been presenting you their Petition], whether circumstances that relate to the whole, or private and particular circumstances such as compass any person who is to render an account of his own actions, I have truly thought, and I do still think, that, at the best, if I should do anything on this account to answer your expectation, at the best I should do it doubtingly. And certainly whatsoever is so is not of faith. And whatsoever is not so, whatsoever is not of faith, is sin to him that doth it,-whether it be with relation to the substance of the action about which that consideration is conversant, or whether to circumstances about it [Thinskinned Republicans or the like “circumstances ”], which make all indifferent actions good or evil. I say "Circumstances" [ Yes!]; and truly I mean "good or evil" to him that doth it. [Not to you Honorable Gentlemen who have merely advised it in general.]

I, lying under this consideration, think it my duty--Only I could have wished I had done it sooner, for the sake of the House, who have laid such infinite obligations on me [With a kind glance over these honorable faces; all silent as if dead, many of them with their mouths open]; I wish I had done it sooner for your sake, and for saving time and trouble; and for the Committee's sake, to whom I must acknowledge I have been unreasonably troublesome! But truly this is my answer, That (although I think the Act of Government doth consist of very excellent parts, in all but that one thing, of the Title as to me) I should not be an honest man, if I did not tell you that I cannot accept of the Government, nor undertake the trouble and charge of it—as to which I have a little more experimented than everybody what troubles and difficulties do befall men under such trusts, and in such undertakings-[Sentence irrecoverable]— I say I am persuaded to return this answer to you, That I cannot undertake this Government with the Title of King. And that is mine answer to this great and weighty Business.*

And so exeunt Widdrington and Parliament: "Buzz, buzz! Distinct at last ;"—and the huge buzzing of the public mind falls silent, that of the Kingship being now ended;-and this Editor and his readers are delivered from a very considerable weariness of the flesh.

'The Protector,' says Bulstrode, 'was satisfied in his private judgment that it was fit for him to accept this Title of King, and

* Commons Journals, vii., 533; as reported by Speaker Widdrington, on Tuesday the 12th. Reported too in Somers (pp. 400-1), but in the form of coagulated nonsense there. The Commons Journals give it, as here, with no variation worth noticing, in the shape of sense.

was right according to them!]. All the 'Civil' transactions that were,— 'they justified them' in their pulpits, presses, and otherwise! Which was verily thought, 'had they succeeded in it,' would have been a very good shelter to them, to innovate upon us in matters of religion also. And so to innovate as to eat out the core and power and heart and life of all Religion! By bringing on us a company of poisonous Popish Ceremonies [Somewhat animated, your Highness!], and imposing them upon those that were accounted “ the Puritans” of the Nation, and professors of religion among us,-driving them to seek their bread in an howling wilderness! As was instanced to our friends who were forced to fly for Holland, New England, almost anywhither, to find Liberty for their Consciences.

66

Now if this thing hath been the state and sum of our Quarrel, and of those Ten Years of War wherein we were exercised; and if the good hand of God, for we are to attribute it to no other, hath brought this business thus home unto us as it is now settled in the Petition and Advice,-I think we have all cause to bless God, and the Nations have all cause to bless Him [If we were of thankful just heart,—yea !].

I well remember I did a little touch upon the Eighty-fifth Psalm when I spake unto you in the beginning of this Parliament.* Which expresseth well what we may say, as truly as it was said of old by the Penman of that Psalm! The first verse is an acknowledgment to God that He "had been favorable unto His land," and "brought back the captivity of His people ;" and then' how that He had "pardoned all their iniquities and covered all their sin, and taken away all His wrath ;”— and indeed of these unspeakable mercies, blessings, and deliverances out of captivity, pardoning of national sins and national iniquities. Pardoning, as God pardoneth the man whom He justifieth! He breaks through, and overlooks iniquity; and pardoneth because He will pardon. And sometimes God pardoneth Nations also!-And if the enjoyment of our present Peace and other mercies may be witnesses for God 'to us,'—we feel and we see them every day.

The greatest demonstration of His favor and love appears to us in this: That He hath given us Peace;-and the blessings of Peace, to wit, the enjoyment of our Liberties civil and spiritual! [Were not our prayers, and struggles, and deadly wrestlings, all even for this;—and we in some measure have it!] And I remember well, the Church 'in that same Eighty-fifth Psalm' falls into prayer and into praises, great expectations of future mercies, and much thankfulness for the enjoyment of present mercies; and breaks into this expression: "Surely salvation is nigh unto them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land." In

Antea, Speech VI., p. 265.

the beginning it is called His land; “Thou hast been favorable to Thy land." Truly I hope this is His land! In some sense it may be given out it is God's land. And he that hath the weakest knowledge, and the worst memory, can easily tell that we are "a Redeemed People,”'from the time' when God was first pleased to look favorably upon us, 'to redeem us' out of the hands of Popery, in that never to be forgotten Reformation, that most significant and greatest 'mercy' the Nation hath felt or tasted! I would but touch upon that,—but a touch: How God hath redeemed us, as we stand this day! Not from trouble and sorrow and anger only, but into a blessed and happy estate and condition, comprehensive of all Interests, of every member, of every individual;—' an imparting to us' of those mercies 'there spoken of,' as you very well see !

