A Few collections for IRELAND.
A GOod heart hath learned to frame it ſelfe to all conditions, and can change eſtates without change of diſpoſition, riſing & falling according to occaſions
DIſtruſt not God who is judge of all cauſes and men, for hee bringeth nothing to paſſe but that which is moſt righteous and moſt for his glory.
VAine men goe forth in a morning weake and unarmed to encounter with principalities and powers: but hee that truly knowes Chriſt comes not into the field without this captaine.
AFfliction upon a nation is either to reforme them or deſtroy them: when Iſrael worſhipped ſtrange gods warre was in their gates.
NO people is ſaved for their righteouſneſſe ſake, nor choſe a people becauſe they were righteous: but to make them righteous, yea the righteous ſhall be more righteous though the wicked grow worſe and worſe.
CArnall hearts are carried away with preſumption of their owne abilities, and not finding matches to themſelves in outward appearance inſult over the impotency of inferiours.
EUen for our ſinnes of Hypocriſie and Idolatry we have beene puniſhed by the ſword of Atheiſt & Idolater, yea one proud man correcteth another.
YE we could ſay with Abraham and Lot, let there bee no ſtrife betweene me and thee, and ſo both joyne together againſt the common enemy, we might expect a good ſucceſſe.
2OPpreſſion and wrong upon even termes are not ſo hainous unto God as thoſe that are upon manifeſt diſadvantage, in one there is an hazard of returne in the other there is a tyrannous Inſultation.
VNprovoked and envious onſets upon the backs of the Iſraellites by Amaleck God tooke to heart, every cowardly and cruell attempt upon an impotent enemie ſticks in the ſtomack of the Almighty.
REmember ſaith Moſes how Amelecke met thee by the way and ſmote the hindermoſt of you, all that were feeble behinde thee, when thou wert faint and wearie.
PUniſhment upon a nation was never removed till the ſinne was either puniſhed or taken away: there can be no end of warre where ſinne is cheriſhed in the ſeate of juſtice.
ITs not the name of peace or warre, but the circumſtances and condition of either that ſhould make a man embrace the one or eſchew the other.
KIngs that uphold Gods Kingdome, God upholds theirs: if they will have God to bee mindfull of them in his mercy, they muſt be mindfull of him in their buſineſſe.
EVery important action requires a ſacrifice of prayer to bleſſe it: but much more that action which imports a whole Church or Common wealth.
OUr dayes are growne deſperate & full of homicides, as if violence would leave nothing to doe, the merciles ſouldier hath put on his armour, left off his charity and fights for money.
REligious and worthy Arts alwaies advance a worke intended: it proſpers a warre, brings ſouldiers into a better command, and a whole Army under good governement.
DOe enemies what they can, ſo Chriſt be our Captaine, our leader, and our friend, we neede not to feare.
EUery man forſake ſin and reſt upon Gods providence: for mans extremity is Gods opportunitie.
REward Babylon as ſhee hath deſerved, yea ſerve her as ſhee hath ſerved us: ſuppreſſe an Antichriſtian Prelacie, cut off thoſe which make warre againſt the people of God.
YF there be a dog in the manger, he ſhall not always lie there, though there be diviſions in Church and State, yet wee ſhall3 at laſt be taught of God to be of one minde.
O How happy were we, if we could ſay, as Abraham to Lot, let there be no ſtrife between me and thee, but both joyne together againſt the Common enemy.
VEngeance in a great and an extraordinary meaſure, is ſure to fall on al thoſe that are Rebells & perſecuters of Gods Elect.
REvenge for Religion-ſake upon ſuch Idolaters as have by craft and wiles ſought to deſtroy and corrupt the people of God, is warranted by his word.
PRinces in honour cannot make peace with any People, Nation, or Countrey, that have ſhed the blood of his innocent Subjects: but eſpecially not with his own in like Caſe.
IT's a good prediction, and a preſage of future happineſſe to a diſtracted Kingdome, when righteous men are brought into place of Judicature.
KIngdomes never flouriſh better then when Chriſts Goſpel hath a free paſſage in it.
EVery violence that oppoſeth it ſelfe againſt Gods truth, muſt be utterly ſuppreſt? for the glory and welfare of a Kingdom conſiſts in the maintenance of truth.
