A Royal Edict for Military Exercises, Text
A ROYALL EDICT FOR MILITARY EXERCISES.
2. SAM. 1.18.
Alſo hee bade them teach the children of Iudah the vſe of the Bow. Behold it is written in the Booke of Iaſher.
THe occaſion of theſe words (as you may ſee in the laſt Chapter of the former Booke) was the death of Saul and Ionathan, 1. Sam. 31.with the flight, and diſcomfiture of Iſrael, before the Philiſtims, reported to Dauid by a man, who (in the former part of this Chapter) receiued condigne puniſhment,2. Sam. 1.2. to 16. for that which he pretended to hauehave done. From the 17. verſe to the end of this Chapter,Verſe. 17. ad finem. you hauehave Dauids lamentation for Saul, and Ionathan, and the ſtate of Iſrael, which, as it reſpected Saul, was aſorrow ariſing from the ſence of humane calamities, and charges, whereunto euen the greateſt Princes are ſubiect: as it reſpected Ionathan, it aroſe from his deare louelove to ſo true a friend; as it reſpected the ſtate of Iſrael, it aroſe from the apprehenſion of Gods diſhonour, in the triumphs of the Philiſtims, and ſeemes to anſwer that mournfull expreſſion of Ioſhua, Ioſh. 7.8.Oh Lord, what ſhall I ſay, when Iſrael turne their backes before their enemies? yet hee is not ſo ſwallowed vp with too much griefe, 2. Cor. 2.7.that he forgets the care of his people, which you may ſee implyed in the copulatiue particle, Alſo.
Alſo] God hath planted more affections then one in the ſoule of man: as there is griefe, to humble vsus, ſo there is feare to quicken vsus. Dauid knowes how to mourne for euils paſt, ſo, as to take a courſe for preuention of the like for time to come: not to be afflicted after ſuch a loſſe in Iſrael, had beene Stoicall apathy; to hauehave beene ſo afflicted for the loſſe of Saul and Ionathan, as to neglect the peoples good, had beene baſe puſillanimity: Therefore Dauid at once actes diuers parts, of a good ſubiect, and patriot, in lamenting the loſſe of his King and Country, and of a gracious Soueraigne, in prouiding for the ſafety of his ſubiects. For as he mourned, with this lamentation, ouer Saul, and ouer Ionathan his ſon, So alſo he bade them, &c.
He bade them] Not by way of Counſaile only, but by way of Command alſo. So that theſe words ſeeme to containe an Edict, or a law of Dauid, inioyning the people the vſe of the Bow. Hiſtory of the world. 2. booke 4. c. 15. Sex. 244. p.For (not to trouble you with the difference obſerued by ſome, betwixt a Law, and an Edict) you may obſerue in theſe words, all thoſe things, which are required in a Law. 1. It muſt hauehave a right end, which is the Common-good: ſo had this:Lex eſt quae dam rationis ordinatio ad bonu commune, ab eo qui curam cōmunitatis habet, promu…gata. T. Aq. 12. q. 90. Art 4. Conc. for this exerciſe conduced much to the common peace, and ſafety. 2. Right meanes, to attaine that end warranted by reaſon: ſo had this. For the people might be cōuinced of the equitie of this injunction, by reaſoning from naturall principles, thus: That which tends to the Common peace and ſafetie, muſt be practiſed by all: but the vſe of the Bow tends to the Common peace, and ſafety: Ergo. The vſe of the Bow muſt be practiſed by all. 3. A right of authoritie in him, who impoſeth it: ſo had this. For Dauid, whoſe command this was, was before this time, by a ſpeciall command from God, 1. Sam. 16.12, 13.anointed to bee their King. 4. It muſt be enacted, and publiſhed: ſo was this: for he not only bade them, but it is recorded in the Booke of Iaſher.
Teach] Or inſtruct, which is done by rules, exerciſe, and examples, as the manner is in your military Schoole, The Artillery Garden.
The Children of Iudah] Its an Hebraiſme ſignifying that Tribe,2. Sam. 2.4. ouer which Dauid was anointed King, in Hebron, called ſo from Iudah, the fourth ſonne of Iacob, who was the roote,Gen 29.35. and father of that Tribe. By the Children] are meant all the people of that Tribe, without exception of age, or condition. 1. Without exception of age;Numb. 1.20. after 20. or ſooner, it may be (for, at that age) they went forth to warre: and other Nations, as for inſtance,Corn. Tacit. lib. 5. cap. 7. the Germaines, were wont to traine vp their ſonnes (euen from 14. yeeres old, till they grewe by age, or weakeneſſe, vnfit for ſeruice. 2. Without exception of condition; Saul the King, Ionathan the Prince, Ʋriah a Noble man; all ſorts went to war, as in Rome, none were excuſed from ſeruice, when Hannibal was at the gate.
The vſe of the Bow] By a Synechdoche, the Bow is mentioned. 1. Becauſe it was much in vſe amōgſt the Iſraelites. Pſal. 78.9.Therefore, the Children of Ephraim are deſcribed, Armed, and ſhooting with the Bow.
2. Becauſe the enemy was expert in it, and had annoied them much with that weapon. Hence the Parthyans are deſcribed by drawing the Bowe, and the Lidians, Eſa. 66.19. Ier. 46.9.by handling and bending the Bow, and its ſaid of Saul now ſlaine by the Philiſtims, that the Archers and Bow-men hit him, & he was ſore wounded of the Archers.1. Sam. 31.3.
3. Becauſe it was accounted moſt ſeruiceable, and vſefull in warre:Zach. 10 4. Ier. 51.3. therefore its called The Bow of battaile, and the bender that bendeth the Bow, is the Periphraſis of a Souldier. About the vſefulneſſe of this weapon, about thoſe Muskets, and Caliuers,S.I.S his diſcourſes with the preface thereunto. now in vſe, it becomes not me to diſpute, others hauehave handled this Argument largely, to whoſe diſcourſes I referre you.
