A50163:52
Soldiers counselled and comforted a discourse delivered unto some part of the forces engaged…Souldiers counselled and comforted a discourse delivered unto some part of the forces engaged…
Soldiers counselled and comforted a discourse delivered unto some part of the forces engaged in the just war of New-England against the northern & eastern Indians, Sept. 1, 1689 / by Cotton Mather ...Souldiers counselled and comforted a discourse delivered unto some part of the forces engaged in the just war of New-England against the northern & eastern Indians, Sept. 1, 1689 / by Cotton Mather ...
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1689
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.
Conclusion 3.
Our having our Lives in our Hands ought not to Affright us from any thing that the Law of God makes incumbent on us.
This is, I suppose, the principal Intendment of the Psalmist here; q. d. Tho' I have my Life in my Hand, yet I will do no Indirect Thing, to keep it there. We should never Warp, never Sin, to avoid any peril whatsoever. When we have our Lives in our Hands, we are then Tried, whether we will put forth our Hands ⟨p. 17⟩unto Iniquity to secure what is in them. But having a clear Call to your Service, you should say as the Martyr once, If every Hair of my Head were a man, I would have the Lives of them all sacrificed, rather than desert the cause I am engaged in. You should be above all carnal motions, or passions, or Impressions, that may discourage you in the work which you are to attend with your Lives in your Hands. 'Twas said by that wise man, in Gal. 6.14. I am Crucified unto the World. A crucified man has his Life in his Hands with a witness, when his Hands are Nailed and Hanging on the Tree. You should have no more Carnal Joys and Griefs, no more Carnal Hopes and Fears, then a man whose Life is going out at his Hands Gratify not any Enemy, by a Sinful Compliance, to Escape Danger; for God can Restrain your Adversary. 'Tis said in Proverb 16.7. When a mans ways please the Lord, his Enemies shall be at peace with him. Oftentimes to prevent mischiefs from Enemies our Way does Displease the Lord: but we then take a Wrong Way! God can make Pharaoh afraid of Moses, and Herod afraid of John. The Lord has Hornets to buzz and sting Terrors into those whom we may be too much terrified withal. And Gratify not any Corruption upon such a score; for God will Reward your Fidelity: Said he in