For hee hath in the behalfe of that contemned people naye rather to make good the glory of his great name against the vanity of flesh blood brought impossible thinges to a marueilous prooffe Els coulde it not haue come to passe that poore litle and weake Vlushing shoulde haue famished and subdued the riche large and strong Citie of Middlebourgh aided by the riche and mightie townes of Antwerpe and Ansterdam and eke of Tregose and Barowe and garded with 2000. approoued Souldiers vnder the commaundement of that famous Gentleman Mont Darragon who was driuen by distresse of victuals all the forces of the king being not able either to relieue him or to succour him to render vp the town departing from it with 1400 men of war in armes wherby the whole Island of Walkeren came entirely vnder the direction of the Prince of Orange to the inspeakeable comfort of the cause publike For by the benefite of this victory the Zelanders vtterly vanquished the kinges forces vppon the Sea and bet him quite from it whereby the Brabanders and Flemings were put from their fishing and traffike other then vnder the courtesie of the Zelanders which so endamaged all the continent of the lowe countrey that the inhabitaunts finding themselues pressed in an extreeme wrenche betwixt the warres of their neighbours and the oppression of the Spanyardes they fell in conclusion to ioyne handes with the mutiners in a more conuenient and a farre better policie and in a more assured hope that by a generall consent in Armes they might redeme their countrey froÌ„ the power of the oppressers and driue the Spanyards with their adherents out of the lande then to nourish the warres against their neighbours in whose discomfiture and subuersion stood the thraldome of them all in whose victorie the libertie and desired restitution of the one and of the other should rest assured Herevpon proceeded the generall reuolt of all the lowe cuntrie yea rather enforced by the good successe and prowesse of the Hollanders and Zelanders then willingly accepted of them of Flanders Brabant and of other Countries for anye free zeale to the cause publike But blinde were the heartes of them that did not see that the Prince of Orange and his poore vnexperimented adherents were the very Army of the Lord God of hostes who will neuer faile to breake the Jawes of his aduersaries turning their wisedome to folly and their glory to shame which was fully accomplished in the Duke of Alua that dreadfull and renowmed chieftaine of the Papistes For had not hée bene ouercome with a very tirannous madnes hee woulde not haue entred his gouernement in Belgia with oppression murther pillage and intollerable decrees vpon the people that were by easier prouocations then these stirred and ready to breake out in Armes in mind rather to dye in the field for the defence of their ancient liberties so dearly purchased and defended by the blood of their forefathers then to yeeld themselues and their posteritie vnder the heauie yoke and arrogant domination of so implacable people as bee the Spanyardes which might well haue bene considered in the wisdome of the Duke of Alua but that God blinded him with the might of his Prince and the opinion of himselfe that if this whole Countrie of lowe Ducheland should in generall consent fall to Armes and withstand their Prince by vyolence and that they were not to bee reduced to obedience but by extreeme warres and infinit charges after much blood and spoyle of the lande the King should reduce them to his yoke and subiection by the sworde that euen so and by that wearisome and cruell meanes he must euer after reteine them their posterity in his obedience which would be an intollerable charge to him and would set downe a continuall pillage and oppression vppon the Subiectes whereof should ensue the orderly decaye of the common wealth and nourishe a perpetuall malice in the people against their Soueraigne Lorde and continually pricke them to tumultes which at the last shoulde eyther set them free and reiect their Prince or els vtterly confounde them by the increase of their tyrannie and miserable seruitude which also would eate the king out of his inheritance But had the Duke called to memorie howe apt this nation hath bene in olde time to fall to warre in quarell of their liberties and for defence of their ancient compositions and how they shooke of the tyrannous Soueraigntie of the French kings yet more gentle and profitable then this of the Spanyards and howe dearely and painefully the French kings haue in times past forced their obedience and coulde not but were at the last after much warres and many bloody victories quite shut out he would haue endeuoured his wisdome and labour to reconcile them by mollifying the gouernment and by gratious gentlenes and bountie rather then proudlye to presse downe the yoke that had already wearied them which cannot prosper nor long endure for the Lord God in his Justice hateth tyrannie and destroyeth tyrants from the face of the earth and vsually destroyeth the roote and branche of euerye cruell grinder of the faces of the poore and casteth him of for euermore And farther he fell into this ouersight that he exceeded so farre in