all his enterprizes, and never to be diverted from what he thought just and right by any arguments or persuasions. He was a thorough commonwealth's man. Bishop Burnet says, he had the principles and temper of a Cassius,* and was most liberal in employing his purse and hazarding his person in the service of the public. He died in the midst of life of a burning fever,§ after ten days sickness. His bo dy being brought over into England was laid in state at Somerset-House, and buried in Westminster-Abbey with a pomp and magnificence suited to the dignity of his station; but after the restoration of the royal family, his body was taken out of the grave with Cromwell's and buried under the gallows.

About the same time died Mr. Francis Woodcock, born in Chester 1613, and educated in Brazen-Nose college, Oxford, where he took a degree in arts, entered into orders, and had a cure of souls bestowed upon him.‡ In the

* History, vol. i. p. 63, Edin. edition.

§ Lord Clarendon ascribes the death of Ireton to the infection of the plague, which was gotten into his army. He was of Trinity college in Oxford, and on leaving the university he studied at the MiddleTemple. He and Lambert distinguished themselves at the battle of Naseby, and were both concerned in drawing up the remonstrance of the army to the parliament. Ireton had the greatest hand in preparing the ordinance for the king's trial, and the precept for proclaiming the high court of justice, in which he sat as a judge. His authority was so great. that he was entirely submitted to in all the civil as well as martial affairs: though his parts were considered by some as more fitted for modelling a government, than for the conduct of an army. The Oxford historian describes him as of a turbulent and saucy disposition, nurtured to mischief, and a profound, thorough-paced dissembler under the mask of religion. His corpse was carried from the ship, in which it was brought to Bristol, in a hearse of velvet, attended by the mayor, aldermen, and council in their formalities, and the gover nor and officers, to the Castle: from whence it was removed to London with great pomp. The parliament settled on his widow and children 20001. per ann. out of the lands belonging to George duke of Bucks. His daughter, who married Thomas Bendish,esq. of Gray's-inn, was a most singular character, and bore a greater resemblance, in countenance and disposition, to her grandfather, Oliver Cromwell, than did any of his descendants. A curious sketch of her character, drawn by the Rev. Samuel Say, is preserved in the second volume of " Letters" published by Mr. Duncombe. Dr. Grey, vol. iii. p. 141, &c. Lord Clarendon's History, vol. iii. p. 467. Wood's Athen. Oxon. p. 81, 82. Whitlocke's Mem. p. 491, 494, and Granger's History, vol. ii. p. 259, and vol. iii. p. 16, 17. Ed. Athen. Oxon. vol. ii. p. 81, 82.

beginning of the civil wars he sided with the parliament, and was one of the assembly of divines, being then lecturer of St. Lawrence-Jewry. He was afterwards, by ordinance of parliament dated July 10, 1616, made parson of St. Olave's Southwark; having the esteem of being a good scholar, and an excellent preacher. He died in the midst of his days and usefulness, ætatis 38.

Mr. George Walker proceeded B. D. in St. John's college, Cambridge. He was famous for his skill in the oriental languages, and was an excellent logician and theologist; being very much noted for his disputations with the jesuit Fisher, and others of the Romish church; and afterwards for his strict sabbatarian principles. He was a member of the assembly of divines, where he gained great reputation by his munificent and generous behaviour.

Mr. Thomas Wilson was born in Cumberland 1601, and educated in Christ's college, Cambridge, where he proceeded in arts. He was first minister of Capel in Surry, and after several other removes fixed at Maidstone in Kent, where he was suspended for refusing to read the book of sports, and not absolved till the Scots troubles in 1639. In 1643 he was appointed one of the assembly of divines at Westminster, being reputed a good linguist, and well read in ancient and modern authors. He was of a robust constitution, and took vast pains in preaching and catechising; he had a great deal of natural courage, and was in every respect a cheerful and active christian, but he trespassed too much upon his constitution, which wore him out when he was little more than fifty years old. He died comfortably and cheerfully toward the end of the year 1651. Sir Edward Deering gave him this character in the house of commons; "Mr. Wilson is as orthodox in doctrine, and laborious in preaching, as any we have, and of an unblemished life."

The terms of conformity in England were now lower than they had been since the beginning of the civil wars; the covenant was laid aside, and no other civil qualifica'tion for a living required, but the engagement, so that many episcopal divines complied with the government; for though they might not read the liturgy in form, they might frame their prayers as ncar to it as they pleased. Many

episcopal assemblies were connived at, where the liturgy was read, till they were found plotting against the govern ment; nor would they have been denied an open toleration, if they would have given security for their peaceable behavior, and not meddling with politics.

