I. The Christian Soldier's chief aim should be to do his King and Country Service, in procuring, or preserving the Peace of it.

THere is no Peace, saith the Lord, Isa. 48.22. unto the Wicked.

Shouldst thou help the Ungodly and hate the Lord? 2 Cron. 19.2. Psal. 139.21, 22. Deut. 23.3, 4. Num. 22.5.

Do not I hate them that hate thee? Yea, I hate them with a perfect hatred.

An Ammorite, or Moabite, shall not enter in­to the Congregation of the Lord; even to the tenth Generation, shall they not enter into the Congregation of the Lord for ever, because they met you not with Bread and with Water, in the way when ye came forth from Aegypt, &c.

Curse ye Meroz (said the Angel of the Lord) Curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof, Judg. 5.23. be­cause they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the Mighty.

It is he that giveth Salvation and Victory un­to Kings; Psal. 144, 10.14. who delivereth David his Servant from the hurtful Sword — That there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no com­plaining in our Streets.

Shall your Brethren go to War, Num. 32.6, 7. and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the Heart of the Children of Israel from going over into the Land which the Lord hath given?

II. The Soldier should observe the Com­mand of the Lord of Hosts, and acknow­ledge his Authority in Obeying his Supe­rior.

THe Lord is a Man of War; Exod. 15. Jos. 1.7, 8, 9. the Lord (or Jehovah) is his Name. General Joshua had encouragement from him. Only be thou strong and very Couragious; that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, as Mo­ses my Servant commanded thee: Turn not from it to the right Hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whether so ever thou goest.

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy Mouth, but thou shalt Meditate therein Day and Night, that thou mayest observe to do ac­cording to all that is written therein: For thou shalt make thy way Prosperous, and thou shalt have good Success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good Courage, be not afraid, neither be thou disinaid, for the Lord thy God is with thee whether soever thou goest.

David was counted a mighty Valiant Man, Isa. 16.18. and a Man of War, and prudent in Matters, and a Comly Person, and the Lord was with him.

Captain Cornelius had a devout Soldier of them that waited on him continually. Acts 10.7.

Endure hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ, 2 Tim. 2.3, 4. Matt. 8.9. to please him who hath chosen thee to be a Soldier. I am a Man under Authority, ha­ving Soldiers under me, and I say to this Man, Go, and he goeth: And to another, Come, and he cometh: And to my Servant, Do this, and he doth it.

III. A Soldier must not do Wickedly, but Justly, as becomes a Man of Honour.

WHen thou goest forth against thine Ene­mies, Deut. 23.9. then keep thee from every wick­ed thing.

And the Soldiers likewise demanded of him, Luke 3.14. saying. And what shall we do? And he said un­to them, Do Violence to no Man, (or put no Man in fear) neither accuse any falsly, and be content with your Wages (or Allowance.)

And if you will not for all this, Lev. 26, 27.37. hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me, ye shall have no power to stand before your Enemies.

The Lord shall cause thee to be Smitten be­fore thine Enemies; Deut. 28.25. thou shalt come out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them.

For thou hast trespassed neither, 2 Chr. 26.18. shall it be for thine Honour from the Lord God.

IV. The Christian Soldier should be Valiant for the Cause of God.

ONly be thou Valiant (or a Son of Valour) for me, and fight the Lord's Battles. 1 Sam. 18.17. 2 Sam. 2.7.

Therefore now let your hands be Strengthen­ed, and be ye Valiant; (or be ye the Sons of Valour.)

Be of good Courage, 2 Sam. 10.12. let us play the Men for our People, and for the Cities of our God: And the Lord do that which seemeth him good.

And Israel shall do Valiantly. Num. 24.18. Ps. 6.12 1 Chr. 19.13. 1 Sam. 17.47. Heb 11.34.

Through God we shall do valiantly, for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

Be of good Courage, and let us behave our selves valiantly.

For the Battle is the Lords, and he will give you into our Hands.

By Faith they were made strong, waxed va­liant in Fight, turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens.

V. The Christian Soldier should not depend on his own Wisdom or Strength, or preparation for War.

IN all thy ways acknowledge the Lord, Prov. 3.5.6. 1 Sam. 2.9, 10. Ps. 44.6. and lean not to thine own Understanding.

