THIS Chapter contains a Song, occaſion'd by a glorious Victory obtained over Jabin King of Canaan, and is entitled, The Song of Deborah and Barak; The former was a Propheteſs in Iſrael; the latter by an immediate Call from GOD, was General of the Army at that Time; and they both did worthily in their Places. Deborah was truly a Mother in Iſrael, by being a Mother to Iſrael; thoughtful and induſtrious, even as a tender Mother, to deliver the People, as tho' her own Children, from Oppreſſion, and to ſave them from Ruin: Yea, and altho' it does not appear, that, in the Day of Battle, ſhe fought with her Hand, yet her pious Soul was in Exerciſe, being lifted up to GOD in the Heavens, and doubtleſs contributed more by her fervent Prayers to the vanquiſhing of the Enemy, than Barak by his Martial Weapons; and therefore ſays ſhe, "My Soul thou haſt trodden down Strength": Not but that the General acted his Part prudently, and with a Spirit of true Courage, and had the Praiſe of it: And not at that Time only, but moreover, he is celebrated by the Author of the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, as Iſrael's Deliverer, and a Man eminent for his Faith.—And it may not paſs unobſerved, that the Governours of Iſrael offer'd themſelves, at that Juncture, to ſerve in the War; and by ſo doing won the Heart of the Propheteſs, and ſhe gave GOD the Praiſe of it; as alſo, becauſe the People offer'd themſelves ſo very willingly.—Particular Mention is here made of the ſeveral Tribes which aſſiſted, as Ephraim and Benjamin, Machir and Zebulon, Iſſachar and Napthali: But then, alas! ſome there were which declin'd the Service, as Reuben, partly, becauſe of the Diviſions among them, but whether the Conteſt was between themſelves, or with the other Tribes, is uncertain; and partly, by Reaſon of their ſecular Occaſions, or becauſe they choſe to purſue their own private, rather than to promote the public Intereſt: And truly, a contentious, as alſo a covetous and worldly Spirit, very often proves the unhappy Occaſion of Perſons refuſing to lend a Hand to promote the public Weal. Dan and Aſher alſo declined; but Meroz is eſpecially condemned and curſed; and the Curſe, it ſeems, took effect, for we read no more of it: Not, that GOD wanted their help; No; for rather than not accompliſh his own Work, "the Stars from Heaven muſt fight in their Courſes"; which may probably refer to the Thunder, Lightning, and Storms of Hail ſent at that Time, and on that Occaſion: Yea, and not the Heavens only, but alſo the Waters under the Heavens, and in particular, the ancient River Kiſhon miniſtred to the Salvation of Iſrael, by ſweeping away and drowning a Multitude of the Enemy, who probably eſſay'd to paſs over to the other Side, and ſo eſcape.—And then, the Propheteſs goes on to give Jael, her Siſter-Heroe, the Praiſe of her valorous Act, in putting a full End to Siſera's troubling of Iſrael, by Means of her deadly Nail and Hammer: And having ſpoken of the Diſappointment, which would thereby enſue to his Mother and the other Ladies of the Court, ſhe concludes with a pathetick Requeſt to GOD, for the like Deſtruction of all his Enemies; and for the Encouragement and Salvation of all true Iſraelites.

AND now, O how much does it redound to the Honour of this Mother in Iſrael, that ſhe diſclaimed all Right to the Honour of that great Exploit! As ſhe had been firſt in the Action, ſo alſo ſhe now leads in the Thankſgiving, ſaying in effect, "Not unto me, Not unto us, but to thy Name, O LORD, be the Glory." Verſes 2d and 3d, "Praiſe ye the LORD for the avenging of Iſrael, when the People willingly offered them. Hear O ye Kings, give Ear O ye Princes, I, even I will ſing unto the LORD, I will ſing Praiſe unto the LORD GOD of Iſrael."—And truly, all the People had abundant Reaſon, for a long Time after, to remember this Victory with repeated Thankſgivings; for, it not only brought them a preſent happy Peace and Quiet, but moreover, the whole Land had Reſt for the Space of Forty Years.

BUT Zebulon and Napthali ſeem to have diſtinguiſhed themſelves, on that Day, by their Boldneſs and Activity: They were the firſt that offered for that Service, moved thereunto, it's probable, partly from the Conſideration of Barak's belonging to one of thoſe Tribes, viz. that of Napthali; but much more from the Senſe which they had, above any other, of the Hardſhip of enduring the Yoke, they lying neareſt to the Oppreſſor: Theſe People being ſpirited from above, choſe rather to die like Men, than to live any longer like Vaſſals to the vileſt of Men; and therefore, fir'd with Zeal for GOD, and their Country, they ſoon liſted into the Service, and being thus enter'd, they would not baulk ſo good a Cauſe, but in the Day of Battle, jeoparded their Lives to the Death in the high Places of the Field; or, in the plain and open Field.—Indeed Barak's Orders were to take Ten Thouſand Men out of theſe two Tribes, and then proceed; but becauſe ſome out of ſome of the other Tribes willingly offered themſelves, therefore they were accepted: However, Zebulon and Naphtali were doubtleſs the Van-guard, appointed to that Place by their General, yea and chooſing it rather than any other, altho' the Place of greateſt Danger: And behold, they did not, in the Day of Battle, ſhrink back nor ſeek to flee, but like Men filled with heroick Courage, puſh'd on, and having ſet their Faces like a Flint, they encounter'd even the Chariots of Iron without dread of Danger, and diſdain'd the King of Terrors himſelf in ſo juſt a Cauſe.—It is ſaid indeed, that they jeoparded their Lives—; but the goodneſs of their Cauſe made them quite unmindful of their Danger, being fully determined either to conquer, or die on the Spot.

AND now, it is obvious to us all, that this was ſpoken, and is here recorded, by way of Commendation to them, that they were thus forward and valorous; and alſo, as a great Favour of GOD to Iſrael, that they had ſuch Men among their Tribes: So that, we may take this for our OBSERVATION,

THAT when a Number of Men do in a juſt Cauſe, and there is urgent Neceſſity for it, jeopard their Lives to the Death, in behalf of their Country, it affords Matter of Thankſgiving unto GOD, and Commendation to ſuch Men.

AND our Obſervation will hold true, as to thoſe who jeopard their Lives upon the mighty Waters, as well as to ſuch who do ſo in the Field of Battle.

AND this may be ſpoken to, as the Time ſhall admit, under Four General Heads.

I. THAT the Church and People of GOD have Enemies to Encounter.

II. IT is lawful, and ſometimes highly neceſſary, for the People of GOD, ſome of them at leaſt, to take up Arms and go forth to War.

III. A Soldier's Life is in very great Jeopardy, eſpecially in the Field of Battle.

IV. THAT when a Number of Men do in a juſt Cauſe, and there be Neceſſity for it, jeopard their Lives to the Death, in behalf of their Country, it affords Matter of Thankſgiving unto GOD, and Commendation to ſuch Men.

SOMETHING I ſhall ſay to Each of theſe; then, offer a few Words by way of Addreſs to the honourable Artillery Company; and then conclude with ſome Advice to thoſe, who are about to engage in the Spiritual Warfare under Him who is ſtronger than the ſtrong Man armed.—And all with my uſual and affected Plainneſs of Speech.

Firſt, THE Church and People of GOD have Enemies to Encounter.

PARTICULAR Chriſtians have their Enemies, and meet with their Troubles in the World, viz. Perſonal Troubles both inward and outward; and ſometimes Domeſtick Troubles of one kind and another, too many, yea, and ſome of them too bad, to be here recited:—And beſides theſe, the People of GOD have oftentimes open and profeſſed Enemies to encounter; ſo that the Church on Earth may fitly be ſtiled the Church militant, to diſtinguiſh from the Church triumphant. It is true indeed, GOD's People do not delight in War, or to breed and continue Strifes with their Fellow-Mortals; No; but they are oftentimes obliged to ſtrive and fight, to kill or be killed.

AND as for their Enemies at this Day, they are ſuch as are not only Enemies to their outward Proſperity, ſeeking to impoveriſh them by preying on their Subſtance and making Spoil of their Eſtates; as alſo, Enemies to their Liberty, ſeeking to captivate and ſometimes to retain them in Slavery and cruel Bondage: But moreover, they are Enemies alſo, to that pure and holy Religion which they make Profeſſion of, and accordingly uſe their utmoſt Endeavours to bring the true Worſhippers to a falſe Way and Manner of Worſhip, even to pay divine Homage unto Creatures not able to help and ſave: Yea, they would deſtroy, if they could, even to the Foundation, ſuch as have not their Mark, and do diſclaim the Pope's Supremacy; their Language is much like that of the Children of Edom in the Day of Jeruſalem's Trouble, in Pſal. 137. 7. Raſe it, raſe it even to the Foundation: And this leads me to ſay, that they are Enemies to the very Lives of GOD's People: Their tender Mercies are Cruelty, and that the rather, becauſe they are inſtructed, and do embrace it as an Article of their Creed, That to deſtroy Proteſtants is to do GOD and the Church good Service.

AND truly, not only now, but even all along, the Church of GOD has had her Enemies, namely, the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Babylonians, the Grecians, and the Romans, of old:—And as for the Primitive Chriſtians, they were perſecuted by the Heathen Emperors, at no leſs than Ten ſeveral Periods; which were no ſooner over, but the Arians aroſe, who altho' they called themſelves Chriſtians, yet perſecuted the Orthodox worſe than ever profeſſed Pagans had done; inſomuch, that the Church was in imminent Hazard of being ſwallowed up by that Flood. And afterwards Antichriſt aroſe, known by the Name of the Man of Sin, who has perſecuted more than all that were before him: Yea, and as the Quarrel between the Kingdom of GOD and the Kingdom of Satan among Men, commenced from the Day of the firſt and grand Apoſtacy, ſo we may depend upon it, that as long as there is a Pope in Rome, there will be Days of Trouble to the Church of GOD on Earth.

