Bellum Erasmi· Translated into englyshe

Dulce bellum inexpertis .

IT IS BOTHE an elegante prouerbe , and amonge al other , by the writynges of many excellent auctours , ful often and solempnely vsed , Dulce bellum inexpertis , that is to say , Warre is swete to them that know it nat . There be some thinges amonge mortal mens businesses , in the whiche how great danger and hurte there is , a man can not perceyue tylle he make a profe . The loue and frendshyppe of a great man is swete to them that be not experte : he that hath had therof experience , is aferde . It semeth to be a gay and a glorious thynge , to iette vp and downe amonge the nobles of the courte , and to be occupied in the kynges busynes : but old men , to whom that thing by long experience is wel knowen , do gladly absteyne them selfe from suche felicitie . It semeth a pleasant thyng to be in loue with a yonge dammo sell : but that is vnto theym , that haue not yet perceyued howe moche grefe and bytternes is in suche loue . So after this maner of facion , this prouerbe may be applied to euerye busynes , that is adioyned with great peryll and with many euyls : the whiche no man wyl take on hande , but he that is yonge and wanteth experience of thynges .

Aristotle in his boke of Rhetorike , sheweth the cause , why youthe is more bolder , and contrary wyse olde age more fearefull : for vnto yonge men lacke of experience is cause of great boldnes , and to the other , experience of many grefes ingendreth feare and doubtynge . Then if there be any thynge in the worlde , that shulde be taken in hande with feare and doubtynge , ye that oughte by all maner meanes to be fledde , to be withstande with prayer , and to be cleane auoyded , verily it is warre : than whiche nothynge is eyther more wycked , or more wretched , or that more farther of distroyeth , or that nere hand cleueth sorer to , or dothe more hurte , or is more horrible , and brefely to speke , nothyng dothe worse become a man ( I wol not say a christen man ) then warre . And yet it is a wonder to speake of , howe nowe a dayes in euery place , howe lyghtly , and howe for euery trifelynge mattier , it is taken on hande , howe outragiously and barbarously it is gested and doone , not onely of hethen people , but also of christen men , not onely of seculer men , but also of pristes and byshops : not only of yonge men , and of them that haue none experience , but also of old men , and of those that so often haue hadde experience , not only of the commons and moeuable vulgare people , but mooste speciallye of the princis , whose duetie had bene , by wysedome and reson to sette in a good order , and to pacifie the light and hasty mouinges of the folishe multitude . Nor there lacke neyther lawyers , nor yet diuines , the which put to theyr fyre brandes , to kendel these thinges so abomynable , and they encorage them that els were colde , & they priuely prouoke those to it , that were wery therof . And by these meanes it is come to that passe , that warre is a thynge nowe so well accepted , that men wonder at hym , that is not pleased therwith . It is so moche approued , that it is counted a wycked thynge ( and I had almoste sayde herisie ) to reproue this one thynge , the whiche as it is aboue al other thynges moste mischiefful , so it is most wretched . But howe more iustly shulde this be wondred at , what euyl spirite , what pestilence , what mischiefe , and what madnes put firste in mannes mynde a thynge so beyonde measure beastly , that this moste pleasant , and reasonable creature man , the whiche nature hath brought forth to pece and beneuolence , whiche one alone she hath brought forthe to the helpe and succour of al other : shuld with so wylde woodnes , with so madde rages , ronne heedlonge one to distroye an other ? At the whiche thynge he shall also moche more meruayle , who so euer wold withdraw his mynde from the opinions of the common people , and woll turne it to beholde the very pure strengthe and nature of thynges : and woll aparte beholde wel with philosophical eies the image of man on the tone syde , and the picture of warre on the tother syde .

Then first of al if one wold consider wel but the behauour & shap of mans body shal he not forthewith perceyue , that Nature , or rather god , hath shaped this creature , not to warre , but to frendshyppe , not to distruction , but to helthe , not to wronge , but to kyndenes and beneuolence ? For where as nature hath armed al other bestis with their owne armure , as the violence of the bullis she hath armed with hornes , the ramping lion with clawes , to the bore she hath giuen the gnashing tuskes , she hath armid the elephant with a long trumpe snoute , besyde his great huge body and hardnes of the skynne : she hath fensed the Locodrill with a skynne as harde as a plate : to the Delphin fyshe she hath gyuen fynnes in stede of a dart : The Porcopin she defendeth with thornes : the ray and thornebacke with sharpe prickels : to the cocke she hath giuen stronge spurres . Som she fenseth with a shel , some with a harde hyde , as it were thycke lether , or barke of a tree . Some she prouideth to saue by swyftnes of flyght , as douues . And to some she hathe gyuen venome instede of a weapon . To some she hath gyuen a moche horrible and owgly loke , she hath giuen terrible eies and grountynge voyce . And she hath also set amonge some of theym continual discention and debate . Man alone she hath brought forth all naked , weke , tender , and without any armure , with most softest fleshe and smothe skynne . There is nothynge at all in all his membres that maye seme to be ordeyned to warre , or to any violence , I wolle not seye at this tyme , that where all other be●stis , anone as they are brought forthe , they are able of theym selfe to gette their foode : Man alone cometh so forthe , that a longe season after he is borne , he dependeth all together on the helpe of other . He can neyther speake nor goo , nor yet take meate , he desyreth helpe alonely by his infant crieng : so that a man may at the leest way , by this coniect , that this creature alone was borne al to loue and amitie , whiche specially increaseth and is faste knytte together by good turnes done eftesones of one to an other . And for this cause Nature wold , that a man shuld not so moche thanke her , for the gyfte of lyfe , whiche she hathe gyuen vnto hym , as he shulde thanke kyndnes and beneuolence , wherby he myght euidently vnderstande hym selfe , that he was all to gether dedicate and bounden to the goddis of gracis : that is to say to kyndnes , beneuolence , and amitie . And beside this nature hath gyuen vnto man , a countinance not terrible and lothly , as vnto other brute bestis : but meke and demure , representynge the very tokens of loue and beneuolence . She hathe gyuen hym amiable eies , and in them assured markes of the inward mynd . She hath ordeined him armes to clyp & enbrace . She hath gyuen hym the wytte and vnderstandynge to kysse : wherby the very myndes and hartes of men shulde be coupled to gether , euen as thoughe they touched eche other . Vnto man alone she hath gyuen laughyng , a token of good chere and gladnes . To man alone she hath gyuen wepynge teares , as it were a wedde or token of mekenes and mercy . Ye and she hathe gyuen hym a voyce not thretnyng and horrible , as vnto other brute bestes , but amiable and pleasant . Nature not yet content with al this , she hath gyuen vnto man alone the commoditie of speche and raysonynge : the whiche thynges verily may specially bothe gette and noryshe beneuolence , so that nothynge at all shulde be done amonge men by violence . She hath indewed man with hatred of solitarynes , and with loue of company . She hath vtterly sowen in man the very sedes of Beneuolence . She hathe so doone , that the selfe same thynge , that is moste holsome , shulde be mooste swete and delectable . For what is more delectable than a frende ? And ageyne , what thynge is more necessarie ? Moreouer , if a man myght leade all his lyfe moste profytably withoute any medlynge with other men , yet nothyng wold seme plesant without a felowe : except a man wolde caste of al humanitie , and forsakyng his owne kynd wold become a beaste .

Besyde al this , Nature hath indewed man with knowlege of liberal sciences , and a feruent desire of knowledge : whiche thynge as it doth moste specially withdrawe mans wyt from all beastly wyldnes : so hath it a speciall grace to get and knyt to gether loue and frendshyp . For I dare boldely sey , that nother affinitie nor yet kynrede , doth bynde the myndes of men to gether with strayter and surer bandis of amitie , than dothe the felowshyppe of them that be lerned in good letters & honeste studies . And aboue al this , nature hath diuided among men by a merueylous varietie the gyftes , as wel of the soule as of the body , to th intent truly that euery man might fynde in euery synguler persone one thyng or other , whiche they shuld other loue or preise for the excellency therof : or els greatly desyre and make moche of it , for the nede and profyte that cometh therof . Finally she hath indowed man with a sparke of a godly mind : so that though he see no rewarde , yet of his owne courage he delyteth to do euerye man good . For vnto god it is mooste propre and naturalle , by his benefyte to do euery bodye good . Els what meaneth it , that we reioyce and conceyue in our myndes no lyttell pleasure , when we perceyue that any creature is by our meanes preserued .

More ouer god hathe ordeyned man in this worlde , as it were the verye image of hym selfe , to the intent , that he , as it were a god in erth , shuld prouide for the welthe of al creatures . And this thing the very brute bestis , do also perceiue , for we may se , that nat only the tame bestis , but also the liberdis , lions , and other more fierce and wylde , when they be in any great ieoperdie , they flee to man for succour . So man is , whan all thyngis faile , the laste refuge to all maner creatures . He is vnto them all the verye assured aulter and seynctuarie .

I haue here peynted oute to you the ymage of man as welle as I canne : On the other syde ( if it lyke you ) ageynste the figure of man , let vs purtraire the facion and shap of warre .

Nowe then imagin in thy mynde , that thou doste beholde two hoostis of barbarous people , of whome the loke is fierce and cruelle , and the voyce horrible , the terrible and ferefull rustelynge and glysteryng of theyr harnes and weapons , the vnlouely mourmour of so howge a multitude , the eies sternely menassyng , the blody blastis & terrible soundes of trumpettis & clarions , the thondryng of the gonnes , no lesse fearefull than thonder in dede , but moche more hurtefulle , the woode crie & clamour , the furious and mad runnyng to gether , the outragious slaughter , the cruel chances of theym that slee , and of those that are stryken downe and slayne , the heapes of slaughters , the feldes ouerflowen with bloudde , the ryuers dyed redde with mans bloudde . And it chauncethe often tymes amonge , that the brother fyghteth with the brother , one kynsman with an other , frende ageynst frende : and in that common furious woodnes ofte tymes one thrusteth his weapon quyte through the body of an other , that neuer gaue hym so moche as a foule worde . Verily this tragidie conteineth so many mischeues , that it wold abhorre any mans harte to speake therof . I wyl lette passe to speake of the hurtes , whiche are in comparison of the other but light and commune , as the tredynge downe and distroying of the corne al about , the burnynge of townes , the villages fired , the dryuynge aweye of cattell , the rauysshynge of maydens , the olde men ledde forthe in captiuitie , the robbynge of churches , and al thynges confounded and full of theftes , pillages , & violence . Nother I woll not speake nowe of those thinges , whiche are wonte to folowe the mooste happye and moste iuste warre of all .

