RELIGIO MILITIS.  
A SERMON Preached to the Artillery-Company, October 24, 1672. At St. Michael's in Cornhill.  
By JOHN MERITON, D. D.  
LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the Sign of the Bible under the Piazzo of the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1672.   

To the Right Worshipful, and my much Honoured Friends, Sir Richard Ford, Knight, Sir James Edward's Knight, Dannet Forth Esquire, Sir Robert Clayton Knight, aldermans; Lieutenant Col. Nicholas Osborne, Major John Grant, Major Thomas Beckford, Major Thomas Cowden, Late Stewards of the Artillery-Company.  
Worthy Sirs,  
I Was much surprised with your desire, that this plain Sermon might be Printed: Nor can I yet in cooler thoughts conjecture (though its shortness, the best commendation of bad Music, had possibly gainedit a Favourable Acceptance from the Pulpit) what might incline you to desire its further Publication; unless (for I more value your Judgements, than fond to imagine you could think it worthy) you had a mind to try, whether, in an Age, when many talk of what they know not how to practise, I could show either Courage or Obedience, that had discoursed of them: Of both which I have here given some Proof. Of Courage, that having, for one Passage, full of Truth and Innocence, passed the Pikes, I have adventured once more to run the Gantlope; and of Obedience, that like the Centurion's Servant, when you said Do this, I have done it; to approve myself,  
GENTLEMEN, Your Ready and Faithful Servant JOHN MERITON.   
Josh. 1. 7. Only be thou strong, and very Courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my Servant commanded thee. 
THese words are part of Joshua's Commission, that God gave him, when in the room of his servant Moses lately Deceased, he appointed him his Captain General, for the conduct of Israel into the promised Canaan. They had all along, in their March through the Wilderness, met with great opposition from the neighbouring country's, the Amalekites, the Edomites, the Moabites, taking the Alarm, Mustered up their Forces, and did all they could, both by Ambush and Skirmish to obstruct their passage, and make it troublesome and hazardous: And looking forward into Canaan, they had reason to look for more and more formidable Enemies; the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, the Canaanites, being all of them in ancient possession of the Country, and withal strangers to God, were not like so far to acknowledge his right, as easily, and without blows to quit their own to these new Occupiers. So that in these circumstances, God saw it needful to animate his servant Joshua, and put life and metal into him, for carrying on the difficult enterprise; and this he doth, by telling him, he will be with him, 
Verse 5.  As I was with Moses, I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, nor for sake thee. Somewhat like Caesar's Venite to his Soldiers, (though infinitely more encouraging, for it was the mouth of the Lord of Hosts that spoke it) Come on, and I'll go along with thee. And he must be strangely faint-hearted and cowardly, that could let his spirit sink, his face grow pale, or his arm shake, with such a second at his right hand.  
Which presence of God with Joshua, (though a mighty support) was by no means to be interpreted as a discharge from his own diligence and duty, as though all the work were now taken off his hands, and there were nothing left for him to do, No such matter! It was rather to excite in him a Masculine and Heroic bravery of spirit, as Paulus Emilius prayed to Hercules for Victory with a Spear in his hand, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Plutarch in vit.  God engaged himself not to forsake his servant Joshua, and thereby obliged him to look to it, that he was neither forsaken of his courage, nor his conscience, Only be thou strong, and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee.  
In which words, as an Epitome, and short abridgement of his Military Discipline, God charges upon Joshua two things, that would in all things render him a gallant and complete Soldier.  
1. Valour and Courage, Only be thou strong and very Courageous.  
2. Obedience, and a compliance with the Divine Law, That thou mayest observe to do, etc.  
1. First, Valour and Courage: The phrase is doubled, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so is the command too, in this and the foregoing verse, that may denote, as the greater strictness of the charge, so that double courage and fortitude that is necessary it make an accomplished warrior,  

The one Natural, as a Soldier.  
The other Spiritual, as a Saint.   
