[42] The letter is dated "from the Tower of London, August 22nd, 1651, the day of my glorification," and is preserved, with others from which we have quoted, in Love's Name lives. London, 1651.
Eachard tells a story of Cromwell having written to the Parliament, recommending Love's reprieve on security for good behaviour, and of the letter being stolen by some cavaliers.—Hist. of England, ii. 706.
[43] After the dissolution of the Long Parliament, Cromwell was supreme.
The following extract is curious, as indicating that when he had all power in his own hands, he must have connived at the revival of old church customs: "Living here, in the churchyard of St. Margaret's, in Westminster, which was the church proper to the Parliament, for here they kept their thanksgivings, their humiliations, and all other their solemnities; whereas in their time the font was pulled down, and so continued demolished and in ruins, it is now set up again in a most decent and comely manner; and I hope it will be an example for other churches to follow; so likewise they had a very solemn perambulation in Rogation week, according to the old manner, which had been omitted during the sitting of Parliament; and holidays begin to be kept."—From the Dedication to Goodman's Two Great Mysteries. June 4th, 1653.
[44] Quoted in Forster's English Statesmen, v. 139.
Thurloe gives one of the replies, dated 13th May, 1653. The Dutch deputies say, in a letter of the 12th of August, 1653, that "the Independent party" are spread through all England under the name of gathered churches. The word "Independent" was often used in a very wide and general sense.—Thurloe's State Papers, i. 395.
[45] The Broadmead Records, 43. A strong feeling against Cromwell and his policy is manifest throughout. The writer was evidently a prejudiced sort of person.
[46] Whitelocke observes that "it was much wondered at by some that these gentlemen, many of them being persons of fortune and knowledge, would, at this summons, and from these hands, take upon them the supreme authority of the nation." Memorials, 559.
[47] Carlyle, 187-217. Foster, v. 148-164.
[48] Exact Relation. Somers' Tracts.