The poore commons pilled , the nobles ouer charged , so many olde men of their chyldren bereued , ye and slayne also in the slaughter of theyr chylderne , so many olde women destitute , whome sorowe more cruelly sleeth then the weapon it selfe , so many honest wyues become wydowes , so many chyldren fatherles , so many lamentable howses , so many ryche men brought to extreme pouertie . And what nedeth it here to speake of the distruction of good maners , sithe there is no man , but he knoweth ryght wel , that the vniuersal pestilence of al mischeuous lyuynge procedeth at ones of warre . Therof cometh despysynge of vertue and godly lyuynge : herof cometh , that the lawes are neglected , and not regarded , hereof cometh a prompte and a redy stomake , boldly to do euery mischeuous dede . Out of this fountayne springeth so houge great companyes of theues , robbers , sacrilegers , and mourderers , And that is mooste greuouse of all , this mischieuous pestilence can not kepe hir selfe within hir boundes : but after it is begon in ●●m one corner , it doeth not onely ( as a contagious disease ) sprede abrode and enfecte the countreyes nere adioynynge to hit , but also it draweth in to that commune rumble and troublous busynesse the countreyes that be verye farre of , eyther for nede , or by reason of affinitie , or elles by occasion of some leage made . Ye and more ouer , one warre springeth of an other : of a dissembled warre there comith warre in dede , & of a very smal , a right great warre hath risen . Nor it chancethe often tymes none other wyse in these thynges , thenne hit is feyned of the monstre , whiche laye in the lake or pouddell called Lerna .

For these causes I trowe , the olde poetis , the whiche most sagely perceyued the power and nature of thynges , & with most mete feyninges , couertly shadowid the same : haue left in wrytynge , that warre was sent out of hel : and that by the labour of the furies of hell : nor euery one of the furies was not mete and conuenient to bryng about this busynes , but the moste pestilent and mischieuoust of them all , was chosen oute for the nones , whiche hathe a thousande names , and a thousande craftis to do hurte . She beinge armed with a thousand serpentis , blowith before her fendly trumpette . Pan with furious ruffelynge accombreth euerye place . Bellona , shakethe hir furious flayle . And then the wycked furiousnes hym selfe , when he hathe vndone all knottis and broken all bondes , russheth oute with blouddye mouthe horryble to beholde .

The grammarians perceyued right welle these thynges , of the whiche , some wyl , that warre haue his name by contrary meanyng of the worde Bellum , that is to seye fayre , bycause it hathe nothynge good nor feyre . Nor bellum , that is for to sey warre , is none other wyse called Bellum , that is to seye fayre : than the furies are called Eumenides , that is to seye meke : by cause they are woode and contrarye to all mekenes . And somme grammaryans thynke rather , that Bellum warre , shoulde be deryuied out of this worde Belua , that is for to say , a brute beaste : for soo moche as hit belongeth to brute beastis , and not vnto menne to runne to gether , eche to distroye other . But it semeth to me to passe farre all wylde and all brute beastlynes , to fyght to gether with weapons .

Fyrste for there are manye of the brute beastis , eche in his kynde , that agree and lyue in a gentylle facion to gether , and they go to gether in hirdes and flockes , and eche helpeth to defende other . Nor it is not the nature of all wylde beastes to fyghte . For some are harmeles , as doois and haaris . But they that are the moste fierse of all , as lyons , wolfes , and tygers : doo not make warre amonge theym selfe as we doo . One dogge eatethe not an nother . The lyons , thoughe they be fierce and cruelle , yet they fyghte not amonge theym selfe .

One dragon is in peace with an other . And there is agrement amonge poysons . But vnto man there is no wylde or cruel beast more hurtfull , than man .

Ageyne , when the brute beastis fyght , they fyght with theyr owne naturall armour : we men , aboue nature , to the distruction of men , arme our self with armour , inuented by craft of the dyuell . Nor the wylde beastis are not cruell for euery cause : but eyther when hunger maketh them fierce , or els when they perceyue them selfe to be hunted and pursued to the dethe , or elles when they fere leste their yonglynges shuld take any harme or be stollen from them . But ( oh good lord ) for what tryflynge causes what tragidies of warre do we styre vp : For moste vayne titles , for chyldyshe wrathe , for a wenche , ye and for causes moche more scornefull then these , we be inflamed to fyght .

More ouer , when the brute beastis fyghte , theyr warre is one for one , ye and that is verye shorte . And when the battayle is soorest foughten , yet is there not paste one or two , that goeth away sore wounded . When was it euer harde , that an hundred thousande brute beastis were slayn at one tyme fyghtyng and tearynge one an other : whiche thynge men do full oste & in many places ? And besyde this , where as some wylde beastes haue naturall debate with some other , that be of a contrary kynde : So agayne there be some , with whiche they louyngly agree in a sure amitie . But man with man , and eche with other , haue amonge them continuall warre : nor there is no leage sure inough amonge any men . So that what so euer it be , that hath gone out of kynde , it hath gone out of kynde into a worse facion : then though nature her selfe had ingendred therin a malyce at the begynnynge .

Wyll ye se howe beastly , howe fowle , and howe vnworthy a thynge warre is for man ? Dyd ye neuer beholde a lyon let loose vnto a beare ? What gapynges , what rorynges , what grisely gnesshynge , what tearynge of theyr flesshe is there ? He trembleth , that beholdeth theym , yea though he stande sure and safe inough from them . But howe moche more grisely a sighte is it , howe moche more outragious and cruel , to beholde man , to fyght with man , arrayed with so moche armour , and with so many weapons ? I beseche you , who wolde beleue , that they were men , & it were not bycause warre is a thyng so moche in custome , that no man meruayleth at it ? Theyr eies glowe lyke fyre , theyr faces be paale , theyr marchynge forth is lyke men in a furie , theyr voyce skrytshynge and gruntynge , theyr crye and clamour woode , all is iron , theyr harnes and weapons gynglen and clutteren , & the gounnes thondren . It myght haue ben better suffred , if man for lacke of meate and drynke , shuld haue fought with man , to the intent he myght deuour his fleshe and drynke his bloudde : All be it , it is come also nowe to that passe , that somme there be , that do it more of hatrede , then either for hunger or for thyrste . But now this same thynge is done more cruelly , with weapons enuenomed , and with diuilyshe ingins . So that no where may be perceyued any token of man . Trow ye that nature coude here knowe the same thynge , that she sometyme had wrought with her owne handes ? And if any man wolde enfourme her , that it were man , that she behelde in suche array : myght she not well , with great wonderynge , saye these wordes ?

What newe maner pageant is this that I beholde ? what dyuell of hell hath broughte vs forth this monstre ? There be some that calle me a stepmother , bycause that amonge so great heapes of thynges of my makynge I haue brought forth some venemous thynges : and yet haue I ordeyned the selfe same venemous thynges , for mans behofe . And bycause I haue made somme beastes verye fiers and peryllous : and yet is there no beest so wilde nor so peryllous , but that by crafte and diligence he may be made tame and gentyll . By mannes diligente labour the lyons bene made tame , the dragons meke , and the beares obedient . But what is this , that wors is thanne any steppemother , whiche hathe broughte vs forthe , this newe vnreasonable brute beaste , the pestilence and mischiefe of all this worlde ? One beaste alone I brought forthe holly dedicate to be beneuolente , pleasante , frendely , and helthe of all other ? What hath chaunced , that this creature is chaunged into suche a brute beaste ? I perceyue nothynge of the creature man● whiche I my selfe made . What euyll spirite hath thus defyled my warke ? What Wytche hath bewitched the mynd of man , and transformed it into so beastysshe ? What sorceresse hath thus tourned hym oute of his kyndely shappe ? I commaunde and wolde the wretched creature shulde beholde hym selfe in a glasse . But alas what shal the eies se , where the mynde is awey ? Yet beholde thy selfe ( if thou canst ) thou furious warriour , and se if thou mayste by any meanes recouer thy selfe agayne . From whense haste thou that thretnynge creste vppon thy heed ? Frome whens haste thou that shynynge helmette ? from whens are those iron hornes ? Whens cometh it , that thyne elbowes are so sharpe and piked ? Where haddest thou those scales ? Where haddest thou those brasen teethe ? Of whence are those harde platis ? Whence are those deedly weapons ? Fro whens cometh to the this voyce more horrible then of a wylde beaste ? What a loke and countinance hast thou more terrible , than of a brute beast ? Where haste thou gotten this thonder and lyghtnynge , both more fearefull and hurtefulle then is the verye thonder and lyghtenynge it selfe ? I fourmed the a goodly creature , what came in thy mynde , that thou wold●●●e thus transfourme thy selfe in to so cruel and so beastly facion , that there is no brute beaste so vnreasonable in comparyson vnto man ?

