A Word for the Army and Two to the Kingdom
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A90548.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A word for the ARMIE.
And two words to the KINGDOME.
TO Clear the ONE, And cure the OTHER.
Forced in much plainesse and brevity from their faithful SERVANT, HUGH PETERS.
LONDON, Printed by M. Simmons for Giles Calvert at the black Spread-Eagle at the Westend of Paul's, 1647.
A Word for the ARMIE, and two words for the KINGDOME.
T Hough I have looked upon the Scriblings of this age as the fruits of some men's idleness, and most men's folly, and therefore should not willingly have owned myself, if found among that Rabble. Yet when it grows so unlimitedly high, and impudently brazen, that some men I know, men even above flattery, and so sleek & smooth, in their uprightness (Among whom I place the present General and his Second) that I had thought nothing of that kind could stick; and yet these besmeared by uncircumcised pens.
1. Two things I resolved which now I offer to the World. The first is an humble Petition to the Parliament, that they would please to try their now well-backed authority, that someone faithful discreet man may be chosen to divulge Gazets, Corants, or news: who shall be accountable to the State for what he prints or communicates to the Kingdom, and that two of each party (for parties there are) shall undertake for what is Printed on the behalf of either, that so all scandalous and slanderous personal affronts may be avoided, and matters worth time and reading may be published; or if none of these may be gotten, at least men may put their names to their Papers; that honest men may know where to find an accuser, for si sat sit accusare, quis erit innocens? I list not to answer objections may be made hereunto, since this boundless kind of boldness were better curbed to some inconvenience, then continued to a mischief, even the poisoning the whole Nation: It should not be a wise man's Qu •• e, what strength, wit, acuteness, &c, runs through such a paper: but cui bono?
2. My second Resolve is, though not to answer every late Pamphlet punctually, which rather then do, I might undertake to cleanse the stable in the story: yea though my Share lies so much in them, that it would be costly to purchase clean handkerchiefs to wipe off every spattering on my face, and could as shortly and more truly answer all as he did Bellarmine with thou liest; knowing no public instrument in no age, in no place can travel without others dashing and dogs barking: Yet to prevent stones from speaking, and graves from opening, or some horrid unheard of thing from appearing, to satisfy the wide-mouthed world, and the black-mouthed Pamphleteers. I shall in plainness and faithfulness show you the Armies wounds since they put up their sword, and with them the States diseases; and in humility offer the cure, and leave all to a wonder-working God.
First, Let me tell you negatively the evils commonly charged upon the Army, are not the Armies evils. We have generally Causam pro non causa, in which Mr. Prin was wont to exceed, who spake much more then he meant to stand too: the sum of all his is the Armies rebellion: another Pedanticke sounds a Retreat, who being nameless will not endure a Charge; the marrow of his Divinity, Non-obedience; another brings the Army to the Barre, where he pleads with a company of bal'd threatenings, and would fright Fairfax with a sight of a King at White-Hall; One cries they sin against Caesar; another, they have deflowered the Parliment; another, they have ravished the City; another, they are Sectaries, enemies to Government, false to God, to man, friends, enemies to themselves. They have lost Ireland, ruined England; oh! taxes and free quarter; oh! this trinkling with the Court cries one; oh! their doubtful carriage with the Court cries another; Cavaliers shall up cries one; we shall never see good day says another, I do not think Paul heard such a confused noise, when himself could hardly get leave to speak; That the word Army must answer all the doubtful mischievous deadly questions in the World. For Example.
Who brings Famine? the Army.
Who the Plague? the Army.
Who the Sword? the Army.
Who hinders Trade? the Army.
Who incenseth Scotland? the Army.
Who hardens the King? the Army.
Who confounds all? the Army.
And if it should be asked the Cavaliers and Malignants who conquered you: they would answer, the Army. If the Presbyters, who disappointed you? the Army; If the Independents: who leaves you in the dark? the Army; And if Haman were asked what he would do with these Jews? we know the Answer: alas poor Army: qualis de te narratur fabula? But to my purpose; The grand complaint, which, as most insisted upon, so is most likely to have vulgar acceptance: is the Armies disobedience to the Parliament, by which the State was endangered to loose all consistency; In respect of which, the Apprentices routing the House is but duty or innocence; or at worst a parallel practice.
