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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

General Monck to a Minister - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 4 [1901]

Edition used:

The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1901). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

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General Monck to a Minister

Reverend Sir,

xxxii. f. 72.Tis one of the best simptons that I discover of God’s intended mercys to these poore Nations, that there is such a sence of miseries upon the hearts of God’s people, and a spiritt of prayer powred forth to wrestle with him for salvation. I humbly thancke you that you have recommended our affaires to the throne of grace; and let me assure you I esteeme the prayers of the Saints our greatest strenght, next the presence of God. Indeed, after all these revolutions I have still looked for great appearances and extraordenary manifestation of the glory of God in the midst of ous; but now I see soe much selfe and ambition working that the worke of God which I exspect and feare will be a strange worke, even judgement. I blesse God the same impression hath beene upon the hearts of God’s people heere with ous, wholy to pray and labour for a peaceable accomodation; and all that I have yet done or shall doe shall be directed to that end, as you have seene by our printed papers. But I could not but send some forces to assist justice Ogle and other freinds that freely offered themselves to this worke. And I beseech yow put your soules in my soules stead, and then judge. Should I sitt still in such a day as this is? Am I not to give an accompt to the Nation—nay, to the great God? What shall I answer for all vowes and ingagement[s], nay, for all the blood of all the Saints that hath beene in the prosecution of this cause? Yow cannott but remember our laite addresse; and should we desart the Parliament, when they have done nothing this 2d session but what will recommend them to posterity, assertinge our rights as men and Christians? And I beseech, what can be the issue of this contempt of authority but an arbitrary Government by the sword, to enslave the contiences, lawes, and estates of the people of these Nations to the lusts of a few ambitious persons? What danger are [the] churches of Jesus Christ in, when protected by those who, by breach of promisses and ingagements, manifests noe contience of God, what ever their profession be! How frequently and very lately I have urged my dismission the Parliament can witnesse, to avoid the falling of this ruine in my hand. But since it hath pleased God to call me to this work, I will not repine, being ready to doe and to suffer, if it be his pleasure. That great comfort that beares upp my spiritts under this burthen is that I have none but publique aimes, and yow may be assured that the libertye of the congregated Churches shall be very pretious to me.

For this Nation I shall leave such garrisons and take such assureances from the Lords and Gentlemen, that I doubt not but to answear for the peace of itt for some tyme. I have freely opened my heart to yow, and expect that you will not weaken our hands, but strengthen ous, and continue to pray for us.1

Edinburgh,
3 November, 1659.

[1 ]The MS. gives no indication of the person to whom this was addressed. It was perhaps written to John Owen, or, it may be, to Mr. Samuel Hammond, of Newcastle, who appears from his letter of December 17 to have had some previous correspondence with Monck.