AND now, If it be enquired, Who it is that ſtirs up Men to appear as Enemies to the Church of GOD? I reply; That the LORD of Hoſts orders and over rules in this Matter: The Sword is one of GOD's ſore Judgments; and agreably, we often read, that it was the LORD who ſtirred up one Nation and another to vex and diſturb his People Iſrael: And even ſo it is at this Day.—But then, it is proper to add, that altho' the Enemies of GOD's People ſeek to impoveriſh and even to extirpate them, yet, the moſt High has wiſe and good Ends herein: He does it for his own Honour and Glory, to magnify his Name, and to make glorious his Attributes, and more eſpecially his Holineſs, for hereby he clearly and awfully teſtifies his Hatred of Sin, and his ſore Diſpleaſure againſt Sinners: Alſo at ſuch a Time, he takes the Opportunity to glorify his Wiſdom and Power in preſerving his Church amidſt ſo many Dangers, which may well be look'd upon as one of the great Wonders of divine Providence, and even like the Buſh burning and yet not conſumed: Yea, and I may truly add, that the People of GOD themſelves are wont to glorify him in Days of Adverſity more than at other Times: In the primitive State of the Chriſtian Church, which was a Time of much Tribulation, how greatly was the Kingdom of CHRIST advanced, and his intereſt promoted in the World, beyond what it was when a proſperous State came on.—In a Word, GOD Almighty's Intent is not to deſtroy his Church, No, but rather that the Faith and Patience, Courage and Fidelity of his Servants may for a Seaſon be prov'd and improv'd, and be found to Praiſe and Honour and Glory: And doubtleſs, the Judge of all the Earth is Righteous in theſe his Diſpenſations, for the very beſt of Men need to be purged that ſo they may bring forth more Fruit; and as for the People of GOD in general, they ſtand in need of Correction in Order to their Reformation.—And it may not be amiſs to add, that the glorious God has an Eye herein to his People's Enemies alſo, even to weaken and waſte, and ſometimes utterly to deſtroy them, or a conſiderable Branch of their Power.

HENCE then we may infer, That External Peace and Proſperity is not a ſure Evidence of a true Church.—Some have been too apt to break Charity with particular Perſons, becauſe they have been exerciſed with many and grievous afflictions in the World; Job's Friends (for Inſtance) were inclined to cenſure and even condemn him on this very Account, but they were upon a wrong Foundation, and were ſoon convinced of it: And truly, it was Matter of Stumbling to the holy Pſalmiſt, to obſerve, that, ordinarily, good People had a larger Share of Trouble diſpenſed to them than others had, "until he went into the Sanctuary of GOD, where he ſoon underſtood what was to be the End of the wicked, namely, that they were exalted, that ſo their Fall might be the more grievous and infamous."—And as it is a Truth with reſpect to particular Perſons, that the Righteous may be in Adverſity, and the Wicked in Proſperity, ſo alſo as to Societies; and therefore, a true Church may be afflicted and perſecuted, and even almoſt deſtroyed; and at the ſame Time, a falſe Church may be in great Power and Splendor.—If we review the State of the Church of GOD under the Old Teſtament, how frequently and how grievouſly was ſhe afflicted. Pſal. 129. 1, 2, 3. "Many a Time have they afflicted me from my Youth may Iſrael now ſay; many a Time have they afflicted me from my Youth,—the Plowers plowed upon my Back, they made long their Furrows." And ſo, if we conſider again the State of the Church under the New Teſtament, we ſhall find, that many a Time "ſhe was killed all the Day long, and, for CHRIST'S ſake, was counted as Sheep for the Slaughter." The Primitive Chriſtians (tho' in Reality, the beſt, yet) were repreſented to the World as the very worſt of Men, and accordingly, unto them was given the moſt barbarous Treatment; ſo that the Continuance of the true Chriſtian Religion down to this Day, deſerves, as was before noted, to be look'd upon as a ſtanding Miracle: Yea, when we revolve in our Minds, how Earth and Hell combin'd, what a mighty Force was raiſed, what Books were written, and what Laws were made, againſt the Church, even in its Infancy, we muſt needs ſay, It is the LORD'S doing that ſhe is preſerved, and it ought to be marvellous in our Eyes: Behold, "This is GOD'S Heritage, which hath been as a ſpeckled Bird, and which all the Birds round about have been, and ſtill are, againſt:" Nor may the Church expect to be at Reſt for any conſiderable Space of Time together, until the Man of Sin be taken out of the Way.—True indeed, it was the Expectation of the generality of GOD's ancient People, that the Kingdom of the Meſſiah would be a Temporal Kingdom, attended with worldly Pomp and Power, and that all Nations would, ſpeedily after his appearing, be ſubdued under him, and that there would be and continue to be a univerſal Peace; and not only ſo, but moreover, that the People of the Jews would be Chief and Princeſs among the Nations: But, this was no other than a vain Dream, for altho' it is true, that there was an univerſal Peace in the Empire when the true Meſſiah was born, and therefore the Temple of Janus was then ſhut; yet, our Saviour himſelf expreſly ſaid, "My Kingdom is not of this World," and cautioned his Diſciples, ſaying, "Think not that I am come to ſend Peace," i. e. External Peace and Proſperity: Yea, and he foretold, "that there would be great Commotions among the Nations, Wars, and Rumours of Wars," which Prediction of his has been ſince abundantly verified, and is ſo at this Day.—A way then with that falſe Poſition, namely, That External Peace and Grandeur is a ſure Note of the true Church:—And let not any vainly imagine, that by liſting under CHRIST'S Banner, they ſhall be exempt from outward Troubles, or get out of the reach of perſecuting Foes; No, No; for ſays our Saviour, "in the World you ſhall have Trouble;" and "whoſoever will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his Croſs and follow me:" Chriſtians muſt expect not only inward and ſpiritual, but alſo outward and bodily Troubles, even Troubles from the World as well as from the Fleſh and Devil: Which I here mention, not to diſcourage any of you from walking in the right Ways of the LORD, but that you may not be ſurprized when ſuch Days of Trouble come on, and to deſert that good Cauſe which you profeſs to eſpouſe: Your beſt way is to expect and prepare for Troubles of one kind and another, that ſo you may glorify GOD in and under them, and may alſo ſee a glorious Iſſue of the ſame; that is, either be deliver'd from them to your own ſpiritual Advantage, or be deliver'd by them out of the reach of all Evils both moral and paenal.—Which leads me to ſay, Oh! How much more deſireable is Heaven than Earth! And, Oh! how ardently ſhould the Saints of the moſt High long to be there, and be giving all Diligence to make their Calling and Election ſure! You may be ſure that there are no Conteſts there; No; for the Inhabitants of that better Country are cordial Friends to one another, and unfeignedly delight in each other's Society. There is nothing at all to offend or diſturb you in that holy Mountain, nay, but there is Fulneſs of Joy and Pleaſures evermore; and good Reaſon for it, ſeeing the Saints ſhall be perfect in Holineſs, and be confirm'd in that State.

I proceed now to the Second general Head, viz. That it is lawful, and ſometimes highly neceſſary, for the People of GOD, ſome of them at leaſt, to take up Arms and go forth to War.

I HAVE not Time to prove this at large, neither is there ſo much Need of it, ſeeing it has been ſufficiently done in your hearing, on the like Occaſion, at one Time and another: And therefore, I ſhall ſay in a few Words only:—And,

THAT it is a Thing lawful on ſome Occaſions to go forth to War, is undeniable; inaſmuch as we not only find the People of GOD ſo doing in Days of old, but moreover, that they were directed and commanded by the moſt High himſelf to do ſo: I ſuppoſe I need not ſtand to cite Texts of Scripture for the Proof of this; any Child that has read the Hiſtorical Part of the Holy Bible can't but know that there are very many to this Purpoſe: Neither is it counter-manded by any Text in the New-Teſtament. And,

NOT only is it lawful, but ſometimes highly neceſſary to go forth to War; namely, that ſo the People of GOD may preſerve and defend the pure Worſhip of GOD among themſelves againſt bold Corrupters: As alſo, that they may deliver ſuch as are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake from violent Oppreſſors: And it is even ſometimes neceſſary for the recovering, and ſo for the defending of Lands and Goods; but rather for the defending of Lives and Liberties, and the recovering of Captives:—But then, when-ever we take up Arms, either for the Defence or the Recovery of our Cities and People, we ſhould learn to conſider them not only as ours, but as the Cities and People of our GOD.

YEA, it may be ſometimes neceſſary for People to take up Arms againſt their own Country-men; I mean, againſt ſuch as go about to deſtroy the pure Religion, and to introduce and impoſe the worſhipping of falſe Gods.—Alſo, againſt ſuch as reſiſt public Juſtice, or thoſe who will not deliver up, but protect, notorious Offenders, and ſo prevent their receiving condign Puniſhment; for, ſuch Perſons are Enemies to a Country or Nation, and deſerve to be treated as ſuch: And it was for this Reaſon that the other Tribes in Iſrael made War with Benjamin, yea, and they had Warrant from GOD himſelf to do ſo.—Alſo, ſuch as wickedly rebel againſt their lawful Prince, and try to dethrone him, are to be ſubdued by Force of Arms: And for this Reaſon King David made War firſt againſt Iſhboſheth and his Party; and afterwards againſt his Son Abſolom and thoſe that adher'd to him.—And in a Word, this is neceſſary, when a Nation cannot otherwiſe preſerve or recover its juſt Rights; and more eſpecially, when the Enemy is more bold and daring than common, and threatneth ſpeedily to waſte and deſtroy, and there is Information given of a mighty Hoſt either come, or coming forth on that Deſign.

BUT without theſe, or ſome of theſe Grounds and Reaſons, the People of GOD may not, as I conceive, take up Arms for War: The Provocation muſt be juſt, and the Call of Providence clear, otherwiſe, by making War, People take a ready Courſe to bring Miſchief upon themſelves; even as King Joſiah, tho' a very good Man, yet was ſlain in Battle and his Army routed, when he too raſhly engaged againſt Pharaoh-necho, who had neither done, nor deſigned him any wrong.

