Let this serve to warn and caution such as pretend to be listed among God's Israel: such as covet to bear the stile & title of Christians. It is indeed worthy name, and no small honour to those that bear it, and carry themselves worthy of it; nor indeed can there be a greater dignity conferred on the Children of men. Christs Servants are his Free-men, yea his friends, yea they are privileged to be the Children of God. Joh. 1.12. But he would have you to fit down and compute the cost. If you would be his Servants, you must be his Soldiers: and be not deceived in your expectations and reckonings, lest you repent when you see War, as there is hazard you should do if not prepared. Exod. 13.17. Lest when you meet with hardships ⟨p. 26⟩and difficulties, you do as the mixed multitude in the Wilderness did. Numb. 11.4. Weep and fell on lusting. And as the Congregation of Israel did, when the Spies told them of Cities walled to heaven, and Giants to encounter. Chap. 14.4 They said one to another, let us make us a Captain, and let us return into Egypt. Dulce bellum inexpertis. Inconsiderate persons account it a fine thing to be a Soldier, whiles they look only upon the bravery, liberty, ease, and plunder which they promise themselves in it; and how readily do they list themselves for Volunteers? but when they come to meet with the hard Services of long Marches through thick and thin, short fare, difficult lodging, watchings and wardings, and cruel battles, these unexpected things affright them, and now they wish themselves at home again. Know it, if you will be of Christs Camp, you must put on your whole Armour, and put it off no more till death disbands you, but March in it, and Lodge in it: you must stand continually in your ward all day, and be set in your watch whole nights: you must fight with the most powerful and malicious adversaries; and that not at a distance, but in the closest battles. You must, after one fight is over, be prepared to engage in another, nor may you, in the greatest distress, ever cry quarter. If these conditions may content you, come and welcome.
Let this serve to warn and caution such as pretend to be listed among God's Israel: such as covet to bear the stile & title of Christians. It is indeed worthy name, and no small honour to those that bear it, and carry themselves worthy of it; nor indeed can there be a greater dignity conferred on the Children of men. Christs Servants are his Free-men, yea his friends, yea they are priviledged to be the Children of God. Joh. 1.12. But he would have you to fit down and compute the cost. If you would be his Servants, you must be his Souldiers: and be not deceived in your expectations and reckonings, lest you repent when you see War, as there is hazard you should do if not prepared. Exod. 13.17. Lest when you meet with hardships ⟨p. 26⟩and difficulties, you do as the mixed multitude in the Wilderness did. Numb. 11.4. Weep and fell on lusting. And as the Congregation of Israel did, when the Spies told them of Cities walled to heaven, and Giants to encounter. Chap. 14.4 They said one to another, let us make us a Captain, and let us return into Egypt. Dulce bellum inexpertis. Inconsiderate persons account it a fine thing to be a Souldier, whiles they look only upon the bravery, liberty, ease, and plunder which they promise themselves in it; and how readily do they list themselves for Volunteers? but when they come to meet with the hard Services of long Marches through thick and thin, short fare, difficult lodging, watchings and wardings, and cruel battels, these unexpected things affright them, and now they wish themselves at home again. Know it, if you will be of Christs Camp, you must put on your whole Armour, and put it off no more till death disbands you, but March in it, and Lodge in it: you must stand continually in your ward all day, and be set in your watch whole nights: you must fight with the most powerful and malicious adversaries; and that not at a distance, but in the closest battels. You must, after one fight is over, be prepared to engage in another, nor may you, in the greatest distress, ever cry quarter. If these conditions may content you, come and welcome.