These wordes , and many other suche lyke I suppose , she dame nature , the worker of al thynges , wolde say . Then sith man is suche , as is shewed before that he is : & that warre is suche a thynge , lyke as to ofte we haue felte and knowen , it semeth to me no smalle wonder , what yl spirite , what disese , or what myshappe , first put into mans mynde , that he wolde bathe his mortalle weapon in the bloudde of man . It muste nedes be , that men mounted vp to so greatte madnes by dyuers degrees . For there was neuer man yet ( as Iuuenall sayth ) that was sodenly moste vngratious of all . And alwaye thynges moste worste , haue crept in amonge mens maners of lyuynge , vnder the shadowe and shappe of goodnes . For somtyme those men that were in the begynnynge of the worlde , ledde theyr lynes in wodes , they went naked , they had no walled townes , nor howses to put theyr heedes in : it happed other whyle that they were sore greued and distroyed with wylde beastis . Wherfore with them fyrste of all , men made warre , & he was estemed a mighty stronge man , and a capitayne , that coude best defende mankynd from the violence of wilde beastis . Yea and it semed to theym a thynge mooste egall , to strangle the stranglers , and to slee the sleers , namely whanne the wylde beaste , not prouoked by vs for any hurte to them done , wolde wylfully sette vppon vs . And so by reason that this was counted a thynge mooste worthy of preyse ( for hereof it rose that Hercules was made a god , the lufty stomacked yonge men , beganne all aboute to hunte and chace the wylde beastes , and as a token of theyr valyant victorie , the skynnes of suche beastis as they slewe , were sette vp in suche places , as the people might beholde theym . Besydes this they were not contented to slee the wylde beastes , but they vsed to weare theyr skynnes to kepe theym from the colde in wynter . These were the fyrst slaughters that men vsed : These were theyr spoyles and robberies . After this , they went so ferforth , that they were bolde to do a thynge , whiche Pythagoras thoughte to be very wycked : and it myghte seeme to vs also a thynge monsterous , if custome were not , whiche hath so great strength in euerye place : that by custome it was reputed in som countreys a moche charitable dede , if a man wolde , whan his father were very olde , first sore beate hym , and after thruste hym heedlonge into a pytte , and so bereue hym of his lyfe , by whome it chaunced hym to haue the gyfte of lyfe . It was counted a holy thyng , a man to fede on the fleshe of his owne kyns men and frendes . They thought it a goodly thynge , that a virgin shulde be made common to the people in the temple of Venns . And many other thynges , more abhominable than these : of whiche if a man shoulde nowe but onely speake , euery manne wolde abhorre to here hym . Surely there is nothynge so vngratious , nor nothynge so cruelle , but men woll holde therwith , if it be ones approued by custome . The wyll ye here , what a dede they durste at the laste do ? They were not abasshed to eate the carcases of the wylde beastis that were slayne : to teare the vnsauery flesshe with theyr tethe , to drynke the bloudde , to sucke out the matter of theym : and ( as Ouide sayth ) to hide the beastes bowels within their owne . And although that at that time semed , to be an outragious dede , vnto them , that were of a more mylde and gentyll courage : yet was it generally allowed , and all by reason of custome and commoditie . Yet were they not so content . For they went from the sleinge of noysom wylde beastes , to kylle the harmeles beastes , and suche as dyd none hurte at all . They waxed cruell euery where vppon the poore shepe , a beaste without fraude or gyle . They slewe the haare , for none other offence , but bicause he was a good fatte dysshe of meate to fede vppon . Nor they forbare not to kyl the tame oxe , whiche hadde a longe season , with his soore labour nourysshed the vnkynde householde . They spared no kynde of beastis , of foules , nor of fysshes . Yea and the tyranny of glottony went so ferforth , that there was no beaste any where , that coude be sure from the crueltie of man . Yea & custome persuaded this also , that it semed no cruelnes at all to sice any maner of beast , what so euer it was , so they absteyned from manslaughter . Now perauenture it lyeth in our power to kepe out 〈◊〉 , that they entre not vpon the maners of men , in lyke maner as it lyeth in our power to kepe out the see , that it breke not in vpon vs : But whan the see is ones broken in , it passeth our power to restreyn it within any boūdes . So eyther of them both ones let in , they wyll not be ruled , as we wolde , but ronnne forthe heedlonge whither so euer theyr owne lags carieth them . And so after that menne had bene exercised with suche begynnynges to slaughter , wrath anon entysed man to set vpon man , eyther with staffe , or with stone , or elles with his fyste . For as yet , I thynke they vsed none other weapons . And nowe had they lerned by the kyllynge of beastes , that man also myght sone and easily be slayn with lyttell labour . But this cruelnes remayned betwyxte singular persones , so that yet was there no great nombre of men , that fought to gether , but as it chanced one man ageynste an other . And besyde this , there was no smalle colour of equitie , if a manne slewe his ennemie : ye and shortely after , it was a great preyse to a man , so slee a violent and a mischeuous manne , and to rydde hym out of the worlde , suche dyuelysshe and cruelle caytyues , as men saye Cacus and Busiris were . For we see playnely , that for suche causes , Hercules was greatly preysed . And in proces of tyme , many assembled to take parte to gether , eyther as affinitie , or as neyghbourheed , or kynred bounde them . And that that is nowe robberye , was then warre . And they soughte then with stones , or with stakes , a lyttell burned at the endes . A lyttell ryuer , a rocke , or suche other lyke thynge , chaunsynge to be betwene theym , made an ende of theyr battayle .

In the meane seson , whiles fiersnes by vse increaseth , whyles wrath is growen great , and ambition hotte and vehement : by ingenious crafte , they arme theyr furious violence . They diuise harneys , suche as it is , to fense them with . They inuente weapons to distroy theyr ennemyes with . Thus nowe by fewe and fewe , nowe with greatter company , and nowe armed they begyn to fighte . Nor to this manifeste madnes they forgette not to gyue honour . For they cal it Bellum , that is to sey , a fayre thyng : ye and they repute it a vertuous dede , if a man with the ieoperdie of his owne lyfe , manlye resiste and defende from the violence of his enmies , his wyfe , chyldren , beastis , and householde . And by lyttell and lyttell , malice grewe so great , with the high estemyng of other thinges , that one citie beganne to sende defiance and make warre to an other , countreye ageynste countrey , and royalme ageynste royalme . And though the thyng of it selfe was then most cruel : yet al this while there remained in them certayn tokens , wherby they myght be knowen for men . For such goodis as by violence were taken awey : were asked and required ageyne by an heralde at armes , the goddis were called to wytnes , ye and whan they were ranged in battayle , they wolde reason the matter , er they fought . And in the battaylle they vsed but homely weapons , nor they vsed neyther gyle nor disceyte , but onely strength . It was not lefull for a man to stryke his ennemie , tyll the signe of batayle was gyuen . Nor it was not lefull to fyghte after the sownynge of the retreate . And for conclusion , they fought more to shewe theyr manlynes , and for preyse , than they coueted to slee . Nor all this whyle they armed them not , but ageynste straungers , the whiche they called hostes , as they had ben hospites , their guestis . Of this rose empires , of the whiche there was neuer none yet in any nation , but it was gotten with the greatte shedynge of mans bloudde . And sith that tyme there hath folowed continuall course of warre , whiles one eftesones laboureth to put an other out of his empire , and to set hym selfe in .

After all this , when the empyres camme ones in to theyr handes , that were most vngratious of all other : they made warre vppon who so euer pleased theym : nor they were not in greattest peryll and daunger of warre , that had moste deserued to be punysshed , but they that by fortune hadde gotten great riches . And now they made not warre to gette preyse and fame , but to gette the vile mucke of the worlde , or els some other thynge far worse then that .

I thynke not the contrarye , but that the greatte wyse manne Pythagoras , ment these thynges : when he by a propre diuise of philosophie , feared the vnlerned multitude of people from the sleinge of sely beastis . For he perceyued , hit shoulde at lengthe come to passe , that he whiche ( by none iniurie prouoked ) was accustomed to spille the bloud of a harmeles beaste , wolde in his anger , beynge prouoked by iniurie , not feare to slee a man .

Warre , what other thyng els is it , than a common manslaughter of many men to gather , & a robbery ? the which , the farther it sprawleth abrode , the more mischeuous it is . But many grosse gentylmen nowe a dayes laugh merily at these thinges , as though they were the dreames and dotynges of schole men , the whiche sauynge the shappe , haue no peynte of manhoode , yet seme they in theyr owne conceyte to be goodis . And yet of those begynnynges , we see we be rounne so farre in madnesse , that we doo noughte elles alle oure lyfe dayes . We warre continuallye , nation with nation , royalme with royalme , cytie with cytie , Prince with prince , people with people , ye and ( hit that the heathen people confesse to be a wyckedde thynge ) cousyne with cousyne , alyaunce , with alyaunce , brother with brother , the sonne with the father , ye and that I esteme more cruelle thanne all these thynges , a Christen manne ageynste an other manne . And yet farthermore , I wolle saye , that I am very lothe to doo , whiche is a thynge moste cruell of all , one christen man with an other christen manne . Oh blyndenesse of mannes mynde , at those thynges no man marueyleth , no manne abhorrethe theym . There be some that reioyce at theym , and preyse theym aboue the moone : and the thynge whiche is more thenne dyuyllyshe , they calle a holye thynge . Olde menne croked for age , make warre , pryestes make warre , monkes gone forthe to warre , yea and with a thynge so dyuyllysshe we myngle Christ . The batayles raunged , they encountre the one the other , bearynge before theym the signe of the Crosse , whythe thynge alone myghte at the laste wyse admonysshe vs , by what meanes it shoulde become christen men to ouercomme .

But we ronne heedlonge eche to dystroye oher , euen from that heuenly sacrifyce of the auter , wherby is represented that perfecte , and ineffable knyttynge to gether of al christen men . And of so wicked a thynge , we make Christe bothe auctour and wyttenes . Where is the kyngedome of the dyuelle , yf hit be not in Warre ? Why drawe we Christe into warre ? with whome a brothell howse agreeth more then warre ? Sayncte Paule disdayneth , that there shoulde be any so great discorde amonge christen men , that they shoulde nede any iudge to discusse the matter betwene them . What and he shoulde come and beholde vs nowe through all the worlde , warrynge for euerye lyghte and trifelynge cause , stryuyng more cruelly then euer dydde any hethen people , and more cruelly then any barbarous people . Yea and ye shall see it done by the auctoritie , exhortations , and furtheringes of those , that represent Christe , the prince of peace , and very byshoppe , that all thinges knytteth together by peace : and those that salute the people with good lucke of peace . Nor it is not vnknowen to me , what these vnlerned people , wyll say ( a good whyle sens ) ageinst me in this matter , the whose wynnynges aryse of the common yuels . They saye thus . We make warre ageynste our wylles : for we be constrayned by the vngratious dedes of other . We make warre but for our right . And if there come any hurte therof , thanke theym that be causers of it . But lette these men holde theyr tongues a whyle , and I shal after in place conuenient , a●oyde all theyr cauilations : and plucke of that false visour , wherwith we hyde all our malice .

But firste as I haue aboue compared man with warre , that is to say , the creature most demure , with a thynge mooste outragious , to the intent that cruelnes myght the better be perceyued : So wyll I compare warre and peace to gether , the thynge moste wretched , and moste myschieffull , with the beste and moste welthy thynge that is : And so at laste shall appere , howe greatte madnes it is , with so greatte ruffelynge , with so great laboures , with suche intollerable expences , with so many daungers and extreme perylles , with so many calamities , affectionately to desyre warre : where as agrement myght be bought with a farre lesse price .

