Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion, Sermons 1 · Decade 2 · Sermon 9
¶ Of warre, whether it be lawfull for a magiſtrate to make warre. What the Scripture teacheth touching warre. Whether a Chriſtian man may beare the office of a magiſtrate. And of the duetie of ſubiectes.
¶ The ninth Sermon.
TO the right of the ſwoord, which God hath giuen to the Magiſtrate, doth warre belong: For in my laſt Sermon I taught you, that the vſe of the ſword in the magiſtrates hand, is two fold or of two ſortes. For either hée puniſheth offenders there with: Or elſe repelleth the enimie that ſpoyleth or would ſpoile his people, or cutteth off ye rebellious purpoſes of his owne ſeditious citizens.
But many make a doubt, whether …hether … law…l for a Magiſtrat …o make ….it be lawful for a magiſtrate to make warre or no. And it is meruaile to ſée them as blinde as bitells in a matter of it ſelfe as plaine as may bée. For if the magiſtrate doth by Gods lawe puniſh offenders, théeues, and harmefull perſons, and that it maketh no matter whether they be few or many in number (as I declared in my yeſterdayes ſermon:) euen by the ſame law may hée perſecute, repell, and kill rebellious people, ſeditious citizens and barbarous ſouldiers, who vnderunder the pretence of warre do attempt that openly, which théeues and robbers are wont to doe priuilie. The Prophete (I confeſſe) did amonge other thinges prophecie of vsus Chriſtians, and ſay: They ſhall turne their ſwordes into ſpades, and their iauelyns into ſythes. For Chriſtians hauehave peace with all men, and do altogether abſteine from armour. For euerie one doth that to an other which he would wiſh to hauehave done to himſelfe. But forbecauſe all are not ſo minded, but that many vnrulie perſons, wicked théeues, and oppreſſours of the poore do liue and dwel among honeſt and good meaning men, as wilde beaſtes amonge harmeleſſe creatures, therefore God from heanen hath giuen the ſword into ye magiſtrates hande, to bée a defence for harmeleſſe people againſt vnrulie cut throates. But wée reade not in any place, that wée are forbidden to ſuppreſſe and kill wolues, wilde boares, beares, and ſuch other beaſtes that do annoy and pray vppon men or cattell: What lett then ſhould there bée whie wée ſhould not by lawfull warre begunne in a good quarell, repell the vniuſte iniurie of violent robbers, ſince theeues, robbers, barbarous ſouldiers and ſeditious citizens, doe differ little or nothing from wilde beaſtes? The Scripture verilie doth not vouchſafe to cal them by any other names, than by the names of beaſtes. Hereunto cō ſenteth the common fenſe of nature: and herewithall agréeth the doctrine of faith and religion. If it be poſſible, (ſaith the Apoſtle) as much as lyeth in you, liue quietly with all men, not reuēging your ſelues. Sée here, as much as lyeth in you (ſaith …ée,) and, if it be poſſible. Otherwiſe hée addeth immediatelie after, The magiſtrate beareth not the ſword in vaine. Hée meaneth, for them that trouble all thinges & do annoy the men which doe deſire to liue at peace. And this is confirmed by the examples of the moſt holie and excellente men that hauehave beene in the world, which hauehave taken warre in hand for the defence of their countrie and harmeleſſe countriemen: as I hauehave alreadie declared out of S. Paules Epiſtle to the Hebrues, when as in the expoſition of the fift precept, I ſhewed what honour euerie man doth owe to his countrie. I will adde to theſe ſome reaſons of S. Auguſtine vttered contra Fauſtum Manichaeum lib. 22. cap. 75. Neither let him (ſaith hee) meruaile or be aſtonied at the warres made by Moſes, for becauſe euen in them too, hee followed Gods commaundement, not like a tyraunt, but like an obedient ſeruaūt. Neither did God rage with crueltie when hee commaunded thoſe warres, but iuſtlie payde home them that deſerued it, and terrified thoſe that were worthie of it. For what is blame worthie in warre? Is it to be blamed, that they do die which once muſt die, that they which liue maye rule in peace? To finde faulte with that, is rather a cowardly touch, than the part of a religious Chriſtian. Deſire to hurt, crueltie in reuenging, an vnappeaſed ſtomach, bruteneſſe in rebelling, greedines to rule, and whatſoeuer elſe is like to theſe, are the thinges that in warre are worthie to be blamed, & by right of lawe to be ſharpely puniſhed. Againſt the violence of iniurious enimies, at the commaundement either of God himſelfe, or any other lawfull power, euen good men are wont to take warre in hand, ſince their ſtate in the world is ſuch, that politique order doth iuſtlie binde the magiſtrate in ſuch a caſe to commaunde it, and the ſubiectes to obey it. Otherwiſe Iohn when the ſouldiers came to him to bee baptized ſaying: And what ſhall wee doe? would hauehave aunſweared them and ſaid, Caſte off your armour, forſake your ſouldiours life, ſtrike, wounde, or kill no bodie. But becauſe he knew, that while they did ſo as ſouldiers in the warre, they were not manquellers but miniſters of the lawe, not reuengers of their owne iniuries, but defenders of the common weale, hee ſaid vntounto them: Strike no man, doe no man iniurie: be content with your wages. But becauſe the Maniches hauehave of vſe blaſphemed or ſpoken againſt Iohn, let them heare the Lord Ieſus Chriſte himſelfe, commaunding to giuegive to Caeſar that ſtipend, which Iohn did ſay the ſouldier ſhould be content withall. GiueGive (ſaith hee) to Caeſar, that which is Caeſars, and to God the thinges that doe belong to God. For to this ende is tribute paide, that the ſouldier in the warre may hauehave his pay out of hand, for his paine. Verie well therefore, when the Centurion ſaid: And I am a man ſet vnderunder power, hauing ſouldiers vnderunder mee: and I ſay to one goe and hee goeth, and to an other come and hee commeth, and to my ſeruaunt doe this and he doth it, did the Lord commend his faith, and not cōmaund him to forſake his ſouldierſhippe. Hetherto alſo apperteyneth yt which followeth in the ſame 75. chapiter and 76. next after. But I do of purpoſe willinglie beare ſomewhat with you, not meaning by ouerlong rehearſing of too many ſentences to bee tedious vntounto you. Thus hetherto I hauehave ſhewed …you that it is lawful for the magiſtrate for to make warre. Where by the way alſo wée gather, that the ſubiectes doe lawfullie without any offence to God, take armour to batteile, when they take it in hand at the magiſtrates bidding. But if the magiſtrates purpoſe bée, to kill the guiltleſſe, I declared in my former ſermōs, that then his people ought not to obey his wicked commaundements.
