THE Solace for the Soldier and sailor: Containing a Discourse and Apology out of the heavenly word of God, how we are to allow, and what we are to esteem of the valiant attempts of those Noblemen and Gentlemen of England, which incur so many dangers on the seas, to cut off or abridge the proud and haughty power of Spain. By Simon Harward. AT LONDON, Printed by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Wight, and are to be sold at his shop at the great North-door of S. Paul's Church. 1592. Ad Reverendissimum in Christo patrem D. Johannem Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, totius Angliae primatem, & metropolitanum, Serenissimae Reginae asecretis consilijs, & Honoratisses. virum D. Georgium Comitem Cumbriae, Dominum Westmerlandiae, etc. Nobilissimi garteriorum ordinis equitem autatum, Dominos suos colendissimo●. CVrita grassentur? curtanta diutius Anglis papicolae cur tot dira pericla ferant? Hispanae cur sic invicta class phalanges conentur Christi tradere membra neci? Cur pede foedi frago terram premat hostis Hybernam perfidus? usque & adhuc cur nova bella paret? Cur mercatores, cur sic Jnquisitor illos indignis tractet turba cruenta modis, Quos pia, pacis amans nostra Jllustrissima princeps misit saepe, sui foederis ipsa memor? Cur Gallos reddat rabies Hispana rebelles? cur vicinorum depopuletur agros? Cur malè non pereant quos & Regina Britannûm insidiatores senserit esse truces? Cur Christi spoliet Babylonica bellua caetum? cur vinum stupri porrigat usque sui? Cur fulcrum papae vivat? Cur proruat ultra in pecudes Christi sanguinolenta cohors? Pe●●● bonis ergo auspicijs ô Nobilis heros, perge inuicte Comes, perge bonis avibus. Sic charo sine fine suo gaudebit alumno antistes primâs Nobilis Angligenûm, Qui comitem teneris hunc enutrivit in annis, ô faustum talis cui moderator erat. Vos (precor) omnipotens pariter conseruet utrosque perpetuusque simul pectora iungat amor: Hîc multos annos alter laetetur ut altro, Reginae summè fidus uterque suae, Et post longaevae quàm plurima gaudia vitae stelliferum tandem scandat uterque polum. Amplitudini vestrae devotissimus, Simon Harwardus. The preface to the Christian Reader. THERE are three causes (good Christian Reader) which have provoked & drawn me to the publishing of this rude & slender pamphlet. The first, for that I have been thereunto requested, by certain godly and valiant Captains and Shipmasters, with whom being on the spanish seas, under the conduct of the most noble Earl of Cumberland, that they might with better confidence call upon God, I laboured sundry times, as well by private conference, as also in my public Sermons so often and so far forth as my text would give me occasion. The second, for that since my return home I have heard sometimes of the obloquys and reproachful speeches of many, which have not sticked to affirm, that these my voyages upon the seas have been some blot and discredit to the doctrine which is or shall by me be delivered upon the land. And thirdly, for that England hath (I doubt) many seditious malcontents, which being weary of their own welfare, do repine against those means whereby our prosperity is preserved, as may plainly appear, as well by their unnatural refusing to help their country, who had rather waste great sums in ungodly suits of law, then to yield one mite towards the maintenance of the soldier and the public affairs of the common wealth; as also by their unthankful murmurings & unkind grudge, which cannot afford a good word to them that willingly undergo so many deadly dangers abroad, to procure them peace and quietness at home: for the satisfying of all which parties, I have here taken in hand, by the infallible word of the eternal God, to discuss and examine that argument now so much in question, which howsoever at the first it will seem strange, and as it were a paradox in divinity, yet being read with indifferent judgement, I hope it shall in some part resolve and remove the scruples and doubts in the hearts of the weak, if not stop the mouths of the wilful and obstinate. And thus lest perhaps, perceiving too large a preface to so compendious a treatise, as the Cynic Philosopher saw a wide and stately pair of gates to a poor and beggarly City, thou shouldst begin to cry with him, viri Myndij claudite portas, I briefly end, referring thee to that which followeth, which as I have penned for thy benefit, to encourage & cheer up those which must be ready always to endanger themselves for thee and thine, so I wish thee to read it with as friendly and well-willing affection. Jdib. Oct. Anno. 1592. Thine in the Lord Simon Harward. The Solace for the Soldier and sailor: AS nothing is more comfortable to any man in whatsoever affairs he bestow his travail, then to have the testimony of a good conscience in the things that he taketh in hand: for this will be unto him, as witnesseth Solomon, Prou. 15.15. Prou. 28.1. as good as a continual feast, and make him bold and confident in all his exploits: so there cannot be a greater grief and torment to the mind, then in conscience to condemn that which by our attempts & deeds we make profession to allow: For if our heart condemn us, Rom. 14.22. 1. joh. 3.20. God is above the heart. Therefore for the solace and comfort of those valiant Soldiers, which do often incur so many dangers on the blustering seas, whose attempts I am bound ever to favour and honour, as being eftsoons an eye-witness of their noble and courageous prowess, I have thought good here to set down out of the heavenly word of God, the fountain of all true solace, in this brief discourse and Apology, the causes wherefore, the limits how far, and the manner in what sort their endeavours are to be allowed, and also what affections they ought to carry, and what comfort and confidence they may have in the lawful practice of Military profession. First therefore generally of the lawfulness of war and force of arms against the professed enemies of God's truth, and then more particularly of the voyages now commonly used on the seas, against that grand vassal of the Pope the King of Spain, together with the answer to those objections, which either the fanatical Anabaptists, or the seditious Papists, English men by name, but Spaniards in heart, do usually make against those valiant and noble enterprises, so behoveful and so beneficial for the safeguard and maintenance of this our Church and Christian common wealth. Lawfulness of Military profession. The lawfulness of Military profession is both in the old and new testament sundry ways confirmed unto us. Abraham the father of the faithful, joh. 8.39. a man truly mortified, & whose works our Saviour Christ doth propound as an example to be imitated of all the children of God, to rescue his kinsman Lot, gave the onset upon his enemies with three hundred & eighteen valiant youths, and recovered Lot with all his substance. And when he had gotten many rich prizes and spoils of his adversaries, Gen. 14.18. Melchizedeck the most lively type and figure of Christ, not only allowed his exploit, giving to him and his men bread and wine to comfort him, but also he received tithes of the said spoils, as the Priest of the most high God, which is both a comfort to all those Ministers that serve in time of war, that the first tithes that ever were spoken of in the Scripture, were paid of prizes taken in war: and also it is to all other soldiers a very manifest approbation of their profession, for that God accepteth the tenths of the spoils obtained by them. Deut. 23.18. For that most just God which utterly abhorreth those that offer the price of an harlot, Matth. 27.6. & doth expressly forbid the price of blood to be cast into Corban, that Lord would in no wise have received the tenths of soldiers spoils, unless he had also allowed their profession to be sacred and holy. The wars which are lawfully taken in hand against the open enemies of the Church of God, are indeed, as they are called, not the wars of men, but the wars of the Lord himself. When the Israelites fought against the mighty host of Sisara, there was a city Meroz which would not take part with the people of God: but Deborah inspired with the spirit of God, doth curse them for that (as the Prophetess said) they did not take the Lords part. judg. 5.23. jehosaphat was encouraged not to fear the multitude of his adversaries, for that the wars were not his, but the wars of God himself: for so said the Prophet, Fear not, 2 Chro. 20.15. it is not your wars but the wars of God. What heart and conscience David carried in his wars, doth evidently appear by that his humble thanksgiving, Psal. 144.1. Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. At the re-edifying of Jerusalem, when Sanballat and the Arabians with others, had made a cursed league against it, Nehem. 4.14. & verse. 