Interest will not lie. Or, a view of England's true interest

SECT. VI.

Of the Army.

THe great Block in the way of the Cavaliers design, hath alwaies been the Army, and if that could be removed or debauched, then they would easily compleat it: No wonder then our Author useth so many Arts of In∣sinuation to attempt the seducing of them from a sence of their own and the publick Interest, to an espousing of Charls; which were a miracle in∣deed,

could it be effected, but certainly not without wonderful Sorcerie, whereas, for ought yet appears in our Author, we cannot take him for a Witch, nor suspect his Pemphlet to be guilty of any strong Inchantment. First, he would inflame the Nation against the Soldiery, saying, Their aim is to govern it by the sword, and keep themselves from being disbanded. The falshood of this is evident▪ for, they have restored the Parliament to the Law making part, and for the other part of Government, the execution and distribution of Law, it is as full and free as ever, as every man that fre∣quents the Term can tell you. But he brandishes this discourse of the sword, on purpose to dazle mens eyes, that they may not discern that sword of Charls Stuart which yet lurks in the Scabbard, but must, if he get in, of necessitie be drawn (as is shewn in the foregoing Section) and held over the people, to give Law to all other Laws which concern mens propertie, or their Libertie of Conscience. It is the Armie's or rather the Parliament and peoples sword in the Armie's hand, which secureth all men from the power and revenge of his sword, which were it once in action, would soon cut the throat of all our Liberties.

Next, he strikes upon another string, to try whether that will make any jarring, telling the Army it is the Parliaments interest to pull them down, and that the raising County Troops and new Militia's, is designed onely to check and curb them. So here in two lines the Cavalier hath discovered his two notable designs: He knows there is no way for him to pull down both Par∣liament and Army, but in dividing them by discontents, and making them pull at one another; and he knows also, that the ready way to facilicate the effecting of his main purpose is, to beget a misunderstanding and an animo∣si tie betwixt the Army and the Countrey Militia's, that they may jar with each other, and not be cordially united to cheek and curb that Cavalier design which is now on foot (though in a disguise) and laid for the common ruine both of Parliament and Army, City, and Country.

The Author having projected his plot thus, he proceeds to improve it, and ventureth to tell the Army, it is their interest to bring in the King; but why? 1. Because every Soldier is sensible we are concerned to be under a single person. It is quickly said without proof; and the Soldiers expect reason before they believe: for (as you say well) they are not like the French or Spanish Infantry, those venal souls that understand nothing besides pay and plunder, but, as becomes an English Army fighting for their Rights and Freedoms, have always argued matters before they acted, and still owned a publick spirit; and the meanest of them can tell you, there are several ways of being governed without a single person; and that it concerns them howsoever, as high as their heads to keep out that single person whom God made them Instruments to cast out, and never be insnared either by promises from him▪ or by discontents among themselves. 2. Because thereby they cut off the necessity of perpetual war. Before this in Page 4. the Gentle∣man said, It is the Armies interest to be always engaged in War, that they

may keep themselves from dis……ding; and here he tells them tis their Interest to bring the KING▪ because that would put▪ an end to War. Riddle my Riddle, and reconcile these two Points if you can, but the Author must say any thing to create division and discontent, among us; and rather than said he will scribble Contradictories, and cares not though he set one part of his Pam∣phlet a quarrelling with the other, to reach us the wit to avoid his design, and live in unity and amity.

3. Because without calling in him, they will hazard their Acquisitions. Cujus contrarium verum est; there is no reader way to hazard them▪ Crown-Lands being by many of them acquired for their Pay; and if it be pos∣sible, a way will be found out by Charles for a Resumption.

