Eight Military Aphorisms, Book
EIGHT Military Aphoriſms; DEMONSTRATING The uſeleſneſs, unprofitableneſs, hurtfulneſs and Prodigal expenſiveneſſe of all ſtanding Engliſh Garriſons to the people of England; their Inability to protect them from Enemies Invaſions, Depredations by Sea or Land, the great miſchiefs they occaſion in peace & open War, the overſight, injury of continuing them at the Peoples exceſſive expence, (or any other mercinary Land-forces for the preſent or future real defence of the Peoples Perſons, Liberties, Laws or Eſtates.)
THough Garriſons in three or four of our greateſt, richeſt, ſtrongeſt Cities (which are as ſo many Magazenes and places of refuge) may in ſome reſpects be neceſſarie and convenient in times of war; eſpecially when guarded by the Cities own Arms and Forces yet that our ordinary ſtanding mercenary Garriſons (eſpecially in ſmall Caſtles and Blockhouſes are not only altogether uſeleſſe, but moſt dangerous, oppreſſive and miſchievous grievances to the Nation, both in times of war and Peace, I ſhall briefly evidence by theſe enſuing Aphoriſms.
1. THat the Principal uſe, end of Garriſons is onelyonly to keep a 2 Sam. 8.14. 1 Chr. 18.6.4, 1 Sam. 13.3, 1, 22, 23. C. 14.5, 22, 23. c. 10.forraign conquered Enemy or Countrey in conſtant ſubiect on and contribution to the Conquerers; therefore not to be contniued in our own free Nation by thoſe who pretend its Freedom and Enfranchiſement from bondage, unleſſe they reſolve to make us their conquered Vaſſals and Tributaries, inſtead of Engliſh-Freemen.
2. That all Garriſons, Caſtles, Forts & Block-houſes throughout England if their works and fortifications were demoliſh'd, would be nothing elſe but meer deſpicable, worthleſs, barren Hills, or Clods of Earth, ſcarce worth two hundred pounds a yeer at their beſt improved value; which no wiſe Statesman or enemy, upon due conſideration, would either value, look after, or go about to fortifie, more then thoſe many thouſand unfortified Rocks, Hills upon the Sea-coaſt or in inland Counties, which any forraign or Domeſtick Enemies might, with as much advantage to themſelves, and prejudice to the Nation, ſoon fortifie and Garriſon with eaſe and advantage, if they would beſtow ſo much charge & pains, as on thoſe now fortified & furniſhed to their hands at the peoples coſt, if once but Maſters of the Field w…h forts would ſtand the Enemies in no more ſtead, if now ſleighted, then any other unfortified Hills, Rocks, or thoſe Garriſon'd Hills and Rocks would do before they were fortified and Garriſon'd, being altogether as unuſeful, unable to defend or ſecure the Nation and People near them from the Invaſions, Plunders, Conqueſts of any Potent Enemy or Party ſtronger then theſe petty Garriſons, as any other unfortified, ungarriſond Hills or Rocks throughout the Iſland of like, or as ſtrong a ſituation, and really ſerving only to defend the bare mercenary Garriſon-Soldiers in them; and the barren Rocks, Hills alone whereon they ſtand, not the whole Nation or Counties adjoining, in time of ſuch Invaſion, Danger, till they be either taken by, or ſurrendred to the prevailing Party & Enemy. Therefore to put the Nation, Countrey to a vaſt annual expence of many thouſand pounds each yeer to fortifie, furniſh and man ſuch Garriſon'd fruitleſſe Rocks and Clods of Earth, (not worth 200.l. a yeer at utmoſt value) which can neither ſecure the whole Iſland nor people near them from Forraign or Domeſtick Enemies, and to continue them Garriſon'd at ſuch a prodigal expence, is as great a Soleciſir, Madneſſe, Prodigality in true Martial & State Politicks, as it would be ill Countrey husbandry for the whole Nation or private Stateſmen to beſtow one hundred thouſand pounds every yeer in Planting, ſowing the Hills and Rocks whereon theſe Garriſons now ſtand, to reap a barren crop only of 200.l. a yeer at moſt; which (as they are now garriſon'd) yeild them not one farthing towards the publice Revenue, and yet have coſt the Nation very many thouſand pounds out of their Purſes every yeer, to no uſe or end at all, but to caſt away ſo much money on lazie Garriſon-Soldiers, to ſmoke Tobacco, and cry one to another, Who goes there? (as if we had ſtil too much mony in our dry-dra… ned-Purſes) and to continue them at this grand charge, only becauſe the Iſland and places near them, might be endangered, if ſlighted, & their ruins ſuppriſed regarriſond by an enemy (who wil never certainly be ſo mad or ſottiſh, as to fortifie any ſlighted Garriſons, unleſſe able to defend them againſt the whole Nation) is as groſſe an abſurdity, as to argue; we muſt forthwith fortifie, Garriſon, all other advantagious Sea-coaſts, Rocks, Hills, Baſſes in England, becauſe elſe any Enemy might maſter, ſeiſe and fortifie them to the Nations, Peoples danger, damage; and repair, fortifie all old late demoliſhed Caſtles, Forts, Block-houſes, upon the ſame reaſon and accompt, (which all the Indian Mines would not ſuffice to Garriſon)
3. That England being ſubject to the Forraign Invaſions, Depredation of Enemies or Pirates, only by Sea with Ships, which no fixed Land-Garriſons can incounter, aſſault, board, take, ſink, or purſue from place to place, nor hinder from landing under their Noſes, if ſtronger then they; muchleſſe in any other place out of their command; (as is undeniable by our ancient ſeiſing of Cadez and ſundry Townes, Garriſons in the Indies by Sir Francis Drak, & others, and our late invading and taking in of the Iſles of S…lly, Ge…ſey, Ga…nſey, the Barbadoes and Scottiſh Iſland, without the loſſe of any one Ship, and of very few men, notwithſtanding all their Blockhouſes, Forts, Garriſons, for to ſecure them they are altogether uſeleſſ Prodigalit…es; our victorious puiſſant Navy being the ſole, beſt, ſufficient defence againſt them, and only able to reſiſt, take, ſink and ſurpriſe them: That England (as Mr. Cambaen and †M…rcator, Heylyn, Sir Thomas Smah.others write) being 1836. Miles in compaſſe, all invironed with the Sea, except for ſome few Miles ſpace next to Scotland; it is as great a mistake in point of State-Policy, & as groſſe an Absurdity in Military-Skill, to aſſert or believe, that 40. or 50. ſtanding Garriſons, Forts and Block-houſes, diſtant ſundry Miles one from the other, not taking up or ſecuring 40. whole Miles of this vaſt Circuit, and leaving no leſſe then 1800. Miles thereof, and near as many Landing Places for Enemies and Rovers open to their Invaſions; without any defence at all, can hinder either their Landing or Pillaging, or ſecure the Iſland from Invaſion, by any conſiderable Fleet and Forces now, which they never could do in former Ages, as its frequent Invaſions and Conqueſts too by the Romans, Saxons, Danes Normans and others, notwithſtanding all our ancient Caſtles and Garriſons atteſt. And to continue them for this very end upon the impoveriſhed Nations drained-Purſes, by impoſing unuſual, unſupportable taxes, Exciſes on them for their ſupport, is as groſſe a conceit, as to aſſert, that the Garriſon and Guns in Dover Caſtle can forciblie keep off any Forraign Fleet of Enemies or Pirates from Landing or Plundering at the Lands-end, Lizards Point, or Whitſand-Bay in Cornwall, or at St. Davids in Wales; or, that the fortifying of the Tower of London alone, or the uſeleſſe Block-…ouſe… at Grave…-end (which can neither ſlay, hurt nor ſink any reſolute Ship or Veſſel, much leſs an whole Fleet in a Sunſhine-day, nor yet diſcern them in a miſt or darkſome night, and can diſcharge their Guns at them only at roves but once at moſt, with more expence of Powder and Bullet to the State, then harm to the Veſſels they ſhoot at) will hinder a Whery-Boat or Navy fraighted with Soldiers at Brainford from landing in …utile-Fields or VVindſor; or the guarding and locking up of Crippl…-Gate alone, hinder an whole Army or Brigade from entring into London at New-gate, or any other Gate of the City, though they all ſtood open, unguarded, & though all its Walls and Works (like the late Line about it) were levelled to the ground. Yea, as vain a State, a Military Policy, as formerly to have built a Fort onelyonly at Tyburn to ſecure all London, Weſtminſter and Southwark, againſt the late Kings Army, without drawing any Line of Communication round about them, or placing any other Guards then thoſe in Tyburn Fort for their defence againſt them; or to have placed a ſingle Company of the London Militia at VVhite-chappel, to Guard both Houſes whiles they ſate at Weſtminſter, without any other Guardians to ſecure them nearer hand; It being both vanity and folly to fortifie only one inconſiderable part of a Town or Garriſon (and ſo if the Iſland) if all thereſt be unfortified, and lie alwaies open to all enemies Invaſions without defence.
4. That in all times of publick Peace, or when and whiles there is no Enemy near, it is Peace it ſelf alone, and want or abſence of Enemies that ſecures the Peoples, Nations Perſons Eſtates from danger, Plunder; not Gariſons or Field Armies; which cannot univerſally protect their Lives or Goods in all places and at all times, when there is any open War or Enemie in the Field, as Peace alone always doth, and will do ſtill, without coſt or trouble: Therefore it muſt needs be very ill Husbandry and no good State-Policy [in theſe or other times of Inland Peace] to keep up Land-Forces and Garriſons throughout the Nation at the Peoples intolerable coſts, now there is no Enemie at all in Arms amongſt us, to protect the Peoples Perſons and Eſtates from ſpoil and danger, when as our very Peace it ſelf and want of armed Enemies, doth and will abſolutely ſecure them both, without any charge at all, or either of theſe coſtly Lordly Superfluous Guardians; which could not ſecure the greateſt part of the Nation from the late Kings Forces, Power and Plunder in times of War, nor yet the Kings Forts, his Friends or Quar… from the Parliaments Forces.
