The souldiers honour Wherein by diuers inferences and gradations it is euinced, that the profession is iust, necessarie, and honourable: to be practised of some men, praised of all men. Together with a short admonition concerning munition, to this honour'd citie. Preached to the worthy companie of gentlemen, that exercise in the artillerie garden: and now on thier second request, published to further vse. By Tho. Adams.

THE SOVLDIERS HONOVR . Wherein by diuerse inferences and gradations it is euinced , that the Profession is iust , necessarie , and honourable : to be practised of some men , praysed of all men . Together with a short Admonition , concerning Munition , to this honoured Citie . IVDG . 5. VER. 8.

They chose new gods : then was warre in the gates : was there a shield or speare seene among fortie thousand in Israel ?

My heart is toward the Gouernours of Israel , that offered themselues willingly among the people . Blesse ye the Lord .

IT was a custome in the Heathen world , after victorie to sing songs of Triumph .

This fashion was also obserued among the Iewes ; as we frequently find it . After a great conquest of the Philistins , the people of Israel sung ; Saul hath slaine his thousand , and Dauid his ten thousand . When Ioshua had ouerthrowne those fiue Kings ; Iosh. 10.12 . at whose prayer the Sunne stood still , and the day was made longer then euer the world saw before , or since ; the people sung , The Sunne stood still in Gibeon , and the Moone in the valley of Aialon . When Israel had crossed the red Sea with drie feet , and the returning waters had drowned their pursuing enemies ; Moses and the people sung this Song , Exod. 15.3 . The Lord is a man of warre , the Lord is his Name , &c. Here Debora hauing conquered Sisera , with his nine hundred Chariots of yron , shee sung this triumphant Song to the Lord ; Praise ye the Lord for the auenging of Israel : Heare O ye Kings , I will sing to the Lord .

I haue chosen two straines of this Song ; from which , as they shall teach me , so I purpose to teach you , to blesse the Lord that teacheth vs all . So the Psalmist ; It is the Lord that teacheth our hands to warre , and our fingers to fight . This Lord giue me a tongue to sing it , you eares to heare it , and vs all hearts to embrace it .

In all I obserue two generals , which expresse the nature of the two verses . There is great Affliction . There is great Affection .

The Affliction ; They chose new gods : then was warre in the gates , &c. The Affection ; My heart is toward the Gouernours of Israel , that offered themselues willingly among the people : Blesse ye the Lord . In the Affliction , me thinkes I find three points of warre : The Alarme ; They chose new gods . The Battell ; Then was warre in the gates . The Forlorne hope ; Was there a shield or a speare seene among fortie thousand in Israel ?

Here is 1. Superstitio populi , the Apostacie of the people ; they chose new gods . This I call the Alarme ; for Impietas ad arma vocat , Vngodlinesse calls to warre . If we fight against God , we prouoke God to fight against vs . Then 2. Inflictio Belli , a laying on of punishment : God meets their abhomination with desolation ; the hand of Iustice against the hands of vnrighteousnesse ; then was warre in the gates : This I call the Battaile . Then 3. Defectus remedij , a destitution of remedie : Was there a shield or speare secne among fortie thousand in Israel ? Sinne had not only brought warre , but taken away defence ; in praelia trudit inermes , sent them vnarmed to fight . And this I call the Forlorne hope . You see the particulars : now ordine quidque suo .

The Alarme .

They chose new gods . Their Idolatrie may be aggrauated by three circumstances or degrees . They are all declining , and downewards : there is Malum , Peius , Pessimum ; euill , worse , and worst of all .

1. They chose . Here is Electio , non compulsio ; a franke choise , no compelling : They voluntarily tooke to themselues , and betooke themselues to other gods . Naaman begged mercie for a sinne , to which he seemes enforced , if he would reserue the fauour of his King , and peace of his estate : and therefore cryed , 2. King . 5.18 . Be mercifull to me in this ; when I bow with my master in the house of Rimmon , in this the Lord pardon me . But here is spontanea malitia , a wilfull wickedness ; they chose . There is Euill , the first degree .

2. Gods . What ? a people trained vp in the knowledge of one God : Iehouah , I am ; and there is none besides me . Vnissimus ( saith Bernard ) si non est vnus , non est ; if he be not one , he is none . The Bees haue but one king , flockes and heards but one leader , the skie but one Sunne , the world but one God . Immemsus Deus est , quia scilicet omnia mensus . Innumerabilis est , vnus enim Deus est . Sayes the Epigrammatist . God is therefore innumerable , because he is but one . It was for the Heathen , that had ( saith Augustine ) mentes amentes , intoxicate minds and reprobate hearts , to haue plurimos deos , a multitude of gods . They had gods of the Water , gods of the Wind , gods of the Corne , gods of the Fruits : Aug. Nec omnia commemoro , quia me pig et , quod ill is non pudet . Neither do I mention all , because it grieues me to speake , what they were not ashamed to doe . Prudentius sayes , they had so many things for their god , as there were things that were good . Quicquid humus , pelagus , coelum mirabile gignunt , Id duxere deos , colles , freta , flumina , flammas . Insomuch , that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . But Israel knew , that vnicus Deus , there was but one God ; that others were dij titulares , gods in name ; theirs onely Deus tutelaris , Deut. 32.31 . God in power . Their rocke is not as our Rocke , euen our enemies themselues being iudges . Doe these bring other gods in competition with him ? Peius , this is worse .

