Selected quad for the lemma: order_n
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A36118
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Discourses upon the modern affairs of Europe tending to prove that the illustrious French monarchy may be reduced to terms of greater moderation.
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1680
(1680)
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Wing D1630; ESTC R24999
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20,174
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26
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strongly that he believed the Romans durst not have ventured to come at him But alas the Romans were another kind of Enemy they not only adventured but removed him from his Mountain and forced him to fly with the greatest part of his Army and had it not been for the unpassableness of the Country which hindred the pursuit the Macedonians had all been cut off The French were strongly encamped at St. Dennis and did not at all believe that the Prince of Orange would attaque them and yet for all their confidence they could find no other remedy than to betake themselves to their heels And this was the greatest and most famous action of the whole War The third way to avoid fighting is to shut your self up in some strong Town which is the most pernicious way of all as making your ruine inevitable Therefore as Machiavel says to keep the Field and avoid fighting is to be done no way so securely as by keeping fifty miles off and sending out store of Spies and Scouts that may give you notice of the Enemies approach and opportunity to retreat Nor is it necessary to do all this that your Army should be very numerous The Romans and the Greeks always carried on their Wars with a few men depending more upon their great order and the excellence of their Discipline than great numbers but the Eastern and Western Nations did all by their multitudes Alexander conquered the world with 30000. men Pyrrhus was wont to say that with 15000. men he would go through the world And yet Pyrrhus fought against the Romans and beat them in two Battels and was in the judgment of Hannibal himself one of the greatest Captains of the world The ordinary Roman Army consisted of about 24000. men and if they were at any time overpressed with numbers they exceeded not 50000. with which number at one time they opposed 200000. Gauls or if you will call them Frenchmen There are two Nations whose genius resembles that of the ancient Romans the Germans and the English who are descended from them But there are these two differences between them The Germans you shall never bring up to make a point blank attaque in the mouth of Cannons in such fashion as the English nor again after a rout shall you hardly make them rally as you may the English From all these things I make this conclusion That if the French renew the War again the best way will be to oppose them with an Army of English and by all means to force them to fight continually till the Field be too hot for them and when they can keep that no longer their Towns will be of little service to them The English have fought many Battels with the French and always beaten them and yet the French have exceeded them much in numbers as in the memorable Battel of Poictiers where the English were but about 8000. and the French were 60000. And thus I come to the third and last part of my Discourse the office whereof is to dispose into method such arguments as will be necessary to be used to the several parties that is to say the King Parliament and this State to draw them on to such a League and they are as followeth To the King 1. It will serve to conciliate and beget a better understanding between him and the Parliament and to remove some part of that jealousie which the people travail with of the Kings administration and which will never leave burning till it burn to the Foundations of the Throne if not preuented And if it attains not the end of introducing other cooperative acts of concord it will at least avert the hastening on of greater evils There be some of those things which the Parliament would have which the King would consent to upon condition he might not be pressed in the rest as the case of the Duke of York c. Therefore let them begin with some popular great thing that may involve the interests and affections of all 2. As to that point of the confirmation by the Parliament I have shewed the presidents of former times 3. The Ratifiâ—ation here by the General Estates will be equipolent to the Ratification in England by the Parliament which saves the Kings honour For thus the parties rather conspire in one how to render this League illustrious and great than on their respective parts to be forced to any thing To the Parliament 1. Let it move from themselves that is let some of those in the House of Commons who are of unquestionable reputation for Wisdom Honesty and Integrity be engaged let them engage others and let them communicate their Counsels with my Lord Shaftsbury and that Party in the House of Lords Then let the Scheme and Project be proposed in the House of Commons then the Commons seek the Lords concurrence and then let it be offered to the King as the advice of the whole Kingdom for every man is there in person or by representation 2. This will shut up those avenues those back doors by which the French have had accesses to our Councils and have influenced them And consequently will render the sitting of Parliaments more calm and secure when that mighty trade of theirs of buying Prorogations shall be spoil'd and their Factors rendred less malignant 3. This is an infallible argument As the end of a thing is so is the thing The two general ends of this League are To preserve the Protestant Religion and to preserve and restore the Ballance of Europe by lessening the power of France And those are the two greatest ends in Christendom therefore that thing that has those for its ends is the greatest thing and the minds of gallant men are exceedingly moved with great things and strongly carried to the pursuit of them To this State 1. The first argument is prudential Prudence is that vertue by which when several things are offered we are directed which to chuse and which to refuse what to do and what not to do Holland then must eiaher make a League with France or with England or remain Neuter To make a League with France is utterly imprudent for these two reasons 1. Because France aiming at and designing an Universal Monarchy would only secure himself of them till their own turn come that is till he hath swallowed up the Spanish Netherlands and Germany when he would turn his Force upon them 2. By such means they would lose the best and surest friend they have had from their Foundation of their State and that is England And where a State is not sufficient by its own proper force in respect of the weakness of the same or the mightiness of its Neighbours to defend it self it must of necessity rely some where els for protection To remain in a neutral condition cannot be For so instead of making one friend they would make three enemies And in case France should renew the war upon them England would be won upon such terms as France would offer either to join with them or to stand still and see Holland ruined Besides how impolitic a thing neutrality is any man may see that will consider the observations made there on Mach. Prince cap. 21. It remains then and I know nothing els that remains To make a League with England For that will have one of two effects Either France will be wholly deterred from attempting upon their State or if he does they will be able with the assistance of England to defend themselves This is the first Argument 2. The authority and reputation of the Proposers It is a League proposed by the Parliament of England to be entred into with the King and Kingdom of England The Parliament represents the whole people of England and commands both the parts and persons of a great rich and valiant nation from whom neither money nor souldiers will be wanting to beat down the power of that proud insulting nation of France But these people here are afraid of France why then let them make a league with those of whom France it self is afraid And withal let them remember this League is to be made with a People from whom they have received the greatest benefits as I have shewed before And this argument alone will beat down the most if not all the objections that would arise against such a League proposed in any other manner 3. The great reputation and security such a League will give to this State which will cover them as with wings of Protection against France and whosoever else would prey upon them If I have not expressed these things so as I would I have done it so well as I can in a short time And so submitting it with all decent humility to the grave Considerations of those excellent personages whom it may most concern I leave it to its Fate Hague May 24. 80. FINIS