A Brief and true report of the Proceed of the Earl of Leycester for the relief of the Town of Sluice, from his artivall at Vlisshing, about the end of june 1587. until the surrendry thereof 26. julij next ensuing.  
Whereby it shall plainly appear his Excellency was not in any fault for the loss of that Town.  
Imprinted at London. 1590.    

To the Reader Concerning this Addition of the honourable endeavours of the Earl of Leycester, for the relief of Sluice, upon her majesties most gracious and great charges, in favour of the States of the united Provinces.  
IF it be tolerable for private men to deliver in print, Apologies of their own doings while they are alive: much more reasonable I think it for the troth of such matters to be published, as being concealed or misconceaved, may any way touch the honour of so Public a person as the Earl of Leycester, her majesties General, and Governor of the united Provinces, by their own free election, now deceased, and not alive to answer for himself. Seeing therefore it pleased God so well to bless his former Actions even from his entrance into that Country till his first return to England, that he had cleared both the Vellow and Bettowe (two rich, pleasant, and most fertile countries) of all Enemies, razed and defaced all their Sconces and Castles, or left them possessed with soldiers of our own, and so greatly enlarged the Territories & contributions of the States, besides the taking in and assuring of Deuxburgh and Deventer: thereby also diverting or removing the great siege from Berke in Ghelderland, besides the winning of Axle in Flaunders, without the losing of any one Town, Sconce, or Castle, either commanded by the English, or wherein any one English band was garry soned, till after his Excellency's departure: some private pikes and particular ambitious grudges (grown between Stanley, York and others in those provinces,) caused these bad persons for their particular passions (in the absence of his Excellency) so much to forget their duties, as traitorously to deliver into the Enemy's hands that Town and Sconce, by Zutphen. God having I say so exceedingly always prospered his Excellency during his abode there, to the great honour and renown of her Majesty, as his most malicious Enemies had cause rather to envy his Fortune, than backbite his Government; & no one Town, Forte, Castle or Sconce lost, or foil received any way by our nation under him, till the loss of Sluice; that being the only thing wherein either his despiteful Enemies, or ingrate friends or followers (strangers or English) can find any colour to calumniate his militare actions. Finding yet in my hands a brief and true relation of his Excellencies honourable endeavours upon her majesties gracious great and extraordinary charges to relieve that Town (by me even at that time committed to writing, when these matters were in Action, and myself present both at the Consultations and Executions:) I have thought it my duty likewise herewith to Print and publish the same, that neither the Honourable Patron of this Treatise now dead, by injurious imputations be unjustly wronged, nor for ignorance of the truth the world seduced, to think the Swan a Crow, or the Daw an Eagle. But conceiving matters (as they are in deed) guided by God's providence, we may learn in all things to give him all glory, and modestly acknowledging truly our own private Errors and infirmities, to endeavour hereafter to amend them.   

¶ A true report of his Excellencies careful proceed, for the relief of Sluice, as it was briefly set down while the matter was in action.  
HIS Excellency arriving at Vlisshing toward the end of june, bringing with him about 30. Ensigns of new levied English soldiers, found the Town of Sluice besieged by the Duke of Parma: his chief forces remaining in the isle of Cassand, where himself was for the most part in person: the rest in St Ann's Land under the commandment of La Mote, salve that his horsemen, with some bands of foot, were dispersed upon the Coast, and upon straits, for guard of Dikes and passages in sundry places.  
These forces of the Duke of Parma, were lodged in such a sort, that there was no access unto them, but upon narrow banks: the which were in many places retrenched and cut off in such sort, as (in respect of the advantage of the situation) they were well able to have answered, triple their forces that should by land have invaded them.  
By sea they had also by Piles, Ships and boats in show crossed the haven, and planted certain platforms of Ordinance, to beat such ships as should attempt to enter to secure the Town.  
Nevertheless, in the judgement of the best Military men, this was found the only way to relieve the Town, and to that end preparation made of ships of war to enter, & one or two ships especially of purpose framed with fire works very artificially, to have broken any Bridge and opened a passage, although it had been much more forcibly closed than indeed that was.  
True it is that the Admiral Nassau and his sea captains made the matter very dangerous, and required that the forces by land might be also attempted at the same time: and at the first it was by his Excellency meant that the Camp should have been assailed 3. ways. viz, from Isendick Sconce towards Coxey, on Cassand, & from Ostend. But upon more deliberate consideration of the situation of these places: it was found, that after we should have surprised the Sconce of Isendick there was no possibility to march towards Sluice, or towards the Enemy's Camp, but upon strait Dikes, with sundry abrupt passages by them fortified in such sort: that a very few might have made head on that side to any great Army, and not to be passed without great slaughter of our people: and long time before we could approach to any blows with the Enemy. On the otherside of Cassand the coast so flat and far out into the Sea, as there was no landing, but as men must wade a great distance in the water, subject to all the shot of the Enemy that might lie covered under the marsh banks, and then no way to approach the Camp, but upon fortified straits as before. It was therefore concluded, that the only way to approach the Camp by land, was, from Ostend, where his Excellency might in safety land his forces, & so march to seek the Enemy on firm ground in military order not confusedly with so great disadvantage as on the other parts. In the mean time divers Burghers of Vlisshing (that mistrusted the coldness of the Admiralty and States) made offer to his Excellency, that if they might have shipping they would undertake to enter the Haven: and put into the Town both men and munition without attending any attempt to be made upon the Enemy by land, which they saw to be a matter of great hazard & not possible in reason to take any effect, the strong situation of the Enemy's Camp considered.  
The reasons that moved them to doubt the coldness of the Admiralty were these. They knew them to be persons wholly at the devotion of the States: how small care the States took of Sluice, Ostend, or any other Towns in Flaunders was they say apparent long before, when their soldiers by their Evil pay & provisions, were many times reduced to such extremities, as it was greatly doubted that necessity should constrain them to deliver up the towns to the Enemy. And the year 1586. when his Excellency was moved to have employed his forces into Flaunders, (where no doubt he might have won immortal honour, and reduced again the most part of that Country to the united provinces) the States generally ever disliked of any Enterprise that way: and persuaded his Excellency wholly to that other course of Ghelderland, OuerYsell. etc.  
The reasons that moved the States thereto, some suppose were these.  
First, if Flaunders should be regained, than a great number of wealthy men (that were now in Holland settled) would return thither, and so impoverish greatly the wealth of Holland; and the States of Holland caring now the whole or chief sway, would none of that.  
Another reason was, that they found those garrisons of Sluice, Axle, Ostend, etc. to exhaust much of the Holland contributions, and not to yield any commodity again.  
But the third and most forcible of all, was, that they had as it was thought conceived a certain icalousie that Flaunders lying so near England, her Majesty might seize to her own use all such Ports, Towns, and places of strength as should be gained there, and having convenient Ports so near her Realm for convenient receipt and succour of her Shipping, should by that means be able to rule them, and not be ruled by them. These jealousies and conceits are supposed to be the causes that have made the Estates so cold and backward in the relieving this Town of Sluice, albeit the 
These insolent speeches of the people were repressed by a sharp penal ●dict of the States made and proclaimed at Middleburgh, immediately after the loss of Sluice.  common people in many places, speak more broadly, and say plainly that the States from time to time have victualled the enemy, making to them of Holland, thereby an infinite gain, and that the enemy had good assurance from some of them before his Siege of Sluice, that he should not be impeached by them.  