3. New gods . Will any Nation change their gods ? no : the Ekromites will keepe their god , though it be Belzeebub : the Ammonites will keepe their god , though it be Melchom : th● Syrians will sticke to their god , though it be Rimmon : the Philistims will not part with their god , though it be Dagon . And shall Israel change Iehouah , viuentem Deum , the liuing God ? Pessimum ; this is worst of all .

These be the wretched degrees of Israels sinne : God keepe England from such Apostacie . We haue one God : let the Romists chuse them another : as the Canonists style their Pope , Dominus Deus noster Papa ; Eph. 4.6 . our Lord God the Pope . But wee haue one Lord , one Faith , one Baptisme ; one God , and Father of all , who is aboue all , and thr●●gh all , and in vs all . We haue one God in professi●n : this God grant , that we haue but one in affection . But vnum colimus ore , multos corde : wee worship one with our mouthes , many in our hearts . Tot sunt nostrae deitates , quot cupiditates : wee haue so many gods , as wee haue lusts . Honour is the amb●tious mans god : Pleasure the voluptuous mans god : Riches the couetous mans god . Haec tria pro trino Numine mundus habet . This is the Trinitie the world worships . These three Tyrants , like those three Romans , Caesar , Crassus , and Pompey , haue shared the world betweene them ; and left God least , that owes all .

The people of Israel , when they had turned beast , and calued an Idoll , cryed in triumph , These are thy gods , Exod. 32.4 . O Israel . So we may speake it with horror and amazement of soule , of these three Idols ; These are thy gods , O England . The Idols of the Heathen were Siluer and Gold , saith the Psalmist . It is but inuerting the sentence : Mutato nomine nos sumus fabula ; change but the names , and we● are the subiect or whom the tale is told . Their Idols were Siluer and Gold ; and Siluer and Gold are our Idols . He that railed on Belsebub , pulled all Ekrom about his eares : he that sleighted Melchom , prouoked the Ammonites . But he that condemnes Mammon , speakes against all the world .

But if God be our God , Mammon must be our slaue : for he that is the seruant of God , must be the master of his money . If God be our King , hee must be our King onely : for the Bed and the Throne brooke no riualls . When the Souldiors had chosen Valentinian Emper●● , Theodoret. they were consulting to ioyne with him a partner . To whom Valentinian replyed ; It was in your power to giue me the Empire , when I had it not : now I haue it , it is not in your power to giue me a partner . God must be our God alone . Aequum est deos fingere , ac Deum negare . It is all one to chuse new gods , and to denie the true God . If therefore we will haue Nouum deum , a new god ; we shall haue Nullum Deum , no God . No , let the Heaten chuse new gods ; thou O Father of mercie , and Lord of heauen and earth , be our God for euer . This is the Alarme : we come now to

The Battell .

Then was warre in the gates . If Israel giue God an Alarme of wickednesse , God will giue them a Battell of wretchednesse . If thou , O Israel , wilt peccare in extremo tuo , God will punire in extremo suo : if thou sinne in thy extremitie , God will punish in his extremitie . Idolatrie is an extreame impietie ; therefore against it the gate of heauen is barred . 1. Cor 6.9 . Know yee not , that no Idolater shall inherite the Kingdome of God ? The Idolater would thrust God out of his Throne , therefore good reason that God should thrust him out of his Kingdome . The punishment is also extreame : and hath in it a great portion of miserie , though not a proportion answerable to the iniquitie . For it deserues not only warre and slaughter in the gates of earth , but eternall death in the gates of hell . But not to extend the punishment beyond the proposed limits ; nor , where it offers the companie a mile , to compell it to goe with vs twaine : let vs view it , as it is described . And we shall find it aggrauated by three circumstances . A Natura . Warre ; there 's the Nature of it . A Tempore . Then ; there 's the Time of it . A Loco . In the gates ; there 's the Place of it . There is Quid , Quando , Vbi . What , When , and Where . Warre , that 's the Quid. Then , that 's the Quando . In the gates , that 's the Vbi . Then was warre in the gates .

The Nature of it ; What , warre .

Warre is that miserable desolation , that finds a land before it like Eden ; and leaues it behinde it like Sodome and Gomorrah , a desolate and forsaken wildernesse . Let it be sowed with the seed of man and beast , as a field with wheate ; warre will eate it vp . Bellum , quasi minime bellum : or rather in vicinitie to the name , mos belluarum . For men , Solummodo iustum , quibus necessarium : not iust , but when it is necessarie , and cannot well be auoided . Not to be waged by a Christian without obseruation of Saint Augustines rule . Esto bellando pacificus . In warre seeke peace : though thy hand be bloudie , let thy heart be peaceable . Pacem debet habere voluntas , bellum necessitas . Let necessitie put warre into the hands : religion keepe peace in the heart . In it selfe it is a miserable punishment . This is the Nature ; What.

The time , or Quando : Then.

When was this warre ? Tempore Idolatrico ; in the time of Idolatrie . They chose new gods ; Then. When we fight against God , we incense him to fight against vs . Indeed wee haue all stricken him : which of vs hath not offered blowes to that sacred Deitie ? Our oathes proffer new wounds to the sides of Iesus Christ : and our mercilesse oppressions persecute him through the bowels of the poore . Saul , Saul , why pesecutest thou mee ? Act. 9.4 . Saul strikes vpon earth , Iesus Christ suffers in heauen . Yet if timely repentance step in , we scape his blowes , though hee hath not scaped ours . Hee is readie to say , as Cato to the man that hurt him in the Bath , ( when in sorrow hee asked him forgiuenesse ) Non memini me percussum ; I doe not remember that I was stricken .

But if Israels sinnes strike vp alarme , Israels God will giue battell . If they chuse new gods , the true God will punish . Then was warre .

