The historie of the holy vvarre by Thomas Fuller ...

Chap. 9.

Arguments for the lawfulnesse of the Holy war.

IT is stiffely canvased betwixt learned men, whether this war was lawfull, or not. The reasons for the affirmative are fetcht either from piety or policy: And of the former sort are these.

1. All the earth is Gods land let out to tenants; but Judea was properly his demesnes, which he kept long in his own hands for himself and his children. Now though the infidels had since violently usurped it, yet no prescription of time could prejudice the title of the King of Heaven, but that now the Christians might be Gods champions to recover his interest.

2. Religion bindeth men to relieve their brethren in distresse, especially when they implore their help, as now the† 1.1 Christians in Syria did; whose intreaties in this case, sounded commands in the ears of such as were piously disposed.

3. The Turks by their blasph••mies and reproches against God and our Saviour, had disinherited and devested themselves of all their right to their lands; and the Christians as the next un∣doubted heirs, might seize on the forfeiture.

4. This war would advance and increase the patrimony of Religion, by propagating the Gospel, and converting of infidels. If any object that Religion is not to be beaten into men with the dint of sword; yet it may be lawfull to open the way by force, for instruction, catechising, and such other gentle means to fol∣low after.

5. The beholding of those sacred places in Palestine would much heighten the adventurers devotion, and make the most frozen heart to melt into pious meditations.

6.† 1.2 This enterprise was furthered by the perswasions of sun∣dry godly men, S. Bernard and others. Now though a lying spirit may delude the prophets of Achab, yet none will be so uncharitable as to think God would suffer his own Michaiah to be deceived.

7.† 1.3 God set his hand to this war, and approved it by many miracles which he wrought in this expedition, and which are so confidently and generally reported by credit-worthy writers, that he himself is a miracle that will not believe them.

Neither want there arguments derived from policie.

1. Palestine was a parcell of the Romane Empire, though since won by the Saracens: and though the Emperour of Con∣stantinople could not recover his right, yet did he alwayes con∣tinue his claim, and now (as† 1.4 appeared by his letters read in the Placentine Councel) Alexius requested these Princes of the West to assist him in the recovery thereof.

2. A preventive warre grounded on a just fear of an invasion is lawfull: But such was this holy war. And because most stresse is laid on this argument, as the main supporter of the cause, we will examine and prove the parts thereof.

Though umbrages and light jealousies created by cowardly fansies be too narrow to build a fair quarrel on; yet the lawful∣nesse of a preventive warre founded on just fear, is warranted by reason and the practice of all wise nations. In such a case it is folly to do as countrey-fellows in a fence-school, never ward a blow till it be past: but it is best to be before-hand with the ene∣my, lest the medicine come too late for the malady. In such dan∣gers to play an after-game, is rather a shift then a policy; especi∣ally seeing war is a tragedy which alwayes destroyeth the stage whereon it is acted; it is the most advised way, not to wait for the enemy, but to seek him out in his own countrey.

Now that the Mahometans (under whom the Turks and Sara∣cens are comprehended, differing in nation, agreeing in religion and spite against Christians) were now justly to be feared, can∣not be denyed. So vast was the appetite of their sword, that it had already devoured Asia, and now reserved Grecia for the se∣cond course. The Bosphorus was too narrow a ditch, and the Empire of Grecia too low an hedge to fence the Pagans out of West-Christendome: yea, the Saracens had lately wasted † 1.5 Italy, pillaged and burned many Churches near Rome it self, conquered Spain, inroded Aquitain, and possessed some islands in the mid-land-sea. The case therefore standing thus, this Holy warre was both lawfull and necessary: which like unto a sharp pike in the bosse of a buckler, though it had a mixture of offen∣ding, yet it was chiefly of a defensive nature, to which all pre∣ventive warres are justly reduced.

Lastly, this warre would be the sewer of Christendome, and drain all discords out of it. For active men like mill-stones in motion, if they have no other grist to grind, will set fire one on another. Europe at this time surfeited with people, and many of them were of stirring natures, who counted themselves un∣done, when they were out of doing; and therefore they em∣ployed themselves in mutuall jarres and contentions: But now this holy warre will make up all breaches, and unite all their forces against the common foe of Christianity.

Notes

• † 1.1

  Tyrius, lib. 1. cap. 11.
• † 1.2

  Bellarm. lib. 3. de Rom. Pont. cap. 17.
• † 1.3

  Ibidem.
• † 1.4

  Baronius, tom. 11. pag. 687.
• † 1.5

  Sabell. Eun. 9. lib. 3. pag. 354.