The parliament having voted, in the year 1649, that tithes should be taken away as soon as another maintenance for the clergy could be agreed upon, several petitions came out of the country, praying the house to bring this affair to an issue: One advised, that all the tithes over the whole kingdom might be collected into a treasury, and that the ministers might be paid their salaries out of it. Others looking upon tithes unlawful, would have the livings valued, and the parish engaged to pay the minister. This was suspected to come from the sectaries, and awakened the fears of the established clergy. Mr. Baxter printed the Worcester petition on the behalf of the ministers, which was presented to the house by colonel Bridges and Mr. Foley; and Mr. Boreman, B. D. and fellow of Trinity-college, Cambridge, published The Countryman's Catechism, or the Church's Plea for Tithes, dedicated to the nobility, gentry, and commons of the realm; in which he insists upon their divine right. But the clergy were more afraid than hurt; for though the commons were of opinion with Mr, Selden, that tithes were abolished with the old law, yet the committee not agreeing upon an expedient to satisfy the lay-impropriators, the affair was dropt for the present.

Upon complaint of the expence and tediousness of lawsuits, it was moved in the house, that courts of justice might be settled in every county, and maintained at the public charge; and that all controversies between man and man might be heard and determined free, according to the laws of the land; and that clerks of all courts and committees might do their duty without delay, or taking any thing more than their settled fees. Accordingly, a com. mittee was appointed to consider of the inconveniences and delays of law-suits, and how they might be remedied. The committee came to several resolutions upon this head; but the dissolution of the parliament, which happened the next year, prevented their bringing it to perfection.

* Baxter's Life, p. 115.

An act had passed in the year 1649, for propagating the gospel in Wales; and commissioners were appointed for ejecting ignorant and scandalous ministers, and placing others in their room; pursuant to which, Mr. Whitlocke writes, "that by this time there were one hundred and fifty good preachers in the thirteen Welch counties, most of whom preached three or four times a week; that in every market-town there was placed one, and in most great towns two school-masters, able, learned, and university men ; that the tithes were all employed to the uses directed by act of parliament; that is, to the maintenance of godly ministers; to the payment of taxes and officers; to school-masters; and the fifths to the wives and children of the ejected clergy:" Of which we shall meet with a more particular relation in its proper place.

The commonwealth was now very powerful, and the na tion in as flourishing a condition (says Mr. Rapin*) as under Queen Elizabeth. The form of government indeed was altered contrary to law, and without consent of the people, the majority of whom were disaffected preferring a mixed monarchy to an absolute commonwealth; but the administration was in the hauds of the ablest men England had beheld for many years; all their enemies were in a manner subdued, and the two kingdoms incorporated into one commonwealth: but still there were two things that gave them uneasiness; one was the growing power of the army, who were now at leisure, and expected rewards suitable to their successes; the other, the necessity they were under to dissolve themselves in a little time, and put the power into other hands.

With regard to the army, it was resolved to reduce the land forces, and augment the fleet with them, in order to secure the nation against the Dutch; for the parliament having a desire to strengthen their hands, by uniting with the commonwealth of Holland, sent over Oliver St. John, and Sir Walter Strickland, with proposals for this purpose; but the Dutch treated them with neglect, as their

S Memoirs, p. 518. * Vol. ii. p. 586, folio edition. Dr. Grey, evidently with a view to controvert Mr. Neal's representation, as well as from prejudice against these ambassadors and the power from whom they received their commission, says, "the states of Hel

younger sister, which the parliament resenting, demanded satisfaction for the damages the English had sustained at Amboyna, and other parts of the East-Indies; and to cramp them in their trade, passed the famous act of navigation, prohibiting the importing goods of foreign growth in any but English bottoms; or such as were of the country from whence they came. Upon this the Dutch sent over ambassadors, desiring a clause of exception for themselves, who were the carriers of Europe; but the parliament in their turn treated them coldly, and put them in mind of the murder of their envoy Dr, Dorislaus. Both commonwealths being dissatisfied with each other, prepared for war; and Van Trump the Dutch admiral, with a convoy of merchantmen, meeting admiral Blake in the channel, and refusing him the flag, an engagement ensued May 17, which continued four hours till the night parted them. The Dutch excused the accident, as done without their knowledge; but the parliament was so enraged, that they resolved to humble them. In these circumstances it was thought reasonable to augment the fleet out of the land forces, who had nothing to do, and would in a little time be a burthen to the nation.

CROMWELL, who was at the head of the army, quickly discovered that the continuance of the war must be his ruin, by disarming him of his power, and reducing him from a great general to the condition of a private gentleman. Besides, Mr. Rapin observes, that he had secret information of a conspiracy against his life; and without all question, if the army had not agreed to stand by their general, his ruin had been unavoidable; the officers therefore determined to combine together, and not suffer their men to be disbandland treated them with much more regard and civility than was due to them" and gives, as proofs of this, two of their own letters, in his Appendix, No. 50, and 51. But all which these letters prove is, that the first reception given to these gentlemen was both respectful and pompous. Mr. Neal is to be understood of the attention paid to their proposals: with respect to which the conduct of the Dutch was cold and evasive. And even the persons of the ambassadors did not escape insults, which the states did not properly resent. Mr. Strickland's life was threatened. A plot was formed to assassinate Mr. St. John: and an affront was offered to him by prince Edward, one of the palatinate, as he was passing the streets. Mrs. Macaulay's History, vol. v. p. 83-4, note, and Ludlow's Memoirs, 4to. 1771, p. 148. Ed.