A Military Employment, when it is undertaken with a good intention, begun and carried on for honest ends and purposes, hath been generally thought not only lawful and barely inno­cent, but highly useful and com­mendable likewise. And since the common Safety of Europe, as well as the necessary Defence and Preservation of that Church and Nation to which you be­long, [Page 2] is the Cause for which you are now engaged; you will not so much want a Casuist to state the Lawfulness of your Profession, as you seem to stand in need of some Christian Moni­tor to put you in mind how you ought to behave your selves in it.

The Calling of a Soldier is doubtless very well consistent with that of a Christian; and altho the Armour which the Gospel recommends, is of a Spi­ritual nature, and such as we are all required to put on and employ in our Defence against our Spiritual Enemies; yet we no where find, that either our Blessed Saviour, or any of his Apostles, did ever condemn the use of Secular Arms and Carnal Weapons as absolutely unlawful. Nor indeed can it be reasonably [Page 3] imagined, but that Christians as well as other men may be inno­cently allowed to provide the best they can both for their Per­sonal and for the Publick Safety.

The truth is, that which hath brought so ill an opinion upon a Military Profession, is the loose­ness of Manners, and Unchristi­an Conversation of too many of those who are employ'd in it: And 'tis the scandalous Example of some amongst you, which hath brought so ill a report up­on the Character of a Soldier in the general. For the undiscern­ing part of mankind (which is generally the greatest part of it) is too apt to judge of a Professi­on, according to the Lives and Conversations of its Professors. And because they observe so much Impiety and Injustice, so much Prophaneness and Irreli­gion [Page 4] in the Behaviour of some Soldiers, they are from thence unhappily prejudiced with an ill opinion of All.

Now the best and only way to vindicate the Credit and Repu­tation of a Military Life, from all Prejudices of this kind, is to remove that unhappy occasi­on from whence they proceed; and if instead of distinguishing your selves from the rest of mankind by your Vices, you would be more careful to behave your selves as becometh Christi­ans; if instead of Blaspheming God with so many horrid Oaths and Curses, you would learn to Reverence and Adore him, and ascribe him the honour due unto his Name; if instead of that Riot and Intemperance, that Inju­stice and Uncharitableness which so much abounds amongst you, [Page 5] you would be more mindful of those pressing Obligations which your Religion teacheth you, of denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and of living soberly, righ­teously, and godly in this present world; your Profession would then be entertained with much more Respect in the world: The Character of a Soldier would then appear in its true Lustre, and be as highly honour­ed amongst men, as it is indeed most deservedly Honourable in it self.

The Character which St. Luke gives of Cornelius, (Acts 10.) is a Pattern very worthy your imitation upon this account; and this out of a sincere intenti­on for the Good of your Souls, for the Honour of your Profes­sion, and for the happy Success of your Arms, I heartily re­commend [Page 6] to be transcribed by you.

He was a Roman Soldier; and altho by Birth and Educati­on a Heathen Idolater, yet being happily posted amongst the Jews at Caesarea, he there attained to the knowledge of the True God, and afterwards became a most eminent Convert to the Christi­an Faith: From whence 'tis ea­sie to imagine how profitably he employed his vacant hours, and what great advantage he made of the Place and the Persons amongst whom he convers'd: for although we have no parti­cular account given us of his behaviour, till the time of his Conversion; yet 'tis highly pro­bable, that he never spent his time idly and unprofitably, or (what is much worse), pro­phanely and irreligiously; but [Page 7] that he was always meditating upon, and considering his latter end; and carefully projecting with himself, how he might se­cure an Interest in the Favour and Protection of that God, in whom are the Issues of Life and Death, and before whose dread­ful Tribunal he was to give a solemn and severe Account. He wisely consider'd how hazardous and uncertain the Life of a Sol­dier is, above all other men; and this Consideration natural­ly led his thoughts to a nearer Prospect of a Future State. He well knew, That it was appoint­ed for all men once to dye; and that to dare to dye with a more than ordinary Courage and Re­solution, was what became the Bravery of a Good Soldier; but because after this life ended, there was a Judgment to come, when [Page 8] every one that hath done good, shall go into life everlasting, and every one that hath done evil, into everlasting Fire; he thought the consideration hereof a matter of the highest importance to him imaginable; and was easily con­vinc'd how much he was obli­ged not only in point of Duty, but in point of Wisdom and In­terest likewise, to make the best provision he could for a happy Portion in this his Immortal and Eternal State.

