A sermon on the accursed thing that hinders success and victory in war, occasioned by the defeat of the Hon. Edward Braddock, Esq; general of all the English forces in North-America, who was mortally wounded in an engagement with the French and Indians, near Fort Duquesne, and died of his wounds the third day after the battle; which was fought July 9. 1755. : Published at the request of the hearers. / By William Vinal, A.M. Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Rhode-Island. ; [Four lines of Scripture texts]

JOSHUA vii.13.

Up, sanctify the People, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sanctify yourselves against To-morrow: For thus saith the LORD GOD of Israel. There is an accursed Thing in the Midst of thee, O Israel: Thou canst not stand before thine Enemies, until ye take away the accursed Thing from among you.

IN this Chapter, we have an Account of Joshua's sending Spies to the Country of A••, with the Report they made at their Return:—The Number of Men he sent to destroy that petty Kingdom:—That they fled before their Enemies, and some of them were slain.

We are in the next Place informed of the Behaviour of Joshua, and the Elders of Israel, upon this Occasion: They humbled themselves before God, 6 ver. For the Heart of all the People 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and became as Water, upon their hearing the News; and Joshua himself was greatly alarm'd.—But the same Day at Evening they had an Answer from God, in which Joshua was directed what Method to take, in order to find out the guilty Person, who had, by his Theft, procured the Defeat,—The Kind and Degree of his Punishment was likewise specified by the Divine Oracle at the same Time; which was executed the next Day, in the Manner prescribed, after he had been detected and convicted, 24, 25 ver. And they raised a great Heap of Stones over him, as a Monument of God's righteous Dis|pleasure and Severity against Sins of such a public Scandal and general Mischief to the Community, and as a Warning to all others.

And this was wisely order'd by God in the Beginning of their new Em|pire and Settlement in the promised Land, to prevent the Death of great Numbers, that took Warning by this awful Example; who, if not re|strained by the Fear and Love of God, from such detestable and destructive

Practices, yet, would be, by the Fear of Punishment, and the Love of their own, and their dear Childrens Lives.

I shall wave a particular and critical Survey of the Context, which would take up much Time to little Purpose, and proceed to the Text; in which it may be noted, That God speaks to Joshua with great Solemnity, and Indications of high Displeasure: Up, sanctify the People, and say, Sanctify yourselves—"Rise from your Prostration—Attend the Duty incumbent on you—Put the People upon making suitable Preparation to appear be|fore God—Summon them to be ready against To-morrow, and bid them see that they have no ceremonial Pollution upon them, but purify your|selves from whatever is contrary to the Law in this Case, that I may point out, before the whole Congregation, the Person that has committed the accursed Fact; and that you may all see his most awful and exemplary Punishment.—Purify yourselves, for the whole Congregation is, in some Respect, polluted by this detestable Thing."

The latter Part of the Text contains a Declaration of the Reason, why the Army that was sent out could not stand, and the Necessity of their removing the Cause, in order to their being able, for the future, to stand before, and subdue their Enemies: Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, There is an accursed Thing in the Midst of thee, O Israel: Thou canst not stand before thine Enemies, until ye take away the accursed Thing from among you. The Sin of Achan, considered in all its Circumstances, had put the whole People of Israel out of the Divine Protection, and was the Cause of God's with|drawing from them that Spirit of Courage and Resolution, which are ne|cessary in War. When that is withheld, no Warriors, tho' their natural Courage and acquired Skill be ever so great, can stand before the most contemptible Foe; especially when it is on the Account of the Violation of their Covenant-Engagements; which was then the Case of the Israelites.

I shall now attempt, by Divine Assistance, to offer something agreeable to the Subject, under the following general Heads.

• I. When God's professing People go forth to war against their Enemies, they should be very careful to put away from among them, all their Sins; especially that, which is emphatically, The accursed Thing in the Midst of them.
• II. In order to this, a diligent Inquiry ought to be made, to find out what it is.
• III. The Reason assigned for this Duty is, That unless it be taken away, they cannot stand before their Enemies in the Day of Battle.
• ...

• IV. A particular Application shall conclude the Subject.

I. When God's professing People go forth to war against their Enemies, they should be very careful to put away from among them all their Sins; especially that, which is emphatically, The Accursed Thing in the Midst of them.

That this Duty is more especially incumbent on those who are favour'd with the Light of the Gospel, I need not attempt to prove to a Christian Auditory. And that God's peculiar People are often obliged, by the ill Treatment of some of their fellow Men, to go to war with them in a Way of Self-defence (which is a Duty they owe to Him, as the Author of their Being) is evident from undeniable Facts: Otherwise they would be driven out of the World by Violence; not called out by the ordinary Way of Providence; or be forced to drag out the most miserable Lives, in the most abject Slavery, without tasting the Sweetness of Liberty, which is common to the Human Species. And that defensive War is frequently ne|cessary as well as lawful, and offensive War sometimes so, is conspicuous, not only from the Oracles of Truth, but even from the Principles of Na|ture in its degenerate State. In the Old Testament, we have diverse Ac|counts of its being undertaken and engaged in, by the special Appointment and Command of the Lord of Hosts. Nor is it any where forbidden in the New Testament, either by Christ, the Prince of Peace, who constituted and presided over the legal, as well as the evangelical Dispensation, or by his Apostles; but is implicitly approved of by them: Which it would not have been, if it had been contrary to the Spirit of the Gospel, but would have been forbidden by them.

This being so evident, I shall not attempt a Vindication of it against Sophisters and Bigots; especially as this interesting, tho' in itself, unplea|sant Subject, has, of late Years, been set in the most convincing Light by the clearest Pens † 1.1.

Having premised these Things, we come to the Point, which is, That when the Lord's People go to war, they ought to put away all their Sins, especially that which is the Accursed Thing. The Obligation is general and binding upon all Persons, at all Times, in all Circumstances, more especially when under the Rebukes and Frowns of Providence for their

Sins, as they are in a Time of War. This Dispensation is a solemn Call to the Practice of the Duty, which ought to be religiously observed, especially when there is any Thing particularly specified, as there was in the Case of the Jews at their Entrance into the Land of Canaan. The revealed Will of God is the only Rule of our Conduct, and his Authority the Rea|son of our Compliance.

