Amorite Ogg of Basan and all the Kingdomes of Canaan and a word of encouragement to haue aid to get them as they had before a word of promise to inherit the Country 2. Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to them was Gods will revealed and they were foretolde of their successe to set them forward to the subduing of people and to bring them vnder their Command It was Dan. 2. 28. 31. 43. foretold Nebuchadnezzar in a dream and expounded by Daniel to him and Dan. 4. 19. confirmid by Ieremie the Prophet to the Iewes in Iudea and by Ezechiel in Babylon whose words came no doubt to the eares of Nabuch to whom God had given all Kingdomes people Nations and tongues Cyrus the Persian Esai 44. 28. 45. 1. Esdr 1. 2. was by name foretold hundreds of yeeres before he was borne of his rising rule and Dominion of which he had gotten knowledge and ascribed his successe to be from the Lord God of heauen This knowledge the 2 Ch. 36. 23. might haue from Daniel who lived in Babilon when Darius and Cyrus reigned that subdued the Babilonians How Alexander the Grecian Emperour and the Roman knew of their power and Dominion assigned to them of God is not so plainly recorded in holy but it may be that Daniels prophesie and his interpretation of Nabuchadnezzars dreame might goe abroad and become knowne either by the writing it selfe or by relation and tradition from one to another or they might have it from the Oracles of their owne imagined Gods but indeed divels who well knew the Oracles of the true God and so told the Grecians and Romans such things as from themselves promising to them victories and dominion over Nations which the Scriptures of the Prophets had foretold should surely come to passe Now they finding successe according to the voyce of those counterfeiting Oracles they ascribed all to the power and gift of Iud. 11. 24 those Idol gods and Diuels and so Ireld it lawfull to hold those Kingdomes which they could subdue as t 〈…〉 a then did imagine as appeareth by the speech of Iepthah to the King of the Ammonites Thus wee see vpon what grounds warrs in ancient times have beene made to make them lawfull iust which is the first thing to bee considered oâ— For as the cause is good or bad so may wee expect the issue howsoeuer a good cause will encourage to battle let the event be as shall please God Vniust warres doe worke the Authors confusion very often as may be seene in the vniust warre of Amaleck against Israel of Sihon and Exo. 17. 1 K 20. 2 am 10. 16. 17 18. 2 Ch. 14. Iud. 20. Ios 7. 8 Og without cause comming out against them of Benhadad his warre against Ahab of the Syrians against David of Zerah with his ten hundred thousand against Asa True iris that iust causes have sometime an euill euent for the sinnes of the people and sometimes the vniust may preuaile as Beniamin Gileah in two battells against Israel for their greater ruine at the length as it hapned to these Beniamites and to the Inhabitants of Ai and Bethel though before they had made Israel flye before them VI. CHAPTER Of necessary VVars IT s not enough to look onely to the iustice of the cause in making warre but also it is to Ps 68. 30. 140. 2. 120. 7. be considered how necessary and conuenient it may be The evills of warr should make men not to be hastie to goe to warr It s an evill quality to delight in warre against such David speaketh and desires God to scatter them as being Leu. 26. 25. Reu. 20. 8 9 16 14 evill men and violent especially when they make themselues ready to battle against such as be for pâ—ace The sword is threatned as a punishment and to shed bloud is the Diuels delight hee it is that seduceth the Nations to make warre and hee sendeth out the vncleane spirits like croaking froggs to gather Kings to battle Besides these considerations the calamities and miseries of warrs are vnutterable who can recount them Lusts of vnrulie Souldiers raigne without respect of friends or foes many times The battle of the warriour saith Esa is with confused Esa 9. 5. 14. 17. 13. 16. 18. noyse and garment rolled in bloud and hee telleth the people that the sword hath made the world a wildernesse and destroyed Cities yea children haue beene dashed to peeces houses spoyled Temples robbed Lam. 1. 2. 3 4. 5. strong men slaine and women rauished and crueltie committed without pitie The woefull effects of warre are liuely set out in Ieremies Lamentation and in the book of the warres of the Iewes in the last destruction of Ierusalem who can reade either booke without teares except their hearts be of Adamant Yet a iust warre if also necessary forcing to take armes against an infesting Enemie is to bee preferred before an vniust peace That which hath beene vttered concerning the evill of warre is not to dishearten valorous hearts nor to abate the courage of the valiant who know that true fortitude is onely seene in perills and borne patiently without daunt of spirit but it is onely spoken to prevent rash warre for Duloe bellum inexpertis as also to aduise such to consider in whose power it is to make warre that iust causes of warre bee not pretended onely and ambition desire of Soveraignty and other motives finister bee indeed the causes thereof Offensiue warre vpon iust and necessarie grounds is lawfull both from command from God and the practises of iust Princes as wee may obserue in Divine and humane stories But Defensiue warre magis est iuris naturae politici officij yea and better becommeth the people of the Prince of peace and indeed the warres foretold in the Reuelation which the Church shall haue with the beast the Dragon the whore the false Prophet and with God and Magog are altogether Note this defensiue For it s ever said a point worthy observation that the beast made warre the Dragon went out and warred the spirits of divells went out to gather armies to battle the beast the whore and tenne Kings made warre with the Lambe Reu. 〈◊〉 7. â—2 17. 137 16. 14. 17. 14. 19. 19. 20. 8 9. Gog and Magog gather together against the Saints So that the offensiue warre is on the enemies side and the Defensiue warre is altogether on Christ and his Churches part by which yet they shall ouercome would God this were considered of if the Enemie begin let vs stand for our Religion and lives with courage Christ will take our parts and giue vs a glortous victorie in the end The Lord hath spoken it if we beleeue his Prophets wee shall prosper and hee that beleeueth maketh not hast if wee â—ake a right course let vs stand still not feare fight valiantly the Lords
