THE Book before us is Entitled The Second of Samuel; not, that it was written by the Famous Prophet of that Name; (for it contains an History of what came to pass, after his Death; of which we [...]e an account in the beginnining of the XXV. Chap. of the former Book) but the latter part of the former, with the whole of this Book, is supposed to be written by Nathan or Gad, or by H [...]zekiah or Ezra. And probably it's call'd, The Second of Samuel, by the Hebrews, because It's a Continuation of the History began by him; and so, being a Sup­plement to the History of Samuel, it goes under his Name; as is usual in such cases now a days.

IN the Chapter before us, we've a very Celebra­ted Elegy; of which our Text is the Conclusion. And here we may observe.

[Page 2] (1) WHO was the Author of this Elegy, or Funeral Poem; Namely, David: Agreably it [...]s termed in our Psalm-Book, David's Elegy. The Sweet Psalmist of Israel was a Poet, as well as Musician; and has given us a noble Specimen of his admirable Poetick Genius, in the Mourn­ful Poem before us. But we're to consider Him here, not only as a finish'd Poet, but as an Emi­nent Servant of GOD, even the Man after GOD'S own heart: who d [...]ly considering the works of the Lord [...] and regarding the operations of His hands, has set us a very bright Example, how to [...]have upon, and what Improvement to make of, the Death of Useful Men [...]; especially of such, as not only have Jeoparded their Lives unto Death, but nobly laid down their Lives, in the high places of the Field, in the Service of their King & Country: David Lamented with this Lamentation.—

(2) OBSERVE the Subject and Occasion of this Elegy; viz. The Death of Saul and Jonathan; who with many of their Army fell down slain upon Mount Gilboa, 1 Sam. 31. 1, 2, 3. Tidings of this Slaughter being bro't to David, he was greatly af­fected therewith: and (as was customary amongst the Hebrews on such sorrowful occasions) David, took hold on his clothes and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him. And they mourned and w [...]pt and fasted until Even, for Saul and for Jonathan his Son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were [...]a [...]en by the Sword. Context 11, 12. v [...]r. And having done Justice on the young Amalekite that bro [...]t the News, who by his own Conf [...]on had stretched forth his [Page 3] hand to slay the Lord's anointed; He further gave vent to his Grief, in the Elegant Composition be­fore us.

(3) OBSERVE the Matter and Substance of this Elegy: or, what David said on this great Oc­casion. And [...]st, He utters this mournful assertion, The Beauty [...] Israel is Slain upon thy high places! ver. 19. Expert Soldiers are no inconsiderable part of the beauty of Israel. Then follows a very pathe­tical Exclamation, which is thrice repeated, v. 19. 25, 27. and is the burthen of the Song, How are the M [...]g [...]t [...] [...]a [...]len! We have then his Poetical Wish, with the Reason of it, That the Tragical News might not be published, v. 20. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the S [...]reets. of Askelon: lest the Daughters of the Philistines rej [...]yce, lest the [...]augh­ters of the [...]ncircumcised triumph. The Imperative Mood is used in the beginning of the verse for the Optative, after the manner of pa [...]ionate Mourners, who often wish for things impossible. And by this form of Speech David rather expresses his Detesta­tation of what was done, then forbids the doing of it: q. d O that this Doleful Story had never been told in Gath! for so it surely was, 1 Sam. [...]1. 8, 9, 10 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the Slain, that they [...]ound Saul and his three Sons [...]a [...]len on Mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his Armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their [...], and among the people. And they put his Armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his Body to the [...] of Both-shan. We have next David [...]s Imprecation, on [Page 4] the place of the defeat, with the Reason of it. v. 21. Te Mountains of Gilboa, let there be no Dew, [...] let there be Rain upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there [...]he shield of the Mighty is vilely cast away.—Some think this only a Figurative Speech, suppo­sing the very Heavens and Earth had a kind of sense and feeling of this Calamity: Others think it a Prophetical Curse, that took effect accordingly, even as our Saviour's, denounc'd on the Barren Fig-Tree.^a But this is confuted by Brochard & others, that have been upon the place. We may therefore look upon it, as only an Hyperbolical Poetical Im­precation.

DAVID then goes on to commend Saul and Jo­nathan, for their wonderful Success at Arms, v 22. From the Blood of the [...]lain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. They were wont to be Victorious over their stoutest Enemies. And that it [...]s otherwise now, and that these Valiant Men are fallen, argues that GOD is angry; which should a­waken his people to Repentance. He further ce­lebrates (as, their affection to one another and Union in Death, v. 23; so,) their Agility and Courage. They were swifter than Eagles, they were bolder than Lions. They were Swift and Nimble to pursue their Enemies, and to avoid danger; and Strong and Valiant to resist and overcome such as dare oppose them. Briefly, he commends Saul for his Royal Bounty to the Daughters of Israel, whom he calls upon to Lament him, v 24. Ye Daughters [Page 5] of Israel, weep over Saul▪ who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your Apparel. Even the Daughters of Israel had been wont to bear their part in Saul's Triumphs, and now it became them to mourn his Fall. As all share in common Calamities; so all should be suitably affected therewith.

Finally, DAVID particularly Laments over Jo­nathan; professing his deep Distress for him, the dear affection between them, and the pleasure he took in his Conversation, v. 25, 26. O Jonathan, thou w [...]st slain in thy high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of Women, who are commonly most affectionate.