1. Natural courage, which is a strength and stoutness of spirit, fearlessly to encounter hazards and hardships, which as it was necessary for Joshua in his circumstances, being to conduct a mutinous quarrelsome people, and combat warlike and combined enemies; So is it greatly requisite in every Soldier, whether in, or under command, his Art and Profession being to converse with Sword and Pike, Blows and Bullets, Wounds, and Death in a thousand shapes, and all its grim and dismal appearances, he had need wear better armour within his breast, than that which he puts upon it. Neither the Sword, nor the Swordman is right metal, whose soft edge is soon blunted, and rebated, with a few hard strokes, and that pusillanimous tenderness for life and limbs, that in another man is easily overlooked, and passed by as a pardonable infirmity, in the Soldier amounts to an heinous crime, as having in it the baseness of treachery, and being false to his trust and undertaking. When death, and dangers appear in their most frightful, ghastly complexion, and threaten high, the true Soldier, with an unappaled courage, makes as brisk a reply as Brutus did once to his Malus Genius, 
Plut. in vit.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Thou shalt see me at Philippi, A match, I'll meet thee. What a brave speech was that of Joab to his brother Abishai, when encompassed with an huge and formidable Army of 
2 Sam. 10. 12.  Syrians, Be of good courage, and let us play the men, for our people, and for the Cities of our God. And upon the like occasion Gentlemen, the Honour of your King, the safety of your Country, the happiness and flourishing prosperity of this City at stake, I doubt not in you such a generous and masculine spirit; But God grant there never be greater cause to try your Courage, than there is to question it.  
2. Secondly, A Spiritual Courage is required that is suitable unto Saints; to this the Apostle presses the Ephesians, Be 
Chap. 6. 10.  strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and there are three things wherein this strength and magnanimity is especially to be exercised,  

1. Enduring Afflictions.  
2. Resisting Temptations.  
3. Subduing and mortifying corrupt Affections.   
In all which points, there is so much the more courage to be used, because the enemies to be conquered, the World, the Devil, and the Flesh, are most pernicious and deadly, and the Crown prepared for, and promised to the conquest, is most rich and glorious. So that what God hath (in the Text) said to Joshua, is particularly to be applied to every Christian, as if he were mentioned by name; and so much the rather, because the Apostle hath already done it to his hand, He hath said, 
Heb. 13. 5.  I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: And he hath said, Be thou strong and very courageous.  
1. First, Be strong and very courageous to endure Afflictions. Every good man especially is in this world exposed to crosses, and troubles, and it well becomes him, with a mighty and magnanimous patience and submission to Gods will, to bear all his burdens, and take them, as the Camel doth his load from his Master, upon his knees, strengthened with all might, unto 
Col. 1. 11.  all patience, and long-suffering with joyfulness. The patience and long-suffering of God, is founded in his Almighty 
Numb. 14. 17, 18.  power, Let the power of my Lord be great, (saith Moses in the behalf of Israel) according as thou hast spoken, saying, the Lord is long suffering. And when God is pleased to send crosses, and calamities, all our might, and power is to be exercised, in Patience and Long-suffering. 
2 Tim. 3. 3.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 'tis Saint Paul's word to Timothy, endure hardness; And it is urged with this Argument, as he would approve himself a good Soldier of Jesus Christ, 
Tert●ll.  Quid facis in Christi Militiâ delicate Miles? What makes the nice, and the delicate Soldier Marching under Christ's Banners? How low, and hard, and full of crosses soever thy condition may be in this world, Courage man! to give ground by a froward impatience, and pettish despondency, is a certain sign of an impotent cowardice and feeble-mindedness, for if thou faint in the day of adversity, thy 
Prov. 14. 18.  strength is small.  
