GOOD COURAGE DISCOVERED, AND ENCOURAGED: IN A SERMON preached before the Commanders of the Military Forces, of the Renowned City of London. In the Parish Church of Great St. Helen's. May the 17. 1642. By SIMEON ASH, Preacher in London. DEUT. 20. 2, 3, 4. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the Battle that the Priest shall approach, and speak unto the people. And shall say unto them, Hear O Israel, you approach this day unto Battle against your Enemies: Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them. For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies to save you. LONDON, Printed by john Dawson for john Barroughes, and are to be sold at his shop at the golden Dragon near the Inner Temple-gate in Fleetstreet. 1642. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, the Aldermen, and Commoners, unto whom the Militia of the City of London is committed, the Sergeant Major General, the Colonels, the Lieutenant Colonels, Ser●eant Majors, Captains, and other officers of the trained Bands of the said City. Right Worshipful, COrnelius, Centurion of the Italian Band is thus commended by the Holy Ghost, that he was a devout man, and one that feared God. And I may report thus much to your honour and to move others to make imitation; that you have begun, and hitherto carried on your Martial affairs religiously. For having put the City into a posture of defence; before the execution of the Militia; you jointly sought God by Prayer for good success. The Lord heard your Prayers, for you went forth, and returned home, without the least touch of danger to yourselves, or your Companies. This remarkable Providence called you again together, to praise the God of salvations, the God of your mercies. Hereupon you were pleased to appoint me (very unworthy) to assist you in the service of Thanksgiving: A service not unseemly for the Host of Heaven. This Sermon, which upon that occasion I preached, through the Constructions of your Love found such acceptance, that you commanded it to come abroad to do you further service. And seeing you gave it good entertainment, as it was first presented, it makes bold to wa●te upon you without change of habit, expecting your Protection. Although I somewhat suspect that sundry amplifications in the Sermon which affected the Auditors, may not be so pleasing to the judicious Reader, yet your desires to have it prin●ed, as it was preached, makes me to run that adventure. The Lord of Hosts guide, guard, and encourage you in all your good undertake for peace and truth, and make you careful to put Christian references upon all your services, for the honour and safety of our King, the welfare of his Kingdoms, and the continued Prosperity of this famous City. This your prudent and pious perseverance in the work so well begun, will draw forth many praises to God, many prayers for you, and much rejoicing in the hearts of all them, who sincerely affect you; of which number, I beseech you account him one who is Your Servant, in, and for Christ, SIMEON ASH. GOOD COURAGE DISCOVERED, AND ENCOURAGED. PSAL. 31. 24. Be of good Courage. RIght worshipful, and worthy Gentlemen, (whose desires, and whose service of thanksgiving, I am now attending,) I hope you are come hither with an intention; First, to honour God for preservation enjoyed, through his providence, to whom you prayed. My Text looks back unto such a business; The Lord preserveth the faithful; therefore let Verse 23. the faithful upon such experiences in way of praise, in way of requital learn to be of good courage. Secondly, I believe you are come together in expectation for the future, to receive further favours from the God of your present praises; and my Text looks forward to that, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart, and wait I say on the Lord. My Text is short, the words in our translation are not many, in the original, there is but one word, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, The Septuagint renders the Hebrew word, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Quit yourselves like men; Viriliter agite, play the men, Rob●ramini, be ye strong. The Counsel here given is for all Christians, at all times needful, but for you, and at this time, most seasonable. Be ye courageous. First, The Counsellor was, a Worthy, a Soldier, a Warrior, a Commander, a King: David, as the title tells you, He calls for courage. Secondly, The Persons counselled, they are Saints, faithful ones: O ye Saints love him, his manner is by his special providence to preserve you; Therefore be ye of good courage. The point lies fair, which I conceive pertinent, and now purpose to prosecute. God's people must be of good courage. D●ctr. I shall briefly suggest the Scriptures proof, in a threefold gradation, wherein good courage is called for: First, Saint Paul an Apostle with Apostolical authority, persuades to it; 2 Cor. 16. 13. Quit ye like men. Secondly, jehosaphat a King, with regal authority commands it, 2 Chron. 19 ult. Deal courageously. Thirdly, The great God of Heaven and Earth, putting himself under a warlike notion, as the Lord General of all the forces in the World, the Lord of Hosts. He peremptorily presseth it; Haggie. 2. 4. Now be strong o Zorobabel saith the Lord and be strong o joshua, the Son of jozedek the High Priest, and be strong the people of the Land saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts. Three things there be, that I shall speak to, in the prosecution of this point. First, The explication of the virtue, the grace called for, wherein I will endeavour to discover what this courage is. Secondly, The confirmation of this truth by reasons, from which this Doctrine may undeniably be concluded, and by which you may all be fully convinced, that there is abundant cause, why all God's people should be courageous. Thirdly, The application of all, by way of use, that my Sermon may be the more serviceable. Christian courage may thus be described, It is the undaunted A Description of good Courage. audacity of a sanctified heart in adventuring upon difficulties, and undergoing hardships for a good cause upon the call of God. There are six things considerable in the description that I have given, which I will particularly point at, and prove. First, the Genus, the common nature of it: it is an undaunted audacity. This Animosity (as some phrase it,) it is common both unto men, and to some bruits. The Lion, Prov. 30. 30. is said, to be the strongest among beasts, that turneth not away from any. And there is an elegant description of the war horse, in regard of boldness, Job 39 19 etc. Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder▪ Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible, he paweth in the valley, and rejoyeth in his strength, he goeth out to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the sword. The Quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield, he swallows the ground with fierceness and rage, neither believeth he, that it is the sound of the Trumpet. And this boldness that is in bruits, it is spoken of, as a piece of this same courage that God is pleased to give to men; Ezek. 3. 9 this is the Lords promise. As an Adamant, harder than the flint, have I made thy forehead. The word Harder, is the same in the Hebrew, that is here in my Text, Fortiorem petra; The Rock, that is not afraid of any weather, Summer, or Winter, Sun, and Showers, Heat, and Cold, Frost, and Snow, it blusheth not, shrinketh not, it changeth not its complexion, it is still the same; Such alike thing is courage, in the common nature of it. Secondly, Consider the subject, it is the Heart, the Castle where Courage commands, and exerciseth Military Discipline; (shall I so say) it's within the bosom, it is the Soul of a valiant Soldier. Some conceive, our English word Courage, to be derived from Cordis actio, the very acting of the heart. A valiant man is described, 2 Sam 17. 10. for to be a man; whose heart, is as the heart of a Lyon. And sometime, the original translated, Courageous, as Amos 2. 