264'  JOURNAL    OF   THE

Ft,  I  have  a  very  trae  honour  for  the  Protector,
and  for  England,  where  I  have  been,  and  account  it  one
of  the  best  countries  in  the  world.
Wli.  It  is  indeed.  Sir,  a  very  good  country,  and
honoured  by  your  knowledge  of  it  and  having  been
upon  it.
Pt,  But  I  doubt  that  by  your  late  troubles  it  may
be  much  damaged.
Wh,  Truly,  Sir,  God  hath  so  ordered  it  that  those
desolations  which  usually  attend  on  war^  especially  a
civil  war,  have  not  been  so  much  in  our  country  as
others  have  felt  who  have  been  plunged  in  those  mi*
series.
•  Pr.  It  is  a  great  blessing  to  you,  especially  consi-
dering your  change  hath  been  so  great  and  your  trou-
bles so  lasting.
Wh.  Our  troubles  endured  a  long  time,  but,  blessed
be  God,  at  present  we  enjoy  peace  and  settlement  after
our  changes.  The  discourse  here  is  now  altogether
of  the  voluntary  change  like  to  be  in  your  Highnesses
country.
Pr.  Her  Majesty  is  pleased  to  take  a  resolution  to
resign  her  government,  and  I  am  commanded  hither
upon  that  occasion,  though  altogether  unsought  for
by  me.
Wh.  You  are.  Sir,  every  way  worthy  of  it,  and  the
more  for  not  seeking  it ;  and  being  the  will  of  God  is
to  bring  you  to  such  an  increase  of  power  as  to  the
royal  dignity,  it  will  turn  most  to  your  own  and  your
people's  good,  to  employ  your  power  to  the  honour  of
Him  that  gives  it,  and  to  prefer  His  service  by  whom
kings  reign  before  any  other  concernments.
