and sincere ends therein, as the glory of God, the good of the people, and the rights of these nations. That therefore, since they had made juch a progress in the work, he desired some hort time to ask counsel of God and his own heart: and he hoped that neither the humours of any weak or unwise people, nor the desires f any who might have a lusting after things hat were not good, should steer him to any ther Answer but what might be ingenuous, nd for the good of those that he and they erved, and were made to serve. And conluded, That as the thing well deserved the tmost deliberation, so he should think himself bound to give as speedy an Answer as he ould."-These, says our Journalist, are only some short heads of what was much more opiously and elegantly spoken, by his highness, to the parliament, with that majesty and authority, which appeared most eminent in all bis public actions; in the repetition whereof he had only to crave pardon, lest he had been njurous to the dignity of so wise and so serene a person. Committee to this effect: their other interests: and if any one whatsoever think the interest of the nation and the interest of the people of God inconsistent, I wish my soul may not enter into his and their secrets. These are things I must acknowledge Christian and honourable, and are provided for by you like Christian men, and men of honour, and, like yourselves, Englishmen: and to this I must and shall bear my testimony whilst I live, against all gainsayers whatsoever. And upon these two interests, if God shall count me worthy, I shall live and die; and I must say, if I were to give an account before a greater tribunal than an earthly one, and if I were asked why I have engaged all along in the late wars, I could give none; but it would be a wicked one if it did not comprehend these two ends. Only give me leave to say, and to say it seriously, the issue will prove it so, that you have one or two considerations that do stick with me; the one is, you have named me by another Title than I now bear. You do necessitate my Answer to be categorical, and you have made me without a liberty of choice; save, as to all, I question not your wisdom in doing of it, but I think myself April 3. The Lord Protector sent a Letter to the Speaker, desiring the house to appoint a committee to attend him that day at White-obliged to acquiesce in your determination, hall; which being done accordingly, on the knowing you are men of wisdom, and consinext, the lord-commissioner Whitlocke re-dering the trust you are under. It is a duty ported from them, That they had waited on not to question reasons of any thing you have his Highness, according to the order of the done.. I should be very brutish should I not house, and that he expressed himself to the acknowledge the exceeding high honour and respect you have had for me in this Paper. Truly, according to what the world calls good, and bath all good in it, according to the world's comprehension, sovereign power, you have testified your value and affection, as to my person, as high as you could, more you could not do; I hope I shall always keep a grateful memory of this in my heart, and by you I will give the parliament this my grateful acknowledgement. Whatever other men's thoughts may be, I shall not know ingratitude: but I must needs say, That what may be fit for you to do, may not be fit for me to undertake. As I should reckon it a very great presumption, should I ask of you the reason of doing any one thing in this Paper, except some very few things, the Instrument hears witness to itself: so you will not take it unkindly, if I ask of you this addition of the parliament's favour, love, and indulgence to me, if it be taken in tender part, if I give such an Answer as I find in my heart to give in this business, without urging many reasons for it, saving such as are most obvious and most for my advantage in answering; to wit, I am unable for such a trust and charge; and if the answer of the tongue, as well as the preparation of the heart be from God, I must say my heart and thoughts, ever since I heard the parliament's, were upon this business. Though I could not take notice of your proceedings therein, without breach of your privileges, yet as a common person, I confess I heard of it as in common with others, I must say, I have been able to attain no further than this, that seeing the way is hedged My lords; I am heartily sorry I did not make my desires known to the parliament before this time, which was, That I acquainted you with by letter this day. The reason was, because some infirmity of body had seized upon me these two last days. I have, as well as I could, taken consideration of the things contained in this Paper, which was presented to me by the parliament, and have sought God that I might return such an Answer as might become me, and be worthy of the parliament. I must needs bear this testimony to you, that you have been zealous of the two greatest concernments that God hath in the world; the Que is that of Religion, and preservation of the professors of it; to give them all due and just liberty, and to assert the truths of God, which you have done in part in this Paper, and do refer them to be done more fully by yourselves and me. And as to the liberty of men professing godliness under the variety of forins amongst us, you have done that which was never done before; and I pray God it may not fall upon the people of God, as a fault in them, or any sort of them, if they do not put such a value on what was done, as was never put on any thing since Christ's time, for such