of God's prospering providence, because
he was often with them in that regard but it must be understood in regard
of an idolatrous profession. But we reply, that it is true it is not
understood in regard of a state of grace, nor simply in regard of his
prospering providence, but _ut plurimum_,(354) the Lord for the most part
crossing them till they were cut off from being a nation. But especially
it is to be meant in regard of a course opposite to God, according as the
Lord speaks, 2 Chron. xv. 2. "The Lord is with you while ye be with him,
but if ye forsake him he will forsake you." If any will restrict this to
idolatry, he hath no ground from scripture for such a limitation, but
being engaged in the business, he wrests the scriptures to his own
destruction. Sure we are, there are many palpable forsakings of God, and
God's forsaking of men, beside idolatry and false worship. 5. That which
is said "That God did not command Amaziah to dismiss any of his own
subjects." Either it makes not much to the present business, or else it
strikes against the law of God itself, that commanded such strict purging
of the camp. From whom I pray you? Certainly from wicked Israelites, from
wicked countrymen. Therefore, if there was any such among the men of
Judah, he ought to have put them out of the army as well as the
Israelites. Nay, the command of dismissing the Israelites, was, really and
upon the matter, a command to purge his camp of all that was of the stamp
of the Israelites. It is strange that the civil difference of strangers
and citizens should make such difference in the point of conscience. Ought
we not to hate the Lord's enemies with a perfect hatred, not as
Englishmen, not as strangers, but as enemies? Levi knew not his brother.
This was his honour. But many now for respect to their brethren, know not
God. It is the moral quality that the law of God respects, without respect
of persons and countries. To be a citizen, if not qualified, doth no more
plead for employment, _in foro conscientiae_(355) and before God, than to
be a stranger and qualified doth impede trust and employment _in foro
conscientiae_ and before God.

IV. It may be answered (and it is by some), That those scriptures plead,
that there should be no conjunction with wicked men in a quarrel of
religion, but seeing our present business is the defence of the kingdom,
all subjects, as subjects, stand in capacity of employment for that end,
though in reference t