ght requisite for the
advancement of their common ends of safety and ambition. In the house
of commons, therefore, a committee was appointed to bring in a charge
against the king. On their report a vote passed, declaring it treason in
a king to levy war against his parliament, and appointing a high court
of justice to try Charles for this new-invented treason. This vote was
sent up to the house of peers.

* Rush. vol. viii. p. 1364.

** Whitlocke.

The house of peers, during the civil wars, had all along been of small
account; but it had lately, since the king's fall, become totally
contemptible; and very few members would submit to the mortification
of attending it. It happened that day to be fuller than usual, and they
were assembled to the number of sixteen. Without one dissenting voice,
and almost without deliberation, they instantly rejected the vote of
the lower house, and adjourned themselves for ten days, hoping that this
delay would be able to retard the furious career of the commons.

{1649.} The commons were not to be stopped by so small an obstacle.
Having first established a principle which is noble in itself, and seems
specious, but is belied by all history and experience, "that the people
are the origin of all just power;" they next declared, that the commons
of England, assembled in parliament, being chosen by the people, and
representing them, are the supreme authority of the nation, and that
whatever is enacted and declared to be law by the commons, hath the
force of law, without the consent of king or house of peers. The
ordinance for the trial of Charles Stuart, king of England, (so they
called him,) was again read, and unanimously assented to.

In proportion to the enormity of the violences and usurpations, were
augmented the pretences of sanctity, among those regicides. "Should any
one have voluntarily proposed," said Cromwell in the house, "to bring
the king to punishment, I should have regarded him as the greatest
traitor; but since Providence and necessity have cast us upon it, I will
pray to God for a blessing on your counsels; though I am not prepared
to give you any advice on this important occasion. Even I myself,"
subjoined he, "when I was lately offering up petitions for his majesty's
restoration, felt my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, and
considered this preternatural movement as the answer which Heaven,
having rejected the king, had sent to my supplications."

A