Beholde, it is written in the Booke of Iaſher] What Booke this was is queſtioned.3. opin…ons ab…ut the booke of Iaſher. The word Iaſher ſignifieth iuſt. Some by this vnderſtand the Pentateuch, which, ſay they, is called the Booke of the juſt, either becauſe it was penned by Moſes, that juſt man, or becauſe it treateth about juſt things.
2. Others thinke that only the Booke of Geneſis is meant, and that Dauid intended to incourage them to thoſe Martiall exerciſes, by what they find recorded in that Booke, concerning the Tribe of Iudah, that, The Scepter ſhould not depart from him, nor a Law-giuer from betweene his feet, Gen. 49.10.vntill Silo come.
3. But to me, their opinion ſeemes more probable,Pet. Mart. in locum. who thinke it to be ſome Hiſtory, containing, after the manner of Annales, or Chronicles, the moſt remarkable paſſages in the State of Iſrael: becauſe this Booke is mentioned as the Regiſter, wherein that famous ſucceſſe of the Sunnes ſtanding ſtill at Ioſuahs prayer,Ioſh. 10.12, 13. for the ſpace of a whole day, is recorded, whereof no mention is made in any of the fiue Bookes of Moſes: yet this no whit aduantageth the Papiſts, who would from hence, and ſuch like places, proue the defect of the Canonicall Books of the Old Teſtament. For (not to inſiſt vponupon the ambiguity of the word here vſed, which ſignifieth any diſcourſe about a thing, as well as a Booke) what if we grant,foreign it was a written Booke? muſt it neceſſarily follow, that this Booke was Canonicall? Its true, that ſome aſcribe it to Nathan, and Gad, Gen. 5.1. Nehem. 7.5. Mat. 1.1.who were Prophets: yet all things which the Prophets wrote, were not written by them as Prophets. It cannot be denyed that the Prophets were Gods publicke Notaries:Alia, ſicut hom nes, hiſtoricâ diligent…a; alia, ſicut Prophetae i…ſp ratione diuinâ ſcripſerūt, at que haec ita …uer…nt diſtincta, vt illa, tanquā ipſis, iſta vero tanquam Deoper i…ſos loquē ti iudicarentur eſſe tribuenda: ac ſic illa pertinerent ad vbertatem co…nitionis haec ad religionis authoritatem. Aug de Ciuit. Dei. li. 18. ca…. 38. yet all the writings of a Notary are not authenticall, vnleſſe he doe them as a Notary. Dauid the Prophet wrote a letter to Ioab, concerning Ʋriah: yet that was not penned by him as a Prophet.
The Prophets wrote ſome things as Prophets, other things as Hiſtorians. Theſe ſerue to increaſe our knowledge; thoſe to increaſe our faith. Thus we hauehave opened and cleared the ſence of the words. In them you may obſerue two things:
Firſt, an Act or Edict of Dauid, for the training vp of the Children of Iudah in Martiall exerciſes: He bade them teach the Children of Iudah the vſe of the Bow.
Secondly, a Record; or Regiſter of that Act. Behold, it is written in the Booke of Iaſher. Out of the words thus opened, the concluſion which naturally offreth it ſelfe, is this, that,
Doct. It is a care well beſeeming Kings, to prouide that their ſubiects be inſtructed, and trained vp in Military exerciſes.
The Scriptures fully cleare this in examples: of Abraham, Gen. 14.14.hauing at leaſt 318. men in his houſe, fitted for warre vponupon a ſhort warning: of Moſes, inſtructing the people how to camp by their ſtandards, Num. 2.2, 3.and vnderunder the Enſignes of their fathers houſe: of Ioſhua, and the Iudges, 1. Chro. 12.1, 2.vnderunder whom, of Ruben, and Gad, and halfe the Tribe of Manaſſeh, 1. Chro. 21.5. 2 Chro. 1.8.7, …, 9. 2. Chron. 17.13, &c. 2. Chr. 14 8. 2. Chron. 26.11, 12, 13, 14.were foure hundred, forty thouſand, ſeuen hundred and three ſcore exerciſed in warres. The time would faile me, if I ſhould ſpeake largely of Dauid, of Salomon, of Iehoſophat, of Aſa, of Vzziah, whoſe care in this particular is plentifully declared in holy Writ.
This practice was grounded vponupon good reaſon, as we ſhall euince, thus:
Reaſon. 1 Soueraigne power, Common-wealths, Lawes, and Armes had the ſame originall; the ſame end: which that you may vnderſtand, conceiue it thus. At firſt, eueryevery father, or eldeſt of the family, gaue lawes to the reſt of that family, and tooke care for their ſafety. Afterwards, mankind multiplying into diuers houſholds,Vicus of foreign or v.a. joyned their Cottages into one common field, and ſo made vp that, which we call a Village; diuers Villages joyned together,Pagus of foreign, becauſe they dranke of our cōmon Spring. Vrbs, ab orbe. Ciuitas, ab eo quod multitudo coiuit. grew into that which is called an Hundred: but as pride and emulation increaſed, with the increaſe of mankinde, they inuironed diuers of theſe Villages thus joyned; at firſt with bankes and ditches; afterwards with walls: which being ſo compaſſed and fortified, were called Townes, and Citties.
