And though often urged by his officers, as is pretended,[*] to attempt a general massacre of the royalists, he always with horror rejected such sanguinary counsels.
* Clarendon, Life of Lord Berwick, etc.
In the army was laid the sole basis of the protector's power; and in managing it consisted the chief art and delicacy of his government.

The soldiers were held in exact discipline; a policy which both accustomed them to obedience, and made them less hateful and burdensome to the people.

He augmented their pay; though the public necessities sometimes obliged him to run in arrears to them.

Their interests, they were sensible, were closely connected with those of their general and protector.

And he entirely commanded their affectionate regard, by his abilities and success in almost every enterprise which he had hitherto undertaken.