comming in to helpe them but that 's not all neither for may not the sudden alteration of a form'd Battell cause an overthrow of the whole for while there are Musquets drawn out of all Regiments to relieve the Pikes doth not their drawing out weaken the strength of that Body out of which they came which perhaps was before overmatch'd in numbers of the Enemies shot and what is this but to draw out a great deale of good blood from a Body which may quickly perish for want of it But yet further if it be said our Pikes keepe off or beat off the Enemies Horse why then doe they retreat for our Musquets or why doe they not set upon our Musquetiers or why need there be such sending for our Musquets to free the Pikes for they were set upon and were in danger not the Musquets and they were not able of themselves to spoile the Enemy or safeguard themselves Now I shall easily prove all this to be true by this demonstration Admit we come 700. men into the field thus ordered 300. Pikes 300. Musquetiers and 100. Horse The Enemy also comes with 700. but he hath no Pikes but embattles with 500. shot and 200. Horsmen will any now conclude that because we are as many in Number as they and as old experienc'd resolute Soldiers as they caeterisque paribus that therefore thus ordered we are able to maintaine fight with them That we are not I will prove First the Enemy hath 100. Horse to play with ours and another 100. to play upon our Pikes or to joyne with their other Troope to rout our Horsmen which to all likelyhood they may being joyn'd in one being 200. for 100. which if they doe may they not then entertaine service against our Pikes who at that pinch must be relieved for they cannot helpe themselves against Pistol bullets but must fall down shot in their Rankes and Files without our ayd Now the Enemy surmounts our numbers in shot when we are at most being 500. to 300. Admit we send 100. from 300. Musquetiers which are as few as can be sent against such a power of Horse but indeed too many to be sent from their fellowes hath not the Enemy great advantage to be 500. Musquetiers against 200. or else may he not spare an 100. of his Musquets to play against ours who are sent to relieve our Pike-men and yet have the better against us being still 400. against 200. and also be as able to foyle our Pikes as before Or admit secondly that we have 400. Musquets 200. Pikes and 100. Horse and that the Enemy hath 600. Musquets and 100. Horse Are we in this state able to oppose them It shall appeare briefly that we are not Grant that our Horse answer theirs yet may they not draw out 100. of their shot to foyle our Pikes which will presently be effected and yet have to all probability the better of our Musquetiers being 500. against 400. Now in both these cases if we be overcome and beaten as what hopes are there else but that we shall I demand who were the cause Let us suppose no defect in the Officers for matter of Direction or Incouragement nor any other advantage of Winde or Sun or Ground yet who may not easily perceive that our great numbers of Pikes did procure our overthrow and ruine For what offence did our Pikes or could they doe none Nay they were not onely unable to offend but as unfit to defend so that in plaine troth they neither did hurt to the Enemy nor good to themselves this is as true in an Army consisting of many Thousands as in one of certaine Hundreds And certainly our Forces may at all times defend themselves and effect more against Enemies for the glory of our Nation if they shall increase their Musquetiers and lessen or take away their Pikes for the Imperiall forces scarce have any nor doe Soldiers desire to be troubled with that kinde of weapon all are proud of their musquets which yield more command to them than Pikes and bring in more plenty of pillage Now briefly for the second It may appeare to all that our multitude of Pikes hearten the Enemy to charge for will it not be an incouragement to fight against such who onely take but cannot give wounds whenas the Enemy perceives that he can come on or goe off without danger of death to himselfe and by discharging at his pleasure sinke his Adversary even at his best posture for resistance for may it not be said of the Pike-man that he would have kill'd his Enemy if his Pike would have reach'd him or if he could have come at him This was that that made the Imperiall forces so desperately often set upon our work because they knew it for certaine that wee usually man'd them with as many Pikes as Musquets But I suppose I have spoken enough of this to satisfie any judicious Soldier And it is wished that our Officers would augment their Musquetiers they would finde that in any service they would be able to performe more than other waies they can or formerly have done and it must needs give spirit to the Leaders when they know that they have no cyphers but all such Blades as thunder out death to their Enemies at large distance It would prove also to the Honor of their Prince and Credit of themselves SECT. VIII To have equall numbers of Pikes to Musquets or to have such great numbers of them is a great Charge and a Losse to the Prince that sets them forth THough there be sundry Arguments to confirme this subject yet I hold this not to be the least For considering the care that every one in particular ought to have towards the good of his Prince it 's held that those which are intrusted in publike services of warre are bound especially to study and lay downe conclusions how they may keep their Soveraigne freest from dammages seeing all the members strive and endeavour to defend their Head and for certaine such may be termed Cauponantes Bellum who ayme rather at their private gaines than their Princes benefit Now it shall plainely appear that it is a great charge to a State to set forth as many Pikes as Musquets in publike services against an Enemy For first the price of the furniture for a Pike-man runnes higher then that of a Musquetier the one is and may be compleatly now put in Armes fit for service for betwixt 22s or 24s at most the other scarce under the rate of 35s even for the meanest and slightest sort of Armour Now suppose the Army going out consists of 20000. men halfe Musquetiers and halfe Pikemen the charge to the Prince for Musquets will amount to if valued at 22s the head 11000l or if at 24s the man to 12000l But the charge for Pikes at 25s apeece will rise to the summe of 17500l at the lowest so that had they all been Musquetiers there had been 5500l saved to the Princes
coffers hence it is evident that there is a whole weekes pay reserved for the number of 20000. men and 1500l overplus at the rate of 5s the weeke for a Soldiers pay and who can deny but that this course is advantageous to a State But now if any shall say But we will not have Pikes equall for number with Musquets but let there be 15000. Musquets and onely 5000. Pikes yet who knowes not that the rate and charges still holds proportionably For 5000 Pike-mens furniture will amount to as much as will set forth 8000. Musquetiers the charge for the one being after 35s the man comming to 8750l And the cost for 8000. Musquetiers comming after the rate of 22s but to 8800l in all So that there is in arming out 5000. Pikes as much disburs'd as would have set out 8000. Musquetiers within one 50l onely which is nothing Now were not the Musquetiers more necessary it was something to the purpose but if they be not why should their numbers be allowed for advantageous Or if the Pikes be not so excellent Parcatur sumptui 't is then good to save charges or if not yet to lay out monies for those Arms which are most usefull Then secondly when both are ready furnish'd and compleatly arm'd the maintaining the Pike with it's furniture is a great deale more costly than that of the Musquet And though care be had by the Soldier which is rare yet what by casualties and accidents he can scarce ever be at all points ready and then if his furniture doe faile it is harder and costlier to be repaired and mended then the Musquet For proofe hereof is it not manifest that Rainy weather rusts and spoiles a Corslet but not a Musquet or any little blow or sudden touch many times