The immediate consequence was the abolition of the provincial commissioners; and the ministers, softened by this condescension, engaged to execute the ordinance in London and Lancashire.[2] At the same time the assembly undertook the composition of a catechism and confession of faith; but their progress was daily retarded by the debates respecting the nine questions; and the influence of their party was greatly diminished by the sudden death of the earl of Essex.[3][a]

[Footnote 1:  Journals, viii. 232.  Commons’, March 23, April 22.  Baillie, ii. 194.  “The pope and king,” he exclaims, “were never more earnest for the headship of the church, than the plurality of this parliament” (196, 198, 199, 201, 216).]

[Footnote 2:  These were the only places in which the Presbyterian government was established according to law.]

[Footnote 3:  Baillie says, “He was the head of our party here, kept altogether who now are like, by that alone, to fall to pieces.  The House of Lords absolutely, the city very much, and many of the shires depended on him” (ii. 234).]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1644. .Sept. 14.]

It was, however, restored by the delivery of the king into the hands of the parliament:  petitions were immediately presented, complaining of the growth of[a] error and schism; and the impatience of the citizens[b] induced them to appoint a committee to wait daily at the door of the House of Commons, till they should receive a favourable answer.  But another revolution, to be related in the next chapter, followed; the custody of the royal person passed from the parliament to the army:  and the hopes of the orthodox were utterly extinguished.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Baillie, ii. 207, 215, 216, 226, 234, 236, 250.  Journals, viii. 332, 509; ix. 18, 72, 82.  Commons’, May 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 7, March 25, 30.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1647.  Feb. 18.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1647.  March 17.]

CHAPTER III.

Opposite Projects Of The Presbyterians And Independents—­The King
Is Brought From Holmby To The Army—­Independents Driven From
Parliament—­Restored By The Army—­Origin Of The Levellers—­King Escapes
From Hampton Court, And Is Secured In The Isle Of Wight—­Mutiny In The
Army—­Public Opinion In Favour Of The King—­Scots Arm In His Defence—­The
Royalists Renew The War—­The Presbyterians Assume The Ascendancy—­Defeat
Of The Scots—­Suppression Of The Royalists—­Treaty Of Newport—­The King Is
Again Brought To The Army—­The House Of Commons Is Purified—­The King’s
Trial—­Judgment—­And Execution—­Reflections.

The king during his captivity at Holmby divided his time between his studies and amusements.  A considerable part of the day he spent in his closet, the rest in playing at bowls, or riding in the neighbourhood.[1] He was strictly watched; and without an order from the parliament no access could be obtained to the royal presence.  The crowds who came to be touched for the evil were sent back by the guards; the servants who waited on his person received their appointment from the commissioners; and, when he refused[a] the spiritual services of the two Presbyterian ministers sent to him from London, his request[b] for the attendance of any of his twelve chaplains was equally refused.[c]