A02572:13
The soldiers honour Wherein by divers inferences and gradations it is evinced, that the…The souldiers honour Wherein by diuers inferences and gradations it is euinced, that the…
The soldiers honour Wherein by divers inferences and gradations it is evinced, that the profession is just, necessary, and honourable: to be practised of some men, praised of all men. Together with a short admonition concerning munition, to this honoured city. Preached to the worthy company of gentlemen, that exercise in the artillery garden: and now on their second request, published to further use. By Tho. Adams.The souldiers honour Wherein by diuers inferences and gradations it is euinced, that the profession is iust, necessarie, and honourable: to be practised of some men, praised of all men. Together with a short admonition concerning munition, to this honour'd citie. Preached to the worthy companie of gentlemen, that exercise in the artillerie garden: and now on thier second request, published to further vse. By Tho. Adams.
London: printed by Adam Islip and Edward Blount, 1617
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus as in a little Tablet you see the whole world; that all of us must be Soldiers on earth militant, ⟨image 4⟩that will be Conquerors in heaven triumphant. But are there not enemies in the flesh, so well as enemies in the Spirit? Is mystical armour only necessary to a Christian, & is there no use of material? No; Aequū est Deum illis esse propitium, qui sibi non sunt aduersarij; it is just, that God should be a friend to them, that are not enemies to themselves. I know prayers are good weapons: and Exo. 17. there was more speed made to victory by lifting up of Moses hands, then of Joshua's word. He that would overcome his enemies on earth, must first prevail with his best friend in heaven. If the mercy & strength of God be made thine by prayer, fear not the adverse powers. Ro. 8. We shall be conquerors through him that loved us. But is it enough to bend the knee, without stirring the hand? Shall war march against us with thundering steps; & shall we only assemble our selves in the Temples, lie prostrate on the pavements, lift up our hands & eyes to heaven, & not our weapons against our enemies? Shall we beat the air with our voices, and not their bosoms with our swords? only knock our own breasts, & not knock their heads? Sure, a religious conscience never taught a man to neglect his life, his liberty, his estate, his peace. Piety and Policy are not opposites: he that taught us to be harmless as Doves, bad us also be wise as Serpents. ⟨image 5⟩Give way to a fiction: fables are not without their useful morals. A boy was molested with a dog; the Friar taught him to say a Gospel by heart, and warranted this to allay the dogs fury. The mastiff spying the boy, flies at him: he begins (as it were) to conjure him with his Gospel. The dog (not capable of religion) approacheth more violently. A neighbour passing by, bids the boy take up a stone: he did so, and throwing at the dog, escaped. The Friar demands of the lad, how he sped with his charm. Sir (quoth he) your Gospel was good, but a stone with the Gospel did the deed. The Curs of Antichrist are not afraid of our Gospel, but of our stones: let us fight, & they will fly.
Thus as in a little Tablet you see the whole world; that all of vs must be Souldiers on earth militant, ⟨image 4⟩