Fyrste of all , what in all this worlde is more sweter or better then amitie or loue ? Truely nothynge . And I pray you , what other thynge is peace then amitie and loue amonge many men ? lyke as warre on the other side is nought els but discention and debate of many men together . And surely the propretie of good thynges is suche , that the broder they bene spredde , the more profyte and commoditie cometh of them . Farther if the loue of one singular person with an other be so swete and delectable : howe great shuld the felicitie be , if realme with realme , & nation with nation were coupled together , with the bande of amitie and loue ? On the tother syde , the nature of yuelle thynges is suche , that the farther they sprawle abrode , the more worthy they are to be called yuell , as they be inded . Then if it be a wreched thing , if it be an vngratious thynge , that one man armed shuld fight with an other , how moche more miserable , how moch more mischiuous is it , that the selfe same thynge shoulde be done with so many thousandes to gether ? By loue and peace the small thynges increace and waye great , by discorde and debate the great thynges decaye and come to nought . Peace is the mother and nource of all good thynges . Warre sodaynly and at ones ouerthroweth , destroyeth , and vtterly fordoth euery thynge that is pleasant and fayre , and bryngeth in amonge men a monstre of alle mischeuous thynges .

In the tyme of peace ( none other wyse than as vere , the lusty spryngynge tyme , shulde shewe and shyne in mens busynesses ) the feldes are tylled , the gardeyns and orchardes fresshely florysshe , the beastes pasture meryly , gaye manours in the contreye are edyfyed , the townes are buylded , where as nede is , reparations are done , the buildynges are highted , and augmented , ryches increaceth , plesures are nourished , the lawes are executed , the common welthe flourysheth , religion is feruente , ryghte rayneth , gentylnesse is vsed , craftis men are busylye exercised , the poore mens gaynes is more plentifull , the welthynes of the ryche men is more gay and goodly , the studies of most honeste lernynges florishen , youthe is well taughte , the aged folkes haue quiette and reste , maidens are luckely maryed , mothers are praysed for brynginge forth of chyldren like to their progenitours , the good men prospere and do well , and the yuell men doo lesse offence .

¶ But as soone as the cruel tempest of war cometh on vs , what m●●●chief co●●meth of warre . good lorde , howe greatte a floud of mischeues , occupieth , ouerfloweth and drowneth all to gether . The fayre hirdes of beastes are dryuen a way , the goodly corne is trodden downe and distroyed , the good husbande men are slayne , the villages are burned vp , the moste welthy cities , that haue florished so many wynters , with that one storme are ouerthrowen , distroyed , and brought to naughte : so moche more redyer & prompter men are to do hurte th●● good . The good citezens are robbed and spoyled of theyr goodes by cursed theues and mourtherers . Euery place is ful of feare , of waylynge , complaynynge , & lamentynge . The craftes men stande idell : the poore men must eyther dye for hunger , or fall to stealynge . The ryche men eyther they stande and sorowe for theyr goodes , that be pluckte and snatched frome theym , orels they stande in great doute to lose such goodes as they haue lefte theym : so that they be on euerye syde wo begonne . The maydens , eyther they be not maryed at all , or els if they be maryed , theyr mariages are sorowfull and lamentatable . Wyues beynge destitute of theyr husbandes , lye at home withoute anye frute of chyldren , the lawes are layde asyde , gentylnes is laughed to scorne , ryghte is clene exiled , religion is sette at nought , halowed and vnhalowed thynges al is one , youthe is corrupted with al maner of vices , the olde folke they wayle and wepe , and wysshe them selfe out of the worlde , there is no honour gyuen vnto the study of good letters . Finally there is no tonge can telle , the harme and mischief that we feele in warre .

¶ Perchaunce warre myghte be the better suffred , if it made vs but only wretched and nedy , but it maketh vs vngratious , and also ful of vnhappynes : and I thynke Peace lyke wyse shulde be moche made of , and it were but onely bycause it maketh vs more welthy and better in our lyuynge . Alas there be to many all redy , ye and mo then to many mischiues and yuelles , with the whiche the wretched lyfe of man ( whether he wyll or no ) is continuallye vexed , turmented , and vtterly consumed .

¶ It is nere hande two thousande yere sithe the phisitians had knowlege of thre hundred dyuers notable sickenesses by name , besyde other small sickenesses and newe , as daylye sprynge amonge vs , and be syde aege also , whiche is of it selfe a sikenes ineuitable .

¶ We rede , that in one place whole cities haue ben destroyed with erthe quakes . We rede also , that in an other place there haue ben cities al to gether brente with lightning : howe in an other place whole regions haue ben swallowed vp with openyng of the erth , townes by vndermyninge haue fallen to the grounde : so that I nede not here to remembre what a great multitude of men are dayly destroyed by dyuers chaunces , whiche be not regarded , by cause they happe so often : as sodayne breakynge out of the see , and of greatte flouddes , fallynge downe of hylles and houses , poyson , wylde beastes , meate , drynke , and slepe . One hath ben strangled with drynkynge of a heare in a draughte of mylke , an other hath ben choked with a littel grape stone , an other with a fishe bone styckynge in his throte . There hath bene , that sodeyne ioy hath kylled out of hande : for it is lesse wonder of them that dye for vehement sorowe . Besyde all this , what mortal pestilence se we in euery place . There is no parte of the worlde , that is not subiecte to peryl and daunger of mans lyfe , whiche life of it selfe also is moste fugitiue . So manyfolde mischaunces and yuels assayle man on euerye syde , that not withoute cause Homer dyd say : Man was the most wretched of al creatures lyuynge .

¶ But for as moche these myschaunces can not lyghtly be eschewed , nor they happe not through our faute , they make vs but onelye wreched , and not vngratious withall . What a pleasure is it than for them that be subiecte all redy to so many miserable chaunces , willyngely to seke and procure them selfe a nother myschefe more than they hadde before , as thoughe they yet wanted myserye ? Ye they procure not a lyghte yuell , but suche an yuell that is worse than al the other , so mischiffull , that it alone passethe all the other : so aboundante , that in it selfe alone is comprehended all vngratiousnesse ? so pestilente , that it maketh vs all a lyke wicked as wreched , it maketh vs full of all misery , and yet not worthy to be pitied .

¶ Nowe go farther , and with al these thynges consider , that the commodites of Peace spreaden them selfe mooste farre and wyde , and pertayne vnto many men . In warre if there happen any thynge luckely ( but o good lorde , what may we saye happeth well and luckely in warre ? ) hit perteyneth to verye fewe : and to theym , that are vnworthye to haue it . The prosperitie of one is the distruction of an other . The inrychyng of one , is the spoyle and robbynge of an other . The triumphe of one , is the lamentable mourning of an other , so that as the infelicite is bytte● and sharpe , the felicite is cruell and bloudy . Howe be it other whyle bothe parties wepen accordynge to the prouerbe , Victoria Cadmaea , Cadmus uictorie , where boothe parties repented . And I wotte not whether it came euer so happely to passe in warre , that he that had victorye , dyd not repent him of his enterprise , if he were a good man .

¶ Than seinge Peace is the thynge aboue all other moste best & most plesant , & contrariewyse warre , the thynge moste vngratious and wretched of all other : shall we thynke those men to be in theyr ryghte myndes , the whiche when they may opteyne Peace with lyttell busynes and labour , wol rather procure warre with so greate labour , and moste diffycultye ?

¶ Fyrste of all consider , howe lothelye a thynge the rumour of warre is , when hit is fyrste spoken of . Then howe enuious a thing hit is vnto a prince , whyles with often demes & taxes he pilleth his subiectes . What a busynesse hath he to make and entreteyne frendes to helpe hym , what a businesse to procure bendes of strangers , and to hyre sowdyars ?

Charges 〈◊〉 warre . ¶ What expences and labours must he make in settynge forth his Nauey of shyppes , in buildynge and repayrynge of castelles and fortresses , in prepayrynge and apparaylyng of his tentes and pauillions , in framynge , makyng , and caryenge of ingyns , gounnes , armour , weapons , baggage , cartes , and vitayle ? what greate labour is spente , in makynge of bulwarkes , in castynge of dyches , in dyggynge of mines , in kepynge of watches , in kepynge of arrayes , and in exercysynge of wepons ? I passe ouer the feare they be in , I speake not of the iminent danger and peryll that hangeth ouer theyr heedes ( for what thynge in warre is not to be feared ? ) what is he that can reken all the incommodious lyfe , that the mooste folyshe sowdiours suffern in the felde ? And for that worthy to endure worse , Sodiou● lyfe . in that they woll suffer it wyllyngely . Theyr meate is so yll , that an oxe of Cypres wolde be loth to eate hit : they haue but lyttell slepe , nor yet that at theyr owne pleasure . Theyr tentes on euery syde are open on the wynde . What a tent ? no no , they muste all the day longe , be it hotte or colde , wete or drye , stande in the open ayre , slepe on the bare grounde , stande in theyr harneis . They muste suffre hunger , thruste , colde , hete , duste , shoures , they muste be obedient to theyr capitaynes , sometymes they be clapt on the pate with a warder or a trouncheon , so that there is no bondage so vyle as the bondage of sodiours .

¶ Be syde al this , at the sorowful sygne gyuen to fyght , they muste ronne hedlonge to deathe : for eyther they muste flee cruellye , or be slayne wrechedly . So many sorowful labours must they take in hande , that they may brynge to passe that thynge , whiche is mooste wretched of al other . With so many great miseries we must fyrste afflicte and greue our owne selfe , that we mowe afflicte and greue other .

¶ Nowe if we wolde call this matter to accumpte , and iustely reken , how moche warre woll coste , and howe moche peace , surely we shall fynde that peace may be gotte and opteyned with the tenthe parte of the cares , labours , greffes , perils , expences , and spillynge of bloudde , with whiche the warre is procured . So greate a company of men , to theyr extreme perilles , ye leade out of the realme to ouerthrowe and distroye some one towne : and with the labour of the selfe same men , and without any peryll at all , an other towne moche more nobler and goodly , might be newe edified and buylded . But you saye , you wil ho●rt & greue your ennemy : lo euen that doing is agaynst humanytie . Neuertheles this I wolde ye shuld consider , that ye can not hurt & greue your ennemies , but ye muste first gretly hurt your owne people . And it semeth a point of a madde man , to enterprise where he is sure & certayne of so great hurte & damage , & is vncertayne , whiche way the chaunce of warre wyll turne .

