When I duly weigh that little which hath been said, and withal consider how much more might be said of, and for the warrant, honour, need, use, and benefit of your Artillery profession, I cannot sufficiently wonder at the blindness, carelessness, improvidence, and security of this our age, in neglecting and disrespecting a ⟨p. 46⟩matter of so great consequence, so nearly concerning the glory, tranquillity, and safety of the whole land, and of all the societies and several persons therein. Me thinks that it is more then meet that every City and Corporation, if not every Town and Village throughout the Land, should have an Artillery Garden: and that the great populous Cities, especially LONDON, should have as many Artillery Gardens, as it hath Wards: and that public allowances should be afforded to such as willingly offer themselves to these Military exercises. I have heard of liberal legacies, & bountiful donations given for making Causeys, mending High-ways, building Bridges, and other such like works, but little or nothing for purchasing and maintaining Artillery Gardens, and the War-like exercises appertaining thereto. I cannot therefore much wonder that there are no more such Companies, as yours is, and no more of your company. But because every rare thing is precious, I ⟨p. 47⟩rejoice that you are of those, who, by 1how much the more rare they are, by so much the more glorious they appear to be. By you it must be effected, if it be effected, that the ancient english name and Renown for Martial discipline be preserved (if not repaired also) & propagated to posterity. Be not therefore now slack in prosecuting that which you have so well begun. Be diligent to keep your training days, & to exercise your arms, that such as by much practise are well experienced may be presidents and patterns to others: and those others by like constant practise may attain to answerable experience. Let no discouragements dismay you. The less encouragement you have from others, the greater is your praise, that so willingly take such pains at your own cost to make your selves serviceable for the defence, security, and safety of the Land & Kingdom where you live. In you my Text is in our days & Land verified; for of you it may be truly said, THEY were MEN of WAR.
When I duely weigh that little which hath beene said, and withall consider how much more might bee said of, and for the warrant, honour, need, vse, and benefit of your Artillery profession, I cannot s•fficiently wonder at the blindnesse, carelesnesse, improuidence, and security of this our age, in neglecting and disrespecting a ⟨p. 46⟩matter of so great consequence, so nearely concerning the glory, tranquillity, and safety of the whole land, and of all the societies and seuerall persons therein. Me thinkes that it is more then meete that euery Citie and Corporation, if not euery Towne and Village throughout the Land, should haue an Artillery Garden: and that the great populous Cities, especially LONDON, should haue as many Artillery Gardens, as it hath Wards: and that publique allowances should bee afforded to such as willingly offer themselues to these Militarie exercises. I haue heard of liberall legacies, & bountiful donations giuen for making Cawsies, mending High-waies, building Bridges, and other such like workes, but little or nothing for purchasing and maintaining Artillerie Gardens, and the Warre-like exercises appertaining thereto. I cannot therefore much wonder that there are no more such Companies, as yours is, and no more of your company. But because euery rare thing is pretious, I ⟨p. 47⟩reioyce that you are of those, who, by 1how much the more rare they are, by so much the more glorious they appeare to be. By you it must be effected, if it be effected, that the antient english name and Renowne for Martiall discipline be preserued (if not repaired also) & propagated to posterity. Be not therefore now slacke in prosecuting that which you haue so wel begun. Be diligent to keepe your training daies, & to exercise your armes, that such as by much practise are well experienced may be presidents and patternes to others: and those others by like constāt practise may attaine to answerable experience. Let no discouragements dismay you. The lesse encouragemēt you haue from others, the greater is your praise, that so willingly take such paines at your own cost to make your selues seruiceable for the defence, security, and safety of the Land & Kingdome where you liue. In you my Text is in our daies & Land verified; for of you it may be truely said, THEY were MEN of WARRE.
