parliament. The steps taken by them in it. Their plan

excellent, p. 288-293.

Parliament attempts to reform the law, enact all law-pro-

ceedings to be in the English tongue, p. 294-296.

The best pens fought out and rewarded by the parliament for

writing in behalf of civil and religious liberty. Of

Milton, Nedham, the Parkers and others, p. 297–305.

Of the provifion made for the ftate clergy and univerfities-

Bishops, and dean and chapters lands fold-Of ecclefiafti-

cal Revenues-Produce of the fale of the bishops lands in

the province of York. Chancellor Oxenstiern admires

the great actions of the parliament, Mr. Hume cenfured,

p. 306-315.

Cromwell puts a period for a time to the commonwealth-

Difcourfe between him and Whitlock concerning his

taking on him the Kingship. Account of his turning the

members out of the house-Cenfured by Whitlock, and

Ludlow, p. 316–323.

-----

Fuftifications of Cromwell by himself and his apologists on

this head-Remarks thereon-Cromwell and the com-

monwealth leaders characterised by Dr. Warburton,

P. 324-329.

Cromwell conflitutes a council of ftate and calls a parlia-

ment Account of their proceedings. Lord Clarendon's

reprefentation of them virulent and false.- Hatred of ec-

clefiaftics-Parliament refign back their power into the

hands of Cromwell. Remarks thereon, p. 330-340.

Cromwell affumes the title of Lord Protector-Of the in-

frument of government-The Protector endeavours to

juftify himself to the army-Reajons given for the new

fettlement-His government, at first, almost universally

acquiefced in, p. 341-351.

Cromwell rivals the greatest of cur monarchs in glory, and

makes himself courted and dreaded by the nations around

bim. Proofs of it, p. 352-361.

Cromwell gives peace to the Dutch-Conditions of it,

P. 362-365.

Of the medals ftruck by the Dutch, and the poetical pane-

grics made on Oliver on this occafion by the univerfities

of Oxford and Cambridge, p. 365-369.

Of the negotiations between England, France and Spain-

Crom-

Cromwell cenfured by various writers for entering into
a war with Spain, and leaguing with France-Rea-

fons in behalf of his conduct on this occafion- A picture

of Lewis XIV. in miniature-Cromwell's irrefolution

and delay justly blameworthy, p. 370-385.

Account of the expedition to Hifpaniola-Reafons of the ill

fuccefs there, p. 386-389.

Of the taking and fettling of Jamaica-Cromwell's en-

deavours to fettle it-A remarkable letter written by him

to Major-General Fortefcue-Importance of Jamaica

to Great Britain, p. 390-395.

Gallant actions performed by Admiral Blake-His magni-

ficent burial-His excellent character-His body taken

up and buried in a pit.-Politeness and humanity intra-

duced by the Refloration, p. 396—399.

Dunkirk taken by the French, and immediately put into the

poffeffion of the English-Remarks on an Anecdote of Dr.

Welwood's-The great use of ftate papers, p. 400-

403.

Cromwell interpofes in behalf of the Vaudois-Proteftantifm

vindicated from the ridicule and mifreprefentation of fame

late writers.-Cruel ufage of the Vaudois-The Protec-

tor orders a collection through the kingdom for a fupply of

their neceffities-Account of the negotiations carried on by

him abroad for the redress of their grievances, p. 404-

411.

Mr. Morland's panegyric on Cromwell—Other panegyrics

on him, p. 412-416.

Ill character given of courts-Cromwell's diftinguished by

its fobriety and decency, p. 417-419.

The benches filled with able and honeft judges-An account

of them, p. 420.

Cromwell Jeeks out every where for men of abilities, and

gives them proper employment, p. 422-427.

Favours learning, and is munificent to fuch as excell in

fcience, p. 428-430.

Makes ufe of the method of kindness and condefcenfion to his

enemies, p. 431-434.

Of the revenue of Cromwell-force of oeconomy, P. 435.

Of the faults in Cromwell's government-Cruel edit against

the epifcopal clergy, P. 436-439.

The

The cavaliers receive hard measure from the Protector-Ex-

tracts from the declaration in juftification thereof-Re-

marks thereon-Proceedings of Cromwell deeply refented

by the cavaliers, p. 440-445.

