WhiletherecollectionofMary’scrueltieswasstillfresh，whilethepowersoftheRomanCatholicpartystillinspiredapprehension，whileSpainstillretainedascendencyandaspiredtouniversaldominion，allthereformedsectsknewthattheyhadastrongcommoninterestandadeadlycommonenemy。TheanimositywhichtheyfelttowardseachotherwaslanguidwhencomparedwiththeanimositywhichtheyallfelttowardsRome。ConformistsandNonconformistshadheartilyjoinedinenactingpenallawsofextremeseverityagainstthePapists。ButwhenmorethanhalfacenturyofundisturbedpossessionhadgivenconfidencetotheEstablishedChurch，whenninetenthsofthenationhadbecomeheartilyProtestant，whenEnglandwasatpeacewithalltheworld，whentherewasnodangerthatPoperywouldbeforcedbyforeignarmsonthenation，whenthelastconfessorswhohadstoodbeforeBonnerhadpassedaway，achangetookplaceinthefeelingoftheAnglicanclergy。TheirhostilitytotheRomanCatholicdoctrineanddisciplinewasconsiderablymitigated。

TheirdislikeofthePuritans，ontheotherhand，increaseddaily。ThecontroversieswhichhadfromthebeginningdividedtheProtestantpartytooksuchaformasmadereconciliationhopeless；andnewcontroversiesofstillgreaterimportancewereaddedtotheoldsubjectsofdispute。

ThefoundersoftheAnglicanChurchhadretainedepiscopacyasanancient，adecent，andaconvenientecclesiasticalpolity，buthadnotdeclaredthatformofchurchgovernmenttobeofdivineinstitution。WehavealreadyseenhowlowanestimateCranmerhadformedoftheofficeofaBishop。InthereignofElizabeth，Jewel，Cooper，Whitgift，andothereminentdoctorsdefendedprelacy，asinnocent，asuseful，aswhatthestatemightlawfullyestablish，aswhat，whenestablishedbythestate，wasentitledtotherespectofeverycitizen。ButtheyneverdeniedthataChristiancommunitywithoutaBishopmightbeapureChurch。6Onthecontrary，theyregardedtheProtestantsoftheContinentasofthesamehouseholdoffaithwiththemselves。EnglishmeninEnglandwereindeedboundtoacknowledgetheauthorityoftheBishop，astheywereboundtoacknowledgetheauthorityoftheSheriffandoftheCoroner:buttheobligationwaspurelylocal。

AnEnglishchurchman，nayevenanEnglishprelate，ifhewenttoHolland，conformedwithoutscrupletotheestablishedreligionofHolland。AbroadtheambassadorsofElizabethandJameswentinstatetotheveryworshipwhichElizabethandJamespersecutedathome，andcarefullyabstainedfromdecoratingtheirprivatechapelsaftertheAnglicanfashion，lestscandalshouldbegiventoweakerbrethren。AninstrumentisstillextantbywhichthePrimateofallEngland，intheyear1582，authorisedaScotchminister，ordained，accordingtothelaudableformsoftheScotchChurch，bytheSynodofEastLothian，topreachandadministerthesacramentsinanypartoftheprovinceofCanterbury。7Intheyear1603，theConvocationsolemnlyrecognisedtheChurchofScotland，aChurchinwhichepiscopalcontrolandepiscopalordinationwerethenunknown，asabranchoftheHolyCatholicChurchofChrist。8ItwasevenheldthatPresbyterianministerswereentitledtoplaceandvoiceinoecumenicalcouncils。WhentheStatesGeneraloftheUnitedProvincesconvokedatDortasynodofdoctorsnotepiscopallyordained，anEnglishBishopandanEnglishDean，commissionedbytheheadoftheEnglishChurch，satewiththosedoctors，preachedtothem，andvotedwiththemonthegravestquestionsoftheology。9Nay，manyEnglishbeneficeswereheldbydivineswhohadbeenadmittedtotheministryintheCalvinisticformusedontheContinent；norwasreordinationbyaBishopinsuchcasesthenthoughtnecessary，orevenlawful。10

ButanewraceofdivineswasalreadyrisingintheChurchofEngland。IntheirviewtheepiscopalofficewasessentialtothewelfareofaChristiansocietyandtotheefficacyofthemostsolemnordinancesofreligion。Tothatofficebelongedcertainhighandsacredprivileges，whichnohumanpowercouldgiveortakeaway。AchurchmightaswellbewithoutthedoctrineoftheTrinity，orthedoctrineoftheIncarnation，aswithouttheapostolicalorders；andtheChurchofRome，which，inthemidstofallhercorruptions，hadretainedtheapostolicalorders，wasnearertoprimitivepuritythanthosereformedsocietieswhichhadrashlysetup，inoppositiontothedivinemodel，asysteminventedbymen。

InthedaysofEdwardtheSixthandofElizabeth，thedefendersoftheAnglicanritualhadgenerallycontentedthemselveswithsayingthatitmightbeusedwithoutsin，andthat，therefore，nonebutaperverseandundutifulsubjectwouldrefusetouseitwhenenjoinedtodosobythemagistrate。Now，however，thatrisingpartywhichclaimedforthepolityoftheChurchacelestialoriginbegantoascribetoherservicesanewdignityandimportance。Itwashintedthat，iftheestablishedworshiphadanyfault，thatfaultwasextremesimplicity，andthattheReformershad，intheheatoftheirquarrelwithRome，abolishedmanyancientceremonieswhichmightwithadvantagehavebeenretained。Daysandplaceswereagainheldinmysteriousveneration。Somepracticeswhichhadlongbeendisused，andwhichwerecommonlyregardedassuperstitiousmummeries，wererevived。

Paintingsandcarvings，whichhadescapedthefuryofthefirstgenerationofProtestants，becametheobjectsofarespectsuchastomanyseemedidolatrous。

NopartofthesystemoftheoldChurchhadbeenmoredetestedbytheReformersthanthehonourpaidtocelibacy。TheyheldthatthedoctrineofRomeonthissubjecthadbeenpropheticallycondemnedbytheapostlePaul，asadoctrineofdevils；andtheydweltmuchonthecrimesandscandalswhichseemedtoprovethejusticeofthisawfuldenunciation。Lutherhadevincedhisownopinionintheclearestmanner，byespousinganun。SomeofthemostillustriousbishopsandpriestswhohaddiedbyfireduringthereignofMaryhadleftwivesandchildren。Now，however，itbegantoberumouredthattheoldmonasticspirithadreappearedintheChurchofEngland；thattherewasinhighquartersaprejudiceagainstmarriedpriests；thatevenlaymen，whocalledthemselvesProtestants，hadmaderesolutionsofcelibacywhichalmostamountedtovows；nay，thataministeroftheestablishedreligionhadsetupanunnery，inwhichthepsalmswerechauntedatmidnight，byacompanyofvirginsdedicatedtoGod。11

Norwasthisall。Aclassofquestions，astowhichthefoundersoftheAnglicanChurchandthefirstgenerationofPuritanshaddifferedlittleornotatall，begantofurnishmatterforfiercedisputes。ThecontroversieswhichhaddividedtheProtestantbodyinitsinfancyhadrelatedalmostexclusivelytoChurchgovernmentandtoceremonies。Therehadbeennoseriousquarrelbetweenthecontendingpartiesonpointsofmetaphysicaltheology。Thedoctrinesheldbythechiefsofthehierarchytouchingoriginalsin，faith，grace，predestination，andelection，werethosewhicharepopularlycalledCalvinistic。

TowardsthecloseofElizabeth’sreignherfavouriteprelate，ArchbishopWhitgift，drewup，inconcertwiththeBishopofLondonandothertheologians，thecelebratedinstrumentknownbythenameoftheLambethArticles。InthatinstrumentthemoststartlingoftheCalvinisticdoctrinesareaffirmedwithadistinctnesswhichwouldshockmanywho，inourage，arereputedCalvinists。Oneclergyman，whotooktheoppositeside，andspokeharshlyofCalvin，wasarraignedforhispresumptionbytheUniversityofCambridge，andescapedpunishmentonlybyexpressinghisfirmbeliefinthetenetsofreprobationandfinalperseverance，andhissorrowfortheoffencewhichhehadgiventopiousmenbyreflectingonthegreatFrenchreformer。TheschoolofdivinityofwhichHookerwasthechiefoccupiesamiddleplacebetweentheschoolofCranmerandtheschoolofLaud；andHookerhas，inmoderntimes，beenclaimedbytheArminiansasanally。YetHookerpronouncedCalvintohavebeenamansuperiorinwisdomtoanyotherdivinethatFrancehadproduced，amantowhomthousandswereindebtedfortheknowledgeofdivinetruth，butwhowashimselfindebtedtoGodalone。WhentheArminiancontroversyaroseinHolland，theEnglishgovernmentandtheEnglishChurchlentstrongsupporttotheCalvinisticparty；noristheEnglishnamealtogetherfreefromthestainwhichhasbeenleftonthatpartybytheimprisonmentofGrociusandthejudicialmurderofBarneveldt。

But，evenbeforethemeetingoftheDutchsynod，thatpartoftheAnglicanclergywhichwaspeculiarlyhostiletotheCalvinisticChurchgovernmentandtotheCalvinisticworshiphadbeguntoregardwithdisliketheCalvinisticmetaphysics；andthisfeelingwasverynaturallystrengthenedbythegrossinjustice，insolence，andcrueltyofthepartywhichwasprevalentatDort。

