A01974:1379
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friars, London.Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.
London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
When enemies are slain, it is in a defensive or offensive war. If in defensive war, then there is no other way to preserve our own lives from such as band themselves together in arms but by slaying them. They show that they seek the lives of them against whom they come. The slaughter therefore of enemies is but a preservation of our own lives. And the blood which in defensive war is shed, is shed see defendendo, in defending ones self: which was never counted unlawful. Such are a cause of their own death. And he that is the cause of death is more in fault then 1he that killeth.
When enemies are slaine, it is in a defensive or offensive warre. If in defensive warre, then there is no other way to preserve our owne lives from such as band themselves together in armes but by slaying them. They shew that they seeke the lives of them against whom they come. The slaughter therefore of enemies is but a preservation of our owne lives. And the bloud which in defensive warre is shed, is shed se defendendo, in defending ones selfe: which was never counted unlawfull. Such are a cause of their own death. And he that is the cause of death is more infault then 1he that killeth.
- 1Qui causa mortis est, potius in culpâ est quam iile qui occidit. Aug. Macedon. Epist. 54.
As for offensive war when it is rightly undertaken, it is either for some unsufferable wrong done, or for just fear of wrong in time to come. In such a case, war is a public execution of justice. So that it is as lawful in these cases for soldiers to slay true enemies, as for executioners to put to death malefactors, arraigned, condemned, and delivered to them for that end.
As for offensive warre when it is rightly undertaken, it is either for some unsufferable wrong done, or for just feare of wrong in time to come. In such a case, warre is a publique execution of justice. So that it is as lawfull in these cases for souldiers to slay true enemies, as for executioners to put to death malefactors, arraigned, condemned, and delivered to them for that end.