For by Strength shall no Man prevail: The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces.

I will not trust in my Bow, neither shall my Sword save me.

There is no King saved by the multitude of an Host: Ps. 33.16, 17. A mighty Man is not delivered by much Strength.

An Horse is a vain thing for Safety: Is. 8.8. Neither shall he deliver any by his great Strength.

There is no Man that hath power over the Spirit, Eccl. 8.8. to retain the Spirit; neither hath he power in the day of Death; and there is no discharge, (or casting off Weapons) in that War, neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

O our God! 2 Chr. 20.12. wilt thou not judge them, for we have no might against this great Company that cometh against us: Neither know we what to do, but our desires are upon thee.

VI. The Christian Soldier should place his Trust and Confidence on the Wisdom and Strength of Almighty God.

BE strong in the Lord, Eph. 6.10. Job. 12, 13. and in the power of his Might; with him is Wisdom and Strength, he hath Counsel and Understanding.

The God of Israel is he that giveth Strength and Power unto his People. Ps. 68.35. Ps. 46.1.5.

God is our Refuge and Strength; Ps. 46.1.5. a very pre­sent help in Trouble.

God is in the midst of her, she should not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

God hath power to help, 2 Chr. 25.8. Ps. 71.16. and to cast down.

I will go in the strength of the Lord God.

The Lord will give strength unto his People. Ps. 29.11. Isa. 17.45.

Then said David to the Philistine, thou comest to me with a Sword and with a Spear, and with a Shield; but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the Armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

VII. The Christian Soldier should lift up his Heart to God in Prayer before he Engage in Battle.

WE made our Prayer unto our God, Neh. 4.9. and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

And Sampson called unto the Lord, and said, Judg. 16.28. O Lord God, remember me I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, &c.

And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, 2 Sam. 15.31. Jam. 1.5. turn the Counsel of Achitophel into Foolishness.

If any of you lack Wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth all Men liberally, and upbra­deth not, and it shall be given him.

Give me Understanding, Ps. 119.34. and I shall keep thy Law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole Heart.

Give strength unto thy Servant, Ps. 86.16. and save the Son of thine Hand-Maid.

Plead thou my Cause (O Lord) with them that strive with me, Ps. 35.1, 2. fight against them that fight a­gainst me.

Take hold of Shield and Buckler, and stand up for mine help.

And the Children of Israel said unto the Lord, Judg. 10.15. We have Sinned, do thou unto us what seemeth good unto thee: Deliver us only we pray thee this day.

VIII. The Christian Soldier should give Credit to, and consider well the gracious Promises of God.

AND they rose early in the Morning, 2 Cor. 20.20. and went forth into the Wilderness of Te­koah. and as they went forth, Jehosaphat stood and said, Hear me O Judah, and ye Inhabitants [Page 8]of Hierusalem, believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye prosper.

For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, Deut. 20.4. to fight for you against your Enemies to save you.

The Lord shall fight for you, Exod. 14.14. Deut. 20.3. 2 King. 17.36. Isa. 54.17. Dan. 3.17. let not your hearts faint.

But the Lord your God ye shall fear, and he shall deliver you out of the hands of all your Ene­mies.

No Weapon formed against thee shall prosper.

Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery Furnace, and he will de­liver us out of thine Hand, O King.

Moroever I will subdue all thine Enemies. 1 Chr. 17.10. Isa. 41.10.

Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: They that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

In War he shall redeem thee from the power of the Sword. Job 5.20.

I will deliver thee in that day, Jer. 39.17, 18. saith the Lord, and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the Men, of whom thou art affraid. For I will sure­ly deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the Sword; but thy Life shall be for a Prey unto thee, because thou hast put thy Trust in me, saith the Lord.

IX. A Christian Soldier should not be affraid of his Enemy, when they exceed in Number.

WHen thou goest out to battle against thine Enemies, Deut. 20.1. and seest Horses, and Chariots, and a People more than thou, be not affraid of them, for the Lord thy God is with thee.