16. may most properly be rendered, a Man of heart. Beloved, valour doth not consist in a piercing eye, in a terrible look, in big words, but it consists in the mettle, the vigour that is within the bosom. Sometimes, a Coward may dwell at the sign of a roaring voice, and of a stern countenance: whereas true fortitude may be found within his breast, whose outward deportment promiseth little, or nothing in that kind. Thirdly, Note the qualfication of this same subject; I said a sanctified heart: for I am not now speaking of fortitude, as a moral virtue, whereof Heathens, that have not God, are capable; and for which many among them, that are not Christians, have been worthily commended. But I am now discoursing of Courage, as a virtue Theologicall, as a gracious qualification, put upon the people of God by special covenant. And there are three things that do it, and which do distinguish it from the moral virtue of fortitude. The Root, whence it ariseth; The Rule, whereby it is directed; The End, to which it is referred, The Root, whence it riseth, is love to God; All the Saints of God that love the Lord, be of good Courage. The love of Christ constraineth me to make these bold, and brave adventures, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Rule whereby it is directed, is the word of God: what the Lord hath pleased to leave on record for a Christians guidance in holy pages, 1 Chron. 22. 12. 13. The Lord give thee wisdom and understanding, that thou mayst keep the law. If thou take heed to the statutes, and judgements, which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong and of good courage, dread not, nor be dismayed. Be a man of mettle, but let thy mettle be according to my mind, according to this rule. And the End, to which it refers, is God. For every sanctified man, being a selfe-denying, and a God-advancing man; his God is his Centre, wherein his actings, his undertake rest, and his Soul is not, yea it cannot be satisfied but in God. The fourth thing considerable in the Description is, the natural, the formal, the immediate operations, that do flow from this gracious, audacious frame of heart, they are two: There is an adventuring upon difficulties, And there is an undergoing of hardships. First, There is an adventuring upon hard services, It is said, 1 Sam. 31. 12. The valiant men risen and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his Sons from the wale of Bethshan, and came to Gabesh, and burned them there. When the Philistines had taken their bodies and were gone away conquerors, and fastened them there, as Ensigns of victory, brave blades, well mettalled men, went by night, and fetched them back again: an hard, and a brave service. And by reason hereof there is an enduring of hardships: Those Worthies of whom the world was not worthy, who are said to be men valiant in fight, Heb. 11. 34. This, testimony is given of them, that They endured torturings, the trial of mockings▪ or cruel mockings, of scourge, of bonds, and imprisonment, of stoning, of being sawn asunder, of being slain with the sword, of wand'ring up and down in sheep's skins, and goat's skins, being men destitute, afflicted, and tormented. Fiftly, in my description, I cast in the cause, which true courage undertakes to do, and suffer for, the object it works upon, the prize it adventures for, it is a good cause, Matters of faith, stand ye fast in the faith, quit ye like men. It is 1 Cor. 16. 13 a Gospel piece for which I am to jeopard a joint, to hazard alimbe, to adventure life, 1 Cor. 6. 13. or matters of fact: I must be of good courage for my conscience, that I may maintain an evenness of spirit in reference to my rule, in relation to my God, 1 Pet. 3. 14. If ye suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye, be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. It is a noble, a Christian resolution in any man, if he thus determine, rather than I will make a wound upon my conscience, a breach between God and my soul; rather than I will violate asacred vow, and transgress the command of my God, I will run the greatest hazards in outward regards that can be imagined. The goodness of the cause (Divines say) for which a man suffers, makes the Martyr: In like manner, it is the warrantableness of the work, wherein the soldier, the man of mettle appears, that gives him the credit, the honour of this title, to be accounted a valiant man. Sixtly and lastly, I added that good courage makes the Ios. 1. 9 foresaid adventures upon the call of God. Have not I commanded thee, be strong and of a good courage: If the Lord please to beat up the Drum; If the Lord please to bid them arm, and come abroad, his call is sufficient, Now God calls either by his precept, or by his providence. Either God calls his Champions for to undertake dangers, or he commands dangers to overtake them; and hereupon being led forth by the Lord of hosts, they express their valour: For this they know, that whether it be estate, or peace, or life, or liberty, or Religion, or whatsoever else they hope to defend, they are all talons that God hath entrusted them with, and that therefore only upon his Commission signed, and sealed by his own hand they may come forth, and must come forth bravely, and show themselves courageous in reference thereto. Now for a man in an impetuous, giddy, needy way, to break himself unwisely in his reputation, liberty, estate, and himself knows no other reason: but because his spirit moves him, and his humours stir in him, or some passionate inconsiderate persons provoke him, this (my beloved) is not to be courageous. We read in the Gospel, of a man possessed with an evil spirit, that did often cast himself into the water, and into the fire to destroy himself. And truly it nearly concerns many men of daring spirits, to consider Mark 9 22▪ seriously what spirit it is that acts in them: These things we must mark, that the true nature of courage may be understood. This description of good courage I judged meet to premise and to explain briefly, that we may understand the duty in the text, the duty, the seasonable duty, which God calls for, and I plead for. Be of good Courage. The second thing I propounded in the prosecution of this point, is the reasons wherefore a Christian should be courageous: And my doctrine is built upon a fourfold ground. First, God's people should be of good courage, in reference unto the condition, unto which God hath called them. God hath apppointed all Christians to be soldiers. A Sacrament is a soldier's oath, when we were baptised we took press money, and vowed to serve under the colours of Christ, and as manful soldiers to fight against the world, the flesh, and the Devil: and as oft as we have been at the Sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord, we have renewed our solemn, and sacred obligation in that kind, in reference to Christ, who is called The Captain of the Lords host, Jos. 5. 16. and the Captain of our salvation Heb. 2. 10. Inàure hardness (saith the Apostle) as a good culd●er of Christ, 2 Tim. 2. 4, Epaphroditus my fellow soldier, Phil. 2. 25. Beloved, wisdom is not more necessary for a Counsellor, nor eloquence for an Orator, than courage for a soldier. Soldiers we are, we must therefore, Be of good courage. Secondly, the weighty services wherein the Lord of Hosts is pleased to employ us. Men employed in peculiar services are commanded to put on fortitude: As joshua who was a Commander to guide, and govern the host, the armies of the Israelites in their passage to Canaan, Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayst observe to Iosh. 1. 7. do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee, turn not from it, to the right hand or to the left. And Ezra, in regard of his office, is thus spoken unto: Arise, for the matter belongeth unto thee, be of good courage, and do it: and common Christians, in respect of services required of them, are to be courageous in their places, Ios. 23. 6. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep, and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom, to the right hand or to the left. Shall I hint some services that are charged upon all our consciences The work of mortification, to pick out our eyes, to chop off our hands, to cut off our feet; do you think that a milk sop, a man that is not a man of a stout spirit will do this. Now to massacre fleshly lusts, is (as it were) for a man to mangle, and dismember his own body, it is a work painful and grievous, as for a man to cut off his own feet, to chop off his ownehands, and to pick out his own eyes, as Christ and the Apostle Paul do express it. Besides this, there are in Christians bosoms, strong holds to be battered, fortifications to be demolished: there are high hills and mountains, that must be leveled with the ground there are trenches to be made, valleys to be filled. O beloved, I may not mention the hills that lie before us in heaven way, which we must climb up; and craggy rocks that we must get over: and without courage certainly the service put upon our hands will not be discharged. There are also the walls of Irusalem to be repaired, and the Temple to be reedefied: If Nehemiah had not been a a man of a brave spirit, he would never have gone through stitch with that Church work, those weighty services which he did undertake. How this is appliable to us for the present time, the time of our begun reformation, I speak not; but rather do refer it to your considerations; I beseech you to read Neh. 4 17, 18. They which builded on the wall, and they that did bear burdens, with those that laded: Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the Builders every one had a sword girded by his side, and so builded, and he that sounded the Trumpet was by us. While they were at work they were all ready for war. Thirdly, Christians must be courageous, in reference to the 3. huge Armies, with which they are assaulted. There are armies Of Devils. Of Lusts. Of men and women in the world, that do wage war with every Christian, that in good earnest makes out after his God in heaven way. For the Devils, it is the argument of the Apostle, and from thence I took it, Ephes. 