EIGHTEEN REASONS Propounded to the Soldiers of the Body of the Army, Why they ought to continue the several Adjutators of their respective Regiments, Troops, and Companies, for the good of he Army, Parliament and Kingdom.  
1. BEcause, their dissolution as yet either in part or in whole, is contrary to the solemn engagement of the Army (founded upon the Pillars of justice, mercy, reason & necessity) read assented unto, and subscribed by a general Randesvouz near Newmarket: as appeareth ●●ōtheir own express in their said Engagement (dated July 5. 1647.) which runs thus we the Officers & Soldiers of the several Regiments, now met at the general Randesvouz, have subscribed unto the said solemn Engagement, and do hereby declare, agree, and promise to, with each other; to, and with the Parliament, and Kingdom; at followeth.  
First, that we shall cheerfully & readily disband etc. having first such SATISFACTION and SECURITY in those things as SHALL BEE AGREED unto by a COUNSELL, to consist of those General Officers of the Army (who have concurred with the Army in the premises) with TWO COMMISSION OFFICERS, and TWO SOLDIERS to be chosen for each Regiment, who have concurred and shall concur with us in the premises, and in this Agreement, and by the Major part of such of them, who shall meet in Council for that purpose etc.  
Secondly, that without such satisfaction, and security as aforesaid, we shall, not willingly disband, nor divide, nor suffer ourselves to be disbanded, or divided.  

Whence Observe.  
That you of the Body of the Army together with this Council (thus and no otherwise constituted) are firmly bound each unto other, severally and conjunctively to maintain & defend, & protect each other both in your Individual and contract capacity; to wit, the Body natural, and the Body representive to be a mutual and safe protection and preservation each to other as much as in each other lieth till satisfaction and security, as aforesaid: so that the Army is hereby bound, not to suffer itself, or its council, not the Council to suffer itself or the Army as much as in each other lieth to be disbanded or divided without satisfaction and security first in those things as shall be agreed unto by the said Council: now as yet there is neither satisfaction nor security concerning the manifold Representations proposals & desire of the said council in behalf of the army King Parliament and Kingdom.  
Therefore, by the said solemn Engagement (made severally and jointly to themselves, to and with the Parliament and Kingdom) they are bound to themselves, and have bound themselves to the Parliaments Kingdom, not to suffer any disbandment of the Army division or dissolution of themselves or of their council, either in partor in whole, outing the time of dissatisfaction and non-security to such things for the safety of the Army, Parliament and Kingome as hitherto hath, or shall for the future be agreed unto by the said council of Officers and Soldiers.  
And so every Officer, Soldier person whatsoever which hitherto hath or for the future shall enter himself into the 〈◊〉 Engagement and become a Member of the Army, is bound not to disband himself, dissert of forsake the Army, or to the utmost of his power to suffer the Army or its Council of Officers and Soldiers to be disbanded, disserted, divided or destroyed, but with his life and his fortunes is bound to preserve, continue and uphold both Army and Council invire and firm even if possible to the period of the work.  
And he or they of what quality or conditon soever, whether Officer or Soldier, that shall before the said satisfaction & security endeavour the disbandment of the Army 〈◊〉 part or in whole, or shall endeavour the disbandment, division or dissolution of this Counsel either in part or in whole, are falsifiers of their own solemn Engagement to themselves and one with another to the Parliament and Kingdom; and out of their own moths even from the Equity of their own Engagement are to be adjudged (as indeed they are in so doing) Enemy to the Army, Parliament and Kingdom.  
Now if as some object, it be answered, that the Engagement extendeth only to the prevention of the disbandment or division of the Army, and not o● the council till the said satisfaction and security without breach of the saith and solemn Engagement of the Army. I reply.  
That if it extend to the body of the Army then much more to the Council: for the good of the Army, (for matter of safety, preservation and union thereof, as also for the peace tranquillity and freedom of Parliament and Kingdom) is precisly wrapped up, and comprised in that Council as in the head of that Body: so that if the head of it should be cut off, cleft, or the brams of it pathed out how shall the body of the Army retain its perfect life and being?  
