The Bible Battles, Chapter 9 – Chapter 10
IX. CHAPTER. Of muſtering, and the choyſe of ſouldiers.
WHen a warre is reſolued vponupon as both iuſt, and neceſſary thn muſt ſouldiers bee leuied, a muſter and view made of them and their armer.
The Kings in Iſrael were ſomtimes1 Sam. 1▪ 4. Num. 1. 19. & 3, 4, 2. at the muſter. Saul gathered his ſouldiers together and numbred them. So did David, 2. Sam. 18. 1. So Moſes, numbred Iſrael.
And there was a principall ScribeIer. 52. 25. of the hoſt which muſtered the people of the land: for which muſtering, there was a command went forth to leuie men and to call them together, as Saul did; and as Dauid appointed1 Sa. 11. 7 2 Sa. 20. 5. Eſai. 13. 4. Amaſa to doe: to this cuſtome God alludeth in his word when he muſtered his hoſt.
In this, they conſidered of the number, which were to go into the wars, ſometimes more, ſometimes fewer; Moſes appointed but 12000 to go againſtNum. 31. 1 Sa. 11. 8. & 15 4. 1 Sa. 18. 1. with cap. 17. 24. 1 K 20. 15. 2 K. 3, 6. 2 Ch. 25 5 2 K. 20. 25, 26. Midian: vvhatſoeuer the number was, the cuſtome was to number them: as Saul did his in Bezek, and in Telaim; David in Mahanaim, Ahab in Samaria; Iehoram hee numbered his, and Amaziah his Armie: and thus did alſo the Heathen.
Now in ſending foorth an Armie, great care muſt bee had, what ſorts of perſons are to bee ſent forth.
I. Let them bee Natiues and ſubiects liuing vnderunder that ſoueraigne authority that ſends them our, though they bee of ſeuerall countries, yet ſubiect to the ſame power, and it were well that they had ſomething to take to at home, or friends of whom they expect good. For theſe ſouldiers are bound by the bond of nature to their King, kinred, and Countrie. Theſe are eaſie to bee corrected, if they ſhould happen to run away. Theſe wil therefore bee awed in the field, and for feare to be puniſhed at home, become more obedient, endure more conſtant, be more loyall, even when they feele want of neceſſaries, and hauehave ſhort pay, then any other will doe, not ſubjects, or hauing nothing, or no friends that they care for; Iſraels hoſts were of Iſrael, and when the Tribes were diuided into two kingdomes, either State furniſhed themſelues of their owne ſubiects moſt vſually, as may be ſeene in their battles.
II. Conſider their yeeres; ſuch as the Lord held fit for warre, were in Iſrael 20. yeeres old and vpward;Num: 1. 20 & 22. 26. 2 2 Ch: 25. 5 and ſuch did Amaziah take: for younger are hardly growne vp to ſtrength: and aboue 46. except ſome old and expert ſouldier for skill, are not to be admitted, becauſe ſtrength decayeth, as ſaith a learned experienenced ſouldier.
3. Touching their bodies in Iſrael were choſen ſtrong men, able to1 Sa. 14. 52 2 Ch. 17. 14. Deut. 20. 8 Iud. 7. 3. goe to warre, men alſo of valour and courage; ſo they muſt be ſtout and ſtrong of a vigorous and couragious mind, not fearfull; for ſuch were put out of the hoſt by Gods appointment and this did alſo that valiant Iudas Machabeus; for the fearefull the firſt1 Mach, 3. 56. in ranke of the damned crew, what good will they doe, but faile in performance,Rev. 21. 8. make others to bee faint-hearted, and ſo giuegive the victory to2 Sa. 2. 9. & 23, 24. the enemy. Men of a ſharpe countenance, ſinowie armes and legges, promiſe both ſtrength and courage, and not the great lusks, fleſhie lubbers, though Pyrrhus and Marius choſe men of big and great ſtatures. In Iſrael ſuch as could runne well, were commended, men ſwift of foot; actiue and nimble, as was Aſahel Ioabs brother, and one of Davids worthis; This was alſo a commendation in Achilles, and in Papirius, who was called for it, the Rinmer. In theCurſor. Tribe of Gad were men for ſtrength callen men of might, for courage to1 Ch. 12. 8. have had faces like Lyons, and for footmanſhip, as ſwift as the Roes vponupon the mountaines.