5. That in Times of open War, no Garriſons throughout the Nation can ſecure themſelves and thoſe within them againſt a puiſſant Army, or any Party ſtronger then theſe Garriſons; which will ſoon *2 Kings 18.13. 1 Sam. 13.3, 4… Hab. 1.10. Dan. 11.15.take them by Force, Stratagem, Compoſition; or for want of Proviſion, Ammunition, and other Neceſſaries; or by Treachery or Mutiny within themſelves, unleſs timely relieved by a marching Field-Army able to raiſe their Seiges, as late experience and all Hiſtories atteſt: Yea oft-times a ſmall Party, far leſs and nothing ſo numerous as thoſe Garriſons, by ſome Stratagem of War, ſodain Surprize, or through ſecurity or negligence of the Garriſon Soldiers, or by the caſual death of ſome eminent Commander; unexpected forcing of a Paſſe, or routing of ſome of the Garriſon Soldiers in their Salli…s and entring with them in their Retreat; the ſucceſsful ſpringing up of ſome Mine; the blowing up of a Magezine; the ſtopping of all Proviſions for their Relief, advantage of Ground, diviſions amongſt the Garriſons, Treachery, Bribery in Officers, Soldiers, Centinels, or Townſmen, and a thouſand other Caſualties, have in all former ages (and will hereafter do the like) conquered ſundry ſtrong Garriſons throughout our three Nations, and in all other parts of the World: Beſides no Garriſons in our Nation, without the aſſiſtance of a F…e…d Army, either are or ever were yet able to protect themſelves by their own ſtrength againſt any powerful Enemies Seige, who reſolved for to gain them, in times of War. It can be therefore little leſs then apparent folly or frenzy for us, to perpetuate and maintain them ſtill at ſo vaſt a charge in theſe times of In-land Peace throughout the Nation, to protect and ſecure the whole Land or Country about them; being thus unable to defend and ſecure themſelves in the heat of War from Foreign or Inteſtine Enemies.
6. That Garriſons both in times of Peace and War, are ſo far from being a benefit, ſafeguard or protection to the whole Nation, or to the Inhabitants within them, the Country about them, and the Contributers towards them; that in truth they are commonly their greateſt Grievance, Oppreſſion, Loſs, Damage, Miſchief, and frequent occaſions of their utter ruine both in Peace and War, as ſhall be evidently demonſtrated for our Soldiers, States-men, and Nations future in formation, and ſpeedy ſuppreſſion of theſe grandeſt Grievances, by theſe particulars
1. In all times of Peace, they put the whole Nation, Inhabitants, Country, to an exceſſive prodigal expence of moneys, which would be better imployed in relieving and ſetting poor people on work, advancing Trade, Manufactures, Merchandize, improving Lands, and ſupplying the Peoples particular occaſions; to all which, and the better relief of maimed Soldiers, their continuance is and will be ſtill extreamly prejudicial: They much impoveriſh, grieve, oppreſs, diſcontent the People by endleſs Taxes, Exciſes to maintain them▪ by Billeting, Quartering, and oft-times Free-quartering the Garriſon Soldiers on them; by the frequent Mutinies, Miſdemeanors, Abuſes, Outrages of Garriſon Soldiers, and Lordly imperiouſneſſe of their Governors and Officers, over-topping, overruling, and ſometimes abuſing in many places the Nobility, Gentry, Miniſtry, and civil Magiſtracy, as well as common People; and interrupting the courſe of Juſtice, by protecting both themſelves and their Soldiers from Arreſts and Executions for juſt Debts, Duties, Treſpaſſes to the People; by entertaining, liſting and detaining children againſt their Parents, Servants and Apprentices againſt their Maſters, Husbands againſt their Wives and Families good wills, to their great grief and prejudice▪ by keeping of many thouſands of able, young, luſty men in meer idleneſſe, ſpending their time in eating, drinking, gaming, whoring, ſleeping, lewdneſſe, or eaſie uſeleſſe duties day and night, onelyonly to gaze about them; to call to one another, Stand, &c. and to ſpend much Match and Powder to no purpoſe, but to waſte them and our Treaſure in complements; and in the mean time robbing the Nation of the benefit of their honeſt painful Labors in their Callings; by their frequent running away upon diſcontents or miſdemeanors, leaving their Wives, Children, and not a few great Bellies and Baſtards on the Inhabitants and Countries charge; running into their ſcores and debts for Quarters and Neceſſaries, and then departing without payment of them; by infecting the Inhabitants and Country with the Vices, Errors, Blaſphemies, Sins, Corruptions, diſeaſes of the worſt and deboyſeſt Soldiers: by occaſioning many Murders, Men-ſlaughters Blood-ſheds, quarrels, Brawls, Robberies, Thefts Burglaries, Diſorders, Oppreſſions, Drunkenneſſe, Idleneſſe, Gaming Whoring, Swearing, neglect contempt of Magiſtracie, Miniſtry Gods publike Ordinances, Sacraments, Sabbaths Diſturbances of our Miniſters and publike Aſſemblies in and near the Garriſons, by dangerous Practices to undoe or vex many innocent Perſons, which elſe would be prevented; by hindring peoples free ingreſſe into, and egreſſe out of Garriſons about their urgent occaſions, concerning which their Centinels, Corporals, Governors ſtrictlie interrogate them ex officio, and force them to dance attendance on them ſometimes many hours ſpace, to extort Beer or Money from them before they can paſſe or repaſſe about their buſineſſe; by ſearching the Houſes, Studies, ſeiſing the perſons, Letters, Writings of divers perſons by their own bare Authorities or others unlawful Warrants, againſt all Law and the Peoples Native Freedom, upon feigned pretences, cauſeleſs jealouſies, idle rumors vain fears, and ſometimes ſecret conſpiracies againſt their very lives and Eſtates, which are made a prey to theſe Soldiers: By ſundry other abuſes, in ſeiſing their Arms, Birding and Fowling Pieces, Moneys Plate, Horſes, Goods; and impreſting their Horſes Ploughs Carts upon needleſs, or wrongful publike or private occaſions and pretences. In all which, and ſundry other reſpects they are extraordinary Grievances to the Nation, Garriſon'd places, and Countrey adjoining even in time of Peace. Therefore not to be continued upon any vain pretence whatſoever.
2. In times of War, when they are pretended moſt neceſſarie, they are then moſt chiefly prejudicial, pernicious, deſtructive both to the whole Nation in general; the Places Garriſon'd; the adjacent Country and all contributing towards them, as theſe experimental Demonſtrations will undeniablie evidence againſt the erroneous Opinions and Practiſe of all Pſeudo-Politicians and Soldiers contrary Pretences, wherewith they delude, yea, cheat the ignorant people: For, in times of actual Wars (eſpecially civil, when they are moſt pernicious) they bring a general miſchief on the whole Nation, and that in theſe reſpects: 1. By lengthning and drawing out their inteſtine Wars with the Plagues and Miſeries attending them, for many yeers ſpace, as our ancient and late Wars manifeſt) by a tedious and ſucceſſive Seige of their Garriſons, till reduced; to the great waſte, ſpoile, deſtruction and impoveriſhing of the people; the innumerable increaſe of fatherleſſe children, Widdows, poor and maimed perſons, the ſlaughters, deaths of thouſands more then if there were no ſuch Garriſons. 2. By multiplying the Peoples Taxes, Expences, to furniſh and maintain theſe Garriſons, and raiſe, pay a great Field Army beſides, for theſe Garriſons ſecurity, which would be a ſufficient ſafeguard to the Nation without them. 3. By leſſening the number, weakning the ſtrength, ſubſtracting the Military Proviſions with all other ſupplies and recruits of the Field Armies, in whoſe good or bad ſucceſſe, ſtrength or weakneſſe, the Safety or Ruine, Preſervation or Conqueſt of the Nation (next under God) doth alone principally conſiſt; and whoſe Victories or ill ſucceſſes the whole Nation, with all Garriſons uſually do, will and muſt of neceſſity follow; their Garriſons being unable to defend them from Plunder, total and final Conqueſt, if their Field Armies be quite routed or deſtroyed; which would ſpeedily end the Wars by Pitched Battels in the Field in a few dayes, weeks, months at furtheſt, were it not for beſieging and taking in Garriſons, which (through the Artifice of Mercenary Officers and Soldiers) protract the Wars for many yeers, and continue the Plagues and Miſeries of war upon the Nation far longer then if there were no Garriſons in it as, ancient and preſent experience muſt and will atteſt.
2. They are in times of actual War moſt prejudicial to the Towns and Places Garriſond in theſe enſuing regards. 1. By doubling, trebling their Taxes, Contributions, Payments, charges to new fortifie and furniſh theſe Garriſons with Ammunition, Artillery, Cannons, Proviſions, Magazines of all ſorts; augmenting their mercenary Guards and Soldiers by hundreds and thouſands in ſome places, to their great impoveriſhing and vexation; and that oft times, to betray them to the Enemy at laſt; yea, to loſe thoſe Garriſons in a few dayes or howrs, which they have thus (to their vaſt expence and trouble) been fortifying, furniſhing, guarding many moneths or yeers ſpace together, as the late Preſidents of Briſtol, Hereford, with other Garriſons belonging both to the King and Parliament in England, Ireland, Scotland and elſewhere, demonſtrate; and the Hiſtories of all Ages, Countries teſtifie. 2. By continual billetting quartering and free-quartering the Garriſon Soldiers and Officers on the Inhabitants, within or near the Garriſons, to their great oppreſſion, vexation (ſuperadded to their Taxes) oft times to their utter undoing. 3. By drawing the Field-Forces likewiſe into them, and free quartering them all the Winter long, or when they are out of action, for their better accommodation and ſafety, to add to their former affliction; and by continual unceſſant quartering of other marching Soldiers on them upon all expeditions, parties ſent out upon emergent occaſions; from which heavy Preſsures, ungarriſon'd places and Villages remote from Garriſons are either totally exempted or ten times more free then Garriſons; which would be as free as they, were they not made Garriſons. 4. By expoſing them to all the forementioned miſchiefs and inconveniences of Officers and Garriſon Soldiers in times of Peace doubled and trebled in ſeaſons of Warre, when the Soldiers are farre more unruly, deboiſt, injurious imperious over them in all kindes then in Peace.
