The right way to victory discovered in a sermon, preached at Guild-Hall Chappel before the Lord Mayor of London, June 22, 1673 / by Francis Gregory ... Gregory, Francis, 1625?-1707. 1673 Approx. 41 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 11 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A42061 Wing G1904 ESTC R13098 12846726 ocm 12846726 94449 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A42061) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94449) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 713:23) The right way to victory discovered in a sermon, preached at Guild-Hall Chappel before the Lord Mayor of London, June 22, 1673 / by Francis Gregory ... Gregory, Francis, 1625?-1707. [7], 15 p. Printed by E. Flesher for R. Royston ..., London : 1673. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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The Right Way to VICTORY : Discovered in a SERMON , Preached at Guild-hall Chappel before the Lord Mayor of London , June 22. 1673. By Francis Gregory D. D. Rector of Hambleton in the County of Bucks , and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Sacred Majesty . Printed at the Request of the Lord Mayor . LONDON , Printed by E. Flesher , for Richard Royston , Bookseller to His most Sacred Majesty . MDCLXXIII . TO The Right Honourable S r. ROBERT HANSON , K t. Lord Mayor of the City of LONDON . My Lord , 'T IS from the undeserved Mercy of our God , and the tender care of our Soveraign and his anointed , that we now see , to the great satisfaction of our Friends and the terrour of our Enemies , the great City of England , lately consumed with flames and entombed in its own Ashes ; not only raised again , but advanced to that high degree of Splendor and Magnificence , that now it much exceeds its Self , and perhaps all other Cities of the World besides . 'T is well known , as well to our Adversaries as to our Allies , that London is , not only the Metropolis of England , but its strength , treasury , and glory too . Such is the number of its Inhabitants ; such is the stateliness of its structures ; such is the wealth of its Merchants , Companies , and Chamber ; that we may easily conclude , that , One London is more concerned in the success of the present War , than all our Cities besides . The quarrel , betwixt us and our neighbours beyond the Sea , is of grand importance ; the Dispute is , Whether the New States of Holland shall brave it over the Antient Kings of England ? whether Rebels shall Lord it over Soveraigns ? whether the Texel shall rule the Ocean ? or , that which is all one , whether Amsterdam shall give check to London , and Law to the World ? My Lord , the matter now referred to the decision of the sword , being of so great Moment ; every Englishman , every Magistrate , every Corporation , but especially that of London , stands obliged to do , whatever may be done , for the just honour of our Prince , the security of our Trade , and the establishment of our Church and Nation . I do not doubt , but your Lordships Mace , when occasion is offered , will be employed to defend his Majesties Crown ; I do not question , but your Lordships Sword , when matters so require , will be readily drawn to protect his Majesties Scepter ; there 's no good Christian , but is a good subject too ; and there 's no good subject , but will sacrifice his Honour , his Power , his Estate , his Blood , his Life , in the just vindication of his Soveraign . But yet , there is something more than all this , that must be done ; our holy God , that is so justly displeased with our Nation , must be reconciled ; Religion , that is so much decayed , must be repaired ; sin , that is grown so bold and daring , must be suppressed ; and amongst the many detestable vices of this age , there is none , that ruines us more , than drunkenness and whoredome ; the abuse of good wine , and the use of bad women . And could we but once see a restraint laid on sin ; could we but once see every accursed thing removed from our Cities , our Camp , and our Court , we might then hope , that our God would either bless us with peace , or prosper us in war. And this is the only design of this discourse ; a design , which your Lordship was pleased so far to approve , as to invite me to make it Publick . And since , through your Lordships encouragement , the Press hath sent that abroad into the world , which was designed for the Pulpit only , as I humbly beg your Lordships kind Patronage , so do I earnestly crave the Readers serious consideration ; with this assurance , that if the matter of this seasonable discourse be duely weighed , and the Rules delivered therein be conscientiously practised , this poor Paper-Pellet will conduce more towards the gaining of a glorious Victory , than all our Musket and Canon shot . With my Prayer to Almighty God , that he would so bless your Lordships Government , that the Inhabitants of your City may be preserved from Sword and Pestilence , and its sumptuous Buildings from further Flames , I am Your Lordships Friend and Servant , Francis Gregory . The Right way to VICTORY . DEUT. 23. 