Chap. II. The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. exceF}t treafon and murder; the militia was intrufl:ed with him and his Oliver d · h r af 1' 1 · b · · Protcct•r. council, except unng t e 1e Jons o par tament, w 1en 1t wa~ to e JOI?t1653 . ly in both. In !hart, the protector had almofl: all the royalttes of a kmg f.../"v-...J~ -but then the protectorlbip was to be elective, and no protector after the prefent to be general of the army- · The articles relating to religion were thefe; Art. 35· " that the chrifiian religion contained in the fcriptures be held Articles red d h bl . c tr f 1 r · d L /atm• to re• • cc forth and recommen e as t e pu tc pro1euJon o t 1e1e natwns, an tnat 1 . o . gzon. " as foon as may be, a provifion lefs fubject to contention, and more cer- " tain than the prefent, be made for the maintenance of miniflers; and " that tiil fucb provilion be made, the prefent maintenance continue. Art. 36. " that none be compelled to conform to the public religion by " penalties or otherwife; but that endeavours be ufed to win them by " found doCl:rine, and the example of a good converfation. Art. 37·" that fuchas profefs faith in God by Jefus Chrifi, though differ– cc ing in jndgment from the doctrine, worfhip, or difcipline, publickly " held forth, fr1all not be refl:rained from, but f11all be protected in the " profeffion of their faith, and exercife of their religion, fo as they abufe " not this liberty ·to the civil injury of others, and to the aCl:ual difl:urbance " of the public peace on their parts ; provided this liberty be not extended '' to popery or prelacy, or to fuch as under a profeffion of Cbrifl: hold forth " and practife licentioufnefs. Art. 38. " That all laws, llatutes, ordinances, and claufes in any law, cc ftatute or ordinance, to the contrary of the aforefaid liberty, !hall be " efleemed null and void." The protector was infialled with great magnificence Decemb. 16. I 653 lnjla!ment of in the court of chancery, by order of the council of officers, in prefence the protector. of the lord mayor and aldermen of London, the judges, the commiffioners of the great feal, and other great officer~, who were furnmoned to attend on this occafion. 0. CROMWELL fl:anding uncovered on the left band of a chair of flate fet for him, fi.r11 fubfcribed the infirument of Q'overnment in the face of the court, and then took the following oath. b "wHEREAS the major part of the lafl: parliament (judging that His oath, " their fitting any longer as then con11ituted, would not be for " the good of the commonwealth) did diifolve the fame; and by a wri- " ting under their hands, dated the 12th of this inflant December, refign- " ed to me their powers and authorities. And where~s it was neceifary " thereupon, that fome fpeedy courfe !hould be taken for the fettlement of " thefe nations, upon fuch ·a bafis and foundation as by the bleffing of " God, might be lafiing, fecure property, and nnfwt:r thofe great ends " of rQligion and liberty, fo long contended for.; and upon full and mal i i 2. " ture •
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