CHARLES !.

279

authority By these deliberate engagements, chap.so worthy of an English prince and English no- LV.bility, they meant to confound the furious and .

, tumultuary resolutions taken by the parliament.

The queen, disposing of the crown-jewels inHolland, had been enabled to purchase a cargoof arms and ammunition. Part of these, afterescaping many perils, arrived safely to the king.

His preparations were-not near so forward asthose of the parliament. In order to remove alljealousy, he had resolved, that their usurpationsand illegal pretensions should be apparent to thewhole world, and thought, that, to recover theconfidence of the,people, was a point much morematerial to his interest, than the collecting of anymagazines, stores or armies, which might breedapprehensions of violent or illegal counsels. Butthe urgent necestity of his situation no longeradmitted of delay. He now prepared himself fordefence. With a spirit, activity, and address,which neither the one party apprehended, northe other expected, he employed all the advan-tages which remained to him, and roused up hisadherents to arms. The resources of this prince’sgenius increased in proportion to his difficulties;and he. never appeared grater than when plungedinto the deepest perils and distresses. From themixed character, indeed, of Charles, arose inpart the misfortunes, in which England was at

Rufliworth, vol. v. p. 6 z 6 , 627. Way, book ii.p. 86. Warwick, p. 210.

T 4