BOYLE. 148 bability would draw down the judgments of heaven upon them. To prevent this, he proposed a test to be taken by all persons in the army, that every one should swear that he believed in his conscience, that the putting to death of the late king Charles Stuart was lawful and just. This speech was received with great applause, occasion- ing a general cry of "well-moved !" so that many of Richard's friends thinking it useless to oppose so evident a majority, left the house. Lord Broghill, hówever, against whom this speech was more particularly levelled, as soon as silence was restored, rose, to object against any tests whatever, as a thing which they had often declared against. That if they proceeded to impose tests upon themselves, they would soon have them imposed by others. That the test proposed was improper, as many of the members were not present at the execution of the late king, and conse- quently were unable to swear as to the lawfulness of a pro- ceeding, the circumstances of which they were unac- quainted with. If, however, they were resolved upon having a test, he would propose, that every person in the army should swear to defend the established government nse เที hias 0D et under the Protector and parliament. This proposition was received with a louder cry of well-moved," than that of Desborough's, and was se- conded with so much warmth by some other members of the council, that Desborough, after consulting with Fleet- Wood, and finding it impossible to carry the test he had proposed, stated that the arguments which had been made use of by Lord Broghill, had convinced him that tests were improper, and he therefore proposed tbat they should both be withdrawn, wbich was at length agreed to. On the breaking up of the council, which was adjourned till the next day, Broghill returned to the Protector, and after pointing out the constant difficulties in which he Would be involved during their sittings, advised bim to dissolve then immediately. Richard inquiring how he Ahould do it Broghill said that he would draw up a short