Let the magiſtrate therefore hauehave an eye to himſelfe, that hée abuſe not his lawfull authoritie. And although the magiſtrate bée licenſed to make warre for iuſte and neceſſarie cauſes, yet notwithſtanding warre is a thing moſt full of perill, and draweth with Warre a thing full of pe…il & daunger.it ſelfe an endleſſe troupe of miſchiefous euills. By warre the iuſt iudgement of God doth plague the men, whom his fatherly warning could neuer moue: but amonge them many times too, the guiltleſſe féele the whip. In warre for the moſt part, ſouldiers miſuſe themſelues, and thereby incurre Gods heauie diſpleaſure: there is no euil in all the world that warre vpholdeth not. By warre both ſcarcitie of euerie thinge, and dearth doe ariſe: For highe wayes are ſtopped, corne vppon the grounde is troden downe and marrde, whoale villages burnte, prouiſion goeth to wracke, handicrafts are vnoccupied, merchandice doe ceaſſe, and all doe periſh both rich and poore. The valiaunt ſtronge men are flame in the batteile, the cowardly ſorte runne away for their lyues to hide their heads, reſeruinge themſelues to be tormēted with more exquiſite and terrible kindes of cruell puniſhmentes: For wicked knaues are promoted to dignitie, and beare the ſway, which abuſe mankinde like ſauage beaſtes. Hands are wroūge on eueryevery ſide: widowes and children crie out and lament: the wealth that hath beene carefullie gathered to helpe in want to come, is ſpoyled and ſtolne away: cities are raced, virgins and vnmariageable maydēs are ſhamefully deflowred, all honeſtie is vtterlie violated, old men are handled vnreuerētly, lawes are not exerciſed, religion and learning are nothing ſet by, godleſſe knaues and cut threats hauehave the dominion: and therefore in the ſcriptures Warre is the ſcourg of God.warre is called the ſcourge of God. For with warre he plagueth incurable idolatrers, and thoſe which ſtubbornely contemne his word: for that was the cauſe why ye citie of Ie…uſalem with the whole nation of the Iewes was vtterly deſtroyed: Becauſe they knew not the day of their viſitation (as the Lord in the Goſpel ſaith) but wente on to kill the Lords Apoſtles, bringing on vppon their owne neckes the ſhedding of all the bloud, from the righteous Abell vntounto Zacharias. For murder, idolatrie, inceſt, and deteſtable riot, wée read that the Chananites were raced out and cutte off. The Moabites as Eſai witneſſeth, were quite ouerthrowen, for crueltie, inhumanitie, and cōtempt of the poore. The men of Niniuie did by warre vniuſtly vexe other nations, making hauocke of all, to fil their gréedie deſire: and therefore ſaith the Prophete Nahum, other men meaſured to them with the ſame meaſure, that they had meaſured to other before. Micheas in his ſixt chapiter affirmeth flatly, that God ſendeth warre vponupon vniuſte men for their couetouſnes & falſe deceipt. In Ieremie, arrogancie and pride: in Eſaie, riot and dronkēneſſe are ſaid to be the cauſes of warre: but the euill and miſerie that warre bringeth with it, ſticketh ſo faſte to common weales and kingdoms wher it once hath hold, that it cannot be remoued, taken away or ſhaken off at our wil and pleaſure by any worldly wiſedome, by any league makinges, with any wealth, by any fortifications, by any power or manhoode, as it is to be ſeene in the Prophet Abdias. Our ſincere tourning to God alone, is the onelyonly waye to remedie it: as Ieremie teſtifieth in his fifte Chapiter. Nowe this turning to the Lord conſiſteth in frée acknowledginge, and francke confeſſion of our ſinnes, in true fayth for remiſſion of ſinnes through the grace of God and merite of Chriſt Ieſus. Secōdarilie it conſiſteth in hatred and renoūcing of al vnrighteouſneſſe, in louelove of iuſtice, innocēcie, charitie, & al other vertues: and laſte of all in earneſte prayers and continuall ſupplications.
Againe thou mayſte ſee perhappes Warre for profite.that ſome by warre hauehave no ſmal commoditie, profite, and vneſtimable riches with verie little loſſe or no dammage at all. Such was the warre which the Iſraelites had with the Chanaanites, vnderunder their Capitaine Ioſue. But I would not that gaping after gayne ſhould drawe any man They that hauehave the iuſter qua…ell, are ouercome of the vniuſt.from right and equitie. And many times ye magiſtrates ſuppoſe that their quarell is good, and that of right they oughte to make warre on others, and puniſh offenders, when as notwithſtandinge the righteous God by that occaſion draweth them on into perill, that their ſinnes may bée puniſhed by the men in whom they did purpoſe to hauehave puniſhed ſome gréeuous crime. Wée hauehave euidente examples hereof in the Scriptures. The eleuen tribes of Iſrael in a good quarel made warre on the Beniamites, purpoſing to reuenge the deteſtable crime that a few wicked knaues had horriblie committed, wherein the whoale tribe bare them oute and vphelde them, beinge parteners thereby of their heynous offence. But twice the Iſraelites were put to the woorſe and the wicked Beniamites had the vpper hand in the battaile. In the time of Heli the Iſraelites minded to driue the tyrannous rule of the idolatrous Philiſtines out of their countrie, but they are ſlaine, the Arcke of God is taken, and caried into the cities of their idolatrous enimies. Likewiſe that excellente Prince Ioſias is ouerthrowne and ſlaine by the Chaldeis, becauſe the Lord had purpoſed to puniſh & bring euil vppon the whoale people of Iſraell, which hée would not hauehave ſo holie a Prince his ſeruaunt, to ſee with his eyes to his ſorrow and griefe. Wherby wée hauehave to gather that the trueth of religion is not to be eſtéemed by the victorie or ouerthrowe of any people, ſo that that religion ſhould bee true and right, whoſe fauourers hauehave the vpper hand, and that againe be falſe and vntrue, whoſe profeſſours and mainteyners are put to the worſe: For wée muſt diſtinguiſh betwixt religion, and the men or perſonnes that keepe that religion, which do for other cauſes ſuffer the Lords viſitation.
