[539] Journals of Commons vi. 93: ‘That the answers of the King to the propositions of both Houses are a ground for the House to proceed upon for the settlement of the peace of the kingdom.’
[540] Remonstrance presented to the House of Commons by Lord Fairfax. Old Parl. Hist. xviii. 161-238, signed by Rushworth.
[541] Grignan thus depicts the relation of parties a short time before, Nov. 26: ‘Encore que beaucoup et peut-être le plus grand nombre du parlement soient en effet portés pour la paix, les uns par inclination pour le bien du pays, les autres pour conserver ce qu’ils ont acquis pendant ces troubles. Les principaux de ceux qui gouvernent, qui ont leur intérêt joint avec l’armée, ne sont pas du même sentiment.’ Dec. 10: ‘Le parlement, dont la plus part sont du parti contraire à l’armée, et plusieurs mesme de ceux qui étoient unis avec elle, ne voyent pas de bon cœur, qu’elle s’attribue une si grande autorité qu’elle fait.’
[542] Ludlow, Memoirs i. 267: ‘I could not consent to the counsels of those who were contented to leave the guilt of so much blood upon the nation, and thereby to draw down the just vengeance of God upon us all.’ The text of Scripture quoted by him (Numb. xxxv. 33) has in reality a totally different application.
[543] Godwin’s Commonwealth ii. 648.
[544] ‘Voulant être assurés de ceux qui peuvent entreprendre quelque chose contre eux, et qui sont capables de l’exécuter.’ Sheriff Brown, Massey, and Walter are specially named.
[545] So said Scot in the year 1658: ‘We were either to lay all that blood of ten years upon ourselves or upon some other object.’ Burton’s Diary ii. 387.
[546] Journals vi. 111. ‘That the people are under God the original of all just power; that the Commons of England in Parliament assembled, being chosen by and representing the people, have the supreme power in this nation; that whatsoever is enacted or declared for law by the Commons in Parliament assembled hath the force of law, and all the people of the nation are concluded thereby, although the consent of King or House of Peers be not had thereunto.’
[547] Levy war. Journals of Lords, January 9.
[548] Colonel Cooke’s narrative, November 29, in Rushworth vii. 1347. Cp. the resolution of Parliament of August 5.