others And in these tents they lay by rankes by which they tyed their horses and Asses and in which they laid vp their victualls treasure and such things as they had For in them were found golde silver raiment blue silke purple and great riches Before they remooved there was Ios 1. 10 11. 3 2 3 4 Iud 7 19 1 Mach 12 27. warning given throughout the whole host and it was tolde them what they should doe Till they remooved they set diligent watch and carefully keepe it especially when they thought an enemie ready to set vpon them CHAPTER XXI Of ordering an host in drawing neere to the Enemie and what is else to bee done and considered of before the comming of the battell DAvid sending out an Army to subdue his proud rebellious son Absolom divided the whole host into 3. 2 Sa. 18. 2. parts and set principall Commanders over the same Ioab over one Abishai over the other and Ittai over the third So did Iudas divide his Army into three Companies 1 Mach 5. 33. 2 Mach 8. 21. and sometimes into foure parts Against Cendebeus he divided his men and set his horse in the midst of the foote because the Enemies horse were very many Bachides in his battell against Iudas divided his horse into two troupes and put his slingers Ca. 16. 7. and Archers before the host and in the foreward were all the mighty men and Bachides himselfe in the right wing Wise and experienced 1 Mach 9. 11 12. Commanders know how to order and embattaile their men The Enemy the place the occasion offered are in this matter seriously to bee weighed Hanuibal ordered his Army some time one way and sometime Liv 30. 31. 23. 29. another as reason led him And so did the Romanes Caesar and others Saul set his battaile in aray against the Philistims but the manner how is not â—et dovvne 1 Saâ—â— 7. 2. 23. Before the joyning of battell foresight and great vvisedome is required For 1. here lyeth at stake the precious liues of men 2. These â—â—â— errour may bring great damage 3. The due commendarions of all former preparations deliberations and wary proceedings is here reteined or lost 4. The victory procureth renowne and causeth triumph and ioy 5. But the overthrow bringeth sorrow disgrace and the prisoners taken captiue to be at their enemies will the very conceit whereof in some hath beene so contrary to their minds as they rather haue desired death then to fall into an enemies hand This made Saul to kill himselfe which he did saith Iosephus In the wars of the Iews because he was a faint-hearted coward Ziâ—ri did burne his pallace over his owne head And Razis acted 2 Mach 14. 42. 46. a desperate part vpon this ground In Numantia where 4000 souldiers who held out â—4 yeares against many thousand Romanes yet wearied at length they resolved vpon a strange and desperate end which was to gather all their Armes monies and goods together and to set them on fire and to burie themselues in the flame that so Scipio might not haue any of them captiues to triumph over This maketh many stout courages in battell desperate to fight like Lyons and will not yeeld till the fatall wound come and they be deprived of life Great consideration therefore must be had before a Generall put all to hazard 1. Of his owne number and strength and then of his Enemies 2. Of the quality and condition of his souldiers whether young and raw or old and experienced for it s not number but valour and skill which chiefly prevaileth 3. Of their fitnesse to fight if it be after travell when they be hungry thirst and Liv. 44. weary perhaps against fresh liuely and a well prepared Enemie Aemilius would not charge vpon Xenâ—ph in exped Cyr. Perseus in Macedonia because of his souldiers vnfitnes by travell though they desired to fight vntill the next day Clearchus would not set vpon his enemie because he perceived his souldiers to bee saint and hungry Therefore the Romanes before they Liv 28 21 entred battell refreshed well their men with victualls and rest as Vespatian did when he encamped about Warres of the Iewes Iorpata where in Iosephus was So Hannibal would haue his men dine well to lye warme and take rest before they fought with the Romanes at Trebia Such commonly as haue fought when their Army was wearied with travell for want of â—est or faint for food haue miserably perished As did Asdrubals army at Metaurus and so the Gaules Historia de troubl de Fra. l. 13. by the Romanes Puigallâ—re his men were cut off by La Nove when he would needes set vpon the Protestants after two dayes and nights continuall march 4. The Generall is to consiâ—er whether feare possesse the hearts of his souldiers It s Liv 26. 37. a great hinderance to the victory It s threatned as a punishment fainting of heart seized vpon the Canaanites Ios 2. 9. 24. and gaue courage and assurance of victory to Iosua A trembling through feare is a signe of destruction We never reade of Sauls daunt of spirit and fearfulnesse in 1 Sa 28. 5 all his many battells but onely before the last in which he and his were overthrowne then it s said that he was afraid and his heart greatly trembled Some feare may possesse the heart of a Commander sometime but a sodaine and vnwonted feare in a General as Saul is an ill token as it was in one of the Kings of Hungary when he put on his helmet to goe against the great Turk In which battell he lost his life and the chiefe City of the Kingdome A great feare over a whole host at the sight of the Enemy foretelleth their overthrow as it happened with the host of Timotheus consisting of 120000 foote and 2500 horse at the sight of Iudas 2 Mach 12 20 22. with a handfull and as it hapned to the Army of Sigismund vpon which fell a panick feare when Zisca was but comming neere Till feare was removed Caesar would not set forward against Ariovistus and the Germanes Iudas Machibeus would needs fight when many of his company was in feare and conveyed theÌ„selues out of the host but it cost him his life 1 Mach 9. 6. 10 18. Therefore to prevent or remoue feare the Lord himselfe spake to his Generals exhorting them not to feare to Moses to Iosua to Gideon yea he sent his Prophet sometime to encourage Deut 3 2 Ios 1 8. 10 8 11 6. Iud 6 4 2 Cro 20 Deut 20 3 4 them and appointed a sermon or set speech for the Priests to deliver before the host went out Hence it was that Kings made Orations to their Captaines and Souldiers and so did other Generals Histories humane are full of them and very many spâ—eches are recorded in the Bible the scope whereof was to remoue feare to encourage
of much gaming a thing that was not in vse in Gods host and good it were that it were lesse in vse in our Campe for God is dishonoured monyes wasted and many evills hâ—ppen thereupon our enemy the Spaniard in time of seruice doth banish al vnlawfull games In the siege of Poytiers the Admirall caused a certaine Ensigne to bee hanged for that he was found playing at Historia de troubl de Fra. li. 8. cards while his company did watch in some perill Manly exercises should be appointed them and such as can reade to get histories of warre and other good bookes to reade and discourse thereof thus the mind and body will be well employed It may be some souldiours would be so well exercised if there were Commanders like Caesar who read much and did write his owne warres or like Pyrrhus the famous Martialist in his time who wrote many books and as Hannibal in whose tents were found many books which he studied braue and generous spirits should be delighted either to reade or heare read the acts of valiant warriers and scorn base play and childish gaming V. The prophanation of the Sabboth Rev. 1. 10. the Lords day as now Saint Iohn calleth it God punisheth this in Num. 15. 32. 