It is a fearefull thing when God fights . When God tooke off the chariot-wheeles of the Egyptians , Exod. 14.25 . they cryed ; Let vs flee from the face of Israel , for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians . The heathen gods could not defend their friends , nor subdue their enemies , nor auenge themselues . Mars vltor galeam quoque per didit , & res Non potuit seruare suas . Their stout god of warre might loose his helmet , his target , the victorie ; vnable to deliuer himselfe . But God is the Lord of Hostes : Psal. 62.11 . God hath spoken once : twice haue I heard this , that power belongeth vnto God . Once , twice , yea a thousand times haue we heard it , read it , seene it , that God is powerfull . That as Augustin : Verba toties inculcata , vera sunt , viua sunt , sana sunt , plana sunt . Things so often repeated and pressed , must needes be plaine and peremptorie . God hath souldiers in heauen , souldiers on earth , souldiers in hell , that fight vnder his presse . So that hee hath Mille nocendi artes ; a thousand wayes to auenge himselfe .

In heauen hee hath armies ; of fire to burne Sodome : of flouds to drowne a world : of haile-stones to kill the Amorites : of starres , as here Debora sings . They fought from heauen : Ver. 20. the starres in their courses fought against Sisera . And whilst Israel slew their enemies at their Generalls prayer ; Iosh. 11. the Sunne stood still in Gibeon , and the Moone in the valley of Aialon . Yea there are heauenly souldiers . 2. King . 19.35 . Luke 2. Suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heauenly hoste . One of these celestiall souldiers slew in one night aboue an hundred thousand Assyrians .

Below hee hath Seas to drowne Pharaoh ; Swallowes of the earth to deuoure Corah . With fierce Lyons , fell Dragons , hissing Serpents , crawling Wormes , he can subdue the proudest Rebells .

In hell he hath an armie of fiends , though bound in chaines that they shall not hurt the faithfull ; yet let loose to terrifie the wicked . There was an euill Spirit to vexe Saul ; fowle Spirits in the Gospel , made some deafe , others dumbe , and cast many into fire and into waters .

Thus stands the wicked man enuironed with enemies : God and man , Angels and Deuils , heauen and earth , birds and beastes , others and himselfe , maintaine this warre against himselfe . God may be patient a long time ; but Laes a patientia fit furor , patience too much wronged becomes rage : and Furor arma ministrat , wrath will quickly affoord weapons .

Serior esse solet vindicta seuerior .

The sorest vengeance is that which is long in comming ; and the fire of indignation burnes the hoter , because God hath been coole and tardie in the execution . Impietie and Impunitie are not sworne sisters but if Wickednesse beat the Drumme , Destruction will begin to march . The ruined Monuments and Monasteries in those Prouinces , seeme to tell the passengers ; Hic fuit hostilitas , warre hath been here . Wee may also reade in those rude heapes , Hic fuit iniquitas , Sinne hath beene here . It was Idolatrie rather then warre that pulled downe those walls . If there had beene no enemie to rase them , they should haue falne alone , rather then hide so much superstition and impietie vnder their guiltie roofes . In the tenth of this booke , when the Israelites serued Baalim and Ashtaroth , Ver. 6. the gods of Syria , and the gods of Sidon , then was the anger of the Lord hote against them , and he sold them into the hands of the Philistins , and into the hands of the children of Ammon . Then those enemies destroyed their Cities , and depopulated their Countries : making them spectacles of Crueltie and Iustice ; Crueltie of man , Iustice of God . This is the Time , When.

The Place , or Vbi .

In the gates . This is an extreame progresse of warre , to come so neere as the Gates . If it had beene in terra inimicorum , in the land of their enemies : a preparation of warre a great way off : Sonus hostilitatis , the noyse of warre . As Ierem. 6. Behold a people commeth from the North , a Nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth . Their voice roareth like the Sea : and , wee haue heard the fame thereof . Here is warre , but comming , raising , roaring : audiuimus tantum ; wee haue onely heard the noyse of it .

Yea , if it had come but to the coasts , and inuaded the borders : as the Philistins did often forrage the skirts of Israel ; yet it had beene somewhat tollerable : for then vidimus tantum ; we haue but seene it onely . Ostendisti populo grauia . Psal. 60. Thou hast shewne thy people grieuous things : shewed , but not inflicted : shaken the rodde , but not scourged vs . But here venit ad limina bellum ; warre is come to their thresholds , to the Zenith and heart of the land ; to defie them in the very gates . And now they more then heare , or see it ; sentiunt , they feele it .

The Gates in Israel , were those places where they sate in Iustice : as we may frequently read , they gaue iudgement in the Gates . 2. King . 7. They distributed the Corne in the Gates . They distributed the Corne in the Gates , where that vnbeleeuing Prince was troden to death . And Absalon sate in the Gates , and said to euery man that had a Controuersie : 2. Sam. 15.3 . See thy matters are good and right ; but here is no man deputed of the King to heare thee . So that Pacis loca bellum occupat ; Warre possesseth the places of Peace , and thrusts her out of her wonted residence and presidence , the Gates . In the Gates ? Warre is not then in the right Vbi : as they said of Pope Sixtus ; because he delighted in bloudie warres , that he ill became the Seat of Peace : according to that Epitaph on him .

Non potuit soeuum vis vlla extinguere Sixtum , Audito tandem nomine Pacis obit

No warre could kill Sixtus : but so soone as euer he heard of peace , he presently died . Warre is got very farre , when it possesseth the Gates .