2. Secondly, Be strong and very courageous to resist temptations. Which so long as we are in this world, the Devils walk and Principality; and so long as that bloodthirsty Abaddon hath malice, and subtlety, We must never look to be freed from, for as a roaring Lion he walketh 
1 Pet. 5. 8.  about, seeking whom he may devour. He tempts to Atheism and infidelity, pride and malice, hypocrisy, covetousness and sensuality, And there is no safety in truce, parley, or compliance, but in a stout and resolute resistance, and that Victory that certainly follows upon it; for, resist 
Jum. 4. 7.  the Devil, and he will slay from you; yet, as erranda Coward as he is, he had the bold and daring hardiness to assault our Lord Christ, in that famous Duel and Encounter, Matth. 4. but its observable, how the Captain of our Salvation, to set us the pattern of a valiant and vigorous resistance, picked up his fiery darts, and threw them in his face, It is written (saith the Devil) he shall give his Angels charge over thee; and it's written (saith Christ) thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. The Devil will never be worsted by a Meaky cowardly Milksop, and you must either overcome, or fall into his Clutches, the Apostle bids rouse up your courage, and stand to your Arms, Put on the whole 
Ephes. 6. 11, ●●.  armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, for we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities, against Powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, in high places. And though a man had strength and courage enough to rout whole troops and squadrons of other enemies in the field, he were like to bear away sad and mournful trophies, if he, whose name is legion, makes him Prisoner, and leads him captiveat his will.  
3. Thirdly, Be strong and very courageous in the subduing, and mortifying of corrupt affections. Such as are Pride, and Passion, malice, earthly-mindedness, ambition, hypocrisy, wrath, and revenge, the worst enemies we have; and were it not for these, the Devil would more easily be vanquished. Samson slew the Phili●●ins, heaps upon heaps, and they could never have wronged him, had not Delilah, that lay in his bosom, betrayed him. Against these therefore we must stir up our whole strength and courage, to smite them under the fifth rib. These remaining lusts in good men, not wholly to be rooted out in this life, are like that remnant of Canaanites, that God left to prove Israel, to teach them War, and train them up in the Art-Military; and with whom he commanded them never to make Peace, or a League of Friendship. And verily the crucifying of a darling lust, is an act of no less courage, than it was in Abraham, at God's command to put a sacrificing-knife to the throat of his beloved Isaac. David got more true renown, by conquering a passionate revenge, in the case of Saul and Shimei, than in cutting off the head of Goliab. And Solomon hath laid it down for a rule (nor though a man of Peace, hath he at all undervalved 
Prov. 16. 32.  Martial exploits and achievements) He that ruleth his spirit (i. e. keeps his soul from being invaded by exorbitant lusts and passions) is a better man (i. e. shows more Manhood and gallantry of mind) than he that takes a City. God hath set up his Royal Standard, and on purpose Proclaimed open hostility against those insolent rebels which we harbour in our bosom; that we should draw our swords, and that not only to brandish them, with a flourish, or play a Prize, and strike with a false edge, but be at sharps, run them through, slash and mangle them from head to foot, that we should give fire, and spend our Powder and Bullet at home. In a word, that without any quarter given, we should serve them as that wise woman did Sheba, at Abel of Bethmaacah, throw 
2 Sam. ●0 21.  the Traitor's heads over the wall. And thus much for the first part of the charge, Be strong and very courageous.  