Whereunto they add many shrewd Presumptions: First, that the Enemy was continually victualled by their sufferance and Licences: Secondly, that even a little before Sluice was besieged, the States sent for certain of the best bands out of the Town, which the Governor would not consent unto: Thirdly, that certain Ships were of purpose run a ground before Sluice in such sort as the enemy's horsemen might take them: without which it was not possible to have made any show of stopping up the channel. Last of all their strange backwardness in giving aid any way by men or munition, when Captain Hart and others of Vlisshing offered them to enter before his Excellency's arrival. So that if Sir William Russell Lord Governor of Vlisshing, had not very providently & earnestly travailed to send in such provisions as upon the sudden he provided: the Town had been much more destitute of all means to hold out than it was.  
But albeit I am not carried so far as to believe all the people speak (though vox populi be many times for truth termed vox Dei: especially when it is grounded upon long trial and experience:) yet that by fruits the tree may be discerned, and so a right estimate made of these conjectures; I will report as near as I can the certain truth how matters have passed, & what assistance his Excellency hath received from the States for this important enterprise for the ●eleife of Sluice.  
First his Excellency upon his arrival, finding in his absence strange effects wrought by bad practises of his Enemies, who (perhaps aspiring to advance themselves, or to blemish his Honour) did in the mean time foster the seeds of most seditious discord, tending to the Ruin of these Provinces, and great hindrance of her majesties service here: His Excellency (I say) found it very convenient, first to do all his best endeavours to reduce this infected body to health: And to effect the same, forgiving all injuries done to himself, labouring nothing but the safety of these Provinces committed to his charge, immediately upon his landing wrote for an assembly of the States at Middleburgh: where after he had too long time (in respect of his urgent affairs) attended them in vain, he went in person to Berghen up zome, and after to Dort, to effect only his first purpose: to recure all seditious wounds, and to draw all in one line to the relief of this besieged Town: Not omitting in the mean time to bestow in several Garrisons his new levied unarmed Soldiers, with order for their speedy arming; and in steed of them calling together from Garrisons far and wide dispersed, four thousand or there about of the old bands in her majesties pay, and such as being armed & furnished were before the fifteenth of julie in case to be employed in service. In the mean time his Excellency being desirous to know what assistance he might expect from the States of the Country Forces, a book was del●uered to the L. Martial, of twenty four thousand soldiers in their pay, besides two thousand horse or thereabouts, and besides her majesties aids. Of all these their Forces for so important a service, if they would only have delivered four thousand soldiers, his Excellency was determined with them and the rest of his English bands without regard of any peril to have assaulted the Campe. But notwithstanding the importunate solicitations of his Excellency, & pressing also of his authority (albeit Count Hollock had at that time as it is said six thousand men in Brabant in Arms) before the loss of the Town, he was never able to get from them any one band of theirs: and with great difficulty could obtain to have the English which were with him.  
True it is, that the Burghers of Middlebrough and Vlisshing did very willingly offer their assistance; but they were but few: and that was done utterly without aid or assistance of the States.  
With these small forces of thirty English Ensigns, with four Cornets of horse; his Excellency sent Sir William Pelham the L. Martial accompanied with the Lord Willoughby, Sir William Russell, and many other persons of Honour and account, into Flaunders: having besides some few Companies of this Country, that he had raised upon her majesties charge; & that voluntarily from Middleburgh and Vlisshing, offered themselves for the guard of his person, part whereof were also left to accompany Collo: Morgan, who was by his Excellency appointed to join with the Admiral Nassau to enter the Haven.  
In the mean time, the L. Martial thus accompanied the twenty of july arrived at Ostend: and being ready the xxij. to have marched; his Excellency arrived there, and resting the twenty-three which was Sunday, the four and twenty day in the morning, we marched towards the 
This 23. day in Ostend his Excellency was like to have been slain with a bullet that struck into a jawme of his window right before him, and the Lord Wentworth with the splinters thereof hurt in the face.  Enemy; his Excellency being the same night returned toward the Fleet, which lay in readiness at the mouth of the Harbour, to take the advantage of the spring tides; and to have entered the Haven: aswell ●o have divided the Forces, wherewith they of Cassand should have succoured them of Saint Ann's Land when we should charge them, as also to put in men and Munition into the Town.  
With this small Army of 30. or 32. Ensigns of Foot, and four Cornets of horse, we marched on the plain sands of Flaunders, 10 or 12. miles towards Sluice Town, and rested not till we came to Blankenburgh Sluice where we found a strong Sconce made to stop up the passage: guarded with five or six Ensigns of Walloons. The Sconce reached from the Marshes down to the Sea, and closed up the passage in such sort that without taking in of that Sconce; there was no passage for our Army to set on their Camp, but only at very dead low water, and that with many difficulties & extreme discommodities too long to be particularly set down. Nevertheless it was resolved by the Lord Martial, and the Military council that without farther delay an attempt should be made to hew down the palizado and by scale to enter: and if that took not effect, then in the Evening at dead low water without further delay to march by it. And albeit the Army came weary to that place about noon, yet was it resolved the assault should be given before four of the clock. In the mean time the Fort was viewed round by sundry persons of judgement, and 30. or 40. s●●ine and hurt in the approaches and view thereof with the shot both great and small, that played continually out of the Fort among us.  
In the mean time the Duke of Parma, being advertised how near our Army was come to his Camp, and our Resolution perceived by our discoveries and near approaches, the Prince rose as we were informed after with a choice Regiment to stay usthere, which in deed he might full easily have done to an Army five times as great as ours was, the situation of the fort considered. But his Excellency being in the mean time by contrariety of wind stayed, could not reach the Float but lay before Blankenburgh Sl●ce, & beholding the strength of the place, and the impossibility for us to pass or to get so strong a plat in any convenient time to relieve the siedged Town, sent Sir Harry Goodyere a land unto us with commandment immediately without loss of time to return to Ostend, there to Embark the Army again, and speedily to return to the Float before the best spring tides should pass to enter the Haven, & also to land our Army there upon them, with resolution to put it to any fortune, rather than to lose that Town.  
The 25. at night we embarked again at Ostend, and 
T●esday the D●ke of Par●●seeing the return of our Army yielded to any condition of honourable parting, that our besieged could dem●nd. ●●che denying them a●ie delay, or liberty to advertise the Earl of L●ycester, being this day with his Army within one League of their Camp before the H●uen ●outh, ●nd ready at the highest spring to enter.  the 26. being Wednesday being arrived at the Float, we found his Excellency in consultation with Count Maurice, the Admiral, and the rest of the Sea Captains for entering the Haven: who alleging many difficulties and perils, delivering many reasons (such as they were) why they entered not the Haven according to agreement: At that time his Excellency plainly and openly charged both Count Maurice and his brother Nassau, that when the Burghers of Vlisshing made him the offer long before to have performed it: that they answered, they had the best Pilots, Captains and shipping ready in their hands, and could and would perform it themselves, which they could not well deny: & yet would not plainly confess, but that it was with certain conditions, Craving that his Excellency would first appoint some with them to view the Haven. In the 
The Enemy very politicly made the Commanders in Sluice, believe our Army was fled at midnight from Blankenburgh whereas we marched a way in the day before sunset, in order of Battle, and no charge or attempt made by any one horse or foot upon our rearward, nor shot discharged after us, but only out of the Sconce.  mean time by these their former dalliances: the Town being before grown desperate of succour, the very same day while these things were thus in debating, Sir Roger Williams (not knowing upon what resolution we were called back from Blankenburgh, entered into Parley; and the Duke denying no demands they could set down of Honourable parting) only denying them any time of respite to advertise his Excellency, because he knew they might and of likelihood feared they should have been succoured by sea before the best spring tides were passed. The commanders of the Town being of like out of hope of any aid by sea,) aswell in respect of the small comfort, returned from the States by Captain heart, as also by the strange news and advertisements they received continually as they say from their Enemies, being greatly distressed by their unhappy loss of the west Dike. And seeing how hard a matter, it should be with far greater Forces than ours in any short time to defeat the Camp, being so strongly lodged, having most honourable conditions of surrendry yielded unto by the Duke of Parma, they concluded, and the same day after our Army arrived at the Float, whilst his Excellency was in consultation for entry of the Haven, (viz.) on the 26. day of julie. 1587. they sent away Master Sentliger to his Excellency with 
This surrendry was made two or three days before the spring tides were passed, and the day before the highest spring was come.  notice of their surrendrie already made: and this is the plain and naked truth of this action.  
