IT is a hardy Enterprize, my Fellow Souldiers, to which you appoint us, in your annual Elections of us, to preach upon theſe Occaſions. More than an Hundred Years, have called for as many Military Diſcourſes from the Deſk, to ſanctify your Arms, and add the peculiar Glory of Religion to your Elections, and your Exerciſes. In order to gratify your Deſires, and anſwer your Expectations, your Miniſters have at theſe returning Seaſons, choſen their various Subjects, ſuited to the Sons of Battle, and have in a Manner exhauſted all that can be ſaid, proper for you to hear, and for the Pulpit to ſpeak. Some have led you up to the Origin of War in general, expoſtulating with the Apoſtle, From whence come Wars and Fightings, come they not from hence, even of your Luſts; at the ſame Time proving the Neceſſity to learn the Art of War, ſo long as theſe Luſts remain in Men to occaſion it. Some have urged our own Danger as an expoſed People in our defenceleſs, careleſs Poſture, and far from Zidon. Others have treated on the Nature and Neceſſity of Weapons, and led you into a glittering Magazine of Armory. Some have repreſented the Lord as a Man of War, to reflect a Glory upon your burniſhed Arms, and inſpire you with religious Fortitude. Some have lifted up JESUS as the Enſign to the Nations, and preſt you to Battle under this Triumphant Banner. Some have tranſported you with the Examples of former Heroes, who by Faith ſubdued Kingdoms, and bore victorious through all the Conflict of human Life, that you might be animated by ſo great a Cloud of Martyrs. Some have inſtructed you in the Glories of the Captain of your Salvation; Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh, and ride forth O moſt mighty. Others have drawn out his 〈◊〉 Armies upon the March; The Armies of Heaven followed him. Some have exhorted you to be good Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, others have called on you to put on the whole Armour of God, others have told the Soldiers what they ſhould do, and deſcribed the Man expert in War, and others explained and argued the Doctrine of Valour, only be thou ſtrong and very couragious; while others have taught you to encounter the laſt Enemy, for there is no Diſcharge in that War. Since the preaching of the above. I have been more critical in ſearching for the ſeveral Texts which have been improved upon this Occaſion. And as far as the Records of the Military Company could aſſiſt me, they ſtand thus: Mr. Willard, Prov. 4. 23. Mr. Moodey, Prov. 16. • 2. Mr. Belcher, 1 Cor. 9. 26, 27. Mr. Willard of Boſton, 1 King. 9. 22. Mr. Wadſworth of Boſton, Iſa. 3. 2. Mr. Pemberton of Boſton, Luk. 3. 14. Dr. Colmon of Boſton, Heb. 11. 33. Mr. Rawſon, Eph. 6. 11. Mr. Gibbs of Watertown, Pſal. 44. 6. Mr. Bridge of Boſton, Dan. 11. 32. Mr. Cotton, Mat. 11. 12. Mr. Daniforth of Taunton, Heb. 12. 4. Dr. Increaſe Mather, Joſh. 1. 7. Mr. Walter of Roxbury, Act. 5. 39. Mr. Thatcher of Weymouth, 1 Sam. 18. 14. Mr. Stoddard of Chelmsford, 1 Sam. 2. • 0. Dr. Sewall of Boſton, Rev. 19. 14. Mr. Stephens of Charleſtown, Iſa. 2. 4. Mr. Baxter of Medfield, Rom. 8. 37. Mr. Blowers of Beverly, 1 Sam. 16. 18. Mr. Barnard of Marblehead, Rev. 3 21. Mr. Webb of Boſton, Eccl. 8. 8. Mr. Symmes of Bradford, 1 Chron. 12. 33. Mr. Prince of Boſton, Pſal. 122. 6. Mr. Cooper, Pſal 45. 3, 4, 5. Mr. Foxcroſs, 1 Chron. 5. 18, 19, 20. Mr. Thayer of Roxbury, • Tim. 6. 12. Mr. Checkley of Boſton, 2 Sam. 22. 35. Mr. Swift of Framingham, Act. 10. 7. Mr. Waldron of Boſton, 2 Sam. 10. 12. Mr. Gay of Hingham, Zech. 1.8. Mr. Welſted of Boſton, Iſa. 55.4. Mr. Hancock of Lexington, Prov. 21. 3 • . Mr. Peabody of Natick, 1 Sam. 1. 18. Mr. Appleton of Cambridge, Jam. 4. 1. Mr. Chauncy of Boſton, Judg. 18. 27, 28. Mr. Abbot of Charleſtown, Exod. 15. 3. Mr. Clark 1 Cor. 16. 13. Mr. Williams of Weſton, Eccl. 9 18 Mr. Mather, 1 Sam. 17. 39.

AFTER all the pertinent, and pious, and ſublime Things, which ſo many of my Fathers and Brethren have advanced upon this Occaſion, there ſeems to be nothing new for me to add; nor do I readily think of any one proper Topick which has not been touched upon by others before me. However, it has been ſometimes obſerved that the Art of Writing, among us in theſe latter Days, conſiſts not ſo much in ſtarting new Matter, (for that were almoſt impoſſible after all the Authors and Volumes which have gone before us) as in ſetting old Thoughts in a newer, or ſtronger, or more agreeable, or at ieaſt in different Lights; and as every Author has ſomething of his own, a Specifick Quality which diſtinguiſhes him from others, this muſt be my Excuſe for yielding to your unanimous Deſire, and irreſiſtible Importunities, and appearing at your Head this Day.