SUch as have no confidence in God, their hearts muſt needes faile them in undertakings of danger: but faith feares not though in the vally of the ſhaddow of death.
HAving Chriſt to bee ours, and our ſoules his, though the world were on a light fire, yet we ſhall not periſh.
OUr knowledge of Chriſt is the cauſe of our love, and if wee love him, we will fight againſt his enemies.
VIctory, joy, pleaſure and peace are comming to the people of God, but only with the comming of Chriſt.
LOve can extend the paſſions of the heart to the thing loved, and yet cannot apprehend Chriſt: hee muſt be apprehended before he be loved, & that love will make us defend his cauſe.
DReadfull curſes fall commonly upon all thoſe that take part with the enemies of Chriſt fighting to maintaine the cauſe of Antichriſt, David ſaith none of their weapons ſhall proſper, Pſal. 54.17.
EVen the conſideration that our warre is ſurrounded with the prayers of all Gods people is incouragement enough for a man to goe on.
4RIghteous men ſhall rejoyce when they ſhall ſee the vengeance that comes upon the wicked, and ſhall waſh their feete in their blood.
YF God give quietneſſe, who can make warre? when hee hides his face, who can behold him whether it bee done againſt a nation or a man only.
OUr ſorrowes and ſickneſſe, our paines and perturbations, peſtilence, famine and warre, are the fruits of ſinne, and the manifeſtation of Gods diſpleaſure againſt ſinners.
VNgodly men may take councell together, but it ſhall bee brought to naught, yea though they make a confederacy, it ſhall be broken to peeces, for God will bee a Sanctuary and a rocke of defence to all his.
REprobates and ungodly men are Sathans Souldiers, and yet Gods pentioners and revolted to the enemy: Demas had been with Paul, profeſſed with Paul, laboured with Paul: and yet for this preſent world forſooke Paul.
POlicie, ſuccours, or abundance doe but rather entangle and diſable our reſiſtance, but the wiſedome, comfort, and powerfulneſſe of the holy Spirit are the armes with which wee ſhall beat downe our enemies.
IShmael, Moab, and the Haggarens, Gabell and Ammon, Amalecke and the Philiſtines, the men of Tyre and Aſhur, all had ſeverall gods: yet all theſe conſpire againſt the true God.
KEepe not backe thy ſword from deſtroying of Gods enemies, for God pronounceth a Curſe upon thoſe that doe his worke negligently.
EHud, Joſhuah, David, and his Worthies, were all men of great knowledge, given to temperance, ſobriety, and chaſtity: theſe ought to be the vertues of Souldiers.
COwards are alwayes enemies to God and his Cauſe; to ſit ſtill in theſe times, is to be luke-warm profeſſors of baſe and ſordid ſpirits.
HEe that joynes himſelfe to a Rebell, no man can know him from a Rebell: ſuch ſurely were never of us, that have beene and are bloody againſt us.
A Reformation is the moſt of our enemies feare, and the true cauſe that the Devill and his Inſtruments do ſo beſtir themſelves at this time.
5REvenge the blood of Gods Saints, and the many outrages committed againſt his Servants; for the whole Church of God cals to come into the help of the Lord and his people againſt the mighty.
GOd teacheth us not to looke upon our Enemies as Countreymen, and Kinſmen, but as his enemies, and ſiders with Antichriſt: therefore our eye muſt not pity them, nor our ſword ſpare them, Jer. 48.10.
EVery man ſtands upon his guard, eſpecially when our Enemies have drawne their ſwords upon us, to invade our perſon, and whatſoever elſe is deare unto us.
YOu may ſeeke peace and follow after it, yet when the beaſt makes warre againſt the Saints of God, you muſt then take up Armes, Rev. 19.19.
OUr Lives and Religion fought for with courage brings Chriſt to take our parts, who wil not faile to give us victory in the end.
VIolence requireth reſiſtance, yea it's lawfull alwaies to take up Armes when there is no ſafety without them, Paul makes it a fruit of faith to be valiant, Heb. 11.34.
REad the Hiſtorie of the Bible, for you ſhall finde that the Art Military is no where ſo wel to be learned as from that great and high Commander the Lords of Hoſts, Iſa. 10.24.26.
PRinces are happy when their Armies are like King Davids ſouldiers, ſurely Kings of Davids heart will have no ſouldiers but ſuch as King Davids were, 1 Chro. 12.38.
