July 13, 1654.
Whitelocke summoned to resume the Commissionership of the Great Seal. This Order of the Council was brought unto me:—
“Thursday, the 13th of July, 1654.
“At the Council at Whitehall: Ordered, by his Highness the Lord Protector and the Council, that the Lord Commissioner Whitelocke do attend the Council tomorrow morning, to take his oath as one of the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal, and that the rest of the Lords Commissioners do then also attend with the Seal.
“Henry Scobell,
“Clerk of the Council.”
Some of my friends thought it very long before this order was made, and looked upon it as some neglect to me, whereof I was likewise sensible, but had no remedy; only it seemed hard that after so perilous an undertaking, performed, through the blessing of God, faithfully and successfully on my part, my requital should be a neglect of me and my services. Yet it pleased God to give me much patience and temperance to bear this slighting and ingratitude, and I knew the condition of him from whom it came, who, when his turn was served, usually forgot the instruments.