AND to what has been ſaid it may be proper to add, That it belongs to the Heads and Rulers of a People to make and appoint a War: Men in a private Capacity plainly tranſgreſs if they pretend to make a War, or knowingly do any Thing which leadeth thereunto, contrary to the Commandment, or without the Knowledge, of their Civil Rulers; That is to ſay, unleſs thoſe Rulers do ſo violate their Oath, as to become a People's avowed Enemies, and do very apparently join with ſuch as ſeek their Ruin: For, altho' I conſtantly teach "Submiſſion to the King as Supreme, and unto the Governour as unto him that is ſent," yet, I ſee no Reaſon to exhort People to paſſive Obedience, and Non-Reſiſtance, in the utmoſt Latitude of the ſame.

AND now, from what has been ſaid, we may ſee the Miſtake of ſuch, who affirm that every kind of War is unlawful: They chiefly urge the Sixth Commandment for the Proof of their Aſſertion; but as I conceive, this is not at all to the Purpoſe; for doubtleſs, the Intent of that Law is to prevent our killing an honeſt Man, for his Money's ſake, and the like; as alſo, our ſlaying a Perſon privately, becauſe of ſome Wrong which he has done us, for the Magiſtrate is GOD's Miniſter to execute Judgment.—And, in a Word, This Precept was given in order to preſerve and maintain humane Society, by being tender of each other's Lives; but was never underſtood by the Church of GOD as enjoining them to ſpare the Lives of ſuch, who evidently ſeek to deſtroy their Comforts and their Lives too; for indeed, this would be, in effect, to deſtroy themſelves.—But then, it may not be thought amiſs for me to add, That as it cannot be reaſonably ſuppos'd, that a Proteſtant Prince will have Recourſe to the Sword until all other Remedies fail; ſo neither is it conſiſtent with our holy Religion, for People to proſéute a War with a Spirit of Malice and Hatred, and as tho' we took delight in diſpatching Souls, unprepar'd for it, into Eternity. Violent Invaders and barbarous Oppreſſors may be puniſhed, yea, and put to Death too, but then all this ſhould be without Rancour and Malice in the Hearts of the Conquerors: Nay, we ought ſo far to love even our open Enemies, as to accept of any reaſonable Capitulation; yea, and ſo as (ſuppoſe we are oblig'd to proceed to Battle, then) to pray, that if any fall by our Hands, that GOD would be pleaſed to have Mercy on them.

Thirdly, THE next general Head is, that a Soldier's Life is in very great Jeopardy, and eſpecially in the Field of Battle.

IT is very true indeed, that every Man's Life is expoſed, and that continually; for we have all of us forfeited our very Lives as well as the Comforts of the ſame: The Wages of Sin is Death, and it is of the LORD'S Mercies that we are not all conſum'd before this Day; even becauſe he delighteth not in the Death of Sinners, but waiteth that he may be gracious. Many, many Dangers does the moſt High deliver us out of, yea, and doubtleſs, many which at preſent we are not at all ſenſible of; we ought therefore to look upon our Preſervation in the World as a Wonder of divine Goodneſs, and to give GOD the Praiſe of it, and ſtudy to live to his Glory. Oh! ſeeing we live from Day to Day on the Fruits of his Bounty, let us live to his Glory, and not give him Reaſon ſtill to complain of us, that although "he has nouriſhed and brought us up, yet we rebel againſt him." Surely it becomes and concerns us all to be humble, conſtant and ſincere in the Way of Well-doing, and always upon our Watch, as not knowing at what Hour our LORD will come: It is a preſumptuous boaſting of to Morrow, that occaſions Sinners to delay their Repentance, until they have neither Heart nor Opportunity for it.

BUT then, all will grant that ſome Men's Lives are more expoſed than others, and theſe at ſome Times more than at others; and a Soldier's Life in particular, and that more eſpecially in the Field of Battle. This is a Time when many, very many are ſlain, and one ſeems to be in hazard as well as another: The Pſalmiſt, moſt probably, conſider'd himſelf in the Quality of a Soldier, and as a Man of War, when he ſaid as in Pſal. 119, 109. My Soul is continually in mine Hand. Q. D. There is but a Step between me and Death; and I look upon my Life to be in as great Danger, "as a valuable Treaſure is of being violently taken away, which a Man carries in his Hand:" And yet, this Man of GOD did not expire, either in the open Field, or by the Treachery of a diſſembling Courtier, but in his Bed, and amidſt his Friends: But, alas! Who can ſay, how many Thouſands, and Ten Thouſands, have come to their End by the Sword; ſome diſpatch'd in a Moment, and others ſoon giving up the Ghoſt by Reaſon of their mortal Wounds.

BUT I need not ſtand upon the Proof of ſo evident a Truth; and therefore ſhall only add a few uſeful Reflections, and then proceed. And,

1. THIS teaches us that ſuch Men are diſtinguiſhingly favour'd, whoſe Lives are preſerv'd in the Day of Battle: They and their Friends with them ſhould pay a very grateful Acknowledgment to the Preſerver of Men, not only for what Exploit may have been done by their own and other Men's Hands, but alſo for that Preſervation and Deliverance, which they in particular have experienced. Oh! never learn to ſay after the Manner of the Heathen, viz. It was our good Fortune to eſcape with our Lives; but extol the Name of GOD, and ſhout forth his Praiſes, becauſe he hath covered your Heads in the Day of Battle. And,

2. HENCE let Soldiers be prevailed with to realize their Danger before they go forth to War. You may not imagine, that you are going, at ſuch a Time, only to take a Walk, or a Voyage; nor that the Expedition will be no other than a pleaſant Diverſion; Nay,—but expect to meet with Hardſhips, and conſider well not only the Fatigue, but alſo the Hazard; and be perſwaded "to ſet both Houſe and Heart in Order, as not knowing but you may die and not live."—Yea, and while you are in the Service, keep up a lively Senſe of your Danger, and indulge not (like many others) a ſecure, heedleſs Frame of Spirit; but very often, and in the moſt humble Manner, reſign your Lives into the Hands of your Redeemer; and not your Lives only, but even your very Souls commit to him in the Exerciſe of Repentance towards GOD, and of Faith in our LORD JESUS CHRIST, earneſtly entreating, that they, when-ever call'd for, may ſee his Salvation: And in an humble Expectation of the ſame, "be of good Courage, and play the Men, for your People and for the Cities of your GOD, and the LORD do that which ſhall ſeem good in his Sight."

AND let me go on to ſay, Oh! how very deſireable is it, that even all ſuch as go forth to War be Soberminded Perſons?—Soldiers ſhould not only labour to be ſatisfied, that a War be begun and proſecuted on juſt Grounds, (or at leaſt, that the Grounds be not unjuſt and oppreſſive) and then be willing to go forth in the Service; but moreover, they ought to be giving all Diligence that they may be actually prepar'd for Death.—Say not, this is to act the Part of Cowards: For truly, it is not only the Way to die in Peace, but moreover, it is the very beſt Courſe to become valiant in fighting: The good Man, caeteris paribus, will certainly make the beſt Soldier; ſo then, all ſuch as would be good Soldiers let them become good Men; that is, let them repent of their Sins, and make their Peace with GOD, and War againſt their Luſts, becauſe theſe war againſt their Souls; for ſuch as theſe are (as I ſaid) moſt likely to be truly valiant in Battle. Death, you know, is ſtyled the King of Terrors; well then, he who can with ſome Comfort look Death in the Face, needs not much fear the facing of any other Enemy: The religious Heroes who were very famous for Exploits, became (as is obſerv'd in Heb. 11.) valorous and victorious by Faith: For, "this emboldens Men's Minds by looking unto Things not ſeen, and by deriving Strength from above; yea, and it engages the LORD of Hoſts on their Side."

AND ſuffer me to add, That as I am fully perſwaded, that neither our gracious Sovereign, nor his Excellency our Governour, will knowingly honour any Man with a Commiſſion, who is noted among Men for perſiſting in ſome foul Immorality; ſo I ſhould think, it highly concerns all ſuch Gentlemen, who ſhall receive, or have received Commiſſions for proſecuting the War, to ſee to it likewiſe, that they don't (if poſſible to prevent it) admit any of the aforeſaid ſcandalous Character to ſerve as Soldiers under them; or, if they be admitted, then to oblige them to reform their Manners, "and for this End, it Lenitives will not anſwer, then to diſpenſe the Corroſives of Martial Diſcipline;" and this not only in Pity to ſuch Men, but alſo in Kindneſs to the whole Company or Army, leſt GOD Almighty be provok'd by Reaſon of the Offences of thoſe bold Tranſgreſſors, and their Commander's Connivance at the ſame, to deliver all up to the Will of the Enemy. We find in Joſh. 7. That the Hoſt of Iſrael was put to Flight before the Men of Ai becauſe of the Treſpaſs of Achan: True indeed, his Treſpaſs was great, for it was Sacrilege, which is the converting to a private Uſe, that which is devoted to the Glory of GOD; but then, this Sin of his was unknown to Joſhua, and moſt probably to the People too, and yet they were forced to flee before their Enemies. Is it reaſonable then to expect, that ſuch Commanders ſhall proſper, who are fully 'acquainted with the foul Tranſgreſſions of theſe and thoſe private Soldiers, and that they perſiſt therein, and yet admit them to join in Battle againſt the Enemy.

PERHAPS you'll ſay, if this Doctrine be received, we ſhall have but few Soldiers indeed: To which I reply, that if a due Care was taken about this Matter, it would moſt probably promote a Reformation of Manners both in the Army and Navy, and be a Means of Reſtraint unto many Perſons, and to thoſe at leaſt who delight in nothing ſo much as to ſerve in the Wars: And as for ſuch who refuſe to be reformed, what great Matter of Service can be expected from them? Will not a few Men under the Smiles of Heaven, do far greater Exploits than ten times that Number, who (the moſt of them) by their bold Tranſgreſſions, are continually bidding Defiance to Heaven it ſelf?

