thinke on the other part that service is nothing els but a free mans calling and comfort himselfe with the example of Kings that are but servants though more splendid for the common-weale and as this King our royall Master served for his country let us that are servants serving strangers serve truely where we serve for our countries credit our owne weale and our eternall fame which must live after us This magnanimous King through the experience he had of our former true service is desirous to have more of our countrimen to serve him as we may see by the new employment laid on our Colonell and his Officers Also on divers other Noblemen of our country to bring unto him three other Regiments as Nidesdale Spynie and Murckles Regiments we being the first that shewed them the way to be employed by his Majesty Here I will exhort all brave Cavaliers of minde to follow the laudable profession of Armes not to grudge though their advancement or preferment come not at first but with patience to awaite on Gods blessing since preferment comes neither from the East nor from the west But it is the blessing of the Lord given by man as the reward of vertue Who ever then would be famous by preferment let him first study to be diligent and vertuous in his calling and then doubtlesse God will dispose of him as he thinketh best for his owne Glory Here we see that the Barron of Fowles of worthy memory thought it no disparagement at first to follow my Lord of Rhey and his Regiment as a voluntier till he had seene some service and attained unto some experience and then beginning with a company coming at last with credit to be Colonell over horse and foote and that to animate others of his name and kindred to follow his example rather to live honourably abroade and with credit then to encroach as many do on their friends at home as we say in Scotland leaping at the halfe loafe while as others through vertue live nobly abroade served with silver plate and attendance Officers of one Regiment ought to live as brethren together not envying one anothers advancement entertaining no other emulation then the emulation of vertue every one serving truely in their Stations till such time occasion may be offered for their advancement by degrees for though their patience may be the longer their credits will be the more and their contentments at last will make them forgo and forget their former toyle and disturbances having come to their proposed marke though not altogether to their wished end Here also we see that good discipline is requisite for keeping good order that as vertue is rewarded so vice may be punished as we may see by the institution of the Emperiall lawes whereof one we reade constitute by the Emperor Frederick the second in the code of Iustinian bearing that the labourers of the ground might live peaceably with assurance over all staying in their villages labouring the ground so that no man should be so bold as to presume to take any such men prisoners or to offer them any violence in destroying their Beasty all or in takeing their goods from them condemning them to death that did contemne or violate his ordinance And Cyrus going to warre commanded no man should trouble the labourers Xerxes commanded the like saying the warres were against those that caried Armes not against Shepheards Bellisarius that brave Commander under the Emperour Iustinian was so strict against souldiers that troubled the Boores that the souldiers going by the fruityards durst not throw downe one Apple and for his good order kept victualls were cheaper in the Campe then in Townes Procopius in his third booke of the Gothes warres in Italy reports that Totilas King of the Gothes observed the same strict discipline in Italy suffring the Boores untroubled for paying the contribution Nicephor Gregorius affirmed that while as in the front of an Army marched insolency and violence orderly came in the reare defeate and ruine And now a dayes the Turkes do observe stricter discipline in their Armies then Christians do in so much that their Captaines must not suffer their Souldiers to goe into Orchards or Vineyards as they march by And as order is necessary in an Army so it is in a Regiment requisit to be kept and punishment also to be used for banishing all villany from a Regiment as Gluttony Drunkenesse Whoredome Opression Playing Diceing Roaring Swaggering for it is not seemely that those who should overcome others should suffer themselves to be overcome with any such notorious vices neither ought a brave fellow to vaunt of his valour since it is not tolerable to kill men with words without coming unto blowes But he that comports himselfe modestly is to be commended Here also we see that the Emulation and strife begunne amongst Superiours and Officers of quality brings at last the same amongst their inferiours and followers as was seene in the disorders and quarrelling betwixt our Souldiers and the Rhinegraves horsemen which was wisely prevented and taken away by the wisdome of their Commanders that carried mutuall love and respect to each others for the mutuall good deserving of both Officers which was the chiefe instrument of their reconcilement and taking away of their jarres and idle quarrelling arising of ostentation an unworthy fruit growing out of Dunghills withering faster then it groweth their jarres thus once removed thereafter our love waxed so great that where we chanced both to be on one service as at Wolgast where we stood in neede of helpe the Rhinegraves Regiment especially Rutmaster Hoomes under God made our Retreate safe as you shall heare in its owne place Here also I cannot passe over with silence the love that ordinarily is seene betwixt Officers and their followers being once put under good discipline they will undergo any thing for love of their Commanders and Leaders who have taken paines and diligence in excercising them in the perfect use of their Armes and in leading them bravely on occasions before their enemies in making with exercise their bodies strong and their hearts valiant then I say what will they not undertake for the love of their Leaders Truely I must confesse they will stand a thousand times more in awe to incurre their Officers wrath whom once they loved through love than in any wise thorough feare of any punishment that may be enjoyned unto them by Lawes and if they love and respect their Officers for feare to offend even in their Marches for their Officers credits they will march so orderly with Armes in their Rancks and Files that you would thinke a whole Regiment well disciplined as this was were all but one body and of one motion their eares obeying the command all as one their eyes turning all alike at the first signe given their hands going to execution as one hand giving one stroake yea many stroakes all alike ever readie to strike or hold up as their Commander
Field and mortalitie being swallowed up of life thou shalt live for ever XVI When thou seest thy Camerade rash headie or obstinate in his owne opinion or yet readie to beleeve every man his words and suddenly rehearsing what hath been told him then thinke with thy selfe that as a Souldier of Christ it is thy dutie to be wise and setled in thy opinion not wavering with every winde of doctrine but constant in the true faith thou professest that though thou frequentest and seest men of divers Religions thou maiest ever prove constant in the truth thou professest for the Souldiers of Christ as they are constant so they must be fervent and godly zealous XVII When thou seest thy Camerade arrogant thinking himselfe better than his fellowes then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie to be humble familiar and sociable rather silent than babling not hastie arrogant as he lest God should condemne thee utterly thou must not suffer thy selfe to be drawne away with vanitie stirring with indignation against any but be meeke and wise watch and pray and spend not thy time in idlenesse but depend on God let thy conversation be honest living soberly and righteously in his sight not judging others blinded with private affection giving partiall sentence XVIII When thou seest thy Camerade loving the world better than God oppressing the poore as a Citizen of Babylon and not as a Souldier of Christ thinke then with thy selfe that he having made the wrong choice thy best is to have the true love and feare of God in doing no body wrong but contented with thy wages strive to be made a Citizen of Ierusalem and a Souldier of Christ indeavour to be holy and unblameable before him in love and charitie the vertues belonging to the Christian Souldier that as thou bearest the name thou be not found voide of the vertues belonging to those that fight Christs Battailes viz. love courage respect and obedience for he that loves any thing better than those vertues is not worthy the name of a Souldier And he that loveth Christ doth not walke in darknesse but hath the light of life caring more for a good life then for a long hunting after righteousnesse that all other things may be cast unto him XIX When thou seest thy Camerade not faithfull unto his Master and with love unfained not advertising him of all he knowes prejudiciall unto him then thinke with thy selfe that thou as a Souldier of Christ oughtst to be faithfull with love unfained towards thy Master fighting to death for him till thou overcomest vice and conquerest thy selfe of all Combats the best that thou maiest be esteemed of as the valiant Souldier of Christ that as thou art vertuous so thou maiest grow famous in glory having abandoned thy selfe and thy owne will to doe the will of God Lord make us doe this then are we sure to be honourable in thy sight XX. When thou seest thy Camerade contraried in many things by his betters and also perhaps scandalized then thinke with thy selfe and resolve if thou wouldest be counted as a Souldier of Christ that would reigne with him thou must also resolve to suffer with him and not to care a rush for the reproaches of men but thou must take all scandalls in good part for Christ thy Captaine was despised in this world and at extremitie his very friends forsooke him Thinke then O Souldier that thou art in respect of him but dust and forsake this world if thou wouldest have rest unto thy soule for the Kingdome of God is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost put then confidence in God and he will handle thy cause right well care thou to have a good Conscience in all thy doings then thou art sure none can hurt thee for the Lord will defend and deliver thee XXI When thou seest thy Camerade vaunting or bragging of his owne deeds without modestie or discretion seeking his owne prayse as many vaine men doe then thinke with thy selfe that thy dutie is to contemne worldly praise as vaine coming from man for true and eternall glory contemneth worldly praise and as man judgeth of the deed God regards the intent and minde presse therefore to doe well but thinke little of thy selfe being the surest token