When the civil war broke out, he returned to England, having
accomplished the purposes of his embassy abroad, and attached himself
with the utmost zeal to the Royal Standard; and during those
calamitous times was intrusted with many important matters of state.

In 1644, attending the court at Oxford, the degree of Doctor of Civil
Laws was conferred upon him[2], and the reputation of his parts every
day increasing, he was thought a proper person to be secretary to
Charles, Prince of Wales, whom he attended into the Western parts of
England, and from thence into the Isles of Scilly and Jersey.

In 1648 he was appointed treasurer of the navy, under the command of
Prince Rupert, in which office he continued till the year 1650, when
he was created a baronet by King Charles II. and sent envoy
extraordinary to the court of Spain. Being recalled thence into
Scotland, where the King then was, he served there in quality of
secretary of state, to the satisfaction of all parties,
notwithstanding he refused to take the covenant engagements, which
Charles II. forced by the importunity of the Presbyterians, entered
into, with a resolution to break them. In 1651 he was made prisoner at
the battle of Worcester and committed to close custody in London,
where he continued, 'till his confinement introduced a very dangerous
sickness; he then had liberty granted him, upon giving bail, to go for
the recovery of his health, into any place he should chuse, provided
he stirred not five miles from thence, without leave from the
Parliament.

In February, 1659, he repaired to the King at Breda, who knighted him
the April following. Upon his Majesty's reiteration, it was expected,