X.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(_SUBMISSION, PERSEVERANCE AND ZEAL RECOMMENDED._)
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,--I could not get an answer
written to your letter till now, in respect of my wife's disease; and
she is yet mightily pained. I hope that all shall end in God's mercy.
I know that an afflicted life looks very like the way that leads to
the kingdom; for the Apostle hath drawn the line and the King's
market-way, "through much tribulation, to the kingdom" (Acts xiv. 22;
1 Thess. iii. 4). The Lord grant us the whole armour of God.
Ye write to me concerning your people's disposition, how that their
hearts are inclined toward the man ye know, and whom ye desire most
earnestly yourself. He would most gladly have the Lord's call for
transplantation; for he knows that all God's plants, set by His own
hand, thrive well; and if the work be of God, He can make a
stepping-stone of the devil himself for setting forward the work. For
yourself, I would advise you to ask of God a submissive heart. Your
reward shall be with the Lord, although the people be not gathered (as
the prophet speaks); and suppose the word[97] do not prosper, God
shall account you "a repairer of the breaches." And take Christ
caution, ye shall not lose your reward. Hold your grip fast. If ye
knew the mind of the glorified in heaven, they think heaven come to
their hand at an easy market, when they have got it for threescore or
fourscore years wrestling with God. When ye are come thither, ye shall
think, "All I did, in respect of my rich reward, now enjoyed of free
grace, was too little." Now then, for the love of the Prince of your
salvation, who is standing at the end of your way, holding up in His
hand the prize and the garland to the race-runners, Forward, forward;
faint not. Take as many to heaven with you as ye are able to draw. The
more ye draw with you, ye shall be the welcomer yourself. Be no
niggard or sparing churl of the grace of God; and employ all your
endeavours for establishing an honest ministry in your town, now when
ye have so few to speak a good word for you. I have many a grieved
heart daily in my calling. I would be undone, if I had not access to
the King's chamber of presence, to show Him all the business. The
devil rages, and is mad to see the water drawn from his own mill; but
would to God we could be the Lord's instruments to build the Son of
God's house.
[97] Work?
Pray for me. If the Lord furnish not new timber from Lebanon to build
the house, the work will cease. I look to Him, who hath begun well
with me. I have His handwrite, He will not change. Your daughter is
well, and longs for a Bible. The Lord establish you in peace. The Lord
Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours at all power in Christ,