AND if this be a juſt Apology for the Author, it is much more ſo for the Preacher: For it is a plain Direction to us, as wiſe Stewards to bring out of our Treaſury Things new and old. You will therefore hear with Candor; and though I ſhould deliver the ſame Things, to you they will not be grievous.

ATTEND then to the Voice of my Text. The Words are a gallant Speech of young David, ruſhing to encounter the tall Giant of Gath. Long had the huge Monſter daily ſtrode towards the Camp of Iſrael, and roared his Challenge over the Campaign, to the Ears of the frighted Army. An univerſal Panick run through the Ranks, chilled their Blood, and ſhook their Fabrick. Not a Man, not a Captain bold enough to iſſue from their Ports, and engage the brawny Champion: They all ſhrunk behind their Entrenchments, and retreated from the thundering Defiance. Then it was that David, by Accident in the Hoſt, heard the Menaces of the godleſs Giant, and a generous Indignation fired his Breaſt. Away goes the blooming Hero to the intimidated Monarch, and demands the Combat with Goliah. The King is ſurprized at the daring Genius that glowed in a Heart ſo young, and undiſciplined to the Dangers and Art of War, and hardly conſents to the unequal Fight. "Thou art but a Youth, my Son, and he, a Man of War from his Youth." Why, replied the Roſey Warriour, why may I not venture? Theſe unpromiſing Arms of mine, tender as they ſeem to you, are not unuſed to rugged Encounters. I am the Stripling, that have wreſted a Kid of my Flock from the Paw of a Bear, and from the rubid Jaws of a Lyon; and my God ſhall alike deliver this Philiſtine into my Hand. Aſtoniſhed, Saul gives a faint Conſent; and David with a Sling, and a few Pebbles, runs out to the glorious Expedition. Goliah ſaw; and in a Tranſport of Diſdain, curſt the little Adventurer by his Gods; "Come hither, Youth, and by Dagon, will I ſcatter thy Limbs a Prey to the Beaſts of the Field, and to the Fowls of the Air." To this boaſting Period, the Words of my Text are the ardent Reply; 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.

THERE'S a noble Bravery in th • Expreſſion. The ardent young Champion takes no Notice of the Bulk and Terror of his Rival's Perſon, but ſeems rather to upbraid him with Cowardiſe. Tall and broad, and athletick as you are, ſays he, it ſeems you dare not truſt yourſelf againſt your little Enemy, without abundant Arms and Armour. 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.

MORE than this had been unbecoming the manly Genius of a Warriour. Actions and not Words muſt decide the Diſpute. The mighty Philiſtine haſted onward, and David ruſhed to meet him with undaunted Eyes, while the Sling in his Hand whirled round, and away ſung the Victor-Stone towards the broad Front of the Enemy. It ſtrook, it cruſhed, it ſunk, and down fell the proud Boaſter thundring to the Plain.

THIS was the Courage, and this the Succeſs of David; and Devotion and Religion was the Spring and the Baſis of all. A Zeal for the GOD of Iſrael inſpired his glowing Breaſt, and a firm Truſt in Him animated him, undaunted in the Undertaking, compounded of Religion and Enterprize.

Two glorious Characters David here gives of his GOD; the Lord of Hoſts, and the God of the Armies of Iſrael, and all our Fire while he marches on in this great and fearful Name, he faces every Danger intereſted and victorious. In the Name of GOD I will deſtroy them; in the Name of GOD I will deſtroy them.

And as in the glowing Sentence are comprized the Glories of GOD, and the Fortitude of a pious Man: So the Words lead us to diſcourſe, Firſt of the Lord of Hoſts; Secondly, of the God of the Armies of Iſrael; and Thirdly, of the Nature of true, rational and religious Fortitude, as taking hence its Origin, a Regard to this glorious GOD.

I. I am to diſcourſe a little of the Lord of Hoſts, and conſider the moſt high GOD under this Character.

THIS is one of the magnificent and favourite Titles which he wears; and it is about Sixty Times applied to him in the inſpired Writings. The Lord of Hoſts, he is the King of Glory: The Lord of Hoſts is his Name. Take a View of his extended and potent Armies, and ſee him in his Glory at the Head of all.

THE Heavenly Hoſts are his. So are the Angels in all their ſhining Forms and un-numbered Regiments: An immeaſurable Front, and an endleſs Rear! No Army of ſo exact Diſcipline, ſuch invincible Courage and fatal Execution. Our painted Troops are a meer Mock-Show to theſe reſiſtleſs Legions. Our Chariots and Horſes make no Figure at all before theſe Chariots of Fire and Horſes of Fire. The Chariots of God are Twenty Thouſand, even Thouſands of Angels, Pſal. lxviii. 17. and he maketh his Angels Spirits▪ his Miniſters a Flame of Fire. A whole Hoſt of our 〈◊〉 Warriours ſhall wither in a Night before one of them; and threw the pale Camp with an hundred and fourſcore and five thouſand Corpſes. II King. xix. 35.