(4) OBSERVE some of the Properties of this Elegy. And, First, It is extremely fine and elegant, The Ideas are very bright, and well adapted: the Phrases are very Expressive and Emphatical, and hence the whole Poem is very moving and patheti­cal. And particularly, where he speaks of [...]is Friend Jonathan, nothing can be more soft and ten­der, and express'd with a greater Pathos. And what more passionate, than his Repeated Exclama­tion? How are the Mighty fallen! Those Valiant a [...]d Renowned Commanders, Saul and Jonathan, with their brave and undaunted Soldiers, that fell with them. So that the Weapons of War are perished i e, those that wielded them are dead. And what will Weapons do, without Men of Skill and Courage to handle them, for their Countrie's Preser­vation and Defence, and the Suppression and Ex­tirpation of their Enemies!

[Page 6] Again, THE whole Poem is sufficiently Brave and Manly. David shows himself a Man of a great Soul now, that Saul's day was [...]ome to die, & GOD had delivered him out of his hands; and Saul could now no longer persecute and hunt him as a part­ridge on the Mountains, as he'd a long while done; (for as in the Grave the weary Servants of GOD, are at rest, so, Blessed be GOD! when the Wicked are lodg'd there, they cease from troubling) I say tho' David was now delivered, he scorns to trample with insulting feet on the Monument of the Dead, and crow over a Breathless [...]rpse; But buries all the faults of Saul in perpetual oblivion, in the land of forgetfulness, lays aside all [...]pleen, and heartily mourns his Countrie's Reproach and Loss, tho' the very means of his own deliverance and advance­ment, (a Noble instance of Public Spiritedness) and commemorates what was commendable, even in Saul. For, De mortuis, nil nis [...] bonum. None that are Men after GOD'S own heart, will unneces­sarily rip up the faults of others; and speak evil of those that can't speak for themselves. Those that are not thus tender of the Reputation of others, may justly fear that others will be as free with them, when they are silent in the Grave.

BUT then, it's also a Martial Poem: 'tis written with a Martial Air. The Subject is intirely Mili­tary. He Laments his Heroes, considered in their Military Character. He Celebrates their Military Accomplishments and Atchievments. And h [...] De­dicates it to the Militi [...] of Judah as in the Paren­thesis in the Preface, 18. v. also he bale them teach the Children of Judah the use of the Bo [...]. Whence [Page 7] it's evident, That David in the midst of his mourn­ing, is not unmindful of what was necessary for the good of the Common Wealth: Teaching us, not to be so overcome with Grief, on such sorrowful oc­casions, as to forget our Duty and neglect means for our own or our Countries safety.

Furthermore, THIS Elegy is very Ancient. 'Twas written about Eight and Twenty Hundred Years ago. And according to some Chronologies, before the Famous [...]iads of Homer, who was the very Father of all the Heathen Poets, and said to be born in the Reign of Solomon the Son of David. ^* It is then one of the first born of Elegies, and ven­erable for it's Antiquity. It's said to be Recorded in the Book of Jasher, which is tho't to be a General Chronicle of the Acts of the Jewish Nation:^a and call [...]d Jasher, i. e. the Just or Upright. We read of it Josh. 10. 13. It's suppos'd this Book was continued from Age to Age, as a Collection of State Poems, (say some) or of the Memorable Acts of GOD's Worthies; and tho' laid up at length in the Temple (as Josephus reports) yet being not Ca­nonical, is now lost.

Finally, TO remark no more Characters of this Poem, It's a Scripture Elegy: for tho' we don't sup­pose it at first written by inspiration; yet being a­greeable to the Will of GOD, was adopted (if I may so express it) by the Holy Spirit, who inspired those that inserted it in the Sacred Pages, so that it is now a part of Canonical Scripture. And thus it's probable the Penman of the Chronicles Collect­ed [Page 8] many things out of the Book of Jasher, being guided therein by the the unerring Spirit of GOD. And tho' the Name of GOD is not to be found in this Elegy, yet it is consonant to Religion, and ap­proved by GOD; and we hence learn, that what is spoken or written by the Servants of GOD, may be very agreable to the Will of GOD and for his Glory, tho' the Name of GOD or CHRIST is not to be found therein. Thus the Book of Esther wherein are no less than Ten Chapters, has not the Name of GOD in it.

(5) OBSERVE the main Scope and Design of this Elegy. And there are two things more especially that David had in view, after the Glory of GOD, his Ultimate End. First, To perpetuate the Me­mory of Saul, and his Dearly Beloved Jonathan, his Bosom Friend. ‘Great indeed was the Love between [...]amon and Pythias; for when Dionysius the Tyrant, had on some occasion, signifi'd his Resolution, that one of them should Die; and per­mitted Damon to go home and settle his Affairs be [...]ore his Death, provided he could find one to be Surety for his return; Pythias forthwith offer­ed voluntarily, and put himself in the Tyrants power. Damon coming back precisely at the time appointed, Dionysius did so much admire their mutual Fidelity, that he Pardon'd both, & pray'd that he might be admitted the Third into their Friendship.^a’ But the Love of David and Jona­than was more Divine and Excellent, than that of these brave Heathen Philosophers. We've the ac­count of it's Commencement, 1 Sam. 18. begin. [Page 9] And it came to pass when he [David] had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the Soul of Jonathan was knit with the Soul of David, and Jonathan loved him, as his own Soul. And Saul took him that day, an [...] would l [...]t him go no more home to his Fathers house▪ Then Jonathan and David made a Covenant, because he loved him as his own Soul▪ And Jonathan stript himself of the Robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments even to his Sword and to his Bow, and to his Girdle. For such a Friend one would even dare to die. To be sure, David would have the Memory of this Just Man Blessed. He would have him had, in Everlasting Remem­brance. And he here does his part, that it might be so, and the event was agreable to his pious desire, for wherever the BIBLE is enjoyed, this Elegy is still to be found on Record for a Memorial of him.

