George. "So," said he, "you are the boy to ride your thirty miles, detect spies by their love of eggs and milk, and drive off an enemy by guns without shot,—and yet you have no sword!" "Pardon, General," Rudy broke in with; "but I havemy grandfather's,-won under King Gustavus Adolphus; and I'll serve under you when you've done marching up and down, and begin to fight in good earnest." This pleased Cromwell mightily, who laughed, and said, "That's right. I don't know but you may be grown up before we know how to go straight at our enemy's face. When we do, I'll let you know." "All right, General," was Rudy's reply. When he had retired, George and Alice lingered awhile to chat. "Now, Alie, what think you of my great friend?” "Why, George, he is several men in one: a godly man, and a man of the world; a man of passion, and yet calm; a father, and a general; superior to most, he can yet condescend to all; with a great deal of Heaven and much of earth in the composition of his nature.” Ann happened to pass through the room, and she said, "Yes, indeed, he has a notice for every one ;—as he passed this morning through the hall where I was sweeping, he looked kindly at me, and said, 'My girl, hast swept out thy inner chamber this morning? We should all do that the first thing of all,'—and so he went into the garden. Will says he is full of such queer words, which make the soldiers think; besides, he has a store of jokes and stories, which they love. But he can be serious. No man dares confront his anger: his angry eye is terrible.” CHAPTER XLI. DIVINITY, LOVE, AND STATECRAFT. A "Now there was made fast by the tower's wall An arbour green with trellis long and small, KING JAMES I. OF SCOTS. SUMMONS had come to call Bridge to attend the sittings of the Westminster Assembly of Divines. In company with his wife and daughter, and of the Count and Countess, with May Hope, whom Gabrielle had induced her father to part with for a time, they arrived in London in the summer. The Count had purchased a large estate on the confines of Westminster, with a mansion of ample dimensions, in which room was found for the whole party. In the grand hall of this mansion a meeting was held of the more liberal members of the Assembly, who were to proceed together to the opening of one of the wisest and most pious gatherings of holy men ever held under the confession of the supremacy of Holy Scripture. William Bridge, Thomas Goodwin, Sydrach Sympson, Philip Nye, and Jeremiah Burroughs, who attended it, were afterward called the Independent brethren in the Assembly, and took a prominent and important part. At this meeting two things were specially proposed by Bridge-first, that care be taken to have passages of Scripture produced on which to found every conclusion; also, secondly, respecting the Scotch Covenant which that nation desired to force on the English, Bridge desired that it should be delayed as long as possible, and then modified. After long conference, they proceeded to Westminster Abbey, where Dr. Twiss, the Prolocutor, preached. The members, each and all, solemnly swore to "maintain nothing but what they believed in conscience to be truth, and to conduce most to the glory of God and the good and peace of His Church." As this vow was being discussed, Selden observed to those round him, "What simplicity such a promise shows among these ecclesiastics! The first hot discussion must break it, for each disputant will strive for mastery." 66 "Who would believe us in the Commons,” said Pym, “if we swore a hundred such oaths?" Whispered Rudyard, "These ecclesiastics like to assume the aspect of the dove or the lamb, but none the less they hide the craft and sting of the serpent." Milton added, " As for the peace of the Church, the Scots are ready to persecute Episcopalians and Independents. These last alone profess to tolerate opponents;—may they have grace to do so!" 66 Parliament," said Selden, "should have resolved, before pulling down an old edifice, what it would build in its place." To which all assented. In the course of a few months this venerable Assembly made great progress in sending good ministers into various ⚫ districts, and settling the doctrine and practice of the Church. Bridge, throughout, took a very leading part in its discussions, and was highly honoured for the acute logic, grave learning, and especially the excellently restrained temper of all his arguments. At a united gathering in St. Margaret's Church, the Solemn League and Covenant was adopted by the lifting up of hands. This service filled the day, there being three sermons of an hour long, and several prayers of about the same length. Then began the deliberations on Christian doctrine and Church government, in which Bridge did not hesitate openly to avow and defend his new-found opinions. The first struggle for the Independents was "whether the word of God contains a rule," which position they steadily maintained throughout with skill and courage against Episcopalian and Presbyterian divines, though usually these brethren were in a small minority. This Assembly has met with hard usage since the Restoration, yet it composed a Catechism of Divinity and a Directory of Worship which have been of great service in cherishing Scriptural religion both in Scotland and England. Many visitors attended the sittings of the Assembly, who found room in the side aisles, and were screened from observation. Not a few members of Parliament, with clergy of the old Church, looked on with indifference or contempt, and rejoiced in the hot divisions which often arose. The Count and his ladies were often there, and Milton with them, whose caustic and brilliant sayings often got reported by Selden and others for the entertainment of the members. In this grave Assembly, one day appeared also a fine tall young man, with pale and rather olive tint, high forehead, sparkling eyes, and quick manner, who was very attentive to Lady Gabrielle. This was none other than Dr. Edward Sherwood, divested of canonicals, though in a grave habit. He was in London as attaché to an embassy from the King sent to treat of peace. At that time the affairs of the Parliament were at the lowest ebb. They had lost Hampden by a shot of Prince Rupert's troopers on Chalgrove field. Pym, also, the King Pym, so long the fast pillar of English liberty,—had passed away. Meantime negotiations were also renewed between the combatants; and thus Edward appeared in town, and the Lady Gabrielle took a great fancy for him. Edward was much interested in the discussions going on, and criticised them with learning and wit, only that his learning rested more on the Fathers than on Scripture. The Countess one morning said to him, "We have some livings on our new estate, and I want some suitable married clergymen." "Then," said May, playfully, " Edward cannot apply to you, his vow of celibacy is an old story." "Not so," said Edward, looking unusually full at her, "my fair enemy: foolish vows melt in the sun of truth." "What!" cried May, "is Benedict's icy mood thawing? -Pray, who is the Beatrice?" "No doubt Edward will find out a lady when he takes the pains to seek," said Gabrielle with emphasis; "but you have had enough of these thorny disputes, and 1 want to drive to the village of Heston, in our property, where is an ancient church and a charming rectory which I wish to examine. May, you will go with me? Master Milton promises me his company. My good husband is too much interested in the Assembly. The attaché perhaps will give us his escort ?—and, if so, will please to see after my carriage. Will you, pray, Dr. Sherwood?" They were soon rolling away in a roomy coach over roads not very smooth, but in fresh air and through smiling country. "Friend Milton," said the Lady Gabrielle, "such a ride reminds me of your graceful poem in the volume which you gave us abroad, and which is still my favourite : "Sometimes walking, not unseen, By hedgerow elms, and hillocks green, Where the great sun 'gins his state." |