The great ornament of history, during these reigns, are the civil, not the military transactions.
Never surely was a more singular army assembled, than that which was now set on foot by the parliament.

To the greater number of the regiments chaplains were not appointed, the officers assumed the spiritual duty, and united it with their military functions.

During the intervals of action, they occupied themselves in sermons, prayers, exhortations; and the same emulation there attended them, which in the field is so necessary to support the honor of that profession.

Rapturous ecstasies supplied the place of study and reflection; and while the zealous devotees poured out their thoughts in unpremeditated harangues, they mistook that eloquence which to their own surprise, as well as that of others, flowed in upon them, for divine illuminations, and for illapses of the Holy Spirit.

Wherever they were quartered, they excluded the minister from his pulpit; and, usurping his place, conveyed their sentiments to the audience, with all the authority which followed their power, their valor, and their military exploits, united to their appearing zeal and fervor.