[Footnote 1:  Baillie, ii. 370.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1654.  July 20.]

Yet after this they were permitted to meet in synods and presbyteries, an indulgence which they owed not to the moderation of their adversaries, but to the policy of Vane, who argued that it was better to furnish them with the opportunity of quarrelling among themselves, than, by establishing a compulsory tranquillity, allow them to combine against the commonwealth.  For the ministers were still divided into resolutioners and protestors, and the virulence of this religious feud appeared to augment in proportion as the parties were deprived of real power.  The resolutioners were the more numerous, and enjoyed a greater share of popular favour; but the protestors were enemies of Charles Stuart, and therefore sure of the protection of the government.  Hence it happened that in every struggle for the possession of churches—­and such struggles continually happened between the two parties—­the protestors were invariably supported against the voice of the people by the swords of the military.[1]

By foreign powers the recent elevation of Cromwell was viewed without surprise.  They were aware of his ambition, and had anticipated his success.  All who had reason to hope from his friendship, or to fear from his enmity, offered their congratulations, and ambassadors and envoys from most of the princes of Europe crowded to the court of the protector.  He

[Footnote 1:  Baillie, 371-376, 360.  Burnet, i. 62.  Whilst Baillie weeps over the state of the kirk, Kirkton exults at the progress of the gospel.  “I verily believe,” he writes, “there were more souls converted unto Christ in that short period of time than in any season since the Reformation.  Ministers were painful, people were diligent.  At their solemn communions many congregations met in great multitudes, some dozen of ministers used to preach, and the people continued as it were in a sort of trance (so serious were they in spiritual exercises) for three days at least.”—­Kirkton 54, 55.]

received them with all the state of a sovereign.  From his apartments in the Cockpit he had removed with his family to those which in former times had been appropriated to the king:  they were newly furnished in the most costly and magnificent style; and in the banqueting-room was placed a chair of state on a platform, raised by three steps above the floor.  Here the protector stood to receive the ambassadors.  They were instructed to make three reverences, one at the entrance, the second in the midway, and the third at the lower step, to each of which Cromwell answered by a slight inclination of the head.  When they had delivered their speeches, and received the reply of the protector, the same ceremonial was repeated at their departure.  On one occasion he was requested to permit the gentlemen attached to the embassy to kiss his hand; but he advanced to the upper step, bowed to each in succession, waved