the proportion of the kings charges by fortifications and superfluous supplies aboue all the leuie and receiptes that were to come in by all the pillage dueties and lones that he could deuise that he ranne indebted to the men of warre aboue xxxiij Monethes paye whereby the souldiers became disordered spoylers at the last so mutinous that the Spanyardes forced their pay and bound the Duke to shamefull conditions and for his last farewel he was forced to kéepe his lodging vnder gard durst not present himselfe openly to the men of war at his departure out of Belgia vntil the Commander Don Lewes de Requezes the new lieuetenant had giuen his promise in the wordes of the king and set downe an order for the soldiers full pay With these errors he ioyned many faultes in the direction pursuit of these wars which turned to the aduauntage of the poore defendauntes but much to the disgrace discredit of himself Immediatly vpoÌ„ the getting of Harlam the horrible massacher there done the Spanyards mutined for their pay putting away their coÌ„manders officers of sworn loyalty they chose vnto theÌ„selues a coronel captains other officers at the opening of the day they tooke vp their ensigns marched toward the wals of Harlam making vpon them that garded the vnrepaired breaches of the same they draue theÌ„ to abandon their charge folâ—â—â—â—â—d theÌ„ with match in the cock into the market place there Monseur Lamot don Iulius Rhomero who with fiue ensignes of footmen possessed garded the town being assembled with their companies departed with their people leauing the town to the possession of the mutiners which standing stiffely vpon the
put to the worse and fearing a further mischief was driuen of necessity to make a profer with his horsemen but did not breake which caused our men to stay their going ouer into the fields so that in this meane while the Spanish footmen before the English Scottish men were a ware were a quarter of a mile off retiring in running maner ouer hedge and ditch with their ensigns and so ended the skirmish The Coranels and captaines both of the Englishmen and Scots did lead the seruice themselues that day with such great boldnesse that it greatly imbased the glory and force of the Spanyards and had vtterly ouerthrowen them if the horsemen had done their endeuor halfe so well as did the footmen Thus gentle reader I haue briefly described the seruice of our countrimen vppon Lammas day last past whose valiant seruice for the exalting of the worde of God honor of their countrie deserueth the fauourable liberalitie of all honest and louing harts that where occasion serueth and need requireth they would reach forth their hands and out of their plentie relieue the necessitie of such poore soldiers as haue aduentured their liues for the aduauncement of true religion so shall others thereby be encouraged to imploy themselues in the like seruice and be ready and prest at all times to offer vp themselues and their seruice in the defence of the quiet state and prosperitie of their prince and countrey for these dayes are dangerous and more dangerous will yet be Honos enim alit artes Let England therefore while it hath blessed rest and leasure wise regiment and God present in the Sanctuarie waken it selfe out of senselesse securitie and diligently looke to her Tacles for a storme will come and a tempest will fall for at this present houre the hand of the Lord God of hostes is in the seconde time for gathering together of the remnant of Israel the yeere of his redeemed is come and euery kingdome that wil not serue the Lord shal vtterly perish from the earth stand fast therefore O ye people of England for the sworde of the Almightie is drawne and will not be put vp till hee hath confounded and vtterly consumed all the enemies of Iacob from the face of the earth for euermore Euerie vaine and misbelieuing soule is aduersary to Iacob and it shal be cut of Serue the Lorde therefore in trueth of heart and remember the wonderful benefites and blessings of God so abundantly bestowed vpon you vpon your fathers and be thankful for you and they haue enioyed your countrey many yeres in vniuersal peace and in dayly increase of priuate and publike prosperity The Lorde hath nowe twise deliuered you his Gospell without blood and in this second restitution he hath holden you twentie yeeres in the free occupation thereof without murther or molestation the Lord hath not so dealt with your neighbours looke vpon the miserable state of France and lowe Dutchland and in the viewe therof consider the goodnes and prouidence of your heauenly Father towardes you for their troubles haue nourished your rest and their miseries haue continued your blessings Sée into the procéedings of the Amighty and be wise hearted lest through lewde ingratitude you moue the Lord God of hostes to wrath through your rebellious insolencie you prouoke the most high to forsake his Sanctuary in England as they of Iudah and Ierusalem through their wickednes draue him to abandon his holy mounte Sion in the dayes of Zedekiah But if the Lord depart from you woe shal be vnto you as it was to them of Iudah and Ierusalem Looke wisely to your selues and as ye loue the aduancement