Believe it, Sirs, Order is a precious thing, and Government a rare Jewel, which we ought to acknowledge as the greateſt Bleſſings; without which all things would run into preſent Confuſion, and the whole World would be nothing elſe, but Magnum Latrocinium, a great Neſt of Thieves and Robbers.

'Tis not in our choice to ſtand where we will, and do what we liſt in Gods Army; but muſt faithfully diſcharge that Duty, and manage that particular place, which is committed to our truſt. Every private Soldier muſt not ſnatch at the Leading-Staff, nor uſurp a Command not regularly put into his hand.

Every one that can Moot a Caſe at Law, may not preſently erect a Tribunal, and paſs ſentence upon mens Lives and Fortunes; but he onely who can anſwer that Queſtion, Quis te conſtituit Judicem? Who hath made thee a Judge?

Every one that can Exerciſe a ſmal Party, may not preſently Beat up his Drums, Array, and lead men to the Field, to deſtroy whomſoever he fancies to be an Enemy, till he have received a Commiſſion. And yet how Common hath it been for one that hath gotten but the gift of the Tongue, a knack of talking, with a large ſtock of Confidence, to invade the Pulpit, and make himſelf an Officer and Teacher in the Church? He that was never ſo much as a Corporal in the Schools, will be a Captain in the Church, and every Lanſprizado thinks himſelf a Collonel. He will obey no Orders but thoſe of his own making; nor them long, it being as bad as death to him to be limited and confined. When he is commanded to March, he will Retreat; when to Wheel to the Right, •• ſ. Ep 49. he will be ſure to do it to the Left. As one once-complained, Ordo Militum nunc eſt Ordinem non tenere: As if the excellency of a Soldier conſiſted in contradicting and thwarting the Command of his Superior Officers.

3. But we go on; 'Tis not enough for a Soldier to ſtand his Ground, but he muſt behave himſelf valiantly on it; 'tis not enough to defend his own Poſt, but he muſt endeavour to force his Enemies from theirs. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . He therefore adds, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Quit your ſelves like men; an expreſſion we find 1 Sam. 4.9. where the Philiſtims encouraging their Men to Battel, uſe theſe words, Be ſtrong, and quit your ſelves like men, O ye Philiſtims. Eſtote Viri, ſo 'tis uſually tranſlated; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is tranſlated by Vir, and both Words in their ſeveral Languages ſignifie not any mean or ordinary Perſon, but a Man of Worth, Valour, and Proweſs; ſo ſayes David to Abner, Art not thou a Man, a valiant Man, 1 Sam. 26.15. a worthy Perſon, there is none like thee?

But the Words import more; and are more properly rendred by others, Eſtote in Viros, a known Hebraiſm; As, ero tibi in Deum, I will be unto thee for a God; that is, Truly and effectually to all intents and purpoſes; ſo here, Be ye for Men, ſtand not for Cyphers, fill not up onely the place of Soldiers, but be what you appear to be indeed.

A form of ſpeech, much like thoſe frequently uſed in Scripture to excite and ſtirr up, to animate and incourage Soldiers to behave themſelves manfully and with undaunted Reſolution. Thus Moſes to Joſhua, Be strong, and of a good courage; Joſ. 1.6. 2 Chr. 32.7. thus Hezekiah to his Captains; Be strong and couragious, be not afraid nor diſmayd. There is ſome thing that is the peculiar vertue of every rank and condition of men, and that in a Soldier is Valour; Viriliter agere, to Act like a man, and that two wayes, 1. Paſſively. 2. Actively.

1. Ferendo, in ſufferance and bearing, 1. Hardſhips, 2. the impreſſions and aſſaults of his Enemies.

1. He muſt quit himſelf like a man in bearing hardſhips; Sufferance, which is a well compactedneſs and ability of Body, and a natural ſtoutneſs and reſolvedneſs of mind, to bear hardneſs, is the firſt requiſite to the making of a Compleat Soldier. He muſt be able to feed low, to lye hard, to endure heat and cold, hunger, thirſt, and nakedneſs. Effeminacy may ſneak in a Court, but muſt not be admitted into the Camp. He that cannot ſleep but in a Feather Bed, not eate but at a French Ordinary, nor break his ſleep, will never do much ſervice in a ſharp War. He that ſpends his time between the Comb and the Glaſs; and (as Seneca ſaid of ſuch Carpet-Knights) Mallet rempublicam turbari quam comam, had rather an Army ſhould be routed, than his Perriwig be diſcompoſed, will do no great feats nor ſervice in the Field.

2. A Soldier muſt behave himſelf like a man, in receiving the Aſſaults, and bearing the Impreſſions of an Enemy; not like thoſe delicate Youths in the Hiſtory, who were no ſooner toucht in their tender Faces by their Enemies Weapons but they threw downe their owne, and runn away. Pſalm. 78.9. Nor like the Children of Ephraim, who being harnaſſed, and carrying Bowes, turned their Backs in the day of Battel. But like that Order of Ancient Knights in France, a part of whoſe Military Oath it was, That they ſhould never turn their backs upon their Enemies. The Lacedemonian Women were wont to charge their Sons when they went out to Battel, Ʋt aut vivi cum armis in conspectum earum venirent, aut mortui in armis referrentur; that they ſhould either return with their Arms, or dye in them, Val. Max. l. 2. c. 2.