To which this is my plain and full answer.
It is confessed, they were not willing to disband at Walden, being urged thereunto, and denied in Essex, when expected and pressed: But consider. 1. It was required but conditionally, with regard to their security, indemnity, and Arreare, and none of these performed; It was not such a Monstrum horerndum:
2 dly . They were free English-men as Soldiers, and must maintain their obligation to the State, as well as answer the Major and more corrupt Votes of the House.
3 dly . Nature commanded their self-preservation, when such Instruments were sent to disband them, and command them for Ireland, of whose non-integrity they had good experience.
4 lie . When not long before they could not have leave to Petition their faithful General, how should • they expect anything being disbanded.
5 lie . This piece of disobedience 〈◊〉 not new unto them, when the same practice was familiar from men more mercenary in the North, and their denial never counted rebellion: but glibly swallowed.
6 lie . I answer, and I desire it may be observed: The first force ever put upon the Parliament was long before this, and that nearer hand: did not the City Remonstrance hang like a Petard upon the Parliament door week after week, and every Ward in course to attend and fire it; speak (Gentlemen of the House) how you were accosted and saluted, and in what language, till you were forced to speak pure London.
7 lie . I do here offer to make good upon oath, that the Commanding party in the House, had more force put upon them to disband us, then we put upon the House in refusing. For proof whereof, Master Anthony Nicholls lately with us at Kingston before his flight, being urged by myself before another sufficient witness, to speak to this point, calling for a testimony from heaven) Profest, that when the Army offered at first to go for Ireland, he with the other impeached Members fully condescended to it, and they gave him the agitation thereof: but (as he protested) the Ministers in London came to them with violence, pressing the contrary upon this ground: That this Army would soon conquer Ireland, fill it with Schisms: and not only command it: but in a short time give law to England: and therefore would hear of nothing but the disbanding it, w ch (quoth he) put us upon that violent course; Now who forced these Ministers? I do not say, but you see who forced those Parliament-men, & we know they would force the Army: and upon denial the Army are the forcers. And if the City- Remonstraters durst speak, they can tell you who forced them to force the Parliament: and if the Apprentices would break silence, they could tell you who spet in their mouths, and clapt them on the back.
In all this I speak not my delight, but my grief, that so many Pulpits should as plainly witness this force, as History tells us who poisoned King John. And though we have not been ignorant of this kind of violence (which I had rather attribute to my Brethren's zeal, then their malice) yet you see how tenderly we have dealt with those: we knowing many godly amongst them, who have not yet declared against them, complained of one of them; Nay though this Army from first to last never had any of these Brethren to offer one Sermon to us to encourage in dangers, to rejoice with us in our success. Nay, though they know we want helps, and have been forced to use such help, as they have reviled us for; and so would have us make brick without straw; Nay though we know most hard measure met us. I do profess I conceive even Gangraena himself might have marched through the Army unmolested, though we are not ignorant: hinc nostri sundicalamitas. The Lord pity and pardon, the Army doth.
8 lie . Lastly, the Army durst not disband, not seeing a suitable power to stand betwixt honest men and their dangers; the Garrisons not possessed by men of trust, and the 5000. horse intended not in such hands as to be wished: and the best of them might be soon disbanded when the foot scattered.
No, no, this is not the Armies wound or sore; and to answer the Retreaters grand question, whence are Wars. I answer with the Apostle James; and add Peace begets plenty, plenty, pride, and pride, war, and war begets peace, and so round again. The School-boy that helped him to so many Latin ends out of Tully, can answer a harder Quaere: but since he pretends to Religion, I wonder this offended Brother doth not attend the Rule, Matth. 18. Why cannot he as well speak to a brother offending, and so tell him, as to tell all the world of him; I have been satisfied in mine own spirit, that the godly could not be much offended with us, since none have taken the liberty of speaking to us, which I dare say from the General to the meanest Officer, professing godliness, had not been unwelcome.