9. When the Host goeth forth against thine enemies , then keep thee from every wicked thing . THat a constant and uniform obedience is due to the great God of heaven , at all times and in all conditions whatsoever , 't is beyond dispute ; and that man is universally obliged at all seasons , and in all cases imaginable , to abstain from sin , there 's none can doubt , except it be some stupid soul , that is insensible what Hell doth mean , or Heaven is worth . But although such an uninterrupted course of obedience be indeed a thing , which God doth ever require , and man must alway yield , yet there are such and such conjunctions and nicks of time , wherein we are engaged , not only by Gods Perpetual and general laws , but by his particular Providences and our own private concerns , to practise Holiness , and cease from sin . In serene and Halcyon dayes , when God smiles upon our Nation , methinks were there not command to require it , yet our own ingenuity , gratitude , and the great Gentleness of Christianity should constrain us , when we abound with mercies , to love and serve that good God , which giveth them . And when our Nation groans under the just displeasure of Heaven , when the great God thunders just over our heads in black and dreadful clouds , had we no Engagement besides , yet methinks our present fears and apprehensions of imminent dangers should oblige us , in the midst of judgments , to avoid and detest those sins which bring them . That 's our case and our great Concern this day ; there is a war commenced , and the sword is drawn : and that this war may prove successful ; that this sword may enter where it should ; that our armies and navies may prove victorious ; what must be done , that great Moses , who had the conduct of Gods own armies , and was a warriour as well as a Prophet , doth thus inform us — when the Host goeth forth against thine enemies , then keep thee from every wicked thing . The words are familiar and easie , and so need no exposition : there are two things considerable in them ; 1. Gods severe and strict Command — Keep thee from every wicked thing — that 's our duty — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Hebrew --- 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 --- saith the LXX — Caveto — saith the — Arabick — take heed — beware , and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of every wicked thing . 2. Mans Particular season , wherein this great Command must , in an especial manner , be obeyed ; and when is that — when the Host goeth forth against thine enemies : then , keep thee from every wicked thing ; if ever ye will do it , do it then . The substance of the text , and the sum of our discourse will lie in this short conclusion ; namely , That a Nation , ingaged in War , is , upon that very account , the more obliged to abstain from every sin , but much more from foul ones . Most certain it is , there is nothing to be named in all the world , that doth render a people so unfit for War , as sin ; see why in seven particulars . 1. Sin doth much impoverish that Nation , where it reigns : Doubtless , the poorer a Nation is , 't is the more unfit to prepare for War ; a good bank , a rich treasure is well stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the nerves of War. 'T is an old rule ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fight with silver as well as steel ; there must be supplies of money as well as men . But as for sin and vice , like a Thief , it picks the subjects purse , and who shall fill the Kings Exchequer then ? That any person or Nation should be highly debauched , and yet grow rich , 't is seldom seen : See what Moses tells such a sinner , Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store ; Certainly , where the moth frets , the garment must decay ; If there be a worm at the root , the Prophets gourd must wither : So here ; if the curse of God attend the sinners estate , 't is not strange , that it melt away . But the truth is , there needs no curse to make the sinner poor ; he doth it fast enough himself . So the adulterer — by means of a whorish woman is a man brought to a morsel of bread . Thus drunkards and gluttons too , the glutton and the drunkard shall come to poverty ; but what wonder 's that ? — Vna comedunt Patrimonia mensa — saith Juvenal , they devour an estate at a meal ; They empty their bags into bottles , their Coffers into Hogsheads ; they exchange estates with the Vintner , they buy his wine , and he their land . Thus do men , like Cleopatra , drink down Pearls and Jewels ; they swallow down their Camels ; nay , they throw down Lordships and Mannours , and so become drunkards first , and beggars next . 2. Sin doth much destrow the strength of that Nation wherein it reigns ; it impairs the health , and takes away the lives of men . Thus St. Paul , For this cause many are sick and weak , and many also sleep . Certainly , the more populous and strong a Nation is , , the more fit it is to fight , Pugnare Thracum est , saith Horace ; the Thracians , that sturdy Nation , are fit for War. 