N01237:60
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of…
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that virtue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that vertue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1710
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 when the Ammonites made War against Israel, thinking to dispossess them of those Lands which they had a right unto, and been in the possession of Three hundred years: Jephthah said to the King of the Ammonites, Thou dost me wrong to War against me, Judg 11. 27. Therefore the Children of Israel fought against them and slew them with a great Slaughter: This was just. When the Philistines came against Keilah, and Robbed their Threshing floors, David and his men did by Gods appointment fight the Philistines, and delivered Keilah, 1 Sam. 23. 4, 5. The like he did to the Amalekites when they had Plundered and burned Ziklag. Or, if Enemies fall upon those who are in Confederacy, or in Alliance with us, that may be a just ground of War. Of this the Scripture giveth us an Example in Abraham, who when his Confederates were attacked, headed a small Army, ⟨p. 40⟩and rescued them, Gen. 14. 13, 16. Thus also the Children of Israel armed themselves to rescue their brethren in Jabesh Gilead, when Nabash with his Ammonites encamped against them, 1 Sam. 11. 1. Only it is to be remembered that an Offensive War is not to be undertaken but with the Consent and Authority of the Magistrates. The reason is because War is an act of Vindictive Justice, and therefore must have the Countenance of those who are by their Office Revengers to Execute wrath on them that do Evil. It is not for private persons to revenge without direction from God or his Vice-Gerents.
Thus when the Ammonites made War against Israel, thinking to dispossess them of those Lands which they had a right unto, and been in the possession of Three hundred years: Jephtha said to the King of the Ammonites, Thou dost me wrong to War against me, Judg 11. 27. Therefore the Children of Israel fought against them and slew them with a great Slaughter: This was just. When the Philistines came against Keilah, and Robbed their Threshing floors, David and his men did by Gods appointment fight the Philistines, and delivered Keilah, 1 Sam. 23. 4, 5. The like he did to the Amalekites when they had Plundered and burned Ziklag. Or, if Enemies fall upon those who are in Consideracy, or in Alliance with us, that may be a just ground of War. Of this the Scripture giveth us an Example in Abraham, who when his Confederates were attacked, headed a small Army,