But all this admoniſheth vsus, that the magiſtrate hath néede of the great feare of God before his eyes both in making and repelling warres, leaſte while hée goeth aboute to auoyde the ſmoulthering coaſepitte hée happ to fall into the ſcalding lyme kill, or leaſt while hée ſuppoſeth to eaſe his ſhoulders of one euill, hée doth by the way whereby hée ſoughte eaſe, heape vppe either more, or farre greater euills. Princes therefore muſt preciſely looke into, and throughly examine ye cauſes of warres before they beginne or take them in hand. The The … of …cauſes are many and of many ſortes, but the chiefe are theſe that followe. For either the magiſtrate is compelled to ſende ayde, and rayſe the ſiege of his enimie, which doth enuironne the garriſons that hée hath appointed for the defence of ſome of his cities: becauſe it were an offence, and parte of parricide to forſake and giuegive ouer againſt oathe and honeſtie, his cities and garriſons that are in extremitie. Or elſe the magiſtrate of duetie is compelled to make warre vppon men which are incurable, whom the verie iudgemente of the Lord condemneth and biddeth to kill without pittie or merciemercy. Such were the warres as Moſes had with the Madianites, and Ioſue with the Amalechites. Of that ſorte are the warres wherein ſuch men are oppreſſed as of inuincible malice will both periſh themſelues, and drawe other to deſtruction as well as themſelues, with thoſe alſo which reiecting all iuſtice and equitie, doe ſtubbornly go on to perſiſt in their naughtineſſe. Such were the Beniamites which were deſtroyed by ſword and fire of the other eleuen tribes. Such are at this day thoſe arrogant and ſeditious rebells, as trouble common weales and kingdomes, as of old, Abſalom was in Iſraell, and Seba the ſonne of Bochri: of whom mention is made in the ſecond booke of Samuell.
Hereunto appertoyne the warres … in hād … the … of ….that are taken in hand for the defence of true religiō againſt idolatrers and enimies of the true and Catholique faith. They erre that are of opinion that no warres may bee made in defence of religion. The Lord in déede blamed Peter for ſtrikinge with the ſword, becauſe he was an Apoſtle, but therby notwithſtanding hée badde not the magiſtrate to be negligent in looking to religion, neither forbad he him to defend and mainteyne ye pureneſſe of faith. For if it bée lawfull for the magiſtrate to defend with the ſword, the thinges of accompt, of which ſorte are libertie, wealth, chaſtitie, and his ſubiects bodies, whie ſhould he not defend and reuenge the thinges of greater accompt, and thoſe which are of greateſt weight? But there is nothing of more and greater weight than ſincere & true religion is. There is moreouer a manifeſt and flat commaundement of God touching this matter, to be ſéene in Deuteronomium. For the Lord commaundeth that euerie citie (within the iuriſdiction of euerie magiſtrate) which departeth frō God and the worſhippe of God, ſhould be ſet on with warriours, and vtterlie raced, if it reuolted not frō idolatrie betimes. The place is extant in the 13. of Deut. But if the magiſtrate be cōmaunded to puniſh Apoſtataes by warre, then is it lawful for him by warr to defend the Church in daunger to be drawne by anye barbarous Prince from true religion vntounto falſe idolatrie. Ioſue would by warre hauehave ſuppreſſed the Rubenits with their confederates for building an altar againſt Gods commaundemente. Iudas Machabeus fought for the people of God againſt ye people & ſouldiers of king Autiochus, who purpoſed to tread downe the Iewiſh religion, which at that time was the true worſhip of God, and perforce to make all men receiue and profeſſe, his heatheniſh ſuperſtition. Likewiſe alſo Paul cōmended greatly thoſe Iewiſh capitaynes or Iudges, which by faith withſtoode and turnd away forreine enimies inuaſions. And Paule himſelfe did warre in Cyprus againſt Elymas the falſe prophet and ſtroake him with blindnes: he addeth the reaſon why hée ſtroak him blinde, which he fetcheth frō the kéeping of religion, and ſaith: Ceaſſeſt thou not to peruert the right wayes of the Lord? &c. Act. 13. For the ſame Paul againe 40. mē do lye in waite, ſuppoſinge if hee were once made away, that a good parte of the preachinge of the Goſpell would then come to an ende, and that thereby the Iewiſhe religion (which notwithſtāding was vtterly falſe) ſhould hauehave béene ſet vp and mainteyned for truth. But Paul was not negligēt to remedie this caſe, neither turned hée ye other chéeke to hauehave that ſtricken too, Since he aſked … of heathens, he woulde a great deal ſoner hauehave … …t at the hand…s of C…riſ…ian M…giſtrates …f a… then there had been… any.but earneſtlie and humblie requireth deliuerie and defence, which hee requeſted, not of a Chriſtian magiſtrate (when as yet there was none) but of a Romane Centurion: neither did hée once gainſay him, when hee ſawe that hée choaſe out 400. footemen, and 70. horſemen, whom hée placed in order of battell ray, to conduct him ſafely from Hieruſal…m to Antipatridis: and by that meanes was Paule the veſſell of election, preſerued by an armed band of Italian ſouldiers. Of the Armenians whom Mariminus ye Emperour did tyrannouſly oppreſſe, Euſebius in the 9. booke and S. cap of his eccleſiaſticall hiſtorie ſaith: The people of Armenia hauing beene long time both profitable and frends to the people of Rome, being at length compelled by Maximinus Caeſar, to chaung the vſe of Chriſtian religion (whereunto the whoale nation was moſt holilie bent) into the worſhip of idolls, and to honour diuels in ſteede of God, of friēds became enimies, and of fellowes aduerſaries, and preparing by force of armes to defende them ſelues againſt his wicked edictes, doe of their owne accord make warre vppon him, and put him often to much trouble and buſynes. Thus ſaith hee. It is lawful therefore for the magiſtrate to defend … people and ſu…iect…s a…inſt idola…ra, and by … and … to this there is an other cauſe why the magiſtrate may take warre in hand. For either ſome barbarous enimie inuadeth ye people cōmitted to thy charge, tearing and ſpoyling them moſt cruellie, like a wolfe in a