How discreetly he behaved himself, and what prudent care he took of his life and conversa­tion in order hereunto, is evi­dent from the account which the Evangelist gives of him, who says, that he was a devout man, one that feared God, and prayed unto him continually. He did not, it seems, suppose, that his Mili­tary [Page 9] Employment for the service of his Prince, could give him any the least dispensation from his Duty to his God. He did not think, that to Curse, and Swear, and Blaspheme, and blu­ster out his prophane and daring Impieties against the Supreme Judge of Heaven and Earth, was one necessary Qualification of his Profession: No; 'tis plain that he believed the Character of a Religious and Devout man, was very well reconcilable with that of a Good Soldier: And he hath left these as Maxims of E­ternal Truth, to be transcribed from his Example, That the best Courage doth always proceed from the best Conscience: And that no man is so well qualified to appear Fearless and Undaunt­ed before the face of an Enemy, as he who walketh in the Fear of [Page 10] the Lord, and reposeth his strength and confidence in the God of his Salvation.

Fear indeed at first hearing, may seem a very odd ingredient in the Character of a good Sol­dier; but such a Fear as this of Cornelius's was, is so far from carrying in it any the least impu­tation of Cowardice, or Mean­ness of Spirit, that it is very well consistent with the Principles of true Courage; nay, and the most powerful Incitement that can be, to all Gallant and Va­lourous Actions. For to live in the Fear of God, to fear him so as to tremble at the thoughts of offending him, and to pay a Re­verential Regard to the Majesty of his Power, and the Authori­ty of his Laws, is the sure and certain means of engaging him on your side: And when you [Page 11] are once happily secure of that, you need not fear what man can do unto you: Nor need you be then afraid though never so ma­ny thousands of your Enemies set themselves against you round a­bout.

Gentlemen, Your known Bravery and Resolution in the day of Battel hath eminently ap­pear'd in the late Actions in which you have been engaged. And your very Enemies have confess'd to your glory, that they felt to their own shame, that you have been far enough from fearing those who can kill the body only. But God forbid, that you should esteem as any part of your glory, not to fear him, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. No, such a Religious Fear as this is one of the principal Ac­complishments of the true Chri­stian [Page 12] Hero. And if you will be­lieve the Experience of one of the greatest Generals France ever bred, he will inform you, That no man can be truly brave with­out it.

The next thing proposed to your imitation from the Exam­ple of Cornelius, is the Constan­cy of his Piety and Devotion. For 'tis said of him, That he was a devout man, and one that prayed to God continually. And to convince you of the reasona­bleness and wisdom of this Pra­ctise, I need only suggest to you those particular and extraordina­ry Obligations, which men of your Profession seem to lie un­der, of imploring the assistance of the Divine Protection: For you are much more conversant in Dangers and Necessities, and oftner exposed to Hardships, and [Page 13] Distresses, than any other sort of men: And so perilous are the Circumstances, so great and ma­nifold are the Difficulties where­with you are sometimes encom­passed, that in many Cases you seem to stand in need of a Mira­cle on purpose for your preser­vation; and have no other means left for you to escape, but the immediate interposition of that God, whose Will no Human Policy can controul, and whose Almighty Power no Creature is able to resist.

Now what can be thought more reasonable, than for men in such hazardous Circumstances and apparent Dangers as these, to be continually addressing their Supplications to him, who is both willing and able to save them to the uttermost? and so to engage the favour of his Divine Aid [Page 14] and Assistance by Prayer and Devotion, that He may be al­ways ready to save and defend them, and be their present help in the needful time of trouble?

