To The Right Honourable Sir Horatio Vere, Knight
CHAPTER XXIII.—Means to make Grace victorious CHAPTER XXIV.—All should side with Christ.
CHAPTER XXV.—Christ's government shall be openly victorious CHAPTER XXVI.—Christ alone advanceth this government
CHAPTER XXVII.—Victory not to be had without fighting CHAPTER XXVIII.—Be encouraged to go on cheerfully, with confidence of prevailing
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR HORATIO VERE, KNIGHT,
LORD VERE OF TILBURY, AND GENERAL OF THE ENGLISH
FORCES
UNDER THE HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS
THE STATES GENERAL OF THE UNITED PROVINCES IN THE
NETHERLANDS:
AND TO HIS PIOUS CONSORT,
THE LADY MARY VERE,
INCREASE OF GRACE, ETC.
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
Soldiers that carry their lives in their hands had need, above all others, to carry grace in their hearts, that so having made peace with God, they may be fit to encounter with men; and having by faith in Christ disarmed death before they die, they may sacrifice their life with the more courage and comfort, which to neglect, being a matter of eternity, is not valour, but desperate madness, because in this business, as in oversights of war, there is no place for a second repentance, the first error being unrecoverable. In evils above the strength of man to prevail against* and his patience to endure, there
God hath planted the affection of fear, which might stir us up to avoid the danger by flying to him in Christ, who being our friend, it is no matter who is our enemy: we may be killed, but cannot be hurt; so safe it is to be under his command that hath command over death, hell, judgment, and all that we most fear. Yet such is our nature, that by familiarity with danger, we grow by degrees insensibly to be hardened against it, and to look no further than death, as if to die were only to give up the ghost, and then an end of all. And hereupon it is, that they that follow the wars are generally taken to be men not most religious; the more respect those of that profession deserve, that have learned upon what terms to live and die, that are sure of a better life before they leave this, that have laid up their life in Christ; amongst whom, Right Honourable, the world hath a long time taken notice of you, in whom both religion and military employment, meekness of spirit with height of courage, humility with honour, by a rare and happy combination have met together. Whereby you have much vindicated your profession from common imputation, and shewed that piety can enter into tents, and follow after camps, and that God hath his Joshuas and his Corneliuses in all ages. But I will
not use many words of yourself to yourself, because though you have done much that may and will be spoken, yet you love not to hear or speak of what you have done.
It may seem to some unbefitting to offer a discourse of a 'bruised reed' to such a strong and flourishing cedar. But experience sheweth that the strongest plants in God's house are exposed sometimes to strong winds of temptation, and thereupon meet with bruisings, that they may the better know by whose strength they stand, and that the greatest may learn to go out of themselves to the same common rock and fountain of strength with the meanest. David was a valiant man; yet upon experience of his oft failings and recoveries, he became towards God as a weaned child. Lowliness of mind to Godward and greatness of spirit against His enemies may well stand together; for the way to be above all other things is to submit to God first. Besides, this text speaketh of the prevailing government of Christ in his church and in his children, which may be an encouragement to your
Lordship still, not only to own the cause of Christ in these times, wherein men are ashamed of what they should glory in, and glory in their shame; but likewise to fight the Lord's battles, when called to it, and help him against the mighty, for victory attendeth Christ's side in the end. Though God, to revenge the quarrel of his covenant, suffer his enemies to prevail yet for a time, to harden them the more, yet the; have undertaken a damned cause; and howsoever the church hath just I provoked God, yet the cause shall stand impregnable against all create, power of devils and men. We naturally desire victory, and many desire it more than truth or goodness, which only are victorious; and so out of a depraved judgment they cross their own desires, seeking to overcome in that wherein it were safer for them to be overcome. These* are sure to meet with shame in the conclusion instead of victory; or else we must deny Christ to be King of his church and Judge of the world. Proceed on still, Honourable
Lord, to stand for Christ both in peace and war, and this shall be found to your honour when Christ shall come 'to be glorious in his saints,' 2 Thess. 1:10, that he thought you worthy to honour himself by, when others, that oppose or betray the cause of Christ for base ends, shall not dare to hold up their heads.
I would not divide you from your Honourable Lady, being obliged to both, and both being one, as in other bands, so in that above nature, in love to the best things; both exemplary in all religions courses; both in your places, likewise, having been employed in great services for the common good, so that not only this but foreign States are bound to bless God for you both. Going on in these ways, you will find God making his promise good of honouring them that honour him.
I do not so far overvalue this poor work as to think it worthy of your Honours, but thus I thought meet to witness my deserved respect to you both. If I be to blame for suffering these sermons, long since preached, thus to come forth, others must divide the fault with me, who had brought it to that pass that it was almost necessary for me to take this course. The Lord continue to bless your Honours, with all your branches, and to maintain his grace in you, 'until he hath brought forth judgment unto victory,' Mat. 12:20.
Your Honours' to command in the Lord,
RICHARD SIBBES.