A PLEA FOR MODERATION IN THE Transactions of the Army: OR, Weighty Observations upon the late Proposals for Peace, presented by the Honourable City of LONDON, To commissary-general IRETON, for concurrence of the General Council.  
Humbly offered unto the consideration of the Officers of the ARMY;  
By Verity Victor Gent.  
Printed for John Hanes, 1648.   

A Plea for Moderation in the Army's Transactions.  
UPon reading of that Paper called Proposals for Peace and Freedom offered to Commissary General Ireton, for the concurrence of the Army by divers worthy Citizens of the Common Council, and others, and upon much weighing the matter, I discover something of the substance thereof, and in regard of the strength of reason, even in all things therein touching the present condition of the state of things now with us, (it being the only wisdom to look at what best may be, and not at the narrow desires that every man's will coveteth) and as to the honesty thereof; I conceive no reasonable man of what party soever, unless the prodigal, or such as desires to live by the ruin of others, can say that there is any thing which tends to any other than the sure contrivance for the settlement of a happy peace, and the maintenance of the due and equal propriety and freedom of all men: wherefore I have thought meet to observe, that first they conclude the King to be the person that hath brought this woe, misery, and lamentable distraction upon the three Kingdoms. Secondly, that they conclude into that true Maxim of the Law, that whatsoever is not just in the beginning, cannot be made just by any Custom of the longest continuane whatsoever; and therefore do first adjudge him guilty of all the blood and ruin of England and Ireland. Secondly, that they are desirous that all usurpations and encroachments upon the people's Liberties whatsoever, may be immediately taken away: and perhaps may believe with me, that King's Courts are the fountains from whence the streams of excess do flow, and (that Kings are the Beasts spoken of in the Revelation of John) that thereby devour the people, and thither also do the subtlest serpents resort, and by their supreme power sting (even unto death) the rest of the silly beasts of the mountains, and it is they that turn the grace of God into wantonness and a lie, exalting with the horn of honour the covetous, the Extortioner, the Damner, Swearer, Whorer, Gamester, Cheater, Liar, and lascivious Prodigals, to the banishment of godliness and true virtue, and all such as (according to the only end for which they were borne) endeavoure righteousness for the good of their generation. But considering the great dubiousness of the best of men, and that three Kingdoms concentereth in one Crown, and that through the union thereby since King James came first into England, their Riches as well in Trade as Revenue were (before the war) increased not less than fourfold. Secondly, that none of the three can be highly happy without peace in all. Thirdly, that our old foundations of Government in reference as aforesaid, cannot be mended, except in the free and more equal choice of the Representative. Fourthly, that since it hath pleased God that a solemn Nationall Covenant hath been made and remaineth between Scotland and us, whereby that Nation requireth mercy on the behalf of the King as due thereby. Fifthly, for that God is a God of mercy, and not of punishment, unless as they say, it will in reason convert into mercy. Sixtly, for that their provisions for peace and freedom against all Tyranny is in reason unviolable through a general agreement to be founded by this great and honourable City (out of Arms) upon as certain provisions therein as can be laid down. Seventhly, that the union between the Scots and us may be preserved, and their peace settled as well as ours. Eightly the sudden reducement of Ireland. Ninthly, the conviction of all the particular parties of the pure Parliament Interest, together again. Tenthly, although it cannot be imagined that godly Statesmen will intent the alteration of a Government for the worse, for that is not to be expected at the hands of the most evil Machivillians, for by the goodness of the things laid down must their supportation in strength, honour, and fame be. But necessity hath ever been observed to force the fairest promising Statesmen upon alterations of the Government of Nations into the height of Tyranny and cruelty, especially where a new Government is ushered in by fear, that opposite to love and freedom, nor can the accomplishment thereof be expected by this generation. And though extreme wars could be avoided, yet cannot imprisonment, hanging, heading, hunger-pining of thousands, nay likely ten thousands, and in the end may the work come into as evil hands as this Tyrant, at large, our present King; but in the City's way there is nothing but certainties in reason, for binding their Kings with chains, and their Nobles with links of iron, yet by a sweet yoke, and pleasant bonds to the producement of their greatness peace and honour, as well as the people's. Eleventhly, I further observe, that the King deserved death even long before the wars through the violations of our Laws, his Oath and Covenant (besides that of his Father) but more especially for all the evil