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
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
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
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
confederates ioyning with them Chadelaomer had Kings with him Abraham also had Aner Eschal and Mamre assistants with him in his warre The Kings of Canaan did helpe one another and the Ammonite procured helpe of the Syrians to fight against David The Syracusans Ios 10. 3. 11. 1. 2 Sam. 10. 6 Thucid 5. by the helpe of the Spartans withstood the Athentans Yea the Romans themselves sought for helpe of others against Philip of Macedâ—nia But here let not an Amaziah take 2 Ch. 25. ayde of Idolatrous Israel least they be his ruine nor let a Iehosophat help an 2 Ch. 19. 2. Ahab for it pleaseth not God secondly let not wise men rest vpon the helpe of Confederates but have evermore of their owne both to resist the enemy and command ayders as Tullius Hostilius had for confederates may prooue Cowards and false the Switzers which came to ayde Lewis Forze sold him at Navarra into the hands of Lewis the twelfth Gâ—iâ—caâ— Next is to make peace with such as may be iniurious when we goe to warre with others Israel in their hot warre against the Philistiâ—s had Peace with the Ammonites This is necessary least while wee set vpon one we be invaded by another 1 Sam. 7. 14 Esa 37 9. as it happened to Senacherâ—b who whilest he invaded Iudah had Tirhâ—kah king of Ethâ—opiâ— comming foorth to make warre with him The third thing is to entertaine intelligence from the Enemies friends and subiects to gaine them from them to cause division betweene them The Romans before they transported their forces into Africke they assured themselves of the Kings of Numidia Before they set vpon Philip of Macedonia they caused a revolt of many from him The disioyning of the hearts of such as be at one with the enemie is a great weakning of his power and a way more easily to get the victory To make a rebellion and to cause civill warres is the ruining of the Enemies state and a ready passage to attaine our owne purposes for they that stand for their owne safetie at home cannot well agree to resist the attempts of forreigne powers They may like the seditious Captaines in Ierusalem ioyne together to fight against the Romans but by slaying afterwards one another the Enemy shal at length prevaile and they come to destruction CHAPTER XIX Of the religious preparation before the Armie march WHen the Host is prepared and ready to march forward before it be moved in former mer times among Gods people these things were observed and done I. There was a divine exhortation or as we call it a sermon appointed by God before they went forth to bee preached to them by an ordinary Deut 20. 2 3 4. 2 Ch. 20. 14 13. 12. 2 K. 3. 11. Iud. 4. Teacher sometime they had extraordinary men raised vp to encourage them The Priests goe into the warrs and sounded Trumpets Elesha followed the Campe of the three Kings going against Moab And Deborah a Prophetesse went downe with Barak It 's no question but Ministers may go into the wars its necessary to have men of good gifts to preach to souldiers but they must be good and conscionable to give example zealous in reprooving and gratious in prayer that as Moses did while the other fight they may pray and helpe forward Exo. 17. the victory If such were in a Campe and reverenced the Armie would prosper the better Abiiah gathered 2 Ch. 13. 12. courage by having the Lords Priests with him when he set the batâ—le in aray against the Idolater Iâ—robâ—am The prayer and sacrifice of Samuel 2. Sam. 7. 9 furthered Israelites against the Philistims The French had an Archbishop in their host when they fought with King Henry the fifth The Spaâ—iards have their Priests with them and doe punish those that in word or deed doe offer them iniury Why should our Armies goe forth without good Teachers King Henry the first had with him Priests whom he commaunded to pray whilest hee fought the glorious battle at Agen-Court II. The people of God in former times humbled themselves not those onely which were at home but the host of men which went out into the warres they fasted they prayed and sought the Lord with teares offering Sacrifices to God and asked counsell of the Lord before so did the Isâ—aâ—lites going against Beâ—â—min So did Iud. 20. 18 23. 26. 1 Sam. 7. 