addresses to his Highnesse the Lord Protector (whom God preserve.) And finding that my coming over would not be altogether unwelcome to him, with those great hopes which I conceived, I joyfully took my leave of my house, my friends, my kindred, all my advantages there, and the country wherein I have lived all my life time, under the benign protection, and favour of the Lords, the States Generall, and Magistrates of _Amsterdam_; _in fine_ (I say) I parted with them all, and took my voyage for _England_. Where, after my arrivall, being very courteously received, and treated with much respect, I presented to his most Serene Highnesse, a petition, and some desires, which for the most part, were written to me by my brethren the _Iewes_, from severall parts of _Europe_, as your worship may better understand by former relations. Whereupon it pleased his Highnesse to convene an Assembly at _Whitehall_, of Divines, Lawyers, and Merchants, of different perswasions, and opinions. Whereby mens judgements, and sentences were different. Insomuch, that as yet, we have had no finall determination from his most Serene Highnesse. Wherefore those few _Iewes_ that were here, despairing of our expected successe, departed hence. And others who desired to come hither, have quitted their hopes, and betaken themselves some to _Italy_, some to _Geneva_, where that Commonwealth hath at this time, most freely granted them many, and great priviledges. Now, O most high God, to thee I make my prayer, even to thee, the God of our Fathers. Thou who hast been pleased to stile thy self _the keeper of Israel_; Thou who hast graciously promised, by thy holy Prophet _Ieremiah_, (cap. 31.) _that thou wilt not cast off all the seed of Israel, for all the evill that they have done_; thou who by so many stupendious miracles, didst bring thy people out of _Egypt_, the land of bondage, and didst lead them into the _holy land_; graciously cause thy holy influence to descend down into the mind of the Prince, (who for no private interest, or respect at all, but onely out of commiseration to our affliction, hath inclined himself to protect, and shelter us, for which extraordinary humanity, neither I my self, nor my nation, can ever expect to be able to render him answerable, and sufficient thanks,) and also into the minds of his most illustrious and prudent Council, that they may determine that, which according to thine infinite wisdome, may be best, and most expedient for us. For men (O Lord) see that which is present, but thou in thy omnisciencie seest that which is afarre off.