'T is good Counsel — Be strong for battel — where numbers are great , where souldiers are vigorous , the victory , in ordinary Providence , seems so much the surer . God indeed can fight and conquer with the weakest Armies ; God could fight and beat Proud Pharaoh with squadrons of lice , but man must fight with Lions ; God could conquer with souldiers too weak for Domitians bodkin , even pittiful flyes ; yea , but the Romans could not do it without their Eagles . Methinks , that General should despair of conquest , that should lead an Army of such impotent and crazy Persons , that were more sit for a crutch , than a sword , for a couch , than a field . And this is that sorry plight , into which Debauchery brings a Nation ; 't is but sad to consider , what numbers of persons are this day under the Physitian and Chyrurgion , that might have been under the General ; Men , that have made themselves fit only for an Hospital , that might have been fit for a Navy . Tell me , Sirs , are the wounds of Venus become more Honourable than those of Mars ? is it more gentile to linger or die of the Frenchmans disease , than run the hazard of the Dutchman's sword ; is it indeed more noble , by debauchery and vice Cowardly , to retire into our own graves , than by vertue and Courage to force our enemies into theirs ? Sure I am , if we would beat our open adversaries , how strong soever , we must first subdue our Private lusts , which make us weak . Thus Moses , Keep my Commandments , that ye may be strong ; our strength lieth in our Religion , Chastity , and Sobriety . I dare affirm , to spare the Dutchmans Brandee is the surest Course to spill his blood ; but if not , if we beat them , at their sin , we shall scarce beat them at their weapon too ; if we beat them at the wine , we shall find it the harder to beat them on the water too . 'T is an everlasting truth , where vice and debauchery reigns , it layeth such vast multitudes in their Beds , and such numbers in their graves , that the poor Nation , as with the loss of so many limbs , so much bloud and spirits groweth faint and weak , and so becomes less fit for War. 3. Sin doth much abate and sink the courage of that Nation , where it reigns . There is no Accomplishment , that doth more adorn a souldier , and promise victory , than an undaunted courage , Prowess , and Gallantry of soul . This was the main thing required by God himself in the General of his own Army — Only be thou strong and very couragious ; but who is this man of metal ? Solomon telleth us — The righteous is bold as a Lion — but what 's the sinner then ? the same verse informs us — the wicked fly , when no man pursueth — stout souldiers indeed ! Persons exceeding fit for War ! but who can blame them ? is it strange , that that person should be a coward , who all along hath been a sinner ! is it a wonder , that any considering Person dares not fight , who knows himself in a condition unfit to die ? alass ! Conscience tells him , if he be slain this moment , he is like to be damned the next ; if the sword send him into his grave , 't is like to send him into Hell too — . Certain it is , there 's none so fit to war with man , as he , that is at peace with God. I read , that when Pope Vrbane the second sent an Army to the Holy land , that he might raise their spirits by excluding all fear of death and Hell , he promised every man of them a full Pardon of all their sins , the guilt whereof might otherwise have dogged them , and justly made them cowards . Such a Politician was the crafty Pope ; and so is the Turk too , who encourageth his souldiers to the most dangerous attempts , not so much with present pay , as with certain promises of future happiness in another world . And doubtless , there 's nothing in all the world , that can raise a mans courage like to this ; pardon of sin , assurance of glory , removes all jealousies and quickens the spirit ; innocence of life , freedom from guilt , like silver and polished armour it adorns and secures too . Methinks , that Person who hath foyled the Devil , need fear no man : he that is sure of Heaven , need fear no danger , that earth can threaten ; if the enemy kill him , he doth but so much the sooner crown him ; if he die a souldier , he shall the quicker live a Saint . But alass ! such encouragements as these , which may justly prevent all fears and create a valour , the sinner wants ; and if so , there is a necessity that he remain a coward , except perhaps he prove a desperate Atheist ; except perhaps he can arrive to that high pitch of modern Gallantry , that he dares , in the service of his Country , as well as in the quarrels of a Mistress , not only die , but be damned too . Sure we are , the guilt of sin , the fear of death , the dread of Hell , cannot chuse , in all considering Persons , but abate and cool that courage , which is required to make a Nation fit for War. 4. Sin doth sadly deseat