CHAPTER VIII.

THE PROTECTORATE.

Blake-Love and Fear-The Rump Parliament-Dissolved by Cromwell The Little Parliament-Speech-Cromwell's IntegrityReforms-Cromwell's Longing for Peace-The End-The Protectorate-Constitution-New Parliament-Cromwell's ApologyDeath of his Mother-Obstructions to Religious Liberty-Cromwell dissolves the Parliament-His Plans-L'état, c'est moi-The Two French Invasions-Revival of English Liberty.

As soon as Ireland and Scotland were pacified, Cromwell turned his attention to the peace and prosperity of England. This was a more difficult task than either of those which he had accomplished in the two sister countries. The same elements which had overthrown despotism in England were then agitating the people, and were likely to banish from it all order and tranquillity. For some time foreign affairs had diverted men's minds from home matters. The fleet under the command of Admiral Blake had just triumphed over the Dutch; but now the thoughts of all were concentrated anew on internal

matters.

After having commanded in the battle-field, the Protector was now to rule in the council-chamber. But let us first listen once more to the voice of the father and the Christian. The following letter addressed to Fleetwood, commander-in-chief in Ireland, who had married Bridget Cromwell, Ireton's widow, will remind us of another in which the fond parent displays the same anxiety for the soul of his daughter :

"For the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Fleet"wood, Commander-in-chief of the Forces

"in Ireland: These.

"DEAR CHARLES,

"Cockpit, December (?) 1652.

"I thank you for your loving letter. The same "hopes and desires, upon your planting into my

family, were much the same in me that you 66 express in yours towards me. However, the dis"pensation of the Lord is, to have it otherwise for "the present; and therein I desire to acquiesce;"not being out of hope that it may lie in His good pleasure, in His time, to give us the mutual com"fort of our relation: the want whereof He is able "abundantly to supply by His own presence; "which indeed makes up all defects, and is the "comfort of all our comforts and enjoyments.

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"Salute your dear Wife from me. Bid her "beware of a bondage spirit. Fear is the natural "issue of such a spirit;—the antidote is, Love. "The voice of Fear is: If I had done this; if I

"had avoided that, how well it had been with me! "I know this hath been her vain reasoning.

"Love argueth in this wise: what a Christ have "I; what a father in and through Him! What "a Name hath my Father: Merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. What a Nature "hath my Father: He is LOVE;-free in it, unchangeable, infinite! What a Covenant between "Him and Christ,-for all the Seed, for every one: "wherein he undertakes all, and the poor Soul "nothing. The new Covenant is Grace,—to or

upon the Soul; to which it (the Soul), is passive "and receptive: I'll do away their Sins; I'll write

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my Law, &c.; I'll put it in their hearts: they shall "never depart from me, &c.

"This commends the Love of God: it's Christ dying for men without strength, for men whilst "sinners, whilst enemies. And shall we seek for "the root of our comforts within us,-What God “hath done, what He is to us in Christ, this is the "root of our comfort: in this is stability; in us "is weakness. Acts of obedience are not perfect, "and therefore yield not perfect Grace. Faith, as "an act, yields it not; but only as it carries us "into Him, who is our perfect rest and peace; in "whom we are accounted of, and received by, the "Father, even as Christ Himself! This is our high calling. Rest we here, and here only.

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"Commend me to Harry Cromwell: I pray for "him, that he may thrive, and improve in the

"knowledge and love of Christ. Commend me to "all the Officers. My prayers indeed are daily for "them. Wish them to beware of bitterness of 'spirit; and of all things uncomely for the Gospel. "The Lord give you abundance of wisdom, and "faith, and patience. Take heed also of your "natural inclination to compliance.

"The Boy and Betty are very well. Show what "kindness you well may to Colonel Clayton, to my "nephew Gregory, to Claypole's brother."*

The Long Parliament, or the Rump, as it was called, was drawing near its end. This assembly was in reality a mere remnant of the parliament, containing a very small number of members, the residue of Pride's purge. It was also unpopular in the nation, and attacked by every party. From all sides it was called upon to dissolve itself, and thus gratify the wishes of the universal people. But the Rump could not make up their minds to such a decided measure.

A new power was required for the new task that remained to be accomplished. This power must be essentially one; for if the many can destroy, a single power is more capable of organizing and building up. It was not until a later period that Carlyle, ii. 376.

*

Cromwell assumed the title of Protector; but his protectorate in reality began immediately after his return from Scotland.

He and his officers thought that, since the Rump could not come to the determination of resigning their powers, they ought of themselves to take measures for its dissolution. A new pretension of this body accelerated its end. On the 20th of April 1653, Colonel Ingoldsby informed Cromwell that the parliament was passing a bill to prolong its own duration. Indignant and greatly excited, he exclaimed: "It is not honest; yea, it is con

trary to common honesty." He then hastened down to the House, followed by a company of musketeers, whom he left in the lobby. He entered the hall, and composedly seated himself in his usual place, listening attentively to the debate. His dress was a plain suit of black cloth, with gray worsted stockings, the ordinary costume of the Puritans. For about a quarter of an hour he sat still; but when the Speaker was going to put the question, he whispered to Lieutenant-general Harrison,"This is the time, I must do it." Alluding to this crisis, he said at a subsequent period, "When I "went to the House, I did not think to have done "this; but perceiving the Spirit of God strong upon me, I would no longer consult flesh and blood." After pausing for a minute, Cromwell rose, and taking off his hat, addressed the members at first in laudatory terms. Gradually becoming warmer and

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