People thus conjoyned, that they might liue honeſtly and peaceably together,foreign. Ariſt. muſt be ordered amongſt themſelues. Hence came the inuention of Lawes, which are not only the rule, and leuill, and ſquare of the foundation, and building, but the very ſpirit, and ſinewes of any Common-wealth, and State, whereby it liues and moues. The end of theſe is the good of that Community, Salus populi ſuprema lex. foreign. Rom. 13.1. foreign. Rom. 13.4. Iam. 4.12.where they are in force. The makers or preſeruers of theſe Lawes, are called Kings, Gouernours, Magiſtrates, Higher powers: their end is the Common welfare, he is the Miniſter of God for thy good: for which purpoſe the great Law-giuer, who is able to ſaue and deſtroy, hath by expreſſe rules in his Word, ordered the carriage of Rulers towards the people(a)Deut. 16.18, 19, 20, 21. and of people towards their Rulers.(b)Rom. 13.1, to 9. This gouernment, according to the diuerſity of ſubjects, wherein it reſted, had diuers names: as it reſted in one perſon, it was called, A Monarchy: As it reſted in few of the chiefe, it was called. An Ariſtocraty: as it reſted in many, it was called a Democraty. The Common-wealth being thus ſettled with Lawes, and Gouernours, for the honeſt conuerſing of people amongſt themſelues; it was neceſſarie to prouide for their peace, and ſecuritie from the iniuries of others: for men naturally are as Lyons, Leopards Wolues, Aſps, Iſa. 11.6. to 9. Rom. 8.7. 1. Pet. 2.11. Iames 4.1.and Cockatrices, by reaſon of thoſe inward luſts, which maintaine Enmity againſt God, fight againſt the ſoule, and raiſe warres and contentions amongſt men; which ſinfull diſpoſition, Satan, out of his ancient malice againſt mankind, acteth, and exciteth, inticing men to battell, that they may fall. 1 King. 22.20.This being the common danger of all men, eueryevery man bethought himſelfe of ſome courſe for preuention: and hence came the inuention of Armes, and Military diſcipline.
Thus you ſee, we may truely ſay of theſe foure, Soueraigne power, Common-wealths, Lawes, and Armes, as it was ſaid of Hippocrates his Twinnes, They laugh and weepe together, they liue and dye together. For, as without Lawes the Soueraigne power, and Common-wealth cannot ſubſiſt, by reaſon of diſorders within; ſo without Armes, and the exerciſe of them, they cannot be ſafe, by reaſon of dangers without.
Reaſon. 2 The Common ſafety both of King and people is much aduanced by this courſe,Pro. 14.28. In the multitude of people is the honour of a King, and for want of people commeth the deſtruction of a Prince. But what ſafety is in a multitude of men without weapons, and skill to manage them? Counſell and ſtrength are for war. Iſa. 36.5.But how ſhal Counſell and ſtrength be eſtabliſhed, without education and inſtruction to ſeruice? or how ſhall men be inſtructed, without ſuch Military exerciſes? Add hereunto the diſaduantages that ſometimes happen in warres, partly, by reaſon of the ſuddenneſſe of the warre; as in the rebellion of Sheba the ſonne of Bichri, 2. Sam. 20.4.an Army was to be raiſed in three dayes warning; and in the caſe of Iabeſh Gilead, in the ſpace of foure or fiue dayes,1. Sam. 11.8, 9. Ioab raiſed three hundred thouſand men of Iſrael, and thirty thouſand of Iudah, to fight againſt the Ammonites; Partly, by reaſon of the inequality and oddes betwixt parties, as betweene Dauid and Goliah; 1. Sam. 17.33.The one a Boy, the other, a Man of warre from his youth: and betweene the Ammonites, and Iſrael, 2. Sam. 10.9.when the front of their battell was againſt the Iſraelites before & behind. In ſuch ſtraights, how ſhāeful & fearefull would the loſſe, and the ouerthrow of an Army and Kingdome be, if by frequent exerciſe, the Souldiers had not gained dexterity and skill, to extricate themſelues out of ſuch difficulties? To conclude: Herein Kings imitate God, whoſe prouidence is ſeene, as well in defending, as in feeding his creatures. For amongſt them, ſome are fortified with hornes, ſome with hoofes, ſome with tuſhes, ſome with teeth; others that hauehave not theſe, hauehave burrowes; ſome hauehave ſtrength to helpe themſelues; others, that want that, hauehave ſwiftneſſe of feet to run away; thoſe that hauehave neither of theſe, hauehave dennes and ſecret places to hide themſelues in; and thoſe that hauehave none of theſe, goe by heards and multitudes: but vntounto man, God hath giuen reaſon and vnderſtanding, which is in ſtead of all theſe, whereby he is able, not only to eſpie meanes of eſcape from dangers, but he can take from eueryevery creature vponupon earth, yea from within the bowels of the earth, what may ſerue for his vſe, and benefit.
Reaſon. 3 Religion and obedience to God, binde men to vſe all lawfull and poſſible meanes of ſafety. Not that God is tied to the meanes ſo, as not to worke without them (for hee gaue light to the world without the Sunne, and nouriſhed Moſes, and Eliah 40. dayes, without food) nor ſo, as alwayes to worke with them; only, wee are bound to vſe the meanes, with ſubmiſſion to his prouidence who, as a free Agent, workes with them, or without them, according to his good pleaſure. Excellent, to this purpoſe, was that reſolution of Ioab, Be ſtrong, and let vsus be valiant for our people, 2. Sam. 10.12.and for the Citties of our God, and let the Lord doe that which is good in his eyes.
For neither Gods purpoſe, nor his power, nor his promiſe ſecures any man in the neglect of meanes.
1. Not his purpoſe; for in the greateſt matter, that concernes man,2. Tim. 2.19. 2. Pet. 1.10. though The foundation of God remaineth ſure, in himſelfe, yet men muſt giuegive all diligence to make their calling and election ſure to themſelues.