I may not omit, that, albeit his Excellency was furnished out of England with Powder, Munition, and Money: So as there was nothing then from the States required but for Money, to have victuals and boats and skiffs to land our Army, and Carriages to convey, Munition, Victuals, etc. For boats and skiffs to land our men, on those flat Coasts we had not sufficient to disbarke our little Army in one whole day. And for Wagons his Excellency could not get enough to carry two days victuals with us to Blankenburgh, and yet divers chief persons and officers of our small Army for want of Carriage forced to leave their Tents behind them: So that for this Action I know not what the States could do more to make the world believe the common voice of the people (for their correspondence with the Enemy; or small care for the loss of any Town in Flaunders) to be to true: neither can I imagine what was possible for any General (either for travel of his own body both by Land and Sea, or for contempt of all peril to his own person, or by careful Providence, and singular Patience being so ingratefully & maliciously crossed, to do more than his Excellency hath done: whatsoever common opinion (led only with bare events) may conceive of it.   

Another Addition concerning certain chief Officers of an Army. Wherein by conference of the repugnant conditions in the Good and Bad, both the Officers themselves may the better know and endeavour to perso●rme their duties: and all others also thereby discerning clecreliect what Rank they be, may yield them Honour or Reproof, according to their merits.  
Having both by reading, conference & experience found before I bare office in her majesties Army commanded by that right honourable Earl of Leycester in the Low Countries, how many dangerous Inconveniences ensue, where true militare Discipline is either contemned, neglected or unknown, as I had more than 10. years since published this Militare treatise concerning the duties & Offices of most degrees even from the private soldier to the General; so did I also during that my employment, labour to my utmost power to have such good Laws and Ordinances established, as might advance the honour and service of God, our sacred Queen and Country. But as a body possessed with a pestilent fever, doth many times abhor not only the curing medicine, but also the best and most wholesome meat, and affect the worst & most pernicious: so found I all these good Laws and Ordinances then established, so odious & intolerable unto some such men of war as had been bred up in those licentious civil Dissensions, that they not only detested those good Ordinances, but also mortally or rather immortally hated such Officers, as (according to their duty) took care to see them duly and indiffeiently put in execution; labouring also to make them odious even to the common soldiers and whole body of the Army, (who were indeed their best friends and the only means to relieve them in their wrongs and unjust oppressions. But because I know those Laws and Ordinances then established by the Earl, to be such as agree with all right Martial Discipline and cannot be oppugned or disliked by any, but such as deserve rather to be corrected for their faults, than tolerated in their insolent lawless presumptions: I have not doubted to commit them to public judgement, as matters worthy to remain for Precedents to posterity. And because all wars are manadged and maigntaigned chief by Arms and Money, it is clear that the good or bad choice of chief Commanders & other chief Officers for Militare Accounts, is the very chiefest cause of the good or bad success of any wars: For as by the Good the Forces are maintaigned strong, well armed, trained, governed, conducted, paid and contented: so by the Bad demeanour of these Officers, the Prince's Treasure (being the very sinews of the wars) may be unduly wasted, the Bands neither complete, well armed, nor trained, the valiant soldiers for want of their due wages, discouraged, or starved, Honest creditors and allied friends for want of due payments discontented, & the Princes most honourable pay slandered and dishonoured. The consideration of these important causes (impressed deeply into my conceit, not by superficial Contemplations, but by actual Experience) hath provoked or rather enforced me (in discharge of my duty to God almighty and her Majesty my most gracious Sovereign Lady and Mistress, upon the new Aedition of my Stratiaticos) to enlarge it with these Additious: That all Commanders and such other Officers Military (seeing before their eyes proponed the Good & Bad, Light and Darkness, Heaven and Hell, & knowing that thereby the world also cannot but see which course they hold) may resolve to leave the lucrous, base, wicked, and dishonourable path, whose end will be confusion, shame, & endless torments in Hell, and to choose theright wai● of Virtue that leadeth unto true honourable Fame, & finally shall be crowned with immortal joys in Heaven.   

¶ A Conference of a good and bad Mustermaster, with his inferior Commissaries of Musters: by the fruits to discern the Tree.  
The Good. The Bad. THis officer will not willingly serve but with such a competent and convenient enterteignment both for himself and his inferior Commissaries, Clarks and Substitutes, as he need not take Bribe or Benevolence: or depend on the favour of any but the General alone. THis officer careth not how little Enterteignment certain he have for himself, or his Substitutes: presuming he can make what gain he list of his Office: and make such friends thereby also, as may bear him out in his lewdness, etc. This officer will be in his Expenses temperate, rather sparing than wasting: that he be not by want enforced to straigne his conscience & deceive his Prince. Such an officer having so good means to get immeasurably by playing the good fellow: will spend infinitely, espectally in keeping company with such as must join with him in deceiving the Prince. This officer seeketh by all means to cause the General to establish laws and ordinances whereby orderly entrances & discharges of soldiers may be registered: and thereby neither her Majesty, nor the Soldier abused. Such an officer can no more abide laws and ordinances in Musters, than lucrous Captain: saying, it barreth the officer of his discretion, whereby the office ought to be directed, and brave men gratified. This officer delivereth these laws to his inferior commissaries with other strait particular Instructions, and calleth them to account, how they have discharged their duties. Such an Officer likes none of these strict courses, saying, among Martial men a man must play the good fellow: & not to be too pinching of a Prince's purse. This officer will not set down any penny checque certain upon any Captain or band, without apparent prose: & for such as cannot be decided, will respite them to farther trial: that neither Prince, Captain, nor sovidier be defrauded or injured. Such an officer calleth this examination, nice curiosity, and saith, so there be some checks for fashion sake, it is no matter, make them little enough, that the Captains be not angry and all is well: O●● good Fellow must pleasure another. This officer, if any such doubtarise in the checks as he cannot determine by the laws established, he either desireth the Resolution of the General, or that it may be determined by a Council at Wa●re, or some Commissioners, especially authorized to assist him. Such an Officer saith, it is great Folly to lose that Prerogative of his Office, to resolve these doubts as he sees cause, and to subject himself to Commissioners, that is Master of the Musters himself. This officer (if the Captains show any reasonable cause to be relieved out of the checks, either in respect of the loss of horse, or Armour in sernice or such like that deserveth consideration, he presenteth his proofs thereof, together with his check to the Lord General, desiring his Lordship to have honourable consideration thereof. Such an Officer will be Chancellor himself, and never trouble the Lord General with these matters, who hath matters of greater importance to think upon: Saying, Prince's purses must not be spared, and brave men must be rewarded, and Officers must get Love and Honour by dealing bountifully. This Officer (if he see overmuch familiarity between any of his Commissaries & the Captains) is presently jealous of them, and calleth them to account: And if he find them connivent or faulty, presently displaceth them: or if he find no other proof but vehement suspicion, yet removeth them to an other