BUT then David had a further reach than bare­ly to Embalm the Name of his Friend, and perpe­t [...]ate the Remembrance of S [...]ul, for his Relation to Jonathan and to his Country: For, by this Elegy, or F [...]neral Song, David design'd to fire the ambi [...]ion of his Contemporaries & Successors, to seek to excel in Chivalry; and to fire them also with Zeal to pro­secute the War against the Barbarous Philistines, and to avenge the Death of their Sovereign, and several of the Royal Family, and many other Gal­lant Soldiers; and to defend themselves, against their Insults and Depredations. Agreably in the Parenthesis before mentioned, v. 18. He b [...]de them [...]e [...]ch the Children of Judah the use of the Bow.—The best Interpretation of which Passage (says J [...] ­nius) is, That it expresses the design of David, that [Page 10] this Song, being put into the hands of Judah, it might serve to excite and provoke them to addict themselves to Martial Exercises, and to acquire Skill in the use of the Bow, which is here put for all Warlike Weapons then in fashion. And may the same use be made of the Discourse, you are now Reading, to provoke all among us, of a Military Character, to inure themselves to the use of the GUN, and all such Exercises as may accomplish them for Service in the Doleful War, we're unhap­pily involved in.

Having, Observ'd these things in General in this [...]legy, I come now to remark from the Conclusion of it.

THAT the Fall of Brave and Successful War­riours in the Field of Battle, is very much to be Lamented by the People of GOD, in whose immedi­ate Service they Lost their Lives. We should La­ment over them with this Lamentation, How are the Mighty fallen, and the Weapons of War perished!

First, IT is sometimes the Lot of the Bravest Warriours, and of such as have been very Success­ful, to fall at last, or be slain in the Field of Battle. S [...]ul had been a Brave Warriour, and did worthily in the beginning of his Reign. The History of his deli­verance of Jabesh-Gilead when Nahash the Ammonite came up & Encamped against it, is very noble and brave, 1 Sam. 11. begin. He discover'd both Great Cour­age & Conduct, in that whole action: At the 11th. we read, Saul put the people in three Companies, and they came into the midst of the Host in the morning watch, and [...]l [...]w the Ammonites, until the heat of the day: and it came to pass that they which remained [Page 11] were scattered, so that two of them were not left to­gether. Thus he effectually raised the Siege of poor Jabesh-Gilead, and delivered the City. And when some Hot-headed people, proposed to Samuel, that the Male-contents should be put to Death, who had said, shall SAUL reign over us? Saul very Gene­rously suppress'd the Motion, and s [...]u [...]'d those that too officiously propos'd it; saying, There shall not a man be put to Death this day! And as he was once returning from the slaughter of the Philistines, the Women came out of all the Cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with Ta­brets, with Joy and with Instruments of Musick: and the Women answered one to another as they played, and said, Saul [...]a [...]h slain his thousands. We read also of Jonathan, that [...]e smote the Garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, 1 Sam. 13. 3. And in the beginning of the 14 Chapter, we're inform'd how Jonathan and his Armour-Bearer, did mira­culously smite the Philistines. And in the Context, ver. 22. David gives them this encomium, From the Blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the Bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the Sword of Saul returned not empty. And he calls them, the mighty, and the Flower or Beauty of Israel. Now these Brave, Successful Soldiers, were Slain in Battle at last, upon mount Gilboa.

AND (not to mention any other instance) Thus ‘Gustavus Ad [...]hus, Stiled the Great King of Swe­den, who took for his Motto, I [...] GOD be for us, who can be against us—And who was an in­comparable Warriour, venturous sometimes even without necessity; and especially in War, would [Page 12] neglect his Life and perform rather the Duty of a Soldier than of a General; and to excuse him­self would say, That Armies slight the Danger th [...]y share in with their King; and that if Generals don't act i [...] Person they can n [...]ver a [...]c [...]eve a Glit­tering Reputation; And t [...]at such as shun Death, meet it oftner, than they that seek it; That Ju­ [...]us [...] was never wo [...]nded in Battle, tho he ever fought in the foremost Ranks of his Troops; and that Al [...]x [...]nd [...]r the Great mark'd out the way with his own Blood, that led him to the Empire of the East; and that to be as Famous as these Great Men, he ought to be no more t [...]me [...]ous than they▪ this Great Man, after he [...]d obtain'd divers Victories over the [...]anes & [...]oles and M [...]ovites, and received Thirteen Wo [...]nds before those of which he died, was at length lain in a Battle with the Germans, having first almost got the Victory, which his Army compleated after his l [...]ath. And thus the Great [...]s [...]vus Died, in the 38th. Year of his Age, Anno Dom. 1632▪ whilst Victory (as one expresses it) lay bleed­ing by his si [...]e.^a’

Secondly, THE Fall of Brave and Successful Soldiers is very much to be Lamented by the [...]eople of GOD, especially by those in whose immediate Service they Sacrific'd their Lives. For,

First. THIS is very Decent and Becoming the People of GOD. There [...]s a time to weep, as well as a time to laugh. And every thing is beautiful in it's season. Now when Brave and Successful [Page 13] Soldiers are Slain in Battle, who have been im­prov'd by Providence as Instruments of Checking the Pride and Insolence, and Weakning the Force, and [...]hinning the Number, and Discouraging the Hearts of the Enemies of GOD's People, and of preserving the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the [...]srael of GOD; and might if GOD had spared them, be [...]n a further Scourge to the Enemy, and Defence to the People of GOD, by contending with the Enemy in Battle: It's very proper and highly reasonable, such especially in whose immediate Ser­vice they've Couragiously ventur'd and undaunt­edly laid down their Lives, should Lament their Death And the Contrary, is, how indecent? how Sottish? how Stupid and Unreasonable? Now what­so [...]ver things are lovely, decorus, and of good report, Christians should love and practise these things, Phil. 4. 8. The Civiliz'd Heathen will rise up in Judgment against Christians; yea and the [...]rbarians also, if they don't do such deserving Persons the Honour of Lamenting their untimely Death. It's Humane and Manly to do so: but the contrary is indeed, inhumane, and worse than Heathenish.