You now see the punishment . Happie are wee , that cannot iudge the terrors of warre , but by report and heare-say : That neuer saw our Townes and Cities burning ; our houses rifled , our Temples spoyled , our wiues rauished , our children bleeding dead on the pauements , or sprawling on the mercilesse pikes . We neuer heard the grones of our owne dying , and the clamours of our enemies insulting , confusedly sounding in our distracted eares : the wife breathing out her life in the armes of her husband ; the children snatched from the breasts of thier mothers ; as by the terror of their slaughters to aggrauate their owne ensuing torments . Wee haue been strangers to this miserie in passion , let vs not be so in compassion . Let vs thinke wee haue seene these calamities with our neighbours eyes , and felt them through their sides .

When Aeneas Syluius reports the fall of Constantinople ; the murdering of children before the parents eyes , the Nobles slaughtered like beasts , the Priests to●●● in pieces , the holy Virgins incestuously abuse● hee cryes out , O miseram vrbis faciem ; Oh wre●●hed face of a Citie . Many of our neighbours haue beene whirled about in these bloudie tumults : they haue heard the dismall cryes of cruell aduersaries , Kill , Kill ; the shrikes of women and infants ; the thunders of those murdering peeces in their eares ; their Cities and Temples flaming before their eyes ; Aeneid . II. their streets swimming with bloud : when Permisti caede virorum Semianimes voluuntur equi . Men and horses confusedly wallowing in their mingled blouds .

Onely to vs the yron gates of warre haue been shut vp : wee sit and sing vnder our owne Figge-trees ; wee drinke the wine of our owne Vineyards ; Psal. 144.14 . There is no breaking in , nor going out , no complayning in our strectes : We haue the Peace of God , let vs be thankfull to the God of Peace . But it is good to be merrie and wise : Let not our peace make vs secure . The Iewes , in their great Feast , had some malefactor brought forth to them : Matth. 27.15 . so let it be one good part of our solemnitie , to bring forth that malefactor , Securitie ; a rust growne ouer our soules in this time of peace , and send him packing . Wee haue not the blessings of God by entaile , or by lease ; but hold all at the good will of our Landlord : and that is but during our good behauiour . Wee haue not so manie blessings , but wee may easily forfeit them by disobedience . When wee most feared warre , God sent peace : now wee most brag of peace , God preuent warre .

Doe not our sinnes giue an alarme to Heauen , and shall not Heauen denounce warre against vs ? Nulla pax impijs , Esa. 57.21 . There is no peace to the wicked , saith my God . 2. King . 9.22 . Ioram said , is it peace , Iehu ? But hee answered , What peace so long as the whoredomes of thy mother Iezebel and her witchcrafts are so many ? They are our sinnes , that threaten to loose vs our best friend , God : and if God be not our friend , wee must looke for store of enemies . Our great iniquities hearten our aduersaries : they professe to build all their wickednesse against vs , vpon our wickednesse against God . If they did not see vs chuse new gods , they would neuer haue hope to bring warre to our gates . If wee could preuaile against our owne euills ▪ wee should preuaile against all our enemies . The powers of Rome , the powers of Hell should not hurt vs , if wee did not hurt our selues . Let vs cast downe our Iesabels , that bewitch vs ; those lusts , whereby wee runne a whoring after other gods : and then Peace shall stand Centinell in our Turrets ; Psal. 147. God shall then strengthen the barres of our gates , and establish peace in our borders . Let vs , according to that sweet Singers doctrine , Psal. 34.14 . Depart from euill , and doe good ; then seeke peace , and pursue it . Yea , doe well , and thou shalt not need to pursue it ; Peace will finde thee without seeking . Augustine , Fiat iustitia , & habebis pacem ; Liue righteously , and liue peaceably . Quietnesse shall finde out Righteousnesse , wheresoeuer she lodgeth . But she abhorreth the house of euill : Peace will not dine , where Grace hath not first broken her fast . Let vs embrace Godlinesse ; Phil. 4.7 . and the Peace of God that passeth all vnderstanding , shall preserue our hearts and mindes in Iesus Christ . The Lord fixe all our hearts vpon himselfe ; that neyther our selues , nor our children after vs , nor their generations , so long as the Sunne and Moone endureth , may euer see Warre in the Gates of England . Thus wee haue runne thorough the Battell , and considered the terrours of a bloudie Warre ; and now come to

The Forlorne Hope .

Was there a shield or speare seene among fortie thousand in Israel ? Was there ? There was not : This question is a plaine negatiue . Here is Defectus remedij , the want of helpe : great miserie , but no remedie : not a Speare to offend ; no , not a Shield to defend . Warre , and warre in the Gates , and yet neyther offensiue nor defensiue weapon ? Miserrima priuatio , quae omnem tollit ad habitum regressum . A miserable destitution , which admits of no restitution , that can neuer be restored to the former habite . It takes away all , both present possession , and future possibilitie ; Rem & Spem , Helpe , and Hope .

But suppose , that onely some one companie had wanted , yet if the rest of the forces had beene armed , there were some comfort . No , not a shield nor speare among many , among a thousand , among many thousand , among fortie thousand : An Host of men , and not a weapon ? grieuous exigent ! If it had beene any defect but of armour , or in any other time but the time of warre , or onely in one Citie of Israel , and not in all . But is there warre , and warre in the gates , and doe many , euen thousands , want ? what , armour enough ? so they might easily ; nay , but one shield , one speare ? miserable calamitie !

