that such a town cost more men and money than it was
worth to take it; or that such an opportunity was
lost, of fighting the enemy; they presently reprove
us, and often with justice enough, for meddling in
matters out of our sphere, and clearly convince us
of our mistakes in terms of art that none of us understand.
Nor do we escape so; for they reflect with the utmost
contempt of our ignorance, that we who sit at home
in ease and security, never stirring from our firesides,
should pretend from books, and general reason, to
argue upon military affairs; which after all, if we
may judge from the share of intellectuals in some
who are said to excel that way, is not so very profound
or difficult a science. But if there be any weight
in what they offer, as perhaps there may be a great
deal; surely these gentlemen have a much weaker pretence
to concern themselves in matters of the cabinet, which
are always either far above, or much beside their
capacities. Soldiers may as well pretend to prescribe
rules for trade, to determine points in philosophy,
to be moderators in an assembly of divines, or direct
in a court of justice, as to misplace their talent
in examining affairs of state, especially in what
relates to the choice of ministers, who are never so
likely to be ill chosen as when approved by them.
It would be endless to shew how pernicious all steps
of this nature have been in many parts and ages of
the world. I shall only produce two at present;
one in Rome, and the other in England. The first
is of Caesar, when he came to the city with his soldiers
to settle the ministry, there was an end of their liberty
for ever. The second was in the great rebellion
against King Charles the First. The King and
both Houses were agreed upon the terms of a peace,
but the officers of the army (as Ludlow relates it)
sets a guard upon the House of Commons, took a list
of the members, and kept all by force out of the House,
except those who were for bringing the King to a trial.[8]
Some years after, when they erected a military government,
and ruled the island by major-generals, we received
most admirable instances of their skill in politics.
To say the truth, such formidable sticklers[9] can
have but two reasons for desiring to interfere in the
administration; the first is that of Caesar and Cromwell,
of which, God forbid, I should accuse or suspect any
body; since the second is pernicious enough, and that
is, to preserve those in power who are for perpetuating
a war, rather than see others advanced, who they are
sure will use all proper means to promote a safe and
honourable peace.
Thirdly, Since it is observed of armies, that in the present age they are brought to some degree of humanity, and a more regular demeanour to each other and to the world, than in former times; it is certainly a good maxim to endeavour preserving this temper among them, without which they would soon degenerate into savages. To this end, it would be prudent among other things, to forbid that detestable custom of drinking to the damnation or confusion of any person whatsoever.