5. By inviting, inducing or neceſſitating the Enemies Forces to beſiege, and inflict upon them the ſaddeſt Calamities and Plagues of War, from which ungarriſoned Towns, and places far from Garriſons are uſually exempted; or not ſo liable to, eſpecially in civil Wars. To enumerate ſome particular miſeries accompanying Seiges. 1. Burning, waſting, deſtroying their own Suburbs, Neighboring Houſes, Villages, Orchards, Gardens, Trees in or near their Garriſons, Walls or Works, and that frequently by their own Officers and Garriſon Soldiers, to prevent the Enemies quartering in them or ſome annoyances from them; or to contract their Works for their better and eaſier defence of what remaiins unburnt or unwaſted, to the undoing of hundreds and thouſands, left houſleſſe and harborleſs by this inhumane Policy, as bad or worſe then any Enemies rage; as the ſad late preſidents of the firing the Suburbs of Briſtol, Exceſter, Taunton, Lincoln, York, Colcheſter, and other Garriſons, experiment; with ſome ſtately Houſes, and whole Villages adjoyning to them: To which may be added, the like frequent furious devaſtations of them by the Enemies, if ſpared by themſelves. Secondly, Loſſe of all Trading, Commerce, and Markets, during the Leaguers about them, when they need them moſt of all. Thirdly, Perpetual Fears, Alarms, Diſturbances, Watchings, Frights, day and night; continual hard military duties and skirmiſhes with the Enemy, even by the Inhabitants themſelves at their free coſt, notwithſtanding their hired, dear-waged Guardian Soldiers to ſecure them. Fourthly, Forcible ſeiſures of the Inhabitants Houſhold-Proviſions of all ſorts, with their Beds, Bedding, Arms, Money, Plate, to feed, lodge, arm, pay, their Mercenary Servants (then in all things, their moſt abſolute Lording Maſters) who extort and will take from them and theirs all they have, of purpoſe forſooth to protect them, though thoſe their protected Pay-maſters and their whole Families ſtarve, lye cold or naked on the boards, want money to buy them bread, neceſſaries, or lie ſick in greateſt diſtreſs. Fifthly, The loſſe of many of the Inhabitants lives by Aſſaults, Granadoes, Fire-works, Sallies, Shots, wounds, Famines, Plagues, Feavers, and other Sickneſſes (uſually accompanying Sieges and Wars) by invented falſe accuſations, ſuſpitions of holding intelligence with the Enemies, or plotting to betray the Garriſon to them; by ſuddain fears, frights, diſcontents, firing or beating down Houſes, ſpringing of Mines, and the like, during their Seiges; in many whereof if ſharp or long, or accompanyed with Plagues and Sickneſſes, above half the Inhabitants or more have frequently been quite conſumed, and the reſt utterly undone, though the Enemies left the Seige at laſt. Sixthly, The Wounding, Maiming, loſs of Limbs of many of the Inhabitants, multiplying of their poor Widows, deſolate Orphans by Seiges, and their new charge to relieve them. Seventhly, The total Baniſhment, Captivity, Slaughter and extirpation of all the Inhabitants and mercenary Soldiers too in Garriſons, if taken by ſtorm or aſſault, by putting them all to the Sword, Man, Woman, and Childe, without diſtinction, or the greateſt number of them, and carrying the reſt Captives thence, whereof there are hundreds of ſad preſidents in *Joſh. 8.21, 22. c. 6.20, 21. c. 10.28. to 41. 1 Sam. 13.3, 4. 2 Kings 25.8. to 22. 2 Chr. 36.17, &c.Sacred and Prophane Hiſtory. The famous Proteſtant Town of Magdeburgh in Germany, of late years was by bloody General Tilly, put totally to the Sword, and then burnt to aſhes: And Tredagh in Ireland, though for the moſt part Proteſtants, always conſtant to the Parliament, enduring many long and ſharp Seiges by the Iriſh Popiſh Rebels; yet ſubmitting to Marqueſſe Ormond (a ſincere Proteſtant, formerly General for the Parliament in Ireland, and then for the King) and receiving a Garriſon from him at the laſt, when their Governor entred into an offenſive and defenſive League with Owen Roe-Oneal (the General of the Popiſh Rebels) their greateſt Enemy, and chief Contriver, Fomenter of the Iriſh Maſſacre and Rebellion; upon the late taking of it by ſtorm, moſt of the Inhabitants were thereupon put to the ſword, without diſtinction, together with all the Garriſon Soldiers, by Gen. Cromwell himſelf and his Forces, to the great grief of many good Proteſtants there; which fatal deſolation and total deſtruction they had all eſcaped, had they not been a Garriſon. Eightly, The total demolition and burning to the very ground, of ſundry private Garriſons, Caſtles, ſtrong magnificent Houſes of ancient Nobles and Gentlemen, and of ſome fair Churches too, when taken; whereof our late Wars have produced many ſad Spectacles, as Rag land Caſtle, Baſing Houſe, Rowden Houſe, Cambden Houſe, Litchfield Cloſ…, Banbury, Pomfret Caſtles, with ſundry more: And which is yet more grievous, the burning to the ground, and total deſolation, depopulation, ruine of many great famous Garriſons, Cities and Towns; as Troy, Jeruſalem, Tyrus, Athens, with hundreds more; and of the beſt and greateſt part of other ſtately Cities, never ſince repaired, re-peopled, whereof *Joſh. 8.…9, 20, 28. c. 6.21, 22, 26. 2 Kings 19, 25. c. 25.9, 10, 11, &c. Iſa. 17·1, 2. c. 25.12. Jer. 49.37. Ezek. 26.10. to 15. — Amos 1.7, 8, 10, 14, 15. c. 2.2, 3, 5. Iſa. 30.13. c. 32.13, 14. Ez 26.10, 11, 12.Sacred and Prophane Stories of former ages, our own Annals, and late experience can furniſh us with multitudes of ſad Preſidents: Which fatal Subverſions, Devaſtations, they had all eſcaped, had they not been Garriſoned and ſtood out a Siege. Ninthly, the total Spoil, Plunder, Confiſcation of all the Inhabitants Goods and Estates (if not their Lives) to the Enemy, if taken by Aſſault or Stratagem, to their univerſal undoing; and yet putting them to future Fines, Ranſoms, and heavy Taxes afterward, to buy their Peace, or ſave them from the general ſubſequent Plunder of all not formerly ſpoiled by the Soldiers; All which they had eſcaped, if un-Garriſoned. Tenthly, The unavoidable reception of greater, and uſually worſe domineering new Garriſons from the conquering Enemies; oft ſpoiling, plundering firing ranſoming, executing the wealthieſt of the Inhabitants (notwithſtanding all Articles of agreement for their Indempnity and Security) though taken by ſurrender onelyonly, not by ſtorm; which Articles are uſually much violated, and very ſeldome kept by faithleſſe, greedy, rude, plundering Officers or Soldiers, who add affliction to affliction, and a new undoing to the old; to whoſe new Lording Lawleſſe power, Orders, Pleaſures, Government, the Inhabitants muſt all ſubmit, or elſe they & their Families muſt be forthwith baniſhed out of their native Habitations, as enemies, ſtript naked of all they have, and forced to wander cold & naked about the Countrey like vagrants for bread, clothes, relief, houſeroom, which they plentifully enjoyed before, to the breaking of their hearts, and ſhortning of their lives. Eleventhly, Theſe Garriſons are oft taken & re-taken over and over▪ and ſo as oft plundered, re plundered, ſpoiled, ranſomed, and new garriſond by both ſides; yea thoſe of them who were protected as friends and favorites to the one ſide, are ſure to be moſt ſpoiled, plundered, oppreſſed, perſecuted by the other, and to ſuffer thus in their ſucceſſive turns till they be quite undone and ruined by their frequent takings and re-takings on both ſides; as Briſtol, Exeter, with other places, have found by late ſad experience: the viciſſitudes and miſeries of theſe Garriſons never ceaſing till their Wars and Garriſons ceaſe, and they became no Garriſons. Twelfly: If any beſieged Garriſons eſcape taking in the Wars by Seige (as Gloceſter, Hull and Lime did in our late Wars; but ſcarce any elſe) yet, as it was more through Gods mercy, and the valor, vigilancie and ſtrength of their own Inhabitants and other Volunteers then of their hired mercenaries; ſo the length of Loſſes and damages by their very Leaguers, did more indammage, impoveriſh them, then an honorable compoſition with the Enemy at firſt, or the leaving their Towns quite ungarriſon'd would have done; beſides their exemption from all thoſe fears; hardſhips and other miſeries accompanying their Leaguers. There was no Garriſon in the late Wars throughout the Nation, but if left ungarriſon'd by either ſide, might with the quarter or half quarter of its unneceſſary expences to make and keep it a Garriſon, have avoided all the Miſeries, Loſſes, Devaſtations, Plunders, Preſſures it ſuffered as a Garriſon on both or either ſide, without any great danger or Pillage to the Inhabitants, perſons or Eſtates by either ſide: And half the charges of our Garriſons on both ſides, would have defrayed the whole charges of both the Field Armies, and ended the Wars in far leſſe then half the time they were protracted by means of Garriſons. In brief, our ſmall Caſtles and Garriſons even in times of wars, are, & can be no defence at all, but great Oppreſſions and Grievances to the people and Countrey; our great Garriſons are then but ſmall defences and greater burdens and grievances to the people then ſmaller; yea, all of them after all their fortifications, coſts & expences, are, or may be taken by *Hab. 1.10. Joſh. 10.28. to 41. 