breakes off a Pikes head which makes it altogether unserviceable as also the tases with the hookes buckles and other materialls are quickly broke and then the Corslet is unfitting for defence and unseemly to weare Adde to these inconveniences That to be put upon long and quick Marches in hot Summer weather with Armes compleat as well for Pike as for Corslet and Soldiers are subject and liable to such duties cannot but be wonderfull burthensome and the more by reason of the excessive heat which he is forc'd to suffer being as I may so say imprison'd in his Armes whereas the Musquetier marches with a great deale of liberty and is free and open to the aire which is no small benefit and happinesse to him upon such occasions And as these Armes are more combersome to the Soldier so they are the more chargeable for carriage for they take up and imploy more waggons waggoniers and horses for draught neither can they belayd up so closely or safely as Musquets may And as the Pike out-vies the Musquet for charge and combersomnesse so they cause more losse than Musquets for though there goe as many out yet there come fewer home for let the Officers lay ne're so strict a charge upon the Soldiers for preservation of Armes yet upon advantages and opportunities offered what by their running away and what by their wearines upon long and hot marches and so not recovering the Army againe being often cut off by the Boores or Enemies parties that wait upon such occasions or dying in the place there many Pikes and Corslets are lost daily and miscarry which casualties as they are a weakening to an Army so they prove a losse to the Prince for I suppose the Captaines would be unwilling to answer the charges of all Armes that are lost these waies neither indeed is it fitting that they should for notwithstanding all their care and vigilancy yet these inconveniences doe and will often happen in great Armies and long marches The best course that I know how to remedy this losse and dammage is to furnish the Soldiers with Arms that are cheaper lighter for carriage and such as Soldiers will not be easily perswaded to part withall and them I hold to be good Musquets and half-pikes SECT. IX That if the Pike be still retained yet to have all the Pike-men to be as well experienc'd in the use of the Musquet as of the Pike HAving sufficiently proved the Pike to be unusefull in military occasions in the precedent Sections I now come to shew one Particular which is necessary to be put in practice which is this That in case for the present there shall not be a full discharge of the Pike yet it is fit that all the Pike-men should be expert and able to use the Musquet upon any need or occasion which may be confirmed for these considerations following First that in case our Musquetiers be too few in number for the Enemy that then by this meanes they may have supplies neere them to give them assistance and 't is but equity for one member to relieve another and as much as it can to afford ease and supportment to it's fellow Now 't is not fit that the Musquetier should performe duty oftner or harder then his Comrades which yet he must needs do in marchings Convoyings Sallyings c. except the Pike-man upon occasion afford ease by exchanging his Corslet for a Musquet Secondly Suppose we match and equalize the Enemy in Troopes of Horse then for certain there need not be any divisions of Pikes for what shall they performe when there are none to make opposition against them And by this means we shall much increase our volleyes of shot which are indeed the glory and strength of our Army and the onely instruments to daunt the Enemy Then thirdly Is it not a great benefit to goe often out upon Convoyes and Parties And comes there not profit by freedome of pillaging upon lawfull Command in an Enemies Country And who acts these services but the Fire-lock and Musquetier For the Pike-man may play the part of a good huswife stay at home upon expectation what the Musquet will bring in but cannot fetch in any thing of or by himselfe so that unlesse out of charity the Musquetier be pleas'd to give him some part of his booty he must either buy or else want it which he needed not have done had he been furnish'd with the like weapons this I have knowne to be true in many places where our Leaguer hath been And to speak truth the Boores and Peasants of the Country are not terrified to yield their goods at the command of Pike-men but will and have made resistance even to the losse of our mens lives with their loap-staves and other Country weapons because they have not seene Musquets to force their obedience and subjection And to conclude Doe not Pikemen by being tyed onely to that sort of Armes offer great injury to their Prince to themselves to their fellowes For is it not an injury to take pay and yet doe not halfe so much labour and service as others Why should they be maintain'd with equall pay to Musquetiers whenas they undergoe not halfe such
themselves or horses or both But now the Horse having left off the Lance and using their Pistols and Carbines in place of it which can kill and sinke 120 yards off and above I would desire to know whether it be any wisedome or safety to stand charg'd with Pikes onely against Pistoll bullets for now the Horse having that advantage need not approach so neere as to endanger their owne bodies or their Horses And therefore it is high time for the Pike-men to looke after another weapon which can and will better defend themselves and offend their Enemies then their Pikes can doe That 's for the cleering that objection Arg. 3. There be others that come in with another kind of Argument to supply as indeed they had need the former Tenents For they say 't is true indeed that the Pikes alone of themselves cannot keep off the Horse but being well lined and seconded with shot then they can and therefore they are very necessary in publike services Now marke what the conclusion of this will be For if the Musquetiers beat off the Horse with their shot what service do the Pikes all that while hut onely stand for Cyphers and being unable to offend the Enemy or by themselves to defend their owne are faine to be succoured by the Musquet Now can that be held an usefull and necessary weapon which of it selfe can neither offend the Invader nor yet defend the Manager I proceed Arg. 4. Others maintaine that the Pike is the most valorous kinde of fight and the truest distinguisher of couragious Spirits for say they men are killed by the Musquet a great way off and that now there is little or no man-hood tryed in the Warres because any young stripling may with a Musquet kill the ablest and stoutest man in an Army or such who at handy-blowes suppose with Browne-bills Swords or Pikes would be able to beat downe three or foure such Punies and therefore not the Musquet but the Pike is the couragious manner of fight I shall answer this briefly Is the Pike therefore the more valorous kinde of weapon because it playes closer and neerer then the Musquets usually doe I trow not for the close-fight may be performed by necessity and for certaine that man will never fight stoutly when the Enemy is neere who dare not fight with him when he is at a good distance and I shall ever approve him to be of spirit good enough and man able enough who dare looke his Enemy in the face notwithstanding the great and murthering volleyes of his shot And it hath been seene when young Striplinges have upon Commands gone resolutely forth by Sallies in a dark cold blustring rainy tempestuous night whenas a lusty tall Pike-man hath been glad that he hath had such Armes allotted him which kept him from such dangerous Onsets Nay upon suddaine Alarmes in the Night when the Serjeants have come to fetch men out of all Companies to march out with their usuall word Up Musquetiers up 10. or more out of every Company At these times the lusty and able Pike-man hath said Well I would not be a Musquetier I am glad of my Corslet I had rather lye still in my Quarters let the Musquetiers get the honour I desire it not at such times as this is this hath been the language of the supposed valorous Pike-men and I believe that they spake as they thought