Oliver Cromwell was born on April 25 1599, making this year the 400th anniversary of his birth.
It was remarkable to find him shortlisted for 'Man of the Millennium' on Radio 4's 'Today' programme recently. It seems that many find Cromwell a fascinating historical personality, but why? Some know that he was involved in the beheading of Charles I, and the 17th-century damage of cathedrals.
Few evangelicals, sadly, include Cromwell in any list of great Christians from Britain's past. The church is in danger of denying herself the benefits of the example and experience of an earnest Christian who can teach today's believers much about involvement in politics, evangelism, church and state relations, the charismatic movement, and family life. It is not possible in a short article to address all these matters. We will concentrate on Cromwell's conversion.
MP father
Oliver Cromwell's family achieved considerable wealth, mostly at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries. His uncle entertained King James on his journey to London to ascend the English throne, but by the time Cromwell was 27, the family wealth had dwindled and land had to be sold. Cromwell's father, Robert Cromwell, served as an MP and took an interest in local matters, including the draining of the Fens. We know nothing of Robert Cromwell's religious convictions. He had his son baptised in the Anglican church, but then for all practical purposes there was no other. Robert sent his son Oliver to Huntingdon Grammar School, now an excellent museum in Cromwell's memory.
The master in charge was Dr. Thomas Beard, strongly anti-Catholic, and the author of a book entitled The Theatre of God's Judgements. This book reviewed history, seeking examples to demonstrate that the Lord rewards and punishes in this life according to the degree of obedience shown to his precepts, particularly by those in authority.
In due course, Cromwell went up to Cambridge, where his college was Sidney Sussex, an expressly Protestant foundation. But all the evidence is that, as he entered manhood, Cromwell was unconverted.
Marriage and parliament
A few months after his coming of age, in 1620, Cromwell married Elizabeth Bourchier, daughter of a London trader who was making his way into the Essex gentry. It seems fair to assume that Cromwell's life, in its outward appearance, was that of a solid, God-fearing citizen; otherwise the match with Miss Bourchier is unlikely to have been allowed. Again, we know nothing of Elizabeth's religious position, although later on, following his own conversion, Cromwell wrote to her as a fellow believer, exhorting her in her faith. He wrote to one of his sons-in-law warning him of the questionable spiritual condition of his wife, Cromwell's daughter, but never ex-pressed this concern over his own wife Elizabeth.
In the spring of 1628, Cromwell was elected to parliament for the first time. Six months later, he was visiting Sir Theodore Myerne, a doctor of renown practising in London. The doctor's records list Cromwell's physical complaints, but also record that he was 'valde melancholicus'. The family doctor also recalled how Cromwell would sometimes remain in bed 'all melancholy'. Cromwell would call for the doctor at 'unseasonable hours' because he felt that he was dying. Periodically he had 'fancies' about the large cross which stood in the town centre at Huntingdon. The evidence suggests that Cromwell was experiencing a mental crisis. It seems possible that these events related to Cromwell's conviction of sin and search for forgiveness.
The riches of his mercy
The exact date on which he came to faith is unknown, but that he did appears certain. Here is a letter from 1638 in which he relates his conversion experience to his cousin Mrs St. John:
To my beloved cousin Mrs. St. John, at Sir William Masham his house called Oates, in Essex:
Dear Cousin,
I thankfully acknowledge your love in your kind remembrance of me upon this opportunity. Alas, you do too highly prize my lines, and my company. I may be ashamed to own your expressions, considering how unprofitable I am, and the mean improvement of my talent.
Yet to honour my God by declaring what He hath done for my soul, in this I am confident, and I will be so. Truly, then, this I find: That He giveth springs in a dry and barren wilderness where no water is. Though He do prolong, yet He will (I trust) bring me to His tabernacle, to His resting place. My soul is with the congregation of the firstborn, my body rests in hope, and if here I may honour my God either by doing or by suffering, I shall be most glad.