BELOW theſe, the Stars keep their Military Watch, the Out-Guards of the Caeleſtial Army. And what a glittering Hoſt of them range themſelves over the Blue Plains of Aether? Liſt up now thine Eyes to Heaven, and tell the Stars if thou art able to number them▪ Theſe, in all their immenſe Dominions, are under his abſolute Command. He bringeth out their Hoſt by Number, he calleth them all by their Names, Pſa. cxlvii. 4. Iſa. xl. 26. The Stars in their Courſes fight againſt his Enemies. How myſterious and unknown are the Laws of thoſe unnumber'd Squadrons; and how irreſiſtible their Movements? Canſt thou bind the ſweet Influences of Pleiades, or looſe the Bands of Orion? Canſt thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his Seaſon, or canſt thou guide Arcturus with his Sons? But he, the great Monarch of all, commands with infinite Eaſe, and every rolling World ſubmits with exact Obedience. Behold, even to the Moon and it ſhineth not; and the Stars are not pure in his Sight.—Sun, ſtand thou ſtill upon Gibeon! and thou Moon in the Valley of Ajalon! (Joſh. x. 12.) Sun, go thou back!—and wondering Nations ſhall gaze, and enquire the meaning of the aſtoniſhing Retreat. II King. xx. 8.—

BELOW theſe, and failing along our Atmoſphere, the Clouds make their majeſtick Appearance: A flying Camp; or a moving Magazine of Divine Artillery. Haſt thou entered into the Treaſures of Snow, or haſt thou ſeen the Treaſures of Hail; which I have reſerved againſt the Time of Trouble, againſt the Day of Battle and War. Job xxxviii. 22, 23. There the Northern Tempeſts plant their impetuous Batteries; there the fierce Engines of the Sky play in various Forms of Deſtruction.

HE is alike Lord of the Terreſtial Hoſts, while every Species of Creatures, and every Individual is under his exact Command. But who can call over the Liſt of theſe extended Colours? Is there any Number of his Armies? The Earth is full of his Legions; ſo alſo is the great and wide Sea, with all the Tribes and Colonies there, from the fearleſs Leviathan in all his Terrors, to the minute, inviſible Swarms and Shoals in every Drop, unnumber'd and unnam'd! So on the Surface of this our Earth the Lion leads up the Van among the Four-footed, and the fiercer Animals form the foremoſt Line: Among which the Horſe "paws the Valley, and rejoices in his Strength, toſſes the Thunder of his Neck, and ſhakes the Lightning of his Main. The Glory of his Noſtrils is terrible; he goeth on to meet the armed Men. He mocketh at Fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the Sword. The Quiver rattleth againſt him, the glittering Spear and the Shield. He ſwalloweth the Ground with Fierceneſs and Rage: Neither believeth he that it is the Sound of the Trumpet. He ſaith among the Trumpets, Ha! ha! He ſmelleth the Battle afar off, the Thunder of the Captains, and the Shouting."

BUT need we ſpeak of the greater Animals to raiſe our Terror at the Hoſts of GOD. Nay, the moſt ſordid Remile, the moſt contemptible Inſects can form a moſt triumphant Army, and proclaim themſelves God's huge Hoſt. Never was an Allegory better work'd up, more forcibly and elegantly carried on, and finiſhed, than the Deſcription of the Plague of Locuſts in the Second Chapter of Joel. One would imagine it a March of Nations, or a Muſter of Angels ſent upon the Execution of Divine Vengeance. Turn to it, and read it: For it would affront the Divine Eloquence of the Original to deſcribe it in any other Words.—So grand 〈◊〉 the Lord of Hoſts, before the moſt deſpicable of his Armies.

AND where's the Creature that he cannot commiſſion, or that dares to mutiny againſt his Sovereign Edicts. He ſhall hiſs for the Fly, Iſa. vii. 18. and they ſhall crowd ruſhing round his lifted Standard. The very Lice ſhall overpower his proudeſt Enemy, and bend even the haughty Soul of a Pharaoh. His Air ſhall ſcatter Venom Plagues and Death over devoted Nations. His Water ſhall riſe from its ſilent Fountains beneath, and overwhelm a guilty World. His Fire ſhall rage through a frighted City with inexorable Violence, or drive down from Heaven in a Tempeſt of ſhowering Flame. His Earthquakes ſhall hurl ſplintered Rocks from their Baſis; and Mountains ſhall be caſt into the midſt of the Sea▪ The Earth itſelf ſhall be broken down and diſſolved before it, "and wander like a blazing Star about the AEther," a Standard diſplayed to other Worlds denouncing almighty Vengeance.

On the contrary, the moſt voracious Animal, and lawleſs Element ſhall grow tame and placid at his Order, renounce its ravenous Nature, and protect inſtead of deſtroying. Hungry Ravens ſhall fly with Rapture, and drop the Prey from their Beak to reed the favourite Prophet. Foaming Waves ſhall roll fluid no longer, but open to the Right and Left, and riſe in Heaps, to guard the Wings of his choſen Armies, marching under his Conduct. Devouring Flames ſhall refuſe to burn when he gives the Order, and ſhine round his diſtinguiſhed Worthies a lambent Glory. Rapacious Sea-Monſters ſhall be a ſafe Convoy to the Man whom he appoints to go upon his Embaſſy: And inhoſpitable Lions reſtrain their Appetites, gaze with Pleaſure upon the welcome Stranger, couch at his Knees, and lick his Feet. Behold, what a Lord of Hoſts is here, even the Wind and the Seas obey him. He rules —amidſt the War of Elements The Wrecks of Matter, and the Cruſh of Worlds. Addiſon.

EVEN the Devils are ſubject to him. He commands the unclean Spirits, and they obey him, through their warlike Regiments. Their Name is Legion, for they are many. But their very Wrath ſhall praiſe him, and the Remainder of it ſhall he reſtrain. Behold, I ſaw the Lord ſitting upon his Throne, and all the Hoſt of Heaven ſtanding on his Right Hand and on his Left. II Chron. xviii. 8. And lo, a certain lying Spirit comes and aſks Permiſſion but to bring about, his high Deſigns.