Now, by the Accursed Thing, we are to understand the Person of A••••an, together with his stolen Goods, as in 12 ver. And his taking these was Sacrilege, because consecrated to the Lord▪ Josh. 6 19.

But if it be demanded, What we, at this Day, are to understand by the Accursed Thing? How it may be taken away? And who shall undertake the difficult Task?

The Answer to the first of these Inquiries is, That we are to understand Sin in general, especially that which is open and public; or those Sins which are openly committed by Persons of Note, and by Men in Authority and Office, both Civil and Ecclesiastical: And those which are committed by the Encouragement, Approbation, and Connivance of dignified Per|sons. There is an intrinsic moral Evil in all Sin, especially the last Sort, as contrary to the most holy Nature and Law of God: For this Reason, every Sin is an Accursed Thing. For, as the Apostle argues, Sin is the Transgression of the Law; of that Law, which is a Transcript of the moral Perfections of God; therefore necessarily holy, just, and good. And every Sin is more or less heinous, as Cases and Circumstances vary, or may be alter'd for special, prudential, or public Reasons. That Sin, therefore, which is the most detrimental to the public Good, and the most dishonorary to God, is now, and ever, to be deem'd the Accursed Thing.

The next Inquiry is, How this is to be taken away?

The Answer is easy, but the Performance difficult: But it may be done by a vigorous and faithful Execution of the Laws of the Country; which is the Magistrate's Province. And it supposes him to be concerned only in such Things as properly come under his Cognizance. For where the legislative Body provide a Sect of good Laws, enforcing the Observation of the Divine; there the wanton Boughs and rampant Branches may be cut off, tho' the Trunk of the Tree remain, and the Root live. For, pub|lic Sins are but overgrown Branches of the accursed Root of corrupt Na|ture, which shoot out to more open View. And 'tis evident from known Facts, that these in general may be lop'd off by a vigorous and faithful

Exertion of civil Power and Authority. For the Magistracy was erected among Mankind in their degenerate State, and these Powers were ordain'd by God, for this very End. Rom. 13.1. Let every Soul be subject unto the higher Powers. For there is no Power but of God: The Powers that be, are ordain'd of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the Or|dinance of God. For Rulers are not a Terror to good Works, but to evil.

It follows then, in Answer to the last Inquiry, that this Work belongs to the Magistrate; who, as by his Office, he undertakes it, so he is obliged, in Point of Duty to God and the Public, to engage in it, otherwise be bears the Sword in vain. He ought to do all that in him lies to suppress whatever Vice and Immortality is cognizable by the Law: This is greatly conducive to the Benefit of Society. For, continues the Apostle, 4 ver▪ he is the Minister of God for Good to thee (if thou do that which is good) But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the Sword in vain: For he is the Minister of God, a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth evil. The civil Magistrate may do much toward a Reformation, by suppressing Vice, if he would dare to magnify his Office, by a vigilant and faithful Discharge of it. When this is not wanting on his Part, all needed Assistance, and a Blessing, never sail on God's Part. This might be exemplified by Instances both from sacred and profane History; but I shall only recur to our Text and Context for Illustration. Here we find Joshua, as a Judge and Magistrate, and as Generalissimo of all the Jewish Forces, expresly commanded by God to search out and punish the Accursed Thing: Which done, God went forth with their Armies and enabled them to stand before their Enemies. This Event seems in general to be adapted to all Persons in high Stations, and to have been designed for an Example to them. And that Nation that is favour'd with good Laws (such as secure the Persons, Privileges, and Properties of the Subject) and with faithful Magistrates, of a generous public Spirit, may be styled Righteous, in a forensic Sense, agreeable to the Divine Aphorism, Prov. 14.34. Righteousness, encouraged, promoted, and protected, exalteth a Nation: But Sin, countenanced, and unpunished by civil Authority, is a Reproach to any People.

When therefore the Rulers of a professing People send forth their Armies to war, they should not only be satisfied that the Cause be just, but take a religious Care to remove every Thing, especially the Accursed, from among them, that there may be no Obstacle in the Way of their Success.

Nor are Generals or Admirals, or any subordinate Officers, exempted from the Duty; but should do their Endeavour, as far as their Observation, Authority, and Influence, can extend, to put away Iniquity from among themselves and their Men. And all that are in Authority, both civil and ecclesiastical, especially the Preachers of Righteousness, ought daily, and forever to recommend and enforce the Observation of our salutary Laws, by their own Example, and by a steady, uniform Practice of those Things, which they require by Law, and recommend by Precept and Doctrine: Otherwise the Law loses its Force, Government misses its End, and Preach|ing is unprofitable. For the Glory of God, and the Good of the Public, require them to shine as Lights in the Midst of a perverse and crooked Generation.

In a Word; when the common Soldiers and Marines are engaged in War, they should carefully put away the unclean Thing; and so should they that abide by the Stuff, and they that remain in their Possessions. Hear with practical Reverence, what God says in this very Case: Deut. 23.9. When the Host goeth forth against thine Enemies, then keep thee from every wicked Thing. For the Lord thy God walketh in the Midst of thy Camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine Enemies before thee. Therefore shall thy Camp be holy, that he see no unclean Thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

Having dispatch'd the first, we proceed to the next general Head.

II. In order to the Removal of the accursed Thing, a diligent Inquiry ought to be made, to find out what it is.

Take away the Cause and the Effects will cease. In order to this, we must use such Means as are adapted to the End.—We must exercise our Faculties as reasonable Creatures.—Must consider our Ways, and observe the Ways of others, estimating the latter by Facts and clear Evidences, not by mere Suspicions.—We must search and try our Ways; reflect upon our|selves and Conduct; inspect our Hearts very minutely; and examine our Actions very accurately, by the Divine Rule.—We must learn the Art of Self-Knowledge † 1.2; which Kind of Knowledge is, in general, the least re|garded and inquired after of many, tho' of all other the most necessary and useful to Mankind, with Respect both to their present and future Happiness. Every one ought to learn what are his own reigning Vices;

and they that are in public Offices, ought to acquaint themselves with the prevailing Vices of the Times, in order to expose and restrain them as much as possible.