6. 10. Brethren, be strong (saith he,) for we wrestle not against flesh, and blood, but against principalities, and powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this World, against Spiritual wickednesses in the heights. Mark for the number they are many, Our name is legion, for we are many: How many thousands, neither you nor I know. There is strength in them, they are Powers, Principalities, and they are Rulers, they have very great authority in the Darkness of the World; in Midnight men, Dark men, Men who love not Sunshine light, but rather delight to lie in holes and caves. I mean, in regard of the Darkness of their minds, and their wilful ignorance of the things of God. And they are in the height; they fight with much advantage (as some observe,) being over our heads. And they are Spirits, they work invisibly, and they fight against our Souls, they labour to keep our hearts in thraldom, they seek to beggar and to undo us in regard of our grace, and Spiritual joys. The Holy Apostle Peter sayeth, The Devil your adversary, goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. An Adversary, and a Devil, and a strong one, as a Lion roaring, and then he is active, he walks about, and he is full of malice, ready to devour: These things touched upon, do tell us, that we, who are always surrounded, besieged by such enemies, have need of courage. There are armies of lusts, I know not how many. The 1 Pet. 2. 11. Apostle saith, Fleshly lusts that fight against the Soul. These foes lie within us, and they strike at the head, and the heart, endeavouring to let out the precious life of our immortal souls. As the Captains of the King of Syria, had a command 1 King 22. 31. to fight against, neither small nor great, but the King of Israel. And the Apostle saith, that lusts in his bosom were such enemies, as still carried him captive, and haled him as a prisoner. (You know the expression, Rom. 7. 2●.) Beloved, doth not experience oftentimes prove thus much, that pride, passions, unbelief, hypocrisy, earthly mindedness, creature confidence, sensuality, do take up arms against our precious Souls. Alas! alas! lusts, deceitful lusts, many deceitful lusts, are still, still tyrannising in our bosoms, which of us hath not cause to complain with the Apostle, when I would do good, they are at hand present with me: strong in me, ever stabbing, and striking, and poisoning, and wounding; if I would but pray, or weep, or amend. These Rebels raise their strengths, and combine their forces to hinder me: and no sooner can Satan hold up finger, and temptation show itself; But they are ready furiously to march out against Christ, his government, graces, glory. Beloved, I appeal to your consciences, whether in regard of this black guard, maintained within us, we have not need to be of good courage. Thirdly, the armies of people: The Apostle Paul saith, he fought with men who were as beasts, Beasts after the manner of men, 1 Cor. 15. 32. David tells you they were Dogs, and they were Tigers, and Wolves, and Bears, and Bulls, and Lions, so in the Psalms he phraseth them. I promise you, a man that is so beset, thus assaulted, if he be not a man of courage what will become of him? There are Sanballets and Tobiahs, men of malignant, mischievous Spirits, to do us mischief in Heaven way. had we not need in that regard to be courageous? And truly, women if they cannot use weapons, they will cast, and fling stones, shoot their arrows even bitter words. David met with opposition in that kind, from one that was near, and should have been better. Michol she jeered him in his righteous, and holy zeal, in reference to God; you know the story, and therefore I report it not. And doubtless, had not he been a man of an Heroic Spirit, he might have been dashed out of countenance and baffled and cooled in his zeal, because of her reproachful language. There are those that are ready to perform ill offices, Sheba▪ like, to blow a Trumpet of sedition, of contention, to cast coals, and kindle strife between the head and the members, the King, and his Subjects; to set all on a ●i●me in the Kingdom. In this regard, we had need to be steel to the back, that we be not disheartened. From all these three particuiars, I might apply that passage, 2 Sam. 10. 9 12. When joah saw the front of the battle against him before and behind; he said he of good courage, and let us play the men: His speeches did sparkle Spirits, he herein proved himself a man meet to be a warlike Commander, for danger and difficulties did add heart and heat. My Masters, you see our case, let us play the men for our people, and for the Cities of our God. Beloved, you perceive by that which I have pointed at, that our enemies are more and worse, we are beset before, and behind, above, and below, without and within; not only our Cities, but our Souls are opposed, endangered. Hell and Earth, Men and Devils, yea and ourselves are Adversaries to ourselves. Therefore there is good reason, why we should put on Courage. Fourthly and lastly, We have need of Courage, because of the various afflictions to be expected. For aught we know, heavy things may befall us, and must be borne by head, and shoulders by us, before we get to our Castle, our place of refuge, our rest in Heaven; how stony, how thorny, how deep, and how dangerous our ways may prove, before we get to our journeys end, we cannot tell. It may be, we must travail through blood, through our own blood, and therefore we need Courage. After our Saviour had suggested to his Disciples, Mat. 10. 21. Brother shall deliver brother to death; the Father the Child, and the Child shall raise against the Parents, and cause them to be pat to death, and you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; Hereupon he adds, verse 26. Fear not, 32. Fear not. Beloved, we know not what may be our portion here on earth, before we come perfectly to enjoy God our portion, and be happy in enjoying of him for ever. We may live to see the City fired, our estates wasted, our wives abused, our children torn in pieces lin bemeale, peice-meale before our eyes: believe me without courage, these sights will be hard and heavy to be beheld, such like sights will cause us to found away, to sink into the dust, if we provide not courage. Thus have I run over my reasons, and now I request you all, seriously to consider, whether in all the regards, we have not abundant cause to endeavour, to get the grace the text commends, and to do the duty that in the text God calls for, Be of good courage. I come now to the application of all that hath been delivered by way of use. The uses of this point that I shall speak to, they are but two. The first Reproof, The second Exhortation. For Reproof, hence I have occasion for to blame both unworthy cowardliness in some, and wicked audaciousness in others: both vices contrary to this virtue, both extremes, opposed by this practice of Christian fortitude, which my text persuades. First I must check an unworthy dastardliness, which discovers itself three ways in the bosoms of men. First, when men by reason of pusi●animity, & lowness of spirit, dare not appear in the cause that they are convinced, to be the cause of God. There were some, joh. 12. 