'TIS no Addition to him then to add, he is the Lord of our Hoſts, and not an Army gathers on this Earth without his Councils and Providence. The Lord of Hoſts muſtereth the Hoſt to Battle. He unfurls his Enſigns, and calls for the March of Nations in univerſal Tumult, and ranges half the Globe on a Side, confederated to a deciſive Battle. What amazing Numbers have pour'd together when he has unſheathed his Sword, and flung away the Scabbard? Armies uncounted! Whoſe Reer lay hid in Night, whilſt riſing Dawn Rous'd the broad Front, and call'd the Battle on. Dr. Young.

AND the Battle is the Lord's; and the Greatneſs, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majeſty. Iſa. v. 26,—And he will lift up an Enſign to the Nations from far, and will hiſs unto them from the End of the Earth: and behold they ſhall come with Speed quickly. None ſhall be weary nor ſtumble amongſt them: none ſhall ſlumber nor ſleep: neither ſhall the Girdle of their Loyns be looſed, nor the Latchet of their Shoes be broken. Whoſe Arrows are ſharp, and all their Bows bent, their Horſes Hoofs ſhall be counted like Flint, and their Wheels like a Whirlwind. Their roring ſhall be like a Lion, they ſhall rore like young Lions: yea, they ſhall rore and lay hold of the Prey, and ſhall carry it away ſafe, and none ſhall deliver it. And in that Day they ſhall rore againſt them, like the roring of the Sea: And if one look unto the Land, behold Darkneſs and Sorrow, and the Light is darkned in the Heavens thereof. He can ſtrike an unaccountable Panick through the boldeſt Cohorts, defeat the moſt numerous and potent, by the glare of a few Lamps, the craſh of a few Pitchers; and hurl down the proudeſt Bulwarks thundring to the Ground, with the Blaſt of a few Tempeſts.

I have hardly Time to apply this. Suffer me a Word or two.

1. FROM what we have heard, how deſperate their Hazard who are in a State of War with the Lord of Hoſts! So are all who are in a State of Nature for we are born Children of Wrath. All Nature is armed againſt you to revenge the Quarrel of its Maker. Not an Element, not a Creature, but ſtands ready to deſtroy you; and with Vehemence urges, My Father, ſhall I ſmile them? ſhall I ſmite them?

HOW neceſſary is it for us to fling down our Weapons, and ſue for Reconciliation in the Merits of JESUS; for this Man is THE Peace. Agree with thine Adverſary quickly, while thou art in the Way with him, leſt he anon tear thee in pieces, and there be none to deliver thee.

2. LET us pay an humble Submiſſion and Obedience to the Lord of Hoſts, in every Rank, and in every Poſt where he has placed us. To one he has committed the Sword of the Magiſtrate, and you, my Fathers, muſt by no Means bear his Sword in vain. Another he has poſted at the Head of a Family, and we muſt acknowledge it to him, With my Feaſt I paſſed over this Jordan, and now am I become two Bands. Us has he conſtituted as Leaders to his Church, and it becomes us to endure Hardſhip as good Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. And you, my Brethren, are called to the Glories of the Field; Be of good Courage, and play the Man for your People, and for the Cities of your GOD. Others are Brethren of low Degree, and but private Centinels in his Hoſts: Murmur not; be contented upon Duty; and let every Man wherein he is called therein abide with GOD. You to the Sword and Spear; and we to the Service of the Temple.

THE Second Thing to be ſpoken to is,

II. THE Lord of Hoſts, is in an eminent Senſe, the God of the Armies of Iſrael.

HE ſtands in a peculiar Relation to his Favourite People. So he deſcended with his drawn Sword in his Hand, and made his Claim to Joſhua, when the intrepid General ſaw him, and bravely demanded, Art thou for us, or for our Adverſaries? Nay, replied the illuſtrious Viſion, but as Captain of the Hoſt of the LORD am I come. Joſhua v. 1 • .—And the adoring Hero fell proſtrate and kiſt the Ground. This ſeems to be litterally the Glory of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, the Meſſiah who was to come, and by a cloſe attention to the holy Scriptures will, I believe, be found appropriated to him. Compare Exod. xxiii. 20, 21. with Exod. xxxiii. 2, 3.

WHILE Iſrael was litterally a People, he was immediately their LORD. He choſe them from among the Nations, led them through the Wilderneſs, and pitched his Shekinah among them, his Pavilion of Clouds and Fire. And what People was there ſo great, who had GOD ſo nigh to them? The Ark was a Symbal of his Preſence; and by it he led them in their March, and by it they halted. Numb. x. 35, 36. And it came to paſs when the Ark ſet forward, that Moſes ſaid, Riſe up, LORD, and let thine Enemies be ſcattered; and let them that hate thee, flee before thee. And when it reſted, he ſaid, Return, O LORD, unto the many Thouſands of Iſrael.

AND this favourite Nation was only a Type of the Church to the End of the World. GOD, in the Incarnate Son, is the Captain of their Salvation. He has choſen them out of the World, they are liſted under his Banners, he marches before them conquering and to conquer, and they follow, whitherſoever he goeth, more than Conquerors through him who loveth them. The Armies of Heaven follow him. And who is ſhe that looketh forth as the Morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and terrible as an Army with Banners. And who is he at their Head, that cometh from Edom, in dy'd Garments from Bozrah, glorious in his Apparel, travelling in the greatneſs of his Strength; and why are his Garments red, but in the Blood of his Enemies. He propoſes Rewards to the Souldier, and leads the Way through the Labour to the Triumph: To him that overcometh will I grant to ſit down with me upon my Throne, even as I alſo overcame, and am ſit down with my Father upon his Throne.