IV. For their skill in armes, raw and ignorant men are not to bee put ſodainly to ſeruice: for not a multitude, but art and exerciſe getteth the victorie: for the ignorant ſouldiers may not onelyonly endanger himſelfe, but his fellowes too. ThereforeIud 20 16. 1 Ch. 1. 40 & 12 35. 1 Ch 12. 2 ver. 32, 33. the ſouldiers in Iſrael were very expert men. In Beniamin were 700. choyſe men left-handed, that is, ſuch as were ſo skilfull, that they durſt with their left hands vſe their ſlings againſt their enemies, and were ſo excellently cunning, that they would caſt ſtones at an hayre breadth, and not miſſe. In Aſher were choiſe and mighty men of valour apt for warre 40000: In Sauls time were many which could vſe both the right hand and the left in hurling of ſtones, and ſhooting arrowes out of a bow. In Iſſachar were men of great vnderſtanding, knowing what ought to2 Ch. 12. be done, whoſe Chiefetaines were 200. In Zabulon ſuch as were expert in warre, and could keepe ranke, 50000. In Dan expert men 28600. alſo in the three Tribes beyond Iordan skilfull men there were an hundred and twentie thouſand. So they then brought no ignorant and raw ſouldiers into the field: Skill heartneth a ſouldier, and encreaſeth his courage, and ſtriketh ſome feare into the enemie. A ſmall number of skilfull men, and experienced in armes, will eaſily rout multitudes of others, as hiſtories and experience doe tell vsus. The Romans by their excerciſed ſouldiers got ſo great and ſo maine victories. Epaminondas by his exerciſed Thebanes ouerthrew the Lacedemonians Liv: 27. 21at length; Hannibal at his comming into Italy at firſt, put to flight 35. thouſand with a ſmal company of old ſouldiers.
V. Beſides all theſe, it is fit that ſouldiers ſhould be religious, yea very requiſite, becauſe they expoſe themſelues ſo to the danger of death, vvhichwhich none, but ſuch as be religious can be prepared for. Beſides, they may expect Gods ayde, they may fight with their hands, and pray vvith their hearts, by which meanes, that renowned Machabeus, 2 Mach: 15 26, 27.conquered Nicanor, and ſlew of his enemies 35. thouſand. Let not the roaring boyes, the Machavilian Atheiſts, the prophane Eſaus, the drunken ſonnes of Bacchus, the blaſphemous ſwearers, nor the filthy Adulterers laugh at this: for God requireth,2 Sa. 23. 3. that all ſhould feare him. Religion will make men valiant, never any in holy vvrit recorded for religious, but were indeed valiant, as Abraham, David, Aſa, Iehoidah the high Prieſt, Ioſias the religious king, all valiant men. And how can theySee Doct. Sut. Dea…e of Exet. his b of warre. pag. 37, 38 mooving the Armie to be religious. be otherwiſe but valiant, when they know that God is reconciled to them, death, if it come, will bee to them aduantage. Theſe onelyonly hauehave faith in God, and ſo will be couragious. Who can doubt that theſe will adventure life in the field for religion and a iuſt cauſe, that dare willingly yeeld their bodies to be burnt for their faith and profeſſion? They adventure their corporall life, but with aſſurance of a heauenly life after: Wheras all other, (be what they may be) hazard the damnation of their ſoules, with the death of their bodies; a deſperate attempt in careleſſe wretches; The religious of conſcience will be obedient as Iſrael profeſſedIoſ. 1. 16, 17. Mat 8. 9. to be to Ioſua, and are like the Centurions ſeruants going & comming at command, and not mutinous; they are of a quiet behauiour and temperate; not brablers not drunkards, nor quarrelſome. They will eſteeme of and louelove a worthy Captaine according to his worth; who muſt be to them as a father, and2 Ch. 25. 13. See the reading in the marg. they to him as ſons; for in Iſraels language, they were called the ſons of the band. Their prayers are of more force to preuaile with God to take their parts, and to vanquiſh an Enemy then all other means beſide Iſrael fought, but Moſes did procure the victorie by prayer.