Ye shall not fear them: 2 Chr. 32.7, 8. with Jer. 17.5. for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.

Be strong and couragious, be not affraid nor dismay'd, for the King of Assyria, for all the Multitude that is with him, for there be more with us than with him.

With him is an Arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us, and to fight our battels.

Fear not, Isa. 7.4. neither be faint-hearted (or let not thine Heart be tender) for the two Tails of these smoking Fire-brands.

And fear not them which kill the Body. Mat. 10.28

X. The Christian Soldier should love his Enemies; yet hate and destroy them as Enemies to God and his Country.

I Say unto you, love your Enemies, Luk. 6.27. do good to them which hate you.

Is thine Enemy hungry, give him bread to eat, Pro. 25.21. Rom. 12.20 Psal. 139.21, 22. and if he be thirsty give him water to drink.

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

I hate them with perfect hatred, Rom. 1.30. I account them mine Enemies, Who are haters of God.

They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me! Psal. 119.86. 2 Chr. 20.37. v. 19.2.

Because thou hast joined thy self with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works: and the Ships were broken that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

XI. In the very instant of Battle, a Christian Soldier, should in his heart cry unto the Lord for help.

BEhold God himself is with us for our Captain; 2 Chr. 13.12, 14. And when Judah looked back, behold the bat­tle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord.

And Aza cried unto the Lord his God and said, 2 Chr. 14.11. Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us O Lord our God for we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go against this Multitude: O Lord thou art our God, let not mortal Man prevail against thee.

And it came to pass when the Captains of the Chariots saw Jehosaphat, 2 Chr. 18.31. that they said it is the [Page 10]King of Israel: therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehosaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God moved them to depart from him.

XII. A Christian Soldier should consider, that sometimes Gods People, as well as Gods Enemies, may be worsted in Battle.

THE Sword devoureth one, 2 Sam. 11.25. as well as an­other.

All things come alike to all; there is one Event to the righteous, Eccles. 9.2. and to the wicked, to the good, and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner: and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

So there went up thither of the People about three thousand Men, Jos. 7.4. and they fled before the Men of Ai.

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Judg. 6.3. 1 Sam. 4.10.

And the Philistins fought, and Israel was smit­ten, and they fled every Man into his Tent; and there was a very great Slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot men.

And it came to pass, Exod. 17.11. when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand Amaleck prevailed.

My Children are desolate, Lam. 1.16. because the Enemy prevailed.

XIII. The Christian Soldier should consider, that though Gods People sometimes be worsted, yet 'tis by the Lords disposal.

WHO gave Jacob to the spoil, Isa. 42.24. and Israel to the Robbers? Did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned?

Shall there be evil in a City, Amos 3.6. and the Lord hath not done it?

And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan. Judg. 4.2.

The Lord hath delivered me into their hands, Lam. 1.14. from whom I am not able to rise up.

The Lord hath cast off his Altars, Lam. 2.7. he hath abhor­red [Page 11]his Sanctuary: He hath given up into the hand of the Enemy the Walls of her Palaces.

XIV. The Soldier should consider, 'tis for their Sins, that God suffers his People, to fall into the hands of their Enemies.

EVen all Nations shall say, Deut. 29.24, 25. wherefore hath the Lord done this unto this Land? What mean­eth the Heat of this great Anger.

Then Men shall say, because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord God of their Fathers, which he made with them when he brought them up out of Egypt.

And the Lord said unto Joshua, get thee up, Jos. 7.10, 11. Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy Face?

Israel hath sinned, and they also transgressed my Covenant, which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing.

And the Captain of the Guard took Jeremiah, Jer. 40.2, 3. and said unto him, The Lord thy God hath pro­nounced this Evil upon this Place.

Now the Lord hath brought it, and done ac­cording as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed his Voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

My People hath been lost Sheep: Jer. 50.6, 7. their Shep­herds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the Mountains, they have gone from Mountain to Hill, they have gotten their resting place (or place to lie down in.)

All that found them have devoured them, and their Adversaries said, we offend not because they have sinned against the Lord, the Habitation of of Justice, even the Lord, the hope of their Fathers.

