Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

USE, III. Is it as we have heard? Then we may also learn, 'Tis a Laudable and Worthy Undertaking when men lay themselves out and Endeavour to make themselves Accomplished Souldiers, and gain all the necessary Knowledge and Skill thereof. When their Martial spirit is warmed and takes fire; and their hearts are animated to Endeavour to Acquire that Martial Knowledge as may fit them to serve GOD and their Country, Its certainly a Glory to a People; and then a Defence upon all that glory, when a Country has many Skilful in War. And to me it appears a Reproachful Negligence that Military Knowledge and affairs are so much neglected and Disregarded; Especially by those of the Military Order: That Guns and Swords must lie and be Eaten up with the Rust-; Or what is worse, Men have none at all. And Souldiers appear Rather as if they were going to some mean and sneaking Employ, they are asham'd of, than into the Field.

If pride and Gay Attire is any where Tolerable, or may be allowed, it seems to be in Souldiers: And without something of this, the Employ and the Persons become Contemptible and mean.

I would more Especially Direct myself under this Use, to You, SIRS, at whose Desire I appear in the Pulpit at this Time; who have Demanded of me, And what shall we do?

From what I have said, You are sensible how Honourable, Useful, Beneficial and Manly a thing Souldiery is to the World; and how much it is the Duty of all who have a Martial spirit, to Accomplish themselves with Martial Knowledge.

I trust it is with a Design for GOD'S glory, and a View of rendering your selves Useful in your generation, you now undertake this Business; and not with a Vain spirit, seeking only Applause from men and to make a shew,-.

Let me then press you to Consider, You are under the Eye of GOD Almighty; and He expects whatsoever we do, we do it faithfully. Engage then in it as your Duty, and steadfastly pursue your Designs. Believe, Military Skill is not Born with men; nor is it a

Reproach for men to lay out themselves to Acquire it: 'Tis Manly, Honourable and Useful.

Study then to Accomplish yourselves with all the parts of Military Knowledge and Exercise: Give Diligence and application thereunto; and let your profiting appear to all. Don't become like a man going about to build a Tower, but ere he has gone thro' is unable to go any further; and men begin to mock him. Count up the Cost: and be faithful in this Calling.

Gentlemen,

You should ever Consider, GENTLEMEN, You are Volunteers; and the World expects it is from a Love to the Art Military and a Design to render yourselves Capable and Useful, you undertake this. May the GOD of Armies, the LORD of Hosts, both Encourage your Hearts and Teach your Fingers to War.

To conclude, in a Use to all.

USE, IV. Let us Each one labour to Endure Hardness as good Souldiers of JESUS CHRIST: Let us List under his Banner; and take to ourselves the whole Armour of GOD, that we may be able both to withstand and to stand in the Evil Day. He is our Captain and our King; Our Life as Christians is a Warfare: We wrestle not only with flesh and blood, but against Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this world, against spiritual Wickedness in high Places. We must therefore Fight, or we shall never Overcome. Death, our last Great Enemy, is approaching; and there is no Discharge in this War. With respect to this there is neither Jew nor Greek, Male nor Female, Bond nor Free; but all must Engage in the Battle, all must fall by its prevailing Power: For its appointed for Man once to Die. Let us then so Live, that in that dark hour, we may sing that Song of Triumph, Oh! Death, where is thy Sting? Oh! Grave, where is thy Victory? Let us so war a good Warfare, and fight the good fight of Faith, as to Overcome by the blood of the Lamb―: and become more than Conquerors. That as CHRIST has Overcome and is set down with his Father on his Throne, we may Overcome and sit down with CHRIST, and Reign with him for ever.

FINIS.

[blocks in formation]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »