Obseruations vpon the fiue first bookes of Cæsars commentaries setting fourth the practise of the art military in the time of the Roman Empire : wherein are handled all the chiefest point of their discipline, with the true reason of euery part, together with such instructions as may be drawn from their proceedings, for the better direction of our moderne warres / by Clement Edmunds.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

THe first motiue which he vseth to recall their exiled iudgment, dis∣couered their breach of discipline: for contrarie to the course of militarie gouernment, they had presumed not only to make inqui∣rie, but to giue out whither, and vpon what seruice they were cari∣ed; which in the rigour of campe pollicie, could not passe without due punish∣ment: for what can more contradict the fortunate successe of an expedition, then to suffer to be measured with the vulgar conceit? or waied in the ballance of such false iudgmentes? especially when those weake Censors are to be Ac∣tors, and executioners of the dessigne: for then euerie man will sute the na∣ture of the action according to his own humor, although his humor be led with blindnesse, and haue no other direction, then an vncertaine apprehension of profit or disaduantage. And in this case there cannot be a better president then nature hath prescribed: for as natural Agents, whilest they concurre to produce a worke of absolute perfection, neither know what they doe, nor can discerne the thinges they looke vpon; but yeeld themselues to be guided by a moderator

of infinite knowledge: so ought a multitude to submit their abilitie to the di∣rection of some wise and prudent captaine, that beholdeth the action in true honour; and balanceth the losse of many particulars, with the health and safetie of the publike good. For if euery man should prescribe, who should obay? Tam nescire quaedam milites, quam scire oportet, saith Otho in Tacitus vpon the like disorder: and againe, parendo potius quam imperia ducum sciscitando res militares continentur; which proueth that the greatest vertue which is required in a soul∣dier is obedience, as a thing wherein the force of all discipline consisteth.