Now the Council (according the Engagement) is (as before was expressed) to consist of those general Officers of the Army (who have concurred with the Army in the premises) with two Commission Officers and two Soldier to be chosen out of every Regiment, who have concurred or shall concur in the premises: so that the Council (according the Army's Engagement) is not to consist of officers without two soldiers out of every Regiment, or of the soldiers without the aforesaid officers; but jointly the said Officers and Soldiers together make up the said council, or representive Body of the Army, according to the solemn agreement and Engagement of the Army: no other Council whatsoever though under the name and guise of the Army being the council of the Army for their present expedition (in behalf of the Army, the Parliament and Kingdom.) it being of a different kind and nature, of a different Election, Authority Original and end from that of the council of war; and all such not so elected and constituted as aforesaid as shall assume or presume upon the name or authority of that Council are invaders and usurpers and abusers of the name power and authority of the Army; and at their results, actions and transactions under that guise are not there. sults, actions and tran●sactions of the Army, but are all as concerning the Army, illegitimate, irregular, and unjust, contradictory and abusive to the Army.  
And hence it is, that this great Council of the Army so elected and deputed hath proceeded by virtue of their free Election and Deputation in the name power and authority of the Army to 〈◊〉 represent and propose several things, not only as Soldidiers for the good 〈◊〉 of the Arms but as Commoners, for the peace, freedom, and liberty of the Kingdom, from time to time, agreed 〈…〉 council of the Army, and so is properly and truly the sense, intent, and mind both of the head and body of the Army, truly undertaken and prosecuted by the 〈◊〉, legigitimate, natural Power, and Right, of the Army both as Soldiers, and Commoners.  
So that it is most evident and plain, that the Soldier-Adjutators as well as the Officer-Adjutators have an undoubted right in this counsel, betrusted and conveyed unto them by the Army, even in as large a measure both as Soldiers and Commoners, as the Officers can plead it for themselves; not to be informed, invaded or destroyed either by the General, Officer or Officers whatsoever until such satisfaction & security in & for those things which have or shall be agreed 〈◊〉 by the said elected Officers and Soldiers for the good of the Army, the Parliament and Kingdom.  
And this right can no more be taken from the Officer then from the Soldier, and from the Soldier no more than from the Officer,  
2. One reason, power and authority (which may serve as a second reason for the continuance of the Solder) being for the orginal & constitution of both, & one reason power & authority for the continuance and termination of both; that which pleads the continuance or removal of the one, pleads the continuance or removal of the other therefore that Soldier which shall invade, infringe or destroy the right and power of the Officer, or that Officer which shall invade, infringe or destroy the right and power of the Soldier in the said Counsel, is an enemy both to Officer and Soldier, an underminer, subverter and confounder of the said solemn Engagement for the Army, Parliament and Kingdom, & so undoubtedly an enemy unto all: whatsoever his deluded intention, & supposals may be, such and no other are his said actions, and so are the Authors and Actors thereof to be adjudged and esteemed, if it be lawful and safe to judge the tree by its fruit. For he that shall plead for and endeavour the removal of the Soldier out of this Council, and thereby shall accomplish the same, may when he hath so done by the very same reason endeavour and accomplish the removal of the Officers, both being grounded upon one bottom, and so totally dissolve and consummate this counsel of the Army, and utterly make ubide the Engagement thereof, as also undo all again which hath thereby been done, to the utter ruin both of the Army, the Parliament and Kingdom, especially of the honest and godly party therein. So that this power of consultation and proposal, as well in order to themselves, and their respective Regiments, Troops and Companies, whom they present, and to the Parliament and Kingdom, as Commoners, as in order to themselves and the Army as Soldiers, being thus radical and indivisible in the Soldier till such satisfaction & security as aforesaid, it may preventer else give answer to another objection, which is, that the election and function of the Soldier Adjutators, was and is only for the Army as Soldiers about the point of disbandment, Indemnity, pay and the like; and further to disprove this objection, and to render the matter void of all exception, their continued practice, progress and proceed jointly in this counsel, for consultation, proposal and conclusion of things for themselves the Army and Kingdom as Commoners gives a sufficient and publiqve testimony to all men.  