of a modest minde for he that praiseth himselfe is not allowed but he whom the Lord praiseth Wee ought not therefore to wax proud but wee ought to watch continually for Sathan sleepeth not and the flesh is not yet dead XXII When thou seest thy Camerade dissolute vaine proud phantasticke arrogant windie railing back-biting vaunting of all sinne and mischiefe then thinke with thy selfe that these are the notes proper unto the wicked and if thou wouldest prove a Souldier of Christ thou must oppose thy selfe contrary to them all being thy dutie to be lovely strong patient faithfull wise meeke prudent circumspect modest just not daintie not light not given to vanities but sober chaste constant quiet and temperate in all senses even with paine living in vertue for without paine none can love God for if thou wouldest love God thou must be painfull in seeking of him never leaving him till he be found of thee and love thee bringing thee through his love unto perfection in Christ For he that loves him will indure all things for his sake as valiant Souldiers fainting at nothing may happen yea thou must despise the inticements of Sathan and of thy fleshly enemies and that is the valiant exploit wherewith best thou canst please God XXIII When thou seest thy Camerade stand in awe to commit wickednesse both for feare of punishment and his love to his Commanders then thinke with thy selfe that thy dutie to thy heavenly Father obliges thee to love and to feare him with a filiall feare standing in awe to sinne against him for cursed is he that heareth the word of the Lord and despiseth it Blush thou therefore that takest more pleasure in vanitie than in the truth in time call thy sinnes to remembrance and that with sorrow let thy Religion be in thy heart not in thy mouth wish for heavenly things and contemne the world seeke to be made strong in the love of the Lord and constant to continue for nothing in heaven above or in the earth beneath is comparable to this love of God in Christ he that hath this love hath all in all Say then O my God and my love as thou art mine make me wholy thine XXIIII And last Meditation going before thine Enemie When thou seest thy Camerade for the love of honour and worldly credit not fearing to die but readie to open his breast like a valiant Souldier to receive wounds for his Masters sake then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie as the spirituall Souldier of Christ not to feare to die but rather looking unto the glasse of life the rule of righteousnesse the light of the Soule the joy of the Conscience like a valourous Souldier for his
on the Isle of Aenary where he did see the smoke of the Cannon saith Philip Dore diligent to make good execution with Cannon and not in vaine spending pouder and shot on the Spaniard his great piece called the Basiliske the ball being monstrous great broke through the whole ship even to her keele and killing thirty wounded severall Captaines and Gentlemen that were mutilated or dismembred So that the Marquesse of Guat was all spoiled with the bloud and entralls of the dead Guicciardin roported that at the siege of Calis in the yeare 1558. by the Duke of Guise in name of the King of France on the three Kings day in the morning with thirty three double Cannon from one battery made such a noyse that the sound was heard five houres going beyond Calis being twenty English miles And lest the judicious Reader will thinke this an untruth I would warrant it from my owne deede for he that pleaseth may reade the story written by the Author Guicciardin But those peeces of Cannon that are farthest hard are called pot-peeces or Mortiers such as Mounts on the Castle of Edenburrough being so wide that it is reported that a man did get a Childwithin which I also warrant from my owne deede but the truth is it is a huge great peece from whence did come our old Scots Proverbe the Devill shoote Mounts in your arse Gentle Reader excuse my homelinesse since I was not the Inventer of this Proverbe These kinde of Peeces are very large and carry stones for bullets The Mortiers of Soliman at the Siege of Rhodes in the yeare 1522. their bullets wayed some of them two hundred weight the least one hundred and fifty pounds of great weight when they light on a house they goe through from top to ground and Paulus Iovius reports of a Mine made by Peter Valler which made entrance for the Spaniard within the new Castle of Naples kept by the French the French were so astonished with the surprize of the Mine that they retired unto the last and furthest Court so that the guards had not time to draw up their Draw-bridges and the French letting downe the Portcullies to hinder the Spaniards entry coming with a furious presse the French bring a peece of Cannon to terrifie the Spaniards that had entred one Gate or the first Court and shoote amongst them where by chance the Iron bullet tooke hould of the thicke of the Port where it remaines to this day showne for a Monument unto strangers that have got the credit to goe within this Castle to see it Many such Stories we could inferre but let these suffise in this place for this time THE CHRISTIAN SOVLDIER GOING ON SERVICE HIS Meditations I. WHEN thou seest thy Camerade going to Muster with a faire shew outwardly deckt with brave clothes and delighting in his Plumes thinke with thy selfe such an outward shew is nothing without the inward gifts of the minde for if thou desirest to be a Souldier of Christ thou must be adorned with all vertues that inwardly thou mayest be such as outwardly thou doest appeare unto the world Thou must then learne to mortifie those vices to which thou art most subject taking accompt of thy selfe how thou hast resisted vice and what good thou hast done and say then when thou findest thou hast done nothing that is good Lord make us every day to renounce sinne and resist vice that our love and zeale to thee may be inflamed to well-doing even in the greatest extremity of adversity II. When thou seest the Kings Majesty thy Master or his Generall coming to looke on the battaile when all Front towards the King with due respect and reverence thinke then againe with thy selfe and say as for me it is good to draw neere unto thee O Lord for thou art my King and my God thee alone will I worship and love make me happy in thy love and for thy sake I will despise all things for thou art the strength of my head and my portion for ever for through hope we attaine unto thee by Faith III. When thou seest thy Camerads knitting all things about them handsome and fast before they march say thou then knit mine heart unto thee O Lord that I may feare thy name for he that loveth not thee must quake and feare and it is a fearefull thing to fall into thy hands for thy coming unto Iudgment is terrible thy roaring is like a Lyon and thy Sword a consuming fire no place can hide man from thy presence thou seest the heart and the Reines no secret is hid from thee and who can escape thy vengeance None except they repent Lord therefore save me from that bitter death and give me grace to repent that I may bewaile my misery before I depart IIII. When thou art entred in the troublesome way of thy march and sufferest toyle travell heate cold hunger thirst nakednesse perill being called to labour and to suffer and not to live in pleasure and idlenesse say then my sorrow O Lord is ever before me for in me dwelleth no good I offend day by day and which is worse I cannot repent sinne increaseth and the Fountaine of grace is stopped and I finde no comfort Say then againe O Lord spurre me and whip me with thy Rod before I perish and reserve not thy punishment lest at last I shall be made to pay the uttermost farthing Lord therefore create a new heart within me that I may prepare a habitation for thee to rest in a cleere conscience O Lord for thy Sonne Christs sake suffer me not to goe away empty for with thee is mercy and great redemption therefore I will be comforted whilst thou givest me time to amend my life V. When thou seest thy Camerads for love of credit and the favour of their Officers making no difference betwixt faire and foule way but with patience induring all toile to come to the end of their march thinke then with thy selfe that after this manner of old the servants of Christ for the favour and love of God and of his glory did serve the Lord in hunger and thirst in cold in nakednesse in watching and fasting in prayers in meditations in manifould persecutions and troubles contemning all pleasurs for Christ they sought the glory of God more then their owne fame Lord therefore make us contemne and slight all things for the love of Christ altering from vice to vertue mortifying our lusts that we may become Souldiers of Christ loving nothing so much as God and the salvation of our soule VI. When thou seest thy Camerade fix in his Armes and well exercised with Pike Musket and Sword then thinke with thy selfe that thy duty is to trust in the Lord and to doe good that thou mayest dwell in the land and be â—ed assuredly thy delight must be in the law of the Lord and thou must be exercised therein day and night that thou mayest be full of hope and strength remembring thy end
Officer many other valourous fellows that were there carried the true markes of their valour imprinted in their bodies for their Countries credit There was also a Scottish Gentleman under the enemy who cōming to scale the walls said aloud Have with you Gentlemen thinke not now you are on the streets of Edenburgh bravading One of his owne Country-men thrusting him through the body with a Pike he ended there This Skonce so well maintained by our Country-men is to their prayse recorded at length in the Dutch Story of the Danes warres where the curious Reader may learne more of it The enemy finding this opportunitie to faile at another passe above this on the Elve watched by Dutch surprising the watch did come over the Elve the newes comming to his Majestie he presently sends Orders in the night to Major Dumbarre who commanded the Skonce to retire and to bring off his Cannon and to cut off the bridge and then to come by water with his troups to Lovenburgh and to beset the Castle thereof with two Companies and to retire with the rest to Lukstad which accordingly was done to their great credit Major Wilson being set with two Companies on the Castle of Loven the enemy falling downe Generall Tillie leading the Armie comming before the Castle doth summon it to render the Major refusing he is besieged the enemies Batteries having playd a little on the Castle the Major parlees for accord before the parle Generall Tillie is shot through the thigh pledges delivered the accord agreed on he should march out with bag and baggage Drummes beating Bale au Bouche with a Convoy granted to them to Lukstad the Accord subscribed but neither circumspectly nor wisely by the Major at his out-comming his Colours are taken from him having forgot to insert them in his Accord he complaining of the breach is bidden reade it and finding