36. the campe of Israel the valiant Iudas Machabeus tooke speciall care to keepe the Sabboth with his host 2 Mach. 8. 27. when Nicanor King Demetrius Generall would in contempt of God fight with Iudas on the Sabboth day there were slaine of his men 35000. and he killed his head strucke off Ca 1â— 1. 27. 28. his tongue cut out for his blasphemie and his right hand which hee had stretched out against the Temple with his head sent to Ierusalem Eccl. hist Cent. 12. to be hanged vp vpon a Tower One of the Kings of Denmarke contrary to the dissuâ—sions of Divines would needs ioyne battle with an enemy vpon the day of Pentecost but hee lost the field and his life withall All vaine sports on the Lords day are to be abandoned in a Christian host VI. Is Rebellion against lawfull authority this the Lord punished yea he extraordinarily plagued Rebells Num. 16. 31 11 32 33 41 â—2 49. making the earth to open and swallow vp some and fire to deuoure some others Rebells can looke for no good end see it in Absalom though he had most of Israel to take his part Let the end of him Bichri and Zimri make men take heed of râ—beâ—lion VII Treasonable practises and conspiracies and secret working with the enemy are to be carefully looked vnto and to be prevented and the parties found ouâ— severely to bee punished Ier. 40. for good Gedaliah beeing warned and not making timely inquiry was by trayterous Ismael cruelly murthered So one Quintilius Varus for being too slacke to search out the Treachery of one Narminins of which he had intelligence was slaine with all his company Of such was Nehemiah in danger but his wisedome prevented them and Iudas Machabeus Neh. 6. 17. 10. 2 Mach. 13. 21. had a Rodâ—cus among them a discloser of secrets to the enemy but he was found out Cyrus the yonger executed one Orâ—ntes which went about to betray him to the â—my Marcellus executed many in the City Nâ—la for treason having had secret talk and intelligence with Liv. 24. Hannibal For such worthily deserue death VIII Is Mutinie God punished the murmurings of his people and their malecontentednesse such as cause sedition and stirre vp others Num. 11. 1 9 21. 5 6 to grow rebellious are to be punished Scipio vpon a mutiny of his souldiours in Spaine put to death the chiefe moovers and so pacified Liv. 28. Tacit. 1. the rest so did Tiberius when his did mutinie in Pannouia but it is hard measure to poore starving souldiers for comming and demanding their pay in extreame need to be held mutinous and that onely for this Captaines should hang some to make others willing to dye rather for hunger then any more to complaine Oh vnchristian cruelty and mercilesse inhumanity IX Disobedience to command and to make attempts vpon the Enemie without warrant or when a charge is giuen to the contrary this God suffered not to goe unpunished in the presumptuous Israelites Manlius Num. 14. 41. 45. his dealing with his sonne is before noted and Papirius his purpose and intent towards the Generall of his horse Men vpon their owne heads without command of authority to fight with the enemy seldome Liv. 5. prooue successefull which the Romans found at the siege of Vey with losse of their souldiers yet Ionathan and his Armour-bearer secretly â—et vpon the enemy and prospered and was honoured for it But such an example is extraordinary as souldiers are not to presume upon their owne heads without command so being commanded they might readily obey els all Military order would decay and die We may reade in Livie that a Generall of the Romans Liv. 4. slew an Ensigne-bearer for refusing to advance himselfe forward towards the enemy as he was commanded yea the Isâ—aelites held him worthy death that would refuse to obey Ios 1. 18. the iust commands of their Generall Iosua X. Is enuy and pride and words of reproach the fruits thereof tending to provoke to the breach of peace this God punished in the Prophetesse Miriam this envie pride and Num. 12. â— 9 10. words of contempt are pestilent evils and cause much mischiefe Hence arose the bloudy civill discord and warre betweene Ieptah and the Ephramites of whom were slaine 42000. Hence the slaughtering and Iud. 12. Iud. 9. killing one another betweene Abimelech and the Sichemites caused by the reproachfull and disdainefull words of Gaal these things should be prohibited and sharpely punished XI Is murther and the killing of 1 Kin. 2. 30. 31. one another God gaue a very strait charge against bloud-shed Ioab the Generall being guiltie must die for it even at the Altar God never allowed Asyles for murtherers and men of bloud Captaines may not like rash brained and bloudy men disorderly kill souldiers hee that In l. 18 19. 3. 〈◊〉 remâ—â— shall so doe among the Spaniards dyeth for it the Romans put to death such as stroke their fellowes with a sword if they offered other violence as to throw stones at them such were displaced with shame Quarrels and Chalenges thereupon with acceptances thereof have beene the losse of many liues vnworthily hereby Princes loose their subiects the armie is weaâ—â—ned the enemy hereby advantaged Souldiers lives should be precious one to another their bloud should be spilt in the publike cause against the enemy and not in private quarrels no not if a man put the lye vpon an other Iehu a right 2 K. 9. 12. valiant Captaine marching furiously did not quarrell with the Captaines in his companie when they said it was false which he spake so putting the lye vpon him neither held he
THE BIBLE-BATTELLS Or The Sacred Art Military For the rightly wageâ—ng of warre according to Holy Writ Compiled for the vse of all such valiant Worthies and vertuously Valerous Souldiers as vpon all iust occasions be ready to affront the Enemies of God our King and Country By RIC. BERNARD Rector of BATCOMBE SOMERSETSHIRE IOAB the Generals speech Be of good Courage and let vs play the men for our people and for the Cities of our God and let the Lord doe that which seemeth him good 2 Sam. 10. 12. St PAVLS encouragement Watch ye stand fast quit yourselves like men and be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Printed for Edward Blackmore and are to be sold by Iames Boler at the Signe of the flowre de Luce in Paules Church-yard 1629. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH CHARLES King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith Puissant-Prince STRONG be Your Armes and victorious Your Armies the Lord of Hosts be with You and the mighty God of Iacob Your Refuge That foretolde by Christ is now verified a noise there is of warres and a rumour of warres Nation riseth against Nation and Kingdome against Kingdome and now as John saw in the vision is the Holy Citty trodden vnder foote It must be so for a time On they goe haue prevailed but yet there is hope if we warre aright The great Man of warre as Moses calleth him hath directed vs in the Bible battells vsefull I hope for these times but yet I leaue this to Your Majesties Heroicall wisdome to iudge Into method and order I haue collected them and am bolde in all humility of heart to present them to Your Sacred Person Your Highnesse the Saints looke vnto for safeguard The poore distressed Churches cry aloud for help Is not their habitation become Aceldama the field of blood Many Valorous Courages doe attend the opportunity of time many valiant Martialists expect direction and all hearken after but only a word of command Disconsolate Princes craue aide Religion it selfe saith to her Defender set forward The hearts of the people readie with purse I hope will appeare as now they pray generally for the Churches safetie Stand therefore ô King in the Forefront of the Lords Battailes though not