disgusting blasphemy is too wicked to be believed as originating in the heart of a rational being, and can only be attributed to insanity produced by religious enthusiasm fermenting in weak brains. The Parliament was right in checking the madness of these sectaries, by punishing Naylor, but the severity of the punishment was equally unnecessary and cruel, for the object of it could hardly be considered a responsible being.

A

CHAPTER XI.

COLONEL, William Jephson, a hearty, straight

forward soldier, had, in the course of a Parliamentary debate, frankly declared that Cromwell should be made king. As, however, this was merely an expression of individual opinion from a not very influential member, and was not brought forward in the shape of a distinct legislative proposition, it was allowed to pass almost unheeded on the part of the House. This was the first direct allusion in Parliament to the "kingship," to which Cromwell's thoughts were now directed. The Protector, however, who was all alive to the absorbing subject, had caught with a greedy ear at Jephson's declaration, and upon that officer dining a few days after at the palace of Whitehall, Cromwell gently took him to account, saying, "He wondered what he could mean by such a proposition." The Colonel replied: "That whilst he had the honor of sitting in Parliament, he must desire the liberty to discharge his conscience, though his opinion should happen to displease." Cromwell then

familiarly tapping him on the shoulder, said: "Get thee gone for a mad fellow, as thou art."

Upon the detection of the plot against the life of the Protector, for which Sindercombe had been arrested, Parliament passed a vote of congratulation to Cromwell on his escape, and at the same time a hope was expressed that provision would be made for the better protection of his person. Ashe, the member for Somersetshire, a devoted adherent of Cromwell, eagerly seized the occasion to say that he would add something more that the Protector would be pleased to take upon him the government according to the ancient constitution. That would put an end to these plots, and fix the liberties of England and the safety of the chief-magistrate upon an old and sure foundation. The House was startled by this bold proposition, and some members rose in great excitement, and rebuked Ashe for his daring, while others applauded his suggestion. Cromwell now was made aware of the temper of the House, and felt so far encouraged as to venture upon a bolder experiment, and have the question of his being made king brought directly before Parliament.

On Monday, the 23d February, 1657, Sir Christopher Pack, a city dignitary, a flourishing dealer in cloth, who had passed through all the civic distinctions of the successful tradesman, from alderman to lord-mayor, and was now member of Parliament for London, and most pliable instrument of the Pro