2. The Second follows, that of obedience, and a compliance with the Divine Law, That thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee. Men of a Military Profession, are concerned seriously to mind matters of Religion; A faithful punctual observance of the divine Law, is both necessary for a Soldier: And that which adds to him the greatest lustre and ornament. Joshua was a great Commander, and yet not so absolute, but that he must acknowledge a Superior Lord, and take Law from God, and Moses in his name. The Law of Moses was then the only Manisestation of God's will, superadded to the originally imprinted Law of Nature: And although God hath to us amplified it in the Gospel, and reprinted it in a fairer Edition, yet that was to be the rule and measure of his actings, and he was thence to learn all his postures, not varying from it, by excess or defect, or as the Text hath it, in a Military phrase, not turning (or wheeling about) to the right or to the left. There's no such complete armour for a Soldier, as that which Saint Paul recommends out of God's Magazine, the 
Ephes. 6.  Girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit. And there's a walking orderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beyond that of marching rank and file. Did God of old take such order, that the Priest (whose office and employment was the kill of Beasts) should be a man of holiness, and can we think he'll allow the Soldier in his Profession of kill men, to be a stranger to it? There is indeed a Licentious, fanciful, and Fanatical Generation of men, that say the Profession of a Soldier is now inconsistent with Religion, and the state of Christianity. All things are under the Gospel to be acted with tenderness and indulgence, love and lenity: And if they could with these fine smooth say, persuade others to lay down their Arms, they themselves were like to be the first, that without scruple would run to take them up. The Foxes, in the Fable, with such a plausible and insinuating artifice, would have drawn the sheep into a fair and kind correspondence, only there was a sort of rugged, and scandalous creatures, with sharp teeth, called Shepherds Dogs, that stood in the way, and obstructed the Peace, let them all be but first knocked on the head, and matters should then be managed kindly and lovingly, to their own hearts content. They bring Arguments indeed, pitiful slender ones (God knows) to prove, that Religion forbids the use of the Sword, such as it would hardly be worth while for me to answer; Swordmen themselves may better do it, by a Religious deportment and conversation, the best and most effectual confutation of their feeble cavils, being like that Philosophers walking up and down the room silently to refel his Arguments, that with mighty noise and bustle, would needs prove there was no such thing as motion. One of the great excellencies of Religion is, that as it conduces to men's eternal interest, and makes them happy in another world. So 'tis the accomplishment and perfection of every state and condition in this. This makes the Good Prince and the Good Subject, the good Husband, the good Wife, the good Master, the good Servant, the good Merchant, Mariner, Husbandman, Lawyer, Physician, yea and good Soldier too; unto whom (that I may speak more particularly) it adds this sixfold excellency and advantage.  

1. Skill.  
2. Courage.  
3. Safety.  
4. Honour.  
5. Success.  
6. A Public and beneficial usefulness.   
1. First, Religion adds to the Soldier the advantage of Skill. How expert was David when a youth: who when Goliath, his proud Enemy, despised the poor stripling, as a raw and undisciplined novice, slung a stone into his forehead, and laid that mountain of flesh flat at his foot; would you know how he became so dextrous, and with such art did the exploit, he himself tells you, that God, to the observance and pleasing of whom, he applied himself with a studious care, and utmost diligence, had trained him up in his Artillery-Ground. The Lord my strength 
Psal. 144. 1.  teacheth my hands to War, and my fingers to fight. And at another time, when he overreached, and out-witted Achitophel, countermined, and defeated the cunning stratagem of that profound shrewd pated Politician; it was not so much his own Mother-wit, as a Religious care to please God, that made him his Art's 
Psal. 119. 98.  Master. Thou (says he) through thy Commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me. He that has the highest and principal wisdom, to go beyond the Devil in his plots, and baffle that bloody enemy of souls in his mischievous designs (and the 
Job 28. ult.  fear of the Lord that is wisdom, and to departed from evil is understanding) is the likeliest person, by the guidance, and direction of the only wise God, to blow up and scatter the petty projects of fleshly opposites, that compared with that spiritual adversary, are the acutest of them, thick-sculled and heavyheaded enemies. Atheism, profaneness, and irreligion, blast the best laid designs, and lead the subtle Artists and contrivers of them, into traps, 
Job 5. 12.  and unseen precipices. God disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise, they are short and defective, both in the Theory and the Practice, their fine spun Policies come to nothing, and break like the Spider's web. And when any exploit is to be done, they are fumble-fisted, and their hand hangs in their Glove; the stouthearted 
Psal. 76. 7.  are asleep (saith the Psalmist) and the men of might have not found their hands: But what the Prophet says of the Husbandman, holds true of the upright, obedient, and conscientious Soldier, his God doth instruct him to discretion, 
Isa. 28. 26.  and doth teach him.  