in person yet in the power of Your Might to suppresse the insolencie of high hearted Enemies And the strong arme of the Subduer of Hosts be with you that this great name of Charles the First amongst our famous Kings may become renowned by wisdome and piety Prowesse and Victory throughout the Christian world This be the prayer of all faithfull Subiects and ever mine Your Maiesties humble and and most loyally devoted Subiect and Servant RICHARD BERNARD TO THE MAGNANIM OVSLY HEAR TED READER to every heroicke spirit of worthy Resolution and whosoeuer is generously affected to Military Profession and well deserving the name of a Souldier and place in so honourable an employment Wisdome valour and victorie attend ever their service for God for Religion for his Church for their King and Country Amen Noble Worthies NOW is the time to shew wisdome and courage for acclamatur vbique ad belluÌ„ yet to rush vnadvisedly into Battaile is not the way for victory I here in my labour doe not so vndertake to prescribe Rules as to write an History of Holy Warres Here is a Patterne from Gods people who fought many set Battailes and commonly got the day for God was with them They stood out stoutly for him his worship and service Their footsteps if you follow you shall surely speed the better Let none say that this Treatise will not suite well to these times For the true differences are not many heretofore and now in the vniversall Course Military But whatsoever the differences be therein my principall aime in the vse of Armes is to bring into the Campe the Practise of Piety For the ill though an overtrue saying hath beene Rara fides pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur These seeming exiled Vertues I desire to be welcomed amongst you Valiant Worthies and Vices sent packing from every true Souldier with detestation To this purpose tend my endeavours with full current To follow this Streame is to make your Armies strong and your selues victorious And here I haue a Sute to you ô you Sonnes of Valour In going forth consider what you be against whom you fight and for what Remember that Great Brittaine is inferiour to no Nation and that by the prowesse and valour of English and Scots glorious victories haue beene obtained You cannot you may not forget the valiant acts of Generall Norice in the Low Countries of the worthily honoured Lord Grey in Ireland of the never dying Names of Drake Furbisher Hawkins of the right famous Earle of Essex of the deservedly eternized Veres of the invincible spirited Green field of the noble Cicill with many others worthy of an everlasting Name Be couragious still and cease not to vpholde the renowne of this our Name and Nation Weigh your Enemies They prosper you will say oh that our Sinne Slacknesse were not the cause Their successe is but now of late consider you the former times stay and wonder at our incredible victories we may yet hope well if we would do well for our selues They are in their height of Pride and their downefall is neere Courage then and expect the issue Our cause is iust though God please a while to afflict vs. Set the worth of our Religion before your eyes It s the truth of the eternall God The Scriptures command it and thereby our consciences bound doe tie vs vnto it It hath beene confirmed by the blood of Martyrs Reverend Bishops and godlie Divines learned Lawyers and innumerable others Our Kings haue established it good Lawes are inacted for it peaceably we haue enioyed it Miraculous deliverances we haue had since we professed it And what still maintaines it Power or Policie of man No no such thing but the hand of the Almightie Who it was that delivered vs from the intended Invasion who it was that prevented the hellish Powder-plot who it was that freed vs from the many Treacheries and Treasons practised against vs. Remember these things ô yee true-hearted English stand ye ye Valerous Minds closse to the cause of God Fight vnder his Banner against these Enemies of our Faith our King and Kingdome goe on so and prosper and the Arme of Iesus strengthen you Doe not marvaile Honourable honoured Martialists that I Vnus de multis inter Obscuros not de magnis inter Notos should thus presume to speake vnto you I hope you will rather consider the worth of the matter then weigh the defects of the man Neither let me be blamed that being by profession Vir Pacis Minister Ecclesiae Anglicanae should thus thrust my selfe into Campum Martis The Sacred Bible my daily studie gaue mee the grounds my delight in Histories of this subiect enlarged my meditations That I finde in
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
did Gen. 14. Abraham Iosua David and others 5. God would send his spirit vpon them to encourage them to the warre as he did vpon Gideon Ehud Sampson as we may read in the book of Iudges 6. God raised vp some Prophets to comfort and set forward his people to warre thus he mooued Deborah Iud. 4. 2 Ch. 20. 14 15. to call Barak into the warres and Iahaziel to encourage Iudah to goe against their enemies 7. God taught David to play the part of a valiant Capraine and souldier Ps 144. 1. 18 39 40. he made his hands to warre and his fingers to fight and made his arme strong to draw a bow of steele as before is shewed for which David rendered thanks to him yea David often consulted with God aforehand 2 Sa. 5. 19. 23. and had answer from God with promise to giue him victoâ—ie in battell before he went out which he would not haue afforded him in an action sinfull and vnlawfull to be done 8. In Battell when his people rested vpon him and cryed to him he 1 Ch. 5. 20. did helpe them and made them Conquerours Lastly war against Gods enemies and the battle fought against them is called the Lords battle and his work 2 Ch. 20. Ier. 48 10. which they do which God so alloweth of as he denounceth a curse against them that shall doe it deceitfully or negligently Thus we see what warrant warre hath from the Lord of Hosts in the old Testament But they will grant this to be so in that time for then God shewed himselfe a man of warr and was as it were delighted with the title of Lord God of hosts so often giuen to him and seldome hardly once the name of the God of peace But in the new Testament the case Iam. 5. 4. is otherwise for hee is but once or twice at most called there the Lord of Hosts more often the God of peace wee be now vnder the Lord Iesus the Prince of peace and doe professe the Gospell the word of peace which should mooue all Christians to liue in peace and haue warres battell and slaughtering of men It s very true that all men should Ps 34. 14. seek peace and ensue after it as a blessing of God yet iust and necessary warre is not to be condemned for as a Father saith it is a part of iustice by warre to defend our Countrey and Ambros de Of. confederates and such as need ayde from spoylers and oppressors Neither doth the New Testament disallow of war so it be iust 1. Our Prince of peace telleth vs of warrs and is pleased to be set out Mat. 24. Reu 19. 17. as a Captaine of an Host riding on horse backe and subduing his enemies and making a slaughter of them Hereby shewing that his Church shall have warrs and he will take their part and helpe to subdue their enemies as he hath often done and yet will doe 2. When the souldiers asked Iohn Luk. 3. 14. Baptist what they should doe hee did not will them to forsake their calling but admonished to doe violence to none to accuse none falsly and to be content with their wages as allowing the calling but reforming the abuse 3. We find religious souldiers in the new Testament the religious Centurion Cornelius a Captaine Mat. 8. 8 10 Act. 10. 