Scepticism writing about Belief may have great gifts; but it is really
_ultra vires_ there. It is Blindness laying down the Laws of Optics.--

Cromwell's third Parliament split on the same rock as his second. Ever the
constitutional Formula: How came you there? Show us some Notary
parchment! Blind pedants:--"Why, surely the same power which makes you a
Parliament, that, and something more, made me a Protector!" If my
Protectorship is nothing, what in the name of wonder is your
Parliamenteership, a reflex and creation of that?--

Parliaments having failed, there remained nothing but the way of Despotism.
Military Dictators, each with his district, to _coerce_ the Royalist and
other gainsayers, to govern them, if not by act of Parliament, then by the
sword. Formula shall _not_ carry it, while the Reality is here! I will go
on, protecting oppressed Protestants abroad, appointing just judges, wise
managers, at home, cherishing true Gospel ministers; doing the best I can
to make England a Christian England, greater than old Rome, the Queen of
Protestant Christianity; I, since you will not help me; I while God leaves
me life!--Why did he not give it up; retire into obscurity again, since the
Law would not acknowledge him? cry several. That is where they mistake.
For him there was no giving of it up! Prime ministers have governed
countries, Pitt, Pombal, Choiseul; and their word was a law while it held:
but this Prime Minister was one that _could not get resigned_. Let him
once resign, Charles Stuart and the Cavaliers waited to kill him; to kill
the Cause _and_ him. Once embarked, there is no retreat, no return. This
Prime Minister could _retire_ no-whither except into his tomb.

One is sorry for Cromwell in his old days. His complaint is incessant of
the heavy burden Providence has laid on him. Heavy; which he must bear
till death. Old Colonel Hutchinson, as his wife relates it, Hutchinson,