AND the Truth is, it becomes and concerns even a whole Land, before the Hoſt goeth forth to War, to humble themſelves, and turn to the LORD, and to implore the Pardon of their Sins, and the divine Preſence to be vouchſafed to their Forces; and otherwiſe not to carry them hence. It is worthy of our Obſervation, "That the Men of Iſrael were defeated in their firſt and ſecond Battle with the Benjamites, but in the third Engagement they obtain'd a compleat Victory; for now at laſt, they came up to their Duty which they had before neglected: Indeed, they had before enquired of the LORD, Who ſhall go up firſt? And then again, Shall we go up? But the Third Time they faſted and prayed, and implored the divine Favour, and then they had the deſired Succeſs." And doubtleſs, the People of GOD ſhould alſo, in theſe Days, ſeek, and continue to ſeek, his Face in the Ways of his Appointment, as they would expect his Preſence to be with them.—A People's Cauſe may be good, and their Number great, but altho' they have both Right and Strength on their Side, yet theſe may not be depended upon, to the Neglect of the Duty of ſeeking, in the moſt ſolemn Manner, the Preſence and Favour of the moſt High. Certainly, we have abundant Reaſon to humble our ſelves before GOD, becauſe our Nation and Land, and our ſelves among others, have provoked Him to ſtir up a Nation of ſo mean a Character, The Spaniards. to diſturb and impoveriſh us at the Rate they do: And O! that our Days of Prayer with Faſting, may be always duly attended, as knowing, we have to do with that GOD who will not be mocked, and who hearkens whether Perſons ſpeak aright; that is to ſay, whether each one for himſelf enquireth, ſaying, What have I done? And then breaketh off from Sin, and caſteth away his Tranſgreſſions, and returneth unto the LORD. Oh! that there were ſuch an Heart in us! "Then would GOD quickly ſubdue our Enemies, and turn his Hand againſt our Adverſaries; but our Times would endure."

COME we now to the

Fourth and laſt general Head, viz. That when a Number of Men do, in a juſt Cauſe, and there be Neceſſity for it, jeopard their Lives to the Death, in Behalf of their Country, it affords Matter of Thankſgiving unto GOD, and Commendation to ſuch Men.

1. THIS is Matter of Commendation unto ſuch Men. True indeed, it cannot be a pleaſant Exerciſe, in it ſelf conſider'd, to any, but only thoſe who are loſt to the common Principles of Humanity, to deſtroy their Fellow-Creatures: But yet, for Perſons to engage in Battle with an Eye to the Will and Glory of GOD, and for the Preſervation of a Town or Country, this is Praiſe-worthy: They take, as we ſuppoſe, the moſt proper and effectual Method to ſecure and defend the Liberties, Properties, and whatſoever elſe is precious unto a People: And without Doubt, all will readily acknowledge, That when ſome particular Perſons from among themſelves, do willingly offer to expoſe and jeopard their Lives, for thoſe good Ends and Conſiderations, they do worthily in their Day.—And as this has a direct Tendency to preſerve a Country from Ruin, and to prolong the Lives and Liberties of the People, ſo alſo to extirpate the Enemy; or at leaſt to ſubdue them ſo far as to bring them to ſubmit to proper Terms.

AND if I may be allow'd to make a particular Mention of the Aboriginal Natives, who have at one Time and another, from Generation to Generation, even compelled the People of this Land to take up Arms againſt them: There is (as I conceive) no Method ſo likely to ſubdue, or to humble them, as to March forth in Queſt of them; for, by ſo doing, they are not only prevented coming into our Towns, and ſlaughtering, or captivating the Inhabitants, and making Spoil of their Goods; but moreover, they become weary of their uſual Places of Reſort, and finding that they can be no where ſecure, they are therefore under a Neceſſity to petition for Peace.—And we may be ſure, that ſuch Men as ſhall (having proper Encouragement) voluntarily offer themſelves for this Service, if there be again Occaſion for it, (which we pray GOD to forbid!) are moſt likely to trace the Enemy carefully, and fight them valiantly: And the Truth of all this, I think, appears from the Inſtance of the brave LOVEWELL and his reſolute Soldiers, in the laſt Indian War, whoſe Activity and Courage, I doubt not, was what, under Heaven, brought that War to a Period.

2. AND as it is Matter of Commendation to ſuch Men, ſo alſo, and indeed much more, of Thankſgiving unto God; for ſurely, it is He who inclines and ſpirits them unto this difficult and dangerous Service: Yea, and it looks like a very ſignal Smile of Providence upon a Land, when a Number of its Inhabitants are ſo diſpos'd: It may be hoped that the moſt High has not determin'd ſpeedily to abandon ſuch a Country, and to give it up to the Will of the Enemy; but that there is Mercy ſtill in Reſerve for ſuch a People.

BUT I need not enlarge.—Only let me add a few Words by Way of Improvement: And here,

1. LEARN that ſuch Men are worthy of Blame, who after they have engaged in this Service do deſert and forſake it: Much better it is not to enter upon it, than afterwards to abſcond, and ſo relinquiſh the Service of GOD and their Country.

2. THIS alſo teaches us, That it is juſt Matter of Lamentation, when ſuch Men as offer themſelves to this kind of Service, are either ſlain in Battle, or taken off in the Camp by ſome fatal Malady: They deſerve that Honour from their Country, even that their Fall be lamented: The Loſs thereby ſuſtained is conſiderable, and very ungrateful as well as ſtupid are ſuch a People, who do not ſorrowfully reſent it: And I wiſh, we may not have many ſuch Deaths e'er long to mourn overPreached at the Time of the Expedition to the Spaniſh Weſt-Indies. . And further,

3. WHAT we have heard may afford ſome Satiſfaction of Mind to thoſe among us, who have been, or may be, in this Way, bereaved of deſireable Relatives: It ſhould be ſome Allay to your Grief, to conſider, that theſe your departed Friends died in the Service of GOD and their Country, and therefore died honourably, and will be remembred with Reſpect, as their Country's Friends and Benefactors: Yea, and if they were good Chriſtians, then the LORD of Hoſts himſelf will graciouſly reward their Deſires and Endeavours to ſerve his Cauſe, and to advance his Intereſt in the World.

4. WHAT we have heard may alſo teach us, That it is but juſt and reaſonable, that ſuch as tarry at Home be helpful, all the Ways they can, to thoſe who go forth to War.—And more eſpecially in theſe two Ways, viz.

(1.) By Prayer to GOD on their Behalf. We are obliged by the Bonds both of Nature and Religion to pray one for another; but in a peculiar Manner for thoſe of our Friends, who voluntarily hazard their Health, their Limbs, and even their very Lives, in the Country's Service: Pray therefore for them, that the LORD would go forth with them, to direct and ſafe-guard them, and to make them both valorous and victorious: We may not depend on their Conduct and Courage, their Number and Strength; No, No; but ſeek to engage the LORD of Hoſts on our Side; and if he be for us, who can be againſt us? This is a ſafe, a cheap, and eaſy Way of helping them, and even the Handmaids of the LORD may in this Reſpect be very helpful in a Time of War. And truly, we ſhall all be very unkind to our Soldiers, yea, and to our ſelves too, if we either neglect or trifle in this Exerciſe. And,

(2.) WE muſt reform our Manners as well as pray for Succeſs. See for this, Deut. 23. 9. When the Hoſt goeth forth againſt thine Enemies, then keep thee from every wicked Thing: Not then only, but then without fail: Not ſome only, but all the People are hereby enjoined to keep themſelves, not from ſome only, but from every wicked Thing.—And it concerns us all, at this Day, carefully to obſerve it, left GOD be provok'd to give the Victory to our Enemies. A Time of War, we all ſay, ſhould be a Time of Reformation; and truly, we may not otherwiſe expect the holy One of Iſrael to hear and anſwer our Prayers for Succeſs, (1 Sam. 7. 3.) Is it not our Wiſh, that GOD would be graciouſly preſent with our Brethren and Neighbours in the preſent War? But now, we do not in a ſuitable Manner deſire this Thing, and our Prayers are no better than Mockery, unleſs we put away Iniquity far from our Tabernacles, and alſo endeavour every one to keep himſelf from his own Iniquity: Our Sins (Sirs!) are our moſt deadly Enemies; theſe war againſt our own Souls; yea, and they are GOD's Enemies too, and conſequently to repent of them, and to return unto the LORD, is the very beſt Way to proſper; for, as King David acknowledged, "Thine, O LORD, is the Greatneſs, and the Power, and the Victory."—And if there be any other Way wherein we can ſhow Kindneſs to ſuch as are already gone, or that may hereafter go forth in this Service, whether by ſending a freſh Recruit of Men, or of Proviſions, or by miniſtring Relief to the ſick and wounded, and the like; O! let us not be wanting herein, but readily embrace the Opportunity; for both Humanity and Juſtice demand it of us.—And as for their being well rewarded, our honoured Rulers will not be Strait-handed in that Article: And Oh! that Heaven may graciouſly recompenſe them infinitely above what is in the Power of Man to do! To proceed,

5. IF ſuch do well who freely jeopard their Lives when there is juſt Occaſion for it, then it is not adviſeable for any of us to go about to diſcourage ſuch as offer themſelves, and are ſuitably qualified for this Service: By thoſe that are ſuitably qualified, I intend, ſuch as are capable of weighing Matters, and acting prudently, and who, being Perſons of a ſtrong Conſtitution, are likely to undergo the Hardſhips of the Service, and who are Men of Courage and Activity, and are ſtrongly inclined to this kind of Service; and eſpecially, if they are alſo Religious Men: Yea, and ſuch as are not bred to War (as the Phraſe is) may not be diſcourag'd from going forth on this Occaſion, they being ſpirited for ſuch above any other Service, and having obtain'd a competent Degree of Skill for that End, alſo able to endure Hardneſs; and deſerving the good Character of Sober-minded Perſons: Thus, Deborah in our Context, Verſe 14. takes particular Notice, that out of Zebulon came thoſe to Battle, who handled the Pen of the Writer. And in a Word, to diſcourage ſuitable Perſons from going forth on ſuch an Occaſion, is to prefer a private before the public Intereſt, which is a Thing that may not be indulged: Yea, and tender Parents have ſometimes a Call to deny themſelves in this Article; as, when their Sons diſcover that they have a very great Inclination to this kind of Service:—And yet, I would take the Opportunity to ſay unto Children who are ſo inclin'd, that I cannot adviſe you to break away, contrary to your Parents Mind: If they cannot be prevailed with to give their Conſent, I ſhould think you had better deny your ſelves, and by ſo doing, honour your Father and Mother, who are the Inſtruments of your Being, and by whom, under GOD, you have been alſo nouriſhed and brought up.

6. and laſtly, I ſhall offer a few Words by Way of Direction to ſuch as may hereafter offer themſelves to be improv'd in this Service. And,

(1.) BE free and voluntary in this Matter: Not only pretend to it, but be ſo in the Sight of him who ſearcheth all Hearts: It is not proper to go forth meerly to gratify ſome particular Friend or Acquaintance of yours, but let your own Spirits be free and chearful in this Affair, that you may be properly Voluntiers, and be reckon'd by Heaven as ſuch. We read, "that the LORD loveth the chearful Giver," or, him who chearfully diſpoſeth of Part of his Subſtance to pious and charitable Uſes; how much more, the Man who chearfully hazards his Life in the Service of GOD and his Country.—And it may be proper here to add, That ſuch Men as are pointed out by lawful Authority, and preſt by Order of the ſame, to go forth in this Service, they ſhould not only, either go themſelves, or provide others to go in their Room, but they ſhould do it willingly; for they ought to look on themſelves as call'd by Providence to aſſiſt in the War, either in Perſon or by Proxy; and therefore may not ſo much as in their Hearts decline the Service, leſt they expoſe themſelves to that bitter Curſe denounced in our Context, againſt ſuch as came not to the Help of the LORD againſt the mighty.

(2.) GET well arm'd, as alſo well inſtructed in the Arts of War.—Be well arm'd with Inſtruments proper for the Service: Counſel and Strength for War are not enough without Weapons of War. We find in our Context, Verſe 8. That there was not Shield or Spear ſeen among Four Thouſand in Iſrael: And it was doubtleſs Policy in their Oppreſſors thus to diſarm them, well knowing that unarmed Men are quite unfit for Service, and an eaſy Prey to the Enemy: And, let your Armour be Armour of Proof, ſuch as you know to be good by your own Experience; and ſuch as you are uſed to, and ſo can the more readily manage it.—And labour to be expert in handling your Weapons; ſkilful and dexterous, that ſo you may be able the better to defend your ſelves, and annoy your Adverſaries.—And I may not omit to adviſe you, to get well acquainted with the Way and Manner of the Enemy which you are to encounter, and how they commonly manage their Battles, whether in the plain and open Field, or elſe by lurking in Swamps, and behind the Trees of the Woods, watching for an Opportunity to diſcharge unexpectedly upon you; that ſo your Conduct may be agreable.—And I ſhall ſtill further add, That what Nation ſoever you ſhall be called forth to oppoſe and war againſt, you may not imagine that Stratagems of War are unlawful. We find in that fore-cited 20th Chapter of Judges, "That notwithſtanding GOD had given to Iſrael an Aſſurance of Succeſs, yet, they were not remiſs and negligent, nay, but improv'd the beſt of their Skill for the effecting of what GOD had promiſed: In the two firſt Engagements they thought it needleſs to uſe any Art, or to form any Stratagem; but the third Time they made Uſe of ſome Policy, for they ſet Lyers in wait, and laid an Ambuſh, and ſo gain'd the Point, even as their Fathers had gain'd Ai, and that by divine Direction too." Joſh. 8. So that Piety and warlike Policy do very well conſiſt together, and may not be look'd upon as preventive or ſubverſive of each other.

(3.) Put your Truſt in the Hope of Iſrael and the Saviour thereof. Truſt in him to lead you forth and inſpire you with Courage; to teach your Hands to War, and to cover your Heads in the Day of Battle, and to grant you the deſired Succeſs. Tho' you be ever ſo well armed, yet truſt not in your Armour; and tho' ever ſo well inſtructed in the Arts of War, and fully acquainted with the Manner of the Enemy as to their Way of Fighting, yet do not truſt to your own Skill; and tho' ever ſo void of Fear, yet truſt not to your own Proweſs and Courage; and ſuppoſe your Leaders, as alſo your Fellow-Soldiers be ever ſo expert and valorous, yet do not place your Confidence in them; "For it is better to truſt in the LORD than to put Confidence in Men, yea, than to to put Confidence in Princes." I beſeech you to realize, that there is abſolute Neceſſity of the divine Conduct to lead and guide an Army, and ſo alſo a Navy, in ſuch an important Affair; for what is even an Achitophel but a Fool, and what is his Counſel but Fooliſhneſs, when GOD hideth Counſel from him? Yea, and there needs the divine Preſence alſo to ſtrengthen Men's Hands and to encourage their Hearts in the Day of Battle, becauſe they have neither Strength nor Courage at Command; Self-Confidence therefore is but vain Confidence, "and he that truſteth in himſelf is a Fool; yea, curſed is the Man that truſteth in Man, and that maketh Fleſh his Arm; but bleſſed is the Man that truſteth in the LORD, and whoſe Hope the LORD is."—In a Word, you muſt labour (as I ſaid before) to be well accoutred and inſtructed for War, but yet, think not that your Gun or your Sword ſhall ſave you; No; but when you March, let your Truſt be in GOD to direct your Path, and to ſafe-guard your Perſons; and when you Watch, put your Truſt in the Keeper of Iſrael, who never ſlumbereth nor ſleepeth; and when you Fight, let your Truſt be ſtill in him to fight for you: And finally, by Faith in Prayer be caſting all your Burdens on the LORD, and he will care for you.

(4.) SEE that your Aim and End be right in this hazardous Undertaking. Oh! do not aim chiefly at the gaining either of Honour, or Wealth; for what will it profit a Man, if he ſhall gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? And how can you expect any other but the Loſs of that, if your Hearts be not right with GOD? Go not therefore for Lucreſake, but of a ready Mind, and with an hearty Deſire to ſerve GOD and your Country; namely, by helping to pull down and deſtroy the Kingdom of Satan in the World, and ſo to make more Room for the Growth and Increaſe of the Kingdom of CHRIST.—Not that you may imagine, that the moſt High cannot accompliſh his Purpoſes without you; No; but yet freely put your ſelves into his Hands, to be made Uſe of as Inſtruments for the ſubduing his Foes, and making the ſame to become his Footſtool.

WHAT ſhall I ſay more?—Keep your ſelves from every wicked Thing: That is to ſay, Keep your Hearts with all Diligence; as alſo your Eyes that you may not covet; and your Hands that they may do Violence to no Man; your Tongues that they may neither curſe Men, nor take the Name of the LORD your GOD in vain, nor utter any Thing falſe or reproachful; ſhun Sloth and Luxury; and keep holy the Lord's Day, as you would expect to proſper (ſo far, I mean, as is conſiſtent with your own Defence and Preſervation): And be not of a mutinous and ungovernable Spirit; but keep your Places, obſerve good Orders, and obey ſuch as are, or may be, ſet over you; and keep faithful to one another: Be of one Heart, and ſtand by each other for mutual Relief and Succour; and fail not to keep a good Watch, conſidering how many Lives depend upon it. (Judg. 8. 11.) And above all, get and keep in good Terms with the LORD of Hoſts; and behave in all Reſpects, as becomes thoſe whoſe Souls are continually in your Hands, and yet, your Times are not ſo, but in the Hands of the LORD of the whole Earth.—Oh! be prevailed with to be in the Fear of the LORD every Day, yea and all the Day, for in that there is ſtrong Confidence; but on the other Side, Sin takes off the Edge of Valour, and Guilt will make Men Cowards: All ſuch as would look Death in the Face without Terror, muſt keep Peace with GOD, and preſerve a Conſcience void of Offence.—And finally, when-ever you ſhall prove victorious, give GOD the Praiſe, and in Token thereof, devote a Part of the Spoil you ſhall take from the Enemy, a Tenth at leaſt, to pious and charitable Uſes, after the Example of faithful Abraham, as you may find it recorded in Gen. 14. 20.

AND now, Brethren, our Prayer for you is, that when you go forth to War, then "the LORD JESUS, the Captain of our Salvation and the LORD our Righteouſneſs may go before you, and the Glory of the LORD be your Rere-ward."

AND thus having ſpoken to the Four General Heads,

I AM now to proceed, as I propoſed, to offer a few Words by Way of Addreſs, with all due Reſpect, to the Ancient and Honourable Company, who have invited us hither this Day;

Gentlemen!

ALTHOUGH what has been ſaid is deſign'd principally, tho' not ſolely, for you, and you have ſo much Goodneſs as to make a proper Application, yet give me Leave to add as follows, viz.

YOU are not ignorant, that three Years over and above a Century are now paſs'd and gone ſince the giving forth of your Charter, containing certain valuable Privileges and Immunities; whereby it evidently appears, that the Honourable General Court, being willing to encourage a Military Spirit in New-England, did put great Honour upon this Company, even in the early Days of the Country; which, as it was a bright Inſtance of their Wiſdom and Goodneſs, ſo, we are now thankful to the moſt High, that the Reputation and Honour of this Company has been ſo well preſerved unto this Time; and the rather, becauſe I can't but think, this ſame has been a good Means of caſting the greater Dread upon thoſe Nations which are no Friends to our Religion, and envy us the Poſſeſſion of ſo good a Country:—Indeed, New-England in general has been famous abroad for the Spirit of Soldiery, and for ſetting apart ſeveral Days in a Year for Military Exerciſes; but, Sirs, Strangers as well as your own Country-men, all readily acknowledge your ſelves to be the Flower and Choice of all our Forces: And we doubt not, but you will, the Smiles of Heaven continuing upon you, as we pray they may, ſtill preſerve the Credit of the Honourable Company, and keep alive our Hopes concerning it:—And in Order hereunto, there are Two Things which you will bear upon your Minds, and endeavour the Proſecution of.

