XXI. Count Oxenstiern, chancellor of Sweden, a person of the first quality, station, and ability in his own country, and whose share and success, not only in the chief ministry of affairs in that kingdom, but in the greatest negotiations of Europe during his time, made him no less considerable abroad. After all his knowledge and honour, being visited in his retreat from public business, by commissioner Whitlock, ambassador from England to Queen Christiana, in the conclusion of their discourse, he said to the ambassador, "I have seen much, and enjoyed much of this world, but I never knew how to live till now. I thank my good God that has given me time to know Him, and to know myself. All the comfort I have, and all the comfort I take, and which is more than the whole world can give, is feeling the good Spirit of God in my heart, and reading in this good book," holding up the Bible, "that came from it." And further addressed himself thus to the ambassador: "You are now in the prime of your age and vigour, and in great favour and business; but this will all leave you, and you will one day better understand and relish what I say to you; and then you will find that there is more wisdom, truth, comfort, and pleasure, in retiring and turning your heart from the world, to the good Spirit of God, and in reading the Bible, than in all the courts and favours of princes." This I had, as near as I am able to remember, from the ambassador's own mouth, more than once. A very edifying history, when we consider from whom it came; one of the greatest and wisest men of his age, while his understanding was as sound and vigorous, as his experience and knowledge were great. XXII. Dr. Donne, a great poet, taking his farewell of his friends, on his dying bed, left this saying behind him, for them to measure their fancies and their actions by: "I repent of all my life, but that part of it I spent in communion with God, and doing good."