2. Secondly, Religion gives the Soldier the advantage of Courage and boldness. Nothing doth so fix and consolidate the mind, to a fearless and undaunted resolution in dangers, as its being possessed and principled with Gods holy fear, for in the fear of the Lord there is 
Prov. 14. 26.  strong confidence. Clavus clavum trudit, 
Nieremberg.  omnes timor Dei pellit timores. David in the 112. Psalms, deseribes a man of a brave and bold spirit, that he shall not be 
Ver. 6, 7.  mov●d, nor afraid of evil tidings; and who this man of courage and confidence is, he tells us, one that the world would little dream of, the divine Coward, one 
Ver. ●.  that feareth the Lord, and greatly delighteth in his Commandments. And when the People in Samuel's days, were by a thunder in Wheat-Harvest, smitten with a pannick-fear, and scared almost out of their wits, it was excellent and proper counsel that he gave them (though to some it may look like a contradiction) fear 
1 Sam. 12. 20, & 24.  not, only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth, with all your heart. This we have suggested in the Text, Be strong and very Courageous; How so? Observe to do according to all the Law which Moses my servant commanded thee.  
Vile men, of Atheistical, debauched principles and practices, Dammers and Sinkers, may rant and swagger, and when furnished with Pipe and Pot-Ammunition, pretend high to seats of Prowess and Chivalry, and might bear away great renown for Martial exploits, if (as when of old the Giants sought it by fight against the Gods) sending defiances to heaven, and storming it with full mouthed Oaths, and Blasphemies, would carry it, but however they may rufile, and look big, they can never be truly courageous, who carry that deadly enemy in their bosom, a guilty accusing Conscience, a dismal Volume; which when it opens, more appalls and dispirits them, than the writing upon the wall did Belshazzar, in his carousing and drunken frolic; Conscience, I say, that at the approach of death, uses to awake and beat a frightful alarm, as old sores ache and throb most at night to bedward, and there's nothing more like to make a white-livered Soldier, than that black-mouthed accuser, nor will any man sneak basely, and cowardly run his head in a hole, or be backward to venture his life in so good a cause as the saving of his Country, like him that is madly bold and forward to venture his Soul, in so bad a one, as the 
Prov. 28. 1.  satisfying of his lusts. The wicked flee (saith Solomon when no manpursueth, he is haunted with so many walking Ghosts in a guilty Conscience, that he runs for his life, when there is nothing behind him but his own shadow; he is All a mort with the shaking of the tops of a few reeds or thistles, as if they were the Pikes of an armed enemy, arrayed in Battalia; his heart sinks to his heel, at the rustling of the wind among the leaves, as if it brought the more certain News of his death, than the report of Musket or Canon. What a doughty combatant was Cain like to prove, when having armed and enraged his own Conscience against him, by imbruing his hands in the blood of an innocent brother, he stood whining and puling with finger 
Gen. 4. 14.  in eye, Every body that meets me will kill me? But the righteous is bold as a Lion. That saying of David was no flashy vapouring huff, but the issue of an unshaken gallantry of Spirit, Though an Host should 
Psal. 27. 3.  encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though War should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  
3. Thirdly, Religion gives the Soldier safety, and secures him against danger. It were the less advantageous to a man at arms, if it only put into him spirit and metal to attempt and encounter dangers, and there left him of the forlorn, without hope of a safe and honourable retreat, or a strong hold for his defence and protection, but the way of the Lord is strength to 
Prov. 1●▪ 29.  the upright. And let Swords clash, and bullets fly thick, that man is out of harms way, and needs not flinch or fear colours, whose path is encompassed with a brazen wall. Holy David fight upon great odds, against an whole Host, was not more confident than secure; For in the time of 
Psal. 27. 5.  trouble, he shall hid me in his Pavilion, in the secret of his Tabernacle shall be hid me, be shall set me up upon a rock. That is, a well fortified and impregnable Garrison, into which the Prophet Isaiah puts the righteous person, and he seems particularly to describe the righteousness of a 