But I look upon that Author as great a stranger to the Army, as he is often to his own principles, and his whole course to be a trade of Retreating, and leave him to another pen; nor is a general toleration the Armies Gangraena, when as they never hindered the State from a State Religion, having only wished to enjoy now what the Puritans begged under the Prelates: when we desire more, blame us, and shame us. Neither was it the evil of the Army, that being model'd, they suddenly closed, and marched at that time when the boldest complainer now, would have given them two parts of what they had to have secured the third; (Friends) it was not their evil to divide part of their Force to Taunton, & with another part to fight at Naseby, and after that (by God's blessing) to deliver up a free Kingdom to an ungrateful Inhabitant, and to an envious cruel piece of a Parliament; nor did those honest-hearted so much asperst Fairfax and Crumwells sin in owning the Army at New-market; nor in their march from thence towards London; nor in their respects to those noble Commissioners of Parliament sent to them; nor in their courtesy to those discreet Citizens from London (who deserve much) nor their condiscending to their desires to march off upon promise of two things;
First, That they would put out the imperious Reformadoes.
2 dly . In securing the House, though neither performed, nor in scattering their Forces at 200. miles distance, and providing for Ireland; nor in their return upon those confessed insolencies; nor in marching unto, and through the City, to show their harmless intentions; nor in securing the King in that juncture; nor in hearkening to their Agitators in their just Proposalls; nor in asking money to avoid free Quarter and other burdens; nor in bringing those of the House that fled to them, home again; nor in desiring a sound Parliament, and clearing it from such persons as had shaken their public interest; nor in propounding wholesome means to the House, and leaving them to their feet to be enlarged, altered, or explained to the Kingdoms advantage; nor lastly are complaints against private Soldiers the proper evil of the Army: since when I speak of the Army, I mainly intend their Council & conduct; For you know in such a body that sickness in pay causeth death in Discipline. But positively we will turn up our lap, and show you our nakedness, et habebitis confitentes, reos. We acknowledge we are reaping the ill fruits of our want of action. Saevior Armis luxuria incubuit victos{que} ulei vitur.
It may be some of us have had our Lordly dish in Jaels Tent, and our head may be nailed to the ground; we may think (the war being ended) we may begin to look to our own comforts, and subsistence, and we are apt to plead, who shall enjoy honor and other advantages: but those that have won them through hazards, and think they may be confided in; It may be some of us look upon our shops and Trades as things below us. We want that communion with God, and one with another which we had in sad hours: we are forgetful of our mercies: we may be apt to quarrel one with the other for want of an enemy.
We may have such a neighbor of the Court, as some of us may be Planet-struck, yet I hope not principle shaken; we may wander too much from our own first undertakings in the opinion of others.
We are not without varieties of thoughts about the matters of God, which never appeared when we had no time for talking, having so much to do and act. We cannot (we confess) live beyond our frailties in many kinds. To be short, we have prayed more, loved more, believed more then we do. We are grown effeminate with ease, and are more cowed with a dead dog, then we have been with a living Lyon. We are less in heaven and more in earth, and these truly are our wounds dear friends.
Some other diseases there are as much considerable among others, which may be of greater and stranger influence, as
First, All men's unbelief in God for the carrying on his work, he is not minded in the whole business.
2. Our not designing a government from first to last.
3. Our general, proud, and careless carriages towards the present differences which make so much noise among us.
4. A selvishnesse & negligence in Committees and men entrusted, behaving themselves as if they could keep their painted and well-stuffed Cabbins when the ship is sinking.
5. A general want of the fear of God, and that spirit of trembling before him, which whilst it was upon Ephraim, he was a glorious Tribe.
6. An oscitant and untrust kind of deportment in all men towards public affairs, the truth is, the want of a public spirit threatens ruin very much.
7. Unwarranted Jealousies of all men and all actions: yea though convinced of each others faithfulness.
8. Common unthankfulness & ingratitude to God and man, I fear shortly the greatest error in the Kingdom, will be the famine of Love.
