3~5 i t could not have bene done more spitefully and ruinously to the whole parliament interest. Coil. Hutchinson and -other parliament men, hearing of his intentions the night before, and knowing that he would thus level! the way to Cromwell's ambitious designes, went to him and labour'd to disswade him; which they had effected, but that the presbitcrian ministers wrought with him to doe it. He exprest that he believ'd God lay'd him aside, as not being worthy of more, nor of that glory which was already given him. To speake the truth of Cromwell, whereas many say'd he undermined Fairfax, it was false; for in Coli. Hutchinson's presence, he most eftectually importun'd him to keepe his commission, least it should discourage the army and the people in that iuncture of time, but could by no means prevaile, allthough he labour'd it allmost all the night with mos~ earnest endeavours. • Bnt this greate man was • \Vhitelock tells the same story nearly in the same manner, b~t thinks Cromwell was not sincere: yet certainly he took all the same steps with those who were unques~ tionably ~;o. How little soever Cromwell might ,vish to succeed, there was good policy in attending this conference, as it might in some degree serve to diminish the .suspicions entertained of his own ambitious views, and prevent their being urged in argutuent to Fairfax, which if he had been absent they most likely would have been. Be thi s as it may, it may Le truly said, Ex illo jluere 4 retro sublapsi rtjtrri R es Danaum. for the true republicans or commonwealth's men, From thence the tide of fortune left their shore, And ebb'd much faster than it flow'd before. For it was only with the co-operation of a man, who to his martwLtalents, which certainly exceeded all of his time, added that moderation and iute'grity, which will distinguish Fairfax to the end of time, that the great politicians of those days could ha~e pl anned and finished such schemes of representation, legislation, and administration, .as would have rendered the nation great and happy, either as a commonwealth or mixed government. They had in some respects such opportunities ai never can again
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