20. Nehemiah exhorted the jews to fight for themselves, and for their brethren, for their wives, and for their children, and then said he, our God will fight for us. The Lord by his own mouth doth very apparently allow war, when he maketh laws and statutes for the right use thereof. Deut. 20.2. As that when the people go to war, they should take the Priest with them to use exhortations for the strengthening of their faith, that they may be fully persuaded that the Lord goeth with them to fight for them against their enemies. Deut. 20.10. And further, he commandeth that before they set upon their enemies with sword and fire, they should first offer peace: For although war be a lawful remedy against the professed enemies of the Church of God, yet is it the last remedy, War the last remedy. and then only to be used when no other means can prevail. It may well be compared to the fawing off and fearing of the festered and rotten limbs of a man's body, which remedies are then only to be put in ure, when the case is so utterly desperate that there is no hope of doing good by any other means. And for this cause saith the Lord, let them first offer peace, and yet therewithal allowing against the rebellious and obstinate, to destroy them with the edge of the sword. When the soldiers came to john the Baptist, demanding what they should do, he showed them how they should live justly and lovingly among themselves, but in no case did he bid them to forsake their profession: nay rather in flat words he allowed their vocation, Luc. 3.14. when he bade them be content with their wages. Shall the forerunner of Christ allow to the soldier his ordinary pay, as the Apostle Paul seemeth also to grant, when he maketh the demand, Who goeth to warfare at any time at his own cost? 1. Cor. 9.7. And do they not also therewithal permit him in the body of the Common wealth, to put in ure that function and office whereby he is lawfully maintained? A Christian Common wealth doth very well resemble the body of man: The head in government next under Christ is the Prince and sovereign Magistrate, the arms are the Knighthood and Chievalrie, the soul is the professing and true embracing of the Gospel of Christ, the legs are the Commons and husbandry, whereby the whole body is sustained and upholden: and every of these have their several lawful duties, according as the necessity of the body shall require. The Centurion in Capernaum, Luc. 7.9. Act. 10.2. and 48. and Cornelius in Caesarea were soldiers and Captains of several bands, yet the one of them is commended to have such faith as was not to be found in Israel: the other is renowned for his prayer and alms & zeal to the truth of God, both of them are received into the bosom of the Church of Christ, neither of them is any way exhorted to renounce their former vocation, neither did the outward warfare hinder, but that inwardly they both continued the faithful soldiers of jesus Christ against sin and wickedness. Yea say some, Objection against piety in Soldiers. if that holiness were now in our men of war, they were the better to be liked & allowed: but where are such devout men now to be found? what are they now but swearers and ruffians? what are they but thieves and robbers? so ungodly and so greedy of prey, that they spare neither friend nor foe, all is fish that cometh to the net, and whatsoever is gotten by them is not employed as it was by the Centurion and Cornelius, in building a Synagogue for the maintenance of God's service, & in relieving the poor distressed members of the mystical body of Christ, but in upholding and frequenting most filthy brothel houses and benches for Bacchus in every corner. Respons. I must needs confess, that as in all other callings iniquity doth more now abound then ever it did, because the devil doth now rage's most, Revel. 12.12. knowing that he hath but a short time to reign: so also of Soldiers many horrible abuses are committed. And yet I doubt not, but that the Lord hath still amongst them many Cornelies and Centurians his true and faithful servants. Abuses of war ought not to abrogate the lawful use thereof. But howsoever among the most part iniquity doth now prevail, yet the abuses of war ought in no wise to abrogate the holy and lawful use thereof. What blessing can possibly be more abused than is now the peace of the Church and common wealth? Peace hath increased plenty, plenty hath wrought pride, pride hath hatched disdain, and disdain hath brought forth such strifes and debates, such suits of law, such quarrelings and contentions as never were heard of in any age before us. Shall we therefore conclude that peace is not to be allowed, or that peace is not the good blessing of God? God forbidden: Let us seek rather to lament and amend our own most wicked abuse of this bountiful gift of God, and pray continually for grace, that we may hereafter use it more rightly to God's glory and our comfort. So is it in Military discipline, what power and strength we have therein, is the holy handy work of God, though of many it be shamefully abused, yet no abuse ought to make us to condemn the good and lawful ordinance of God. Saint Paul when he had showed the Romans that higher powers are ordained of God, Rom. 13.2. Verse. 4. he declareth that one end of their ordinance is to take vengeance on them that do ill, and not to bear the sword in vain. The Anabaptists which utterly deny all magistracy, affirm that the apostle speaking higher powers doth signify such heathen tyrants as were then the Roman Emperors; for them to bear the sword to torment and punish others they confess is a thing well sitting and beseeming for them: But Christians must be all one, for them to have or be Magistrates (they say) it is in no wise tolerable. If these fantastical spirits would consider more deeply the doctrine of the Apostle, they should see that he alloweth Magistracy especially amongst Christians; for he requireth such rulers as under whom we may lead a godly and peaceable life. 1. Tim. 2.2 Under heathen tyrants the Christians may indeed live godlily: but how is it possible that they should live peaceably? The Apostle doth will us to pray for such Magistrates as under whom we may lead a quiet & a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty: When the Apostle Peter said to our Saviour Christ, behold here are two sword, our Lord jesus answered that they were enough, allowing the having of them, Matth. 26. but he reproved such striking with them, as whereby Authority might seem to be impugned. That monstrous Pope julius the second, who made as it were a pastime of the blood of man, by whose cruel practices there perished with the dint of sword more than two hundred thousand persons, An. Dom. 1512 he made a jest and mockery at the Apostles carrying of sword: for matching once out of Rome with his Army, and his sword by his side like a valiant Champion, in a furious rage he cast Saint Peter's key into the river of Tiber, crying out, as a Spaniard doth report the history: Pues que la llaue de pedro ya no vale, valga la espada de pablo. Seeing that Saint Peter's key will do no good, let the sword of Paul take place. But the holy Father, Saint Augustine, doth reverently and in the fear of God make better use of the Apostles having a sword, to wit, that it is lawful for Christians to bear the sword; but that then only we are to use it when we are either commanded or permitted by the superior power so to do: for these two limits doth he make of the right and wrongful use of the sword: He unlawfully taketh the sword, August. lib. 22. contr Faustum Manichaeum. cap. 70. Qui nulla superiore & legitima potestate vel iubente vel concedente in sanguinem alicuius armatur, which no superior and lawful power either commanding or permitting is armed against another man's blood. Many there are in our time which go not so far as the Aanabaptists to deny and utterly take away the sword and Magistracy from Christians: they will allow them to be used against malefactors at home, or against the heathen, War against the Spaniard how to be allowed. Turks and Infidels abroad, but in no case against the Spaniard, professing as they say, the same GOD with us, holding the same articles of Christian faith, members of the same Church, partakers of the same baptism, and living in the same hope of life everlasting. We see in the holy Scripture that when Israel was once separated from juda, and revolted to Idolatry, juda was enjoined no otherwise to account of them and no otherwise to deal with them, then with the professed enemies of God's truth. 2. Chron. 19.2. jehosaphat was reproved of the Prophet, for that he gave any aid to Achas king of Israel against Ramoth Gilead: and he was likewise condemned afterward for that he joined friendship with Ochosias' king of Israel to make ships to go unto Tharsis. 2. Chron. 20. v. vlt. Amaziah hired succour of Israel against the Idumeans, 2. Chron. 25.6. but he was willed rather to lose the money then to have any thing to do with them. 2. Chron. 22.5. Ochosius was condemned for helping joram the son of Achab against Hazael king of Syria. What was the cause that the people of Israel might not so much as be helped against the heathen? men, and therefore indeed accounted worse than heathen? Were they not the posterity of Abraham after the flesh? Did not they retain, as well as juda, the name of the Church of God? Had not they the same law amongst them as juda had, and received the same seal of Circumcision with them? 2. Chron. 21.13 No doubt they pretended all these things: but in the mean time they committed Idolatry, and therefore they were utterly cut off from the Church of God. Boast they might of vain titles, but they were in no wise to be counted the people of God: nay rather so long as they continued Idolaters, they were to be reputed & taken as open and manifest traitors against the high Majesty of the eternal God. The Lord condemneth for Idolatry not only the worshipping of any heathen God, or the resemblance thereof, but also all such visible forms and pictures as are made, either in them or by them to worship the true God. When the people of Israel did worship the golden Calf, Exod. 32. they were not so sottish & senseless as to think that the Calf which they had made was truly God. That which they thought was this, Exod. 32.4. that the honour which was done to the Calf was done to God. The feast which they kept was called a feast to jehova, and they cried out, these are thy Gods O Israel which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. Psal. 106.16. So David saith, that they turned the glory of God into the similitude of a Calf that eateth hay. This was the Idolatry of jeroboam and the Children of Israel, to make visible representments to worship in remembrance of the true God. And this is the best that the popish rabble can make of their Idols and pictures, that they worship not them, but God in them All is one and cometh to one and the self same point, and either of them is condemned for Idolatry, that is, high treason against the Majesty of God, to seek to thrust him out of his throne, and to place in his stead the works of their own hands. Besides their other most horrible Idolatry in the Mass, where they erect and worship their wheaten God Maizim, ascribing that to the creature which is due to the creator only, whose name be blessed for ever and