thorow intreaty their lives were spared yet they were punished and their punishment was to lye in Tents during the warre without fire to live onely with bread and water and to make restitution to the husbandmen and the reason given of this severitie was because such acts did tend to rebellion Aurelian writes an epistle to Tribunes and souldiers to keepe their hands from other mens goods But theft is not onely to be restrained in souldiers but also in Captaines and officers which they may many wayes commit 1. In false musters robbing so the state by having pay for moe in the roll then be in service This abuse Guice l. 15 was the ruine of Francis the first before Pavy they that give in false numbers by the Lawes in France suffer Liv. 28. death The Romans payd every souldier by the poll so at musters do now the Spaniards Secondly in robbing poore souldiers of their pay Caesar was severe against Caesar de bâ—llo Civ this villany so as two of his Captaines of horse Roscillus and Aeâ—us having defrauded souldiers of their pay fled to the enemy as soone as they knew that Caesar had notice thereof It s an indelible Character of infamie saith one to defraud a poore souldier of his due Thirdly in taking from a souldier that which is his owne as his weapon Of Capt abusing poore souldiers reade Sir Toh Smiths epistle to the Nobility of England l 3. 6. qui aliena F. de remilita or horse c. Theophiluâ— the Emperour of the East banished a Commander out of his Dominion for taking a souldiers good horse perforce from him for want whereof he was afterwards slaine in battle and withall bestowed the Commanders possession vpon the souldiours widdow albeit that Captaine had bestowed the horse vpon the Emperour himselfe vnwitting to him till the widow claimed him as the Emperour rode on him As Captaines and Officers may not wrong souldiers so souldiers may not rob one another Modestinus iudged him worthy of death that stole his fellowes armes To conclude great care must bee had that souldiers doe no spoyle nor rob such by whom they are permitted to passe by peaceably nor such as bee Merchants and Victuallers of the Campe but such must be suffered to goe and come very securely The Army of the Prince of Orange besieging Florence had like to haue beene famished through the disorder onely of three or foure souldiers which robbed the Merchants and Victuallers which came and went from the Campe but those were therefore hanged and then plenty was brought in The punishing of this sinne in Tamberlaines Campe made his huge Army of many hundred thousands to bee plentifully served XVII And last is the spreading of rumours raising of false reports to dishearten an Army is worthy death This the Lord of hosts punished with death and sent the Num. 14. 37. plague vpon them that brought vpon the land an ill report which daunted the peoples hearts for going forward it set them in a rebellion A false imagination conceiued and rumoured in the host of the Syrians to wit that Iehâ—ram had hyred the Charriots and horses of Pharaoh to come vpon them when they besiâ—dged Samaria and in a manner had won it made them flye suddenly 2 K. 7 6 7. none pursuing and to loose the victory â—ea and what els they had running away as for their lives Rumours of falshoâ—d are often vttered of the enemy â—o worke feare and so to daâ—nt mâ—ns spirits which rumours therefore are not to be beleeued These are those sinnâ—full evills which principally in an army are to be suppressed and punished yet in proceeding against offenders as need must be taken of to much levitie so also beware of too great severitie Luculâ—us vndid himselfe by this and â—as forsaken of his souldiers who went to Pompey to whom they prooued most faithfull and constant Rigour may rule but gaining affection by â—lemency causeth true obedience yet offenders must not goe vnpunished For by suppressing disorders God is honoured the Army strengthned the enemies disheartned neighbours and friends secured and so encouraged to abide constant but vvhere sin doth reigne disorders suffered there all things fall out cleane contrary misery and want will follow to their ruine and overthrow God will bee against them and friends will abandon them as vnvvorthy of aide CHAP. XVI Of a convenient armie and of necessaries prepared aforehand to maintaine the same VEgetius exhorteth those that purpose to begin wars carefully Li. 3 ca. 3. to weigh and consider their store and charges And prouision is to be made long before for in action then to prouide will be too late The Kings of Iudah made 2 Ch 14 8 17 2 26. in the dayes of peace great preparation for warre and had souldiers in readinesse to withstand sudden invasiâ—â—s As may be seene â—n the reigne of Asa Iehosophat Vzziâ—h and other Kings It is the saying of one That Long a praeparatio belli celerâ—m facit victoriam Long preparation by good deliberation maketh quâ—cke dispatch in the execution and speedily getteth the viâ—tory In going to warre first the number Num. 31. 