Secondly, IT is Just and Equal, for the Peo­ple of GOD to Lament the Death of Brave and Suc­cessful Soldiers Slain by their Enemies, and in their Service. Tears and proper Lamentations are a Debt we owe them. They've dearly merited this piece of Respect from their People. It's but just, to shed Tears for them, that have shed their Hearts Blood for us. And surely, if they deserv'd the Applause and Commendation of all while they Liv'd; they ought to be Honour'd with the Lamentations [Page 14] of all when they're Slain in the high places of the Field. And the Law of Equity calls for it. Surely 'tis to do as we would be done by; or as we should desire any of our Dear Relatives should be treated, in like circumstances. If it had been the Lot of any very nearly Related to us (and it has been so^*) to be Slain in Battle, or Sea-Fight, playing the Man for their People, and for the Cities of their GOD; surely a due notice taken of their Death, by the People of GOD, would be what we should expect and be pleased with. Now whatsoever we would that men should do to us, we should do the same to them; or, we transgress a Golden Rule. But if this Rule be out of fashion with any; yet

Thirdly, AGREABLE Lamentations for Expert and Successful Soldiers Slain in War, are very useful and advantagious. It's a Comfort to their Bereaved Relatives, when they observe that the People of GOD do greatly bewail the Death of their Friends, and heartily Sympathize with them, tho' their Loss may possibly be in some respects Irreparable; yet this should and will contribute not a little, to alleviate their sorrow, ease their distres­sed minds, and dry up their Tears.

AND then, its a Spur to Virtue. When Survi­ving Soldiers (and particularly such as have been Eye-Witnesses of the Fall of their Brethren, and fought with uncommon Bravery, and were either Wounded, or Equally Exposed in the same Battle, [Page 15] with those that are Slain) take Notice that the Death of their Officers or Fellow-Soldiers is deeply resented by the People of GOD, that they still speak of them with great Honour in their Lamentations; this will Animate them, we hope, to do Worthily, and rather Die with Honour, if call'd to Battle, than live with Disgrace; and for their Cowardice, have the offer of a Wooden Sword, and be Branded with the Infamous Character of Cowards, even by the Weaker Sex.

WHEREAS, on the other hand, it's a great Ag­gravation of the Affliction of distressed Mourners, when they observe that the Generality only give the News of their Friends Death, the hearing, but seem as Stoical and unconcern'd about it, as if their Lives were of no value, and their Death what does no way concern them. Such Ingratitude and Inhumanity is very Exercising to Ingenious minds and such as have any sense of Honour. Besides such a Sordid Insensibleness is very Discouraging to our Brave Soldiers. Who would be willing to venture their Lives for such ungrateful People!

Finally, IT [...]S Pious and Scriptural to bewail the Death of such Brave and Successful Soldiers, whose Lot it is to be Slain at last in the Field of Battle. GOD expects we should lay to heart the Death of all our fellow Creatures: That is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart, Eccl. 7. 2. And particularly, wer [...] oblidg'd to Lament the Death of Eminently useful Men, though they Die quietly in their Beds, and come to their Graves in a good Old Age, like as a shock of Corn comes in, in it's season. How much more should we mourn [Page 16] their loss, when Slain in Battle, in the midst of their Days, or in the very Flower of their Age, while their Breasts were f [...]ll of milk, and their Bones were moistned with marrow. It's a sore Judgment when GOD suffers such to fall by, and into the hand of the Enemy, and does not cover their heads in the day of Battle. This is an awful Frown, and argues the great displeasure of GOD. Hence He threatned the men of Anathoth, that said to the Prophet Jeremy, Prophesy not in the Name of the Lord, that their Young men should die by the Sword, Jer. 11. 21, 22. and a like threatning he denounc'd against Moab, Jer. 48 15.—His chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, [...]th the King, whose Name is the LORD OF HOST. And when the Wrath of the LORD was risen against Israel, for their measure-filling Sin, in mocking the LORD's Messengers, despising his words and mis­using his Prophets, it [...]s said, 2 [...]hron. 36. 1 [...]. There fore he brought upon them, the King of the Chaldees, who [...]lew their young men with the Sword. Now what greater cause of Mourning and Lamentation than the Manifestations of GOD's displeasure? If the Lion roar, who will not tremble? but alas, who can stand when GOD is angry! And he highly resents it, when his people are insensible under the Tokens of his holy Anger: if they cry not, when he corrects them. He says to such, why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more, Isa. 1. 5. and again, they are not humbled unto this day, Jer 44. 10.

BESIDES, We've many Scripture Precepts and Examples, that teach us to Lament, on the occasion [Page 17] under consideration. When GOD threatned Israel, by the weeping Prophet, that a People should come from the North Country, that should lay hold on Bow and Spear, being Cruel, and having no Mercy: Jer. 6. 22, 23. It's added, ver. 26. O Dau'ter of my People, gird thee with Sackcloth, and wallow thy self in ashes: make thee Mourning as for an ONLY SON, most bitter Lamentation;—Surely then, there should be a proportionable Lamentation, when several chosen Young Men, and some very promi­sing and hopeful, are actually Slain by Men of the Chaldean Character. Another Instance we have, Jer. 9 17.—Consider ye, and call for the mourning Women.—Let them make haste—that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eye-lids gush out with wa­ters—And teach your Dau'ters wailing and every one her neighbour lamentation. For Death is come up,—to cut off the young Men from the streets. And even the Carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field—and none shall gather, or, BURY them. This evinces, that GOD calls to mourning when young Men fall by the Sword, and the Mighty in the Battle. And then to mention no other Scriptures, our Text and Context is a full and direct proof of our Do­ctrine. For, as was observ'd before, this mourn­ful Song was Davids Lamentation over those that were slain by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.