courage and striketh some feare into the enemie A small number of skilfull men and experienced in armes will easily rout multitudes of others as histories and experience doe tell vs. The Romans by their excercised souldiers got so great and so maine victories Epaminondas by his exercised Thebanes ouerthrew the Lacedemonians Liv 27. 21 at length Hannibal at his comming into Italy at first put to flight 35. thousand with a smal company of old souldiers V. Besides all these it is fit that souldiers should be religious yea very requisite because they expose themselues so to the danger of death vvhich none but such as be religious can be prepared for Besides they may expect Gods ayde they may fight with their hands and pray vvith their hearts by which meanes that renowned Machabeus 2 Mach 15 26 27. conquered Nicanor and slew of his enemies 35. thousand Let not the roaring boyes the Machavilian Atheists the prophane Esaus the drunken sonnes of Bacchus the blasphemous swearers nor the filthy Adulterers laugh at this for God requireth 2 Sa. 23. 3. that all should feare him Religion will make men valiant never any in holy vvrit recorded for religious but were indeed valiant as Abraham David Asa Iehoidah the high Priest Iosias the religious king all valiant men And how can they See Doct. Sut. Deaâ—e of Exet. his b of warre pag. 37 38 mooving the Armie to be religious be otherwise but valiant when they know that God is reconciled to them death if it come will bee to them aduantage These onely haue faith in God and so will be couragious Who can doubt that these will adventure life in the field for religion and a iust cause that dare willingly yeeld their bodies to be burnt for their faith and profession They adventure their corporall life but with assurance of a heauenly life after Wheras all other be what they may be hazard the damnation of their soules with the death of their bodies a desperate attempt in carelesse wretches The religious of conscience will be obedient as Israel professed Ios 1. 16 17. Mat 8. 9. to be to Iosua and are like the Centurions seruants going comming at command and not mutinous they are of a quiet behauiour and temperate not brablers not drunkards nor quarrelsome They will esteeme of and loue a worthy Captaine according to his worth who must be to them as a father and 2 Ch. 25. 13. See the reading in the marg they to him as sons for in Israels language they were called the sons of the band Their prayers are of more force to preuaile with God to take their parts and to vanquish an Enemy then all other means beside Israel fought but Moses did procure the victorie by prayer And least any scoffing Ishmael should deride this care of the choyce of religious men as having no patterne of warlike Chieftaines to follow let them looke to the mightie Exo 15. 3. man of warre the Lord of hosts the king of Kings and consider what manner of souldiers he did chuse to fight his battles The Commanders were religious as Ioshua the Iudges Ehud Gideon Iepthah David and others His Armies mustered by the Lord were called his sanctified ones set apart by him to military imployment They were also mighty ones and strong Esa 13. 3. Ioel 2. 5. they Ioel 2. 7. 8 9. were skilfull to march and did not breake ranke keeping way and iust distance not thrusting one another they cared not for wounds though the sword pierced them they were such as were runners quicke and nimble in execution and to conclude they reioyced in the Lords highnes and in his excellency Such did the Lord muster and chuse for his host But it will be obiected that Iepthtah had in his campe vaine men Iud 11. 1 Sa. 22. 2. 30. 22. There gathered to Dauid men in distresse in debt discontented persons â—eâ— and wicked-men and sons of Belial who fought with courage recovered their losses and slew the Amalakites It is very true but these were some 1 Ch 12. 33. onely among the rest the Commanders themselves and other among them were well given Againe they had such as pleased to come to them in their distresses but they did not hyre such as the bastard Abimelech Iudg 9. did who hyred vaine and light men a companie fit for such a Captaine Authoritie that may presse may find fitter men for their seruice is a good cause if they looke to prosper then sonnes of Beliall Rogues Loyterers Pikars Swearers Drunkards Bastard breeders Gaole-birds Scurfe and Scum of a people held vnworthy to liue among honest men very Out-casts of parishes not to bee admitted indeede vnto the honour of beeing a Souldiour But some will perhaps say that of these Routs of outcasts some haue prooued very seruiceable also many vncleane liuers prophane swearers whore-master and Cup-Captaines haue shewed great courage in warâ—s And it s knowne that Heathen men Iulius Caesar Alexander Hector Achilles Themistocles Epaminondas Pyrrhus and infinite others haue bin valiant souldiers First for these latter though Heathen Xenophon in exp Cyr. 2. Cicero de nat Deo Esai 47. 12 13. yet morall vertues have beene commended in them and according to their Pagan profession they were religious asking counsell of their gods without which they would not goe to warre and they hearkened to their Priests Diviners Southsayers Prognosticators Astrologers Chaldeans and such as were Revealers as they thought of the will of their gods For the rout of outcasts it may be some very few of many have beene seruiceable but what have all the rest beene An Heathen could say That of a Company riotous Cleaâ—chus â—n Xenophon exped Cyrâ— 2 and disorderly there is no vse For the other that are held so valorous true it is that humane fortitude may be in an Abimelech that murtherer of his brethren in an Abner a Ioab as it was in those forenamed renowned Heathen yea in other most lewd and vicious and most prophanely irreligious there may be out of pride and ambition out of a furious heat of heart out of a resolued foole hardy desperatenesse out of hope of spoyle out of a vaine desire of getting honour and out of some such like grounds perhaps out of an inflamed spirit of the Battery shewed a kind of valour But this is not Christian fortitude such as was in David and others accompanied euer with other laudable vertues What desperate companions were the three seditious Captaines in Ierusalem and their followers they prodigally shed the bloud of one another and like Lyons fought with the Romans but at length to their owne vtter confusion And what becommeth of these sorts of such seeming valorous men what commonly is their end How prosper they to say no more of them but this let experience speake Happy were it that Christian armies were gathered of religious or at least of ciuill and morally honest men that the