3 â— Ios 8. 1. convenient to be employed is to be considered of both for horse and foot for powers both by sea and land The number is vncertaine somtimes Moses will appoint but twelve thousand the least number sent foorth to speed well sometime Iosua must take all the strong men of warre to fight with the enemy as need is so must be the number The heathen in former times had ever mighty hosts some hundred thousands the Midianites Philistims Ios 10. 11. 4. Canaanites Ethiopians Holâ—phernes host was an hundred and seventie thousand and twelve thousand Arcâ—ers Iudg. 6. 5. 7. 2. 2 Chro. 14 Luk. 14. 31 on horsebacke now according to the power of the Enemy so must we goe out against him if we bee able as Christ reacheth in his parable To subdue enemies it is ever very necessary to have a full army if wee looke for victory for Touching a handfull or small number 3 or 4000 these doe rather injury themselves then the enemy they rather kindle and nourish warre then end it and doe rather hearten the enemy then strike him with feare anger him then hurt him What got Israel vnadvisedly by sending a small number 2 or 3000 against Ai It was but losse to themselves and encouragement to the Enemy The Lacedemonians could do no good against the Athâ—nians as long as their numbers Thuciâ— 1. were smal but did hurt to themselves But now for a full power and to vse our best strength to obtaine the victory many reasons may perswade 1. God taught Iosua to doe when his small number was overthrowne he commanded him to take all the men of warre Ios 8. â— Tâ—ucid â— 2. The heathen Oracle consulted with by the Lacedemonians before the Peloponensian warre to know by what meanes
taken a Herod lesse force may serue to holde the Country in obedience IV. They removed their King sometime and placed another over them thus dealt Pharao Necâ—o with Iehoahaz King of Iudah he carryed 2 King 23 33 34. him away Prisoner and made Eliakim King in his stead In like sort Nabuchadnezzar with Iehoiachim in 2 Kings 24 17. whose roome hee placed Zedekiah yea they haue translated most the inhabitants and sometimes placed other of other Nations in their stead So did Salmaneser with the Israelites and set a collonie in Samaria and in 2 Kings 17. 24. Citties thereof The Athenians taking the Iland Cythâ—ra from the Lacedemonians removed the olde Inhabitants Thucid. 4. and peopled it vvith other their friends By peopling of Caleis with our owne Nation that Towne continued long in obedience to the English if so Rochell Poytiers Burdeanx and other places had beene we had not so lost France perhaps as wee haue CHAP. XXXI Of the Generals carriage towards his owne Armie State and Country HE that is of an honourable disposition to others he cannot but â—e worthily disposed towards his owne and to the honour of his King and Country A worthy Commanâ—er will take the summe of the host to see who are lacking and not lightly passe it by but at the death of valiant and serviceable men to doâ— Num. 31 10 them honour being dead as Dauid did Abner And to cause that all the slaine be buried II. To haue a great care in a speciall manner to the sick â—aimed and wounded that they perish not nor being brought home to be neglected so as they be forced to beg like Rogues but that some convenient allowance be provided till they can recover and be able to liue by honest labour III. It was the manner of râ—nowned Christians to take diligent heed that all their whole army did behaue themselues worthy thâ— victory Charles the great after victory in the long warres against the Lombards and Saxons was pleased to call his Souldiers Nobles and Kings fellowes charging them to carry themselues as Kings over their owne corruptions which if they did aâ— gâ—nâ—â—ous spirits he promised to maintaine them and account the injuries done to them as done vnto himselfe but if they did let loose their raines to disorder shame they should haue for honour and suffer punishment as a due reward Frederick the Emperour after his victory over the Gunzians in Hungary said thus to his souldiers you haue done a great worke my souldiers but yet there remaineth a greater to overcome your selues not become through the victory insolent cruell and revengefull They may not be given to drunkennesse as Elah King of Israel was as was Beâ—hadad with his 32 Kings as was Alexander the great at length to his everlasting dishonour nor to Luxury as Hâ—â—ibal was at Capua by which he received more hurt then all the Romanes could doe him neither defile themselues with women nor abuse captiue maids noâ— matrons IV. The worthy valiant and such as haue done good service are to be incouraged 1. In giving them due praises as David his worthies had every 2 Sam 23 one after his desert and as David cap. 26. himselfe had after his desert and as David himselfe had after his sleying of Goliah 2. In rewarding them The Romanes did many wayes returne their worthy Valiants as is before