ommitted to him. The king gave his consent;
and it is remarkable that, during all the severe inquiries carried on
against the conduct of ministers and prelates, the mild and prudent
virtues of this man who bore both these invidious characters, remained
unmolested.[*] It was intended that Bedford, a popular man, of great
authority, as well as wisdom and moderation, should succeed Juxon; but
that nobleman, unfortunately both for king and people, died about this
very time. By some promotions, place was made for St. John, who was
created solicitor-general. Hollis was to be made secretary of state, in
the room of Windebank, who had fled: Pym, chancellor of the exchequer,
in the room of Lord Cottington, who had resigned: Lord Say, master
of the wards, in the room of the same nobleman: the earl of Essex,
governor, and Hambden, tutor to the prince.[**]

* Warwick, p, 95.

** Clarendon, vol. i. p. 210, 211.

What retarded the execution of these projected changes, was the
difficulty of satisfying all those who, from their activity and
authority in parliament, had pretensions for offices, and who still had
it in their power to embarrass and distress the public measures. Their
associates too in popularity, whom the king intended to distinguish by
his favor, were unwilling to undergo the reproach of having driven a
separate bargain, and of sacrificing to their own ambitious views the
cause of the nation. And as they were sensible that they must owe their
preferment entirely to their weight and consideration in parliament,
they were most of them resolved still to adhere to that assembly, and
both to promote its authority, and to preserve their own credit in it.
On all occasions, they had no other advice to give the king, than to
allow himself to be directed by his great council; or, in other words,
to resign himself passively to their guidance and government. And
Charles found, that instead of acquiring friends by the honors and
offices which he should bestow, he should only arm his enemies with more
power to hurt him.

The end on which the king was most intent in changing ministers was,
to save the life of the earl of Strafford, and to mollify, by these
indulgences, the rage of his most furious prosecutors. But so high was
that nobleman's reputation for experience and capacity, that all the new
counsellors and intended ministers plainly saw, that if he escaped their
vengeance, he must return into favor and authority; a