Now what hinders but that a young man may have as good a heart as a tall able man of person or limbs Valour as it is not tied or confined to the bulke so neither to the age little men and young men may be vigorous active when great Bodies may be more dull and slow for action the spirits in the one being as I may so say imprisoned desire alwaies to breake out into performances but in the other they have such a spacious liberty within that they never urge to break forth hence 't is commonly seene and allowed for truth that little persons are the most nimble fittest and readiest for any waighty imployment or hazards And againe what matters it whether a man kill or be killed at a great distance or hard by so that he either gives satisfaction to his Enemy or else receives it from him And I say further that suppose the Sword and Pike be such a valorous kinde of fight as is pretended yet before this can be perform'd all parties must be first agreed the Enemy must also be perswaded to leave or lessen his Musquets and come and fight with us neerer hand with Pikes which will prove a difficult point to compasse for what have we to doe to tye or binde our Enemies to be conformable to our practice and customes He I doe verily believe will in such cases be his owne Carver and at his owne free choyce so that if he findes that he prevailes most against us with Musquets hee will not bee brought to use the Pike So that AEnaeas speech to Turnus is out of date Pugnandum est comminus Armis That 's for satisfaction for that Argument Arg. 5. But say some what that 's strange is the Pike unusefull Alas who knowes not but that the Musquetiers may have spent all their powder and shot and then woe unto us if it were not for our Pikes This seemes to be an uncontrolable Argument at the first view but let it be well examined and it will prove otherwise For certaine wise Generalls will not present themselves with their Armies for encounter without sufficient furniture and not one Musquetier of a hundred who is not sped before he have emptied all his charges upon his Enemie And in case all our powder and shot were spent I desire to know what great exploits our Pikes could performe for they would be altogether unfitting to keep off the Enemies bullets How long would they be able to stand it out if once we had done It is certaine that they would be reserved as a remnant for prisoners or else for present slaughter if the Enemy should deny them Quarter for there would be little hopes to see the Enemies shot beaten out of the field by our Pike-men 't would prove a wonder to see or heare of such a kinde of victory purchased by Pikes this would indeed make some plea for them But when or where was ever that heard of Dic quibus in terris So that that Argument is no wayes valid and firme Arg. 6. There be yet others who are very stiffe to prove that the Pike is of singular virtue and excellency in Trenches to keep the Enemy off and to hinder him from entring forceably upon us in our workes Now this was good if it could be made good but in services 't is cleane otherwaies for 't is certaine if the Enemy have a minde to visit us in our Trenches may he not the easlier enter by reason of our Pikes for they stand in the place of a Musquetier and fill up his room and
A Warre-like Treatise OF THE PIKE OR Some Experimentall Resolves for lessening the number and disabling the use of the Pike in Warre With the praise of the Musquet and Halfe-Pike As also the Testimony of BRANCATIO concerning the disability of the Pike Penn'd for the generall good of our Nation by a well wisher to the compleat Musquetier Horat. Quid enim concurritur horae Momento aut cita mori venit aut victoria laeta LONDON Printed by Richard Hodgkinsonne in Little-Britaine 1642. TO THE Right Honourable ROBERT Earle of Essex and Ewe Viscount Hereford Lord Ferrers of Chartley Bourchier and Lovain Lord Chamberlain of his Mties houshold and one of his Mties most Honourable Privy-Counsell MY LORD LOW shrubs are sheltered by lofty Cedars I hope the same from your Honour The Subject which I present is warlike though my Profession be peaceable 't is compendious and not traced by many scarce by any before I have made the discovery and referre the whole being discovered to your Honors judgment 'T is not the meere fancy of a Schollers braine but many yeares Experience abroad in forraigne Leaguers with great danger which produc't it Accept it Great Lord though presented at no lesse a distance than the foote is from the Head and when your weighty Military Ingagements will afford your Honour some small recesse vouchsafe it a perusall I have been so bold to present my selfe and this small Tract of warre unto your Honours protection in regard your Honours Regiment ranne the same hazards of warre in Germany with three more of our English Nation under the Command of our General the Lord Morgan wherein I was imbarqued and with whom I suffered resolutely and willingly the utmost of dangers that a professed Enemy with all his power policy could proportion for our troops Secondly I know your Honours ability to determine of a Subject of this Nature and to protect both the Parent and the Childe from publicke Injury That the Great God of Hosts may safeguard your Honour and that your goings Out and commings In may be for ever prosperous and successefull prayes the meanest of your Honours Servant DONALD LUPTON To the Right Worshipfull and Generous Gentlemen the Colonells Captaines Lieutenants and Ensignes of the Honorable City of London Sir Edward Broomefield Col. Cap. Martin Bond Cap. Marmaduke Rawdon Cap. George Langham Cap. Thomas Covell Cap. Robert Davies Thomas Soame Col. Cap. John Venn Cap. William Geere Cap. John Bradley Cap. Rowland Wilson Cap. Thomas Buckstone John Geere Col. Cap. Edward Dichfield Cap. Randall Manwaring Cap. Henry Sanders Cap. Matthew Forster Cap. Thomas Chamberlaine Cap. Edmund Forster Cap. Samuell Carleton Cap. Tobias Massy Cap. Nicholas Beale Cap. James Bunce Right worshipfull and worthy Commanders THIS Tract of warre cannot I hope be unwelcome to your Hands whose Bodies are daily imployed in Martiall affaires Nor let it seeme strange that one of my Profession should produce a subject of this Nature seeing there are seldome any Leaguers without men of our Quality The Ministring Levites were not onely in the Campes of Israell but also had their speciall Offices and Charges allotted to them Such grace the Helmet animate the Soldier and fit him at all goings Out for his happier dissolution When I was abroad with our Armies I speake it to their honor I found large maintenance and faire respect though with a great deale of hazard both of fortune and life in regard of the Enemies too great forces and our long and hasty Marchings together with tedious Beleaguerings yet by the all-ruling Providence of God I came off enriched with some knowledge and Military experience which I account a rich prize though purchas'd at an high price I will not relate unto you the fearefull and horrid issues and effects of warre such as are poverty and decay of Trading famine violence depredation destruction of Justice and Civility slighting of Magistracy firing and plundering of Countries death of famous Commanders the vast slaughtering of men women and children prophanation of Churches with the violation of Virgines and Matrones For Quis talia fando Temperet à lachrimis But yet I hold it conducing to my Countrymens advantage and profit to shew unto them some Conclusions concerning Soldiers weapons which I have experimentally seene tryed and specially of that ancient weapon the Pike which though in former times and services hath been of excellency and usefulnesse yet in these latter of small or no consequence As also a short and compendious Discourse of the excellency of the Musquet and Halfe-Pike above other weapons practis'd now with Ease and Activity by many ingenuous and Martiall spirits and in times of needfull triall would be as full of Advantage VVhat I have here with paines and experience thus composed and digested I present to your Loyall hands whose Iudgments I know can well determine of Military affaires being so constantly imployed in that Noble