it was so was forced to march without Colours to Lukstad where for his over-sight he was set from charge with disgrace and the Company restored againe to the right Owner Captaine Duncan Forbesse and incontinent Major Dumbarre with foure Companies was commanded to beset Statholder Ransove his Castle of Bredenberg in Holsten the enemy having already falne into the Land Which discourse I must now leave and prosecute the continuance of our march towards Rapine After this service the renowne spread so abroad where ever we came that the Gentrie of the Country were ready meeting us providing all necessaries for us The Duke of Wymar the Dukes of Meclinburgh with a number of gallant Ladies did visit us in our March to congratulate with us the good fortune and good service done by our Camerades But if we should looke to the outside of Souldiers these foure Companies were the meanest of our Regiment to the outward appearance Our March continues to Rapine where we were to receive further orders of Generall Major Slamersdorffe our orders were to draw up in Battaile before the Towne of Rapine where the Generall Major would come and see us his intention being to bring the Towne under Contribution otherwise to fright them with inquartring of the Regiment his intention effectuated we were led in quarters or Dorpes for three dayes to rest us seeing our intentions were to march unto Silesia The fourth Observation IN this observation though the dutie be suddenly discharged wee have much to amplifie the observation first by reason of the dispute that did arise betwixt his Majestie and the Colonell for offering to Cashiere some of his Officers for alleaged insufficiency by the information of some malignant Spirits amongst our selves whose names I will suppresse and the reasons also letting some other tongue not mine divulge their shame At this time also before our rising to this expedition we were discontented of the division made of our Regiment being absolutely divided by his Majesties authoritie without the consent of our Colonell who would have been loath to have left Captaine Learmond behinde that had done him so many notable good offices and this noble Gentleman of famous memory at his leave-taking of his Colonell my brother and me being then his intirest Camerades with teares revealed unto us whom he thought was the plotter of his stay and withall did with griefe in a manner foretell his owne fall alleaging we should never meet againe Therefore for the love I bare to my deare Cammerade I will point at the heart of those who had a hand in the separation of the Regiment I must therefore crave pardon a little to expresse my dutie for the losse of this noble and vertuous Cavalier whose heart and eyes were ever fixed upon vertue and upon his love to his deare friends He hates not but with cause that is unwilling to hate at all And it is the end that shewes the difference betwixt vertue and vice Fie then upon those judgements that for their owne aymes hatch the Ruine of their Camerades in fore-thinking and pursuing evill And as the discharge of my last dutie was Tragicall the reasons of it I will set downe obscurely pointing at some that every man may examine his own conscience that had any hand in plotting or hatching by villanous policie bred of envie the ruine of their Camerades the reward whereof doth still awaite them with shame in a killing ambush when the Lord of Hosts will bring to light the hidden plots of the malicious man Here I could make some to blush that I know plotted the fall of their Camerades But I will be dumbe doing by them as Ioseph thought to have done by Mary in seeking to cover blemishes with secrecie lest I should wound some so with my penne as to make them by their Camerades to be push't out of Company But I will rather shew my charitie to the delinquent by concealing of his fault and tell him of it in secret than openly to divulge his mischiefe seeing I wish his amendment before the world should know his amisse I will not therefore be too harsh or virulent hoping for his penitency wishing God may enlighten his conscience that while he hath time he may crave pardon for his hatched evill Being sorry for the losse of these two worthy Cavaliers of famous memory Learmond and Dumbarre for whose sakes with griefe I have pointed thus obscurely at the forger of these Cavaliers fall whose name I will suppresse though my heart knows him well and hoping time may change him to another man I will let him be his own Beadle and for his punishment I would not care though he were made to sing an Invective against himselfe But I pray God we may be freed of the like our selves and not to looke upon another with a Beam'd eye but rather to be our owne Antidot's against all the poyson that another is able to spit upon us Let us then have our eyes fixed upon vertue and we shall finde a beautie that will every day take us with some grace or other For the world hath nothing so
though the world should turne to nothing Here we see this magnanimous King his estate falling for his love to his Niece the distressed Queene of Bohemia and her Children seeing her baninished from her Kingdome by the sword of her enemies he hazards the losse of his Crowne and person to get her restored bringing the sword of his enemies within his owne Countrey fortune having crossed him abroad yet for all this this Magnanimous King was not dejected but with a couragious resolution makes use of the time retiring to one corner of his Kingdome to prevent the losse of the whole being naturally fortified with a broad graffe as the Isle of Britaine being strong of shipping having his Majestie of Britaine to friend and the Estates of the united Provinces he was carelesse of the Emperours forces by Sea or Land not being able to harme his Majestie more than they did By this example we may see what advantage our Soveraigne the Kings Majestie of great Britaine hath over all forraigne Kings in Europe through the scituation of his Dominions being mightie in power of men shipping and money is able to make warre abroad where he pleaseth and to make a safe Retreat when he pleaseth being Master at Sea as he can easily be terrifying his enemies with one Armie abroad and a strong Armie at Sea he can offend whom he will and retire when he list forcing all Europe to be in feare of him and his Majestie in feare of none but of the King of Kings The Lord therefore preserve his Majestie his Children and Subjects from the power of forraigne enemies and I wish a great part of my friends and Country-men were so farre addicted to seeke the restitution of her Majestie of Bohemia and her Royall Issue as I am the warres then should never end till they were restored and I avenged of my friends bloud and mine owne shed in the quarrell Here also I did observe his Majesties circumspection in preventing the Emperialists in coming by water unto his Kingdome having beset all Finland with strong Garrisons of Horse and Foote which kept strong guards and good watch by night and by day at such places on the Coast as was most in danger of the enemies over-setting till in the end the enemy was forced to retire his Armie leaving but a few men in Garrison in the Townes which lay on the Coast which Garrisons his Majestie with shipping did often visite to their great hurt with strong parties retiring againe having done his exployt at his pleasure in safetie This Magnanimous King to my knowledge deserved to have been worthily thought of and well spoken of for his noble enterprizing of the warre being Leader and Generall in so good a cause And though the successe was not answerable I dare be bold to affirme it was none of his Majesties fault for his Majestie not onely bestowed much in advancing of it but also did hazard himselfe and his Crowne in maintaining of it Neverthelesse there are alwayes some Cynicks that doe barke at his Majesties proceedings without reason where we may see that no man no nor Kings themselves can escape the lash of censure and none can eschew to be traduced by the ignominious aspersions of the malevolent tongue Therefore it is good to doe well and then we need not care what is said except the sayer put his name to his assertion and then he may be made to foote his Boule in maintaining of it or unworthily to refuse it Here also I did observe that no Armour nor passe could remove the Generalls feare for having once imagined the enemies over-coming he was never fully setled till he was safe a ship-board And therefore I did see at this time that verified that when man distrusteth God it is then just with God to leave man to himselfe for after our Retreat being on the Roade the Generall being thronged in his owne Ship could not command a Ship to transport his servants till I forced a Ship for his Excellencies service which should teach all men in Authoritie while they have command to command with discretion lest the wheele should turne and then they should be beholding to those whom before they commanded Here also I did see mutinous Souldiers well rewarded and it may be sooner than they thought for the day before those that call'd for money when they were commanded to goe on service the next day I being a Ship-board did see them turne slaves unto their enemies being taken prisoners robbed both of Cloaths and money and kept long in bondage being forced to serve against their Conscience such was their folly in calling for money when it was no time to tell it Having at this time left our horses and baggage to our enemies I observed somewhat on the love of men to those beasts and the love of beasts to their Masters as worth the noting to confirme the kindnesse that should be entertained amongst Christians and men of one profession my brother Obstell of worthy memory had a Horse of our owne Country-breed that was so familiarly acquainted with his Souldiers and with the noise and touch of Drumme that the whole day on our march when his Master went a foote he unled followed the Drumme a little aside from the Company halting when they halted and moving when they moved fast or slow Another Horse I left that being in Wismer Leager having rode out one day to a wood halfe a mile from the Leager to cause to cut timber leaving my Horse standing alone and my Cloake on my Saddle a Rutter coming by unknowne to me and my fellowes steales my Horse away who finding himselfe in strangers hands skips loose and runs to our Leager being chas't and hunted at by more than a hundred Horsemen out-runs them all unto the trenches and running through the Leager stands before my Tent my Camerades wondering what became of mee thinking I had been killed by the Horsemen come and make search for me and finding me tell me of my Horse These beasts I have remembred for their love for which I will set downe some particulars concerning the addresse fidelitie and bountie of some Horses whereof I have formerly read Plinie protests their prayses cannot be expressed We reade of the Numidians that were so much redoubted of the Romanes that in their warres they would at spurres runne their Horses in middest of their enemies without a bridle to governe them In the Battaile of Cannes Hanniball returning the next day on the place of Battaile to looke more narrowly to the place a Romane Knight halfe dead hearing the noise of people lifted up his head of purpose to have spokē but his voice failing died with the last gaspe by Hanniball there roade a Numidian on that dead Knights Horse who knowing his Master begun to move his eares to bray and to leape and rebound with such fury till he casts the Numidian to ground runnes through the dead bodies and stands before his dead Master and leaning
