Eloquence in Writing

The following is a letter written by the great Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector of England) to his daughter. His daughter was the wife of a very good friend of Cromwell's, Colonel Ireton. Notice the tones of this letter. Fathers don't talk this way to their children anymore. In fact, we use casual expressions in order to communicate. Instead of intelligent thought and warm letters, we have seen a loss of beauty in the manner by which people communicate. 

I hope you enjoy this letter as much as I. May we see a rise of this kind of communication once again, where friend encourages friend in the things of God. God is a God of great beauty. May that beauty be reflected in every area of our lives.

"For my beloved Daughter, Bridget Ireton, at Cornbery, 

the General's Quarters: These. 

       "Dear Daughter,

     "I write not to thy husband; partly to avoid trouble, for one line of mine begets many of his, which I doube makes him sit up too late; partly because I am myself indisposed [i.e. not in the mood] at this time, having some other considerations.

     "Your friends at Ely are well: your sister Claypole is, I trust in mercy, exercised with some perplexed thoughts, She sees her vanity and carnal mind; bewailing it: she seeks after (as I hope also) what will satisfy. And thus to be a seeker is to be one of the best sect next to a finder; and such a one shall every faithful humble seeker be at the end. Happy seeker, happy finder. 

     "Who ever tasted that the Lord is gracious, without some sense of self, vanity, and badness? Who ever tasted that graciousness of His, and could go less in desire? Dear Heart, press on; let not thy Husband, let not anything cool thy affections after Christ. I hope he [thy husband] will be an occasion to inflame them. That which is best worthy of love in thy Husband is that of the image of Christ he bears. Look on that, and love it best, and all the rest for that. I pray for thee and him; do so for me. 

     "My service and dear affections to the General and Generaless. I hear she is very kind to thee; it adds to all other obligations. I am

"Thy dear Father,

                                         "Oliver Cromwell."

Dear Reader, we can not only learn much about writing style and eloquence from this excellent letter, but we can also learn much about Christianity, how we ought to live. Oliver Cromwell is admonishing his daughter to live a godly life, to have godly affections, to love her husband. This is what fathers ought to be doing. Furthermore, for those that are not married, we can learn to admonish, encourage, and build up our friends. I hope you take heed to the teachings of this wonderful letter. May the Lord richly bless you.

Soli Deo Gloria