ANWOTH, _April 1, 1633_.
XXIX.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(_CHRIST WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION--PRAYER._)
DEAR SISTER,--I longed much to have conferred with you at this time. I
am grieved at anything in your house that grieveth you; and shall, by
my Lord's grace, suit my Lord to help you to bear your burden, and to
come in behind you, and give you and your burdens a put up the
mountain. Know you not that Christ wooeth His wife in the furnace?
"Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee
in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. xlviii. 10). He casteth His love
on you when you are in the furnace of affliction. You might indeed be
casten down if He brought you in and left you there; but when He
leadeth you through the waters, think ye not that He has a sweet, soft
hand? You know His love-grip already; you shall be delivered, wait on.
Jesus will make a road, and come and fetch home the captive. You shall
not die in prison; but your strokes are such as were your Husband's,
who was wounded in the house of His friends. Strokes are not newings
to Him, and neither are they to you. But your winter night is near
spent; it is near-hand the dawning. I will see you leap for joy. The
kirk shall be delivered. This wilderness shall bud and grow up like a
rose. Christ got a charter of Scotland from His Father; and who will
bereave Him of His heritage, or put our Redeemer out of His mailing,
until His tack be run out? I must have you praying for me: I am black
shamed for evermore now with Christ's goodness; and in private, on the
17th and 18th of August, I got a full answer of my Lord to be a graced
minister, and a chosen arrow hidden in His own quiver. But know this,
assurance is not keeped but by watching and prayer; and, therefore,
dear mistress, help me. I have gotten now (honour to my Lord!) the
gate to open the slote, and shut the bar of His door; and I think it
easy to get anything from the King by prayer, and to use holy violence
with Him. Christ was in Carsphairne[124] kirk, and opened the people's
hearts wonderfully. Jesus is looking up that water; and minting to
dwell amongst them. I would we could give Him His welcome home to the
moors. Now peace and grace be upon you and all yours.
Yours in Christ,