a Catholic interest of the people of God. The other thing cared for is the Civil Liberty and the interest of the nation; which though it is, and I think ought to be, subordinate to a more peculiar interest of God, yet it is the next best that God hath given men in the world; and, if well, is better than any words to fence men in that can fall into the bearts of men to de or endeavour after; and at such a time wi truly, I may think the nation is big withɛ y tation of any thing that may add to ter up, as it is to me, I cannot accept of the things offered, unless I accept all. I have not been able to find it in my duty to God and you, to undertake this charge under that Title. The most I said in commendation of the Instruing: I therefore must needs put a verv 'ment, may be returned upon me thus: are there such good things so well provided for, why can you not accept? Because of such an | ingredient. Nothing must make a man's conscience his servant; and really and sincerely it is my conscience that guides me to this Answer; 'and, if the parliament be so resolved, it will not be fit for me to use any inducements by you to alter their resolutions. This is all I have to say; I hope it will, and desire it may, be candidly, and with integrity and ingenuity, represented by you to them," April 4. The house resumed the debate on this matter; and a question being proposed, That this house 'doth adhere to their humble Petition and Advice, presented to his Highness, it was resolved in the affirmative, by a majority of 78 against 65. The House appoint a Committee to wait on Cromwel for his Answer: but he desires further Time.] April 7. The debate was renewed; when we find that the house still adhered to their last Vote, and appointed another, and a more numerous, Committee to attend the Lord Protector with the following Resolution: "That the parliament having lately presented their Jumble Petition and Advice to his Highness, whereunto they had not as yet received satisfaction; and the matters contained in that Petition and Advice being agreed upon by the Great Council and Representative of the three nations; and which, in their judgments, were most conducing to the good of the people thereof, both in their spiritual and civil concernments; they therefore thought fit to adhere thereto, and to put his Highness in mind of the great obligation which rested upon him, in respect of that Advice; and again to sire him to give his assent thereunto." esteem, and have a very reverend opin any thing that comes from you, and so! had of this Instrument; and I hope so! expressed and what I have expressed · been, if I flatter not myself, from a very lo heart toward the parliament and the putI say not these things to compliment you we are all past those things, all considera * of that kind. We must all be very rea if ever we will be so; for, howbeit, y and name you give to this Paper makes no think you intended advice, and I should gress against all reason, should I make other construction than that you did à. Advice. I would not lay a burden m beast, but I would consider his stret bear it; and if you will lay a borden ra man that is conscious of his own intimate disabilities, and doth make some meat" counsels that may seem to come from bea“ counsels in the word of God, who leaves m for charity, and for men to consider ther strength, I hope it will be no evin a measure your advice and my own thin th and truly those will have some influenc: conscience; conscience in him that re talents to know how be may answer the of them; and such a conscience have l and still have; and therefore, when I the% I had an opportunity to make an Asp. made that Answer; and am a person have been before, and then, and sirce, " my heart to God, to know what might de 2o duty at such a time as this, and upon state occasion and trial as this was to me.-i Mr. Speaker, it hath been heretofore, I tha a matter of philosophical discourse, that t de-places, great anthority are a great buren know it is so; and I know a man, that act vinced in his conscience, nothing less 30. ble him to the discharge of it than assmen from above; that it may very well retn~ 1 such a subject, so convinced, and so persss to be right with the Lord in such an taking; and therefore, to speak very chr. and plainly to you, I had, and I have, my ** sitations to that individual thing; if in take any thing not in faith, I shall serve ** in my own nubclief, and I shall then be most unprofitable servant that ever peop nation had. Give me leave therefore r* * counsel: I am ready to render a reasure." apprehensions, which baply may be over by better apprehensions. I think so ta have deserved no blame, nor do 1 take to you will lay any upon me, only you and br of the duty that is incumbent upon me. In the same Answer, I have as to the por duty one way, the same consideration a I as to duty another way. I would not to you the point of liberty; surely you lat provided for liberty; I have borne my w April 8. The parliament, in a body, attended the Lord Protector at Whitehall, when the Speaker presented to him the foregoing Resolution. To which his Highness replied: "Mr. Speaker; No man can put a greater value than I hope I do, and shall do, upon the desires and advices of the parliament. I could in my own heart aggravate both concerning the persons advising, and concerning the advice; readily acknowledging, that it is the advice of the parliament of these three nations: and if a man could suppose it were not a parliament to some, yet doubtless it should be to me, and to us all that are engaged in this common