The Looking Glass of the Holy War, Chapter 24
CHAPT. XXIIII. Of the particularities of the Counſell of War.
NOW I come more cloſe to my proper ſubject of war, Of the obiect of warwherein I brieflie meane to ſhew what is the object of this counſell; what is the ground of it, and how … ſhould be carryed.
The object of the counſell of war is, whatſoever ma… accommodate themſelves, and incommodate the enemie▪ Yea they are to be acquainted as much as may be, with th… enemies affaires, forces and counſell; As what number they be; what kind of forces they be, vvhether horſe or foote vvhat diſpoſition they are of; vvhat be their Armes, defenfive and offenſive; Difficile vincitur qui vere poteſt de ſuis, & de adverſarii copiis judicare. Lib. 3. cap. 26. Stratag. lib. 1. cap. 2.and vvhat Armes they are beſt at. Vegeti… giveth a good reaſon for this, he is hardly overcome that … truely judge or diſcerne of his owne and his adverſaries force… For the diſcovery of the adverſaries counſell, as it is of greauſe; ſo ſome Generals hauehave not onelyonly been carefull in th… diſcovery; but hauehave made great attempts for the effecting of it. As Cato in the Spaniſh war, being very defirous to diſcover the enemies counſell, and ſeeing no ordinary meanes to effect it; cauſed 300 ſouldiers breake in upon the enemies campe, who brought one of the ſaide campe ſafe avvay to the Generall, out of vvhom he extorted the ſecrets of the enemie. The diſcovery of the King of Arams councell by the Prophet Elisha, was great advantage to the King of Iſrael. Beware (ſaith the Prophet) thou paſſe not ſuth a place; King. 6.29.for thither the Sirians are come dovvne. Euen in this reſpect as for others, the Lord is called an excellent man of war, becauſe he knovveth the forces, the counſell, and Armes of the adverſary. In this, the diligence of the common enemie doth both blame us and ſhame us. The devill is a buſie Bishop. They vvant no ſpies; they ſpare no paines, nor charges, vvhereby they may diſcover and fruſtrate, all the attempts of Gods force… for his ovvne cauſe. That ſerpentine brood (of the devill, o… rather devills themſelves, as one calleth them) affoordeth al… kinds of counſellours, ſome dormient, ſome couchant, ſome rampant, ſome vvalking, yea creeping & flying abroad for diſcoveryes. The Duke of Bavariaes letter to Richard Blond, Vice-Provincial in England (vvherein he thanks him for his paines and diligence for the Romiſh See, and Catholique Cauſe) doth directly diſcover what weekly intercourſe is between the ſaid Blond and the Pope, notwithſtanding of Romes diſtance from England. As for Blonds intereſt in ſome of the Bedchamber, mentioned in that letter, I will not meddle with it. It were good then they were encountred with the …ike diligence and induſtry. Paulus Aemilius diſcovered the ambuſhment of the Boians, by the flying of Birds in the Truſcan war. For the fowles being affrighted from the wood, the councell ſent out a ſcout-watch, and diſcovered ten thouſand in ambuſhment. So by the flying of theſe black-birds of Rome, their ſubtilties in war, and infidelity in peace, vvith carefulneffe might be diſcovered. The Doctors of Doway obſerue from Nubrigenſis; Lib. 2. cap. 21. rer. Anglic. 2 King. 6.17.upon the opening of Eliſhaes ſervants eyes, that a husbandman in York…hire, named Ketle, had the gift to ſee evill ſpirits, whereby he often detected and hindred their bad purpoſes. As by this lye, they vvould make footing for their feigned miracles; ſo indeed the Lords Armies had need of ſcaled eyes, wherewith to diſcern thoſe Legionary ſpirits, who are digging through the vvall to raze down the foundation.
But ſome vvith Gallio care not for theſe things; Applicatiō.ſome ſee them but wil not ſee; ſome underhand doe countenance them; and ſome with the faint-hearted ſpies, dare ſay little or nothing to them. But it is to be feared, that theſe evill ſpirits will proue like a Hecticke, once openly diſcovered, ne…ver cured but by a miracle.