of Gods kingdome in England so will you pray and labour for the prefermēt of the same amongst the French Dutch as that the Lord may set his sanctuarie at rest amongst them as he hath done it amongst vs and that they may haue the grace so to receiue and so to reteine the Lord their God as he may haue delight to continue with them As time draweth to his ende and the corrupt world to her death so shall all maner of euils abound amongst men and these last dayes shal be troublesome daungerous and cruell for the last drams of Sathan that must fill vp the measure of wickednesse to the brimme shal be most infectiue and pestiferous be wise therefore and acquainte your selues with armes both corporal and spiritual that you may at al times and in all causes be compleat Israelites ready for the fielde God grant ▪ it The Lorde God of hostes blesse and preserue our good Queene ELIZABETH the Nobilitie people and comminaltie of England Lord Amen FINIS VVhat worldly estate most honorable The onely meane to vpholde the seat of Iustice all other estates is the profession of Armes VVhere militarie prowesse preuaileth iustice florisheth al vertues No state in safety without Militarie profession Abraham ▪ had fyghting men ▪ Iacobs sonnes The Israelites Cyrus The Romanes Constantine by armes restored religion Turkes were raysed of a vile people to spoyle the bastard Christians The victorie is of God. Maurice Rochel Geneua Warre in Belgia Whereof warlike industrie consisteth Warlike Princes Commendable vertues necessarie for them that professe Armes The glorious effects of Militarie industrie Valiant Kinges in France Peace and idlenesse before conquests God maketh apt to warre whome he will aduaunce Cyrus and Alexander Romanes Goths c Turkes Tamberlan Spanyards The worthie actes of the Duke of Saxoni Lantgraue c. Philip vexed lowe Duchland The duke of Alua his force God by an vnlikely hoste sheweth his migt Hollanders and zelanders against Philippe King of Spaine Litle Vlushing famished strong Middleborough The lowe countrie reuolted from the Spanyards The good successe of the Holanders and zelanders caused the rest of the countries to ioyne with them Tyranny abhored of God ◠man. The siege of Harlam The duke of Alua by a tempest driuen from the seege of Alkemer The duke of Alua vnto his last trump The Lord prouideth for the zelanders contrary to expectation Zuriksea surprised by the Papistes The duke of Austria his fonde false deuise failed him The qualities of militarie men Who is to be accomted a right souldier The prince should be an example to his people ▪ Vices in soldiers must strōgly be brideled Iupiter Belus Hercules Israelites that excelled in Armes Kings of high prowesse and vertues Renowmed Kings of England Renowmed princes of our age Dissolute soldiers ar worthely despised The profession of Armes is honorable though some professours stand rightly vnreproued Contemners of Arme The description of them that be no louers of Armes The estate of that countrey is ruinous that is not able to stand in Armes The Lacedemonias bringing vp They that mak shifts not to beare armour are corrupted with three vices The Midianites vanquished by Gedeon what danger may ensue by preferring hirelings to the seruice of warre Citizens should be furnished and practised for the feelde Defenced cities VVherefore the Maiors of London are adorned with knighthood Anthony Fugger Englishmen by training vp the most valiant and famous in martiall feates and knowledg The English and Scottishmen encounter the Spanyards at Pel Mel. The Spanyards put to flight
courage for the pursuite and exercise of Armes whereby they became Lords and commanders of al the chiefe nations Empires states and kingdomes of the world And againe for the chastisement and confusion of them the Lord raysed vp to Armes and warlike courage the rude and barbarous multitudes of the Goths Hunnes and Vandales And so the Turkes of a small people and of the sauage Scythian kinde to be the most cruell and noyfull spoylers and destroyers that euer were vpon earth to subuert all the ciuill states and Empires of Asia and Affrica and to subdue and depopulat ▪ the noble Empire of Greece and the kingdom of Hungarie Tamberlan a heardman with the rude Scythians to chastise Baiezet the Turkish Emperour and all his dominions ▪ And lastly the Spanyard to chastise France Italy Germany and lowe Duchland And now let vs farther beholde with discretion what worke the Lord is entred into by Armes in these last dayes of the worlde And how martiall prowesse and industrie hath mightely serued to aduaunce the name and glorye of God and to giue passage to his Gospell where it lay prostrate and troden vnder the feete of Antichrist and his consorts For when the time was come in the yere of our Sauiour Christ 1517. that the Lord set foote on earth to restore his Sanctuary he beganne his businesse by a poore ministrie vnder the couert protection of the most worthie prince Duke Frederick of Saxonie and so encreased vnder the defence of the most noble Princes Iohn Duke of Saxonie Philipe Lantgraue of Hesse of the famous and warlike cities Augsborough Strasborough Vlmes Magdeborough c. And when the champions of the kingdome