The Introduction.
HAving for a Year, or upwards, expected some Ingenious Pro∣jector or other to have appeared in Publick, with Methods how to make the Militia useful; and nothing being as yet adjusted to purpose concerning so grand an Affair, I thought I owed the Country of my Nativity so much Justice, as to set the present Matter of Debate in as fair a light as I am capable.
In order therefore, to begin: I must assume upon me the liberty to say That it looks as if all the Design of this Grand Affair was only to put down the Army, and to let the Militia do as well as they can.
That the Militia are not at this time in any measure useful, the Offi∣cers themselves will save me the trouble of proving. And since no Me∣thod as yet is prescribed to make them so, I hope the General Zeal of Mankind, for His present Majesty's safety, will excuse me; and let no Person think it improper to have th Matter more maturely consi∣dered.
That Circumstances of Time are much altered, is not to be deny'd. The pretence of the Stuarts reaches not to the Point: They had none of them a Competitor for the Throne, or a Potent King to oppose their Titles: Whereas with us the Case is quite altered; there is living in the Southern Parts a Prince, who was actually in the Throne, and is still bellowing out his thirsty Desires to return again to his People. And lest a pretence of Age shou'd start up as an Objection to his En∣deavours, he has so managed Affairs, that he proclaims to the World he has a Lawful Son. That, as such, he is acknowledged in the Place where he resides, is more apparent than his Tule; and his Picture is most artificially conveyed about this Kingdom, to form in some Bigots an Opinion that he will one day strive for a greater Spot of Land than that which contain'd his Double-Clout.
Are there then such Things in the World? And are there such Men as really give Ear to his Future Title to these Kingdoms? And can we be so supinely negligent, as not to act in some proportion to avoid such an Impending Storm? And what way under Heaven is more likely to Page [unnumbered]disappoint this Intended Project, than to have the present Parliament agree on a small Number of Regulated Forces, not so great as to be capable of putting us into Fear; but at the same time, enough to sup∣port the now Regnant Prince, and justify the Act of Succession? If this be not highly Reasonable, I am sorry it is my Opinion; I am sure I have a true Idea of our Misery, shou'd that Act be set aside. And since there has lately appeared a Book in Print, Intituled, A short History of Standing Armies in England, as much approved of by some, as condemned by others; I have endeavoured in this following Discourse, as near as I cou'd, to split a Hair, and to appear with that Temper and Moderation, as neither Party may have any just oc∣casion to complain.
Truly this late Author has appeared so hot and virulent against Kingship it self, that, in my Opinion, he has injured the Cause: For, by the way, Reason spoke in Railing Language, disappoints the Purpo∣ses for which it was intended.
And because Occasion is taken in this Pamphlet to commend the last Years Author of an Argument against a Standing Army, I will so distinctly and methodically examine the samè, that if I can possible, I will engage him to publish some more of his Oratory to the World, be∣cause what he has yet advanced will prove to be tarnished in the wearing. He writes, I confess, like a Gentleman of Stile and Cha∣racter; his Propositions plausible, and his Pretences seem fair and popu∣lar; but his Plebeian Principles are too plain to be concealed. And therefore with him I begin.
For this seems to me the fairest way to set the matter in the truest light: For, as Solomon says, Iron sharpens Iron, so does the Countenance of a Man his Friend. Disputes strike out the Truth; and since some busy Heads wou'd not let the Matter sleep, but revive the last Year's quarrel to prepossess the present August Assembly, who might perhaps have let it drop: I think also, that on the other hand there may be a pretence of Necessity; but leave the whyole Matter to their Consideration.
