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8. PRESBYTERIAN POLICY OF GUSTAF. 227
he kept throughout his life "in
lofty place, The wisdom
which adversity had bred."
43
His insight into the course of events, his knowledge of
what he could do and what he could not do, was extra
ordinary. He had a just idea of the needs of his country,
and he measured correctly what he could do to meet them.
He saw, from the time of his election as king, what a part
religion might play in the liberation and development of
his country, to which he devoted himself with an ambition
that was not, as far as I can judge, in any high degree sel
fish. His private life and his life in his family was pure,
temperate and affectionate. His court was bright and cheer
ful, and his intercourse with his guests of all degrees
pleasant and familiar. His personal religion was genuine
and consistent, though not that of a devotee or enthusiast,
and his careful methods of education left a religious tem
per to his children and grandchildren, which was exhibited
by all of them, though in very different ways. His treat
ment of the Church was, no doubt, that of a statesman
rather than a Churchman, and required frequent apology.
He looked upon the Church as an instrument to be used for
the good of the nation, and one that required cautious
handling, because of men s prejudices, rather than as a
divine society controlling the acts of men, the welfare of
which was an end in itself. His excuse may be that, in the
age just before his own, intrigue and worldliness, violence
and selfishness, had so intruded themselves into the high
places of the Church, as to make it seem justifiable to use
the powers of the Church in an arbitrary and politic, rather
than in a sympathetic manner, provided the general wel
fare of the community were kept in view. In many points
he is comparable both to Henry VIII. and Elizabeth of
England. He had a simpler task, though, perhaps, not an
easier one, than either of them. He found much less
ability and intellect existing about him in the persons,
either of his supporters or opponents, than they had. The
43
W. Wordsworth: Song at the feast of Brougham Castle,
written in 1807. The person referred to is a Lord Clifford.
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