New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-11
LECTURES.
IOnver Cromwell and the Purltans.

Hope Chapel on Thursday evening. His subject
was Oliver Cromwell and the Puritaus.
The lecturer first traced the Origin and Progress
of the Puritsns, of whom Cromwell was the great
representative-from the prosecutions under
Queen Mary, which drove the main current OF
the Reformers to Geneva and Frankfort-cties
under the influences of Calvin, where they learned
his doctrines and became imbued with his spirit
that of instruction against all the forms and dog
mas of the Church of Rome Moreover, exile and
misfortune developed lofty spirit Of piety as well
az Of liberty. On the accession OF Elizabeth they
returned to England, carrying with them more
positive spirit of Prote stantsm. At first they
were kindly received, but, when they were COM
fortably settled, they begun to manifest uneasi.
ness in view of many things ia the Established
Church, and desired more radical changes than
| Crapmer had established But they did not then
dream of secession from his Church, or rebellion
against royal authority. They wished TO be ex-
EN- pied from many forms and customs which they
regarded as bearing too close resemblance to
POpery. They especially objected to many parts
of the clerical dress, which was the beginning OF
the contest. Their objections to matters egarded
as unessential and their spirit OF insubordina-
ton provoked resistance, and finally persecution
But it was not severe until the time oil James /
Elizabeth having manifested desire OF concllla'
ton But the Scottish Solomon " had not her
enlarged views or wise management, although
she was not exempt from the spirit OF intolerance
and love of power Under him new penalties
were enacted and severe laws were inforced, and
with extraordinary rigor, which compelled the
nOnconformists to leave their native country In
mass and seek shelter in Holland, and then again
in America. They were now prosecuted for doc
trines of faith as well as forms of worship, which
created a spirit of disaffectOn toward the Govern
ment and sowed the seed Of absolute rebellion.
Under Charles the prosecutions were contin.
ued with still greater rigor, which also increased
the spirit of resistance, and this became organ
lied when bis political blunders, and his arbitrary
rule and encroachments on the liberties Of the
people satisfied them that he contemplated the
humiliation Of Puritan principles, and the entire
suppression of the spirit of liberty.
Unfortunately Charles was guided by Minis
tiers who did not fully appreciate popular indigna
tion or who despised it, and believed that they
could put 1t down. or these two have obtained
an infamous immortality-Thomas Wentworth,
Earl of Straifcrd, and Laud Archbishop of Canter
bury, whom the demon of despotsm had raised
up as the foes Of every generous aspiration. Both
belonged to the Dark Ages-unht to be the Min
listers Of deuded King, and unable to cope with
the new spirit of the seventeenth century.
They encouraged their royal master in crimes
which are now seen to have been blunders and
which resulted in that dreadful agitation which
produced Oliver Cromwell as well as Hampton
Mr. Lord here paid high tribute TO that Illus
trious patriot, whom he maintained was the only
man who could have saved England in those
stormy times, and in whom were united the high.
est qualities Of man OF genius and practical good
sense and who was prematureiy cut off AZ the
commencement of the contest, when rival parties
were ambitious of ascendancy and busy for re-
venge.
Oh these sects there was one which cherished
inextinguishable hatred not merely Of prelatlc
power and ecclesiastical encroachment, but OF
royal authority-which was averEe even to Pres.
- iuati cd lndaDpndoncV.
and protested unbounded religious federation.
John Calvin was their grea. oracle and guide, for
whose doctrines they bad great attachment, and
for whose memory they had unbounded admira-
ton. They were ascetic, stern, repulsive hostile
TO gay amusements, visionary in their IDEAS and
fanatical in supposing that to them was commit
ted the peculiar charge OF Overturning the throne
and introducing the reign ofthe Saints but with all
these infirmites, they were lofty, practical spiri
tual loyal 10 their conscience cherished an uncon
querable love of liberty, and were willing to make
any sacrifice in order to secure its triumph.
OF these men Cromwell was the leader and
representative. Under his guidance they were
conducted TO successful resistance, until the throne
was overturned, and their idol elevated to SOW
eregn power.
Mr. Lord then proceeded 10 discuss the char
scter of this remarkable man, representing him
as trsnscendently able, both as q general and
statesman, with patriotic enthusiasm, and mpelled
by the oitest sentiments of religion, sincere, ear
nest and profound.
He then proceeded to criticise bis most impor.
tsnt acts especially his hand in the execution OF
Charles l, which was represented to be blunder,
although paliated by the strong ground OF revolu-
tonary necessity
His worst act was the dissolution of the Psrlia.
ments by the subverson of which he destroyed
the last vestige of the Constitution, and plainly
did the very things which be had censored In
Charles l., and in view of which he had taken up
arms against an ancient dynasty. By assuming
the power Of an absolute monarch, and subvertlng
the liberties Of the people and imposing taxes
without their consent, he merits the everlasting
odium Of usurpation, Though MIR. Lord admit
ted that he felt he was called upon to save the
nation, that no other person in the realm was ade
quate 10 the task, that he could not rule without
the military, and Dictatorship was the only Gov
eminent which England then could bear, II 1t was
to be saved from anarchy and misrule. be was
forced to reign alone, if he would reign at al,
both in order to preserve his own life, aud "a"
and prosperity to the country.
In regard to his crueties in Ireland, Mr.. Lore
did not attempt 10 deny or conceal them, oaE
maintained that they were the result oil military
policy which, to Cromwell seemed the best and
Of which he was probably better judge than
any people in this age possibly can be- Ii Ihls
policy ia to DO measured by results, 1t proved
judicious, since the rebellion was speedily sup
pressed, and law and order restored TO country
obstinately and eternany hostile to the English
race, and TO the Protestant religion. lth dii-
fcult question whether he had right to subdoe
the Irish but he had right to protect bis English
subjects, exposed to the most fearful atrocities
from an Infatuated people.
Exception again has been taken to bis hard,
iron, military government, whose only palliaton
was the necessity of the thing-much, indeed, 10
be regretted, but forced upon him by faction aud
the reaction to the spirit which had originally
produced the contest.
Never was greater reaction in the opinion
and habits Of nation-so strong that the exper-
iment proved failure, so far as outward results
happened. The nation srdently desired the res.
toraton Of Charles, and felt disgust of their en-.
cient enthusiasm, and of those habits and Gus.
toms and duties which the Puritan faith had
| originally produced.