Required reading
The Protector: A vindication by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9 (Organization of church and state).
My summary
This week we learn of Cromwell's organisation of the church in England.
We hear about:
(i) his appointment of commissions to govern the church;
(ii) the dissatisfaction of some with Cromwell's reforms;
(iii) D'Aubigne's opinion on the mixing of church with politics.
What grabbed me
I continue to enjoy D'Aubigne's critiques of Cromwell, even though he obviously has great respect for the Protector.
For example, this week our writer comments on Cromwell's major-generals:
'Episcopalian or official Protestantism was closely united with the political principle of the absolute power of the crown. There was a compact and a bond of obligation between arbitrary monarchy and Laud's episcopacy.
From this evil there arose an analogous one in the independent and popular form of Christianity. We find it allied with the parliamentary power and with what may be called the liberty-party. Politics were confounded with religion. The major-generals, as we have seen, were a sort of bishops.
These worldly alliances exercised a prejudicial influence over the two forms of Protestantism in England. Whenever a system of religion subjects itself to a political system, it forfeits its exalted aims, its liberty, and its vitality ; its real shape is lost, and it becomes embarrassed and enslaved. '
The state should not govern the church. If it does, much freedom will be lost.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 10 (Religious liberty).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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