portrait of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange 
MAURITIUS PRINCEPS ORANGIAE COMES NASSAVIAE. ETC.    

A discourse more at large of the late overthrow given to the King of Spain's army at Turnehaut, in januarie last, by Count Morris of Nassawe, assisted with the English forces:  
Wh●●●●o is adjoined certain enchantments and prayers in Latin, found about diverse of the Spaniards, which were slain in the same conflict:  
Translated out of French according to the copy printed in the Low Country's, 〈◊〉 and allowed.  
P S  ET V●●●●●D N●●●● V●RI●●● TVA  printer's device, consisting of an open book surrounded by beams of light and motto "Et usque ad nubes veritas tua," with the initials of the printer Peter Short (1589-1603) below 
Printed at London, and are to be sold in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the black Bear. 1597.   

A discourse of the victory which it pleased God to give unto the Prince of Nassaw, captain general of the united Provinces of the Low countries, in the overthrow of the Army of the king of Spain, at Turnhaut in Brabant, the 24. of januarie last.  Tandem bona causa Triumphant. 
IF the events of the affairs of the world did succeed according to the judgements and reason of men, it would fall out by an infallible maxim, of that which we call the order & reason of things, that the smallest should be surmounted of the greatest, the most simplest, poor and meekest, by the most craftiest, subtlest and richest, and the weakest by the strongest. But when we see the contrary to happen, that the smallest or poorest, the most simple and weakest to overcome the greatest, the most subtle, richest, and most mightiest, it is an evident sign whereby the Atheists & contemners of the providence of God, may acknowledge the actions of men to be governed by a higher power, than their weak discourses can reach unto: and likewise to Princes which profess themselves to be Christians, an advertisement not to ground themselves upon their own greatness and worldly wisdom, but narrowly to examine themselves, whether the foundation of their wars be just, holy, necessary, and void of all tyrannical passions, not opposing themselves obstinately without yielding to any thing, under hope that their great extraordinary means will bring under those, who by comparison have not the hundredth part in respect of themselves. But that great God which doth sustain those whose causes are just, how weak soever they be, knoweth well how to abase their haughty presumptions and envy, in making their determinations vain and to consume like smoke, whereof we might allege infinite examples of times past, if one which is presented unto us in this age would not suffice. We see the Spanish Nation so puffed up with ambition, and overwhelmed with desire of conquering almost all the world, for the great treasures which yearly he draweth to himself, that not finding any thing impossible, he doth undertake at once to conquer three or four Realms, by way of arms, besides this heavy war which he hath against the united provinces of the Low countries. And albeit that these Spaniards in this pursuit of conquest, have unprofitably consumed in two of their principal enterprises, as much treasure, and received as much damage as ever did any prince that reigned these thousand years in Christendom: yet notwithstanding as in despite of their mines of gold, they continue to force themselves again to strike on the rocks which have caused their shipwreck.  
Is it to be found in any history whatsoever these thousand years, that one prince in one only exploit or enterprise, hath employed so many millions of gold as the king of Spain hath done in France a few years since, during those follies of the league, for to catch or rather dismember that goodly realm, one of the ornaments not of Europe but of the world? In all the streets of the legued towns, every tenth man did scarce receive wages of the Spaniard, and at every receipt thereof were two or three mutinies at the least. As for that proud and extraordinary army by Sea prepared the year eighty eight, and set forth with so great charges, was there ever the like by any Christian prince these thousand years? Notwithstanding all that, the king of Spain as I say more obstinate than ever or rather entering into a reproved course of judgement) doth he not yet prepare another the like? Whereof howbeit that he hath already lost almost the one half, yet doth he repair it without any sparing of charges, for to arrive at a place where it shallbe I assure myself better received then welcome. He doth levy great & extraordinary forces for this next summer, to the end to overthrow & destroy all France. France I say, which is at this present so defensible an estate, as it was at that time when as the Emperor Charles the fift his father employing all his forces for to make a breach in it, and those of an host of the princes of Germany was constrained to return as shamefully as he did enter courageously, and with hope to swallow up the goodly estate of France I say again, which is at this present commanded by a king so brave, worthy, warlike and wise as ever it hath had, under colour that his armies being conducted the last summer passed by his nephew and brother in law the Cardinal of Austria have had some favourable successes by the taking of two Towns in France, and one on this side, the which notwithstanding he hath bought dearly and with his just valour, and given money enough for either of them: and yet is the cardinal puffed up with so high imaginations, and filled him with so great designs, that esteeming the Frenchmen as people made of straw or snow, and as they say, not understanding the affairs of estate, do cast as they think dust in their eyes, by the means of trifling propositions of peace or truce, thinking this next summer, to enter far into their realm, and so to make a breach into the united Provinces. But that God (as I said at the beginning) which can overthrow the paradoxes of their tyrannical and arrogant powers, hath already made it appear by a notable event in this beginning of the year, that their determinations take not such effect as they bear themselves in hand, for that his best regiments of men of arms have been clean overthrown and cut in pieces by the Prince Maurice of Nassau, which had achieved such adventurous deeds of war to the good success of the Cardinal, and of the earl of Fueintes, and amongst others, those Rodomons soldats, Neapolitans of the regiment of the marquis of Trevicques and of Borlot, which are said to tear armed men with their teeth. This victory then, is as happy, honourable, and profitable for us, as it befell unto them shameful and damageable the 24. of this month of januarie 1597. in the Province of Brabant at Turnhaut, in manner as followeth:  
The Cardinal during the season of Winter, did think that he might being favoured by the ice and frost, attempt some notable thing in the parts of Holland and Zealand, resolved with himself to send unto the said Turnhaut a good troup of his best foot and horse, commanded by the earl of Varas, heretofore named the Baron of Balanchon, great master of the K. of Spain's ordinance, & brother to the marquis of Waranbon, insomuch that being at Turnhout, he beheld those Isles on the right and left hand where his determination was, the which he judged of such importance for their affairs, that in some of their towns they used great solemnity in their churches, and very triumphant processions, to the end that it would please God speedily to send great frosts. But God did dispose otherwise of the matter: for the Prince Maurice full of valour and industry, and one likewise that letteth not pass any opportunity when it representeth itself, having intelligence of the assembly of these forces, and that it was to give him a check upon the ice, resolved with himself to force them to defend themselves who furiously prepared to assail him, and to this effect, he caused to come secretly with good order to a place named a rendezvous, some thousand horse, and five thousand foot, with certain pieces of Ordinance, to use as occasion should serve, and as he had foreseen, and so marched toward Turnehout in good order and resolution the 24. lodging himself at Ravels half a mile from the enemy, who were greatly astonished, understanding the prince to be upon such a sudden come so near them: being thus perplexed and uncertain, they resolved for the best, to make their retreat towards Herentals, the nearest walled town to them held by the Spaniard, beginning at four of the clock in the morning to march forward with their baggage, and then with their men of arms. His ex. at the very same instant, marched towards Turnhout to set upon the enemy, and found him removed, but yet not far from thence, which made him to resolve to pursue the enemy, & to fight with him in plain field: and for to begin the order, two C. English musketeers did advance themselves, to the end that they holding continual skirmish with the enemy, he might not so easily proceed on his way, and in the meanwhile the rest of his company had opportunity to join with him, for coming out of the town, the way was very bad and full of water: then he advanced his horsemen, which kept themselves still coasting the enemy, who not long after was descried to approach toward the end of that great plain and ready to enter into a straight both narrow and troublesome, where the horse lost their advantage and the foot did win it: then was it resolved, that his Ex. should no longer delay but to come to the matter: howbeit the greatest part of the footmen were far behind. This thus resolved, the charge was given in this order.  
The earl of Hoenloo his brother in law, a brave and resolute nobleman, accompanied with the earl of Solms, charged the enemy in the forefront, where was a regiment of Almains of xiii. companies making the vanguard: sir Robert Sidney governor of Flushing, and sir Frances Vere Colonel of an english regiment, a knight both valiant and wise, who besides their entertaining of the enemy in skirmish; set upon the rearward where the Neapolitans were: other troops were commanded to charge the flank, where were the regiments of the L. of Hachicourt, which were heretofore those of Mounsieur de la Motre, compounded of old soldiers, and those of the Colonel a Barlotte, and almost all at one instant. The cavalry of the enemy issued with five of their best cornets: to wit, three of Spaniards, of Don ivan de Cordua, Don ivan de Gouzman, & Don alonce de Mondragon, one Albanoice du S. Nicolas Baste, one of the oldest and sufficientest captains, and the other of the Low countries of the L. of Grobendonc, seeing our men come to charge them, they began to fly without any other fight, forsaking their companions on foot, the which after very little resistance by the means of ours were broken and overthrown: his Ex. being accompanied with the L. Admiral of Nassau and Colonel Moray were reserved to sustain the cavalry if need had required. The true number of those that were slain, were to the number of two thousand & two hundred, with their general the earl of Varas & other personages of quality. There were 38. Ensigns, one cornet of horse, & five hundred prisoners taken, & among them one of the earls of Mansfield, twelve chief captains, and many other officers: many escaped, which had for their pasportes blows on the heads with Coutelaces.  
His Ex. according to his natural clemency and courtesy, had discharged the prisoners except some few which he would have retained for the performance of the ransoms of the rest, had it not been that some alleged, that the Cardinal commanded his people to break the quarter: he retained them until he was resolved of his intent, to the end to order things the better hereafter.  
Among the dead they did find certain relics which did warrant men from the danger of war, enchanted papers, conjurations of souls, and prayers which the priests do use to sell for money, so contrary to the form of praying to God, & that which he doth require of man, that we may well say as did S. Barnard in his time, that the ministers of Christ did service to Antichrist, & that they did overthrow the foundation of the church, transporting the Ecclesiastical dignities into an infamous gain, and showing themselves to be replenished with power but not with justice. It is here, where I would pray my masters the Catholics (I mean the abused, not the abusers, the which know best how to open their eyes and understandings) laying aside all passion, to consider if there be in the holy scriptures any thing which doth approach to these prayers. We do see in the Psalms of David, that an infinite sort of the servants of God went to the wars, but we cannot find any like unto these enchantments and prayers in Latin, which are translated at the end of this discourse.  
Behold the end of this journey in steed of entering the Isles as they assured themselves: nay, soft and fair, such cats are not to be caught without muffles, and not so easily overcome without danger of well drinking, as did those which heretofore attempted to enter into the country of Yo●e, and the Spaniards which were conducted by the late earl Char. of Mansfield into Bommelweert, in time likewise of frost. These Rodomon soldiers thought the waters to be no more difficult than the land, where fortune sometime did smile on them: but the Spaniards (as cats which have once wet their feet) are wiser, then to undertake such things themselves, but send others. The jesuits may preach their bellies full before they can persuade them. So likewise, the Cardinal is not like so easily to conquer these Isles as he thought: nay, he is rather busied to prepare to defend himself this summer, having somuch work cut out, that of long time cannot be made up in those places where he thought to triumph.  
France as it is at this day, would not willingly receive the last lie, she will not endure you so to carry away her fair feathers as you did the tempest of the civil wars being not yet passed: you deceive yourselves, if you think your stratagems of truce shall serve you to abuse the French: no, they will throw away their rackets the game being so fair: they know your disease and where to begin with you, and will show themselves not to be of so vile and bastard courage, as you think them to be. So likewise those of Orthois and Heinault, do not look for any other thing, than their own miserable overthrow and utter undoing, for having served the insatiable ambition of the Spaniard. There are in those Provinces men of courage and not yet degenerated, who finding their own grief, do know the remedy, & that of necessity they must purge the offensive humour for to save the whole body: they I say, seeing my lords the Estates of the united provinces, to appear unto them so happily flourishing in all sorts of blessings that God may send to men, and to govern themselves with so many good policies and rules of discretion, causing so sweet and happy a quietness among the people, as in no country in the world soever, where men in reason may find more occasion to content themselves then there. A thing not to be marveled at, sith that we evidently know by so many events past, that it is GOD which doth guide and warrant them, as heretofore he did his people against the Syrians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Medes and others: and it is not to be doubted but that he will continue his favour, seeing the foundation of their quarrel is his glory and the conservation of natural liberty, which ought to be as dear unto us as our lives; being void of all passions and revenge in their conquest of towns, where specially it might seem they should have used the same to serve for examples to others, in respect of some which were revolted, which is an evident show of their benignity and true christian government, instead of confusion and cruelty with the which their enemies would charge them. And as I have said, their foundation is so strong, as we may believe that the hammars which are prepared to break this anvil, shall be battered, bruised and broken, as they have been hitherto. We will rest ourselves then upon the promises which our great God hath made, to conserve those which do seek his honour, and glory, and extermine all those who oppose themselves against the kingdom of his son jesus.  
FINIS.   


Quicunque hanc suprascriptam orationem secum portaverit, nullum inimicum timeat, nec gladij, nec sagitta, nec aliqua arma sibi nocere poterunt: nec insidiae diaboli, nec arma incantantium, nec venenorum, nec immundus spiritus sibi nocere poterunt, in omni tempore, & in omni loco saluus erit: ✚ ✚ ✚  
BArnasa ✚ leutias ✚ buccella ✚ buccella ✚ agla ✚ agla ✚ tetra grammaton ✚ adonay ✚ Domine Deus magne & mirabilis adiwa famulum tuum N: indignum ab omni periculo mortis, corporis, & animae, & ab omnibus insidijs inimicorum, visibilum & invisibilium. ✚ Decem sunt nomina, quibus appellatur Deus, in quocunque ✚ nomen Deus ✚ Crux ✚ ely ✚ eloy ✚ ela ✚ adonay ✚ corpus Christi cogi ✚ sabaot ✚ nomina crux ✚ haec prosint famulo Dei N. hoc est enim corpus meum, ✚ ut diligat me, Amen.   

ORATIO.  
COniuro vos omnia arma cum quibus occisi sunt omnes sancti Martyres, praecipio vobis per merita sanctorum omnium, ut non habeatis potestatem scindendi carnem meam, nec sanguinem meum spargendi, nec offendendi me famulum Dei N. nec in aliquo laedendi. ✚ Crux & passio domini nostri jesu Christi sit in memoria & in defensione mea, pax & benedictio domini sit semper mecum: ✚ ô sagitta sta per virtutem beatae Mariae Virginis, & per caput sancti joannis Baptistae, per Apostolos, Martyres, Confessores, Virgines & Viduas: per Angelos & Archangelos: ó sagitta sta per annunciationem Domini nostri jesu Christi, ✚ ô sagitta sta per coronam spineam; quae portata fuit in capite Domini nostri jesu Christi. ó sagitta sta per captionem & flagellationem Domini nostri jesu Christi, ✚ O sagitta per clavos, qui perforaverunt manus & pedes Domini nostri jesu Christi, ô sagitta sta per vulnera Domini nostri jesu Christi, per resurrectionem Domini nostri jesu Christi: ut non possis laedere me famulum Dei N. ✚ In nomine Patris, & filii, & spiritus sancti, Amen.   

ORATIO.  
Obsecro te Domine fili Dei vivi per sanctam crucem tuam; ut dimittas peccata mea, ✚ per sanctam crucem tuam custodi caput meum, per venerabilem crucem tuam custodi pedes meos & omnia membra mea, & tribue mihi veniam & vitam aeternam; ✚ sancte Deus sanctifica me, fortis Deus fortifica me, immortalis Deus miserere mei famuli tui N. quia peccata mea multa sunt apud te, & non sum dignus vocari servus tuus propter iniquitates meas quae sunt innumerabiles: propterea deprecor te, ut mittas in cor meum amorem caelestem. Qui vivis & regnas deus per omnia secula seculorum, Amen.   

ALIA ORATIO.  
Abba Pater miserere mei, ✚ ô Fili, ✚ ô sancte spiritus mecum sis: erue me ab omnibus adversariis meis, ✚ coniuro te gladium per S. sacerdotem veteris testamenti, qui introduxit Mariam & Dominum nostrum jesum Christum in templum dicentem: tuam ipsius animam doloris gladius pertransibit, ut non possit laedere famulum Dei N. ✚ Coniuro vos lapides per beatum Stephanum protomartyrem, quem judaei lapidaverunt, qui statuit pro suis persecutoribus exorare, dicens: N. Ne statuas illis hoc peccatum, quia nesciunt quid faciunt, ut non possint laedere me famulum Dei N.] In nomine Patris ✚ & filii ✚, & spiritus sancti, ✚ Amen.   

Whosoever shall carry about him this prayer here under written, let him not fear any enemy, neither can any weapon annoy him, neither darts nor other warlike instrument: neither the weapons of the enchanters, nor poisons, neither can the wicked spirit annoy him: he shall be safe at all times, and in all places.  
BArnasa ✚ levitas ✚ buccella ✚ buccella ✚ agla ✚ agla ✚ tetra grammaton ✚ adonay ✚. Lord, great and admirable God, help thy unworthy servant, N. from all danger of death of the body and soul, & from all the assaults of enemies, visible and invisible ✚. There be ten names with the which God is named, in whom ✚ they name God ✚ Crux ✚ ely ✚ eloy ✚ ela ✚ adonai ✚ Corpus Christi cogi ✚ sabaot ✚ nomina Crux ✚ the things are profitable to the servant of God, N. hoc est enim corpus ✚ meum ✚ ut diligat me, Amen.  
I conjure you all weapons with the which all the saints have been martyred. I conjure you by the merits of all the saints, that you have no power to cut my flesh, nor shed my blood, nor offend me the servant of God, N. nor hurt me in any thing. The cross and passion of our Lord jesus Christ, be in my mind and defence. The peace and blessing of our Lord be always with me ✚ O dart stay thyself by the virtue of the blessed virgin Mary, and by the head of S. john Baptist, by the apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins and widows: by the angels and archangel's: O dart stay thyself by the annunciation of our L. jesus Christ, O dart stay thyself by the crown of thorns, which was set upon the head of our Lord jesus Christ, O dart stay thyself by the taking and beating of our Lord jesus Christ: ✚ O dart for the nails which pierced the hands and feet of our Lord jesus Christ, O dart stay for the wounds of our Lord jesus Christ, by the resurrection of our Lord jesus Christ in such sort that thou hast not the power to hurt me the servant of God, N. ✚ in the name of the father, and of the son, and the holy Ghost, Amen.   

A Prayer.  
I Beseech thee by the holy cross, O Lord son of the living God, that thou forgive me my sins ✚ keep my head by thy holy cross, keep my feet and all my members by thy venerable cross, and give me remission and eternal life. ✚ blessed God sanctify me, mighty God fortify me, immortal God have compassion upon me thy servant N. because that my sins be in great number before thee, and I am not worthy to be called thy servant by reason of mine iniquities which are innumerable. Wherefore I beseech thee that thou wilt send into my heart celestial love, who livest and reignest a God from age to age, Amen.   

Another Prayer.  
ABba father, have pity on me ✚ O son ✚ O holy ghost be with me, withdraw me from all mine adversaries. ✚ I conjure thee O blade by the holy priest of the old Testament, who brought Mary and our Lord jesus Christ into the temple saying: the sword shall go through thy soul with grief, so that it shall not hurt the servant of God N. ✚ O stones I conjure you by the blessed Steven the first martyr the which the jews stonied, who ordained that we should pray for our persecutors, saying N. impute not that sin unto them, for they know not what they do, so that they cannot offend me the servant of God, N. ✚, in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy Ghost ✚, Amen.   
FINIS.