OLIVER CROMWELL.
��119
��think and act for themselves in matters of religion, and that, as long as they behav- ed peaceably they were free to dissent from the magistrate and the priest. To his parliament in 1654, who had failed to regulate matters in religion as he wished, he said : '■ Those who were sound in the faith, how proper was it for them to la- bor for liberty, for a just liberty, that men should not be trampled upon for their consciences? Had not they labor- ed but lately under the weight of perse- cutions, and was it fit for them to sit heavily upon others? Is it ingenuous to ask liberty and not give it? What great- er hypocrisy than for those who were op- pressed by the bishops to become the greatest oppressors themselves as soon as the yoke was removed? "Cromwell ever acted in accordance with these sen- timents. Though some religious impos- tors were punished during his Protector- ate by the Parliament, it was not done by his approbation or consent. He was liberal in opinion and practice. He was a sincere and honest Independent, both as a citizen and a monarch. His views of Apostolic succession would be not a little unpalatable at Oxford at the present time. Of this he says: " I speak not, 1 thank God it is far from my heart — for a ministry deriving itself from the Papacy, and pretending to that which is so much insisted on — Succession. The true suc- cession is through the Spirit given in its measure. The Spirit is given for that use. To make proper speakers forth of God's eternal truth, and that's right Suc- cession." With all the theological light of the 19th century who can define Suc- cession better? Who at this day enter- tains juster views of religious freedom and of the true end of a church organi- zation than did Oliver Cromwell? Here is no scourging, no boring of tongues, no cutting off of ears and slitting of noses for dissent, as in the days of the sainted martyr, Charles. No, if Cromwell had not been thwarted by his Parliament, plotted against by the royalists, insulted and abused by sectaries he would have
��made the English nation the freest, the happiest people on earth. The true dif- ference between him and Charles was this: Charles ruled for his own advan- tage ; Cromwell for the advantage of the people. Charles sought to aggrandize himself. Cromwell, the nation. Charles wished to compel a uniformity of belief; Cromwell aimed at a unity of spirit and action. Charles impoverished the nation ; Cromwell enriched it. Charles fled be- fore his enemies ; Cromwell subdued them. Charles failed to command the respect of his own subjects; Cromwell gained the respect of the whole world. Charles contended for prerogative ; Crom- well for principles. The Court of Charles was the resort of intriguing politicians, fawning sycophants and shameless har- lots; the Court of Cromwell was little more than a well regulated christian fam- ily, characterised by simplicity, purity and decorum. Such was Oliver the Pro- tector. England has never known his equal. The conqueror of Napoleon, the " iron duke" had not a tithe of his liber- ality and far-reaching sagacity. The character of Cromwell will never be ap- preciated till the principles he advocated have beeome popular in England. That time hastens on apace. During the last half century whole mountains of mean slanders have been rolled from the clay of the insulted hero. Another half cen- tury will reveal to an admiring world the man Oliver as he was, such as Milton saw him when he penned the following
lines :
" Cromwell, our chief of men who through a
cloud, Not of war only but of detractions rude, Guided by faith and matchless fortitude, To peace and truth thy glorious way hast
plow'd, And on the neck of crowned fortune proud Hast reared God's trophies, and his work pur- sued, While Darwent's stream with blood of Scots im- brued, And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud ; And Worcester's laureate wreath yet much re- mains To conquer still : peace hath her victories No less renowned than war ; new foes arise Threat'ning to bind our souls with secular
chains. Help us to save free conscience from the paw Of hireling wolves whose gospel is their maw."
�� �
