ernment, the most
agreeable to all due liberty, and proportioned equality both human,
civil, and Christian, most cherishing to virtue and true religion,
but also, (I may say it with greatest probability) plainly
commended or rather enjoined by our Saviour Himself to all
Christians, not without remarkable disallowance and the brand of
Gentilism upon Kingship [quotation here of _Luke_ XXII. 25,
26][1] ... And what Government comes nearer to this precept of
Christ than a Free Commonwealth? Wherein they who are greatest are
perpetual servants and drudges to the public at their own costs and
charges,--neglect their own affairs, yet are not elevated above
their brethren,--live soberly in their families, walk the streets
as other men, may be spoken to freely, familiarly, friendly,
without adoration: whereas a King must be adored like a demigod,
with a dissolute and haughty Court about him, of vast expense and
luxury, masques and revels, to the debauching of our prime gentry
both male and female,--nor at his own cost, but on the public
revenue,--and all this to do nothing but bestow the eating and
drinking of excessive dainties, to set a pompous face upon the
superficial actings of State, to pageant himself up and down in
progress among the perpetual bowings and cringings of an abject
people."

[Footnote 1: This is one of Milton's very long sentences; and the
length shows, I think, the glow and rapidity of the dictation.]

Having thus expressed his belief that "a Free Commonwealth, without
Single Person or House of Lords, is by far the best government, _if
it can be had_," Milton glances at the objection that recent
experience in England has shown such government to be practically
unattainable. He denies this, alleging that all disappointment
hitherto "may be ascribed with most reason to the frequent
disturbances, interruptions, and dissolutions which the Parliament
hath had, partly from the impatient or disaffected people, partly
from some ambitious leaders in the Army"; and he declares that the
present time is peculiarly favourable for one more vigorous effort.
"Now is the opportunity, now the very season, wherein we may obtain a
Free Commonwealth, and establish it for ever in the land without
difficulty or much delay." He had written this when the Rump was
sitting, and when he had in view the new elections that were to
recruit that "small remainder of those faithful worthies who a