Oliver Cromwell on the Bible-Believing Christian’s Right to Resist Political Tyranny

Lieutenant General Oliver Cromwell, 1645

Oliver Cromwell is the most loved and hated warrior-statesman of the last 500 years. The Lord’s true, Reformation Bible-believing Church, in every land, loved him. The French Waldenses prayed for him daily; for he had saved them from complete “extirpation” at the hands of French Dragoons under orders from King Louis XIV—that Jesuit to the very core! The Scots welcomed Cromwell when he invaded in 1648 during the Second Civil War, he saving them from the tyranny of the Scottish Presbyterian leaders in league with King Charles I—who “kept no faith with heretics” on orders from his Jesuit masters! American Protestants and Baptists loved him during his Protectorate (1653-1658), as he recognized their ancient Common Law rights of “English Freemen,” even refusing to interfere with the commerce of the colonists who employed the shippers of any nation, not merely the English.

However, the Jesuits and their divine right monarchs hated him and, in the end, poisoned him with their damnable Doctor Bate! Cromwell had completely thwarted the Order’s plan of destroying the English Reformation, which included the annihilation all English Protestants and nonconformist Bible-believers (Baptist Independents). He expelled the Jesuits from England, closed the Parliament sadly corrupted with treasonous Jesuit Coadjutors, and became the “Protector of the Commonwealth of England” and “Defender of the Protestant Faith.” He trusted the Lord and constantly made reference to Av1611 Reformation English Bible passages. But he also trusted his dear friends in-Christ who also trusted the Lord in their daily lives and together these Puritans opened a chapter of English history unparalleled in the annals of man.

With this brief introduction to the greatest of military commanders, let us review what Oliver believed on the Christian’s right to resist political tyranny. His missive is laced with phrases from Scripture, his mind having been transformed and renewed through much study of the Word of God. Answering a letter from Colonel Robert Hammond, our Lieutenant General begins, your editor’s additions being in bracketed italics:

“Dear Robin,

No man rejoiceth more to see a line from thee than myself. I know thou has long been under trial. Thou shalt be no loser by it. All ‘things’ must work for the best [Romans 8:28].

“Thou desirest to hear of my experiences. I can tell thee: I am such a one as thou didst formerly know, having a body of sin and death [Romans 7:23-24]; but I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord there is no condemnation [Romans 8:1], though much infirmity; and I wait for the redemption [Romans 8:23]. And in this poor condition I obtain mercy, and sweet consolation through the Spirit [Romans 8:26]. And find abundant cause every day to exalt the Lord, and abase flesh [Psalm 21:13; II Corinthians 11:7],—and herein I have some exercise.

“As to outward dispensations, if we may so call them: we have not been without our share of beholding some remarkable providences, and appearances of the Lord. His presence hath been amongst us [Exodus 33:14], and by the light of His countenance [Psalm 4:6] we have prevailed [Exodus 17:11]. We are sure, the goodwill of Him who dwelt in the Bush [Exodus 3:2-3] has shined upon us [Psalm 67:1]; and we can humbly say, We know in whom we have believed [II Timothy 1:12] ; who can and will perfect what remaineth [Ephesians 4:12-13], and us also in doing what is well-pleasing in His eyesight [Hebrews 13:21]. . . .

“You say: ‘God hath appointed authorities among the nations, to which active or passive obedience is to be yielded. This resides in England in the Parliament. Therefore active or passive resistance’ &c.

“Authorities and powers are the ordinance of God. This or that species is of human institution, and limited, some with larger, others with stricter bands, each one according to its constitution. ‘But’ I do not therefore think the Authorities may do anything (whatsoever they like—Carlyle), and yet such obedience be due. All agree that there are cases in which it is lawful to resist. If so, your ground fails, and so likewise the inference. Indeed, dear Robin, not to multiply words, the query is, Whether ours [our resistance] be such a case? . . .

“My dear Friend, let us look into providences; surely they mean somewhat. They hang so together; have been so constant, so clear, unclouded. Malice, swollen malice against God’s people, now called ‘Saints,’ to root-out their name;—and yet they, ‘these poor Saints,’ getting arms, and therein blessed with defence and more! . . .

“What think you of Providence disposing the hearts of so many of God’s people this way,—especially in this poor Army, wherein the great God has vouchsafed to appear! I know not one Officer among us but is on the increasing hand (Come or coming over to this opinion—Carlyle). And let me say, it is after much patience,—here in the North. We trust, the same Lord who hath framed our minds in our actings is with us in this also. And all contrary to a natural tendency, and to those comforts our hearts could wish to enjoy as well as others. And the difficulties probably to be encountered with, and the enemies:—not few; even all that is glorious in this world. Appearance of united names, titles and authorities ‘all against us;’ —and yet not terrified, ‘we;’ only desiring to fear our great God, that we do nothing against His will. Truly this is our condition. . . .

“Dear Robin, beware of men; look up to the Lord. Let Him be free to speak and command in thy heart. Take heed of the things I fear thou hast reasoned thyself into [passive obedience to tyranny]; and thou shalt be able through Him, without consulting flesh and blood, to do valiantly for Him and His people.

“Thou mentionest somewhat as if, by acting against such opposition as is like to be, there will be a tempting of God. Dear Robin, tempting of God ordinarily is either by acting presumptuously in carnal confidence, or in unbelief through diffidence: both these ways Israel tempted God in the wilderness, and He was grieved by them. Not the encountering ‘of’ difficulties, therefore, makes us to tempt God; but the acting before and without faith. If the Lord have in any measure persuaded His people, as generally He hath, of the lawfulness, nay of the duty,—this persuasion prevailing upon the heart is faith; and acting thereupon is acting in faith; and the more the difficulties are, the more the faith. . . .

“This trouble I have been at, because my soul loves thee, and I would not have thee swerve, or lose any glorious opportunity the Lord puts into thy hand. The Lord be thy counsellor. Dear Robin, I rest thine,

OLIVER CROMWELL.”

Thomas Carlyle, Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches: With Elucidations, (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1894), Vol. II of V, pp. 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88.