TheArminiandoctrine，adoctrinelessausterelylogicalthanthatoftheearlyReformers，butmoreagreeabletothepopularnotionsofthedivinejusticeandbenevolence，spreadfastandwide。Theinfectionsoonreachedthecourt。OpinionswhichatthetimeoftheaccessionofJames，noclergymancouldhaveavowedwithoutimminentriskofbeingstrippedofhisgown，werenowthebesttitletopreferment。Adivineofthatage，whowasaskedbyasimplecountrygentlemanwhattheArminiansheld，answered，withasmuchtruthaswit，thattheyheldallthebestbishopricsanddeaneriesinEngland。

WhilethemajorityoftheAnglicanclergyquitted，inonedirection，thepositionwhichtheyhadoriginallyoccupied，themajorityofthePuritanbodydeparted，inadirectiondiametricallyopposite，fromtheprinciplesandpracticesoftheirfathers。Thepersecutionwhichtheseparatistshadundergonehadbeensevereenoughtoirritate，butnotsevereenoughtodestroy。Theyhadbeen，nottamedintosubmission，butbaitedintosavagenessandstubborness。Afterthefashionofoppressedsects，theymistooktheirownvindictivefeelingsforemotionsofpiety，encouragedinthemselvesbyreadingandmeditation，adispositiontobroodovertheirwrongs，and，whentheyhadworkedthemselvesupintohatingtheirenemies，imaginedthattheywereonlyhatingtheenemiesofheaven。IntheNewTestamenttherewaslittleindeedwhich，evenwhenpervertedbythemostdisingenuousexposition，couldseemtocountenancetheindulgenceofmalevolentpassions。ButtheOldTestamentcontainedthehistoryofaraceselectedbyGodtobewitnessesofhisunityandministersofhisvengeance，andspeciallycommandedbyhimtodomanythingswhich，ifdonewithouthisspecialcommand，wouldhavebeenatrociouscrimes。Insuchahistoryitwasnotdifficultforfierceandgloomyspiritstofindmuchthatmightbedistortedtosuittheirwishes。TheextremePuritansthereforebegantofeelfortheOldTestamentapreference，which，perhaps，theydidnotdistinctlyavoweventothemselves；butwhichshoweditselfinalltheirsentimentsandhabits。TheypaidtotheHebrewlanguagearespectwhichtheyrefusedtothattongueinwhichthediscoursesofJesusandtheepistlesofPaulhavecomedowntous。Theybaptizedtheirchildrenbythenames，notofChristiansaints，butofHebrewpatriarchsandwarriors。IndefianceoftheexpressandreiterateddeclarationsofLutherandCalvin，theyturnedtheweeklyfestivalbywhichtheChurchhad，fromtheprimitivetimes，commemoratedtheresurrectionofherLord，intoaJewishSabbath。TheysoughtforprinciplesofjurisprudenceintheMosaiclaw，andforprecedentstoguidetheirordinaryconductinthebooksofJudgesandKings。Theirthoughtsanddiscourseranmuchonactswhichwereassuredlynotrecordedasexamplesforourimitation。Theprophetwhohewedinpiecesacaptiveking，therebelgeneralwhogavethebloodofaqueentothedogs，thematronwho，indefianceofplightedfaith，andofthelawsofeasternhospitality，drovethenailintothebrainofthefugitiveallywhohadjustfedatherboard，andwhowassleepingundertheshadowofhertent，wereproposedasmodelstoChristianssufferingunderthetyrannyofprincesandprelates。

Moralsandmannersweresubjectedtoacoderesemblingthatofthesynagogue，whenthesynagoguewasinitsworststate。Thedress，thedeportment，thelanguage，thestudies，theamusementsoftherigidsectwereregulatedonprinciplesnotunlikethoseofthePhariseeswho，proudoftheirwashedhandsandbroadphylacteries，tauntedtheRedeemerasasabbath—breakerandawinebibber。ItwasasintohanggarlandsonaMaypole，todrinkafriend’shealth，toflyahawk，tohuntastag，toplayatchess，towearlove—locks，toputstarchintoaruff，totouchthevirginals，toreadtheFairyQueen。Rulessuchasthese，ruleswhichwouldhaveappearedinsupportabletothefreeandjoyousspiritofLuther，andcontemptibletothesereneandphilosophicalintellectofZwingle，threwoveralllifeamorethanmonasticgloom。ThelearningandeloquencebywhichthegreatReformershadbeeneminentlydistinguished，andtowhichtheyhadbeen，innosmallmeasure，indebtedfortheirsuccess，wereregardedbythenewschoolofProtestantswithsuspicion，ifnotwithaversion。SomeprecisianshadscruplesaboutteachingtheLatingrammar，becausethenamesofMars，Bacchus，andApollooccurredinit。Thefineartswereallbutproscribed。Thesolemnpealoftheorganwassuperstitious。ThelightmusicofBenJonson’smasqueswasdissolute。HalfthefinepaintingsinEnglandwereidolatrous，andtheotherhalfindecent。TheextremePuritanwasatonceknownfromothermenbyhisgait，hisgarb，hislankhair，thesoursolemnityofhisface，theupturnedwhiteofhiseyes，thenasaltwangwithwhichhespoke，andaboveall，byhispeculiardialect。Heemployed，oneveryoccasion，theimageryandstyleofScripture。HebraismsviolentlyintroducedintotheEnglishlanguage，andmetaphorsborrowedfromtheboldestlyricpoetryofaremoteageandcountry，andappliedtothecommonconcernsofEnglishlife，werethemoststrikingpeculiaritiesofthiscant，whichmoved，notwithoutcause，thederisionbothofPrelatistsandlibertines。

Thusthepoliticalandreligiousschismwhichhadoriginatedinthesixteenthcenturywas，duringthefirstquarteroftheseventeenthcentury，constantlywidening。TheoriestendingtoTurkishdespotismwereinfashionatWhitehall。TheoriestendingtorepublicanismwereinfavourwithalargeportionoftheHouseofCommons。TheviolentPrelatistswhowere，toaman，zealousforprerogative，andtheviolentPuritanswhowere，toaman，zealousfortheprivilegesofParliament，regardedeachotherwithanimositymoreintensethanthatwhich，intheprecedinggeneration，hadexistedbetweenCatholicsandProtestants。

Whilethemindsofmenwereinthisstate，thecountry，afterapeaceofmanyyears，atlengthengagedinawarwhichrequiredstrenuousexertions。Thiswarhastenedtheapproachofthegreatconstitutionalcrisis。ItwasnecessarythattheKingshouldhavealargemilitaryforce。Hecouldnothavesuchaforcewithoutmoney。HecouldnotlegallyraisemoneywithouttheconsentofParliament。Itfollowed，therefore，thatheeithermustadministerthegovernmentinconformitywiththesenseoftheHouseofCommons，ormustventureonsuchaviolationofthefundamentallawsofthelandashadbeenunknownduringseveralcenturies。ThePlantagenetsandtheTudorshad，itistrue，occasionallysuppliedadeficiencyintheirrevenuebyabenevolenceoraforcedloan:buttheseexpedientswerealwaysofatemporarynature。Tomeettheregularchargeofalongwarbyregulartaxation，imposedwithouttheconsentoftheEstatesoftherealm，wasacoursewhichHenrytheEighthhimselfwouldnothavedaredtotake。Itseemed，therefore，thatthedecisivehourwasapproaching，andthattheEnglishParliamentwouldsooneithersharethefateofthesenatesoftheContinent，orobtainsupremeascendencyinthestate。

JustatthisconjunctureJamesdied。CharlestheFirstsucceededtothethrone。Hehadreceivedfromnatureafarbetterunderstanding，afarstrongerwill，andafarkeenerandfirmertemperthanhisfather’s。Hehadinheritedhisfather’spoliticaltheories，andwasmuchmoredisposedthanhisfathertocarrythemintopractice。Hewas，likehisfather，azealousEpiscopalian。Hewas，moreover，whathisfatherhadneverbeen，azealousArminian，and，thoughnoPapist，likedaPapistmuchbetterthanaPuritan。ItwouldbeunjusttodenythatCharleshadsomeofthequalitiesofagood，andevenofagreatprince。

Hewroteandspoke，not，likehisfather，withtheexactnessofaprofessor，butafterthefashionofintelligentandwelleducatedgentlemen。Histasteinliteratureandartwasexcellent，hismannerdignified，thoughnotgracious，hisdomesticlifewithoutblemish。Faithlessnesswasthechiefcauseofhisdisasters，andisthechiefstainonhismemory。Hewas，intruth，impelledbyanincurablepropensitytodarkandcrookedways。Itmayseemstrangethathisconscience，which，onoccasionsoflittlemoment，wassufficientlysensitive，shouldneverhavereproachedhimwiththisgreatvice。Butthereisreasontobelievethathewasperfidious，notonlyfromconstitutionandfromhabit，butalsoonprinciple。Heseemstohavelearnedfromthetheologianswhomhemostesteemedthatbetweenhimandhissubjectstherecouldbenothingofthenatureofmutualcontract；thathecouldnot，evenifhewould，divesthimselfofhisdespoticauthority；

andthat，ineverypromisewhichhemade，therewasanimpliedreservationthatsuchpromisemightbebrokenincaseofnecessity，andthatofthenecessityhewasthesolejudge。

