IV.

1646.

ticular form of church-government, and the horror CHAP. they entertained of the mischiefs of toleration. A second set was influenced by the love of old institutions, and the terror of innovation. And still a third set was guided by motives they did not think it expedient to avow, and had it at heart by indirect measures to effect the restoration of royalty in its full extent of prerogative and power.

rance and

dents.

The great leaders of the independent party Persevewere no doubt not a little surprised and con- spirit of the founded at the reverse of fortune that befel them. indepenThey had committed no error, unless the elevation of their aims is to be imputed to them for such. They knew much of the character of their age. The religious enthusiasm and the solemn tone of thinking that pervaded it, were greatly in their favour. Four years of civil war had wrought a wonderful change in the community. The character of the king and of monarchy had sunk to the lowest ebb. His insincerity and ill faith were almost universally acknowledged; they were virtually confessed by himself"; his character in this respect was scarcely defended by the most implicit of his partisans. Every person of reflection of every party in the parliament admitted that he

He says, in a letter to Lanerick, 4 December, "I will in that case make what declarations I shall be desired against the independents, and that really, without any reserve or equivocation." Burnet, p. 298.

BOOK
II.

1646.

was a man that could in no respect be trusted. The independents had moreover a large body of adherents, nay, for more than twelve months a majority, in the house of commons in their favour. But what they most of all relied on was the character of the army, which has already been described. They were therefore perplexed, but not in despair; they were cast down, but by no means destroyed. They did not, for their late memorable defeat, “abate one jot of heart or hopei."

i Milton, Sonnet 22.

225

CHAPTER V.

CHARLES ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE FROM NEWCASTLE.
-FORCES UNDER MASSEY DISBANDED.-DIS-
SENTIONS OF THE TWO HOUSES.-COMMISSI-
ONERS OF THE GREAT SEAL.-ORDINANCE OF
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-GOVERNMENT.-ORDI-

NANCE OF PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONERS.--
QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF JUS DIVINUM.
-ORDINANCE OF PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONERS
REPEALED.-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-GOVERN-

MENT CARRIED INTO EXECUTION.

СНАР. V.

1646.

Charles at

tempts to

Newcastle.

CHARLES, being grievously disappointed with the manner of his reception in the Scottish army, had no sooner effected his escape from Oxford, than he meditated a second escape from Newcastle to the continent". But now, that he found the escape from snares of captivity fast closing around him, and had reason to expect that he should be delivered up by the Scots, to whom he had come in a certain degree by his free choice, into the hands of his English subjects, he entered with increasing anxiety into the details how his withdrawing might most successfully be accomplished. For

BOOK

II.

1646.

this purpose he cast his eyes on William Murray,
a confidential servant, who had still been per-
mitted to attend him. This man was assisted in
his project by sir Robert Murray, afterwards first
president of the Royal Society, a person eminent
for his attainments in natural philosophy, and
who was universally loved and admired by men
of all parties. William Murray himself had been
whipping-boy to Charles the First [a boy educated
with a prince, and who, when the prince did
amiss, was whipped in his stead] and had al-
ways retained a considerable hold on his master's
affections. He was one of the persons upon
whom at this time Charles conferred the title
of earl. Sir Robert was also at Newcastle, and
willingly cooperated in the undertaking. It
failed however; and principally, as it should
seem, from the king's irresolution. Charles had
put on a disguise, and gone down the back-stairs ;
but, judging it scarcely possible to pass through
the guards undiscovered, and that it would be
"hugely indecent to be caught in such a condi-
tion," he gave up the design, and went back to
his chamber. This project by some means came
to be known, and was used as a ground for
the king's being put under a stricter restraint,

V.

1646.

guards, according to a well informed writer, being CHAP. placed at his chamber-door, both without and within. Burnet adds, that, when Charles received the account that the Scots' parliament had resolved to abandon him, he took no notice of it to those about him, but continued a game of chess at which he was engaged, and appeared as cheerful as before ".

Ireland ta

One of the objects which at this time most State of loudly demanded the interference of parliament ken into was the state of Ireland. Involved as they had considerabeen for several years in the most perplexing and critical situation at home, they had had little leisure and less power to exert themselves effectually in that country. In several instances they had sent over deputies from their own body to collect information there, and to give such encouragement as they were able, to persons disposed to adhere to their standard. The chief example of this sort was the earl of Inchiquin, who, having been wantonly affronted by the king, declared for the parliament in 1644. In July 1645 a committee for Irish affairs was nominated, and in the beginning of the present year viscount Lisle was constituted lord lieutenant of the kingdom. But

'Guthry, p. 228. This author subjoins the circumstance, which has been introduced by historians at a later period, that, "having an antipathy to tobacco, he was much perplexed by reason of their continual smoking by him."

• Memoirs of Hamilton, ubi supra.