And leaſt any ſcoffing Iſhmael ſhould deride this care of the choyce of religious men, as having no patterne of warlike Chieftaines to follow. let them looke to the mightieExo, 15. 3. man of warre, the Lord of hoſts, the king of Kings, and conſider what manner of ſouldiers he did chuſe to fight his battles. The Commanders were religious, as Ioſhua, the Iudges, Ehud, Gideon, Iepthah, David, and others. His Armies muſtered by the Lord, were called his ſanctified ones, ſet apart by him to military imployment; They were alſo mighty ones and ſtrong, Eſa. 13. 3. Ioel 2. 5. theyIoel 2. 7. 8, 9. were skilfull to march, and did not breake ranke, keeping way and iuſt diſtance, not thruſting one another they cared not for wounds, though the ſword pierced them: they were ſuch as were runners, quicke and nimble in execution: and to conclude, they, reioyced in the Lords highnes, and in his excellency, Such did the Lord muſter and chuſe for his hoſt.
But it will be obiected, that Iepthtah had in his campe vaine men:Iud 11. 1 Sa. 22. 2. & 30. 22. There gathered to Dauid men in diſtreſſe, in debt, diſcontented perſons, …e… and wicked-men, and ſons of Belial, who fought with courage, recovered their loſſes, and ſlew the Amalakites.
It is very true: but theſe were ſome1 Ch: 12. 33. onelyonly among the reſt, the Commanders themſelves, and other among them were well given. Againe, they had ſuch as pleaſed to come to them in their diſtreſſes; but they did not hyre ſuch as the baſtard Abimelech Iudg: 9.did, who hyred vaine and light men, a companie fit for ſuch a Captaine. Authoritie that may preſſe, may find fitter men for their ſeruice is a good cauſe, if they looke to proſper, then ſonnes of Beliall, Rogues, Loyterers, Pikars, Swearers, Drunkards, Baſtard breeders, Gaole-birds, Scurfe and Scum of a people, held vnworthy to liue among honeſt men, very Out-casts of pariſhes, not to bee admitted indeede vntounto the honour of beeing a Souldiour,
But ſome will perhaps ſay, that of theſe Routs of outcaſts ſome hauehave prooued very ſeruiceable, alſo many vncleane liuers, prophane ſwearers, whore-maſter, and Cup-Captaines hauehave ſhewed great courage in war…s; And its knowne, that Heathen men Iulius Caeſar, Alexander, Hector, Achilles, Themiſtocles, Epaminondas, Pyrrhus, and infinite others hauehave bin valiant ſouldiers.
Firſt for theſe latter though Heathen,Xenophon in exp. Cyr. 2. Cicero de nat Deo. Eſai 47. 12, 13. yet morall vertues have beene commended in them, and according to their Pagan profeſſion they were religious; asking counſell of their gods, without which they would not goe to warre, and they hearkened to their Prieſts, Diviners, Southſayers, Prognoſticators, Aſtrologers, Chaldeans, and ſuch as were Revealers (as they thought) of the will of their gods. For the rout of outcaſts it may be ſome very few of many have beene ſeruiceable, but what have all the reſt beene? An Heathen could ſay, That of a Company riotous Clea…chus …n Xenophon exped Cyr… 2and diſorderly there is no vſe. For the other that are held ſo valorous, true it is, that humane fortitude may be in an Abimelech, that murtherer of his brethren, in an Abner, a Ioab, as it was in thoſe forenamed renowned Heathen, yea, in other moſt lewd and vicious, and moſt prophanely irreligious, there may be out of pride and ambition, out of a furious heat of heart, out of a reſolued foole hardy deſperateneſſe, out of hope of ſpoyle, out of a vaine deſire of getting honour, and out of ſome ſuch like grounds▪ perhaps out of an inflamed ſpirit of the Battery, ſhewed a kind of valour.
But this is not Chriſtian fortitude, ſuch as was in David, and others accompanied euer with other laudable vertues. What deſperate companions were the three ſeditious Captaines in Ieruſalem and their followers, they prodigally ſhed the bloud of one another, and like Lyons fought with the Romans: but at length to their owne vtter confuſion. And what becommeth of theſe ſorts of ſuch ſeeming valorous men? what commonly is their end? How proſper they? to ſay no more of them but this, let experience ſpeake.