AndnowbeganthathazardousgameonwhichwerestakedthedestiniesoftheEnglishpeople。ItwasplayedonthesideoftheHouseofCommonswithkeenness，butwithadmirabledexterity，coolness，andperseverance。Greatstatesmenwholookedfarbehindthemandfarbeforethemwereattheheadofthatassembly。TheywereresolvedtoplacetheKinginsuchasituationthathemusteitherconducttheadministrationinconformitywiththewishesofhisParliament，ormakeoutrageousattacksonthemostsacredprinciplesoftheconstitution。Theyaccordinglydoledoutsuppliestohimverysparingly。HefoundthathemustgoverneitherinharmonywiththeHouseofCommonsorindefianceofalllaw。Hischoicewassoonmade。HedissolvedhisfirstParliament，andleviedtaxesbyhisownauthority。HeconvokedasecondParliament，andfounditmoreintractablethanthefirst。Heagainresortedtotheexpedientofdissolution，raisedfreshtaxeswithoutanyshowoflegalright，andthrewthechiefsoftheoppositionintoprisonAtthesametimeanewgrievance，whichthepeculiarfeelingsandhabitsoftheEnglishnationmadeinsupportablypainful，andwhichseemedtoalldiscerningmentobeoffearfulaugury，excitedgeneraldiscontentandalarm。

Companiesofsoldierswerebilletedonthepeople；andmartiallawwas，insomeplaces，substitutedfortheancientjurisprudenceoftherealm。

TheKingcalledathirdParliament，andsoonperceivedthattheoppositionwasstrongerandfiercerthanever。Henowdeterminedonachangeoftactics。InsteadofopposinganinflexibleresistancetothedemandsoftheCommons，he，aftermuchaltercationandmanyevasions，agreedtoacompromisewhich，ifhehadfaithfullyadheredtoit，wouldhaveavertedalongseriesofcalamities。TheParliamentgrantedanamplesupply。TheKingratified，inthemostsolemnmanner，thatcelebratedlaw，whichisknownbythenameofthePetitionofRight，andwhichisthesecondGreatCharterofthelibertiesofEngland。Byratifyingthatlawheboundhimselfneveragaintoraise。moneywithouttheconsentoftheHouses，neveragaintoimprisonanyperson，exceptinduecourseoflaw，andneveragaintosubjecthispeopletothejurisdictionofcourtsmartial。

Thedayonwhichtheroyalsanctionwas，aftermanydelays，solemnlygiventothisgreatAct，wasadayofjoyandhope。TheCommons，whocrowdedthebaroftheHouseofLords，brokeforthintoloudacclamationsassoonastheclerkhadpronouncedtheancientformofwordsbywhichourprinceshave，duringmanyages，signifiedtheirassenttothewishesoftheEstatesoftherealm。Thoseacclamationswerereechoedbythevoiceofthecapitalandofthenation；butwithinthreeweeksitbecamemanifestthatCharleshadnointentionofobservingthecompactintowhichhehadentered。Thesupplygivenbytherepresentativesofthenationwascollected。Thepromisebywhichthatsupplyhadbeenobtainedwasbroken。Aviolentcontestfollowed。TheParliamentwasdissolvedwitheverymarkofroyaldispleasure。Someofthemostdistinguishedmemberswereimprisoned；andoneofthem，SirJohnEliot，afteryearsofsuffering，diedinconfinement。

Charles，however，couldnotventuretoraise，byhisownauthority，taxessufficientforcarryingonwar。Heaccordinglyhastenedtomakepeacewithhisneighbours，andthenceforthgavehiswholemindtoBritishpolitics。

Nowcommencedanewera。ManyEnglishKingshadoccasionallycommittedunconstitutionalacts:butnonehadeversystematicallyattemptedtomakehimselfadespot，andtoreducetheParliamenttoanullity。SuchwastheendwhichCharlesdistinctlyproposedtohimself。FromMarch1629toApril1640，theHouseswerenotconvoked。NeverinourhistoryhadtherebeenanintervalofelevenyearsbetweenParliamentandParliament。Onlyoncehadtherebeenanintervalofevenhalfthatlength。ThisfactaloneissufficienttorefutethosewhorepresentCharlesashavingmerelytroddeninthefootstepsofthePlantagenetsandTudors。

Itisproved，bythetestimonyoftheKing’smoststrenuoussupporters，that，duringthispartofhisreign，theprovisionsofthePetitionofRightwereviolatedbyhim，notoccasionally，butconstantly，andonsystem；thatalargepartoftherevenuewasraisedwithoutanylegalauthority；andthatpersonsobnoxioustothegovernmentlanguishedforyearsinprison，withoutbeingevercalledupontopleadbeforeanytribunal。

ForthesethingshistorymustholdtheKinghimselfchieflyresponsible。FromthetimeofhisthirdParliamenthewashisownprimeminister。Severalpersons，however，whosetemperandtalentsweresuitedtohispurposes，wereattheheadofdifferentdepartmentsoftheadministration。

ThomasWentworth，successivelycreatedLordWentworthandEarlofStrafford，amanofgreatabilities，eloquence，andcourage，butofacruelandimperiousnature，wasthecounsellormosttrustedinpoliticalandmilitaryaffairs。Hehadbeenoneofthemostdistinguishedmembersoftheopposition，andfelttowardsthosewhomhehaddesertedthatpeculiarmalignitywhichhas，inallages，beencharacteristicofapostates。Heperfectlyunderstoodthefeelings，theresources，andthepolicyofthepartytowhichhehadlatelybelonged，andhadformedavastanddeeplymeditatedschemewhichverynearlyconfoundedeventheabletacticsofthestatesmenbywhomtheHouseofCommonshadbeendirected。Tothisscheme，inhisconfidentialcorrespondence，hegavetheexpressivenameofThorough。HisobjectwastodoinEnglandall，andmorethanall，thatRichelieuwasdoinginFrance；tomakeCharlesamonarchasabsoluteasanyontheContinent；toputtheestatesandthepersonallibertyofthewholepeopleatthedisposalofthecrown；todeprivethecourtsoflawofallindependentauthority，eveninordinaryquestionsofcivilrightbetweenmanandman；andtopunishwithmercilessrigourallwhomurmuredattheactsofthegovernment，orwhoapplied，eveninthemostdecentandregularmanner，toanytribunalforreliefagainstthoseacts。12

Thiswashisend；andhedistinctlysawinwhatmanneralonethisendcouldbeattained。Therewas，intruth，aboutallhisnotionsaclearness，acoherence，aprecision，which，ifhehadnotbeenpursuinganobjectpernicioustohiscountryandtohiskind，wouldhavejustlyentitledhimtohighadmiration。Hesawthattherewasoneinstrument，andonlyone，bywhichhisvastanddaringprojectscouldbecarriedintoexecution。Thatinstrumentwasastandingarmy。Totheformingofsuchanarmy，therefore，hedirectedalltheenergyofhisstrongmind。InIreland，wherehewasviceroy，heactuallysucceededinestablishingamilitarydespotism，notonlyovertheaboriginalpopulation，butalsoovertheEnglishcolonists，andwasabletoboastthat，inthatisland，theKingwasasabsoluteasanyprinceinthewholeworldcouldbe。13

Theecclesiasticaladministrationwas，inthemeantime，principallydirectedbyWilliamLaud，ArchbishopofCanterbury。

OfalltheprelatesoftheAnglicanChurch，LaudhaddepartedfarthestfromtheprinciplesoftheReformation，andhaddrawnnearesttoRome。HistheologywasmoreremotethaneventhatoftheDutchArminiansfromthetheologyoftheCalvinists。Hispassionforceremonies，hisreverenceforholidays，vigils，andsacredplaces，hisillconcealeddislikeofthemarriageofecclesiastics，theardentandnotaltogetherdisinterestedzealwithwhichheassertedtheclaimsoftheclergytothereverenceofthelaity，wouldhavemadehimanobjectofaversiontothePuritans，evenifhehadusedonlylegalandgentlemeansfortheattainmentofhisends。Buthisunderstandingwasnarrow；andhiscommercewiththeworldhadbeensmall。Hewasbynaturerash，irritable，quicktofeelforhisowndignity，slowtosympathisewiththesufferingsofothers，andpronetotheerror，commoninsuperstitiousmen，ofmistakinghisownpeevishandmalignantmoodsforemotionsofpiouszeal。Underhisdirectioneverycorneroftherealmwassubjectedtoaconstantandminuteinspection。Everylittlecongregationofseparatistswastrackedoutandbrokenup。Eventhedevotionsofprivatefamiliescouldnotescapethevigilanceofhisspies。SuchfeardidhisrigourinspirethatthedeadlyhatredoftheChurch，whichfesteredininnumerablebosoms，wasgenerallydisguisedunderanoutwardshowofconformity。Ontheveryeveoftroubles，fataltohimselfandtohisorder，theBishopsofseveralextensivedioceseswereabletoreporttohimthatnotasingledissenterwastobefoundwithintheirjurisdiction。14

Thetribunalsaffordednoprotectiontothesubjectagainstthecivilandecclesiasticaltyrannyofthatperiod。Thejudgesofthecommonlaw，holdingtheirsituationsduringthepleasureoftheKing，werescandalouslyobsequious。Yet，obsequiousastheywere，theywerelessreadyandlessefficientinstrumentsofarbitrarypowerthanaclassofcourts，thememoryofwhichisstill，afterthelapseofmorethantwocenturies，heldindeepabhorrencebythenation。ForemostamongthesecourtsinpowerandininfamyweretheStarChamberandtheHighCommission，theformerapolitical，thelatterareligiousinquisition。NeitherwasapartoftheoldconstitutionofEngland。TheStarChamberhadbeenremodelled，andtheHighCommissioncreated，bytheTudors。ThepowerwhichtheseboardshadpossessedbeforetheaccessionofCharleshadbeenextensiveandformidable，buthadbeensmallindeedwhencomparedwiththatwhichtheynowusurped。

Guidedchieflybytheviolentspiritoftheprimate，andfreefromthecontrolofParliament，theydisplayedarapacity，aviolence，amalignantenergy，whichhadbeenunknowntoanyformerage。Thegovernmentwasablethroughtheirinstrumentality，tofine，imprison，pillory，andmutilatewithoutrestraint。AseparatecouncilwhichsateatYork，underthepresidencyofWentworth，wasarmed，indefianceoflaw，byapureactofprerogative，withalmostboundlesspoweroverthenortherncounties。AllthesetribunalsinsultedanddefiedtheauthorityofWestminsterHall，anddailycommittedexcesseswhichthemostdistinguishedRoyalistshavewarmlycondemned。WeareinformedbyClarendonthattherewashardlyamanofnoteintherealmwhohadnotpersonalexperienceoftheharshnessandgreedinessoftheStarChamber，thattheHighCommissionhadsoconducteditselfthatithadscarceafriendleftinthekingdom，andthatthetyrannyoftheCouncilofYorkhadmadetheGreatCharteradeadletteronthenorthoftheTrent。

ThegovernmentofEnglandwasnow，inallpointsbutone，asdespoticasthatofFrance。Butthatonepointwasallimportant。

Therewasstillnostandingarmy。Therewastherefore，nosecuritythatthewholefabricoftyrannymightnotbesubvertedinasingleday；and，iftaxeswereimposedbytheroyalauthorityforthesupportofanarmy，itwasprobablethattherewouldbeanimmediateandirresistibleexplosion。ThiswasthedifficultywhichmorethananyotherperplexedWentworth。TheLordKeeperFinch，inconcertwithotherlawyerswhowereemployedbythegovernment，recommendedanexpedientwhichwaseagerlyadopted。TheancientprincesofEngland，astheycalledontheinhabitantsofthecountiesnearScotlandtoarmandarraythemselvesforthedefenceoftheborder，hadsometimescalledonthemaritimecountiestofurnishshipsforthedefenceofthecoast。Intheroomofshipsmoneyhadsometimesbeenaccepted。

Thisoldpracticeitwasnowdetermined，afteralonginterval，notonlytorevivebuttoextend。Formerprinceshadraisedshipmoneyonlyintimeofwar:itwasnowexactedinatimeofprofoundpeace。Formerprinces，eveninthemostperilouswars，hadraisedshipmoneyonlyalongthecoasts:itwasnowexactedfromtheinlandshires。Formerprinceshadraisedshipmoneyonlyforthemaritimedefenceofthecountry:Itwasnowexacted，bytheadmissionoftheRoyaliststhemselves。Withtheobject，notofmaintaininganavy，butoffurnishingtheKingwithsupplieswhichmightbeincreasedathisdiscretiontoanyamount，andexpendedathisdiscretionforanypurpose。

Thewholenationwasalarmedandincensed。JohnHampden，anopulentandwellborngentlemanofBuckinghamshire，highlyconsideredinhisownneighbourhood，butasyetlittleknowntothekingdomgenerally，hadthecouragetostepforward，toconfrontthewholepowerofthegovernment，andtakeonhimselfthecostandtheriskofdisputingtheprerogativetowhichtheKinglaidclaim。ThecasewasarguedbeforethejudgesintheExchequerChamber。Sostrongweretheargumentsagainstthepretensionsofthecrownthat，dependentandservileasthejudgeswere，themajorityagainstHampdenwasthesmallestpossible。Stilltherewasamajority。Theinterpretersofthelawhadpronouncedthatonegreatandproductivetaxmightbeimposedbytheroyalauthority。Wentworthjustlyobservedthatitwasimpossibletovindicatetheirjudgmentexceptbyreasonsdirectlyleadingtoaconclusionwhichtheyhadnotventuredtodraw。IfmoneymightlegallyberaisedwithouttheconsentofParliamentforthesupportofafleet，itwasnoteasytodenythatmoneymight，withoutconsentofParliament，belegallyraisedforthesupportofanarmy。

Thedecisionofthejudgesincreasedtheirritationofthepeople。Acenturyearlier，irritationlessseriouswouldhaveproducedageneralrising。Butdiscontentdidnotnowsoreadilyasinanearlieragetaketheformofrebellion。Thenationhadbeenlongsteadilyadvancinginwealthandincivilisation。SincethegreatnorthernEarlstookuparmsagainstElizabethseventyyearshadelapsed；andduringthoseseventyyearstherehadbeennocivilwar。Never，duringthewholeexistenceoftheEnglishnation，hadsolongaperiodpassedwithoutintestinehostilities。Menhadbecomeaccustomedtothepursuitsofpeacefulindustry，and，exasperatedastheywere，hesitatedlongbeforetheydrewthesword。

Thiswastheconjunctureatwhichthelibertiesofthenationwereinthegreatestperil。Theopponentsofthegovernmentbegantodespairofthedestinyoftheircountry；andmanylookedtotheAmericanwildernessastheonlyasyluminwhichtheycouldenjoycivilandspiritualfreedom。ThereafewresolutePuritans，who，inthecauseoftheirreligion，fearedneithertherageoftheoceannorthehardshipsofuncivilisedlife，neitherthefangsofsavagebeastsnorthetomahawksofmoresavagemen，hadbuilt，amidsttheprimevalforests，villageswhicharenowgreatandopulentcities，butwhichhave，througheverychange，retainedsometraceofthecharacterderivedfromtheirfounders。

Thegovernmentregardedtheseinfantcolonieswithaversion，andattemptedviolentlytostopthestreamofemigration，butcouldnotpreventthepopulationofNewEnglandfrombeinglargelyrecruitedbystoutheartedandGodfearingmenfromeverypartoftheoldEngland。AndnowWentworthexultedinthenearprospectofThorough。Afewyearsmightprobablysufficefortheexecutionofhisgreatdesign。Ifstricteconomywereobserved，ifallcollisionwithforeignpowerswerecarefullyavoided，thedebtsofthecrownwouldbeclearedoff:therewouldbefundsavailableforthesupportofalargemilitaryforce；andthatforcewouldsoonbreaktherefractoryspiritofthenation。

Atthiscrisisanactofinsanebigotrysuddenlychangedthewholefaceofpublicaffairs。HadtheKingbeenwise，hewouldhavepursuedacautiousandsoothingpolicytowardsScotlandtillhewasmasterintheSouth。ForScotlandwasofallhiskingdomsthatinwhichtherewasthegreatestriskthatasparkmightproduceaflame，andthataflamemightbecomeaconflagration。

Constitutionalopposition，indeed，suchashehadencounteredatWestminster，hehadnottoapprehendatEdinburgh。TheParliamentofhisnorthernkingdomwasaverydifferentbodyfromthatwhichborethesamenameinEngland。Itwasillconstituted:itwaslittleconsidered；andithadneverimposedanyseriousrestraintonanyofhispredecessors。ThethreeEstatessateinonehouse。

Thecommissionersoftheburghswereconsideredmerelyasretainersofthegreatnobles。NoactcouldbeintroducedtillithadbeenapprovedbytheLordsofArticles。acommitteewhichwasreally，thoughnotinform，nominatedbythecrown。But，thoughtheScottishParliamentwasobsequious，theScottishpeoplehadalwaysbeensingularlyturbulentandungovernable。TheyhadbutcheredtheirfirstJamesinhisbedchamber:theyhadrepeatedlyarrayedthemselvesinarmsagainstJamestheSecond；

theyhadslainJamestheThirdonthefieldofbattle:theirdisobediencehadbrokentheheartofJamestheFifth:theyhaddeposedandimprisonedMary:theyhadledhersoncaptive；andtheirtemperwasstillasintractableasever。Theirhabitswererudeandmartial。Allalongthesouthernborder，andallalongthelinebetweenthehighlandsandthelowlands，ragedanincessantpredatorywar。Ineverypartofthecountrymenwereaccustomedtoredresstheirwrongsbythestronghand。WhateverloyaltythenationhadancientlyfelttotheStuartshadcooledduringtheirlongabsence。Thesupremeinfluenceoverthepublicmindwasdividedbetweentwoclassesofmalecontents，thelordsofthesoilandthepreachers；lordsanimatedbythesamespiritwhichhadoftenimpelledtheoldDouglassestowithstandtheroyalhouse，andpreacherswhohadinheritedtherepublicanopinionsandtheunconquerablespiritofKnox。Boththenationalandreligiousfeelingsofthepopulationhadbeenwounded。Allordersofmencomplainedthattheircountry，thatcountrywhichhad，withsomuchglory，defendedherindependenceagainsttheablestandbravestPlantagenets，had，throughtheinstrumentalityofhernativeprinces，becomeineffect，thoughnotinname，aprovinceofEngland。InnopartofEuropehadtheCalvinisticdoctrineanddisciplinetakensostrongaholdonthepublicmind。TheChurchofRomewasregardedbythegreatbodyofthepeoplewithahatredwhichmightjustlybecalledferocious；andtheChurchofEngland，whichseemedtobeeverydaybecomingmoreandmoreliketheChurchofRome，wasanobjectofscarcelylessaversion。

ThegovernmenthadlongwishedtoextendtheAnglicansystemoverthewholeisland，andhadalready，withthisview，madeseveralchangeshighlydistastefultoeveryPresbyterian。Oneinnovation，however，themosthazardousofall，becauseitwasdirectlycognisablebythesensesofthecommonpeople，hadnotyetbeenattempted。ThepublicworshipofGodwasstillconductedinthemanneracceptabletothenation。Now，however，CharlesandLauddeterminedtoforceontheScotstheEnglishliturgy，orratheraliturgywhich，whereveritdifferedfromthatofEngland，differed，inthejudgmentofallrigidProtestants，fortheworse。