Ioſh. 5.12.2. Nor his power; he could feed Iſrael in Canaan, as hee had done in the wilderneſſe: but Manna ceaſed, when they came to a land, that would yeeld corne: vponupon mens ordinary labours, at this day hee can feed men,Mat. 6.26, 28. as hee clothed Lillies, which neither ſowe, nor reape, nor carry into their barnes; but it is his will, that man ſhould labour with his hands the thing that is good, Eph. 4.28.if he would hauehave wherewith to feed himſelfe, or giuegive to others without theft.
Iudg. 6.14. Iudg 7.…, 8. Mat. 4.7, 8.3. Not his promiſe; Gideon had a promiſe of victory, yet he vſed meanes. Our Lord Chriſt had a promiſe of protection, yet hee would not caſt himſelfe downe from the pinnacle. Paul had a promiſe of ſafety,Act. 27.22.31. yet he ſaith, Except theſe abide in the ſhip, we cannot be ſafe.
Wee conclude then, that ſince Soueraigne power, Common-wealths, Lawes, and Armes, had the ſame originall, the ſame end; and ſince the common ſafety of King and people is procured by Militarie exerciſes; and ſince Religion, and obedience to God binds all men to vſe all lawfull, and poſſible meanes for their owne ſafety, and good; we conclude, that it is a care well beſeeming Kings to prouide, that their ſubjects may, by ſuch meanes, be trained vp to warres. And ſo we hauehave, as briefly as we could, diſpatched the Doctrinall part: we now come to application wherein, after we hauehave laid downe ſome conſectaries, which ſhall be clearely deduced from the Text, we ſhall endeuour to ſpeake to the preſent occaſion.1 Vſe, or conſectary
1. Vſe or conſectary is vponupon this ground, to iuſtifie warres lawfully vndertaken, now in the times of the Goſpell, againſt the Manichees, and Marcionites of old, with the Anabaptiſts, and Familiſts of latter times: for how can it be ſaid, that the care of preparation for warrs beſeemes Kings, if warres themſelues be vnlawfull? or how ſhall that be recorded to Dauids praiſe, which beſeemes not other Kings?
Obiect. But the difference of times alters the caſe. That might be lawfull in Dauids time, which is vnlawfull now. For, of theſe times of the Goſpell, its ſaid: They ſhall breake their ſwords into Mattockes, Iſa. 2.4.their ſpeares into fithes: Nation ſhall not lift vp a ſword againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learne to fight any more.
For Anſwere of this, Anſw. we muſt oppoſe to it another text, where the Lord calls vponupon the people to breake their plow-ſhares into ſwords, Ioel 3.10.and their fithes into ſpeares. That it may appeare there is no contradiction in the Spirit ſpeaking by Iſay, to it ſelfe ſpeaking by Ioel, we muſt diſtinguiſh betweene the purpoſe, and intent of Chriſt in comming into the world, and in publiſhing the Goſpell, whereat Iſay aimeth, and the ſucceſſe, or euent, which was accidentall, in reſpect of mans malice, which Ioel intendeth. Reſpectiuely to the firſt, Chriſt ſaid to Peter, Put vp thy ſword: Mat. 26.51, 52for hee that ſtrikes with the ſword, ſhall periſh with the ſword. As if he had ſaid, I came not to ſend the ſword, but peace. Repectiuely to the ſecond, he ſaith to his Diſciples, He that hath no ſword, let him ſell his coate, Luke. 21.36.and buy him a ſword. As if hee had ſaid, My comming ſends not peace, but a ſword. So that, though the end of Chriſt his comming was, to reconcile things in heauen, and things on earth, which end he now attaineth betweene God & vsus, in our Iuſtification, & will accō pliſh betweene man and man in the day of Redemption, yet ſo long as Satan workes in the children of diſobedience, and ſo long as any remnant of ſinne is in the heart of any, there will be a neceſſity, and lawfulneſſe of war, and of this care to prepare for it.
2 Vſe or Conſectary. 2. Theſ. 2.2. Vſe or Conſectary, Is this care well beſeeming Kings, as that which belongs to them by right? Then it ill beſeemes that Man of ſinne to vſurpe vponupon this right of Kings. God committed the Magiſteriall power of appointing the times of ſounding the ſiluer Trumpets, Numb. 10.vntounto Moſes: But the miniſterial power of ſounding thē, vponupon cōmand to Aaron. See the pride of this Vſurper, who will ſnatch the Trumpets out of Moſes hands, and not the Trumpets only, but the ſwords alſo; nor the ſwords only, but the Crownes and Scepters alſo. I doubt not, that in due time, God will vnite the ten hornes againſt his pride, who exalts himſelfe aboue all that is called God, 1. Theſ. 2.
3. Vſe. It remaineth, that a word or two of incouragement,3 Vſe. Inc…uragements and Cautions. and caution be added for the Iuſtification, and Direction of your Noble deſignes, in theſe Military exerciſes, which are of ſo great conſequence for the Common good, as hath beene formerly declared. If it be a courſe vvell-beſeeming Kings to prouide, that by theſe meanes, their ſubjects be trained vp, and fitted to vvarres, certainely it vvell becomes ſubjects to offer themſelues willingly to ſuch exerciſes.1. Incouragements to 2. ſorts. 1. Such as are already mē bers of this Society. Thoſe to whom I am to addreſſe this part of my ſpeech, are of two ſorts. 1. Such as are already exercized members of this ſociety. 2. Such as may hereafter be added thereunto.