BUT I proceed to the APPLICATION. And,

First, IF it's sometimes the Lot of the most Valiant and Successful Soldiers, to be slain at last in Battle; Then they that gird on the Harness should not boast as they that put it off. This was well observ'd by Ahab to Benhadad King of Syria, 1 Kings 20. 11. All such preposterous Boasting is evil; very fool­ish [Page 18] and ominous, and commonly followed with fa­tal Consequences. Boa [...]ting Benhadad had cause and leisure in his inner Chamber to think of this wise Caution, when he had seen his Army miserably broken a first time, and slain with a great slaughter, by a Company of Striplings under the Command of Ahab their King: and a second time totally routed; an Hundred Thousand Footmen being slain in one Day by the Israelites; and Twenty Seven Thou­sand more by the falling of a Wall upon them; and he reduced to such abject Circumstances, as to beg Quarter by his Ambassadors with Sackcloth on their Loins and Ropes on their Heads. How was the Scene now changed, and his Tune turn'd, 1 Kin. 20. And thus we find the swaggering Goliah, who defy'd the Armies of the living GOD, one Minute cursing David by his gods, and disdainfully saying, Come to me and I will give thy Flesh to the Fowls of the Air, and to the Beasts of the Field; and the next Mi­nute tumbling headlong with his Face upon the Earth: and the Beauty of Israel cutting off his Head with his own Sword. 1 Sam. 17. 1,—51.

GOD allows us indeed, in our Spiritual Warfare, (and in extraordinary cases, as, in David's, answer­ing the Challenge of the Giant, in a Carnal War­fare also) to triumph before the Battle and to say, Thanks be unto GOD, that giveth us the Victory, thro' our Lord Jesus Christ. For, in all these things we are more than Conquerors, thro' the Captain of our Salvation, whose is the Victory, and who hath lov­ed us, and who will give it to us!

BUT without particular Revelation, not now to be expected, none can tell, whether the many, or the [...]ew; the strong or the weak; the Righteous or [Page 19] the Wicked; the Friend or Enemy will get the Day in the Field of Battle. Boasting then, upon the going forth of Armies, is to be condemned; both in such as go forth to War, and in such as tarry at home, on their Account.

Secondly, THE most Skilful, Dextrous, Coura­gious and Successful Soldiers, had need be truly Re­ligious and well prepared for Death; seeing they'r not Invulnerable, but as liable to Die as others. An Indian Bullet will kill a Hero, a Champion, as easily as a Faint-Hearted Coward: a Captain, or Chaplain, as soon as a Bringer up of the Front ha [...]f-Files; or the most inferiour private Soldier. There must indeed be the Swiftness of the Eagle, the Sub­tilty of the Fox, the Strength and Boldness of the Lion, as well as the Grace of the Christian, to con­stitute a brave Soldier; and every devout Christian that's fit for Heaven, is not most [...]it to go forth to War. But, tho' such as are destitute of Grace may possibly be stout Soldiers and noble Commanders, and deserve well of their Prince and Country; and in answer to the Prayers of GOD's People, in whose Cause they'r employ'd, they may [...]ight valiantly, and play the Man for their People, and tread down the Enemy; yet if they'r slain, they cannot ground­edly expect Salvation. Seeing then our Soldiers carry their Lives in their Hands, when they go forth to War, and are still liable to be Ambush'd, where'er they Travel in the vast howling Wilder­ness, and, kill'd unexpectedly, as well as slain in a pitch'd Battle; they'd need be [...] ready not only to Fight, but to Die, and [...] their Appear­ance before GOD. And in order thereto, they should now believe in CHRIST [...] and repent of all [Page 20] their Sins, and so get into, and keep in good terms with GOD, who can easily preserve them, tho' a thousand fall at their side, and ten thousand at their right hand: and can cause one of them to chase a thou­sand, and two to put ten thousand to flight.

THE wretched Jesuites or Friers, are wont ('tis said) to absolve their deluded Proselytes, the bar­barous Indians, when they come forth to War a­gainst us: and flatter 'em with the promise of an immediate passage to Paradise, without any stop at Purgatory, if they fall in Battle: And these delu­sive Hopes may possibly animate them, to fight with great Fury in their Engagements with us. And many private Soldiers and inferiour Officers in the Campaigns in Christendom, meerl [...] from the pros­pect of Applause, Promotion, or filthy Lucre; or for Thirst after Revenge, and a vain Opinion that Fighting in a good Cause, and on the right side, they shall surely be happy in the next World, if they'r kill'd in Battle, have possibly been led on to fight with undaunted Resolution, and the utmost Intrepidity. Surely then the Motives of pure Re­ligion, such as serving GOD and their Country; having GOD to go before them, and fight for them, and ei [...]her to cover their Heads, or, receive their departing Souls to the blessed Mansions above, where there is no Adversary nor evil Occurrent, where they shall rest from their labours, and their works shall follow them, must needs be sufficient, by the Influence of the Holy Spirit that dwelleth in all real Christians, to cause them to wax Valiant in Fight, and to raise them above the fear of what Earth or Hell can do unto them.

[Page 21] SO then, A well grounded Perswasion of a Part in Christ, and an Interest in the Favour of GOD, is what all that go forth to War, would do wisely to give all Di­ligence to obtain.