IN every Light he is their GOD. They are all choſen Men. He preſt them into Service; and they are alſo Voluntiers in his Cauſe; bound by Military Oaths and Sacraments. He is thy Lord, and worſhip thou him.

A Theme this for noble Diſcourſe and Entertainment; but I muſt with Regret leave it, with one or two Reflections.

1. WE learn hence the Immunities of the Church of JESUS CHRIST. No Monarch has any Authority to make new Laws for his Church, or to bind a Burthen on that Conſcience over which he claims an undivided Empire. The Armies of Iſrael, in this Senſe, own no other Lord. Stand faſt therefore in the Liberty wherewith CHRIST hath made you free.

2. How victorious ſhall the Hoſt of GOD be under ſuch a Leader? David in the Triumphs of my Context, was but a little Emblem of it. Though a Troop may overcome them, they ſhall overcome at laſt. He that hath clean Hands ſhall wax ſtronger and ſtronger; as did the Houſe of David. They ſhall overcome in the Blood of the Lamb, and reign till all Things are put in Subjection under him. The laſt Enemy to be conquered is Death. But Thanks be to God who hath given us the Victory through our Lord JESUS CHRIST. The whole Church Mllitant ſhall ſo triumph. He that falleth on it ſhall be brokens but be upon whom it ſhall fall it ſhall grind him to Powder.—All the Fowls that fly in the midſt of Heaven, come, and gather your ſelves together unto the Supper of the great God; that ye may eat the Fleſh of Kings, and the Fleſh of Captains, and the Fleſh of mighty Men, and the Fleſh of Horſes, and of them that ſit on them, and the Fleſh of all Men, both free and bond, both ſmall and great. Rev. xix. 17, 18.

THE laſt Thing now remains, viz.

III. To ſpeak of the Doctrine of true Fortitude, as taking hence its Origin, a Regard to the glorious GOD, in every hardy Enterprize.

COURAGE is a Moral Virtue, and a Thing very different from a fluſh of Animal Spirits, or a firmneſs of Fibres in the Heart and Brain. It muſt have its Foundation in Reaſon, (and, ſhall I add, in Religion; which is the beſt Reaſon) or it ſubſides into Stupidity, or foams up in Frenzy. There are ſome Things indeed obſervable in the Brutal World, which by way of Analogy we call by Names taken from Moral Virtues. But by no Means are they to be ſtrictly underſtood. So we ſpeak of the Courage of the Lyon and the War-Horſe, and even the Charity and Piety of the Stork feeding its aged Parents. But if we underſtand litterally theſe Virtues, the pure Effects of Nature in Creatures incapable of Moral Government; methinks one had as good finiſh the Scheme at once, applaud the Patience of a Log, and compliment a Block for Paſſive Obedience and Non Reſiſtance.

No; Courage is that Firmneſs of Mind which will enable a Man, from Principle, to abide by the Dictates of his Rational Nature againſt all Oppoſition. Some Men, indeed, have a natural Conſtitution that is a Mechanical Aid to this Virtue: Others, from the unhappier Fabrick of the Body, and the feebler Conſiſtence of the Fluids are more liable to Temptations from the contrary Vices of Diffidence and Cowardiſe. But ſtill the Virtues and Vices are diſtinct from theſe material Operations: Their Foundation is Principle▪ and their Subject is the Mind of a Moral Agent.

How many Actions have been applauded among Men as highly Heroick, which examined to the Bottom will be found really mean; I will venture to add, the pure Effects of a daſtardly Spirit. Such I pronounce the SPIRIT OF A DUEL. I believe upon impartial Enquiry it will be found that a Duel has been ſeldom undertaken but from the ignominious Power of Fear. Reaſon, and Religion, and the Man's own Inclinations have all conſpired to forbid the Fact, but the poor Paltroon has not had Preſence of Mind, and Bravery of Reſolution, to ſtand by the Dictates of his Underſtanding and Conſcience, only for Fear of being laugh'd at. Call you this Courage, whoſe Original and Spring is all paltry Fear? So many a Coward has kept the Field, purely by being afraid to run, or aſhamed of the Hiſs of his Companions. Valour indeed, that can't ſtand the Shock of a little Banter!

THE Fortitude of the true Hero diſdains to aſk any Queſtions, but,—What is the preſent Duty? But 'tis the true Character of a Coward to conſult,—What Evil can I beſt bear? And if from a diſtracted Judgment, Death and Divine Vengeance at a diſtance, do not ſo much fright him as the preſent Contempt of Mankind, the Daſtard chuſes Damnation rather than Ridicule.

How ſoon ſhall all this Fleſh deſert the Man? The Day haſtens, when the great Men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty Men ſhall fly to hid in the Dens and Rocks of the Mountains. Then rejoice ye Righteous, lift up your Heads with Joy, for your Redemption draweth nigh.

