Be thankful for every victory you get, and let not the holing wilderness, yet before you, put the song of your praises for temptations past out of tune, yet rejoice with trembling, as those who are still in your enemies country, and must keep by the sword what you get by the sword: Be sure you stand in close order amongst your selves; These times give us too many sad examples of such, who first fell from communion with their Brethren, and then into the devourers hand; stragglers are soon snapped; you will find you are safest in a body. Take heed of a private spirit; let not only your particular safety, but of the whole Army of Saints be in your eye and care, especially that company in which you march, (Congregation I mean;) that soldier which can see an enemy in fight with his brethren, and not help them, he makes •t but the more easy for the enemy to slay himself at last; Say not therefore, Am I my brothers Keeper? God would not keep him that cared not to keep his brother. Watch over one another, not to play the Critics on your brothers failings, and triumph when he halts, but to help him up if he falls, or if possible, to keep him from falling by a timely rescue, as Abishai came to Davids succour. Keep your rank and file. We see what advantage Satan hath got in these loose times, since we have learnt to fight him out of order, and the private soldier, (Christian I mean) hath taken the officers work out of his hands. Harden your selves against the scandals, which the cowardice and treachery of false brethren hath given you. He is the right soldier that is not discouraged by those that run from, or that are slain in the battle; but still presseth on to victory, though he goes to it over the backs of others that are killed upon the place. In a word, Disentangle your hearts what you can from the love of, and distracting ⟨image 6⟩cares for this present world. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, 1that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier, 2 Tim. 2.4. If it behoves any to have their Will ready made, and their worldly interests set at some stay, then surely the soldier: if any soldier, then the Christian. Get but once your hearts mortified to the world, and care rolled upon God, for name, estate, and relations here, and then you are fit to march wherever Christ will lead you.
Be thankful for every victory you get, and let not the houling wildernesse, yet before you, put the song of your praises for temptations past out of tune, yet rejoyce with trembling, as those who are still in your enemies countrey, and must keep by the sword what you get by the sword: Be sure you stand in close order amongst your selves; These times give us too many sad examples of such, who first fell from communion with their Brethren, and then into the devourers hand; straglers are soon snap't; you will finde you are safest in a body. Take heed of a private spirit; let not only your particular safety, but of the whole Army of Saints be in your eye and care, especially that company in which you march, (Congregation I mean;) that souldier which can see an enemy in fight with his brethren, and not help them, he makes •t but the more easie for the enemy to slay himself at last; Say not therefore, Am I my brothers Keeper? God would not keep him that cared not to keep his brother. Watch over one another, not to play the Criticks on your brothers failings, and triumph when he halts, but to help him up if he falls, or if possible, to keep him from falling by a timely rescue, as Abishai came to Davids succour. Keep your rank and file. We see what advantage Satan hath got in these loose times, since we have learnt to fight him out of order, and the private souldier, (Christian I mean) hath taken the officers work out of his hands. Harden your selves against the scandals, which the cowardize and treachery of false brethren hath given you. He is the right souldier that is not discouraged by those that run from, or that are slain in the battel; but still presseth on to victory, though he goes to it over the backs of others that are killed upon the place. In a word, Disintangle your hearts what you can from the love of, and distracting ⟨image 6⟩cares for this present world. No man that warreth intangleth himself with the affaires of this life, 1that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier, 2 Tim. 2.4. If it behoves any to have their Will ready made, and their worldly interests set at some stay, then surely the souldier: if any souldier, then the Christian. Get but once your hearts mortified to the world, and care rolled upon God, for name, estate, and relations here, and then you are fit to march whereever Christ will lead you.
- 12 Tim. 2.4
