s, dangers, and difficulties, wherein
God had delivered them; and what sense these things ought to work upon
their hearts, and what thankfulness they ought to return to God for his
mercies.

After a psalm sung, Mr. Ingelo, one of Whitelocke's chaplains, prayed
with them, and then amplified the favours and deliverances which God had
wrought for them, the great difficulties and dangers wherein He had
preserved them, and their unworthiness of any mercy; he exhorted them to
all gratitude to the Author of their mercies: in all which he expressed
himself with much piety, ingenuity, and with great affection. Mr. George
Downing, who had been a chaplain to a regiment in the army, expounded a
place of Scripture very suitable to the occasion, and very ingeniously
and pertinently. After him, Mr. Stapleton prayed very well, and spake
pertinently and feelingly to the rest of the company, his
fellow-travellers. Then they sang another psalm; and after that, Mr.
Cokaine spake very well and piously, and gave good exhortations on the
same subject.

[SN: Whitelocke's address to his company.]

When all these gentlemen had ended their discourses proper for the
occasion, Whitelocke himself spake to the company to this effect:--

"Gentlemen,

"You have heard from our worthy Christian friends many words of
precious truth, with which I hope all our souls are refreshed, and
do pray that our practice may be conformed. The duty of this day,
and of every person, is _gratiarum actio_: I wish we may all act
thankfulness to our God, whereunto we are all obliged who have
received so great benefits from Him. In a more peculiar manner than
others I hold myself obliged to render thanks--

"1. To our God, who hath preserved us all, and brought us in safety
and comfort to our dear country and relations.

"2. To our Christian friends, from whom we have received such
powerful instructions this day, and prayers all the days of our
absence.

"3. To you, Gentlemen, who have shown so much affection and respect
in bearing me company in a journey so full of hardships and dangers.

"I am of the opinion of the Roman soldier who told Caesar, 'I have in
my own person fought for thee, and therefore that the Emperor ought
in his own person to plead for the soldier' (which he did); and have
in your own persons endured all the hardships, difficulties, and
dangers with me: and were I a