Oliver Cromwell's Speech to Parliament (1657)

Speech 11 to the Second Protectorate Parliament on 31st March 1657 on the offer of the Title of King.

MR. SPEAKER, This Frame of Government which it hath pleased the Parliament through your hand to offer to me,-truly I should have a very brazen forehead if it did not beget in me a great deal of consternation of spirit; it being of so high and great importance as, by your opening of it, and by the mere reading of it, is manifest to all men; the welfare, the peace and settlement of Three Nations, and all that rich treasure of the best people in the world being involved therein! I say, this consideration alone ought to beget in me the greatest reverence and fear of God that ever possessed a man in the world.

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I have therefore but this one word to say to you: That seeing you have made progress in this Business, and completed the work on your part, I 'on my side' may have some short time to ask counsel of God and of my own heart. And I hope that neither the humour of any weak unwise people, nor yet the desires of any who may be lusting after things that are not good, shall steer me to give other than such an answer as may be ingenuous and thankful,-thankfully acknowledging your care and integrity;-and such an answer as shall be for the good of those whom I presume you and I serve, and are made for serving.