The Daily Dispatch: September 11, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The
Soldiers' Pocket Bible,
issued
for the use of the Army
of
Oliver Cromwell.

[original Title page.]

The

soldier's Pocket Bible,

Containing

The most (if not all) of those Places Contained in Holy Scripture, which

Do show the qualifications of his inner man that is a fit soldier to fight the Lord's battles, both before the fight, in the fight, and after the fight; which

Scriptures are reduced to several heads, and any applied to the soldier's several occasions, and so may supply the want of the whole Bible, which

A soldier cannot conveniently carry about him; and may be also useful for any Christian to meditate upon, now in this miserable time of war.

Imprimatur Calamy

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.--Josh. 1: 8.

Printed at London, by G. B. and R. W., for G. C. 1643.

Preface to this Edition.

Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the English Commonwealth from 1653 to his death in 1655, began his military career in 1642. In 1643 appeared this little manual for his soldiers. Though not prepared by Cromwell, it was published with his approbation, and was in general use among his soldiers. Cromwell's success was due in no small degree to the strict morals and rigid discipline of his army, and to the inspiring power of religion. He declared: ‘"Truly I think he that prays best fights best. I know nothing that will give like courage and confidence as the knowledge of God in Christ will; and I bless God to see any even in this army able and willing to impart the knowledge they have for the good of others. Accordingly,"’ he says, ‘"I raised such men as had the feat of God before them, and made some conscience of what they did; and from that day forward they never were beaten, but whenever they were engaged against the enemy they beat continually."’ Cromwell's Ironsides, as they are usually called, fed their faith upon God's word, went into battle with psalm singing and prayer and fearing God only, were the best soldiers perhaps the world has ever seen. Their watch word was, ‘"The Lord of host is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge."’ Whitelocke describing them to Christina, Queen of Sweden, said: ‘"The officers and soldiers of the Parliament held it not unlawful, when they carried their lives in their hands, and were going to adventure them in the high places of the field; to encourage one another out of His word who commands over all; and this had more weight and impression with it than any other word could have."’

The original ‘"Soldier's Pocket Bible"’ is in very quaint and antique print and spelling. Only two copies are known to be extant--one in the British Museum, the other in the possession of George Livermore, Esq., of Cambridge, by whose courtesy the annexed copy is printed, quoting the Scripture passages from the received version.