Military Men must be of mighty minds. They must be Men indeed, and able to play the Men. The sign of difference 1betwixt 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: They 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 not tarry to kneel down; they would only lap and be gone, a little for present necessity, ⟨p. 420⟩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 strong and of a good courage: which he further thus enforceth, Have not I commanded thee? Be 2strong and of a good courage: Be not afraid, neither be thou 3dismayed. 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 afraid of them. Yea, God ordained it for a perpetual Law, that when 4his people were to go to War, this Proclamation should be made, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return unto his house. This Law God commanded 5Gideon, to proclaim before his army. The equity thereof was so clearly discerned by the very light of nature, 6as many of the Heathen put it in practice: by name, Iphicrates the Athenian, and Epaminondas the Theban. If such as are fearful and faint-hearted be not fit for War, neither 7are 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 out 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 minds. They must be Men indeed, and able to play the Men. The signe of difference 1betwixt such as were fit and unfit for Warre, that God caused Gedeon to observe for retaining some, and dismissing others, tendeth to this purpose. The signe was this: They which lapped water with their tongues were entertained: They which kneeled downe to drinke were cashiered. The Reason was this. They that kneeled downe to drinke, manifested thereby a luskish, sluggish disposition, and desire to soope up their bellies full. The other that took up water in their hands, and lapped it with their tongues, shewed that their mind was so on their worke which they had to do, as they would not tarry to kneele downe; they would onely lap and be gone, a little for present necessity, ⟨p. 420⟩so much as might somewhat slacke their thirst, and refresh them, was sufficient. Gods appointing such onely to be retained for Warre, proveth the point in hand. Much more the expresse precepts which by God himselfe and his Ministers, were given unto those that were set apart for Warre, to be valiant, and couragious. When God deputed Ioshua to be Generall over all Israel, he gave him this expresse charge, Be strong and of a good courage: which he further thus enforceth, Have not I commanded thee? Be 2strong and of a good courage: Be not afraid, neither be thou 3dismayed. 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, feare not, nor be afraid of them. Yea, God ordained it for a perpetuall Law, that when 4his people were to go to Warre, this Proclamation should be made, What man is there that is fearefull and faint-hearted? let him go and returne unto his house. This Law God commanded 5Gideon, to proclaime before his army. The equity thereof was so clearely discerned by the very light of nature, 6as many of the Heathen put it in practice: by name, Iphicrates the Athenian, and Epaminondas the Theban. If such as are fearfull and faint-hearted be not fit for Warre, neither 7
- 1Tria arbitror esse necessaria praelianti: ut scil. strenuus industriusque miles, & circum spectus sit ad se servandum, & expeditus ad discurrendum, & promptus ad feriendum. Bern ad Mil. Temp. c. 2
- 2Jos. 1. 6.Ios. 1. 6.
- 3—9.
- 4Deut. 31. 7.
- 5Deut. 20. 8.
- 6Judg. 7. 3.Iudg. 7. 3.
- 7De Israelitarum virtute in bell is gerendis lege Aug. de Mirab. S▪ Script. l. 2. c. 34. Jud 20. 17. [Greek or Hebrew] 2 Chron. 13. 3.De Israelitarum virtute in bell is gerendis lege Aug. de Mirab. S▪ Script. l. 2. c. 34. Iud 20. 17. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 2 Chron. 13. 3.
