o as to make a permanent Parliament a difficult conception
for most people, he would rather get rid of the name altogether, and
call the central governing body simply THE GENERAL OR GRAND COUNCIL
OF THE NATION.

All this appears in Milton's own words, as follows:--

"The ground and basis of every just and free Government (since men
have smarted so oft for committing all to one person) is a GENERAL
COUNCIL OF ABLEST MEN, chosen by the people to consult of public
affairs from time to time for the common good. This Grand Council
must have the forces by sea and land in their power, must raise and
manage the public revenue, make laws as need requires, treat of
commerce, peace, or war, with foreign nations; and, for the
carrying on some particular affairs of State with more secrecy and
expedition, must elect, as they have already, out of their own
number and others, a _Council of State_, And, although it may
seem strange at first hearing, by reason that men's minds are
prepossessed with the conceit of successive Parliaments, I affirm
that the GRAND OR GENERAL COUNCIL, being well chosen, should sit
perpetual: for so their business is, and they will become thereby
skilfullest, best acquainted with the people, and the people with
them. The Ship of the Commonwealth is always under sail: they sit
at the stern; and, if they steer well, what need is there to change
them, it being rather dangerous? Add to this that the GRAND COUNCIL
is both foundation and main pillar of the whole State, and to move
pillars and foundations, unless they be faulty, cannot be safe for
the building. I see not therefore how we can be advantaged by
successive Parliaments, but that they are much likelier continually
to unsettle rather than to settle a free Government, to breed
commotions, changes, novelties, and uncertainties, and serve only
to satisfy the ambition of such men as think themselves injured and
cannot stay till they be orderly chosen to have their part in the
Government. If the ambition of such be at all to be regarded, the
best expedient will be, and with least danger, that every two or
three years a hundred or some such number may go out by lot or
suffrage of the rest, and the like number be chosen in their places
(which hath been already thought on here, and done in other
Commonwealths); but in my opinion better nothing moved, unless by
death or just accusation.... [Farther