THE RED-RIBBOND News from the Army.  
In a Discourse between a Minister and a Soldier of the State.  
Written from thence by a Minister of God's holy Word in the County of Suffolk, who loveth a Soldier as he doth his own life: The Characters of his name T. Cox  
London, Printed for M. S. 1647.   

A Dialogue between a Minister, and a Soldier of the State.  Minister. 
GEntleman Soldier, you are well met, may I be so bold as to exchange a word or two with you?  Soldier. 
Whereabout, or what is your will good sir?  Minist. 
You have been, I suppose, sometime in the Service of the State, have you not?  Soul. 
Truly sir, I have served the King and State these five years and upwards, I have been in all the fights ever since Keinton field, or the battle at Edgehill.  Min. 
Very well: you are much to be honoured for your zeal to God, and to your Country. And now without offence, I would be much beholding unto you if I might propound a question or two unto you.  Soul. 
Good sir, speak and spare not: I shall give such answers as my poor Genius shall enable me. And if I fail in any material thing, I hope, of your Christian Charity you will bear with me, and give me good advice.  Min. 
I shall do both most willingly: And first I pray you tell me were you impressed or went you a volunteer into the Service of the State?  Soul. 
I always scorned compulsion: I went out freely for my King and Countries good.  Min. 
Blessed be God. But I pray you what enemies went you out against? What to fight against your King?  Soul. 
No forsooth, but against his Majesties and the Kingdoms enemies against those that have set the three Nations in combustion: They have committed many outrages, and did patronise all under his Majesty's authority: Had these been delivered up to justice, than all hostility on this part, had long since ceased, and so much Christian blood had not been spilt.  Min. 
But with what good conscience could you take up Arms against the King's party?  
The King's party is two ways to be considered,  
1. Either as his Majesty's person may be engaged by mere su●przall only.  
2. Or as he may engage himself by voluntary consent, whereby he may be said to be surprised in his judgement also.  
1. For the first, the case is clear, viz. That Arms may, nay must be taken up by all good subjects (alleigeance binding them thereunto) to disengage his Majesty's person, howsoever, or by whomsoever it may be in danger of surprising, or be actually surprised. Somewhat to this purpose is Abishai his restoring David's person from Ishbi-benob, when slaughter or surprisal was justly to be feared, 2 Sam. 21. 16. etc.  
2. And for the second, though it were not his Majesty's case directly, (for no good subject judging of his Majesty's ways, by the Law and rule of charity as things have stood, can suppose the same so to be) but grant it were so yet where this voluntary consent is not regulated in the judgement of the Grand Council of the Kingdom (which ought to be judge next under God and his Word to examine and determine all queries in the State) In this case Arms might be taken up by the advice and authority of that grand Council, rather than the whole should wrack and come to ruin. And this maketh the case clear, That Arms were not taken up against the person of the King, not against his Politic power, nor against a Legal party; but against an unruly rout, that having surprised his Majesty's person, or his judgement, or both, by force, or flattery, to work their own ends, and the Kingdoms wo. And his Majesty himself hath granted, That the Parliament hath more than power sufficient to take up Arms in their just defence, for the Kingdom's safety, and to bring Delinquents unto justice, which is an unanswerable Argument to prove the legality of the Defensive War, and to justify the Parliament against all depravers, it being directly concluded a concessis.  Min. 
But what think you, can the King and Parliament be severed?  Soul. 
Under correction, I think they cannot as the case now standeth, God and the Law hath conjoined them, and what God and the Law have so happily conjoined let no man go about to put asunder. Wheresoever the person of his Majesty is, where shall we seek his politic power, but in that place and with those faithful Councillors, to which himself by a sacred law hath confirmed and confined it? For besides the Lawful call of this present Parliament, which is common to this with precedent Parliaments: we are to consider the Solemn Confirmation of it, wherein it differeth from all Parliaments that have gone before. I say the confirmation of it in its full Authority, and with all its Rights, and Privileges. This maketh the case strong and the Kingdom's Armies that have been all this time on foot, were at the first raised to maintain this Act, to defend this Title.  Min. 
Sir, I perceive you are rightly stated in the case. I did not expect to hear so good an account from you: I am afraid there are not many more in all the Army, can give the like satisfaction.  Soul. 
Believe me Sir, I am the weakest of many thousands; there are many of most able parts, and can speak of this or of any other subject, humane or divine, to admiration. And I confess I was a little principled before I went out, by hearing some good Divines as you are. And have been much confirmed by some of our Noble Commanders, and by some of my fellow Soldiers. Do you see, good Sir, in my head, face, and other Visible parts, the wounds I have received at York, Naseby, and other fights?  Min. 
I see them well, I would not have you call them wounds, but glorious marks and characters of a valiant and undaunted mind: Blessed be God who hath preserved you, you sacrificed your life for his Glory, and he hath preserved it most miraculously as appeareth unto me.  
But good sir, what is the matter now? much rumour is in the Country, and some cause of fears. Certainly there are some projects intended by the Souldery, witness both words and signs. A Covenant (it is said) is made by them; and what means the Red Ribbond on each soldiers left arm?  Soul. 
I make no question but you have heard of a Petition sent by us, and slighted by the Parliament; and the Ribbond showeth that we will defend the equity of our Petition with our blood.  Min. 
Slighted? I believe it not. It may be it was not humble enough, or not seasonable at this time; and I am to seek sufficient warrant for your defence thereof in that manner as you have said, and so I think are you. For where is your Commission, or by what authority shall you manage that defence (as you call it?)  Soul. 