IN Zebulon were fifty thouſand men expert in warre that could keepe their order in Rankes, beſides they were not double-hearted.
KIng David had a great company of ſouldiers at his backe, yet he ſlew Goliah alone, and had none to help him: ſo faith alone conquers.
EVery juſt and warranted war God is with, and in the end giveth victory: he helped the Rubenites, and other Tribes, and caſt downe their enemies, 1 Chron. 5.20
SOuldiers to bee religious, couragious, valiant and skilfull in military profeſſion is required of God himſelfe, Deut. 23.9.
HE that for ever ſuffered, that we might not ſuffer for ever, will not plead for thoſe above, that will not fight for him below.
6OUr God will teach our hands to war, and our ſingers to fight, yea alſo cover our heads in the day of Barrell.
UNgodly men have their day wherein they may execute theirown pleaſure (as it were without controule) but Chriſt the Judge of all ſhall have his day.
DElinquents, Jeſuits, and Firebrands of miſchiefe are not able to abide the triall of Juſtice, and therefore paſt hope of recovery by any lawfull treaty.
EVery thing is that which it loves, ſo the wicked are the worlds, becauſe they affect the world.
REſpect nor protect a Newter, for they that are not with God, are againſt him: but he will deale with them accordingly. Curſe ye Meroſh, Judg. 5.23.
YF Samuel mourne, becauſe God hath caſt away Saul, Samuel muſt ceaſe mourning, becauſe God hath caſt away Saul by his juſt Judgement.
OUr beſt evidence of the maintenance of Chriſts Cauſe, is when his Enemies are deſtroyed, and his owne people refreſhed and comforted.
VErtuous men ſuch as Abraham, Joſuah and David, are alwaies victorious, and prevailent againſt Gods Enemies.
ROyall hearts ever diſdain to follow pleaſure (though ſomtimes lawfull) when they ſhould be in the field: this contempt was in Ʋriah, 2 Sam. 11.11.
PRayer is alwaies a ſpeciall meanes to procure victory, Iſrael fought, but Moſes prayers made them prevaile.
IGnorant men are not fit for ſervice, for not a multitude, but art and exerciſe getteth victory: Iſraels ſouldiers were all expert men, Judg. 20.16.
KIngdome is riſen againſt Kingdome, and Nation againſt Nation, Gods Church is trodden underfoot, it muſt be ſo for a time, yet there is hope if we war aright.
EXalt thy ſelf O God, and deliver us from our Enemies: defend us from thoſe that riſe up againſt us, let thy glory bee above all the earth.
PIety makes men valiant, for God being reconciled to ſuch, death if it come, will be their advantage: Araham, David, Joſuah, and Joſiah were all valiant men.
7ONely ſuch men as have bought experience at a high rate are fit to command, for advancement is the true reward of deſert.
REſt not too much upon meanes, though the beſt be to be uſed, for a horſe prepared for the Battell is a vaine thing: for ſafety (ſaith Solomon) is of the Lord, Prov. 21.31.
TRuſt in God, with prayers and ſupplications, asking councell of him, proſpereth an Army, and procureth victory, Judg. 20.18, 23, 26.
YOu may put confidence in God, for faith in Chriſt withſtands all encounters: yea it is he that mannages all juſt cauſes.
O Fooliſh Souldier, thouſands of thine Enemies ſtand about thee, rather be ſick then ſlothfull.
UNleſſe we defend Gods glory, when it's in queſtion, our tongues and hands are tied by the Devill, and not looſed by God.
RUn with patience unto the race that is ſet before thee, by death Chriſt came unto us, by death let us not grudge to go to him.
POlicie, wiſdome, and experience, is required in Commanders, and no leſſe dexterity and skill in common Souldiers: but above all have a ſtrong faith.
IT was faith which ſteeled Moſes, and made him eſteem the reproaches of Chriſt greater then the Treaſures of Aegypt. Heb. 11.14, 25, 26.
KNowledge of the experiences that Gods people have had in former Ages, and his love expreſt to his ſervants in theſe times is ſufficient to take away all faint-heartedneſſe.
EVery good man ſleepeth more ſecure in his Tent, then the ſinner in his Baricadoed Fortifications.
