acrimony of the Commons, that no method of obstructing them was
safe.

About this time another design was formed by Sir Nicholas Crispe, a
man of loyalty, that deserves perpetual remembrance; when he was a
merchant in the city, he gave and procured the king, in his
exigencies, a hundred thousand pounds; and, when he was driven from
the Exchange, raised a regiment, and commanded it.

Sir Nicholas flattered himself with an opinion, that some
provocation would so much exasperate, or some opportunity so much
encourage, the king's friends in the city, that they would break out
in open resistance, and would then want only a lawful standard, and
an authorised commander; and extorted from the king, whose judgment
too frequently yielded to importunity, a commission of array,
directed to such as he thought proper to nominate, which was sent to
London by the Lady Aubigny. She knew not what she carried, but was
to deliver it on the communication of a certain token which Sir
Nicholas imparted.

This commission could be only intended to lie ready till the time
should require it. To have attempted to raise any forces would have
been certain destruction; it could be of use only when the forces
should appear. This was, however, an act preparatory to martial
hostility.

Crispe would undoubtedly have put an end to the session of
Parliament, had his strength been equal to his zeal; and out of the
design of Crispe, which involved very little danger, and that of
Waller, which was an act purely civil, they compounded a horrid and