all the Policy and wisest Counsels of that Nation , where it reigns . Tacitus , that great Statesman , tells us Inconsulti Impetus languescunt — force without counsel comes to nothing . Another thus , Plura Consiliis quàm telis geruntur . There 's more done by a Politick head , than an armed hand . That provision , mentioned , by the Prophet , is but necessary — I have counsel and strength for War — counsel to advise , strength to execute ; what more can be desired ? What less can serve ? That 's our case ; we have the Buff coat and the Gown ; the sword-man and the statesman ; an Army abroad and Councils at home , the great Council of the the Nation , the Privy Council of the King , the common Council of the City , yea and Councils of War too . But were every member of these Councils another Solon , another Achitophel , another Solomon , an Oracle , yet what would all their contrivances come too , if the alwise-God be provoked by sin to blast them ? 'T is that severe judgement , which God hath threatned over and and over against a wicked Nation — I will destroy the Counsel thereof — and so again — I will make void the Counsel of Judah — and what 's the issue ? the very next words tell us — I will cause them to fall before their enemy — I remember what Horace hath long since told us — Quos vult perdere Jupiter , dementat prius — if God infatuate , 't is a sad sign , he intends to ruine ; when once the brains be out , the life quickly followeth . 5. Sin doth strangely obstruct and frustrate the Prayers of that Nation , where it reigns . So useful is prayer in a time of War , that even Julian the Apostate , and other heathens , would never fight till they had first invoked their Gods. 'T is observed of Judas Macchabaeus , that , till he had prayed , he never fought any battel but one , and in that one he was slain . What blessed effects prayer hath produced in War , Historians do inform us . Eusebius tells us , that in Aurelius his Army there was one legion stiled by the Emperor himself — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Thundring legion — a Legion of Christans , who in a great want of water , obtained by their Prayer a sudden shower of rain to refresh the Roman army , and a storm of Thunder to confound their enemies . The Scriptures tell us — when Moses held up his hand , Israel prevailed — the hand of Moses had no weapon , yet it conquered . I remember that expression of a learned man — plùs ad victoriam valent piorum preces , quàm Militum arma — A Religious person , who strikes no blow , who layeth no siege , except it be to Heaven , may gain the Conquest in his Closet ; and although the Christian souldier must sometimes use his hands ; yet best he fights , and doth most good upon his knees . Doubtless , to fast and pray , in a time of War , doth well ; but if we pray now , and blaspheme anon ; if we fast one day , and surfet the next ; if we seem religious in the Church , and then prove wanton in the Chamber ? what then ? When ye make many prayers , I will not hear ; no , our sweetest Incense will be unsavoury ; & the very best of our breath will but stink with God. I find , that when vice groweth bold and daring ; when a Nation groweth highly wicked , God doth sometimes forbid his servants to interpose on their behalf — Pray not thou for this people — 'T is a dreadful command , but there 's reason for it ; the Incorrigible sinner is a declared enemy to God ; and if so , is it fit to pray , that God should prosper his designs ? Our foul offenders are known to be Traytors against the Majesty of Heaven ; and if so , is it handsome to pray , that God should crown and bless them ? no , 't is our great concern this day to lament with tears , and cast off with detestation , our grievous crimes , and reform our debauched lives ; for if not , 't is ten to one but our prayers for success and Victory may be thought too bold , and prove too vain . 6. Sin doth infallibly rob that Nation , where it reigns , of its strongest allies and best assistants . That great allies and powerful assistants are of singular use in War , experience sheweth us ; for , why else do all nations use them ? And that their are no allies like God and his Angels , there 's none , but an Atheist , doubts ; but here 's the misery , a vicious nation can neither gain nor keep them . I remember what God himself told Joshua , his own commander in chief — as I was with Moses , so will I be with thee — what an encouraging Promise is here ; but is it absolute , or conditional ? doth God oblige himself to be with Joshua's Army , however they live , and whatever they do ? no ; see how quickly the language of God is altered — I will not be with you any more — no ? what 's the matter ? — I will not be with you any more , except ye destroy the accursed thing — That 's our business ; here is our interest ; if there be such and such accursed things amongst us , they must be removed , they must be quite destroyed ; or else we cannot reasonably expect , that God should help us . 