396 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CHAPI. VII.IS45-

, during the space os seven years , entirely at themercy of their enemies? Whether, if unlimitedpower were intrusted to the parliament during solong a period ; it would not be easy for them toframe the subsequent bill in the manner mostagreeable to themselves, and keep for ever posses-sion of the sword, as well as of every article ofcivil power and jurisdiction " ?

The truth is, after the commencement of war,it was very difficult, if not impossible, to findsecurity for both parties , especially for that ofthe parliament. Amidst such violent animosities,power alone could ensure safety ; and the powerof one side was necessarily attended with dangerto the other. Few or no instances occur inhistory, of an equal, peaceful, and durable accom-modation, that has been concluded between twofactions , which had been inflamed into civilwar.

With regard to Ireland, there were no greaterhopes of agreement between the parties. Theparliament demanded, that the truce with therebels should be declared null; that the manage-ment of the war should be given over entirelyto the parliament; and that after the conquest ofIreland, the nomination of the lord lieutenant andof the judges, or in other words the sovereigntyof that kingdom, should likqwise remain in theirhands 5 *.

What rendered an accommodation more

J*

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Dugdale, p. 877 -

Ibid. p. 826, 827.