THE Firſt is, The Original Deſign of forming the Artillery Company in this Town; even, that Gentlemen of the beſt Faſhion, and of exalted Stations in the Militia, in every Part of the Province, as well as Perſons of a lower Rank, might have the Opportunity to become more and more ſkilful in the Uſe of Martial Weapons.—You are very ſenſible, I conclude, from the Appearance which you make this Day, that the happy Time is not yet come, wherein the Nations ſhall learn War no more; and therefore you judge it to be ſtill needful as well as lawful to know how to uſe the Sword and Muſket, and to underſtand the whole Art of War in the various Parts of it, which, conſidering to whom I ſpeak, I need not go about to enumerate; you will therefore, I truſt, admit of ſcarce any Avocation, but will all, to a Man, conſtantly attend and diligently improve your Exerciſes at the appointed Seaſons for the ſame, and more eſpecially in this gloomy and dark Day; and that not only as a manly Diverſion, but, on purpoſe that you may be ſtill more expert for War, and ſo the better prepar'd (if there ſhould be Occaſion for it) either to Face the Enemy your ſelves, or to furniſh the Country with expert Commanders for that End; "Each of them reſembling the Son of a King."—And whereas it is now (as you well know) a Time of War, you will therefore the rather make Choice of ſuch Gentlemen, this Day, for your Officers, as are moſt capable of leading you, and are moſt likely by their own Example to inſpire you with Valour, and whom you have good Reaſon to think you can willingly fight under.—And now, if there was Need to add any Thing by Way of Encouragement to preſerve a Martial and Warlike Spirit, I ſhould only put you in Remembrance of what you are not unacquainted with; namely, "That Skill and Experience in Arms has in all Ages been the Original of Nobility; and that many Perſons, even of mean Extraction, have, by Feats of Arms, riſen to the higheſt Honours which their Fellow-Soldiers were capable of conferring upon them."—But being Chriſtians, and many of you, to the Praiſe of GOD be it ſpoken, ſome of the firſt Rank, therefore a Goſpel Motive will be more acceptable; namely, that hereby you will be the better qualified for the ſpecial Service of The Man upon the Throne, who is no other than our LORD REDEEMER, whom to ſerve is Honour indeed; and all whoſe faithful Servants and loyal Subjects ſhall be crown'd with Glory and Honour immortal.

Secondly, THE other Thing which you will alſo bear in Mind, is, The true Deſign of ſetting up and ſtill upholding theſe your Anniverſary religious Solemnities; Namely, that ſo your Military Exerciſes may be ſanctified by the Word of GOD and Prayer: And accordingly you will, doubtleſs, heedfully obſerve the good Inſtructions of the former, and follow our Prayers with and for you, with your beſt Endeavours, that ſo you may not, any of you, occaſion any Blemiſh to your Profeſſion and Character, whether as Soldiers, or as Chriſtians; And therefore, will not only improve your Powers in order to excel in Military Skill, but alſo be upon your Watch that no corrupt Communication may proceed out of your Mouths; and inſtead of approaching to the leaſt Degree either of Intemperance or Extravagancy, you will labour to be making a religious uſe of your Military Exerciſes, which, indeed, are capable of being improved to very great Advantage in your Spiritual Warfare; and by ſo doing will ſet a very bright Example before the Militia of the whole Country, (whoſe Eyes are much upon you) even of all Chriſtian Vertues, as well as of Military Skill and Valour.—And truly, Gentlemen, I can't but hope, that you may be Inſtrumental to reform the too general Abuſe of our public Trainings; for, the Officers and Soldiers in our ſeveral Towns cannot, I think, for Shame, do any other but improve ſuch Days to better Purpoſes than of late, when they ſhall behold your Order, and are given to underſtand, that even your whole Conduct both in and out of the Field, is ſuch as well becomes Chriſtian Soldiers.—I hope, Sirs, it may, and I have no Reaſon to think any other but it may, be truly ſaid concerning the Honourable Artillery Company on this Day, as I find it was, on the like Occaſion, juſt Fifty Years ago, namely, "Here is a large Band of Soldiers, among whom, this whole Day will not afford one Man drunk, nor one Oath ſworn, nor one Curſe drop'd, nor one obſervable Miſbehaviour."—Oh! go on, go on, to excel.—

AND thus I have ſpoken to the Two Things which you are to bear in Mind:—And I need not enlarge—, for I make not the leaſt Doubt, but that you will, to a Man, preſerve and maintain a loyal Spirit and Behaviour towards our rightful and gracious Sovereign KING GEORGE IId; As alſo, yield all due Subjection to his Excellency; Governour BELCHER, in whoſe Audience it was deliver'd. as to him who perſonates His Majeſty among us.—Nor have we any Reaſon at all, Gentlemen, to think any other, but that Love to your Town and Country mightily prevails in you; and are perſwaded it will do ſo, to that Degree, as to conſtrain you voluntarily to devote your Eſtates, as alſo to jeopardiſe and even ſacrifice your very Lives, for the Defence and Preſervation of the ſame, if Need requires:—And how ſoon, My honoured Friends, your ſelves, and others with you, may be put upon ſo ſevere a Tryal, GOD Almighty knows; for when a People are ſeated on a good Soil, and are generally very ſolicitous to heap up Wealth, and are ſo far ſucceeded as to be reckon'd flouriſhing, and at the ſame Time noted for being at Diſcord among themſelves, methinks, they invite the Enemy to come in upon them like a Flood; and doubtleſs, they will the more readily accept the Invitation, if there be no Danger of meeting with much Reſiſtance:—And if this be indeed the preſent State of this Province, "O! Tell it not in Gath, left the Philiſtines rejoice, and the Uncircumciſed triumph."—Triumph, I ſaid, as well they may, even before the Battle.—But why did I ſay, Tell it not abroad? Seeing the Enemy is already fully apprized of our Negligence, and juſtly have us in Deriſion on the Account thereof.—And indeed, we our ſelves generally acknowledge it to be a great Neglect, that the Province ſhould be, and remain for ſo long a Time, and more eſpecially in this Time of War, in ſo weak and unfortified a Poſture; but yet, as I underſtand it, People differ in their Sentiments as to the Cauſe of it, nor am I about to undertake to determine at whoſe Door it lies; but, I think, I can do no leſs than pray, that ſuch Light may break forth upon us, as may ſpeedily and effectually diſcover how to redreſs this Grievance; and that if any are Blame-worthy in the Matter, they may be convinc'd of it, whoever they be, and be led to the Diſcharge of that Duty, which they, in this Article, owe to GOD, their King and Country; and no longer leave ſo good a Land, and which has already coſt ſo much Blood and Treaſure, Naked and Defenceleſs.—Pray, Gentlemen, miſtake me not, for I do not imagine, that it belongs to this Honourable Company to provide Walls and Bulwarks for us; nor do I intend to ſay much more upon it; for if a Man at a Diſtance may be allowed to conjecture, I am inclin'd to think, that it is a very tender Point; however, I ſhall take the Opportunity, and as I conceive, without giving juſt Offence to any, to make my affectionate Moon to you on this Head, as one deeply concern'd for New-England's Welfare, and to ſay in one ſhort Sentence, viz. I am heartily ſorry, that the Government can't unite in Meaſures for our neceſſary Defence; and do as heartily wiſh, that there may be no more Occaſion for this Lamentation: And I doubt not, but that each of you concur with me herein.—Not that I am come hither to teach you, that Means of Defence, ſuppoſe we were ever ſo well provided with them, may be confided in; No, No; but yet, I think, all will grant, that it is High-handed Preſumption to live in the Neglect of proper Means, and at the ſame Time to expect Protection, unleſs we had a Promiſe made us of ſome miraculous Preſervation, which I hope none among us are ſo ignorant and unwiſe as to pretend to.

BUT leſt any ſhould think that I diſcover more Zeal than Prudence, or, that I harp rather too long upon this String, I will ceaſe from Man, and direct mine Eye to an Over-ruling and All-governing Providnece in this Matter: And, if our Day be almoſt expir'd, and our Part of the New-World (as America is ſometimes call'd) has ſinn'd away their Privileges, no Wonder that Things are thus, nay, but rather, that we are not all conſum'd:—You are not ignorant, that we have already run out, ſince the laying the Foundation of Plymouth Colony (ſo called) One Hundred and Twenty Years compleat; (it ended the laſt Winter) which, you know, was the very Space of Time granted by Way of Reprieve to the Old World, to repent in: I don't mean, that it from hence neceſſarily follows, that our Years are certainly number'd and finiſh'd, and our Sands quite run down: And yet, if you will be at the Pains to conſult the Hiſtorical Part of the Holy Scriptures, you may eaſily learn from thence, that becauſe GOD's profeſſing People would not be reformed, neither by the Judgments of his Mouth nor of his Hand, but perſiſted in their Rebellion, therefore he caſt them off; yea, and this is written for our Warning; ſo that, without a Spirit of Prophecy, conſidering, that New-England has left her firſt Love, and not been prevail'd with to remember from whence ſhe is fallen, and to repent, and do her firſt Works, it ſeems as tho', either a Reformation, or a Deſolation, will come on before long.—And now, this leads me to ſay, Thanks be given to Zion's King, that there are ſo many at this Day, more eſpecially in this Town, who are aſking the Way to Zion with their Faces thitherward, inſomuch that the Kingdom of Heaven ſeems to ſuffer Violence, and as tho' People were determined to take no Denial.—And yet, whether this be a Token for Good to the Land in general, or whether thoſe particular Perſons only ſhall ſave their own Souls, is what I muſt leave undetermin'd:—But whoever they be, Oh! let them ſtill preſs forward, and haſten to the City of Refuge, before the Purſuer overtake them.—Such as theſe I am further to ſpeak unto, when I have expreſs'd my ardent Deſire, that this Honourable Company may be a Nurſery of renowned Soldiers, and that each Man may do worthily in his Day, "and come off at laſt more than a Conqueror;" and all of you together "ſtand before the Throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white Robes, and Palms in your Hands, and cry with a loud Voice, ſaying, Salvation to our GOD which ſitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever;" Amen!

AND now I come, as you remember I propoſed, and which I have my Eye and Heart more eſpecially fixed on, viz. To offer ſomething reſpecting the Chriſtian's Spiritual Warfare; and direct my Speech more eſpecially to ſuch as are now under Convictions and awakenings.

AND if it be Praiſe-worthy for Soldiers to jeopard their Lives in a Time of War, in Defence of their Country, Then ſurely it is highly commendable for every Chriſtian to engage in and proſecute the Spiritual (which is the more neceſſary) Warfare, under JESUS the Captain of our Salvation.—And for this End, ſuffer me to beſeech and adviſe you as follows, viz.