Isai. 33. 15. 16.  Soldier, One that despiseth the gain of oppression, and stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood: He shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the munition of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure: If enemies beleaguer him, and bring ropes and scaling ladders, they are all too short, He dwells on high. If they bring Petards, and plant great Guns for Battery, all instruments of violence are (alas) too weak, to make a breach, and force an entrance, for his place of defence is the Munition of Rocks. And if perhaps despairing to storm, they shall design to starve him out of his strong hold, that plot is like to fail, and come off as poorly as the other, for the man is as well stored with Victual as Ammunition, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Gideon, a brave Soldier, when in obedience to God, he threw down Baal's Altar, was sorely threatened, by a rude rabble of enraged Idolaters, (And there is no madness like that of men's being mad for Religion) but God himself was of his guard, and gave him safe conduct, so that all their high bluster of words proved mere Squibs and Crackers. And if it shall be said, Religion is not always the Soldier's defence; It was the hard hap of godly Josiah, and since that of many a good man, to be wounded and slain in the day of Battle. I answer, God, when he sees it best, delivers them either from, or out of dangers; or if neither of these, however at the long run he will infinitely reward them, so that, be the hazards and mischiefs what they may, that they wade through, they are sure, when all accounts are made up, not to come off losers. Put the case, a General were able, (as we are sure God is) to make his Soldiers shot-free, to cure the wounded, and quicken the dead, and at the head of his Army should say before a Fight, Come on my stout hearts, fear nothing, He engage my honour, that not a man of you shall be a loser by this Battle. And yet when they fall on, and are at it Pellmell: Some indeed are untouched, but others lose, either a leg or an arm, or are killed outright. Well! the Fight over, and the General surveying his Army, the first, that lost never a drop of blood, he rewards well for fight, them that lost their limbs, he makes fish-whole, and gives them what is better than a leg or an arm; the slain he raises to life after a most glorious manner, makes them all Captains and Colonels, and bestows upon them places of honour and command. Now which of all these lost any thing by fight! they sure lost lest that were quite knocked o'th' head, and for a time lost all in appearance.  
4. Fourthly, Religion adds to the Soldier honour and renown; And this many a one of that Profession prefers to his safety, and so that be preserved untouched, matters not how he exposes life and limbs to danger. Now there's nothing like Religion advances to honour and dignity, it makes a man's face to shine, and incircles his head with a glory. All the Orations and triumphs of Roman Consuls and Directors, gave but a mean and trivial lustre (like the glittering of a gloworm, or the shining of a piece of rotten wood in the dark) compared with the real and substantial brightness of them that have the 
1 Pet. 4. 14.  Spirit of glory, and of God resting upon them. And of these two, that holds true that the Apostle saith of the Law and the Gospel, That which was made glorious, had 
2 Cor. 3. 10.  no glory in this respect, by reason of a glory that excelleth. The righteous (saith Solomon) 
Prov. 12. 25.  is more excellent than his neighbour. And representing Religion under the name of wisdom, as a magnificent Queen, distributing various and ample rewards to all her train, he reckons honour, with 
Prov. 3. 15.  riches to boot, as a lefthand boon and largess. Nay God himself puts in caution and security (that never yet broke his parole) to advance their reputation and renown, that are careful to lift up his Praise, by holy practices, and (as it were) dub them his Knight-Bannerets in the 
1 Sam. 2. 30.  field, them that honour me, I will honour, and they that despise me, shall be lightly 
H●● 2. ult.  esteemed. I will take thee O Zerubbabel my servant, the Son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord; and will make thee as a Signet, for I have chosen thee. God takes notice of his noble birth, the son of Shealtiel, not a Signet made of a shoe-buckle, but his highest honour was, Zerubbabel my servant, I will make thee as a Signet, for I have chosen thee. There is in virtue and goodness, that intrinsic beauty, and amiable commanding Majesty, that it conquers and captivates, sets up its trophies in the minds of observers, and conciliates respect and reverence from those persons that will not themselves be at the trouble to practise it.  
