I do believe that the English army would have continued to obey the parliament with all duty, but for one act, which, as it was in intention, in seeming, and in immediate effect, worthy to be compared with the most famous in history, so was it, in its final consequence, most injurious.

I speak of that ordinance called the "self-denying", and of the new model of the army.
By those measures the Commons gave up the command of their forces into the hands of men who were not of themselves.

Hence, doubtless, derived no small honour to that noble assembly, which sacrificed to the hope of public good the assurance of private advantage.

And, as to the conduct of the war, the scheme prospered.

Witness the battle of Naseby, and the memorable exploits of Fairfax in the west.