, Mr.
Robert Jenkinson, Colonel Nathaniel Fynes, Mr. Lenthall, Master of
the Rolls, and myself.

"Many of your friends appeared really for me, amongst which I can
experimentally say none acted more effectually than my cousin
Captain Crooke, his father, and brother. The city of Oxford was
prepared very seasonably for me, wherein my cousin Richard Crooke's
affections did particularly appear; and I conceive that if you shall
be pleased to waive the election for the city of Oxford, no truer
friend could be commended by you for their choice than my cousin
Richard Crooke, in regard of his interest there, if you think it
fit. I shall say no more at present in this haste, but expect your
commands in all things, who am

"Your most obedient son,
"J. WHITELOCKE.
"_Oxford, July 12, 1654._"

The gentlemen of Oxfordshire did generally manifest great civility and
respect to me in this business of my son; so did the citizens of Oxford;
and the scholars were not behindhand in the expression of their favour
and good opinion of me and my son, and they stood stoutly and generally
for my son to be one of the knights for the county. Thus was my interest
at this time sufficient to make another to be knight of the shire; yet
when my condition fell, my interest fell with it, and I was looked upon
as a stranger among them. Such is the course and vicissitude of worldly
things; therefore put no trust in them.

_July 13, 1654._

[SN: 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 ble