of men And if I may guesse at the name of our yeomen in Latin valecti what were they but stout men ob valorem electi chose for their valour and courage to doe their country seruice 4. Salomon the wisest King that euer 2 Ch. 8 9. was held such as were men of warre to be more honourable then to be imployed in seruile work such as he imployed strangers in and the people of Canaan the Hittites Amorites Perizzites Hevites Iebusites These accursed and base people were not worthy to be men of warr the function was too honourable for for them as it is for to many admitted now into it more fit for Stocks Bridewell Gaole Gallies or the very Gallous then to bee enrolled among the honorable and men truly worthy the name of souldiers if the wotth of a true souldier were well weighed 5. In old times the best in Nations as Kings Princes Nobles were men of warre the best in stature the properest and tallest men as the three 1. Sam. 14. 52. sonnes of Ishai the best that surpassed other in excellencies in courage valour and strength such as Saul chose were commonly men of war 6. By the profession of armes many have attained from meane conditions to great honour Dauid from a shepheard to be a King of Israel was not Iephte base of birth yet by valour became a Iudge in Israel Isicrates the Athenian who was Lieutenant to Artaxerxes was hee not a Coblers sonne Eumenes one of Alexanders Captaines was a Carters sonne Servius Tullius who triumphed three times was the sonne of a poore seruant whence he was called Servius Dioclesian though a bloudy persecutor of Christians yet a valiant man who obtained the Empire by his prowesse and valour and yet but a Scriveners son Nicholas Piâ—hinnino the great Captaine and Commander of the Armies of the Potentates in Italie was but a butchers son Ochiali of a poore Marriner for his valiant service became Admirall of the Turkes Nauy and one of his Counsell It were too long to relate the number that have risen and have become renowned by warrs 7. The famouâ—est Nations of the world the Romans who subdued Kingdomes never held any profession worthy so great honor nor ever rewarded any so much as they did valiant men generous-spirits noble courages adventuring their liues obtaining therby praises to theÌ„selves glory to their Nation as their histories do shew That Calling must needs be honourable which requireth so many honourable parts and praise-worthie endowments requisite to make a man deserving to be admitted into militarie profession as to be a man of vnderstanding of sharpe and quicke apprehension of a stout and vndaunted courage and yet not foole-hardy but prudent and patient of an able body yet no lubber of a luskish and sluggish Disposition but nimble and liuely to execute designments and crowning all this with true religion and zeale towards God with a loyall and faithfull heart to his King and Country 9. For the honour of this profession how great volumes are written of men of warres their valiant deeds memorable acts haue caused them to be registred to all posterities by the pen of the learned which cannot be read but with both great delight and great profit even to make valarous and couragious spirits emulous of their fame and glory Lastly what profession procured more honour to people and Nations then men of warre haue done How famous was Greece for her Achilles Diomedes Themistocles Pericles and others what praises everlasting did Epirus that little Country obtaine by her peerelesse Pirrhus and that terrour to the Turks Scanderbeg Remaineth not Macedonia aliue by her great Alexander Troy by her valiant Hector Rome by Caesar Pompey Scipioes Horatii Fabii and the rest Lacaedemon by Simon and Leonidas Carthage by her Hannibal and so other places by their valiant worthies well exercised and experienced Cheiftaines And in a word who is more worthily honoured in the hearts of all vertuous men then a man of courage so be it he be otherwise well qualified that by some base condition he wrong not himself which true generosity of spirit will vtterly disdaine to doe V. CHAPTER Of the iust causes and true grounds of making warre AS we see the vndertaking of warre to be lawfull and honourable so must it be ever therein vnderstood that it also be just for the cause as it is either good or evill so is the warre so may the issue bee thereafter expected The warres vndertaken of the Israelites by warrant from God prospered True it is that vnjust warres sometime may haue good successe for the iniquity of the people against whom they are vndertaken and therefore by the event the iustice of the warre is not to be ever judged but by the just cause thereof Now in ancient times warres defensiue and offensiue haue been made vpon these grounds I. A warre just by reason by the instinct of nature and by custome of all Nations and by religion it selfe is that which is vndertaken in defence of our Country religion libertie and state God alloweth to goe to warre against an enemie comming vpon vs vpon this ground was the warres of Num. 10. 9 Exod. 17. Iudg. 6. 11. 1 Sam. 14. 47 48. 2 Ch. 14. 1 K. 20. Iosua against the Amalekites of Gideon against the Midianites of Iephte against the Ammonites of Saul against the Philistims and others spoyling them of Asa against Zerah the Ethiopian of Ahab against Benhadad the Syrian of the Romanes against Hanniball and of the ancient Brittaines here against the Romanes Saxons Danes and Normans A Heathen could say lustum est bellum pia arma â—iv 9. quia nulla nisi in armis relinquitur saluâ— It is both just and godly when otherwise we cannot liue safely II. It is just warre to bring vnder such as rebell having formerly yeelded subjection vpon this ground went Chedorlaomer with the ayde of Gen. 14. 2 K. 3. 2 Ch. 25. 2 K. 24. 20. Eze. 17. 15 2 K. 17. 3 4. 2 Sam. 18. 20. other Kings against the King of Sodome and the rest so Iehoram against Moab Amazias against the Edomites Nebuchadnezzar against Zedekias whom he had made King and taken an oath of Salmaneser against Hoshea which conspired against him Thus Kings justly make warr against Natiue Rebells as David did against Absalom and against Bichri III. It is just war to helpe friends Allyes and Associates vnjustly oppressed and wronged Vpon this ground Abraham armed himselfe and set vpon the foure Kings to recover Lot whom they had carried away Gen. 14. 1 Sa. 23. 3. 11. Ios 10. 6 7 Captiue David rescued Keylah from the Philistims Saul Iabesh Gilead from the Ammonites and Iosua the Gibeonites from the Amorites Iudas and Simon 1 Mach. 5. 10. 17. lib. de Offic. Bell. Gal. 7. his brother helped the other distressed Iewes The Romanes made war against the Samniteâ— in the defence of the
warre in their hand it is hee that giueth Iacob to the spoyle and Ier. 21 4. Esa 42 24. Ier. 21. 5. â— Israel to robbers for hee fighteth sometimes against them with an outstretched hand and a strong arme in anger furie and in great wrath 2. That all this happeneth for sin because his people rebell and vexe his spirit doe euill in his sight and Esa 63. 10 Iud. 3. 12. Leu. 26. 14 15 with v 17 36 37. will not obey nor hearken to his commandements For Idolatry and despising Gods message by his Prophet was Amaziah ouerthrowne in battell Rehoboam for his Idolatry was spoyled by Shishake King of Egypt for Ioash his Apostacie and his murther of Zacharias was a very great host deliuered by God into Esai 42. 34. 2 Ch 25. 12. 2 Ch 24. 2â— the hands of the Sirians a small company For his wickednesse was Ahab brought low and at length Iudah led into captiuity by Nebuchadnezzar 3. That although the Enemies be thus the rod of Gods anger and his Esai 10. 5. indignation the very staffe in his hands to punish his people for their hypocriticall seruice but not to destroy them vtterly yet because the enemies thinke not this that they Esai 10. 13. are onely Gods rod and staffe nor that their power is from him because his people haue sinned but are proud glorying in their owne wisedome and strength and intend in their hearts to destroy the Lords inheritance he will at length turne his wrath vpon them For marke what the Lord saith by his Prophet when the Lord hath performed his whole worke vpon Vers 12. 