TRue faith brings the peace of God to our conſcienes, good report, victory over our Enemies, and bringeth us to all other bleſſings.
REcommend thy ſelfe to God by prayer, before thou goeſt to God: for no mans work can pleaſe God, unleſſe the perſon of the worker be firſt acceptable to him.
A Souldier to be indifferent in Gods Cauſe, is both dangerous and damnable, not to oppoſe them that oppoſe God, is to be Gods Enemy.
IF a man conſider ſeriouſly the evill of cowardice, and the excellency of valour, it will make him abhorre the one, and be ambitions of the other.
8LOve can extend the paſſions of the heart to the thing loved and yet cannot apprehend Chriſt, he muſt be apprehended before he be loved, and that love will make us defend his Cauſe.
YF we did but love Chriſt as well as we ought to doe, or but ſo well as we ſay we doe, wee would take his part more boldly.
OUr knowledge of a propriety in God challengeth and earneſt affection.
UNleſſe our knowledge of Chriſt breed humiliation, we are vain-glorious, never ſeeking Chriſts honor, but our owne.
REjoyce in this honor, that ye know Chriſt: for it is a knowledge whoſoever ſeeketh is wiſe, whoſoever getteth is rich, whoſoever keepeth is ſtrong, and whoſoever injoyeth is bleſſed for ever.
PRovident policy, though never ſo circumſpect, may be ſubject to errour, therefore not to be truſted in, much leſſe to be gloried in.
IN much reſt upon Confederates there is great danger, but eſpecially let not a Jehoſaphat helpe and Ahab, 2 Chron. 19.2 Chron. 25.6.
KIng Ezekiahs comfort was that God was with him to fight his battells, and Moſes ſaith, feare not but ſtand ſtill, &c. 2 Chron. 31.8. Exod. 14.14.
EVery wicked man hath the feet of a wolfe, whatſoever he treads on ſhall never proſper: but a whole Army fares the better for a good Ezekiah.
COwardly diſmayings which put men upon ſinfull ſhifts in troubleſome times, is odious both to God and man.
HE that dares not fight, nor performe his charge for feare, is to be puniſhed: God commands cowards to bee turned out of the Army.
EXpect not to proſper in any warre, unleſſe you hearken to Gods voice: Oh that my people would have heard my voice, then would I ſoon have deſtroyed their Enemies, Pſal.
EVery man that carries any command, let him bee ſure to order himſelfe well, or elſe his command will ſoon grow into contempt.
CAll to minde what God hath done for Iſrael, hee is a Man of Warre, his right hand is become glorious, he hath daſhed his Enemies in pieces, Exod. 15.
9KNowledge in Commanders procures fear from Enemies, love from friends, and honor to themſelves, for Solomon ſaith, knowledge is better then weapons of War.
YF you ſuffer Idolatry in an Army, you procure the greateſt of Gods Judgements upon you, and ſo become naked of his protection: this overthrew Joaſh, 2 Chron. 25.7.
OVer-many words, pride, envy, and the fruits thereof tend to provoke the breach of peace, therefore, not to be ſuffered in an Army: hence aroſe the bloudy wars betweene Ephraim and Jephta, Judg. 12.9.
VSefull peace may ſomtimes be made with ſuch as may injure us when we go to war with others; leſt while we ſet upon one, we be invaded by another, 1 Sam. 7.14. Eſa. 37.19.
REad how Abraham the firſt Generall accepted of aid in warre, therefore let no man preſume upon his owne ſtrength, Gen. 14.14. 2 Sam. 10.6.
PUrſue thine Enemy with a full Army, Iſrael got nothing by ſending a ſmall number againſt Ai, therefore uſe thy beſt ſtrength to obtain victory, Ioſ. 8.1.
JN the Tribe of Gad, there were men for ſtrength called Men of Might for courage, they had faces like Lyons, and for-footmanſhip as ſwift as Roes, 1 Chron. 12.8.
KEep all promiſes made by thy ſelfe or by others by vertue of thy Warrant, for it is a true marke of piety; Joſuah was carefull of this to the deceitfull Gibeonites, Ioſ. 6.22.9.19.
EVery determination in an Enemy to fight muſt cauſe thee to fore-ſee and attend ſuch traps and ambuſhments, which may in execution ſuddenly come upon thee.
