... The use or work of a Fighting
Army in a Commonwealth is to beat down all who arise to endeavour
to destroy the Liberties of the Commonwealth. For as in the days of
the Monarchy an Army was used to subdue all who rebelled against
Kingly Propriety, so in the days of a Free Commonwealth, an Army is
to be made use of to resist or destroy all who endeavour to keep up
or bring in Kingly Bondage again.... Therefore, you Army of
England's Commonwealth, look to it. The Enemy could not beat you in
the field, but they may be too hard for you by Policy in Counsel,
if you do not stick close to see Common Freedom established. For if
so be that Kingly Authority is set up in your Laws again, King
Charles has conquered you and your posterity by policy, though you
seemingly have cut off his head. For the Strength of a King lies
not in the visible Appearance of his Body, but in his Will, Laws,
and Authority, which is called Monarchial Government. But if you
remove Kingly Government, and set up true and free Commonwealth's
Government, then you gain your Crown and keep it, and leave peace
to your posterity: otherwise not. And thus doing makes a War either
lawful or unlawful."
Then follows this bold, manly challenge of the conduct of the Grandees
of the Army:
"AN ARMY MAY BE MURTHERERS AND UNLAWFUL.
"If an Army be raised to cast out Kingly Oppression, and if the
Heads of that Army promise a Commonwealth's Freedom to the
oppressed people, in case they will assist in person and purse, and
if the people do assist and prevail over the Tyrant, those Officers
are bound by the Law of Justice (who is God) to make good their
engagements.
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