"To Colonel Robert Hammond: These.25th November, 1648.“Dear Robin,“Thou desirest to hear of my experiences. I can tell thee: I am sucha one as thou didst formerly know, having a body of sin and death;but I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, there is nocondemnation, though much infirmity; and I wait for there redemption. And in this poor condition I obtain mercy and sweetconsolation through the Spirit. And find abundant cause every dayto exalt the Lord and abase the flesh, — and herein I have someexercise.“As to outward dispensations, if we may so call them, we have notbeen without our share of beholding some remarkable providencesand appearances of the Lord. His presence hath been amongst us,and by the light of His countenance we have prevailed. We are surethe goodwill of Him who dwelt in the bush (Exodus 3) has shinedupon us; and we can humbly say, we know in whom we havebelieved; who can and will perfect what remaineth, and us also indoing what is well pleasing in His eyesight.
"I find some trouble in your spirit, occasioned ...by thedissatisfaction you take at the ways of some good men whom youlove with your heart, who through this principle, that it is lawfulfor a lesser part, if in the right, to force a numerical majority, etc..."You say: 'God hath appointed authorities among the nations, towhich obedience is to be yielded. This resides in England in theParliament. Therefore resistance, etc.
"[This is true, but] I do not therefore think the authorities may doanything [i.e. whatsoever they like], 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.“I desire thee to see what thou findest in thy own heart to two orthree plain considerations. Whether the whole fruit of the war isnot likely to be frustrated [by this treaty with the King], and allmost like to turn to what it was, and worse? And this, contrary toengagements, explicit covenants with those who ventured their lives upon those covenants and engagements? Whether this armybe not a lawful power, called by God to oppose and fight againstthe King; and being in power to such ends, may not oppose onename of authority, as well as another name?" Oliver Cromwell
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