2 King. 18.10. 2 Chron. 12.4. c. 32.2, 1. Sam. 3.4. Dan. 11, 17. Zeph. 1.26.force, ſtratagem, Famine or Treachery at the laſt, by any Enemy who is but Maſter of the Field; Witneſſe the ſtrongeſt of Cities, …yrus, Ezek. 26. and Ieruſalem Gods own moſt fortified City, of which the Prophet thus writes, Lam. 4.12. The Kings of the earth and all the Inhabitants of the world would not have believed, that the Adverſary and the Enemy ſhould have entred into the Gates of Jeruſalem; yet was it often taken, pillaged, diſmantled and burnt by the enemies, 2 Chron 12.4. &c. 2 Chron. 36.7, 10, 17, to 21. Yea, our own Garriſons were the principal ſeats, theaters of all our former and late Wars, epſecially when beſieged by either party: Whence a Siege is uſually termed Le-Guerre, from the French, that is to ſay, THE WAR; becauſe there is no War to ſpeak of, till then: Battels in the Field being fought and ended uſually in half a day or leſſe, and oft within one hour or two at moſt; when as Sieges (accompanied alwaies with frequent Skirmiſhes, conſtant Batteries, ſundry Aſſaults, Sallies, Stormings on all hands, or in ſome quarter or other) continue many dayes, weeks, months and yeers, ſometimes with far greater danger and loſſe of men on both ſides; and are uſually ſeconded with many Skirmiſhes, bloody Battels and incounters of Armies or Parties ſent to victual, relieve the beſieged, or raiſe the Siege, occaſioning more and greater ſlaughters then a pitched battel in the Field alone, as all Hiſtories and experience manifeſt. Upon all which confiderations, all Stateſmen, Soldiers and intelligent Inhabitants of Garriſons, who have any brains remaining in their heads, or conſciences in their breſts) muſt ingenuouſlye (after due deliberation) acknowledge; that Garriſons even in times of open Wars (eſpecially inteſtine) are ſo far from being a Benefit, Bleſſing, Security or Protection to their Inhabitants and Owners, that they are the extreameſt Preſſures, Grievances, Curſes, Plagues, Dangers, and moſt deſtructive, deſolating Inſtruments that poſſible can befall them; as bringing all the Furies, Plagues, Miſeries and Extremities of War upon them in perfection, ſo as it were better, ſafer for the Inhabitants of all or moſt Garriſons at leaſt, and more conducing to their ſafety in reſpect of Bodies, Goods, and Freedom from all ſorts of Inconveniences by War, to continue diſgarriſon'd, and lye open to both parties Armies, as Countrey Villages do, thereby to eſcape all the forementioned Plagues, to which Garriſons are expoſed; or elſe (if there be cauſe) to fire their own houſes before hand, or leave them empty, and flie with their Families, Goods, moneys, and what elſe they have, into Bogs, Woods, Rocks, Caves, Wilderneſſes (as the the wilde Iriſh, High-landers, Scythians, and all Nations wanting Garriſons do) and there to ſecure themſelves from the Enemies, till withdrawn thence, routed, or the Wars ended; and thereby to ſave all or moſt they have for their own and Families uſes; then unadviſedly of their own heads, or by the command of any in Power over them, to put themſelves to an extraordinary vaſt expence to erect, fortifie, furniſh and maintain Garriſons of mercenaries to no other purpoſe at all, if ſeriouſly conſidered (unleſſe able to defend themſelves without any Mercenaries or Taxes, but meerly voluntary, when and where there is occaſion only and no longer) but meerly to expoſe themſelves to all the premiſed Calamities of War and Garriſons, under a Brainleſſe pretext and lying impoſture of defending their Perſons and Eſtates from Danger or Moleſtation by the Enemies or others, the contrary effects whereunto they ever occaſion, both in Peace and War.
Thirdly, In times of open Wars Garriſons bring theſe manifold Evils and Miſeries on the adjacent Countrey-Villages and contributing Friends and Neighbors near them, inſtead of any real benefit or protection from them, which they neither do, will nor can afford them in their greateſt needs, though they; voluntarily or by co-action (againſt all Reaſon and Conſcience) largely contribute to their fortifying and ſupplying for this end. 1, Upon the approach of any Enemy to beſiege them, theſe very Garriſons (their Friends and Protectors) like profeſſed Enemies, oft fire their adjourning Houſes, cut, pull down their Trees, Orchards, Fences, Ditches, Walls, Pales, drive away all their Cattel, carry away all their Goods, Money, Plate, Arms, Houſhold-Stuff, with their very Houſhold Proviſions into their Garriſons; by meer violence againſt their wills, intreaties, cryes, tears, without any price or conſideration at all, to victual and furniſh the Garriſons with neceſſaries againſt the Siege, or elſe to preſerve them (before the Enemies approach) from the enemies poſſeſſion or Plunder, who elſe would ſeiſe them to their diſadvantage, when as the Enemies for their own better accommodation, would uſe them more favorably, and not plunder them half ſo much as theſe their pretended Friends and new Protectors. Secondly, They are more frequently viſited, Plundred, ſpoiled, captivated, fined, ranſomed by the Enemy upon all advantages and occaſions, when there is no Siege, then places more remote from Garriſons, and not contributing to them for protection, upon theſe two accompts. 1. To deprive or ſtraiten theſe Garriſons the more of all proviſions, neceſſaries, Supplies and Contributions from them, if not totally to withdraw them from them. 2. Becauſe they accompt them their profeſſed Enemies, for being Contributers, Friends, Neighbors to theſe Garriſons, & ſo all they have is lawful Plunder without diſpute, unleſſe they will redeem it, by Fines or Ranſoms, or by paying as… or greater conſtant Contributions to them and their next adjoyning Garriſons, as they do to thoſe, to live in Peace; being thus made a double prey to both ſides, under colour of Protection by and from both. An intolerable double Preſſure and Impoſition, of which our late Wars afforded many experimental Preſidents, in moſt places next to Garriſons; who if the pillaging Enemies be ſtrong at any time, neither will, dare nor ought (as they hold by the Laws of War to ſtir out of their Garriſons to encounter or protect their country neighboring contributors from their Plunder, even under their Walls and view, for fear of being cut off, and loſing the Garriſon to them: Such notable uſeful Protectors are they to the adjacent Countrey, as not to ſtir one foot to help them at their greateſt needs, but expoſe them to their Enemies ſpoil without reſiſtance, if unato protect themſelves. Thirdly, They are more frequently then any others of the Country further of, oppreſſed, vexed, hindred, impoveriſhed, with the ſeiſing impreſting of their Servants, Children, Ploughs, Carts, Horſes, and ſometimes taking them quite away, by both ſides alike, either for publick ſervices or private occaſions, to their vexation or undoing. Fourthly, They are more oppreſſed by laboring in, and contributing to theſe Garriſons Fortifications, carrying in their Ammunition and other Proviſions coſt-free, or for little pay & that long ere received) conſtant Contributions to their Garriſons; quartering, Free-quartering, inſolences, outrages, abuſes of the Garriſon Soldiers, of marching Parties of the Field Army it ſelf, when drawn into Quarters, then any parties more remote from Garriſons, and their perſons more oft Impriſoned, Beaten, Wounded, their Wives, Children, Servants, more abuſed, their houſes more ranſacked; Goods, Monies, more frequently ſeiſed and taken away upon malice, jealouſies, pretences by crafty Knaves, Officers and pillaging Soldiers, then others farther off them. Fifthly, When theſe Garriſons are beſieged (as uſually and frequently they are) their Preſſures and Miſeries are beyond expreſſion: The Men, if well affected to the Garriſons, are all forced by fear or otherwiſe from their Houſes into the Garriſons, Woods or other Counties if not their Wives, Children, and whole Families likewiſe, to avoid the Fury, Preſſures, Troubles, Inſolencies of the beſieging Enemies, who fill all their houſes with their free-quartering rude abuſive Soldiers, eating, drinking up all their Beer and other Proviſions whatſoever for man or beaſt, both within & without, not leaving them or their Families bread to eat, or beer to drink, nor yet any Bed, Bolſter, Cuſhion, or ought elſe to reſt their heads on, or Straw to lie in: Tread and eat out all their Graſſe, Hay, Corn ſtanding or cut, with their Horſes: kill, devour, drive away all their Stock, Cattel, which the Garriſons have left them, as good booty; burn up all their Pales, Houſes, Wood, Timber-Trees, fruit-Trees, for firing, & ſoon make them all as poor as Job himſelf.
