holic against Protestant--Protestant against
Catholic--Sectarian against both--both against Sectarian--all against
Jew--and the defamed and despised Israelite obliged, in self-defence, to
act by subtlety (for his strength had departed from him) against all!
Cromwell took advantage of this state of things, and with much policy,
but it is to be hoped also with much sincerity, exerted himself
continually to render England a place of security and happiness to the
wandering children of Israel. To quote his own words, his opinion was,
"Since there was a promise that they should be converted, means ought to
be used to that end; and the most likely way was, the preaching of the
Gospel in truth and sincerity, as it was then in Britain--devoid of all
Popish idolatry, which had rendered the Christian religion odious to
them." But the design was so violently and so generally opposed, that it
came to nothing. Many scrupled not to affirm, that the Protector had
secured a conditional bribe, to an enormous amount, in case he procured
for them equal toleration with English subjects; while others, with more
show of truth, declared, that when Cromwell "understood what dealers the
Jews were every where in that trade which depends on news, the advancing
money upon high or low interest, in proportion to the risk they ran, or
the gain to be made as affairs might turn up, and in the buying and
selling of the actions of money so advanced, he, more upon that account,
than with a view to tolerate their principles, brought a company of them
over, and gave them leave to build a synagogue." It is certain that they
were sure and trusty spies for him, especially with relation to Spain
and Portugal, and that they never betrayed his confidence.--Is it not,
however, most extraordinary, in these our own times, when the spirit of
liberty is bestriding the whole earth "like a Colossus," that a people
so faithful, so influential, and so peaceable, should be deprived of so
many privileges?--privileges, which we are labouring with mind, pen, and
purse, to procure for tribes of ignorant and uncivilised savages, who as
yet are utterly unable to comprehend the nature of the freedom we seek
to thrust upon them, but who are too often ready and eager to bite the
hand that would bestow it? God forbid that we should desire it to be
withholden from a single human being, whether black or white, who bears
the impress of his Maker. But reason, policy, and humanity, may alike