THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS Magazine, OF Spiritual Weapons.  
Wherein all degrees of Soldiers may be Completely Armed with Zeal and Courage (from the Alsufficiencie of the Lord of Hosts) to encounter with the Goliahs of our Times.  
As also Armour of Proof against the Three Arch-Enemies of Mankind, viz. The Fesh, the World, and the Devil.  
By a wellwisher of the Cause of CHRIST.  2 Chron. 32.6, 7. Be strong and Courageous, 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. 

Imprimatur,  
Edm. Calamy.   
Printed at London, by G. Bishop. 1644   

The Christian Soldiers Magazine of Spiritual Weapons.  2 Chron. 32.6. 
Be strong and Courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria, etc.  
IN these words Christian Courage is cried up, and all sinful fear is cried down. Even all kinds of dismayings, which put men upon sinful shifts in troublous times. For which every true Christian is to labour to dissuade both themselves and others, under the consideration of God's command; who as frequently forbids all distracting and distrustful fears, as murder and Theft, etc. Besides the consequences are very mischievous to ourselves, both in souls and bodies, to others, by our ill example, and greatly dishonourable to our God. I will not deny, but grant, The strongest Champion, and stoutest Commander that ever drew sword, being he is but a man, is sometimes subject to be overpowered by them. David, a man after Gods own heart, and a most Valiant Warrior of undaunted magnanimity, he complains of his own shivering fits. Psal. 55.3. Fearfulness and trembling is fallen upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me. And in another place, he said; I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1. And Paul, when his friends persuaded him not to go up to Jerusalem, answered with a most undaunted courage and resolution, What mean ye to weep, and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only; but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord JESUS, Acts 21.12, 13. And yet the self same Paul says, Without were fightings, within were fears. 2 Cor. 7.5.  
Our Saviour complains even of his own Disciples, crying out, O ye of little faith, Matth. 8.26. And again, Where is ywr Faith? Luke, 8.25.  
This is caused sometimes by divine dissertions, Psal. 30.6, 7. Thou didst hid thy face, and I was troubled, etc. And sometimes through the black Inditements which Satan is apt to set before men's eyes, if the Lord but allow him that liberty. As the depth of their danger, and the fierce anger of God against sin, etc. Yet notwithstanding, every Christian may get good ground of hope out of God's Word. Yea, even the most timorous may gather strength in the most troubleous times. It is very observable, what strength David got against such shivering fits. When he said. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me, round about: Psal. 3, 6. It may be objected, that this was but a supposition of david's, l●ke Peter, who said to our Saviour, though all men should forsake thee, yet will not I: but if David had been pu● to the trial, as Peter was, he would have fallen as ●●ully as he did. Ans. Nay, but he was in present danger then he spoke these words, as it appears here, vers. ●…. 2. and yet he said, I laid me down and slept, and risen up again, for the Lord sustained me, vers. 5.  
Object. O but there's a great deal of difference between the faith of David, and such a poor weak wretch as I am.  
Ans. We have all the same spirit of faith which he had. 2 Cor. 4.13.  
Object. He had great knowledge and interest in the Promises of God, and therefore well may his faith be fare stronger than mine.  
Ans. Have not all the people of God an equal rite to all the Promises? No sin shall have dominion over you, Ro. 6.14. therefore no sinful fear. The self same faith that David had, all the Saints of God have an Interest in, and we may expect as great a degree of the assistance of God's Spirit, as David did, having the selfsame grounds for our Faith, that he had for his. And our Ordinances, which through God's great mercy we yet Enjoy, are altogether as good. Jesus Christ, yesterday and to day, and the same for ever.  

Means to be used, to get rid of these sinful fears.  
1. Labour to make sure of your Interest in heaven, Jo. 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. vers. 2. In my father's house are many Mantions, etc. I go to prepare a place for you.  
Our Lord himself has given us his own example, and he has now found the experience of this truth; he● endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of God. Heb. 12.2, 3, 4.  
This was it which steeled Moses his faith, and made him esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Heb. 11.26.  
The Saints also took with joy the spoiling of the goods, knowing that they had in heaven a better and a more enduring substance. Heb. 10.34. All we have is not here; We have something out of the reach of those cursed Cavaliers. It is worth our observing, that in heaven is Substance, here are but the shadows, shells, husks; there are the kernels, and the solid grain. That is, a better substance, these reach only the outward man, they come immediately from God himself. And which is best, in enjoying that, we have communion with our God. All that is here, are but like snowballs, which melt in the hand, Prov. 23.5. Wilt thou set thy heart upon that which is not? Riches take to themselves wings, and fly away, etc.  
But we have in heaven a better and a more enduring Substance.  
It was the saying of a holy man (who is now with God) There is but one short life between us and a crown; and when this momentary life is ended, we shall enjoy an incorruptible Crown of glory unto all eternity. Labour therefore for Spiritual Purity. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, Matth. 5.8.  
2. Labour to set your judgements right concerning those things that occasion your sinful fears. In the night time we are apt to think that thiefs are coming into our houses to rob us, when our friends are coming to visit us. Matth. 14.26, 27. When the Disciples thought they had seen a Spirit on the water, and thereupon cried out through causeless fear, the Lord is pleased to show them their error, and calls unto them, saying, It is I, be not afraid.  
Can there be evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? Amos 3.6. Inform yourselves, that the Lord doth overpower all those men that come against you.  
2. All that which seems to threaten our ruin, can reach only to the outward man. Luk. 12.4, 5. My friends, fear not them that can kill the body, etc.  
3. They have but a little time allotted them, and allowed to vex and trouble you. And then follows Eternal joy. These light afflictions, which last but for a moment, cause unto us a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory, etc. 2 Cor. 4.17.  
4. That very time is determined by God, both for the beginning, continuance and end, Isay 51.12, 13. I, even I am he that comforteth thee; Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man, which shall be made as grass. And forgetest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundation of the Earth, and hast feared continually, every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the Oppressor, etc.  
Lastly, all things whatsoever befalls you, shall be for your good in the end, Rom, 8.28. Doubtless goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, saith the Prophet David. Psal. 23. last.   

Directions or means, by which the Servants of God may free themselves of sinful fears in the time of the deepest dangers.  
1. By diverting the stream another way. As Physicians, when they would staunch bleeding at the nose etc. use to let the Patient's blood in some other part of the body, so God's people, to cure themselves of this ill humour of sinful fear of men, should get the fear of God settled in their hearts, Luk 12.4, 5. Isa. 8.12, 13. Fear ye not their fear nor be afraid. But sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary, etc.  
2. Do not feed your fears nor fancies with such thoughts as are apt to terrify and affright you, Isa. 33.18. mention is made of meditating terror. Isa. 51.12, 13. The Lord cheeks such fearful ones, and incourages them in his comforting of them.  
3. We should take up our thoughts with a more taking fear; which is to be gathered from the consideration of that dreadfulness which is in God. As suppose a King be angry: though the wrath of the King be as the roaring of a Lion, much more fearful and terrible is the wrath of God. who would not fear thee O King of Saints, etc. jer. 10.7. His wrath reaches the soul and burns to the nethermost Hell. O It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.31. For our God is a consuming fire, Heb 12. ult.  
4. This is affected by stocking up the original of sinful fears by the very roots, whereof there are chiefly two or three. 1. An inordinate love to the things woe are in danger to lose, as riches and honour, and the things of this life, which perish even with the very using. jer. 45.4, 5. The Lord comforteth Baruch in this regard. Promising to give him his life for a prey. 2. An inordinate love of liberty and life, but Christ's Champions should shake off all base sinful fear in regard of these things. And learn of zealous Paul not to count our lives dear unto us so that we may finish our course with joy. etc. Act. 20.24. 3. Distrustful suspicions concerning our own present condition. As fearing overmuch lest the Lord is now filling up a cup of his wrath and making me to drink deep of it. But remember David reasonning with himself in the like case, and say with him, Why art thou so full of heaviness O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? still trust in God, etc. Psa. 42.5. & 11. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom then shall I fear, the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid. Psa. 27.1.2, 3. 5. Walk exactly, and carefully keep at a distance from all sins against Light and against Conscience. Adam so long as he kept himself free from sin, was not at all subject to these fears, but as soon as he fell into sin, immediately the poor man betakes himself to vain shifts, and runs among the trees of the garden, thinking to hid himself from God, Gen. 3.9, 10.  
Cain, After he had committed that horrible sin in murdering his Brother, was afraid without any sense or reason, that whosoever met him, would kill him, when as his brother was dead, and there was no man else of whom he needed to stand in fear. Gen. 4.14.  
6. When upon reconciling of Conscience and the Word of God, it appears we are guilty of sins, we must labour to get rid of all. As Jobs friends advised him. Job 11.14, 15. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot: ye●, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear, etc. Take the example of David. Psal. 51. From the Word of God, labour to see the height, the depth, the breadth and the length of the sin that lies heaviest upon your Conscience, and labour to do your utmost to make up the breach, and to cure the wound from the bottom.  
7. Flee to the Throne of Grace. For God alone can quiet the heart. Nehem. 6.9. Psal. 3.3.7.   

For Direction herein, Take the example of Jacob. Genes. 32.9, 10, etc.  
1. Labour to make it appear with a clear Conscience, that you are in God's way, as he did, being afraid of his Brother. vers. 9 And that it is for his Cause, that you go forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty.  
2. Humbly and thankfully acknowledge God to be the Author of all mercies and favours, which you Enjoy.  
3. Humbly acknowledge yourself unworthy to receive any favour at the hands of God. vers. 10.  
4. As he pleads the promise of God, vers. 12. So do thou tell the Lord. Lord, thou hast said, thou wilt forgive my iniquities, and remember my sins no more, that thou wilt love me freely, that thou wilt cast all my sins into the bottom of the Sea, that thou wilt heal all my back slidings, etc.  
5. Make good I beseech thee now these precious Promises to me: hold on persevering in prayer and other duties, notwithstanding all the checks and controulments, as Jacob did, ver. 26.  
6. Take heed thy eye and heart be not taken off from Christ, in flying to the Throne of Grace: for Christ is an Alsufficient Mediator, and God's Favourite, able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him, and be thy sins what they will, or can be, there is virtue and efficacy enough in his most precious blood, to wash them all away. Nay, thou canst not commit so much sin as he can pardon, etc.  
7. Add to all this, the exercise of precious faith, Psal. 112.7.8. David saith, The heart of a Godly man is fixed, trusting in the Lord, etc. Prov. 29.25.   

Rules to be observed in relying upon God.  
1. Labour to apprehend from the light of God's Word by the help of Faith, so much in God, as is sufficient to sink all sinful and slavish fears. For it is not sufficient to say, I believe in God, with all my heart, or I put my whole trust and confidence in God, but we must get firm and grounded footing for our Faith to rest upon, from the word and Promises. Isa. 12.2 3.  
Behold God is my Salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength, and my song, he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation. Moses saw him that is invisible. Hebr. 11.27.  
2. Labour to see how the Promises may embolden you to come up to God for help and secure in time of need. Psal. 56.4. In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid what flesh can do unto me.  
3. Be emboldened by the mediation of the Lord Jesus to present with confidence all your suits and supplications before the Throne of God. Jobn 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me, otherwise selfe-sinfulnesse and self-unworthinesse will utterly discourage and affright you.  
Lastly, Come unto God Improving your former experiences of his mercies in delivering thee from dangers, and freeing thee from troubles. David said I have slain a Lion and a Bear, etc. And that God which hath delivered me out of the mouth of the Lion, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me from this uncircumcised Philistine.  
And have not we been many a time wonderfully delivered from heart-shaking dangers, by the powerful hand of the same God. O how should this encourage us still to rely upon him, even in our greatest straits.  
