Cromwell himself had helped to bring about this result.
Much as he liked his "invention," he had perceived, in the course of the debate, that it must be given up; and he had given hints to that effect.

The House, in short, had understood that they were left to their own free will.

And so the Major-Generalships disappeared, the police of the country reverted to the ordinary magistracy, and Cromwell was to trust to Parliament for necessary supplies in more regular ways.[1] [Footnote 1: Commons Journals of dates; Godwin, IV.

327-331.] What drew the Parliament and the Protector more closely together about this time was the explosion of a new plot against the Protector's life.

At the centre of the plot was that "wretched creature, an apostate from religion and all honesty," of whom Cromwell had spoken in his opening speech as going between Charles II.