Even the tender Mothers amongſt the Romans, would not lament their Sons that fell in Battell, but rejoyced when their Wounds were in their fore parts and not in their backs.

2. Feriendo, Diſce feriri, Diſce Mori; ſyllaba una brevis aut longior tua facta variabit, vel occides vel occides, ad utrumlibet horis lociſque omnibus te paratum exh • be. Fr. Petrarch. in ſmiting; He muſt quit himſelf like a Man in Fighting too; he muſt be as reato give as to receive blows: Their Commiſſion runs, To Kill, Destroy, and do to Death: Like Samſon, that Smote his Enemies hip and thigh; or like Davids Worthies, whoſe exploits, Judg. 15, 8. 2 Sam 23. were they not recorded in Scripture, would ſtagger our belief. In theſe lyes the Gallantry of a Soldier, in Bearing hardſhip, enduring blows, and hewing down his Enemies.

And in all theſe, the Chriſtian Souldier muſt ſhew his valour too.

1. • Tim. 2.3. In ſufferance of Hardſhip; Thou therefore endure hardneſs as a good Souldier of Jeſus Chriſt. They muſt and will ſubmit to any termes; be fed and cloathed as their General pleaſes. No place ſo far, no ways ſo foul, no weather ſo ſharp, but they will March, if their Commander give the word. No ſeverities of Religion, how great ſoever, whether they be faſtings, mortifications, pulling out of Right Eyes, cutting off of right hands, giving up their bodies to torments and to death it ſelf, can terrify or affright them. They can live upon any thing, upon nothing, but a bare promiſe, and never mutinie for want of preſent pay.

2. He muſt ſhew his valour too, in bearing the Impreſſion of Enemies on every ſide; they are not daunted with the approach of Enemies but (like David toward Goliah) run half way to meet them. If temptations come, perſecution come, death come, welcome what God ſends; they ſtand their ground, receive and bear all with invincible courage. As Tertul. ſays of his Souldier. Ruſſatus ſuo ſanguine, totus de Apoſtolo armatus, Donativum Chriſti in Caelis expectat. Being dyed red in his own blood, Arm'd at all points with the Apoſtles Armour, he ſtands ready to encounter all difficulties, expecting his reward from Chriſt in Heaven.

Laſtly, He muſt ſhew his valour in fighting too. Epheſ. 6.11. A Chriſtian muſt take to himſelf the whole Armour of God; He hath his offenſive as well as his defenſive Weapons; his Sword as well as his Target, the ſword of the Spirit as well as the buckler of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation, whereby he may be able to stand and to withſtand in the evil day. 1 Pet. 5.9. 'Tis not enough to defend our ſelves, but we muſt alſo repulſe our Enemies: Jam. 4.7. not only be vigilant againſt the wiles of Sathan, but reſiſt him too. And for our comfort St. James tells us, that he is but a Coward, if we bear up to him; Reſiſt the devil and he will fly. We muſt fight if we expect the Crown. In all thoſe Epiſtles to the ſeven Churches where Heaven is promiſed under ſeveral Metaphors, ſtill, Vincenti Dabitur, Rev. 2.3. the hidden Manna, the white ſtone, &c. is given to him that overcometh.

4. But I haſten to the laſt thing in the Text, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . ſhew your ſelves ſtrong by keeping your Enemies under, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is fortiter impero, to command and rule, like a man of wiſdome and courage. Having ſubdued his Enemies, the Souldiers next and greateſt care muſt be to Rule them, and keep them in obedience. 'Tis as much skill to know how to uſe and enjoy a Victory, as to obtain it. Neither is it leſs vertue to defend what we have gotten, then to get it.

Hence it hath been the care of all Prudent Commanders ſo to ſettle their new acquiſitions, as to take away all poſſibilities and hopes of future inſurrections and rebellions. When the Philiſtims had conquered Iſrael, 1 Sam. 13.19. they left them neither Sword nor Spear, nor ſo much as a Smith amongſt them to ſharpen their Axes or their Ox goads. So Cyrus in Justin, having conquered the Rebellious Lydians, & arma & equos ademit, took away both their Horſes and Arms, and effeminated their Spirits, by imploying them in mean and ſordid work, that they might neither have courage nor advantage to give him further trouble.

And this alſo muſt be the great care of the Chriſtian Souldier; Rom. 8.15. Being delivered from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, he ſhould stand faſt, and not be intangled again with the yoak of Bondage; 2. Pet. 2.19. For if after he hath eſcaped the pollutions of the World, he be again entangled therewith, his latter end is worſe then the beginning.