This was lookt upon as a ve­ry necessary preparation against the dangerous Accidents and E­vents of War amongst the Jews; and this the Christian Emperor Constantine the Great thought so requisite in order to the happy success of his Arms and Armies; that, besides his own private Devotions in his Tent, he taught every particular Soldier in his Army an excellent Form of Prayer, and required them to say it for themselves: Which Pious Precedent the Religious Theodosius is said to have fol­lowed with so good success, that his Historian saith, he obtained a great Victory over his Ene­mies [Page 15] by the prevailing efficacy of his Devotion, rather than by the strength of his Army, or the Power of his Sword.

'Tis not indeed expected that so much time can be spent in Devotion in a Camp, as in a Cell, or a Cloyster; nor will there be so much exacted in this Case of a Soldier, as of a Monk. But yet it must be still remem­bred, that God Almighty re­quires the Worship and Service of both according to their re­spective Talents and Abilities. And although those external Avocations which do necessa­rily attend the business of your Profession, will not perhaps al­low you to be so often upon your knees, as those who have more leisure, and more conve­nient retreats for the exercise of their Devotion; it will ne­vertheless [Page 16] behove you to be as fervent and frequent in Prayer as you can; and as often as your Circumstances will per­mit.

Whilst you are in your respe­ctive Quarters, you will have greater Advantages of this kind than most other men. And if you do not gladly comply with those happy Opportuni­ties which are then afforded you, of praying daily to God, both privately, and in the pub­lick Congregations where you are, it cannot be then said in your excuse of this neglect, that you were otherwise enga­ged, and that you were not at liberty to do it: No, the World will be then apt to conclude, that it is because you do not think the Duties of Religion any part of your business: And [Page 17] that with those wicked and pro­fane Wretches in the Psalmist, You care not for God, neither is God in all your thoughts.

But I hope, Gentlemen, this severe reproach will not lye upon the Character of many of you: And I cannot but observe it to the great Honour and Reputati­on of some amongst you, and those not a few, that you have constantly frequented our so­lemn Assemblies, where you came, and expressed therein a very decent and orderly Devo­tion.

Now although such happy opportunities as these cannot be so well and so often enjoyed, whilst you are in the Field, and actually engaged in Military Service; yet even then your [Page 18] Minds and Meditations may be devoutly disposed: And the greatest Hurry and Confusion of a Camp can never hinder, but that you may be still calling upon God in short Ejaculations, and pious Motions of the Soul. A Lord have mercy upon me; a God help me; or a Lord save and defend me; may be easily inter­mixt with any of your most bu­sy Engagements: And yet some such short Ejaculatory Forms of Devotion as these, when they are address'd unto God servently and affectionately, may in some cases be as useful as they are ea­sy and natural. 'Tis certain, they will spend no more breath, nor require any more words to express them, than a Pro­fane Oath or a Curse: And how much more it becometh a Chri­stian Soldier to habituate him­self [Page 19] to the one rather than to the other, I leave to the serious consideration of every one of you, who hath a Soul, and be­lieves it to be Immortal; and whoever believes so, must needs conclude, That a Sword or a Bullet in a man's Heart, and a God dammee in his Mouth at the same time, is the most deplora­ble and desperate state of a dying man that can be imagin'd: For he who defies God with his last breath, as he leaves himself no space for Repentance, so neither does he leave to others, how charitable soever they may be, the least room to hope for any Mercy from God for him.

This, Gentlemen, is a Con­sideration of the greatest mo­ment to you in the world: And a little of your own reflection [Page 20] upon it will, without the assi­stance of any other Arguments, easily convince you, how high­ly it imports you to be wise to consider your latter end; and in order hereunto, to follow the Example of that Religious and Devout Soldier Cornelius, which is here proposed to your imi­tation.

And if you could but be once happily persuaded to this, what glorious Atchievements might not be then expected from you? How might one then chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight? And how would all the boasted Force and Policy of your E­nemies be confounded and brought to nought, were you but as mindful of your Duty to God, as you are couragiously [Page 21] stout and resolute in the service of your King and Country? or were you but as careful of the Interest of your Souls, as you are well known to be bravely prodi­gal of your Lives, and wholly unconcern'd at the approach of any bodily danger?

