CROMWELL DISSOLVES THE SECOND PROTECTORATE PARLIAMENT
At the end of 1653, Cromwell became Lord Protector under the decree called the Instrument of Government. The first
Parliament called by him was dissolved in January 1655. His second Parliament called at the end of 1656, proposed
a new constitution in the Humble Petition and Advice, in 1657. A new second Chamber was created; but the actual
composition of the House of Commons was very materially altered, and when, it met again at the end of the year,
it again set itself in opposition to the Protector who thereupon dissolved it .
Oliver Cromwell's Speeches
My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House
of Commons,
I had very comfortable expectations that God would make this meeting of this Parliament a blessing and, the Lord
be my witness, I desired tine carrying-on the affairs of the Nation to those ends The blessing which I mean, and
which we ever climbed at, was mercy, truth, righteousness and peace, - which I desired might be improved.
That which brought me into the capacity I now stand in was the Petition and Advice given me by you who, in reference
to the ancient Constitution, did draw me to accept the place of Protector. There is not a man living can say I
sought it no, not a man nor woman treading upon English ground. But contemplating the sad condition of these Nations,
relieved from an intestine War into a six or seven years Peace, I did think the nation happy therein But to be
petitioned thereunto and advised by you to undertake such a Government, a burden too heavy for any creature and
this to be done by the House that then had the Legislative capacity :- certainly I did look that the same men who
made the Frame should make it good unto me I can say in the presence of God, in comparison with whom we are but
like poor creeping ants upon the earth ,- I would have been glad to have lived upon my woodside, to have kept a
flock of sheep - rather than undertaken such a Government as this. But undertaking it by the Advice and Petition
of you, I did look that you who had offered it unto me should make it good.
I did tell you, at a Conference concerning it, that I would not undertake it, unless there might be some other
Persons to interpose between me and the House of Commons, who then had the power, and prevent tumultuary and popular
spirits and it was granted I should name another House. I named it of men who shall meet you wheresoever you go,
and shake hands with you and tell you it is not Titles, nor Lords, nor Parties that they value, but a Christian
and an English Interest Men of your own rank and quality, who will not only be a balance unto you, but a new force
added to you while you love England and Religion.
Having proceeded upon these terms ;- and finding such a spirit as is too much predominant, everything being too
high or too low where virtue, honesty, piety and justice are omitted I thought I had been doing that which was
my duty, and thought it would satisfy you ! But if everything must be too high or too low, you are not to be satisfied.
Again, I would not have accepted of the Government, unless I knew there would he a just accord between the Governor
and Governed unless they would take an Oath to make good what the Parliament's Petition and Advice advised me unto
! Upon that I took an Oath and they took another Oath upon their part answerable to mine :- and did not every one
know upon what condition he swore? God knows, I took it upon the conditions expressed in the Act of Government.
And I did think we had been upon a foundation, and upon a bottom and thereupon I thought myself bound to take it,
and to be "advised by the Two houses of Parliament." And we standing unsettled till we arrived at that,
the consequences would necessarily have been confusion, if that had not been settled. Yet there were not constituted
"Hereditary Lords,'' nor '' Hereditary Kings '' no, the Power consisteth in the two Houses and myself , -
I do not say, that was the meaning of your oath to you. That were to go against my own principles, to enter upon
another man's conscience. God will judge between you and me ! If there had been in you any intention of Settlement
you would have settled upon this basis and have offered your judgment and opinion as to minor improvements.
God is my witness ; I speak it ; it is evident to all the world and people living, That a. new business hath been
seeking in the Army against this actual Settlement made by your consent. I do not speak to these Gentlemen, or
Lords, or whatsoever you will call them I speak not this to them, but to you - You advised me to come into this
place, to be in a capacity by your Advice. Yet instead of owning a thing, some must have I know not what : - and
you have not only disjointed yourselves but the whole Nation, which is ill likelihood of running into more confusion
in these fifteen or sixteen days that you have sat, than it hath been from the rising of the last Session to this
day. Through the intention of devising a Commonwealth again ! That some people taught be the men that might rule
all ! And they are endeavouring to engage the Army to carry that thing. And hath that man been ''true to this Nation,"
whosoever he be, especially that hath taken an Oath thus to prevaricate? These designs have been made among the
Army, to break and divide us. I speak this in the presence of some of the Army That these things have not been
according to God, nor according to truth, pretend what you will These things tend to nothing else but the playing
of the King of Scots' game (if I may so call him); and I think myself bound before God to do what I can to prevent
it.
That which I told you in the Banqueting house ten days ago was true, That there are preparations of force to invade
us. God is my witness, it hath been confirmed to me since, not a day ago, That the King of Scots hath an Army at
the water's side, ready to be shipped for England. I have it front those who have been eyewitnesses of it. And
while it is doing, there are endeavours from some who are not far from this place, to stir tip the people of this
Town into tumulting, - what if I said, Into a Rebellion ! And I hope I shall make it appear to be no better, if
God assist me.
It hath been not only your endeavour to pervert the Army while you have been sitting, and to draw them to state
the question about a ''Commonwealth '' ; but some of you have been listing of persons, by our commission of Charles
Stuart, to join with any Insurrection that may be made. And what is like to come upon this, the Enemy being ready
to invade us, but even present blood and confusion ? - and if this be so, I do assign it to this cause: Your not
assenting to what you did invite me by your Petition and Advice, as that which might prove the Settlement of the
Nation. And if this be the end of' your sitting, and this be your carriage, I think it high time that an end be
put to your sitting. And I do dissolve this Parliament And let God judge between you and me !