and Heroick profession of Armes Not doubting but that you who so love the practice will also favour and incourage such who shall to their utmost advance and maintaine that noble and valorous Calling So praying for the increase of your Fames as well as of your Numbers I commend you all and all your weighty occasions to the protection of the Lord of all Victory being Yours in all faire and honorable respects DONALD LUPTON The Contents SECTION I. OF the dignity necessity and lawfulnesse of a Soldiers Calling SECT. II. What men are fittest to be chosen for Soldiers SECT. III. What weapons are fittest for Soldiers and that the Pike is not of Consequence in these times SECT. IV. That the Pike cannot offend or doe Execution SECT. V. That the Pike is unfit for Convoyes SECT. VI That it is a great disadvantage to have all the properest men to carry Pikes SECT. VII That to have as many Pikes as Musquets or to have such great store of Pikes in an Army is a meanes to bring on the Enemies Horse SECT. VIII That to have equall numbers of Pikes to Musquets or to have such great numbers of them is a great charge and a losse to the Prince that sets them forth SECT. IX That if the Pike be still retained yet to have all the Pike-men to be experien'd as well in the use of the Musquet as of the Pike SECT. X. Answers to the Arguments that have been or that now are made in and for the defence of the Pike in these times SECT. XI A compendious and briefe Commendation of the compleat and expert use of the Musquet and Halfe-Pike SECT. XII The Testimony of Brancatio concerning the disability of the Pike SECTION 1. Of the dignity necessity and lawfulnesse of a Soldiers Calling THere is no Calling under Heaven which hath not beene by slanderous and malignant Spirits traduced and vilified and amongst all none hath been more disgrac'd with opprobrious language than this of a Soldier For some have held it unlawfull others have imputed the Personall Crimes to the very
warres in Germany have flesh'd them both The Spaniard usually is held to schoole or Trades till 14 or 16 yeeres old and ever after for the musquet and to speake truth he hath valour enough to make attempts and to get ground and he wants it not to hold it he is fit for heat cold hunger or thirst yet he is better for land then sea and better to hold a Fort then to fight in field Now for certaine without any disparagement to other Nations 't is known that there is not a truer bred spirit for war by land or by sea then the English for who ever affronted them without sufficient proofe of their ability especially if they pleased to call in their Seconds to accompany them What Country of Christendome hath not felt the force of their steele and the Turkes at sea confesse it that they had rather deale with any Nation then the English So that if they be well ordered and kept in by the rules of good Discipline they feare not the faces or forces of their stoutest foes and have one singular virtue beyond any other Nation for they are alwaies willing to goe on and though at first stoutly resisted yet will as resolutely undertake the action the second time though it be to meet death it selfe in the face To be briefe most men would have Soldiers to partake more of the Country then the City to be sturdy and stiffe rather then courteous and affable I would have them stout hardy temperate watchfull patient faithfull obedient religious for an an Army of such persons is most likely to prove to the honour of their Prince and glory of their Nation SECT. III. What weapons are the fittest for Soldiers and that the Pike is not of consequence in these times WIse Commanders have alwaies had great care to have their forces both Horse and Foot to be well and compleatly furnished with the most serviceable Armes and weapons for 't is good Policy to take all advantages in field especially against such Enemies who neither take nor give faire Quarter such as are Dragooners Gravats with some partees of Freebooers and Hannovers against whom any sort of murthering weapons may be used However for the generality of weapons most men will approve of them best which have these five properties First they should be Defensive against Assaults fit and able to safeguard the persons of those Soldiers who beare them into the field these make the Enemy loath to come on and encourage our Soldiers to make attempt by this course many great Armies have been discomfited In this regard the Spaniard is much to be commended for he still keeps himselfe in his Armes but above all others the Turkes are vigilant this way for they in their march against Enemies move like a compleat Armory for variety and choice of weapons Our Nation of late hath been much to blame who against all Orders have many times for the enjoying a little ease cast away their Armes for the present though after strictly and severely punished by their Officers for their fault and though they have been by this course unfit to have made Resistance if any occasion should have been offered Secondly 't is not enough to have weapons for a Defence unlesse also they can Offend the former respecting the good of our owne persons these ayming at the annoying and destroying our Enemies 't is the end of warre to weaken his forces and to subjugate his Armies by cutting off and lessening his numbers and therefore those weapons must needs be counted excellent which are fit to bring to passe our intended desires herein the Polish and Hungarian horsemen are commendable it is to be supposed they have learn'd that Custome from their neighbouring Enemy the Turk And indeed defensive weapons may be used in times of Peace but offensive are the best for warre why need men goe forth to kill their Enemies except they be allowed such instruments as can perform the deed Then thirdly 't is good as to have weapons so qualified so also is it as convenient to have them light and portable 't is not to be expected that a Soldier can fight stoutly upon the suddaine whenas by long marches and hot weather he is tired under his Armes Soldiers should take a pleasure in beareing them but they should not be burthened under them Hereupon 't is thought that Buffe-coats came so much in request because they are so easie and comely and if good as fit for defence as common Corslets The High-Dutch and Imperiall forces are excellently well accommodated with nimble Armes being most of them proper able persons and also furnished with very light Musquets Fourthly though these three things be fit to be in Soldiers weapons yet they are then far better when they come from the hands of the Artificer dextrously and sufficiently tempred and made to effect which there is no better inducement then to see that the Labourers be paid their wages good and certaine Pay being the spurre to Work-men to make their work compleat and serviceable and for certain when they are truly payed if they faile in the delivering in good Armes they are then liable to severe punishment by the Magistrate and are fit to be made Examples and discarded their places with Ignominy and disgrace Our Army was ill provided for swords those which were delivered to the Soldiers being so brittle that with any blow almost they would breake to peeces there is no Nation that may have better then our owne if care be had we having first excellent matter and secondly as expert Artificers to give them forme as any Nation nay in many respects farre better Then lastly weapons should be so made that they may be with conveniency and as much as can be with advantage too used in all places and at all times for their chiefest virtue is in their generality of use Hereupon the short strong Sword is held better then the long Rapier or as the Switzer useth two-handed swords the Musquet and Fire-lock are held excellent because seldome can an Army be so instraightned but that Soldiers may use these with terror and advantage these are good for all convoyes marchings intrenchings pillagings onslaughts neere or farre off they are easie of carriage terrible in their execution doing their message quickly and throughly as after shall be proved And though the Musquet be but of late Invention yet none that ever went before it was more approved and commended nor was any weapon except the sword onely so generally received of all Nations as the Musquet hath been Now for certaine the Pike hath been of great repute in former times also yet in these latter losing much of it 's antient authority as being experimentally known for true that it is not of an offensive virtue against professed Enemies for it's antiquity is not a sufficient argument to tye our times to conformity to the practice of the former after-Ages having altered and changed nay quite left off