IF Reaſon muſt be the Baſis of true Courage, who can lay ſo fair a Claim to it as the Hero of Religion? No Reaſon like his who marches on in Obedience to his GOD, and vanquiſhes all the Reluctances within, nor will allow them ſo much as to parley. No tall Champion of the Field ſo terrible as to drive him from his Poſt, or cauſe him to deſert his Colours. This is the little Stripling that ſhall iſſue out with a Sling againſt an armed, gigantick Warriour, without a Thought of Retreat. This the Man that ſhall bear up to the Battery of Cannon, and be the firſt to leap over the Trench, and ruſh into the Breach, ſuſtaining with a ſteady Mind all the Tumult, and Havock, and Horrors of the Storm. Not ſo the Horſe ruſheth to the Battle. Not ſo the Lyon faces the Lybian Hunters. Not ſo the Leviathan raiſeth up himſelf the Terror of the mighty; laughs at the ſhaking of the Spear, and the ſtubble of the Darts, and ſcatters the Weapons upon the Mire. But (in the Words of the correct, the delicate, the ſublime Addiſon) So when an Angel, by Divine Command, With riſing Tempeſts, ſhakes a guilty Land; (Such as from Heaven o'er pale Britannia paſt) Calm and ſerene be drives the furious Blaſt, And pleas'd, th' Almighty's Orders to perform, Rides in the Whirlwind and directs the Storm.

AFTER ſo grand a Set of Images, and ſuch a Pomp of Eloquence, nothing can ſound well but Inſpiration itſelf. And David himſelf, the Hero of the Day, full of the Holy Ghoſt, has given us a moſt animated Deſcription of religious Fortitude, in a Song for the Edge of Battle. Pſal. lxvi. 1. God is our Refuge and Strength, a very preſent Help in Trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the Mountains be thrown into the midſt of the Sea; though the Waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the Mountains ſhake with the ſwelling thereof.—The Heathen raged, the Kingdoms were moved; be uttered his Voice, the Earth melted. The LORD of Hoſts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Happy ſtands this Man, while Heaven it ſelf draws his Character. He ſhall deliver thee in ſix Troubles: yea, in ſeven there ſhall no Evil touch thee. In Famine he ſhall redeem thee from Death; and in War from the Power of the Sword. Thou ſhalt be hid from the Scourge of the Tongue: neither ſhalt thou be afraid of Deſtruction when it cometh. At Deſtruction and Famine thou ſhalt laugh: neither ſhalt thou be afraid of the Beaſts of the Earth. For thou ſhalt be in League with the Stones of the Field: and the Beaſts of the Field ſhall be at Peace with thee. Job v. 19,—23.

THUS fearleſs may ſtand the Man ſecure of his Maker's Friendſhip. The greateſt Mortal General needs to be ſupported by Numbers, animated by Trumpets and Shouts of Applauſe, inſpir'd Examples of Bravery all round the Field, and hurried out of himſelf from a cool Survey of Death and Eternity. How many a Coward hath ſtood his Ground, ſupported by ſuch little Arts. But the Chriſtian can go alone, calmly, inſulted, to a burning Stake, that moſt indiſputable Tryal of thorough Courage. Perſons the moſt unlikely have been ſo inſpired. The tendereſt Age, and the ſofteſt Sex have in this way encountered and mocked the King of Terrors; and at her Feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down; at her Feet he bowed, he fell; where he bowed there he fell down vanquiſhed Guilt and painful Fear came into the World together. Aſſoon as our Fore-Father fell, he cried out, I heard thy Voice in the Garden, and I was afraid. If there's a Conſcience of Guilt removed, then the Love will caſt out the Fear. So that Courage in this Light appears to be a Grace of the Spirit of GOD.

THUS, my Brethren of the Field, I have led you up to the Head-Spring of true, manly, and Chriſtian Fortitude. In this, I have not deſerted my Station, but acted as became a Miniſter of CHRIST, and agreeable to the Text I have choſen. Had I treated of Skill in Arms; of Facings, Advances and Retreats, of Evolutions, Counter-marches and Military Figures, I had deſcended from my Rank, and you could eaſily drive me back to my Line, keep the Field, and outpreach me. But every Man to his Poſt. Thou comeſt to me with a Sword, and with a Spear; but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts, the God of the Armies of Iſrael. While You are called to the glorious below, We appear in the Mount and lift up our Hands, and the Rod of GOD there. Or if need be, we will come down and ſhare your Hazards, and animate you to the Battle in the Name of GOD. Deut. xx. 1, 2, 3, 4. When thou goeſt out to Battle againſt thine Enemies, and ſeeſt Horſes and Chariots, and a People more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee—. And it ſhall be when ye are come nigh unto the Battle, that the Prieſt ſhall approach and ſpeak unto the People, and ſhall ſay unto them, Hear, O Iſrael, you approach this Day unto Battle againſt your Enemies: let not your Hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified becauſe of them. For the Lord your God is he that goeth before you, to fight for you againſt your Enemies, to ſave you.

BUT I muſt haſten to a Cloſe. And in the Firſt Place you will allow me to preach to my ſelf, and improve at leaſt ſomething by my own Diſcourſe.