This would infallibly engage the Lord of Hosts himself to be on your side, even the Lord strong and mighty in Battle. And that being once happily secured, you may be then always confident of the Success of your Arms; and need not fear, but that your Ene­mies, and those that imagine mis­chief against you, should be turn'd backward, and flee before you.

Whereas on the contrary, let your Cause be never so just, and your own personal Bravery never so great; yet so long as your Iniquities continue to separate [Page 22] between you and your God, and your sins hide his face from you; you cannot then trust in the Arm of Flesh; nor is it your Sword that can then help you.

Joshua was a great General, had a very just Cause, and a good Army to support it. And yet 'tis very remarkable in his Story, That he was smitten be­fore the Canaanites for a Sin a­mongst his Soldiers. And this I mention to put you in mind of the fatal Consequence of your sins; which whilst you conti­nue in without Repentance, you harbour a Foe within your own Tents, that will do you and your Cause more mischief than all the Arts and Assaults of your Enemies could be otherwise able to do.

[Page 23] If therefore you have any serious regard for your own In­terest and Advantage, with re­ference to the Life that now is, or that which is to come; if the glorious Success of that Cause in which you are engaged, if the Honour and Safety of your King, the Good of your Coun­try, the Defence and Preserva­tion of your most Holy Religi­on, and the Common Welfare and Prosperity of that whole Church and Nation to which you belong, can make any to­lerable Impression upon you; you must then think your selves obliged upon the account of all these most powerful and prevail­ing Motives to make it your great Care to live and dye as it becometh Christians; to fear God, and to pray unto him continually; and so to order [Page 24] your Conversation aright, that Iniquity may not be your Raine, neither in this World, nor in that which is to come.

This, Gentlemen, is the hear­ty desire of him who daily re­members you in his Prayers to God for you; and who earnest­ly entreats and exhorts you to pray daily for your selves like­wise, That God would prosper your Cause you have in hand; that He would plead your Cause with them that strive with you, and fight against them that fight against you; That by his hea­venly Wisdom and Power from above he would Direct the Councils, and Influence the Con­duct, and Defend the Person of your Royal General; and so con­tinue both Him and You under the merciful Care and Protecti­on of his Good Providence, that [Page 25] you may be still safe from the power of your Enemies; and that the ungodly and those that hate you, may not be able to tri­umph over you: But that you may do valiantly, and conquer gloriously, and rejoyce greatly in the God of your Salvation, saying, Blessed be the Lord God, our Saviour and mighty Delive­rer, who hath done great things for us: and praised be the Lord for evermore, who hath pleasure in the Prosperity of his Ser­vants.

[Page 32] Besides this practise of saying your Prayers every Morning and Evening, it is farther adviseable, that you should sometimes hum­ble your selves before Almighty God in a more solemn manner; to deprecate his Wrath and In­dignation against you, and to im­plore his Mercy for the pardon and forgiveness of your sins. For which purpose I recommend to your use that most excellent Form of Devotion which is appointed by our Church in the Commina­tion Office: where the 51st Psalm, and the Prayers which follow it, are so admirably con­trived to exercise the Devotion of every hearty and sincere Pe­nitent, that you will not want any other help, nor can you in­deed be well supply'd with a bet­ter: for which reason it is put at the end of this Advice.

[Page 33] And because it is highly requi­site that Men in your Circum­stances should be continually lift­ing up your hearts to God; and at all times, and in all places, and upon all occasions addressing your Souls to him, from whom cometh your strength and salvation, it will be very proper for you to habituate your selves to these E­jaculations, or short Prayers fol­lowing.

May God of his gracious goodness bless and sanctifie these Instructions to his Glory, and to your spiritual and eternal Benefit! And we who sit quietly under our own Vines, and under our own Fig-tiees, whilst you, Gentlemen, are so generously hazard­ing your lives abroad for our defence and preservation, shall not cease to make mention of you in our Prayers, saying, The Lord prosper you: we wish you good success in the name of the Lord.