Charles II despot and tyrant
After the death of Oliver Cromwell, he was succeeded as Lord Protector by his son Richard. But though Godly, Richard was just a shadow of his father for strength and courage.
A plot was formed and the perpetrators of it included John Owen, to force Richard to dissolve parliament and reinstate the Runt Parliament. When Monk sided with the rebels, Cromwell resigned and Charles II was King and the Protectorate ended. Charles II was restored unconditionally this time.
With Charles restoration came new reformed.
The Anglican Church and Bishops with all their power and money were restored.
Even though the monarchy was restored it was a limited monarchy in that it didn’t have the absolute power it did in Charles I or James I reigns. That was the affect of Cromwell and his protectorate had bought about.
The church of England was restored as the main church of the land, and the root and branch petition overturned.
After Cromwell’s wars with both Ireland and Scotland, those countries never had such times of peace in their lands before. More people were converted than ever previously during those peaceful times.
Despotism was the main thrust of Charles reign. The countries morals were corrupted and he sought to overturn the whole work of the Reformation. One of the first steps he took was to disband Cromwell’s model army. Cromwell and his army had fought together and God had so been with them they had never lost a battle. They were a band of godly men, who preferred spiritual things than things of the world. When Charles disbanded the army, these disciplined and godly men too their pay and faded away without a trace or any rancour. None of these veterans were ever charged with theft; none of them ever begged; and though the times were hard in those days, these men were some of the most prosperous ones that lived. God seemed to stay with and bless His old soldiers long after they were disbanded.
Another step under Charles II reign was to dig Cromwell’s body up and hang it up on a rope. This was vengeance for Cromwell’s part in the execution of Charles I. Later the body was mutilated and the head hung on a long pole, and there it stayed for many years.
The restoration of the King meant the restoration of persecution. Some of the Presbyterians had supported the King’s restoration and had hoped for favour from him for doing so, but it was a vain hope.
The clarendon code was introduced which consisted of several acts:
Corporation Act: Everyone in public office had to renounce the Solemn League and Covenant, and had to take the Sacrament has give by the Church of England.
Act of Uniformity:
Any preacher not ordained by an Anglican bishop had to be re-ordained and was not recognized as a preacher until he did so.
Anyone in public office had to assent to everything in the Anglican Common Book of prayer, and give an oath of obedience to church bishops
No one in public office could resist the King in even the smallest matter. Complete obedience was required.
With a stab at puritan and Reformed beliefs the Act of Uniformity was passed on the anniversary of Saint Bartholomew’s days, when the French Huguenots were fooled into a false sense of security and in doing so 36,000 of them lost their lives.
Penalties for non-compliance:
The non-conformists were deprived of home, church and livelihood.
2,000 preachers would not bow to the King over the act of Uniformity, and they were driven into utter poverty. Of the Westminster divines, since the Westminster Standards had been written, 30 of the divines had died, but of the rest, all but 4 refused to sign the Act of uniformity and were persecuted for not doing so.
5 Mile act:
Any preacher who didn’t conform was banned from living or visiting any place he use to teach as a preacher.
Conventicles were outlawed and this was first imposed and carried out on the Quakers. A conventicle was designated any meeting with five or more persons.
The first offence you were fined five pounds and jailed for three months.
Second offence fined ten pounds and jailed for six months.
Third offence banished to a penal colony.
Five thousand Quakers were imprisoned within a short period of time. There were sixty thousand arrests all told for refusing to conform.
But in 1665, God turned His might hand against England, in judgment when the Great Plague of London took hold. 68,000 people died during the Great Plague, and also during the same time period, The Great Fire of London occurred which wiped out the entire city of London.
When Charles brother James converted to Roman Catholicism, Charles intended to convert too at a time that was convenient and to take the country with him. Louis XIV of France promised to aim Charles with money and force to impose Roman Catholicism on the British people.
Shortly after indulgences allowed for all the restrictions against Religious liberty which has been imposed as afore mentioned under Charles, were repealed and Religious liberty was allowed. But Charles motives in doing this was not to give any power or grant anything to the Presbyterians but the acts had also involved Roman Catholics so by repealing the acts he gave Religious liberty to the Romish Church.
Charles II reign was one of utter despotism. But his reign meant the end of absolute monarchy.
The puritans were persecuted but not destroyed.
And in parliament we had the beginning of political parties. (all of the above three things were remnant to Oliver Cromwell’s protectorate)
But during Charles’ reign, the English were dechristinaized, and turned away from matters of faith to humanism.
Music, drama and literary works were largely of a secular nature which were read and encouraged to be read. Adultery became fashionable. Pleasure the leading pastime. John Knox’s covenantal politics were replaced for humanism and secularism.
On February 1 1685, Charles II was\ taken ill, and he called for the Roman Catholic priest who had helped him escape and flee from England 34 years before. And when the priest came, Charles received Extreme Unction and died embracing Roman Catholicism.