We need not enter into a Detail of Particulars, to inform those that are in Office, what Method they ought to take, and what Means to use, in order to detect and restrain Vice and Immorality: If they know what belongs to their Office, they know the Means; and if so, they are inex|cusable, if they use them not, in the Sight of the Great LAW-GIVER and JUDGE of all, to whom they will one Day find themselves ac|countable for all their Conduct and Procedure, both in the Legislative and Executive Trust. To whom does it belong, but to the Magistrate, to search out, and take away open and public Sins? Is he not styled in Scripture, The Minister of God, for this End? Thus he is to sanctify the People;— and they also must sanctify themselves, by considering their Ways, and framing their Doings, to turn unto their God. In doing which, both Ma|gistrates and People must use the Means conducive to the End, or they will fail of the desired Success. But, let it be noted, that the Sanctification here mentioned, is only legal and external, and will not avail to the Sal|vation of the Soul, without the internal Sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

We proceed to the next Proposition.

III. To assign the Reason of the Duty; which is, That unless God's People take away the accursed Thing from among them, they cannot stand before their Enemies in Battle.

For the Evincing of this Point, let us consider the Nature of Sin in general; the defiling Influence of it upon Mankind; and the destructive Tendency and Consequence of it.

As to the Nature of Sin, it is described by an Apostle to be, The Trans|gression of the Law of God: Which Law is a Transcript of his moral Per|fections; therefore necessarily holy, just, and good. The intrinsic Turpitude of Sin, as contrary to the Purity of the Divine Nature and Law, is the prin|cipal Reason why it should be put away.

And it has a defiling Influence upon Men, and renders those who are guilty of it, vile and filthy in the Sight of that God, who is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity, without infinite Detestation, at any Time, or in any Place, especially in a Time of War, and a critical Conjuncture of Affairs. Therefore it should be put away from the Courts and Palaces of Kings and Princes; from national Councils, and the higher Courts; and from all the

Courts of Judicature in the Nation and Kingdom, of every Denomination; from the Markets, and all Places of public Commerce and Resort; and from our Camps, and Fleets, and Fortresses: For it is most heinous, when practised openly by Persons in high Stations, public Offices, and impor|tant Trusts, who should be the most virtuous and exemplary Persons in the World, on Account of the Influence which their Example has upon others.

As to the Tendency and Consequence of public Sins, it is to bring De|solation and Ruin upon the People, as is evident from the History of the Kings of Israel.—For when the Holy ONE of Israel looks down upon a People, and sees the abominable Thing among them, he turns away with Indignation, and withdraws his favourable Presence and kind Influence.— Then follows Confusion, and endless perplexing Debates in their Coun|cils, Frustration of their Schemes, Disappointment of their Enterprizes, and Defeat of their Armies, with a Series of other Judgments and Cala|mities.

And now they cannot Stand before their Enemies; but are surprized, intimidated, run, stumble, and fall down dead and wounded in Heaps— Just like a Flock of the feather'd Kind, that were stretching their Course, secure, over Hills and Mountains, Vallies and Rivers, till they advanced near the Place, where the Fowler lay in Ambush, amongst the Reeds;— then, upon his sudden and unexpected Discharge, fall to the Ground, flutter and expire,—while some escape affrighted, and others wounded.— And no Wonder they cannot stand—for God has departed from them, and left them an easy Prey to their Enemies. And as He is not for them, He is against them, and on the Side of their Adversaries. And tho' their Number be ever so great, and their Military Preparations, Courage, and Skill for War, ever so respectable; yet if God be not for them, and with them, as their wise LEADER and almighty PROTECTOR, they cannot stand—Read with Reverence the awful apposite Threatening, Lev. 26.15. If ye will not do all my Commandments, but break my Covenant—I will set my Face against you, and ye shall be stain before your Enemies. They that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. The Lord of Hosts cannot go forth with our Armies to fight our Battles for us, cannot walk in our Camp to deliver us, when his infinitely holy and penetrating Eyes behold the Accursed Thing in the Midst of us. How can two walk together, except they be agreed?—What Concord hath CHRIST with Belial?— For this very important Reason, we should carefully take away Every Ac|cursed Thing, when our Armies go out to war.

We are now come to the last Part design'd in the Method; which is,

IV. A particular Application of the Subject in several Uses. And,

1. Let us humble ourselves under the mighty Hand of God, that has been stretch'd out against us, in the late Defeat of our principal Army.

This is a heavy Blow, justly inflicted upon us by the Hand of an angry God—a terrible Evil in itself; but may however, by his wise and good Providence, prove beneficial in the End. And we ought to know that it is for our Sins, highly aggravated, long and obstinately persisted in, after solemn Warnings, and sharp Rebukes, of various Kinds. Let us then justify God and take Shame to ourselves, like the penitent Jews in Ezra's Time. Thou art righteous, O Lord God; for we remain yet escaped, as at this Day. Behold we are before Thee in our Trespasses: For we cannot stand before Thee because of this. If we cannot stand before our Enemies in this World, because of our Sins; how much less shall we be able to stand be|fore the just JUDGE in the great Day, if they are not pardon'd thro' the Blood of Christ!

2. The next Use shall be of Information and Examination concerning the Accursed Thing, that has procur'd this Defeat.

That the World of Mankind is totally corrupt, I need not inform you:— But that Vice and Immorality, Error and Heresy, prevail more than ever, I must tell you: Let the Reader's own Observation and Conscience be my Witnesses—Conscience, that Candle of the Lord, that Lamp of Heaven, which lightens every Man that comes into the World; and which cannot be extiguished, till Man almost wholly degenerates from the State of his Creation.

If any should be inquisitive to know, What is the particular Accursed Thing, in the Case of New-England, which, above all other, may be justly supposed to be the Cause provoking God to fight against us, and permit the Enemy to defeat our Army?—I must say, in Answer to this pertinent Query, That there are so many Accursed Things among us, that I have been almost at a Loss which to single out:—However, I will mention some of them, and leave the Reader to chuse and judge for himself, re|serving to myself the Liberty of shewing my own Opinion.