For the former: I need not ſeeke farre for incouragements: your workes praiſe you; and the aboundant fruit,Who are incouraged frō former ſucceſſe. In reſpect. Iudges 5.8. 1 Sam. 13.18, 19. 1. Of Armes. and ſucceſſe of them may incourage you. It was ill with Iſrael, when there was not a ſhield or a ſpeare to be found amongſt forty thouſand in Iſrael. There was want of Armes. And no leſſe miſerable was their eſtate, when there was no Smith in the Land. There was want of Armourers. Little better was the condition of this Land, when theſe exerciſes firſt began: for, either there were no Armes, or, not ſo many, and thoſe few that were, not ſo ſeruiceable as theſe, nor made after the moderne faſhion.2. Of Armourers. The like defect here was of Armourers, till you ſet them on worke, whereby their number and skill hath greatly increaſed, not only in the Citty, but throughout the Kingdome alſo. But what are Armes without skill to manage them? It was much to the praiſe of Martiall Diſcipline in Iſrael, that One hundred and twenty thouſand, eueryevery one of them able to leade an Army, or at leaſt to keepe rancke, 1. Chro. 12.38.came to anoint Dauid King in Hebron. According to the proportion of your number, and time, the like may be ſaid of your Society: That, whereas before the happy beginning of this Exercize, ſcarce one in the Citty knew the vſe of Armes, and what did belong to Martiall Diſcipline; now, many educated in this Schoole, are able to exerciſe a Company: in ſo much that all the Officers of the trained Bands of the Citty, from the greateſt to the leaſt, are taken hence; and that which addes luſtre to all that hath beene ſaid, is, 1. The conſideration of the perſons. 2. Of the time. 3. Of the place. 4.Amplified 4. wayes. 1. By the perſons. Ex colluuie omnium gentium. The manner of ingaging your ſelues in ſo worthy a proiect.
1. The perſons, a Company not like Hannibals Army, gathered of riff-raff, the reffuſe, and dregs of the people, but a Company of worthy Cittizens, men whoſe perſons, places, parts, challenge reſpect, and reuerence.
2. The time.2. The circumſtance of time] In a time of peace, when the fooliſh inhabitants of Laiſh would hauehave beene without feare,Iudg. 18. yea in a time of feares, (as the caſe now ſtands) wherein men ſhould be like Ants, prouiding for that Winter which they fore-ſee not, like Mice running away from that houſe, which they feare will fall in ſuch times men ſhould be like the Romanes Triarij, that would chuſe to dye in the ſight, rather then to preſerue their liues by flight: not like thoſe Romane Murci, who choſe rather to cut off their thumbs, then to handle their ſwords.
3. The place. 1. Generally the Land.3. The circumſtance of place] In this plentifull Land: for we ſee that vſually like vntounto ſeeds and plants, ſo are the liues of men made conformable to the Regions where they abide. Thus Sodom, which was like the Garden of Eden, fruitfull and delightfull,Ezek. 16. was addicted to pride, idleneſſe, fulneſſe of bread, and contempt of the poore. Hiſtories tell vsus how the delights of Capua did weaken and eneruate Hannibal, and all his Army, whom the rough Alpes, and freezing ſnow had formerly made vnconquerable. Therefore Caeſar ſpeakes it to the praiſe of his Souldiers, that no delights diſabled them to ſeruice in the warre. 2. In this famous Citty] which is to England,Mi…ites ſuos etiam …nguentatos, bene pugnare dicebat. Suct. in Jul. cap. 67. 2. particularly this Citty. as Ieruſalem was to Iudea, the Metropolis of the Land, where, bv your actions, are examples to other places; and for this particular, I may ſay as Paul ſpeakes to the Romanes, Your zeale hath prouoked many: as may be ſeene in Couentry, Cheſter, Briſtow, Norwich, beſides other places, who not only hauehave yours, raiſed vp like Companies, in imitation of yours, but alſo hauehave beene guided therein by ſome of your followers, and inſtructed by ſome of your Schollers.
4. The manner] 4 The manner.That it is done, not by conſtraint, but of a ready mind. Tis true: eueryevery Family is commanded the vſe of Bow and Arrowes, vnderunder a penalty:… 3…. of …. and maſters are bound to teach children, and ſeruants, from ſeuen to ſeuenteene therein. Heere Maſters are inſtructed, not in the vſe of the Bow onelyonly, but in all weapons, poſtures, actions neceſſary or vſefull in warre, and not for feare of a penalty, but for louelove of their Country. I conclude with the ſpeech of Deborah, My heart is towards the Gouernours of Iſrael, Iudges 5.that offred themſelues willingly, amongſt the people: bleſſe you the Lord.
2. For others that are to come in;2. Sort incouraged, are ſuch as may hereafter be added to this ſociety. Of 2. ſorts. 1 Incouragers. thoſe are of two ſortes. 1. Such as ſhould incourage. 2. Such as ſhould exerciſe. For the firſt, I would hauehave directed my ſpeech to the Right Honourable, the Lord Maior, in whoſe abſence, let me ſpeake but a word to the Senatours, his brethren, ſo many as are preſent. That which is in the Text commanded in Dauid is practized by our dread Soueraigne, whoſe Royall pleaſure for the ordering, & incouraging of this Company, hath beene plentifully and openly declared. In conformity to which paterne, would it not well beſeeme his Maieſties Lieutenant, and Deputy in this Citty, ſometimes to viſit this Schoole, to obſerue their proficiencie, and at ſuch ſolemne meetings, to honour them with his preſence, yea, and if need ſhould require it, to allow out of the Chamber, the Treaſury of the Citty, ſomething towards their incouragement and maintenance? This motion may be thought the more reaſonable, if you reflect vponupon times paſt, wherein, for want of able men amongſt your ſelues, the Citty was conſtrained to entertaine Strangers, vponupon ſuch occaſions, to their great charge; beſides the danger of hauing Strangers to bee Officers in a Citty. It is reported of Switzerland, that whereas in other places, ſome are for Armes, ſome Artizans, ſome Labourers, there, all are Souldiers. Would you know whence it came? From the liberality of the Gouernment, in propounding rewards in publicke, for ſuch as could exerciſe, and dexterouſly handle the Harquebuz, or Caliuer: yea, there was a price, or reward appointed for the children that could draw the Bow. A worthy paterne: but I muſt haſten.