noted Some had honour bestowed vpon them some money and lands some had places given them some titles and names great care was had by one meanes or other to reward the well deserving V. As care is to be had to reward the worthy so the ill deserving and such as be worthy of punishment should surely haue it this the Romanes did not forget when the wars were ended The great Ones felt their displeasure Fulvius was banished Livâ— because through negligence his Army was discomfited by Hannibal at Herdonea M. Posthumius had a mighty fine set vpon his head for that the Romanes at Vâ—ii were overthrowne through his default Rutiliâ—s spared not his owne sonne Val. maâ— who by his negligence lost the Castle of Tarentum in Sicily VI. A worthy General is to haue care of dividing the spoile and vsing of it aright 1. That in it iustice be observed that what belongeth to one may not be given to another This care had Abraham that whaâ— belonged to his Confederates they should haue Scipio restored diverse things to the Sicilians which he found in the sacking of Carthage and had been taken from them The Romanes tooke not that for spoile which did belong to their friends Confederates David had a care in 1 Sam. 20. 20. 25. this to order the spoile in giving to those that kept the stuffe as well as to those that went forth to fight 2. That charity be shewed first vnto such of their owne as be in misery by reason of the warre the wounded and lame Great reason is that these be pittied and made partakers with the sound and whole in the spoile Then to manifest charity also 2 Chro. 28 15. to such of the Enemies as stand in extreame need whom the General is pleased to send away as did worthily the Nobles of Israel to the miserable captiues And after this to reserue some portion among them for their poore at home poore widdowes Orphanes and other impotent by age or sicknesse As Iudas Machabeus and his Army did 3. To 2 Mac 8 28 shew gratitude and thankefulnesse vnto friends this is noâ— to be neglected David forgot not this as you may reade in 1 Sam. 30. 26. to the end of the chapter Thus did Scanderbeg send of the spoiles of the Turkish army led by Isaac Bassa which came with Amase Scanderbegs Nephew with 50000 horse to subdue Epyrus 4 Pietie may not be omitted Num 31 but that some part be for Gods service as before hath beene noted in the example of the Israelites among the Romanes to vphold their warres it was a custome for the Generals Cap 29 to bring into the publicke treasurie of the spoiles as did Furius Liv 30. 34 35. Helvius Minutius Cato Scipio Aemilius Paulus and others Lastly a General is to be wary and wise in dismissing of his Army least he doe as King Demetrius did who procured hatred of his Fathers 1 Mach. 38 39 40. 55. forces Of which one Tryphon tooke occasion to lift vp young Antiochus against him with whoâ— against Demetrius the foresaid dismissed forces tooke part A discontented Army set at liberty may doe very much mischiefe as those of Israel did which 2 Ch 25. 10-13 were sent home by Amaziah they fell vpon the Citties of Iudah smote three thousand and carryed away much spoile Therefore must there be speciall wisedome in this point especially if there be spied any such Tryphon among them CHAP. XXXII Of some things concerning those that be vanquished how they should demeane themselues
plagued the Aegyptians amonge whom he sent Iud. 9. these wicked evill spirits By one of these he vexed and set at odds Abimilech 2 Ch. 29. 23. 1 Sam. 14. 20 and the Sichemites to seeke by a furious and bloudy rage the vtter ruine and destruction of one another And by these it is very like he wrought the deaths of great Iud. 7. 22. Armies when they slew one another the Lord setting euery mans sword against his owne fellow throughout the host The third is of all other his creatures except man this is a very mighty strong and vnresistable Armie with these hee goeth forth in battell He set the starres in their Exo. 9. 23 24. 34. 1 Sa. 7. 10. Ios 10 11. Psal 11. 6. courses to fight against Sisera with thunder lightning raigne and haile mingled with fire he set vpon the Egyptians with great stones from heauen hee slew the Canaanites Iob 38. 22 23. Amos 4. 9. Hag. 2. 8. Num. 16. 35. 31 32. 1 Sa. 14 15 which hailestones he reserueth in his treasury against the time of warre with blâ—sting windes with fire with Earthquakes he consumeth ouerthroweth and deuoureth vp his enemies He shooteth out his arrowes hot thunderbolts with these hee smites them through yea saith the Prophet with thunder earthquake great noyse of storme and tempest Ps 18. 14. Esa 29. 6. 30 30. Ioel 2. 25. 2 Kin. 17. Deu. 32. 24 with the flame of deuouring fire he will rise vp against them and shew the lighting downe of his arme in the indignation of his anger with scattering and tempest and hailestones Hee commeth foorth with his great hosts as Ioel calleth them Canker-wormes locusts Cater-pilpillers and palmer-wormes He armeth the teeth of the beasts and Lyons to fight for him and vseth the poyson of serpents to vexe and slay his enemies Hee sendeth out Ios 24. 12. Exod. 8. frogges flyes and very lice to plague his enemies and hornets to driue them away before him so as he wanteth no meanes to annoy no power to worke the destruction of such as hee shall arme himselfe against The fourth Regiment is of men out Ioel 2. 11. Esa 10. 5. 13. 4 5. of his Church these are his armie or campe as they be tearmed as also the weapons of his indignation These he calleth forth and mustereth them ouer whom he hath appointed his generalls as once oue the Babylonians his Lieutenant and seruant Ier. 25. 9. Esa 45. 1 2 3. Nebuchadnezzar and ouer his host of Medes and Persians his Lieutenant and annoynted Cyrus These his armies of men hee imployeth diuersly as he pleaseth Sometimes seuerall Nations of them one against another as the Babylonians against the Assyrians Egyptians and other Countries the Medes and Persians against these the Grecians against them and the Romans against all So hee armes the Turke against the Persians and so to fight one against 2 Ch. 15. 6. another for when Nations rise against Nations and Cities against Cities Gods hand it is that vexeth them saith a Prophet Sometime hee letteth them agree together euen seuerall Nations and Kings to gather together against the Church and then sends an ill spirit among them to fall together by the eares one with another and vtterly to destroy one another as the 2 Ch. 20. 23. Moabites Ammonites and Edomites did Sometime the Armie of one and the same Nation he sets at oddes and the sword of euery man against his owne fellow as fell out in the great 1 Sam. 14. 20. Iud. 7. 22. host of the Philistims and those enemies against which Gideon went forth But this his host he doth not thus onely imploy one against another their owne selues but he vseth them against his owne people as appeareth by many examples in sacred storie Note this and heerein consider 1. That though these enemies Ioel 3. 11. seeme to come of their owne accord or are gathered together by ill instruments such as the vncleane spirits like frogs be in Reu. 16. 14. or by the diuell set on as Gog and Magog Reu. 16. 16 Ioel 3. 2. Iud. 4. 7. Reu. 20. 8. yet know wee must that God also gathereth them together where and whither he will He did draw Sisera with his Charets and multitude to come forth to the riuer Kishon Gods hand though the enemie thinkes not so is in their conduction 2. The number of the enemie is not at their own will to come forth Esa 13. 4. but the Lord numbereth and mustereth them and so knoweth to a man how many hee sendeth forth against his people 3. These enemies of his Church yet his host he gathereth together he numbreth and mustereth them and bringeth them out against his people for seuerall ends Sometime onely to terrifie his people to make them feare before him to humble themselues with fasting and prayer which being performed he will set himselfe against those their enemies and destroy them as hee did the three Nations 2. Ch. 20. which came against Iehosophat and as he did the proud Spaniards in their great Armado comming against Queene Elizabeth in the yeere 88. to their owne shame and the confusion of their conceited inuincible power Sometime it s to giue his people some glorious victory ouer their Enemies to let them see his power mercy and preseruation of them to stirre them vp to a more zealous seruice of him as he did in the dayes of Asa when the dreadfull host of Zerah the Ethiopian his tenne hundred 2 Ch 14. thousand came against Iudah and were vtterly discomfited Often the Lord hath hardened these enemies hearts against his people that those enemies might be overthrowne Exo 14. Num. 21. Ios 11. 19 20. so he hardened Pharaoh and his Egyptians to follow after Israel that he might drowne them in the sea So delt he with Og and Sihon and withall the King of Canaan that his people might vtterly destroy them In like sort hee dealt 2 Sam 5. 8. 10. with Dauids enemies who made war with him but to their owne ruine and ouerthrow and to the infinite inriching of Dauid and his people the Israelites But some other time he gathereth these Enemies to this end that they may indeede afflict and punish his owne people yea to rule ouer them making them to serue with rigour cruelty and great contempt Thus he sent out the King of Assyria and gaue him a charge to take the spoyle Esa 10. 6. and the prey yea and to tread them downe like the mire in the streetes Yet obserue in this hand of God 1. That the Enemies preuailing against the Lords people as from God Iud. 3. 8. 4. 2. 3 3. 12. Leu. 26. 36 37. himselfe He selleth them into the enemies hands he strengthneth the enemies to get the victorie and if people be weake fearfull fly away be ouercome spoyled it is he that doth it He turneth backe the weapons of