flocke of ſhéepe, when as notwithſtāding thou diddeſt not firſt prouoake him thereunto by iniurie, but alſo after his cauſeleſſe beginning thou haſt offered equal conditions of peace to be made. In ſuch a caſe as this the magiſtrate is cōmaunded to ſtand forth like a Lyon, and to defende his ſubiectes againſt the open wronge of mercileſſe …utthroates. So did Moſes, when hée fought againſt Arad, Sehon and Og, kinges of the Amorites. So did Ioſaphat when hée foughte againſt the Ammonites, and inhabitauntes of mount S…ir. So did Dauid, when he withſtoode the warre made on him by the Syrians. Or elſe the magiſtrate doth ayde his confederates (for the magiſtrate may make league with the nations about him, ſo that thereby nothinge be done againſt the word of God) when by tyrauntes they be wrongfully oppreſſed. For ſo did Ioſue deliuer the Cabaonites frō the ſiege of their enimies, and Saule the men of Iabes Galaad, fighting for them againſt Nahas a Prince full of tyrannie. In ſuch caſes as theſe magiſtrats and Princes do lawfully make warre, and their ſouldiers and ſubiects doe rightlie obey them, yea they doe with greate glorie die a happie death, that die in ſo iuſte a quarell, as for the defence of religiō, of the lawes of God, of his countrie, wife, and children. They therefore that enter into warrfare to ſuſteine the troubleſome The … of …toile of batteile, muſt not ſet their minds vppon gaine or pleaſure, wherin they looke, when perill is paſte to lye …ill and wallowe: but iuſtice, publique peace, defence of trueth and innocencie muſt be the mark for them all to ſhoote at: to the intent, when the wicked are vāquiſhed, the victorie obteined, and the enimies put to flight, ſlaine out of hand, or brought to better order, that then religion may flouriſh, iudgement & iuſtice may be exerciſed, the Church vpheld, the ceremonies, rites, ordinances, and diſcipline thereof mainteyned, ſtudie and learning cheriſhed, ye poore prouided for, widowes and children defended and cared for, ye all ſortes may liue in quiet peace, that old men in reuerence, maydens in chaſtitie, and matrones in honeſtie may ſerue God, prayſe God, and worſhip God without feare or daunger. This was the marke, whereto our fathers Abraham, Moſes, Ioſue, Dauid and other valiaunt men of famous memorie, did directe the eyes of their bodies and mindes, vppon this onelie their heartes were ſettled, ſo often as they warred and wente to batteile againſt vngodly tyrauntes in defence of the Church and cōmon weale. To whom and to all other valiaunte and godlie ſouldiers eternal praiſe is duelie giuē of all the Church and faithful ſaintes. But to fearefull and cowardly ſouldiers, to wicked, couetous, and blaſpheming warrious, to riottous knaues, and vnconſtant traytours, by whoſe cowardiſe, gluttonie, luſt, and vnnaturall treaſon, excellent kingdomes doe come to nought, and flouriſhing common weales are quite ouerthrowen, is reproch and infamie worthilie due: for God himſelf hath curſed ſuch knaues for euermore.
Therfore it is not lawful to make ….any warre, vnleſſe it be againſt open enimies, and wicked men that are incurable. The warres are vniuſt that men doe make vppon their owne fellowes, againſt innocente perſons, or people in whom there is hope of amendmente. Thoſe warres alſo are vniuſt, that are not begunne by lawfull meanes for matters of weighte. All thinges muſt firſt be aſſayed, before it com to be tryed out by batteile. Other mens territories muſt not bée deſired: the libertie of other people or thine owne ſubiectes muſt not be repreſſed: thou muſt not followe any affection which may withdrawe or ſeduce thy minde, of which ſort are deſire of rule, couetouſneſſe, gréedineſſe of giftes, enuie, & other affections like vntounto theſe. Warre is to common weales a remedie in déede, but perillous and daungerous, euen as launcinge, or cuttinge is to the me…ers. The hand is poyſoned, and the arme in danger to be enuenomed too, whereby the whoale man perhapps may be caſt awaye: but yet thou cutteſt not off thy hande, vntill, when thou haſt tried all other medicines, thou doeſt plainly perceiue that no other means can remedie the ſoare but cutting off alone. Likewiſe when al helpes faile, then at the laſt let warre béeginne, ſo yet neuertheleſſe, that the Prince doe remember to béeginne with warre, before all helpe and hope of recouerie be vtterly paſte.
For the word of God is ſo farre off from finding fault with warre begun The word of God hath made lawes of war…e.vppon a iuſt quarell, that it doth both make lawes of warre, and ſheweth a number of exāples of vpright warrs, of wiſe and worthie warriours. The lawes of warre are recited in the 20. Chapiter of Deuteronomie, both profitable and neceſſarie, and there withalſo euident that they néede no words of mine to expound them. Moreouer in euerie place of the ſcripture, theſe lawes of warre are ſtill bidden to bée kept. Firſt of al the chiefe and vppermoſt place muſt be giuen to religion in euerie campe and garriſon. For the Lord himſelfe hath appointed prieſtes and miniſters of true religion to attend and ſerue in warres. Secondarilie let vprighte lawes bée of force in campes abroade, as wel as in cities at hoame: let ſouldiers liue honeſtly, inſtly, and rightly as order and diſcipline are wonte to require, when as they are in the citie at home. For that ſayinge commeth not of God but of the diuell which is commonly ſpred abroade: Let lawes in warre, bee huiſht and ſtill.
Thirdly, let him that is choſen to be guide and general of ye warre, be godly, … holy, valiaunt, wiſe and fortunate, as among them of old, were Ioſue, Dauid, Iudas Machabeus, Conſtantine, Theodoſius, and many moe. To al this there muſt be added a choſen band of tried men: For choice of ſouldiers muſt bée made, vnleſſe perhappes the armie do conſiſt in a troope of daſtards and vnſkilful men, of periurd and blaſpheming knaues, of cutthroates and rakehells, of dronkards, and gluttons, and a beaſtly droaue of filthy ſwine. Victorie conſiſteth not in the multitude of men, but in the grace of God and a choſen band. The prouerbe is common which ſaith: Where a multitude is, there is confuſion.
