forth the reasons of this arbitrary proceeding, it was answered by addresses and congratulations from the

fleet,

them;

unwilling to meddle with the civil authority) agreed that such officers, as were members of parliament, should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the commonwealth, and in settling it upon a foundation of juftice and righteousness which being done, it was hoped the parliament would have answered their expectations. But finding the contrary, they renewed their desires by an humble petition in Aug. 1652. Which produced no confiderable effect, nor was any such progress made therein, as might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for, but rather an averseness to the things themselves, with much bitterness and oppofition to the people of God, and his spirit acting in

infomuch that the godly party in «parliament were rendered of no farther use than to countenance the end of a corrupt party, for effecting their designs of perpetrating themselves in the supreme government. For obviating these evils, the officers of the army obe tained several meetings with some of the parliament, to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the fame : but such endeavours proving ineffectual, it became evident, that this parliament, through the corruption of fome, the jealousy of others, and the non-attendance of many, would never answer those ends, which God, his people, and the whole ration expected from them ; but that this cause, which God had fo greatly bless'd, must needs languish under their hand, and by degrees be lost; and the lives, liberties, and comforts of his people be deliver'd into their enemies hands. All which being sadly and seriouily confidered by the honest people of the nation, as well as by the army, it seemed a duty incumbent upon us, who had seen so much of the power and presence of God, to consider of some effectual means, whereby to establish righteousness and peace in these nations.

And

Meet, the army, and the corporations, who acknowledged the justice of the action, and promised to stand

by

And after much debate, it was judged necessary, that the supreme government should be by the parliament devolv'd upon known persons fearing God, and of approv'd integrity, for a time, as the most hopeful way to countenance all God's people, reform the law, and adminifter justice impartially ; hoping thereby the people might forget monarchy, and understand their true interest in the election of successive parliaments; that so the government might be settled upon a right basis, without hazard to this glorious cause, or necessitating to keep up armies for the defence of the same. And being still resolved to use all means poflible to avoid extraordinary courses, we prevailed with about twenty members of parliament to give us a conference ; with whom we plainly debated the neceflity and juftice of our proposals; the which found no acceptance, but instead thereof it was offered, That the way was to continue still this parliament, as being that from which we night probably expect all good things. This being vehemently inlitted on, did much confirm us in our apprehensions, that not any love to a representative, but the making use thereof to recruit, and so to perpetuate themselves, was their aim in the act they had then under consideration. For

preventing the consummating whereof, and all the - fad consequences, which upon the grounds aforesaid

must have ensued, and whereby at one blow the inte. rest of all honest men, and of this glorious cause, had been endangered to be laid in the dust, and these na. tions embroil'd in new troubles, at a time when our enemies abroad were watching all advantages againit, and some of them actually engag'd in war with us ; we have been necessitated (tho' with much reluctancy) to put an end to this parliament.” Then they pro. mised, to put the government into the hands of perSons of approved fidelity and honesty ; and at last de

clard,

H

by the present government. And this very affair gave rise to the practice of addressing, which hath fince been so common under all our monarchs.

Under this convention, chosen by summons directed to particular persons *, it appeared that so far was

Cromwell

clar'd, “ That all magistrates and officers whatsoever fhall proceed in their respective places and offices, and obedience shall be paid to them as fully, as when the parliament '

was fitting." This declaration was subscribed by the lord- -general, and his council of officers, Whitehall, April 22d,

1653. Which council of officers, and some others, were soon after formed into a council of state, which was composed of the thirty persons following ; Cromwell, Fleetwood, Lambert, Lisle, Harrison, Derborough, Pickering, Wollesley, Ashley Cooper, Hope, Hewson, Norton, Montague, Bennet, Stapeley, Sydenham, Tomlinson, Jones, Tichburn, Strickland, Carew, Howard, Broughton, Lawrence, Holister, Courtney, Major, St. Nicholas, Moyer, and Williams.

* The form of this summons was as follows :

« Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late parliament, it became necessary that the peace, safety, and good government of this commonwealth should be provided for ; and in order thereunto, divers perfons fearing God, and of approved fidelity and honefty, are by myself, with the advice of my council of officers, nominated, to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed ; and having good assurance of your love to, and courage for God, and the interest of this cause, and of the good people of this commonwealth ; I OLIVER. CROMWELL, captain.general and commander in chief of all the armies and forces raised and to be raised within this commonwealth, do hereby summon and require you, being one of the persons nominated, perConally to appear at the council-chamber at Whitehall

Cromwell from designing to take away the freedom of parliaments, that in the instrument of goverment then passed, which constituted him lord-protector, provisions was made for carrying on the elections 'in a more equitable manner, and with less possibility of corruption and ministerial influence, than ever had been known under the best monarchs ; and this hy confining the choice to the counties, cities, and great boroughs, according to their number of people, and their real interest in the lands, wealth, and trade of the kingdom. He also united the three kingdoms in one common intereft, by allowing Scotland and Ireland to send representatives to the parliament at Weftminster. . All this will appear in the instrument itself, which was passed on the 12th of December, 1653. and consisted of forty-two articles, the substance of which here follows.

“ That the supreme legislative authority be and rea fide in a single person, and the people in parliament; the ftile of which perfon to be lord-protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, The executive power to be in the protector, with the advice of his council; the number whereof not to exceed twenty one, nor be less than thirteen. All proceedings to run in the name and stile of the lordprotector; and all honours, offices, and titles to be derived from him; and that he may pardon all offences but treason and murder. The militia in time of parliament, to be in his and their hands ; but in the intervals only in his and his council's. He and

his

H 2

within the city of Westminster, upon the fourth day of July, next ensuing the date hereof, then and there to take upon you the said truft, unto which you are hereby called, and appointed to serve as a member of the county of And hereof you are not to fail. Given under my hand this eighth day of June, 1653.

O. CROMWELL."

his council to make war and peace with foreign princes. Not to make new laws, or abrogate old ones, without consent of parliament. A parliament to be summoned to meet at Westminster, upon the third day of September, 1654, and afterwards every third year, and, if need be, oftner, which the protector shall not diffolve without consent in parliament, till after five months. The parliament to consist of four hundred English, to be chosen according to the propositions and numbers hereafter expressed, that is to say, For the county of Bedford, fix; viz. for the town of Bedford, one ; for the county of Bedford, five. For the county of Berks, seven ; viz. for the borough of Abington, one ; for the borough of Reading, one ; for the county of Berks, five, &c. The members for Cornwall were in this instrument reduced to twelve ; those for Essex were enlarged to fixteen ; and the city of London was to chuse fix * The members for Scotland were to be thirty, and the same number for Ireland. The summoning the parliament to pafs under the seal of the commonwealth to the iheriffs ; and if the protector omit or deny that, then the commissioner of the seal to be held under pain of treason to issue out such writs ; and in case of failure in him, the high-theriffs. Such as are elected, to be returned into the chancery by the chief magiftrates (sheriffs, mayors, or bailiffs) within twenty days after the election. If either the sheriff, mayor, or bailiff make a false return, or any ways procure an undue election, let him be fined two thousand pounds. Those who have borne arms against the parliament to be uncapable of being elected, or giving their vote for any members to serve in the next parliament or in the three preceeding triennial parliaments; and the Irish rebels and papilts to be for ever uncapable. Nong to be elected under the

age

of twenty-one years,

nor

* See this list at large in the appendix, No. IV. every one that reads it will be apt to wish that this part of the instrument of government had been kept in force,