¶ But admytte , that eyther folyshenesse , or wrathe , or ambition , or couetousnes , or outragious crueltie , or elles ( whiche I thynke more lyke ) the furies sente from helle , shulde rauyshe and drawe the hethen people to this madnes . Yet from whence commeth it in to our myndes , that one christen man shoulde drawe his weapon to bathe it in an other christen mans bloudde ? It is called Parricide , Parrici●● is more abhorre than sim●●● mans slaught●●● if the one brother slee the other . And yet is a christen man narre ioyned to an other , then is one brother to another : except the bondes of nature be stronger then the bondes of Christ . What abominable thinge than is it to se them almoste continually fyghtynge amonge them selfe , the whiche are the inhabytantes of one house the churche , whiche reioyce and saye , that they all be the membres of one body , and that haue one heed , whiche trewelye is Christ , they haue al one father in heuen , they are all taughte and comforted by one holye spirite : they professe the relygion of Christe all vnder one maner : they are all redemed with Christes bloud : they are al newe borne at the holy fonte , they vse al lyke sacramentis , they be al soudiours vnder one capitaine , they are all fedde with one heuenly breade : they drynke all of one spirituall cuppe , they haue one common ennemy the dyuell : fynally they be all called to one enheritance ? Where be they so many sacramentes of perfecte concorde ? Where be the innumerable teachynges of peace ? There is one specyall precepte , whiche Christe called his , that is Charitie . Charitie . And what thynge is soo repugnante to Charite as warre ? Christe saluted his disciples with the blessed lucke of peace . Vnto his disciples he gaue nothynge saue peace , sauynge peace he lefte them nothynge . In those holy prayers , he specyally prayed the father of heuen , that in lyke maner as he was one with the father , so al his , that is to saye christen men , shoulde be one with hym . Lo here you maye perceye a thynge more then peace , more then amitie , more than concorde .

¶ Salomon bare the figure of Christe : for Salomon in the hebrewe tonge sowneth peasible or pacyfull . Hym god wolde haue to builde his temple .

¶ At the byrthe of Chryste the angels proclaymed nother warre nor tryumphes , but peace they sange . And before his byrthe the prophet Dauid prophesied thus af hym : Et factus est in Pace locus eius , that is to saye , His dwellynge place is made in peace .

¶ Serche all the hole lyfe of Christe , The lyfe of Chri●●● and ye shal neuer fynde thinge , that brethe not of peace , that sowneth not amitie , that sauoureth not of charytye . And bycause he perceyued peace coude not well be kepte , except men wolde vtterly despise all tho thynges , for whiche the worlde so gredelye fyghteth , he commaunded , that we shulde of hym lerne to be meke . He calleth them blessed and happy , that setteth naughte by ryches , for those he calleth poore in spirite . Blessed be they , that despise the pleasures of this worlde , the whiche he calleth mourners . And them blessed he calleth , that paciently suffre them felfe , to be put out of theyr possessions , knowinge that here in this worlde they are but as outlawes : and the very trewe countrey & possession of godly creatures is in heuen . He calleth them blessed , whiche deseruynge well of all men , are wrongefully blamed , and yll afflicted . He forbade that any man shoulde resyste yuell . Brefelye , as all his doctryne commaundeth sufferaunce and loue , soo all his lyfe teacheth nothynge els but mekenes . So he reigned , so he warred , so he ouercam , so he triumphed .

¶ Nor the appostols , that had sucked in to theym the pure spirite of Christe , and were blessedly dronke with that newe muste of the holy gooste , preched nothynge but mekenesse and peace . What do all the epistols of Paule sounde in euery place but peace , but longaminite , but Charitie ? What speaketh saynct Iohn , what reherseth he so ofte , but loue ? What other thynge dyd Peter ? What other thynge dydde all the true christen writers ? From whens then cometh al this ruffling of warres amonges the chyldren of peace ? Thynke ye it a fable , that Chryste calleth him selfe a vyne tree , and hisen the branches ? Who dyd euer see one branche fyghte with an other ? Is it in vayne : that Paule so ofte wrote , The churche to be none other thyng , than one bodye compacte to gether of dyners membres , cleuynge to one heed , Christ ? Who euer sawe the eie fyght with the hande , or the bealy with the fote ? In this vniuersall body , compacte of all those vnlyke thynges , there is a gremente . In the bodye of a beaste , one membre is in peace with an other , & eche membre vseth not the propertie therto gyuen , for it self alone , but for the profite of al the other membres . So that if there come any good to any one membre alone , it helpeth all the holle body . And may the compaction or knyttynge of Nature doo more in the body of a beaste , that shortly muste perishe , than the couplynge of the holye goste in the mysticall and immortall body of the church ? Do we frustrately byd this prayer taughte vs by Christe : Mat. 6. Good lorde euen as thy wyl is fulfylled in heuen , so let it be fulfylled in the erthe . In that citie of heuen is concorde and peace mooste perfecte . And Christe wolde his churche to be none other , then a heuenly people in erthe , as nere as myghte be after the maner of them that are in heuen , euer labouring & making haast to go thyther , and all wayes hauynge theyr mynde theron .

¶ Nowe go to , lette vs imagen , that there shoulde come some newe guest out of the Lunarie cities , where Empedocles dwelleth , orels out of the innumerable worldes , that Democritus forged , in to this worlde , desiring to know what the inhabitantes do here . And when he were instructed of euery thyng , it should at laste be tolde him , that besydes al other , there is one creature maruaylousely mingled , of body like to brute bestis , & of soul like vnto god . And it shuld also be tolde hym , that this creture is so noble , that tough he be here an outlawe out of his owne countrey , yet are all other beastes at his commaundemente , the whiche creature through his heuenly begynnyg inclyneth alway to thynges heuenly and immortall . And that god eternall loued this creature so well , that where as he coude neyther by the gyftes of nature , nor by the strong reasōes of philosophy atteine vnto that whiche he so feruently desired , he sente hyther his onely begotten sonne , to the intente to teache this creature a newe kinde of lernynge . Then as soone as this newe guest had perceyued well the hole maner of Christes lyfe and preceptes , wolde desyre to stande in some highe place , from whence he myghte beholde that that he had harde . And whan he shulde se al other creatures soberly lyue accordynge to theyr kynde , & beinge led by the lawes and course of nature , desyred nothynge but euen as nature wolde : and shulde se this one speciall creature man gyuen ryottously to tauerne hauntynge , to vile lucre , to byinge and sellynge , choppynge & chaungynge , to braulyng and fyghtynge one with another , trowe ye that he wolde not thynke that any of the other creatures were man , of whome he harde so moche of before , rather than he that is in dede man ? Than if he that hadde instructed hym afore , wolde shewe hym , whiche creature is man : nowe wolde he loke about to se if he coude spie the christen flocke and companye , the whiche folowynge the ordynaunce of that heuenly techer Christe , shoulde exhibite to hym a fygure or shappe of the aungelycall cytye . Thynke ye he wolde not rather iudge christians to dwell in anye other place , then in those countrayes , wherin we se so great superfluite , riotte , voluptuousenesse , pryde , tyranny , discorde , braulynges , fyghtynges , warres , ruffelynges , ye and breffelye to speake , a greater puddell of al those thinges that Christe reproueth : then amonge Turkes or Saracens ? From whence then crepeth this pestilence in amonge christen people ? Doutles this mischefe also is come in by lyttel and littel , lyke as manye mo other be , ere men be ware of them . For trewlye euery mischiefe crepeth by lyttel and lyttell vppon the good maners of men , or els vnder the colowr of goodnesse hit is sodeynlye receyued .

¶ So then fyrste of all lernynge and counnynge Erudi●● crepte in as a thynge verye mete to confounde heretykes , whiche defende theyr opinions with the doctryne of philosophers , poetis , and oratours . And surely at the begynnynge of our fayth , christen men dyd not lerne those thynges , but suche as parauenture had lerned theym , before they knewe what Christe ment , they turned the thynge that they had lerned all redy , in to good vse .

¶ Elouqence of tonge was at the beginnyng dissembled more than dispised , but at length it was openly approued . After that vnder colour of confoundynge heretikes , came in an ambicious pleasure of braulynge dispitious , whiche hath broughte in to the churche of Christe no small mischife . At lengthe the matter wente so farre forthe , that Aristotell was al to gether resceiued into the middel of diuinitie , & so receyued , that his auctoritie is almoste reputed holyer than the auctoritie of Christe . For if Christe spake anye thynge that dyd lyttell agree with our lyfe , by interpretation of Aristotell it was lefull to make it serue theyr purpose . But if any do neuer so lyttell repugne agaynste the hygh dyuinytie of Aristoteli , he is quickelye with clappynge of handes driuen out of the place . For of hym we haue lerned , that the felycytie of man is vnperfecte , excepte he haue bothe the good gyftes of bodye and of fortune . Of hym we haue lerned , that no common weale may florishe , in whiche all thinges are commune . And we indeuour our selfe to glewe faste to gether the decretes of this man and the doctryne of Christe : which is as likely a thynge as to myngle fyre and water together . And a gobbet we haue receyued of the ciuell lawes , bycause of the equitie , that semeth to be in them : And to th ende they shuld the better serue our purpose , we haue as nere as may be , writhed and plyed the doctrine of the gospell to them . Nowe by the ciuile lawe it is leful for a man to defende violence with violence , and eache to pursue for his ryght . Those lawes approue bienge and sellynge : they allowe vsury , so it be measurable , they praise warre as a noble thynge , so it be iuste . Fynally al the doctryne of Christ is so defiled with the lernynge of Logiciens , sophisters , astronomers , oratours , poetis , philosophers , laweyrs , and gentyles , that a man shall spende the mooste parte of his lyfe , ere he may haue any leysure to serche holy scripture , to the whiche when a man at laste cometh , he muste come infecte with so manye worldly opinions , that eyther he muste be offended with Christes doctrynes , or els he muste applie them to the mynde & doctryne of them that he hath lerned before . And this thynge is so moch approued , that it is nowe a heynous dede , if a man presume to study holy scripture , whiche hath not nosilled hym self vp to the harde eares in those trifils , or rather sophestries of Aristotle . As thoughe Christis doctrine were suche , that it were not lefull for all men to knowe hit , orels that it coude by any meanes agre with the wysedome of philosophers . Besyde this we admitted at the begynnynge of our feyth some honour , whiche afterwarde we claymed as of duite . Than we resceyued riches , but that was to distrybute to releue poore men , whiche afterwarde we turned to our owne vse . And why not , sith we haue lerned by the lawe ciuile , that the verye order of charite is , that euery man muste fyrste prouide for hym selfe ? Nor there lacke no colours to cloke this mischiefe : fyrste hit is a good dede to prouide for our children : and it is right that we forsee how to lyue in age . Finally , why shulde we , say they , gyue our goodes away , if we come by theym without fraude ? By these grices hit is by lyttell and lyttell come to passe , that he is taken for the mooste best man , that hath moste ryches : nor neuer was there more honour gyuen to ryches amonge the hethen people , then is at this daye amonge the christen people . For what thynge is there eyther spirituall or temporall , that is not done with greatte shewe of riches ? And hit semedde a thynge agreable with those ornamentis , if christen men had some greate iurisdicion vnder theym . Nor there wanted not suche , as gladly submitted theym lelse . Albeit at the begynnynge it was agaynste theyr wylles , and scantly wolde they receyue hit . And yet with moche worke , they resceyued it so , that they were contente with the name and tytle only : the profite therof they gladly gaue vnto other men . At the laste by lyttell and lyttell it came to passe , that a byshop thoughte hym selfe no bishoppe , excepte he had some temporal lordship withal . An abbot thought him self of smal auctorite , if he had not wher with to play the lordly syre . And in conclusion , we blushed neuer a dele at the matter , we wyped awey al shamfastnes , & shoft a side al the harres of comlynes . And what euer abusion was vsed amonge the hethen people , were it couetousnes , ambition , riotte , pompe , or pride , or tyranny , the same we folowe , in the same we matche theym , ye and farre passe theym . And to passe ouer the lyghter thinges for the while , I pray you , was there euer warre amonge the hethen peple so long continually , or more cruellye , than amonge christen people ? What stormy romblynges , what violente braydes of warres , what tearynge of leages , and what pitious slaughters of men haue we sene our selfe within these fewe yeres ? What nation hath not fought and skyrmoushed with an other ? And then we go and curse the Turke , and what canne be a more plesante syghte to the Turkes , then to beholde vs dayly eche sleynge other ?