2. Thoſe that ſhould exerciſe.2. For thoſe that ſhould exerciſe] If ſuch be the publicke good that redounds to King and people by theſe deſignes, as hath beene ſhewed, it ſhould incourage many to come in, and thoſe who hauehave entred themſelues into this Society, to apply themſelues to thoſe opportunities, which they hauehave, by times appointed for exerciſe in the Garden: and here, what ſhall I ſay to quicken you?
1. The neceſſities of other Churches] Were there no danger at home, yet the diſtreſſes of our brethren abroad ſhould quicken vsus to the vſe of all meanes,foreign. Heſiod. whereby wee may bee inabled to ſuccour them. If a neighbours Oxe, or Horſe be in a ditch, wee will euen runne to helpe it out, ſaith our Sauiour: much more, if his houſe be on fire; moſt of all, if the danger be of the loſſe of their Country, of Religion, Families, liues and all.Iudges 5. Curſe ye Meroz, ſaith the Angell, when in ſuch a caſe, ſhee comes not out to helpe the Lord.
2. Our owne dangers] What though for the preſent wee ſeeme to dwell ſafely, 1. King. 4.25.eueryevery man vnderunder his Vine, and vnderunder his Fig tree? So long as our ſinnes, our crying ſinnes remaine, ſo long as the abominations that prouoke God, are not taken from the middeſt of vsus, we can hauehave no ſecuritie, no aſſured peace.
3. But ſuppoſe all clouds were diſperſed, none to be ſeene in the firmament of all the Churches, yet the laudableneſſe of ſuch Martiall exerciſes ſhould perſwade men to the louelove, and vſe of them. Former preſidents iuſtifie this courſe, in Ionathans ſhooting for ſport, 1. Sam. 20.20.that hee might bee thereby fitted to warre. And queſtionleſſe, the Beniamites attained that dexterity in caſting ſtones out of a ſling, at an haires breadth, by frequent exerciſe for recreation.
The ancient Gaules are ſaid to be the moſt warlike, and valiant of all Nations. foreign per foreign. Iulian. in Miſopog. Caeſar Commen. lib. 5. & 7. Tit. Liv. l. 31. Decad. 6.But how became they ſuch? By continuall exerciſe & vſe of Armes: for it was their cuſtome to come armed to their Councels. Their applauſe of an Oration was ſignified by clattering with their Armes. The oath they tooke was vponupon their Armes. The Germanes alſo were wont to goe armed about their daily negotiations, and came in the ſame manner to their banquets. Thus the moſt warlike Nations hauehave accounted it a maine policie, to be very frequent in the vſe of Armes. And in Religious reſpects, ſince eueryevery man will hauehave recreations: if that bee beſt, which is freeſt from ſinne; that beſt, that moſt ſtrengthneth a man; that which inables a man moſt, to bee of vſe for the publicke good, bee beſt; then abandon your carding, dicing, chambring, wantonneſſe, dalliance, ſcurrillous diſcourſing, and vaine rauelling out of time, to frequent thoſe exerciſes, which are ſpeciall helpes fitting you to be ſeruiceable, and inſtruments of publicke welfare: only take in the cautions, with the incouragements, which are theſe.
Caution. 1 1. Caution] HaueHave reſpect to your particular callings. You hauehave heard how Gods wiſdome declareth it ſelfe in feeding, as well as in defending his people: let it be ſo with you. If any man vnderunder pretence of this exerciſe, ſhall waſte his time and meanes, to the apparant dammage, and vndoing of his family; ſuch an one will bring a ſcandall, an ill report vponupon this worthy deſigne. He that would be a builder, not a deſtroyer of the Citty, muſt be carefull to imitate thoſe builders vnderunder Nehemiah, who held their ſword in one hand, and their trowell in the other. So minde the exerciſes in the field, that you forget not neceſſary buſineſſe in your ſhop.
Caution 2 2. Caution] Preſerue vnity in the bond of peace amongſt your ſelues. This will be your ſafety and the ſtrength of your Cittie. Thus wee ſhall bee able to ſay of you, as Ageſilaus anſwered one who asked him, Why Sparta had no walls? Said he …ointing to the Cittizens) Behold Spartaes … …artaes Cittizens were Spartaes walls,…n Spartae muros. by … their concord, and vnity amongſt … ſo will it be with this Cittie, you w… … of walls to London, if it ſhould wa… … …ping vnity amongſt your ſelues.
Caution. 3 3. … …et eueryevery one ſeeke the publicke good. St… … …enerate ſpirits, as are altogether inte… … …r owne priuate and particular conc… … vnfit for imployments of ſuch publi… … …ce as this is.Da mihi Scutum, tu vero tibi cau…onum eme in quâ viuas. Epamin. God ſeldome honours … ſeruice, nor himſelfe by their skill … or wealth, who make themſelues … in what they doe.
Caution. 4 4. Caution] Beware … …onfidence in your Armes, skill, pre… … For though your Martiall prouiſion were … …feſt, like Zenophons, of whom it is ſa… … …an Argolican Target, an Athenian B…-plate, and a Boetian Head-peece; though your men were, for ſtature like the Anakims, for multitude, like the Aramites, for dexterity, like the Beniamites, for ſucceſſe, like Saul, and Ionathan, of whom it is ſaid,2. Sam. 1.21. that the Bow of Ionathan neuer returned backe; neither did the ſword of Saul returne emptie from the blood of the ſlaine, and from the fall of the mightie, yet carnall confidence, ſelfe confidence will betray you, vndoe you, as it hath ruined many States before you. They of Ierico, truſted in their walls: but how ſoone, and by how deſpicable meanes did God lay them flat? The Philiſtims truſted in Goliah, and he in his ſtrength:1. Sam. 17.45, &c. but how ſoone is his head cut off with his owne ſword? Men riſe vp earely, but God builds the Cittie. The horſe and chariot is prepared, but victorie is from the Lord. It is Solomons obſeruation, and wee may conclude with it,Eccle. 9.11. The race is not to the ſwift, nor the battell to the ſtrong.
