The Reason is obvious; his Inconstancy and Indolence laid him open to
every trifling Project, every self-interested Scheme, that an
avaritious or revengeful Minister or Mistress could suggest to him
for their own sinister Ends. 'Tis this has given many Occasion to
think, that he acted thro'out his whole Reign upon no Principles and
Maxims, and had no one Design in View.
_Cromwel_ came to the supreme Authority with few of these
Advantages, and against the Will of the whole Nation, except a few
Fanaticks in the Army; but his constant and resolute Carriage, which
was the Effect of his keeping one principal End in view, surmounted
all Obstacles: 'Twas this, and this alone, which rais'd him so far
above the Malice of his Enemies, or the Expectation of his Friends;
and gain'd him that high Character from a judicious Historian, _That
never Man chose his Party with more Judgment, and executed his
Designs with more Constancy and Vigour_. By virtue of this Constancy
the _English_ Nation under him arriv'd to that Pitch of Grandeur, as
to become a Terror and Dread to their Enemies, and the greatest
Protection to their Allies. 'Tis this steady Perseverance that
render'd him the Center of the different Factions and Interests in
which _England_ was at that time embroil'd, that secur'd his former
Friends and Adherents to his Interest, and deter'd his Foes from
attempting to undermine his Authority.
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