Great and innumerable armies are a lette to them ſelues verye greatly: as wée doe learne by daily experience and as examples of euerie age doe teſtifie to vsus. Moreouer loyterers in campes are alwayes reproued. Let the Chriſtian ſouldiour therefore bee idle at no time, let him euer be buſie and ſtill doinge ſome thinge, let him The deſcription … a chriſtian ſouldiour.bée couragious, faithfull to his countrie, readie to take paines, obediente to his Capitaynes, fitte to take time when occaſion is offered, and euermore occupied in warlike diſcipline: no effeminate miſkſoppe, but of manlye ſtomache: not cruell and mercileſſe, but ſeuere and pitifull, as time requireth. What hée may preſerue, that let him not deſtroy. But aboue all things let him not forget or thinke ſcorne, both in perill and out of perill euermore to make his prayers and ſupplications to God his ſauiour. In Gods name let him begin all thinges, without God let him attempte nothing: In aduerſitie and when he hath the ouerthrowe, let not his courage quaile, nor his heart and hope for ſake him: in proſperitie let him not be puffed vppe with pride and arrogancie, but let him giuegive the thankes to God, and vſe the conqueſte like a mercifull victour: let him whoalie depend vponupon Gods helpinge hande, and deſire nothing rather than the defence of the cōmon weale, lawes, religion, iuſtice, and guiltleſſe people. Many I knowe wil marueile to ſee mée require at the handes of a ſouldier the thinges that ſeeme to be enoughe, as the common ſayinge is, to be looked for of a righte good and godly mā: as though in deede that none could be ſouldiers but irreligious and naughtie men. Souldiers I confeſſe are for the moſt parte ſuch kinde of fellowes: but what fruite I pray you reape wée at this day of ſo ceuill ſéede? The Turkes ouerrunne and ſpoile vsus, wée are to all th heathen a ieſting ſtocke to laugh at, kingdomes decaye and are made ſubiecte to diuelliſh Mahometiſme, and euerie day we are wrapped in more miſeries than other. But what kinde of ſouldiers they of old were, which wente …to the warre from out of the Church or congregation of the Chriſtians, wée may eaſilte gather, euen by that one hiſtorie worthie the remembraunce, Chriſtians …ere in …imes paſt.which Tertullian to Scapula ſetteth downe thus: Marcus Aurelius alſo in his warres with the Germanes, by the prayers which Chriſtian ſouldiers made vntounto God, obteyned ſhowers of raine in that great drought. At what time hauehave not droughts beene turned awaye by oure prayers and faſtinges? The La…ine copie …ath, Et … ſolus …tens, by …hiche I …inke hee …ant the …mperourThen the people crying out for ioy to the God of Gods, and the Emperour himſelfe vnderunder the name of Iupiter, confeſſed the wonderful working of our God. Thus much Tertullian. But Euſebius in his Eccleſiaſticall hiſtorie, hath more largelie and fullie ſet downe the ſame hiſtorie, and ſaith: Hiſtories report that Marcus Aurelius brother to Antoninus Caeſar, making warre vppon the Germanes and Sarmatians, when his armie was in daunger to be loſte with drought, being at his wittes ende becauſe he knew not what way to ſeeke for remedie in that diſtreſſe, did at the laſt, light vponupon a certaine legiō wherin Chriſtian ſouldiers were, whoſe prayers God heard, when they (as the maner of our men is) had vppon their knees cried out vntounto him, ſo that on a ſoudeine when no man looked for it, with the powringe downe of ſufficient ſhowers the thirſte of the armie that then was in daunger, for which the Chriſtians had made ſupplications, was preſently quēched: but their enimies that hoouered there to hauehave bene their deſtruction, were ſtricken and ſcattered with thunder and fyre in lightening from heauen: Which deede is reported by heathen Hiſtoriographers: but that it was obtained at the prayers of our men they do not reporte: for with them the other myracles which are done by our menne, hauehave no place of credite. But amonge our men Tertullian maketh mention hereof, and amonge the Greekes Apollinaris, whoalſo affirmeth that for the miracle of that notable deede, that Legio Fulmiuca.legions name was chaunged by the Emperour and called the legion of thunder. Tertullian addeth that the letters of Marcus the Emperour are yet to be had, wherin the full and manifeſt trueth of this matter is plainly declared. Hetherto Euſebius: Wherby wée gather that Chriſtian ſouldiers of old, were not onelyonly giuen to prayer, but to iuſtice alſo, and holines of lyuing. For who knoweth not that Iames the Apoſtle ſaid? The earneſt prayer of a righteous man auayleth much. Elias was a man vnderunder infirmities euen as wee are, and hee prayed in his prayer & the heauens gaue rayne, & the earth brought forth her fruite. It is moſte euidente therefore that ſouldiers of old, were verie godly and religious men. Dure ſouldiers at theſe dayes, becauſe they are farre from religion, yea becauſe they are enimies to true religion, doe in ſtéede of victorie ſuffer ouerthrowes abroad, and loſſe, and deſtruction of their citties at hoame. And worthilie doe common weales ſuffer ſuch plagues, for truſtinge ſomuch in ſuch wicked ſouldiers: For to truſt in them, is all one, as if they ſhould put confidence in the verie diuells, whom theſe ſouldiers doe (for the moſt parte) excéede in all kinde of filthines, vncleanneſſe, crueltie and villanie.
But now the word of God doth ſet Exāples of warre and Capitaines out of the Scripture.before our eyes an innumerable ſorte of examples almoſt, of holie and vpright warres, and of excellent kinges and capitaynes. Abraham oure father ſettinge forwarde with a verie ſmall armie, purſueth the fower moſt puiſſant kings or robbers of ye world, hée ouerthroweth and putteth them to flight, and hauing recouered his people, and reſtoared to them their ſubſtance againe, he giueth the thanks to God as to the author of that vnlikely victorie. Moſes and Ioſue deſtroyed about 39. kings, they puniſhed ſeuerelie the vnſpeakeable wickedneſſe of al thoſe nations, and planted the people committed to their charge, in the land which god had promiſed to giuegive them. The Iudges of the people of Iſraell had notable warres againſt the Heathens and infidels, wherby they brake the tyrannie of thoſe wicked men, vnlawfullie vſurped amonge Gods people, reſtoaring them againe to their libertie and religion. The Prophete Samuel is here to be numbred amōg the notable Capitaynes of Gods people. Ionathas Saules ſonne, was a worthie Capitaine, and a ſingular example of a godlie man. Than Dauid none was more excellent or worthie to be praiſed. In warre hée vāquiſhed the Philiſtines, the Idumits, the Syrians, and a good part of the Eaſte beſide, by warre hée reuenged iniuries, by warre hée mainteyned his libertie, and kept Gods people from a number of miſchiefes: and yet notwithſtanding, he that warred thus, is ſaid to be a man according to Gods heartes deſire, and the father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt touching his fleſh or his humanitie. In Dauids poſteritie yu maieſt finde manie excellent warriours and valiaunt Capitaynes, Abia, Aſa, Ioſaphat, Amaſia, Ofia, Ezechias and other moe. Amonge theſe Iudas Machabeus hath not the laſt nor leaſte place of all, who fought verie ſtoutely for the lawe, religion, and people of God, and died at the laſt in ye middeſt of the batteile, in defence of religion and his countrie quarrell. I will not adde to theſe the examples of Conſtā tine, Gratian, Theodoſius, and other more that were excellent in feates of warre. Of theſe and other writeth S. Auguſtine in the ende of his fi…t booke De ciuitate Dei, and Oroſius verie largelie in the 7. booke of his hiſtorie vntounto the ende of the 28. Cap. This is ſufficient for godly magiſtrates. Hetherto hauehave I diſcourſed of warre to be made by the magiſtrate, and the vſe of the ſword in the magiſtrates hand, touching which I gaue ſome notes by the way in that ſermon, wherein I expounded the fifte commaundement.