6. They are more frequently then any others of the Countrey further off, oppreſſed, vexed, hindred, impoveriſhed, as aforeſaid; and every new Siege by either party reiterates the ſame or worſe effects as the firſt, to their reiterated beggerie, as many late experiments freſh in peoples minds about Plimouth, Exceſter, Lime, Taunton, Bristol, Gloceſter, Worceſter, Oxford, York, Hull (whoſe firſt Siege produced the drowning of all the Countrey round it in the beginning of our Wars) and moſt beſieged Garriſons evidence beyond contradiction; which miſeries Countries void of Garriſons, or remoter from them, doe not ſuſtain; the quarterings on them being neither ſo frequent, thick, long-laſting, or oppreſſive as in places next to Garriſons, eſpecially in Sieges. 7. In theſe Garriſond Leaguers their Gardens, Grounds, Orchards Houſes, are frequentlie deſtroyed, digged up, or pulled down, their Trees and Timber felled, their Men, Women, Children, Ploughs, Carts, Horſes forced day after day, to toile and labour in making Trenches, Sconces, Batteries, Approacees, Mines, Redoubts, or carry Timber, Proviſions, Artillery, Armes, and other Baggage, which remoter Pariſhes are free from; and themſelves would be ſo too, but for theſe Garriſons, which occaſion and enforce theſe Sieges. 8. If the Oppoſites Field Armie or ſtrong Parties from them during the Sieges, approach to raiſe them, or to victual or relieve the Garriſons, the oppreſſions of the adjoyning Parts ate then doubled, trebled, and ſpread wider round about theſe Garriſons, till the whole Country, ten, twenty, or thirty miles about, by the long quartering and lying of ſo many Armies, Parties upon them, and Marches to and fro to take or relieve the Garriſons, be quite undone and eaten out; and ſo one or both Armies neceſſitated to ſeek out freſh quarters; or the Garriſons taken or relieved. After this the neceſſitated neer-ſtarved Garriſons requiring new ſupplies of all ſorts, if not taken, extort them from the adjacent Countries, if they be to be had above ground, which addes much to all their former afflictions: And then again ſome other new Sieges or occaſions drawing one or both Armies thither afreſh, ſo ſoon as the miſerable Country People have gotten any thing about them, they are, to their endleſſe vexation, expoſed afreſh to all the fformer miſeries of Wars, Sieges, and never eaſed of them till the Garriſons either be demoliſhed or disbanded. From all which experimentall Arguments, and real Demonſtrations of undoubted verity, all rational men whatſoever, and no doubt the whole Nation, Country, Inhabitants of Garriſons, with all conſciencious ſelf-denying Stateſmen and Souldiers, who really intend or affect the peoples true weal, eaſe, or ſafety (the Supream Law, the principal end of War, Peace, Garriſons, Armies, Parliaments, Councils, Magistrates, Government and higher Powers) as the Army-Officers themſelves remonſtrated, in the very worſt of their Remonſtrances, Nov. 20 1648. making it the Baſis of all their exorbitant unparalleled Demands therein, & of their violent Proceedings in purſuit of them ever ſince) will and muſt henceforth confeſſe, conclude againſt all Erroneous Opinions and Practiſes to the contrary; That the raiſing, fortifying and holding up of Garriſons, kept by Mercenary Soldiers, even in times of Civil or other Wars, is ſo farre from being a Protection, Advantage, Security to the Nation in General, the Gariſon Inhabitants, Owners of Garriſon'd Castles, or Houſes themſelves, or the Country adjoyning to and contributing towards them; that they are their Greateſt Oppreſſions, Grievances, Calamities, Plagues, Burdens, Vexations, Damages, Tortures, Heart-breakings, and uſually the chief occaſions of their oppreſſion, utter ruine, deſolation, devaſtation in War and Peace; and ſo in Reaſon, Juſtice, Conſcience, Prudence, ought to be eternally exploded, diſmantled, diſgarriſon'd (as well as ſundry heretofore and of late, there being the ſelfe ſame Reaſon for all as for any) for the Nations, Inhabitants, Countries Eaſe, Peace, Weal, and future exemption from all the forementioned evils and miſeries attending them both in Peace and War, without delay or further diſpute, by all in preſent Power, or by the Supream Authority of the people themſelves in their wilful neglect or delay out of any Siniſter or ſelf ſeeking ends or deſigns whatſoever, which their publike eaſe and benefit ſhould outvie.
7. That in all times of civil or other Wars wlthin the Nation, the true intereſt, ſafety, preſervation and protection of the Iſland and Peoples Perſons, Eſtates, Laws, Liberties, Inheritances, Rights, conſiſt not in our Garriſons, or any Mercenary Officers and Soldiers, Engliſh or Forraigners, modelled or new modelled into a Field Army, ſince Mercenaries, as well Domeſtick as forraign, in all ages have ever ſought nought elſe but their own private Lucre, Honor, Power, Advancement to places of greateſt Authority, Gain, Truſt, and frequently (after good Succeſſe in Wars, preſuming on their ſtrength and merits) have ſupplanted, ſubverted, ſuppreſſed, deſtroyed thoſe very Powers and … who firſt raiſed, paid and confided in them … their preſervation, and preferred their own mercenary Officers and Generals by Treachery, Murther, Perjury and open Violence to the Imperial and Royal Thrones of their Lawful Soveraigns and Superiors (murdered and depoſed by them) as the *See Entropius Zonarus, and Grimſtons Imperial Hiſtory.Roman Hiſtories and others; the practice of the Mamalukes— in Egypt; of Alexander the Great his own Captains, who notwithſtanding their extraordinaay pretences of honor and reſpect unto him and his, not only poyſoned himſelf (as ſome Authors write) but murdered his own Son, Heir to his Empires & Conqueſts, together with his mother, wife, & all his remoteſt k…n…e… that might lay claim to his Dominions by Hereditary Right & then divided his Territories between themſelves made, crowned & ſtyled themſelves Kings; and then by Gods avenging Iuſtice out of covetous, ambitious ſpirits, warred upon each other ſo long, till they had all murdered and ſlain each other as Arrianus, Plutarch, Juſtin, Curtius, Diodorus Siculus and Dr. Uſher in his Eccleſiaſtical Annals of the old Teſtament record at large; with †Heylyns Mitrocoſme, p. 7.56, 757, 758, 145, 146, 147, 613, 614, 586. to 590.other innumerable preſidents abroad; and the practice of Vortigerr, Heng…st, Horſa and divers others at Home, ſufficiently manifeſt in all times, with Scripture preſidents likewiſe: But our real Intereſt, Protection, Safety reſides next under God) in the Nobilities, Gentries, and Peoples united voluntary, unmercenary defence and protection of themſelves in and by their own perſons, with their own Arms Servants, Sons, Tenants, Retainers, according to their reſpective abilities; as appears by the Politique original Inſtitution of ancient *See Cooks 1. Iuſt.Tenures in Knights-Service, Eſcuage, Caſtle-Guards, and the like; the old Charters of our Corporations and Cinque-Ports, obliging them to finde a certain number of men and ſhips at their own coſts, to defend the Realm in times of War; with all ancient Writs, Commiſſions, Precepts for arraying the people of the Realm in times of War and danger, according to their Tenures, Eſtates, Cuſtoms, to defend the Realm and themſelves from invading Enemies at all times (cited in the printed Arguments concerning Ship-money, and the *Exact collect. p. 336. & 608.850. &c.Declarations both of the King and Parliament concerning the Commiſſion of Array) all former Statutes concerning Arrays, Arms, Muſters; and the old long continued practice of our Train's-Band in each County and Corporation, formerly reputed the Nations chief Security in inteſtine and invaſive Wars, with the late Militia's raiſed on and by each County at their own vaſt expence to defend it and the nation, as the beſt & ſafeſtguard when all ſorts were commanded to ſerve in perſon, (notwithſtanding all Garriſons, Mercenary Field-Forces, and the Army then and ſince continued) as our ſafety. And indeed common reaſon proves, that as every man loves and prefers his own perſon, family, eſtate before a ſtrangers, or any others; ſo he will more vigilantly, ſincerely, effectually defend and protect them from Enemies or Dangers then any Mercenaries, how truſty and valiant ſoever they be. And as every true Shepherd and owner of Sheep is more careful to defend and preſerve them from Thieves and Robbers with the hazard of his own life, then any Stranger or Hireling whoſe the Sheep are not, who will ſlie and deſert, or elſe help to prey upon them, and play the thief himſelf in times of danger or advantage, as Chriſt himſelf reſolves John 10. So every able private perſon, Family, Pariſh, Town County, Aſſociation (and by like conſequence the whole Nation) will better, cheaper, and with leſſe inconveniences by far, defend and ſecure themſelves by their own unmercenary perſons & Arms voluntarily united according to their reſpective abilities, without any general forced Taxes and illegal Exciſes impoſed and continued on them againſt their wills, then any Mercenary Officers and Soldiers whatſoever, (who making onelyonly a Trade and Gain of War wil therefore ſpin it out as long as the Nation or People have any moneys or Eſtates to pay and inrich them) and will ſooner conclude and ſettle Peace upon their own terms upon all overtures and occaſions, then Mercenaries, who neither deſire nor intend our publike Peace in reality but interrupt it all they may when neer concluded, (as in the late Treaty) with armed violence both againſt King and Parliament. Uupon which grounds our Ancestors never uſually entruſted any Mercenary Armies, but themſelves alone with their own and the Kingdoms defence, ſcarce ever impoſed any Taxes on the people by publike Parliamentary Authority in any civil Wars and very rarely (except a Subſidy, or fifteen now and then) for the Kingdoms defence againſt forraign Invaſion; but onelyonly for their Invaſive, Defenſive Forraign Wars in France or elſewhere. Why then the whole Nation, Nobility, Gentry and People of all ſorts, ſhould not now again be truſted with their own arms and ſelf-defence, as well as in former Ages, being their native Priviledge and Birthright, their onelyonly beſt ſecurity and prevention againſt all publike Enemies and Invaders, but are forced to pur their Armes, Lives, Eſtates Protection into the hands of Mercenary Officers, Soldiers Garriſons, who notwithſtanding their vaſt endleſſe expences for their Pay, have ſo often abuſed, violated their Truſts, lengthned our old, engaged us ſince in ſucceſſive new Wars againſt our Proteſtant Brethren and Confederates themſelves, and have almoſt eaten up all our real & perſonal private Eſtates, with, the whole publike ancient Inheritance and ſtanding Revenues of the Nation; let all prudent Stateſmen, and Patrons of their Countreys Rights and Priviledges reſolve; the rather, becauſe our Mercenary Soldiers, Garriſons, Forts, are ſo far perverted from their primitive uſe, to preſerve our Perſons and Eſtates from Enemies and Violence, that they are now made the only Janazaries, Goalers, Goa…s, Priſons forcibly to ſeiſe, impriſon, cloſe impriſon the perſons, ranſack the Houſes, Studies of the emminenteſt Parliament Members, Patrons and Freemen Sufferers for our publike Liberties, Laws, Propertiesr, Religion; and the onelyonly Inſtruments under the New Guardians of our Libertye, to bring the whole Nation and all Engliſh Freemen of full age, into perpetual Wardſhip to theſe new Seigniours, ſince the old Court of Wards for Infants, only till they came of full age, is quite voted down as a Grievance, though not comparable unto this, of men of full age; yea, Parliament Members new ſtricteſt Wardſhips and cloſe reſtraints under armed Garriſons and Centinels of meaneſt quality in theſe Garriſon'd new Courts of Wards.