1 2 3 4 7. and a souldier fearing God that waited on him 4. Saint Paul maketh it a fruit of faith to be valiant in battle if the Heb. 11. 34 lawfulnesse of warre had been out of date vnder the Gospell the Apostle would have left that out as now no fruit of faith 5. God hath now appointed Kings to vse the sword not onely Rom. 13. 4. to punish offenders vnder them but also to defend their subiects from violence and wrong at home and abroad 6. The Lord in calling the Gentiles to the Gospell made choise in the first place to begin with one of this calling before another even a Captaine called Cornelius to whom he sent his Angell and after Saint Peter to instruct him and to make him and his the first fruits of the Gentiles so far was he from disesteeming of the calling 7. We must know that the Gospell taketh not away the law of nature to defend our selues by forcible meanes against violent enemies yea with a good conscience may wee take vp armes when there is no safety but in armes And what hindereth Princes and States to recover what is iustly their owne if otherwise not to bee gotten but by force of Armes 8. Hereto adde the practise of all Christian Emperours Kings Princes and States in all ages vsing vpon iust cause armes Militare non est delictum saith Saint Augustine but abuse it yea saith Ambrose a worke it is of righteousnesse when the cause is iust Therefore from all these sayings and former reasons we may conclude warre if not abused to be lawfull IV. CHAPTER Of a right souldiers Honourarable calling and imployment A Right souldier in his vocation well qualified and behauing himselfe worthily like a true souldier indeed liveth in a course of life worthy Honour and his employment in warrlike affaires is very honourable for 1. God himselfe is pleased to carry the name of a souldier God is a man of Warre saith Moses and Gen. 15. 3. Ios 5. 14 15. the Sonne of God professed himselfe to be a Captaine of the Lords host Now titles which great personages beare graceth much that calling which these titles imply though formerly that vocation had beene never so meane and base in esteeme 2. The most renowned in holy Writ and in humane stories have attained to great fame and glory by their valiant Acts and â—eats of armes as we may see in Iosua in Gideon Ehud Baruc Sampson David and his Warriours What speeches are there of the Nine worthies whereof Iosua Dauid Iudas Machabeus are three is it not all for their valour and victories in battell By warres the fame and memorie of Iulius Caesar of great Alexander of Pirrhus of Themistocles of Scipio and Hannibal of Scanderbag of Charles the fift remain immortall with innumerable other both in prophane and diuine storie 3. VVhence came all those so greatly affected titles now in the world rose they not from valour prowess militarie â—â—ployments and exercise of Armes whence came Esquire but by being Armiger of bearing weapons of warre an armor-bearer VVhence came a Knight of old not by scraping of wealth and buying the title but by being Miles a souldier whence a Noble man Eques but from a generous spirit and being a man at armes The title of an Earle Comes was a Lieutenant or Prouost Marshall A Duke Dux came of leading a Company a chiefe captaine in the field yea whence came the highest name of dignity the name of Imperator Emperour but from honour in the field bestowed vpon him that knew how to rule and command an host
battles for and in the cause of Religion seeking to avenge the Lord on those Romish Midianites and behold then the salvation of the Lord which hee will shew vnto â—s â—n his appointed good time even so Amen The VII CHAP. Of the chiefe authority mouing to war and of Kings going out with their Hosts very vsuall in ancient ages but yet ever arbitrary VPon mature deliberation and well aduised iudgment the iustice of warre being approoued as also that the same is necessary least men embroyle themselues in needlesse vse of the sword to their owne ruine then is to bee considered in the next place by what authority this warre is to be vndertaken for a necessary and iust warre doth not warrant everie one vpon their owne heads to make warre though they be able to gather a power together but the first moover thereto must be the supreame authoritie in the State whether it be Monarchicall Aristocraticall or any of the rest by which the people of that stare is governed The warres which God allowed and so iust which he also commanded Exo. 17. 8. Num. 31. and so necessary were made ever vnder and by the authority of such as he set ouer his people Thus the warre against Amalek was commanded by Moses so was that against Midian in like manner Israel warred under the command of Iosua after vnder the Iudges and then vnder Kings as vnder Saul David and the rest who did in their owne persons goe into the warres And this same was vsuall in all former ages even from the beginning of warrs mentioned in holy writ that Kings themselves went out to â—â—o 14. 2 Ch. 12. 35. 20. 1 Kin. 20. warre as the foure Kings against the fiue in Gen. 14. Pharao in his owne person pursued Israel Shishak King of Egypt came with his host against Iudah and so Pharao Nechâ— went foorth with his owne forces Benhadad the Syrian came himselfe and with him thirty two Kings into the field All the Canâ—anitish Kings came Iosua 10. Num 21. themselves with their hosts so the two mighty Kings Sihon King of the Amorites and Ogg the King of Basan And thus did all the Kings of Israel and Iudah Saul went into the field continually David was often there in person so was Ieroboam Rehoboam Abiiam Asa Iehosophat Amaziah and the rest yea by the appointment of God some were appointed to order the battell themselves as was Ahab against Benhadads host This was the custome of great Monarches subduing the world to goe out in person as may appeare in Salmanezer and Senacherib the Assyrian 1. K. 20. 14 2 K. 18. â— â—3 Kings in Nebuchadnezzar the Babilonian in Alexander the Macedonian 2 Ch. 36. 6. Ier 39. 5. in Cyrus Darius Zerxes the Persians in Iulius Caesar and other Roman Emperours in Tamberlaine the Tartar and Baiezet the Grandsiegneour in Charles the great Emperour of Germanie This made Princes famous their warres to bee maintained the battells to be fought with more courage even to the vtmost and so a more speedy dispatch one way or other to make some end and to bring peace the good and blessed conclusion of all iust warrs Though it seemed expedient vnto Kings in those dayes to goe in person with their Armies yet no doubt care was had of their safeties that they should not bee suffered to expose themselves rashly into the battle 1 K. 22. 3â— 2 Ch. 35. 22. 2 Sam. 21 17. 1 Sam. 26. 16. as Ahab did and Iosias which cost them both their lives For the valiant Captaines would expose themselves desperately when they saw their Kings in danger as Abishai did who resâ—ued Dauid with great hazard to save his life from the stâ—oke of Ishbi-benob the Gynâ— He are upon it was that Dauid held Abnâ—r and 2 Sam. 18. 3. others about Saul woâ—thy of death because they had not kept more safely the King Faithfull Subiects esteeme the life of a good King more worth then ten thousand of themselves Princes may bee in the field 2 Sam. 21. 17. but it s not necessary to goe into the battle least as Davids servants said of him the light be quenched and 1 K. 22. the people be scattered as vpon Ahabs death Whether they goe forth or stay at home which is free vnto them and may be done according to their own pleasure yet is this soveraign authority that which must first moove to make warre People may not if they would gather together to warre against an open enemy of their owne heads for God hath punished such attempts as may be seene in the presumptuous Israelites arming themselues Num. 14. 