The abominable accursed Things that prevail in our Nation and Land, among all Orders, Ranks, and Sexes of Persons, especially in the Sea-port Towns, are such as these, viz. Customary profane Swearing and Cursing (taking Gods Name in vain, and imprecating Divine Vengeance upon

Persons and Things) as if simple Affirmations and Negations had no Weight, without this harsh accursed Adjunct; or as if the native Flowers of Rhetoric, and a graceful modest Address, were unornamental, unless intermixt and garnished with shocking Expressions of Impiety;—as tho' 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Politeness could not consist with a proper Regard to the DEITY; and this polite and wise Age could relish no Conversation, but that which is offensive to Him!—But polite, only in the Esteem of Persons of a deprav'd Taste, degenerate Minds, and dissolute Morals; and wise, only among Fools!—Another Evil is, the open Profanation of the Sabbath, by unnecessary Pursuit of Business, and by drolling it away in Pastime and Merriment, either in public Houses, or open Streets;—Contempt and Neglect of the Gospel, its Ordinances and Institutions;—professed Infidelity, and prevail|ing Heresy:—Pride and Arrogance:—Gluttony and Drunkenness (the Abuse of Meats and Drinks in a greater or less Degree) whereby the Fa|culties of the Soul, and Organs of the Body, are not only clogged and impeded in their several Acts and Functions, but even imbruted, and un|fitted for any Service, either human or divine:—Extravagant and immo|dest Apparel among that Sex, that pretends to the greatest Modesty:— Fraud, Injustice, and Oppression in Bargains, Dealings and Commerce, and the pernicious Practice of Clandestine Trading in a Time of War:— Extortion of Usurers, more especially the detestable Crime of Bribery, and Partiality in Courts of Judicature, and general Assembles; whereby it comes to pass, that the Righteous are rewarded according to the Work of the Wicked, and the Wicked according to the Work of the Righteous, as the Prophet complains:—Defamation, Slander and Mischief-making among Neighbours and Friends; especially Falsifying in Witness-bearing:— Coveteousness, Theft, and Sacrilege, which was the Sin of Achan — And lastly, Self-Confidence in War, at this critical Conjuncture, when our ALL lies at Stake.—These Things, and many more, which might have been bro't into the Account, have been very observable among us for many Years, especially of late:—Let Conscience speak, and the Guilty shall be convinced.

And now, if there be one Sin rather than another, that may be pitch'd upon, as being the most considerable procuring Cause of the late sad Dis|aster, I take it to be Self-Confidence in War: This, added to all our other flagrant Crimes, and public Sins, seems to have fill'd up our Measure, and ripen'd us for the Melancholy Event.—Did not a Self-confident Spirit begin

to act, while we were preparing to send out our Armies? Did it not run thro' the Country, like Wild-fire, all the Time the General was on his March to Ohio? Did it not enflame every Fancy, and catch from Heart to Heart, and kindle up some unhallow'd Sparks even in pious Breasts? Alas, that there was so much of this accursed Thing to be seen, where better Things might have been expected!—Did we rightly consider JEHOVAH, as the LORD of Sabaoth, or the Armies of his People?—That the Battle is his, and that he has an indubitable Right to give it to whomsoever he pleaseth? And to compleat the presumptuous Scene, did not our Troops go out to war, boasting in themselves, as if they were not just putting on the Harness, but were putting it off? And had we not several Accounts of the Prevalence of the same Spirit among them, while on their March? Does it not then appear, that Self-Confidence in War is the Accursed Thing, that prevented their standing before their Enemies?

3. We hence learn, that Self-Confidence in War is, in its Nature, most offensive to the Lord of Hosts.

This is a complicate Vice of the Mind, and of an Atheistical Complexion: It militates audaciously and presumptuously against the Being and Attri|butes of God; particularly his Wisdom, in setting up finite Wisdom against that which is infinite, which alone knows how to govern the World, and dispose of all Events, infinitely better than the best Politicians.— Against His Power, by boasting in their own Strength, forgetful of the ALMIGHTY; trusting in their Numbers, in their Military Skill and Fur|niture; in the Bravery of their Generals and Admirals, and of their Officers and Men (all which are at best but an Arm of Flesh) whereby they do practically, and in a Sense, explicitly, deny the ALMIGHTY, and their absolute Dependence upon Him; as if they, thus equip'd by Human Art, had no Need of Him to teach their Hands to war, and their Fingers to fight; and to cover their Heads in the Day of Battle: Or to be their Sun, to en|lighten them in their Way, and their Shield to defend them in their Battles: And as tho' they had it in their Power, to command Success and Victory by their own conquering Blows.—It is also an Impeachment of the Justice of God, if he should not give them the Victory; allowing they are de|pendent on Him therefor.—And, in a Word, it is a setting up their Wills against the Divine Sovereignty, and denying Him the sole Prerogative of ordering all Events, as he pleaseth; particularly those relating to guilty Mortals, unworthy of any gracious Notice. It is a determining in them|selves,

and proudly declaring, That they will have the Victory, whether He will give it, or not: And so by Consequence, setting up themselves, not only against God, but above God.

This, as it is the most shocking Thought, so it is the most ready Way to procure such a remarkable Defeat, as our Army has lately had.—Thus I have given you a general View of the Nature of Self-Confidence in War, the Accursed Thing, which, above all other, or in Addition to many other, public Sins, has provoked God to inflict this humbling Stroke.—Let as many of us then, as are conscious of this Sin (and who among us is not guilty?) smite upon our Breasts, saying,—"Alas, my Soul, how great a Share hast thou had in procuring this Calamity!"

4. We infer likewise, that it becomes us to be modest and cautious in our Remarks upon this Occasion.

People are very apt to make unsuitable Remarks upon such Occasions.— While some find Fault with the Great FIRST CAUSE, and blame the Conduct of his Providence;—others lay the Blame of adverse Events upon Second Causes, in such a Manner, as if there was no First Mover, and Sovereign Disposer of Events; but as tho' all depended upon human Foresight, Prudence, and Bravery.

As to the Conduct of Divine Providence towards us, and the Equity of it, in the late Defeat, it has been sufficiently vindicated in the preceding Discourse, by the Consideration of our Sinfulness and Unworthiness.

As to the General, he was a brave experienc'd Warrior, in the Regular Way, who had, by his good Behaviour in Military Affairs, deserved well of his King and Country;—and was in high Favour with those who knew his Abilities:—His Merit recommended him to his Majesty's Service in America.—But he had not Opportunity to acquaint himself with the Irregu|lar Manner of Fighting in this Country—And so he happen'd to be un|fortunate.—

When he fell into Difficulty and Danger, he exerted himself to the ut|most;—and when the Case requir'd it, exposed himself as much as if he had been a common Soldier, rather than desert our Cause, or save himself by an inglorious Flight.—And his Example was follow'd by the Officers, who, 'tis said, behav'd in the most gallant Manner; tho' they also were unacquainted with the American Way of Fighting.