8 they in the dayes of Samuel whom they intreated to pray earnestly for them I so did Iehosophat when hee went out against his enemies In like 2 Mach 3. 44 47 50 sort did Iudas and his people with him they fasted read holy Scriptures and prayed fervently vnto the Lord for helpe King Henry the fift before the battle of Agen-court with great devotion made prayers and supplications with his Priests and people vnto God and prospered For what is it for vs to pray for those who in the meane space neglect prayer despise it and preaching and give themselves instead of fasting and humbling themselves to swearing drinking and whoring filching and other villanies by which they call for vengeance against themselves The Emperour Oâ—ho when he was to have a set battle with the Hungarians proclaimed a fast and commanded to call vpon the name of God before that God might goe with them The Romans before they began warre sacrificed to their gods and prayed for successe Liv. 22. 31 as is evident in their attempts against Hannibâ—l and in their warres against Philip of Macedonia and Antiochus Xenop iâ— exped Cyr Câ—c de nat deorum 3. Liv. 29. yea they imputed their ill successe to the neglect and contempt of Religion not seeking to appease the wrath of the gods and to winne their favour before Scipiâ— going against the Carthaginians made a prayer for successe expressed in Livie Archidamus bringing his army before Plâ—tea began with sacrifices crave helpe of the gods Among the Lacedemonians Tâ—ucid 2. Plutarch when their King went to ioyne battle he first offered sacrifice Isaac Bassa going against Scanderbeg would not moove forward before hee had made his prayer to God for successe All which condemneth the Atheisticall Commanders and souldiers which in these dayes dare contemne these religious duties which are to be performed vnto the Lord God of hosts III. They had a strict charge to keepe themselues then from every thing and withall to put away wickednesse Deu. 23. 9. 1 Sa. 7. 3 4 Ios 7. especially Idols and to punish â—oule offenders as Iosua did Achan before he went the second time against the Enemy and to separate Idolaters 2 Ch. 28. 7 8. from them whom God hateth Salomon telleth vs that wisedome is better then weapons of war but saith he one sinner destroyeth much good If wisedome ond weapons cannot save where there is but one vile and notorious ill liver how shall we imagine that they shall prosper where a most there are an whole host of them
considered and care had of marching on The Lord himselfe set an order in going forward and in marching to his people first he himselfe went before them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to Exo 13. 21 leade their way but when the enemy with a mighty host was behinde them then the Lord got himselfe betweene his people and the Egyptians to overthrow them for as a Generall he cared for the safety of his Army which he had brought out of Exo. 14. 19 24. Deu. 20. 9. Num. 2. 34 with verse 2 Num. 2. 17. Ioel 2. 7 8. Chro 12. 33. 3. 5. See the margin Deut. 25. 18. Egypt with a powerful hand 2. He appointed that Captains chosen should leade the people 3. That the people should set forward every one after their families according to the houses of their fathers with the Ensigne thereof the cloâ—d being taken vp 4. Before they marched the trum pets sounded and in marching they kept ranke observing order the weakest went hindermost The Heathen also did see to this They could march every one in his way not breaking rankes not thrusting one another but every one walking in his path so they kept an equall distance from one another If they be too neâ—re they are trouble some to themselues that they cannot vse their weapons if too far asunder they make way for the Enemy to breake in vpon them disorderly marching may not be endured Scipio corrected Flor exit Liv. 58. 34. such as hee espied out of ranke so did Cato who would strike them with his leading staffe and commanded the Captaines to chastise them In going on spies were wont to be sent forth before to discover the 1 Sam â—3 22 23. Enemie This did Saul when he went against David Iosâ—a sent spies into Ios 2. 1. 9. the land before him to know how the people were affected For to heare of feare and terrour in the Enemie is a great heartening to goe forward This whetted on Godeon to set Iud 7 10 â—1 13 vpon the Midianites and much strengthened his heart This sending forth or going to learne somewhat from the enemie was commanded Gideon by God himselfe So David sent out spies to vnderstand what â— Sa 26. 