storme continuing we were appointed to come ashoare and to retire to our former quarters till orders were sent us to rise againe so that the sixt of Aprill we shipped againe And on the eighth we anchored before the Island where the enemy with diligence planted Ordnance for hindering of our landing But was repayed againe by our Ordnance ten for one During which service we were landing our Souldiers with small Boats by twenties and thirties The enemy with Cannon and musket giving continuall fire on us till at last seeing a strong body of Souldiers landed and he having no horsemen to second his foote he was compelled to retire his Cannon making his Retreat to a strong Fort they had built of purpose on the Island leaving the rest of the Island and the Cities at our mercy the Townes being of no strength Before it was darke we were all landed with our Cannon and Amunition incamping for that night in the Fields keeping strong Guards and diligent watch The enemy being discouraged we had not so much as one Alarum The next morning his Majestie marched towards the Fort with his Forces and Artillery and having himselfe recognosced or spied the Fort retired giving orders for our severall quarters Our Souldiers were entred to worke the approaches which were ordained and assigned to us to approach on The enemy being scarce of victualls and knowing of no reliefe resolved as his best course to Parlé and having sent forth a Drummer which being received and the Parlé granted pledges being delivered Hinc inde the accord goes on and is presently agreed upon The conditions granted to the enemy were somewhat hard viz. that they should leave their Armes Baggage and Amunition within the Fort and that they should come forth in his Majesties reverence of mercy or of none which accordingly they did undergoe But before their out-coming there was a prohibition given to all our Souldiers that no man should wrong or injure them Neverthelesse at their comming out the Country Boores ever cruell to Souldiers remembring the hard usage of the Souldiers to them in the Winter time seeing them come forth unarmed ranne violently upon the Souldiers knocking them pittifully downe they caused great disorder so that in the fury the Count of Mongomrie Colonell to a French Regiment was knockt to the ground and left for dead being taken for a Walloone or one of the enemies Officers This insolency of the Boores continued in killing the poore Souldiers till by his Majesties charge I was commanded to put my Souldiers to Armes to suppresse the Boores which was presently obeyed by my Souldiers who againe robbed the Boores of that they had taken from the enemy and withall were well knockt The Tumult appeased the enemies were sent away by Boats to Holsten where they were put ashoare and left his Majestie then refreshed his Troopes for three dayes during which time the Island was brought under Contribution to his Majestie and a Governour with a Garrison being left on the Island to keepe them in obedience and to hinder the enemies returne we were commanded to be in readinesse for a second Expedition The eleventh Observation SCipio said we were most in danger when we wanted businesse for while we want businesse and have no foe to awe us we are readie to drowne in the mudde of vice and sloathfulnesse So our Regiment having laine six moneths in idlenesse and sloath eating and drinking and sometimes doing worse for lacke of employment in our Callings falling out amongst our selves unnecessarily and without reason abusing both Burgers and Boores so that when we lacked employment then was the Gavilliger and his Irons best employed insolency domineering so that when we came to endure hunger thirst and cold on our shippes we were growne so effeminate that we could not sleepe without a good bed our stomackes could not digest a Gammon of Bacon or cold Beefe without mustard so farre we were out of use till this Magnanimous King came to lead us who in a short time without the helpe of Physicke cured our cloyd stomackes hardned our effeminate sides in stead of a warme Chamber made us contented with a hole digged in the ground to let the winde and Bullets flee over us making hunger our best sauce giving us employment and to our Gavilliger rest and ease at home O how bright then doth the soule of man grow with use and Negotiation Now could our Souldiers having made a little bootie on this Island speake like Cleanthes when he had laboured and gotten some Coyne he shewes it his Companions that he then could nourish another Cleanthes even so our Souldiers shewing and telling their Camerades of their bootie they rejoyced the hearts of their Leaders whom before they had offended by their exorbitancy in their idlenesse bringing joy with profit when they were exercised in their Callings banishing mischiefe from themselves by their diligence for it is one of our greatest happinesse in our Calling to have a minde and love to vertuous exercises raising us daily to blessednesse and contentation for every one shall smell of that he is busied in and every noble Action addes sinewes to the vertuous minde where on the contrary surely he must be miserable that loves not to be diligent in his Calling when he ought to employ himselfe for if he growes no better yet sure it keeps him from doing worse not having time by his idlenesse to entertaine the Devill When our enemies least looked for us then came we with Bellona summoning him to the Combate but he obeyes not and for his cowardize we degrade him of his Armes and banish him to some other corner to lurke in seeing he lacked the courage to have made us sport at our landing or to have given us an Alarum in our Quarters to have once tryed what for Souldiers we were or what resolution or conduct we had for he ought to have busied us at our landing as well with the spade and the shovell as with the Pike and the Musket and so we could have said we had an Enemy as we had not but a flying dastard or coward This Fort was scurvily given over which any resolute Commander could well have kept for three dayes during which time he had added to his owne reputation and substracted doubtlesse from ours by diminishing of our number which at last would have made him get better Conditions of Quarters and a more honourable Accord for in such a case I would choose before I came in my enemies Reverence without Armes rather to fight to the last man and if I chanced to be the last I had rather die being resolved with resolution having Armes in my hands than unawares being unprepared to be knockt downe miserably when I looked not for Death Here I did see the Ingenier that built this Fort who in time of working did oftentimes beate the Boores to make them worke for his crueltie he was most cruelly beaten againe and he running to his Majesties
served well 72 T. A Cavalier ought patiently to attend his preferment 3 B. Continency in all things is most necessary for a Souldier 25 X. Men ought patiently to undergoe their Crosses and not to despaire as some did in Denmarke 86 He that thinkes on deaths Casuality ought neither to be carelesse nor covetous 86 V. Cowards may be compared to dogs that doe barke more then bite 70 P. The Cruelty was great the enemy used in harming the dead and innocent 40 K. D. It is a worthy and brave enterchange when men attaine unto eternall fame and glory after Death for a temporall Death 41 L. The strictnesse of Discipline is the conservation of an Army 36 G. It were impossible to make Boores and Souldiers agree together without the strictnesse of Military Discipline 62 F. It is never good in plenty to Disdaine Souldiers lest in adversity they may prove unusefull 2 A. The observance of Discipline is the maintaining of Kingdomes Cities and Common-wealths 69 O. Dumbarre renowned in despite of envy 13 L. It is the Duty of valorous Commanders to care for the buriall of the slaine though their enemies 25 Y. We are Drowned in the mud of vice and slothfulnesse while we want businesse and have no foe to awe us 46 T. E. An English Cavalier being deadly wounded retired bravely at Keel 55 B. Ensignes six of Scots shot at Ouldenburg 18 Q. A rare Example of strength and courage in Ensigne David Monro 21 S. Emulation of Superiours by example groweth amongst inferiours 37 H. The whole Officers were hurt except one Ensigne Ihonston 68 M. He that wilfully continues an Enemy teacheth his enemy to doe him a mischiefe if he can 77 A. Though the Enemy be unworthy reconcile with him to be freed of his scandalous tongue 77 A. The Enemy studies all the plots of our ruine and the danger is ever most that is least seene 77 Experience teacheth that neither Fly Bee nor Waspe can harme those that are healed of the sting of Scorpions 22 T. The best Exhortation a Leader can give Souldiers is to shew himselfe valorous 23 W. Enemies prove oftimes good pedagogues setting both death and judgment before us 66 K. F. Feare doth put us in a more horrid habit then any enemy can doe 22 F. It is not good to Feele the ill of the sturdy popular having once loosed the reine 48 W. Friends that are trusty the best companions of danger 14 M. To be a Follower of the popular sort is a vaine thing 50 Y. The Foote is alwayes more usefull in warres and lesse chargable then Horse 23 W. Fortune having crossed his Majesty of Denmarke in his warres abroade brought the sword of his enemies within his owne Kingdome 29 A. G. The Germans are commonly friends to the victorious et e contra 16 O. Germans of old did sing going on service 70 P. Those that thirst after Gold let them bring it valiantly from afarre to supply the poore at home or to decore and enrich their Country 72 S. A man is glad to come off with credit being hurt as I was at Trailsound where I thought to be slaine 75 Y. Ill Gotten gaines is farre worse then losses with preserved honesty 31 D. Gentlemen three of my Colonells Company slaine at Trailsound Gordon Stewart and Tullough 68 M. H. Honour compared to a chaste made 31 D. Happie are those that travell in well-doing for when the paines are gone then doe they enjoy the pleasure 63 G. Hugh Murray his brother being slaine would not carry him off till he had beene revenged and then himselfe shot in the Eye the Bullet came out at his Nose 23 V. Hector Monro being shot in one foot would not retire till first he emptied his Bandeliers and being shot then through the other foote was carried