ever. Howsoever the Spaniards bear the name of Christians, they are nothing less than what they pretend, they may be in the Church, but they are not of the Church, and they are so much worse than the heathen Infidels, as a rebel and traitor within the walls is more pernicious than a foreign or outward enemy: whatsoever punishment then may be inflicted on our professed foes, the same or much greater may justly be laid on them: although indeed there is no more professed foe to the kingdom of our Saviour Christ, than they which by all means uphold that man of sin, 2. Thes. 2.4. that son of perdition, which doth fit in the Temple of GOD as God, boasting himself that he is God: Apoc. 17 9 that Babylonian strumpet, Apoc. 14.8. which sitting on the City that hath seven hills do give all nations to drink of the cup of the wrath of her fornication, which therefore beareth the name of Antichrist, as the most bitter and professed enemy of the kingdom of Christ, challenging to himself all those offices which of right and duty do only appertain to our Saviour Christ: for how is Christ our only King, if the Romish Bishops have power to give the holy Ghost, and to forgive sins, john 15.21. and so consequently to create faith and repentance, and to renew the inward man, without which graces there is no remission of sins? Heb. 10 14. How is Christ our only Priest, if they have power to offer up the body and blood of Christ as a sacrifice for our sins? No mortal man, no worm of the earth, no sinful creature, no nor yet any Angel in heaven was fit to offer up the sacrifice of the body of Christ, but one higher than the heaven of heavens, even jesus Christ himself, he was the Priest, he was the sacrifice, Heb. 7. v. vlt. he offered himself once for all. How is Christ our only mediator, if they may erect so many new intercessors and advocates, 1. Tim. 2.5. joining them in commission with Christ, Heb. 1.1. for whom Christ shed his blood? Rom. 1.16. How is Christ our only prophet, if they may establish decrees and traditions to supply the want of the Gospel of Christ, as though they had an office appointed to make up that perfect & absolute, which our heavenly Prophet jesus Christ should leave raw and unperfect? How may they be said to hold the same faith with us, which are as far from us in every chief article, as light is from darkness, or Christ from Belial. We hold & acknowledge that our Lord jesus to satisfy the justice of God, took truly flesh of the Virgin Marie, like unto us in all things, Heb. 2.16. sin only excepted, as the Apostle witnesseth to the Hebrews: Christ took not the nature of Angels, but he took the seed of Abraham: As if he should have said, it had been no justice that God should have punished the sins of man in an heavenly or angelical nature; but as truly as man's flesh did sin, so truly it was requisite that the flesh of man should pay the punishment. And therefore Christ to answer that justice of GOD, Heb. 4.15. took not an angelical, but a true natural body, like unto us in all things, sin only excepted. And we believe further, that our Saviour Christ, 1. Cor. 15.20. Col. 1.18. as the first fruits of them that slept, and the pledge of our inheritance, rose again in the same human nature and ascended into heaven there to take possession for us, and thereby to assure us, that as he being our head is gone before, so we the body shall in due time follow after. What affinity hath this our true faith in jesus Christ, with that monstrous doctrine of the Antichristian Catholics, which attribute unto Christ a fantastical body, and many bodies, and an infinite body, and therefore indeed no true natural body; which doth expressly contradict two of the chiefest articles of our Christian faith, and as much as in them lieth, undermine and cast down the principal bulwark of man's salvation. Moreover we are assured by the holy word of GOD, that the Lord doth give unto us in and through his Son Christ, full remission and pardon of all our offences, both from the guilt of sin, and also from the punishment thereof: for the Lord in respect of his infinite justice will not forgive a trespass, and afterward exact the danger of it, and in respect of his unspeakable mercy he must needs give a sound and a perfect benefit. Thus doth the word of God teach us, that there is no accusation at all or any laying of any thing to the charge of Gods elect, Rom. 8.33. that there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus, Rom. 8.1. Psal. 32.2. that the Lord will no way impute their sins unto them, that the Lord will remember their sins no more, Psal. 103.12. but cast them from him as far as the East is from the West, Mich. 7.19. or, as the prophet speaketh, bind them in a bundle & cast them into the bottom of the Sea. They teach that the guilt of sin is forgiven by Christ, but that the punishment thereof must either be paid by strait penance & afflicting our bodies here, or else after this life by the pains of Purgatory, and therefore flatly against the word; that there is an accusation, there is a condemnation, there is an imputation, & there is a remembrance of sin after the remission thereof, than which doctrine nothing can be more derogatory & blasphemous against the price of the blood of Christ, which as Saint john saith, doth purge and cleanse us from all our sins. Furthermore, 1. john. 1.7. we profess and are persuaded, that as in all the whole life of a Christian there should be truth and fidelity, so especially in truces and leagues of kingdoms and common wealths: as the scripture teacheth us, that loyalty and leagues are to be kept even with heathen men. There was a league made betwixt the Israelites and the heathenish Gibeonits, josua. 9.15. above four hundred and four score year after the league was broken, the Lord was so offended at it, 2. Sam. 21.4. that he sent three years famine, and seven sons of Saul were hanged up as a token of God's judgement against truce breaking even with heathen men. 2. Reg. 25.7. jere. 39.1. Zedechias promised loyalty to the heathen king the king of the Caldees, he broke his league, the wrath of God was so kindled against him, that being vanquished he was compelled to fly, in the flight he was taken, his own sons were slain before his face, his eyes were after thrust out, & he was bound in chains and led prisoner into Babylon. In truce-breaking the Lord punisheth even the children and offspring, to testify his wrath and severe judgement; as the French men have in verse, God grant they may have it ever in mind. Bien que le dieu du oiel ne piluit pas sur l' heure Le perfide 〈◊〉 sto●●● de ●a●●●● & perjure, Il n' escappe pourtant sonire qui i'en flame Et destruit a la fin luy see enfans & femme. Though for a time the Lord of heaven do spare the perjured wight, Yet at the last on him and his Gods burning ire shall light▪ K of Spain. But this Foedifragus the Hannibal of Spain, as he is taught and doth profess, Fidem non esse seruandam cum haereticis, that whomsoever the Church of Rome doth condemn for heretics, there ought no saith to be kept with them: so he hath showed it in sufficient proof, both in practising secret conspiracies against out whole realm, as was found out by the dealings betwixt Mendozza and Throgmorton, and also in his sending of troops of armed men to invade Ireland, to bereave her Majesty of a part of her imperial Crown and dignity. And finally in casting about to surprise and entrap the whole Fleet of the English Merchants, her majesties dutiful subjects, when they meant him no harm: but under the hope of the performance of his league, did traffic without fear: For I speak not now of any thing that he hath done sithence he hath showed himself our professed enemy. But (think they) the Bishop of Rome may dispense with all disloyalty, he may dispose Kingdoms at his pleasure, he hath taught us that no faith is to be kept with heretics, this is our anchor, this is our hold. Luc. 4.6. The Evangelist S. Luke setteth down the words of the devil to our Saviour Christ, when he showed him all the kingdoms of the earth and the glory of them: All these (said he) are mine, and I can give them to whomsoever pleaseth me, He lied most blasphemously, as he could not but lie, being the father of lies and a liar from the beginning: joh. 8.48. saith the eternal wisdom of God, By me King's reign, Prou. 8.15. and Princes decree justice. Matth. 8.28. The devil hath not so much as power of swine, without the permission of jesus Christ: And as the devil did most untruly challenge to himself the power and authority due to God only, to give and dispose all the kingdoms of the earth: so his eldest son Antichrist doth inherit the same untruth, he may bestow all kingdoms as seemeth best to him, he may give England to the Rebels in the North, Ireland to Stukely and others, France to the Leaguers, the Indies to the Spaniards, to be made two fold worse the children of hell than they were before, and all the kingdoms of the earth how and to whomsoever he pleaseth. K. of Spain. So also his grandchild the King of Spain doth imitate very well the steps of his forefathers, he may deal how he will in all kingdoms, against league, against right, and against truth, how and in what sort soever pleaseth him. Thus ye see then how the Pope's children & sworn soldiers in Spain, first partly by their Idolatry, and partly by their damnable heresies, do utterly deface the true worship of God: secondly, they wickedly usurp the offices and dignities of our Messiah, our anointed King, Priest and Prophet: thirdly, they fight against the truth of the human nature of Christ, and the verity of his ascension; the most noble fortresses of our salvation: four, they seek to obscure and overwhelm the fruits, effects, and merits of the passion of our Saviour Christ. And last of all, they are such as in no wise may be trusted, being not only workers and permitters, but even professed patrons of all treachery, falsehood and disloyalty. And therefore greater severity is to be showed upon the confederates of this so dangerous a conspiracy within the walls of the Church of God, then is to be used to any foreign foes of the heathen whatsoever. To beat down this devilish pride and falsehood of the Antichristian band, all true Christians which are armed with the authority of the Magistrate, Revel. 