The man of war. A sermon preached to the Artillery Company at Boston, on…

Angels and men were at first made Subjects of the Divine Government, and had Sworn Allegiance to their Lord Creator: which had they retained, they had enjoyed perpetual, uninterrupted peace; nor had they ever heard the sound of the Trumpet, or alarm of War. But there were many Legions of those Celestial Inhabitants, who, not contented with their Post, contrived and consented in a revolt from their Sovereign: and by a malicious wile, drew poor man into the Rebellion with them; whereupon they are proclaimed Rebels, and Gods Holiness, Justice, and Omnipotency are armed to take Vengeance on them. Thus were briars and thorns set in battle array against a consuming fire.

Angels and men were at first made Subjects of the Divine Government, and had Sworn Allegiance to their Lord Creator: which had they retained, they had enjoyed perpetual, uninterrupted peace; nor had they ever heard the sound of the Trumpet, or alarm of War. But there were many Legions of those Caelestial Inhabitants, who, not contented with their Post, contrived and consented in a revolt from their Soveraign: and by a malicious wile, drew poor man into the Rebellion with them; whereupon they are proclaimed Rebels, and Gods Holiness, Justice, and Omnipotency are armed to take Vengeance on them. Thus were briars and thorns set in battel array against a consuming fire.

God resolving to have War for ever with these Apostate Spirits, did yet graciously offer a Treaty of Peace and Reconciliation to miserable ⟨p. 22⟩man; which he hath maintained, where and as he sees meet, with some of the Race, ever since. So that, though Satan be the God of this World, and Sways the Sceptre over all the Children of Disobedience; yet God hath set up a Kingdom of Grace in the midst of the other, and draws over Subjects from it to himself, whom he persuadeth to desert the Colours of Hell, and put themselves under the banners of Christ, the Captain of our Salvation. Of this number is every true Israelite, who by the Efficacious operation of the Spirit in him, is turned from darkness to light; and from the power of Satan to God; and now, though he is, by this great Change, made an Heir of Glory, and Entitled to an Everlasting Crown; yet there is a Race to be run, in which he must Fight a good Fight, and keep the Faith, in despite of all that Would rob him of it. He must press through Armies of Aliens, who would stop up his way, and will make him to dispute for every inch of Ground that he gaineth. The Kingdom is his, but if he will possess it, he must take it by force. He hath furious adversaries, enraged with malice against him, and with united Conspiracy and Force attempt his ruin, if possible.