cause, wherein we have engaged. I say, surely it ought to be a parliament to us, because it arises as a result of those issues and determinations of Settlement that we have laboured to arrive at; and therefore I do most readily acknowledge the authority of advising these things. I can aggravate also to myself the general notion of the things advised to, as being things that tend to the Settlement of the chiefest things vil and spiritual. The greatest provi- till the 16th that they were admitted to an auiat ever was made, have you made; and dience. The principal Speakers on this occathat you do not intend to exclude me. sion were the two chief justices, Glynne and iberty I ask is to vent my own doubts, St. John, Mr. Whitlocke, Mr. Lisle and Mr. y own fears, and my scruples; though Nath. Fiennes, Commissioners of the Great in such cases as these are, the world Seal, lord Broghill, Mr. Lenthall, master of ged that a man's conscience ought to the rolls, sir Ch. Wolseley, sir R. Onslow, and 110 scruple; surely mine doth, and I dare | col. Philip Jones -The Arguments offered by issemble; and therefore, they that are this committee, with the Protector's Answers, ing in the ground of their own action, will were printed at this time; they were also reet able to measure advice to others. printed in April, 1660, upon the then approachare many things in this government, being restitution of monarchy; though extremely that one of the name and title, that de- curious, they are, however, too extensive for our nuch information as to my judgment; purpose. you that can capacitate me to receive sation in them, otherwise, I say truly, I say that I am not persuaded to the pertrice of my trust and duty, nor informed, › not acted, as I know you intend I should, xery man in the nation should, and you provided for them as a freeman, as a man does possibly, rationally, and conscientiousand therefore I cannot tell what other reto make to you than this; I am ready to a reason, if you will, I say, capacitate me ve it, and yourselves to receive it, and to other things that may inform me a little e particularly than this Vote that you have essed yesterday, and has now been read ou to me. Truly, I hope, when I underthe ground of these things, the whole beneither for your good nor mine, but for good of the nation, there will be no doubt ve may, even in these particulars, find out e things that ntay answer our duty, mine all our duties, to those whom we serve: this is that that I do, with a great deal of ction, and honour, and respect, offer now ou." The Lord Protector desires yet further Time to consider of an Answer.] April 17. The lord commissioner Whitlocke reported to the house,that yesterday afternoon was spent by the Committee, in giving Reasons to his Highness for his Satisfaction; which his Highness declared to be so weighty as to require nature deliberation; that therefore he could not then come to a final resolution as to the acceptance or non-acceptance of the Title proposed to him. -In consequence of this report, the house adjourned for 3 days, to give time for the committee to wait upon the Protector again: but his Highness happening to be sick the very day they waited upon him, it was not till the 20th that they were admitted to an audience, which was then put off to the next day; when, a ance and Hope.' The device of their standard, which was brought into the house by the Secretary, was a Lion Couchant, gules, in field argent; with this motto, Who shall rouse him up?' One of the persons that had been apprehended on this occasion, being asked by the Speaker, What was meant by this Lion? 1 Committee appointed to receive the Lord answered, “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” -tector's Scruples.] Apr. 9. The Speaker hav- This Stapdard they stiled The Banner that reported the transactions of the foregoing God had given to his poor scattered People.' , it was resolved, “That a Committee be ap- They invited all of their opinion to gather toted to wait on the Lord Protector; and together into one, and to be united in the work; eive from his highness his Doubts and Scrutouching any of the particulars contained the humble Petition and Advice; and, in swer thereunto, to offer to his Highness sons for his satisfaction, and for the maintance of the Resolutions of the house: and Eh particulars as they could not satisfy his hness in, to report to the parliament."--In suance of this Order, the Committee waited the Lord Protector, but were put off, from y to day, on account of an indisposition of ith and by reason of a new Plot just then covered against him; so that it was not This was an intended insurrection of the Eth Monarchy-Men, headed by major-general arrison, col. Rich, naj. Danvers, and vicemiral Lawson, who were taken into custody the serjeant at arms; and for the discoTy-of this plot, secretary Thurloe received e parliament's thanks. This new Sect of thusiasts called themselves The Remant who had waited for the blessed Appear intending, with sword in hand, according to their light and apprehension of things, (as they declared in print) to give their judgment, in respect of power, laws, government, exercise of magistracy, administration of justice, rights and privileges. And how they intended to do this, they set forth in these several Particulars, viz. 1. By executing vengeance upon the Beast and the false Prophet, the kings of the earth and their armies, and all the inhabitants and powers of Babylon; which name they fastened upon all powers beside their own. 2. By placing the Supreme Legislative Power in Christ. 