The History of the Puritans or Protestant Non-Conformists. Repr. from Dr. Toulmin's Ed

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1837 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PROTECTORSHIP OF OirrER CROMWELL TO HIS DEATH. If the reader will carefully review the divided state of th tion at this time, the strength of the several parties in opposite interests, and almost equal in power, each sanguine for his Owd scheme of settlement, and all conspiring against the present, h will be surprised that any wise man should be prevailed with Co put himself at the head of such a distracted body; and yet more, that such a genius should arise, who without anv foreign alliances should be capable of guarding against so manv foreig-n and domestic enemies, and of steering the commonwealth througri such a hurricane, clear of the rocks and quicksands which threatened its ruin. This was the province that the enterprising Oliver undertook, with the style and title of lord protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He assumed all the state and ceremony of a crowned head; his household officers and guards attended in their places, and his court appeared in as great splendour, and more order, than had been seen at Whitehall since Queen Elizabeth's reign. His 6rst concern was to fill the courts of justice with the ablest lawyers; sir Matthew Hale was made lord-chief-justice of the common pleas; Mr. Maynard. Twisden, Newdigate, and Windham, Serjeants at law; Afr. Thurloe, secretary of state; and Monk, governor of Scotland. His next care was to deliver himself from his foreign enemies; for this purpose he gave peace to the Dutch, which the fame of his power enabled him to accomplish without the ceremony of a formal treaty; he therefore sent his secretary Thurloe with the conditions to which they were to submit; the Dutch pleaded for abatements, but his highness was at a point, and obliged them t...