t his family was at Chelsea,
whither he had sent advertisement of his coming.

Many of the company being much tired, sick, and wanting sleep, by their
desire and for their refreshment he staid a little time at the 'Bear' on
the bridge-foot, and from thence to Whitehall, where not finding the
Protector, who was gone to Hampton Court, yet many of his friends meeting
him there, he was embraced by them with much show of joy, and heartily
bid welcome home, blessing God for his safe return and good success in
his business.

From Whitehall Whitelocke went to his own house at Chelsea, where he
found his wife and family in good health, but in no small passion,
surprised with the great and sudden joy, which ofttimes brings no less
disturbance to the tempers of people, especially of the more tender and
affectionate sex, than other surprises do; sudden fear, grief, and joy,
are often equal in their operation upon constitutions and affections. Nor
was Whitelocke's wife alone in this surprise; another with her, at the
return of her husband, could not forbear, in all that company, her
extraordinary expressions of joy at the happy meeting of her own most
near relation.

From the time of Whitelocke's departure from hence, to his entry into
Upsal, Whitelocke spent forty-seven days; five months he staid there, and
in his return from Upsal to this place cost him forty-three days; and in
all these eight months' time of his absence from his dear relations and
country the Lord was pleased so to own him and his, and so graciously to
preserve and prosper them, that himself and a hundred persons in his
company, after so long a journey, so great a change of climate and
accommodations, such hardships endured, such dangers surmounted through
His goodness, the business effected beyond the expectation of those who
employed him, Whitelocke and all his company were through mercy returned
to their country and relations, in as good condition and health as when
they went forth, not one of them left behind dead or sick or impaired in
their health, but some improved and bettered therein. Only Whitelocke,
being ancient, will have cause to remember the decay of his strength and
health by the hardships and difficulties of this service; but more cause
hath he to remember the wonderful goodness of God to him and his company
abroad and to his wife and family at home, in His blessing and
preservation of them, and in the comfort and safety of their meeting
after