They were in great distresse vnder the raigne of Saul,1 . Sam. 13. The spoilers came out of the Campe of the Philistines , 1. Sam. 13.22 . in three companies , &c. Yet it came to passe in the day of battell , that there was neither sword nor speare found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Ionathan : but with Saul and with Ionathan his sonne was there found . Here was a great want ; three bands of the enemies , and but two swords : yet there were then two ; and it so pleased God that those two were enow . As the Apostles said to Christ , Luke 22. ●8 . Ecce duo gladij ; Master , here are two swords : and he answered , It is enough . But two swords for so many , and against so many ; a word of great miserie . But God saith , Satis est , those two are enow , a word of great mercie . He can giue victorie with two swords , with one sword , with no sword : and so he did here , that conuinced Israel might see , it was the Lord that fought for them ; and so bee moued to blesse the Lord .

You see now all the parts of the Affliction : the Alarme in sinne , the Battell in warre , and the Forlorne hope in the want of remedie . Two vsefull obseruations may hence be deduced .

1. That warre at some times is iust and necessarie ; indeed iust when it is necessarie ; as here . For shall it come to the gates , and shall we not meet it ? Yea shall wee not meet it before it come neere the gates ? There is then a season when warre is good and lawfull . Saint Augustine obserues , that when the Souldiers , among the rest of the people , came to Iohn the Baptist to be catechised : What shall we doe ? He did not bid them leaue off being souldiers , but taught them to be good souldiers . Doe violence to no man , Luke 3.14 . neither accuse anie falsely , and be content with your wages . Milites instruit , militare non prohibet : hee directs them to be good men , not forbids them to bee warlike men .

God himselfe is termed a Man of warre : and hee threatens warre : Exod. 17.16 . The Lord hath sworne that hee will haue warre with Amalek from generation to generation . Iudg. 3. Manie of the Philistins , Canaanites , and Sidonians were left to teach Israel warre . Luxuriant animi rebus plerumque secundis . Too much warmth of prosperitie hatcheth vp luxurie . There must be some exercise , lest mens spirits grow restie . The standing water turnes to putrefaction . And vertue is no vertue but in action . Sings the diuine Poet. Idlenesse doth neither get , nor saue , but loose . If execise be good , those are best which tend to most good . The exercises of warre steppe in here , to challenge their deserued praise . As with woodden wasters men learne to play at the sharpe : so practise in times of peace makes readie for the time of warre . It is good to be doing , that when Satan comes , inueniat occupatum ; he may find thee honestly busied . The bird so long as she is vpon wing , flying in the aire , is safe from the fowler : but when the sits lasie on a tree , pruning her feathers , a little shot quickly fetcheth her downe . So long as we are well exercised , the deuill hath not so faire a marke of vs : but idle , we lie prostrate obiects to all the shot of his temptations . Now there are two cautions obserueable in the iustnesse of warres . 1. that they be vndertaken iusta causa , vpon iust and warrantable cause . 2. that they be prosecuted bono animo , with an honest mind .

1. The Cause must be iust . For

Frangit & attollit vires in milite causa .

The cause doth either encourage or discourage the souldier , indeede it makes or marres all . This iust cause is threefold , well comprised in that verse ,

Paxpopuli , Patriaeque salus , & Gloria Regni .

The peace of the people , the health of the Countrey , and the glorie of the Kingdome .

1. The Peace of the people : for wee must aime by warre to make way for peace . We must not desire truce to this end , that wee may gather force against an vniust warre : but wee desire a iust warre , that wee may settle a true peace . So Ioab heartned his brother Abishai and the choise men of Israel against the Syrians . 2. Sam. 10.12 . Be of good courage , and let vs play the men , for our People , and for the Cities of our God .

2. The health and safetie of our Countrey : Periclitantur aliqui , ne pereant omnes , Some must beendangered , that all may not be destroyed . And I would here , that the dull and heauie spirits of our rotten worldlings would consider . Quorum causa ; for whose sake these worthy men spare neither their paines nor their purses , in this noble exercise . Euen for theirs ; theirs , and their childrens , that so contemptibly iudge of them .

If ware should be in the gates , whither would you runne for defence , where shrowd your selues , but vnder their Colours which you haue despised ? Who should keepe the Vsurers money from pillaging ? all his Obligations , Morgages , and Statutes from burning ? Who should keepe the foggie Epicure , in his soft chaire after a full meale fast asleepe ? Who should maintaine the nice Ladie in her Caroch , whirling through the popular streetes ? Who should reserue those delicate parlours , and adorned chambers from fire and flames ? Who should saue Virgins from rauishment , children from famishment , mothers from astonishment ? Citie & Countrey , Temples and Pallaces , Traffickes and Markets , Ships and Shops ; Westminster-hall and the Exchange , two of the richest acres of ground in England , from plowing vp ; from hauing it said , I am seges vbi Troia fuit , corne groweth were London stood ; all from ruine ; who but the Souldier vnder God ? Iudg. 7.18 . The sword of God , and the sword of Gideon ?

3. The Glorie of the Kingdome , and that is Euangelium Christi , the Gospel of Iesus Christ . Warres for God are called Gods battells . The destruction of their cities that reuolt from God to Idols , and the whole spoile , is for the Lord : it is the Lords battell , and the Lords spoile . Deut. 13. Saul thus encouraged Dauid to warre ; 1. Sam. 18.17 . Be thou valiant for me , and fight the Lords battells . The most and best warriours were called the Sonnes of God . So Abraham , Moses , Dauid , Ioshua , Gedeon ; and that Centurion was a man of warre , whose praise Christ so sounded forth in the Gospel , Mat. 8.10 . I haue not found so great faith , no , not in Israel . And the best warres are for God : so Christians beare in their Ensignes the Crosse , to shew that they fight for the honour of Iesus Christ .