Wherefore doth a living Man complain (or murmur) a Man for the punishment of his Sins? Lam. 3.39.

XV. Soldiers (and all of us) upon such Occur­rences, should search out their Sins, and par­ticularly whether they have not put too little trust in the Arm of the Lord, and too much in the Arm of Flesh.

LET us search and try our ways, Lam. 3.4. and turn again to the Lord.

Up, Jos. 7.13. sanctifie the People, and say, sanctifie your selves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel: Thou canst not not stand before thine Enemies, until ye have taken away the accursed thing from among you.

For my People have committed two Evils, Jer. 2.13. they they have forsaken me the Fountain of Living Wa­ters, and hew'd them out Cisterns, broken Ci­sterns that can hold no Water.

Yea, 37. thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the Lord hath rejected thy Considence, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

Thus saith the Lord, Jer. 17.5. curseth be the Man that trusteth in Man, and maketh flesh his Arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

XVI. Soldiers (and all of us) should consider, that because of this Sin, and to prevent it, God hath usually given Victory to a few.

AND the Lord said unto Gideon, Judg. 7.2 the People that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into thine Hands, lest Is­rael vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

And the Lord said unto Gideon, 7. By the three hundred Men that lapped, I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand:

And the Children of Benjamin were Numbred at that time out of the City, Judg. 20.15. six and twenty thousand Men that drew the Sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbred se­ven hundred chosen Men.

And the Men of Israel besides Benjamin, 17. were Numbred four hundred thousand Men, that drew Sword; all these were Men of War.

And the Children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, Judg. 20.21. and destroyed down to the Ground of the Israelites that day, twenty and two thou­sand Men.

And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, 25. and destroyed down to the Ground of the Children of Israel again, eigh­teen Thousand Men; all these drew the Sword.

And the Children of Israel went up against the Children of Benjamin the third day. 30.

Thus they enclosed the Benjamites round about, 43. and Chased them and trod them down with ease, overaginst Gibeah towards the Sun rising.

And there fell of Benjamin eighteen Thou­sand Men; all these were Men of Valour. 44.

And they gleaned of them in the High-ways five Thousand Men, 45. and persued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two Thousand Men of them: 46. So that all which fell that day of Benja­min, were twenty and five Thousand Men that drew the Sword. All these were Men of Valour.

And Abijah set the Battle in Array, 2 Chr. 13.3. with an Army of Valiant Men of War, even four hun­dred thousand chosen Men. Jeroboam also set the Battle in Array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen Men, being mighty Men of Va­lour.

And Abiah stood upon Mount Zemaraim, 4. which is in Mount Ephraim, and said, hear me thou Jeroboam and all Israel.

And now ye think to withstand the Kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the Sons of David, 8. and ye be a great Multitude; and there be with you Golden Calves, which Jeroboam made you for Gods.

But as for us, the Lord is our God, 10. and we have not forsaken him: And behold, God himself is with us for our Captain: O Children of Israel, 12. fight ye not against the Lord God of your Fathers, for you shall not prosper.

But Jeroboam caused an Ambushment to come about behind them: 13.

And when Judah looked back behold, 14. the Bat­tle was before and behind: And they cried un­to the Lord.

Then the Men of Judah gave a Shout; 15. and as the Men of Judah shouted, it came to pass that God smote Jeroboham and all Israel before Abi­jah and Judah.

And Abijah and his People slew them with a great Slaughter: 17. So there fell down of Israel five hundred thousand chosen Men.

Thus the Children of Israel were brought un­der at that time, 18. and the Children of Judah pre­vailed because they relied upon the Lord God of their Fathers.

And Asa had an Army of Men that bore Tar­gets and Spears out of Judah, 2 Chr. 14.8. three hundred Thousand; and out of Benjamin that bear Shields and drew Bows, two hundred and four score Thousand: All these were Men of Valour.

And there came out against Zerah, 9. the Ethio­pians with an Host of a thousand and three hun­dred Chariots, and came unto Mereshah.

Then Asa sent out against him, 10. and they set the Battle in Array in the Vally of Zephathah, at Mareshah.