Tothisstep，takeninthemerewantonnessoftyranny，andincriminalignoranceormorecriminalcontemptofpublicfeeling，ourcountryowesherfreedom。Thefirstperformanceoftheforeignceremoniesproducedariot。Theriotrapidlybecamearevolution。Ambition，patriotism，fanaticism，weremingledinoneheadlongtorrent。Thewholenationwasinarms。ThepowerofEnglandwasindeed，asappearedsomeyearslater，sufficienttocoerceScotland:butalargepartoftheEnglishpeoplesympathisedwiththereligiousfeelingsoftheinsurgents；andmanyEnglishmenwhohadnoscrupleaboutantiphoniesandgenuflexions，altarsandsurplices，sawwithpleasuretheprogressofarebellionwhichseemedlikelytoconfoundthearbitraryprojectsofthecourt，andtomakethecallingofaParliamentnecessary。

ForthesenselessfreakwhichhadproducedtheseeffectsWentworthisnotresponsible。15Ithad，infact，thrownallhisplansintoconfusion。Tocounselsubmission，however，wasnotinhisnature。Anattemptwasmadetoputdowntheinsurrectionbythesword:buttheKing’smilitarymeansandmilitarytalentswereunequaltothetask。ToimposefreshtaxesonEnglandindefianceoflaw，would，atthisconjuncture，havebeenmadness。

NoresourcewasleftbutaParliament；andinthespringof1640

aParliamentwasconvoked。

Thenationhadbeenputintogoodhumourbytheprospectofseeingconstitutionalgovernmentrestored，andgrievancesredressed。ThenewHouseofCommonswasmoretemperateandmorerespectfultothethronethananywhichhadsatesincethedeathofElizabeth。ThemoderationofthisassemblyhasbeenhighlyextolledbythemostdistinguishedRoyalistsandseemstohavecausednosmallvexationanddisappointmenttothechiefsoftheopposition:butitwastheuniformpracticeofCharles，apracticeequallyimpoliticandungenerous，torefuseallcompliancewiththedesiresofhispeople，tillthosedesireswereexpressedinamenacingtone。AssoonastheCommonsshowedadispositiontotakeintoconsiderationthegrievancesunderwhichthecountryhadsufferedduringelevenyears，theKingdissolvedtheParliamentwitheverymarkofdispleasure。

BetweenthedissolutionofthisshortlivedassemblyandthemeetingofthatevermemorablebodyknownbythenameoftheLongParliament，intervenedafewmonths，duringwhichtheyokewaspresseddownmoreseverelythaneveronthenation，whilethespiritofthenationroseupmoreangrilythaneveragainsttheyoke。MembersoftheHouseofCommonswerequestionedbythePrivyCounciltouchingtheirparliamentaryconduct，andthrownintoprisonforrefusingtoreply。Shipmoneywasleviedwithincreasedrigour。TheLordMayorandtheSheriffsofLondonwerethreatenedwithimprisonmentforremissnessincollectingthepayments。Soldierswereenlistedbyforce。Moneyfortheirsupportwasexactedfromtheircounties。Torture，whichhadalwaysbeenillegal，andwhichhadrecentlybeendeclaredillegalevenbytheservilejudgesofthatage，wasinflictedforthelasttimeinEnglandinthemonthofMay，1610。

EverythingnowdependedontheeventoftheKing’smilitaryoperationsagainsttheScots。Amonghistroopstherewaslittleofthatfeelingwhichseparatesprofessionalsoldiersfromthemassofanation，andattachesthemtotheirleaders。Hisarmy，composedforthemostpartofrecruits，whoregrettedtheploughfromwhichtheyhadbeenviolentlytaken，andwhowereimbuedwiththereligiousandpoliticalsentimentsthenprevalentthroughoutthecountry，wasmoreformidabletohimselfthantotheenemy。TheScots，encouragedbytheheadsoftheEnglishopposition，andfeeblyresistedbytheEnglishforces，marchedacrosstheTweedandtheTyne，andencampedonthebordersofYorkshire。Andnowthemurmursofdiscontentswelledintoanuproarbywhichallspiritssaveonewereoverawed。

ButthevoiceofStraffordwasstillforThorough；andheeven，inthisextremity，showedanaturesocruelanddespotic，thathisownpikemenwerereadytotearhiminpieces。

Therewasyetonelastexpedientwhich，astheKingflatteredhimself，mightsavehimfromthemiseryoffacinganotherHouseofCommons。TotheHouseofLordshewaslessaverse。TheBishopsweredevotedtohim；andthoughthetemporalpeersweregenerallydissatisfiedwithhisadministration，theywere，asaclass，sodeeplyinterestedinthemaintenanceoforder，andinthestabilityofancientinstitutions，thattheywerenotlikelytocallforextensivereforms。Departingfromtheuninterruptedpracticeofcenturies，hecalledaGreatCouncilconsistingofLordsalone。ButtheLordsweretooprudenttoassumetheunconstitutionalfunctionswithwhichhewishedtoinvestthem。

Withoutmoney，withoutcredit，withoutauthorityeveninhisowncamp，heyieldedtothepressureofnecessity。TheHouseswereconvoked；andtheelectionsprovedthat，sincethespring，thedistrustandhatredwithwhichthegovernmentwasregardedhadmadefearfulprogress。

InNovember，1640，metthatrenownedParliamentwhich，inspiteofmanyerrorsanddisasters，isjustlyentitledtothereverenceandgratitudeofallwho，inanypartoftheworld。enjoytheblessingsofconstitutionalgovernment。

Duringtheyearwhichfollowed，noveryimportantdivisionofopinionappearedintheHouses。Thecivilandecclesiasticaladministrationhad，throughaperiodofnearlytwelveyears，beensooppressiveandsounconstitutionalthateventhoseclassesofwhichtheinclinationsaregenerallyonthesideoforderandauthoritywereeagertopromotepopularreformsandtobringtheinstrumentsoftyrannytojustice。ItwasenactedthatnointervalofmorethanthreeyearsshouldeverelapsebetweenParliamentandParliament，andthat，ifwritsundertheGreatSealwerenotissuedatthepropertime，thereturningofficersshould，withoutsuchwrits，calltheconstituentbodiestogetherforthechoiceofrepresentatives。TheStarChamber，theHighCommission，theCouncilofYorkweresweptaway。Menwho，aftersufferingcruelmutilations，hadbeenconfinedinremotedungeons，regainedtheirliberty。Onthechiefministersofthecrownthevengeanceofthenationwasunsparinglywreaked。TheLordKeeper，thePrimate，theLordLieutenantwereimpeached。

Finchsavedhimselfbyflight。LaudwasflungintotheTower。

Straffordwasputtodeathbyactofattainder。Onthedayonwhichthisactpassed，theKinggavehisassenttoalawbywhichheboundhimselfnottoadjourn，prorogue，ordissolvetheexistingParliamentwithoutitsownconsent。

Aftertenmonthsofassiduoustoil，theHouses，inSeptember1641，adjournedforashortvacation；andtheKingvisitedScotland。Hewithdifficultypacifiedthatkingdombyconsenting，notonlytorelinquishhisplansofecclesiasticalreform，buteventopass，withaverybadgrace，anactdeclaringthatepiscopacywascontrarytothewordofGod。

TherecessoftheEnglishParliamentlastedsixweeks。ThedayonwhichtheHousesmetagainisoneofthemostremarkableepochsinourhistory。Fromthatdaydatesthecorporateexistenceofthetwogreatpartieswhichhaveeversincealternatelygovernedthecountry。Inonesense，indeed，thedistinctionwhichthenbecameobvioushadalwaysexisted，andalwaysmustexist。Forithasitsoriginindiversitiesoftemper，ofunderstanding，andofinterest，whicharefoundinallsocieties，andwhichwillbefoundtillthehumanmindceasestobedrawninoppositedirectionsbythecharmofhabitandbythecharmofnovelty。Notonlyinpoliticsbutinliterature，inart，inscience，insurgeryandmechanics，innavigationandagriculture，nay，eveninmathematics，wefindthisdistinction。Everywherethereisaclassofmenwhoclingwithfondnesstowhateverisancient，andwho，evenwhenconvincedbyoverpoweringreasonsthatinnovationwouldbebeneficial，consenttoitwithmanymisgivingsandforebodings。Wefindalsoeverywhereanotherclassofmen，sanguineinhope，boldinspeculation，alwayspressingforward，quicktodiscerntheimperfectionsofwhateverexists，disposedtothinklightlyoftherisksandinconvenienceswhichattendimprovementsanddisposedtogiveeverychangecreditforbeinganimprovement。Inthesentimentsofbothclassesthereissomethingtoapprove。Butofboththebestspecimenswillbefoundnotfarfromthecommonfrontier。Theextremesectionofoneclassconsistsofbigoteddotards:theextremesectionoftheotherconsistsofshallowandrecklessempirics。