9. Delay to the distressed, making them more miserable then the matter of their complaints doth.
10. A spirit of lying and false witness-bearing, reaching to the undervaluing of our enjoyments, to say England is grown so poor by the War, is false, excepting what is blasted by some Northern winds, our treasure is yet in the Kingdom: London as rich as before; witness clothes and diet: witness marriages and disposing of children, where piety, proportion, parentage take little place, unless mingled with much red clay; witness the ready money for purchases if cheap: though shaken Titles in tottering times.
The Cure may lie in these?
The Army (you say) must yet be maintained, and we have thought of Establishments, &c. to take off all offenses occasioned by the Army; either you must find action for it, which will answer much, or repartite it upon several Counties according to proportion, that every County may know their own men and their charge, by which the Hollanders have kept their Army these 70. or 80. years; I have formerly answered all objections may be made against it. The immediate pay of the Soldier in every County, as it will cut off many unnecessary charges, so it will be easy and contentful to both parties, I mean the Soldier and the Land-lord.
Secondly, Good men, not good Laws must save Kingdoms: not that I would separate them; therefore I think that the first work to be attended: For as the Venetians live upon their curious elections: so the Netherlands by keeping their government in such hands as they do, though perpetuating offices to them, have proved dangerous. Good Justices, good Majors, &c. had it been our first work, it would have been our best, & English-men can as soon conform to just & honest government as any other people. See it in the Army, how serviceable the worst imprest men have been under example, and Characters to be given out for the Elector, and elected, and for the manageing of chiefer Burgesses. What if every fifty in every County chose one to choose for them, &c. most men being ignorant of the worthiest men.
3 dly . That all men from the highest to the lowest may know what they may trust too without delay, and to trust God with the management of it if according to his will.
4 lie . Tithes or something of Analogy to them brought into a common stock in every County will do two things, viz. keep a good proportion of money ready in every County, & content the Preacher and his Widow better, when in Towns 200. l . or 150. l . per annum, and in the Parish 100. l . shall certainly be paid, and 40. l . to the Widow, &c. as in other Countries they do, and hence raise a stock to set the poor on work in every County, the want of which hath been so much complained of.
5 lie . That Salaries may be appointed to all places of trust, that temptations to deceit take not hold of Officers.
6 lie . A Committee for union betwixt all men truly godly; that we may swim in one Channell (which is in hand) with free and loving debates allowed in every County, that we may convince, not confound each other, two or three Itinerary Preachers sent by the State into every County: and a Committee of godly men, Ministers, Gentlemen and others, to send out men of honesty, holiness, and parts, into all Countries recommended from their test.
7 lie . Three men yearly chosen in every Parish to take up differences, which may be called friend-makers, as they do in other places with good success.
8 lie . That the Customs (by which great sums come to hand) may be in very choice hands, and their Under-officers in all parts may be presented from those Ports to them: and out of 2. or 3. so presented, they choose one, if not just exception against him.
9 lie . That my former model for the Navy may be review'd and accepted, which was presented about two years since, whereby the Navies debts may be paid, and two parts of three in the charge saved for future, and the work better done.
10 lie . That Merchants may have all manner of encouragement, the law of Merchants set up, and strangers, even Jews admitted to trade, and live with us, that it may not be said we pray for their conversion, with whom we will not converse, we being all but strangers on the Earth.
11 lie . That Foreign Nations may have due respect by all fair correspondences with them, and Intelligencers kept among them, especially that Scotland may be used in all things as neighbors and friends, though not as Masters and Commanders.
12. That Academies may be set up for Nobility and Gentry, where they may know piety and righteousness, as well as gallantry and Court-ship; we commonly fetch over the dirt of France, rather then their Excellencies, and that shorter ways to learning may be advance'd; and that godliness in youth give them place in Colleges before letters and importunity of men.
13. That the work of Ireland may not thus still be made a mock-work: but that the business may be carried on strenuously & vigorously by men to be confided; who may take it upon them by the great, or day-work, either of these; there are good men will undertake it upon them, if fully countenanced with a good Magazine and some money; for what we send now is but like a worm in a hollow tooth, it takes up no jaw?
