To this day, Oliver Cromwell is viewed as a contradiction in terms. He was a fanatical Puritan who believed in religious tolerance. He abolished Christmas, hated Catholicism (especially its pomp and grand ritual), and sought to strip religion down to a simple Puritan worship service. British citizens may see Cromwell as the father of democracy, but the Irish and Scots use the term 'genocide' in reference to this man.
Until reading this, I was not aware that Cromwell personally wrote out the death decree for the king, Charles I. I thought it was interesting that Cromwell (such a religious fanatic) invited the Jews to come back to England. However, the author explained that, in the Netherlands where the Jews resided, they were more financially more successful than the British. He also hoped to convert the Jew to Christianity, thus bringing on the second coming of Christ.
This is also the first time I read that Cromwell was so unpopular with the English colonists in the New World. Because Cromwell was so disliked, Royalist support in the colonies grew rapidly. In the conclusion, the author explains that a year after Cromwell's death, almost all of his changes had been undone. What a tragic result for someone so dedicated to God's service. Although Cromwell agonized over being corrupted by the mantle of power, in the end, he was seduced. I was surprised to learn that he died at the age of 59.
Until reading this, I was not aware that Cromwell personally wrote out the death decree for the king, Charles I. I thought it was interesting that Cromwell (such a religious fanatic) invited the Jews to come back to England. However, the author explained that, in the Netherlands where the Jews resided, they were more financially more successful than the British. He also hoped to convert the Jew to Christianity, thus bringing on the second coming of Christ.
This is also the first time I read that Cromwell was so unpopular with the English colonists in the New World. Because Cromwell was so disliked, Royalist support in the colonies grew rapidly. In the conclusion, the author explains that a year after Cromwell's death, almost all of his changes had been undone. What a tragic result for someone so dedicated to God's service. Although Cromwell agonized over being corrupted by the mantle of power, in the end, he was seduced. I was surprised to learn that he died at the age of 59.
