268 dissembling pollicy; only that they might throw downe those whom God had exalted in glory and power to resist their tirannicall impositions. At that time, and long after, they prevail'd not, 'till that pious people too began to admire themselves for what God had done by them, and to sett up themselves above their brethren, and then the Lord humbled them againe beneath their conquer'd 'Cassalls.' So long as the armie only resisted uniust impositions, and remained firme to their first pious engagement, Mr. Hutchinson adher'd to that party, which protected them in the parfiamcnt • house. Y To those, and they are not few, who, like Col. l-Iutchinson, believe the peculiar interposition of Providence, this remark of the puni shment infli cted on those who abused its gifts, will appear pleasing and edifyiog; to those who admit only a general dispensation, the fall of each party successi\'e1y by their own malversation_ will seem a signal mark of justice; by bo th, this chain of causes and effects will be acknowledged to be drawn by the hand of a master. z This history, which as far as it relates to publick affairs is called only a Summary, will nevertheless be found to redress many errors in larger hi stories, and to open a great field for reflection: in none, perhaps, more than in this question of the right of the army to interfere with the conduct of parliament or business of the state : this is generally decided against them lightly and inconsiderately. The danger of admitting armed assemblies to deliberate, and the duty of a soldier to obey, but not debate, are Ycry boldly asserted; and as this doctrine suits the governors of every state, it will always be favoured; but it goes on a petil'io p1'incipii, a begging of the question that the military are the hind servants of the state: and military men have so far agreed to thi s unjust postulate, that they luwe consented to acf:ept that which is a nickname, or term of reproach, as the generic one of their whole profession; viz. Soldi er; which is but a translation of the Italian solclato, mercenary or hireling. It has been repeatedly shewn how ill 'th is term agreed with the parliament troops in general, be ing mostJy volunteers and freeholders or burghers, and ill, or sometimes not at all paid. Were such to be considered as mere machines, as having forfeited all ri ght to an opinion of their own, and bound to support that of othe rs ?-If so, then those who expected to maintain our constitut ion by _putting arms into the hands of almost all whom patrioti sm or the prese rvation of their property animated to take them up, would have bereaved it of nearly all its defenders ! VVith good right did these men, who had taken a pious
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