or his discharge,
but perceiving his business to advance very slowly, and his father
at that time lying upon his death-bed, he was sollicitous to have his
discharge as much hastened as possible, that he might pay his duty to
his father, whom he had not seen for many years before. Mr. Strickland
was one of the commissioners appointed to examine him, and the person
from whom, in the judgment of his friends, he was to expect the least
favour. Mr. L'Estrange therefore to render him more propitious to his
purpose, paid him the compliment of a visit, telling him frankly
that he was returned upon the invitation of the Act of Indemnity;
and laying before him how much it concerned him, both in comfort
and interest, to see his dying father. Mr. Strickland, in place of
complying with Mr. L'Estrange's proposition, answered, that he would
find himself mistaken, and that his case was not included in that Act.
Mr. L'Estrange's reply to him was, 'that he might have been safe among
the Turks upon the same terms; and so he left him. From that time
matters beginning to look worse and worse, he considered it, as
his last expedient, to address Cromwel himself. After several
disappointments, for want of opportunity, he spoke to him at last
in the Cock-pit, and the sum of his desire was, either a speedy
examination, or that it might be deferred 'till he had seen his
father. Cromwel remonstrated against the restlessness of his party,
observed, 'that rigour was not his inclination, but that he was but
one man, and could do little by himself; and that Mr. L'Estrange's
party would do well to give some better testimony of their quiet, and
peaceable intentions.' Mr. L'Estrange told him, 'that every man was to
answer for his own actions, at his own peril;' and so Cromwel took
his leave. Some time after this Mr. L'Estrange was called, and Mr.
Strickland, with another gentleman, were his examiners; but the latter
pressed nothing against him. Mr. Strickland indeed insisted upon his
condemnation, and would have deprived him of the benefit of the Act of
Indemnity, telling him at last, 'that he had given no evidence of
the change of his mind, and consequently was not to be trusted.'
Mr. L'Estrange's final answer was to this effect, 'that it was his
interest to change his opinion, if he could, and that whenever he
found reason so to do, he would obey the sense of his own mind.' Some
few days after this he was discharged[B]. 'During the dependency of
this a