3. By erecting a Sanhedrim, (as they called it) or a Supreme Council of meu, to be chosen by themselves, to be the representative of the whole body of the Saints, on the behalf of Christ, whose day they said, was now come; and therefore that they were to act as princes under Christ, and to govern according to their light. Commons Journals.. Public Intelligencer, No. 79. Mercurius Politicus, No. 403. as the Journals inform us, he spoke something | drawn, the same was read to this effect : T to them as to what had been before offered, they had hazarded their lives aguast Dom and gave them a Paper containing several Scru- chy, and were still ready so to do, in de r ples as to the matter of their Petition and Ad- ' of the liberties of their country: 183 Las vice. This paper it is not in our power to observed, in son.e men, great endeava, supply. The principal objection was the title 'bring the nation again under their old scr of King; against which Cromwell urged, Thattude, by pressing their general to take all the good purposes of government might|him the title and government of a hig be as fully answered under that of Protector.' The Committee wait upon the Protector again, for a Definitive Answer.] April 23. The lordcommissioner Whitlocke made a report of the said Conference, and the house voted their approbation of the proceedings of the committee therein. The rest of this month was almost wholly spent by the parliament, in canvassing their humble Petition and Advice, without hearing any further from the Lord Protector on that subject: insomuch that, on the 30th, the Committee was ordered to wait upon him with their several Resolutions touching that matter, and to desire his Highness to appoint a time when the house might attend on him for his positive Answer. In consequence hereof, the 1st of May was appointed for that purpose, and afterwards the oth; then the 7th, at 11 in the morning, which was agam deferred to 5 that afternoon; when the Committee having attended the Lord Protector once more, he only excused himself for making them stay so long, and desired them to give him another mecting the next morning. ' order to destroy him, and weakes the la. ' of those who were faithful to the puddie; 'therefore humbly desired the use to -countenance all such persons and endësv and continue stedfast to the old cause, fea preservation of which they, for their pos were most ready to lay down toen This Petition was subscribed by 2 comme's lieut. colonels, 8 majors, and 16 captai is, *. with such oicers in the house as were a same opinion, made up the majority of Lon which was then quartered about the us It was difficult to determine whether the as or Cromwell were most surprised at this ve pected Address; but, certainly, both wer finitely disturbed at it. As soon as the Lo of it was brought to him, be sent for hest 8. Fleetwood, and told him, That be wondere: would suffer such a Petition to proceed som which might easily have been prevented, v be knew it to be his resolution not to acceptcrown without the consent of the Army, 4 therefore desired him to hasten to the ins and put them off from doing any thing ha A Petition from several Officers of the Army, therein. The lieut. general immedia e y against Cromwell's being made King.] May 8. thither, and told them, That the Peta E The lord-commissioner Whitlocke reported, not to be debated, much less to be answer That his Hightress desired the parliament to at this time, the contents of it being to ch meet him, presently, in the Banquetting-House them not to press the Protector to be at Whitehall. But, before they could come to whereas the present business was to rELEY any resolution thereupon, an affair happened | Answer to what had been formerly už v which put an end to all Cromwell's farther eva-him; and therefore he insisted that the di sions, and determined him to give a definitive Answer: for the Journals acquaint us, That the house being informed divers Officers of the Army were at the door with a petition, they were called in. But no mention being made, in those authorities, of the contents of this Paper, we shall supply the deficiency from Mr. Ludlow, who writes, "That some Othcers of the Army, disgusted at the proceedings of Mr. Speaker; I come hither to answerthe parliament, came to the door of the house; which was in your last Paper to the com and sent in a message to gen. Desborough, sig-you sent to nie, which was in relation to 24 nifying, That they had a Petition, which they desired him to present to the Speaker: but he knowing the contents of it, and conceiving it unfit for him to take public notice of it before it was presented, only acquainted the house, That certain Officers of the Army had a petition to present to them: and every one supposing that the sentiments of these Officers were conformable to their own, Cromwell's party concluding that none of the Army durst appear for the crossing his design, it was generally agreed that they should be called in, and have leave to present their Petition with their own hands. Lieut. col. Mason was chosen by the rest of the officers, to deliver it; which when he had done, and the officers were with of it might be pat off, for the present.” Cromwell refuses the Title of King] [m Petitioners being withdrawn, the house, out coming to any Resolution as to the of the Petition, went to meet the Lord Pre tor at the Banqueting-House, accordiąg 15.9 appointment; where he delivered his scatt to them in these words: Desires which were offered to me by the rou ment doth consist of very excellent parts, in all but in that one