40. 44 45. Deut. 1. 1. Mach. 5. 56. 60. 61. 67â— without command from authority and were overthrowne by the enemy Such was the attempt of one Ioseph and Azarias who in a vaine-glory to get a name would gather troupes to fight against the Heathen and obeyed not Iâ—das Machabeus and therefore were overthrowne and so were certain Priests slainâ— vpon such a vaine vndertaking Among the Romanes those that thus offended by their lawes were in case of treason People must F. ad L. â—ub maitst L. vine C. vt armâ—rum vsus therefore have warrant for otherwise even to spoyle or kill an enemy is theft and murther and the battle on their parr no better then a fiâ—ld of bloud and their doings but disorder and confusion except it be to represse a sodain rising of Rebels or to withstand a violent and sodain comming in of an open enemy Otherwise none are to bee acounted publike enemies in warre but those whom publike authoritie so declareth to be yea and if any rise vp in rebellion if authoritie know it the Captaines are to await for command before they gather power against such rebells as may be manifest in Abishai and the rest who mooved not the rebellion of Bichri 2 Sam. 20. 1-4 6 7. till Dauid who knew it gaue command to follow him But when men have such warrant then let them obey readily and be as serviccable to Ios 1. 16. to their Leaders as the Israelites promised to be to Iosâ—a VIII CHAPTER Of Presse-men and Voluntaries OF such as goe to warr there are two sorts such as be commanded and such as offer themselves The former wee call pressed Deut. 33. 5 who without enforcement would not goe Moses was as King in Israel and he waited not for Voluntaries but commanded Iosua to chuse out of every Tribe a thousand to make an Host of twelue thousand to goe against Midian Saul threatned revenge vpon those that would not come foorth to warre at his command 1 Sam. 21. 6 7. and God did ayde his authority by striking the people with feare of him That authority was in David to assemble and gather a power of his Subiects for warre without which command Princes 2 Sam. 20. 4 could not haue waged battells so as they then did And the
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
them to fight In Exod 14. 13 14. is Moses speech In Deu. 20. 2 3 4 the priests in Iud. 3. 28. Ehuds in chap. 5. 14. Deborahs in chap. 7. 15 18. Gideons in 2 Sam. 10. 12. 1 Chro. 19. 13. Ioabs in 2 Chro. 20. 15. 17. 20. Iehaziel and Iehosephats in Esai 7. 4. Esaiahs in 2 Chro. 32. 7 8. Hezekiahs in 1 Mach 3. 18. 22. 4. 8. 11. 2 Mach. 8. 16. 9. 44. 11. 7. 13. 14. 15. 8 10. Iuâ—as Machabeus his orations in 1 Mach 9. 44. Ionathans in ca. 13. 3. Simons Out of which may be gathered good matter for a General to speake vnto his souldiers CHAP. XXII Of many things to further the successe in the battell THere are noâ— a few things which may greatly helpe to gain the day if men must fight but if thou darest not then wisely prevent it or if the enemy will flye give him leave King Iohn of France found the mischiefe in forcing the blacke Prince to fight and so Charles the fift lost his armie by intercepting our Henry the fift Hereupon Themistocles would 〈◊〉 permit the Grecians to breake the bridge over Hollespent which Xerxes caused to be made least the enemy having a desire not to fight might want a meanes to retire backe and so bee forced to fight against their wills which will make Cowards valiant But if it be resolutely determined vpon to fight I. Foresee the secret traps layd and ambushments which may in the fight sodainely come vpon the souldiers when they 1 Mach 10 79. 80. 11-68 60 be fighting This Ionathan foresaw and so got the day though at another time not wary enough his host was scattered by an Ambush Hannibal by such a subtletie overthrew the Romans at Trebia and Thrasament bake and was hereby much holpen in the battle at Cannas II. Not to trust too much vpon Associates least they faile as the Celtiberians did the Scipioâ—s in Spaine and the Albanes Tullius Hostilius The Swizers which came in the ayde of Lewis Sforza sold them to his enemy Lewis the twelfth secondly doe not trust fugitives from the enemies for two Spaniards in the warres against the Venetians feigned themselves fugitives with intent to kill the Generall of the Venetians called Alvia as before is noted And 500 Numidian Horsemen at the first encounter betweene the Romans and Hannibal left Hannibal and fled to the Romans leaped from their horses threw away their apparent weapons and humbled themselves at the feet of the Romans who gaue them credit and entertainment but these not now mistrusted having weapons secretly when the Romans were busie in fight came vpon them behind vnexpected and so mightily furthered Hannibal to get the victory at Cannas Lastly trust not such as may iustly be suspected the Lords of the Philistims had learned this and therefore would at â—o hand admit 1 Ch. 12. 19. of David and his companie to goe into battle with them against Israel III. To strive for advantages as much as may be as 1. of the place the Syrians imputed much to the â— K. 20. place making a great difference betweene the hils and the vallyes our victory at Newport was much holden by the benefit of the place secondly of the wind behind them as it was to Hannibals host at Cannas but on the faces of the Romans which being Southeast and somwhat strong carryed the dust into the eyes of the Romans and so did them much hurt By the wind God helped Theodosius against the Tyrant Maximus thirdly get advantage of the Sunne if it be hot and shining foorth it is hurtfull to those that have it vpon Theod. hist Eâ—cl Liv. 35 their faces it fainted the Gaules fighting with the Romans Fourthly take advantage of the discord when it hapneth betweene Commanders and Captains in the Enemies camp By this the Aequians prevailed against the Romans This overthrew Liv. 4. Thucid 6. Slâ—idan the Athenian Army in Sicile this gave the victory to Charles the fift over the Protestants when the Duke of Saxonie and the Lansgrave of Hessen could not agree Through dissention of Captaines the French lost Naples and Amurathes the Turke got Nicopolis thorow the discord of the French and Hungarian Captaines Fiftly make advantage of the Army parted or 1 Mach 4. 1. 4. not the whole met together This advantage Iudas Machabeus tooke at Gorgius comming out from his campe So the Romans set vpon Asdubal to prevent his ioyning with Hannibal in Italy Sixtly when the enemy is out of order seventhly when he is setting his men in array Eightly in the time of encamping then to let vpon them as many wise Commanders have done These and such like advantages are to be observed taken and wisely pursued IV. To vse stratagems so did Ios 8. 2 K 3. 22 23. Iosua yea the Lord himself wrought so a worke miraculously as the host of Israel was refreshed thereby and the enemy strongly deceived by the sunne-shine vpon the water by stratagems Hannibal and Scanderbeg preuailed mightily for inventing whereof they both were very subtle But stratagems must bee such as are not to the breach of oath against godlinesse against the law of nature and nations V. To vse meanes to make the enemy secure that so they may bee surprized vpon a sodaine Thus those of Iabesh Gilead did with Nahash 1 Sam. 11. 3. 10. the king of the Ammonites till Saul came suddenly vpon them and vtterly discomfited them VI. To vse good expedition and suddenly to come vpon an enemy as Saul did upon Nabash Iosua vpon 1 Sam. 11. los 10. 9. 11. 7. 2 Mach 4 1 2. 