Caution. 5 5. Caution] Labour for ſuch preparations as will certainely intereſt you in a bleſſing. What are thoſe? Something muſt be done for the qualifying of your perſons; ſomething for furniture, and prouiſion of Armour; ſomething for the vſe and managing of that Armour. Of theſe ſeuerally.
1. For the qualifying of your perſons] This in generall know,Pſal. 39.5. Re…. 1.13. that as holineſſe becomes Gods Houſe for e…er, becauſe Hee walkes in the middest of the golden Candleſtickes; ſo, holineſſe becomes the Lords Campe for euer; becauſe hee walkes in the middeſt of the Campe: Deut. 23.12, 13 14.and if hee ſee any vncleane thing in it, will turne away from it. Sinne not onelyonly cauſeth warres (They choſe new gods, then was warre in their gates.) but alſo ruine,Ioſh. 7.10. and deſolation. Iſrael could not ſtand before the enemy, becauſe there was an execrable thing in the Campe. Therefore it is Gods charge to his people:Deut. 23.9. When thou goeſt out with the Hoaſt againſt thine enemies, keepe thee from all wickedneſſe. So may I ſay, When thou goeſt to prepare and fit thy ſelfe to fight (as you doe in your Martiall exerciſes) keepe thee from all wickedneſſe. For, what will it auaile you, if you could bee Conquerours of men, whilſt you remaine captiues to Satan, ſlaues to your owne luſts? But how can you hope to preuaile againſt men, when God himſelfe is become your enemy? This is that which hath brought ſo much miſery vponupon your brethren, and threatens our deſtruction, euen the ſinne of Rulers, and ſubjects, Miniſters, and people, Captaines and Souldiers; and yet the Lord may renew his complaint, No man ſpeakes aright, Ier. 8.12.no man ſaith, What hauehave I done? Whilſt our ſins continue, flatter not your ſelues, neither truſt in lying words, ſaying, Ier. 7.The Temple of the Lord (much leſſe the Artillery Garden, &c.) for your ſakes Sion ſhall be layd waſte, Ieremy 7. and the Lord will doe vntounto vsus, as hee hath done to our brethren round about vsus. Wherefore (Beloued in the Lord) as you deſire the continuance of the Goſpell, and of our peace; as you tender the welfare of Church and Common-wealth; as you affect the ſafety of your ſelues, and families; ſearch out, purge out the ſinnes that prouoke God to wrath, from your families, from your ſelues, profaneneſſe, couetouſneſſe, pride, hypocriſie, corrupt ſelfe-louelove, ſecuritie, luke-warmeneſſe, and whatſoeuer elſe in your perſons, places, callings, companies, recreations, is contrary to Gods reuealed will, and in ſtead of thoſe, conſecrate your families,Deut. 20. Rom. 12. your ſelues to God; bee more holy, heauenly-minded, humble, vpright, zealous, fruitfull, watchfull in all your wayes: ſo ſhall tenne of you bee able to chaſe away a hundred, and an hundred a thouſand, and a thouſand ten thouſand.
2. For furniture and prouiſion of Armes]. The Apoſtle commends ſix Pieces to you, out of Gods Armory: Chriſts Souldiers may not want any one of them.
1. Truth] The firſt is that which was ingrauen in a Saphire ſtone, and hanged about the necke of the Egyptian Iudges in a collar. foreign, Truth. This is the ground of all conſtancie; and therefore the Hebrewes by one word expreſſe both.foreign This the Apoſtle calleth a Girdle, and it farre excels thoſe ſtudded bells, wherein Souldiers pride themſelues, both in comlineſſe to adorne, and in ſufficiencie to ſtrengthen a Chriſtian Souldier againſt all aſſaults of Satan, and diſcouragements in the world.
2. Righteouſneſſe, a Breſt-plate] The ſecond is that, whereunto we laboured to perſwade you in the firſt direction, for the qualifying of your perſons,1. Iohn. 3.7. 2. Cor. 1.12. Acts 11.23. Righteouſneſſe of conuerſation, which conſiſts in a pure or purified conſcience for the time paſt, and in a reſolution of proceeding in a righteous courſe,Reu. 1.6. for the time to come. We are Prieſts vntounto God our Father: let vsus preſent our ſelues before him, and the Congregation of his Iſrael, with this Breſt-plate, Exod. 23.wherein is the true Vrim and Thummim, and wherewith the ſoule is more gloriouſly adorned, then Salomon was in all his Royalty: yea, the Soule is not only beautified, but alſo fortified by it,Iſa. 38. 2. Cor. 1.12. as you ſee in Hezekias caſe, againſt the feare of death; and in Pauls caſe, againſt the ſmiting of the tongue.
3. The preparation of the Goſpell of peace, the leg-harneſſe. 1. Cor. 3.21, 22.The third, is the piece of furniture, which the Goſpell doth helpe vsus vntounto, by reuealing to vsus, 1. That God is reconciled to vsus, in Chriſt. 2. That eueryevery thing that can befall vsus, is made for vsus, yea, death it ſelfe; and all tribulations are for our good: This is in ſtead of Greaues, or Leg-harneſſe, whereby we are inabled to paſſe thorow the rougheſt wayes to heauen, without diſcouragement, yea, in a ſpirituall ſence, to treade vponupon the Adder, and the Baſiliske, without hurt. Chriſt ſeeing his Church walking towards him thus ſhod, breakes forth into an admiration of her:Cant. 5.1. How beautifull is thy going with ſhooes, oh Virgin, daughter!