16 17 24 27. Mount Sion and on Ierusalem hee will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high lookes And this is Gods manner of dealing when he hath humbled his people then to bring vpon their enemies a day of Ier. 50. 17 18 23 51. 11. Amos 1. 3 6 9 11. 13. vengeance and a time of recompence as he did vpon the Assyrians first and next vpon the Babylonians for their mercilesse cruelty against his people The Lord now afflicteth heauily his Church her enemies preuaile mightily and thinke to deuoure her vp false friends vndermine her wals open enemies assault her and tread her vnder foot in many places but when God hath performed his whole worke he will take his time to gather them together to their destruction and this he foretelleth vs Ioel 3. 2. 11 plainely in Reu. 16. 19. 20. In the meane space let vs humble our selues vnder his mighty hand bee warned by our former great losses by our brethâ—ens calamities by the signes from heauen by the extraordinary stormes and tempests winter thunder and lightning so often and vnusuall by plagues and other punishments fallen vpon vs and if we turne and repent then let vs beleeue 2 Ch. 20. and wait with patience yea then hearken what is said stand still let vs not feare but behold the saluation of the Lord which he will shew vnto vs undoubtedly in that day Amen And thus for the generall hosts of God and the armies of his power in heauen and in earth Now the other more speciall host of this Lord God of Hosts is his trained souldiers the Armie which hee hath in his Church for defence therof Exo. 12. 41 51. 14. 20. 23. 18. 14. 2. 15. 27. Num. 11. 10. 16. or to send out against their enemies and his also for their sakes This Armie was the Israelites comming out of Egypt which are called Gods host and Campe who went vp harnessed their resting places were called encampings and their lodging was in Tents The Lord caused a muster of them and to be numbered and found among them to bee 603550. able men to draw sword all that were 20. yeers old and vpward Hee set them in order in marching and appointed them standards and the seuerall armies to attend the same This Ios 5. 13. Exo. 13. 21. 14. 19. Ps 77. 20. Esa 63. 12. Deut. 33. 5 Ps 18. 32. 34. 38. 144. 1. host was the host of God Christ their Prince and their Conductor His Lieutenant generall Moses who was as a King among them After Moses he set vp Iosua to be generall after him Iudges then Saul and David the King whom the Lord girded with strength to the battell teaching his hands to warre and his fingers to fight so as by hee could by his armes breake a bow of steele Thus he trained him vp to fight his battels This Army of his people is called 1 Sam. 17. 36. Ios 5. 15. Esa 31. 4. Deu 20. 4. 1. Sa. 17. 47 2 Chr. 20. 15. the host of the living God and the Lords host with this he taketh part and for it fighteth as a Lyon with this he goeth to fight against his enemies for the battell is not theirs but the Lords and therfore the Lord was for them to giue them many glorious and incredible victories ouer their enemies And as the Lord was glorified in victories by these so will he assuredly be now also for his Church in his owne good time For albeit the beast must warre with the Saints and for a time ouercome Reu. 11. 2. 13. 7. yet at length shall the lambe with his elect called and faithfull preuaile Reu. 17. 14. He shall ride vpon the white horse with many crownes vpon his head the armies of heauen also following on white horses as triumphing ouer all their enemies for he Reu. 17. 16. is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords And thus of the warres of God with man The III. Chap. Of the warres of man with man and of the lawfulnesse of such warres VVArre is the contention betweene Princes or States by armes or force of men vnder order and good gouernment to obtaine victory and so â—he conquering and subduing of the Dominions bodies and goods of one another to liue the better afterwards in peace and honour For S. Aug ad Bonifac. saith a Father the true seruants of God make warres that the wickâ—d may be restrained and good men be releeued Warre vpon iust cause vndertaken is vndoubtedly lawfull And this is necessary to be knowne and beleeued of all that vndertake warres For there is nothing more for encouragement in any action then to haue conscience satisfied in the lawfulnes thereof Some as the Anabaptists hold it not lawfull for Christians vnder the Gospell to make warre but such are but dreamers for 1. God is pleased to he called a Exo. 15. 3. man of Warre now he neuer admitteth a title of a thing vnlawfull 2. He hath giuen commandement to his people sometimes to fight Numbers 31. 3. 1. Sam. 15. 3. Deut. 2. 24. 3. Hee made lawes for direction to them when they went to warre Deut. 20. 10. 15. 4. Holy men of eminent place and graces haue made warre as
with one accord to fight against Iosua Ioab and Abishai consented to succor one another ar need should require We never read that the Commanders iy Israel were at odds to hinder the good counsell of one another but agreed as one man against their enemies Of discord and the mischiefes therof you haue heard before The Iewes though their leader Ionathan was traiterously slaine taken in a trap by the false dissembling Tryphon yet they incouraged 1 Mac 12. 50. 2 Mac. 9 10. one another and went close together to fight being of Iudas mind rather to die manfully for their brethren then to staine their honor VIII To have a watchword as 2 Mac 8. 23 13 15. Iudas gave his bands The helpe of God and at another time victory is of God Lastly be sure of a place of retrait for the wearied to refresh themselves Hannibal even in Afrike neglecting this was overthrowne by Scipio CHAP. XXIII Of such lets and impediments as are to bee avoided and preuented which may either overthrow the attempt or hinder the successe AS there are many furtherances of good enterprises so there may bee not a few hinderances of the same which are carefully to be taken heed of and prevented I. And chiefly take heed of sin and rebellion against God This God warned his people of when they went to warre when the host Deu. 23 9. goeth forth against the enemy then keepe thee from every evill thing saith the Lord. Such sinnes as before Ier 10. 2. in Chap. 15 are recorded as also beware here of all heathenish feares superstitious observations of dayes luckie and vnluckie of the flying and crying of birds beware of divinations inchantments and charmes abhorre Wiâ—ards Figure-casters Southsayers Sorcerers Fortune-tellers Stargazers Astrologers Prognosticatours Interpreters of good and ill successe by casuall accidents weare no superstitions vanities Deut 18. 10 11 12. aa conceited hallowed crosses Amulets and such like heathenish trumperies For God hath straitly forbidden all these abhominations they are the practises of the Heathen Idolaters All such as vse them are Esa 19. 3 4. 47 12 13 8. 9. Eze. 21. 21 abomination to the Lord saith Moses And he hath punished it in the practisers Saul sought to a Witch but did not hee then thriue the Deu. 18. 12. 1 Sa 28. 3. 31 3. 1 Ch. 10. 