WHEN Bulstrode Whitlock was embarked as Cromwell's envoy to Sweden, in 1653, he was much disturbed in mind, as he rested in Harwich on the preceding night, which was very stormy, while he reflected on the distracted state of the nation. It happened that a confidential servant slept in an adjacent bed, who, finding that his master could not sleep, at length said: "Pray, sir, will you give me leave to ask you a question?" "Pray, sir, don't you think that God governed the world very well before you came into it?" "And pray, sir, don't you think that He will govern it quite as well when you are gone out of it?" "Then, sir, pray excuse me, but don't you think you may trust Him to govern it quite as well as long as you live?" To this question Whitlock had nothing to reply; but turning about, soon fell fast asleep till he was summoned to embark.