off by others 23 V. We ought never to glory too much in peace or prosperitie as the Holsteners did but rather to prevent the worst 28 The Highland Souldier his predictive Dreame seene at Trailsound 75 Z. I. A just cause and a just deputation is that which gives the minde securitie And he dyeth well that dyeth fighting for a just cause 53 Iustice the strictest that is observed amongst Souldiers 44 S. An Isles Gentleman being deadly wounded did swimme with his Cloaths and wounds to escape the fury of his Enemies 32 D. K. As forraine Kings make use of Cavaliers in their need so they ought with reason if not rewarded make their retreat to their King and Master being disdained without respect 25 X. Our Knowledge is of none effect without assurance in God through Christ 5 E. The King of Denmark deserved praise for enterprising the warre though the successe was not answerable 30 B. The King of Denmark commended for his care 32 E. The King of Denmark contrary to feare through his valour did cast a kinde of honour upon God confiding in his care onely 35 F. The King of Denmark did establish his Throne in despite of his Enemies 35 F. Kings are but servants though more splendid for the Common-wealth 35 F. The Kings Majestie of Denmark commended 43 O. The King of Denmark did comfort his Officers after their losse sustained before KEEL 29 A. Kings are kept and guarded from eminent danger by the Lord. 29 A. A King or a Prince that undertakes toyle and travell in his body for the safetie of his people is commendable 59 D. L. Lievetenant Colonell Arthur Forbesse dyed in Holstein 1 A. A Leaders dutie set downe at large 8 G. Lievetenant Martin killed at Bisenburg-Skonce 11 I. Lievetenant Hugh Rosse having lost his leg wished he had a woodden Leg. 17 P. Lievetenant Colonell Seaton shot at Ouldenburg 18 Q. A Lievetenant and thirteen Souldiers killed with one shot of Cannon 65 K. The Love of horses wonderfull to their Masters 30 C. Lievetenant Colonell Seaton commended for keeping strict Discipline 66 L. Lindesey of Bainshow a valorous Cavalier received three dangerous wounds at Trailsound 78 C. Lievetenant Lumsdell in time of hot service desired Colonell Holk being retiring to stay and to see if the Scots durst fight 79 D. M. Major Dumbar his custome commendable going on service 40 L. The Majestie of a King ought never to be denyed by his subjects in things indifferent 1 A. Major Wilson his over-sight in making his Accord lost his Colours 12 K. The meanest things doe helpe against the Enemy as the casting of sand and Bee-hives 13 L. Murdo Poulson killed at Ouldenburg by the Cannon 18 Q. Mutiny should ever be detestable in all estates as amongst Souldiers 48 W. The multitude tumultuous hath more changes than the deepe Sea in a tempest hath waves 24 X. The Makelesse the Sweden Ship by report did carry two hundred pieces of Ordnance 56 C. No Menagrie comparable to that which spares the lives of men 63 G. N. A Nation being enemies to vice and glad in their povertie they may haply remaine unconquered 72 S. O. Officers
things though without reason giving way to Princes that are absolute Yet it is the duty of the inferiour to maintaine his Right lest he should be thought too simple in over-passing it For though perhaps at first wee bee not heard yet it may happen that afterwards we be not incroached upon more in that kinde For as a Generall commands his Armie so should a Colonell command his Regiment that hee may advance the vertuous according to merit and good deserving more then by favour If hee would be well esteemed of hee ought to have the understanding to preferre for reward the respective and the obedient and to hold backe onely those who doe not well understand eyther themselves or others Here also we see that sometimes it is easier speaking with Kings by their inferiours then to proud Generals that although they beare the tytle lacke the discretion that should season their Commands For wee find oft times many of them doe Command more through absolute authority then through eyther love respect or reason to their Inferiours and for my part I had rather follow with little meanes a Commander who would respect me in reason for his love then to follow a proud Generall for greedinesse of meanes that taking the snuffe in his nose would affront me without reason such Generals I did never follow neither will follow though I should quit the wars for my owne contentment Wee see oft times that the faults of the Inferiours are laid on the shoulders of their Colonels which should make Superiours to make the better choice of their Officers especially in eschewing those as pestiferous who are inclined to factions or given to sow sedition amongst Camerades such are circumspectly to be avoided by the sound judgement of the Colonell desirous to live in peace with those who ought to be his friends that hee may be the more able to offend his Enemies When both love and feare are in the hearts of the inferiours then the Command is not burthensome nor the obedience slavish for sometimes as good obeyeth as hee that commandeth the Title onely with the authority being laid aside Sundry Cavalieres that carried charge under this Regiment in Denmarke wee see in the beginning of this new Warre for having attained to a little experience under this Regiment they are now like the Eagles birds that how soone they can but flee they take Command on themselves and that most worthily knowing that it is ambition grounded upon vertue makes the meanest Souldier mount from the lowest centrie to the top of honour to bee a Generall as some of our worthy Countrimen have done under the Crowne of Sweden to their eternall glory To conclude this Observation as I begun seeing all things here are but humaine unstable and but waves and tossing wherein there is nothing sure but that which is tyed to the Anchor of true Pietie fot our very life brings many things with it contrary to our expectation Therefore wee ought not to aske when or where but we should be ever mindfull how wee are prepared for they live ill that thinke they shall live ever Men will command and bee commanded so that they may live but not live so as they are commanded to live well The fourth Duty discharged of our March to New-Brandenburg and of the In-taking of it HIs Majesty after overcomming his Enemies at Garts and Girffin-Hagan having retired to Statin and made preparation for a happie new-yeares march in the beginning of Ianuary 1631. Wee brake up from Statin taking our march towards New-Brandenburg the earth clad over with a great storme of Snow being hard frost wee carried along great Canons of Batterie and a number of small Canon being well provided of all thinges belonging to Artillery our little Army consisting then of eight Thousand Horse and Foot having left the rest of the Army under Command of the Felt-Marshall Horne before Landsberg in the Marke our march the first Night went no further then beyond the passe of Lacknets where wee quartered over night breaking up the next morning wee continue our march for three dayes towards Brandenburg where there lay in Garrison as Commandant Colonell Marizane with Five hundred Horse and twelve hundred Foot being as complete to looke on as you could wish His Majesty being come by Three a clocke in the after-noone within shot of Canon to the Towne drew us in Battaile and then divided out the Poasts where the Briggads should lye commanded out the Horse watches to lye without the Foot other Troupes were also commanded forth for battering the Streets and the rest of the Horsemen being directed to Quarters The Foot battaile ordered Drums beating Colours advanced and flying every Briggad by divisions marched to their Poastes where being arrived their Watches duely set the rest were setled in their Quarters being Commanded both Officers and Souldiers not to stirre out of Quarters from their Armes but to attend on Orders In our by-going being within distance of Cannon to the Towne we were saluted with Cannon Hagbuts of Crocke and with Musket where within a short time wee rendered unto them their exchange with the interest the service continuing so long as they did the night bringing silence over all till day begun to breake againe and then at our Poast there lay before the Port a little Tri-Angle with a Water-graffe about it and a Draw-bridge wee passing through the Graffe that was not deepe stormed the Tri-Angle and made the Enemy retire within the Towne walles who fearing a generall storme did presently cause to beate a Drum desiring a Parlee which was granted pledges delivered hinc inde the Treatie went on and the Accord was made and subscribed they should march out with bagge and baggage Horse and Foot with full Armes which should have a Convoy to Hagelberg and so accordingly they marched out and then his Majestie to refresh the Armie caused to make Quarters for the whole Foot within the Towne where wee lay two nights well entertayned His Majesty having a greater enterprise in hand hee commanded out a Thousand choise Musketiers towards Trepto two miles from Brandenburg and the enemy being acquainted with their comming hee did retyre to Dameine the Leader of the party leaving two Companies in Trepto marched forwards with the partie to take in a Castle on a passe lying in his way betwixt Trepto and Dameine whereon were fifty commanded musketiers who after a little defence made for their credit did capitulate for quarters being afraid of the Armies comming they gave over both Castle and passe His Majesty leaving a few number of commanded men in Brandenburg with a Commissary for ingathering of Contribution and Proviant for the Armie he did breake up and marched towards a little Towne lying on the passe below Dameine called Letts where in the Castle there lay above sixe hundred men of the Imperialists that might have foughten for good quarters but being carelesse of their Watch our commanded Musketiers having past the