13. worse did it not then cost him his life Pompey by consulting with wizards made way for his overthrow for Caesar despising such things made vse of his enemies superstitious feares and came vpon them at such times what got Inulia the Apostate or Richard the third of England or Iames the third of Scotland by taking advise of witches and wizards and following their counsells Certaine Iewes in Machabeus his host hoped by some superstitious vanities 2 Mac. 12. 4. which they wore vnder their garments secretly to haue auoyded death but they were deceived they died in battle â— In the yeare 1502. when the French went against Geneua some of them had gotten charmed Amulets about their neckes to saue them but their trust deceiued them for they were found dead in the field Scipio though a Heathen man of whom you haue before heard hee banished Diviners and Figure-flingers out of his campe and when he landed in Africa it was his hap as soone as he came on shore that he slipt and fell forward on the ground which his company held to be ominous and a signe of ill lucke but he turned it another way and willed them to be merry because hee had therby taken possession of the country II. Great care must be had to prevent all discord in the whole host especially betweene Commanders and to effect this the spirit of pride enuie vaine-glory boasting wrath secret grudge and whatsoeuer else may cause dissention must be vtterly layd aside euery one being ready to heare one another to be counselled one of another good and no man to thinke himselfe at this time his owne but now his countries but now the causes for which the warre is vndertaken not now to doe after his owne will but what sound reason true religion the honour of his King the necessitie and fitnesse of time and place and the authoritie of the Generall vpon deliberat aduise and counsell requireth Singular was the praise of vnitie 1 Mac 8. 14 15 16. among the Romane Senators in the dayes of the Machabees For though there were 320 which sate in counsell yet was there neither enuy nor nor emulation among them nor any one in pride overtopping another but all consulted for the generall good and prospered But after through Caesars pride and the evils that hapned through civill dissention the Empire grew weake and at length was overthrowne It s an old saying Viâ— vnita fortior at partes in plures secta peribit of which many examples are given before III. To prevent danger of death to the Generall to have care of his life for the head cut off the body is but a trunke Ahad rashly going into the host to fight was wounded to death and so the people left the field 1 Mach. 7 43 44. â— and went home Absolom slaine the host was scattered when Nicanor was cut off presently his host cast away their weapons and fled On the Generall the life and motion of the Army dependeth For Davids worthies 2 Sa. 18. 3. had speciall care of his safetle sometimes not to let him goe into the field holding him to be worth 10000. of them and if he did goe into battle and was in danger rather â— Sa 21. 16 17. then he should be slaine Abishai will step betweene death and him so precious was the life of a Generall among the Romans that when Q. Petiliâ—s the Consull was slaine in fight against the Ligures the Senat decreed Front li. 4 ca. 7. â— that the legion in whose front hee was slaine should haue no annuarie stipend and there armes should be broken IV. To beware of conceit of strength with contempt of the enemy such seldome or neuer prosper 1 K. 20. 2 Mac. 11. 4 11 12. 12 13 16. this overthrew Benhadad also Lysias going against Iudas and this brought the Citizens of Caspis to confusion Antiochus Eâ—pater though he had a dreadfull Army yet through light reckoning of his enemies haughtines of mind in his owne strength had ill successe The insolency of Senacherib â— Mac. 13 12 9 15 16. his blasphemy against God and base esteeme of Hezekâ—ah was punished by God from heaven V. Not to bee provoked to fight by any instigation of a subtle enemy for he surely knoweth his owne advantages as Themistocles did who incited Plutarch de Themist the Persian by his sons Tutour called Sicinus vnder the shew of secret friendship to come and hemme in the Grecians as fearefull readie to run away which he which he accepted of vâ—aduisedly and so was overthrowne at Salanus But if
16. 13. duties of souldiers there expressed I. Is to watch and this is 1. To obserue and take the advantages giuen by the Enemy but withall to see to our selves to beware of mistakes least we giue them advantage carefully taking heed to prevent this or speedily to amend it before the Enemy espy it as wisely and quickly as once Hannibal did Secondly to take heed of the signall cryer trumpet and the Commander for directions the mind of the General may not be mistaken as Lieuienant Yakestey did Generall Vere at the battle at Newport A good soldier must watch with the eye attend with the eare and obey with his whole mind II. Duty is to stand fast 1. To the Iustice of the cause the King and Country Secondly to the Generall and to fellow souldiours in the battle The Athenians took an oath not to leaue their fellowes in the fight Thirdly to stand fast in this resolution rather to dy like men manfully then to run away fearfulfully or to yeeld cowardly or which is worst of all to fly to the Enemy trayterously Stukely Yorke and others Traytours betrayers of our Country haue beene III. Duty is quit themselues like men which consisteth in these things 1. In having the right vse of reason for circumspect carriage for their owne safeties without amazednesse through base and vaine feare By this present 2 Sam. 21. 16 17. vse of reason and circumspection did Abishai saue David from Ishbi-beâ—ob the Giant 2. In a quick and prompt alacrity of spirit manifested in a ready discharge of every action in duety to be performed orderly and in due time and place detesting sloath and negligence and to beware of a confused distraction Ioel commendeth the warriours which had a liuely courage Ioel 2. 8. and were quick in execution of service And Ieremy pronounceth a Ier 48. 10. curse vpon such as doe the worke of the Lord in battell deceitfully or negligently 3. In a maâ—like vaâ—our a heart not daunted in a present perill being like to a vids Worthies and 2 Sam 23. 1 Ch 12. 8 like those of the Tribe of Gâ—d men of might skilfuâ—l in Armes and having faces like Lyons and not hearts like fearefull hares IV. Duetie is to be strong This is not only to be vnderstood of the body when men are lusty strong and well refreshed as Hannibals men were before he fought with Sempranius the Consul at Trebia but this is meant of the strength of the heart chiefly Be strong saith God to Iosua Ios 1. 6. and to shew the meaning he addeth Be of good courage which is not to be conquered in minde but to hold out to the last A braue spirit should be like Shammah fighting til the hand cleaue to the sword So that though 2 Sam 23. 