CAll to mind what God himſelfe wrought for the Iſraelites, when they were refreſhed, and the Enemy ſtrongly deceived by the ſun-ſhine upon the water, 2 King. 3.22, 23.
HE that overthrowes an enemy by craft, as plaine meaning Abijah was by Ieroboam, ſhall be ſerved as Ieroboam: God loves no machivilian policy, 2 Chron. 13.13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
ALl advantages may be uſed, or any ſtratagem for the overthrow of an Enemy, ſo it be not againſt breach of oath, godlineſſe, or the Law of nature and Nations.
10REmember after the example of Chriſts parable to go forth to war With a full Army, for an enemy is rather heartned then hurt by ſmall numbers, Luk. 14.31.
GIdeon ſent out ſpies into the Enemies camp, to hearken after the feare and terrour that is in an Enemy, is a great heartening to go forward, Iudg. 7.10, 11, 13.
EVill reports diſ-heartens an Army, and therefore not to be ſuffered; this God puniſhed in his owne people, Num. 14.27.
YOu may ſomtimes receive entertainment from the friends and ſubjects of an Enemy, diſ-joyning the hearts of ſuch as bee at one with him, may weaken this power and be a more eaſie way to get victory.
ONe victory gotten with a full Army fairly, is almoſt the winning of a whole Countrey, Caeſars victory at Alexandria drew almoſt all France to him.
ƲSe all expedition in war as Saul did upon Nabaſh, and Ioſuah upon the five Kings, 1 Sam. 11. Ioſ. 10.9.
REfuſe to fight after wearie travell, or with over much hunger and thirſt; for it may be thou meeteſt with a lively and a freſh Enemy.
PEace muſt be offered before you ſtrike, for God hateth unneceſſary bloud-ſhed, and abhorreth men of violence, Deut. 20.10.2 Sam. 10.18, 19.
JOſuah, Ehud, David and his Worthies went not forth to war, but in cauſes apparently juſt, be carefull then, and embrew not your hands in innocent blood.
KNowledge and the want of feare of God in our Armies, will keep us from proſpering in our deſignes.
EVery boaſting of our own ſtrength, wiſdom of Generalls, courage of Captaines, and diſ-eſteem of Enemies, as Benhadad did of Ahabs Army, may endanger the overthrow of an Army.
SUch as hope to prevaile, put their whole ſtrength to the war, yet preſume not, for victory ſtandeth not in multitudes made of an hoſt, but ſtrength cometh from heaven, 1 King. 10.
HAve no confidence in ſuch as may juſtly bee ſuſpected, the Lords of the Philiſtims would not admit of David, and his Company to goe into battell with them againſt Iſrael.
11OFtentimes good ſucceſſe followes good adviſe, without counſell, ſaith Solomon, purpoſes are diſappointed, Prov. 15.
VEnture not to put all to hazard before thou haſt conſidered of thine owne numbers and ſtrength, the quality and condition of thy Souldiers, whether young or old, raw or experienced, and then of thine enemies.
LIttle errors may bring great dammages, ſo that the due actions, commendations of all former preparations, deliberations, and watie proceedings, is here retained or loſt.
DIligent fore-ſight, and excellent judgement before joyning of battell is required of all good Commanders; for there lies at ſtake the precious lives of men.
ENdeavour for all advantages of ground, wind, and ſun, the Syrians imputed much to the place, making great difference between the hills and the valleyes, 1 King. 20.
REly not too much upon meanes, for faith hath confidence in God, yea all ſafety is from him: one Sampſon beats a thouſand, Iudg. 25.14, 15.
YF thou be forced to fight diſpaire not, though thy numbers be ſmall, and thine enemy proud; for in ſuch caſes God ſtrangely gives victory, 2 Chron. 14.
OUr experience hath taught us, that ſmall numbers of skilfull men, well exerciſed in Armes, will rout whole multitudes of others.
VErtuous and godly Orations with ſpeeches of encouragement have been formerly made to ſouldiers by great Commanders to take away feare.
REſiſt the Devill, and he will fly from you; he cannot enter, unleſſe you open him the gate, and who would open to let in ſuch an enemy?
PReſerve and maintaine the true Proteſtant Religon, whereof under God, conſiſts the glorie of a Kingdom.
