Required reading
The Protector: A vindication by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 14 (Last parliament and death of the protector) by reading up to the heading 'Prayer'.
My summary
Today we begin to hear about the last days of Cromwell.
We learn about Cromwell's:
(i) inauguration as Protector again;
(ii) interaction with Parliamentary rivalries;
(iii) continued concern for the Waldenses of Piedmont;
(iv) deterioration in health;
(v) daughter's death
(vi) interaction with Quakers;
(vii) successor;
(viii) dying moments.
What grabbed me
I was moved by the account of Cromwell's daughter's death: 'A domestic affliction increased his disorder. Lady Claypole, his favorite daughter, lay dangerously sick at Hampton Court. During fourteen days the unhappy father, unable to attend to any public business whatever, did not quit her bedside. On the 6th of August she died. His heart was crushed ; but he soon found the Christian's consolation. Having withdrawn to his closet he called for his Bible, and desired a godly person there present to read to him a passage from the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians : I have learnt, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to he content. I know both how to he abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere, and by all things, I am instructed ; both to befall and to he hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me.
After these verses were read, the afflicted parent remarked : " This Scripture once saved my life ; when my eldest son died ; which went as a dagger to my heart ; indeed it did." Thus did Oliver, when near his end, reveal to us all the magnitude of that deep sorrow, which the Bible calls the bitterness for a first-born (Zech. xii. 10). He declared that he was then on the point of dying of grief ; adding that he was now once more reduced to the like extremity ; but at the same time he exclaimed with King David : Thy word hath quickened me !
After this, the bereaved father began to read the eleventh and twelfth verses, on St. Paul's contentment and submission to the will of God in all conditions of life. " It's true, Paul," said he, " you have learnt this, and attained to this measure of grace : but what shall I do ? Ah, poor creature, it's a hard lesson for me to take out ! I find it so !"
The afflicted ruler, like Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were not, read on to the thirteenth verse, where St. Paul says, I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me. These words began to reanimate his faith : Christ's omnipotence was felt in his soul; his heart found consolation, and he said to himself: " Yes, I feel it, I see it — 'He that was Paul's Christ is my Christ too !" What a beautiful sentiment ! what an affecting scene ! There are not many great men in history, who have shown themselves such true Christians in their hours of sorrow. Did the piety of Charlemagne, of St. Louis, or of the Electors of Saxony in the days of the Reformation, exceed that of the Protector of England ? '
Indeed, such piety is rarely found in politicians.
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 14 (Last parliament and death of the protector).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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