CHARLES I.

373

own faction, their mutual reproaches and accusa-tions agitated the whole city and parliament.There had long prevailed, in that party, a secretdistinction, which, though the dread of tireking’s power had hitherto suppressed it, yet, inproportion as the hopes of success became nearerand more immediate, began to discover itself,with high contest and animosity. The Independ-ents, who had, at first, taken shelter andconcealed themselves under the wings of thePresbyterians, now evidently appeared adistinct party, and betrayed very different viewsand pretensions. We must here endeavour toexplain the genius of this party, and of itsleaders, who henceforth occupy the scene ofaction.

During those times, when the enthusiasticspirit met with such honor and encouragement,and was the immediate means of distinction andpreferment; it was impossible to set bounds tothese holy fervors, or confine, within anynatural limits, what was directed towards aninfinite and a supernatural object. Every man, asprompted by the warmth of his temper, excitedby emulation, or supported by his habits ofhypocrisy, endeavoured to distinguish himselfbeyond his fellows, and to arrive at a higherpitch of saintship and perfection. In proportionto its degree of fanaticism, each sect becamedangerous and destructive; and as the independ-ents went a note higher than the presbyterians,they could less be restrained within any bounds

Bb 3

CHAP.I, VII.1644 .

Rife andcharacter ofthe Inde-pendents.