t to my dislodging soul, so, sir, to you I can resign
the life of this world with all imaginable cheerfulness, in the just
acknowledgment of your exceeding favors." Perhaps Strafford hoped, that
this unusual instance of generosity would engage the king still more
strenuously to protect him: perhaps he gave his life for lost; and
finding himself in the hands of his enemies, and observing that Balfour,
the lieutenant of the Tower, was devoted to the popular party,[*] he
absolutely despaired of ever escaping the multiplied dangers with which
he was every way environed. We might ascribe this step to a noble effort
of disinterestedness, not unworthy the great mind of Strafford, if the
measure which he advised had not been, in the event, as pernicious to
his master, as it was immediately fatal to himself.[**] [6]

* Whitlocke, p. 44. Franklyn, p. 896.

** See note F, at the end of the volume.

After the most violent anxiety and doubt, Charles at last granted a
commission to four noblemen to give the royal assent in his name to the
bill; flattering himself probably, in this extremity of distress, that
as neither his will consented to the deed, nor was his hand immediately
engaged in it, he was the more free from all the guilt which attended
it. These commissioners he empowered, at the same time, to give his
assent to the bill which rendered the parliament perpetual.

The commons, from policy rather than necessity, had embraced the
expedient of paying the two armies by borrowing money from the city; and
these loans they had repaid afterwards by taxes levied upon the people.
The citizens, either of themselves or by suggestion, began to start
difficulties with regard to a further loan, which was demanded. We make
no scruple of trusting the parliament, said they, were we certain that
the parliament were to continue till our repayment. But in the present
precarious situation of affairs, what security can be given us for our
money? In pretence of obviating this objection, a bill was suddenly
brought into the house, and passed with great unanimity and rapidity,
that the parliament should not be dissolved, prorogued, or adjourned,
without their own consent. It was hurried in like manner through the
house of peers, and was instantly carried to the king for his assent.
Charles, in the agony of grief, shame, and remorse for Strafford's doom,
perceived not that this other bill was of still more fatal consequence
to his author