Thirdly, SINCE the best of Soldiers are liable to be overcome and slain in War, It ill becomes the Peo­ple of GOD to put their trust in Man. Tho' it's their Duty and Wisdom to employ and encourage expert Soldiers; yet it's their Sin and Folly to trust in them. As it's Idolatry for Soldiers to trust in their Arms, or in their Dexterity and Courage to han­dle them; or in one another: So it's Idolatry for the People of GOD, in whose Service they go forth to trust in them. For alas! What is Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils, and wherein is he to be accounted of? His Breath goeth forth, he return­eth to his Dust; in that very Day, all his Proje­ctions and Resolutions and Accomplishments for War, perish!

SURELY then, It's the greatest Folly for a Peo­ple to trust in their Forces, how well soever quali­fied, spirited and equipp'd: and how Successful so­ever they have been. For, Every Creature is that to us that GOD makes it to be; and unless GOD give Help, vain is the Help of Man, Jer. 3. 23. Truly in vain is Salvation hoped for from the Hills, and from the multitude of Mountains; truly in the Lord our GOD is the Salvation of Israel. And we know who has said, Cursed be the Man that trusteth in Man, and maketh Flesh his Arm—But blessed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Jer. 17. 5,—7. Agreeably we find the People of GOD, resolving, in the Name of our GOD we will set up our Ban­ners. And whilst some trust in Chariots and some in [Page 22] Horses, we will remember the Name of the Lord our God, Psal. 20. 5—7. And again; Thro' thee we will push down our Enemies: Thro' thy Name we will tread them under that rise up against us, Psal. 40. 5. and Psal. 60. 12. Thro' God we shall do valiantly, for He it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

MEN may fail us, be overcome, and utterly frustrate our Expectations: But, if we trust in GOD, we may pray with Asa, when Zerah the Ethiopian came against him, with an Host of a Thou­sand Thousand, and three Hundred Chariots; LORD, (said he) It is nothing with thee to help, whi­ther 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 prevail against thee. The Lord of Hosts is Immortal, and Invin­cible; He has all Creatures at His Command, and can cause the Stars in their Courses to fight against the Enemies of His People; and [...]ell Sisera into the hand of a Woman. In a Word, whatsoever the Lord pleaseth that he doth; It is therefore better to trust in him, than to put Confidence in Man, Psal. 118. 8.

Fourthly, ARE the Bravest and most successful Soldiers, liable to fall in Battle? Such then as are preserv'd in Military Expeditions and Engagements, and safely return'd to their Families and Friends, are oblig'd to study what they shall render to the Lord, and take heed they don't forget his Benefits, but that all their Days they perform their Vows. It is the LORD that has covered their Heads in the Battle; It is the LORD that redeemed their Lives from Destruction, when those, no more expos'd than [Page 23] they, are fallen, and gone down to the Grave, and shall come up no more, and return to their Houses no more. O that all such as have experienc'd the distinguishing Favour of Heaven, would praise Him for his Goodness, and not content themselves to desire Thanks to be return'd for them in the pub­lic Assemblies of GOD's People, tho' that is com­mendable, but that they would endeavour to live the Praises of GOD. They should now at their Leisure, calmly and [...]equently during Life consi­der, what Great Things GOD has done for them. How He has greatly honour'd them, in inspiring them with so much Courage, and making them the Instruments of so much Service to their Country.—And also how GOD has highly favour'd them, in so wonderfully preserving them, in His distinguish­ing Providence, so that all their Bones may say, Who is like unto Thee! The LORD who is a pre­sent Help in Trouble, was ready to save them: They should therefore sing their Songs in the House of the LORD all the Days of their Lives! It's very displeasing to GOD, when His People don't render to Him according to his Benefits, 2 Chron. 32. 25. David celebrates the Praises of GOD, for Preservation and Success in War, Psal. 18. and Psal. 144. begin.

Fifthly, HENCE the People of GOD ought to ascribe to Him the Glory of all their Success in War. His is the Victory, and he gives it to whom­soever he will. He furnishes Men with Military Skill and Courage: Teaches their Hands to War, and their Fingers to Fight. He finds out the Enemy for his People, and gives a Presence of Mind to their Forces; and if they are not swallowed up quick, [Page 24] when Men, vastly superiour in Number, and other Advantages, rise up against them, it's because the LORD is on their side, Psal. 124. Again, we find Deborah and Barak giving Glory to GOD, for aveng­ing his People in the defeat of Sisera and his Host, Judg. 5. and how often is David the famous War­riour of Israel, harping on this String, as we noted before.

GOD highly resents it, when his People Sacrifice to their own Net, and burn Incense to their own Drag: When they ascribe that to Instruments that is due to GOD alone. This no doubt often pro­vokes GOD, to deprive a People of their Chosen Soldiers. For he is a very jealous GOD, and will not give his Glory to another. And, as the former Pastor of this Church would say of Ministers, we may [...]ay of Soldiers, People kill them two ways: either, by ascribing too much, or too little to them: Idolize­ing of them, or Detracting from them, and Despi­sing of them.

Finally, LET us all Religiously Lament the Fall of the Brave LOVEWELL, and several of his Gal­lant Company, that offered themselves willingly a­mong the People. Let us take up this Lamentation over them, How are the Mighty fallen! And if we would herein approve our selves to GOD, let us consider that these Brave Men (tho' I hope we've many left as capable of serving their Country, yet they) were no inconsiderable part of the Beauty and Strength of New▪ England. Indeed, being wholly a Stranger to most of them, I can't pretend to give their Character; yet it's evident to the Country, they were Men form'd and rais'd up by Providence to serve us in pursuing an Enemy, of whom we [Page 25] may say as of the wild Ass, The Wilderness yieldeth Food for them and for their Children, Job 24. 5.

