were lukewarm while his enemies were ardent. There was no disguising the fact that until Parliament met his government was one of naked absolutism. The Protector forthwith established a body of "Triers" who proceeded to examine the religious beliefs of candidates for vacant benefices, and promptly presented them if the result of the examination was satisfactory. Before we proceed, however, to notice his struggles with his secret or avowed enemies, and with his new Parliament, we must notice what had been doing meanwhile in the war with Holland, which had still been raging. CHAPTER V. THE COMMONWEALTH (_concluded_). Naval Victory over the Dutch--Death of Van Tromp--_Quasi_-Royal State of the Lord-Protector--Disaffection against Cromwell--His Vigorous Rule--Charles II. offers a Reward for his Assassination--Rebellions in Scotland--Cromwell's Dealings with the Portuguese Ambassador--Reform of the Court of Chancery--Commission for Purgation of the Church--The Reformed Parliament--Exclusion of the Ultras--Dissolution of Parliament--Danger from Plots--Accident to the Protector--Death of Cromwell's Mother--Royalist Outbreaks--Cromwell's Major-Generals--Foreign Policy--War with Spain--Massacre of the Piedmontese--Capture of Jamaica--The Jews Appeal for Toleration--Cromwell's Third Parliament--Plots against his Life--The Petition and Advice--Cromwell Refuses the Royal Title--Blake's Brilliant Victory at Santa Cruz--Death of Blake--Successes against Spain--Failure of the Reconstructed Parliament--Punishment of Conspirators--Victory in the Netherlands--Absolutism of Cromwell--His Anxieties, Illness, and Death--Proclamation of Richard Cromwell--He calls a Parliament--It is Dissolved--Reappearance of the Rump--Richard Retires--Royalist Risings--Quarrels of the Army and the Rump--General Monk--He Marches upon London--Demands a Free Parliament--Royalist Reaction--Declaration of Breda--Joyful Reception of Charles.