AND from what we have heard, How becoming is Courage to a Miniſter of CHRIST? None go forth more immediately in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts than we. None are called to bolder Services, knowing we are ſet for the Defence of the Goſpel. The Prieſts bearing the Ark of GOD muſt be the firſt to ford the Swell of Jordan, and upon the deepeſt Sands below muſt they take their gallant Stand till the meaneſt Iſraelite be paſſed over. What a poor Figure makes a cowardly Miniſter! Shall he be afraid of the Faces of Men, who comes upon Embaſſeys from the great GOD! Ezek. iii. 8, 9. Behold, I have made thy Face ſtrong againſt their Faces; and thy Forehead strong against their Foreheads. As an Adamant, harder than a Flint, have I made thy Forehead: Fear them not, neither be diſmayed at their Looks. This was the brave Character of the intrepid Prieſts that withſtood the Monarch in his impious Invaſion upon their ſacred Office. II Chron. xxvi. 16,—20. But when he was ſtrong, his Heart was lifted up to his Deſtruction: for he tranſgreſſed againſt the LORD his God, and went into the Temple of the LORD, to burn Incenſe upon the Altar of Incenſe. And Azariah 〈◊〉 Prieſt went in after him, and with him Fourſcore Prieſts of the LORD, that were valiant Men: And they withſtood Uzziah the King, and ſaid unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn Incenſe unto the LORD, but to the Prieſts the Sons of Aaron, that are conſecrated to burn Incenſe: go out of the Sanctuary, for thou haſt treſpaſſed, neither ſhall it be for thine Honour from the LORD God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a Cenſer in his Hand, to burn Incenſe: and while he was wroth with the Prieſts, the Leproſie even roſe up in his Forehead before the Prieſts in the Houſe of the LORD, from beſide the Incenſe-Altar. And Azariah the chief Prieſt, and all the Prieſts looked upon him, and behold, he was leprous in his Forehead, and they thruſt him out from thence, yea, himſelf haſted alſo to go out, becauſe the LORD had ſmitten him. And this was the Magnanimity and Reſolution of our Apoſtle, Act. xx. 22, 23, 24. I go bound in the Spirit unto Jeruſalem, not knowing the Things that ſhall befal me there: Save that the holy Ghoſt witneſſeth in every City, ſaying, that Bonds and Afflictions abide me. But none of theſe Things move me, neither count I my Life dear unto my ſelf, ſo that I might finiſh my Courſe with Joy, and the Miniſtry which I have received of the Lord Jeſus, to teſtify the Goſpel of the Grace of God. So ſings he in inimitable Periods, and with more than mortal Eloquence, We are troubled on every ſide, yet not diſtreſſed; we are perplexed, but not in deſpair; perſecuted, but not forſaken; caſt down, but not deſtroyed; always bearing about in the Body the Dying of the Lord Jeſus;—alway delivered unto Death for Jeſus ſake. II Cor. iv. 8, 9, 10, 11. So JESUS himſelf led the Way; and on the Paſchal Night when the Vengeance of Heaven was marching through the Land, and GOD had given Warning, None of you ſhall go out of the Door of his Houſe until the Morning; then it was that our Lord went forth as from between the ſprinkled Door-Poſts, to encounter Divine Juſtice upon the March. This was his Work, and he has left us his own Example of Courage upon Duty. My Brethren, let the ſame Mind be in us. Fight the good Fight of Faith, lay hold on eternal Life. As we wreſtle not againſt Fleſh and Blood, but againſt Principalities and Powers, againſt the Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World, againſt wicked Spirits in high Places; ſo let the Weapons of our Warfare, which is not carnal but ſpiritual, be mighty through God to the pulling down of ſtrong Holds. Anon, you ſhall put off the Harneſs, and glory, I have fought a good Fight, I have finiſhed my Courſe, I have kept the Faith, I go to the Reward. The Kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth Violence, and the violent take it by Storm: And theſe ſhall, as Victors through a Breach, have an abundant Entrance into the Joy of their Lord. Here ſhall we receive immortal Lawrels. Not a withering Chaplet, or a fading Garland, the tranſient Crown, or an Olympick Victor; but the Crown of Life that fadeth not away.

IN the mean Time let our Examples and our Diſcourſes inſpire Courage into the Breaſts of the Militant Hoſts of GOD below: And while Iſrael encounters her Enemies let the Prieſts blow the Trumpets.

II. LET us all, from what we have heard, liſt our ſelves Volunteers in the Hoſts of GOD. Let us make ſure of our Maker's Friendſhip through JESUS CHRIST; and this be the Foundation of our Courage, I know whom I have believed. There's nothing irrational or enthuſiaſtick in this. A Man may upon the moſt ſolid Principles be aſſured of the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion: And he may be as rationally ſatisfied of his own being a true Chriſtian. And theſe being aſcertained,—The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom ſhall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my Life, of whom ſhall I be afraid. Nor Life nor Death can hurt us; all Things ſhall conſpire our Good. Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the Faith, quit you like Men, be ſtrong. Look with a diſdainful Smile upon all your armed Enemies, you have more numerous and powerful Auxiliaries. There is more with us than with them. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him; and lo! the Mountain crowded with Chariots and Horſes of Fire.