Haſt thou been a Swearer, Drunkard, unclean perſon? hath God opened thine Eyes to ſee thy faults? Given thee a heart to repent of them, grace to break their yoak from off thy neck? now make uſe of thy beſt wiſdome and valour to keep them under. Be not again intangled with them, nor overcome by them, 2. • et. 2.21. For it had been better not to have known the way of Righteouſneſs, then after thou haſt known it, to turn aſide from the holy Commandment.

Of all Postures, none ſo ill becomes the true Convert, as Faces about, and as you were, which is but according to the Proverb, to return with the Dog to his vomit, and with the Sow to her wallowing in the mire.

Keep a watchful eye over your Corruptions, and let not your luſts get head again. Withdraw all incentives and fewell, keep ammunition and proviſion, from theſe Enemies, and ſtarve them out. For theſe are your greateſt Enemies. The Devil indeed is a cunning and ſore Enemy, but he could not ſo eaſſly hurt us, were there not a falſe party in our boſomes, which were ready to invite him, and to open the Gates to let him in.

Conſider, I beſeech you, how unreaſonable a thing it is, that Man, a Noble Creature, made after the likeneſs of God, ſhould ſo far degenerate, is to have his ear boared, and become a willing ſlave to the Prince of darkneſs.

How unſeemly a thing it is to ſee Hercules ſpinning at Omphale's diſtaffe? Samſons head lolling in Dalilah's lap? and him, who could ſnap aſunder the ſtrongeſt coards like twine threads, held captive with one of her Locks? how unmanly a ſight it is to ſee him who can command men, to be conquered by women? and thoſe who have ſubdued Armies, to be maſtred by their own brutiſh Luſts.

And now me thinks, it ſhould be time to ſound a Retreat: Give me leave only to make one running March over the ground, read over my Text again, and then we ſhall Lodge the Colours.

Gentlemen Souldiers, You who are under God and the King, the Walls and Bulwarks of the City, and that Famous Nurſery, whence have ſprung ſo many Noble Souls; and may every year add to their number, that may ſerve God, their King and Country in the preſent and Succeeding Generation!

1. Watch ye, (as I doubt not but you will) againſt whatſoever Enemies to the Publique Peace, Ne aliquid detrimenti capiat reſpublica, that the Common-weale incur no damage, as far as lyes in your place or power to prevent it.

Be Watchful over your own Hearts and Lives; Beware of the Stratagems and Ambuſhments of Sathan; Leſt, when you have been Inſtruments to preſerve the Nations Peace, you break your own; and when you have ſaved others, your ſelves periſh.

Stand faſt, in your Faith given to God when you were firſt liſted into the Muſter-Roll amongſt his Souldiers. There's nothing more ignominious to a Souldier than to break his Paroll.

Stand faſt, in that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, which is as purely profeſt here as in any Nation in the World. Count every Article of Religion as well worth contending for as a Crown, and that it would be your honour (ſhould you be call'd to it) to follow the Noble Army of Martyrs, which is march't before you, giving Teſtimony to the Goſpel, by their deareſt blood.

Stand faſt in your Faith and Allegeance to our Gracious Soveraign, and become not upon any ſollicitations or pretences, either Authors or Fauters of any faction. Meddle not with thoſe who are given to change.

Quit your ſelves like men, in all your undertakings; Let not raſhneſs hurry you to any thing that is unjuſt or misbecoming you: Nor let puſillanimity withhold you from any neceſſary Duty. Conquer your ſelves firſt, (which is the greateſt conqueſt.) And bring down every high thought to the obedience of Chriſt. Receive the Impreſſions of your ſpiritual Enemies with Patience, and repell them with courage; Put on the whole Armour of God, get into Gods way, and keep there; and then you may ſay with David, Though an hoaſt of men were incamped against me, yet would I not fear, or (as he once) though every Tile in the City were a Devil, you need not be afraid.

And be ſtrong; ſtrong in Faith, ſtrong in Gods grace, and in the power of his might; in Conquering go on to Conquer. Having once routed your Enemies, let them rally no more; having diſmantled their Garriſons, let them lye under the Curſe of Jericho, and never be rebuilt, Judg. 6. Ult. but Rule over them with a Rod of Iron; while you are doing ſuch work (which is purely Gods) to uſe Hezechias words, you need not be afraid, nor be diſmaid, but be ſtrong and couragious, for the Lord your God is with you to help you, and to fight for you.

Thus fighting, you may live with Comfort, and dye with Confidence, and ſay with St. Paul, I have fought the good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith, henceforth is Laid up for me a Crown of righteouſneſs; The Conflict may be ſharp, but the Reward is great and certain. We muſt run ere we can win the Garland; Fight and Conquer, ere we can receive the Crown.

There's nothing more Auguſt and ſplendid in the Eyes of men then a Crown. What will not an ambitious man venture, what will he not do to gain it? He will venture Limbs, Life, Eſtate, Friends, Body, Soul, all. He will break faith with God and man; he will dig his way to it, through the Bowels of his neereſt relations; and ſwim to it through a Sea of blood.