How Combatts Were firste permitted by God
Beinge determyned to write the arte of Chivalrye: wherof before tyme in the Latyne, more at large I have written, towchinge Iustice apperteyninge to partycular combatts, called in Latine Duelli. I have thought meete firste to intreate of suche channces as happen to noble and couragious gentlemen, who for zeale of honnor have in those exercyzes of virtue imployed them selues. And havinge alreadie begonne, behavinge to make likewyse ende I will declare cheiflie by aucthoritie, in what sorte at ye beginninge combatts proceeded, ffrom God, as we reade in the Bible howe thoroughe ye will of theternall God, it was permitted in that age, that Dauid the kinge sholde fighte wth Golias, and wthout pittie kyll him. Also by the mouth of the Prophett, it is declared that God speakinge to the Hebrues saide Arme your selues and confounde their tonnges, that is, of the Philistians ennemies to the people of God. In one other aucthorytie written by the Prophet, it is to be redde, that God saide, yowe shall chuse stronge and valiant ment, meete to fight againste the Machabees. ffurther it is founde that he gave in commanndement to the Leuite saienge, yowe shall pursue your ennemies, so as yowe shall make them fall downe before your feete in batteill. And it is to be noted in the booke of Numeri, where God commanndeth his people of Jurie saienge, Arme youre men apte for the warrs to revenge thoffenc made againste the Lorde. And more he saide, yf yor brethren