TherecanbenodoubtthatinourveryfirstParliamentsmighthavebeendiscernedabodyofmembersanxioustopreserve，andabodyeagertoreform。But，whilethesessionsofthelegislaturewereshort，thesebodiesdidnottakedefiniteandpermanentforms，arraythemselvesunderrecognisedleaders，orassumedistinguishingnames，badges，andwarcries。DuringthefirstmonthsoftheLongParliament，theindignationexcitedbymanyyearsoflawlessoppressionwassostrongandgeneralthattheHouseofCommonsactedasoneman。Abuseafterabusedisappearedwithoutastruggle。IfasmallminorityoftherepresentativebodywishedtoretaintheStarChamberandtheHighCommission，thatminority，overawedbytheenthusiasmandbythenumericalsuperiorityofthereformers，contenteditselfwithsecretlyregrettinginstitutionswhichcouldnot，withanyhopeofsuccess，beopenlydefended。AtalaterperiodtheRoyalistsfounditconvenienttoantedatetheseparationbetweenthemselvesandtheiropponents，andtoattributetheActwhichrestrainedtheKingfromdissolvingorproroguingtheParliament，theTriennialAct，theimpeachmentoftheministers，andtheattainderofStrafford，tothefactionwhichafterwardsmadewarontheKing。Butnoartificecouldbemoredisingenuous。EveryoneofthosestrongmeasureswasactivelypromotedbythemenwhowereafterwardforemostamongtheCavaliers。NorepublicanspokeofthelongmisgovernmentofCharlesmoreseverelythanColepepper。ThemostremarkablespeechinfavouroftheTriennialBillwasmadebyDigby。TheimpeachmentoftheLordKeeperwasmovedbyFalkland。ThedemandthattheLordLieutenantshouldbekeptcloseprisonerwasmadeatthebaroftheLordsbyHyde。NottillthelawattaintingStraffordwasproposeddidthesignsofseriousdisunionbecomevisible。Evenagainstthatlaw，alawwhichnothingbutextremenecessitycouldjustify，onlyaboutsixtymembersoftheHouseofCommonsvoted。ItiscertainthatHydewasnotintheminority，andthatFalklandnotonlyvotedwiththemajority，butspokestronglyforthebill。EventhefewwhoentertainedascrupleaboutinflictingdeathbyaretrospectiveenactmentthoughtitnecessarytoexpresstheutmostabhorrenceofStrafford’scharacterandadministration。

Butunderthisapparentconcordagreatschismwaslatent；andwhen，inOctober，1641，theParliamentreassembledafterashortrecess，twohostileparties，essentiallythesamewiththosewhich，underdifferentnames，haveeversincecontended，andarestillcontending，forthedirectionofpublicaffairs，appearedconfrontingeachother。DuringsomeyearstheyweredesignatedasCavaliersandRoundheads。TheyweresubsequentlycalledToriesandWhigs；nordoesitseemthattheseappellationsarelikelysoontobecomeobsolete。

Itwouldnotbedifficulttocomposealampoonorpanegyriconeitheroftheserenownedfactions。Fornomannotutterlydestituteofjudgmentandcandorwilldenythattherearemanydeepstainsonthefameofthepartytowhichhebelongs，orthatthepartytowhichheisopposedmayjustlyboastofmanyillustriousnames，ofmanyheroicactions，andofmanygreatservicesrenderedtothestate。Thetruthisthat，thoughbothpartieshaveoftenseriouslyerred，Englandcouldhavesparedneither。If，inherinstitutions，freedomandorder，theadvantagesarisingfrominnovationandtheadvantagesarisingfromprescription，havebeencombinedtoanextentelsewhereunknown，wemayattributethishappypeculiaritytothestrenuousconflictsandalternatevictoriesoftworivalconfederaciesofstatesmen，aconfederacyzealousforauthorityandantiquity，andaconfederacyzealousforlibertyandprogress。

ItoughttoberememberedthatthedifferencebetweenthetwogreatsectionsofEnglishpoliticianshasalwaysbeenadifferenceratherofdegreethanofprinciple。Therewerecertainlimitsontherightandontheleft，whichwereveryrarelyoverstepped。AfewenthusiastsononesidewerereadytolayallourlawsandfranchisesatthefeetofourKings。Afewenthusiastsontheothersidewerebentonpursuing，throughendlessciviltroubles，theirdarlingphantomofarepublic。Butthegreatmajorityofthosewhofoughtforthecrownwereaversetodespotism；andthegreatmajorityofthechampionsofpopularrightswereaversetoanarchy。Twice，inthecourseoftheseventeenthcentury，thetwopartiessuspendedtheirdissensions，andunitedtheirstrengthinacommoncause。Theirfirstcoalitionrestoredhereditarymonarchy。Theirsecondcoalitionrescuedconstitutionalfreedom。

Itisalsotobenotedthatthesetwopartieshaveneverbeenthewholenation，nay，thattheyhavenever，takentogether，madeupamajorityofthenation。Betweenthemhasalwaysbeenagreatmass，whichhasnotsteadfastlyadheredtoeither，whichhassometimesremainedinertlyneutral，andwhichhassometimesoscillatedtoandfro。Thatmasshasmorethanoncepassedinafewyearsfromoneextremetotheother，andbackagain。

Sometimesithaschangedsides，merelybecauseitwastiredofsupportingthesamemen，sometimesbecauseitwasdismayedbyitsownexcesses，sometimesbecauseithadexpectedimpossibilities，andhadbeendisappointed。Butwheneverithasleanedwithitswholeweightineitherdirection，thatweighthas，forthetime，beenirresistible。

Whentherivalpartiesfirstappearedinadistinctform，theyseemedtobenotunequallymatched。Onthesideofthegovernmentwasalargemajorityofthenobles，andofthoseopulentandwelldescendedgentlementowhomnothingwaswantingofnobilitybutthename。These，withthedependentswhosesupporttheycouldcommand，werenosmallpower。inthestate。Onthesamesidewerethegreatbodyoftheclergy，boththeUniversities，andallthoselaymenwhowerestronglyattachedtoepiscopalgovernmentandtotheAnglicanritual。Theserespectableclassesfoundthemselvesinthecompanyofsomealliesmuchlessdecorousthanthemselves。ThePuritanausteritydrovetotheking’sfactionallwhomadepleasuretheirbusiness，whoaffectedgallantry，splendourofdress，ortasteinthehigherarts。Withthesewentallwholivebyamusingtheleisureofothers，fromthepainterandthecomicpoet，downtotheropedancerandtheMerryAndrew。

Fortheseartistswellknewthattheymightthriveunderasuperbandluxuriousdespotism，butmuststarveundertherigidruleoftheprecisians。InthesameinterestweretheRomanCatholicstoaman。TheQueen，adaughterofFrance，wasoftheirownfaith。

Herhusbandwasknowntobestronglyattachedtoher，andnotalittleinaweofher。ThoughundoubtedlyaProtestantonconviction，heregardedtheprofessorsoftheoldreligionwithnoill—will，andwouldgladlyhavegrantedthemamuchlargertolerationthanhewasdisposedtoconcedetothePresbyterians。

Iftheoppositionobtainedthemastery，itwasprobablethatthesanguinarylawsenactedagainstPapistsinthereignofElizabeth，wouldbeseverelyenforced。TheRomanCatholicswerethereforeinducedbythestrongestmotivestoespousethecauseofthecourt。Theyingeneralactedwithacautionwhichbroughtonthemthereproachofcowardiceandlukewarmness；butitisprobablethat，inmaintaininggreatreserve，theyconsultedtheKing’sinterestaswellastheirown。Itwasnotforhisservicethattheyshouldbeconspicuousamonghisfriends。

Themainstrengthoftheoppositionlayamongthesmallfreeholdersinthecountry，andamongthemerchantsandshopkeepersofthetowns。Butthesewereheadedbyaformidableminorityofthearistocracy，aminoritywhichincludedtherichandpowerfulEarlsofNorthumberland，Bedford，Warwick，Stamford，andEssex，andseveralotherLordsofgreatwealthandinfluence。

InthesamerankswasfoundthewholebodyofProtestantNonconformists，andmostofthosemembersoftheEstablishedChurchwhostilladheredtotheCalvinisticopinionswhich，fortyyearsbefore，hadbeengenerallyheldbytheprelatesandclergy。

Themunicipalcorporationstook，withfewexceptions，thesameside。IntheHouseofCommonstheoppositionpreponderated，butnotverydecidedly。

Neitherpartywantedstrongargumentsforthecoursewhichitwasdisposedtotake。ThereasoningsofthemostenlightenedRoyalistsmaybesummedupthus:——"Itistruethatgreatabuseshaveexisted；buttheyhavebeenredressed。Itistruethatpreciousrightshavebeeninvaded；buttheyhavebeenvindicatedandsurroundedwithnewsecurities。ThesittingsoftheEstatesoftherealmhavebeen，indefianceofallprecedentandofthespiritoftheconstitution，intermittedduringelevenyears；butithasnowbeenprovidedthathenceforththreeyearsshallneverelapsewithoutaParliament。TheStarChambertheHighCommission，theCouncilofYork，oppressedendplunderedus；butthosehatefulcourtshavenowceasedtoexist。TheLordLieutenantaimedatestablishingmilitarydespotism；buthehasansweredforhistreasonwithhishead。ThePrimatetaintedourworshipwithPopishritesandpunishedourscrupleswithPopishcruelty；butheisawaitingintheTowerthejudgmentofhispeers。TheLordKeepersanctionedaplanbywhichthepropertyofeverymaninEnglandwasplacedatthemercyoftheCrown；buthehasbeendisgraced，ruined，andcompelledtotakerefugeinaforeignland。Theministersoftyrannyhaveexpiatedtheircrimes。Thevictimsoftyrannyhavebeencompensatedfortheirsufferings。Itwouldthereforebemostunwisetoperseverefurtherinthatcoursewhichwasjustifiableandnecessarywhenwefirstmet，afteralonginterval，andfoundthewholeadministrationonemassofabuses。Itistimetotakeheedthatwedonotsopursueourvictoryoverdespotismastorunintoanarchy。Itwasnotinourpowertooverturnthebadinstitutionswhichlatelyafflictedourcountry，withoutshockswhichhaveloosenedthefoundationsofgovernment。Nowthatthoseinstitutionshavefallen，wemusthastentoproptheedificewhichitwaslatelyourdutytobatter。Henceforthitwillbeourwisdomtolookwithjealousyonschemesofinnovation，andtoguardfromencroachmentalltheprerogativeswithwhichthelawhas，forthepublicgood，armedthesovereign。"