When therefore there is hazard to loose the peace of the people , the safetie of the Countrey , the glorie of all , the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ ; here is iust cause of warre . They that goe forth to fight vpon these termes , shall conquer .

Causa iubet melior superos sperare secundos .

A good cause giues assurance of victorie . God shall martiall that armie , yea himselfe will sight for them .

2. The next caution , after a good ingression , is to be sure of a good prosecution . Wee say of the Chirurgion , that he should haue a Ladies hand , and a Lyons heart : but the Christian souldier should haue a Ladies heart , and a Lyons hand . I meane , though hee deale valiant blowes , yet not destroy without compassion . Fortitudo virtus bellica , man suetudo virtus bella . Though manfulnesse be a warlike vertue , yet gentlenesse is a Christian vertue . The sword should not bee bloudied , but in the heat of battell . And after victorie , when a souldier lookes on the dead bodies of his enemies , pittie should sit in his eyes rather then insultation . Hee should not strike the yeelding , nor prey vpon prostrate fortunes .

I know that diuers aspersions are cast vpon men of this ranke , They thinke that manie take armes , Non vt seruiant , sed vt soeuiant ; not to serue for their Countrey , but to rage and forrage : making their Cote-armour a defence for drinking , whoring , swearing , dicing ; and such disorders . As if it were imposible , that a tender conscience should dwell in one bosome with a valiant heart . Isidor . Olim castra quasi casta dicebantur ; quia castratur in ijs libido . The Campe seemed to take the denomination , saith hee , from chastitie ; because in the warres lust was beaten downe . But now Venus is gotten into the armes of Mars .

Militat omnis amans , & habet sua castra Cupido .

Cupid hath displayed his Colours , and pitched his Tent in the midst of the Armie ; as if it were the onely brauerie of a Souldier , to drinke valiant healths to his Mistresse . One writes of the Turkes , that though they are the most monstrous beasts at home in peace , and sinne euen against nature : yet in warres caute & caste viuunt , they liue charily and chastly . Not as the Fryers say , Caute si non caste : the Turkes are better then the Fryers in this . Vitia sua domi deponunt , saith hee : they leaue all their naughtinesse behind them at home . But he addes withall to our reproch , Christianus assumit : the Christians there take vp those vices , as if they found them sowne in a pitched field . That there is often , saith he , Grauior turba meretricum , quam militum : it is hard to iudge , whether the number of souldiers or of harlots be greater . Hence it is said , that

Rara fides pietasque viris , qui castra sequuntur .

There is so little fidelitie and pietie in men that follow the warres . These be the common inuectiues against Souldiers .

But now doe not manie taxe them , that are worse themselues ? Who can endure to heare an Vsurer taxe a Pillager ? an Epicure find fault with a Drinker ? a man-eating Oppressor with a gaming Souldier ?

Quis tulerit Gracchum de seditione loquentem ?

Who can abide to heare Gracchus declaine against sedition ? or the Foxe preach peace to the Geese ? Say that some are faultie : must therefore the whole Profession be scandalized ? Will you despise the word of God , because some that preach it are wicked men ? no ; Dent ocyus omnes , Quas meruere pati , sic stet sententia poenas . Lay the fault where it should lie : be they onely blamed that deserued it . Some persons may be reproueable , but the Profession is honourable .

The martialist may be a good Christian : in all likelyhood should be the best Christian. Mors semper in oculo , therefore should be semper in animo . How should death be out of that mans mind , that hath it alwayes in his eye ? His verie calling teacheth him to expound Saint Paul ; who calls the Christians life a Warfare . His continuall dangers to the good souldier , are as it were so many meditations of death . If he die in peace , he falls breast to breast with vertue . If in warre , yet he dies more calmely then many an Vsurer doth in his chamber . Though he be conquered , yet he is a Conqueror : he may loose the day in an earthly field , but he winnes the day against Sinne , Satan , and Hell ; and sings with Paul , like a dying Swan ; 2. Tim. 4.7 . I haue fought a good fight , I haue finished my course , I haue kept the faith ; now there is layd vp for me a Crowne of Righteousnesse .

2. The other inference that may hence be deduced , is this , That Munition and Armes should at all times be in readinesse . How grieuous was it , when Iabin had such an Host , and not a shield or speare among fortie thousand in Israel ? For our selues , wee haue not our Peace by Patent ; we know not how long it will continue : let vs prouide for Warre , in trayning vp some to militarie practises . If Warre doe come , it is a labour well spent : if Warre doe not come , it is a labour very well lost . Wise men in faire weather repaire their houses against Winter stormes ; the Ant labours in haruest , that she may feast at Christmasse . Sen. Diu apparandum est bellum , vt vincas celerius ; Be long in preparing for warre , that thou mayest ouercome with more speed : Longa belli praeparatio celerem facit victoriam ; A long preparation makes a short and quicke victorie .

Tut wee say , if that day comes , wee shall haue Souldiers enow ; wee will all fight . O dulce bellum inexpertis ; They that neuer tried it , thinke it a pleasure to fight . Wee shall fight strangely , if wee haue no weapons ; and vse our weapons more strangely , if we haue no skill : Veget. de re militari , lib. 1. cap. 20. Non de pugna , sed de fuga cogitant , qui nudi in acie exponuntur ad vulnera ; Their mindes are not so much of fighting , as on flying , that are exposed to the furie of warre without weapons ; neyther will all be souldiers that dare talke of warres : Non dat tot pugna socios , quot dat mensa conviuas ; All that are your fellow guests at the Table , will not be your fellow souldiers in the Field .