of darkenesse vnder the conducte of the most renowmed Emperour Charles the fifth seemed to renge the hoste of Israel vnder a terrible victory then did the Lorde of hostes bestirre himselfe and frustrating the counsailes and dispersing the forces of his enemies he vanquished the troupes of the Philistims by the Armed hand of his chosen captaine Maurice Duke of Saxoni who vy the vertue of Martiall prowesse ayded by the Lord God of hostes brake the teeth of the vngodly and restored the worde of God to a free passage throughout all Germanie So did the Lorde preuaile by Armes in Surike by vertue of which also wydened the passage of his gospell into France and by the force and power of one poore towne there holdeth possession for his Sanctuarie maugre the might and malice of all his enemies This being the most glorious effects of Militarie industrie in these saide countreis to the enlarging of Christes kingdome for the saluation of many and comfort of the whole worlde praise the inuincible Arme of our God mighty and victorious in battell and see yet a greater worke then all these nowe a doing by force of Armes for the ciuill libertye and for the freedome of true Religion in lowe Dutchelande where the hande of the Lorde hath bene so apparant fauourable that in all the progresse and successe of these warres it may be saide This is the worke of the Lord our God in the sight of all the Heathen and it is marueilous in our eyes Let vs therfore examin some part of those affaires see how Iacob hath preuailed in his warres by slow and vnexpert souldiers against the most famous arrogant implacable enemies of the gospel of Christ and then let the swinish fooles that contemne martiall profession stoppe their mouthes and be ashamed For the heauens doe reioyce the worlde is comforted and Israel shal be glad through the victories of God purchased by the fidelitie prowesse of his valiant men at armes When King Philip had wearied his good subiects of low Duchland with fained pacifications in the aduantage wherof the defendants being taken vnprouided vnarmed were daylie spoyled and murthered they fell to armes for publike defence stoode vpon their gard but béeing ouercome by the false promises of the faithlesse Regent the Duches of Parma they accepted conditions of agreement and while they rested vpon the same came the Duke of Alua accompanied with chosen forces and tooke the countrey in charge as Lieutenant to the king He planted his bands of warre in all the stronge townes and holdes through out the Lowe countrey he apprehended the Counties of Horne and Degremont and executed them as captains and chiefe pillers of the Mutiners He builded the Castell of Antwerp for mastering of that proude citie and renged all the whole Lande vnder feare and oppression minding to bring the people vnder extreeme exactions for the nourishment of their own plagues seruitude I mean for the maintenāce of the kings forces fortifications throughout for the holding of the people in subiection to what yoke or ordinances so euer should be enforced vppon them Wherein the Duke missed the Tracte of that wisedome and pollycie that was famed to bée in him For this tirannous porpose coming to common apparance then reuolted the Holanders and Zelanders in an vnlikely state to stande to theire cause But the Lord God of hostes that had stirred vp this quarel meaning to proue the force of his blowe by an vnlikly host against the troopes of the prowde and dredfull warriers his ennemyes did shewe himselfe sufficient able to confounde the mightie by the weake the prudent by the foolishe the industrious by the slowe the courageouse by the cowarde the glorious by the vile the noble by the churle and the King by the vassale the rich and imperiall by the poore and seruile multitude For comparison beinge consideratly made of the Holanders and rude Zelanders with their King hee mightie in powers both by lande and by sea standinge in continual redines they weak and vnprouided both for lande and water he in renowmed armes stronge experimented and politique they naked and of al other their Kings people and subiects contemned for their natural slowenes cowardise ignorance dronkenesse and most vnwarlike spirites the King infinite in artillarye munitiones treasures and eke in frends lieutenantes commanders martiall bands of incomparable fame and approued value the mutiners easye to be exhausted of their monie vnfurnished of all habilementes of warre of trained Soldiers and experimented Capteines and hauinge their neerest neighbours yea and them of their kinred and alience to bee their moste fyerse and noifull enemies And in this vnequal match to entre warre it woulde haue seemed a motion in the mutiners proceedinge rather of a desperat rage then grounded vpon any reasonable hope to preuaile to any other effect then to the thraldome and confusion of themselues and of their posteritie Howe be it the Lord that commandeth his Soldiers and capteines that beare armes in the quarell of trueth and righteousnesse not to feare the multitude of their enemies stoode by the Hollanders in their honest cause and hath iustified their quarell wil maintaine it to the ende as it seemeth at this day