The Covenant-Avenging Sword Brandished

John Arrowsmith (1602-1659) was a man of unexceptionable character, and of great learning and piety; an acute disputant, a judicious divine, and an excellent author. He died in February, 1659, aged fifty-seven years, and his remains were interred in Trinity college chapel. Arrowsmith preached many times before the House of Commons, but this sermon, “The Covenant-Avenging Sword Brandished,” is one of his most popular. Its text is taken from Leviticus 26:25, “I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant.” He outlines and expounds three main points, namely, 1. War is a judgment of God’s own bringing. “I will bring a sword.” 2. The sword is an instrument of vengeance: “A sword that shall avenge.” And, 3. That which the sword comes to avenge, is some quarrel of God’s Covenant: “Avenge the quarrel of my Covenant.” This is a newly typeset publication, not a facsimile.