4 1 Mach 5 38 12 20 Saul did And Machabeus sent spies into the host of the Enemies and so did Ionathan It s wisedome to haue some with the Enemy to discouer his purposes and designements if it may be as David had Hushai with Absolom and men secretly in Ierusalem to bring him newes Gabrias the Athenian Pluta Apotheg Liv 122 Captaine said that he deserved no then me of a Generall that vnderstood not the estate of his Enemies Livie reporteth that Hannibal vnderstood what was done in the Enemies Campe as well as they partly by espialls sent into the Campe and partly by his owne diligence God 2 K. 6. 9. himselfe sometime by his Prophet did extraordinarily reveale the secret counsel of the Syrian vnto the King of Israel to prevent mischiefes From God and man Generals are taught to learne and see and vnderstand what their Enemies doe When they march and doe secure themselues from ambushments and dangerous passages they must consider 2 K 6. 8. well where to encamp as the Syrian King did warring with Israel The encamping of Israel by the Lords direction was fouresquare and the Tabernacle in the midst with Priests Num 2. and Levites to attend their office There were foure standards pitched the first of Iudah Eastward the second of Reuben Southward the third of Ephraim Westward and the fourth of Dan Northward To every of these belonged two Tribes so as three Tribes was vnder one standard and the whole host of all three numbred together Then were there ensignes which were pitched also by the standards which were the ensignes of their Fathers houses In marching Num 10. 5 6 14 18 22 25. they kept this order 1. the East side went forward and then the South-side then the West and then the North before all which went the Arke to search out a resting place for them and when if set forward or rested a holy speech was vttered by Moses either time this was the Num 10 33. 36. manner of encamping and marching in the wildernesse But they had also another kinde and forme of entronching which was round as appeareth by the manner of speech according to Innius and Tremelius translation David is said â— Sa 17. 20 to come ambitu plaustrorum so asthey lay it may seeme intrenched round with carts They had a care to lodge safely by intrenching themselues Gorgias campe was strong 2 Mach. 4. â— compassed about with expere horsemen This Caesar had speciall care of he would not neglect this worke at any hand nor bee deterred by his Bel. Gal. 2. Civ 1. Liv. 27. enemies sending to offer battell to hinder the same Fulvius the Proconsul neglecting this was suddenly set vpon by Hannibal and overthrowne and all his company So was Lodâ—wike Nassa brother to the Prince of Orange slaine and most Anno 1568 of his company through idlenesse and want of skill withall to entrench well themselues In Israel the Generall was ever in the Camp Saul was alwayes in the Campe so was Moses and Iosua Ioab in the 2 Sam 11 11. 1 Mach. 4. 4. host and Gorgias in his Campe. Heroicall hearts should disdaine to follow pleasure though lawfull when they should be in the field this contempt of pleasure was in Vriah one of Dauids Worthies because the General and the host lay in their Tents They did encampe in as convenient Num 21. Exod 15. 27. 16. 12. 15 1 Sa 29. â— Iud. 7. 1. places as they could by wells of water and trâ—es as Israelites did and as did the Philistims by a fountaine 〈◊〉 by the well of Harad and Timotheus the wicked Heathen and Ionathan at the water of Gennesar 1 Mach 5. 37. 11. 67. Exod 18. 6 19. 2. 1 Sa 26. 3. 28 4. 31. 1. Nu 21. 12. 22. 1. Deut 10 7 Iudg 6 33. 7. 8. 1 Chro 11. 15 vpon or by a hill or mountaine as Moses with Israel did and Saul vpon Hachilah and on Mount Gilboah Also in vallies and plaines as Israelites did in the valley of Zared and in the plaines of Moab neere Iordan and in Iothah a land of rivers of water The host of Midian pitched in the valley of Iezreel and the Philistims in the valley of Rephaim which a strong host may dare to doe Wheresoever they encamped they Iud 7. 8 2 K 7 7 1 Mach. 9 2 4. 20 Iudg 7 11 2 K 7 8 10 1 Mach 4 23 had their tents to lye in every one had his tent not onely Israelites in their owne land but also the Heathen so had the Syrians and Demâ—trius host vnder Bachides and the lewd Aleimus and