They had, moreover, tried to pacify Monk in other ways.

They had resolved (Feb.

14) that the engagement to be taken by members of Parliament should simply be, "I will be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England and the Government thereof in the way of a Commonwealth and Free State, without a King, Single Person, or House of Lords"; and they had resolved that this simple declaration should be substituted for the stronger abjuration oath even for members of the Council of State.

They had also complied with Monk's demands that there should be more severe reprimand of the late Committee of Safety and especially of Vane and Lambert.

All this was to induce Monk to accept the proffered _Self-Enlargement of the present House_, rather than yield to the popular and Presbyterian demand for _the Long Parliament reconstituted_.