Happy were it, that Chriſtian armies were gathered of religious, or at leaſt of ciuill and morally honeſt men▪, that the commendations of them might be like Scipio Africanus Plutarch.his Armie, the meaneſt of whoſe ſouldiers ſeemed to be a graue Senatour.
The ſouldiers then, as they now be were of two ſorts; Footemen and Horſemen. For horſemen in Iſreel there were none in the dayes of Ioſua, the Iudges, Saul (though he beſet out like the Heathen Kings) nor in Davids time, nor Salomon, to wit, horſemen for warre, indeede there is mention of Salomons horſemen and Charrets for magnificence (as it ſeemeth) but not for warre; as Abſoloms CharretsIer. 17 25. & 22. 4 Ioſ. 11. 6, 9 2 Sam. 8. 4 and Horſemen were, and others alſo. In Ioſua his time they were commanded to hough the Heathens horſes, and burne their Charrets with fire, and they did ſo; and in like manner did David afterwards, leaſt Iſrael ſhould truſt therein. Yet afterwards in Iehoſophats and Ahabs dayes we reade of horſes, which they had1 K: 22. 4. 2 K. 10. 2. with them into the field; and in Iehoazas his reigne, mention is made of Chairets and horſemen a few; but of muſtering or numbring of them, we read not at all.
The Heathen Armies were ever very ſtrong in horſemen and Charets, and alſo Charets of yron, Camels they brought with them for burthen it may ſeeme, and for their Kings to ride vponupon, which had chaines of gold about their necks. They would bring in their hoſt manie horſes, as 60000.Iudg: 8. 26 2 Ch. 12. at a time; ſo did Shiſhake of Egypt; Siſera had 900. yron Charets. The1 Sa: 13. 5. 2 Sa: 10. 18 Philiſtims came againſt Iſrael with 30000 Charets, and 6000 horſemen; Zobah had 40000 horſmen, with many Charrets, their horſes were not hackney Iades, or meane cart-horſes, but horſes for warre, and mightieIud: 5. 22. Iob. 39. 19-25. tramping and pranſing horſes, neighing terribly, very ſtrong, pawing with their feet, as ful of fiercenes and rage, and ſuch as were trained vp, not to feare the ratling quiver, the glittering ſpeare, the ſound of the trumpet, nor ſhout of an hoſt of men; but durſt goe on in their ſtrength to meet the armed men, and not to turn backe from the ſword: They had horſes alſo that were very ſwift, and ſtrong ones, whoſe ſnorting andIer. 4. 13. & 8. 16. neighing might be heard a good way of, the ſound whereof ſeemed to1 Mach. 1. 17. & 8. 3. 34. & 6. 30 make the earth to tremble. The Heathen brought alſo Elephants into their battles, ſo Antiochus trained ſuch vp for warre: how they vſed them, read the 1. Mach. 6. 34 and 25.
The chiefe Charriots and horſemen of Iſrael were Eliah and Eliſha, 2 K 2. 11. & 6. 17.and the hoſts of heaven: The Armies of Iſrael were commonly footmen, theſe they did muſter, and chuſe to fight their battles, as is before declared.
In this muſtering and choiſe, due care ſhould be had of publike good without corruption; for the faithfull chuſing of fit men for the king and the country is a ſpeciall ſeruice, a very weighty buſines, and of great importance. For Ʋegetius affirmeth,Lib. 1. cap. 7 dere milit. that the ſtrength of the Roman Army, and the foundation of their Empire was in the firſt choyſe and tryall of their ſouldiers. They employed in this choyſe of men ſit for warre; men of knowledge, gravity and honeſty; and thoſe that of favor or covetouſneſſe corrupted the right order in muſters were puniſhed. For this, one Pedius Blaeſus was with reproach put out of the Senat. They were by law forbid, either to admit or diſmiſſe a ſouldier for mony. In Traian theVal. Max. lib. 6. ca. 3. Emperours dayes, one that made his ſon vnable to ſerve in the warres, was baniſhed his country.
CHAPTER. X. Of the Armies in old times, the view of them; and of the exerciſe before Souldiers goe to Warre.