13 12. the hand be wearied yet the heart holdeth out which may get the day as it did our men in the battell at Newport Such Souldiers and Captaines as these are worth treasure they that thus discharge their duty are no mercenary and base fellowes commonly false and faithlesse A few of the other are worth an host of these that make pay booty and spoile their onelie ends CHAP. XXVI Of the meanes how to have such as are valiant and of a good courage into the field TO haue such as in the former chapter are mentioned men that will stand to it and quit themselues like men the way is I. To chuse such before hand as naturally be hardy which shew it in countenance in vse of manly exercises â—o which they be given as leaping wrastling casting the barre and such like in their will and readinesse to goe into warres In their well set bodies though little men and by their hard labour in some calling not without danger sometime as workers in mines and such like sort of men II. Is traine vp such well in armes for of such it seemeth by the History 1 Ch 12. 2 13. 33. of their acts were Davids Worthies To be ignorant in armes is a great disheartning and discouragement III. â—s whatsoever the Prophane Esau mocking Ishmael and machavilian Atheist thinkes to haue them religious for in Scripture never any religious but they were truly valian If any sonnes of Belial say that they finde it not so No marvell for 〈…〉 is had of the choise of such but of the riff raff and scumme of the people what religious man will gâ—e with these if he may chuse 〈…〉 swearing and cursing are their prayers â—n their greatest dangers whoring and drinking carding and dicing their best exercises when they doe nothing O hosts of spirits and devils and not of Christians It s pitty that any truly religious Cornelius or pious Centurion and such there be should be over them or any fearing the name of God to be among such IV. Is as the Lord commanded Moses to make proclamation that if any be cowards they should depart the Camp Which rule Gideon followed Iudg 7. 3 1 Mach 3 56. and Iudas Machabeus But perhaps some will say this were the onely way to send away most of the Army Surely no For if as before it is observed such be chosen as are naturally hardy acquainted with the vse of Armes be at least in appearance religious they will detest the name of cowards yea the Proclamation would Viderint quorum est de huiusmo de rebus â—â—dicare make them put on a better resolution then to take the benefit of departing and bee ever after branded for Cowards if any such departed whom shame would not reteine better were their absence then presence For surely such would never fight with courage and those shamelesly departing good it should be that an open brand of infamie should in their returne home be put vpon them with sharpe punishment V. Is when they are come abroad at the first to imploy them in light services where hope is to come off with some encouragements and not to cast them into a desperate actions of great hazard at the very entrance except extreame necessity compell therunto VI. Is to promise good rewards for well-doing with due and faithfull performance thereof Thus the Lord of hosts encouraged his host promising them Canaan lands houses Cities Deut. 1. 31. 35. 3 2. 2 Sam. 5. 8 1 Chro 11 5. and inheritance for them and theirs David offered honour to such as would and could prevaile against the Iebusites and he performed his word faithfully to Ioab This did the Romanes with their Souldiers and therefore had very valiant men For nothing more stirreth vp valour then due respect and deserved rewards Caesar so wonne and tyed fast to him De bellâ— civili l. 3. the hearts of Souldiers by bounty and liberality as many revolted from his enemies to him but none could be drawne from him to them The Turkes reward greatly worthy Captaines not regarding birth but the quality of the party and his deserts For one Ochâ—ali
only thirty men slaine yet he tooke it to heart fell to humbling of himselfe to fasting and prayer for the same with the Elders of Israel and when he knew the sinne for which God was offended he found out the party and rewarded him with death that had caused by his sinne the death of the slaine and the Enemy to get the victory Thus should worthy Generals doe Esay reproveth it as Esay 42 25 an evill in the people when the strength of the battell was against them and they beaten that they did not lay it to heart Alas for our times where in too many mock at such humiliations scorne with disdaine to be so cast downe for the liues of men They know not that this is in them great contempt of Gods displeasvre It s not so much the losse of men which those Valiants bewailed as for sinne the cause of the defeaâ—e for Gods absence from them in his anger giving them into the power of the Enemie for the Enemies pride and triumph over Gods people for the dishonour which commeth to God therby for these things Iosua 2 Sam. 1. 11. 17-26 mourned David wept and other very valiant men lamented and not onely for the death of the slaine And yet in their sorrowes they neglected not to thinke of these as David did even of his Enemy Saul and his sons with his faithfull friend Ionathan being much grieved for the rejoycing of the Philistims Gods Enemies when they should know thereof This did he lay to heart as we should the Enemies of God his Church and his people glorying over vs at this day as if God had vtterly forsaken vs. But there is hope if we will seeke Gods favour cut off sinne repent and be reformed for doe we not reade how after Iosua's humiliation Ios 8. God was with him in the victory and wee may find vpon the Israelites true repentance their deepe sorrow with abundance of teares their putting away of Idols and preparing of their hearts to serve God after their 1 Sam 7. 3 miserable overthrow and the great slaughter of the people when Hophni and Phineas were slaine the Arke taken and 30000 put to the sword how graciously did God looke vpon Cap 4 10 â—â— them tooke Israels part and thundered with a great thunder vpon the Philistims and so discomfited them Cap â— 10 that from that time they came no more into the Coasts of Israel Therefore to make a conclusion Oh you valiant hearts you truly vâ—lorous you sonnes of the worthy you vndaunted spirits yet religious yet faithfull yet chast yet just in your man iâ—esse yet full of humanity even to the enemie and truly respectfull of your owne companions yea and common souldiers fellowes in affliction doe well bee reconciled to God craue his aid and he being with you goe forth with confidence and prosper Even so Amen FINIS ERRATA WHich for with page 3 line â—4 Then for their line 12. as for is pa 18. l. 21. haue for hatâ— pa 27. li 18. Munidians for Numiâ—ians pa. 70 li. 7. Adde men pa. 75. li 15 inâ—â— for infinite sâ—isime for sâ—ism pa 72. li 7. armieâ— for armâ—s pa 68. li 2. Put out And though pa 92. li. 15. you for them pa 9â— li 28. Narminius for Harmâ—nâ—uâ— p 128. l. 9. need for hâ—ed p 142 l 17. Puâ— out bâ— p 158. l 9. and mer. l. 11. Adde evill p. 162. l. 15. hake for lâ—ke p. 194 l 20 holden for holpen p. 190. li 4. ar for as p 199. l. 24. Inulia for Iuliâ—â— p. 203. l 8. Adde for p. 204. l. 18. Put out him l. 8. One for a p. 230 l 6 Salanus for Salamis p â—07 l 12. Numida for Munda p. 104. l. 12.