Garrison, & placeth such others in their rooms as may sift and examine their former behaviour. Such an Officer likes none of these severe jealousies, but liketh well such Officers as be plausible and grateful to the Captains: knowing the Captains be liberal, and will not be ungrateful to him, seeing he minds & hath good means to requite their courtesy ten ●●lde out of the Prince's purse. This Officer as he would not (to gain a Million) do any Captain a penny wrong. So will he not for the favour of the greatest persons in the Army, ●●●●●●erest kin or Friends straigne his conscience to abute his Prince one penny: and therefore presents the Checque truly, as he undes it: and leaves all favour to be showed by the Lord General only. Such an Officer being of another mould will none of these melancholy courses, he will pleasure his Friends and cross his Enemies, and make them ●●●o he is an Officer can please or displease them. But 〈…〉 he will not for all that, and for his excuse allegeth, that Prince's Cooks may give a good follow a piece of biese, and the Butlers or 〈…〉 a cup of of Wine or Beer, and that he will show his friends a cast of his Office. This officer procureth orders also to be established for training of the Soldiers, and himself requireth the Captains to perform them: and to encourage men to do well, will not spare out of his own purse to give rewards to such shot as by proof he finds the best mark men. Such an Officer will none of this, saying, it is but a t●● moiling of Captains and Soldiers, and ●●ruding on the captains Offices to ●ssend and discontent them, and that brave men should not be controlled, or the imperfection of their Soldiers disc●uered by such open exercises, and that such expenses are foolish, and make more Enemies than Friends. This officer will not accept penny nor penny worth of any Captain or Soldier more than the Fee due to his office, and that not as a benevolence secretly, but as his due openly. Such an Officer will accept any thing, Money or ware, so it come secretly: and like a good fellow will (on the Prince's purse) requite it ten fold, as easily he may do, and none but his Fellow thieves able to accuse him. This officer reposing himself only on God and his clear conscience, laboureth not to make other friends but his Prince and General: And for the General himself, will not straigne his conscience any way, though he be sure of many Enemies and small backing: & even to his Prince for faithful service store of false backbitings: yea the Swan must be made a Crow, and the Falcon a Buzzard. Such an Officer will not only for the General, but for ante other person of authority strain his Conscience any way, and to all other Captains also so kind and liberal of her Majesty purse as he is generally extolled for a brave man, an honourable Officer, an honourable mind: yea, and his Prince also whom he deceives horribly shall be persuaded the Daw is an ●agle, and the cuckoo a Nightingale. This officer, as he is thus precise himself, as neither to give pen●i● for such an Office, nor to receive ●●ibe or benevolence more than dew fees: So maketh hea matter of conscience whilst he carrieth such office to give to any of his honourable friends any present: lest they or others should have cause to suspect he did it to be borne out in a nigh lewd action. Such an Officer hath no such melancholy conceit, but as he will take 〈…〉, so will he give sran●elie to them can bear him ●●●: and such a one as Captains, C●llwells great Officers, and all shall extol, how shall his Prince but like of to, considering the more he robs her, the more Friends he makes, and the more he shall be praised. So, as if there were no God, the honest were in deed to be begged for a right natural Foole.   

¶ A Brief conference of two Pagadores, or Military Threasurers.  
The one a man just and honest, content with his stipend: yielding both to the Prince and subject their dew.  
The other unduly exacting. & by device meaning to abuse (if it be not prevented) may defraud both Prince, subject, soldier, & allies of there due.  

For distinction sake expressed by the several names of Threasurer, and Pagadore.  
The Good. The bad. THis Treasurer liveth modestly, rather sparing then spending: that he may have no need to abuse his Sovereign, nor crush the Soldier. THis Pagadore liveth prodigally, spending in vanities immeasurably: so that it is not possible for him to continue, unless he abuse both Sovereign, Subjects, and allies exceedingly. This Treasurer will desire yearly, yea quarterly to make his accounts that all may be clear and liquid. Such a Padagore shunneth by almeans clear accounts, & would neither quarterly nor yearly, nor once in 7. year make an orderly liquid account of he could by friends or device delay it. This Treasurer will not by a●i means accept from any Captain, Victualler, Merchant or Soldier, Bill or Acquittance for a penny more than he truly pays him ready coin. Such a Padagore will ha●e both warrat & acquittance for the whole, and then give a private attestation of the due to the Captain, clear about all desalcations. This Treasurer will have a special care to see the Soldiers first paid their dew. Such a Pagadore cares not whether any Soldier be paid or no so he have the Captains warrant and acquittance to account with an absent Auditor, etc. This Treasurer when he ●eccons with a captain, and defaulkes bills of debt to Victuallers, Armourers, and other creditors, he will not desire any acquaintance of the Captain for those defalcations, unless he have in deed paid them: and then will he also deliver up to the Captain those bills, when he taketh the captains general Acquittance. Such a Pagadore (after he hath defaulked all bilis and debts he can get or hear of, for Victuallers, Mercers, Tailors, Merchants, etc.) taketh the captains quittance for all, & giveth him an attestation of the surplusage dew to him (if any be) and so recconeth with the absent Auditor of the press with his warrant and quittance, as though all these defalcations were truly paid, when the most part in truth are unpaid, and hereby the Princes pay injuriously slandered, when this Pagadore hath it in his hands allowed him. This Treasurer will always deliver unto the Captain a bill, particularly expressing how much he hath paid in ready money to the Captain, and how much in defalcatious: expressing every defalcation, for what, to whom, and how much particularly, taking a double thereof signed by the Captain, and this particular double will he leave in the Auditor's hands to be examined. Such a Pagadore will hardly deliver under his hand to the Cattaine any such particular of his defalcations, nor yet by any means any copy or double thereof to the Auditor to be examined: but rather seek all devices to huddle up things in confusion: knowing, it is good Fishing in puddled water, according to the old Proverb. This Treasurer having delivered his Accounts in this plain particular manner to the Auditor, desires him to let all men see his Account that demand it, and to give copies of ani● part thereof to any man that will pay the Auditors clerks for it: w●sturgit it may be si●ted whether any de●eleation contained in the some of the ●●●ptaines acquittance, be not sust by him truly paid: For ver●t●●s w●nq●ar●t Angulos. Such a Pagadore having reckoned with the warrant and captains acquittance in gross, without expressing any particularities of the defalcations, desireth the Aaditor to ●●● them safely up in a Chest with two locks and keys whereof the Treasurer to have one. So as these accounts that all men ought to see) must be kept, tanquam Eleusina Mysteria: & ●o part be seen of any grieved person: till he can get the Treasurer and Auditor together: a matter as easy as to catch an hare with a Taber. This Treasurer deals thus plainly to avoid all suspicion of srand. meaning neither to abuse the Prince nor Subject of a penny, and to keep himself not only void of Faul●e, but of all suspicion of Fraud and deceit. Such a Pagadore having many thousands of the Prince's Treasure in his hands of these defalcations pretended to be paid by these former subtleties (keeping all in dark confusion) careth not what the world thinketh of him, or how they exclaim or slander the Queen's pay, nor how many perish for want of that he hath in his hands of theirs. This Treasurer dealing justly in the sight of God, laboureth not to get him many friends or favourers, by Banqucting, Presents, or otherwise: reposing his trust in God, and his just dealing. Such a Pagadore bendeth all his wits to use all meanes to make friends knowing