red in all encroachments of the military upon the
civil power; and they expected, by the terror of the sword, to impose a
more perfect system of liberty on the reluctant nation. All parties, the
king, the church, the parliament, the Presbyterians, had been guilty
of errors since the commencement of these disorders: but it must be
confessed, that this delusion of the Independents and republicans was,
of all others, the most contrary to common sense and the established
maxims of policy. Yet were the leaders of that party, Vane, Fiennes,
St. John, Martin, the men in England the most celebrated for profound
thought and deep contrivance; and by their well-colored pretences and
professions, they had overreached the whole nation. To deceive such men,
would argue a superlative capacity in Cromwell; were it not that besides
the great difference there is between dark, crooked counsels and true
wisdom, an exorbitant passion for rule and authority will make the most
prudent overlook the dangerous consequences of such measures as seem to
tend, in any degree, to their own advancement.

The leaders of the army, having established their dominion over the
parliament and city, ventured to bring the king to Hampton Court; and
he lived for some time in that palace, with an appearance of dignity and
freedom. Such equability of temper did he possess, that, during all the
variety of fortune which he underwent, no difference was perceived in
his countenance or behavior; and though a prisoner in the hands of his
most inveterate enemies, he supported, towards all who approached him,
the majesty of a monarch; and that neither with less nor greater state
than he had been accustomed to maintain. His manner, which was not
in itself popular nor gracious, now appeared amiable, from its great
meekness and equality.

The parliament renewed their applications to him, and presented him
with the same conditions which they had offered at Newcastle. The
king declined accepting them, and desired the parliament to take the
proposals of the army into consideration, and make them the foundation
of the public sentiment.[*] He still entertained hopes that his
negotiations with the generals would be crowned with success; though
every thing, in that particular, daily bore a worse aspect. Most
historians have thought that Cromwell never was sincere in his
professions; and that having by force rendered himself master of the
king's person, and by fair pretences acquir