Call to remembrance the marvellous mercies, and miraculous victories and deliverances from the bloody hands of those merciless men at the Battle in Kenton field, at Causeham Bridge, at Branford, and especially now of late on Hessammoore near York, Each of these requiring a large Volume to set forth to the full the manifold more than marvellous works of our most mighty Lord God of Hosts, who when the Enemy came in like a flood, by the Invincible force of his spirit lifted up a Slander against them. And have a special care for ever hereafter to honour this God by casting all thy care upon him, for undoubtedly he careth for you and will not fail thee nor forsake thee.    

A Prayer purprsely penned for the use and help of such Soldiers on whom the Lord hath not bestowed that gracious Spirit of Supplications, etc.  
O Almighty Jehovah, who hast styled thyself a man of war, thou Lord of Hosts, even the God mighty in battle, more terrible (in thy wrathful displeasure expressed towards thy ingorrigible enemies) than all armies with banners; thou that art that God that hast form and fashioned me in my mother's womb after a fearful and wonderful manner, and by whose appointment I am come into this world, both to do and to suffer whatsoever thy determinate Counsel, and secret decree (more unchangeable than that of the Meads and Persians which altereth not) hath preordained from all eternity concerning me, before whose awful Majesty, in the presence, not only of a company of thy elect Saints on earth, but also of thy glorious heavenly Angels. I have solemnly promised and vowed at the time of my admission to partake of the Sacrament of baptism (being a sign, and (as I hope and firmly believe a seal unto my poor soul, of thy most free and gracious acceptation of me to be a member of that mystical body, whereof my sweet Saviour jesus Christ is the most holy head that I would manfully fight under thy banner, against sin, the world, and the devil, and continue thy faithful soldier and servant unto lives end, etc. Now that it hath pleased thy Divine Majesty in a special manner so greatly to honour thy worthless creature, as to call me forth among other thy servants to make good my said solemn Vow, which though to my hearts great grief, I have often broken, yet now thou requirest, and strictly chargest me not to defer any loner to pay it, in that thou hast brought me hither to the help of the Lord against the mighty, O let thy mighty hand and stretched-out arm be now and evermore my defence: Teach thou my hands to war, and my fingers to fight, and cover thou my head, also the heads of all other thy warriors in every day of battle: strengthen the weak hands, and the feeble knees of thy servants, say thou unto the faint hearted be strong and very courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the King, etc. nor for all his huge host, but assure both me and them that thou art with us to fight our battles, or thine own rather, and that thou wilt maintain thy own Cause, and avenge the quarrel of thy Covenant, and then we need not doubt but there are more with us then with them, For if our God be for us, who can be against us? Dost thou not see, O Lord God, all their secret hellbred Plots, their cursed contrivances, and damnable conspiracies, which those children of belial combine together uncessantly to vent their devispight, not only against thy poor people, but even against thy secret self, and against thy anointed my sweet Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ: Dost thou not hear, nor take notice of their horrible Oaths and Perjuries, their beastly blasphemies which they continually (and more abundantly of late then formerly) belch in thy very face: O Lord I know thou dost; Are not all their unparraleld imprications and selfe-soule damnations noted in thy book? my God I know they are. O the long suffering, and the invincible patience of the omnipotent Lord of heaven and earth who has these wretches in his hand, and can grind such broken Potsherds to powder at his pleasure, and stamp them under his feet as mire: yea, and hurl them all into hell fire at his pleasure: Lord, is not the iniquity of these Amorites yet full? when wilt thou  thyself with zeal as with a cloak? thou hast long since begun to smite them; O when shall it once be that thou wilt also make an end? how long wilt thou delay to consume that man of Sin with the brightness of thy appearance? how long deferreth my righteous God to pour out all the full Viols of his vengeance upon that scarlet whore of Babylon which has made all the Nations of the world drunk with the poisonful cup of that deadly wine of her fornications. O when will the righteous judge of the whole world sit upon his Royal Throne and make inquisition for all the Innocent blood that has been poured forth in so great abundance by those Irish Rebels, English Miscreants, and Romish Papists, Atheists, and devils incarnate, that (like their father) are full of wrath, and still some out great fury, which, I hope presages, and is an eminent token of their speedy perdition, and that they have but a short time to reign upon earth. I remember Lord thou hast said, That whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: Father, shall I be the Executioner of that thy most equal, just, and righteous decree. I beseech thee grant power, strength, Christian-curage, and undaunted magnanimity unto thy servant to do valiantly, for the vindication of the glory of thy great Name, which hath so long been blasphemed by those Heathens. I desire to be instrumental for the setting up of the Kingdom of thy dear Son my sweet Lord Jesus Christ, though I myself be made the lowest and meanest part of his footstool: Nay Lord, I pass not what becomes of this my corruptable carcase, neither count I my life dear unto me, but shall think myself highly honoured, if thou wilt enable me to lay it down freely and cheerfully for thy sake, who didst not stick to pour out all thy most precious blood, yea, and thy very soul too for me a worthless worm. Grant me therefore a sufficient measure of thy grace to go through this great and weighty work thou hast called me unto, and then behold Lord here I am, dispose of me as thou pleasest.  