This being thus ended I hauehave now to proue that Chriſtiā men may beare A … may …the office of a magiſtrate, which treatiſe I meane therfore to take in hand, becauſe our madde headed Anabaptiſtes, and ſome other builders of A deuiſed ….common weale, by gainſayinge that which hetherto we hauehave alledged do goe about to proue that a Chriſtian may not beare the office of a magiſtrate: their reaſon is, becauſe Chriſtians (as they ſay) may not ſtriue in lawe, nor kil any man, nor recouer by warre thinges violently taken away, nor reuenge any iniurie that is done vntounto them. And although theſe cauſes of theirs be aunſweared euerie one in his fitte and ſeuerall place, yet will I briefely gather héere together, a few ſubſtantiall argumentes, by which a politique and Chriſtian man may vnderſtand, contrarie to the madneſſe and dreames of the Anabaptiſtes, if hée bée called to beare rule and authoritie, that then he both may, and of dutie ought, to ſerue the Lord his God, in taking vponupon him and executing the office of a magiſtrate. For whereas they faine that the doctrine of the Goſpell doth vtterly cutte off all kinde of defence, and whatſoeuer elſe belongeth to the defence of Chriſtian mens goods and bodies, that is nothing ſo, and they are deceiued as farre as heauen is wide: for the truth doth teach vsus cleane contrarie.
For whatſoeuer thinges are ordeined by God for a meanes of mens ſafe gard, and good eſtate, they are ſo farre from miſbecōming and being vnſemely for a Chriſtian man, if hée vſe them and applie himſelfe vntounto them, that if hée refuſe and neglect them, he cannot rightly be called a true Chriſtian. For the firſt and greateſt care of euerie Chriſtiā is, by all meanes that he may to ſet forward and mainteine yt health and ſafegard of all ſortes of men. But the magiſtrate is not ordeined by any man, but by god himſelf for the health and wealth of all mankinde, as it is expreſſely witneſſed by the Prophets and Apoſtles, but by Paule eſpecially in the 13. to the Rom who then cannot therby perceiue that a Chriſtian may praiſeworthilie execute a magiſtrates office?
Furthermore no man will denie, I knowe, that a Chriſtian mans faith is, not in wordes onelyonly, but in deedes alſo to giuegive a proofe of iuſtice and merciemercy, by all meanes to care for publique peace and tranquillitie, to doe iudgemente with iuſtice, to defend the fatherleſſe, widowes, and children, and to deliuer poore oppreſſed people. Neither doth hée contemne, flée from, nor reiect, occaſion, places, and meanes by which hée may put thoſe good woorkes in vre. And therfore a Chriſtian refuſeth not the place or office of a magiſtrate. For the magiſtrates office is to doe iudgement with iuſtice, and to prouide for publique peace.
Moreouer, it is vndoubtedly true, (as before we hauehave declared) that Moſes, Samuel, Ioſue, and Dauid, are not excluded from the name of Chriſtianitie: but ſince they were in authoritie and bare the names of magiſtrates, what let is there, I pray you, whie a true Chriſtian man may not beare yt office of a magiſtrate in his cō mon weal? What may be thought of this moreouer, that in the new Teſtament, certaine notable men are well reported off, who, when they were in authoritie, were not put beſide their offices, becauſe they were Chriſtians and of a ſound religion? Touchinge Ioſeph of Arimathea thus we read in Luke: And behold there was a man named Ioſeph, a counſellour (Marcke ſaith, a noble Senatour) who was a Honeſtus Senator.good man & a iuſt, the ſame had not conſented to the counſel and deede of them, which was of Arimathea a citie of the Iewes, which waited alſo for the kingdome of God. Marke here I beſéech you how notable a teſtimonie this man hath here. Ioſeph is a counſellour or Senatour, yea and yt more is, a noble ſenatour too: he ſate in the Senate, and amonge thoſe Iudg…s which did cōdemne our ſauiour chriſt, but becauſe hée conſented not to their déede and iudgement, he is acquited as guiltleſſe of that horrible murder. The ſame is ſaid to hauehave béene a good man and a iuſte, and of the number of them that looke for the kingdome of God, that is of the number of thoſe, which of Chriſt are called Chriſtians, and yet neuertheleſſe he was a counſellour or ſenatour, and that too in the Citie of Ieruſalem. A Chriſtian therfore may lawfullie beare the office of a magiſtrate. Hereunto belonge the examples of the A…thiopiā treaſurer, Actes 8. of Cornelius the Centurion, Acts 10. and of Eraſtus the Chamberleine of Corinth. Rom. 16. 2. Tim. 4 But oure deſire is, to hauehave the Anabaptiſtes proue and declare out of the Scriptures, that which they obiecte here, in ſaying, that theſe men beinge once conuerted to yt faith, did ſtreightway put off their roabes of eſtate, and lay aſide their magiſtrats ſword. For wée hauehave a litle before by the wordes of S. Auguſtine vponupon Iohn Baptiſts anſwere (who did himſelf alſo preach the Goſpel) alreadie proued, that the ſouldiers that were baptiſed, were not put beſide their office, nor cōmaunded by Iohn to giuegive ouer armour, and ceaſſe to be ſouldiers.