'T is true , we have already such and such allies , and great ones too ; and that we have such and assistances ; such and such Men of War besides our own , we must bless our God and thank our King. But yet notwithstanding , how numerous soever our Auiliaries and Navies are , there is one Man of War yet more , that must be engaged too ; and who that is Moses tells us — The Lord is a Man of War — let 's but secure to our selves this Man of War , and we secure the conquest too . Sure we are , our other allies , how strong soever , are nothing to this ; what 's an earthly Monarch to the great God of Heaven ? What 's the Commander of some few Squadrons to the great Lord of Hosts ? What 's a Prince , that can lend us but an handful of men , to that God , who can lend us thousands of mighty Angels ? What 's a Neighbour , that can lend us Ships and Canons , to that God who can lend us Thunder and Lightning , Storms and Tempests ? if once this God become one of our Auxilliaries , well may the Motto of Venice become the Motto of England too — Nec flatu , nec fluctu Moveor — neither winds nor waves can shake us ; There 's nothing can wrong us , but our selves ; nothing can beat us , but our vice ; nothing can fire our Ships , but our burning lust ; nothing can rob us of our Gods assistance , but that , which robs us of his Image too , and that 's our sin . Yet once more , 7. Sin , debauchery , and vice , will infallibly make the great God , and with him his holy Angels , the Sun , the Moon , the Starrs , even the whole creation , to become enemies to that unhappy Nation , where it reigns . Thus the Prophet — behold , I am against you , saith the Lord — O dreadful word ! if God be against us , who can be for us ? The Lord was an enemy — who then can or dares be a friend ? If once it come to this : that God proves an enemy , the whole universe will be so too . Thus Claudian-Militat aether & conjurati veniunt in classica venti — and thus a better author too — the stars in their courses fought against Sisera . For , if we believe , that God certainly is , what Luther terms him , Rector mundi — the Governor of the World — we must believe , that all creatures whatsoever are , as Pineda words it — sub Dei vexillo — under Gods own banner , and do us good or harm , according as he commands them . I will not say , what some are apt to fear , that God is become an enemy to England ; no , although vice doth strangely reign , yet God hath still amongst us a considerable number of Religious and Pious servants , whom he dearly loves , and for whose sake the Church and Kingdom stands . But as to the Nation in general , God hath given us very shrewd signs to suspect , that he doth not like our doings . When we consider the crimes , the many , the brutish , the devilish crimes , that are committed without controll and that not by the rascality of ill bred people , but the better sort of men , whose actions do become examples and rules to inferiour persons ; we must acknowledge , that our holy God might justly cast us off for ever . And when we consider the sore , the many , the tremendious Judgements , judgements almost beyond example , that we have felt , and yet grow worse and worse , we have cause enough to be jealous , that God is at least still displeased and angry with us . The late mercies , which this Nation hath received , were beyond , not our deserts alone , but our very expectations too ; tell me ; was it not beyond our hopes , that , in spight of all opposers , God should , in a miraculous manner , restore the King to his Throne , the Bishop to his Chair , the Nobleman to his Honour , the Parliament to its Priviledges , and every English man to his right , without one blow , without one drop of blood ? But consider , what grateful acknowledgements hath this Nation made to God for this ; and the consequences of this , many other signal mercies ? Alas ! Such an unkind return have we made to Heaven , that we may now say — Quantùm mutatus : O how is Gods countenance changed ! how strangely is it altered ; his gracious smiles are now turned into such dreadful frowns , as if he meant to bury us in the wrinkles of his brow ; we , that , through his favour , were lately surprised with mercies beyond our hopes , have now , through his wrath and our own follies , been surprised with Judgments , even beyond our fears . For , tell me , what man could have imagined , that our late Plague , begun in one single family , should in a few weeks time , so spread it self , as to make so vast a City to become but one greater Pesthouse ? that there should be such a strange Mortality , so many Deaths and Burials in every corner , that every Church might have changed it's old name , and every Parish been justly styled a St. Sepulchres . Again , what man could have dreamed , that — casus in urbe frequens — an ordinary fire , begun in one little corner , should in four dayes time , in dispight of all that man could do , have reached and consumed so many thousand buildings , the houses of men , and the Temples of God too . But to come neerer the business