Convoy but because 't is cum Via Vita for way and life and who are indeed more exposed to dangers then Convoyers being men whose lives hang upon Waggon wheeles or as I may say truly Persons who alwaies carry their lives in their hands Now whosoever rightly conceives the necessity of Convoyes in Armies and what a great charge is laid upon the undertakers For sometimes they bring along great treasure as the pay for the whole Army sometimes they undertake the protection of some great Prince or Commander sometimes they bring Commissions and letters of Intelligence for the safety of the whole Body may easily conclude that seeing their way doth often lye through the Enemies Countries they had need to pick men of singular valour admirable courage and choice dexterity for feates of Armes and such as goe with Armes fitting to offend upon all assaults and occasions such as shall any wayes at any time dare to make approaches Now it is plaine that the Pike-men are altogether unfit for such high service as this is not that any can question or disparage their valour or skill but their unfitnesse for that imloyment which is thus proved to all First from the place where they may be set upon if it should be in a Wood amongst trees as such places are fittest for and fullest of Pillagers and Freebooters for Ambush I would faine know how the Pike could be in such places charg'd without a great deale of incombrance in regard of the branches of trees which would hinder them to use their Postures If secondly it should be upon the passage of some Bridge were not 100 good fire-locks able to keepe that passage against 500. Pikes and pillage at their pleasure If the place be a Narrow lane set with hedges Bullets will force their passage through whereas Pikes cannot And if the ground be spacious and champaigne gives it not the more compasse and liberty to the Enemy to come off or on and to keep distance untill the Pikes be either most shot or kil'd for in such places what are the Pike-men upon their charge but even standing markes to be hit the sooner Then secondly from the time that the Enemy may fall on If first in the night what a confusion will there be for every man first to finde his owne Armes and then what a deale of toyle to put them on And if in the day time are not the Pikes fit onely to take wounds but not able to give any Now can they be held fit to safe-guard others who cannot helpe or relieve themselves And thirdly Is not the Pike-man as unfit for Convoyes in respect of swift Marches For Convoyes upon Intelligence of any Enemies approach will haste away for safety and shelter now the Pike is not good for speed and as they cannot goe apace from so nor can they pursue with any speed an Enemy when he hath affronted them so that as they have been powerfull to purchase their booty they have as large liberty to goe off with their prizes without feare of surprize or pursuit And as the Pike is full of disadvantage in respect of place time and marching so lastly is it as insufficient in some cases to returne to their own leaguer againe For if any Enemy hath heard of their marching by may he not with a few Musquetiers block up their passage for returne so that their Generall had need to send out another Convoy of Fire-men to bring home his Pikes againe or else he must give them for lost or bee forc'd to ransome them who if they had been Musquetiers would have been able to have freed themselves And to conclude In an Army mix'd of Musquets and Pikes why should not the one as well as the other performe services and run equall hazards seeing they are all alike ingag'd and interested in the same cause which yet they cannot For the Pike is so farre unfitting for any present service upon the Enemy that after ten a clock at night he is not reputed to be a sufficient Sentinell especially in any out-workes as Halfe-moones Horne-workes c. For all the Alarum he can give must be by word of mouth which at many times especially if there be any distance betwixt his Centinels place and the Corps-du-Guard or else if the winde be high and blustring or contrary as many times it may be cannot be well perform'd And is not that a poore course to have 20000. men in field and onely all or at least the hardest service to be done by 10000. To what end need their persons be there whenas they stand us in little or no stead for certaine great are the inconveniences that have issued in publike services by having either equall numbers or such great store of Pikes with Musquets But to goe on to other Arguments SECT. VI What a great disadvantage it is to have all the properest men to carry Pikes BY Counsell saith King Salomon make warre 't is indeed the Hinge of great services none are likely to be well manag'd without Policy and Advice It hath been alwaies determin'd by able Commanders to have strong hardy lusty couragious and active men to be set forth for Soldiers and thereupon 't is thought fit by Great States to give liberty to servants and Apprentices to use publike exercises of Recreation as Leaping Running Wrestling Pitching the barre Riding Swimming Fencing c. in the times of Peace that in the times of warre they may choose men of lively and active spirits to doe their King and Country service Which course cannot be by discreet men reproved But the mistake followes that when such men are appointed for service and chosen for war then the Officers make choice of the tallest and to all likelyhood of the strongest men to be for Pike-men Now 't is certaine were the weapons as serviceable as the men it might be good in consequence but here 't is cleane otherwise for the men though apt and ready for service are yet mainely disabled by the Armes they are injoyned to use for to speake plainly what reason is it while that others can send the messengers of Death to their Enemies at a large distance Pikes onely cannot and while others are discharging their Bullets these may stand and looke on onely not being able to doe any thing Now it shall plainly appeare what a great disadvantage it is to an Army to tye such able men to such a kinde of weapon which cannot affront an insulting foe for doth it not spurre on the Enemy to take the advantage whenas he knowes we cannot hurt him and will he not have matter enough to laugh at to see our Pikes stand charg'd and to sinke down shot in their Rankes by their Pistols or Musquets and no waies able to answer like for like as is plaine in this Instance Whenas the Town of Stoade was beleaguer'd by the forces of Count Tilly and others and defended by the English for a good while we kept many
