The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey
Caesar, Julius., Edmondes, Clement, Sir, 1566 or 7-1622. Observations upon Caesars commentaries of the civil warres., Hirtius, Aulus. De bello Gallico. Liber 8. English., Edmondes, Clement, Sir, 1566 or 7-1622. Manner of our modern training or tactick practise., Caesar, Julius. De bello Gallico. English.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

IT is the condition of humane nature, to make good that which once it hath avouched, al∣though the matter be of small consequence in particular, and tendeth rather to infamy then to profit; neither will it easily be reclaimed by mo∣tives of reason, but is rather incited thereby (per Antiperistasin) to persist in wilfulnesse, then to hearken to that which is more convenient;* espe∣cially, when either jealousie or revenge do imply an advantage: for then partiality keepeth no measure; but to justifie an errour, runnes head∣long into all extremities, and ••eth to the last re∣fuge of desperate and deplored cases, to make disordered passions seem good discretion. Which evidently appears by Pompey's faction, in resol∣ving of that desperate Act of Senate, which was never thought of but in most eminent danger. For as in foul weather at sea, when a ship rideth in a dangerous road, and through the violence of the tempest, is upon the point of shipwrack, the Mariners are wont to cast out a sheet-Anchor as their last refuge:* so had Rome anciently recourse to this Decree, at such times as the Common∣wealth was in imminent and extreme calamity; whether it were by enemies abroad, or by ser∣pents in their bosome at home.*Livie speaking of the warre of the Aequi, saith; The Senatours were so affrighted, that following the form of the Decree which was alwayes reserved for cases of extremitie, they ordained that Post humius (one of the Consuls) should take care that the Commonwealth might not be endangered. The like was used in civile and intestine seditions: as when Manlius Capitolinus aspired to a Tyran∣ny;* and as likewise in the tumults of the Grac∣chi, the conspiracy of Catiline, and other times of like danger. For albeit the Consuls had all Page  5 sovereign authority, as well in warre as in peace: yet neverthelesse there were certain reserved cases wherein they had no power, without expresse order from the Senate,* and assent from the people; as, to levie an Army to make warre, to take mo∣ney out of the Treasury: whereas upon such a Decree, they were enabled to dispose of all bu∣sinesses of State, without further moving of the Senate or people, which Tully noteth in his Ora∣tions against Antonie. I think it fit (saith he) that the whole state of the Commonweal be left unto the Consuls, and that they be suffered to defend the same; and to take care that the Commonweal be not indangered.