43. who, though they believed on Christ, yet they durst not profess him for fear of the Pharisees, lest they should be excommunicated. The consciences of many tell them, that such a way is the way of God, doubtless this is heaven road; surely these are the courses to be taken to enjoy God, and communion with him, and yet for fear of I know not what, scorns, mocks, loss of friends, or the like; they dare not be seen. It may be they will go to Christ with Nichodemus in the night, for fear too many eyes observe them, and take notice of them in such unwounted paths, exercises which seem to proclaim strictness and preciseness. You see I am in haste, and therefore cannot instance in particulars. Secondly, others by reason of cowardliness soon grow discouraged in sad and weighty undertake, because they find the way to heaven craggy, the duties difficult, the services something hard; and because they have not expected success on a sudden; here upon their spirits shrink up; I have reference in this expression to the original word used to this very purpose, in Num. 21. 4. And the soul of the people was much discouraged, because of the way. Their spirits were shortened (as it is in the Hebrew) they run up by reason of distress, and all vigour gave in. As a Cravant gins to look pale through fear; his spirits fly to the heart, you shall see no blood in his face: O did he think to be mocked, and to be pursevanted? and did he expect to be imprisoned? and did he conceive to be put on such a dead task, and to work himself down in his strength, respects amongst men, and other outward comforts, and reap nothing but the wind. Much hath been done, and much hath been endured, many weeks, months, years, are run up, since he expected a good crop, of increase and comfort: but hopes being frustrated, and expectations disappointed; he sits down dejected: Because Reformation is driven on heavily, things stick in the birth, therefore many are disheartened. Thirdly, those that under dark clouds and showers of sufferings lie grovelling on the ground, through disconsolateness: He that faints in the evil day, his strength is small, Prov. 24. 10. There is mention of some, Ios. 2. 11. when the wind and tide went against them; when the victory was carried on the other side, it is said, their hearts melted, there was no more courage in them: The melting of the wax is the severing of part from part: The confirming of the parts together, is the strength of it, the loosening of the parts weakens it: a man's soul runs out through fainting fears, as water; whereas it should be confirmed, as a piece of steel. Christian's should be magnanimous, and Fortitude will fortify, and corroborate the soul. As the original word suggests thus much, so the conjunction of strength, and valour in the holy Scriptures doth import it: Be strong and of good courage. Think of this, and take heed I pray you of dastardly dejectedness, and dismaying fears, in sad, suffering times, because thereby both soul and body are much feebled, and much prejudiced. The second thing reproved, is wicked audaciousness: This branch of the reprehension is needful, for certainly, there is in some men a kind of fire, that riseth out of hell, or rather some mettle, which is digged out of the bottomless pit, which is called Courage, and so accouted in the world. My meaning is, that there is a devilish, wretched resoluteness in the bosoms of some to hold on in sin; notwithstanding divine reprehensions, convictions, threaten, and executions; which is as much opposite to true courage, as the greatest cowardliness in the world. I told you before, that true courage is for good, upon a Command from God. The Apostle checks the Corinthians, because they had so much boldness, as that they did dare to do that which was offensive, viz. to go to law one with another, and that before Infidels, you dare do it saith he, you have so much boldness, 1 Cor. 6. & the Apostle Peter checks men, They are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities. Psal. 12. 4. The Psalmist brings in bad men thus resolving, Our tongues are our own, and we will speak, and who is Lord over us. Some there be, who though the Minister flash the very fire of hell in their faces, discovering the danger of their evil courses; yet like unto the war-horse, they will adventure further, let the consequence prove what it may: yea, although God be on them in ways of heavy affliction, with one rod after another, and one blow bigger than another, though his providence pinch them in their persons, impoverish them in their estates, crush them in their credit; and it may be they suffer much in their yoak-fellowes, Children and near allies; yea, though the often recoiling of their consciences, cause earthquakes in their own bosoms, yet on they will still to do wickedly. These are the men of whom the Prophet complains, Who make their faces harder than the Rock, and refuse to return. jer. 5. 3. Men of this make are common in every place, and their way of living is much to be bewailed: and now I am necessitated to speak unto them▪ because their sturdiness in refusing to stoop unto God in reformation, is reputed courage. To crush these wretched conceits, I hearty wish that the Scriptures may be perused; where you shall find, that those who are commended for the most valiant Champions, and the stoutest soldiers in the Camp of Christ, that they were the most timorous in matter of sin, and most cautious in references to God, that they might not in any kind offend His Majesty. David, that durst take a Lion by the beard, and durst adventure upon a Duel, a single combat with Goliath, yet thus he expresseth himself to God, My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Psal. 119. 120. judgements. And Nehomiah, who had many ways worthily expressed his magnanimity for God and his cause, yet no man was ever more awed with the fear of God. He persuaded himself, and others thereunto. Ought not we to walk in the fear of God? And again complaining of Neh. 5 9 15. the governor's, who were his Predecestors, that they were usurious, and very injurious in their places; he addeth but so, Did not I (I durst not) because of the fear of the Lord my God. I am confident, that this position is full of truth, you may trust to it, as sound and orthodox: That there is no more Christian courage, than there is Christian fear in our hearts. There is no more true valour in God's account, in conflicting with difficulties, and stout standing under heavy pressures, than there is a cautious, and timorous circumspection, lest sin of any kind should be committed to the dishonour, and provocation of God. Shall I think that a man that will swear, and roar, and curse, and pox, and plague (I should not have defiled my mouth with these words) shall I think that this man of belial hath Christian courage? He may have moral magnanimity, as an heathen, as a Roman, but he wants the courage of a Saint, that courage which my Text calls for. Beloved, I pray you believe it, (I speak as a Scripture man; and I speak to men that must labour to be men valiant, as becometh Saints) he t●at rules his own spirit, Prov. 16. 32. doth more than he that overcomes a City. That man who takes down his untamed lusts; and that man who bridles the unruly member the tongue He who conquers the rebellious mutinies in his own bosom, and who notwithstanding all avocasions, is careful still to keep close to God, this is the valiant man indeed, God himself, by Solomon's pen, gives such a one his Letters testimonial to be magnanimous. And for my part I will adventure that which is dearest unto myself in this world, in the hands of this man, if in the hand of any, in regard of valour, and holy, hearty, heroic resolution. But I put off from this reproof, wherein my zeal hath made me bold, to speak my mind: For I had rather counsel then reprehend: and before I go forward, I wish that my checks lighting on ungracious hearts may make kindly and deep impressions on them, for their amendment. And God grant that you that come to praise God, as becometh Saints this day, may learn also hereafter to be valiant as it becometh Saints, according to the directions of sac●ed Scripture. The last use, is an use of exhortation; (I fear, I have more to say then my time, and your occasions will suffer me to deliver.) It is only this, to persuade you all (my beloved,) I say all, without exception, Colonels, Captains, other Officers, Soldiers, yea all the Servants of the Lord, to yield to the word of exhortation, and in your places to endeavour Christian courage; This use most useful my heart desires to enlarge, wherein I feign would, 1. By Arguments persuade it, 2. By Directions help you in it. I have Arguments of two kinds, God grant they may come with some strength upon your hearts, to move you to endeavour to be truly valorous. First, From the consideration of the rich commodities, that are the undoubted consequences of Religious fortitude. O the booties, o the bones, o the benefits, that Christians may enjoy in the way of Christian valour. I will point at 6. and I shall do little more than point at them. First, It will wind, and work you into the bosom, and favour of God; Be of good Courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Put thou thyself forth in a way of bold adventure for him, and his providence shall be sweetly exercised for thy good. A worthy Commander how careful is he of a brave blade, a man that will fight at a Cannon's mouth. Doth he hear from him, that a bone is broken? Send for the Bonesetter. Is he like to bleed to death? call for the Surgeon, let him post away to prevent that peril; Doth he grow weaker and weaker? Is there any thing in the Camp, that may restore his Spirits, withhold nothing; nothing is too good, too costly, would he eat gold, he should have it. Thus it is with God, O what letters of commendation doth he give in manifestation of his own love to them in Pergamus, upon this very ground: Thou, saith the Lord, Rev. 2. 13. thou hast held forth my name, and not denied it even in those days, when Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain, even where Satan dwelleth. Thou didst fight for CHRIST in the Cave, where the Devil commanded, thou didst stand and appear for him, when other men did lose life, and blood. Here is a man that God will own, such a one, shall have God's heart and hand to do him honour, to yield him comfort. And therefore I appeal to your consciences, is not this Courage worth the having? worth the seeking? Secondly, Your Courage will hearten you in the weightiest and difficultest adventures, which the cause and glory of God, the welfaire of his Church, the honour of the King, the peace and prosperity of the Kingdom may put you upon. Hester was a woman, yet valiant. Must I to the King for my people; If I perish, I perish. I will take my life in my hand and adventure: Nehemi●h had a hard task to undertake, truly a dead piece of service to set upon, yet notwithstanding being a courageous man, he will hazard his All, to obey the command of his God, and to serve the necessities of his brethren. This is recorded for the everlasting credit of some of the Servants of God, the Priests, 2 thron. 26. 17. 18. And Azariah the Priest went in after him and with him 4. score Priests of the Lord that were valiant men; and they withstood Vzziah the King, and said unto him, it pertaineth not unto thee Vzziah to burn incense to the Lord. Men of brave Noble Spirits will speak, whatsoever it cost them, upon a call from God, men of valour will appear according to Gods command in services sad, and heavy. We say, that a well mettled horse, will take forward, and draw at a standing tree, but that I shall speak of in the next. Thirdly, It will make us unwearied in our works, though desired, and expected success be denied. You see it some time; (My similitude is a plain one, but beloved, it fully evidenceth the thing I speak to,) A Carre-horse of good mettle, will pluck, and fall on his knees, and up, and take forty plucks at a sticking load, whereas a Jade, if it come not at the first twitch, goes back, back, and you cannot get him forward. Just thus is it with a Coward, if he have not victory at the first skirmish, he will hardly make a second assault; if he be knocked down, once, twice, or thrice, he gives up all as lost, and is ready to run away; but a man of a stout Spirit in such a case, will plucked up heart, fight again, so long as he can either stand or stir. Thus Moses he goes, the first, and second, and third, and tenth time to Pharaoh, notwithstanding brow-beating, repulses, threaten. Thus says the Lord, let my people go. That was his message, either it must be granted, or he will not cease his importunity. Israel he comes for, and Israel he will have with him, or else, he will not leave Egypt. My beloved, let us bring this down to ourselves: Many prayers we have made, and many fasts we have kept for Zion: and before our deliverance be complete, we know not, how many plucks we must yet have, and how many shall we take to repair the walls, and to re-edify the House of God, in case, God give us this mettle, which I am commending. Fourthly, Courage will be a means to keep us from conscience-wasting, and scandalous miscarriages. What had become (think you) of Shidrack Mesheck, and Ab●dnego? or what had become of Daniel, if they had not been men of undaunted hearts? The one had given off doing his duty, presenting his indebted homage to his God, he must not pray for the space of thirty days to his God. The other three must bow down in way of Idolatry to an Idol. But mark the Sparkling of their Spirits; Be it known unto thee o King, we know God can deliver us, but if he will not, we will not fall down, nor worship that Image which thou hast set up. They were by Courage kept out of the briers, and off the Rock, which might otherwise have torn and broken them woefully. And Daniel was preserved from the neglect of his devotion to his God, by the same means. Fiftly, Believe it, that our Courage will daunt our Adversaries, and drive them away; The Captain of that black guard, (the Devil I mean) will give back, if stoutly withstood: Resist him, and he will flee▪ stand to it and he will run jam. 4. 7. away. In like manner, will those, who march under his colours against God's people. It is said expressly 1 Sam. 4. 5. 7. when the Philistines heard the Israelites shout, O say they their God is among them, woe unto us. Without doubt, the very valour of Protestants will be the daunting of the Papists. Let those who appear for Reformation, maintain their ground, and the enemies thereof, will be discouraged, vanquished. Lastly, I might add, that our Courage will encourage, I know not how many, One bold leader, will hearten hundreds. O saith Paul, my bonds, and sufferings are famous, they are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the Brethren by reason of my bonds Wax bold, and speak the word without fear, Phil. 1. 12. 13. 14. If you would know what word? It was the word of CHRIST, who was denied, derided. Now to speak for a Christ when Paul is in prison, and in bolts, and fetters for the word of CHRIST, was an act of Manhood. And Paul's valour made them thus bold. The City's Courage will make the Country courageous. This true valour that I speak for, may have influence I know not how fare, through the Kingdom in way of benefit, and advantage. Therefore look you to it, Quit yourselves like men, Be of good Courage. The second motive, is taken from the consideration of the sad consequences of cowardliness. First, A man's personal discredit, call a Soldier a cravant, and how do you disgrace him? They would feign, (saith Nehemiah,) Put me in fear, that they might have had somewhat to reproach me; Nehem. 6. 13. A Captain, and a Coward, what a shame is it? If you desire to maintain your honour and reputation, in City and Country, hold up your hearts, Be men of valour. Secondly, This is another a sad consequence of cowardliness, it may tend to make us unprofitable, and unserviceable in our places; I was afraid, and hid my talant, for I Matth. 25. 25 thought, thou wast a hard master. You know whose speech it was. When a man hath both opportunities and abilities to do, God and the King, the Parliament and Kingdom, good service. God hath bestowed a good head-piece, much wisdom, an able body and healthful, a strong arm, a vast estate, a great command; and yet notwithstanding, when the welfare of Church and Commonwealth, call him to make appearance, he draws back, dares not be seen, all his talents are tied in a napkin, there is nothing traded for God, because he is a Coward, and dares not look out of doors. There will be a heavy reckoning for that man, Take him, bind him hand and foot. Cowardliness makes men, though able, yet unprofitable, therefore take heed of it. Thirdly, The good causes, which men own and favour, may receive a great deal of damage, and prejudice by the pusillanimity, the poorness of the Spirits of them, that appear therein. There was a notable piece of policy, in the endeavour of the railing wretch Rabshecah, to affright the soldiers of Hezeki●h, 2 Chr. 32. 18. This they did, that they might make us afraid and take our City. Cowardliness ties a man's hands behind him, that he can do nothing in the World, he cannot keep his rank, and place, he neither knows when to charge, or discharge; his hands quake, his eyes cannot see, he cries where am I? and what must I do? Thus all is lost, because of cowardliness, it is a mighty disadvantage to be a dastard. Certainly, a man under the power of dismaying, in fears is ●●arse a man in the use of his intellectuals. Fourthly, What sad breaches cowardliness, may make upon us, both in regard of sin, and judgements. I know not. The sad example of Saint Peter is here considerable, O what a wound did he receive, by reason of his unworthy fearfulness; It cost him dear before the cut was cured. You know his threefold denial of his Master, with the black aggravations thereof; O I know him not, I am not any of them, you are mistaken in me, etc. But before that breach was, made up, it cost him hot water, H●e wept bitterly. Beloved, beloved, consider what I say, many a man doth that under the command of cowardliness, which is pain and anguish in his heart to his dying day. God is wonderfully incensed, when men shrink from him, because of difficulties and dangers, Fear not lest I slay thee. Be not dismayed at their faces (saith God to Jeremiah,) lest I confound thee before them, jer. 1. 17. When God calls often, and calls loud upon men to take part with him, and yet they shrink and draw back, believe it, the danger is not little. You know whose speech it is; If you will deny me Mark 8. 38. before men, I will deny you before my Father, which is in heaven. A valiant Captain, when the field is fought, and the victory is got, bids, bring in that cravant, that milksop, who did run away: Hiss him, turn him out of doors, as the shame of his Country; when Christ shall come and call, and say to some Whitelivered men, you were ashamed to appear for the strict observation of the Lordsday, and you would not be seen to favour the Reformation, which by England's Parliament, at such a time was endeavoured, and you would not labour to have the sanctuary swept from all pollutions, and you would be at no cost, to have Christs-coine, bear his stamp alone, to have his ordinances pure without mixtures, but you would rather Issachar-like, lie under burdens, then struggle for deliverance. You were afraid what might be the issue of your boldness in such businesses, if the times should turn, and the tide run another way, and matters change in such and such a manner. And hereupon you sneakingly left me, and my cause and glory in the open fields. Beloved, this will be an heavy hearing to the cowardly Apostate at the last day, when the fearful, and the unbelieving must be sent into the lake which burneth with fire & brimstone. Therefore I entreat you again, and again, to consider Revel. 2. 8. well of this matter. Lastly, how fare cowardliness may tend to discourage others: I wish you to consider: I here remember, that when Israel of old, was to go forth unto battle, God commanded the officers to speak thus unto th● people, What man is th●re, that is fearful, and faint hearted, l●t him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's hearts faint (or melt) as well as his heart. Gentlemen, God forbidden that you who are come hither to day, to acknowledge yourselves bound to God for your estates, lives, and liberties, & to have the word of truth, preached and pressed upon you for your souls good. God forbidden (I say) that you who give good examples in many other kinds, should do any thing which may tend to weaken the spirits, and to damp the courage of any, who shall inquire, what do they in London? Having thus fare persuaded you, to pluck up your hearts, as it becometh Saints: I now entreat you, to give me leave to counsel you, what course to take, that you may be courageous, and I promise to do it, as with sincere reference to God, whose servant I am, so with unfeigned faithfulness to you whom I now serve. What shall we do, that we may be courageous? My directions are in number ten, I will not be long in any one of them, because I would not be tedious, I humbly beg your best attention, desiring to speak to your souls, and I beseech the Lord to speak to my heart, and yours. The first help to Christian courage (which makes way for all the rest) is this: Labour clearly from Scripture grounds to evidence your propriety in God. When David was utterly undone in outward appearance at Ziklag, being stripped of all outward comforts, and expected that his brains should be beaten out with stones, (They talked of stoning him) David encouraged himself (he confirmed 1 Sam. 30. 6. and strengthened his heart) as the original expresseth it, in the Lord his God: Is there not more in God, My beloved, I pray you put this question upon serious debate in your own bosoms, my God to hearten me, then in mine enemies my greatest, my worst enemies to dismay me? Take the improvement of this point in two particulars. 1 God's omnipotency? 2 Gods Omnipresence. Is there not more ability in God, than power in all the world, if combined together. Be strong, and courageous, 2 Chro. 32. 8▪ (saith Hezekiah) Be not afraid, nor dismayed, for the King of Assyria, nor for all the multitude, that is with him, for there be more with us, then with him: with him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles, And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, King of judah. At this time Senacherib had raised a very great Army, as holy History reports: And railing Rabshekah was confident, that Israel's God could not deliver; yet you see, that this thought. The Lord our God to help us, did steel and strengthen their hearts. The knowledge of Deity, and Propriety, will increase magnanimity in a fearful heart, what are huge armies, strong fortifications weapons of war, the strength, stoutness, skill, or experience of common soldiers, or warlike Commanders against the Lord Almighty? look back to the history last mentioned, where we read, that one angel in one night killed five thousand men in the host of the King of Assyri●. By this example, guess at the ability of your Isa. 37. 36. God, having made sure your interest in him; and from thence gather courage. 2 As the ability, so the presence of God by the efficacy Iosh 1. 9 of his all-ordering providence, may hearten all them, whose God he is by special Covenant; Have not I commanded thee, be strong, and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whither soever thou goest. The Lord is with us, by the presence of his special favour, in all our good undertake whethersoever we go. The Christian carries his commander, his refuge, his Castle, his God along with him, whether he keep in the City, or go forth into the country; whether he serve by land, or by sea, his God is still at hand. Assurance therefore, that the all-sufficient, al-prepresent God is ours, will lay a good foundation for good courage: Those who adventure upon any service without God going along with them, may expect defeats; notwithstanding all means of defence: and therefore no marvel, if they tremble: But God taking part with his people, they may confidently from his presence expect deliverance. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, they had swallowed us up quick etc. but blessed be the Lord, Psal. 1. 6. who hath not given us, as a prey to their teeth. God and his people make one side; and because their help standeth in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth; therefore they have abundant cause to be o● good courage. Secondly, make sure, that the cause you appear in, is the cause of God. If a man marching to look his enemies in the face, and being about to begin the battle, should feel the earth to shake under him, and the ground to sink, every foot he set forward: O how would this daunt him, and how would his heart recoil, and give in within him? O beloved, I beseech you, be you well confirmed in your own hearts, that you do serve for God. It is that which was added to give Courage to them in Iehosaphats time, when they were surrounded, with Ammon, and Moab, and Mount Seir, as if we should say, with Denmark and France, and Papists at home. Well, saith the man of God, Harken ye all judah, and ye Inhabitants of 2 Chron. 20. 