2

MR. PETER CHAMBERLEN TO THE LORD

MY LORD,

GENERAL CROMWELL.

Were there the same integrity with us at home as with you abroad, surely the Lord would bless us, but a secret envy divides us into jealousies, and nothing but a mutual guilt keeps us together. Your counsels, at this distance, are soon forgotten; every man seeks his own; and no wonder, for what good without faith? and how can men believe who receive honour one of another, and seek not (through obedience) the honour of God that cometh from above? (John v. 44.) What will the end of these things be? ships taken, trade

2 [Mr., or Dr. Peter Chamberlain was an active baptist minister, and appears to have been pastor of a church in London. He had a controversy on baptism with Dr. Gouge and Mr. Bakewell. The dispute with Mr. Bakewell was published, under the title of a "Sea of Absurdities concerning sprinkling calmly driven back" (Lond. 4to. 1650). He also discussed in 1652 with Mr. Crawford, the ministerial orders of the presby terians, and the right of private men, tradesmen, to preach without ordination. In 1654 his name appears with others to a "Declaration" concerning the kingly interest of Christ. Cromwell rose in power and influence, Chamberlain with many others became

As

increasingly opposed to him. Their hopes of a commonwealth on a theocratic basis, were thereby overthrown. At the restoration, Chamberlain appears to have submitted gladly to the royal authority. Shortly after he was appointed one of the physicians to the king. A letter dated Sept. 1st, 1677, to a baptist church in New England, thus begins, "Peter Chamberlain, senior, doctor of both universities, and first and eldest physician in ordinary to his majesty's person according to the world, but, according to grace, a servant of the word of God." He was still living in September, 1679. Backus's Hist. of New England, i. 476, 485. Ivimey, ii. 464. See also the Hexham Church Records.]

decayed, taxes increased, soldiers unpaid, hated abroad, not loved at home, trusting of enemies, distrusting of friends; it will shortly be a bad choice if extremities afford you other counsels, but either to tax where it is not to be had, or not to pay the soldier the price of his blood. Might it not be accepted now, if one poor despised man could save the city? (Eccles. ix. 15.)

Oh! my lord, there are yet terrible things decreed against this nation, if we turn not unto Him by unfeigned repentance, and a more entire obedience. Truly, my lord, the helps which I (unworthy I) have offered will rise up in judgment.

This opportunity I have now taken to see whether the many suggestions against me have not, at least, blotted me out of your Excellency's favour, and to find you at so much leisure in absence to read these few lines, whom I despair ever to speak withal here by reason of the multitude of visits and intrusions that will and did oppress you. This messenger, who hath once had the sweet influence of an attendance nigh your lordship, hopes to be reinstated again into the like

favours.

I am still, my Lord,

Your Excellency's most humble and most faithful servant, PETER CHAMBERLEN.

14th Dec. 1650.

For his Excellency, the Lord General Cromwell.

LETTER FROM THE PEOPLE OF BEDFORDSHIRE TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL, AND THE COUNCIL OF THE ARMY.3

May it please your Lordship, and the rest of the council of the army:

We (we trust), servants of Jesus Christ, inhabitants in the county of Bedford, having fresh upon our hearts the sad oppressions we have (a long while) groaned under from the late parliaments, and now eyeing and owning (through grace) the good hand of God in this great turn of providence, being persuaded that it is from the Lord that you should be instruments in his hand at such a time as this, for the electing of such persons, who may go in and out before his people in righteousness, and govern these nations in judgment, we having sought the Lord for you, and hoping that God will still do great things by you, understanding that it is in your

[The Long Parliament was violently dissolved by Cromwell on the 20th April, and he proceeded to conduct the affairs of government with the assistance of a council formed of the officers of the army. The dissolution was popular in the country, and addresses of adhesion to the new executive came in from all quarters. Cromwell and his council resolved on the formation of a New Parliament, selected from the most eminent men in each county. The summonses were issued on the 8th of June, and the Little Parliament met

on the 4th July. Its business, says Carlyle, was "no less than introducing of the Christian religion into real practice in the social affairs of this nation. . . . We have conquered the enemies of Christ, let us now in real practical earnest set about doing the commandments of Christ, now that there is free room for us!" The names of Gifford and Bunyan signed to this address, will be recognized as those of the pastors of the church at Bedford. Other parties were united with them in this act. Whitelocke, pp. 529, 535. Carlyle, ii. 182, 220.]

hearts, through the Lord's assistance, to establish an authority consisting of men able, loving truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness; and we having had some experience of men with us, we have judged it our duty to God, to you, and to the rest of his people, humbly to present two men, viz.: Nathaniel Taylor, and John Croke, now justices of peace in our county, whom we judge, in the Lord, qualified to manage a trust in the ensuing government. All which we humbly refer to your serious considerations, and subscribe our names, this 13th day of May, 1653.

These to the Lord General Cromwell, and the rest of the

council of the army, present.

Y

LETTER FROM MR. KIFFEN AND OTHERS,* TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND.

London, the 20th of the 11 mo. [1653—4].

DEAR BRETHREN,

As there is nothing more occasions rejoicing in us than to hear of your increase in the knowledge and love of God, expressed by an humble and patient waiting for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus, so is there nothing more grievous to us than to hear any thing done by you, either in word or action, which may occasion any blemish upon the glorious profession of Christ, owned by you in your visible profession of his name in the world. The law of that great relation we stand in to you, as brethren in the faith once given to the saints, engageth us as our duty to write these few lines unto you,

4

• [From Milton's State Papers, p. 159. December 16th, 1653, "The late Parliament having resigned their powers into the Lord General's hands, the Lord General called a council of officers, and advised with them, and with other persons of interest in the nation, how this great burthen of governing England, Scotland, and Ireland with the armies therein, and the navy at sea, should be borne, and by whom. They, after seeking God and advising in this matter, resolved, That a council of godly, able and discreet persons should be named, consisting of twenty-one; and that the Lord General (Cromwell) should be chosen Lord Protector of the three nations," Whitelocke, p. 552. "Upon the first hearing of this many of the anabaptists here (Ireland) were much troubled, principally because of the

5

title 'Lord Protector,' as they think this applicable to God alone." Thurloe's State Papers, ii. 149.]

5 [To the baptists of Ireland. Under date of March 8th, 1653-4, Henry Cromwell writes to Thurloe, "The army generally, both here about the head quarters (Dublin) as also those in the other parts of the nation, are abundantly satisfied and well pleased with the present government in England; unless it be some few incon-. siderable persons of the anabaptist judgment, who are also quiet, though not very well contented. But I believe they will receive much satisfaction from a letter very lately come to their hands from Mr. Kiffin and Spilsbury, in which they have dealt very homely and plainly with those of that judgment here." State Papers, ii. 149.]