done in the first war, until August and September, 1647. when notwithstanding he was concluded to be the same in resolution, touching the evil of his heart, as at first, when notwithstanding so great tenderness was had not only of his life, but to his Negative voice also. And wherefore now if more could not be fought for, or expected as to freedom, then may be had by the continuance of his life, much better than by his death, as if mentioned by all the foregoing reasons, why then may not mercy be afforded him, & not to run the hazard of destruction & confusion to the whole three Nations. And again for that the Prince and Duke of York are both abroad, therefore must we not only expect present contests and Wars with Scotland and Ireland, but with most of the Adjacent Princes in Europe, which cannot but immediately destroy our old and famous Trade of Merchandise; For which considerations, as also for the supportation of those hundreds of thousands of People of this City, and likewise for the mainenance of the manufactory of the whole Kingdom, must the Citizens be for ever reputed both pious, moderate and wise, if again they press forward herein. In their Paper I further observe, that they would have the King disarmed of those two poisoning swords of destruction, whereby all Princes (together with their serpents about them) destroy the Nations, viz. the power of dignifying with Offices, and also with Titles of honour, whomsoever best serveth their lusts; and indeed should he have been brought in naked, these two excepted, if the Parliament should have continued but a few years longer, it would not have been difficult and hard unto him (by those two baits of honour) to have drawn the Angels of heavenly knowledge and stars of great light unto the earth again, when having courted in the idolised & deisied heads of the particular parties, the rest following of course, would thus have made the Nation slaves of what degree soever he had pleased: Is any thing for Nations freedom like bonds to Ambition? And were it but the fashion for Kings to discountenance vice, and dignify virtue, they would then merit their Crowns, for which only end they first had them; for than would righteousness and virtue shine forth in the Nation, as the fashionable things; and debauchery and excess fall to disdain. They also in their Paper have sufficiently provided for a godly preaching Ministry, with an augmentation of more than one third of that of old, by avoiding the Ministers accustomed charge of gathering and converting Tithes, as the avoiding of suit, trouble and contention thereupon, besides the more equal consideration for the labours and pains of those that shall be appointed thereto, which although not the same with the Scots, yet for that it wholly thwarteth not the Covenant (not admitting the civil Magistrate a Judge in point of conscience) is well relished by them, notwithstanding a general Liberty of Conscience to all godly conscientious walkers; protesting against the State-destroying Tenants as to peace and freedom not only of Popery, Episcopacy, and all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, by Courrs and Offices to that purpose. And did they think that the punitive power mentioned by them in their Remonstrance of June 1647. in point of Conscience, had even justly brought these great evils upon them and the Nation, but not find that is not the thing, as witness the judgement of some powerful persons in debate, and yielding the thing, if it would have been accepted on in another (though a worse) manner. Their Noble care that the soldiery in general may be paid all their Arrears due unto them, and so as cannot but be to the great advantage of the State by improvement of that wilful waist formerly made, as may soon be some millions to the benefit of the State; as also to the well pleasing both of Lord and Tenant, and the gladding and making joyful of the hearts of many thousands of the poor that are now ready (even daily) to perish with want, and are not only contented that the renowned Army should be presently satisfied, and by lands paid as followeth, viz. for every year that every Trooper is in arreare, or proportionable in time thereunto, the sum of four pounds during his life, without defalcation of freequarter; and that every Foot-Souldier that is in arreare, may have fifty shillings a year for every year due unto him, during his life, with proportion to time as to the Horse aforesaid; and without defalcation for freequarter also; and that those which shallbe thought meet by the general Council of the Army to be dismissed for Ireland, have the Fee-simple thereof to them and their heirs for ever. And it is now commonly spoken in the City, they are further content, that what was formerly assigned to the Soldiery for term of life, may be conferred upon them for ever: And that those that shall be dismissed to Ireland, as aforesaid, may have their proportions increased to one fourth part more than is now assigned; and will also upon security of the intended lands for that purpose, if the general Council shall think meet, pay in ready money all such arrears as shall be due either to any Officer or soldier, by order from the general Council aforesaid: And further, I conceive, greater endeavours for the preservation