nce was free in his discourse, but Whitelocke
thought not fit for him to be so.

[SN: Letter of Jonathan Pickes.]

Whitelocke communicated to some of his company a letter which he received
from a member of a congregation in London, which was thus:--

"_For his Excellence the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke at Sweden._

"My Lord,

"The wise and holy carriage of Solomon before the Queen of Sheba are
more lasting monuments of his praise than his targets of gold, or
magnificent temple. The glory of saints is a glorious name, by
which, though dead, yet they speak. God will not be ungrateful, nor
unfaithful to forget or not to recompense any labour of love. The
interest of Christ,--what greater jewel in the world! and yet how
little liked and loved by the world! All seek their own, not the
things of Jesus Christ. The best, the noblest, the most lasting, yet
not minded: our own things, poor, low, uncertain, unsatisfactory,
yet pursued. The heart runneth after the wedge of gold, and the mind
seeks for greatness. Give me honour, or else I die: a crown here is
more desired than heaven hereafter. Divine love hath great danger
accompanying it, but the recompense is answerable: 'Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' Learned Paul
counts all things but dung and dross to holy Christ; and Moses
esteemed reproaches for Christ, and afflictions with the people of
Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt or the honours at
Court. And now, Sir, will you have the meaning of all? It is only a
Christian motive to you to eye the highest Lord and the best
interest with the greatest industry; that his honour, which is best
of all, be dearer to you than all country honour: life, world, are
not to be named in the day of his glory. Oh mind him who will not
forget you in the least! There's none in heaven like him: can there
be anything on earth compared to him? Two things are chiefly to be
minded in all actings,--the springs from whence, and the centre to
which, all moves. If love to God be the spring of all, and glory for
God the centre of all, then the heart is upright in all. Remember
the blessed sound, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou
hast been faithful in a little, but thou shalt be enjoyer of much;
enter into thy Lord's joy.' And truly, Sir, you have been not a