19.15. aught to go on courageously and cheerfully to tread the Winepress of the Lords wrath, as S. john speaketh, Reu. 18.6. & 9 to reward the whore as she hath rewarded others, and to let the smoke of her burning ascend for evermore. But here, me thinks, I hear some say unto me, That Antichrist and his confederates are to be beaten down and destroyed, Of war to be proclaimed. we make no doubt nor question: but this should be done in war openly proclaimed, and not in such privy entrapping and laying in wait, and rather should their whole realm be set on, than the Merchants surprised, which labour truly and painfully for the relief of themselves and their families. To the answer of which objection we are first to be advertised, that whatsoever the enemies of the grace of God do possess, howsoever they have toiled for it and obtained it with the sweat of their brows, yet is their possession no better than the possession of brute beasts, which as we see by the ox, horse, and mule, do travail in their several kinds for that wherewith they are sustained. There is no lawful possession indeed but where the faith of Christ is embraced and received. 1. Cor. 3. vers. vlt. S. Paul saith, That all is ours as we are Christ's, and Christ Gods. The world was made for the faithful. Howsoever the enemies of Christian faith do painfully travail in their several trades of life, yet are their goods not so their own, but that if they fall into the hands of the army of the Lord under the authority of a lawful Magistrate, it may be said of them as it was said by the Psalmist, Psal. 105. verse. 44. The Lord hath brought forth his chosen with gladness, and given them the lands of the heathen, and they took the labours of the people into their possession. The people of Canaan might labour painfully, but the gain and profit of their labours was the strength and maintenance of their princes and rulers, as also now the wealth of the Spanish Merchant is the might and power of the King: for as the Merchant groweth more and more in wealth, so doth he build and fortify his ship stronger and stronger, and at the last the King commandeth both his ship and him. And therefore as the people of Israel did then under josua, so may we do under our Christian Magistrate now, even so far as God shall lead forth his chosen with gladness, weaken the powers of the governors, Psal. 105.44. by taking the labours of the people into our possession. Moreover, there are many things which are in no wise lawful in private men, that are allowed and tolerated in those which are armed with the authority of the public Magistrate, against the professed enemies of the Church of God: It is said to the one, Rom. 12.19. Matth. 5.39. Avenge not yourselves: if they strike thee on the one cheek, turn to them the other also: It is said of the other, that they are the ministers of GOD even for this purpose, Rom. 13.4. to take vengeance of evil doers, and not to bear the sword in vain. It is commanded the one to forget injuries, Matth. 18. vers. vlt. and as fully to forgive as they hope to be forgiven: It is enjoined the other by express words to remember the injuries of Amalec. Deut. 25.17. Remember (saith God) what Amalec did unto thee by the way when ye were come out of Egypt. And remember we may how the bloody Spaniard hath fought at sundry times by most dangerous conspiracies, to rend our nation asunder. Remember Amalec: Remember how many godly English Merchants their Inquisitors have most cruelly tormented and spoiled. Remember how hardly they have dealt in evil entreating such Ambassadors as have been sent from our most gracious Sovereign. Remember how injuriously they sent to invade her majesties Realm of Ireland. Remember how they attempted with their invincible Navy at once to swallow us up. Remember Amalec. Deut. 23.20. Whereas the law in Deuteronomie forbiddeth the jews to commit any usury amongst themselves, and yet alloweth it them to be used towards strangers, S. Hierom doth by strangers understand the public and professed enemies of the people of God. His reason is, for that their goods are not their own: they usurp so long as they are destitute of the truth of God. The like may be said of guileful policy: It is not to be allowed in Christians amongst themselves, who are to use that simplicity of Doves, Matth. 10.16. which wanteth all manner of guile and harm: And be as S. Peter saith, Like new borne babes: 1. Pet. 2.2. or rather as the Greek word signifieth, like now borne babes void of all fraud and deceit. Yet dare I not condemn that policy of josua, who besieging Ai, josua. 8.4. placed thirty thousand strong men behind at the West side in a privy ambush, making a show himself as though he would fly before the townsmen of Ai, only to entice them out, that his men who were privily placed behind might suddenly oppress and make havoc of them. Neither dare I disallow the policy of jehu, 2. Reg. 10. which by making a pretence that he would do sacrifice to Baal, did thereby assemble the Priests of Baal, that he might the better at once dispatch them: For as Hierom witnesseth, Hieron. ut citatur decret. causa 22. quaest. 2. cap. utilem. he had no so good a way with so little blood to take speedy vengeance of God's enemies. The Apostle biddeth no man to oppress or defraud his brother: for the Lord is an avenger of all such things. Luc. 3.14. And S. john the Baptist willeth those devout soldiers which came to be instructed of him, not to offer violence one to another: yet may we not condemn David, who made a spoil of the Amalechits, 1. Sam. 30.26. and sent part of the prizes which he had gotten, to the Elders of juda, Ramoth and Bethel, with this notable salutation and greeting, Ecce vobis spolia de inimicis Domini: Behold ye the spoils of the Lords enemies. Psal. 24.1. The earth (saith David) is the Lords, and all in the same contained. God is the chief Lord of all: we have nothing lawfully but what we hold of him in capite. The professed enemies of the Lords Church do hold no tenure of GOD in capite, being cut off from the head jesus Christ: whatsoever than they enjoy they possess it as thieves and robbers: and therefore the bereaving them of it is not theft, but as David doth term it, a spoil of the Lords enemy. Or if it be theft, as it pleaseth our secret Papists to term it, yet is it such a robbery as by the mouth of the Spaniards themselves is allowed: for they have a verse and common proverb in Spain, Quien hurta all ladron Cien dias gana de pardon. He which robs a thief always Hath pardon for a hundred days. Libr. 2. de bello vandalico. Procopius witnesseth, that in Numidia in the city of Tingit, in two Pillars of Marble, these words are graven in the Phoenician tongue: Nos Maurusij sumus qui fugimus a fancy joshua filii Nun praedonis, we are Moors which fled once from the face of the thief josua the son of Nun. Thus was josua the true servant of GOD accounted and termed a thief when he did lawfully conquer and take spoil of the Lords enemies. But here some may say: Goods of Papists that live with us. what shall we esteem of the goods of those Papists that live amongst us? Have they no lawful possession of that they have? Is it lawful for us to spoil and bereave them of their possessions? Aug. lib. 22. contr. Faustum Manichaeum. cap. 70. Surely there is nothing wanting but that which Augustine doth name as the ground of all wars, legittma superior authoritas aut iubens aut concedens, A lawful superior authority either commanding or permitting. The Magistrate only must judge who offend of weakness, and who offend of wilful obstinacy, and without the Magistrate nothing may be done: no not so much as amongst the heathen men be the subjects never so faithful Christians, and be their Princes and governors never such heathens or Infidels, Rom. 13.2. it is in no case lawful for the subject to rebel against his Sovereign Prince. All superior powers are ordained of God. jer. 27. v. 6, 7.8. Nabuchadnezzar so long as he bare rule is called the servant of God: I have given all these lands, saith God, to Nabuchadnezzar my servant, and all nations shall serve him and his sons until the time of his land be come also. And that people that will not serve him I will visit with the sword & with famine and with pestilence: I could never read that God did long prosper any rebelling against their Sovereign, but he hath often blessed strangers when they have sought to deliver their neighbours from tyranny or Idolatry. Gen. 14.4. When five Princes who had sworn loyalty to Chedorlaomer as their Sovereign and were twelve year subject to him, did afterward rebel against him, they and all their power were quickly discomfited. But when Abraham a stranger came but with very small might, the Lord sent unto him a most noble conquest. Gen. 14.17. Both under, Christian Magistrates, and under heathen, no subject may rise up in armour without or against the authority of the Sovereign Monarch. As for a governor that is elected conditionally, and only with power to maintain the ancient liberties and privileges of the aristocraty of the country, as is the pre-eminence which Philip may perhaps lawfully challenge in the low countries: if he than seek against covenant to turn the aristocraty into an absolute Monarchy: this is undoubtedly such a tyranny, as may lawfully be withstood of them which neither by conquest nor lawful right were delivered into his hands; for as to seek to bring in an Aristocraty where is an absolute Monarchy established, were manifest rebellion, so also to bring in a Monarchy where is an aristocraty established, is manifest tyranny. But josua, whose wars the inhabitants of Tingit accounted as thieveries and robberies was both an absolute governor of God's people, and a stranger no way in subjection to the Princes of Canaan: & therefore what as a private man he might not do, that might he lawfully do as a public Magistrate. As to give another instance, it is not lawful for private men to curse, that is, 1. Pet. 3.9. Math. 5.44. to pray for the destruction & subversion of their enemies: bless, saith the scripture, & curse not. Yet how often doth David, and no doubt lawfully, pray for the overthrow of the public enemies of the common wealth of Israel? Psal. 83.14. Make them (saith he) O Lord as a wheel, and as the stubble before the wind, Psal. 52.11. let fire consume them, cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness, for they have rebelled against thee: Pay them O Lord according to their deserts, and according to the wickedness of their own inventions, Psal. 28.3. break the arm of the wicked, let them be as chaff before the wind, Psal. 10.4. and the Angel of the Lord scattering them: Psal. 35.5. be not merciful to them that offend of malicious wickedness, Psal. 59.6. with many such other prayers some of David as the Lords anointed; some of the people as under and indefence of their Magistrate, but all in the fear of God. And it is out of all controversy, that whom we may lawfully take up weapon against, for their overthrow, we may lawfully pray unto God, and we may as lawfully seek their subversion by all such means as may be with the least bloodshed and spoil of the people of God. Antonius Pius showed a good mind when he often used the saying of Scipio, se mall unum civem servare quam mill hostes perdere: that he had rather save one Citizen, then destroy a thousand enemies. josu. 8 4. 2. Reg. 10. If josua and jehu had not been armed with the law full authority of the sword, they might in no wise have politicly dissembled with the inhabitants of Ai, or with the Priests of Baal: but now being placed as public persons for the defence of the Church of God, and going against them, as to whom they are bound neither by league of confederacy, nor by duty of loyalty, they are no further to bewray or proclaim their intent then best may serve for the speedy and safe accomplishing of the lawful conquest of the lords enemies. But (say some) the hostility and open enmity betwixt us and Spain ought first to be proclaimed before any wars ought to be taken in hand, Was not (I pray you) that huge navy of Spain which came even to make an end of us upon earth, a sufficient herald openly to proclaim the hatred and hostility of the Spaniard against us? And I think his ships and treasure houses do meetly well tell him, that out fleets and ordinance upon the Spanish seas have been a reasonable herald to proclaim to them what they are to look for at the English man's hands. If our most gracious Sovereign (whom the Lord long bless & preserve) have upon causes not known to us, thought good as yet, no other way to proclaim the war, we are not to busy ourselves in examining the said causes which perhaps may privately concern her Majesty herself. But as when Moses and jethro met together, having kissed each other, Exod. 18.8. rogarunt alter alterum de prosperitate, & postea ingressi sunt tentorium ipsius: they asked one another of their health, and so they went into his tent: so let it suffice us to talk of those things which concern ourselves and our own posterity, let it suffice us that for our own warrant we have learned by the word of God, both the causes of our war to be allowed as just, and the manner also thereof confirmed as lawful: and let us not doubt, but that as many as thus with a resolute heart and trust in God proceed in these affairs, the Lord will so bless and prosper their labour, as shall be most for the praise of his holy name, and for the quiet and peace of our Church and Common wealth. Many think that they have condemned these wars sufficiently, if they can point out a few that have been hindered or have sustained losses thereby. But as we may not judge ill of the sacrifices and prayers which job made daily for his children, job. 1.19. because those children were taken away by fearful and sudden death: or rather as we may not condemn the voyage which the children of Israel made to conquer the land of Canaan, Numb. 26.64. because they so dropped away in the voyage, that of six hundred thousand there came but two into the land of promise: no more may we condemn our practices against the Idolatrous Spaniard, because amongst many, some have had but heavy and hard success. Others affirm, that they could like of these wars well enough, if the adversaries were thereby plucked down: but these dealings (say they) do not to any purpose weaken the enemy. I doubt not but if the Lord do still continue his holy hand over us, they will be found with the enemy shortly to be somewhat. Per lo primo colpo non cade la querria: (saith the Italian) An oak is not fallen down at the first stroke. Many littles make a much. It is something that we have all their Merchandises will they nill they, as plentifully as ever we had, and more freely from the clutches of the bloody Inquisitors: and something it is that we do a little disease the enemy, and trouble his patience in his busy providing for the new invincible Navy: and something also it is, that we have hereby many able and expert Soldiers and Mariners to keep the enemy occupied at home, which otherwise with greater danger of stirring up rebellions, would attempt as he hath done to make invasions upon us here. Scipio had no better way to set his own country Italy free from Hannibal, but to invade the Territories of Hannibal in Africa. He said unto the Senate, Titus Livius in 28. ab urbe condita. Castra Romana potius Carthaginis portis immineant, quàm nos iterum vallum hostium ex moenibus nostris videamus: Let rather our Roman Camps pitch before the gates of Carthage, then that we should see our walls besieged of our enemies. The very place where war is, endureth many calamities. Africa sit belli sedes, illic terror, fuga, populatio, etc. Let Africa be the seat of the war, let there be the terror, the flight, and the spoiling. And a little before he saith, Plus est animi inferenti periculum quàm propulsanti: In lawful dangers there is more courage in him that setteth upon the enemy, then in him that defendeth. In sua terra cogam pugnare eum, & Carthago praemium victoriae erit: I will make Hannibal fight in his own land, there will be somewhat to be gotten, Carthage will be the price and reward of our victory. The Senate granted him a convenient power, he invaded Africa, it came to pass as he expected, he removed the forces of Hannibal out of Italy, & he did that by his policy in a short time, which by all the Roman power could not be brought to pass at home in many years. I make not this example of the heathen any ground for us to build upon, only we may profitably consider how far the light of nature did show itself for the defence of native soil, and we may learn sometimes wisdom of the children of this world, who are more wise in their generation then the children of light. Luc. 16.8. Our ground that we are to rest upon, is first the equity of the cause of our war, which I hope hath been sufficiently declared by the word of the eternal God, and by the practices of such Magistrates as the holy scripture doth propound unto us. Secondly, the power and mercy of God, who of the one is able, and of the other is willing to effect and bring to pass whatsoever we shall take in hand in his fear. josua going against Idolaters had many and mighty enemies, josua. 11.4. jabin the King of Hazor, the King of Madon, the King of Shimron, the King of Achsaph, the Canaanites, Amorits, Heth its, Pheresits, and Iebusits, who were said to be like the sand of the sea shore innumerable: yet when he used his forces and policies in the fear of God, the Lord granted unto him many most noble conquests. Zerah the Ethiopian came against Asa with a most huge army, even ten hundred thousand, 2. Chron. 14.9. & three hundred chariots: Asa in comparison had but a small power, yet knowing on the one side the equity of his cause, and on the other side the power and mercy of God, he cried out and said, O Lord it is nothing to thee to help with many, or with no power, help us O Lord our God, for we rest only upon thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee. The Lord sent to Asa a most glorious victory, and his people drove away Sheep and Camels and exceeding great spoils. 2. Chro. 14.14. The Lord overthrew that mighty Captain Sisera, by the hand of a weak woman jael the wife of Heber. 1. Sam. 17. David with a sling brained Goliath, Samson with a jaw bone slew a thousand. judg. 15.15. There is no power so small but the Lord is able to strengthen it sufficiently against the enemies of his truth: and all helps whatsoever are nothing without the handy work and blessing of the Lord almighty. Policies are of great force in war: and therefore David prayed especially, 2. Sam. 15.31. Lord I pray thee turn to foolishness the counsel of Achitophel. This Achitophel was so wise, so politic, and so prudent, that his counsels were counted like the Oracles of God: yet when he used his policies against the good Prince David, what became of him? he was entrapped in his own devices, and being miserably confounded, at the last for want of a hangman became a hangman to himself. There is no wisdom, Prou. 21.30. there is no policy, there is no counsel against the Lord. So likewise horses, ships, munitions, ordinance and such like, are good helps and stays for the Common wealth, but there is no hope or confidence to be placed further in them then God shall follow them with his blessing The horse is prepared for battle, Prou. 21.31. but the victory cometh of God. We should make the same use of the power and mercy of God, Psal. 61.3. as David did when he said, Thou Lord hast been my hope and strong tower against the enemy, I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever, and my trust shall be under the shadow of thy wings. As if he should have said, I have had O Lord heretofore good experience of thy goodness and might, I know thy love is immutable, and thy mercy endureth for ever: therefore I will repose and rest myself wholly upon thee, who will't never fail them that put their trust in thee. If man do help his neighbour, he will sometimes upbraid, and sometimes wax weary, jam. 1.17. john 13.1. because man is inconstant and variable, but with the Lord there is no change nor shadow of change: whom he loveth he loveth to the end. And therefore whatsoever deliverances and benefits we have received at God's hands, we must make them so many arguments and proofs to confirm and strengthen our trust in God hereafter during life. Hath the Lord so miraculously discovered, and in a manner without any blood on our parts, and prevented so many and so dangerous conspiracies and treasons, which so treacherously have been often devised against her sacred Majesty? Psal. 7.15. Did the Lord in his mercy to us ward tumble down the wicked headlong into the same pit that they digged for others, when that cursed crew had fortified themselves to bereave her Majesty of her noble Realm of Ireland? Did the Lord confound their devilish purpose when they had as it were set down their staff, and cast anchor with their huge Armadas, as it were to reign like Kings and Lords on our English Seas, driving them that had so richly furnished themselves into those bare and barren coasts, where their gold and silver could nothing benefit them? when by sorceries and witcheries they have attempted to annoy her Majesty hath the Lord so happily discovered them and so mightily confounded them, that as the Rebels have had no force, so the Prince of rebels Lucifer himself, hath had no power against her? Hath the Lord made a speedy dispatch of all those Popes and cut them off Pope after Pope, which by their bloody bulls and ranging reconcilers have sought her Grace's overthrow, and granted her still to remain (as many good years may she continue) a happy and triumphant Queen? Hath the Lord made our ships of England such a terror to that mighty kingdom, that on their own coasts and in the mouths of their own harbours they will not come out ten to one, unless they may have together their whole invincible navy? Let us then assure ourselves, that if we can be thankful unto him, and put our trust wholly in his goodness, loving his truth and living in his fear, he will still so secure and defend us hereafter, that we shall be safe for ever under the shadow of his wings. Another thing that did greatly comfort David in his battles against his enemies, was for that his enemies were also the enemies of God, and therefore that the Lord would most certainly subvert & overthrow them. 2. Sam. 17.36. This made him say, that as he had slain the Lion and the Bear, so the Philistine also should shortly be destroyed, because he had railed upon the host of the living God. Verse. 45. And afterward, Thou (saith David) comest against me with a sword, and a spear, and a shield; but I come against thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the GOD of Israel whom thou hast blasphemed. Surely GOD will wound the head of his enemies, Psa. 6●. ver. 21 and the hairy scalp of every one that continueth still in wickedness. Consider then I pray thee what enemy thou dost encounter with when thou goest against the Spaniard: First, he is, as ye have heard before, an Idolater, a pillar and prop of Antichrist, an open enemy to the faith of Christ and a professed patron of truce breaking, falsehood and disloyalty. He is also a greedy tyrant of unsatiable covetousness, that seeketh nothing else but to swallow up even the whole world. When the Sovereign dignity in the low countries was offered to our most Christian Prince frankly and freely, her Grace refused it, being contented with those kingdoms which God, and blood, and nature hath heaped upon her: but this monster of Spain is never satisfied: Navarre, Naples, the Indies, will not serve, but he must gripe in also the Low countries, and devour up all their ancient liberties. The Low countries will not content him, but he must pluck in also Portugal. Portugal is nothing to him unless he may also obtain France, and then also he gapeth for England. But I hope that as the Lark being mounted to the highest doth suddenly fall down, and as the tide when the water is at the furthest hath his recourse back again: So the Lord will now grant to his swelling pride such a time of downfall, that as swiftly he shall fall away as ever he mounted up. He pretendeth the Catholic faith to be the ground of all his wars: but that is nothing but as the Italians speak, Coprire con legiadro mantello iniquissimi dissegni, with a fair cloak to cover most filthy pretences. Did the Earls of Eghmont and Horn find any favour in the Low countries for that they were Romish Catholics? Were they not put to death bearing crosses in their hands and shriven of the Priest? Have the Portugese's now any favour for that they profess the same faith with the King? No truly, they are made the miserablest slaves in all the whole world. If the poorer sort of them be taken captives abroad, he will not give a halfpenny for their ransom. He will part with great sums for a Spaniard, but with nothing at all for a Portugal. As for the Nobler and richer sort he suffereth them to be murdered and spoiled at home. He is content to be king of them, and to receive the kingly revenues: but he will in no case have any kingly care of them. He suffereth the Spaniards to come daily amongst them to abuse their wives and daughters, that their children may be doubtful: and indeed doth seek nothing else but to bring the same upon them which he hath brought upon Naples and the Indies, and other places where he hath set in foot, that is, utterly to dispeople them, to murder and make havoc both of Nobles and Commons, and utterly to make an end of them, that they should be no more a people upon earth. They pretend Religion till they can prevail: but as soon as they come to bear rule, all their doings declare what was the mark that they chief aimed at. I know the miscreants of the Popish crew do term the government of our most gracious Sovereign, to be bloody & cruel, for that sundry (as they say) Catholics have been at several times put to death since the continuance of her majesties reign. But there is none, unless he be wilfully blind, but must needs confess, that their absolving of her majesties subjects from all loyalty and allegiance, their practising of secret conspiracies against the whole Realm, & their withdrawing of the obedience of the people from their Prince, whom God & blood, and the law hath set over them, to give it to a foreign prelate a Priest of Rome, were such dangerous treasons as might in no wise be spared. And yet of the authors and procurers of such heinous treacheries, to some her Grace hath given their lands to remain to their posterity: to some also their lives, when they have deserved a thousand deaths, with such mercy & clemency as was never heard of in Prince before. Her lenity in government hath not only been mild, but even mildness itself: the Lord grant that her days may be as the days of heaven, and the Lord give grace to those her rebellious subjects, once duly, and to their bettering to consider the kind and bountiful mercies of so loving and gracious a Sovereign. The enemy may mutter what he will, of tyranny & cruelty, to obscure this her mildness in government, but the beams of her glory in this virtue do shine so bright, that no cloud of evil speeches can overwhelm or darken them. As the fame of Queen Elizabeth for wisdom is spread as far as with it she is worthy to govern, that is, over the whole earth & as also for knowledge in all the languages of Christians and good literature, she is, and may be a mirror to all Princes or ever: so likewise for mercy and clemency, she is, and maugre the despite of all slanderous speeches, must be renowned so long as the world shall continue. But the Spanish Inquisition which is drunken with the blood of GOD'S Saints, doth not proceed against rebels, but against those that do most chief abhor and dearest all rebellion and treason: for the obedient and dutiful Christians whom they torment, do believe and profess, that every soul ought to be subject to the higher powers, even every soul, be he Prophet, Rom. 13.1. be he Patriarch, be he Apostle, be he of what condition or vocation soever, that they ought to be subject to Kings and Princes: and they desire nothing more than that their King might be delivered from rebels; I mean those Cardinals, and Abbots, The difference of the English government, as it is now, from the Spanish. In the English, the rebel dieth, and the subject liveth: In the Spanish the subject dieth, and the rebel liveth. etc. which detain the King in slavery and bondage: for the popish Clergy in Spain have all, and do all; they are the King, they are the Merchant. The travails and pains (as many of their mariners upon their own coast, confessed unto me often) be indeed of the seafaring men, but the goods and wealth, of this and that Cardinal, and this and that Bishop. They have gotten all into their own hand, they make what laws seemeth good unto themselves: in a word, they do both with King and people what them list. These most certainly are rebels most dangerous, and if any dutiful subject do but open his mouth against these, they by and by prepare for him most exquisite torments. Besides their tyrannical cruelty in seeking to oppress and dispeople all nations about them, whom our gracious Prince in all pity and mercy doth favourably relieve and secure. It may be said of the Spaniard, setting all countries about him on fire, as the Spanish song goeth of Nero, Mira Nero de Tarpeia A Roma como se ardia Gritos dan ninnos y vieios Y el de nada se dolia. From Tarpeia Nero doth behold Rome hard by burns: Though cries be made of young and old He nothing mourns. By dismissing of late many English men frank and free, he would seem now to make show of some favour unto England, that he doth not bear that bloody mind against us as commonly is surmised. But I hope we shall trust him never the better. He was a black devil before, and now he is as white as that devil that doth turn himself into an Angel of light. 