The Bible Battles, Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI. Of the meanes how to have ſuch as are valiant and of a good courage into the field.
TO hauehave ſuch as in the former chapter are mentioned, men that will ſtand to it, and quit themſelues like men, the way is,
I. To chuſe ſuch before hand as naturally be hardy, which ſhew it in countenance, in vſe of manly exerciſes …o which they be given, as leaping, wraſtling, caſting the barre, and ſuch like: in their will and readineſſe to goe into warres; In their well ſet bodies, though little men, and by their hard labour in ſome calling not without danger ſometime, as workers in mines, and ſuch like ſort of men.
II. Is traine vp ſuch well in armes; for of ſuch it ſeemeth by the Hiſtory1 Ch: 12. 2 13. 33. of their acts were Davids Worthies. To be ignorant in armes is a great diſheartning and diſcouragement.
III. …s whatſoever the Prophane Eſau, mocking Iſhmael, and machavilian Atheiſt thinkes, to hauehave them religious: for in Scripture never any religious, but they were truly valian▪ If any ſonnes of Belial ſay, that they finde it not ſo, No marvell, for … is had of the choiſe of ſuch▪ but of the riff, raff, and ſcumme of the people▪ what religious man will g…e with theſe, if he may chuſe; … ſwearing and curſing are their prayers …n their greateſt dangers; whoring and drinking, carding and dicing their beſt exerciſes when they doe nothing. O hoſts of ſpirits and devils, and not of Chriſtians! Its pitty that any truly religious Cornelius, or pious Centurion, (and ſuch there be) ſhould be over them, or any fearing the name of God to be among ſuch.
IV. Is as the Lord commanded Moſes, to make proclamation, that if any be cowards, they ſhould depart the Camp. Which rule Gideon followed;Iudg: 7. 3 1 Mach: 3 56. and Iudas Machabeus; But perhaps ſome will ſay, this were the onelyonly way to ſend away moſt of the Army. Surely no: For if as before it is obſerved, ſuch be choſen as are naturally hardy, acquainted with the vſe of Armes, be at leaſt in appearance, religious, they will deteſt the name of cowards; yea the Proclamation would(Viderint quorum eſt de huiuſmo. de rebus … dicare.) make them put on a better reſolution, then to take the benefit of departing, and bee ever after branded for Cowards: & if any ſuch departed, whom ſhame would not reteine; better were their abſence, then preſence; For ſurely ſuch would never fight with courage; and thoſe ſhameleſly departing; good it ſhould be, that an open brand of infamie ſhould in their returne home be put vponupon them, with ſharpe puniſhment.
V. Is when they are come abroad at the firſt to imploy them in light ſervices, where hope is to come off with ſome encouragements; and not to caſt them into a deſperate actions, of great hazard at the very entrance, except extreame neceſſity compell therunto.
VI. Is to promiſe good rewards for well-doing, with due and faithfull performance thereof; Thus the Lord of hoſts encouraged his hoſt promiſing them Canaan, lands, houſes, Cities,Deut. 1. 31. 35. & 3 2. 2 Sam. 5. 8 1 Chro: 11 5. and inheritance for them and theirs. David offered honour to ſuch as would and could prevaile againſt the Iebuſites, and he performed his word faithfully to Ioab. This did the Romanes with their Souldiers; and therefore had very valiant men: For nothing more ſtirreth vp valour, then due reſpect, and deſerved rewards. Caeſar ſo wonne, and tyed faſt to himDe bell… civili, l. 3. the hearts of Souldiers by bounty and liberality, as many revolted from his enemies to him, but none could be drawne from him to them. The Turkes reward greatly worthy Captaines, not regarding birth, but the quality of the party and his deſerts: For one Och…ali a poore Mariner for his valour and good ſervice was made Admirall of the Turkes Navy. The Romanes rewarded Horatius Cocles Liv: 2.for repelling the Hetruſcians with a ſtatue of Marble, and with lands. Deci…s Liv. 7.had a Crowne of golde, and every ſouldier of double allowance, and double apparell, for his and their ſervice. Scipio gaue Coronets of gold to thoſe that firſt mounted the wallsLiv: 26 of new Carthage in Spaine. If Generals and Captaines were choſen not for Nobility, Gentry, friends, but for very worth in them, and ſouldiers well rewarded for their valour, we ſhould not want Armies of valiant men.
VII. And laſt is to puniſh cowardiſe, treachery, diſobedience, mutinies, and other offences without partiality. The other, to wit reward, is not to be wanting, and this namely, due puniſhment is not to be neglected; For what the hope of reward in ſome baſe ſpirits cannot effect; yet the feare of this will worke it in them. Feare made thouſands with one conſent to come vntounto Saul, to goe againſt the1 Sa: 11. 7. Ammonites: By theſe eſpeciall meanes men ſhall bee made valiant.