Prot. I have heard of your quarters and lodging in straw, and of your diet in your journey; we were not so hardly nor so often put to it in our service in the army.
Wh. Both my company and myself did cheerfully endure all our hardships and wants, being in the service of our God and of our country.
Prot. That was also our support in our hardships in the army, and it is the best support, indeed it is, and you found it so in the very great preservations you have had from dangers.
Wh. Your Highness hath had great experience of the goodness of God to you, and the same hand hath appeared wonderfully in the preservation of my company and myself from many imminent and great dangers both by sea and land.
Prot. The greatest of all other, I hear, was in your return home upon our coast.
Wh. That indeed, Sir, was very miraculous.
Prot. I am glad to see you safe and well after it.
Wh. I have cause to bless God with all thankfulness for it as long as I live.
Prot. I pray, my Lord, tell me the particulars of that great deliverance.
Thereupon Whitelocke gave a particular account of the passages of that wonderful preservation; then the Protector said:—