SuchweretheviewsofthosemenofwhomtheexcellentFalklandmayberegardedastheleader。Itwascontendedontheothersidewithnotlessforce，bymenofnotlessabilityandvirtue，thatthesafetywhichthelibertiesoftheEnglishpeopleenjoyedwasratherapparentthanreal，andthatthearbitraryprojectsofthecourtwouldberesumedassoonasthevigilanceoftheCommonswasrelaxed。Trueitwas，——suchwasthereasoningofPym，ofHollis，andofHampden——thatmanygoodlawshadbeenpassed:but，ifgoodlawshadbeensufficienttorestraintheKing，hissubjectswouldhavehadlittlereasonevertocomplainofhisadministration。TherecentstatutesweresurelynotofmoreauthoritythantheGreatCharterorthePetitionofRight。YetneithertheGreatCharter，hallowedbythevenerationoffourcenturies，northePetitionofRight，sanctioned，aftermaturereflection，andforvaluableconsideration，byCharleshimself，hadbeenfoundeffectualfortheprotectionofthepeople。Ifoncethecheckoffearwerewithdrawn，ifoncethespiritofoppositionweresufferedtoslumber，allthesecuritiesforEnglishfreedomresolvedthemselvesintoasingleone，theroyalword；andithadbeenprovedbyalongandsevereexperiencethattheroyalwordcouldnotbetrusted。

Thetwopartieswerestillregardingeachotherwithcautioushostility，andhadnotyetmeasuredtheirstrength，whennewsarrivedwhichinflamedthepassionsandconfirmedtheopinionsofboth。ThegreatchieftainsofUlster，who，atthetimeoftheaccessionofJames，had，afteralongstruggle，submittedtotheroyalauthority，hadnotlongbrookedthehumiliationofdependence。TheyhadconspiredagainsttheEnglishgovernment，andhadbeenattaintedoftreason。Theirimmensedomainshadbeenforfeitedtothecrown，andhadsoonbeenpeopledbythousandsofEnglishandScotchemigrants。Thenewsettlerswere，incivilisationandintelligence，farsuperiortothenativepopulation，andsometimesabusedtheirsuperiority。Theanimosityproducedbydifferenceofracewasincreasedbydifferenceofreligion。UndertheironruleofWentworth，scarcelyamurmurwasheard:but，whenthatstrongpressurewaswithdrawn，whenScotlandhadsettheexampleofsuccessfulresistance，whenEnglandwasdistractedbyinternalquarrels，thesmotheredrageoftheIrishbrokeforthintoactsoffearfulviolence。Onasudden，theaboriginalpopulationroseonthecolonists。Awar，towhichnationalandtheologicalhatredgaveacharacterofpeculiarferocity，desolatedUlster，andspreadtotheneighbouringprovinces。ThecastleofDublinwasscarcelythoughtsecure。EverypostbroughttoLondonexaggeratedaccountsofoutrageswhich，withoutanyexaggeration。weresufficienttomovepityendhorror。TheseeviltidingsrousedtotheheightthezealofboththegreatpartieswhichweremarshalledagainsteachotheratWestminster。TheRoyalistsmaintainedthatitwasthefirstdutyofeverygoodEnglishmanandProtestant，atsuchacrisis，tostrengthenthehandsofthesovereign。Totheoppositionitseemedthattherewerenowstrongerreasonsthaneverforthwartingandrestraininghim。Thatthecommonwealthwasindangerwasundoubtedlyagoodreasonforgivinglargepowerstoatrustworthymagistrate:butitwasagoodreasonfortakingawaypowersfromamagistratewhowasatheartapublicenemy。ToraiseagreatarmyhadalwaysbeentheKing’sfirstobject。A

greatarmymustnowberaised。Itwastobefearedthat，unlesssomenewsecuritiesweredevised，theforcesleviedforthereductionofIrelandwouldbeemployedagainstthelibertiesofEngland。Norwasthisall。Ahorriblesuspicion，unjustindeed，butnotaltogetherunnatural，hadariseninmanyminds。TheQueenwasanavowedRomanCatholic:theKingwasnotregardedbythePuritans，whomhehadmercilesslypersecuted，asasincereProtestant；andsonotoriouswashisduplicity，thattherewasnotreacheryofwhichhissubjectsmightnot，withsomeshowofreason，believehimcapable。ItwassoonwhisperedthattherebellionoftheRomanCatholicsofUlsterwaspartofavastworkofdarknesswhichhadbeenplannedatWhitehall。

Aftersomeweeksofprelude，thefirstgreatparliamentaryconflictbetweentheparties，whichhaveeversincecontended，andarestillcontending，forthegovernmentofthenation，tookplaceonthetwenty—secondofNovember，1641。Itwasmovedbytheopposition，thattheHouseofCommonsshouldpresenttotheKingaremonstrance，enumeratingthefaultsofhisadministrationfromthetimeofhisaccession，andexpressingthedistrustwithwhichhispolicywasstillregardedbyhispeople。Thatassembly，whichafewmonthsbeforehadbeenunanimousincallingforthereformofabuses，wasnowdividedintotwofierceandeagerfactionsofnearlyequalstrength。Afterahotdebateofmanyhours，theremonstrancewascarriedbyonlyelevenvotes。

Theresultofthisstrugglewashighlyfavourabletotheconservativeparty。ItcouldnotbedoubtedthatonlysomegreatindiscretioncouldpreventthemfromshortlyobtainingthepredominanceintheLowerHouse。TheUpperHousewasalreadytheirown。Nothingwaswantingtoensuretheirsuccess，butthattheKingshould，inallhisconduct，showrespectforthelawsandscrupulousgoodfaithtowardshissubjects。

Hisfirstmeasurespromisedwell。Hehad，itseemed，atlastdiscoveredthatanentirechangeofsystemwasnecessary，andhadwiselymadeuphismindtowhatcouldnolongerbeavoided。HedeclaredhisdeterminationtogoverninharmonywiththeCommons，and，forthatend，tocalltohiscouncilsmeninwhosetalentsandcharactertheCommonsmightplaceconfidence。Norwastheselectionillmade。Falkland，Hyde，andColepepper，allthreedistinguishedbythepartwhichtheyhadtakeninreformingabusesandinpunishingevilministers，wereinvitedtobecometheconfidentialadvisersoftheCrown，andweresolemnlyassuredbyCharlesthathewouldtakenostepinanywayaffectingtheLowerHouseofParliamentwithouttheirprivity。

Hadhekeptthispromise，itcannotbedoubtedthatthereactionwhichwasalreadyinprogresswouldverysoonhavebecomequiteasstrongasthemostrespectableRoyalistswouldhavedesired。

Alreadytheviolentmembersoftheoppositionhadbeguntodespairofthefortunesoftheirparty，totremblefortheirownsafety，andtotalkofsellingtheirestatesandemigratingtoAmerica。ThatthefairprospectswhichhadbeguntoopenbeforetheKingweresuddenlyovercast，thathislifewasdarkenedbyadversity，andatlengthshortenedbyviolence，istobeattributedtohisownfaithlessnessandcontemptoflaw。

ThetruthseemstobethathedetestedboththepartiesintowhichtheHouseofCommonswasdivided:noristhisstrange；forinboththosepartiestheloveoflibertyandtheloveoforderweremingled，thoughindifferentproportions。Theadviserswhomnecessityhadcompelledhimtocallroundhimwerebynomeansafterhisownheart。Theyhadjoinedincondemninghistyranny，inabridginghispower，andinpunishinghisinstruments。Theywerenowindeedpreparedtodefendinastrictlylegalwayhisstrictlylegalprerogative；buttheywouldhaverecoiledwithhorrorfromthethoughtofrevivingWentworth’sprojectsofThorough。Theywere，therefore，intheKing’sopinion，traitors，whodifferedonlyinthedegreeoftheirseditiousmalignityfromPymandHampden。

Heaccordingly，afewdaysafterhehadpromisedthechiefsoftheconstitutionalRoyaliststhatnostepofimportanceshouldbetakenwithouttheirknowledge，formedaresolutionthemostmomentousofhiswholelife，carefullyconcealedthatresolutionfromthem，andexecuteditinamannerwhichoverwhelmedthemwithshameanddismay。HesenttheAttorneyGeneraltoimpeachPym，Hollis，Hampden，andothermembersoftheHouseofCommonsofhightreasonatthebaroftheHouseofLords。NotcontentwiththisflagrantviolationoftheGreatCharterandoftheuninterruptedpracticeofcenturies，hewentinperson，accompaniedbyarmedmen，toseizetheleadersoftheoppositionwithinthewallsofParliament。

Theattemptfailed。TheaccusedmembershadlefttheHouseashorttimebeforeCharlesenteredit。Asuddenandviolentrevulsionoffeeling，bothintheParliamentandinthecountry，followed。ThemostfavourableviewthathaseverbeentakenoftheKing’sconductonthisoccasionbyhismostpartialadvocatesisthathehadweaklysufferedhimselftobehurriedintoagrossindiscretionbytheevilcounselsofhiswifeandofhiscourtiers。Butthegeneralvoiceloudlychargedhimwithfardeeperguilt。Attheverymomentatwhichhissubjects，afteralongestrangementproducedbyhismaladministration，werereturningtohimwithfeelingsofconfidenceandaffection，hehadaimedadeadlyblowatalltheirdearestrights，attheprivilegesofParliament，attheveryprincipleoftrialbyjury。