dolet sed quod tu facies as one would say the wound I gave my selfe hurts me not but the wound which you shall give grieves me We read also of Portia Cate his daughter and wife to Brutus who hearing of her husbands death in despight of all that were about her filled her mouth with hot burning coales and was suffocated for griefe We reade also a memorable story of the wives of the Menyans recorded by Plutarch in his fourth booke of Illustrious women their husbands being in prison and condemned to death for having enterprized against the King of Sparta the Lacedemonian custome being to execute their malefactors in the night these noble women under pretence to speake with their husbands being appointed to die got license of the Guards to goe within the prison and having put themselves in place of their husbands whom they made to put on their Cownes taught them to cover their faces with vailes as being extreamely sorry carrying their heads downward they escaped out of their hands Having inferred this discourse on a Queene yet wife to the best Souldier in our dayes lest Souldiers wives should be worse thought of than others having seene more love more indurance better obedience and by appearance more chastity in them to their husbands than ever I did see in any other profession I will here yet inferre a rare example of a Souldiers wife to encourage others to follow and imitate her vertues The story we reade written by Barnard Scardeon in his third booke of Padua that Blanch Rubea of Padua being retired with her Baptist de la Porte within the fortresse of Bassean pertaining to the Venetians Acctolen banished out of Padua with all his forces assailed the said place being valorously defended it was impossible to get it but by Treason Baptist not losing courage though surprised running unto the Port with his Armes in his hand but suppressed by the multitude of his enemies having gotten entry he was killed by the hand of Acciolen his wife Blanch did fight valiantly in the conflict being armed with steele and with courage farre beyond her sex The enemy being victorious she was taken perforce and brought before the Tyrant who being ravished with her beauty at first making much of her then desireth to ravish and bereave her of her honour shee defending her selfe by words and prayers of entreaty escaped his hands and finding the window open skips downe where she was found sore hurt and halfe dead but by the diligence of good Chirurgians she was made whole as before and was solicited by the Tyrant againe which she refusing to yeeld unto being bound was forced by the Tyrant shee keeping her griefe within herselfe gets liberty to goe see the dead body of her husband Baptist and pretending to doe some ceremonies about his Corps and having opened the Grave she crying streached herselfe in the Grave and violently with her hands pulls the stone that covered the grave over her and her head being bruised she died presently above her husband in the yeare 1253. The Ancient Germans did marry their wives on the condition they should be their companions in travells and dangers and as Cornelius Tacitus reports one husband married but one wife being but one body and one life And Theogene the wife of Agathocles said she was companion of his troubles and adversity as she was of his prosperity and being in love my selfe with the vertue of such women rare to be found I will yet enrich this observation with a notable example that happened in the yeare 1466 betwixt Bonne Lumbard or Greeson and Peter Brâ—nore of â—arme as the Italian story records which I here represent in favour of vertuous women to incourage that sex more and more to the like vertue being so pleasant where ever it is found to be seene Bonne borne in the Woalkie of Talhine in the country of Greeson in which place Peter Brunore Parmesan one day walking alone a brave Cavalier and a Knight well experimented in warres leading his Army in passing by he sees this young Damsell feeding her sheepe in the fields being little of stature of browne colour not pleasant or faire to see to but very merry playing then with her fellowes wherein she shewed a certaine quicknesse of spirit that the Knight Brunore looking on her attentively observing all her gestures and hoping of some great good of her caused to take her and leade her away with him against her will that in time being accustomed with him he made her divers times change clothes and clad her at last like a boy by way of pleasure and recreation of spirit leading her oft a hunting and using her to ride and spurre horses and other exercises wherein shee shewed her quicknesse and dexterity and though the Cavalier did keepe her but for pleasure recreation and pastime neverthelesse she did set her selfe to serve him with a love and diligence incredible in such sort that willingly she could endure all manner of labour trouble or toyle of body or of minde that Brunore could not undergoe and went ever with him as with her Master in all his journies assisting him in all dangers following him on foote and on horsebacke through dales and mountaines by water and by land with an intire and faithfull obedience without over-leaving of him or without grudging in any sort she went also with him towards Alphonse King of Naples for at that time this Cavalier and Knight Peter Brunore did serve under Francis Sforce which party he after quit but having afterwards changed his minde he resolved to quit Alphonse King of Naples and to retire to serve his former Master the Count of Sforce and while as he was making preparation for his flight the businesse not being so privily carried but that the King perceiving it secretly caused to apprehend Brunore and cast him into prison where he was kept long without hope of reliefe Wherefore Bonne being restlesse till she should see the day when the Knight Brunore were at liberty she went to all the Princes and Potentates of Italy and to the King of France to Philip Duke of Burgoigne to the Venetians and to many more of whom she attained letters in favour of her deare and wellbeloved master so that Alphonse wonne by such requests and the intreaty of so great men was as it were constrained to set Brunore at liberty and gave him unto that valorous warrier that did for him who having gotten him loose to doe yet greater service to her Master did obtaine so much by her meanes at the Venetians hands that they accepted of Brunore unto their service and was made Leader to the Army of so great a Republique and there was a great pension ordained for his entertainment by which deeds of friendship the Knight did know the faith the vertue and the valour of his Bonne he esteemed it not honest to keepe her longer as a servant as he had done till then but married her keeping her
consideration of the situation of the place being on the one side fortified by nature yet beyond nature and probabilitie of reason This strong Garrison was forced to yeeld to Gustavus who was Mars his Minion and Fortunes Favourite or rather their Master as we see by his frequent Victories obtained against his enemies who though strongest are made to submit to the weakest partie where we may see that as industry is fruitfull so there is a kinde of a good Angell as it were waiting ever upon diligence carrying a Lawrell in his hand to crowne her And therefore it was that they said of old that Fortune should not be prayd unto but with hands in motion which made this valiant King love ever to be busied in vertues exercise befitting a Generall that carried a minde as this Invincible King did while he lived still rising to blessednesse and contentation It is commonly seene that those who feare least are commonly overcome as became of Francford on the Oder and this Towne also and though victory we see be from God yet to overcome an enemy the courage and skill of Commanders is very requisit and necessary And where good military discipline is observed as was done here there confidence doth arise perswading us we can doe what we please Of this opinion was our Leader and our Armie never doubted of their owne valour nor of their Leaders good Conduct which made our Victories the easier to be gotten Here also we see the goodnesse of intelligence for had his Majestie not gotten the Black-smith or some other like unto him to have beene intelligencer and guide to winne through the shallow Trinkets he led us to the Damme upon the head of their Watch who were surprized hardly could we have overcome this Towne on such a sudden for without this good of intelligence which is so necessary and of so great a moment in warres nothing or very little can be effectuated in unknowne places For good Intelligencers are so requisit in an Armie that no meanes ought to bespared on them providing they be trustie for one designe or secret of our enemies well knowne may bring all the rest we desire to a wished end or at least preserve us and ours from danger This Black-smith that was our guide in leading us towards our enemy at our first on-going on service the enemy playing hard with Muskets neverthelesse he went on without feare under-taking alike danger with our selves but finding in time of hot service some falling besides him our powder being a little wet and not giving so good report as the enemies did he then said he would returne to his Majestie and send us better powder yet I thinke though here there did appeare some lacke of constant resolution in him that time exercise and frequency of danger would make him a brave fellow being of a strong and a good able body but in my opinion the stoutest of men till they be a little acquainted with the furious noise of the Cannon will naturally feare and stoope at the first Likewise his Majestie was to be commended for his diligence by night and by day in setting forwards his workes for he was ever out of patience till once they were done that he might see his Souldiers secured and guarded from their enemies for when he was weakest he digged most in the ground for in one yeare what at Swede Francford Landsberg Brandenburg Verbum Tannermonde Wittenberg and Wirtzburg he caused his Souldiers to worke more for nothing than the States of Holland could get wrought in three yeares though they should bestow every yeare a Tunne of gold and this he did not onely to secure his Souldiers from the enemy but also to keepe them from idlenesse When they were not employed on service they were kept by good discipline in awe and obedience and that with as great moderation love and discretion as could be And his Majestie knew well that our Nation was of that nature that they could take to heart the austere carriage of their Commanders were they never so good For while as sometimes through his Majesties impatiencie he would cause to imprison some of our Country-men without solicitation his Majestie was ever the first did minde their liberties for he knew their stomacks were so great that they would burst or starve in prison before they would acknowledge an errour committed against their Master except it were of negligence Moreover nothing can more discourage a Citie Fort or Strength that is beleaguered than when they see their secrets discovered and their passages from reliefe cut off as it was seene of those that yeelded up the Skonce to Sir Iohn Hepburne being contented to come in the Colonells mercy seeing themselves barred from all reliefe Likewise the dutie of Leaders that lead men on service ought to be limited with discretion and not to advance further than with conveniency they may retire againe if need be lest by too farre advancing they not onely indanger themselves but also ingage others for their reliefes to indanger all and a fault committed in this kinde through too much forwardnesse merits a harder censure than remissenesse with discretion seeing in the latter a man is but censured alone but committing the former errour he loseth himselfe and others Here also we found by experience that the spade and the shovell are ever good companions in danger without which we had lost the greatest part of our followers Therefore in all occasions of service a little advantage of ground is ever profitable against horse foote or Cannon And for this it was that the best Commanders made ever most use of the spade and the shovell and that in such ground as was found most commodious for their safeties We see also here his Majesties disposition in entertaining his Officers kindly after victory esteeming them not as servants but as companions in his mirth as a wise Master ought and should doe to those he findes obedient to his Commandements incouraging them another time to undergoe any service or danger for his sake that was so kinde and familiar with them joyning their hearts as well with his love as with his bountie for he knew well nothing was more able to bring victory next under God than good Commanders As also his Majestie knew that to be courteous unto his Officers was the way to triumph over his enemies The tenth Dutie discharged of our March to Berlin and from thence to Spandaw and backe to Botsaw THE eighteenth of Aprill 1631. the enemy being marched out of Landsburg towards Gloge his Majestie having beset Landsburg with a Garrison we marched backe to Francford on the Oder where we did rest us with the Armie till the twenty-ninth of Aprill during which time there were Ambassadours going mutually betwixt his Majestie and the Duke of Brandenburg at last having condescended on some points his Majestie brake up with the Armie and marched towards Berlin and were quartered by the way at a passe called Pance being