them to put confidence in God for that saith he he was able to saue a few out of the hands of many in what danger soever they were he can strike feare 2 K 7. Iud. 7. 22. 1 Sa. 14 20 2 Cro 20. 23. 32. 21. suddenly into the hearts of almost Conquerours and make them run away and none pursuing them as he did the Syrians he can set the sword vpon the necke of one another and cause them to kill one another as he did the Philistims Midianites and the armies of three Kings he can send an Angell to kill an host of mighty men of valour even an hundred and fourescore fiue thousand in one night In a word he can doe what he will in Heaven and in Earth Therefore let vs thus prepare to meet him to make him our Captaine our Guide and Commander then shall we â—aâ—e good successe and prosper as others haue done CHAP. XIX Of laying good grounds aforehand to speede well and of a peaceable and a lawfull proceeding against an Enemie THere is nothing more desired in making war then to prosper in the enterprise This all wish and without some hope of his who would adventure to enter battell Therefore men should study aboue all other this point chiefly Now to speede well the way is I. To hearken to Gods voice and serue him For saith the Lord Oh Psal that my people had hearkened vnto mee and Israel had walked in my wayes marke now what would haue folâ—owed I should soone haue subdued their Enemies and turned my hand against their Adversâ—ries II. To haue him with vs and to 2 Cro. 13 12. fight for vs Abijah said beholde God himselfe is with vs for our Captaine And it was Hezekiah his comfort 2 Cro. 32. 8 with vs is the Lord our God to help vs and to fight our battells Exo. 14. 14 Feare not stand still saith Moses to Israel and why For the Lord saith Deut. 20 4 he shall fight for you He goeth with you against your enemies to saue you when God went out before David against the Philistims he smote their host and subdued them Oh but it will be demanded How â— Cro. 14. 23 36. may we haue God with vs to fight for vs and giue vs victory Surely if 1. the warre be of God 〈◊〉 and warrantable in this warre he 2 Cro. 5. 20. helped the Reubenites and other Tribes and cast downe their enemies 2. That it be taken in hand with good advise and be established Pro 20 18 by counsell 3. That such a holy preparation be made and such duties performed as before is set downe in the last chapter for such prospered 4. That they rest vpon God trust in him relye vpon him and goe out in 1 Cro 5 20 2 Cro 14. 11. 16. 8 13. Heb 11. 33 his name against the enemie for who ever trusted in God and were confounded It s said that by faith the valiant subdued Kindomes So much is ascribed to confidence in God To this and for resting vpon God the Scripture ascribeth the happy successe of Asa of Abijah of the Reubenites and other against their many and mighty Enemies But if men will needs goe to war and God not with them the warre vnjust the attempt rash as in the Israelites Deut 1. 42 in Amaziah yea and in losias the wicked sonnes of Eli in the 2 Cro 25. 35. host drunken whoring profane Priest sacrilegious Achan vnpunished for his sacriledge and no pious preparation vnto so weighty a work wherein so many thousand liues doe lye at the stake But open prophanesse bâ—asting of our owne strength vaunting of our valour resting on the Generals wisdome the courage of Captaines disesteeme of the Enemy as Benhadad did of Ahabs army to goe poorely provided with small provision with a Company of raw and vnexperienced fellowes but ripe enough in wickednesse without order without government what good successe can be looked for How can God goe out with such rebels against him seeing he hateth iniquity and abhorreth presumptuous Transgrellours If good grounds be laid as aforenamed then may an host goe forward with good courage but yet before the force of Armes and hostility be shewed God who hâ—teth vnnecessary bloudshed and abhorreth men of violence commanded Israel Ps 5. 6. Deut 20. 10 2 Sam. 10. 18 19. to offer peace first for it may be the matter may be ended without bloudshed The Israelites before they went against 〈◊〉 and Beniamin sent to haue the sonnes of Belial delivered to them to be punished if they could haue obtained it Iephtah before the warre began sent messengers againe Iud 20. 12 13. Iud 11. and againe to the King of the Ammonites to prevent bloudshed if it could haue beene prevented In ancient time those that first began warre vsed to speake before they did strike and shewed the cause of 1 Mach 6 48. their taking vp armes Machabeus desired passage through Echron first Caesar minding to assaile Ariovistus Lib. de Bello Gal. 1. sent him a defiance aforehand the Lord himselfe inâ—eading to punish rebellious mankinde alludeth to this course and acquainteth them with his determination to come against them and therefore he speaketh as a man of warre commanding to blow the Cornet in Gibeah and the Hosea 5. 8. Trumpet in Ramah and to cry aloud at Bethaven Because the A Exod. 17. 8 malekites came stealing vpon Israel to fight with them the Lord revenged Deut 25. 17 18. it severely vpon them and would haue a booke of remembrance written against them to haue vvarre with them for ever It s wisedome to demaund right and to propound conelusions of peace with a prepared host Thus proceeded Israel against Beniamin Ieptah against Ammon for if so peace take place it is well if not the party wilfull may consider what he certainely may expect yet in honestly intending peace take heede of circumvention in dealing with a dishonest and subtill Adversary who vnder shewes of treaties of peace intendeth nothing lesse as did Scipio with Syphax and Metellus with iugurth Liv. 29. and the false hearted Spaniard Salust with the vpright minded Queene Elizabeth By his treaties hee onely sought to make her secure and to distrust nothing till he had suddenly invaded her land He that eateth with such a divell had neede of a long spoone while plaine-meaning Abiiah was speaking honestly to Ieroboam he craftily laid an Ambush in the meane space for to overthrow him whence note that an idolatrous Politician is a very Machivilian and not to be trusted He that vpon policie frameth his religion and maketh that a cloake for getting and keeping an earthly state he is no more to be trusted then a divell CHAPTER XX. Of marching forward and encamping WHen peaceable meanes cannot prevaile but that the cause must needes be tryed by the dint of sword then must be