3. The Body of the Army, by virtue of their own proper Engagement, have no power (in being to the said Engagement for the good of the Army, Parliament and Kingdom) to dis●●●ull, repeal or destroy the said Council or Engagement, either in part or in whole 〈◊〉 the safety of the Army Parliament and Kingdom, according to what either hath been, is, or shall be proposed and agreed unto by the said Council of Officers and Soldiers, for by the general, joint and Solemn Agreement of the Army, the body thereof hath firmly obliged and bound itself neither to terminate, nor dissolve itself or its Council, nor suffer itself nor its Council to be terminated, divided, or dissolved till full accomplishment and such satisfaction and security as aforesaid, according to the agreement, conclusions results and proposals of the said Council both for the Army and Kingdom. And if such satisfaction & security as by the said Counsel shall be agreed unto must first be, (as you have engaged) than it may not, neither are you to divide or dissolve before. If such, first and by this counsel and not before, than this counsel is of equal duration with the Army, even to disbandment. For should the Body of the Army or any part thereof recall or attempt to recall their said Adjutators or Representors either in part or in whole from their service and function in the said Council, the Body or party in so doing would visibly and palpably destroy and subvert the very essence and being of the said Solemn Engagement; for only in order and Council is safety, and take away order and Council, and safety must needs give place, and ruin succeed. Therefore, all that or of the Body of the Army a●e finaly bound (as they tender the good of the Army, the Parliament and Kingdom) faithfully and precisely to preserve, defend, protect & continue the said Honourable Solemn engagement and Council till the full accomplishment, establishment and security of all things for the good, safety and salary of the Army, the peace security and freedom of the Parliament and Kingdom, assented or agreed unto, or to be assented or agreed unto by the said Council conjunctively of Officers and Soldiers.  
4. It is no true representation of the Army where the free Elected Representors of the Body are substracted and taken away.  
Therefore, the Soldiers which are representors of the several Regiments, troops and Companies of the Army neither can nor may, in Being to the Representation itself be dispowered, removed divided or dissolved, for in so doing the Representation would cease, and all would be tumbled into confusion or irrigularity at least.  
5. The Soldier is concerned in the safety of the Army both as Soldiers and Commoners, and in the peace safety and freedom of the Parliament and Kingdom equally with, & as deeply even as the General Officers themselves; & therefore to be no more ejected than any of the General Officers whatsoever out of this Council, without apparent violation of their Right, and hazard of their safety both as Soldiers and Commoners.  
6. In case the General Officers should suppress, make void and dissolve the other Officer & Soldier adjutators, and proceed of themselves in their single Capacity they could nomore be termed or accounted this foresaid Council of the Army then the leg or arm of 〈◊〉 without the rest of his members can be termed or accounted the man: neither can that which is but in part be a representor of the whole.  
And so they would become only Representors of themselves not of the Body of the Army, and their actions, proposals and desires not be the Actions proposals and desires of the Army but of themselves.  
7. Neither General Officers nor other Officers ever had or can have a general Monopoly of all just Council and wisdom, but as ever there hath, so still in the multitude of councillors there is safety and wisdom, and wisdom as the wise man saith Eccle. 7.21.) shall strengthen the wise man more than ten mighty Princes that are in the Gitty.  
8. A Military Commission doth not confer wisdom to the Officer, but it is properly and purely the gift of God, distributed according to his good pleasure: Therefore wisdom in their Council, is as probably to be expected from the Soldier, as well as from the Officer, and so as much ground to continue the one as the other.  
9 It is against the just Nature, and being of any free Council for any party thereof to usurp over the rest in any wise, or to impropriate or encroach to themselves, the whole power into their hands, to the dispossession or displacing of others.  
10. It tendeth to the perversion of the Engagement of the Army from general safety and peace to the private interests, factious and sinister designs of some sew.  
11. The Soldier was not only appearing and active in the foundation, prosecution and settlement of the said solemn Engagement, when few or none of the Officers either durst not, or would not, engage or be seen therein, till the work was even fitted to their hands.  
Therefore, not now to be dispowred by the Army, or in reason, justice or honour to the equity of the said solemn Engagement, to be slighted or disesteemed by the Officer; but by all honest and just men to be esteemed instruments, to be continued till the accomplishment and perfection of the work.  
12. Their assistance, agitation, and counsel hath hitherto been successful, faithful, wholesome and conducent to the good and safety of the Army, prosperous, judicious and upright for the peace, prosperity, and settlement of the Kingdom, honour of the King, freedom of Parliament and people.  
Therefore, there is no reason for their dissolution before satisfaction and security as aforesaid, till they have committed matter of crime worthy thereof.  
13. Such as shall so attempt their dissolution before any just desert or reason for the same, and contrary to the Engagement itself, may justly be suspected of some evil intent to their persons, or to the Engagement itself: or else why should their wholesome advice be despised, or themselves without all desert be cast out of the Counsel? For who knows, after they are so ejected and dispossessed of all power that through the change of times, and things co-operating with natural corruption and vanity too subject to places of command and profit, those Soldiers who with great wisdom, hazard and difficulty, begun, and hitherto with prudence and fidelity, proceeded in the carriage on of the work, may be cast upon the pikes of destruction, and so left to the mercy of their enemies.  