2 Mach 13 1. the five Kings besieging Gibeon and so vpon foure Kings at an other time By this sodaine rushing vpon Iudas Gorgius hoped to have prevailed but was prevented But Iudas by a sodaine comming before day into the camp of Antiochus Eupater which consisted of an 110. thousand foot of horse 5300 Elephants 22 30 Charets armed with hookes he went to the Kings Tent. and with his company slew 4000 men and the chiefest of the Elephants and so filled the campe with feare and tumult returned with good successe Hannibal speedy comming from far vpon Flaccus overthrew him at Herdonea Sylanus by this Liv 26. 27 meanes chiefly vanquished his enemies in Spaine VII To be all of one heart for God for their King and Country and the safetie of the whole host and so of themselves faithfully endeavouring to performe the trust committed Iud. 20. 21. 8 11. 1 Sa 11. 7. to them every one in their place to the helping of one another for obtaining the victory The great host of 400000 Israelites were gathered together as one man and were knit together as one Israel came out to goe with Saul against Nahash Ios 2. 9. 2 Sam. 10. with one consent as one man The Canaanitish Kings and severall Nations of them could ioyne together as one
a heady and proud enemy puffed vp vaine-gloriously will needs ptovoke as Apollonius 1 Mac. 10. 69 82. Demetriâ—s his Generall did Ionathan may wisely encounter him and humble his pride with his overthrow as did also Hannibal proud Flaminius VI. Not to be circumvented by See exam for some of these in Dr Succl his hooke of warrs ca 14. of Stratagemâ— slights and policies of the Enemy by false rumours of more succours comming to them by feigned reâ—ait or counterfeit flying away by seeming to intend some other course by feigning sicknes by pretences of feare by colour of secret friendship by treaties of peace by vaine shewes by false fugitiues by secret intelligen geneers and such like which Scipio and other Romans and Harnibal also 1 Mac. 1. 10. 27. 2 Mac. 14. 22. 1 Mac. 12. 43 46. 13. 23. practised Bachides and Nicanor vsed deceits and vnder shew of friendship sought to have betraied Iudas but he was aware of them and also stood vpon his guard but honest Ionathan was ouertaken by Tryphons subtlety in feigned loue and slaine VII To take heed of an hyred Ismael Ier. 40 14. 2 Mac. 13 24. by whom good Gedaliah was cruelly and traiterously murthered so also beware of hauing any Rhodocus that giueth secret intelligence to the enemy Lastly make no delay vpon good resolved grounds to execute design ments for nothing is more hurtfull then delayes when aduantage is offered and necessity calleth on Iosua made no delay to helpe the Gibeonites nor Saul Iabesh Gilâ—ad And David vpon Bichri his rebellion held 2 Sa. 20 6 Bâ—â— Gal 2. 7 delay very dangerous Câ—sar his expedition prevented the Belgians in their conspiracy so did it the French at another time by his speedy comming among them On the contrary the Romans delaying to preuent Hannibals comming into Italy made them feele the misery of their â—olly and slacknes 16 yeares together afterwards To loose faire aduantages which are not alwayes offered may bring great losse to themselues which being taken might presse downe an Enemy Delay is a traytor to oportunity and such as either of purpose or of carelesnes or persuasions of others do make delaies may be blamed much and iudged sometime the sale-man of prosperous successe and purchasers of much losse and sorrow All these things are to be carefully auoided if we desire to thriue in our attempts CHAP. XXIV Of going foorth and ioyning battle AT the present going forward to charge the 2 Ch 13 14. Num. 10. 9 Iud. 7. 2 Chr. 13 1 Mach. 4. 13. 5. 31 7 45. 2 Sa. 2. 28 20 22. trumpets did sound This by God was appointed the onely instrument and these they vsed in on sets as did Gideon Abiiah Machabeus in the time of the battle in pursuite of the flying enemies and in a retreat to call back from pursuing The Heathen Romans also vsed trumpets but some other Nations as the Indians vsed Cymbals and Drummes The Saracens drums the Lacedemodians the flute and trumpet the Cretans the harpe Besides the trumpet they vsed their voyces as shouting in the very sight of the Enemy and first charge vttering words sometime as the host of Gideon did saying The 1 Sa 17 20. 4 5 2 Ch. 13. 15 sword of the Lord and Gideon They did shout at the rooting of the enemy and when they thought the enemy was come into their hands Thus the Philistims shouted when Sampson 1 Sa 17 5. 2 was brought bound to them and Warres of the Iewes Iud 15. 14 2 Mac 15 26. the Romans when they saw Iosephus taken taken and brought prisoner into their sight In the on-set they also cryed with prayers for helpe vnto the Lord when the Trumpets sounded When they went towards the Enemy before they came to charge they would sing Psalmes till they came neere him as Iehosophat 2 Chr. 13. 14. 1 Mac. 4. 13 5 33 2 Ch 20. did and Iudah with him yea the Heathen vsed to goe forward with trumpets and songs And least this might seeme a mockery of a too ouer religious Iehosophat who was foretold that he needed not to fight and therefore might well sing or that it might be iudged an act of an addle-headed Nicanor not to be regarded 2 Mac 15. 25. the renownest Lacedemonians vsed it the King after a sacrifice offered commanded all his armie to crowne their heads and the flutes to sound the measure of Castor then he the King himselfe began the Paean a song proper to Apollo and so Cap. Bing on Elians Tacticks pa. 70. went they on as one keeping measure in a stayed pace cheerefully and without astonishment It is to be observed that Iosua in all his Battles gave the first charge and so did Saul Dauid and Ioab his Generall It was the vse of the Romans commonly to begin the battle as doth appeare in the warres of Hist of the troub of France Caesar in France and Scipio in Spain and one noteth it of the Protestants in France that they alwaies preuailed more charging first the Enemy then abiding to be charged which course Dr. Sâ—ctel his booke pa. 177. ca. 22. as one saith is the best if there be a resolution to fight It argueth in those that begin the more courage They may the more easily take the advantages before mentioned and set vpon â—he Enemy where he is weakest yet this first charging must ever be considered thus as that the army be able to wage battle with the Enemy els by first charging they may iustly be charged with folly and pay well for their rashnesse CHAP. XXV Of that ' which os to be done in fighting THe people of God in their fighting had mind of God so as while they 1 Ch 5 20. 2 Mac. 15. 27. strucke him with hands they prayed to him in their hearts and trusted on him and so procured a blessing vpon their encounter They had care to vnderstand the mind and pleasure of their Generall whether manifested Ios 8. 18 19. by words or signes Thus those that were in ambush against Ai observed Ios 4. 7-8 Iosua his stretching out of his speare vnderstood his meaning and speedily executed his will For they remembred his instruction and charge before given to them being Ca. 6. 10 11 16 20 ever obedient to him doing as he would haue them as he himselfe did what God commanded him In the 2 Mac 12 50. 2 Sa. 10. 11 fight they encouraged one another and kept close together and were ready to helpe one another as need should require Here I thinke it not amisse to bring in the words of the Apostle spiritually intended but fetched from warfare and the duty of Captaines and souldiers in the battle against their enemies which omitting the Apostles scope I will handle it after the letter very fitly to this my purpose in hand The Apostle 1 Cor. 16. 13. setteth down foure 1 Cor.