14. That no Magistrate in matters of Religion meddle further then as a nursing Father, and then all children shall be fed, though they have several faces and shapes.
15. That all men entrusted, may have set time, place and persons appointed to give up their accounts unto, of their employments.
16. Since the vast and even incomprehensible affairs of this Kingdom by the present Council, must have so many agitations and so many varieties pass upon them; two ways it may be cured. 1. If nothing be taken into the Houses consideration but res vere arduae, wherein the heart-blood of the Kingdom runs, and no petty matters.
2. If a Council of State of 10. or 12. honest and godly wellbyast men might sit near the House, and these, not invested with power, might commend matters of high concernment to the House, and receive their scruples, and those to state also government of Churches.
17. That Burgesses of Parliament may be better proportioned, 6. 4. or two for Shires, and some for great Cities, that they give monthly some account to the places intrusting them, and that some Laws may be probationers for a month or two.
18. That some of the Parliament may be appointed to receive such suggestions from friends for the good of the whole, which they cannot constantly bring in by way of Petition.
19. That prisoners, especially for debt, may have dispatches, & not loose heads, hearts and hands as well as heels in Gaoles, and that the Creditor may maintain them in prison: that poor Thieves may not be hanged for 13. d . ob . but that a Gally or two may be provided to row in the River or Channell, to which they may be committed, or employed in drayning lands, or banished.
It were also to be wished that our Gentry find our Callings, and that younger brothers may be better provided for by their parents, that some of them fall not on learning & the Ministry as a shift, & some (which is worse) take up their employments in high ways, or (at best) pester Ireland or Forreigne Plantations; and all to maintain the paintry and glister of the Family, and too often to keep up the name and honor of it in a sottish and luxurious heir.
20. Quicke Justice makes quiet Common-wealths; I look upon that as contenting the Hollanders under their vast Taxes, & Excises; what they have they can keep; where (in every Town) you may get Justice as often and as naturally as their Cowes give milk; The few advocates in Amsterdam will tell you what little use they make of Lawyers, where I have known a Merchant dealing for 30000. pound per annum, & in seven years not spend 20. shillings in Law.
And if I might not offend the Court and Gentry, I would say the wrapping up of so many of them in Gownes, and scufling at Westminster, is rather a mark of their meanness and Jejunenesse, and our slavery and folly, then of any National glory; That to this day we can neither buy nor sell, convey nor make Testaments, without great and questionable Parchments? And for Law must jurare in verba, either of Littleton, Cook, or Casuist, ejusdem farinae, which would find a Cure in keeping Records in all Counties of all men's estates and alienations, &c. and those transmitted to a grand or leiger Record at Westminst: the strength and time spent in Term quarrels, were better bestowed upon the West Indies to which we have been so often called, and would soon make an end of Europes troubles by drying up that Euphrates.
I know not what engagements the King hath upon any, nor how the intercourse lies: but before the close of new addresses, I wish the people might have two things granted them, viz.
1. To understand by some wise Statist what the true English of prerogative, privilege and liberty is. If these three bawling children were well brought to bed, the whole house would be quiet.
2. That a certain time might be appointed to choose their Burgesses undeniably if they please to make use of it, with writs or without: what year this shall begin I say not: but if not granted, you shall hardly keep tyranny out of doors.
To close all and cure all; would this Nation but follow the plain foot-steps of providence in one thing, the work were done.
Let us but consider whither the Lord hath not pointed out his work unto us, viz. putting righteous men into places of trust, making way thereunto, as if the fulfilling of the many prophesies and the expectation of the just, were now to be answered. Witness the first and now second gaubling the Parliament, the like in the City, the same in the Army, not less in the Ministry, as in the choice of Jesse's sons: neither this nor that must serve but the least, that the whole Kingdom hath been in the refiners fire. The Lord would do us good against our wills: but we content our selves to give him a Female when we have a Male in the flock: This broke the Axle-tree of the Jewish State and Church, and that bought Akeldama.
However I am confident God will carry on this work which is his own, and to that end I look above all present agitations, knowing if we enter into our chambers, and shut our doors for a little moment the indignation shall be over-past.