Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…

§. 8. Of Encouragement to Artillery Gentlemen.

The Encouragement concerneth you, the Commanders and other Members of this commendable and honourable Company. Howsoever your Profession and practice be rejected or neglected by such as ought most to respect it, yet it being honourable in it self, be encouraged to go on therein. The practice of a good thing is then most commendable, when, for the goodness of it, it is practised. The puissant Princess Deborah, that rose up a Mother in Israel, and a Judge therein, with admiration said, of such as offered themselves willingly, My heart is on them. Had your Mother ¹London, or your Grand-mother England a tongue to express her mind, she would with like approbation say to you, that show your selves not only [Greek or Hebrew] willing, but also [Greek or Hebrew] forward to all Martial exercises, My heart is on you: yea the heart of him that loveth them that do good things cheerfully and willingly, and can and will honour them that honour him, his heart is on you. He accepteth the good things which are done of the doers own accord, without compulsion by others, or remuneration from others, he accepteth them as done for his own sake. For ^*that which is done for conscience sake, is done for the Lords sake. In this respect it is said of Amasiah the son of Zichri a great Captain and Commander of two hundred thousand mighty men of valour, under King Jehoshaphat, that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord: that is, he undertaking his function willingly, he did it as to the Lord. Thus of you that are of the same mind ³it may be said, ye offer your selves willingly to the Lord. And will not the Lord graciously accept such? Abraham, who in this kind nor expected nor accepted reward of man, heard God thus speaking to him, Fear not Abraham: I am thy shield, and thine exceeding great reward.