[Footnote 3:  In the draught of the “instrument,” as it was amended in the last parliament, the jurisdiction of the council in this matter was confined to the charge of delinquency, and its decision was not final, but subject to the approbation of the house.—­Journals, 1654, Nov. 29.  But that draught had not received the protector’s assent.]

should decide on secret information, and without the knowledge of the individuals who were interested, seemed contrary to the first principles of justice.  The court, however, could now command the votes of the majority, and a motion that the house should pass to the business of the nation was carried by dint of numbers.  Several members, to show their disapprobation, voluntarily seceded, and those, who had been excluded by force, published[a] in bold and indignant language an appeal to the justice of the people.[1]

Having weeded out his enemies, Cromwell had no reason to fear opposition to his pleasure.  The house passed a resolution declaratory of the justice and policy of the war against Spain, and two acts, by one of which were annulled all claims of Charles Stuart and his family to the crown, by the other were provided additional safeguards for the person of the chief governor.  With the same unanimity, a supply of four hundred thousand pounds was voted; but when the means of raising the money came under consideration, a great diversity of opinion prevailed.  Some proposed to inquire into the conduct of the treasury, some to adopt improvements in the collection of the revenue, others recommended an augmentation of the excise, and others a more economical system of expenditure.  In the discussion of these questions and of private bills, week after week, month after month, was tediously

[Footnote 1:  The nature of the charges against the members may be seen in Thurloe, v. 371, 383.  In the Journals, seventy-nine names only are mentioned (Journals, 1656, Sept. 19), but ninety-eight are affixed to the appeal in Whitelock, 651-653.  In both lists occur the names of Anthony Ashley Cooper, who afterwards became Cromwell’s intimate adviser, and of several others who subsequently solicited and obtained certificates.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1657.  Sept. 22.]

and fruitlessly consumed; though the time limited by the instrument was past, still the money bill had made no progress; and, to add to the impatience of Cromwell, a new subject was accidentally introduced, which, as it strongly interested the passions, absorbed for some time the attention of the house.[1]

At the age of nineteen, George Fox, the son of a weaver of Drayton, with a mind open to religious impressions, had accompanied some of his friends to a neighbouring fair.  The noise, the revelry, and the dissipation which he witnessed, led him to thoughts of seriousness and self-reproach; and the enthusiast heard, or persuaded himself that he heard, an inward voice, calling on him to forsake his parents’ house, and to make