King Charles I was ruling England without calling a Parliament, the people's representatives. Taxation, questionable financial dealings and forced loans were some of the issues of contention between the king and his opponents. One advisor, the Earl of Essex, was accused of tyranny. Another advisor, Bishop Laud, came down with a hammer on dissent and attempted to enforce a state controlled church upon the people. The situation deteriorated and the First English Civil War followed.
At this time, Oliver Cromwell arose out of obscurity in Parliament. Love him or hate him, he is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. The leader of Parliament's army in the beginning was the Earl of Manchester. Manchester was a moderate and Cromwell was unsure if his heart was in this conflict. Manchester criticized Cromwell for bringing too many of the common people into service of the cause. Cromwell's response was If you choose godly, honest men to be captains of horse, honest men will follow them...I would rather have a plain russet-coated captain who knows what he fights for and loves what he knows than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else.
There should be some obvious similarities to what is going on in America today. There is an egregious attempt under way to quash dissent. Financial dealings are being thrust upon at a breathtaking rate. The American whose Christianity is biblical and traditional is considered very lowbrow. Our civil conflict today is being waged in the legislatures, the courts, the media, literature and conversations around dinner tables, lunch rooms and card tables of America. I don't think that it is a purge of commoners that Republican moderates are after, rather a purge of commoners in leadership. I remember daily practice in Brother Michael's freshman typing class in high school, now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country, now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country, now is the time.....
At this time, Oliver Cromwell arose out of obscurity in Parliament. Love him or hate him, he is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. The leader of Parliament's army in the beginning was the Earl of Manchester. Manchester was a moderate and Cromwell was unsure if his heart was in this conflict. Manchester criticized Cromwell for bringing too many of the common people into service of the cause. Cromwell's response was If you choose godly, honest men to be captains of horse, honest men will follow them...I would rather have a plain russet-coated captain who knows what he fights for and loves what he knows than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else.
There should be some obvious similarities to what is going on in America today. There is an egregious attempt under way to quash dissent. Financial dealings are being thrust upon at a breathtaking rate. The American whose Christianity is biblical and traditional is considered very lowbrow. Our civil conflict today is being waged in the legislatures, the courts, the media, literature and conversations around dinner tables, lunch rooms and card tables of America. I don't think that it is a purge of commoners that Republican moderates are after, rather a purge of commoners in leadership. I remember daily practice in Brother Michael's freshman typing class in high school, now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country, now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country, now is the time.....
