"Because the Anglican rites are a mockery of the Lord," returned Cromwell, with fire. "And I would as soon have a Papist as a Prelatist—toleration with the true faith, I said, my lord."
"Who is to define the true faith?" asked the Earl wearily. "I keep the Presbyterian doctrine which seemeth best to me, but you, methinks, would follow Roger Williams. Remember, sir, that you, as all of us," he added, with some malice, "must take this Covenant the Scots have put upon us as the price of their aid."
"That was John Pym's work," answered Colonel Cromwell, in a slightly troubled manner. "His last work—'twas a galling condition, and at the time I blamed him; but, sir, we had to have the Scottish army, and as they would not give the army without we took the Covenant—well, Mr. Pym was a wise man, and he judged it best—and we have the Scots (for what they may be worth) marching to us instead of to the King."
"When you take up your appointment as my Lieutenant-General," insisted the Earl, "you, too, must take the Covenant."
"Any man may take it now Sir Harry Vane, that lovely soul, hath added his clause—that religion be reformed in England according to the Word of God; that covereth everything, I think, sir, the Word of God, not the dictates of the Scots!"
Lord Manchester looked at him in silence for an attentive moment, then spoke briskly.
"You follow Sir Harry Vane in religion, do you follow him in politics? Are you, too, a Republican?"
Oliver Cromwell looked at him quietly and frankly.
"I think a kingly government a good one," he said, "if the king be a just, wise man. Nay, I never was a Republican."
"Remember we stand for King and Parliament," remarked the Earl. "I would not go too far—I would not overthrow the authority of His Majesty."