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How Combatts Were
firste permitted by God

Beinge determy:
ned to write the arte of Chivalrye: wher:
of 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 gentle:
men, who for zeale of honnor have in those exercyzes
of virtue imployed them selues. And havinge alreadie be:
gonne, 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 Golilas, 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 aucthory:
tie 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 com:
manndeth his people of Jurie saienge, Arme youre
men apte for the warrs to revenge thoffenc made a:
gainste the Lorde. And more he saide, yf yor brethren