A Catechism FOR Soldiers; to save Souls and prevent Blood.  
Showing the terms upon which the profession of a Soldier may be undertaken, and the rules and directions whereby it is to be managed: and the great guilt of sin and danger of Judgement that hangs over those that undertake it in an unrighteous way.  
LONDON, Printed by T. M. for Edward Thomas, at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain, 1659.   

A CATECHISM for Soldiers; To save Souls, and prevent Blood  
Quest. WHat are you by Profession?  
Ans. A Soldier.  
Q. Is that a Lawful profession?  
A. Yea, if it be undertaken upon Just and Righteous terms, and managed according to God's directions.  
Q. How prove you that it is a lawful profession?  
A. First, Because God appointed his people thereunto in several places of the holy Scripture.  
Secondly. The holy Saints of God were exercised therein, as, Abraham, Joshua, David, Cornelius, and others.  
Thirdly, because God gave directions for the managing of War, whereas he gives no directions for the exercise of sin.  
Fourthly, Because John the Baptist, when the Question was proposed to him by Soldiers, what they should do, Luke 3.14. did not discharge them from their Office, but required them to manage it righteously, viz. That they should do Violence to no man, and be content with their wages.  
Q. What are the terms and directions that are to be observed, that the work of a Soldier may be lawfully performed?  
A. They are of divers sorts.  
Q. What is the first?  
A. The first is that the War be Just and undertaken upon a Righteous cause, and not for the carrying on of Violence and Oppression.  
Q. What is the second?  
A. The second is, that the War be necessary upon a matter of weight and public concernment, after the attempt of all fair and just means for the composure of the difference, and for the preventing of blood.  
Q. What is the third?  
A. That the Commission for the action of War be derived from God, who is the Lord of Hosts; by the power and Authority of those who are his Substitutes for that purpose, unto whom he hath committed the power of the Sword; as are the Supreme, and the Lawful Magistrates.  
Q. What is the fourth?  
A. The fourth is, that the just cause of the War be manifested and published, for the conviction of the opposite party; and for the satisfaction of those that are to be engaged in it, and for the directions of the consciences of all the people, where they are to give their assistance in it.  
Q. What is the fifth?  
A. That the War be undertaken against such a person as is liable to such a violent opposition, which cannot be the Supreme Magistrate lawfully established, in regard of those that are his Subjects, and under his Government, Rom. 13.1, 2, 3. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 15.  
Q. What is the sixth?  
A. That the War be undertaken and managed to a righteous end, and such as is proportionable to the business of a War, viz. That it be undertaken for the glory of God and the Public good, and such a public good, as may be answerable for the hazards, and the mischiefs of a War: For private inconveniences are to be suffered rather than the public peace disturbed, and small inconveniences, though public, are rather to be born, than the great mischiefs of a War should be hazarded.  
Q. What is the seventh?  
A. That the War be carried on with righteous and moderate affections, not delighting in the work of destruction, and ruin of any, but seeking the reduction of Offenders, the preservation of the Innocent, and the righteous establishment of all ●hings; by no means aiming to advance ourselves, by the ruins and damages of others, nor at private revenge, nor yet to force the consciences of any in matters of Religion, contrary to the settled state of things of that nature, without satisfaction offered.  
Q. What is the eighth.  
A. That they that are engaged in the War make use of none but lawful and righteous means, for the obtaining of their just and righteous ends, not plundering the Innocent, nor doing hurt unto any, more than is necessary or apparently requisite for the procurement of a just Conclusion of the War; for God hath no need of the Devil, nor hath he made Virtue an imperfect thing, that it should stand in need of Vice to be its fellow. Soldier, or to join with it for the procurement of its righteous purposes.  
Q. What is the Nineth?  
A. That all faithfulness be used in Treaties and Agreements.  
Q. What is the Tenth?  
A. That nothing be done against Oaths and Covenants, 9 of Joshua compared with 1 Samuel ●●.  
Q. What is the Eleventh?  
A. The Eleventh is, that other things being rectified, as aforesaid, the action be managed with religious courage, waiting upon God with patience and submission in all Defeats, wherewith the erterprises shall be encountered; receiving them either as chastisements for sin, or as trials of our Faith and Constancy in God's Work, not as discharges from the pursuance of that Duty, which God hath called and enabled unto, Judg. 20. v. 18, 19, 20, 21, and v. 24, 25, 28. and looking constantly to God, and depending upon him for all success and Victory.  
Q. What is the Twelfth?  
A. That a strict obedience be performed unto the Command of Superiors, though never so hazardous, where they appear not contradictory to the rules of God, or of any authority that is Superior unto them.  
Q. What is the last?  
A. That God be acknowledged with thankfulness in all successes and Victories; and mercy used to subdued enemies, where it may be done without public mischief, 2 Chron. 20.26. 2 Kings 6.21, 22. 2 Chrou. 28. from the 11. to the 16.  
Q. What is the danger of the undertaking of an unjust War?  
A. The danger is very great upon several accounts; First, because you should fight against God, who is the Protector of all righteousness, and of the Authority of the lawful Magistrate, and of all the just Rights of his People.  
Secondly, Because he that fights in an unjust War, is a Murderer of every man that he destroys, and a Thief in every thing that he plunders; especially, when he knows it to be unjust, or is not enabled by a right Commission.  
3. Because, though God may suffer a man to prosper in such a War, for the correction of others; or for those ends that are best known unto him: yet no man can have any assurance that God will be with him in such an Action; but that he may be left unto destruction and damnation in every attempt that he shall adventure upon.  
Fourthly, because he that acts in such a War, is not only guilty of all the mischiefs by himself committed, but of all the Murders, Rapines, and Violences, that are committed by any other in the whole War; which are encouraged by his consent and assistance; and is answerable to God for all the blood that is spilt; and bound to restitution for all injuries that are done; a load sufficient to sink him to the depth of hell.  
Q. Is it necessary that every soldier should be satisfied of the Justness of the Cause of a War?  
A. All Volunteers are answerable for the Justness of the Cause; and therefore aught to be satisfied of it in their Consciences; but they that serve upon Command, under their lawful Prince, are not bound always perfectly to know it; but it concerns them to see that there be nothing manifest to the contrary.  
Q. May the Sword then be used in no case without the Commission of the Supreme Magistrate.  
A. Yes, In case of Necessity for private defence against private violence, where there is not opportunity of appeal to the Magistrate for his Protection; and also in case where the power of the supreme Magistrate is obstructed by violence, or rendered useless by absence, in such cases sometimes the Law may give a Commission, and sometimes Commissions may proceed from a delegated Authority.  Psalm 50.22. 
Now consider this ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you.  
FINIS.