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, 11. and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no Power Help us O Lord our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go against this Multitude. O Lord, thou art our God, let not Man (or Mor­tal Man) prevail against thee.

So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, 12. and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

XVII. The Christian Soldier should in the very nick of time, when he sees no help in Man, stay himself on God, crying to him for Aid.

JEhovah Jireh. Gen. 22.14. Exod. 14.13. In the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen. (or the Lord will see, or provide)

And Moses said unto the People, fear ye not, stand still, and see the Salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you this day: For the Aegyptians whom ye have seen this day, ye shall see them no more for ever.

The Lord shall fight for you, v. 14. and ye shall hold your peace.

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? 2 Chr. 20.11. For we have no might against this great Company that cometh against us: neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: v. 17. Set your selves, stand ye still, and see the Salvation of the Lord, with you, O Judah and Jerusalem, fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them, for the Lord will be with you.

To me belongeth Vengeance and Recompense; Deut. 32.35. their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their Cala­mity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

For the Lord shall judge his People, and repent him­self for his Servants; v. 36. when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

For my strength is made perfect in weakness, 2 Cor. 12.9. Zach. 4.6. not by Might, (or Army) nor by Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.

For the Oppression of the Poor, Psal. 12.5. for the Sighing of the Needy, now will I arise (saith the Lord) I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him, (or would enslave him.)

Now will I rise, saith the Lord: Isa. 33.10. now will I be ex­alted, now will I lift up my self.

XVIII. The Christian Soldier should consider, if our Forces be weakned, and our Enemies strengthned, there is then a Promise of Divine Help to plead, which we had not, when stronger; whereupon Prayer should be more Earnest.

O Lord be gracious unto us, Isa. 33.2. we have waited for thee: be thou their help every Morning, our Sal­vation also in the time of trouble.

Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, Deut. 33.7. and bring him un­to his People: let his hands be sufficient for him, and be thou an help to him from his Enemies.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, Psal. 143.4. but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me, no man cared for my Soul.

I cried unto thee, O Lord, I said, v. 5. thou art my re­fuge, and my Portion in the Land of the living.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near, Psal. 22.11. for there is none to help (or not an helper.)

O remember not against us former Iniquities, Psal. 79.8. (or the Iniquities of them that were before us,) let thy tender Mercies speedily prevent us, for we are brought very low.

In War he shall redeem thee from the power of the Sword. Job 5.20.

Take hold of shield, and Buckler, Psal. 35.2. and stand up for mine help.

Help us, Psal. 79.9. O God of our Salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins for thy mercy sake.

And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went. 2 Sam. 8.6.

XIX. The Christian Soldier (and all of us) should know, that when Victory is given of God, all the Glory is to be given to him, as his Servants have done.

THY right hand, Exod. 15.6, O Lord, is become glorious in power; thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the Enemy.

And in the greatness of thine Excellency, v. 7. thou hast over-thrown them that rose up against thee.

This is the Lords doing, Psal. 118.23. Jos. 10.14. Mic. 7.7. it is marvellous in our eyes.

For the Lord fought for Israel.

Therefore I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the God of my Salvation: my God will hear me.

Who delivered us from so great a death; 2 Cor. 1.10. and doth deliver.

Now therefore our God we thank thee, 1 Chr. 29.13. and praise thy glorious name.

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, Ezra 9.13, and for our great trespass; seeing that our God hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve; and hast given us such a deliverance as this.

Shall we again break the Commandments? v. 14.

I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the living. Ps. 116.9. Psal. 119.106.

I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous Judgments.

XX. The Christian Soldier should so manage all his temporal Warfare (for his King and Country) that he may succeed well in his Spiritual Warfare, and enjoy Peace with God Eternally.

LET us cast off the Works of Darkness, Rom. 13.12. and put on the Armour of Light.

Wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God, Eph. 6.13, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all (or overcome all) to stand.

Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with truth, v. 14. and having on the breast-plate of Righteousness.

And your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of peace. v. 15.

For the Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal, 2 Cor. 10.4. but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong Holds.

I have fought a good Fight, 2 Tim. 4.7, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith,

Hence forth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, v. 8. which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day: And not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearance.