The good warrant which soldiers have for slaying their enemies in war, giveth good encouragement to them for 1a cheerful going to war, and for valiant fighting therein. And though by their valour much blood may be shed, yet they need not be any more daunted thereat, then Judges, Juries, Executioners, and other Ministers of Justice for putting many malefactors to death. Soldiers are no more guilty of blood in slaying enemies in war, then Ministers of Justice in ⟨p. 295⟩putting capital malefactors to death. It is indeed a matter of pity, and it ought to move our bowels of compassion that people should be so wicked and desperate, as to give occasion to have their blood shed: but, the occasion being given, apity must be laid aside. bGod himself in such cases casteth off pity. Wherefore, shedding of blood in just war is so far from unlawful cruelty, as it is a point of most warrantable equity. Pity in this case may prove the ruin of the city: and more prejudicial to a State, then tolerating thieves, murderers, traitors, and such other pernicious malefactors.
The good warrant which souldiers have for slaying their enemies in warre, giveth good encouragement to them for 1a cheerfull going to warre, and for valiant fighting therein. And though by their valour much bloud may be shed, yet they need not be any more daunted thereat, then Iudges, Iuries, Executioners, and other Ministers of Iustice for putting many malefactors to death. Souldiers are no more guilty of bloud in slaying enemies in warre, then Ministers of Iustice in ⟨p. 295⟩putting capitall malefactors to death. It is indeed a matter of pity, and it ought to move our bowels of compassion that people should be so wicked and desperate, as to give occasion to have their bloud shed: but, the occasion being given, apity must be laid aside. bGod himselfe in such cases casteth off pity. Wherefore, shedding of bloud in just warre is so far from unlawfull cruelty, as it is a point of most warrantable equity. Pity in this case may prove the ruine of the citie: and more prejudiciall to a State, then tolerating theeves, murtherers, traiters, and such other pernicious malefactors.
- 1Miles hostem, & judex, vel Minister ejus, n•centem, non mihi videntur peccare cunshominem occidunt. Aug. de lib. arbitr. l. 1. c. 4.
- aDeut. 13. 8.—19. 13.
- bJer. 13 14. Ezek. 5 11. Zec. 11. 6.Ier. 13 14. Ezek. 5 11. Zec. 11. 6.