THESE our worthy Friends could endure Hard­ness as good Soldiers: And were well able to En­counter the Fatigues of long Marches, both in Win­ter and Summer. Some of them were well acquain­ted with the Woods, and with the Customs and Lurking Places of the Enemy, and were mightily Spirited to pursue them, and GOD did graciously preserve and prosper th [...] this last Winter in Two Expeditions, First, Delivering Two Indians into their Hands, and then Ten stout Fellows as you all remember, whom they kill▪d, without receiving any harm from them. This was the Lords doings, and marvellous in our Eyes: And in this last Engage­ment, they were inspir'd with a great deal of Brave­ry and good Conduct, and their Company crown'd with wonderful Success. Now to lose such expe­rienc'd Soldiers, and Men so respected in the Coun­try, is a great Loss.

Again, LET us consider, that this is the Finger of GOD. Let not any say prophanely and atheisti­cally, It's the Fortune of War: or, as a good Man said on a bad Occasion, The Sword devoureth one as well as another, [...] 11.2 [...]. For tho' it's true, The Battle is not to the Strong, and Time and Chance happens to all Me [...], yet the Hand of the Lord, is here­in gone out against [...] and there are Tokens of his Displeasure to be s [...]n in this Affair. That this brave Company should be so weakned by leaving so great a Number with one that [...]ll ill, and that at so great a distance from them. That one of the Com­pany should so unhappily leave them in the begin­ning of the Fight, and bring such News to those le [...] [Page 26] behind, that occasion'd their immediate Return; when their Continuance there, might have been such and unspeakable Advantage to those that sur­viv'd the Battle. And indeed, it appears a Frown, that they should venture so far with so small a Num­ber at that Season of the Year, when the Enemy are capable of better Subsisting in Bodies, than in the Winter Season. I say, the Hand of the LORD appears in all this, that so many brave Men should descend into Battle and perish.

BUT then, We'r to consider, Why the Lord's An­ger against us is not turned away. but his hand is stretch­ed out still. Have not our Sins as really slain our magnanimous Soldiers, as ever David [...]lew Uriah the Hittite by the Sword of the Children of Am­mon? And should we not hear the Rod, and him that hath appointed it: And consider in this Day of Ad­versity, what we have done; and humble our selves, and pray and seek GOD's Face? Thus did David and his Men, as in the Context. And the Men of Jabesh-Gilead, 1 Sam. ult

SHOULD we [...]ot endeavour to find out and put away the accursed thing from the midst of us; and turn to him that smites us? Should we not be awak­ned by such Providences to get our Peace made with GOD, and engage and secure his gracious Pre­sence with us, under our present dark Views?

HOW many Calls have NEW-ENGLAND had, from the Pulpit, and by the Press also, from Year to Year, To remember whence we are fallen, and Repent and do our first Works! How many Election-Sermons have been publish [...]d amongst us, fill'd with solemn Warnings, most earnest Exhortations and ample Testimonies for GOD, and against the pro­voking [Page 27] Evils of the Land! But alas, How many are still acting the part of the deaf Adder, or as the Prophet expresses it, They refuse [...]o hearken, they pull away the Shoulder, and stop the Ear that they should not hear Zech. 7. 11. How many hate to be reformed? Yea, hate to be told by those that have good right, full power, and lawful Authority to do it, where­in we should be, and what's to be done that we may be, a reformed People. How sad is it, if all the Notice taken by the generality of People, of the solemn Messages sent to them from the Lord GOD of their Fathers, is only to give them the hearing, and either Humm or Hiss the Preacher and his Per­formance, pretty much as they stand affected to him; and it may be, with some considerable Formality, give him Thanks for his Sermon, (and then he comes off mighty well!) However, if they carry the Mat­ter so far as to print the Sermon, yet perhaps they don't put it in Practice! But now, don't they de­ceive themselves, that hear and read GOD's Word, but do it not? Or, What meaneth that Saying, Jam. 1. 22.

FURTHERMORE, By the sore Judgment of War, and particularly by the Fall of our Brethren we are now weeping over, GOD is loudly calling upon us to amend our Ways and Doings. And GOD expects we should all in our places endeavour a Reformation, that we should do our Part in this Work: And if we do so, whatever be the Event, GOD will set a Mark upon us, and our Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Let not any then be dis­couraged, because some proper Essays and noble Efforts have miscarried and prov'd abortive. Ne­cessity is laid upon us: NEW-ENGLAND must [Page 28] Reform, or without a Spirit of Prophecy, any one that observes the Signs of the Times, may I think, evidently foresee, that in one twenty Years more, the Glory of New-England as New-England, will be much more than hitherto, if not TOTALLY eclip­sed. GOD in his Infinite Sovereign Mercy prevent it!

BUT then, our Soldiers that are fit to go forth to War, and may probably be call'd forth, You my Brethren in an especial manner, are oblig'd to take the Alarm given you by the late Intelligence. Be prevail'd with (if you han't yet done so) to cast a­way the Weapons of your Rebellion against Hea­ven, (for there's no making Peace Sword in Hand) and come as with Ropes about your Necks, and lie in the Dust, if there may be hope; and there is hope in Israel concerning you. Now's your time to make ready for Death. You'l have other Work to do, when en­gaged in Battle. And besides, every Battle of the Warriour is with confused Noise, and Garments ro [...]'d in Blood; hearing the hideous Yellings and Ejula­tions of the Enemy, and the Groanings of deadly wounded Men, and seeing them lie all bath'd in their Gore, may awaken you to cry to GOD and make your Vo [...]: But alas, that's no time for Consideration, and Confession, and deliberate Re­solution to forsake Sin and return to GOD. This should be done Now! And then as you should be excited by this awakening Providence to yield your selves to the Lord; to make haste and not delay to believe in Christ, and secure an Interest in Him: So, you should be prevail'd with to see that you've good Arms, and kept in good Order, with good store of Ammunition, and inure your selves to Mi­litary Exercises, especially to the Art of Shooting, [Page 29] and be always ready, that you may issue out at an Hours Warning, if Occasion be; and not live careless and secure, after the manner of the Zido­nians.