The Means of this Defeat were ordain'd and order'd by God: The procuring Cause was our Sins, especially the Accursed Thing. We, by our

Sins, by our Self-Confidence, together with that which prevail'd in the Army, rendered him unable to stand before our Enemies.

Wherefore,

5. Let us take up a Lamentation over our fallen General; and over our degenerate Land.

"How are the mighty fallen, and the Weapons of War perished! Tell it not at Quebec, publish it not in the Streets of Paris, lest the Daughters of France rejoice, and the Sons of Anti-christ triumph. Ye Mountains of Apalachea, and ye Plains of Ohio, let there be no Dew, neither let there be Rain upon you—And thou Monongahela † 1.3, let not thy Waters, stain'd with the Blood of British Warriors, henceforth flow, to regale and fer|tilise thy fatal Banks—For There the Shield of the Mighty is vively cast|away, the Shield of BRADDOCK, as tho' he had not been a mighty Man. From the Slaughter of the Mighty, the Sword of Braddock turned not back, nor returned empty. Ye Daughters of the English Israel, weep over Braddock; who, had not your Sins prevented him from being victorious, would have cloathed you in Scarlet, with other Delights, and would have put on Ornaments of Gold upon your Apparel. How are the Mighty fallen in the Midst of the Battle! O Braddock, thou wast slain in our low Places by the cowardly Foe, lurking among the Reeds, afraid to meet Thee on equal Ground. We are distressed for thee, dear Braddock—Very pleasant hast thou been unto us: Alas, that it was for so short a Time! How are the Mighty fallen! How are the Weapons of War perished!"

And Thou, New-England * 1.4, How art thou fallen from thy first Love—and from thy first Works!—Thou wast planted a noble Vine, and wholly a right Seed: How then art thou turned into the degenerate Plant of a strange Vine! How is thy Excellence departed from thee, and thy Glory sullied!—Thou wast once an Asylum of persecuted Saints; but thou art now almost con|verted into a Den of Thieves and Robbers. Thou hast forsaken thy God, and he has departed from Thee in many Respects:—Wo to thee, if he should wholly depart from thee!—Thy Name is changed to Ichabod, i. e. the Glory departed. Where is the Glory and Beauty that once distinguish'd

thee from others?—Tho' thou wast once possess'd of Virgin-Charms and Innocence, thou hast since followed many Lovers, and hast degenerated into a shameless Prostitute to numberless debasing Lusts, whereby thou art ex|posed to the severe Resentments of thy Maker once thy Husband; but now no more, till thou returnest to the Exercise of thy first Love.—How have thy Sins divorced thee from Him! And how often has he threaten'd to cast Thee out of his House, and out of the good Land, which he gave your Fore-fathers for a Possession!—How is thy Excellence, O New England, departed from thee! How is the Gold become dim, and the most fine Gold changed!

6. We advance now to an Argument of Excitation and Encouragement.

The Justice of our Cause—The Success already granted—The Prospect of Advantage to ourselves, and Posterity—And the Impossibility of living by such perfidicus. Blood thirsty Neighbours, as the French and their Allies in Ame|rica—are powerful Motives to excite us, both to Caution, and to Action.

That our Cause is just and good, has of late been prov'd by ancient au|thentic Records, and Histories of Facts, both English and French; and by the most solemn Treaties of Utrecht and Aix la Chapelle; the Conditions of which, have never yet been fulfill'd by the French;—and are never like to be, unless we compel them by Sword in Hand. 'Tis further evident, from their vast Encroachments upon our Lands, and the numerous Forts they have built thereon, to defend them, computed to be near fifty, great and small;—and from the execrable Barbarities committed by them and their Indians upon the Inhabitants, even in Times of Peace * 1.5: These Things, and many other, which might be mention'd, make it evident, that our Cause is just and good.

And, we may encourage ourselves to hope, notwithstanding the Ohio-Defeat, that the God of Armies is yet for us, and will still maintain our Cause, from the remarkable Smiles of his Providence upon us, with regard to the Successes granted our Forces at Nova-Scotia, and the Defeat of the French Army near Lake George † 1.6, which was a signal Victory; a never-to-be-forgotten-Mercy to the Englosh Colonies—and should excite us still to

encourage ourselves in the Lord, and to hope for his Protection and Blessing, in the right Use of proper Means, what are in our Power: For we have the Advantage of our Enemies in Point of Situation, Numbers, and Supplies of Necessaries for Life and War; which we ought thankfully and vigor|ously to improve.

In so doing, we have a Prospect of rich Advantages to follow us, and our Children after us:—Such as the Recovery of our Rights and Properties, and the Lands of our American Allies, that have been ravish'd from them † 1.7; reducing the numerous Tribes of Indians to our Interest; se|curing the valuable Furr-Trade to ourselves; with a vast Extent of Coun|try, well water'd, and perhaps equal in Fertility to the Land of Canaan, and naturally productive of every Thing useful in Life; and civilizing the Indians, in order to propagate the Gospel among them successfully, when these Followers of the Beast, these Sons of Violence and Falshood, are driven out of the Land; for they are the greatest Obstacle to the Success of the Gospel among them, except their own inherent Corruptions;—and what is more (and what every one that has a true Sense of Things, will fight, bleed, and die for, rather than resign or neglect) we have a Prospect of securing our invaluable spiritual Privileges, and of transmitting them inviolate to our latest Posterity.

