Boardman, Benjamin, 1731-1802. Sermons, 1769-1797. The Gallant Joab animating his Army in the Defence of the People and Cities of God. bMS 730/1 (2), Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School.

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important an Affair, and a Cause of such general & great Concern. Further

5. Consider that there is much for us to do, tho at the same Time all Success depends on G. We can never suitably look to G for Help, & Protection; we can never suitably rely on G for Defence, but in the Way of doing all in our Power for our own Safety, & Preservation. 'Tis bold & daring presumption to expect that G will help and Deliver us, while we ourselves sit still, & do nothing. We must ergo be of good Courage, and resolve in the Strength of our God, never to yield, & give up those just Rights, Liberties, & Privileges, into the Hands of Tyranny, which our G hath given us to improve to his Glory, & Honour. Wherefore let all consider

6. That G, & our Country now call upon us to exert our best Wisdom, Skill, & Ability we have for the Safety of our People, & Cities of our God. Can we hear G, & our Country call; can we hear our People, & the Chhs of our God cry aloud for Help & Assistance to protect & defend from the Barbarous Inroads of Tyranny & Oppression; can we hear Posterity groan under the Burdens of Despotism, and not feel for them? Surely

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we cannot, unless we are degraded below all Principles of Humanity. Perhaps the Cause of America never called for the Exertion of so much Wisdom, Valour, Faithfulness, & firm Union before. Our Cause is good, and it is a most valuable Interest that we have to defend; 'tis the Cause of G, his Honor is much connected with it: tis the Cause of Gs People & Heritage; let us ergo engage the Lord on our Side; let us cry mightily to him in this Day of our Trouble; and in his Name let us do Valiantly. Let all see to it that nothing be wanting on our part; let us act conscientiously in the Affair, commit our Cause to him that judgeth righteously, and resolve to live & die with the People, and Cities of our God. Finally let us be much in Prayer to God, that he would make bare his Arm for us; that he would bring to Confusion all the Evil Designs, & projections of a corrupt despotick Ministry agt us: that he would bring the wheel over them; that he would deliver us from their Irons, & eternally disappoint them in all their Attempts to enslave us. Let us look to G that Wisdom & Knowledge may be the Stability of our Times; and that he would graciously appoint Salvn for Walls & Bulwarks round about us: hasten the Time when all our Officers shall be Peace & our Exactors Rights. And that our

(23) King may be a Nursing Father, a Minister of God for Good to the People: that we may soon have Peace as a River; & may lead peaceable & quiet Lives in all Godliness & Honesty; Our Lord be a Mountain of Holiness, a Dwelling Place of Rights, & Peace forevermore. We ought to cultivate a most noble Spirit for the publick Good; 'tis the best Service we can do for the general Good of the whole Nation to make an invincible United Resistance agt the prevalency of Tyranny & Despotism Tyranny & Despotism regards neither God nor Man; if ergo we have any Regard to the Honor of G; if any Regard to Religion; if any Tenderness & Loyalty to the King; if any true Regard for the Peace & Welfare of the whole Nation; if any humanity & tender Feeling for our Country; let the Fire of it inkindle in our Breasts; and make one United firm, persevering & invincible Effort agt Tyranny & Oppression, that Despotism may never get hosting among us. Be of good Courage [then?] and let us play the Men for our People; & for the Cities of our God: and the Lord do that, wh seemeth him Good: Amen & Amen.