They obiecte againe, that the Lord The Lord conueieth himſelf away, whil… the people wold hauehave made him a King.conueyed himſelf priuilie away when the people were minded to hauehave made him a king: which (ſay they) he would not hauehave done, but becauſe by his example hée would commend humilitie to all Chriſtian people, and as it were thereby to commaunde them, not to ſuffer the charge to rule any common weale to be laid on their necks. They adde moreouer theſe ſayinges of the Lorde: My kingdome is not of this world. Againe: Kings of nations hauehave dominion ouer them, but ye ſhal not be ſo. But they vnderſtande not that the cauſe whie the Lord conueyed him ſelfe away, was for the fond purpoſe of the fooliſh people, which went about by making him a kinge, not to doe the wil of God, but being blinded with affections to ſéeke to bring thoſe thinges to paſſe, that were for the eaſe and fillinge of their bellies. For in ſo much as hée had fedde them miraculouſly a little before, therefore they thoughte that he would be a king for their purpoſe, who was able to giuegive his ſubiectes meate, without any coſte or labour at all. Furthermore, oure Lord came not to reigne on the earth after the maner of this world, as yt Iewes imagined, and as Pilate feared: who dreamt that Meſſias ſhould reigne as Salomon did: and for that cauſe the Lord doth rightly ſay: My kingdome My kingdome … not of … worlde.is not of this world. For hée is aſcended into heauen, and ſitteth at the righthand of his father, hauinge ſubdued all kinges to himſelfe, and all the world beſide, wherein hée reigneth by his word and his ſpirite, and which hée ſhall come to iudge in the ende of the world. And although Chriſte denieth that his kingdome is of this world, yet notwithſtanding hée neuer denied that kinges and Princes ſhould come oute of the world into the Church, to ſerue the Lord therein, not as men alone, but as kinges and men of authoritie. But kinges cannot otherwiſe ſerue the Lord as kinges, but by doing the thinges, for which they are called kinges: And vnleſſe that Chriſtians, when they are once made kinges, ſhould continue in their office and gouerne kingdoms according to the rule and lawes of Chriſte, how (I beſéech you) ſhould Chriſte be called kinge of kinges, and Lord of Lords? Therefore when hée ſaid: Kinges of nations hauehave dominion ouer them, but ſo ſhal not ye bee, hée ſpake to his Apoſtles, who ſtroaue amonge themſelues for the chiefe and higheſt dignitie: as if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid: Princes which hauehave dominion in the world, are not by my doctrine diſplaced of their ſeates, nor put beſide their throanes: for the magiſtrates authoritie is of force ſtill in the world, and in the Church alſo. The kinge or magiſtrate ſhall reigne: But ſo ſhall not yée: yée ſhall …not reigne, yée ſhall not be Princes, but teachers of the world, and miniſters of the Churches. Thus briefely I hauehave aunſweared to the Anabaptiſtes obiections, which in other places alſo I hauehave many times confuted ſomewhat more largely. By this, that héere I hauehave ſaide, I thincke I hauehave ſufficiently proued, that a Chriſtian man cannot onelie, but ought of duetie alſo to take vponupon him the office of a magiſtrate, if it be lawfully offered vntounto him.
Now before I make an end of the Of the … of …biectsdiſcourſe of this place, I will briefly adde what the duetie of ſubiectes is, and what euerie man doth owe to his magiſtrate. Firſt of all, the ſubiectes duetie is to eſtéeme honeſtly, reuerently, and honourably, not vilely nor diſdainfullie of their magiſtrates or Princes. Let them reuerence and honour them as the deputies and miniſters of the eternall God. Let them abroade alſo giuegive them the honour that is vſuallie accuſtomed in euerie kingdome and countrie. It is a foule thinge for ſubiectes to behaue themſelues vndecētly towards their Lords and men of authoritie. But a falſe, a lighte, or ill opinion once conceyued, bréedeth a contempt of the things and perſons, touching whom that opinion is once taken vppe. Some euidente teſtimonies of Scripture therefore muſt bée gathered and graffed in euerie mans heart, that thereby a iuſte eſtimation and worthie authoritie of magiſtrates and officers may bée bred and brought vpp in al peoples minds. Here by the way let Princes and magiſtrates take héede to themſelues, that by a ſpotted and vnſéemelie life, they make not themſelues contemptible and laughinge ſtockes, and ſo by their owne defaulte looſe all their authoritie amonge the common people. The Lord oure God verilie voucheth ſafe to attribute his owne name to the Princes and magiſtrates of the people, and to call them gods. Exod. 21. Pſalm. 82. The Apoſtles called them the deputies and miniſters of God. …. Peter. 2. Rom. 13. But who will not thincke wel of godds, and them which are the deputies and miniſters of god, by whom God worketh the wealth of the people? Hée that deſpiſeth him that is ſonte, deſpiſeth him that ſendeth. Hée that honoureth the deputie ſéemeth to giuegive more honour to him that appointed the deputie, than to him that is the deputie. Moreouer Salomon in the 16. of his Prouerbes ſaith: Prophecie is in the lippes of the kinge, therefore his heart ſhal not go wronge in iudgement. And in the 8. of yt Preacher: I muſt keepe the kings commaundement, becauſe of the othe that I hauehave made to God for the ſame. Againe, Prouerbes 24. My ſonne feare thou the Lord and the king, and keepe no companie with them that ſlyde backe from the feare of them. For their deſtruction ſhall riſe ſoudeinly. And Paule ſaid: Whoſoeuer reſiſteth the power, reſiſteth the ordinaunce of God, but they that reſiſt, ſhall receiue iudgemente to themſelues. Of this ſorte I hauehave rehearſed certaine teſtimonies in the expoſition of the fifte precept.
Secondarilie, let ſubiectes pray for their Princes and magiſtrates, that yt Lord may giuegive them wiſedome, knowledge, fortitude, temperaunce, iuſtice, vpright ſeueritie, clemencie, and all other requiſite vertues, and that he wil vouchſafe to lead them in his wayes, and to preſerue them from all euill: that wée may liue vnderunder them in this world in peace & honeſtie: This doth Paule require at the handes of ſubiectes, in the ſeconde Chapiter of his firſt Epiſtle to Timothe, and Ieremie in the twētie & ninth of his prophecie, I hauehave in an other place recited their ve…ie words, therefore at this time I let them paſſe. The mindes of many men are herein verie ſlowe and careleſſe, and that is ye cauſe many times whi… they feele the thinges that willingly they would not, and beare the burthens with griefe enough, that other wiſe they ſhould not: and woorthilie too. For if they would but doe their duetie willingly, in praying for their magiſtrate earneſtly, their caſe vndoubtedly would bée farre better than it is. But how feruent a deſire they in the Primitiue Church had to pray for their magiſtrate, we may gather euen by theſe wordes of Tertulliā in the 30. chapiter of his Apologie, Wee pray alwayes (ſaith hee) for all Emperours, deſiring God to giuegive thē long life, a ſure reigne, a ſafe houſe, valiant armies, faithfull counſellers, honeſt ſubiectes, a quiet worlde, and whatſoeuer elſe a man or Emperour may deſire.