¶ Xerxes doted , when he ledde oute of his owne countreye that huge multitude of people to make warre vppon the Grekes . Trowe ye , he was not madde , when he wrot letters to the mountayne called Atho , thretnynge that the hylle shulde repente it , except he obeyed his luste : And the same Xerxes commaunded also the see to be beaten , bycause it was somewhat rough when he shuld haue sailed ouer .

¶ Who wol denye but Alexander the great was madde also ? He the yonge god wished , that there were manye worldes , the whiche he myght conquere . So greatte a feuer of vayne glorye had enbraced his yonge lustye courage . And yet these same men , the whiche Seneca doubted not to call madde theues , warred after a gentyller facion then we do , they were more feythfull of theyr promise in warre , nor they vsed not so mischiuous ingins in warre , nor suche craftes and subtelties , nor they warred not for soo lyghte causes as we christen men do . They reioysed to au●unce and enryche suche prouynces as they hadde conquered by warre , and the rude people , that lyued lyke wylde beastis withoute lawes , lernynge , or good maners , they taughte them boothe ciuyle condicions , and craftis , where by they might lyue lyke men . In countreys that were not inhabited with people , they builded cities , and made them bothe fayre and profitable . And the places that were not very sure , they fensed for sauegarde of the people with bridges , bankes , bulwarkes , and with a thousande suche other commodities they holpe the lyfe of man . So that then it was ryght expedient to be ouer come . Ye and howe manye thynges rede we , that were eyther wysely done , or soberly spoken of theym in the myddes of theyr warres . As for those thynges , that are done in christen mens warres they are more fylthy & cruell than is conueniente here to reherse . More ouer loke what was worst in the hethen peoples warres , in that we folow them , ye we passe them .

¶ But nowe it is a worlde to here , by what meanes we meyntayne this our so gret madnes . Thus they reson . If it had not ben leful by noo meanes to make warre , surely god wolde neuer haue benne the auctour to the Iewes to make warre agaynst theyr ennemes . Wel sayd , but we must adde herevnto , that the Iewes neuer made warre amonge them selfe , but ageynste strangers and wicked men . We , christen men , fyght with christen men . Diuersite of relygion caused the Iewes to fyghte agaynst theyr ennemyes : for theyr ennemyes worshypte not god as they dyd . We make warre often tymes for a littell chyldyshe angre , or for hunger of money , or for thyrste of glory , orels for fylthy mede . The Iewes fought by the commandment of god , we make warre to auenge the grefe and displeasure of our mynde . And netheles if men wol so moch leane to the example of the Iewes , why do we not than in like maner vse circumcision ? Why do we not sacrifice with the bloude of shepe and other beastis ? Why do we not absteyne from swynes fleshe ? Why doth not eche of vs wedde many wyues ? Syth we abhorre those thynges , why dothe the example of war please vs so moch ? Why do we here folow the bare lettre that kylleth ? It was permitted the Iewes to make war , but so lyke wise as they were suffred to depart from their wiues , doubtles bycause of theyr harde & frowarde maners . But after Christ commanded the sworde to be put vp , it is vnleful for christen men , to make any other war but that which is the most fairest war of al , with the most egre & fierce ennemyes of the church , with affection of money , with wrath , with ambition , with drede of death . These be our philisteins , these beour Nabughodosor , these be our Moabitis and Ammonitis , with the whiche it behoueth vs to haue no truce . With these we muste continuallye fighte , vntylle ( our ennemies beinge vtterly vanquished ) we may be in quiette , for except we may ouercome them , there is no man that may atteine to any true peace , nother with him self , nor yet with none other . For this war alone is cause of true peace . He that ouercometh in this battaile , woll make war with no man liuing . Nor I regarde not the interp̄tacion , that some men make of the two swordes to signifie either power spiritual & temporal . Whan Christ suffred Peter to erre purposely , that after he was commanded to put vp his sword , no man shuld doubt , but that warre was forboden , whiche before semed to be lefull . But Peter ( say they ) fought . Trewe it is , Peter foughte , he was yet but a Iewe , and had not the spirite of a very christen man . He foughte not for his landes , or for any suche tytles of landes as we do , nor yet for his owne lyfe , but for his maysters lyfe . And fynally , he fought , the whiche within a while after forsoke his mayster . Nowe if men woll nedes folowe the example of Peter that foughte , why mowe they not as well folowe the example of hym forsakyng his mayster ? And thoughe Peter throughe sympell affection erred , yet dyd his maister rebuke hym . For els , if Christe dyd allowe suche maner of defence , as some mooste folyshely do interpretate , why dothe bothe all the lyfe and doctryne of Christe preache none other thynge but suffraunce ? Why sent he forth his disciples ageynste tyrantes armed with nothynge els but with a walkyng staffe and a scrippe . If that sworde , whiche Christe commaunded his disciples to selle theyr cotes to bie , be moderat defence against persecutours , lyke as some men do not onely wyckedlye but also blyndlye interpretate , why did the martyrs neuer vse that defence ? But ( saye they ) the lawe of nature commaundeth , it is approued by the lawes , and allowed by custome , that we ought to put of from vs violence by violence , and that eche of vs shulde defende his lyfe , and eke his money , when the money ( as Hesiodus saith ) is as leese as the lyfe . All this I graunte , but yet grace , the lawe of Christe , that is of more effecte than all these thynges , commaundeth vs , that we shulde not speake yll to them , that speake shrewedly to vs : that we shulde do wel to them , that do yll to vs , and to theym that take aweye parte of our possessions , we shoulde gyue the whole : and that we shulde also pray for them , that imagin our dethe . But these thynges ( sey they ) apperteyne to the apostolles , ye they apperteine to the vniuersall people of Christe , & to the hole body of Christes churche , that must nedes be a whole and a perfecte bodye , all though in theyr gyftes one membre is more excellent than an other . To them the doctrine of Christe apperteyneth not , that hope not to haue rewarde with Christe . Let them fight for money and lordshyps , that lawghe to scorne the sayeng of Christ : Blessed be the poore men in spirite : that is to say , be they poore or ryche , blessed be they , that coueted no riches in this worlde . They that put all their felicite in these richessis , they fight gladly to defende their life , but they be those that vnderstand not this life to be rather a dethe , nor they perceyue not , that euerlastynge lyfe is prepared for good men . Nowe they lay against vs , diuers byshops of Rome , the whiche haue ben both auctours and aydours of warring . True it is , some such there haue been , but they were of late , & in such tyme as the doctrine of Christ waxed colde . Ye & they be very fewe in comparison of the holy fathers that were before them , which with their writinges perswade vs to flee war . Why are these fewe examples most in mynde ? Why turne we our eyes from Christ to men ? And why had we rather folowe the vncertaine examples , than the auctorite that is sure & certayne ? For doubtles the bishops of Rome were men . And it may be righte well , that they were eyther foolys , or vngratious caytiues . And yet we ●inde not that any of them approued , that we shuld styl continually war after this facion as we do . Which thinge I coude with argumentis proue , if I lifted to digresse & tarie thervpon .

¶ Sayncte Barnarde preysed warriours , but he so praysed them , that he condemned all the maner of our warfare . And yet why shulde the sayenge of sainct Barnarde , or the dyspitiō of Thomas of Alquine mo●e me rather then the doctryne of Christe , whiche commaundeth , that we shulde in no wyse resyste iuell , specially vnder suche maner as the common people do resiste ?

¶ But it is lefull ( say they ) that a trangressour be punished and put to deathe according to the lawes : then is it not lefull for a hole countrey or citie to be reuenged by warre ? What may be answered in this place , is longer than is conueniente to reply . But this moche wol I say , there is a great difference . For the yuel doer founde fauty and conuicte , is by auctoritie of the lawes put to deathe . In warre there is nother parte with out faute . Where as one singular man doothe offende , the punyshement falleth only on hym selfe : & the example of the punyshement doth good vnto all other . In warre the mooste parte of the punyshemente and harmes fall vpon them that leaste deserued to be punynyshed : that is vpon husband men , olde men , honest wyues , yonge chyldren , and virgins . But if there may any commodite at al be gethered of this moste myscheffull thyng , that all to gether goth to the behoue of a certeine mooste vengeable theues , hyred soudiours , and stronge robbers , & parhappes to a ●ewe capitaynes , by whose crafte warre was reysed for that intent , and with whiche the matter gothe neuer better , then when the common weale is in moste hyghe ieoperdie and perylle to be loste . There as one is for his offence greuously punished , it is the welthy warnynge of all other : where as in warre to th ende to reuenge the quarell of one , or els para●enture of a fewe , we cruellye afflicte and greue so many thousandes of them that nothynge deserued . It were better lea●e the offence of a fewe vnpunished , then whiles we seke occasion to punishe one or two , to brynge in to assured peril and daunger , both our neyghbours and innocent ennemyes ( we call them our ennemies , though they neuer dyd vs hurte ) and yet are we vncertayne , whether hit shall fall on theym or not , that we wolde haue punished . It is better to lette a wounde alone , that can not be cured without greuous hourte and daunger of all the holle body , then go about to heale it .