15. etc. jerusalem, and thou King jehosaphat; Thus saith the Lord unto you: Be not afraid nor dismayed, by re●son of the great multitude for the battle is not yours but Gods. Beloved, he that hath a ●ad conscience, and a bad cause, ever fights as a Coward, and is ready at every stroke to lay down his weapons and run away. A true man will stand to it, come who may come, for his cause is justifiable, and he may with boldness own it; but theives, if they hear any noise, any whispering, they cry one to another, let us haste and be gone, for they know, their adventure's unwarrantable. When a man thus thinks with himself, being beset with dangers and difficulties, what if I should die in this business? could I with confidence own it, at the Bar of JESUS CHRIST? The encouragement of his own conscience, will much embolden him. But if a man's own heart tell him; that adventuring and dying in a such cause, e shall sink into Hell, because he opposeth the Commands and Government of JESUS CHRIST; the liberties, the comforts, the prayers of God's people, how is it possible, that he should play the man, and be truly courageous? Thirdly, Consider seriously, the many weighty consequences of the good cause, which from good grounds, you undertake to maintain. Sat down and sadly think what will the issue be, if you desert your Protestation, whereby you bond yourselves, to stand for the true Protestant Religion, the honour of our King, the Privileges of Parliament, the Laws of the Land, and welfare of the Kingdom. Here it is notable, how the Philistines heartened one another, in the day of their deep danger, 1 Sam. 4. 9 Be strong, quit yourselves like men o Philistines that you be not Servants to the Hebrews; Quit yourselves like men and sight; Either pluck up your hearts, and fight now, or be slaves for ever; that is the argument. And I pray you, observe how joab pleads, When he saw the battle before and behind. 2 Sam. 10. 12. Be of good Courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the Cities of our God. And that passage, Nehem. 4. 14. It is considerable, as either of the former; Be not afraid remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your Brothers, for your Sons, for your Daughters, for your Wives, and for your Houses. Mark it, my beloved, and make application, what if the Papists should get the upper hand? What if the Parliament should be dissolved? What if the malignant party should effect their mischievous desires? Oh how dark and doleful, how black and bloody, would our times prove, we are all, many ways obliged to stand for the government and worship of the Lord Christ: for the safety, and honour of our King, for the welfare of his three Kingdoms, for the Privileges of our Parliament, and for our rights by Law; All these are to be prized at an exceeding high rate: our happiness will be great in the enjoying of them, and our misery not small, in the want of them. Every man according to his Relations and engagements, should reason the case with himself. What adventures should I make, and what hazard should I run, that myself may not be enslaved, that my Wife may not be abused, my Children massacred, and (which is above all,) that Christ's holy Religion may not be corrupted, and that Popery may not be introduced and established in England. Thus meditation upon the worth of the things to be maintained, will be a special means to quicken and to augment Courage. Fourthly, Keep Christ your Captain in your eye. For true valour, there never was, nor ever shall be any like unto him. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, o most mighty, with thy glory and Majesty; and in thy Majesty ride prosperously, and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things; Psalm 45. 3 4 How valiant a Champion was the Lord JESUS! Heb. 12. 2. He endured the Cross, and despised the shame; He went on, though dogs did bark, and Lions did roar, though men reproachfully reviled him, and the Devils endeavoured to devour him; though the earth (as it were) did shake under his feet, and the Heavens were black and thundering over his head. Although when his professed enemies had conspired his death, judas did betray him, and his other Disciples did forsake him, yea although his God and Father did hid his face from him, when he answered Divine justice for our sins, yet he shrunk not, he drew not back, from the glorious work undertaken. When outward dangers encompassed him, and the sorrows of Hell took hold upon his Soul, though he was apprehensive, and sensible of all, unto the utmost, and therefore both complained and prayed to his Father, yet was he not discouraged. He did not sound, when he saw his own blood, yea although his body was wet all over with a bloody sweat, but he worthily did wade through the flood of his appointed passions. Consider him, consider him, (beloved,) that you may not faint in your minds; when a soldier sees his Captain content to take up with poor provisions and undaunted, though he meet with hard services, harsh usages, sore affronts, he thereupon grows the more resolute. For thus be reasons within himself. My worthy Commander, for his diet, takes up with a crust of course bread and a little water, he hath not been in bed these many nights, but still, either watcheth, or else, he lies upon the ground, the cold ground no ways, no weather discourages him, Winter, Summer, wet, or dry, scorching heat, the pinching frost, are alike unto him: Bullets, blows wounds, bruises, broken bones, do not cause him to sound a retreat, to give back, and shall I shrink? Beloved, if Christ had shrunk when Heaven frowned, and men deserted, and Devils opposed him, what had become of you, and me? Is this Christ my Captain? and hath he Captaine-like, Championlike for me both done and suffered thus worthily, thus incomparably, and shall not I put on Courage, and show myself a man, a valiant man for him? I beseech you, consider this frequently and affectionately. Fiftly, I commend unto you, mutual Christian communion, as a special means of Christian Courage. In the Prophet Malachy his times, when wickedness was Mal. 3. 16. grown to a great head, and the power of godliness was discountenanced in them, than those that feared God, spoke often one to another. When Paul after shipwreck, saw the brethren, who came Act. 28. 15. to meet him, he took Courage. And also, upon a strong Act. 18. 5. dispute with some who opposed Christ, when Silas and Timotheus were come, Paul was pressed in Spirit. God be thanked for that unity and love which is amongst you, amongst you, the Aldermen and Commons of this City, unto whom the Militia is committed; God continue it, God knit your hearts together more fast, and firm from day to day: God give you when you meet to consider seriously what may heat, and hearten your Spirits in the way of Christian valour, according to that which this day I have preached, and according to that, which this day we all need. We read in Isay 41. 6. of a Company of Idolaters, animating each other, in promoting Idol worship. They helped every one his Neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good Courage. So the Carpenter encouraged the Gold smith, and he that smootheth with the hammer, him that smiteth with the anvil, etc. Doubtless, at this day, those who envy our hopes, and oppose our peace, do meet and hearten one another, both by words and actions. God forbidden therefore, that we should be more regardless of one another, having a better cause, and more encouragements. Sixtly, set faith on work in the promises of the Gospel. The worthies in the primitive times, waxed valiant by means of faith; Hebr. 11. 34. You may do well to inform yourselves, what the Lord is pleased to speak in the word of truth for your comfort. By the bond of his own rich unchangeable grace, he is become your debtor to do more than I can possibly express. Three things I thought to have spoken unto, under this direction. First, The promise of God's assistance, Be of good Courage, and he will strengthen thine heart. The sweet Psalmist saw much sweetness in this, and therefore doth mention it, once and again when the Soul saith, I am ready to Psal. 27. 14. fall down, yet taking courage, to march forward, it shall renew strength, it shall receive an addition of new strength, Esa 40. 31. And that speech of Solomon, Prov. 10. 29. is very remarkable. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright. They go on and gather strength in going, they walk from strength to strength, Psalm. 84. 7. Truly this is an heartening consideration. Secondly, The promise of good success. Beloved, Christians maintaining the cause and minding the glory of God, are as sure of victory as if now they were singing the triumph, and going away as Conquerors. This is most certain, for truth itself hath spoken it; In the World joh. 16. 