5. Fifthly, Religion gives success and an happy prosperous issue of affairs: Nothing doth so entangle and perplex an enterprise, and make it miscarry in men's hands, as their sinning against God, they that walk in their own ways, Sow the wind, and all the crop they are like to reap thence, is the whirlwind, to blast and scatter all they take in hand. The Israelites sin made their Carcases to fall thick and threefold in the Wilderness, so that of above six hundred thousand that came 
Exod. 12. 37.  out of Egypt, two only, Caleb and Joshua, set foot into the promised Land: Nay, Moses himself, for his infidelity and disobedience, striking the rock, when God bade him but speak to it, was shut out of Canaan, and had his Leading-staff taken from him. And when God put it into Joshua's hands, it was done with the charge in the Text, and a reason annexed, that affairs might thrive better under his conduct and menagery, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. And again, ver. 8. than shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou have good success. Not but that holy and good men have been worsted, and lost the day. It is no new thing, for God's Israel to flee before accursed Amalekites, or be led captive by Babilonish conquerors, but it was sin, that accursed thing that foiled and routed them, and casting God's Law behind their back, made them to turn their back before their enemies. And there is no way lies so fair and smooth to success and victory, as for the Menagers of Martial affairs, by a Religious and faithful obedience, to engage him that is the Lord of Hosts, in their cause and quarrel.  
6. Sixthly and Lastly, Religion adds to the Soldier a public and beneficial usefulness, such as answers those just ends, for which God hath put the Sword into his hands; without which, the world perhaps would have no more cause to joy in the bare success of arms, than the poor Polander at this day in the Great Turk's prosperity. Neither the Civil nor the Military Sword is to be born in vain, God hath appointed the one and the other to set and keep the world to rights, so as that where the Sword of the Magistrate cannot enter, nor Justice and reason take place, by reason of men's brutish lusts, & ungovernable passions, the Soldier's Sword is to cut a way for them. The state of things would, its true, be very much bettered in the world, if reason and equity, righteousness and honesty could obtain such an uncontrolled, and universal Empire, as might make the Soldier useless, and beat Swords into Ploughshares, and Spears into Pruning-hooks; but this neither being, nor to be expected, in our corrupt degenerate state, where the most men, like bruits, blindly and eagerly pursue a mere sensual interest; God hath made the Military Sword a whip for the Horse, a bridle for the Ass, and a rod for the Fools back.  
Now without the sway and influence of Religion, and a sense of duty to God, this severe, boisterous, and bloody instrument can hardly be managed to the ends of Justice and righteousness; men would use it to promote their own lusts and passions, humours and interests, and cut and slash, only to carve the fat and large portions for themselves; and so greater injury and mischief would be done by the Sword than redressed; were St. John 
Luke 3. 14.  Baptists Military Lecture no part of the discipline, the world would have no disease more fatal and deadly than this last remedy. When Cain took up arms without any restraints of Religion, what woeful havoc did he make, destroying one quarter of the world at a blow? And among ourselves, not long since, when they had the sword in their hands, that were Saints, without Religion, and applauded themselves in a godliness without righteousness and honesty, how were honours and estates, lives and liberties, the crown itself, and the head that wore it, sacrificed to pride and revenge, boundless ambition, and insatiate avarice? I should not on such a day as this, bring sorrows to remembrance, but that there is joy in thinking we are passed them. And that they are not now the objects of sense, but memory, olim meminisse. But on the other side the  holiness and Religious integrity of a Swordman, makes him a public benefit: And as a second to the Prudent, faithful and conscientious Magistrate, the world is beholden to him for that little peace, justice, honesty, and good order that are yet remaining in it.  
FINIS.