¶ Nowe if any man wyll crie out and say : It were ageynste all ryghte , that he that offendeth , shulde not be punished . Here vnto I answere , that it is moche more ageynst all righte and reason , that so many thousandes of innocentes shoulde be broughte into extreme calamite and mischiefe withoute dese●●ynge . Albeit nowe adayes we se , that almoste all warres sprynge vp I can not tell of what tytles , and of leages betwene princes , that whyles they go aboute to subdue to theyr dominion some one towne , they put in ieoperdye all theyr holle empire . And yet within a while after they sell or gyue a waye the same a towne agayne , that they gotte with shedynge of soo moche bloudde .

¶ Perauenture some man woll sey : woldes● not haue princis fighte for there ryghte ? I knowe righte well , it is not mete for suche a man as I am , to dispute ouer boldylye of princis matters , and thought I mighte do it without any daunger , yet is it longer then is conuenient for this place . But this moch wol I say , If eche what soo euer title be a cause conuenient to go in hande with warre : there is no man that in soo greatte alteracions of mens affaires , & in so great variete , & cha●ges , can want a title . What nacyon is there that hath not sometyme be put out of theyr owne countrey , and also haue put other out ? Howe ofte haue people gone from one contrey to an other ? How ofte haue holle empires been translat from one to an other eithe● by chaunce or by leage ? Let the citisens of Padu● claime nowe againe a goddes name the countrey of Troye for theyrs , bycause Antenor was sometymes a T●oyan . Lette the Romaynes nowe hardly clayne agayne Affrycke and Spayne , bycause those pro●ynces were somtyme vnder the Romaines . We cal that a dominion , whiche is but an administration . The power and auctoritie ouer men , whiche be free by Nature , & ouer brute beastes , is not all one . What power and souerayn●e so euer you haue , you haue it by the consente of the people . And if I be not deceiued , he that hath auctorite to gyue , hath auctoritie to take awaye ageyne . Wyll ye se howe small a matter it is that we make all this rufflynge fore . The stryfe is not , whether this citie or that shulde be obeysant to a good prynce , and not in bondage of a Tyrante , but whether Ferdinande or Sigismunde hath the better title to it : whether that citie ought to paye tribute to Philyp or to kynge Lewes . This is that noble ryghte , for the whiche all the worlde is thus vexed and troubled with warres & manslaughter .

¶ Yet go to , suppose that this right or title be as stronge , and of as great auctoritie as may be , suppose also there be no difference betwene a priuate felde and a wholle citie : & admitte there be no difference betwene the beastes that you haue bought with your money & men , whiche be not onely fre , but also trewe christians : yet is it a poynt of a wise man to caste in his mynde , whether the thing that you wol warre fore , be of so great valure , that it wyll recompence the excedynge great harmes and losse of your owne people . If ye can not do in euery poynte as be commeth a prince , yet at the leaste wayes do as the marchant man dothe : he setteth naught by that losse , whiche he well perceyueth can not be aduoided without a greatter lo●se , and he rekeneth it a wynnyng , that fortune hath ben ageynste hym with his so lyttell losse . Orels at the leaste wyse folowe hym , of whom there is a mery tale commonly tolde .

¶ There were two kinsmen at varience about deuiding of certayne goodes , and when they coude by no meanes agre , they must go to lawe to gether , that in conclusion the matter myght be ended by sentence of the iuges . They gotte theym atturneys , the plees were drawen , men of lawe had the matter in hande , they came before the iudges , the complaynte was entred , the cause was pletid , and so was the warre begonne betwen● theym .

Anon one of them remembynge hym selfe , called asyde his aduersary to hym and sayd on this wise . Fyrste it were a greatte shame , that a lyttel money shuld deseuer vs twayne , whom nature hath knytte so nere to gether . Secondly the ende of our stryfe is vncertayne , no lesse then of warre . It is in our handes to begynne when we wol , but not to make an ende . All our stryfe is but for an hundred crownes , and we shall spende the double therof vpon notaries , vpon promoters , vpon aduocates , vpon attourneys , vppon inges , and vpon inges frendes , if we trie the lawe to the vttermooste . We muste wayte vpon these men , we muste flatter and speke theym faire , we muste gyue them rewardes . And yet I speake not of the care and thought , nor of the great labour and trauayle , that we muste take to runne about here and there to make frendes , and whether of vs boothe that wynnth the victorie , shal be sure of more incommodite then proite . Wherfore if we wise be , lette vs rather se to our owne profite , and the money that shal be iuell bestowed vpon these bribers , let vs deuide it betwene vs twayne . And forgyue you the halfe of that ye thynke shuld be your duite , and I wyl forgyue as moch of myne . And so shal we kepe and preserue our frendshyp , whiche els is lyke to perishe , and we shal also eschewe this great busines , coste , & charge . If you be not content to forgo any thyng of your parte , I commit the whole matter in to your owne handes , do with it as you wyll . For I had leauer my frende had this money , then those vnsatiable theues . Me thynke I haue gayned inoughe , if I maye saue my good name , kepe my frende , and avoyde this vnquiet and chargeable busynesse . Thus partly the tellyng of the trouth , and partlye the merye conceyte of his kynseman , moued the other man to agree . So they ended the matter betwene them selfe , to the great displeasure of the iudges and seriantes , for they like a sort of gapynge rauons , were deluded and put besyde theyr praye .

¶ Let a prince therfore folowe the wysedome of these two men , specyally in a mat-of moche more daunger . Nor let hym not regarde what thynge it is , that he wolde opteine , but what great losse of good thinges he shal haue , in what gret ieoperdies he shal be , & what miseries he must endure , to come therby . Nowe if a man wol wey , as it were in a paire of balance the commodities of wa● on the one syde , & the incommodities on the other syde , he shall fynde that vninste peace is farre better then rightous warre . Why had we rather haue warre then peace ?

Who but a madde man wolle angle with a golden fyshe hoke ? If ye se that the charges and expences shall amount farre aboue your gayne , ye thoughe all thynges go accordynge to your mynde , is it not better that ye forgo parte of your ryghte , than to bie so lyttel commodite with so innumerable mischieues ? I had leuer that any other man had the tytle , then I shoulde wynne it with soo gret effusion of Christen mens blode . He ( what so euer he be ) hath nowe ben many yeres in possession . He is accustomed to rule , his subiectes know him , he behaueth him like a prince , & one shal come forth , which fynding an olde tytle in some historyes , or in some blynde euidence woll turne clene vp sette downe the quiete ●tate and good order of that commen wele . What auaileth it with so gret ruffeling to change any tytle , which in short space by one chance or other must go to an other man ? Specially sith we mowe se , that there is nothing in this world , that doth continue styl in one state , but at the scorneful plesure of fortune they rol to & fro , as the waues of the see . Finally if Christen men can not despise and sette at naughte these so lighte thynges , yet wherto nedeth it by and by to runne to harneis ? Sith there be so many bishops , men of great grauite and lernynge : sith there be so many venerable abbottes : sith there be so many noble men of great ancientie , whom longe vse and experience of thynges hathe made righte wise . Why are not these trifelynge & childishe quarels of princis pacified and set in order by the wisedome and discretion of these men ? But they seme to make a very honest reason of warre , whiche pre●end as they wolde defende the Churche . As though the people were not the churche , or as though the church of Christ was be●un , augmented , and stab●ished with warres and slaughters , and not rather in spillynge of the bloude of martirs , sufferance , and despisynge of this lyfe , or as though the holle dignite o● the churche re●ted in the riches of the pristis . Nor to me truely it semeth not so alowable , that we shuld so ofte make warre vpon the Turkes . Doubtles it were not well with christen religion , if the onely safegarde therof shulde depende on suche succours . Nor it is not likely , that they shulde be good christians , that by these meanes are brought therto at the fyrste . For that thyng that is gotte by warre , is agayne an other tyme loste by warre . Woll ye brynge the Turkes to the fayth of Christe ? Let vs not make a shewe of our gay riches , nor of our great nombre of soudiours , nor of our great strengthe . Let them se in vs none of these solempne titles , but the assured tokens of christen men , a pure innocent lyfe , a feruent desire to do well , yea to our very ennemes , the despisynge of money , the neglectynge of glorie , a poore simple lyfe . Let them here the heuenly doctrine agre●ble to suche a maner lyfe . These are the b●st armours to subdue the Turkes to Christe . Nowe often tymes we beinge ill , fight with the yuel . Ye and I shall sey an other thynge ( Whiche I wolde to god were more boldly spoken then truely ) if we sette a syde the title and signe of the Crosse , we fighte Turkes ageynste Turkes . If our religion were fyrst stablisshed by the might and strengthe of men of warre , if hit were confyrmed by dente of sworde , if it were augmented by warre , then let vs maynteyne it by the same meanes and wayes . But if all thynges in our feyth were brought to passe by other meanes . Why do , we than ( as we mistrusted the helpe of Christ ) seke suche succoure as the hethen people vse . But why shulde we not ( say they ) kyll them that wolde kyll vs ? So thynke they it a great dishonour , if other shoulde be more michiuous then they . Why do ye not then robbe those , that haue robbed you before ? Why do ye not skolde and chide at them that rayle at you ? Why do ye not hate them that hate you ? Trow ye it is a good christen mans dede to slee a Turke ? For be the Turkes neuer so wicked , yet are they men , for whose saluation Chri●te suffred death . And kyllynge Turkes we offre to the dyuell moste pleasant sacrifice , and with that one dede we please our ennemy the dyuell twyse , fyrste bycause a man is slayne , and agayne , bycause a christen man slewe hym . There be manye , whiche desyrynge to seme good christen menne , studye to hurte and greue the Turkes al that euer they may : & where they be not able to do nothynge , they curse and ban , and byd a mischife vpon them . Now by the same one poynte a man may perceyue , that they be farre from good christen men . Succour the Tourkes , and where they be wycked , make them good if ye can , if ye can not , wyshe and desyre of god they may haue grace to turne to goodnes . And he that thus dothe , I woll say dothe lyke a christen man . But of all these thynges I shall intreate more largely , when I sette forthe my boke intytled Antipolemus , whiche whilom when I was at Rome I wrote to Iuly byshoppe of Rome , the seconde of that name , at the same tyme , when he was counsailed to make warre on the Venetians .