And then in what sense it is "our Land ;"-through this grace and favor of God, That He has vouchsafed unto us and bestowed upon us, with the Gospel, Peace, and rest out of Ten Years War; and given us what we would desire! Nay, who could have forethought, when we were plunged into the midst of our troubles, That ever the people of God should have had liberty to worship God without fear of enemies? [Strange: this “ · liberty” is to Oliver Cromwell a blessing almost tov great for belief; to us it has become as common as the liberty to breathe atmospheric air,—a liberty not once worth thinking of. It is the way with all attainments and conquests in this world. Do I think of Cadmus, or the old unknown Orientals, while I write with LETTERS ? The world is built upon the mere dust of Heroes; once earnest-wrestling, death-defying, prodigal of their blood; who now sleep well, forgotten by all their heirs.— "Without fear of enemies," he says.] Which is the very acknowledgment of the Promise of Christ that "He would deliver His from the fear of enemies, that they might worship Him in holiness and in righteousness all the days of their life."

This is the portion that God hath given us; and I trust we shall for ever heartily acknowledge it!-The Church goes on there, in that Psalm,' and makes her boast yet farther: "His salvation is nigh them that fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land." His glory; not carnal, nor anything related thereto: this glory of a Free possession of the Gospel; this is that which we may glory in! [Beautiful, thou noble soul!-And very strange to see such things in the Journals of the English House of Commons. O Heavens, into what oblivion of the Highest have stupid, canting, collon-spinning, partridge-shooting mortals fallen, since that January, 1658!] And it is said farther, “Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other." And 'note,' it shall be such righteousness as comes down from Heaven :

gathers up, the Sergeant shoulders his Mace; and so, Clerk and Sergeant leading off, and Speaker Widdrington and all his Honorable Members following, the whole House in this due order, with its Bills and apparatus, proceeds to the Painted Chamber. There, on his platform, in chair of state sits his Highness, attended by his Council and others. Speaker Widdrington at a table on the common level of the floor 'finds a chair set for him, and a form for his clerk.' Speaker Widdrington, hardly venturing to sit, makes a short and pithy Speech' on the general proceedings of Parliament; presents his Bills, with probably some short and pithy words, such as suggest themselves, prefatory to each: "A few slight Bills; they are but as the grapes that precede the full vintage, may it please your Highness." His Highness in due form signifies assent; and then says:

MR. SPEAKER,

I perceive that, among these many Acts of Parliament, there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Commonwealth by those Bills for the levying of money, now brought to me, which I have given my consent unto. Understanding it hath been the practice of those who have been Chief Governors to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the Public, I do very heartily and thankfully acknowledge their kindness herein.*

The Parliament has still some needful polishing-up of its Petition and Advice, other perfecting of details to accomplish: after which it is understood there will be a new and much more solemn Inauguration of his Highness; and then the First Session will, as in a general peal of joy-bells, harmoniously close.

LETTER CLII.

OFFICIAL Letter of Thanks to Blake, for his Victory at Santa Cruz on the 20th April last. The small Jewel' sent herewith

* Commons Journals, vii., 552; Reported by Widdrington in the after

noon.

of God ;-men really of the spirit of God, as I think very experience hath now sufficiently demonstrated!

But what's the reason, think you, that men slip in this age wherein we live? As I told you before, They understand not the works of God. They consider not the operation of His Laws. They consider not that God resisted and broke in pieces the Powers that were, that men might fear Him;-might have liberty to do and enjoy all that that we have been speaking of! Which certainly God has manifested to have been the end; and so hath He brought the things to pass! Therefore it is that men yet slip, and engage themselves against God. And for that very cause, saith David (Psalm Twenty-eighth), "He shall break them down, and not bind them up!"

If, therefore, you would know upon what foundation you stand, own your foundation 'to be' from God. He hath set you where you are; He hath set you in the enjoyment of your Civil and Spiritual Liberties.

I deal clearly with you,* I have been under some infirmity; [His Highness still looks unwell.] therefore dare not speak farther to you:— except to let you know thus much, That I have with truth and simplicity declared the state of our Cause, and our attainments in it by the industry and labor of this Parliament since they last met upon this foundation -You shall find I mean, Foundation of a Cause and Quarrel thus attained to, wherein we are thus estated. I should be very glad to lay my bones with yours [What a tone !]-and would have done it, with all heartiness and cheerfulness, in the meanest capacity I ever yet was in, to serve the Parliament.

If God give you, as I trust He will—[“ His blessing” or “strength :" but the Sentence is gone.]—He hath given it you, for what have I been speaking of but what you have done? He hath given you strength to do what you have done! And if God should bless you in this work, and make this Meeting happy on this account, you shall all be called the Blessed of the Lord. [Poor Oliver!]-The generations to come will bless us. You shall be the "repairers of breaches, and the restorers of paths to dwell in!" And if there be any higher work which mortals can attain unto in the world, beyond this, I acknowledge my ignorance ' of it.'

As I told you, I have some infirmities upon me.

* Means "Give me leave to say."

I have not liberty to

This Parliament's foundation,' the ground this Parliament took its stand upon, was a recognition that our Cause had been so and so, that our ' attainment' and 'estate' in it were so and so; hence their Petition and Advice, and other very salutary labors.

Isaiah, lviii., 12.