The Political Writings of William Penn

12. An Essay towards the Present and Future Peace of Europe (1693)

Penn_401-444.indd 401 1/19/12 10:22 AM An ESSAY towards the Present and Future Peace of Europe by the Establishment of an European DYET, PARLIAMENT, or ESTATES (1693) Beati Pacifici. Cedant Arma Togae 1 To the READER. Reader, I HAVE undertaken a Subject that I am very sensible requires one of more sufficiency than I am Master of to treat it, as, in Truth, it deserves, and the groaning State of Europe calls for; but since Bunglers may stumble upon the Game, as well as Masters, though it belongs to the Skilful to hunt and catch it, I hope this Essay will not be charged upon mefor a Fault, ifit appear to be neither Chimerical nor Injurious, and may provoke abler Pens to improve and perform the Design with better Judgment and Success. I will say no more in Excuse ofmy self, for this Undertaking, but that it is the Fruit of my solicitous Thoughts, for the Peace of Europe, and they must want Charity as much as the World needs Quiet, to be offended with me for so Pacifick a Proposal. Let them censure my Management so they prosecute the Advantage ofthe Design; for 'till the Millenary Doctrine be accomplished, there is nothing appears to me so beneficial an Expedient to the Peace and Happiness ofthis Quarter ofthe World. 1. Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); Let arms yield to the toga (refers to the Roman custom of generals laying down their swords and taking up the toga upon entering Rome, as a symbol of setting aside their military command and entering into their civic role). Penn_401-444.indd 402 1/19/12 10:22 AM {402} AN EXPANDING VISION FOR THE FUTURE An ESSAY towards the Present and Future PEACE of EUROPE, &c. Sect. I. Of PEACE, and it's Advantages. HE MUST not be a Man, but a Statue of Brass or Stone, whose Bowels do not melt when he beholds the bloody Tragedies ofthis War, in Hungary, Germany, Flanders, Ireland, and at Sea. The Mortality ofsickly and languishing Camps and Navies, and the mighty Prey the Devouring Winds and Waves have made upon Ships and Men since 88.2 And as this with Reason ought to affect human Nature, and deeply Kindred, so there is something very moving that becomes prudent Men to consider, and that is the vast Charge that has accompanied that Blood, and which makes no mean Part of these Tragedies; Especially if they deliberate upon the uncertainty of the War, that they know not how or when it will end, and that the Expence cannot be less, and the Hazard is as great as before. So that in the Contraries ofPeace we see the Beauties and Benefits of it; which under it, such is the Unhappiness of Mankind, we are too apt to nauseate, as the full Stomach !oaths the Honey-Comb; and like that unfortunate Gentleman, that having a fine and a good Woman to his Wife, and searching his Pleasure in forbidden and less agreeable Company, said, when reproach'd with his Neglect of better Enjoyments, That he could love his Wife ofall Women, ifshe were not his Wife, tho' that increased his Obligation to prefer her. It is a great Mark ofthe Corruption of our Natures, and what ought to humble us extremely, and excite the Exercise ofour Reason to a nobler and juster Sense, that we cannot see the Use and Pleasure of our Comforts but by the Want of them. As ifwe could not taste the Benefit of Health, but by the Help ofSickness; nor understand the Satisfaction of Fulness without the Instruction of Want; nor, finally, know the Comfort of Peace but by the Smart and Penance of the Vices of War: And without Dispute that is not the least Reason that God is pleased to Chastise us so frequently with it. What can we desire better than Peace, but the Grace to use it? Peace preserves our Possessions; We are in no Danger of Invasions: Our Trade is free and safe, and 2. England under William III was at war almost constantly in opposing James II's attempts to retake the throne and in heading a Grand Alliance against France. Penn_401-444.indd 403 1/19/12 10:22 AM ESSAY TOWARDS THE PRESENT AND FUTURE PEACE {403} we rise and lye down without Anxiety. The Rich bring out their...