¶ But there is one thynge , whiche is more to be lamented then reasoned : That if a man wolde diligently discusse the matter , he shal fynde , that all the warres amonge vs christen men do sprynge eyther of folishenes , or els of malyce . Some yonge men without experience , inflamed with the yuell exam●les of their fore fathers , that they finde by redynge of histories , writen of some folyshe auctours , & beside this being mo●ed with the exhortations of flaterers , with the instigation of lawiers , and assentynge therto of the di●ynes , the byshoppes wynkynge therat , or perauenture intycynge thervnto : haue rather of foolehardynes thenne of malice , goone in hande with warre : And with the great hurte & damage of al this world they lerne , that warre is a thynge , that shoulde be by all meanes and wayes fled and eschewed . Some other are moued by pri●y hatred , Ambition causeth some , and some are stirred by fyrcenes of minde to make warre . For truly there is almoste nowe none other thynge in our cities and common weales , then is conteyned in Homers warke Ilias , The wrathe of vndiscrete princis & people .

¶ There be whiche for none other cause moue Warre , but to th entent they may by that meane the more easily exercise tyranny on theyr subiectis . For in the tyme of peace , the auctorite of the counsaile , the dignite of the rulers , the vigor and strengthe of the lawes , do somwhat let , that a prince can not do all that hym listeth : But as soone as warre is ones begunne , now all the handlynge of matters resteth in the pleasure of a fewe persons . They that the prince fauoureth are lifted vp alofte : and they that be in his displeasure , go downe . They exacte as moche money as pleaseth them . What nede many wordes ? Then they thynke theym selfe , that they be the greateste pryncis of the worlde . In the meane season the capytaynes they sporte and playe to gether , tyl they haue gnawen the poore people to the harde boonis . And thynke ye that hit wyll greue them , that be of this mynde , to entre lyghtly in to warre , whan any cause is offered ? Besydes all this , it is a worlde to se by what meanes we colour our faute . I pretende the defence of our religon , but my mynde is to gette the great riches that the Turke hath . Vnder colour to defende the churches ryght , I purpose to reuenge the hatred that I haue in my stomacke . I inclyne to ambition , I folowe my wrathe , my cruell fierce and vnbridled mynde compelleth me , and yet woll I fynde a cauillation and say , the leage is not kept , or frendshyppe is broken , or some thynge ( I wotte not what my selfe ) concernynge the lawes of matrimony is omitted . And it is a wonder to speake , howe they neuer opteyne the selfe thynge , that they so greatly desyre . And whiles they folishely labour to eschue this michiefe , or that , they fall in to an other moch worse , orels into the same . And surely if desire of glory causeth them thus to do , it is a thynge moche more magnificent and glorious to saue then to destroy : moch more gay and goodly to builde a cite , than to ouer throwe and destroye a citie .

¶ Farthermore admitte that the victorie in batayle is gotte most prosperously , yet how small a porcion of the glorie shall go vnto the prince ? The commons woll clayme a great part of hit , by the helpe of whose money the dede was done , outlandishe souldiours , that are hired for money , woll challenge moche more then the commons : The capitaynes loke to haue very moche of that glorie , and fortune most of all , whiche strikynge a great stroke in euery matter , in warre may do most of all . If it come of a noble courage and stoute stomake , that you be moued to make warre : se I pray you , how farre wyde be ye from your purpose ? For whyles ye woll not be seen to bowe to one man , as to a prince your neyghbour , & perauenture of your aliance , & which may fortune hath done you good : howe moche more abiectly muste ye bowe your selfe , what tyme ye seke aide and helpe of barbarous people , ye and that is more vnworthye , of suche men as are defiled with all mischiuous dedes , if we must nedes call suche kynde of monsters men ? Whiles ye go about to allure vnto you with fayre wordes and promisses , rauyshers of virgines and of relygious women , menkyllers , stout robbers and rouers ( for these be the speciall men of warre ) . And whyles you labour to be some what cruell and superiour ouer your equall , you are constrayned to submitte your selfe to the very dregges of all men lyuynge . And whiles ye go aboute to dryue your neyghbour oute of his lande , ye muste nedes fyrste brynge into your owne lande the most pestilente puddell of vnthryftes that can be . You mistrust a prynce of your owne aliance , and wyll you committe your selfe holly to an armed multitude ? Howe moche surer were it to committe your selfe to concorde ?

¶ If ye woll make war bycause of lucre , take your countours and caste : And I woll saye , it is better to haue warre than peace , if ye finde not , that not alonely lesse , but also vncertayne wynnynge is gotte with inestymable costis .

¶ Ye say ye make warre for the safe garde of the common weale , ye but no way sooner nor more vnthryftyly may the comon weale peryshe , then by warre . For before ye enter into the feld , ye haue alredy hurt more your countrey , then ye can do good gettynge the victorie . Ye haue wasted the citisens goodes , ye fyll the houses with lamentation , ye fyl al the contray with theues , robbers , and ra●yshers . For these are the relikes of warre . And wher as before ye might haue enioyed al France , ye shyft our selfe besydes many regions therof . If ye loue your owne subiectes truely , why reuolue you nat in mind these wordes . Why shall I put so many , in theyr lusty floryshing youth , in all michefes & perils ? Why shal I departe so many honest wyues & theyr husbandes , and make so many fatherles children ? Why shal I claime a title I knowe not , & a doubtful right , with spilling of my subiectes blode ? We haue seen in our time , that in war made vnder coloure of defence of the church , the pristes haue ben so often pylled with demes , that none ennemye myght do more . So that whyle we go about folishely to eschewe falling in the diche , we willyngly leape hedlonge into the diche , while we can not suffre a light iniurye , we afflicte our selfe with moste greuous despites . While we be ashamed of gentilnes to dowe to a prynce , we be fayne to please peple mos●̄ base . Whyles we vndescretelye coueite libertie , we intangle our selfe in moste greuous bondage . Whyles we hount after a litel lucre , we greue our selfe and ours with inestimable harmes . It had ben a point of a prudent chrysten man ( if he be a true christen man ) by all maner meanes to haue fled , to haue shoned , and by prayer to haue withstanden so fendly a thynge , and so farre boothe from the lyfe and doctryne of Chryste . But if it can by no meane be eschewed , by reason of the vngratiousnes of many men , when ye haue assayed euery way , and that ye ha●e for peace sake , lefte nothynge vnsoughte vp , than the nexte way is , that ye do your diligence : that so yll a thynge may be ge●ted and done by them that be yll , and that it be atcheued with as lyttell effusion of mans bloudde as can be .

Now if we endeuour vs to be the self same thynge , that we here our selfe called , that is , good chrysten men , we shall lyttell esteme any worldly thynge , nor yet ambiciously couet any thynge of this worlde . For if we set all our mynde , that we may lyghtly and purely parte hence , if we inclyne holly to heuenly thynges , if we py●che all our felicite in Christe alone , if we beleue all that is truely good , truely gaye and glorious , truelye ioyfull , to remayne in Christe alone , if we thro●ghly thynke that a godlye man can of no manne be hurte , if we pondre howe vayne and vanishynge are the scornefull thynges of this worlde , if we inwardely beholde , howe harde a thynge hit is for a man to be in a maner transformed in to god , and so here with continuall and vnfatigable meditation to be purged from all infections of this worlde , that within a while the huske of this body beinge caste of , it may passe hence to the company of angels , finallye if we surelye haue these thre thynges , with out whiche none is worthy of the name of a christen man , Innocency , that we maye be pure frome all vicis , Charitie , that we may do good as nere as we can , to euery man , Pacience , that we maye suffre them that do vs yl , and if we can with good dedes ouercome wronges to vs done : I pray you , what warre can there be amonge vs for triffils ? If it be but a tale that is tolde of Christe , why doo we not openlye put hym out of our company ? Why shoulde we glory in his title ? But if he be , as he is in verye dede , the trewe waye , the verye Trouthe , and the very lyfe , why dothe all the maner of our lyuynge differre so farre a sonder , from the trewe example of hym ? If we aknowlege and take Chri●te for our auctour , whiche is very Charite , and nothe● taught nor gaue other thynge but charytye and peace , then go to , let vs not in titles and signes , but in our dedes and liuynge playnely expresse hym . Let vs haue in our hartes a feruent desire of peace , that Christe may ●gayne knowe vs for his . To this intente the princis , the prelates , and the cites and cominalties shulde applie theyr counsailes . There hath ben hither to inoughe spylte of christen mans blode . We haue shewed plea●ure inough to the ennemes of christen religion . And if the common people , as they ar● wont , make any ruffelynge , let the princis bridle and quayle them , whiche princis ought to be the selfe same thynge in the common weale , that the eie is in the body , and the reason in the scule . Agayne if the princis make any trouble , it is the part of good prelatis by theyr wysedome and gra●ite to pacifie and swage suche motions . Orels at the least we being satiat with continual warres , let the desire of peace a lit●ell mo●e vs . The very misery and wretchednes of warre draweth vs to peace , Christe inticeth vs , The bishop exhorteth vs , if euer any bishop dyd , Leo the tenthe dothe , whiche occupieth the ●owme of our peaceble Salomon . For all his desire , all his intent and labour , is for this intent , that they whom one commune feyth hath coupled to gether , shulde be ioyned in one commune concorde . He laboureth that the churche of Christe shulde florsshe , not in riches or ●ordshyps , but in her owne propre vertues . Surely this is a right goodly acte , and well besemynge a man descended of suche a noble linage as Medices : by whose ciuile prudence the noble cite of Florence moo●te freshely florished in longe continuall peace : the whose house of Medices hath ben a helpe vnto all good letters . Leo hym selfe hauynge alwey a sobre and a gentyll witte , gyuynge hym ●elfe from his tendre youthe to good lettres of humanite , was euer brought vp as it were in the lappe of the Musis amonge men must highly lerned , he ●o fautles led his life , that euen in the citie of Rome , where is mo●t liberte of vice , was of hym none yuell rumour , and so go●ernynge hym selfe came to the dignytie to be byshop there , whiche dignite he neuer coueted , but was chosen therto when he left thought theron , by the prouision of god to helpe to redresse thynges in greate decay by longe warres . Let Iuly the byshoppe haue his glorye of warre , victories , and of his great tryumphes . The whiche howe yuell they beseme a chri●ten byshoppe , it is not for such one as I am to declare . I wol this say , his glorie , what so euer it be , was mixt with the gret di●truction & greuous sorowe of many a creature . But by peace restored nowe to the worlde , Leo shall geatte more true glory , then Iuly wonne by so many warres that he eyther , boldely begunne , or prosperously fought and atcheued .

¶ But they that had leauer here of prouerbes , thenne eyther of peace or of warre , woll thynke that I haue taried longer about this digression : then is mete for the declaracion of a Prouerbe .

FINIS .