Let the people alſo obey the good & Obediēc… to Magiſtrates Lawes.vpright lawes of their princes or magiſtrates: yea let ſubiectes obey them holilie, reuerently, and with a deuout minde, not obeying their lawes as the lawes of men, but as the lawes of the miniſters and deputies of God himſelfe: for Peter biddeth vsus obey them for the Lord: and Paule ſaith: Wée muſt not obey them for anger onelyonly, but for conſcience ſake alſo: that is, we muſt not obey the magiſtrate onelie for feare, leaſt our contēpt and diſobedience doe bréede our puniſhment, but wée muſt obey him, leaſt we ſinne againſt God himſelf, and ſo our owne conſcience do argue our wickedneſſe. But in the fifte commaundement, I proued by teſtimonies and examples out of the ſcriptures, that wée oughte not to obey godleſſe magiſtrates, ſo oft as they commaund any wicked thing which is flatly contrarie to the word of God. The Apoſtles and faithfull mē of the primitiue Church, did chooſe rather to be ſhut vppe in priſon, to bée ſent in exile, to be ſpoiled of their ſubſtaunce, to be caſte to wilde beaſtes, to be killed with the ſword, to be burnt with fire, and to be ſtrangled, than to obey any wicked commaundements. That bleſſed martyr, biſhop Polycarpus anſweared the Romane Proconſul, and ſaid: Wee are taught to giuegive to Princes and to the powers that are of God, ſuch honour as is not contrarie to true religiō. And S. Iohn Chryſoſtom ſaid to Gaina, It is not laweful for a godly Emperour to aſſaye any thinge contrarie to Gods commaundementes.
Laſtlie, l…t ſubiectes pay tribute to their magiſtrates, yea let them, if neceſſitie ſo require, not ſticke to beſtow their bodies and liues, for the preſeruation of their magiſtrate and countrie, as I hauehave alreadie taught you in the fifte commaundement. The Lord in the Goſpell doth ſimplie ſay: GiueGive to God that which belōgeth to God, & to Caeſar that which belongeth to Caeſar. They therefore are worthilie blamed, yt pinch, grudg at, or defraude the magiſtrate of any part of his tribute. Tares and tributes are due to the magiſtrates, as the hire of his labour, & as it were the ſynewes of publique tranquillitie and cōmon weale. For, who goeth to warrefare of his owne proper coſte? Euerie man lyueth by that labour wherin hee is occupied: The Prince taketh paines in gouerning the common weal, and preſeruing it in peace: hée neglecteth his owne priuate and houſehold buſineſſe, whereby hée ſhould liue, and prouide thinges neceſſarie for himſelf and his familie, by looking and attending on his countries affayres: it were againſt reaſon therfore but that hée ſhould be fedde and mainteyned vppon the publique treaſure and coſt of his country. It is requiſite alſo, that kingdomes … or …ſure.and cōmon weales be ſufficiently furniſhed with money and ſubſtaunce, to helpe in diſtreſſe, either of warre, famine, fire, and other miſeries: or elſe to the ſetting vppe againe of men fallen into pouertie, or putting away of greater calamities. I ſay nothinge now touching the kéeping in reparation of common buildinges, as the citie walles, bulwarckes, trenches, ditches, gates, bridges, highe wayes, wells, conduits, iudgement halls, and markette places, with many more of the ſame ſort. There are alſo certeine common perſons, as ſergeants, watch mē, and ſuch like, which are to be nouriſhed and mainteyned of the cōmon coſte and treaſurie. And vnleſſe that money be ſtil at hand and in readines, there can no kingdome nor any common weale ſtand longe in aſſuraunce. They therefore that grudge to paye tribute, denie the hire of ye magiſtrats labour, and goe the next way to work, to ſubuert the common weale, and to bring it to nought. The men that in the cōmon weales affayres (as ſome of cuſtome be) are negligent and careleſſe, ſinne not againſt any one Lord, but againſt the whole common weal: and therefore thou maiſt ſée that ſuch ſlouthfull workemen are ſéeldome times inriched with the good bleſſinges of God. But now here by the way all magiſtrates and Princes muſt be admoniſhed, to louelove the people ſubiect to their charge and gouernmēt, to beare with them bountifullie, and not to nip them with immoderate exactions: which is eaſille done, if they themſelues will… thrift…e, and keepe themſelues moderately from riottous gluttonie, and ouer ſumptuous pride. Let a good Prince conſider, what a ſinne it is to hauehave his Palace abound in riottouſnes and ſurfettinge, while his cities and townes are tormented and pined with famine and hunger. Let magiſtrats conſider that tributes and ſubſidies are not the priuate goods of them in authoritie, but the publique ſubſtance of the whoale cōmon weal. God hateth pilers and robbers. God abhorreth immoderate exactiōs. God curſeth polling tyrauntes: but bleſſeth profitable and moderate magiſtrates. Both in peace and warre agréement and concord are much more auayleable, than money vniuſtly gotten: and ſtronger is that kingdome, and firmer that cōmon weale, which is vphelde by the louelove and agréement of the prince and cominaltie, although the common treaſure there, be verie ſmal, than that countrie or citie which hath innumerable riches heaped vpp together and wroūg out of the citizēs entrailes, when as continuall grudge and ill wil makes the Prince and people at continuall variaunce. I ſay no more here than the verie truth is: experience of all ages is a witneſſe that it is ſo.
Thus much hether to hauehave I laide downe before your eyes (déerely beloued) as briefly as I could touchinge the magiſtrate, taking occaſion vppon the ſixte comaundement: Thou ſhalt not kill, and declaring to what ende and purpoſe God did ordeine him, what his dutie is toward his ſubiects, and what his ſubiects dutie is toward him. New let vsus pray and beſeech the Lord that hée will graunt both to magiſtrates and ſubiectes, to walke worthilie in their vocaticus.