Hehadshownthatheconsideredoppositiontohisarbitrarydesignsasacrimetobeexpiatedonlybyblood。Hehadbrokenfaith，notonlywithhisGreatCouncilandwithhispeople，butwithhisownadherents。Hehaddonewhat，butforanunforeseenaccident，wouldprobablyhaveproducedabloodyconflictroundtheSpeaker’schair。ThosewhohadthechiefswayintheLowerHousenowfeltthatnotonlytheirpowerandpopularity，buttheirlandsandtheirnecks，werestakedontheeventofthestruggleinwhichtheywereengaged。Theflaggingzealofthepartyopposedtothecourtrevivedinaninstant。DuringthenightwhichfollowedtheoutragethewholecityofLondonwasinarms。InafewhourstheroadsleadingtothecapitalwerecoveredwithmultitudesofyeomenspurringhardtoWestminsterwiththebadgesoftheparliamentarycauseintheirhats。IntheHouseofCommonstheoppositionbecameatonceirresistible，andcarried，bymorethantwovotestoone，resolutionsofunprecedentedviolence。Strongbodiesofthetrainbands，regularlyrelieved，mountedguardroundWestminsterHall。ThegatesoftheKing’spalaceweredailybesiegedbyafuriousmultitudewhosetauntsandexecrationswereheardeveninthepresencechamber，andwhocouldscarcelybekeptoutoftheroyalapartmentsbythegentlemenofthehousehold。HadCharlesremainedmuchlongerinhisstormycapital，itisprobablethattheCommonswouldhavefoundapleaformakinghim，underoutwardformsofrespect，astateprisoner。

HequittedLondon，nevertoreturntillthedayofaterribleandmemorablereckoninghadarrived。Anegotiationbeganwhichoccupiedmanymonths。Accusationsandrecriminationspassedbackwardandforwardbetweenthecontendingparties。Allaccommodationhadbecomeimpossible。ThesurepunishmentwhichwaitsonhabitualperfidyhadatlengthovertakentheKing。Itwastonopurposethathenowpawnedhisroyalword，andinvokedheaventowitnessthesincerityofhisprofessions。Thedistrustwithwhichhisadversariesregardedhimwasnottoberemovedbyoathsortreaties。Theywereconvincedthattheycouldbesafeonlywhenhewasutterlyhelpless。Theirdemand，therefore，was，thatheshouldsurrender，notonlythoseprerogativeswhichhehadusurpedinviolationofancientlawsandofhisownrecentpromises，butalsootherprerogativeswhichtheEnglishKingshadalwayspossessed，andcontinuetopossessatthepresentday。Noministermustbeappointed，nopeercreated，withouttheconsentoftheHouses。Aboveall，thesovereignmustresignthatsuprememilitaryauthoritywhich，fromtimebeyondallmemory，hadappertainedtotheregaloffice。

ThatCharleswouldcomplywithsuchdemandswhilehehadanymeansofresistance，wasnottobeexpected。YetitwillbedifficulttoshowthattheHousescouldsafelyhaveexactedless。

Theyweretrulyinamostembarrassingposition。Thegreatmajorityofthenationwasfirmlyattachedtohereditarymonarchy。Thosewhoheldrepublicanopinionswereasyetfew，anddidnotventuretospeakout。Itwasthereforeimpossibletoabolishkinglygovernment。YetitwasplainthatnoconfidencecouldbeplacedintheKing。Itwouldhavebeenabsurdinthosewhoknew，byrecentproof，thathewasbentondestroyingthem，tocontentthemselveswithpresentingtohimanotherPetitionofRight，andreceivingfromhimfreshpromisessimilartothosewhichhehadrepeatedlymadeandbroken。Nothingbutthewantofanarmyhadpreventedhimfromentirelysubvertingtheoldconstitutionoftherealm。ItwasnownecessarytolevyagreatregulararmyfortheconquestofIreland；anditwouldthereforehavebeenmereinsanitytoleavehiminpossessionofthatplenitudeofmilitaryauthoritywhichhisancestorshadenjoyed。

WhenacountryisinthesituationinwhichEnglandthenwas，whenthekinglyofficeisregardedwithloveandveneration，butthepersonwhofillsthatofficeishatedanddistrusted，itshouldseemthatthecoursewhichoughttobetakenisobvious。

Thedignityoftheofficeshouldbepreserved:thepersonshouldbediscarded。Thusourancestorsactedin1399andin1689。Hadtherebeen，in1642，anymanoccupyingapositionsimilartothatwhichHenryofLancasteroccupiedatthetimeofthedepositionofRichardtheSecond，andwhichWilliamofOrangeoccupiedatthetimeofthedepositionofJamestheSecond，itisprobablethattheHouseswouldhavechangedthedynasty，andwouldhavemadenoformalchangeintheconstitution。ThenewKing，calledtothethronebytheirchoice，anddependentontheirsupport，wouldhavebeenunderthenecessityofgoverninginconformitywiththeirwishesandopinions。Buttherewasnoprinceofthebloodroyalintheparliamentaryparty；and，thoughthatpartycontainedmanymenofhighrankandmanymenofeminentability，therewasnonewhotoweredsoconspicouslyabovetherestthathecouldbeproposedasacandidateforthecrown。AstherewastobeaKing，andasnonewKingcouldbefound，itwasnecessarytoleavetheregaltitletoCharles。Onlyonecourse，therefore，wasleft:andthatwastodisjointheregaltitlefromtheregalprerogatives。

ThechangewhichtheHousesproposedtomakeinourinstitutions，thoughitseemsexorbitant，whendistinctlysetforthanddigestedintoarticlesofcapitulation，reallyamountstolittlemorethanthechangewhich，inthenextgeneration，waseffectedbytheRevolution。Itistruethat，attheRevolution，thesovereignwasnotdeprivedbylawofthepowerofnaminghisministers:butitisequallytruethat，sincetheRevolution，noministerhasbeenabletoretainofficesixmonthsinoppositiontothesenseoftheHouseofCommons。Itistruethatthesovereignstillpossessesthepowerofcreatingpeers，andthemoreimportantpowerofthesword:butitisequallytruethatintheexerciseofthesepowersthesovereignhas，eversincetheRevolution，beenguidedbyadviserswhopossesstheconfidenceoftherepresentativesofthenation。Infact，theleadersoftheRoundheadpartyin1642，andthestatesmenwho，abouthalfacenturylater，effectedtheRevolution，hadexactlythesameobjectinview。ThatobjectwastoterminatethecontestbetweentheCrownandtheParliament，bygivingtotheParliamentasupremecontrolovertheexecutiveadministration。ThestatesmenoftheRevolutioneffectedthisindirectlybychangingthedynasty。TheRoundheadsof1642，beingunabletochangethedynasty，werecompelledtotakeadirectcoursetowardstheirend。

Wecannot，however，wonderthatthedemandsoftheopposition，importingastheydidacompleteandformaltransfertotheParliamentofpowerswhichhadalwaysbelongedtotheCrown，shouldhaveshockedthatgreatpartyofwhichthecharacteristicsarerespectforconstitutionalauthorityanddreadofviolentinnovation。ThatpartyhadrecentlybeeninhopesofobtainingbypeaceablemeanstheascendencyintheHouseofCommons；buteverysuchhopehadbeenblighted。TheduplicityofCharleshadmadehisoldenemiesirreconcileable，haddrivenbackintotheranksofthedisaffectedacrowdofmoderatemenwhowereintheveryactofcomingovertohisside，andhadsocruellymortifiedhisbestfriendsthattheyhadforatimestoodaloofinsilentshameandresentment。Now，however，theconstitutionalRoyalistswereforcedtomaketheirchoicebetweentwodangers；andtheythoughtittheirdutyrathertorallyroundaprincewhosepastconducttheycondemned，andwhosewordinspiredthemwithlittleconfidence，thantosuffertheregalofficetobedegraded，andthepolityoftherealmtobeentirelyremodelled。Withsuchfeelings，manymenwhosevirtuesandabilitieswouldhavedonehonourtoanycause，rangedthemselvesonthesideoftheKing。

InAugust1642theswordwasatlengthdrawn；andsoon，inalmosteveryshireofthekingdom，twohostilefactionsappearedinarmsagainsteachother。Itisnoteasytosaywhichofthecontendingpartieswasatfirstthemoreformidable。TheHousescommandedLondonandthecountiesroundLondon，thefleet，thenavigationoftheThames，andmostofthelargetownsandseaports。Theyhadattheirdisposalalmostallthemilitarystoresofthekingdom，andwereabletoraiseduties，bothongoodsimportedfromforeigncountries，andonsomeimportantproductsofdomesticindustry。TheKingwasillprovidedwithartilleryandammunition。Thetaxeswhichhelaidontheruraldistrictsoccupiedbyhistroopsproduced，itisprobable，asumfarlessthanthatwhichtheParliamentdrewfromthecityofLondonalone。Herelied，indeed，chiefly，forpecuniaryaid，onthemunificenceofhisopulentadherents。Manyofthesemortgagedtheirland，pawnedtheirjewels，andbrokeuptheirsilverchargersandchristeningbowls，inordertoassisthim。Butexperiencehasfullyprovedthatthevoluntaryliberalityofindividuals，evenintimesofthegreatestexcitement，isapoorfinancialresourcewhencomparedwithsevereandmethodicaltaxation，whichpressesonthewillingandunwillingalike。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读