The fourth is Faith,4. Faith the Shield. laying hold on Chriſt for Iuſtification, and on the reſt of Gods Word, and ſpeciall promiſes, for paſſing this preſent life. This is a Shield defending the ſoule, not only from foynes and blowes, but alſo from the fiery Darts of the Deuill. By this thoſe Worthies of the Lord ſubdued Kingdomes, wrought righteouſneſſe, obtained the promiſes, ſtopped the mouthes of Lions, quenched the violence of fire, eſcaped the edge of the ſword, of weake, Heb. 11.33, 34. 1. Ioh. 5.4.were made ſtrong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the Armies of the aliens. To conclude; It is the victory, whereby we ouercome the world.
The fift is Hope, which ariſeth from Faith,5. Hope an Helmet. and is the expectation of good things to come, grounded vponupon the promiſes. This like an Helmet will ſtand the Chriſtian Souldier in much ſtead, which keepes off many blowes and wounds from him, which elſe, as a violent ſtroke on the head, would amaze him, if not quite caſt him to the around. Thus Steuen hauing his Helmet on,Acts 7. could with courage looke his enemies in the face, and lift vp his eyes to heauen, with an vndanted mind, in the midſt of a ſhowre of ſtones caſt at him. And bleſſed Paul reioyceth in tribulation, Rom. 5.3, 4.vnderunder the hope of glory.
The ſixt Peece,6. The word a ſword. is that whereby Gods mind is reuealed vntounto vsus, in ſuch things as concerne vsus to know, as a mans mind is by his ſpeech, which is therefore called the Word of God. This is contained in the Scriptures, and is called a Sword, becauſe of its ſingular vſe, both for …ffence, and defence, as you may ſee in that ſingle combate of the Captaine of the Lords Army, Math. 4.our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, with the Deuill. I may ſay of this, as Dauid ſaid of Goliahs ſword,Sam. GiueGive me that, there is none to that. A Chriſtian Souldier ſhould hauehave this ſword alwayes in readineſſe, not as ſwords are in moſt houſes and hands,Sam. hung vp by the walls, or kept ruſty in the ſcabberd: but it ſhould be like the ſword of Ioab, ready to drop out of its ſheath ſuddenly, and he ſhould vſe it againſt ſpirituall wickedneſſe, as Eliazer vſed his againſt the Philiſtims.2. Sam 23 10. The Text ſaith, He ſmote the Philiſtims, vntill his hands was weary, and husband claue vntounto the ſword. One thing more muſt be added, and ſo Ile conclude.
3. For the vſe and managing of this ſpirituall Armour] I will propound onelyonly one thing to bee done, that is, Prayer, whereby Hezekiah clothed with ſacke-cloth, in ſtead of a Coat of maile, and hauing aſhes vponupon hie head, in ſtead of an Helmet, and vſing prayers in ſtead of ſpeares, and ſwords and arrowes,2. Chron. 32.9.10, Iſa. 37.15.36, hee obtained the ſlaughter of one hundred foure-ſcore and fiue thouſand of the Aſſyrians in one night. Aſa by prayer, ſlew and put to flight an Army of tenne hundred thouſand, 2. Chron 14.9. to 14.and three hundred Chariots of Ethiopians.
In Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories wee read of an Army of Chriſtians,Euſeb. lib. 5. Tertul. in Apollog. which was called Legio fulminans, becauſe by prayer they obtained, that God ſcattered their enemies with thundring and lightning, and refreſhed the Chriſtians with ſhowres from aboue.
Our owne times afford many inſtances to the ſame purpoſe, eſpecially, that Mirabilis annus, in 88. when the prayers of Gods people preuailed to raiſe the winds, which ſcattered that Inuincible Armado, whereof wee may ſay, as Moſes ſang of Pharaohs Hoaſt: The enemie ſaid, I will purſue, I will ouertake, I will deuide the ſpoile, Exod. 15.9, 10.my luſt ſhall be ſatiſfied vponupon them; I will drawe my ſword, my hand ſhall deſtroy them. Thou didſt blow with thy wind, the ſea couered them, they ſunke as Lead in the mighty waters. Prayer is to eueryevery piece of ſpirituall Armour, the ſame, that exerciſe is to Armes, and weapons, that whereby Chriſtian Souldiers are fitted for ſeruice. It holds alike true in both; the more exerciſe, the more skill; the more courage, the better ſucceſſe. Wherefore be much in prayer, in publike, in priuate, in ſecret, be aſſiduous in this dutie, be frequent in eiuculations, that your houſes and hearts may be purified, that your fore-fellowſhip, callings, recreations may be ſanctified; that by you and all your indeauours, God may be glorified, let it be your ambition to be ſo qualified, armed, and prepared to manage thoſe ſpiritual weapons with a prayer-full ſpirit, as men by long cuſtome exerciſed therein. What wil it auaile you to know the whole Diſcipline of warre? Doe not the heathen as much? There is more required in you then in other men, in reſpect of your Chriſtian profeſſion: for you hauehave vowed your ſelues to Chriſt in Baptiſme, to fight vnderunder his Banners, againſt the world, the fleſh, and the Deuill, and to continue his faithfull Souldiers to your liues end. Performe your vow now, and euer, in the ſight of this great Citty, that eueryevery one may ſay, Theſe are the Lords Worthies, Chriſtian Souldiers indeed. So ſhall you be valiant in fight, victorious in battell, and in theſe Militarie Exerciſes, the Head and Glory of all the Artillery Gardens in the whole World.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Davenport, A Royal Edict for Military Exercises (1629)