He himself was overheard offering up his addresses to Heaven; and so far had the illusions of fanaticism prevailed over the plainest dictates of natural morality, that he assumed more the character of a mediator, in interceding for his people, than that of a criminal, whose atrocious violation of social duty had, from every tribunal, human and divine, merited the severest vengeance.
* Bates.

See also Ihurloe, vol.vii.p.

356, 416.
Meanwhile, all the symptoms began to wear a more fatal aspect; and the physicians were obliged to break silence, and to declare that the protector could not survive the next fit with which he was threatened.
The council was alarmed.

A deputation was sent to know his will with regard to his successor His senses were gone, and he could not now express his intentions.

They asked him whether he did not mean that his eldest son, Richard, should succeed him in the protectorship.