33. ye shall have affliction, be of good cheer, or be bold, I have overcome the World. The Devil hath his death's wound, Corruption hath (as it were) the knife at the heart of it and the power of wicked men is broken, they are but sprunting and striving for life. By this argument, the Lord heartened his servant joshua; Be strong and of a good Courage, for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance, the land which I swore unto their Fathers to give them; Josh. 1. 6 As though the Lord had thus spoken; although thou mayest fight many battles, receive many foils, lose many of thy soldiers, yet be not dismayed, for certainly as a Conqueror, thou shalt bring the people to Canaan. Thirdly, Then the recompense assured upon all them, who stoutly stand to the cause of God, is more rich and large, than I can relate. To him that overcommeth, will I grant to sit with me in my Throne. And from this assurance, Rev. 3. 21. the Apostle Paul encourageth the Corinthians. Therefore my beloved Brethren, Be ye steadfast, and unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much, as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. God 1 Cor. 15 58. will requite all pains taken, all sorrows suffered, and you that have lost houses, or land, or father, or mother, or wife, or Ma●h. 19 29. children, for Christ, and his cause, besides that inward peace, and tranquillity and joy, which an hundred fold exceed all sublunary contents, to be enjoyed here, you shall inherit hereafter everlasting life. And again, fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, etc. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life. Feed on these promises, for Cordials flow from them to cheer your drooping hearts, and to strengthen courage. Seventhly in large your love. If those hearts which now do but drop love, might flow forth streams of love upon God's cause, our King's honour, and the Kingdom's welfare how wonderfully would our courage be increased. Both reason and religion, will give in manifold strong arguments to augment our love to our Prince, our Parliament, our peace, our privileges, our posterity: and doubtless our love and valour, will grow together. Love will adventure fare: Women are the more feeble, the more fearful Sex, and yet love in a tender mother will produce bold adventures to save the babe of her womb. The timorous mother, who is wont to tremble at the report of a Musket, will almost come to a Cannon's mouth to save her Child from being broken in pieces: Love doth it. Have you not in the country sometimes seen an Ewe, in defence of her lamb, to turn head upon a mastive dog, and to stamp, although at other times, the barking of a little whelp, will make a whole flock of them to run away. O, love doth it. And the poor Hen, she will fly at the Kite to save her brood; Love doth it. O that you and I had this Love; Love to Zion, to the Gospel of peace, Love to Christ, and the pure ordinances of grace: Love will make brave and bold adventures. And as it will adventure fare, so it will endure much, and long. The Apostle saith, Charity beareth all things, endureth all things, jacob though he had tedious days, and 1 Cor. 13. 7. weary nights, a fore service under a sour Uncle, a churlish Master, yet he served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed unto him, but a few days, for the love he had to her Gen. 29. 20. Love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Cant. 8. 6. 7. What ●f one should come to a woman, and make this motion, be content that your child be torn in pieces, and here is a thousand pounds for you. Her answer would be ready. Not for a thousand worlds: yea, she would almost spit in his face, who should press such a proposition, what rend my child in pieces? There is nothing can conquer love: so it would be with us, in reference to God's commandments, the liberty of Gospel ordinances: No promises, no threats, no means, fair, or fowl would take us off from appearing in the defence of them, if our hearts were more inflamed with love. Eightly, Walk exactly, keep your consciences clear. Notable is that direction of the Lord, Deut. 13. 8. Ye shall keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that you may be strong: Suppose a man, who hath a wound, or an impostu mated swelling on his body, should go into the Camp, if any touch him, he skritcheth, and he cries, come not near me, you know the reason, and the application is familiar and easy to the point in hand, wounds in our consciences, will make us timorous and cowardly; but The Righteous is as bold as a lion: He that walks uprightly, Pro. 28. 1. walks boldly: Take a man who hath no brokenness, no boils, no llanes, no bruises, handle him, shake him, crush him, crowd him, thrust him, cast him: notwithstanding he can better bear all this rugged usage, than another can a fillip with the finger. I beseech you mind the application of this, for the Lords sake take heed, make not inroads, and breaches upon your consciences, go not against your light, for guilt will make you cowardly. Adam as soon as he had sinned he runs and puts his head in a bush, what was the matter? he heard a whistling wind, and he runs away: What hast thou sinned, faith God? I, that is the matter. For if Adam had kept his heart sound, if he had not sinned, he would with boldness have encountered with any approaches, either of the creatures, or his Creator. Ninthly, Improve your experiences. It would be of singular use to us, to bestow many hours, both together, and asunder, in recounting the many great things which the Lord hath done for us, both in former times, & of later; we have national deliverances City deliverances, Family mercies & personal mercies to improve providence: Give me leave to call to mind two most seasonable now to be remembered, considering the end of our assembling at this time: I am credibly informed that your selus who are here to honour God for your health continued, peace maintained, lives lengthened, had that day when you were abroad, two notable experiences of God's providence for your preservation; 1. There were muskets broken in the field; and yet neither the Musketeers, nor any near them received the least harm, although the throng of people was very great. Might not some men's eyes, limbs, or lives have been lost, by such accidents; if the all-ordering hand of the Almighty had not prevented such like dangers. The other passage of divine providence is more remarkable. 2 Gods hand turned aside graciously, and strangely, a kindled match which was cast towards a basket full of Gunpowder, which stood in the field for that day's service. From what malicious heart, and by what mischievous hand this match was cast, the Lord he knoweth, whom we this day magnify, as the God of our salvations. Beloved, the remembrance of such like providences, should encourage our adventures for the Lord, whose hand hath diverted many unseen, & unexpected dangers. But I had almost forgot to give in my proof, that the improvement of experiences, increaseth courage. I pray you observe it in Ios. 10. 25. And I shua said unto them fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage; for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies, against whom ye sight. Our God hath many times disappointed the designs of our enemies: many of them who hated us, and endeavoured our undoing, and desolation, have been discovered and brought to shame, the Lord hath trampled upon them gloriously. These meditations enlarged by particular pregnant instances, I commend unto you, as means to increase your courage. Lastly, when ever you have occasion to show your courage, go out self denyingly in the strength of your God, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephes 6. 10. Through God we shall do valiant y. Psal. 60 12. David was a man, as in other kinds, so in this imitable; when he came against Goliath (who threatened to pluck him in pieces, as a Faulkoner doth a bird) his words are very observable. 1 Sam. 17. 45. Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of host●, the God of the Armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. Let these be the breathing of your souls. Some trust in Chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but near risen an stand upright. Save Lord, let the King hear us when we c●ll. Thus be careful to make addition of prayer, unto all the other means of Christian courage. Pray hearty, selfe-denyingly, and believingly. Advance God, and plead his promise; and expect assistance according to his promise. B● of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. FINIS. It is ordered by the Committee, of the House of Commons in Parliament concerning printing, that this Book entitled, Good Courage discovered, and incourared, be printed. john White. 26. May, 1642.