1. Weigh the Matter well in your own Minds: Not as tho' there is any juſt Reaſon to heſitate; but, that you may know and underſtand what you do, and may not be ſurprized and diſcouraged by Temptations when they come: Conſider well, I ſay, what the Chriſtian Religion will coſt all ſuch who eſpouſe it, namely, "That they muſt deny themſelves, and take up their Croſs, and follow CHRIST.—Oh! cheriſh your Convictions, and pray over them, until you have good Reaſon to think that your Hearts are right with GOD: Now, Now if ever, you muſt be Voluntiers, for, "all the LORD's People are a willing People."

2. BEING made not only ſenſible, but alſo weary, quite weary of your Slavery and Bondage, and fully determin'd to caſt off the Devil's, and to take upon you the Yoke of CHRIST, then come and liſt under CHRIST's Banner, and yield up your ſelves to the LORD in an everlaſting Covenant never to be forgotten. Let this be done firſt in Secret, between GOD and your own Souls; and then, in the public Aſſembly avouch the LORD to be your GOD, chearfully binding your ſelves out and off from Sin, all Sin; and as freely obliging your ſelves to ſerve the LORD, and to keep all his Commandments, always unto the End:—And that in order hereto, you will wage War with the World, Fleſh and Devil: Which leads me to ſay,

3. GET and improve, yea, and be expert in the Uſe of the Spiritual Armour. No part may be left naked and expos'd without great Hazard, and therefore the whole Armour of GOD muſt be put on: Thus for Inſtance, You muſt have on the Breaſt-Plate of Righteouſneſs; namely, all Chriſtian Graces, or the Love and Practice of univerſal Holineſs: And your Loyns muſt be girt about with Truth; that is, be not Double-minded, or of a double Heart, but ſincere and upright: And Faith acted on the Promiſe, Grace, and Righteouſneſs of CHRIST, muſt be your Shield: And Hope, ſuch as is well-founded, muſt be your Helmet: And you muſt take with you the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD; for Scripture Arguments are the moſt powerful: And your Feet muſt be ſhod with the Preparation of the Goſpel of Peace; that is, You muſt be ſtock'd with Patience, and your Spirits ſteel'd with Reſolution, that ſo you may walk on, in a ſteady Pace, amidſt all your Difficulties and Temptations: And finally, You muſt pray always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perſeverance, and Supplication for all Saints.—I have not Time, you ſee, to ſay much of the ſeveral Parts of this divine Armour; nor may I ſtand to ſhow you the Uſefulneſs and Neceſſity of the ſame:—But this I would ſay, Stand your Ground, and be not diſcouraged becauſe you meet with Oppoſitions; for you muſt reckon upon it, that not only many a ſcoffing Iſhmaelite, but moreover, a malicious, tempting Devil will often annoy and trouble you: Yea, it's probable, you will have it frequently ſuggeſted to your Minds, either, that there is no GOD; or, that He is unjuſt and unkind; or, that the Scriptures are not the Word of GOD; or, that you have committed the Unpardonable Sin, and the like:—But marvel not at all at the Matter; for many, very many have already experienced the like; yea, and as the Apoſtle expreſſes it, "There hath no Temptation taken you, but ſuch as is common to Man;" at leaſt to ſuch Men, who are making their Flight from Sodom, or Egypt, ſpiritually ſo called, and are haſtening towards the promiſed Land, the Heavenly Canaan.

BUT now, leſt you ſhould run into a fatal Miſtake; let me here caution you againſt looking upon every Reluctance againſt Sin, which you may find and feel in your own Breaſts, as a ſure Indication that you are really engaged in the Chriſtian's Spiritual Warfare: For, there is certainly a very great Difference between that Reluctance which is in the unrenewed, and the Combate which is in the Regenerate; And that firſt, As to the Principle thereof; for in the unrenewed it ariſes from Love to Reputation, or Fear of Wrath, and the like; but in others, from a real Hatred of Sin, and a true Love to GOD.—And then, there's Difference as to the Seat of it; for in the Natural Man, the Combate is between one Faculty and another; thus, the Affections go one Way, and the Judgment and Conſcience another; but now, in the Regenerate, there ariſeth a War with every Faculty, as, the Judgment againſt the Judgment, the Will againſt the Will, &c. and the true Reaſon of it is, becauſe there is Sin and Grace, Fleſh and Spirit, co-habiting in every Faculty.—And then moreover, there is Difference as to the Extent of it; for the Unrenewed do combate only with ſome groſſer Sins, but the Renewed with all Sins.—And finally, as to the Event and Iſſue of it; for in the Unregenerate, there is, at beſt, no more than a temporary refraining from ſome Sins; but in others, their Luſts are more ſubdued, and they become ſtill more conſtant and reſolute in reſiſting Sin, and in ſerving GOD.—And now, from what has been ſaid, if your Combate proves to be that of the true Chriſtian's, Oh! be very thankful for it, and take Courage; fear not, but go on and proſper; for the LORD is with you while you be for him.—Yea, and if your Combate be no other than the Reluctance of an Enlightned Conſcience, yet be not diſcouraged, ſaying, There is no Hope; Nay, but be thankful for the Convictions you are under, eſteem them as a great Mercy, and cheriſh them as you would a dear Friend; hearken to the Voice of GOD in and by the ſame, and follow them with ſerious Meditation, alſo with fervent Prayer to the GOD of all Grace.—And thus, according to the very utmoſt of your Ability, open the Door to CHRIST, and then you may humbly hope that He will ſo diſplay his mighty Power, as to open it effectually, and that he will come in, and ſet up his Throne in your Hearts. And this brings me to ſay,

4. HAVE your Eye to the Captain of your Salvation, even JESUS, whom the Father hath given to be a Leader, and a Commander to the People: Unto him muſt you look if you would be ſaved: That is to ſay, you muſt look and mourn, becauſe you have by wilful Sin, as it were, crucified him afreſh: And moreover, ſo look to him as to believe in him, that is, accept of his kind and gracious Invitation in ſuch a Manner as to cloſe with him and embrace him in all his Offices, chearfully depending on him both for Strength and Righteouſneſs, and very gladly venture your Souls and their Salvation in his Hands. Yea, every Day be looking on him, and admire him as the Chief among Ten Thouſands; and this will lead you to look and long after a further Acquaintance with him: Yea, and you muſt look and follow after him; that is, labour to imitate him in all his imitable Perfections, and to be ſincerely obedient to all his Words of Command. Alſo, Look and follow him in the Way of paſſive as well as active Obedience; Eye his Hand and Counſel under all afflictive Diſpenſations, and reſign your Wills to his. And finally, with the Eye of Hope and Expectation, look and wait, until he ſhall fulfil all your Deſire, and cauſe you to ſee his Salvation.

AND as you muſt look to your Leader in the forementioned Reſpects, ſo alſo, you muſt take the utmoſt Care to aim aright in whatever you do, and ſo become good Marks Men in a ſpiritual Senſe. Not only in your religious Performances, but moreover, in your natural and civil Actions, let the Glory of GOD be your Scope and Mark: Yea, and let Holineſs unto the LORD be written upon all your Enjoyments, as well as your Employments: And in a Word, Let all be done as to the LORD and for the LORD, that ſo you may taſte that he is gracious.— Not that you may be over-ſolicitous, as awaken'd Sinners commonly are, to obtain ſpeedy Comfort; No; but rather deſire that you may become truly humble, and be prepar'd for the Conſolations of GOD; and learn to be very willing, that He ſhould take his own Time to apply the ſame to you: And when-ever the good Spirit ſhall ſee meet to do this, I now ſolemnly caution you againſt being puffed up, as alſo againſt a ſecure Frame of Spirit: Indeed, you muſt be very thankful, but then at the ſame Time be alſo very watchful, and be ye cloathed with Humility.

AND now, Is there any Need that I ſhould tell you, that if you are Chriſtians indeed, then, of what Age, Sex, or Quality ſoever you be, you are certainly engaged in an holy War; yea, and nothing leſs than your future and everlaſting Weal depends upon your fighting the good Fight of Faith under the glorious JESUS.—Neither are you unacquainted, and O! that you would keep it in Mind, that your Enemies are not only numerous, but alſo malicious, and very politick; yea, and unwearied in their Aſſaults: True indeed, if you reſiſt them, ſtedfaſt in the Faith, then they will flee from you; but alas! they will ſoon rally again, and be upon you; either with the ſame, or with ſome new Temptations: And therefore, as ſays the Apoſtle, "Be ſober, be vigilant;" Be ſober; that is, Govern your ſelves, both the outer and inner Man, by the Rules of Temperance, Modeſty and Mortification: And be vigilant, or watchful; that is, Not only in Prayer and other religious Exerciſes, but at all other Times, both when alone and in Company.—And the Truth is, The Strength of our Adverſary as to us, lies in our Treachery and Falſeneſs; if we are but faithful to CHRIST, and true to our own Intereſt, we ſhall be in no Danger at all of being led Captive by the Prince of Darkneſs.— O! Beware, beware Children, of giving Place to the Devil, and of deſerting, in any Meaſure, ſo good a Cauſe, and ſo kind a Saviour. Are not your Miniſters, and your other godly Friends jealous over you, leſt you ſhould turn again to Folly, and, like too many others, begin in the Spirit and end in the Fleſh: Wherefore, I beſeech you, be not high-minded but fear; and yet, be not timerous and faint-hearted, but ſtrong and very couragious; Go ye forth in the Name of the LORD of Hoſts, and fight not as thoſe that beat the Air, and only make a vain flouriſh; but be reſolute and in good earneſt, as thoſe that muſt either conquer or be conquer'd, fight or die.

