Military Men must be of mighty minds. They must be Men indeed, 1and able to play the Men. The sign of difference betwixt such as were fit, and unfit for War, that God caused Gideon to observe for retaining some, and dismissing others, tendeth to this purpose. The sign was this; They which lapped water with their tongues were entertained: 2They which kneeled down to drink were cashiered. The Reason was this. They that kneeled down to drink, manifested thereby a luskish, sluggish disposition, and desire to soap up their bellies full. The other that took up water in their hands, and lapped it with their tongues, showed that their mind was so on their work which they had to do, as they would nor tarry to kneel down; they would only lap and be gone, a little for present ⟨p. 21⟩necessity, so much as might somewhat slack their thirst, and refresh them, was sufficient. Gods appointing such only to be retained for War, proveth the point in hand. Much more the express precepts which by God himself and his Ministers, were given unto those that were set apart for War, to be valiant, and courageous. When God deputed Joshua to be General over all Israel, he gave him this express charge, Be 3strong and of a good courage: which he further thus enforceth, Have not I 4commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: Be not afraid, neither be thou dismated. The like charge did Moses in the name of the Lord give to all Israel, that were deputed to War, in these words; Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be 5afraid of them. Yea, God ordained it for a perpetual Law, that when his people were to go to War, this Proclamation should be made, What 6man is there that is fearful and fainthearted, let him go and return unto ⟨p. 22⟩his house. This Law God commanded Gideon, to proclaim before his army. 7The equity thereof was so clearly discerned by the very light of nature, as many of the heathen put it in practise, by name Iphicrates the Athenian, and Epaminondas the Theban. If such as are fearful and saint-hearted be not fit for War, neither are they fit to be trained up in Martial exercises. Most meet it is that Military Men be of mighty minds. It is usual with the holy Ghost to set 8out such men as were trained up and set apart to War, to set them out by their power and prowess.
Military Men must be of mighty mindes. They must bee Men indeed, 1and able to play the Men. The signe of difference betwixt such as were fit, and vnfit for Warre, that God caused Gedeon to obserue for retaining some, and dismissing others, tendeth to this purpose. The signe was this; They which lapped water with their tongues were entertained: 2They which kneeled downe to drinke were cashiered. The Reason was this. They that kneeled downe to drinke, manifested thereby a luskish, fluggish disposition, and desire to soope vp their bellies full. The other that tooke vp water in their hands, and lapped it with their tongues, shewed that their minde was so on their work which they had to doe, as they would nor tarry to kneele downe; they would onely lap and be gone, a little for present ⟨p. 21⟩necessity, so much as might somewhat slacke their thirst, and refresh them, was sufficient. Gods appointing such onely to bee retained for Warre, proueth the point in hand. Much more the expresse precepts which by God himselfe and his Ministers, were giuen vnto those that were set apart for Warre, to be valiant, and couragious. When God deputed Ioshuah to be Generall ouer all Israel, he gaue him this expresse charge, Bee 3strong and of a good courage: which he further thus enforceth, Haue not I 4commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: Be not afraid, neither bee thou dismated. The like charge did Moses in the name of the Lord giue to all Israel, that were deputed to Warre, in these words; Be strong and of a good courage, feare not, nor be 5afraid of them. Yea, God ordained it for a perpetuall Law, that when his people were to goe to Warre, this Proclamation should be made, What 6man is there that is fearefull and fainthearted, let him goe and returne vnto ⟨p. 22⟩his house. This Law God commanded Gideon, to proclaime before his armie. 7The equity thereof was so clearely discerned by the very light of nature, as many of the heathen put it in practise, by name Iphicrates the Athenian, and Epaminondas the Theban. If such as are fearefull and saint-hearted be not fit for Warre, neither are they fit to bee trained vp in Martiall exercises. Most meete it is that Military Men be of mighty mindes. It is vsuall with the holy Ghost to set
- 1Valour requisite for Soldiers.Valour requisite for Souldiers.
- 2Judg. 7. 5. Expounded.Iudg. 7. 5. Expounded.
- 3Jos. 1. 6.Ios. 1. 6.
- 4—9.
- 5Deut 31. 7
- 6Deut. 20. 8
- 7Judg. 7. 3.Iudg. 7. 3.
- 8De Israelitarum virtute in bellis gerendis lege Aug. de Mirab. S. Script. l. 2 c. 34.