8. That Maritine Garriſons, Forts, Blockhouſes at the entrance of our Harbors (as Pendennis and S. Mawdits Castles at the mouth of Falmouth Haven, Harwich, and others of that nature) are altogether uſeleſs, unneceſſary expenſive charges to the Republike, unable to hinder the ingreſs, egreſs, or regreſs of any warlike ſhip, ſhips, or Navy into the Harbors, much leſs to ſinck them, with all their Cannon-ſhot, which I ſhall thus demonſtrate. 1. In dark nights, and miſty days, mornings, evenings (which take up neer halfe the ſpace every yeere) they can neither clearly ſee nor diſcern any ſhip or veſſel paſſing into or out of their harbors, muchleſſe then hinder their free ingreſs or egreſs by ſhot or otherwiſe, when they cannot ſo much as ſee them. 2. In clear ſunſhine dayes, and moonſhine nights, any ſmall veſſels (much more then reſolute men of War, and whole Squadrons, Navies) may ſafely paſs and repaſs into or out of theſe harbors, or anchor in them without any great danger, harm, or ſinking by their Cannons; which ſtanding for the moſt part high upon the Land (eſpecially at new Flood, half Tide or Ebbe) and not levell with the Sea at full tide; and being likewiſe not halfe ſo many in number, not ſo large in boar, as moſt Men of Warre now carry in one tire or ſide, diſcharged for the moſt part at rovers by unskilfull Gunners and Matroſſes one after another, and fixed upon one Platform, whence they cannot eaſily or ſpeedily bee removed, can hardly in ſeveral ſhoots ſo much as hit any one ſingle veſſell, much leſſe hurt or ſink it in its paſſage under ſaile by theſe forts and blockhouſes, being paſt their levell and danger at the firſt diſcharge of their Cannons over againſt them, and quite out of it ere they can be recharged; much leſſe then can they ſtopp, ſinke or miſchiefe an whole Navy or Squadron of Men of Warre, which I ſhall demonſtrate by ſeveral inſtances old and new, beyond contradiction. 1. Sir Francis Drake in his famous voyage to the Weſt-Indies with a ſmall ſquadron of ſhips, entred five of the chiefe Ports the Spaniards there held, took and fired their ſhips there riding under their Caſtles, Forts, Blockhouſes, and pillaged their Towns themſelves, notwithſtanding all their Cannons and Artiliry playing upon his ſhips, both from their Forts, Caſtles, Blockhouſes and Ships there riding, and that without the loſſe, ſinking or ſpoyling of any one of his Veſsels: And ſome other Engliſh Sea. Captains then and ſince did the like, as Mr. Harkluit in his printed Voyages at large relates. 2. Our Engliſh Navy in Queen Elizabeths reign, in their expedition againſt Cadez, tooke the whole Iland and City in one day, burnt and tooke all their ſhips, treaſure, magazine and ordnance there, notwithſtanding all their forts, block-houſes, numerous mounted Cannons diſcharged againſt them, without the loſs or ſpoil of any one ſhip, and of very few men, as Mr. Cambden, Speed, and others inform us in her life. 3. The Hollanders both in the Eaſt and West-Indies have frequently entred the Spaniſh Havens with their ſhips, in deſpite of all their Cannons, Forts and Blockhouſes, anchored in them, and pillaged, fired, took the Spaniſh Veſsels riding in them under their Caſtles, without the ſinking of any one man of Warre by their Cannons firing, as the Hiſtory of the Netherlands, Purchas and Hackluit in their Voyages, and others record. 4. The Dutch men of Warre, and other Veſsels have ſundry times in a drunken Bravado, at mid-day paſsed in and out of our Harbors at Harwich, Plimouth, Falmouth, & Southampton, without ſtriking fail to the Forts there, and gone away without any hurt, danger, ſtop, notwithſtanding all their cannon-ſhot to bring them in, as I have heard by many credible eye-witneſses. 5. Sir Robert Manſel in his Voyage againſt Algier, with his boats fired ſundry of their ſhips, drawn on ſhore under their Caſtle-walls & blockhouſes, without the loſs of one boat or ſhip, and very few men, notwithſtanding many thouſands of cannon and more of musket-ſhot from the caſtle and ſhips, as Captain George Carteret who ſaw it, and was active in it, informed mee whiles I was priſoner in Jerſey. 6. Since our late unhappy wars, two very ſmall ſquadrons of our ſhips ſucceſſively landed the Parliaments forces under the very blockhouſes and forts of Scilly and Jerſey, without the loſs or hurt of one ſhip or barque by their Cannon ſhot, and with the loſs of very few men, and reduced the Caſtles and Ilands too with a farre leſſer land-force then the King had there in arms to defend them. Since this, Sir George Aſcough with a ſmal Navy entred into the chief part & harbor at the Barbadoes, took & brought out thence fourteen or more Dutch Veſſels, and others riding therein, paſſing and repaſsing, without the loſs, ſinking, hurt, of any one ſhip, or ſlaughter of one man, within half piſtol ſhot of their caſtle and blockhouſes, which plaid upon his ships all the time with their cannon & musket ſhot; and ſoon after he reduced the whole Iland notwithſtanding all their forts and forces; as the printed Diurnalls and Relation of its taking, and Letters thence inform us. 7. Since this I read in our Diurnalls, that Prince Rupert took ſome of our Merchants ſhips riding under the Caſtles and Blockhouſes of our Engliſh Plantations in the Indies, which played upon him with their cannon without hurt, he returning them two cannon ſhot for one, and riding within musket ſhot of them without any fear or hurt. 8. To come home to Pendennis Castle and St. Mawdits, ſo much cryed up as the moſt uſefull and conſiderable of all other: Whiles they were in the Kings power ſince theſe warres, as the inhabitants and ſome ſouldiers aſſure me, a ſingle man of warre of the Parliaments party in the day-time entred the harbor, boorded, took and carried away thence a rich ſhip there riding in the view of both the Garriſons, notwithſtanding all their cannon ſhot and block-houſes, without any harm at all, ſhee ſhooting as faſt at the caſtles as they ſhot at her, and ſo departed with her prize. 9. Since my impriſonment in Pendennis Caſtle, a Turkiſh man of Warr at mid-day, in the view of all the Garriſon, and my ſelfe, came up to the mouth of the Harbor, and very neer the Blockhouſe, took a great Engliſh Lighter of thirty tun, ſunk the veſſell in the place, and carried away ſome twelve perſons in it priſoners into Sally or Tunis; after which, she came cloſe up to the harbor two or three mornings together till chaſed away from thence by a Man of Warre; One ſtout ſhip of Warre being a better guard againſt Pyrates and Sea-enemies then all the Maritine forts and garriſons, being able to purſue, fight and take them, which no forts or garriſons can do. Not long after a little Pink, not above nine or ten tun, anchored ſome three dayes together juſt between Pendennis Caſtle and St. Mawdits, to carry away Tinne, as was ſuppoſed; Sir George Aſcough ſailing within view of the Caſtles with his whole fleet towards Plimouth, (ſome eight days before his fight with Ruttier) ſent four men of warre to convey ſuch ſhips as were in the Harbour to Plymouth; two of them came into the Harbour, the other two plied up and downe at the mouth of it, till the other two came out of the Harbour to them: This little Pink thereupon hoyſed ſaile, as if ſhe were bound for Plymouth with them, without any diſcharge or leave from the Caſtles; whereupon they ſhot two warning pieces over, and under her, to bring her in for this affront, and to make her pay for the ſhot and cuſtome of Tinne, which they imagined ſhe had ſtollen; I looking on, the Captain, Gunners, and ſouldiers told mee, They would warrant mee ſhee would come in and ſubmit; but I obſerving her courſe, told them, Shee would no more come in to their lure then a wilde Hawke got looſe; whereupon both Caſtles diſcharged their cannons in earneſt, to hit, ſink, or bring her back through fear, but ſhee in deſpite of them (though there were two men of warre before, and two behinde her under ſaile) got away from them all without any hurt or ſtop, the whole Garriſon looking on. VVhereupon I laughing at their confidence, and uſeleſsneſs of theſe caſtles, (ſerving only to ſhoot away *They have often diſcharged 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 cannons or more at a time to ſhips coming in, & the ſhips as many to them, ſince my impriſonment there: A ſtrange prodigality!powder and bullet in ſalutes and frollicks) told them, That our wiſe Stateſmen and the Kingdome were very much overſeen to keep two Caſtles, three or four Blockhouſes, ſo many ſcore Cannons, Gunners, Souldiers, and Matroſses there, as coſt them eight or ten thouſand pounds a year, under pretence to ſecure the Haven and Nation againſt Enemies and Pirates, when they could not at noon day (as they now ſaw by experience) ſo much as stay, take, hurt or ſink one little Pink of nine or ten tun with foure or five ſeamen onelyonly, and not one Gun in her, when as there were four Men of War under ſail ſo near her, and ſhe had stolen Cuſtomes: Much leſſe then could they ſtop, hurt ſinck any stout man of War, or an whole ſquadron of Ships or Navy, or hinder them from entring the Harbor, riding or landing there, and returning at their pleaſures, their Pieces and Blockhouſes not commanding one half quarter of the Harbor when entred, not being able to hurt or ſink them in their entry or retiring, as I clearly demonſtrated to them, then and afterwards, eſpecially by theſe unanſwerable experiments in our late ſea Fights. Collonel Blake (my Countrey-man) in his firſt ſea Fight with Van Trump, as his and others printed Letters relate, had many ſcores (if not hundreds) of broad ſides diſcharged againſt his ſhip by the Dutch, at neareſt diſtance, by far greater better Cannons, Cannoneers and Tyres of Ordinance, charged with Chain and Croſs…a… ſhot as well as Bullet, lying nearer the water then any Guns in Pendennis or St. Maudits Caſtles, Blockhouſes, or in any other of our Forts, receiving no leſs then 3000. Cannon ſhot in his Hull, tackling