As to the Impossibility of living by such bad Neighbours as the French,— we may observe, That their repeated Practices give us sufficient Reason to conclude, they are of as bad a Disposition, as it is possible for human Creatures to be of, in this Life; and that they want nothing but Ability and Opportunity (which, blessed be God, has hitherto been withheld from them) to show the World how bad they are—They are not only a numerous, war-like Nation, whereby they are become respectable and formidable in Europe; but they are ambitious, enterprizing, subtile, deceitful, perfidious, and extremely cruel: And all this, under the amiable and attractive Ap|pearance or Shew of Honesty, Pleasantry, Humanity, and Politeness; whereby they impose upon the English, who are more honest, by Educa|tion, and of a better natural Disposition.—Their late Practice of burning, killing, torturing, and destroying, all they conquer in America, without Re|gard to Age or Sex, is most shocking—Come, say they, let us cut them off from being a People; that the Name of New-England may be remembred no

more. What a cruel Design is this against vanquish'd Lives;—How alarm|ing to those who have any Sparks of Humanity in their Disposition!—Or a Drop of English Blood in their Veins!—How abhorrent to every pious Soul!—How detestable to the kind and benevolent Author of our Beings!—

May it not then be expected, that the Consideration of these Things, which are known Facts, should awaken every Soul to strict Caution, and resolute Action, against such an Enemy?—If we fight, we can but die; if not, we are sure to die.—A sad Dilemma this, Fight, or Die! For the French seem determined, if possible, to root us quite out of America; and not only so, but to dispatch us out of the World; as if we were the most noxious Animals, and had not as good a Right to live upon God's Earth, and to breathe in his Air, as they have.—It is the Opinion of some, that they have private verbal Orders and Instructions, To give no Quarter to the English in America:—But whether they have, or not, their Practice is equally hurtful to us.—And shall we tamely suffer such intolerable Abuses? —Shall we lie down, like Lambs, to be slain, because they would have us? —Shall we not rather rouse, like Lions, and exert ourselves, like Men?—

To ARMS then—To ARMS, ye Descendants of ancient HEROES,— Ye Sons of Honor and Renown.—Rise, ye Fathers of your Country— Let every noble Principle, that resides in your Patriot-Breasts, awaken into new Life and Action, excited by the best Motives, and inspirited by the most glorious Cause,—Religion, Liberty, Self-defence. Let all your Faculties and Powers be employ'd, and every Drop of Blood in your Veins grow warm, and glow to a noble Ardor—Resent, Revenge, your Country's Wrongs.—Make it appear, that by the Help of God, and of Great-Britain, you will bear their Insults and Cruelties no longer: That you can't endure to see your Wives (the dear Partners of your Joys and Sorrows) ravish'd before your Eyes, rip'd up with Child, and inhumanly murder'd;—nor your tender Babes (the lively Pledges of your mutual Loves) dash'd in Pieces against the Stones!—Horror to your Eyes!—Worse than Death to your Hearts!—More painful than the Sword, which (soon after the killing Sight) pierces your own Bowels!—And let them know, that you are not used to be driven into your Churches, and there burnt alive with your Wives and Children;— tho' such a Thing has lately been devised!

And as the French have for a long Time, been the Plagues of Europe, con|tinually embroiling the Nations, so now they are become the the Disturbers and Incendiaries of America: and (it seems) have, without asking Leave of

Heaven, doom'd us all to utter, swift Destruction, without the tedious Ceremony of an Inquisition—Now then, let us lay these Things together, and say, Whether it does not behave us, as Men, as Eritons by Descent, and as Christians by Profession, to awake from our Slumbers, to start from our Beds of Ease and Indolence; to Rush to Arms, and to Play the Man for our People, and for the Cities of our God: And let the Lord do that which seemeth good unto Him.

7. I shall now close the dark and tragic Scene, with a serious Exhortation to the Use of Means, conducive both to our temporal and spiritual Interests.

Particularly,

(1) Let us devise, and use such Means, as will probably disconcert the Schemes of the French, disappoint their Devices, and break their Mea|sures.—As we have a subtile and deceitful Enemy to deal with, so we ought to be more strictly upon our Guard, and to use those Faculties with which we are endued (for all necessary and good Purposes) in prying into▪ and discovering their Schemes, and Artifices; that we may be able to counter-plot and counter-act them. They often get as great Advantages by Artifice, as by Action: And why cannot we attempt something of this Kind?—Why can we not believe they always intend to deceive us, when they dare; and order our Matters accordingly?—Are we obliged to be|lieve them, because they speak fair?—

Perhaps it would be thought impertinent at this Time, if I should insist upon the Expediency and Necessity of building and repairing Castles, Forts, and other Places of Defence; and keeping them in good Order, and well furnished with all Kinds of war-like Stores:—But as this has been much ne|glected by the English, in many Places, I thought it might bear men|tioning at least—among their Polities! For when they should have them ready, they too often have them to build or repair;—notwithstanding they see a designing, encroaching Enemy, fortifying all around them, even in Times of Peace.—But as we have begun to revise our Politics, it is to be hoped we shall descry their Defects, and mend them in Time.

As to our Militia—a proper Care thereof has been as much neglected, in some Governments, as our Fortifications, tho' it is a necessary Mean of Self-Preservation and Defence.—King David, that great Warrior and wise Politician, never lost a Battle; and it was owing in Part to the good Care he took of the Militia, as the Means. And it would be no Disparagement to our greatest Generals, to imitate him herein; and to inspire their Men with Ambition to excel in Military Feats and Exercises.—After the Defeat

of Saul and Jonathan, David had them (the Officers) teach even the Children of Judah the Use of the Bow, which had been neglected by Saul; or it might have been a late Invention of the Philistines, that had not been discover'd by him: But it prov'd his Overthrow; for the Archers shot at him, and wounded him sore. It is good Policy to acquaint ourselves with all the Arts of War in Use among our Enemies, that we may know how to defend ourselves, and annoy them, when we come to an Engagement: And to take Care that none but able-bodied, effective Men, well disciplin'd, be sent out to fight those Battles for us, upon which the Fate of our Country depends.—And the more firmly they are attach'd to the Government, in Defence of which they fight, the better—But what can be expected from a Number of raw, un|disciplin'd, debauch'd, enfeebled, dissaffected, Mortals?—And those that are sent to war, ought to be equip'd with every Thing necessary therefor; and to be sent in due Season; for great Advantages may be lost by soort De|lays; and a long Train of bad Consequences follow. A vast Expence of hu|man Blood, and Treasure, may be saved by Dispatch.