Outworkes and Scoutes without the walls It so fell out that many Musquetiers being imployed in other services and being by reason of the perfidiousnesse of the Citizens forced at all times to leave a sufficient number within lest they should have betrayed the Towne that there were an 100. or an 150. Pike-men able stout expert and well arm'd appointed with some few Musquetiers to keepe a Scout not farre from the Towne whereas 't was thought there was little or no danger to be feared came it not to passe that the Enemy roving about to spy all advantages march'd that very night against that Scoute which was mann'd chiefly with Pikes the Alarme was taken first by one of our Pike-men by the sight of a Dogge which as he supposed and so all the rest came not alone which proved true for presently the Enemy gave fire and hearing but one or two discharge from the Scout supposed that we had either left the worke or else were asleepe and so unable to resist 't was true that when the Enemy had twice or thrice furiously given fire our men did retreate towards the towne but upon notice given to our Generall they were charg'd to maintaine and defend the worke and to beat out the enemy againe so they going on did by their sudden returne and the darknesse of the night terrifie the Enemy so that they left their easie gotten purchase for a time supposing that either we had increased our numbers or else might have some plot to encompasse them in but hearing no further pursuit made a stand and upon advice set upon the Scoute the second time wherein they made a fearefull slaughter casting our men which were shot into the fire one upon another kill'd and burn'd all that stood it out shot divers of them who cast away their Armes to save themselves by swimming so that we lost most or almost all our men Now was not this an unequall fight to set Pikes against Musquets And had these men had Musquets they would have defended that worke against double so many Musquetiers comming on This was much lamented but the losse was unrecoverable Nor yet will any impute any indiscretion to our Generall for this Act could not at that time have been remedied most of our Musquetiers doing daily service in all places both within and without the Towne and halfe our forces almost if not altogether were Pikes who when they perceiv'd how that the heat of duties lay all upon the Musquet did all of them very well like of their weapon because it freed them from the most dangerous and forlorne places which inconvenience as soone as it was so deerly understood was remedied and most of our Pike-men were urg'd to use the Musquet and such as did not were adjudged to be Cowards as indeed they deserved And it must needs be a great disadvantage to an Army to be so set forth whenas first the Musquetiers cannot amount to those numbers that otherwaies they would and so in case the Enemy outvy us in numbers as usually they doe how hard service must needs lie upon the small quantity of Musquetiers that we have and if they be daily forc'd to fight what help or assistance can they expect from their fellow Pikes in regard that though they would yet they could not relieve in respect of their Armes And it hath done and will cause great complaints and murmurings dayly amongst Soldiers whenas the Musquetiers perceive that the Pikes usually are like men priviledg'd or exempted from Sallies Convoyes Skirmishes Onslaughts all dangerous and tedious Enterprizes especially to beat out an Enemy from a worke or to gaine a passage and keep it for in all these and many other the like services the Pike may rest in his Quarters and onely the Musqùet must out if we meane to speed in what we undertake may it not produce heart-burnings amongst Soldiers to see some in a manner doing nothing while the whole heat of the day lies upon and is undergone by others Now seeing the service doth equally concerne all why should not eevery sworne servant doe his taske Brieflly concluding that the highest and chiefest service for Honour is either going on against an Enemy or lying downe before him or else retreating from him it shall appeare to all that in all these Considerations our great number of Pikes is a gret disadvantage to us For first suppose that we are marching against the Enemy any one of experience knowes that there will fall out sundry skirmishes and Salutes much playing by Partees as well of ours as of their men before we can come to take a view of their Body in grosse or they of ours Now this cannot be done by Pike-men for the fight is yet at distance and so unfit for them 't is quickly and suddenly done and usually in such places where the Pike-man will scarce have liberty to manage his arms and to speake truth what was it but to expose the lives of so many Pikes to the mercy of the Enemies shot if they should be set out and doth not the Enemy by such discover that we either are but few Musquetiers or else we would never have begun the fight with Pikes And I may justly speake it that those who carry Pikes intend not to hurt the Enemy untill they have parlyed with him for though they may be ready and resolv'd to fight a great way off yet they cannot untill they come close up to them which priviledge I believe the Enemy being Musquets will not afford them Then secondly if it be to lie against an Enemy in case we keepe any watch in Outworks as for the better safeguard of the Army we usually doe then if the watch be set with 200. men halfe of them Musquetiers and halfe of them Pikes if any service be perform'd I doe account that it must be all done by the Musquets for to what purpose should the Pikes hazard themselves whenas they are not within reach to offend so that I suppose excepting onely their doing service by standing Centinell that there are but 100 in the place to beat the Enemy and therefore it hath been seen in service even in Trenches when the Musquetier hath been giving fire furiously upon the Enemy that the Pikes have sate safe in the Trenches taking Tobacco or telling tales as though the matter had not any wayes concerned them And lastly if it be to make a Retreat from an Enemy which includes a great deal of honor valor and skill for it must not be done dishonorably confusedly or cowardly especially if the Enemy pursue but with good Intelligence resolved Hearts and singular Policy for Cowards run away but valiant and wise Soldiers make retreats from a Foe Is it not manifest that even at this time also the Pike proves disadvantageous for 't is to be concluded and resolved that the Enemy following will not make assaults upon us with Pikes but with Musquets Carbines and Pistols and will any man of experience
judge our Pikemen fit instruments to beat off such fiery Blades For if the Horse fall on as usually they are the quickest for pursuit and terriblest for charge it cannot be held safe to put our Pikes in the Reare to keepe them off for the Pikes must stand they cannot well come off or follow the other part of the Army unlesse they intend to go backward charg'd and how ridiculous would such a Posture prove so that of force we must send able Fire-men to learne the horse to keep aloofe or else we should seeme very unkinde to our fellowes to leave them to such mortall danger And if so then the old rule is true Frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora Two are needlesse where one will serve the turne But it is cleere that the Pikes cannot and therefore the Musquer must Or if as in Germany we had experience of it the Enemy follow with Horse-men and every Horse-man carrying a Musquetier behind him which may be done to win ground of them whom they intend to visit for foure legs will rid more ground then two I desire to know what good our Pikes can doe whenas our Enemy resolves to keepe out of the Pikes reach and yet be within length to effect what they came for So that we if we intend to get off fairely must doe it by placing good stout Musquetiers in our Reare who like Parthians can fight and fly or as we say can give fire and retreat thus had our Army faine to doe when we came off from the Long-live being followed close by the Imperiall Horse each of them bringing a Musquetier with him untill we enquarter'd at the Berke not far from Breme which could not have been perform'd had we not maintain'd our Reere not with Pikes but with stout shot And that was held the best Method in our marching from our Quarters at the Berke along to Stoad for we left 150. or 200. resolute fire-men in a work to finde the Enemy play whilst the maine of our Army gain'd almost a whole dayes journey neither was it a slow March to shew State or refresh the Soldier for our safety lay in our speed but it was quick and hasty so that those which were left behind were of most reputed for lost men and all supposed that had not Captain Hamonds Company received the Enemy comming after us though to the losse almost of all his Soldiers lives that our men had been served with the same sauce the Enemy intending us for slaughter as well as his men yet those few men taking the best opportunity in such a desperate straight and having a good guide recover'd our Troopes againe Now what service did our Pikes doe all this while did they not cause our March to be the slower and in case the Enemy had overtaken us as