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Items Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651

Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651

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Manuscripts and Archives Division

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Title
Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651
Names
Cromwell, Oliver, 1599-1658 (Creator)
Cromwell, Oliver, 1599-1658 (Author)
Cotton, John, 1584-1652 (Addressee)
Dates / Origin
Date Created: 1651-10-02
Library locations
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Shelf locator: MssCol 696
Topics
Cromwell, Oliver, 1599-1658
Worcester, Battle of, Worcester, England, 1651
Genres
Correspondence
Notes
Ownership: Purchased at auction by Henry Stevens on behalf of James Lenox in 1854.
Content: Transcription: WORTHY SIR, AND MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND, I received yours a few days since. It was welcome to me because signed by you, whom I love and honour in the Lord: but more ‘so’ to see some of the same grounds or our Actings stirring in you that are in us, to quiet us to our work, and support us therein. Which hath had the greatest difficulty in our engagement in Scotland; by reason we have had to do with some who were, I verily think, Godly, but, through, weakness and the subtlety of Satan, ‘were’ involved in Interests against the Lord and His People. With what tenderness we have proceeded with such, and that in sincerity, our Papers (which I suppose you have seen) will in part manifest; and I give you some comfortable assurance of ‘the same.’ The Lord hath marvellously appeared even against them. And now again when all the power was devolved into the Scottish King and the Malignant Party,— they invading England, the Lord rained upon them such snares as the Enclosed will show. Only the Narrative in short is this, That of their whole Army, when the Narrative was framed, not five men were returned. Surely, Sir, the Lord is greatly to be feared and to be praised! We need your prayers in this as much as ever. How shall we behave ourselves after such mercies? What is the Lord a-doing? What Prophecies are now fulfilling? Who is a God like ours? To know His will, to do His will, are both of Him. I took this liberty from business, to salute you thus in a word. Truly I am ready to serve you and the rest of our Brethren and the Churches with you. I am a poor weak creature, and not worthy the name of a worm; yet accepted to serve the Lord and His People. Indeed, my dear Friend, between you and me, you know not me,—my weaknesses, my inordinate passions, my unskillfulness, and everyway unfitness to my work. Yet, yet the Lord, who will have mercy on whom He will, does as you see! Pray for me. Salute all Christian friends though unknown. I rest, your affectionate friend to serve you, O CROMWELL. October 2nd 1651
Physical Description
Extent: .1 linear foot (1 folder)
Description
One letter from Oliver Cromwell to John Cotton written after the Battle of Worcester, October 2, 1651, which destroyed the last major Scottish Royalist army. Cromwell alludes to his difficulties in treating with the Scots.
Type of Resource
Text
Languages
English
Identifiers
RLIN/OCLC: 850496393
NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b19840559
MSS Unit ID: 696
Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 57cb2860-c607-012f-3695-58d385a7bc34
Rights Statement
The copyright and related rights status of this item has been reviewed by The New York Public Library, but we were unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the item. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.

Item timeline of events

  • 1599: Creator Born
  • 1651: Created
  • 1658: Creator Died
  • 2013: Digitized
  • 2025: Found by you!
  • 2026

MLA Format

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1651. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/920af61e-c249-6033-e040-e00a18060f1e

Chicago/Turabian Format

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/920af61e-c249-6033-e040-e00a18060f1e

APA Format

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. (1651). Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651 Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/920af61e-c249-6033-e040-e00a18060f1e

Wikipedia Citation

<ref name=NYPL>{{cite web | url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/920af61e-c249-6033-e040-e00a18060f1e | title= (text) Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651, (1651)|author=Digital Collections, The New York Public Library |accessdate=July 11, 2025 |publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations}}</ref>

Oliver Cromwell letter to John Cotton,1651