if God be not against them further the victory mightily like Marius Coriolanus leading the Romanes Liv. got them the victory over the Volscians but after taking the Volscians Plutarch part he made them Conquerours over the Romanes It s better of the two that a Lyon lead an armie of Harts then a fearfull Hart an Host of Lyons For Câ—sars invincible souldiers â—â—llo Cir. 5 were by their cowardly Sabinus their leader overcome So as Princes had need of worthy Generals well qualified I. They should be religious for if this be required of all the souldiers if possible much more of the Chiefetayne the Generall that commandeth all Such God who is to be followed did chuse such a one was that valiant Iosua valiant Iudas Machabeus and others and they prospered II. They must be wise for wisdome Eccles 10. 10 12 saith Salomon is profitable to direct and a wise mans words are gracious A General should be as David behaving himselfe so wisely that 1 Sa. 18. 13 14 15. his Enemie may feare him his friends loue him and honour him And the Wiseman saith also that wisedome is better then weapons for warre for consideration and well foreseeing and wise managing of an Armie and finding out of stratagems may prevaile where meere force cannot Pyrrhus the Epirote and Scanderbag and Hannibal by wisdome and forecast obteiend great victories Courage and strength hath gotten many a glorious day but policie hath the preheminence It was by policie that Prince Edward King Edward the thirds sonne with 8000. overthrew the French Army of 60000. by policy Henry 5. prevailed with 15000 against all the power and Nobilitie of France likewise cunning contriving of matters winneth often where strength would faile So wise should a General be as that he should not need to be tyed to particular instructions but to be able to proceede wisely with large Commission and to vse it according to present occasions and difference in the times and variety of things falling out for advantage to him which he may lose by bridling instructions David wise and valiant prescribed not to Ioab what to doe how when nor where in particulars nor did so the Romane Senate to their Generals they were not limited see for the commodities herein and yet the cautions withall in Dr. Sutcliffes discourse of warre Cap. 4. part 4. III. Generalls should be as religious and wise so also very valiant men such as God chose were valiant the Angel called Gideon a valiant man such a one was Dauid Among the Heathen the Generals were found to be valiant Alexander the great performed many valiant Acts against the Persians and Indians and so did Iulius Caesar against the fierce Nervii and at the battle of Mumida he shewed himselfe most valiant in leaving his horse and setting himselfe foremost in the front of his foote to stir vp their courages Scanderbeg was wise and valiant so was Pirrhus for the fearefull soone turne Cowards and in Cowards is no trust for they will betray King Country Gods Cause even true Religion and all for bodies safety So hatefull are Cowards Rev. 21. 8. and the fearefull as they are the foremost in the ranke of the damned crue going to Hell IV. Generals should be courteous and affable to their souldiers not proud nor disdainfull courteous behaviour in a wise valiant and worthy Commander stealeth away the hearts of inferiours and knits them to him How did Absalom win all hearts in a manner to him which I note for the Courtesie not for his Craft therein which a Generall must be farre from least he proue a Traitour and find the Reward of such a one The â—ffâ—ble Courtesie here intended is the gaining of the hearts of souldiers to obey from loue rather then of feare Caesar would call vpon his souldiers and terme them by the name of companions and friends Disdaine is proper to a dunghill Knight Mithridates Cyrus Scipio yea great Alexander were very courteous and respectiue to their souldiers so also was Charles the fifth V. Generals should be faithfull of their words to performe what they promise or what others by their warrant doe promise for publick good this was the valiant worthy the religious Iosua very carefull of even to Ios 6. 22 23. 9. 19 the deceitfull Gibeonâ—tâ—â— as also afterwards to Rahab according to the Iud. 1. 15. 1 Sam. 30. 15. word of the spies and their promise vnto her and in like manner with the man of Luz the spies kept their word So David performed what he promised vnto an Amalekite It is much derogatory to the honour of a General to be found false on his word Alexander being advised by Parmenio on a time to breake his word said if I were Parmenio I should perhaps doe so but it s not lawfull for Alexander so to doe The Romane Commanders were most praise-worthy in this A General to be a treacherous Triphon to a Ionathan is odious to any noble and valiant heart and he detesteth to be a fedifragous Hamilcar the fâ—ith of a souldier 1 Mach. 12 42. 