A01974:1937
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.
§. 11. Of the damage of timorous soldiers.
§. 11. Of the damage of timorous souldiers.
Where God first enacted the fore-named Law, that no fearful persons should go to War, he rendereth this Reason, Least his brethren's heart faint like his. Lamentable 1experience hath given too great evidence of the truth hereof. A few white-livered, faint-hearted soldiers have oft been the ruin of a great strong Army which hath been put to rout by reason of their fainting, and yielding, so as such men are more fit to stoop down to a sith, then to take up a sword, to lift a pitchfork then to toss a pike, to handle a mattock then to hold a musket, and to carry a bush-bill rather then a battle-axe. But on the other side, of such use are valiant men and valorous minds, as their courage may supply the want of number: and though they be but few, not fear the face of many. It is noted that Abraham ⟨p. 422⟩armed three hundred and eighteen, to express not the 2number of many, but the worth of choice ones. Well weigh the mighty and great exploits that were achieved by Davids Worthies, by reason of their valour and courage, and you shall find, that a few courageous men to great armies of cowards, are as so many Lyons to whole herds of deer: Five may chase an hundred, and an hundred put ten thousand to flight. Is it not then most meet that Military Men be of mighty minds?
VVHere God first enacted the fore-named Law, that no fearefull persons should goe to Warre, he rendreth this Reason, Least his brethrens heart faint like his. Lamentable