IN the muſter as the perſons are to be well choſen, ſo muſt the arms be well looked to: what they be now, is well knowne to ſouldiers.
The furniture for ſouldiers in old time recorded in the Bible for preſervationEz: 23, 24. 1 Sam: 17. 6, 7. 38. 2 Ch. 26. 14. Eze: 38. 4. 2 Ch. 14. 8 of their bodies were theſe; a Helmet, a Breſtplate, a Coate of male, a Gorget, an Habergion, and Greaves, and they had alſo for defence, Bubklers, Shields; and Targets.
The weapons they vſed were, the ſword, which was ſometimes twoedged, girded to them with a girdle to their ſide, a Dagger vponupon theIoel 3. 10. Iudg: 3. 16. 2 Sa: 20. 8. Iudg: 3 16 Pſal: 45. 3 Cant: 3. 8. Ioel: 2. 10. Ezech: 39. 9. Ier: 51. 42. Ioel: 2. 8. 2 Sa: 18. 14 thigh, as was ſometime a ſhort ſword. Alſo they had Speares, Lances, Handſtaues, Battle-axes, Darts, Slings, to ſling ſtones in, in which ſome were ſo cunning, as they could vſe either hand, and ſtrike at an haire breadth. They had their bowes and arrowes which did them great ſeruice as in former times Archers have done with vsus, and by whom this Nation▪ hath beene famous; of the commendation of Archerie, let any that pleaſe, reade certaine diſeourſes of one Sir IOHN SMITH Knight. They had inZach: 9 15 Ier: 50 42. Iudg: 20. 16. ſtead of Cannons, Battering ramms and Engines cunningly invented to ſhoote Arrowes and very great ſtones.
The Armes muſt bee viewed,1 Ch: 12. 2: pag: 20. 26 Eze: 4. 2. & 21, 22. 2 Ch: 26. 14. 1 …am: 17. 39. both for goodneſſe, that there bee no defect therein, and alſo for fitneſſe, ſerviceable for the time, and conuenient for thoſe that are to vſe them: for a Sauls armour will not fit a David.
Atmes good and fitt muſt beeEze: 21. 9, 10. Naum 3. 3. Ier: 51. 11. well kept, the ſword muſt bee bright and ſharpe: ſo muſt the Arrowes, the Speare heads are to gliſter. For hee is ſurely a baſeminded Souldiour, that is a Sloven in his Armes. The HeathenLiv: 26. tooke care of this. Scipio Africanus commanded his Souldiours to hauehave their Armes cleane and fit; ſo did the Emperour Aurelius giuegive a charge for this, that the Armes of his ſouldiers ſhould bee kept cleane and bright.
Now hauing fit men, fit andGen: 14. 14 Liv: 26. & 29. & 23. & 34. good Armes, before ſuch yet doe goe into the field they muſt bee trained vp, ſo was Abrahams ſeruants, he armed his trayned ſervants to ſit vponupon the Enemies, as did Scipio, Titus Sempronius, Cato, and other Romanes. It is greatGen. 14. 14. Lev. 26. & 29, & 23, & 34. Guicciard. li 8. & 11. Dr. Sutclif. pag 85. part. 2. folly to thruſt an ignorant multitude into battle. And yet alſo its not good too much to truſt vntounto trayned Souldiours at home that never were abroad. For the Venetians making themſelues too confident vponupon their trayned bands, were ouetthrowne. And evill were the Florentines apaid in truſting to their trained men. For they may be as one ſaith, and though well inſtructed, yet never having ſeene warres, nor been in the field to skirmiſh and fight in good earneſt, may faile the ſouldiours expectation. Nevertheleſſe it is neceſſary that ſouldiours be made skilfull in the vſe of armes, and exerciſed in feates of actiuitiy, to march, to keep rankes, to vſe right their poſtures, and to be ready at command to doe what they ought doe. And this muſt be in time of peace, as no doubt the Iſraelites were, which made you ſo expert in time of need. This care had Caſſius Pacit. 12.the Roman, and Epaminondas the Theban. And to ſay as it is, though there were no enemies to be expected or ſcared, yet cannot youths be better employed, then in militarie exerciſes, and vſe of Armes.