49. should be inviolable VI. Generals should be temperate sober chast vertues ever accompanying true graces we never reade of any of the valiant worthies such as Iosua Ehud Othniel or Davids worthies to be given to gluttonie drunkennesse or to filthy lusts of Adultery and fornication where reade we in Israel or in Iudah of valorous spirits to haue beene drunkards or to haue ravished women or maydeâ—s Indeed this was 1 K 20. 16. Lam. 5. 11. 1 K. 16. 9. Ioel 3 3 Iudeth 13 the course and custome of the Heathen and of some idolatrous Elah who in his drunkennesse lost his life as did drunken and lustfull Holofernes Ioab though otherwise bad enough yet we doe not reade of any drunken humour in him nor to be addicted to filthinesse nor yet his valiant brethren Indeede Sampson was something given to lust but he payed well for it even contempt losse of his eyes imprisonment and death This sinne of lust and drunkennesse in Captaines and souldiers is heathenish which yet some Heathen haue so detested as they may rise vp in iudgement against many called but vnworthily Christians Great Alexander vsed the wife and daughters of Darius and other beautifull women of Persia very honourably without any suspicion of vnchast behaviour yea so he hated filthy lusts that when two souldiers one Damon and an other Tymotheâ—s vnder Parmenio had forced mens wiues he commanded them to be put to death as brutish and wilde beasts Young Scipio the noble Romane not then aboue 22. yeare olde is praise-worthy in this also who commanded as Plutarch recordeth that women taken in warres should not be defiled and when a beautifull dâ—mosell was at a time presented to him he did not onely conteine himselfe from violating her chastity but sent her to the Noble man to whom she was betrothed with an enlargement of her dowrie behold these you
Of the disciplining of an Army and orderly government thereof AN Army gathered a fit General appointed and well deserving Officers chosen and by good counsell the warre established yet all is nothing without military discipline which is the very vinculum belli The Lord therefore when hee he brought forth his host of the Israelites from Egypt vnder his Generall Moses he appointed a strict discipline which is the strongest Guard to preserve an Army from destruction Alexander Severus so called for his strict observing of discipline so held discipline the preseruation of the Common-wealth as the letting of it slip should be losse both to his name and Empire Scipio Africanus so obserued discipline as his souldiers seemed Senatours as Plutarch witnesseth The cruell Turkes observe discipline and that to our admiration Hist peregr by which they haue mightily preuailed against vs Christians who may be ashamed of our ouermuch loosenes herein The well ordering of the host of Israel by the Lord stood in these things I. In the making of excellent lawes for good govtrnment for his lawes were so righteous as no Nation Suâ—cl 303. 4. Deut. 4. 8. could come neere them nor had the like as Moses told them Good lawes are the foundation of order and discipline the guide of mens actions and preservation of an Armie without which there would be nothing but disorder and so confusion II. In the execution of these Deut. 5. 32 Lawes from which none might turne either to the right hand or the left The life of all Lawes is to see them observed and strictly obeyed for else Lawes be made in vaine III. In not allowing any priviledge to any one or any dispensation to any person to transgresse the Num. 20. 12. 24. lawes Moses the Generall was a strict obseruer therof and so his Deputy Lieutenant Iosua and if Moses himselfe offended he tasted of the kings the Lord of hosts displeasure Though David for iust causes forbore Ioab his Generall for a time yet for his breach of lawes he tooke order to haue him punished after his desert Moses was so iust and strict a Iusticer that in iust proceedings hee would haue none spared not the heads of Num. 25 4. Exod. 32. 27. 29 the people nor any to spare his brother nor his companion nor his son Saul would haue put Ionathan to death for not keeping the charge which he imposed vpon the whole host And the Romans without respect of persons punished offenders The Consul Titus Manlius caused his owne sonne for breaking the law of discipline though otherwise his act in slaying an vpbraiding enemie was both honourable and to the Romans beneficiall to be beheaded None in a campe may thinke themselves free from observing order no not the Generall for hee that commandeth others must order well himselfe or his command will grow into contempt This made Papirius to purpose the death of the Generall of his horse because hee fought without command though he returned victorer Alexander the great would desire of his souldiers the obseruation of no stricter lawes then himselfe would vndergoe Adrian the Emperour was singularly prayse-worthy for this and so was Scipio Severus Pyrrhus with others IV. In promising rewards to the obedient grace and savour to such as kept themselves within bounds within the lists of good order and Num. 14. 24. 