AND if you'r truly Religious, and thus equipp'd for, and train'd to War, and GOD call you forth, He can easily, and we hope will, preserve and pros­per you. He can make you swifter than Eagles, stronger and more courageous than Lions, as David elegantly describes his Heroes, and you need not fear all the Indians in America. For if you fall in Battle, your Death is Brave, you die in the Bed of Honour, and your Rest will be Glorious. It well becomes a Soldier to die fighting, a Minister preach­ing, and an Emperour standing. But commonly such Soldiers may take Caesar's Motto, Veni, Vidi, Vici, I came, I saw, I overcame.

Again, IF we'd Religiously Lament on this Oc­casion, we must not be disheartned and cast down, because a crew of Salvages have kill'd a few brave Men. No verily! It's beneath a Man, much more a Christian, whose Heart is fixed trusting in the Lord, to be thus affected with such evil Tidings. Such News should not daunt and terrify a Soldier, but whet his Courage, and make his Blood boil in his Veins, and especially, it should rouse 'em on such Occasions, to Rally forthwith and come to March with utmost Expedition, to recover if possible, our dear Brethren that lie wounded, and without Re­lief in a howling Wilderness. That they may'nt perish with Famine, or fall into the Hands of a bar­barous Enemy, to be kill'd over again, and tortur'd with Indian Cruelty. And also to give Christian Burial to the Remains of our departed Heroes. How [Page 30] brave was it in the Men of Jabesh-Gilead, what an Instance of Gratitude and true Valour that we find recorded to their immortal Honour and our Instru­ction, 1 Sam. 31. 11,—And when the Inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul: All the valiant Men arose, and went all Night, and took the Body of Saul, and the Bodies of his Sons from the Wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their Bones and buried them under a Tree in Jabesh,—Methinks the read­ing those Words without a Comment, would [...]ill a Soldier with Zeal sufficient to carry him with a sufficient Number, as far as Piggwacket, only to co­ver the Dust, the valuable Dust of our gallant Sol­diers, that there kept the Field; lest the Dau'ters of the uncircumcised rejoyce.

Again, WE should amidst our Lamentations, be much in Prayer to GOD. If we would have Israel prevail, we must keep up as well as lift up the hand of Prayer. If our Soldiers would constitute a Thundring, they must be a Praying Legion. And we that tarry at home must get into the Mount and pray for 'em. A good Woman in her Closet, (tho' she's afraid to take a Gun in her Hand) may serve her Country to very good purpose, even in respect of the War; as really, as the Magistrate at the Council-Board; or the most daring and well advis'd Commander in the open Field in a thro' Engage­ment. For Prayer and Faith always were, are, and will be the Churches best Weapons.

Once more, WHILE we lament our own and Country's Loss, we should not forget to sympathize with the distressed Relatives: The Widow and the Orphan, and such as mourn for an only Son, or other [Page 31] near Relations. They are greatly to be pitied, and their Case remembred in our Devotions. We should pray for them, that GOD would give them Songs in the Night, and say unto them weep not! That he would comfort those that are cast down, would afford 'em those Divine Consolations that are not small, and refresh their Spirits, in the multitude of their perplexed Tho'ts within them. That he would give them Patience to submit to his holy Will, to bear his Indignation, to hold their Peace and be still, knowing that he is GOD, who gives none account of his matters.—And that he would be a GOD to the Widow, a Father to the poor Father­less Children: And better than Ten Sons to discon­solate Parents.

Briefly, WHILE we lament our Case is so sad, let us be very thankful it is no worse, that it is so well. That we've such abundant cause to sing of Mercy as well as Judgment. For tho' we've lost some brave Men, (and have cause to mourn on that score) yet it's probable the Enemy have lost more than treble the Number, and amongst them some of their Chiefs, and particularly their bold Paugus, and a remarkable Check is given to their Insolence, and many Lives may be sav'd by this means. While therefore we cry out, How are the mighty fallen! Let us admire the Divine Goodness, that under all their Hazards, Hardships and Disadvantages, so many are returned. That our Friends can't say as Job's Messengers, I only am escaped alone to tell thee: But that so many are well, and give us the joyful Account that our little Army behav'd bravely, fought manful­ly, and very successfully; so that tho' our Loss is great, yet our Enemies have no cause to Triumph. [Page 32] O let us magnify the Lord, and exalt his Name together, that the Enemy did not swallow them up quick, that in Wrath GOD has remembred Mercy, and has not dealt with us after our Sins.

To have done, LET us yet encourage our selves in the LORD our GOD. Let us return to the Al­mighty and he will build us up. He will soon subdue our Enemies, and give us Peace in our Borders. His Hand can find out our Enemies, and he that made 'em, can make his Sword to approach unto them. Is the brave Lovewell and other brave Men dead! Who made them what they were? who spirited and enabled 'em to do what they did? It was the Lord of Hosts, who lives still, who has the residue of the Spirit, and can easily raise up others, and will do so, if there be Occasion, and we answer his Ex­pectation, and turn to him with all our Hearts.

WE may then sing the CXXI, and CXXV, and XLVI Psalms, and say, GOD is our Refuge and Strength, d [...] very present help in Trouble. Therefore will we not fear, tho' the Earth be removed, and tho' the Mountains are carried into the midst of the Sea: Tho' the Waters thereof roar and be troubled, and the Moun­tains shake with the swelling thereof. The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Ja [...]b is our Refuge. Selah.

Tri-Uni Deo Gloria!