Have we not authority, think you?  Min. 
No truly: you have neither King nor State to enable you to such an enterprise.  Soul. 
Then we will have: for seeing our chief Commanders fail and fail off from us, we will to his Majesty, and make him our General; and we are sure he will give us Commission.  Min. 
You are not sure of that: And we hope his Majesty is inclining to an accord: If otherwise; make his Majesty your General? To what end? God hath blessed the State with most glorious succ●ss●s, that there is, in a manner, a full and perfect Conquest of all the old enemies of the Kingdom: and (in all likelihood) the way is thereby laid open to a full period of the present Hostility, for which every Soldier deserveth the Laurel, an eternal, an immortal Trophy: And shall they now think of a means to blast their forepast glory by blowing the coals again, and by kindling a new Combustion out of the embers of the old Distraction? God forbidden. Will this stand with conscience? Certainly it cannot: For subjection is peremptorily commanded by Saint Paul unto the Higher Powers, Rom. 13. 1, And where is the full politic Power now but in the King and Parliament conjunction? God and the Law hath conjoined them etc. they are your own words. The Parliament doth nothing but by his Majesty's authority conferred on them, or confirmed to them: and his Majesty can do nothing legally that concerneth the Public Interest without the advice of his great Council convened and confirmed for that purpose. This Kingdom, though a Monarchy, is not an absolute but a mixed Monarchy; of all Monarchies the best. An absolute Monarchy doth easily degenerate into a tyranny, if not law, but will do guide the Steerage: but a mixed Monarchy hath power in itself to keep out or to suppress Tyranny: And whatsoever is commanded by full authority of the Power must be obeyed for conscience sake, Rom. 13. 5. obeyed (I say) either by doing the thing commanded, if lawful: or by submitting unto punishment: And for this the case of the three children is very remarkable, Nebuchadnezars command was unlawful, yet they made no resistance, but submitted to the censure and sentence of the King, Dan. 3. 16. And I would propound this thing unto Conscience, viz. By what right, either humane or divine, the Soldiers can either oppose that power which they have hitherto defended and upheld as lawful? Or side with and set up that power which till now they have resisted as illegal and unjust? Certainly it is not upon any new grounds and principles of Conscience, for it appeareth plainly to be merely upon Discontents, which will not bear them out at and before the great Tribunal. And good Soldier mark this, either all your undertake hitherto in the service of the State have been unlawful, which none can prove: or your intended purpose (if it be really intended by you) is Illegal, and will prove destructive unto Church and State, of which (I hope) you will consider: and not hazard the undoing of all that you have well done, for indirect and sinister ends.  Soul. 
Sir, I thank you, I am sensible of what you have now said. But I pray you resolve me in this; may not we Soldiers go and fetch his Majesty from Holmby, and carry him to his place in Parliament?  Min. 
What vi & Armis? and without Authority? we do all wish well to his Majesty. I know not one godly man that doth not wish his Majesty there, even in the height and summity of his Honour. But where is the let, the main obstruction?  
1. Is not the great Council wise enough to frame the best conditions both of his Majesties, and of the Kingdom's safety, by his coming thither?  
2. Hath not the Parliament been solicitous, obsequious enough to seek, and sue for his Majesty's royal favour in this kind?  
3. Are not both houses conscientious enough to provide for the honour of the King, and for the safety of the Kingdom?  
What needeth then such indirect, and inconsiderate means? The Soldiers to bring his Majesty (if it be in their power) in a distempered Passion, cannot sound well: it must of necessity, portend some intended, or accessary mischief. I pray you consider what the blessed Apostle saith. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, james. 1. 20.  Soul. 
Blessed be God for this your good, and sound advice. I have but one thing more to say. What if we have not all our Areers?  Min. 
I confess I admire and mourn to hear it, great words are spoken by many of the Souldery. But let me speak my mind freely. If that be the only, or the main ground work of the Soldier's intentions, then both in all the good that they have well done: and in whatsoever they shall do i'll, they are but merely mercenary, which (I confess) is but a base term, if deserved by Military men. It would appear that they aim only at self-ends, and intent not the common, the public good; It is hearty wished by all men that the Soldiers had their full content: they have deserved well, and no doubt but they shall be well considered. But if full satisfaction cannot be given, or not so soon as is desired, let not the Soldiers run a hazard of Rebellion, for that would eclipse the glory of all their former valorous achievements. Gentlemen Soldiers prise the common good above and before you own particular advantages; and make not another combustion to obtain your own ends, though never so just and honest. We praise God for what you have done for the public: The glory of your victories will be recorded to after generations to your eternal fame. And we pray for you, and withal entreat you in the name of Christ and in the behalf of the Christian Religion to set your eyes upon the common good before your own particular interests. If ye intent not good to bleeding Ireland by your personal undertake, then sit down in quiet and hinder it not by distractions: take not off the Parliament from expediting Recruits thither, lest all the Protestant blood which shall be shed there cry to heaven against you. The State is wise, and sensible of your good services, and will give satisfaction to their power, beyond which more cannot be expected much less exacted by men that are truly conscientious, to whom the public good is and aught to be more precious than their own. What say you Gentleman have I not spoken reason?  Soul. 
Truly, Sir, you have spoken reason and Religion too: I am fully satisfied. I pray you make this discourse public and no question but it will give us all content.  Min. 
Say you so? I will take pen and paper and write verbatim and send it for Impression.  Soul. 
Sir, I thank you, and I hope the whole Army will praise God for your good council and sit down in peace.   
FINIS.