The historie of the holy vvarre; by Thomas Fuller, B.D. prebendarie of Sarum, late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge

Chap 10. Reasons against the Holy warre.

YEt all these reasons prevail not so forcibly, but that many are of the contrary opinion, and count this warre both need∣lesse and unlawfull, induced thereunto with these or the like arguments.

• 1. When the Jews were no longer Gods people, Judea was no longer Gods land by any peculiar appropriation; but on the other side, God stamped on that countrey an indelible character of desolation, and so scorched it with his anger, that it will ne∣ver change colour, though Christians should wash it with their bloud. It is labour in vain therefore for any to endeavour to reestablish a flourishing kingdome in a blasted countrey: and let none ever look to reap any harvest, who sow that land which God will have to lie fallow.
• 2. Grant the Turks were no better then dogs, yet were they to be let alone in their own kennel. They and the Saracens their predecessours, had now enjoyed Palestine foure hundred and sixty yeares: Prescription long enough to sodder the most crackt title, and not onely to corroborate but to create a right. Yea, God himself may seem herein to allow their title, by suffer∣ing them so long peaceably to enjoy it.
• 3. To visit those places in Jerusalem (the theatre of so many mysteries and miracles) was a uselesse as difficult; and might be superstitious if any went (as it is to be feared too many did) with placing transcendent holinesse in the place, and with a wooden devotion to the materiall Crosse. The Angel sent the wo∣men away from looking into the sepulchre, with He is risen, he is not here; and thereby did dehort them and us, from burying our affections in Christs grave, but rather to seek him where he was to be found. At this day a gracious heart maketh every place a Jerusalem, where God may as well and as acceptably be worshipped. S. Hilarion though he lived in Palestine saw Jerusalem but once, and then onely because he might not seem to neglect the holy places for their nearnesse and vicinitie. And S. Hierome (though himself lived at Bethlehem) disswaded Pau∣linus from coming thither; for the pains would be above the profit.
• 4. Lastly, this warre was a quicksand to swallow treasure, and of a hot digestion to devoure valiant men: no good, much evil came thereby; and the Christians that went out to seek an ene∣mie in Asia, brought one thence, to the danger of all Europe, and the losse of a fair part thereof. For though

• —Careat successibus opto, Quisquis ab eventu facta notan∣da putet: —may he never speed, Who from the issue censures of the deed:

  and though an argument fetcht from the successe is but a cy∣phre in it self, yet it increaseth a number when joyned with others.

These reasons have moved the most moderate and refined Papists, and all Protestants generally in their judgements to fight against this Holy warre. But as for the opinion of Biblian∣der (who therein stands without company) if Bellarmine hath truly reported it, it is as farre from reason, as charity; namely, that these Christians that went to fight against the Saracens, were the very army of Gog and Magog spoken of by the pro∣phet Ezekiel. Yet must we not here forget, that such as at this time went to Jerusalem (whether ridiculously, or blasphemously, or both, let others judge) did carry a goose before them, pre∣tending it to be the holy Ghost.

Notes

• Ioh. Cam∣menus, De jure Majest. Thes. 22. Et Albert. Aqu. Chro. Hierosol. lib. 4. cap. 28. Et Reineccius in Praef. hist. Orient.
• Matth. 28.6
• Hieron. tom. 1. pag. 103. in Epist. ad Paul••u••.
• Vide Besol∣dum, De re∣gibus Hieros. pag. 99. & sequentibus.
• Lib. 3. De Rom. Pont. cap. 17.
• Ezek. 38.3.
• Aventinus, lib. 5. Annal.