Napoleon Bonaparte vs. Oliver Cromwell

These two were great men of their times. Both of them have left an indelible mark on history. In some things we may say they were similar. For example, both were great military Generals with great genius. Each was a great ruler of his country. Yet, in many ways they were more different than similar, especially in the thing that mattered most - faith. 

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a Catholic, like most Frenchmen at the time, and it appears that throughout his career he was a just nominal Christian. At the end of his life and career -  after conquering nearly all of Europe, ruling an empire, and then losing badly - there is some credible evidence that he may have come to saving faith at last. 

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell on the other hand was a Protestant and a Puritan. Who was a born again believer right from the beginning of his public career. From the beginning he did everything through faith in the Lord, believing strongly in His guidance and providence (no one can really escape this when reading his speeches and letters) and his legacy is stronger and much more godly than Napoleon's. 

J.H. Merle D'Aubigne
19th Century Historian

Great 19th century Protestant historian, J.H. Merle D'Aubigne, has given us some profound comparisons between the two in his very good book, The Protector - A vindication. 

First, he refers to a certain French historian who indicated that Cromwell was only an English hero, while Napoleon spread his name and influence into every quarter of the world, thus implying that Napoleon was greater. 

This is what D'Aubigne said in response: 

It is true that Cromwell did not launch his destroying legions into Spain and Russia and even into Egypt. It is true that he thought it the highest excellence to live in Christ to the end that God in all things might be glorified, and to bear, like Simon of Cyrenean, the cross and the shame of the Lord. But it is a grand mistake to suppose that his name was hardly known beyond the British isles. So great was his renown that it extended even to the distant plains of Asia... (p. 213) 

In fact, during his Protectorate, Cromwell warned the French King and his government that if they did not stop brutally persecuting and harassing a certain Protestant group (descendants of the Waldenses), he would send his own army to protect them. Cromwell, didn't have to do that. The French government knew well of Cromwell's undefeated army. So they stopped the persecution. That was Cromwell's influence.

D'Aubigne continues with his comparison: 

 He [Cromwell] has been compared to Bonaparte, and there are, indeed, striking features of resemblance between them. Neither was satisfied with confining himself to his own country alone, and both exerted their activity abroad. But while Napoleon bore to other nations French tyranny and indifference, Cromwell would have given them religious liberty and the Gospel. The everlasting revelations having reappeared in England [the  Protestant Reformation] and received the homage of a whole people, it was Cromwell's ambition to present them to the whole world. (p. 231)

This was his prayer to the end where on his deathbed he prayed: '...may the Name of Christ be glorious in the world.'
Napoleon's achievements and accomplishments were done mainly for personal power and glory and perhaps a bit of nationalism. It was only later that he discovered that the empire he had built was nothing and that Christ's empire was what will stand. 

These are just a few comparisons between the two. I'm sure there are many more things we could use for comparison. However, this should suffice for now. 


What really matters and what really is greatness in leader in the eyes of God is the fear of the Lord. Cromwell definitely had that throughout his life and career....did Napoleon? I haven't done enough reading on his personal life during his public career to be 100 percent sure, however, from my observation of his history...he definitely did not have it like Cromwell. 


God Bless


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Reference:

J.H. Merle D'Aubigne, The Protector: A Vindication, 1847, Virginia: Sprinkle Publications, 1997