we ſhould ſeriouſly ſtudy and ſtrive after a thorough REFORMATION.
THOSE in Civil Authority ſhould do ſo, in being Perſonally Exemplary and Conſpicuous in the exerciſe of every Grace, and practice of every Duty; in being a Terror to evil doers and a praiſe to them that do well.
MINISTERS of the Goſpel alſo ſhould do their utmoſt to promote a REFORMATION, in being harmleſs, blameleſs, unrebukable in their Converſation, ſtudious and faithful in rightly dividing the word of truth, and diſpenſing the myſteries of God. Iſai. 58.1. Cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, and ſhew my people their tranſgreſſion, and the houſe of Jacob their Sins. They ſhould plainly and faithfully tell People of their Sin and … ; and warn them to turn & live. They ſhould alſo be much in Prayer, for the welfare of GOD's People. Joel 2.19. Let the Prieſts, the Minicters of the Lord weep between the Porch and the Altar, and let them ſay, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the Heathen ſhould rule over them: therefore ſhould they ſay among the people, where is their God?
YEA, All Perſons in their various Capacities, ſhould do what they can to promote a REFORMATION. Jer. 25.5. Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings. REFORMATION is what GOD loudly calls for at our hands.
WE are lately entred into a New War, we know the beginning but dont know the end of it. We are a profeſſing but a very degenerate People, GOD is angry with us. The laſt Year He ſorely Scourg'd us by Sickneſs, the Small Pox; it greatly hindred Trade and Buſineſs, leſſen'd our Eſtates, thind our Numbers, by an awful Mortality, thô He puniſh'd us leſs than our Iniquities deſervd. This Contagious Sickneſs was the Rod of GOD, He whip'd us with it, and whip'd many (probably above a Thouſand) of this People to Death by it. This was a very ſore Judgment of GOD, yet we're not at all Reform'd by it; and He is now contending with us in other ways. … ſore and awful Drought Conſiderably preva… in many Places of the Land; Men and Beaſts meet with difficulties under …his frown of Providence. This Year alſo we have been conſiderably moleſted and ſpoiled, by …irates on the Sea; and by Indians on the Land, and a War is now opened. And what the LORD will do with us, we dont know; what He calls for at our hands, we do know, viz. that in Ezek. 18.30.— Repent and Turn your ſelves from all your tranſgreſſions, ſo Iniquity ſhall not be your ruin. The LORD is ſhaking His Rod▪ brandiſhing His Sword over us, and what's our buſineſs now? Why ſee, Mic. 6.9. The Lord's voice crieth unto the City, and the man of wiſdom ſhall ſee thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. Our duty is that in Lam. 3.40. Let us ſearch and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. If we do thus, then He that hath torn, will heal us; He that hath ſmitten, will bind us up, Hoſ. 6.1.
As to the War we're ingag'd in, I would ſay,
1. LET us not truſt in Means. We ſhould uſe the beſt means and methods we can; but not truſt in any of them. Jer. 9.23. Thus ſaith the LORD, Let not the wiſe man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might. Very weighty was that ſaying of King Ahab, 1 King 20.11. Let not him that girdeth on his Harneſs, boaſt himſelf, as he that putteth it off. Let us not depend too much on Probabilities. Poſſibly ſome will think, our enemies are few in Number, ſmall in Power, have no Magazines, no defenced Cities to betake themſelves to if routed, &c. But, let us not flatter our ſelves with ſuch thoughts, how mean and contemptible ſoever the enemy may be thought to be; yet they may poſſibly make all our hearts ake, before we've done with them. We know not how far GOD may Imploy them, to ſpill the Blood of this People. If the enemies are look'd on as few and weak, yet our Sins are ſo many and mighty; as ſhould keep us from being vainglorious, from promiſing our ſelves ſpeedy and great ſucceſs. Thô we ſhould be thankful for the ſucceſs that we've had already, yet we ſhould not be ſelf-confident. Pſal 44.6. I will not truſt in my Bow, neither ſhall my Sword ſave me. It's very provoking to GOD and dangerous for us, to truſt in means. Jer. 17.5. Thus ſaith the LORD, curſed be the man that truſteth in man, and maketh fleſh his arm, and whoſe heart departeth from the LORD. We ſhould be couragious to uſe means, but not ſo fooliſh as to truſt in them. We ſhould follow the counſel given by that great General, Joab, Juſt as he was going to ingage in Battle; even counſel becoming a Souldier and a Saint, (thô he was not much of the latter) 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.
2. WE ſhould be much in Prayer to GOD, for help and ſucceſs in War. Pſal. 108.12. Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man. In King Solomon's Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple, it's plainly Intimated, That when the People are ingaged in War, they ſhould be very Prayerful to GOD for help, 1 King. 8.44. The Iſraelites Eaſt of Jordan, were help'd in Battle againſt their enemies, yea, their enemies were delivered into their hands; for they cried unto GOD in the Battle, and he was Intreated of them becauſe they truſted him, 1 Chron. 5.18,— 20. GOD never fails thoſe, who ſincerely Pray to Him and Truſt in Him. Let us therefore be humble, earneſt, conſtant in Prayer to GOD, for Protection and Succeſs to our Souldiers, as well as for all Bleſſings needful for this People. Pſal. 122.6. Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem, they ſhall proſper that love thee. GOD ſays, Pſal. 50.15. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee and thou ſhalt glorify me. Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requeſts be made known to GOD.
FINIS.
Advertiſement.
LAtely Printed and Publiſh'd Mr. COLMAN's SERMON Preached at Mr. Monis's Baptiſm.
Together with Three Diſcourſes by Mr. Monis, viz. The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth, the One delivered at his Baptiſm.
To be Sold by Daniel Henchman, at his Shop in Corn-hill, Boſton.
End of the text · Benjamin Wadsworth, True Piety the Best Policy for Times of War (1722)