commonwealth. Cromwell, finding matters ripe
for his purpose, called a council of officers, in order to come to a
determination with regard to the public settlement. As he had here many
friends, so had he also some opponents. Harrison having assured the
council, that the general sought only to pave the way for the government
of Jesus and his saints, Major Streater briskly replied, that Jesus
ought then to come quickly: for if he delayed it till after Christmas,
he would come too late; he would find his place occupied. While the
officers were in debate, Colonel Ingoldsby informed Cromwell, that the
parliament was sitting, and had come to a resolution not to dissolve
themselves, but to fill up the house by new elections; and was at
that very time engaged in deliberations with regard to this expedient.
Cromwell in a rage immediately hastened to the house, and carried a body
of three hundred soldiers along with him. Some of them he placed at the
door, some in the lobby, some on the stairs. He first addressed himself
to his friend St. John, and told him that he had come with a purpose of
doing what grieved him to the very soul, and what he had earnestly
with tears besought the Lord not to impose upon him: but there was a
necessity, in order to the glory of God and good of the nation. He sat
down for some time, and heard the debate. He beckoned Harrison, and told
him that he now judged the parliament ripe for a dissolution. "Sir,"
said Harrison "the work is very great and dangerous: I desire you
seriously to consider, before you engage in it." "You say well," replied
the general; and thereupon sat still about a quarter of an hour. When
the question was ready to be put, he said again to Harrison, "This
is the time: I must do it." And suddenly starting up, he loaded the
parliament with the vilest reproaches, for their tyranny, ambition,
oppression, and robbery of the public. Then stamping with his foot,
which was a signal for the soldiers to enter, "For shame," said he to
the parliament, "get you gone: give place to honester men; to those
who will more faithfully discharge their trust. You are no longer a
parliament. I tell you, you are no longer a parliament. The Lord has
done with you: he has chosen other instruments for carrying on his
work." Sir Harry Vane exclaiming against this proceeding, he cried with
a loud voice, "O! Sir Harry Vane, Sir Harry Vane! The Lord deliver me
from Sir Harry Vane!" Taking hold of Martin by the