And all the Governments ought to DO their Proportion in supplying Men and Money;—for it is mean and fordid for any to attempt to cast the Burden upon others.—All the British Colonies consider'd collectively and politically, are one Body, tho' consisting of many Members. Ought not every Member then to do its Part, to preserve the whole Body? For if the Head be cut off, all the rest of the Members will soon wither and die. This then is a Touch|stone, that will soon discover who are public-spirited, and who are not. If every one, by Parsimony, should try to save all, every one would cer|tainly lose all in a short Time. But to give liberally upon such great Oc|casions, is a Duty, that all, who have Ability, owe to their GREAT BENEFACTOR, to their King, their Country, Themselves, and their Posterity.—But here it ought to be noted, That Four of the most Northern Governments have exerted themselves in so free and generous a Manner, that they have almost out-done themselves; and can do but little more in any future Expeditions, unless they have such Assistance from their Mo|ther Country, as the Exigence and Extremity of their Case require.

It is also necessary, that all the Governments cut off, as much as possible, all Supplies of Provision (which is one of the main Sinews of War) from the Enemy, both directly and indirectly, by breaking up that illegal, clandestine Trade, which some intestine Enemies to the Government, carry on in a Time of War. This will certainly do much toward the suppressing our

public Enemies, and some think more, than all our Forces. For, if they are not supplied by and from Us, they must starve in a short Time, or sur|render without fighting. And this will prevent the spilling vast Quantities of human Blood, which is too precious to be bartered away for French Commodities by our clandestine Traders;—a Set of short-sighted Men, whose Eyes are so full of the Dust of present personal Gain, that they can|not foresee one of those dreadful Consequences of this their Practice, that will inevitably fall upon their Posterity; and perhaps upon themselves:— If so, their Blood will be upon their own Heads; and the Blood of their Country will, in a great Measure, be required at their Hands, in the Day of Judgment.

Unanimity and a good Understanding among the English Governments in America, is another excellent and necessary Mean of saving the whole Country from the Ravages of the Enemy; and indeed from utter Ruin.—For while our Heads and Leaders are resenting Affronts, and contending among themselves about Points of Honor, as well as Duty, the important, and pressing Affairs of Government, and of War, must be neglected.—In the mean Time, our Enemies are unanimous, vigilant, active, and swift as Eagles; never failing to seize those Advantages, which our unhappy Divisions, Contentions, and Delays, always give them.—Do not then the Exigence and Importance of our public Affairs require, that our civil Rulers, our Generals, and Officers, in ALL the Governments, pay so sacred a Regard to the Great Trust reposed in them, as strictly to guard against every Thing that tends to a Misunderstanding, and opens a Door to Contention and Divi|sion?—And to cultivate, as much as possible, a good Understanding among themselves? This is excellent Policy, especially in a Time of War; agreeable to our Saviour's Words, Mark 3.24, 25. If a Kingdom be di|vided against itself, that Kingdom cannot stand. And if a House be di|vided against itself, that House cannot stand. If the British Colonies in America be divided against themselves, how can they stand, at such a Time as this, when they have Need to UNITE their Councils, and collect their scatter'd Forces, and to pour them with Fury upon our invidious and perfi|dous Enemies? If this should be our Case (as there is some Reason to fear it may be) Great-Britain itself cannot save us from the French and Indians. For God's Sake therefore, let both Rulers, and Generals, and People, hearken to the excellent Advice of Solomon, the wisest of Kings, and of mere Men. Prov. 17.14. The Beginning of Strife, is as when one letteth out Water; therefore leave off Contention before it be meddled with.

We proceed to another Branch of Exhortation.

(2) If we hope for Success in War, let us put away all our Accursed Things.

There are many such among us; and they must be put away; or they will bring down the Judgments of God upon our Fleets, Armies, and Pro|vinces; and upon the whole Kingdom: They must be taken away, both Root and Branch, by Faith, Repentance, and Reformation. And when this Peo|ple is a more holy and humble People; then, but not till then, they will be a happy and blessed People: And God himself will delight to dwell with them. Let us all then, both Magistrates and Ministers, Generals and Admirals, and the other Officers, with the common Soldiers and Ma|rines, be sensible of the Corruption of our Hearts, and the Wickedness of our Lives; and apply to the Blood of Christ for Pardon and Cleansing. And having so done, let us repent in Dust and Ashes, and forsake all our evil Ways; and make our Ways and Doings good. And when our Ways please God, then he will make even our Enemies to be at Peace with us.

Particularly, let us put away Drunkenness and Debauchery from our Cities and Camps.—Query, Are not lewd Women Accursed Things in our Camps? Do any but such follow Armies? Ought they not then to be taken away? Do Soldiers in the Field need any Thing to be done for them, which they cannot do well enough themselves?

And having made all the necessary Dispositions for War with our Fel|low Men, let us not bid Defiance to Heaven by our Sins; but put them away—And set up our Banners in the Name of the Lord; and no more venture out into the Field of Battle, under the Standard of Self-Sufficiency,—nor dare again to display the Colours of Self-Confidence, since we have had such sad Experience of the Folly of trusting to an Arm of Flesh, which is weak in itself, and easily broken— Nor let our Officers and Men dare to discharge Vollies of profane Oaths and Curses against the Battlements of Heaven, as many of them daily do; whereby they seem professedly to set out on an Ex|pedition against Heaven; and do practically besiege the Throne itself of God.

Generals and Admirals, and their Officers, have it in their Power to do public Honor to the Great Name of God, by making and giving out Laws in their Camps, and Fleets, with a severe Penalty annext, forbidding pro|fane Swearing and Cursing; not neglecting duly to inflict the same, when incurr'd.—And they should make it appear, by their own Conversation, that they reverence and fear that most holy and dreadful Name.—And the only Strife among Civil and Military Officers, should be, Who among them shall be

the most virtuous and exemplary; and who shall do the best Service for their King and Country.

To proceed,

(3) Let us adjoin Prayer to Almighty God, as a special appointed Means of Success, in all our Enterprizes.

God is to be acknowledged in all our Ways, by Prayer, especially in our Wars. And for an Encouragement to this Duty, He styles himself, A God bearing Prayer.—When he had made large Promises, to the Jews in Captivity, of temporal and spiritual Blessings, He subjoins, Yet for all this, will I be enquired of by the House of Israel, to do it for them.

