84 LIFE OF RICHARD BAXTER. In the meantime, Charles II., despairing of any other relief, had . accepted the proposals of the Scots, and had come over into that kingdom. With a hypocrisy which has few parallels, even in the history of his own faithless family, he solemnly swore to the cove- nant. He published a formal declaration, setting forthhis humilia- tion and grief for the wickedness ofhis father and the idolatry of his mother, as well as' for his own sins ; professing his detestation of all Popery, superstition, prelacy, heresy, schism,and profaneness ; and promisingthat hewould 'lever favor thosewho followedhis interests, in preference to the interests of the gospel and of the kingdom of Christ. Those who ruled inEngland saw that this attempted rec- onciliation between Charles and the Scots, if attended with any measure of success, must implysome invasion of their peace and power ; and they resolved to be beforehand with the young king andhis new subjects. War was determined on and, Fairfax hav- ing resigned his command, out of his Presbyterian regard to the covenant, Cromwell was made captain-general of all the forces. With characteristic promptness, he invaded Scotland, and soon re- duced the king to desperate circumstances. By a bold move- ment suited to such circumstances, Charles, with the main body. of the Scottish army, marched into England, hoping that his friends there, and the many others who were dissatisfied with the existing government, would instantly rally around him. In this he was dis- appointed ; Cromwell, having left a detachment to complete the subjugation of Scotland, followed hard after him, and at Worcester his armywas annihilated, and he himself, putting on the disguiseof a servant, with great difficulty escaped out of the kingdom. This battle, which Cromwell called his " crowning mercy, was fought on the third of September, 1651. Mutual dissatisfaction still existed between the parliament and the army. Peace was now established ; the three kingdoms were consolidated into one commonwealth ; and the parliament were loudly reminded of the promises which they had made to abdicate their power. Still they were unwilling to trust the people, and they resolved on continuing their own authority. At this crisis, Cromwell, having surrounded the house with soldiers, rose up in his place, and, declaring that God had called him to dissolve that assembly, told them theywere no longer aparliament, and bid them begone. Thus ended the Long Parliament, in 1653, and the only government of the nation was in to hands of the general and his council of officers. By these men, after one short experiment of a parliament cho- sen by themselves, a new constitution was imposed on the nation. Cromwell was invested with the power ofa limited monarch, under the title of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth ; and provision
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