The Doom of Cowardice, Title page – To the reader
THE DOOME OF COWARDISZE AND TREACHERY OR, A Looking-Glasse for Cowardly or Corrupt Governours, and Souldiers, who through Pusillanimity or Bribery, betray their Trusts, to the publick Prejudice.
Containing certaine Domestick Lawes, heretofore, lately made, and judgements given against such Timorous and Treacherous persons; fit to be known in these unhappy Times of Warre.
By William Prynne, Utter Barrester of Lincolnes-Inne.
DEVT. 20.1.2.34.
When thou goest out to Battell against thine Enemies, and seest Horses and Chariots, and a people more then thou, be not affraid of them; for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the Land of Egypt: And it shall be when yee are come nigh unto the Battell, that the Priest shall approach and speak unto the people & shall say unto them: heare, O Israel, you approach this day unto the battell against your Enemies; let not your hearts faint; feare not, and doe not tremble; neither be yee terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your Enemies, to save you.
PSAL. 3.6. PSAL 27.3.
I will not be affraid often thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I feare? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be affraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not feare… though War should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
LVKE. 17.33. MAT. 16.25.
Whosoever shall seek to save his life (by cowardly and unworthy practises) shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life (by adventuring it valiantly) shall preserve it.
Imprimatur Iohn White, Octob. 23. 1643.
LONDON, Printed for Michael Spark Senior, and are to be sold at the Blew-Bible in Greene-Arbor, 1643.
TO THE READER.
REader, I presume the following pages need no Apology, for their seasonablenes in times of War, or necessity in an Age of Timidity and Treachery. All men of valour will protest and joyne forces with me against Cowards; all persons of honor & sincerity, against Traytors, and Deceivers, (the only enemies here encountred;) especially in a publique War, undertaken, managed for no other end, but the defence of Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Iustice, and bringing Delinquents, Traytors to their native Country, unto condigne punishments; In such a sacred warfare as this;
*Lncan. l. 10 de Bello Civili.Nulla fides, pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur, is not onelyonly a Paradox, but a Prodigy, yea an inexpiable impiety: which ought to admit no other Centurions, or Souldiers, but such as Cornelius is recorded to be, Acts 10.1.2. A devout man, and one who feared God with all his house; which gave much Almes to the people (insteed of plundring them) and prayed to God alwayes; Or in one word, such as that royall magnanimous Generall and Captaine of Gods Host, King David, was; *P…al. 89.20. Act. 13 22.A man after Gods own heart, who shall fulfill all his will. To such Martiall men as these (and I would to God all our Armies were wholy composed of no other) I know these lines will be very acceptable; no wayes displeasing. If any grow offended at them, I feare their indignation ariseth onelyonly from, or will be an evidence of thei… guilt in some particulars here arraigned, condemned by the Law o… Arms. If any complain of overmuch Brevity, let them know, that shor… Discourses are ever most sutable for men, for times of action. Souldiers who act much, can read but little. This induced mee to present thee with a Manuall only, in such a subject, which I could have amplified into a Volume: Dictum sapienti sat est. A few good presidents, are sufficient to inform, reform many persons, and abuses: which if these, through Gods blessings, shall effect, I have the accomplishment o… my desire.
Farewell.