of the Army's honour and interest, both in England and Ireland, cannot be expected, beyond what is laid down in the City's paper of Proposals: and do they expect their chiefest safety to be concerned in them, as further appeareth by that power reposed in that excellet and honourable Committee for the dispose of all Offices, degrading, and dignifying with titles of honour all such as pleaseth that Committee: But if what is desired by the honourable Citizens may not be permitted, but that wars must still be our portion, or a settlement by the Sword only, we cannot expect better then in all the world besides, viz. that how just soever the Government is chalked out and intended to be, yet must we have no more thereof meted unto us, than the leading persons of State will in the future be pleased to afford us: and may it be our portion with Germany, where the People have by right of Agreement, not only the choice of their Emperor, and many of their Kings and Princes, but of their Laws also, yet may not according to truth have choice in either, but are lamentable slaves; for it is not as Laws are made, but as the Power pleaseth, that putteth them in execution, whether to call truth falsehood, or falsehood truth, as witness our introachments and usirpations by false Judges that have brought forth all these our distractions, to obtain honour from the Beast: And in this, and this only resteth, and wholly dependeth our Freedom; viz. to endeavour and obtain the avoiding of all force and Wars, whereby we may without delay put our now known Rights in execution, to the present commanding of King, Lords, and People to an immediate obedience upon the present incurment of the strictest penalty of the Law, and when we be at Peace: then will the severity of punishing the breakers of the Nationall Law (for the preservation of the public Peace) convert into mercy. But when commotions are, and (that there be many parties in a Nation, and not any one of which, were they uppermost, but would destroy the rest (or so many of the rest as should best please) even by a Law, and be cried up too (by their party) for pure Justice, in this case ought the motion of the distempered waters, I mean the People, to be truly observed, and for them that will profess Christ, to endeavour as mediators to lay the distempers, and if they in reason see that advantage to a happy peace maybe obtained by sparing of one or more of the leaders of one party, (and the like of another) after whom God hath been pleased to suffer the hearts perhaps of thousands, 10. thousands, or millions of people to be drawn out after, (though by a delusion or a lie as some may call it, yet as they or some of them may conceive truth) and that thereby the boisterous fault waves may cease further to swell, until a conjunction by fresh-waters may in time happily refine them; this rule of Christianity and reason. And through the freedom and frequentnesse of Parliaments, will all, not only all old and beastly customs be avoided, and evil Laws repealed, but what is best and most seasonable for a general good, be provided for; as also if honest men be chosen for Members thereof, (perhaps) they may act honest things for 5. or 6. months for God's sake, If knaves (for the People's) for Popularity sake, nor will any have opportunity to act much evil in so short a time; and what is not well done in one Parliament, will be mended in the next: for by the frequentnesse thereof, will all men be acquainted with what is freedom, and what is slavery, and where the Breach is, which by long sitting of Parliaments, or the long vacations thereof, (as woeful experience teacheth the Nation) a forced ignorance to the destruction of Freedom must follow.  
This I thought necessary to speak touching some few particulars, of the Paper of the Citizen's Proposals, and could I earnestly desire that the godly Officers of the Army and soldiers also would view them well, especially all such as look not asquint (as the floating Courtier used to do that neither looked back to his Father, or on the right or left hand to his Brothers, Sisters, Kinsfolk and acquaintance: Or to what may ensue to his children's Children, and others of the Generations to come) and would show what is wanting therein to the settlement of the present peace with the maintenance of all due and equal propriety, and unalterable Freedom, to all ensuing Posterities (theirs and the private soldiers Honourable and great reward with more certainties than otherwise themselves can propose) but if the matters proposed be unanswerable in reason, that then they would endeavour the acceptance thereof.  
Friends, it is my burden, that the actions of Christ have been so much neglected by some whose name is so precious in their mouths, that their righteousness & humility shines not forth after that manner, as the Beams thereof might melt the name of all other Kings, and whereby I am forced to be an Advocate for the Title of a King, whose name I abhor as they are the standards of Ambition, and Fountains of excess, to the destruction of the Nations: But of two evils the lesser is to be chosen; and when yesterday cannot be called again, let the best be made of the day present: and it is more safe to have to do with a muzzled Lion, than a tame serpent.   
FINIS.