Account of Cromwell's Major-Generals-A commiffion to

one of them at large-Their inftructions-Their tranfac-

tions, p. 446-451.

Cromwell makes ufe of pack'd juries on occafion, and dif

places judges for refusing to follow his directions, p. 452.

Commits men illegally to prifon, and permits them not the be-

nefit of the laws-Reflections thereon, p. 454-457.

Of high courts of justice-Objections to them-Reflections

thereon, p. 458-460.

Cromwell violates the privileges of parliament, p. 461.

Situation and circumstances of the protector confidered, p. 475.

Cromwell refufes the offered king/hip-Keafons alledged to

induce him to accept it -Hindered by his nearest relations.

-Probable confequences of his affuming the title of King.

-Of his houfe of lords-Whether Cromwell could have

maintained his government? p. 481-493.

Of his behaviour in his laft fickness-His prayer-Some of

his expreffions. Tillotson's opinion of him, p. 494.

Various characters of Cromwell-Lewis XIV. characte-

rized-Dangerous to paint out the enemies of mankind in

fine colours, p. 496.

Cromwell's memory celebrated by the best pens of his

Time the great friend to truth, p. 498.

Appendix of original papers, p. 501.

age-

-

ERRAT A,

P. 16, 1. 21, for base read bare.

P. 67, in the text, after net, add doubt.

P. 69, 1. 5, in the text, for Chickely, read Chichely.

P. 178, 1.9, from the bottom, for quam vis, read quamvis.

P. 220, 1. 4, from the bottom, for rigour, read vigour.

P. 252, 1. 4, in the notes, for illua, read illud.

Id. 1. 5, for antea, read ante.

P. 305, for James I. read James II.

P. 513, 1. 14, for widome, read wisdome.

THE

THE

LIFE

O F

OLIVER CROMWELL.

LIVER Cromwell, fon of Robert Cromwell, and Elizabeth Stuart, his wife, was born at Huntington, on the twenty fourth of April, one thousand five hundred ninety nine. His family, which was confiderable, I shall give some account of in the note (A).

He

(A) I fhall give fome account of his family.] We are naturally inquifitive about the defcents and alliances of those who have figured in the world. Whether they fprung from new or old families? whether their fathers were men of renown? or they them felves first gave luftre to their name? are queftions usually asked by fuch as read or hear concerning them. To gratify the curiofity of the reader then, the following account B has

He was educated in grammar learning in the Free-fchool at Huntington, under Dr. Thomas

has been collected.

That his (Oliver's) extraction by the father's fide, was from Sir Richard Williams, Knight, a gentleman of eminent note (fays Sir Villiam Dugdale) in the court of king Henry VIII. and fon to Morgan ap Williams (a Welchman) by fifter to Thomas lord Cromwell earl of

(4) Short

Effex, is not to be doubted. Who being by his uncle preferred to the fervice of king Henry, was for that caufe (and no other) called Cromwell, as is apparent View of the enough from teftimonies of credit (a).' If I have troubles in not been mifinformed, many gentlemen of the name 458. Ox- of Williams, in Wales, value themfelves on this defcent ford, 1681. of Oliver Cromwell. Dugdale's account has been lately. contefted by a gentleman who thinks it more proba

England, P.

Folio.

6

ble that this family defcended by the females from Ralph lord Cromwell of Tattenhall in Lincolnshire, the laft heir male of which was lord High Treasurer in the reign of Henry VI. and one of his coheireffes married Sir William Williams, whofe defcendents might afterwards take the name of Cromwell, in hopes of attaining that title which Humphry Bouchier, a younger fon of the then earl of Effex, who married the eldest of the coheireffes, actually had, and was killed at Barnet field, fighting on the fide of king Edward phia Britan- IV. (b)-Which of thefe accounts is most probable

(4) Biogra

nica, vol.

iii. Article Cromwell, nute (A).

must be left to the judgment of the reader.--However, this is certain, that Sir Richard Cromwell above mentioned was fheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingtonfire in the time of Henry VIII. was a great favourite and commander in the wars, and had grants • of abbey lands in Huntingtonfire to the amount, as they were then rated, of three thoufand pounds a year. His fon, Sir Henry, was four times fheriff of the county. Sir Oliver, uncle to the Protector, gave king James I. the greatest feaft that had been given

to

.

.