IF a man be valiant for the Lord, he ſhall have great reward here, and everlaſting glory hereafter.
KNowledge mixt with preſumption, may be overcome with diſtraction and ſubtilly end in an apoplexie, yea and beats out her owne brains.
12EVery hypocrite being once unmaskt proves the moſt dangerouſeſt enemy, therefore let thy ſword make no difference between him and another.
COwardice and timerouſneſſe are qualities too baſe for eminency, it is want of courage betrayes the truth, men being more carefull of their own quiet, then of Gods glory.
HE that hath his thoughts taken up with the conſideration of the dreadfulneſſe which is in God, hath a takin feare, ſuch fearfull ones God encourageth and comforteth.
A Well ordered Army is a Schoole, wherein is taught preparation to death, continency, vigilancy, obedience, hardneſſe, temperance, humility, and devotion.
REgenerate men are but ſinners, voluntaries at moſt, but preſſed ſouldiers againſt their wills; the God of wiſdome will forgive them, when the wicked ſhall receive the reward of Rebels.
GOd will not be worſe to them that fight for him, then he is to them that forſake him: yet alas, how are mens conſciences ingroſt by the world?
EVery man encourageth one another to the end, by the recompence we ſhall finde in the end; for though God be good to us alwaies, yet he will be beſt at laſt.
THe good ſouldier ever praiſes God for a revenge of thoſe that plot or contrive any hurt againſt the people of God.
OUr beſt evidence of the maintenance of Chriſts Cauſe, is when his enemies are deſtroyed, and his own people refreſhed, and comforted.
THe way for ſouldiers to cure themſelves of all ſinfull feares is to get the feare of God ſetled in their hearts.
HE that goes by the meanes ſhall attaine to the end, and ſo ſhall obtaine a crowne of glorie: yea he that walks ſo ſhall not miſſe it.
ENcouragement againſt adverſaries of the truth is very neceſſary, for Chriſtians are verie ready and ſubject to faint and fall.
FAith to reſt upon Gods Word and Promiſe, is ſufficient to ſink, and drowne all ſinfull and ſlaviſh fear.
RIghteous men, ſuch as Abraham, Joſua, and David, being all men of good conſciences, prevailed alwaies againſt Gods Enemies.
13OUr deſire of gaine makes walke and venture through many frequent and mortall dangers, yea it is an old ſaying, Souldiers and Sea-men ſcarce feare God himſelfe.
NO man deſerves reward for his goodneſſe, but fears puniſhment for his ſinfulneſſe: therefore looke to thy obedience, and let God alone with thy recompence.
THat's but a deſperate policie that ſtudies to vex thoſe whom God hath bleſſed, yet the Lord ſo takes ſuch into his tuition, that he will devoure their enemies.
OUr God will execute vengeance on whom he will, and it is no wrong to us, that he ſaves any, the cauſe is in himſelfe: that he condemnes many, the cauſe is in themſelves.
REmember thou ſhalt die, not becauſe thou art wounded, or ſick, but becauſe thou art alive.
RAther turn the world out of thy ſelfe, then turne they ſelfe out of the world, for a wiſe man will be a hermit at home.
ENter into the Land of Canaan, for God hath caſt out the Devills out of the Kingdome of heaven that Chriſts ſouldiers may dwell there.
AS God hath made even the fleſh of vipers to aſſiſt in cordialls, ſo he can raiſe ſtrength out of weakneſſe, and make war it ſelfe procure our everlaſting peace.
ROme hath made us eat the bread of Superſtition, and drink the wine of Fornication of many yeares, yet God hath now delivered us from it: if we revolt from the integrity of his ſervice, our latter end will be worſe then our begining.
EVill-affected men towards the Doctrine of truth, are alwaies ſo blinded in minde, that they cannot abide the light of the truth.
OFfences, hatred, and extream cruelty commonly follow the Profeſſors of the truth, yet beware, beware of being led by thine own blind ignorance.
RIſing early and much watching are profitable to keep a man in health, and to encreaſe his wiſdom.
TIme is glorious to him that gloriouſly ſpends it, but that time is accurſed, that is wickedly ſpent, or paſſed over in ſluggiſh ignorance without any profit.
OBedience is a vertue of an high nature, and in great eſtimation, but above all things rather obey God then man.