that justice and right is his Confusion, and therefore Per fas atque nefas hunteth for Favour to keep him from accounts liquid, and to keep all in darkness by delays: Qui malè agit, odit lucem. This Treasurerif he have not treasure sufficient to pay all defalcations, setreth down plainly to the Auditor which are paid, & which are unpaid: ●olding it a burden of conscience that any man should die unpaid by his default. Such a Pagadore cares not how many creditors die after he hath made his obscure defalcations: knowing that by their death it is clearly gained to himself: Neither forcing how the Princes honourable pay be slandered, nor how many die for want of their dew by him wasted prodigally. This Treasurer thinketh it a matter of conscience while he is Officer, to make any presents, even to his honourable good friends: lest either they or other, should think he did it to be favoured in some unjust actions Such a Pagadore hath no such melancholy conceit, but will give or lend lustily to any that will take, if he see any means how they may protract his account, yea to such honourable persons as he knoweth will not be induced to farther his corruptions if they see them, yet will he offer presents, knowing Salomons wise saying, that Dona coecant oculos ctiam Prudentum & justorum. This Treasurer desireth nothing more than to have a Muster-master and Auditor resident in the Army: to assist him in examination of frauds, and to do both the Prince and Soldier right: knowing the more they si●t his doings, the more for his credit and reputation. Such a Pagadore can by no means endure an Auditor or Mustermaster in the Army, but only such inferior Commissaries as dare not offend him or look into his doings. And in this he will make all his Friends and spare no devise, etc. to have these two Officers lifted out, that then he may without comptrolement do what he list, the very eyes of the Army being put out. This Treasurer will never desire the captains warrants, till he have truly paid not only defalcations, but also all due upon the said warrants: contenting himself with his warrants for Imprests in the mean time. Such a Pagadore if he cannot get the Captains own warrants, he will by device seek to get copies under the Lord Generals or the Mustermasters hands which are good constants to reckon with the Auditor. And if the Mustermaster will not consent unto it he● will become his secret dangerous Enemy and labour all means to remove him. This Treasurer desires to have the truth of all matters plainly laid open to the Lords of the Counsel, and is not jealous of any man that shall exhibit writings for the service unto any of their Lordships. Such a Pagadore broileth like Enceladus in Actna when he hears of any thing delivered, till by some of his means he can get the sight of it to countermine, etc. and persuadeth other Officers not to open matters plainly unto their Honours, saying, it is no wisdom to make them too cunning. This Treasurer contenteth himself with a competent pay., because his Expenses be moderate, and needeth not give or present extraordinarily to purchase friends, and will not exact a Penny unduly from poor or rich. Such a Pagadore cannot content himself with most honourable or excessive entertainment, but exacteth hundreds and thousands, and not only from the rich, but even from the most poor and needy of the Army, besides all trafiks, chafferings, secret benevolences, and other Engines to angle Money, quorum non est Numerus.    

¶ A Conference of two Auditors.  
The one honest and Skilful.  
The other either corrupt or unskilful.  
The Good. The Bad. THis Auditor will demand competent Enterteignment for himself and Clerks, that he need not straigne his conscience. THis Auditor forceth not much of Entertainment, knowing means enough by collusion (if the Treasurer be bad also) to help himself. This Auditor will not take a penny of the Treasurer, though he would give it utterly without condition, Such an Auditor will not spare to take without condition and with condition too, so he offer like a C●atesman This Auditor knowing he that will no ill do, must do nothing that longs thereto, will as much shun familiarity with the Treasurer, as all dutiful Muster-masters ought overmuch familiarity with Captains. Such an Auditor will be as great with a corrupt Treasurer, as lewds Muster masters or Commissaries will be with lucrous Captains. This Auditor will have as diligent an eye and especially over the Treasurer and his deputies, as a good Muster Master will have over lucrous Captains or Clarks of Bands. Such an Officer will none of these Melancholy Conceits, but make good cheer with the Treasurer and play the good Fellow. This Auditor keeps perfect records of all bills of debt, for Munition, Powder, Arms, and other defalcations, and will see the auncientst bills first paid before latter, if they be of one nature. Such an Auditor hath no regard to antiquity, but to such as M Treasurer and he shall agree upon: they must be first paid, and the rest tarry a second marks. This Auditor being resident in the Army, vil have an care to the poor Soldiers grieves and see their debts paid before any bills of captains Creditors, for silks, gold lace, or such Vanities. Such an Auditor will not offend the Captains, but knowing the sweet of their liberalities will see such bills first satisfied as best like them, saying, he will not offend brave men for beggarly knaves. This Auditor (if a Treasurer offer him Bribes, won't only reject him but also look the more narrowly to him in all his doings afterward, knowing thereby (only) he is a corrupt person. Such an Auditor is of no such sour● or Melancholy humour, knowing the Poet not without cause saith: Placatur donis jupiter ipse datis. This Auditor hath a vigilant eye to the Prince's profit and honour, to sift all particular defalcations whether they be paid indeed, or only pretended to be paid by collusion bet ween the Treasurer & Captains, or their Acomptant Clarks or Officers, that the Princes pay be not slandered and her Majesty dishonoured by such Corruptions. Such an Officer looks no farther but to warrant and quittance, not caring how the Princes pay be dishonoured and slandered, so long as he may have appearance of matter to discharge himself, knowing the more the Treasurer by such sleights robs the Prince and Soldiers, the greater his share, for Manus manum fricat. This Auditor will diligently see, that if any defalcation be made for any person indebted to her Majesty, that the same be stayed in the Treasurer's hand to her majesties use: and not cunningly conveyed to other uses by Assignation or other like devices to defraud hi● Majesty. Such an Auditor careth not how these defalcations be juggled by assignations or other practises, to deceive the Prince and enrich pri●at persons, so as the Treasurer and he may have their Fleeces of the spoil: for these Officers must accord, or else when thee●●es fall out, true men come by their goods after the old Preverbe. This Auditor will set down orders that the Treasurer shall keep in his account: viz not to exhibit only the captains quittances in gross, but to show particularly, how much paid to the captains hands in money, how much in victual, how much in munition: and so particularly every other Defaulcation: wherefore, how much, to whom, & when paid, that it be not by collusion double charged. Such an Auditor will none of these plain courses, saying they are Curiosities that will make him odious both to the Treasurer and Captains: And that if he should deal thus plainly, Officers cannot gain: Yea they shall make so many Enemies, as the Prince (whom they best deserve of) shall be made to dislike them. In briefs that this honesty for want of Friends shall starve, or die in the Hospital. This Auditor reposing himself on God only & his good conscience, laboureth not to make Friends, but thinketh his honest courses shall protect him against his lewd Enemies, & make him acceptable to his Prince. Such an Auditor perhaps by the calamity of other honest Officers (learning that Parum valet probitas quam nulla potentia fulcit) will not offend rich or great persons, but join with them in ploughing the golden soil, and see no more than that which he knows shall not offend them. This Auditor (after he perceives that a Captain hath received so much on his warrant, that there will not remain more than may pay his soldiers, and due debts of his Band, for Arms, Powder, apparel, and such necessaries as aught to be first paid) gives Caveat to the Treasurer thereof, that he deliver not the Captain that money which should pay the Soldier and these honest Creditors. Such an Auditor knowing that these honest Creditors cannot give the Treasurer 10. pro 100 to have their Money, whereas other Creditors of silks, Gold lace or such like vanities, or others (that by collusion have bills made of purpose to draw out Money) may give and will give the Treasurer 30. 40. or 50. pro 100 he will not be curious to search, which are true and honest debts, and which contrary: but meeting with a bountiful Treasurer will allow such as he likes, and he hath reason to like those best that offer most bountifully. This Auditor will not set down in his Account a penny paid either of money to the Captains or defalcations to the Creditors than he seeth in truth, is indeed issued of her majesties Treasure, albeit the Treasurer perhaps show his warrant & acquittance to prove he hath issued all, when he hath indeed Forty thousand pounds in his hands, & thereby causeth the Treasurer to pay truly, and that Vitualers, Armourers, and honest Creditors shall not exclaim and slander the Prince's honourable pay when the Treasurer hath it in his own hands to make his profit by it. But such an Auditor seeing by his honest plain course neither Treasurer nor Captains can abuse either Prince or Soldiers, that consequently they neither can nor will deal bountifully with him, he will none of this, but rather without more curiosity Secundum usum Sarum make his reckonings with Warranto and Acquittancia and pro forma: to excuse himself, if his account should be ●i●ted: will not directly say it is all issued, but issuing and issued, or some parcel not issued: when perhaps that parcel well examined, may prove many ten thousand pounds. Finally this Auditor being resident in the Army will hold so plain and precise a course as he will be able at all times to say how much treasure is Issued indeed, and what remains in the Treasurer's hands: which Creditors, etc. are paid indeed, & which are not paid: So that no juggling can be used to defeat honest men of their due, but he will control it, & by conference with the Muster Master also will see how the Soldiers are satisfied. But such an Auditor knowing such an Officer is intolerable to a corrupt Pagadore, etc. and that he having his Prince's purse to make friends: is likely to disgrace or lift out any honest Officers that shall not cons●rt with him. This Auditor sayeth, I will leave that thankless honest course, and play the good Fellow, and fill my purse with Crowns, when honest Officers may go to the Hospital for any Comfort or Countenance they shall receive.  CONTRARIA JUXTA SE POSIT A MAGIS ELUCESCUNT. 

BY WISDOM PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY   printer's or publisher's device 
TO    

Abuses that may be practised to the great dishonour of the Prince, the defrauding of Soldiers and honest Creditors: and utter ruin and confusion of an Army, where they shall be continued, and not prevented.  
IT is a thing too well known, that if all captains bills should be paid and defalked upon the warrants for their bands, that both Soldiers many times should utterly lose a great part of their wages dew, & the honest Creditors also their debts, by reason of such practices as ensue.  
Inprimis, if any Captains take up Silks, Gold lace, jewels, or other like matters for their own use amounting to triple their own entertainment: This being defalked on the warrant for the band, must needs unjustly take from the poor Soldier part of his pay.  
If a Captain borrow Money of the Treasurer or any other for his own private expenses, or give his bill to the Treasurer to pay his losses in play, or charges in wasteful houses, the Bills must always be made in one form viz. Received of Master Treasurer so much for the use of the Company, etc. albeit the poor Company may very well plead not guilty of any part thereof. The same being defaulked by the Treasurer on the warrant for the band, the poor Soldier is defeated, how truly soever her Majesty pay.  
Or when such multitude of bills signed with any captains hand shall be brought unto the Treasurer, as the whole warrant, both Captains pay, Officers pay, & Soldiers pay is not able to discharge, he must needs choose some, and reject others. In which choice if the Treasurer be a man that regards his own benefit and the choice left in him, he must needs reject the honest Creditors, who upon reasonable prizes and small gain having served the Company, can offer little to have their dew, and choose such as by their excessive gains undewly made, may offer most, and so the lewd only gain, and the honest Creditors utterly defeated.  
Again if any Captain have once taken up and given his bills for more than his own wages, and the warrant of his whole Company is able to pay, then to get notwithstanding some more Money to be defalked on the same warrant, he may with gain be content to give 60 pro 100 or give his bill of debt for 100 to the Treasurer, to be defaulked on his warrant to receive 40, or less. And this bill must be made as formably as any other, viz. for Arms or apparel for the use of the Company, and perhaps dated before any of the rest. And such a one being able with gain to give 30. or 40. in the 100 to be paid his bill, may be as likely to speed as any of the honest Creditors, who perhaps are not able to give 10. pro 100 without their loss, if the Treasurer be a man that will be moved with gain and have no Commissioners to guide him.  
But seeing the frauds and practises are infinite, whereby the honest Creditors and poor Soldiers may be defeated utterly of their due: & her majesties pay slandered & exclaimed on, (how justly soever her highness pa●e) if great discretion and justice be not used in the examination and allowance of suitors bills, with due trial, which were in deed to the use of the Company, & which fraudulent, or to the Captains or Treasurers pri●ate gain. They ought to be persons of great sincerity and uprightness, that should make choice which bills should be first allowed: and which rejected as the Captains own debt, and not defalcable on the Company.  
For, this cause I suppose in Ireland it hath been accustomed, that the Auditor only (who hath no handling of the Treasure) was the setter down of all defalcations, and the Treasurer only to pay according to his Debentur.  
For surely when in one pay, a man (in favouring of unjust bills) may gain ten thousand pounds or more, & by dealing justly can hardly gain the twentieth part, it is a great temptation to misdrawe an indifferent honest mind: especially when the reins shall be left wholly in his own hands. Or if the Treasurer were never so honest a man, yet if his Officers under him be men that will be temp●ed; he may easily be seduced, even to the Ruin of an Army.  
The only mean therefore to redress so great Inconveniences, & to rid both hit Majesty of exclamations, her Officers of slanders; and do both Captains and soldiers right, is to appoint some such choice honest Commissioners, as (having no fingering of the Treasure) may sit in some public place, where openly the Captains and Creditors may be heard; and also the complaints of the soldiers. And these Commissioners after they have heard, & also the complaint of the Soldiers: And these Commissioners after they have heard what is alleged on all parts, to set down a public order: which Bills shall be defaulked on the warrant for the Company, and which set on the Captains own head as debts of his own.  
But there may be also another greater mischief than all this, practised in the military accounts of this time: whereby, albeit the best Auditors in England have the examination of a Treasurer's account: her Majesty may be found still in the Treasurer's debt, albeit he have forty thousand pounds of her Majesties in his hands; & both Soldiers and Creditors defrauded, and her Majesties pay slandered by means of this course ensuing.  
If the Treasurer (when he accounteth with any Captain upon his warrant) first showeth him a note of all defaulcations, viz. Bills of impressed, Victuallers bills, Armourers bills, defaulcations certified by the States, & other his Creditors or Soldiers bills: his own new found hundred penny, etc. All this being defaulked, he setteth down the overplus as a debt due to the Captain. For this clear debt, the Treasurer giveth to the Captain an Attestation, and for all the rest of the warrant taketh an Acquittance from the Captain together with his warrant. If upon these conditions (as perhaps on these and none other the Captains must take their accounts) see then what is likely to ensue.  
In this course, lightly if the warrant be for 2 thousand pounds, the defalcations shall be 1700. or more, and the clear debt to the Captain 300. or less. Now when the Treasurer shall be called to his account, as is commonly used before an Auditor of the press in England: he produceth his warrant for 2000 pounds, and this Quittance signed by the Captain for 1700. pounds In this case, the precisest absent Auditor can allow the Treasurer no less than the 1700. pounds upon his Accounts, whereas commonly the greater part of all these defalcations are unpaid. And in this manner in an Account of an hundred thousand pounds, the Treasurer may have thirty or sortie thousand pounds in his own hands, and yet the Auditor by Warrant and Quittance shall find all paid, and perhaps some surplusage from the Queen to the Treasurer: So that this kind of Account before a strange Auditor by Warrant and Quittance is frivolous, and no possibility for the best Auditor in the World in that sort to discover Frauds, or determine any certainty, but both her Majesty, the soldiery, the Creditors, & all may be extremely abused, and yet the Treasurer and his Associates go clear away with an infinite gain. And this kind of Account before an absent Auditor per Warrantum & Acquittanciam without farther examination is in deed as ridiculous, and as impossible thereby to discover the abuses of a Pagadores Account, & the wrongs done to Captains, Soldiers, honest Creditors and chiefly to the Prince, as particular Musters (taken in several Garrisons on several days) is able to discover the Frauds and deceits usually practised by Clerks of Bands or such Captains as value, lucour above Honour, or Honesty, & therefore this course ensuing for examination of Military Treasurer's Accounts fit to be established.   

The only or best salve to recure such ulcerous sores.  
The only mean therefore to unrip and discover frauds in such accounts of military Pagadores, and to do both Captains, Soldiers and Creditors right, and to maintain the honer of her majesties pay, and to provide that her majesties Treasure be not misconueied and undewly wasted, is  
FIrst not to suffer such Military Money Officers to run on 1. 2. or 3. years without Account, but quarterly or every half year at the farthest to deliver up to the Auditor at Wars his Accounts perfected, as he will stand to it upon his credit or discredit, to receive trial, at his peril.  
Secondly, that for all such sums of Money as he avers paid, he deliver in together with the captains acquittance, a bill under his hand, particularly declaring how much was paid him in ready Money, and how much in defalcations for Armourers, Victuallers, or other Creditors bills, expressing particularly, to whom, when, and for what the same was paid, that it be not after cunningly double charged on her Majesty.  
Thirdly, that these Accounts of Treasurers may not lie so closed up under locks, but that any man (paying the Auditor's Clerks for their pains) may take copies of any part: that if any Soldier or Creditor find himself grieved, he may have redress by the Auditor, or a ground to complain of his wrong.  
Lastly, that if any Account have run on, many quarters or years without such orderly setting down of all Defalcations & public notice ut supra: that it be the more diligently sifted by Officers of experience and skill, and that (after it is particularly set down as the Treasurer will stand to it) it may be open to all men to view as aforesaid: and so to remain as long time as the Account hath been differred, before the Treasurer at Wars have his allowance or Quietus est.  
By this means it will come to pass that as he● majesties pay hath been ever the most honourable of any King or State in Christendom, and most honourable courses already taken, by her Majesty and her honourable Council for the redress of many abuses, whereby the poor Soldiers had received hard measure: So by such dew and orderly Examination of Accounts, all persons aggrieved shall receive due satisfaction, or know where, and of whom to demand their duties, and neither exclaim on Officers without just cause, nor yet her majesties most honourable pay slandered and defamed, for that which perhaps may be undewly detaigned by such inferior persons. And these Military Officers knowing that by these Tutchstones their Actions shall plainly appear whether they be Gold or Brass, will happily amend all that is amiss, and do that hereafter shall most agree with their own reputations, and the service of GOD, their Prince and Country. To which end I have published these brief Collections.   

¶ A Brief conference of two Commanders of different properties and Conditions.  
The one honourably trained in Royal Wars, governed by right Martial Discipline.  
The other bred up in disorderly civil dissensions among Freebooters, guided by lawless indiscretion.  
The Good. The Bad. THIS Commander establisheth martial laws full of Equity, and causeth them to be inviolablic observed. THis Commander skoffeth at true Martial Discipline and would have all guided by his own discretion, or rather lawless in discretion. This Commander selecteth a Council military, with whom to confer before he resolve of any important enterprise. Such a Commander partly to cover his own ignorance, and partly for vain glory to have all the praise himself shuneth conference, and will giude or rather misguide all by his own vain fantasy. This Commander will not take upon him any enterprise, but he will be assured to be provided of all things necessary to perform it Honourably. Such a Commander will undertake any thing how absurd soever, so he may finger the Treasure, let the success be what it will. This Commander will also see such convenient allowance of pay, as his soldiers may live without spoil of their friends, or committing outradge. Such a Commander eareth not what outrage, they commit, or how they crush their Friends, so as they crave no pay of him, but can live by shifting otherwise, and such he calleth brave men, as by right Martial law should be disarmed under a gallows. This Commander employeth his Prince's Treasure in the true payment of his Captains and Soldiers, and su●h provisions only as may advance the pulique service. Such a Commander wasteth it either in his own pomp & vaineglorp, or oath filthy and base pleasures, neither seeking to pay his Captains nor carin gwhether they pay their Soldiers. This Commander will see at the first general muster all his Captains and Officers well chosen: & his soldiers well armed, and well appointed. Such a Commander after he hath fingered the Treasure neither careth whether his Soldiers be armed or naked, and for Captains and Officers taketh such as will serve for least impressed. This Commander establisheth such order in his Musters and Discipline in his Army, as every Captain may be truly paid and cheequed according to their strength and weakenesle of his Band: and being truly paid himself, shall accordingly truelic pay his Soudliers. Such a Commannder cannot endure such orders in Musters as are agreeable to true Martial Discipline, but will have all ordered by his own indiscretion: and if his Captains will be contributory, they shall be paid Poule jowl, without difference or check, and for their Soldiers, let them use them as they list. This Commander as he will see his Captains have their due, so will he hear the Soldiers grieves: being offered in supplication duetilullie, & without assembling in arms. Such a Commander (if a few poor Soldiers by supplication without Arms complain they cannot receive their pay,) will have it a Mutiny and hang some of them in terrorem, for the Captains cannot contribute largely to him, unless they may crush the poor Soldier Impune. This Commander will by conference examine the ability of his Captains, and Officers: to remove such as he finds insufficient & place sufficient in their room. Such a Commander rejects none but such as will not be contributory, or importunes him for their Soldiers pay and cannot live by crushing of their Friends and poor Soldiers as his other brave men will. This Commander will see his Captains and Officers of every particular Band, train their Soldiers, and exercise them in the use of every kind of weapon. Such a Commander being both ignorant himself and having many like Captains, will none of this: alleging it is a needles tiring of the poor Soldiers, and scoff at them that do● it. This Commander being in the field, will also before he see the Enemies: cause his Soldiers to be imbettailed in several sorts: and teach them how to answer every charge of horse or other attempt of their Enemies. And this will he often do, as well to train hts Soldiers: as to know the sufficiency of his superior Officers. Such a Commander wanting judgement to do these things himself, doth not only seldom or never use any of these right Martial exercises, but to cover the disability of himself and his followers will jest and scoff at them that do it, and call them Saint George's Knights, or such like. This Commander knoweth he should be rather a Butcher then a