it was generally suspected he would should not our Musquetiers then have been the best defence for our Pike-men and was it not the wish of all that all our Pikes had been Fire-men and had not that Order been observ'd we might have all been cut off before we could have entred into Stoad So that it is evident enough what an hinderance it is to an Army to have the ablest men to be for Pike-men SECT. VII To have as many Pikes as Musquets or to have such great store of Pikes in an Army is a meanes to bring on the Enemies Horse WEapons should be to terrifie not to encourage an Enemy to keep him off not to allure him on The very Ensignes and Colors have a Terror to amaze as King Salomon hath it Terrible as an Army with Banners All warlike Instruments are dreadfull the Shield the Sword the Trumpet the very Drums and Fifes sound and beat feare and horror for Soldiers are not for sport and jest but for earnest neither is Warre to be accounted as a May-game or Morrice-dance but as a Plague and Scourge Therefore in Warres Soldiers use offensive weapons to wound and destroy such as can strike through the loines of all Opponents And care is to be had that as weapons should be made serviceable so they should be made with all the Art that can be to usher in death the speediest way It was the saying of Queene Elizabeth That she never fared better then when she kept the Spaniard out at Daggers point So it may be said in all warres T is never better with our Armies then when we keep the Enemy at Distance so that though he hath a desire to make attempts yet knowing our Forces to be well arm'd he shell nor dare to make approaches The old Grecians had usually the advantage of their Enemies by virtue of their weapons so 't is knowne that the Romans could not have subjugated so many Countries and Provinces had they not had great advantage of warlike Instruments more then of Numbers And 't is judg'd by able men that the Norman Duke at Battle-Abbey won the day and so the Crowne by the excellency of his weapons his Shields being made large for defence and having a Pike of sharpened Iron without-side to wound and gore so that they were his Arrowes and Shields that made Harold and so many thousands of our Nation to fall slaine in that place Invention herein is commendable who knowes not how Archimides in Syracuce by skilfull Engines by him made and invented battered the Roman ships so that Marcellus and all his stout Romans were strucke with amaze And as worthy of perpetuall memory is that of King Henry the Eight before the Maiden-town of Bulloigne which device so daunted the Citizens that at sight of his Engines they yielded themselves and the Towne to the Kings mercy Now let us examine whether or no the Pike be a weapon of that worth and excellency that it can keepe off the Enemy with any kinde of terror or whether the multitude of them doth not rather hearten and hasten on the Enemy to assault First it is manifest that of it selfe it cannot keepe off neither Pistols nor Musquets for in case the Horse pretend an onset are not Commands given out presently to the Divisions of Musquets to draw out certaine files to beat off the horse which are fallen on the Pikes and certaine it is that should not the Pikes this way be speedily relieved what a fearefull slaughter would the Enemies Horse make and what a speedy havock of our Pikes without any prejudice to their owne Bodies or danger to their Horses and cannot their Musquets doe as much And certainely I should account it but folly in the Enemy if he doth out-strip us in Horse or in Foot-forces not to set upon our Pikes for who can hinder him from taking advantages or why should not he make entrance at the weakest place But now marke the inconvenience that followes If it be demanded who beates off their Horse you will say our Musquets then to what purpose serve the Pikes but to cause many others to fall for
dye it is manifest that this weapon cannot choose but be of singular use for if managed with a stout heart and a strong arme it will force passage through the bodies of the Enemy there being no resistance made against the Assailants but with eminent danger of the Defendants lives 5. Soldiers desire such weapons usually which stand them in the most generall stead and such as they can use in any place or upon any service Now 't is certaine that the Musquet and halfe-Pike are of that generall use that they may be practis'd and managed upon all Convoyes skirmishes Retreats Sallies Onslaughts c. For Convoyes no safer posture for the Musquetier can be then to be impaled within such fences and Barricadoes and 't is impossible that any troopes of Horse can enter before the Musquetiers can so fortifie themselves for 't is no great toyle or difficulty but may quickly and speedily be performed and can vary alter or change any way as the Enemy shall wheele about so that the Reere may be as safe as the Front and the Flanks as either And as it is good for Convoyes so 't is excellent in skirmishes for it fights with quicknesse advantage and safety and if they please to maintain their ground who can force them to leave it or if they be minded to retreat who can gaine any thing by the pursuit So that the Musquetiers thus armed goe on with advantage fight with terror and retreat with honor So for Sallies and Onslaughts which are desperate kinde of services none goe out with so much hopes to speed as men so guarded being as I may justifie it two Soldiers in one person And there is no such spur to make Soldiers valorous in Execution as the the knowledg of the advantage they have of their Enemies by the excellency of their weapons Briefly for the 〈◊〉 of this is better for Practice than Discourse It cannot be denied but that the Musquet and halfe-Pike is easily purchas'd and as quickly for exercise to be learned any Soldier may as soone be expert in the use of it as he can of Musquet and Rest nay sooner if his Corporall or Commander have any skill to drill him to it And I say let any one that either doubts of or objects any thing against the excellency and benefit of this kinde of weapon give but that Martiall Plot of ground the Artillery Garden a visit and he shall and may receive ample satisfaction to all his demands For 't is not to be questioned but that the present and after-times wâ—â—â— speake in praise of and justifie the Invention as rare and as yet I am sure by none paralelld And 't is to be wish'd that it was once generally knowne to our Nation for the practice of it would prove wondrous advantageous This I have spoken without flattery for I would not doe so Noble and Heroick a Soldier as the Inventor is nor yet my selfe that injury Flattery being no waies compatible either to our or their Profession But I thought it an injury to so worthy a Member if notwithstanding all hit labour and ingenuity together with his charges either He or the Weapon should have been slighted or forgotten It being a high degree of base Ingratitude not to be thankfull for such generall benefits But I have done leaving both his dextrous Invention and this Discourse to men of judgment in Armes SECT. XII The Testimony of Brancatio that famous Commander concerning the disability of the Pike In his Art Military Pag. 7. THE Pike is the evident ruine of those that trust in is others defend it though it bethought to defend others for it offends not neither neere nor farre off Again p. 8. 