Page:Life of Oliver Cromwell.pdf/17

 well, with the speaker, and resigned their authority. Cromwell accepted their, resignation with pleasure: but being told that some of their number were refractory, he sent Colonel White to clear the house of them. They had placed one Moyer in the chair by the time that the Colonel arrived, and he being asked by him what they did there? replied, "Seeking the Lord."-"Then you may go elsewhere," cried White, "for, to my knowledge, the Lord has not been here these many years"

The path being now cleared by the death of the king, and opened wide by his late victories, no obstacle remained in the way of Cromwell's ambition. On the 12th December, 1653, he was elected Lord Protector of England, a situation which it must be acknowledged; usurper and hypocrite as he was, he filled much to the advantage of the country at large, where his own personal interest was not involved. He was impartial and vigilant in the adminstration, of justice.-He encouraged learning and commence; was, moderate, temperate, and humane, when his safety, or ambition required sacrifice. There is little doubt, however, that Cromwell's ambition did not terminate with this attainment, but that he secretly looked forward to the possession of the crown, and the captivating title of King. Such, was his hypocrisy, that he often declared to his intimates, with tears in his eyes, he would rather, have taken shepherd's staff than the Protectorship, since nothing was more contrary to his genius and disposition than the burden and slow of greatness. But it was necessary, he said, that he should assume the office which he held in order to hinder his country, from falling a prey to the common enemy. He only stept in, as he phrased it, till God should direct them to the best mode of settling