thing the Title, a to me) I should not be an honest man, if I should not tell you, that I cannot accept of the government nor undertake the trouble and charge of it, which I have a little more experimented than every body, what troubles and difficulties do befal men under such trusts, and in such undertakings: I say I am persuaded to return this Answer to you, That I cannot undertake the government with the title of King: and that is my Answer to this great and weighty business." Notwithstanding Cromwell's refusing the title of King, with such seeming earnestness, it appears, upon the evidence of Mr. Whitlocke and Secretary Thurloe, "That the Protector was not only fully satisfied in his own private judgment, that it was fit for him to accept of the parliament's proposal, but also declared to several members his resolution to do so; and that matters were prepared in order thereto." Mr. Welwood adds, That a crown was actually made ready; and it appears by several original Letters since published, that not only the Protector's own family, but even the sagacious Thurloe, was captivated with the glare of his master's expected monarchy. The Parliament agree to style Cromwell, LORD PROTECTOR.] May 19. In canvassing and debating the foregoing Speech of the Lord Protector, the Office of Kingship, which they had put into their Humble Petition and Advice, and which he had now refused to accept, came in question: and this day the house resolved, on a division of 77 against 45, that the words Lord Protector' should be inserted instead of that of King.' n: and I hope I shall never be found to be of them that shall go about to rob the nation ose rights, but to serve them what I can e attaining of them. It is also exceedwell provided there, for the safety and rity of honest men, in that great, natural, religious liberty, which is liberty of conace. These are the great fundamentals; I must bear my testimony to them, as I and shall do still, so long as God lets me in this world, that the intentions and the es are very honourable and honest, and the uct worthy of a parliament: I have only the unhappiness, both in my conferences your committees, and in the best thoughts uld take to myself, not to be convinced of necessity of that thing that hath been so n insisted on by you; to wit, the title of g, as in itself so necessary as it seems to be rehended by you. And yet I do, with all our and respect to the judgment of a parent, testify that cæteris paribus no private gruent is to lie in the balance with the judgit of parliament; but, in things that respect icular persons, every man that is to give an ant to God of his actions, must, in some sure, be able to prove his own work, and to e an approbation, in his own conscience, that that he is to do, or to forbear: and Ist you are granting others their liberties, ly you will not deny me this; it being not y a liberty, but a duty (and such a duty as innot, without sinning, forbear) to examine own heart, and thoughts, and judgment, every work which I am to set my hand to, to appear in, or for. I must confess there , that though I do acknowledge all the er, yet I must be a little confident in this, at what with the circumstances that accom- The Parliament's Humble Petition and Ady human actions, whether they be circum-vice, presented to his Highness] This knotty ices of times or persons; whether circum- point being thus smoothed, put an end to all nces that relate to the whole, or private, or farther debates on the Petition and Advice; ticular circumstances, that compass any and it was ordered to be engrossed as soon as son that is to render an account of his own possible. On the 25th, the day appointed by ions; I have truly thought and do still think, Cromwell to receive it, he came down to t if I should, at the best, do any thing on Westminster; and sending for the house to s account to answer your expectation, at the attend him in the Painted Chamber, the t, I should do it doubtingly; and, certain- Speaker presented the same to his highness, what is so, is not of faith: and whatsoever acquainting him with the Alterations made ot so, whatsoever is not of faith, is sin to therein; and then the whole was read in the a that doth it, whether it be with_relation following terms : the substance of the action, about which To his Highness the LORD PROTECTOR Of it consideration is conversant, or whether to the Commonwealth of England, Scotcumstances about it, which make all indifland, and Ireland, and the Dominions, ent actions good or evil: I say circum- thereto belonging: The Humble PETInces; and truly I mean good or evil to TION and ADVICE of the Knights, Citio that doth it. I lying under this considezens, and Burgesses now assembled in ion, think it my duty, only I could have the Parliament of this Commonwealth. shed I had done it sooner, for the sake of "We the knights, citizens and burgesses in : house, who hath laid so infinite obligations this present parliament assembled, taking into me; I wish I had doue it sooner, for your our most serious consideration the present e, and saving time and trouble; and in-state of these three nations, joined and united ed for the Committee's sake, to whom I must snowledge publicly I have been unreasonly troublesome: I say I could have wished rad given it sooner: but truly, this is my swer, That (although I think the Govern under your Highness's protection, cannot but, in the first place, with all thankfulness acknowledge the wonderful mercy of Almighty God, in delivering us from that tyranny and bondage, both in our spiritual and civil concernments," |