38. gouernment the promises are set downe at large in many places by Moses and were faithfully performed to the well deserving as to Caleb to Iosua to Phineas and others This will procure loue to the lawes make them more remarkeable and take vp the minds of the well disposed with a watchfull care to obey them For as impartiall execution of lawes terrifieth some so the reward promised and performed putteth life and courage into the hearts of other some to doe worthily CHAPTER XV. Of the evils to be avoided in a campe and to bee sharpely punished THere is nothing disple sing to God but sinne and sinne it Deu. 23 9 is which prevents Gods blessings and causeth ill successe Therefore speciall care is to be had to auoid sinne and evill as Moses exhorted Israel as Aurelianus the Emperour said to his Generall in a military epistle of his if thou be a Tribune yea if thou wilt live keepe backe the souldiers hands from doing evill I. Evill to be taken beed of is Atheisme Lev. 24. 16 10. deriding of God and Religion cursing God and blaspheming his nâ—me this God punished with death for where God and Religion is contemned what can prosper Q. Fabius a Heathen imputed the calamity which befell the Romans in the ouerthrow of Flanimius to be the neglect of Religion and the onely meanes said he to recouer Gods fauour was to reuerence Religion Liv. 22. 5. and to haue a care to please God should then a Christian deride God and Religion what came of Rabsakah and other blasphemers God did slay in his host 85000. Iulian the Emperour after he apostated and became Christs enemy he soon came to destruction and Iulian his Vncle who in contempt of Christ and the Sacrament pâ—ssed against the Table before he dyed hee fell into such a disease as made his entrallâ— roâ— and hee to voyd filth at his mouth II. Euill is Idolatry this greatly Exo. 32. provoketh God to wrath maketh people naked of his protection and to leaue them This ouerthrew Ieroboam with his 80000. Valiants in fighting against Iudah This overthrew the Armies of Ioash fighting 2 Chro. 25. 7. against the Syrians by this was Amaziahs host beaten by the Israelits the ten Tribes God will not bee with his people that shall have Idolaters with them So the Prophet told Amaziah going against Edom III. Euill is the Abuse of Gods Zach. 5. 3. name by horrible swearing and damned oathes the Lord telleth vs that a curse remaineth vpon them he threatneth to cut them off yet some hold themselves no souldiers til they can gracelesly as a grace to them thunder out bloudy oathes common swearing maketh one apt to forsware himselfe which is a fearfull sinne not left vnreuenged of God in great persons as in Zedekiah king of Iudah 2 Ch. 3. 6. giuen captive into the hands of Nabuchandnezzar with whom hee had broken his oath for this was the power of Vladislaus vtterly ouerthrown and hee slaine by the Turkes vnder Amurath the Grand-Signeour with swearing and forswearing must be abandoned execrable cursing of others and of themselves For which many fearfull examples may be produced which might cause men to tremble some have beene possessed with the diuell by wishing the diuel to take them some hanged by vsing this forme of execration I wish I â—ight be hanged if I doe this or See exam in the Theatre of Gods iudgments that some drowned in a Privie as by a corrupt custome they vsed to wish some rotting before they dyed according to their cursing IV. The ill vse
15. 2. 10. Ios 10. 12. Iudg 5. 4. 15 18 hand of God therein and together blessed him for it Melchisedech said to Abraham when he was returned with victory Blessed be the most high Goâ— who hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand So did Moses ascribe all to God likewise Iosua Deborah Sampson and David And this their acknowledgment and thankefulnesse they expressed many wayes to shew it to bee true heartie and vnfeigned I. They made rehearsall of the 2 Sam â—â— 18. 30 40 41. 48 â—â— â—0 Iud 5. 11. righteous actes of the Lord in particular 2. They framed Psalmes and pious songs of deliverance as did Moses Miriam Delorah David and the valiant men of Machabeus 2 Mach â—0 38. company 3. They would somtimes put a remarkeable remembrance vpon the place where the victory was gotten giving to it a name as David 2 Sa 5 20. did calling it Baal Perâ—zim where he overcame the Philistims So Iehosopnat called the valley in which 2 Chro 10 26. they blesse God for the victory gotten Beracah 4. They would doe outward worship and service to God Exod 17. 14 15. Ios 8. 30. Iud 21. 4 Moses built an Altar vpon the ouerthrow of Amalek Iosua did so when he won Ai and so did the Israelites when they vanquished Beniamin built an Altar whereon they offered thanks-giving They gave the Altar sometimes a name as Moses called 2 Cron 29 26. his Iehuva Nesse that is the Lord my banner 5. They would repayre to the Temple with great ioy and reioycing as did Iehosophat and the people 1 Mach 4. 26. 5. 54. 2 Mach 8. 