The Value of True Valor, Title page – To the reader
THE VALEVV OF TRVE VALOVR, OR, THE PROBATION AND APPROBATION OF A right MILITARY MAN. Discouered in a Sermon Preached Iuly 25. before the worthy Gentlemen of the Military Company.
By THOMAS TAYLOR Doctor of Divinitie, and Pastor of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London.
Marti arma non sunt oneri.
LONDON, Printed by Aug: Mathewes for THO: IONES, and are to be sold at his Shop in St. Dunstanes Churchyard. 1629.
TO THE GENEROVS MINDED MILITARY SOCIETIE.
GEntle-men, that I should in your element speake that which you with so vnanimous consent importuned me, not to Preach only, but to publish: I cannot ascribe (next vntounto Gods perswasion) to any other cause, then the concurrence of our mutuall affections to the noble exercise of Armes; which you and I professe. You to mannage: I to honour. Yet was I sorry your importunitie pitched on so slender an obiect. It was in vaine to pleade the worthlesnesse of these notes; and how meritoriously they deserued the darke: Or to tell you that it was against my mind and manner to send out single Sermons into publicke view; especially, in a subiect so vnwonted. J see that Military men thinke their booty often richer then it proueth, and sometimes win by force, what right might deny. And therefore as one vnderunder Sponte it, trahendus tamen nisi eat.command goes of himselfe where he would not: because else he knoweth he must be drawen: so hauehave I condescended to this your second desire. J was not willing to encrease it in bulke: but rather to contract what might hauehave been enlarged. Iudicious Moneta optima quae precij & ponderis plurimum habet in parva mole.readers, esteeme of bookes as of coines, whereof those are most precious, which hauehave most weight and worth in the smallest quantity.
The onelyonly addition I entended was if I might adde a graine. To the honor, encrease and encouragement of your company. The prosperity whereof eueryevery good man (in these threatning times) cannot but aduance. For as it is in the natural, so is it in the nationall body. Though the head may aduise well; the eye see clearly, the tong discourse discreetly, yet if the armes and limbes bee lame, it can neither defend it selfe, nor offend the enemy: so neither can prudent counsell in the head of the kingdome; nor cleare doctrine and direction in the eyes of the Church; nor lawes sharpely pleaded, and executed, secure our State: if martiall men and affaires be lame, and vnioynted. EueryEvery man knowes the postes of a meane house had neede be heart of oake: and much more the studs of so great a State, and pondrous fabricke as ours is, had need bee strong, like to Iacin and 1. King. 7. 21.Boaz the two pillars of the porch of that great Temple. The great God of spirits put great spirits in you, and the rest of your noble profession. That with the valour of Dauid, the might of Sampson, the courage of Gideon, and the successe of Ioshua, you may in Gods cause, and your coūtries seruice atchieue great and noble works for the defence of the Gospell, the safety of our King, the honour of the Kingdome: the taking of the prey out of the Lyons mouth; and the rescuing of the oppressed from the mighty man. And let all faithfull subiects and sonnes of valour say, Amen.
The louer of your valour, and vertue, THO: TAYLOR.