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
a poore Mariner for his valour and good service was made Admirall of the Turkes Navy The Romanes rewarded Horatius Cocles Liv 2. for repelling the Hetruscians with a statue of Marble and with lands Deciâ—s Liv. 7. had a Crowne of golde and every souldier of double allowance and double apparell for his and their service Scipio gaue Coronets of gold to those that first mounted the walls Liv 26 of new Carthage in Spaine If Generals and Captaines were chosen not for Nobility Gentry friends but for very worth in them and souldiers well rewarded for their valour we should not want Armies of valiant men VII And last is to punish cowardise treachery disobedience mutinies and other offences without partiality The other to wit reward is not to be wanting and this namely due punishment is not to be neglected For what the hope of reward in some base spirits cannot effect yet the feare of this will worke it in them Feare made thousands with one consent to come vnto Saul to goe against the 1 Sa 11. 7. Ammonites By these especiall meanes men shall bee made valiant CHAP. XXVII Of the meanes how to make the basest spirits and Cowards in battell to stand to it and if they doe flie away how to make some vse thereof as some haue wisely done THough never so good choice bee made and meanes vsed yet some will be found faint harted God and good men in the Bible tooke no other course with them but dismission but if they be reteined the courses taken in former times by great Commanders were these I. To hemme them in and environ them with the choisest troupes and so perforce to holde them to it II. When they begin to shrinke back to cut off some of the foremost for example to terrifie the rest â— Attilius Liv. 10. by killing the first with his owne hand when his souldiers gaue ground made the rest to make head against the Enemie The Romane Generall gaue charge to his men that whom Liv. 2. they perceived Cowards and to fly to take them for enemies and thereafter to deale with them For indeed a Coward is a betrayer of his fellowes and an incourager of the enemy to get the victory III. To take from them all hopes of helpe though they should ruâ—â— away And this sometime did wise Commanders though they did not leade knowen or suspected Cowards As General Vere did send away all the ships from shore at the battle at Newport William the Conquerour to make his to fight and hope of no helpe but victory landing here in England he burnt the ships that brought them over So did Tariff the Moore entring into Spaine Charles Martell when he went to encounter the infinite host of the Saracens commanded the City of Tours to keepe the gates shut and to open them no more but to the Victorers The basest spirits haue beene made thus to stand to it But if feare sometime cease vpon better Spirits as it hath done then some rebuke may make them take heart or feare of future shame A speech and example of Caesars valour withall in the last battell that ever he fought which was with Pompeys sonnes in Spaine when his souldiers began to shrinke encouraged them to a new onset and so got the victory onely he said but this Remember that at Munda they had forsaken their Generall The courage and act of the CoÌ„mander will quicken the spirit of such as haue not lost all heart Iudas Machabeus seeing his people fearefull to 1 Mach 16 6. passe a brooke to the Enemie led the way and then they all followed Ionathan when his company fled from him yet standing to it and something prevailing made the runawayes to returne and to pursue the Enemies Lucius Sylla seeing the Legion to giue to Archelaus the Commander of Mithridates forces he drew his sword and made towards the battell and said to his Souldiers If any aske you for your Leader you may tell them that you left him fighting in Boâ—sia At which words they were strucken with shame and went on to the Service M. Furius Camillus seeing his Army slacke to charge the Enemy pluckt the Ensigne out of the hand of the bearer and carryeth it himselfe vpon the Enemie which the Souldiers seeing with much shame set forward after him Thus valiant Leaders haue put courage into the hearts of their company of which ranke with the old and ancient Generals may be reckoned the renowned â—oâ—ice the redoubted Vere and with these the never dying Sidney as one calleth them Sometime trayterous spirits will dare in the face of the Generall to fly to the Enemy whereof some wisely have made good vse When Lucius Lucellus saw the Macedonian horse flying to the Enemy he presently caused an allarum to be given and so sent out other after them by which the enemy supposed the former to make the onset and the followers to bee ready to second them whereupon the Enemy shot at the formost and the Runnawayes seeing their course welcome before them and the danger behind fell in good earnest to fight with the Enemy and so against their intended purpose quit themselves as it were like honest men So one Damates when he perceiued some of his flying to the Enemy presently did follow after and cunningly falleth to commend their forwardnes that they would first charge the Enemy which made them turne their minds and to doe otherwise then they intended even to make indeede the first onset vpon the enemy cleane contrary to their former purposes To conclude this if so be yet that feare happen and that there be great insufficiencie to fight with the Enemy one way also withall be made to auoyde the stroke then it is best not disorderly to flye yet to make a faire retreat or a secret flight as many Roman leaders have done or openly to flye so it be orderly Abner 2 Sa 2. 17 â—9 after a sore battle did flye That compleatly qualified Commander Generall Norice made a retreat at Gaâ—nt To flye well as one saith is as praise-worthy as to fight well For nature reason and religion too doe concur in this that in a manifest peril to save life by lawfull meanes is no disgrace but a duty And what is desperate hazard when there is no absolute necessity to compell thereto but a foolehardnesse a fleshing of a prevailing enemy a losse of serviceable men and discredit to the Commander who cannot but herein haue his wisedome questioned But put case men cannot possibly Quest. flye neither in any humane reason be able to withstand the Enemy what should then be done To answer Answ hereunto there must be considered the nature of the Enemy whether true of his word or false whether mercifull or cruell Againe whether the conditions be honourable or base in which respect death is better then life for it may be they may condition to renounce religion or such a condition as the Ammonite
