The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
_A._ They thought not of him; his gallantry had been shown on remote
stages, Ireland and Scotland. His ambition had not appeared here in
their contentions for the government, but he had complied both with
Richard and the Rump. After General Monk had signified by letter his
dislike of the proceedings of Lambert and his fellows, they were much
surprised, and began to think him more considerable than they had done;
but it was too late.
_B._ Why? His army was too small for so great an enterprise.
_A._ The general knew very well his own and their forces, both what they
were then, and how they might be augmented, and what generally city and
country wished for, which was the restitution of the King: which to
bring about, there needed no more but to come with his army, though not
very great, to London: to the doing whereof, there was no obstacle but
the army with Lambert. What could he do in this case? If he had declared
presently for the King or for a free Parliament, all the armies in
England would have joined against him, and assuming the title of a
Parliament would have furnished themselves with money.
General Monk, after he had thus quarrelled by his letter with the
council-officers, secured first those officers of his own army, which
were Anabaptists and therefore not to be trusted, and put others into
their places; then drawing his forces together, marched to Berwick.
Being there, he indicted a convention of the Scots, of whom he desired
that they would take order for the security of that nation in his
absence, and raise some maintenance for his army in their march. The
convention promised for the security of the nation their best endeavour,
and raised him a sum of money, not great, but enough for his purpose,
excusing themselves upon their present wants. On the other side, the
committee of safety with the greatest and best part of their army sent
Lambert to oppose him; but at the same time, by divers messages and
mediators urged him to a treaty; which he consented to, and sent three
officers to London to treat with as many of theirs. These six suddenly
concluded, without power from the general, upon these articles: that the
King be excluded; a free state settled; the ministry and universities
encouraged; with divers others. Which the general liked not, and
imprisoned one of his commissioners for exceeding his commission.
Whereupon another treaty was agreed on, of five to five. But whilst
these treaties were in hand, Hazlerig, a member of the Rump, seized on
Portsmouth, and the soldiers sent by the committee of safety to reduce
it, instead of that, entered into the town and joined with Hazlerig.
Secondly, the city renewed their tumults for a free Parliament. Thirdly,
the Lord Fairfax, a member also of the Rump, and greatly favoured in
Yorkshire, was raising forces there behind Lambert, who being now
between two armies, his enemies would gladly have fought with the
general. Fourthly, there came news that Devonshire and Cornwall were