2. Cor. 11.14. With honey is often times conveyed deadly poison, and under the greenest herb may lurk a hissing serpent. His imbruing his hands in the blood of those that profess the same faith with him, doth sufficiently admonish us what we are to look for at his hands. The reverend father, Master Nowell, showed one of these knives to divers Noblemen of England. The butcherly knives which they brought with them when they came in good earnest to invade England, with this poesy graven upon them; An absolution for the heretics of England, do tell us plainly that the mercy which they pretend now, is but in jest, or rather in deep dissimulation, and that if we come under their blessing, we must look for no other absolution, but cutting of throats. The cause why he so earnestly seeketh the conquest of our neighbours about us, is that thereby he may the better work his purpose upon us: we are to assist them in respect of themselves, or else were we very unjust: for as saith the Orator, Iniustitiae duo sunt genera, Tul. Offic. 1. unum eorum qui inferunt, alterum eorum qui ab ijs quibus infertur non propulsant iniuriam. Qui non obsistit sipotest injury, tam est in vitio quam si parents, aut amicos, aut patriam deserat. There are two kinds of unjustice, the one of them which do injury, the other of them which do not defend from injury. He which doth not withstand injury, if he be able, is in as great a fault, as if he should forsake his parents, his friends, or his own country: their houses can hardly burn, but ours must be in danger to smoke: and therefore especially we are to labour to prevent the end, that is, the slavery and bondage which they intent to bring upon our own nation, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Xenophon. It is a noble thing, saith Xenophon, to fight for the avoiding of bondage. And it cannot but be as noble to fight for the eschewing the Antichristian yoke of popish Idolatry: for howsoever the Spaniard would seem to be a defender of the Catholic faith, let his filthy Idolatry, his pestiferous heresies, his truce breaking, his greedy covetousness, his swelling ambition, and his bloody cruelty be sufficient testimonies to us that his faith is not true and Catholic, but devilish and Antichristian. Well he may make a show of devotion and of the service of God, and of liberal contribution to maintain the Church of God: But all their offerings (as ye have heard) are of goods wrongfully possessed, and therefore they do but according to their own proverb, Hurtan el puer as darlos pies por amor de dios, steal the swine and bestow the feet for the love of God: and all their outward glorious profession is but to have as their own by word goeth of them, Vnnas de gato y habitas de beat●, la cruz en los pechos yell diablo en los hechos. The claws of a cat and a Saints weed, the cross on their breast and the devil in their deed. It is but an outward show to cloak and cover their covetousness and hypocrisy: and therefore going against him, we go against the lords enemy: and we may conclude to our own heart with the confidence of David; Psal. 68.21. Surely GOD will wound the head of his enemy, and the hairy pate of him that continueth still in wickedness. The Frenchman that hath answered all the Maximaes gathered out of the works of Machiavelli, is in this point too short, who concludeth generally, that there ought to be no wars against God's enemies in cases of religion, only upon this ground: Par. 3. max. 1. pag. 346. Puis que toute religion consist en une approbation de certains points qui concernent le service de dieu, il est certain que tell approbation penned de la persuasion qui en est donnée aux hommes. Or le moyen de persuader une choose a une person ce n' est point de prendre les armes pour le batreny de le menasser ains de luy remonstrer par bonnes raisons & allegations, qui le puissent induire a persuasion. Seeing that all religion doth consist in the allowing and yielding to certain points which concern the worship of God, it is certain that that allowing doth depend upon the persuading of men. Now the mean (saith he) to persuade any man, is not to take up weapons to beat him, nor to menace and threaten him, but to make demonstration to him by such reasons and good proofs as may lead him to persuasion. What persuasion, I pray you, can be used with them which will not suffer a persuader to live amongst them? who if a teacher come to them, do put him strait to the fire or sword: or if the holy scriptures or any godly instruction be brought unto them, they burn both the book & the bringer, who are not content to live under Antichrist, but do with all tyranny and bloodshed uphold the kingdom of Antichrist, which are not weak but wilful, not blind but obstinate: which are not content themselves to bear the mark of the beast, Revel. 13.17. but do fight for the beast, and seek to bring all nations under the yoke of his bondage. If the Spaniards were no otherwise enemies to us then the Indians were to them, who were most of them meek and obedient, and willing to be taught and governed: if we should then have spilled the blood of so many infinite thousands, as they have done, then might the Papist justly have opened his mouth against us, and we should have had great occasion to fear that which now hangeth over them, even the vengeance that the Prophet speaketh of, one stone to cry against another, Abac. 2.11.6. and one beam to cry against another, woe be to him that buildeth of blood. 1. Sam. 17.3 As the blasphemy of the Philistine made David more courageous, so these huge iniquities of the enemy ought to make us expect the vengeance at the last to light the more heavier upon him. Another comfort and solace had David in all his troubles, that even for the Church's sake the Lord would destroy his enemies: and for this cause he saith, Psal. 7.6. Arise O Lord in thy wrath, and lift up thyself against the rage of mine enemies, so shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore lift up thyself again, the Lord shall judge the people, etc. We must needs confess, that in respect of the most part of ourselves in the Realm of England, both by our contempt of God's holy word, and by our unthankfulness for his manifold blessings, we are so far off from being worthy to have out enemies subdued under us, that we have deserved much rather to be long ago delivered as a pray unto their teeth. But we know the Lord hath his Church amongst us, he hath committed unto us his holy word and Sacraments, he hath also his number of his elect and chosen: and we may say with the Prophet Esay, Except the Lord of hosts had left a remnant to us, we had been as Sodom and Gomorrah. For that little remnant, that number of the elect which God hath amongst us, the Lord hath hitherto extended so many blessings upon us, and we hope that for their sakes he will still lift up himself again. God promiseth for ten good men to spare all Sodom. Gen. 18 32. David had in his army joab a most wicked manqueller, who had most treacherously and wilfully murdered Abner the son of Ne'er, 1. Reg. 2.29. 2. Sam. 3.27. General of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Iether, General of the army of juda, men (as the scripture saith) better than himself. This wicked joab was David's Lieutenant of all his army, 2. Sam. 10.7. and the Lord sent unto him many noble victories for his good Prince David's sake. We have many English Soldiers and Mariners of most wicked and dissolute life, and such as in their wars have no respect to the glory of God and the benefit of his Church, but only seek to take somewhat together for themselves, which they may afterward lavish out on prodigal riot and filthiness of life. And it may be said of many of them as is in the Poet: Lucan. Nulla fides piet asque viris qui castra sequuntur, Venalesque manus, ibi ●as ubi manima merces. No faith, no godliness, no good in those that follow soldiers train, They set their hands to sale for blood, all's right with them that yieldeth gain. Though I say many of them be thus profane and wicked, yet our hope is, that as often heretofore, so hereafter still, for the good Prince's sake the Lord will bless the labours of joab. Deus operatur per malos non in malis: God worketh by the evil, though not in the evil. When wicked Pharaoh exalted godly joseph, Gen. 41.40. 1. Reg. 18.3. when Achab maintained that good Obadiah, when Daniel was advanced by Nabuchadnezzar, when many Saints were in the house of Nero, Phil. 4. GOD wrought by the hands of the wicked a benefit unto his children, he wrought by the evil, but not in the evil. Howsoever many Soldiers and Mariners have not their affections sanctified, yet those that truly fear God ought not to be discouraged, 1. Thess 5.11. but rather to strive by their godly exhortations and good examples to reform the imperfections of them, and to seek by all means so to increase the number of the true repentant, that for their sakes also some mercy may be showed to Sodom. Gen. 18.32. We may lawfully enjoy the spoils of the Lords enemies, as did David, Asa, 1. Sam. 30.26. 