Also I most humbly and earnestly beseech thee, great and glorious Lord God, on the bended knees of my very Soul, to vouchsafe thy blessing abundantly to all our Hosts and Forces, both by sea and land, be thou thyself Lord Admiral and Lord General; Sat at the Helm, steering the course of our Navey in the great Deeps, and if any foreign foe be making any preparations to invade this poor perishing Land, good Lord be pleased either to take them alive in their own devices, which their hands have made, or else by the same Almighty Power, whereby thou overwhelmedst that proud and presumptuous King Pharaoh and his huge Host, do thou overwhelm them, and all their Engines and Instruments of War in the vast Ocean, infuse likewise I hearty pray thee into the hearts of all our Commanders in chief a double portion of that Spirit of magnanimity which thhu bestowest upon thy Worthies of old, that like David, Joshua, Jeptha and Samson, etc. they may show themselves very zealous for their God, and may slay some of them their thousands, and others their ten thousands of thine, and thy people's implacable enemies, laying them flat on the earth, with heaps upon heaps, and never ceasing to pursue them, until they have utterly destroyed them.  
Lord root out every accursed thing from the Camp, and let nothing remain amongst us, that may any way offend the eyes of thy glory, to provoke thee to departed away from us. And for Jesus his sake, suffer neither us, the Worthies in Parliament, the Synod of Divines, the Common Council of London, nor any Committees, any way employed about the affairs of this tottering, and almost overthrown Island, to give themselves rest, until they have found out that new Nationall sin, or those crying capital Abominations, what ever they be, that has prevailed so far with thy Majesty, as to bring that great Evil upon us, in making thy Israel to fly before, and turn their backs upon their enemies: find out every Achan among us, and discover thou every Treacherous dealer speedily in the whole army, for they have dealt very treacherously in the Covenant of the Lord of Hosts. And good Lord, I pray thee, Command our Rulers to take speedy order (Joshua like) that such troublers of the Israel of God, may be troubled themselves, without any longer procrastination; That so the heavy wrath of God, so grievously kindled against his own people, and threatening the utter ruin and total subvertion of this woefully wasted Kingdom, may be appeased, and Justice being impartially executed by our faithful Phinehasses, the Plague may be stayed, the destroying Angel may be commanded to put up his sword into its scabbard, the Lord may be pleased again to be merciful unto us, in lifting up the light of his Countenance upon us, granting unto us that great blessing of Peace with Truth, even that Peace of, and with our God, which passeth all Understanding; And our Land may have rest from all our enemies. All which, with whatsoever else particularly thou of thy infinite mercy knowest to be needful for thy unworthy Servant, this whole Nation, or any other of thy poor people all the World over, I humbly beg and crave at thy merciful hands, only and alone for Jesus Christ his sake. To whom with thy own Sacred Majesty, O Father of Mercies, and the most holy Spirit of Grace, mercy, Peace and Truth, be ascribed from the bottom of my heart-root, all possible glory, honour, praise, thanksgiving and obedience, now and evermore. Amen.   
FINIS