every particular Cameradship did strive who could best provide themselves of convenient lodgings where we were to rest for a weeke Lievetenant Colonell Iohn Monro being come before his Colonell from Scotland with a company he was made to march from Statin to Werben and from thence to Wittenberg being then ordained to march with our Regiment with whom did come from Scotland Robert Monro Kilternes sonne out of love to see his friends who contracting a feaver at Wittenberg died there and was honourably buried The fourteenth Observation HIS Majesty like a wise and prudent Generall we see would not sturre from his Loaguer at Werben till first he was made certaine by good intelligence of his enemies designe counsell and resolution which being well knowne his Majesty then resolved by preventing of them to make them unprofitable and truly the discoverer of such plots and counsells ought to be well rewarded seeing by the discovery of our enemies designes we were made to resist dis intended evill against us Happy therefore are those intelligences that come in time and there ought to be no delay used in taking that counsell that cannot be praised till the turne be done and things once deliberated should be quickly done and though he be a brave fellow who doubts in advising yet in action he ought to be confident as Gustavus was getting intelligence of the enemies designe with celerity he tooke his horses and Dragoniers with him and leaving his foote and Cannon he advanced to the passe of Wittenberg for to prevent Tillie who was striving to make the Duke turne Emperialist but Gustavus wisely taking the ball at the right rebound he did turne the Duke by Gods providence both soule and body good Swede Where cleerely we may see the Lords powerfull hand and providence in this as in all humane affaires suffering things sometimes to take delayes Notwithstanding of mans instant urging the Lord deferres to his appointed time that the glory may be given unto himselfe alone and not to mans wit or policy For as the Rudder in a ship doth with a little motion governe all the shipe even so God the director and governour of the world doth move the whole himselfe not sturring And as there is one God in the heavens that governes all the frame of the earth so the Lord hath his Substitutes on earth whom he hath made above their fellowes in judgment and herolike vertues yet he himselfe keepes the Prerogative above them all in commanding them to let us see that all the event and conclusions of Kings projects and intentions be they never so powerfull availe nothing to the furtherance of their intentions till they first acknowledge them to come from the fountaine God that distributes them againe on his servants when he pleaseth that they may learce to glorify him and not their owne wit or policy which is so much as nothing till he consent This God then the author and doer of all things and of this union and confederacy that eternall I say and provident Godhead that governes the motions of the Heavens the starres variable courses the Elementary changes all things above and beneath the earth ruling and governing spreading where he pleaseth his light beames from his eternity and with a winke piercing into the Bowells of heaven earth and sea be doth not only goe before them but in them seeing and knowing all and governing them all his will is so that he converts our noisomnesse unto health and our sinnes being ill he turnes them unto our good that eternall Governour triumphs in the Chariot of his providence and if willingly we follow him then freely as his Souldiers if unwillingly we must follow him as captives and servants We see then here by Gods providence the Duke was contented to joyne his Army with the Kings Majesties Army being come to Wittenberg to goe Conjunctis viribus against their common enemy the house of Austria and the Catholique league It had beene good for Madeburg this union had beene sooner concluded but the Lord would not have it seeing their punishments by Generall Tillies Army their scourge was decreed long before But now the Duke of Saxon terrified by their example thinkes it better to prevent such another wound by joyning with his Majesty being made warie by others fall for it is better late to thrive then never and it is better to prevent evill then to suffer and it was better for the Duke of Saxon to blush in time then out of time to grow pale for now being taken at the rebound Tillies Army being at Lipsigh seing his own house on fire to be relieved he offers his service to his Majesty damning himselfe soule and body if ever he will forsake his Majesty and his Crowne if then he would but helpe him to beate the enemy out of his country againe So that he which could not be tied with one knot before is now hard tied by foure great points which he was made to condescend unto on his honour and credit to have bin kept unviolable And his Majesty getting him once thus bound the way to make him sure was to make him fight that having dipped his hands once in the bloud of his enemies he was not suddenly to be clensed and this was the manner to tye him harder then the custome was of old amongst the Germans who were wont when they entred in confederacy to draw bloud in a Goblet of both their browes and drinke of it mutually for the more strict observance of their fidelities to each others But shortly after this confederacy was made much German bloud was drawne and of other strangers bloud to make the tie so much the harder and before the tie was broke his Majesties bloud was shed to the perpetuall disgrace of him that after his Majesties death forgetting his honour and credit did violate his confederacy made with the crowne as with the King our Master of never dying memory The fifteenth Dutie discharged of our March over the Elve at Wittenberg to Diben THE Conjunction agreed upon betwixt his Majestie and the Duke of Saxon all things sealed and subscribed his Majestie gave Orders to breake up with the Armie and to crosse the Elve over the bridge at Wittenberg for to joyne with the Dukes Armie the orders were obeyed with great contentment and entering into Saxonie we quartered the first night not farre from Diben the place appointed for our Randez-vouz the next morning we marched thither and were drawne up in battaile on the Fields where in the after noone the Dukes Armie arrived being drawne up in bartaile within Cannon shot of us the whole Officers of our Armie were commanded to be in readinesse on horse-backe to convey his Majestie for to welcome the Duke and his Armie which for pleasing the eye was the most complete little Armie for personages of men comely statures well armed and well arraide that ever mine eyes did looke on whose Officers did all looke as if they were
to the perpetuall credits of the pursuers especially of the Leader whose actions areworthy to be recorded to Posterity After this victory obtained over the Spaniard his Majesty of Sweden did propose certaine propositions and Articles unto the Duke of Bavier and the Catholique Stends that were confederat with him First to breake the Emperiall Edict that was published over the Empire Secondly both the Evangelists Religion to be let free and untroubled by the Papists Thirdly Bohemia Nerlin and Silezia to be restored in the old manner and the banished freely to returne to their lands and country Fourthly to set his Majesty of Bohemia free againe in the Paltz Fifthly the Dukedome of Bavier to be transferred on him againe Sixthly the Towne of Ausburg to be put in the former estate againe and the exercise of the Evangelists Religion to be free againe unto it as before Seventhly all Iesuits to be put away and banished out of the Empire as the Pest of the Common-weale Eighthly all Evangelists Cloisters to be restored againe as well as the Catholique Cloisters Ninthly all Cloisters in Wartenburgland to be restored againe Tenthly to choose his Majesty of Sweden as King of the Romans About the end of Ianuary Papinham gathered the whole Garrisons together that were in Brunswicke lands and west Falia and relieved Madeburg forcing Banier to retire on Calbe alleadging he had a mandat of his Majestie of Sweden not to fight Papenham who having relieved the Towne and gotten intelligence the Duke of Luneburg with a strong Army was to come on him from Wolfenbetle he having left Madeburg and taken out the Garrison having nailed the cannon and destroyed all he could in casting it into the Elve which he could not take with him on waggons having spoiled their best cannon leaving the bare walles to the Swedens which they immediatly beset againe with three Companies Papenham marched towards Wolfenbetle to meete the Duke of Luneburg Likewise Palsgrave Wolfegan William did also by his brothers intercession Palsgrave Augustus hould on with his Majesty of Sweden for a Neutrality but in vaine The fourteene dayes of still-stand being out they fell to worke againe every one for himselfe Bamberg also taken by Gustavus Horne Felt-marshall and shortly after was Tillie come thither with a strong Army from Nerlin unlooked for set on Gustavus Hornes forces the Towne being almost made fast by the Swedens Tilly with his Army falls on and the Felt-marshall having put his cannon away by water on the Maine retired in haste with losse upon Harsford after a long skirmish had with the Emperialists and having gotten intelligence of foure Regiments of Tillies that had past by Halstad he did breake up with the Cavalerie and in their quarter in Oberbyde being but halfe a mile from Bamberg falls on them