partly laymen, partly
ecclesiastics, some Presbyterians, some Independents. These presented to
all livings which were formerly in the gift of the crown; they examined
and admitted such persons as received holy orders; and they inspected
the lives, doctrine, and behavior of the clergy. Instead of supporting
that union between learning and theology, which has so long been
attempted in Europe, these tryers embraced the latter principle in
its full purity, and made it the sole object of their examination.
The candidates were no more perplexed with questions concerning their
progress in Greek and Roman erudition; concerning their talent for
profane arts and sciences: the chief object of scrutiny regarded their
advances in grace, and fixing the critical moment of their conversion.

With the pretended saints of all denominations Cromwell was familiar and
easy. Laying aside the state of protector, which on other occasions
he well knew how to maintain, he insinuated to them, that nothing but
necessity could ever oblige him to invest himself with it. He talked
spiritually to *them; he sighed he wept, he canted, he prayed. He even
entered with them into an emulation of ghostly gifts, and these men,
instead of grieving to be outdone in their own way, were proud that
his highness, by his princely example, had dignified those practices in
which they themselves were daily occupied.[*]

* Cromwell followed, though but in part, the advice which he
received from General Harrison, at the time when the
intimacy and endearment most strongly subsisted betwixt
them. "Let the waiting upon Jehovah," said that military
saint, "be the greatest and most considerable business you
have every day: reckon it so, more than to eat, sleep, and
counsel together. Run aside sometimes from your company, and
get a word with the Lord. Why should not you have three or
four precious souls always standing at your elbow, with whom
you might now and then turn into a corner? I have found
refreshment and mercy in such a way."--Milton's State
Papers, p. 12.

If Cromwell might be said to adhere to any particular form of religion,
they were the Independents who could chiefly boast of his favor; and it
may be affirmed, that such pastors of that sect as were not passionately
addicted to civil liberty, were all of them devoted to him. The
Presbyterian clergy, also saved from the ravages of the Anabaptists and