Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658),a great general and administrator,was appointed the 'Lord protector of England in 1653.He sentenced a
soldier to death for terrible crime.The soldier was to be executed by a firing squad as the curfew bell struck midnight. The squad was
prepared, the guns were loaded and were made ready. But the clock never struck! After a few Minutes, Cromwell sent some soldier to
investigate. They found that a young lady, the sweethheart of the man to be executed, had strapped herself to the clapper of the
huge clock so when it struck the side of the bell, her body took the impact but make no sound. Both of her legs were broken, one arm
was badly damaged, several ribs were cracked. Cromwell was so moved by her remarkable sacrifice that he ordered her sweetheart
to be freed, and said to the lady, "Your love has save him. No curfew bell will sound tonight". What a clear and practical illustration
of the free and costly forgiveness brought down to all men by Jesus Christ. Although we receive salvation as a free gift it did cost
God very dearly, even His only begotten Son, Jesus christ.
