234 ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS
Cromwell's Last Prayer
In the tumult of the winds the dying Oliver was heard uttering
words like these, preserved for us by his faithful attendant.
LOUD, though I am a miserable and wretched creature, I am in
covenant with Thee through grace. And I may, I will, come to
Thee, for Thy people. Thou hadst made me, though very unworthy
a mean instrument to do them some good, and Thee service; and
many of them have set too high a value upon rne, though others wish
and would be glad of my death ; Lord, however Thou do dispose of
me, continue and go on to do good for them. Give them consistency
of judgment, one heart and mutual love ; and go on to deliver them,
and with the work of reformation ; and make the Name of Christ
glorious in the world. Teach those who look too much on Thy
instruments, to depend more upon Thyself. Pardon such as desire
to trample upon the dust of a poor worm, for they are Thy people too.
And pardon the folly of this short prayer :—even for Jesus Christ's
sake. And give us a good night, if it be Thy pleasure. Amen.
For two or three days life still flickered and to his wife and children
weeping round his bed he said, Love not this world; it is not good
that you should love this world.
On September 3, the day of Worcester and Dunbar, he sighed
deeply and passed to his inheritance.
From accounts of Cromwell's Death
Oliver Cromwell's Lamp Goes Out
IN the beginning of September the symptoms appeared upon him
and, asking one of his physicians what he thought of his case, the
doctor answered, My lord, there is no more oil in that lamp which has
given so much light to both Church and State.
The dying Protector replied, with a magnanimity worthy of him,
When do you think it will go out ? The physician told him in two
days at the farthest, upon which Cromwell said, It is time, then, to
settle my mind. From an old paper of the time
TQEFORE his plans could be realised the overtaxed strength of the
J3 Protector suddenly gave way. He saw too clearly the chaos into
which his death would plunge England and was unwilling to die.
" Do not think I shall die," he burst out with feverish energy to the
physicians who gathered round him.
Prayer rose from every side for his recovery, but death grew
steadily nearer till even Cromwell felt that his hour was coining.
u I would be willing to live," the dying man murmured, " to be
further serviceable to God and His people, but rny work is done.
Yet God will be with His people."
A storm which tore roofs from houses and levelled huge trees in
every forest seemed a fitting prelude to the passing away of this
mighty spirit. John Richard Green