Therefore, no Officer or Soldier that is honest and wise, and simply and faithfully intends and endeavours the good, safety and preservation of the Adjutators, the Army and Kingdom, will not in any wise except against making sure the safety of the Adjutators, whether Officer or Soldier. And all the world knows, that there is more probability and certainty of their safety; while they keep the power or staff in their own hands, till all things be firmly settled and secured for their safety and peace, then when they are dispowred, and the staff in the hands of another before the said covenanted satisfaction and security: And who knows what a day may bring forth? therefore it is good to make sure of the worst.  
14. The best pretence may be suspected, but where no manner of good is or can be pretended or proposed, there evil of necessity must be concluded; but there is no manner of good to the Army, to the Adjutators, or to the Kingdom pretended, or can be pretended or proposed for the dissolution of those faithful Adjutators. For what good can be intended to the Army, Adjutators, or their solemn Engagement, by impairing, destroying and dismembering the lively useful members of the body of this Counsel, Therefore evil must needs be intended and concluded, in the design; and from whence it comes, I leave that to the judgement of the diligent and wise observator.  
15. It is a great disparagement and dishonour to those Adjutators that now after the heat of the day, and their toilsome and faithful endurance thereof, they should not be esteemed as worthy to continue and help to carry on the work to a period, as well as to undertake and begin, or as such as at the beginning thereof either durst not or would not appear in the undertaking, countenance, or management of the work.  
16. The Soldiers are more knowing of the mind of their several Regiments, Troops and Companies, than the general Officers probably can be; for they are more conversant, free and familiar one with another, then with their head Officers, and can unto them (as unto their Peers and Equals) more freely communicate their minds, and deliver the sense of the Countries gathered from their several quarters all ever the Kingdom. So that no sort of people can be more experimentally knowing of the several oppressions, grievances and necessities of the people in general than themselves.  
Therefore there is as little, if not less reason to dissolve or divide the Soldier from this Counsel, as the Officer therefrom.  
17. It is a limitation of the wisdom of the Army, which God in a wonderful manner hath dispersced and conveyed through the Body thereof; yea, an ablolute stoppage to the inlets and influence thereof upon its Counsels; For the Adjutators of the several Regiments, Troops, and Companies, are as the Cunduit●pipes from the several parts of the body of the Army, or as meet instruments at all times and occasions, at all straits and necessities for communication and conveyance of the wisdom thereof, for the safety of the Army, the Parliament and Kingdom: And on the contrary, a contrary effect must be concluded: if the whole body of the Army were an eye, where were the hearing? if the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? but now in their wise and regular disposal, they are many members, yet but one body: And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you: Nay, much more those Members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary.  
Therefore, I hope it will be the industry of every wise and judicious person that minds the safety of that body, and the prevention of Schism, imperfection or lameness therein, to preserve it entire and safe in all its members accordingly, as wherewith all it hath pleased God to endow it.  
18. The Dissolution of the Adjutators of the several Regiments, Troops and Companies, will necessitate and reduce the Army to a blind ignorant and implicit faith, even in that work wherein their very lives and liberties doth consist, and which hath been begun, and hitherto continued, and must be continued in the name of the Army: which kind of blind course in such a matter wherein most light is required, will to the knowing and judicious persons of the Army be so offensive and burdensome and so fill them with fears and jealousies over those which lead them hood winked, that they will never be able to bear it, neither indeed ought they to bear it, the which will be so extremely dangerous to the unity of the body, that nothing but discord, heart-burnings, repine, distraction and mutiny may justly be expected thereby: For persons who have their sight, and enjoy the light, cannot endure to be led as if they were blind over hedge and ditch at the pleasure of their leader, or to be made a nose of wax, or hurried hither or thither to this or that; they know not whether or to what, as they must needs be if those their meet instruments of mutual communication of the mind of the one and proceed of the other be taken away.  
Lastly, All that I shall say to you of the body of the Army concerning this new enterprise of recalling and suppressing the Adjutators is this, Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action. Eccles. 37.16. And so I shall refer my reasons and advice to be pondered before you proceed to the action, and remain.   
Your Cordial friend and servant Richard Overton. Newgate August 13. 1647.