Commander: if he should bring his Soldiers to fight before they are thus trained and exercised. Such a Commander will not be ashamed to maintain this butcherly opinion, that men are best trained in blood, and that other trainings are ridiculous. This Commander if his charge be of Footmen, will be ashamed to be mounted at any time on a horse of force, or any other than some little nag only for his case. Such a Commander will be mounted on such a horse, as he may out run the whole Field, and scape when he list. This commander will never see his Fantry in peril, but if he happen to be mounted, he will disinount: & if he have never so principal horses offered him to save himself, will rather choose to die or take their Fortune, than by horse or flight to save himself: as the famous Roman Generales in old time, and monsieur La Noüe in our age hath done. Such a Commander so soon as he seethe his Fantery pressed by the Enemy, if he be not already mounted on a choice horse, hath one always ready to run away with such other followers like himself when his valiant men are cut in pieces, and then must these Runaways by letters or Pamphlets magnify him, and by device disgrace these va●ant men that resolutely died in the place. This Commander when he deviseth any Enterprise upon the Enemy, doth it only upon matters of importance likely to be effected: and for the benefit public and relief of his Soldiers. Such a Commander ca●th not how unseazible the enterprise be, so by pretence thereof he may get Money into his hands, regarding only his own● profit, neither caring for the public nor relief of the Soldiers. This Commander if upon any such enterprise he receive Treasure, he employeth it presently on the well arming and furnishing of his Soldiers and supplying of their needful wants, that they may assail their Enemies courageously, and attain Victoris. Such a Commander when he hath received their pay, will not pay them a penny till the service be past, no not so much as to supply them with arms and needful furniture, knowing, the more of them are killed the more his gain, who having their Money in his hand, means, according to such corrupt Freebooters laws, To be himself their Heir or Executor. This Commander seeketh by all means to spare his Prince's purse and public Treasure: and not to have it wasted unduly, but employed in matt●rs of importance: and for relief of the Soldiers that truly serve, and deserve. Such a Commander careth not how his Prince's purse be picked, so he may have his share of the spoil: and so that be large enough he careth neither for Captain nor Soldier. This Commander winneth the love of his Captains and Soldiers by doing justice to both, by procuring their due to both, and seeing the one do right to the other. Such a Commander currieth Favour with the Captains only of his own humour, by suffering them to crush and oppress the Soldiers: and on his Soldiers he taketh no more compassion then on Dogs: his gain growing chiefly by their starving or killing. This Commander using justice and right Martial Discipline, God commonly prospereth and blesseth his enterprises. Such a Commander using the contrary, God seldom or never blesseth him with any good success: but with shame and confusion, if by right Martial law he might rece●ue his due. This Commander (to gain a world of Treasure to himself) would not consent to the defrauding of his valiant Soldiers of their due: or to the crushing or oppressing of friends or dutiful Subjects. Such a Commander (to curry Favour with the great ones, and gain Treasure to maintain his own vicious prodegalitie) careth not how the poor Soldiers are abused, or the Friends, allies, and dutiful Subjects oppressed. This Commander (by his justice and good Discipline) winneth the hearts even of Enemies, and increaseth his Prince's Dominions and Territories. Such a Commander by his wicked life and bad Discipline alienateth the hearts even of Friends and allies, and looseth by piecemeal great Provinces where he maintatneth his vicious Prodegalitie upon their robbery and spoil.  This Commander seeketh no unhonest or indirect means by false surmises or lewd practises to disgrace other men of value to advance himself: but reposing himself on true virtue, envieth not the good service of other. Such a Commander (being v●ide of all true virtue) envieth the same extremely in others, and engineth by all false and unhonest practises (by disgrace of his betters) to purchase a vain fame among the ignorant that are blind, and not able to judge aright of Colours. This Commander being sufficiently honoured by his own true virtue and value, contenteth himself therewith, and laboureth not by any indirect means to have untrue fames bruited of him. This other committing many shameful and reproachful errors (deserving in right Martial Discipline ignominious disarming, by running away when his Soldiers are butchered, or starving them for want of their pay by him received, etc.) is nevertheless so far past shame by bad education in corrupt Discipline, that he will triumph of these shames: & cause Pamphlets to he published of his praise, & the blind multitude (many times miss by these toys) extol the Cuckoo for a Falcon, and make an Eagle of the Daw. Where these kind of Commanders are chosen and honoured, God will bless, increase and amplify the State and confound their Enemies, and the glory of that state shall not be blemished but protected by the omnipotent hand of the Lord of Hostes. Where these kind of Commanders are suffered and not corrected or suppressed, the just judgements of God are to be feared: who never permitteth such Iniquity to flourish at any time but for their greater Ruin.  
This brief Conference of Good and Bad Officers and Commanders may serve as a Glass or Toutchstone for men to behold and try one sort from another, and by the Fruits to judge aright of the Trees, especially for chief Magistrates to discern by sound reason aright, and not to be abused by vain Fame and uncertain Opinion in a matter of so great Consequence: And if any guilty Conscience wintch at this, it is not I but themselves bewray their Galled Backs.   

TO Conclude, lest my meaning should maliciously be misconstrued, I must protest, that albeit I have in many parts of this treatise severely inveighed against many abuses and Corruptions bred & fostered in civil dissensions, yet is it far from my meaning to inveigh generally against all such Captains, Commanders, or Generals as have borne charge or sway in these Intestine Wars, for I have myself known many Captains and great Commanders in those Wars that highly esteemed of right Martial Discipline, & by experience feelingly, seeing the Inconveniences, that ensue by such Corruptions, have the more detested and abhorred them. As likewise that famous Prince of Orange (I am able to say of mine own knowledge, and from his own mouth) much disliked many of those horrible disorders, which nevertheless necessity for want of means to pay, enforced him to tolerate in some of his Mercenary Commanders. The like appeareth by the Discipline before published by that worthy Prince of Coundy, and right Militare Admiral Shattilion, who notwithstanding were enforced to suffer many of these things themselves condemned. But my meaning indeed is with Reproach to note all such men of War as contemning all ancient and true Martial Discipline, either ignorantly think all they see done in these wars fit to be imitated, or Ravenously for their own gain and particular profit will not only themselves be the Executioners of so foul Abuses, but shamelessly maintaigne such bad new Customs to be good and Laudable: and knowing their skill utterly unable with any Eloquence or Cunning to defend so impious and bad a cause, will either by Mutinous factions violently endeavour to oppress, or by false flanders Maliciously seek to disgrace such persons as they know able to discern and willing to make their Prince and Country truly understand, see, and abhor such horrible Abuses. Neither do I hate the person of a●ie one or other Militare man alive for any respect whatsoever, but only such Extortions and Corruptions in some of them, as I should likewise detest (if I should find the same) in mine own Brother. And therefore no particular or private respect, but only the great Inconvenience I doubt may ensue, and the faithful zeal, love, and duty I bear to my most gracious Sovereign and Country, hath moved and induced me (aswell while I bare Office of Comptrolement in Militare causes as now also, being happily disburdened of that thankless place) so plainly to declare a truth, not fearing to incur or irritate the malice of so viperous and pestilent slanderous Enemies, as both myself have, and all other honest Officers shall find such to be, as have vowed their service to Madam Picorea so lively with detestation painted out in her colours by that worthy and famous Soldier Mounsieur de La Noüe.  MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRAEVALET. 
FINIS.  

PRO LEGE REGE, ET GREGE  
·LOVE KEPYTHE THE LAW, OBEYETH THE KING, AND IS GOOD TO THE comen wealth ❀