M. st▪ Sa…ls, After which he received in his ſhip as many or more broad ſides and ſhots in his third Fight with the Dutch in their return from France with their Merchant ſhips; and Sir George Aſcough received neer as many in his ſhip in his fight with Ruttier: Yet all theſe road ſides & thouſands of ſhot, did neither ſink ſplit, fire, nor make unſervicable either of theſe ſhips, which were ſoon repaired, neither did they kill any ſtore of their men with their Cannons, their Musket ſhot and boording only doing their men moſt harm. Therefore queſtionleſs ſo many thouſand Cannon ſhot diſcharged againſt any other ſtout ſingle ſhip or man of War from theſe Caſtles and Blockhouſes at greater diſtance, uncertainty, and higher level, with ſmaller Ordnance balls, by worſer Guners can neither ſink nor ſpoil her, muchleſſ ſink, h…rt, ſpoil, ſtop or take an whole ſquadron of ſhips of war (which our whole Fleets can hardly do) when they cannot come neare to board or fire them; & by this proportion, all the powder, cannon ſhot, bullets, Guns in both Caſtles would not be ſufficient to ſink or ſpoil one ſingle ſhip riding at Anchor within their command, muchleſſe in her paſſage in or out, ſince 3000. ſhot in her bulk, ſails, maſts and tackling would not do it; and half of the Cannons diſcharged would not hit, but paſſe beſides her: Therefore to keep up ſuch Caſtles and Blockhouſes to ſecure Harbours, ſink ſhips, and hinder any fleets or ſquadrons of ſhips from entring or harbouring in them, was but a prodigal overſight and miſtake: there being never any warlike ſhip yet ſunk by our Forts & blockhouſes ſince their firſt erection, for ought I could read in hiſtory, or hear by information from credible Witneſses; nor any Navy repelled from entring, riding, or landing by them, had they a reſolution to do it, as the premiſed inſtances with ſundry others manifeſt. (And one ſince theſe Aphoriſms penned namely General Blakes fireing the Turkiſh ſhips lying under their very ſtrongeſt Caſtle Walls, notwithſtanding all their cannons, blockhouſes, ſhips playing upon our ſhips, aſsaulting them and beating down their caſtle about their ears, with the cannon from our ſhips, without the loſs, ſinking, ſpoile of any of our ſhips.) A ſufficient demonſtrative evidence of the uſeleſneſs of Maritine forts and blockhouſes, which in truth are meer idle ſcarecrows and bugbears to fright raw cowardly ſeamen, not daunt or keep off experienced reſolute ſhips or marriners. VVherefore to draw towards a concluſion, I ſhall onelyonly adde,
That the onelyonly pretended uſe of Mercenary Garriſons and Souldiers,, being but to defend the Peoples Perſons and Eſtates in times of neceſſity, when and whiles end angered by a Potent Enemy in actuall Armes, who are ſecure enough without them, when, where and whiles there is no ſuch viſible Enemy to aſſault them; it can be neither juſtice, equity, conſcience, honeſty, good husbandry nor true State-policy, to continue any ſuch Gariſons or Feild Souldiers on them to their vaſt expence and undoing, (now there is no Armed Enemy in the Iſland, and ſo ſtrong a Fleet at Sea to ſecure them againſt forraigners) upon endleſſe, full and conſtant former pay, without any neceſſity or actuall ſervice till the next ſpring or ſummer, becauſe then peradventure, there may be ſome new imployments for them, (at home or abroad,) onelyonly to enrich the Mercinary Officers, Souldiers, and oppreſſe, undoe the undone people, lying down like Iſſachars under both theſe heavy burthens of Mercenary Garriſons and a Mercenary field Army too, even with broken backes and bleeding hearts, without eaſe or commiſſeration, notwithſtanding all their clamours. No preſent ruling Potentates or Stateſmen (who ſhould help and right them) will be ſuch Prodigals or ill husbands of their owne Purſes and Eſtates, as to keep thoſe Reapers, Mowers, who have cut down their Corne and done their harveſt work the laſt Summer, in ful conſtant harveſt pay all the following Autumne, Winter and all the ſucceeding ſpring till the Summer harveſt come again, without any other uſefull work or imployment for them, till then, becauſe peradventure they may then imploy them again for a month or two in reaping and inning their next yeares crop, which they have not ſo much as ſowen, and are yet uncertaine whether to ſow or not; which if they did, would render them ridiculous to every Country Clown, who hath ſo much Policy, and frugality, as to diſcharge his mercenary harveſt folke ſo ſoone as they have ended their harveſt worke, and not to keep them ſtill idle and pay them harveſt wages till the next Summer; becauſe he can then, if need be, ſoon hire them or other Reapers, Mowers, when his corne is ripe for cutting, not before, for leſſe then one quarter of the money their pay would come to if kept in hire till that time, without doing him any other ſervice: And ſhall our wiſe new Stateſmen then be ſuch Prodigals and ill huſbands of the exhauſted peoples purſes and eſtates; as to keep many thouſands of mercinary Field and Garriſon Horſe and foot in conſtant full pay, (who many moneths ſince have done all their ſommer and preſent publick worke for the peoples ſafety,) all the cenſuing Autumne, winter, Spring in no actuall neceſſary Service for them at all, onelyonly becauſe perhaps they may make uſe of them the Sommer following, or a year or two hence (if then) to cut down imaginary armed Enemies in the Field or Iſland, if any then appeare to invade the Peoples Perſons and Eſtates; of which there is yet no probability. Verily if they ſhall ſtill do thus, every Country Peaſant will deſpiſe, deride and enſure this their folly and unthriftineſſe, and the whole exhauſted oppreſſed Nation condemne, if not caſheir them for ſuch groſſe imprudence. Certainly every rich private Stateſmans, Noblemans, Gentlemans, Peaſants Houſe, Perſon, in theſe neceſſitous times, when theives are ſo buſy in all parts of the Nation, are in greater danger of being robbed, plundred, murdred by Murderers and Robbers, then any Garriſon, Towne or Village to be piliaged by any forraigne forces or domeſtick Enemies, appearing in no parts of the Iſle, nor likely to do it; yet none of them will be ſo ridiculous, prodigall, or diſtruſtfull of Gods protecting Providence, as upon their owne purſes to hire any Horſe, or foot perpetually to Guard their Perſons, Houſes day and night till the next Sommer, becauſe ſome Theeves and Robbers (theſe long tedious winter nights) may probably aſſault their Houſes, ſteal their moneyes, plate, goods, or murder their perſons, but will eaſe themſelves of this coſt and charge, till they be certainly informed of a company of Robbers conſpiring for to plunder, rob, or kill them about ſome certain time, or have news that they are ready to execute this deſigne; and then they will time enough ſummon their domeſtik ſervants & freinds to encounter, and ſurpriſe them if they come: and ſhould they not then intruſt the peoples perſons, eſtates to Gods Protection and their owne, at this preſent, without any mercenary Garriſons or Forces to guard them againſt their wills or deſires, to their ſuperfluous vaſt expence, when there is farr leſſe probability or feare of danger to them in generall from armed Enemies, then to their owne private perſons, Houſes or moneys, from Theeves and Robbers? If they be thus continued on them, onelyonly to enrich the Officers, Souldiers, and ſecure their own Uſurpations, Intruſions, or over ruling powers (preferred before the peoples eaſe or weal) under a pretext of danger from ſome Enemies that may or will infeſt, plunder, deſtroy the people ſo ſoone as the Army and Garriſons are disbanded; we ſhall then deſire, that all officers, Souldiers unwilling to disband upon this pretence of great imminent danger for the peoples more certaine ſecurity from Enemies, and meriting of their future pay, may be ſtrictly enjoyned to put on all their Armes, and draw up all their forces in battalio, where they moſt feare the Enemies, in the field; and all their Garriſons likewiſe kept in a conſtant ſtanding Poſture to receive the Enemy, in their reſpective Forts; and there to ſtand night and day in their compleat armes, in a perpetuall readineſſe and poſture of defence, till the next ſommer and our fears be ended, without putting off their Arms; as our *Roger de Hoveſd…n Annal pa… poſterior p. 768 778. Mat Weſtm An. 1196 p. 17. Gal. Nubigenſis. l …5. c. In Antique Eccleſia Brit. p. 140 Hol…nſh…d p. 150.151. Chron Johanis Bu…öt con…or… 127….12 ….King Richard the firſt kept the Biſhop of Bev…ies taken Priſoner by his forces in the field, harneſſed from head to foot, in his iron Armes night and day, above two months ſpace, without ſuffering him all that time to put them off, leſt ſome Enemies ſhould ſurpriſe them, our Iſland & Garriſons on a ſudden, ere they could arme or put themſelves in an actuall poſture to receive them, if permitted once to retire into their Winter quarters for their eaſe; and then we ſuppoſe theſe pretenders of imminent danger, only to get pay, when and where they neither do nor can do the people the leaſt reall Publick ſervice, but greateſt prejudice, as the premiſes evince; will ſoone become as humble and earneſt petitioners to our preſent ſwaying Powers who continue them, and to the People (who deſire it) to be forthwith disbanded and ſent home again to their friends & further imployments as this Harneſſed Biſhop was to our King Richard himſelfe, the Pope and his Brother Prelates, to be diſrobed, diſarmed of his heavy iron Rochet, ſo long keept on his back and body to his little eaſe and leſſe content; it being altogether as juſt, equitable, and reaſonable for them to keep the Army and Garriſon Soldiers in this unreaſonable hard conſtant duty and armed Poſture day and night till they be disbanded, as to lay unſupportable endleſſe Taxes, Exciſes on the oppreſſed peoples backs to maintain them in conſtant pay to their intolerable oppreſſion, till the next Sommer or longer upon the premiſed pretences.