Truly no poor creature hath more cause to put forth himself in the cause of his God than I. I have had plentiful wages beforehand, and I am sure I shall never earn the least mite. The Lord accept me in His Son, and give me to walk in the light, and give us to walk in the light, as He is the light. Blessed be His name for shining upon so dark a heart as mine! You know what my manner of life hath been. Oh, I lived in and loved darkness, and hated the light. I was a chief, the chief of sinners. This is true; I hated godliness, yet God had mercy on me. O the riches of His mercy! Praise Him for me, pray for me, that He who hath begun a good work would perfect it to the day of Christ.
Salute all my good friends in that family whereof you are yet a member. I am much bound unto them for their love. I bless the Lord for them.
Salute your husband and sister from me. The Lord be with you; so prayeth
Your truly loving cousin,
Oliver Cromwell Ely October 13th 1638
Encouraging others
Perhaps the most remarkable letter Cromwell wrote was one of encouragement to a Christian friend whose son had been killed in action. In the letter, he alludes to the loss of his own son, Oliver.
To Colonel Valentine Walton
Dear Sir,
It's our duty to sympathise in all mercies; that we may praise the Lord together in chastisements or trials, that so we may sorrow together.
Truly England and the Church of God hath had a great favour from the Lord, in this great victory given unto us, such as the like never was since this war began. It had all the evidences of an absolute victory obtained by the Lord's blessing upon the godly party principally. We never charged but we routed the enemy. The left wing, which I commanded, being our own horse, saving a few Scots in our rear, beat all the Prince's horse. God made them as stubble to our swords, we charged their regiments of Foot with our horse, routed all we charged.
Sir, God hath taken away your eldest son by a cannon-shot. It brake his leg. We were necessitated to have it cut off, whereof he died.
Sir, you know my trials this way; but the Lord supported me with this: that the Lord took him into the happiness we all pant after and live for.
There is your precious child full of glory, to know sin nor sorrow any more. He was a gallant young man, exceeding gracious. God give you His comfort. Before his death he was so full of comfort that to Frank Russel and myself he could not express it, it was so great above his pain. This he said to us. Indeed it was admirable. At his fall, his horse being killed with the bullet, and as I am informed three horses more, I am told he bid them open to the right and left, that he might see the rogues run. Truly he was exceedingly beloved in the Army, of all that knew him. But few knew him for he was a precious young man, fit for God. You have cause to bless the Lord. He is a glorious saint in Heaven, wherein you ought exceedingly to rejoice. Let this drink up your sorrow; seeing these are not feigned words to comfort you, but the thing is so real and undoubted a truth. You may do all things by the strength of Christ. Seek that, and you shall easily bear your trial. Let this public mercy to the Church of God make you to forget your private sorrow. The Lord be your strength; so prays
Your truly faithful and loving brother,
Oliver Cromwell
July 5th 1644
The evening before his death, Cromwell prayed his final prayer:
'Lord, although I am a wretched and miserable creature, I am in covenant with Thee through grace, and I may, I will, come unto thee for my people. Thou hast made me a mean instrument to do them some good, and Thee service; and many of them have set too high a value upon me, though others wish and would be glad of my death. But, Lord, however Thou doest dispose of me, continue to go on, and do good for them. Give them consistency of judgement, one heart, and mutual love; and go on to deliver them, and with the work of reformation, and make the name of Christ glorious in the world. Teach those who look too much upon Thy instruments to depend more upon Thyself. Pardon such as desire to trample upon the dust of a poor worm, for they are Thy people too; and pardon the folly of this short prayer, for Jesus Christ His sake, and give us a good night if it be Thy pleasure.'
As the sun rose on the 3rd of September 1658, the anniversary of his famous battles of Dunbar and Worcester, Cromwell was speechless, and between three and four in the afternoon he died.
Despite the difficulties of his day, and the immense pressures and temptations he faced, Cromwell's Christian faith shines brightly in his speeches and letters.