Could any tongue forbeare to taxe the rich men of this honourable Citie , if their houses be altogether furnished with Plate , Hangings , and Carpets , and not at all with Weapons and Armour , to defend the Common-wealth ? How fondly doe they loue their Riches , that will not lay out a little to secure the rest ? When the Turke inuaded the Greeke Empire ; before the siege was layed to Constantinople , the Metropolitane Citie , the Emperour sollicites the subiects to contribute somewhat to the repaire of the walls , and such militarie prouision and preuention : But the subiects drew backe , and pleaded want . Hereupon the Turke enters , and conquers : and in ransacking the Citie , when he found such aboundance of wealth in priuate houses , hee lift vp his hands to Heauen , and blessed himselfe , that they had so much riches , and would suffer themselues to be taken , for not vsing them .

So if euer London should be surprised by her enemies , which the wonted mercies of our God defend for euer ; would they not wonder to finde such infinite treasures in your priuate houses , when yet you spent none of them to prouide shield or speare , munition to defend your selues ? What scope can you imagine , or propound to your owne hearts wherein your riches may doe you seruice ? You can tell me , nay I can tell you . You reserue one bagge for pride , another for belly-cheare , another for lust , yet another for contention and sutes in law . O the madnesse of vs Englishmen ! wee care not what wee spend in ciuill iarres , that yet will spend nothing to avoid forraine warres . They say , the Iew will spend all on his Pasches , the Barbarian on his Nuptialls , and the Christian on his quarrels , or law-sutes . We need not make our selues enemies by our riches , we haue enow made to our hands . Christ sayes ; Luke 16.9 . Make you friends of the Mammon of vnrighteousnesse . Make to your selues friends by your charitie , not aduersaries by your litigation . Seeke peace , saith the Prophet , and pursue it : seeke peace , warre will come fast enough . And if it doe come , it will hardly bee made welcome . The Spaniards haue often threatned , often assaulted ; euer beene preuented , euer infatuated . Take we heed , if they doe preuaile , they will be reuenged once for all . God grant we neuer trie their mercie . Whether they come like Lyons rampant , or like Foxes passant , or like Dogges couchant , they intend nothing but our ruine and desolation .

O Lord , if we must fall by reason of our monstrous sinnes , let thine owne hand cast vs downe , not theirs : for there is mercie in thy blowes . When that wofull offer was made to Dauid , of three things ; Chuse thee one of them , that I may doe it vnto thee . Either seuen yeares famine , or three moneths persecution , or three dayes plague . He answered vnto Gad , 2. Sam. 24.14 . and by him vnto God : I am in a wonderfull straite : but suddenly resolues ; Let vs now fall into the hands of the Lord , for his mercies are great ; and let mee not fall into the hands of man . If it bee thy will , O Lord to plague vs , take the rodde into thine owne hands : doe thou strike vs . — liceat perituro viribus ignis , Igne perire tuo ; clademque authore leuare . Why shouldst thou sell vs into the hands of those Idolatrous Romists , that will giue thine honour to stockes and stones ; blesse this or that Saint and not be thankefull to thy Maiestie , that giues them the victorie . For thine owne sake , be mercifull to vs ; yea thou hast beene mercifull : therefore wee praise thee ; 1. Cor. 15.57 . and sing with thy Apostle : Thankes be to God , which giueth vs the victorie , through Iesus Christ our Lord .

I haue held you long in the Battell : it is now high time to sound a Retreat . But as I haue spoken much of Israels Affliction , so giue me leaue to speake one word of the Prophetesses Affection : and of this onely by way of exhortation . My heart is set on the Gouernours of Israel , that offered themselues willingly among the people : Blesse ye the Lord . Here is considerable Both Subiectum in Quo. Both Obiectum in Quod. The Subiect in which this Affection resides : and the Obiect on which this Affection reflects .

The Subiect wherein it abides is Cor , the Heart : a great zeale of loue . Not onely Affectio cordis , but Cor affectionis : not onely the Affection of the Heart , but the Heart of Affection . My heart is set .

The Obiect on which it reflects is double ; Man and God , the excellent creature , and the most excellent Creator : the men of God , and the God of men . Vpon Men ; My heart is towards the Gouernours of Israel , that offered themselues willingly among the people . Vpon God ; Blesse ye the Lord .

Among men two sorts are obiected to this loue : Superiors in the first place , Inferiors in the later . To the Commanders primarily , but not onely : for if they offered themselues willingly among the people , as we reade it : then certainely the people also willingly offered themselues , as the other translations reade it : Those that were willing amongst the people . You see , here is a foundation laid for a great and ample building of discourse ; but I know you looke to the glasse , therefore promise nothing but application . And that

1. To the Gouernours of our Israel ; that they offer themselues willingly to these militarie designes : not on compulsion ; Quoniam probitate coacta , gloria nulla venit . His brows deserue no wreathed Coronet that is enforced : come with a willing mind . In euerie good worke there must be Sollicitudo in effectu , and Feruor in affectu : cheerefulnesse in the affection , and carefulnesse in the action . God loues a cheerefull giuer : so thou gainest no small thing by it , but euen the loue of God . Whatsoeuer good thing thou doest , saith Augustine , doe it cheerefully and willingly , and thou doest it well . Si autem cum tristitia facis , de te sit , non tu facis : if thou doest it heauily and grudgingly , it is wrought vpon thee , not by thee : thou art rather the patient then the agent in it . God could neuer endure a luke-warme affection . Reuelat. 3. No man was admitted to offer to the building of the Tabernacle , that did it grudgingly . Of euery man that giueth it willingly with his heart , Exod. 25.2 ye shall take my offering . In all thy gifts shew a cheerefull countenance , saith the Wiseman : in all , whether to God or man . Saint Chrysostome giues the reason ; Cum tali vultu respicit Deus , cum quali tu facis . God respects it with such a countenance as thou performest it . Gods seruice is Libera seruitus , where not necessitie but charitie serues . Non complacet Deo famulatus coactus . God could neuer endure forc'd seruice . Doe all then with willingnesse of heart .