III. From what you have heard, you infer, a Man may lawfully engage in War. He may go in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts. This is a Subject that has been often handled upon theſe Occaſions, and to out ſhort the Matter, the Proof may take this direct Courſe. Is there any Man upon Earth, who does not own that a Criminal ought to be puniſhed? But ſuppoſe this Criminal ſtands upon his own Defence, and is reſolved to attack every one that ſhall attempt to puniſh him: Suppoſe he engages a Number of others to ſtand by him, and to fight for him rather than deliver himſelf up; what ſhall be done in this Caſe? Shall the Officers of Juſtice let him alone, if they cannot perſwade him to Chaſtiſement by Dint of Eloquence? This were to let the moſt egregious Criminal go free, and correct only the more modeſt: The harden'd Villain would eſcape, and, in a Senſe which Solomon never meant, The Rod would be only for the Fool's Back. It muſt then be lawful by Force, to make a Thief, for Inſtance, refund his unjuſt Gains, and by Puniſhment deter him from future Ravages. This is the Caſe of a Nation engaged in a lawful War. It has been pillaged by a Combination of Thieves: Theſe unreaſonable Banditti ought to make Reſtitution, and for many Reaſons, ſubmit to Diſcipline, but the refractory Men ſtand upon their Defence. There's no other Way left then but to march out in the Name of GOD, and overpower them by Force. And as the Laws of particular Kingdoms have appointed ſuch and ſuch particular Men, as the Miniſters of GOD to ex • c • te Vengeance; the Law of Nations in general gives to every People Authority to protect themſelves, and to puniſh thoſe who injure them as far as they are able, as their own Executors. So that Fighting may be as neceſſary as Laws themſelves; for what ſignify Laws without Sanctions.

BUT I have ſtood longer than I intended, and muſt now diſmiſs you.

GENTLEMEN,

You profeſs Skill in Arms, and would be aſhamed of any thing like Cowardiſe. You are a Band of choſen Men, the Head and the Flower of all our Militia. To honour Arms, and add a Glory to your Order, I have ſet before you the great GOD as the Lord of Hoſts. And at the ſame Time I have recommended to you the ſureſt way to arrive at true Fortitude, that greateſt Glory of a Souldier: A religious Regard to the great GOD the Baſis of rational Courage; without which all Pretences to it are no better than the Stupidity of a Stock, or the Rage of a Brute. Be ambitious of this Title, THE CHRISTIAN HERO.

YOU may now bear on fearleſs of every Danger, ſhould the GOD of Armies call you to immediate Service. How ſoon this may be GOD knows; for your Muſters are now ſomething more than pretty Amuſements, while the Sword of an injur'd Nation is unſheathed, and Vengeance is thundred from the Mouth of her Cannon. Hark! to the Sound of the Trumpet and Alarm of War! Hear the ruſhing of Nations, that make a Noiſe like the Sea, a ruſhing, like the ruſhing of mighty Waters! Methinks I can therefore addreſs you with a better Grace, than when theſe things only appeared at a diſtance, and your Exerciſes looked leſs in earneſt. Sure you will not make a Flouriſh in a Game, and when the Field gleams with hoſtile Terrors bear to be inſulted with the keen Sarcaſm Judg. ix. 38. Where is now thy Mouth, wherewith thou ſaidſt, who is Abimelech—? Is not this the People that thou haſt deſpiſed? Go out now and fight with them.

WE are certainly a moſt expoſed People, and in our unfortified Poſture ſeem to lye an eaſy Prey to the firſt Invader. 'Tis not for me to charge the Fault of this any where: Only to pray GOD that ſome happy Method may open for the Redreſs of this Grievance. Do good in thy good Pleaſure unto Zion; build thou the Walls of thy Jeruſalem. David himſelf, with all his Courage and Divine Commiſſion, would not encounter his Enemy without ſome Arms; a Sling and a Stone at leaſt, the Weapons which he knew beſt how to manage. To have gone in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts without, had been an unwarrantable Preſumption. While we have been ſitting at Eaſe amidſt the Ruins of our falling Batteries, without ſo much as a Sling-Stone to defend us: Or rather have ſeen our diſjointed Fortifications dropping into ſeperate Stones of no uſe but for the Sling: Inſtead of Bulwarks a few looſe Pebbles. My Brethren, theſe Things ought not ſo to be. However, the Name of the LORD is ſtill our ſtrong Tower, the Righteous fly to it and are ſaved. So our Place of Defence ſhall be the Munitions of Rocks.

BUT You, Gentlemen, will do what in you lies to diffuſe Skill and Valour through your ſeveral Regiments and Companies; that at leaſt we may keep our Country, ſhould we be obliged to give up our Frontiers on the Sea. A ſmall Number of diſciplined Troops will over-match a Rout of Thouſands. So a few Men uniting their Strength, ſhall be able with eaſe, to lift a Weight, which Ten times the Number trying ſeperately ſhall not be able to move. This is the Reaſon that all the military Movements and Fires ſhould be exactly together, that the whole Battallion may act as one, with irriſiſtible Forces. The Drum and the Trumpet ſhould be articulate to every Souldier, and he ſhould know at the firſt Notes, the Charge, the Retreat, and the Parley. Every Man ſhould be acquainted with his Duty, and be exact to the Word of Command. The whole Succeſs of an Engagement, and the Fate of a Country, under GOD, depends upon this one Military Maxim.

AND with how much Calm of Mind may you attend to it, in the midſt of the moſt hazardous Enterprize, if you can but aſſure your ſelves you are venturing in the Name of the Lord of Hoſts; and he is engaged for you. Then, to advance will not be terrible; to retreat will not be ſhameful; for all will be under the ſerene Conduct of Reaſon and Duty. You will not be meanly elated by the compleateſt Victory; nor afraid to fall in the hotteſt Battle; but with an equal Mind hear the Shouts of Triumph and the Groans of Death. Thou ſhalt not be afraid for the Terror by Night, nor for the Arrow that flyeth by Day. A thouſand ſhall fall at thy Side, and ten thouſand at thy right Hand, and thou ſhalt not be moved. Thou ſhalt tread upon the Lyon and Adder; the young Lyon and the Dragon thou ſhalt trample under Feet.—Go up and proſper: The LORD is with thee, thou mighty Man of Valour.