Queſt.If any now demand (as many Officers and Souldiers oft do, being their chief plea againſt disbanding) how ſhall the Officers and Souldiers live, after all their good Service in the Wars, if they ſhall be now at laſt disbanded to eaſe and pleaſure the people?
The Anſwer is very obvious,Anſw. juſt and equall. 1. How ſhall the poor people live or maintain themſelves and families, if theſe Garriſons and Mercinary Forces be ſtill continued, being already like to ſtarve? 2. How do the poor people live who are ſtill enforced to give them full pay and maintain them in idleneſſe without any labour, to do very little duty, & that wholly uſeleſs, in Field or Garriſons; wherein their onelyonly neceſſary, uſeleſſe, preſent dutie is, to ſtand Centinell once or twice a week, one houre or two; to take Tobacco, play, ſleep, drink, and cry ſtand; or, who goes there? to one another in the night, as they paſſe by the Centinels; to as much purpoſe, in relation to the peoples ſafety, as one night-Owles crying, hallowing is to another; or to demand of thoſe that enter into the Garriſons in the day time Whence come you? what are you? what is your name? buſineſſe? whom would you ſpeak with? Have you taken the new Engagement? elſe you muſt not enter the Fort or Garriſon, no not alone in theſe times of no danger, as if one diſarmed Non Engager might ſurpriſe an whole laſie fortified Garriſon, in the day time, aſwell as a ſleeping one in the night; how much more then an armed Enemy? Which learned queſtions ſtanding the Nation in very many thouſand pounds every year in Gariſons now kept up, as much concern the peoples ſecurity from Enemies, as the Miniſters interrogating of children formerly in the Church, What is your name? Who gave you this name? And to maintain near a thouſand Block-headed ſlothfull-Gunners in Blockhouſes and Garriſons only to ſhoot away above ſix or ſeaven thouſand pounds worth of powder in Courtſhip, and Frolicks to ſhips, and Viſitors every year, who deſerve rather caſhiering for this their prodigal and onelyonly Dutie, for which they receive great conſtant pay. Certainly their Country pay-Maſters live not by ſuch idle, uſeleſſe, fruitleſſe, rare duties; but by hard ſtudying, ſweating, labouring night and day in their honeſt lawfull callings uſefull for the publick (the whole profits whereof theſe idle Lurdanes muſt ſtill monthly devoure for ſuch ridiculous ſervices, and new kinde of Catechiſing the people ex officio like our caſhiered unpreaching Curates;) and ſo muſt theſe Officers and Souldiers too, if they cannot otherwiſe live aſwell as they. 3. How did they live and maintain themſelves before they were liſted Souldiers? Surely not as now, but like other chriſtian people, by labouring daily in their lawfull callings, living frugally, ſoberly, obediently like others of their equals, not in ſuch idleneſſe, luxury, pride, & ſtate as ſince: And is it not poſſible that they may, yea juſt & equal that they ſhould thus live and maintain themſelves now, and not ſtill live like idle Drones in great ſloath, pompe, ſtate, and honour upon the honey of the poore painfull Bees 4. How do many hundreds of formerly disbanded Officers, Souldiers now live and maintain themſelves, who did as much, and good ſervice as thoſe now in pay? Doubtleſſe by returning to the diligent exerciſe of their former callings, or ſome other good imployments, or going to ſome lawfull forraign Wars. 5. If any old Officers and Souldiers in preſent ſervice be ſo poor, that they know not yet how to live if they be now disbanded, certainly it is through their own ill husbandry, pride, or prodigality; never Officers or Souldiers in the world being more royally, duly, juſtly paid and rewarded (eſpecially in a Civill War) than they have been; whereby thouof them (eſpecially Generals, Colonells, Captains, and Superiour Officers, with many inferiour ones likewiſe) are grown exceeding rich and wealthy over what they were before the Wars (which have undone moſt others) and are lately beyond expectation, become the greateſt Purchaſers in the Nation of the richeſt publick and Private Mannors, Seates, Revenues, Offices; this Civill War being the richeſt trade they ever yet met withall in their lives, which makes them ſo unwilling now to give it over; & to continue theſe poor unthrifty Souldiers ſtill in pay till they grow as rich as theſe their fellowes, is to be worſe husbands for the Nation for the future, than theſe unthriving Officers and Souldiers (who have not yet gotten enough to live by the Wars) have been for themſelves in time paſt, and that onelyonly to maintain and enrich them with the whole Nations ruine. 6. The plain meaning of thoſe who make this Demand is, that they expect and intend our mercinary Armies, and Garriſons ſhall by one means or other, be continued in pay, and our Wars not ended, our peace not ſettled till Doomſday, or at leaſt ſo long as the people have either Lands, ſtock, goods, or moneys left, to pay heavy unceaſing Taxes and Exciſes for them to live upon, at that high, laſie rate as now they do. But better ten thouſand times ſuch idle wretches ſhould be disbanded, though they ſtarve and periſh, if they will not betake themſelves to ſome honeſt vocation to live by it; then that the whole Nation ſhould ſtarve or periſh, to keep them and our unnaturall, unchriſtian Wars ſtill a live, to murther our own Chriſtian Brethren or allies, of purpoſe to keep our Armies and Garriſons in action and preſerve them from preſent or future disbanding. As *Deut 28.22. c. 23 22. to 27. Levit 26.25. to 38. 1 Kings 19.17. Ezr. 9 8. Job. 19.29. Iſay. 51.19. c: 65.12. c. 66.17 Jer. 9.16. to 23 c. 12.12. c. 14.13. to 20. c. 15.2. to 15 c. 24.10 c. 25.16. to 34 c. 29.17.18 c. 34.17. and c. 43 11. c. 40.10. to 27. c. 47.6, 7 c. 50 16.35, 36, 37. Ezech. 5.2. to 18. c. 14.21. c. 21.9. to 30. Jer. 4.19.20. toſ 31. I…ay. 19.3. 2 Cron. 15.6.War and the oppreſſing Sword of war (eſpecially when Civill) are in Gods own Judgement and all wiſe mens, the ſevereſt Curſe, Plague, Puniſhment, that God in his wrath can here inflict upon any people for their ſinns and wickedneſſe, as including all ſorts of other evills, ſpirituall and temporall, in its bowells; So for any to make a Trade of War, & to continue, perpetuate this heavieſt Plague and Curſe upon their own Native Country without abſolute Neceſſity, or juſt grounds, is the worſt of Crimes and Treaſons; and thoſe that are guilty thereof the worſt of Traytors, of chriſtian men, unworthy the name of Saints or Chriſtians, whatever their pretences be to colour it. If therefore Machiavills Atheiſticall infernal Paradox (applauded and oft juſtified in Print by his new Diſciple *Who hath printed it many times with … approbationpunc;Politicus) He that hath once drawn his ſword againſt his lawfull Soveraign, muſt throw away the ſcabbard, and never ſheath it more; no, not after he hath cut off his Soveraigns Head therewith; hath prevailed more with any Machivilian States-men or Sword-men, than our Saviours own more ſacred Chriſtian Goſpell precept and ſpeech to Peter, when he drew his ſword, and onelyonly cut off Malchus his ear (not Head) coming then forcibly to apprehend our Saviour (who preſently cured his ear again, and gave this command to Peter, though certain himſelf to be crucified, if then apprehended) Mat. 26.5….52.Put up thy ſword into his ſheath again; for all they that take the ſword, ſhall periſh with the ſword; and therefore upon his diabolicall adviſe they peremptorily reſolve to keep our Mercinary Armies Garriſons ſwords ſtill drawn, and unſheathed amongſt us, without ever putting them up again, upon the peoples dry drained Purſes, notwithſtanding all their cries and premiſed reaſons againſt it; (not for the peoples ſafey, which cannot now be ſo much as henceforth ſurmiſed, after this diſcovery of its groſſe Impoſture, but for their own private preſent and future Indempnity alone.)
Let all ſuch cheating oppreſſing unrighteous Machivilians aſſuredly know; that theſe words of Chriſt will certainly prove true and take hold of them in concluſion, he *Lam. 1.20. Rev. 13.9.10.being truth it ſelfe that ſpake them; and that ſuch who reſolve to live in Warre ſtill, ſhall never die nor reſt in Peace, but periſh by and with *John. 14 6. Gen. 9.6.the ſword at laſt (as Pompey, Cyrus, Pruda, and others have done,) though they had all the Garriſons and Armies on earth to protect them; whom God in his Juſtice, if other inſtruments be wanting, can make their unexpected Executioners in ſtead of Guardians, when they wander out of his Protection in wayes of violence, Oppreſſion, Rapine, Blood, Warre, Diſcord, and will neither know nor purſue the wayes of Peace and Chriſtian unity, for the Peoples publick Eaſe and whole Nations Welfare.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Prynne, Eight Military Aphorisms (1658)