two houres before day and defeats two Regiments to wit Planck Hartish and Merodish the youngers Regiment by fire and sword where he got but two Cornets the rest being burnt in the fire with their goods The Crabbats were forced to swimme the Maine the rest betooke themselves for refuge unto the Dragoniers quarters that lay at Stafflebach and retiring to the Church-yard the Felt-marshall having no musketiers with him pressed to fire them out but in vaine so that he retired againe with his Officers on Hasford and Swineford These nâ—wes coming unto his Majesty he prepared for a march unto Franconia bringing the rest of his Majesties forces together that were with the Felt-marshall and he did send unto During to the Duke of Wymar and to Generall Banter to bring their forces together to meete betwixt Nurenberg and Donavert to search out Generall Tilly and about the middest of March 1632. we brake up from Mentz having left the Rex-chancellor Oxensterne and Duke Bernard of Wymar with eight thousand men in the Paltz to attend the Spaniards further intentions on the Rhine The twenty-sixth Observation THE Catholique League seeing the Spaniard terrified in the Paltz and almost beaten away they begun being members of that head to quake and tremble for feare of the Swedens neighbourhood and therefore the Bishops of Mentz Triere Cullen Wurtzburg and of Bambrick preseâ—tly resolved out of their policy to treat for a neutrality pressing so farre as lay in them to bring the King of France and his Majesty of Sweden to pull at each others beards alleâ—dging the Swedens intentions were only to subvert the Catholique Religion and the professours of Popery as he had already as they alleadged persecuted and banished the Churchmen out of Erford Wurtzburg Francford Hickst and out of all other parts where they were whereupon his Majesty of France notwithstanding of his confederacy with the King of Sweden was commoved at his crossing the Rhine fearing he might bring the Caâ—holique League on his side and then turne his Armes against France which suspitions wrought an Ambassage from his Majesty of France towards his Majesty of Sweden for treaty of neutrality betwixt the King of Sweden and the Catholique League which in th' end turned to nothing Where we see that all Potentates and great Kings doe keepe no Confederacy nor League but only so farre as they are helpfull for their owne aimes and designes preferring their benefit before the keeping of their covenants where we see that Kings hand-writings or seales in pactions making tye them no more then as nothing when they finde them prejudiciall to their owne greatnesse and cannot be made to keepe their covenants but with stronger power Then we see here his Majesty of Sweden was nothing moved with the King of France his threatning except he would retire over the Rhine againe seeing he knew his owne ability at that time that being once over the Rhine he could march unto France The consideration whereof made them agree better on secondary conditions having past from the first covenant so that we see there is no dealing with Kings but on equall termes and then are they most reasonable but the example of Kings in this point of their covenants is not to be imitated by any other inferiours for in respect of them though not in respect of God they are privileged persons who cannot be punished for their faults but by God alone And therefore amongst inferiours nothing is to be kept more strict next unto faith unviolated then mens word and promise especially promises betwixt old friends But alas no friendship is permanent seeing many things come betwixt turning it unto hatred and hostility for where love doth not grow the friendship is not durable Likewise here we see his Majesty of France made haste to interpose his request for the weale of the Catholique League shewing himselfe discontented with their usage to make them the more ready to thinke on him before they should any wayes leane in their necessity to the King of Sweden As also we see the policy of the League though in their necessity they seemed to make use of the King of France his friendship yet they
after Walestine himselfe after the in-taking of Coburg continued his march towards Leipsigh after spoyling the land of Coburg and Culnebush he marched through the Voigland towards Owltenburg and from thence to Leipsigh which he got in on Accord the twenty-second of October and on the twenty-third he got in the Castle of Pleisenburg putting out the Dukes Garrison and putting in his owne And after he tooke in Weysenfelse Morsburg Nawmburg and divers Townes more in Sakonie spoyling and ruining all that side of the Elve Hall also he tooke in but the Castle of Morsburg being well beset by the Swedens by that time could not be brought to heare of any Accord Papenhaim now retired from Mastricht having in vaine attempted then the reliefe of it at his backe-coming he relieved the City of Patterburne from the beleaguering and skirmished with the Lievetenant Generall Bawtish he also dissolved the blockquering of Volfenbittle an did get some Cornets and Colours from the Brunswicker forces and from thence he did come before Heldishem alleaging he had beaten the Duke of Lunenbeug and Bawtishen by which stratagem he did get Heldishem in his power and beset it with a Garrison as the principall Strength on the Wezer streame appointing the Grave Fon Gronsfield to command there and then he marched towards Eichfield and tooke in Milhousen getting a great composition of money from them he marched on Saltz and plundered it out wherein he did get much hidden riches and his Souldiers making rich booty they did cast in the water that which they could not carry he proceeded also in the same manner with Theanestade from whence he carried with him the Burger-masters in pledge of their Cities Ransome and finding by the way they were not able to pay what they had promised he caused to take all three and hang them up till they were halfe dead and then caused suddenly to cut them downe Cretzburg also he used little better from Erfort he desired twenty thousand Dollers and threatned if the monies were not tould downe he would not faile to doe them all the mischiefe he could whereupon with much adoe they did get him two thousand Dollers and hearing his Majesty of Sweden was drawing neere he staied not on the rest but marched to Morsburg at Hall The thirty-eighth Observation MEmory and forgetfulnesse are both necessary in friendship Shall I then forget here to speake of our separation being so long companions of one danger together No this love of Camerades to each others is most worthy remembrance seeing we were divers times willing to give our lives for one anothers safeties shall we then be oblivious of this mutuall love and dangers No though distance of place separate our â—â—dies we shall stillbe conjoyned in minde and power against our common enemy that desireth the hurt of us all alike Let us then though severed maintaine one anothers credit in absence ever honouring the worth and vertues of our deare Camerades for the kindnesse past let as learne to be ever thankfull to their friends alive and after their death let our love increase to their successours for if there be any Nectar in this life it is in sorrowes we endure for the goodnesse and love of our absent friends especially of those that were our dearest Camerades for if we sorrow for them amending our lives knowing we must passe shortly through the same passage they did passe before us truely one day our sorrow shall turne to joy and our teares shall turne to smiles our weeping unto a streame of pleasures and our labour unto eternall rest that as we followed the Lyon of the North the invincible King of Sweden in fighting the Lords Battailes here even so we shall follow the Lambe unto the Heavenly Ierusalem hereafter The cruelty and Tyranny used by the Emperiall Officers in Saxony who neither spared man nor woman is rather to be pittied by Christians then any wayes to be imitated which cruelty did presage their ruine to come for nothing vehement in that kinde did ever remaine long unpunished and though for a time the Devills rage at last they are cast into perpetuall darkenesse Papenhaim returning from Mastricht we see was immoderate in his victories and forbearing to shew mercy at all he domineered in his Tyranny running so long as he had feete some he did hang by their purses and some by their necks by halfes for not paying the Ranfome of others Such in justice the God of mercy and goodnesse did not suffer long unpunished and it is to be pittied that such exorbitant pride had bin cohabitant in so valorous a Captaine for it is certaine when a man of warre groweth too proud of his victories refusing mercy then commonly approach punishments woe for a proud warriour as this was viz. errour in counsell and unhappy successe in his best actions for how soone a man beginneth to grow proud and to be secure then cometh punishment and as pride groweth so vertue decaieth and though the punishment of pride and cruelty sometimes comes late yet sure it never comes light and it is most certaine there is ever some fatality incident unto those who are desirous of vaine glory through pride Our desire then should be to be humble that we be not rejected with disdaine as those proud Cavaliers rejected the poore Supplicants who though begging mercy were not heard whose exorbitant wickednesse should teach us not to imitate their examples but rather through grace presse to eschew their punishment both temporall and eternall The thirty-ninth Duty discharged of our March to Dunkelspill and from thence unto Bavier HIS Majesty returning from Rottenburg with the Queenes Majesty they marched with the Army towards Dunkelspill where they did lie three dayes during which time I was glad looking for no life to have bin eased by the helpe of good and learned Physitians There I was left the Army continuing their march upon Nerling making all the expedition and haste was possible to relieve Rhine on the Leacke being beleagured by the Duke of Bavier his forces and his Majesty coming to the Leacke he received newes the Towne was given over and the Bridge being cast off his Majesty was hindered the passage whereupon his Majesty directed backe the Queene to Donavert and incontinent begunne to prepare for the beleaguering of Rhine againe the Bridge being repared he set over his Army the thirtith of September and incontinent begun his aproaches the Emperialists at first plaied hard with Cannon and Musket till night that his Majesties Batteries were ready The first of October early in the morning the mist was so thicke that his Majesty approached very neere the walles and that orderly the Batteries being ready the Cannon planted in the mist by nine of the clocke his Majesty saluted the Towne with a Salve of Musket and Cannon where incontinent the feeble Bearish Commanders entred in accord which was granted unto them so that his Majesty by the assistance of God got this Towne againe