108 LIX. 1649. feems almost impoffible, in the controverted parts CHA P. СНА of history, to say any thing which will fatisfy the zealots of both parties: But with regard to the genuineness of that production, it is not eafy for an hiftorian to fix any opinion, which will be entirely to his own fatisfaction. The proofs brought to evince, that this work is or is not the king's, are so convincing, that, if an impartial reader perufe any one fide apart he will think it impoffible, that arguments could be produced, fufficient to counter-balance so strong an evidence: And when he compares both fides, he will be fometime at a lofs to fix any determination. Should an abfolute fufpenfe of judgment be found difficult or difagreeable in fo interesting a queftion, I must confefs, that I much incline to give the preference to the arguments of the royalifts. The testimonies, which prove that performance to be the king's, are more numerous, certain, and direct, than those on the other fide. This is the case, even if we confider the external evidence: But when we weigh the internal, derived from the ftyle and compofition, there is no manner of 108 See on the one hand, Toland's Amyntor, and on the other, Wagftaffe's vindication of the royal martyr, with Young's addition. We may remark, that lord Clarendon's total filence with regard to this fubject, in so full a history, compofed in vindication of the king's measures and character, forms a prefumption on Toland's fide, and a prefumption of which that author was ignorant; the works of the noble hiftorian not being then published. Bifhop Burnet's teftimony too must be allowed of fome weight against the Icon. LIX. CHA P. comparifon. Thefe meditations refemble, in elegance, purity, neatnefs, and fimplicity, the 1649. genius of thofe performances, which we know with certainty to have flowed from the royal pen: But are fo unlike the bombast, perplexed, rhetorical, and corrupt style of Dr. Gauden, to whom they are ascribed, that no human teftimony feems fufficient to convince us, that he was the author. Yet all the evidences, which would rob the king of that honor, tend to prove, that Dr. Gauden had the merit of writing fo fine a performance, and the infamy of impofing it on the world for the king's. It is not easy to conceive the general compaffion excited towards the king, by the publishing, at fo critical a juncture, a work so full of piety, meekness, and humanity. Many have not fcrupled to afcribe to that book the fubfequent restoration of the royal family. Milton compares its effects to those which were wrought on the tumultuous Romans by Anthony's reading to them the will of Cæfar. The Icon paffed through fifty editions in a twelvemonth; and independent of the great intereft taken in it by the nation, as the fuppofed production of their murdered fovereign, it must be acknowledged the beft profe compofition, which, at the time of its publication, was to be. found in the English language. LX. 1649. England. HE confufions, which overfpread England CHAP. after the murder of Charles I. proceeded as well from the spirit of refinement and innovation, which agitated the ruling party, as from the State of diffolution of all that authority, both civil and ecclefiaftical, by which the nation had ever been accustomed to be governed. Every man had framed the model of a republic; and, however new it was, or fantastical, he was eager in recommending it to his fellow citizens, or even impofing it by force upon them. Every man had adjusted a system of religion, which, being derived from no traditional authority, was peculiar to himfelf; and being founded on fupposed inspiration, not on any principles of human reafon, had no means, befides cant and low rhetoric, by which it could recommend itfelf to others. The levellers infifted on an equal diftribution of power and property, and difclaimed LX. 1649. CHAг. all dependence and fubordination. The millenarians or fifth monarchy - men required, that government itself should be abolished, and all human powers be laid in the duft, in order to pave the way for the dominion of Chrift, whofe fecond coming they fuddenly expected. The Antinomians even infifted, that the obligations of morality and natural law were fufpended, and that the elect, guided by an internal principle, more perfect and divine, were fuperior to the beggarly elements of juftice and humanity. A confiderable party declaimed against tithes and hireling priesthood, and were refolved, that the magiftrate should not fupport by power or revenue any ecclefiaftical establishment. Another party inveighed against the law and its profeffors; and on pretence of rendering more fimple the diftribution of juftice, were defirous of abolishing the whole fyftem of English jurisprudence, which feemed interwoven with monarchical government. Even thofe among the republicans, who adopted not fuch extravagances, were so intoxicated with their faintly character, that they supposed themselves poffeffed of peculiar privileges; and all profeffions, oaths, laws, and engagements had, in a great measure, loft their influence over them. The bands of fociety were every where loofened; and the irregular paffions of men were encouraged by fpeculative principles, ftill more unfocial and irregular. THE royalifts, confifting of the nobles and more confiderable gentry, being degraded from LX. 1649. their authority and plundered of their property, CHA P. were inflamed with the highest refentment and indignation against those ignoble adverfaries, who bad reduced them to fubjection. The prefbyterians, whofe credit had firft fupported the arms of the parliament, were enraged to find, that, by the treachery or fuperior cunning of their affociates, the fruits of all their fuccefsful labors were ravifhed from them. The former party, from inclination and principle, zealously attached themfelves to the fon of their unfortunate monarch, whose memory they respected, and whose tragical death they deplored. The latter caft their eye towards the fame object; but they had ftill many prejudices to overcome, many fears and jealoufies to be allayed, ere they could cordially entertain thoughts of restoring the family, which they had fo grievously offended, and whofe principles they regarded with fuch violent abhorrence. THE only folid fupport of the republican independent faction, which, though it formed fo fmalla part of the nation, had violently ufurped the government of the whole, was a numerous army. of near fifty thousand men. But this army, formidable from its difcipline and courage, as well as its numbers, was actuated by a spirit, that rendered it dangerous to the affembly, which had affumed the command over it. Accustomed to indulge every chimera in politics, every frenzy in religion, the foldiers knew little of the fubordination of citizens, and had only learned, from apparent neceffity, fome maxims of military |