Thinke with a reuerend courage of your noble Ancestors , how their prowesse renowned themselues and this whole nation . Shew your selues the legitimate and true borne children of such fathers . The fame of Alexander gaue heart to Iulius Caesar , to be the more noble a warriour . Let the consideration of their valour teach you to shake off cowardize . They fought the battells , that you might enioy the peace . You holde it an honour to beare Armes in your Scutchions ; and is it a dishonour to beare Armes in the Field ? The time hath beene , when all honour in England came a Marte or Mercurio ; from Learning or Chiualrie , from the Pen or the Pike , from Priesthood or Knighthood .

It would bee an vnknowne encouragement to goodnesse , if honour still might not bee dealed but vpon those termes . Then should manie worthie spirits get vp the High-gate of preferment : and idle Drones should not come neerer then the Dunstable high-way of obscuritie . It was a monstrous storie , that Nicippus his Sheepe did bring forth a Lyon : but it is too true , that manie of our English Lyons haue brought forth Sheepe . Among birds you shall neuer see a Pigeon hatch'd in an Eagles neast : among men you shall often see noble progenitors bring forth ignoble cowards .

But let vertue be renowned , rewarded , wheresoeuer shee dwells . Though Bion was the sonne of a Courtesan , I hope no man will censure him with Partus sequitur ventrem . Non genus sed genius : non gens sed mens . Neuer speake of thy bloud , but of thy good : not of thy Nobilitie , thou art beholding to thy friends for it , but of thy vertue . Euen the Duke fetcheth the honour of his name from the warres ; and is but Dux , a Captaine . And it seemes the difference was so small betweene a Knight and a common Souldier , among the Romanes ; that they had but one word , Miles , to expresse both their names .

You then that haue the places of Gouernment in this honourable Citie , offer willingly your hands , your purses , your selues , to this noble Exercise . Your good example shall hearten others : be not ashamed to be seene among the people ; vpon such did Debora set her heart . Alexander would vsually call his meanest souldiers , friends and companions . Tullie writes of Caesar , that he was neuer heard speaking to his Souldiers ; Ite illuc , Goe thither : but Venite hu● , come hither : I will goe with you . The inferior thinkes that labour much easier , which hee sees his Captaine take before him . Malus miles qui Imperatorem gemens sequitur : Hee is an ill Souldier that followes a good Leader with a dull pace . So Gedeon to his Souldiers , Iudg. 7.17 . Iudg. 7. Looke on me , and do likewise : when I come to the outside of the Campe , it shall be that as I doe , so shall yee doe . So Abimelech to his men of Armes , Iudg. 9.48 . Iudg. 9. What yee haue seene me doe , make hast , and doe as I haue done . The good Captaine is first in giuing the charge , and last in retiring his foote . Hee endures equall toile with the common Souldiers : from his example they all take fire , as one Torch lighteth many . And so much for the Gouernours .

2. Now for you that are the materialls of all this , let me say to you without flatterie ▪ Goe forth with courage in the feare of God , and the Lord be with you . Preserue vnitie among your selues : left as in a Towne on fire , whiles all good hands are helping to quench it , theeues are most busie to steale booties : So whilst you contend , murmur , or repine one at the honour of another , that subtile theefe Satan , through the cracke of your diuisions , step in , and steale away your peace .

Offer your selues willingly ; and being offered step not backe . Remember that Turpe est militem fugere ; it is base for a Souldier to flye . When Bias was enuironed with his enemies , and his souldiers asked him , what shall we doe ? He replyed , Goe ye and tell the liuing that I die fighting , and I will tell the dead that you did scape flying . Our Chronicles report , that when William the Conqueror landed at Pemsey neere to Hastings in Sussex , hee commanded all his ships to be sunke : that all hope of returning backe might be frustrate . You haue begun well ; goe on , be perfect , be blessed .

And remember alwayes the burden of this song , which euerie thing that hath breath must sing ; Blesse ye the Lord . Those heauenly Souldiers that waited on the natiuitie of Iesus Christ , Luke . 2.13 . sung this song ; Glorie be to God on high . Vpon this Lord the heart of Debora , of Israel , of vs all , should be set . It is he that teacheth vs to fight , and fighteth for vs .

To conclude with an obseruation of a reuerend Diuine : England was said to haue a warlike Saint , George ; but Bellarmine snibbes Iacobus de Voragine for his leaden Legend of our English George . And others haue inueighed against the authentike truth of that storie . Sure it is their malice , that haue robbed England of her Saint . Saint Iames is for Spaine , Saint Denis for France , Saint Patricke for Ireland ; other Saints are allotted and allowed for other Countreyes : onely poore England is bereaued of her George : they leaue none but God to reuenge our quarrells . I thinke it is a fauour and an honour , and wee are bound to thanke them for it . Let them take their Saints , giue vs the Lord ; Blesse ye the Lord . So let vs pray with our Church , Giue peace in our time O Lord ; for there is none that fighteth for vs , but thou O God . To this mercifull God be all glorie , obedience , and thanksgiuing , now and for euer . AMEN .

FINIS .