14THat man is bleſſed that lives a holy life, nothing can make him poore, he graceth all conditions, honors and places.
HE that loves the world, and yet hopes for heaven, let him ceaſe that love, and know that if Chriſt makes us deny this world, he will give us a better.
EVery man is afflicted in this world, that he may be humbled; yea many ſores on thy fleſh, that fewer ſinnes may be on thy ſoule
REfraining of ſin brings Chriſt into Armies, but fruitfulneſſe in goodneſſe brings him into our hearts.
JN an Army none are ſo happily fed as thoſe who wait upon God for their daily bread, and are therewith ſatisfied; competency is a good ſouldiers content.
GOod things are not weariſome in their continuall uſe, our daily bread though daily received, is to be daily craved.
HE that with patience kiſſeth Gods ſtriking hand is happy, for there is no greater argument of patience then the acknowledgement of a divine hand in our ſuffering.
THe patience of God is greater then the wickedneſſe of man, yet let not ſinners preſume, the ſilent Judge will at laſt ſpeake home.
ORder and due execution of ſtrict Diſcipline, is the ſtrongeſt guard to keep an Army from diſtruction: if Moſes offend he muſt taſte of the great Generall, Gods diſpleaſure.
REconcile your conſciences and carefully keep at a diſtance from all ſin, and put thy whole confidence in God, reſt upon his promiſe, and fear not to prevaile.
LEarne of zealous Paul not to count your lives deare unto you, that thereby you may finiſh your lives with joy.
EVery diſtruſtfull ſuſpicion of our owne preſent condition makes us feare, leaſt God is now filling up his cup of wrath for us to drinke off, but remember Davids ſaying, in 42. Pſal. 11.
FEed not your fears nor fancies with ſuch thoughts as are apt to terrifie and affright you, Eſa. 33.18.
THe true cauſe why God may be ſlack in delivering of an Army from an approaching danger, may proceed from a neglect of praiſing him for deliverances paſt.
15HHappy is the man that gets a reſolution to live, becauſe his time is not yet come to die, pitching his deſires upon the pleaſures which have neither bounds nor end.
AS thou knoweſt not when or where death will meet thee, ſo thou muſt remember that alwaies and in every place he ſeeketh for thee.
NEver had any man perfect reſt in this world, for it deceives all that put their truſt therein.
DIvers are the miſeries and ſorrowes of this life, and few the pleaſures, to make us more deſirous of heaven, where there is nothing but pleaſure.
OLd age may be good three waies, naturally, morally and ſpiritually, the laſt is beſt, when a man can looke both waies, backward with comfort to his life paſt, forward with joy to his reward to come.
REſolve that nothing ſhall hurt thee, for ſinne is the ſting of all troubles; plucke out the ſting and devide all the malice of the Serpent.
DIrect an awfull eye towards thy laſt account, and it will by many degrees be more carefull of the manner then the matter of actions both how and what thou doeſt.
EVerlaſtingly to be exiled from Gods, in whom is life, muſt needs be an everlaſting death; if Gods preſence be fulneſſe of joy, the fulneſſe of ſorrow muſt needs be in his abſence.
REmember our head is in heaven, what makes our hearts upon earth? it is fit the head and heart ſhould go together.
YF this temporall life which we know be ſo precious, and that time muſt determine it, how precious is that which is equall with eternitie?
OLd in knowledge and obedience is bleſſed, the hoarie head is a crowne of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.
VErtue adds to a regenerate man a new ſplendor, which together with the honor of his houſe challengeth reſpect from all.
RUine and deſtruction are in the paths of the wicked, and the way of peace they ſhall never know, that contemne and oppoſe the Goſpell of Chriſt.
PRay ſtill and God will anſwer, and what is wanting in our endeavours God will make up of his ſufficient mercies.
16JN death and duſt, who can ſay this is the Skull of a King? that of a Captaine? this of a Polititian? that of a Foole? this of an Officer? that of a Souldier?
KNowledge never reſts till his faith be built on aſſurance that God hath pardoned his ſin, and given him a place in heaven.
EVery man whoſe eternall election and preſent juſtification is ſuch, that he can call God father, his Saviour brother, and the Holy Ghoſt his Comforter, the terrors of death amaze him not; for he knowes whom he hath truſted, and whether death ſhall lead him.