AND Oh! How can you chooſe but be valorous, when you conſider (and I hope you will often conſider) the Goodneſs of your Cauſe; as alſo the Preſence, Skill, Power and Good-will of your HEAD and GENERAL; and moreover, that your Armour (it being ſuch as the Goſpel directs to and enjoins) is Armour of Proof; by the Improvement of which, great, very great is the Army which has, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST come off Conquerors: Yea, and you ſhall do ſo too, if you are not wanting to your ſelves.—And then, O then, What a glorious Reward ſhall be given you! No leſs than "to ſit down with your glorious LORD on his Throne, even as he overcame, and is now ſet down with his Father on his Throne."—Yea, and let me tell you, that he has overcome, not only before you, but alſo for you, if you will but prove loyal to him; ſo then, what have you to do, but only to purſue the Victory under that glorious Conqueror, through whom your Weapons, which are not carnal but ſpiritual, ſhall be mighty for the pulling of ſtrong Holds?—And if you ſhould be, at any Time, through Surprize, obliged to Retreat; O! make haſte and delay not to make good your Ground; and for that End, come on charg'd afreſh with a greater Degree of Courage and Reſolution; renewing (without fail) your Truſt and Confidence in the Wiſdom, Power and Goodneſs of your great Commander, and ſkilfully improving, more eſpecially, that particular Part of your Armour which you have Reaſon to think will be moſt ſerviceable at that Juncture.—And, what tho' the Devil be ſtiled the God of this World, yet be not diſmayed, for he is ſo to thoſe only who ſubmit to him as ſuch, and are led Captive by him at his Will; and both they and their god (ſuch an one as he is) ſhall be caſt together, they continuing in Bondage to him, into the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimſtone.—And this leads me to ſay, That as you would not be triumph'd over by the Prince of the Power of the Air, O! Beware of his Agents; I mean, Enticers to Sin, who are no other than Factors for Hell; ſhun their Company as you would a Peſt-Houſe; yea, and "have no Fellowſhip with any of the unfruitful Works of Darkneſs, but rather reprove them, for one Sinner oftentimes deſtroyeth much Good."—And let me go on to exhort you to be very watchful alſo, left the Things of the World prove a Snare to you; namely, the Honours, Pleaſures and Profits of the ſame, all and every of which the Devil is wont to improve (or rather abuſe) for the choaking the good Seed of the Word, and diverting the Soul from GOD and Duty: Watch therefore and Pray leſt you be thus overcome by the evil one.—And not only ſhun and avoid all Appearances of and Approaches to Sin with your outer Man; but moreover, ſuppreſs and ſubdue the very firſt Motion to Sin which may at any Time ariſe in your own Breaſts, leſt it ſpread like the Cloud we read of, which at the firſt appeared no larger than a Man's Hand, but ſoon cover'd and blacken'd the whole Heaven: And thus with the beſt of your Skill endeavour to pull down the ſtrong Hold of in-bred Luſts which war againſt your Souls, as well as to ward off ſurrounding Temptations; for (believe me) the Fleſh, with its Affections and Luſts, muſt be crucified, otherwiſe you ſhall never obtain a Conqueſt over the World and Devil.—Yea, and not only your Inclination to Vice and Wickedneſs, but moreover, that Diſpoſition which is in you to rely and depend upon your own ſuppoſed Vertues and vertuous Actions, muſt be ſubdued and abhorred, otherwiſe you will periſh, after all your Labour and Pains, with a Lye in your Right Hand.—And I ſhall further add, that being ſenſible where your Weakneſs chiefly lies, and from what Quarter you are moſt in Hazard, you may not fail to double your Guard there, and to uſe all needful Precaution, leſt you be ſurprized and taken.—And altho' at preſent, indeed, through the Goodneſs of GOD, you are not called to reſiſt unto Blood, yet, you are always oblig'd to ſtrive againſt Sin, "and eſpecially, that Sin, or thoſe Sins, which do more eaſily beſet you, and 〈…〉 with Patience the Race ſet before you, looking (as I ſaid before) unto JESUS the Author and Finiſher of Faith: And by ſo doing, you will be in the Way to be prepared for all Events of Providence, even the Fiery Trial it ſelf, and nothing ſhall be able to ſeparate you from the Love of GOD: Nay, but having in the preſence, and by the Aſſiſtance of GOD, CHRIST, and good Angels, acted your Part in the Field of this World, as becomes the Followers of the Lamb; you ſhall, without fall, be conducted by ſome of thoſe benign and ſpotleſs Spirits, into the Preſence-Chamber of the LORD of Glory, and ſhall live and reign with him for ever and ever.

MUCH, very much more might be ſaid upon the Subject, and it is no eaſy Thing to forbear; but truly, I begin to feel ſomething of a Rebuke in my own Mind, for having gone the Length I have, conſidering that this People and their Children are under the Inſpection and Guidance of ſeveral ſpiritual Leaders in the Church, and under CHRIST, who are eminently Men of GOD; have themſelves, without Doubt, experienced the New-Birth, and are much more able than I am, Experimentally as well as Doctrinally, to lead you in the Paths of Righteouſneſs: I hope you are thankful for, and very careful to improve thoſe burning and ſhining Lights, which the great Head of the Church has here ſet up; otherwiſe, you may juſtly fear that Darkneſs will ere long come upon you.—Not that you may look on any Man or Council upon Earth, as the Father, Founder and Author of your Religion; No, No; but yet, you muſt follow the Footſteps of the Flock, under the Conduct of ſuch who are eminently and really, as well as profeſſedly, and by their Office, the Bridegroom's Friends; being themſelves ſound in the Faith, and preach up the Doctrines of Grace; and eſpecially inſtruct you to build your Hope of Heaven and Happineſs upon the Free Grace of GOD, and the Precious Merits of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, which are the only Pillars on which your Hope muſt ſtand, if you would not have it fail you in that Day when GOD ſhall take away your Souls: Yea, a Hope thus founded is neceſſary not only to your future Safety, but alſo to your preſent Fruitfulneſs and Flouriſhing:—And tho' I know but little, yet, ſo far as I do know any Thing of the Matter, I muſt needs ſay, that I am fully perſwaded, that the more you adore and rely upon Free Grace through JESUS CHRIST, the more will your Souls be in Health and proſper: And let me intreat of you to make the Experiment.—True indeed, you muſt have Reſpect to all GOD's Commandments; this we conſtantly teach and affirm; yea, and you will, without Doubt, be careful to maintain good Works, if you have a good Principle within you: But what I ſay is this, that you may not have the leaſt Dependance upon your Works of Righteouſneſs, Charity, or Piety, to juſtify you before GOD, but muſt build on CHRIST, the Rock of Ages, and the Hope of all true Iſraelites: "He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life;" and (altho' there be ſome that can't reliſh it, yet) it is a certain Truth, "that there is no other Name under Heaven, given among Men, whereby we may be accepted and ſaved:"—Wherefore, as you love your own Souls, I beſeech you, Let thoſe three Words, which are often uſed in Military Exerciſes, and are more inſtructive than any other that I remember to be in Uſe on ſuch Occaſions, Namely, To your Leader, be often ſounding in your Ears; and let the ſame have their due Influence on your whole Man, and at all Times; ſo that whatever you do, ſee that you do it in the Name of CHRIST, and don't dare to perform any Duty, nor to ſtir one Step, without having your Eye to him for Guidance, Strength, and Righteouſneſs; and ſo, let the Life which you live here in the Fleſh, be by Faith in the Son of GOD, who has commanded, ſaying, "Look unto me, and be ye ſaved."

BUT tho' it be hard to forbear—yet, leſt I ſhould treſpaſs too much upon your Patience, I ſhall now draw towards a Cloſe.

AND notwithſtanding I readily acknowledge, that it is the Duty of Chriſtians firmly to adhere to all the Principles of our holy Religion, as revealed to us in the holy Scriptures, "and not be like Children toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine"; yet, I would adviſe you to hold faſt, more eſpecially, the Doctrine of Original Sin; and that of the Neceſſity and Nature of the New-Birth; that alſo of Juſtification by Faith, without the Works of the Law; and finally, that of The Decrees; to which I may add, that of the Saints Perſeverance; viz. as the ſame have been taught by the godly Reformers, and as they now ſtand aſſerted and explained among the famous Articles of the Church of England: And which, whatever ſome may think of them, yet, being ſuitably improved, do mightily ſerve to promote practical Religion, and vital Piety.—And in a Word; Oh! Let the Riches, the Riches of GOD's glorious Grace be daily admired, in providing a Saviour for periſhing Sinners; and learn more and more the Need, the abſolute Need, which you ſtand in of this mighty Saviour; and O let him in all his Offices, and with all his Benefits be precious, exceeding precious to you: And ſeeing he has purchaſed ſpiritual Life for all ſuch as will come to him for it, let your Dependance therefore be upon him, firſt, to beſtow it; and then, to preſerve and increaſe it in you and for you; and finally, to compleat it in Eternal Life.—And, as it becomes Fellow-Soldiers, you muſt be helpful to one another, encouraging and ſtrengthening each other's Hands and Hearts, ſpeaking often one to another concerning the Things which pertain to the Kingdom of GOD, and which have the moſt direct Tendency to promote one another's Salvation: Alſo praying one for another, that you may be healed and ſaved.

AND to conclude the Diſcourſe; Let every true Chriſtian here preſent, of what Order, Age, Relation, Complexion, or Language ſoever, be exhorted, in the Words of the Apoſtle, "to awake out of Sleep, becauſe now is your Salvation nearer than when you believed."—Let the Scoffers of the Age, and ſuch as refuſe to be reformed, mock on, if they pleaſe; but be you up and doing, and ſo get ready for your LORD'S Coming.—As the Damnation of impenitent, hardned Wretches draws daily nearer and nearer, and their Steps do even now take hold on Hell; and it won't be long before Almighty GOD will mock at their Calamity, even as now they mock at his Counſels: So does the Salvation of all thoſe that love our LORD JESUS CHRIST in Sincerity draw near apace; and ſurely, O ye Children of the moſt High, as you draw nearer to the Centre of your Delight and Joy, ſo your Motion ſhould be the more quick and lively, and your Souls more on the Wing of Faith and holy Love, and be going from Strength to Strength, until every one of you ſhall appear before GOD your Saviour in the heavenly Zion, with Songs and everlaſting Joy upon your Heads; and where you ſhall obtain Joy and Gladneſs, not only without Period, but alſo without Mixture or any Interruption; for then all Sorrow and Sighing, by Reaſon of Sin, or on any other Account whatſoever, ſhall flee away, even as the Shadows of the Night before the riſing Sun.