2. Chro. 14.14. and others: we may also lawfully desire to maintain ourselves by our vocation, as Paul saith, 1. Cor. 9.7. Who goeth at any time to warfare on his own cost? But our chiefest intent and purpose ought to be to promote the glory of God, to do good and acceptable service to our gracious Sovereign, to procure peace unto Zion, to break or weaken the power of Antichrist, to turn aside that course of the Indian fountain of gold, the nurse of all those wars and troubles that are now amongst our neighbours and confederates in France and Flanders, to take the sword out of the mad man's hand, and to pluck down that lusty Nimrod, that so eagerly hunteth for the kingdoms of the whole earth; which affections if we carry, than no doubt the Lord will so bless our labours, that living, we shall be most profitable members of our Christian common wealth: and if death do take us away, we are assured that ending our lives, either in, or for the faith of jesus Christ, we shall be partakers of a far more blessed estate in the world to come, even of that immortal crown of glory, which Christ jesus hath prepared to all that love him, and to those that for his sake have not loved their lives unto death. God save and preserve our most noble Sovereign Lady Queen ELIZABETH, and grant unto her many joyful and happy years. GOD govern all her majesties most honourable privy counsel with the grace of his holy spirit: God preserve amongst us the ministery of his holy word, and continue his Gospel and truth to us and to our posterity for evermore, God defend the Realms of England & Ireland from all dangers of their enemies, as well foreign as domestical: God bless and prosper all her majesties forces and munitions, as well by sea as by land: God convert the hearts, or confound the practices of all her adversaries: God break the power of Antichrist, & give an utter overthrow unto all his sworn soldiers, and namely the Spaniard; even GOD for his Son Christ jesus sake happily and speedily confound him, that he never may be able to lift up himself against the Lord and against his anointed: and let all English hearts that do fear GOD and love his truth, even hearty and faithfully say, Amen, Amen. Imperet, & vivat, regnet, vincatque, triumphet, Emineat, vigeat, floreat, Elisabeth. A Prayer for the Soldier and sailor in time of service. O Most merciful God and gracious father, we humbly praise thy glorious name for all thy unspeakable mercies, which of thy bountiful goodness thou hast hitherto vouchsafed to bestow upon us thy poor and unworthy servants, as well on our souls as on our bodies: and namely, for that thou hast not only allotted unto us thus to be daily sustained by a lawful vocation agreeable to thy blessed ordinance, but also dost mercifully preserve us in the same from all those dangers which in thy judgement thou mightest justly lay upon us, and into which others of our brethren oftentimes have fallen. O Lord we have heard of, and partly seen and known of divers whom thou hast suffered to be overwhelmed with tempestuous winds in the gulfs of the outrageous seas: others pinched with extreme famine and penury: others taken captives & led to most miserable thraldom: others brought to their end by loathsome diseases and sundry kinds of death. We acknowledge, O Lord, that our sins are as huge as theirs, and our iniquities as grievous. Those Galilaeans whose blood Pilate spilled, and those eighteen on whom the tower of Silo fell, were not greater sinners than the rest in Israel: and those on whom in our time thou hast showed thy heavy judgements, seeing that we have followed them and overtaken them in their sins, we had deserved rather to have been made examples unto them than they unto us. But it is thy mercy, good Lord, thus to spare us, & to give us a larger time of repentance. We confess ourselves, O blessed father, to be unworthy the least of all thy benefits, if we consider our own deservings: we have so manifold ways transgressed thy most holy commandments by our unclean thoughts, by our ungodly words, by our unrighteous deeds, that we are not only become worthy to be deprived of all thy gracious benefits and blessings: but also we have deserved to have all thy judgements in full measure to be powered upon us, not only in this world, but also in the world to come. But O Lord, we appeal to thy throne of mercy, beseeching thee to look upon us, not as we are in ourselves polluted & stained with sin and wickedness: but to behold us in the face and person and obedience of thy dear son jesus Christ, accepting his death and passion as a full recompense for all our transgressions. Good Lord cloth us with his righteousness, engrafted us truly as lively members of his body, and for his sake continue all thy mercies and loving kindness, which so many ways we have tasted of from our tender youth until this present day. O Lord increase our faith daily more and more: grant that we may be fully persuaded of thine eternal election, that thou good Lord of thy infinite favour & goodness hast elected and chosen us to be saved before the foundation of the world was laid: give us that applying faith, whereby we may be assured that we are of the number of them for whom Christ died upon the Cross: give us that justifying faith, whereby thy spirit may speak comfortably to our spirits, that all our sins are forgiven unto us: give us that sanctifing faith, which may bring forth all good fruits of amendment of life and true repentance. O Lord pardon our huge & grievous sins which we have heretofore committed against thy divine Majesty: let our former wickedness be no hindrance to thy mercy. Lord remember not the iniquities and offences of our youth, but according to thy mercy think upon us in thy great goodness. Remember not how unthankful we have been unto thee for thy manifold preservations and benefits all the course of our life. Thou hast been rich in mercy towards us, but we have been poor in thankfulness to thee again. Lord pardon all our former unthankfulness, and make us daily more and more thankful, not only in word, but also in holiness of life, that we never be found to be of the number of those which confess thee with their mouth, but deny thee with their works. In all our affairs of our outward warfare, Lord grant us grace especially to be zealous in our inward combat against sin and wickedness, that we may mortify the root of our carnal and corrupt affections, that we may have the true strife of the spirit against the flesh, wrestling against all sins, but especially against those whereunto we find ourselves most inclined. Aid us good Lord especially in our spiritual battle against the world, the flesh and the devil: put upon us the sword-girdle of truth & the breastplate of righteousness. Arm us with the shield of faith, whereby we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and so deliver to us and guide in us the sword of thy spirit, that we may overcome and triumph by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his testament. And for as much as the events of our estate and vocation are sundry and variable, O Lord we pray thee so govern us with thy good grace, that in all our travails we may joyfully say, Thy will be done and not ours: that neither our prosperity do cause us to forget thee, nor adversity do provoke us to murmur against thee, that with contented minds we may cast all our care on thee: for thou carest for us, that in troubles we may assure ourselves that thou dost not plague us as a judge, but correct us as a father, and that in every good success we may humbly acknowledge thee the author and giver thereof, and never lift up ourselves to account it the work of our own hands. We that thus go down in ships, and occupy our business in great waters, do daily see thy manifold works and thy wonders in the deep, how thou liftest up the waves of the sea, and hast made the Leviathan to take his pastime in them, with innumerable beasts, as David speaketh, both small and great. Lord grant us always to make true use of these thy creatures, that we may learn thereby to acknowledge thy Majesty, to reverence thy power, to fear thy judgements, and to trust in thy mercies. Thou hast promised that those which cry unto thee in their trouble, thou wilt deliver them from their distress, Psal. 107.30. and bring them to the haven where they would be. Thou only art he that commandeth both the winds and the seas: Lord so govern them both in these our attempts against the professed enemies of thy truth, as may be most for the glory of thy name, for the benefit of thy Church, for the good and welfare of our native soil, and for the safeguard and honour of our most gracious Sovereign. Bless our labours, prosper our voyage, let thy enemies so fall before us, as that thou mayst have all the praise, and we all the comfort. Teach our hands to war and our fingers to fight: cover our head in the day of battle: give us thy holy angels to assist us: grant us to be true and faithful amongst ourselves, obedient to those whom thou hast placed over us, & courageous against thy enemies: hold thy holy hand over us, sanctify our affections, that we may not so much seek ourselves, as endeavour to do that service which may be most agreeable to thy holy will, and most for the prosperous estate of our Prince and Country, whom we beseech thee, O Lord, to bless and protect now and ever. We know, O Lord, that the obtaining of victory doth not consist in number of men; it is all one with thee to save with many, or with no power: in the defence of thy truth we go against the open upholders and sworn vassals of Antichrist, good Lord let not thy adversaries prevail against us, let not the wicked say, where is now their God? Strike a terror into the enemies: let the shield depart from them: confound that proud and haughty power of that Haman, that doth so insolently oppose itself against the Gospel of jesus Christ. Go before our army, good Lord, and be our buckler and shield to defend us from all dangers both of body and soul. Lord remember thy wont mercies and loving kindness which have been ever of old, and for thy Church's sake, even for that remnant which thou hast amongst us, let it be thy merciful pleasure to bless our endeavours: grant us to repose our trust and confidence steadfastly upon the experience of thy power and goodness: give us such assurance of faith, and such continuance in true mortification, that we being thy children, and our lamps of repentance always burning, death may never be sudden unto us: and when it shall be thy good will to take us out of this vale of misery, be it in or out of those battles which to our profession do appertain, we beseech thee, O Lord, that our souls may so fight a good fight, and finish their course with joy, that they may be partakers of the crown of everlasting triumph in the world to come. These and all other graces needful for us, and for thy whole Church and every part and member of the same, we crave at thy hand in the mediation of thy son jesus Christ our only Saviour, in that prayer which he hath taught us in his holy Gospel. Our Father, etc. FINIS.