10. The Turks use not the Pike nor will be brought to practise it because it is the most unserviceable Arms used in field Champain as by infallible experience and by the great manifold and too late victories gained over those Christians who too much trusted in that weapon is manifestly knowne So was the K. of Portugal overthrown in Affrick by having grand squadrons of Pikes and so the vast divisions of High-dutch and Switzers Pikemen have rendred the Italian Regiments weaker then they would haue been with Harquebuziers and Charles the 8. K. of France brought the first Pikes into Italy And pag. 105. lib. 5. he saith This settled Opinion and so maintained even to this present is in my opinion false and of no moment with pardon to those whom it may concerne for that the Pike is the weakest Armes in the field how many soever they be and much worse against the Turkes and other Nations more powerfull in Horse for which they are held to be good which is not against Christians and the reason is this The pike offends not a far off nor neere except wee come to the incounter it cannot make great way nor pursue an Enemy when it retires cannot make you master of the field they cannot be divided from their squadrons nor pillage with terror they cannot force a street guard a passage speedily give a Camisado of a sudden escarmouch or to make an assalt and to use diligence on a March with other feates of warre And p. 106. he saith That for these last 40 yeeres the Turkes have gain'd upon the Hungarians other Christians sempre in Ongaria because they placed onely great divisions of Switzish and High Dutch Pike-men to keepe off the Turkish vast troopes of Horse being armed with Harquebuzes and Pistols so that by this meanes that Nation is almost brought under the Turkish slavery So that battell of Ceresola renders a good proof of the weaknes of the Pike-service And Iohn Frederick Duke of Saxony in Almaigne and Peter Strozzi in Tuscany were defeated in regard of their abundance of Pikes Likewise Paul the 4 at Rome so also at the battell of S. Quintines and the Marshall of Termes I say nothing saith he of the Army of the Lord Cherche nor of the battell of Dreus in France and of Moncountor all which proved fatall to their Leaders and were despised by their Enemies because their mainest bodies were none but Pikes Thus this great Warriour gives his judgement of this weapon the Pike which to a wise Commander is of great authority FINIS
hazards nor yet doe any notable exploit against the Enemy For let any one by experience speak it when any skirmish or set Battell hath in these latter times been ended upon the view of dead carcases have there been found any quantity or great numbers who have received their deaths by the wounds given by Pikes the slaughter being made for the most now with Musquets Carbines Pistols and Swords Now is it fit or just that such chargeable Numbers should be kept on foot for doing nothing in respect of others And the injury is little lesse which they doe to themselves for in any publike service they stand exposed to as much danger nay many times to more then divers others doe for while they are not able to offend they are fit to be offended and though they cannot send death to others yet others can send it to them Now is not this a wrong done to themselves that although they be valorous and able men yet they willingly binde themselves to such Armes as are not offensive and wil rather be killed in them then leave them for others which would much more beat off their foes to the safety perhaps of the whole Army and to the greater security of their owne persons Then lastly The injury is great if strictly considered which they offer to others for whereas they put great confidence in them as I believe they may for matter of courage and faithfulnesse yet they must needs faile their hopes upon necessity in regard the Armes which they use are not able to performe any great service Now their safety consists in the well comming off of the Musquetiers for they failing how long can these hope to stand sure The Enemy will quickly command their throats at his mercy if once the Musquet be foyled And therefore to uphold the forces decaying and lessening 't is fit that at least the Pike-men should have so much art as to know how to handle the Musquet as well as the Pike skill and experience being no burthen to the master and the advantage and benefit which may come by thiâ— practice being so great and waighty Let us now come to answeâ— all the Arguments that are made for the defence of the Pike SECT. X. Answers to the Arguments that have been and that are now made in and for the defence of the Pike in these times I Know I shall not want Opponents for a point of thiâ— Nature at first seemes like a project every man will have an ill conceit of it and as many as can will cry it downe though they know not well what it is or why they doe so As first I suppose Object What 's he that set it out to the world and is never able to prove it or the like To which I answer First That I am Iure Anglico Accademico Sacro Bellico Religioni Principi Patriae Marti Mercurio addictissimus In plaine English more I am not lesse I am not Now why I had need to doe it appeares first In that all the writers of Martiall affairs have kept silence in this one particular and is it not lawfull for me to make a discovery of what may in time conduce to the generall good of our Nation A Mine of Gold is not therefore to be dislik'd because 't was no sooner found out nor is any good thing therfore to be disparag'd because it 's lately disclosed Then secondly knowing by Experience that in forraign services our Nation hath been disabled to performe such execution as they might in regard of the great multitude and extraordinary number of Pikes which are put into our Regiments whereas the Enemy consists most of Musquets and usually out-strips us in Numbers and so hath perform'd more against us then we could against him Now that I am able to prove it let but any Martialist read this Discourse and lay aside all prejudicacy of Opinion I doubt not if he please to speak truth as a true-bred Soldier should doe but that he will allow my Positions to be just and advantageous to publike services To come now to the Arguments which seeme to plead for the necessity of Pikes Arg. 1. Some argue the Pike to be full of Necessity because of it's Antiquity and 't is pitty say they that a weapon which hath been so generally approved of and used with such applause for so many hundreds of yeares should now be left off seeing that it was used in Military occasions before the Musquet was ever thought upon To which I thus reply I will and doe ingenuously confesse that the Pike hath the priviledge of the Musquet in respect of it's Antiquity But that 's no safe conclusion to say that all old things are the best and that 't is pitty to leave off an old Custome meerely because 't is so Indeed where Antiquity holds correspondency with present usefulnes and when old things retaine their former necessity and benefit in after Ages I hold they are not to be slighted but honoured and retained But wherein 't is found by experience that the after-times have out-stript the former and that the latter Inventions are most excellent and usefull then sure 't is no Policy to be tied to the practice of our Fore-fathers For example Was not the Caliver Flasques all in use of late but who knowes not that the Musquet and Bandileeres are now more easie safe and needfull So was not the Lance of prime excellence amongst Horse-men yet now who will not preferre the Carbine and Pistolls So Crosse-bowes were used in Sea-fights but now the thundring bullets of Culvering and Demi-Canons gave discharg'd them The Bow and Arrow what a renowned weapon and for long time how terrible how victorious yet not at all now used but for recreation though much more may be said for that then for the Pike So that it is plaine that the Pike is not therefore to be still used only because it is so ancient a kinde of weapon But that as occasions vary so it may be either not us'd so much or else not at all Arg. 2. There be divers that plead for the Pike because it doth say they keepe off the Enemies Horse and this they verily conclude is undeniable nay some are so confident of the truth of this that they have hereby disclosed to men of experience and tryall that they them selves never were in any reall service hereupon they conclude the Pike to be as good and necessary in earnest as it seemes to be in jest Well I shall easily remove this strongly received Opinion This is surely grounded upon Tradition and true it is that in former times when the winged Cavalry were fenc'd with sword and lance onely then the Pike had that virtue to keepe off their invading Horse because the Lance was made 4. feet shorter then the Pike the Pike being 16. and the Lance being but 12 foot long So that of necessity if the horsmen intended execution upon them they could not choose but hazard