government. Thus, the Westminster Confession became the doctrinal standard for Puritan theology. In spite of the great achievement at Westminster, any semblance of solidarity among nonconformists quickly disappeared with the end of the monarchy. After the creation of a new Commonwealth, the political tensions between Presbyterians and Independents in Parliament continued to escalate. To avoid political gridlock, Cromwell dissolved Parliament in 1653 and ruled the country as Lord Protector until his