considered and care had of marching on The Lord himselfe set an order in going forward and in marching to his people first he himselfe went before them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to Exo 13. 21 leade their way but when the enemy with a mighty host was behinde them then the Lord got himselfe betweene his people and the Egyptians to overthrow them for as a Generall he cared for the safety of his Army which he had brought out of Exo. 14. 19 24. Deu. 20. 9. Num. 2. 34 with verse 2 Num. 2. 17. Ioel 2. 7 8. Chro 12. 33. 3. 5. See the margin Deut. 25. 18. Egypt with a powerful hand 2. He appointed that Captains chosen should leade the people 3. That the people should set forward every one after their families according to the houses of their fathers with the Ensigne thereof the cloâ—d being taken vp 4. Before they marched the trum pets sounded and in marching they kept ranke observing order the weakest went hindermost The Heathen also did see to this They could march every one in his way not breaking rankes not thrusting one another but every one walking in his path so they kept an equall distance from one another If they be too neâ—re they are trouble some to themselues that they cannot vse their weapons if too far asunder they make way for the Enemy to breake in vpon them disorderly marching may not be endured Scipio corrected Flor exit Liv. 58. 34. such as hee espied out of ranke so did Cato who would strike them with his leading staffe and commanded the Captaines to chastise them In going on spies were wont to be sent forth before to discover the 1 Sam â—3 22 23. Enemie This did Saul when he went against David Iosâ—a sent spies into Ios 2. 1. 9. the land before him to know how the people were affected For to heare of feare and terrour in the Enemie is a great heartening to goe forward This whetted on Godeon to set Iud 7 10 â—1 13 vpon the Midianites and much strengthened his heart This sending forth or going to learne somewhat from the enemie was commanded Gideon by God himselfe So David sent out spies to vnderstand what â— Sa 26. 4 1 Mach 5 38 12 20 Saul did And Machabeus sent spies into the host of the Enemies and so did Ionathan It s wisedome to haue some with the Enemy to discouer his purposes and designements if it may be as David had Hushai with Absolom and men secretly in Ierusalem to bring him newes Gabrias the Athenian Pluta Apotheg Liv 122 Captaine said that he deserved no then me of a Generall that vnderstood not the estate of his Enemies Livie reporteth that Hannibal vnderstood what was done in the Enemies Campe as well as they partly by espialls sent into the Campe and partly by his owne diligence God 2 K. 6. 9. himselfe sometime by his Prophet did extraordinarily reveale the secret counsel of the Syrian vnto the King of Israel to prevent mischiefes From God and man Generals are taught to learne and see and vnderstand what their Enemies doe When they march and doe secure themselues from ambushments and dangerous passages they must consider 2 K 6. 8. well where to encamp as the Syrian King did warring with Israel The encamping of Israel by the Lords direction was fouresquare and the Tabernacle in the midst with Priests Num 2. and Levites to attend their office There were foure standards pitched the first of Iudah Eastward the second of Reuben Southward the third of Ephraim Westward and the fourth of Dan Northward To every of these belonged two Tribes so as three Tribes was vnder one standard and the whole host of all three numbred together Then were there ensignes which were pitched also by the standards which were the ensignes of their Fathers houses In marching Num 10. 5 6 14 18 22 25. they kept this order 1. the East side went forward and then the South-side then the West and then the North before all which went the Arke to search out a resting place for them and when if set forward or rested a holy speech was vttered by Moses either time this was the Num 10 33. 36. manner of encamping and marching in the wildernesse But they had also another kinde and forme of entronching which was round as appeareth by the manner of speech according to Innius and Tremelius translation David is said â— Sa 17. 20 to come ambitu plaustrorum so asthey lay it may seeme intrenched round with carts They had a care to lodge safely by intrenching themselues Gorgias campe was strong 2 Mach. 4. â— compassed about with expere horsemen This Caesar had speciall care of he would not neglect this worke at any hand nor bee deterred by his Bel. Gal. 2. Civ 1. Liv. 27. enemies sending to offer battell to hinder the same Fulvius the Proconsul neglecting this was suddenly set vpon by Hannibal and overthrowne and all his company So was Lodâ—wike Nassa brother to the Prince of Orange slaine and most Anno 1568 of his company through idlenesse and want of skill withall to entrench well themselues In Israel the Generall was ever in the Camp Saul was alwayes in the Campe so was Moses and Iosua Ioab in the 2 Sam 11 11. 1 Mach. 4. 4. host and Gorgias in his Campe. Heroicall hearts should disdaine to follow pleasure though lawfull when they should be in the field this contempt of pleasure was in Vriah one of Dauids Worthies because the General and the host lay in their Tents They did encampe in as convenient Num 21. Exod 15. 27. 16. 12. 15 1 Sa 29. â— Iud. 7. 1. places as they could by wells of water and trâ—es as Israelites did and as did the Philistims by a fountaine 〈◊〉 by the well of Harad and Timotheus the wicked Heathen and Ionathan at the water of Gennesar 1 Mach 5. 37. 11. 67. Exod 18. 6 19. 2. 1 Sa 26. 3. 28 4. 31. 1. Nu 21. 12. 22. 1. Deut 10 7 Iudg 6 33. 7. 8. 1 Chro 11. 15 vpon or by a hill or mountaine as Moses with Israel did and Saul vpon Hachilah and on Mount Gilboah Also in vallies and plaines as Israelites did in the valley of Zared and in the plaines of Moab neere Iordan and in Iothah a land of rivers of water The host of Midian pitched in the valley of Iezreel and the Philistims in the valley of Rephaim which a strong host may dare to doe Wheresoever they encamped they Iud 7. 8 2 K 7 7 1 Mach. 9 2 4. 20 Iudg 7 11 2 K 7 8 10 1 Mach 4 23 had their tents to lye in every one had his tent not onely Israelites in their owne land but also the Heathen so had the Syrians and Demâ—trius host vnder Bachides and the lewd Aleimus and