4. Because it is the way to secure their Pay and Arrears, he being the only person that can (with a free Parliament) raise Contributions and Taxes in a Legal manner. Believe it if you list, but consider, that first his own Party must be paid and provided for, and then he may be at leisure to pay you with a vengeance. Besides, admit he should mean really to provide you your Ar∣rears too, what an incredible vast Charge would both be to the Nation: what an opportunity would he have to devise new impositions and payments, and when you are paid off ye shall (ye may be sure) be turned off, then none remaining in Armes but his own pure party, twill be easie to find pretences to continue those Payments, and make Parliaments (which no doubt will then be led in a string in a brave state of Freedome) to establ••sh them by a Law unto posterity: It shall all be done in a Legal manner, and the Army, and we, and all shall be paid (I warrant ye) according to Law, (Club-law, Cavalier-Law, Warren-Law.)

They have often been attemp••ing to bring Matters to this pass; and there∣fore give me leave to spread a few more particulars for the consideration of our Friends the Army. First consider, that having often failed by force, they now assail you by Force and Fraud both together; you cannot forget their malice, though now they sawn, and would fain seem to hug you, that they may be able to get within you, and trip up your heels, or grasp you to death. Remember how often by your matchless courage and fidelity, ye have rescued the Commonwealth out of their hands. They have drawn the poor peo∣ple no less than three several times into open insurrection and rebellion. Be∣sides this, they brought on the Scots, to a miserable oppression and devastation of the Land by two several invasions, in all which God enabled you to defeat their expectations and forces; so that besides the quelling of their power and interest in Scotland, the hand of the Lord hath gone out so visibly against them in three distinct Wars, that they have been no less than thrice miracu∣loussy and completely conquered here at home, and the blood which they sought hath been drawn out of their own sides, to fill up the Cup of the Lord's indignation and fury against themselves and all their Partakers. Though it were possible you could forget their implacable temper, yet for these things they will never forget you.

Secondly▪ Take heed of Promises, all ye that have ever been engaged a∣gainst that Family and Party: Is it not strange to hear that some who have been so active against him openly, should now engage for him under a dis∣gaise? What security can they have therein for themselves or the Nation? Oh, but our Author tells us, young Charles is a good man, in all respects; and as to his honesty, no malice hath the impudence to blast it. Though we could say somewhat to one Part of his honesty, yet we wave it, but in the other part of honesty which concerneth oaths and promises, we might say he hath bla∣sted himself, but that he ought not to seem over-serious about them, lest while he pretends to a Crown, he should lose his credit with the Politicians, that would think him unfit to be a KING. But they need not doubt him, he hath made proof enough of himself in that particular, having most Royally given evidence, that to trust him is the right way to true Repentance: If ye look into my Third Section, ye may there see how like a KING he carryed himself in the Trust given him by the Presbyterians, when they made him a White Boy in Scotland, by cloathing him with the Covenant, and a Coronation∣oath, and Royal Robes all together.

Thirdly consider, that as you have had the Honour hitherto, to stand firm to the Nations true interest in opposition to that Family; so while they pretend here in print to court you, their great business is at the same time to make you jealous of the Parliament, the Parliament of you, and at once to exasperate all parties of men against you, that being dif∣fident of each other, and discontented; ye may not be in a condition vi∣gorously to unite your Counsels and Forces against the design which they have now in hand for the ruine of all. Make much then of this Parliament; they are the founders of the Nations Interest upon a better Basis of Free∣dome than our Ancestors could ever hope for, and questionless they must needs be most concerned and fittest to finish the Building, seeing it is their own Interest as well as the Publick, and they have most experience in the work. Charles Stuart is for the giving of our wise men, and our interested men, a Rotation as quick as may be. Therefore certainly it is your interest to stand by the Parliament with your ancient courage and affection; beat down the enemies before you, and so, when you have gained▪ Victory, ye will be in the ready way of getting your Arrears out of the Purses of your Adversaries, which will be the greatest comfort to your selves, and an ease to the People: more words might be used; but you see where your Interest doth lye, and if you follow it strenuously, it cannot lie, it will not deceive you, whereas if you swerve but from a tittle of it, your enemies will soon slip into one Advantage or other, to bring trouble and desolation upon the Land, ruine upon your selves and all your Friends.