27. and he before them so did Iudas and his army carefully keeping the Sabboth yeelding exceeding prayse and thankes vnto God Yea the heathen Philistims would after victorie honour their Idols and had their Priests to make speeches thereof as we now doe sermons vnto the people in their Temples 6. They by their 1 Sa 30. 9. victories were the more mooved to advance true Religion and to roote out Idolatry marke this Thus did Asa and Iudah with him vpon the victory obtained against Zerah the Ethiopian 2 Cro 15. and after the Sermon preached by Azariah the Prophet the son of Oâ—ed they put away the abhominable Idols they entred into couenant to seeke the Lord and confirmed it with an oath and that with great ioy and vprightnes of heart Asa hereupon put downe Maâ—chah his mother from being Queene because she was an Idolatresse whose Idol in a grove be cut down stampt it and burnt it in the fire so dealt Dauid with the Images 2 Sa. 5. 21. of the Philistims after his victory he did not foolishly as Amaziah 2 Cro 25 did who having subdued the Edomites tooke their Idols and set them vp inludah to be worshipped both to his owne ruine and the destruction of the people 7. They tooke of the prey Num 3 50 and spoiles and thereof first offered part vnto God for his service the Captains of thousands and Captaines of hundreds in their great victory over the Kings of Midian gave freely besides 700 and odde head of cattle of gold jewels eare-rings bracelets rings and such like to the value of A shekel is 2 â— 6â— 16750 shekels Ioab Dauids Generall dedicated something vnto God and so other valiant worthies offered of 2 Sa 8. 11. the spoiles So David gave to God very much of his victories In like Gen. 14. 20 manner did Abraham vnto Melchisedech the Priest of God Thus these valiant warriours respected Religion and Gods service and therefore offered for the maintenance thereof As also for the Lords Priests and for the places wherein God was served and not herewith contented wee may reade what care some had of the poore for Iudas Machabens gave of 2 Mach. 8. 2â— the spoiles to the maimed to widdowes and Orphanes so these valorous worthies spent not all they got vpon themselves in braverie of apparell much lesse any of it in gluttonie drunkennesse whoring nor did they basely hoord vp all to enrich themselves To these courses valiant 1 Mach. 7. 48 49. spirits in those dayes were very strangers 8. And lastly they kept sometime a day of ioy and reioycing vnto the Lord for their victories obtained and kept it yearely for we may and Psal 58. 10 Pro 11. 10. Rev 18. 20. Ier 51 48 49 ought to reioyce ouer our enemies subdued and with ioyfull triumphing praise the Lord our God And thus should we vse religiously our victories CHAP. XXX Of the Generalls carriage towards the persons conquered and towards their Countrey when hee hath obtained a full Victory VIctorie as the heathen Orator saith Est sem per infolons it maketh mansheart haughtie if the Conquerour doth not know how to subdue his corrupt nature if he remember not the instabilitie of things here below that hee which is to day victorer may to morrow be vanquished if the great commander and Ruler of hostes bee so pleased to alter the course The people of God sometimes dealt with the subdued enemies very severely but this was vpon some speciall charge from God so to doe as we may see in Israels dealing with Ogg and Sâ—hon with all the Kings of Canaan and their people as also in Sauls destroying of Amalek these by Gods commandement were vtterly to bee destroyed Vpon speciall reason we may read how David took a sharpe course with the Ammonites in putting them vnder sawes yron Harrowes axes of yron and made 2 Sam 12 31. them passe through brick-kills because they had violated the law of Nations in abusing his messengers Cap 10. 2. 6. maliciously perverting his honest meaning They also first prepared warre against him gathering mighty powers of the neighbouring countries against him causelesly they caused hereby warre betweene Vers 15. 18 David and Hadarezer they were abhominable Idolaters in offering their children to the Idol Molech and therefore they wilfully standing out till perforce the City of Rabbah Deut 20. 12 13. was taken by the law of Moses their males were to be put to death if their offence had beene no greater But commonly Generals after victory should not be without humanitie but shew clemencie and mercy To be cruell is a signe of a savage nature Elisha onely foreseeing the brutish cruelty which Hazael would vse against the Israelites made him 2 King 8. to weepe yea Hazael himselfe seemed so to detest such inhumane carriage as he asked Elisha whether he held him to be a dogge or no. Oded the Prophet condemneth 2 Cro. 28. 9. the mercilesse slaughter that Israel made of Iudah in one day Pity and compassion is therefore to be shewed and respect had to all sorts Ezek. 39. 11 both of the dead and the living First for the dead they were allowed buriall Ios 10. 27. 8. 29 Warres of the Iewes so shall Israel doe to Gog