As therefore we have taken the Sword in one Hand, we ought to take Prayer in the other. You may pray and fight, at the same Time: And the more ardently you pray for God's Blessing and Protection, the more likely you will be to do good Execution among your Enemies; and to escape with your own Lives too. All they that go forth to war, ought to exercise and express a humble Dependance upon the Lord of Hosts, and to trust in Him for Safety. For the Battle is His, and he giveth it to whomsoever be pleaseth.

Let us then pray, that God Almighty would be pleased to bless and preserve King GEORGE, and the whole Royal-Family—and the British Ministry: That he would bless our Governors and Counsellors; our Gene|rals and Admirals,—and make them the Guardians of our spiritual Privile|ges, and civil Liberties; and the Assertors and Defenders of our Rights and Properties—That he would make our Armies couragious, valiant, and victorious—That he would cover their Heads in the Day of Battle—And that they may go on from conquering to conquer, till ALL our Enemies shall be subdued under us—That he would prepare us for so great a Mercy, by pouring out his Spirit upon us, and his Blessing upon our Offspring; and thereby dispose us to a thorough Reformation l—But let thine Enemies perish, O God, scatter thou the People, that delight in War.—Let God arise, let his Enemies be scattered, let them that hate him, she before him: As Wax melteth before the Fire, so let them be consumed at thy Presence: For thou, Lord, art great in Zion: Thou art high above all People.

My Fathers and Brethren, if we do these Things aright, no doubt God will be for us, and enable us to stand before our Enemies.—Then shall our Armies return from Battle crowned with Victory, and cloathed with Tri|umph—rejoicing in the Salvation of the Lord, and triumphing in his Promise.

To conclude,

(4) Let us all list under the Lord Jesus Christ, by Faith, who is the Captain of Salvation; and then we shall be able to stand before ALL our Enemies.

Being sensible, dear Friends, of your Captivity and Bondage to Sin and Satan, you should learn your Need of the Ransom which Christ has paid to Divine Justice for guilty Men, which was his own Blood—a Price of infinite Value!—He became obedient to Death, even the Death of the Cross, that Sinners might have Life.—This is the Righteousness that he wrought out, the Ransom that he paid, for such as were condemn'd to die by the Law, and to be tormented forever, for their many Rebellions and Hosti|lities against the King of Heaven. But, tho' ye are Rebels by Nature, and condemned to die by Law; yet, if you will come and list under the Captain of Salvation, and submit to Him, on his Terms, you shall be par|don'd, accepted, and saved: For he is the Great Captain of all the Forces, that are raised, and to be raised, in the Church-militant!—And as soon as you inlist, you shall be intitled to the Large Bounty which he has pro|mis'd in the Proclamation of Grace:—And for the Service you perform in his spiritual Kingdom, you shall be rewarded with a Crown of Glory in Heaven.—But such is the Enmity of your carnal Minds against him, that you will never become Voluntiers, till you are made willing in the Day of his Power.

And, you ought to consider, that when you are inlisted among his Fol|lowers, you will soon receive Orders to march out into the Field of Battle, and to engage with Principalities and Powers, with the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and with wicked Spirits in heavenly Places. In this Case, you must by no Means desert your Colours, but put on the whole Armour of God, and fight the good Fight of Faith, as you hope to lay hold on eternal Life. And in order to this, you must obey the Instructions which he has given by the Apostle Paul, which are recorded in his Epistle to the Ephesians, 6.10.— Finally, my Brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might. Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil.—Take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil Day; and having done all, to stand. STAND there|fore, having your Loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breast plate of Righteousness; and your Feet shed with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace: Above all, taking the Shield of Faith, whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked▪ And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. You must learn the Art of using skilfully the Shield of Faith, or you will be often wounded by the In|fernal Archers, who shoot no other than fiery Darts;—and of handling dexterously the Sword of the Spirit, or you will never overcome them. And you must be continually upon your Guard, watching against their Devices, that you may never be surprized; but always ready to withstand their Wiles, by the Force of constant Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit.

And now you must stand strong, fight couragiously in the spiritual War|fare, and shew yourselves valiant Soldiers of the Captain of Salvation. And you may be assur'd, that as it is the Son of God, who is styl'd the Captain of the Lord's Hosts, that leads you out into the Field of Battle; so, he will be your CHAMPION, to bring you off more than Conquerors, at last.

Having therefore inlisted under Him, you should encourage yourselves in Him, upon every Appearance of Danger;—and be strong upon all Occa|sions.—Let not your Graces be like the Soldiers of Saul, who stood with him trembling, but like the Worthies of David, able to break thro' an Host of Enemies, and draw Water at the Wells of Salvation.—And if at any Time you should be wounded and soiled, look to your Leader, and he will heal you, and raise you up; for he is all-sufficient.

And be then faithful to the Death (for thou must once pass through that gloomy Vale, either in a natural or violent Way, to the bright triumphant World above) and then, tho' thou wast ranked among the meanest of his Followers here, thou shalt be array'd and adorn'd with a Palm of final Victory, a Diadem of immaculate Beauty, and a Crown of immortal Glory; and shalt live and reign with Him in His Kingdom; where there is no Noise nor Rumour of War, but all the Region is everlasting Peace.— Where sits the PRINCE of Peace, in State of Glory, on his Throne, in the Midst of Myriads of blessed Spirits; the Delight of every Eye, the Joy of every Heart, the supreme Rest and Satisfaction of every happy Soul. To whom be GLORY, DOMINION, and POWER forever. AMEN.

Notes

• † 1.1

  See Mr. Tennent's and Mr. Smith's Sermons (of Philadelphia) on the Subject. And Mr. William Currie's Vindication of the Lawfulness of de|fensive War; printed in Philadelphia.
• † 1.2

  See an excellent small Treatise on this Subject by John Mason, A. M. which ought to be read by every one who is capable of Self-Application.
• † 1.3

  Monongahela—a River, about a Quarter of a Mile wide, near Fort Du Quesne, fordable in Summer; near to which the Battle was fought.
• * 1.4

  By New-England, some understand all the British Colonies in North-America; others only a Part.
• * 1.5

  See a Pamphlet, entituled, The present State of NORTH AMERICA▪ Lond. printed. Bost. reprinted.
• † 1.6

  This Sermon was printed after the Battle between General Johnson and Baron De Dieskou, which was fought Sept. 8. 1755; and some Things were added for Illustration.
• † 1.7

  The present State of North-America.