OF AN HOLY WAR. 127 



some of your lordships would take your turn to speak, 

 that can do it better. But chiefly, for that I see here 

 some that are excellent interpreters of the divine law, 

 though in several ways ; and that I have reason to 

 distrust mine own judgment, both as weak in itself, 

 and as that which may be overborn by my zeal and 

 affection to this cause. I think it were an error to 

 speak farther, till I may see some sound foundation 

 laid of the lawfulness of the action, by them that 

 are better versed in that argument. EUPOLIS. I am 

 glad, Martius, to see in a person of your profession 

 so great moderation, in that you are not transported 

 in an action that warms the blood, and is appearing 

 holy, to blanch or take for admitted the point of 

 lawfulness. And because, methinks, this conference 

 prospers, if your lordships will give me leave, I will 

 make some motion touching the distribution of it 

 into parts. Unto which when they all assented, 

 Eupolis said : EUPOLIS. I think it would not sort 

 amiss, if Zebedaeus would be pleased to handle the 

 question, Whether a war for the propagation of the 

 Christian faith, without other cause of hostility, be 

 lawful or no, and in what cases ? I confess also I 

 would be glad to go a little farther, and to hear it 

 spoken to concerning the lawfulness, not only per- 

 missively, but whether it be not obligatory to Christian 

 princes and states to design it ; which part, if it 

 please Gamaliel to undertake, the point of the law 

 fulness taken simply will be complete. Yet there 

 resteth the comparative : that is, it being granted. 



