The Christian soldier. OR, PREPARATION FOR battle.  
A Legend containing true Rules for a soldier, in whom at once is met Religion and Resolution.  
Published by a well-willer to the Gown and Sword, T. J.  
To the Regiments on Foot.  
You who do List yourselves in numerous swarms,  
Who think your Pikes and Muskets are safe charms,  
Observe these Rules, you shall be free from harms,  
And boldly give the word,— Stand to your Arms.  
To the Chevaleires, (in English) the Horsemen.  
A beggar set on horseback rides apace,  
But he that wisely mounts, sits in full grace:  
Receive these few instructions, and you shall  
Return victoriously,— Monte cheval.  
LONDON, Printed for Edward Christopher. 1642.   

To all Gent. Soldiers, of what gradation soever, of Horse or foot, from the Colonel to the lowest Musquetier of the last rank and foil.  Give the word for silence. 
Noble Gent.  
ALthougb I am no soldier, in that I never bore arms, yet I am so exact an admirer of your glorious profession, I could not but tender my service to you in this rough Legend, in which I have endeavoured to picture a complete soldier; and scored out in chalk and coal a well-shewing coward, that the excellency of the one may the more glorious appear, by how much the other is sordid (in condition I mean, though not in form) and I doubt not but some unexperienced men (if they do not want gratitude as much as knowledge) will give me thanks; if not, I shall acknowledge myself enough requited if these rules be only practised, and it shall hereafter encourage him that daily wishes peace and prosperity to his King and Country,  
T. J.   

The Christian soldier: OR, Preparation for battle.  
Arms are altogether unlawful, but where their only necessary use is for the protection of Religion, defence against heresy, maintenance of a Kings Right, in which consisteth the liberty of the Subject, and (by that consequence) the safety of a kingdom: what ever is in opposition to this, must needs be illegal I cannot find it from the Creation of the first Adam, to the Expiration and Ascension of the last, that ever any Nation had command to teach their King to rule; and hold it as unfit, as if the son should enstruct the Parent, or the Scholar exhort his Schoolmaster. This being allowed, civil-war is altogether unlawful, for they who have so little authority to enstruct, sure have less power to correct; let his life be as wicked as Saul, or as divine as Solomon; The unity betwixt a King and his people are as the Gordian knot twixt man and wife, (for better for worse.) Coronations and Marriages admit of no Conditions; to prove which, I have (with ease) collected from the many Texts of Scripture to this purpose these following few: Prov. 17. 26. To punish the just is not good, nor to strike Princes for equity. Chap. 40. 31. Against a King there is no rising up. Ver. 32. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, lay thy hands on thy mouth. Chap. 20. 2. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lion: who so provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul.  
Fellow soldiers, in this point you see there is no preparing for battle, in respect it is unrighteous; and you can receive no conquest but misery and destruction, as well of soul as of body, if you dare believe that eternal God that made you, who says thus in the Psalms of David: Psal. 45. 5. Thy arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Psal. 89. 23. I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. Psal. 132. 18. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his crown flourish.  
This is legible in the Bible, and (Believe it) fellow-soldiers, our surest way of fighting is by the book; it is not only store of coin, high spirited horse, good Ammunition, sound skill, fierce resolution, nor a strong arm, but a strong Cause that makes a complete soldier. There are three general Postures belonging to the Musket: Make ready, Present, and Give fire, which ought to be joined with these most necessary considerations:  
Ere you Make ready, remember your Cause; when you Present, be not bloodthirsty; and when you Give fire, consider against whom. The field is a soldier's deathbed; and when he stands stoutest in expectation of a full victory, he is but drawing on: were it not most expedient then that his last actions should be his best? Every fellow is not a soldier that struts, looks big, swears much, wears a broad blade, and takes Tobacco; a perfect soldier is a perfect man, and shows most glorious in his civil valour: and such a one can kill without cruelty, and gain a conquest without tyranny: He holds it more victory to take one man prisoner, then put ten to the sword: You shall hear him say, that none but cowards fear to see their foes living. A valiant man in the expression of a battle makes no noise, but discourseth it with civil sorrow; and when he comes to declare the conflict, (though of his enemies) he doth not glory in their confusion, but says, It is pity there should be so much blood shed. You are safer in his arms, than at his sword's point. If you be his enemy, the only means to protect yourself is to wear no weapon, and that is the only way to conquer him, for he is angry because you go without it.  
Your Coward, whom necessity and vainglory have drawn into the field, at his return from silly service, in frighting language ushered in with oaths, describes how many towns they burned, how many women great with child were slain, how many men blown up at the springing of a mine, how desperately he returned their hand Granadoes into the enemies work after the fire was given; that in a set battle he was forced to march up to the knees in blood, and stumble over carcases; when (Poor scab) perhaps you might have found him asleep in the greasy arms of his sutler's wife, or drunk under the barrels; these are the men that cry aloud in Taverns By the faith of a soldier; draw their swords often, and swear it is that they get their living by; wear great Belts, and hats cut on the brim; great spurs, and uncompt hair, with a black taffety plaster cross the nose. I would have a complete English Christian soldier observe such sots, to loathe them, and take these few instructions as true rules to fight by: 

1. To examine the cause,  
2. (If his cause be just) to spend a little grief he hath that cause.  
3. To come on holy and cheerfully without desire of blood.  
4. Not to make gain, or vainglory his only object.  
5. To be merciful to a couchant enemy, and not to kill where he may save with his own safety.  
6. And lastly, to ascribe the honour of the conquest not due to his valour, but the all providence of his Maker.    
If he can do this, let him gird his sword about his loins, and fight courageously; Jehovah is his general.  
I will conclude the rest with these few lines, and leave them to your practice, whose lives and fortunes depend upon the sword, drawn for an honest cause.  
COme hither soldier, if thou canst obey  
God and the King, doubt not to have the day.  
If thou canst swear 'tis for none other cause  
Thou fightest but for Religion and the Laws,  
Heaven protect thee; may thy days increase,  
He that doth justly fight makes way for peace.  
If thou canst save thy friend, and spare thy foe,  
When thou art up, and he trod down below;  
If thou canst grieve to spoil the ploughman's Village,  
And make it not thy aim to fight for pillage;  
If in the furious sacking of a town  
Thou canst avoid to cast their women down  
With their young newborn infants; if thou fly  
From all base actions of red cruelty;  
The Lord will sure protect thee from all harms,  
And I myself will say,— Stand to your Arms.  
FINIS.