of the Text : What man could have thought , that our neer neighbours beyond the Sea , who were once the Poor destressed States , should ever have grown to that height , either of impudence to affront , or strength to withstand the King of England ? who would have thought , that our old Petitioners should have ever become our new Controllers ? that they , who were not able to secure to themselves a small spot of Land , should now claim the vast dominion of the Seas , and the main trade of the world ? Sure I am , as it was the kindness or perhaps the imprudence of England , that once made them great , so it is the sin of England , that now makes them troublesome . When they were but in the egg , it was our kind warmth that hatched them ; and although they are now grown up to be vipers , yet if our own sins created it not , they will never find a sting to wound us . If it be true , as some affirm , that our enemies wickedness is full as great as our own , yet that consideration will not much relieve us ; Their Vices are not our Vertues ; nor will their Poyson prove our Cordial . What if God should use the Dutchman as he doth the Turk , who is — flagellum Dei — the scourge of God ; that Rod , which the dews of Heaven keep fresh and green and flourishing , that it may last the longer , and lash the sorer too ? What if God make England and Holland , being Nations which mercies cannot win , nor judgments scare , so to weaken one another , that a third shall over-run them both ? This is that , which we have some cause to fear , and many obligations to prevent ; and surely , the way , the only ready way to do it , is , to obey this great command in my Text — When thine Host goeth forth against thine enemies , then keep thee from every wicked thing — Methinks , in a time of War , men , and men deeply concerned in the success too , should not so highly sin , and so provoke the great Lord of Hosts ; Methinks , if we consider , that War is a solemn and serious thing , we should forbear even our innocent sports , much more our Hellish Crimes . 'T is not for prudent Christians to act like the silly fish , that are observed to play most and grow even wanton , when the storm is rising . I am confident , it would even break our Hearts , and well it might , to see our Armies miscarry ; to see our Ships burned with fire , or drowned in water ; to see a few broken Vessels return laden with nothing else but poor wounded men , cloathed with shame and rolled in bloud ; if such a spectacle would not please you , prevent it by your prayers , your tears , your vertuous lives , which are things , more likely then guns and swords , to gain the Conquest . I need not mind you , that the matters in dispute and danger are of huge concern ! we do not sight for toyes and trifles ! no ; the things contended for are the King and the Subject , the State and the Church ; the Crown and the Mitre ; Whatever it is that three kingdoms are worth , doth now lie at stake . Tell me then , shall we be such desperate fools , as to hazard all this for such or such a beloved sin ? Shall we be such brutes , as to lose all this , and our souls to boot , for such or such a cursed lust ? O remember what the Great God commands us , and that in order to success and Victory — Keep thy self from every wicked thing — Certainly , 't is a wicked thing to be drunk ; 't is a wicked thing to blaspheme the name of God ; 't is a wicked thing to be unclean and wanton ; 't is a wicked thing to scoff at Religion , and to droll at any man or any thing , that is Holy ; all this , and whatever else is wicked , we must resolve either to quit , or else to hazard all . If the Pope think it his concern to send into the field , as the Roman Pontifical words it — Vexillum sanctificatum , Ensem benedictum — an hallowed banner , a consecrated sword — Methinks we should think our selves obliged to provide against our enemies , though not superstitious weapons ; yet not Prophane warriours neither ; for , 't is not the strong , but the clean hand , that best wields the sword ; nor is it the stout , but the Pure Heart , that 's most like to get the victory . 'T is Religion , that engageth Heaven and defends earth ; 'T is this , that establisheth Thrones and Scepters ; 't is this , that doth advance the Noblemans honour , and makes his star shine so much the brighter ; 't is this , that makes a Nation beloved of God , and feared of men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 'T is Religion and Vertue , that must beat our enemies and get us Triumphs ; 't is this , and nothing but this , that will give us , through the assistance and mercy of our God , a victorious and happy kingdom here on earth , and an eternal one in Heaven . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A42061-e1650 Deut. 28. 17. Pro. 6. 2● . Pro. 23. 21. 1 Cor. 11. 30. 2 Cor. 2. 5. 8. Deut. 11. 8. Josh . 1. 7. Pro. 28. 1. Isa . 36. ● . Isa . 19. 3. Jer. 19. 7. Exod. 17. 11. Isa . 1. 15. Jer. 7. 16. Josh . 1. ● . Josh . 7. 12. Exod. 15. 3. Isa . 13. 8. Lam. 2. 5. Judg. 5. 20.