offered to the 1 Sa. 11. â— men of Iabesh that so they might bring not onely base shame vpon the parties but a reproach vpon the whole nation It s better to dye then to hearken to such conditionr or to such as Benhadad propounded to Ahab 1 King 20 6. which made him adventure the battle as also did our blacke Prince with the King of France whom no reasonable conditions could satisfie moreover it must be weighed whether any succor may in conuenient time come to helpe in such a strait as the men of Iabesh did furthermore whether by adventuring life yet the enemy may receiue more losse by selling to them their deaths more deare then by yeelding and living they may profit-their country These and such like considerations must be had before yeelding but if the enemy be faithfull of his word and mercifull the conditions reasonable no hope remaining of helpe and the adventuring to fight it out in all likelihood to procure little hurt to the Enemy in reason it is better to save life then to lose it Very valiant spirits have yeelded sometimes without any disparagement vnto them CHAP. XXVIII Of getting fully the victory when the enemy is in part subdued AN Enemy may seeme to be overthrowne when he is not therefore to get a full victory I. Beware that the Emies giving way and seeming to flye be not a stratageme as it was in the Israelites to the Beniamites and Iosua with his company to the men of Ai and Bethel by which subtlety he did vtterly overthrow them when they were too confident of the victory Scanderbeg that Prince of Epirus thus overcame Amose his kinsman that had fled from him and brought against him 60000 Turkes from whom be seemed to flye and for feare to leave his country by which apparent flight so farre he made them secure and so after certaine dayes returned backe vpon them secredy overthrew them and tooke his trayterous kinsman prisoner II. If the enemy be routed then to pursue the victory as Abraham did in Gen 14. Ios 7. 25. 8. 11 12 1 Sam 14. 22. 1 Mach. 10 49 50. 4 15. 7. 45. chasing his enemies Gideon the many and mighty Kings with their hostes Saul the Philistims king Alexander sonne to Antiochus Epiphanes king Demetriâ—s host and as Iudas did Gorgias and Nicanors host Caesar obtaining the victory over the Helvetians so pursued them as hee left them not till all yeelded so having foyled Vercingetorix he followed him till he got into Alexia Scipio vanquishing Asdrubal pursued him to the De Bel. Gal l. 1. 7. vtmost coast of Spaine Hannibal in not pursuing his victory gotten at Cannas lost Rome he had skill to overcome but wanted wisedome to vse well the victory III. Yet in the pursuite 1. Beware it be not too heady disorderly and scattered least pursuers fall into Ambushments or come to neer some garrison or give so advantage to the flying Enemy to fall on againe recover their losses and become of Conquered suddenly Conquerours Philopoemen charging the Enemy that Liv 35 too eagerly did chase his men overthrew him Carus the Generall of Segadans having overcome Quintus Fulvius yet by disorderly pursuing and too securely lost his victory was by the same Fulvius horsemen charged suddenly and so Carus himselfe killed and sixe thousand more put to the sword Gaston de fois having foiled the Enemy at Ravenna by advancing himselfe too farre and ill followed lost his life Moses Scanderbegs Generall with other worthy Commanders by too forward pursuit Hist of Scanderbeg of the Turkes were taken prisoners And by Mahomet the mercilesse Tyrant were fleyed alive and that by little and little for the space of 15. dayes together Secondly take heed of pursuing one part routed that an other part of the enemy entire and strong remaine not behind to follow the pursuers This oversight cost worthy Machâ—beus 1 Mach 8. 14. 18 his life Thirdly not to follow too late Ioab followed Abner till night and Alexander 2 Sam 10. 49 50. 1 Mach 10. 49 50 Demetriâ—s but beware of darknesse it hideth many mischiefes not to bee foreseene nor prevented IV. The Enemy once scattered is not to be suffered to recollect his forces for thus Pyrrhus that Noble Warriour yet once herein ouerseene lost his victory over Valerius Lavinus The Carthaginians in Spaine after the deaths of the two Scipioes suffered the reliques of the Romans to Liv 24. breath and gather head againe where hereby at length they were vanquished themselves Alexamenâ—s having slaine Naâ—â—â— yet suffering the Euemy to gather head and to waxe strong was with all his company by them cut in pieces V. To abstaine from spoyle till the enemy be vtterly vanquished driven away and they secure from perill Of this Iudas forewarned his followers in chasing enemy which charge they 1 Mach 17. 23. well observed Hannibal lost a more full victory of the Romanes at Trebia because the Numidian horsemen hastened too soone to the spoyle The Dutch at Gunigast extorted the victory out of the hands of the French which almost they had gotten while they too hastily followed the spoyle The Italians at Taro had foyled the French but that at the beginning Anno 1596 they fell to spoyle the baggage The Germanes at the battle of Erlam in Hungarie having thrice defeated the Turkes were yet at last by vntimely falling vpon the spoile ouerthrowne Therefore Iehoram King of Israel in the strait Siedge of Samaria by the Syrians when hee heard that they were suddenly fled and 2 King 7. left greaâ— store of victuall and treasure behinde them though the Inhabitants were almost all famished yet did he withhold them from falling vpon the spoyle till he certainly vnderstood that hee might with safety doe so VI. Having gotten a full victory and none seene to make head against them yet it is good not to be over secure as were the Amalekites â— Sam 30. when they had burned Ziglag and carryed away all the Inhabitants captive For they beeing carelesse eating drinking dauncing and not suspecting any pursuite after them so farre were suddenly overcome by David The Captives were rescued the prey recovered and all the Enemies almost slaine and so David returned with ioy Neyther may they vnadvisedly while they be in their Enemies Country divide their armie one part from another This was the destruction of the Cimbri who being together three hundred thousand and having overthrowne Manlius and Cepiâ— two Consulls Marius let them passe by his Camp quietly but afterwards when for their easier march over the Alpes they fearing no Enemy divided themselves into three companies he severally set vpon them and put them to the sword CHAP. XXIX Of vsing religiously the Victorie WHen God hath given vs the victory wee should doe as did the Lords people in old times They did see and acknowledge the 2 Cro 20 26 2 Mach 15 29 Gen 14 20 Exod