ANWOTH, _Jan. 23, 1634_.
XXXII.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(_STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH--SATAN._)
MISTRESS,--My love in Christ remembered. I am in care and fear for
this work of our Lord's, now near approaching, because of the danger
of the time; and I dare not for my soul be silent, to see my Lord's
house burning, and not cry "Fire, fire!" Therefore, seek from our Lord
wisdom spiritual, and not black policy, to speak with liberty our
Lord's truth.--I am cast down, and would fain have access and presence
to The King that day, even howbeit I should break up iron doors. I
believe you will not forget me; and you will desire Jean Brown, Thomas
Carson, and Marion Carson, to help me. Pray for well-cooked meat and a
heartsome Saviour, with joy crying, "Welcome in My Father's name."
I am confident Zion shall be well; the Bush shall burn and not
consume, for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush. But the Lord
is making on a fire in Jerusalem, and purposeth to blow the bellows,
and to melt the tin and brass, and bring out a fair beautiful bride
out of the furnace, that will be married over again upon the new
Husband, and sing as in the days of her youth, when the contract of
marriage is written over again. But I fear the bride be hidden for a
time from the dragon that pursueth the woman with child. But what,
howbeit we go and lurk in the wilderness for a time? for the Lord will
take His kirk to the wilderness and speak to her heart.
Nothing casteth me down, but only I fear the Lord will cast down the
shepherd's tents, and feed his own in a secret place. But let us,
however matters frame, cast over the affairs of the bride upon the
Bridegroom; the government is upon His shoulders, and He dow bear us
all well enough. That fallen star, the prince of the bottomless pit,
knoweth it is near the time when he shall be tormented; and now in his
evening he has gathered his armies, to win one battle or two, in the
edge of the evening, at the sun going down. And when our Lord has been
watering His vineyards in France, and Germany, and Bohemia, how can we
think ourselves Christ's sister, if we be not like Him, and our other
great sisters? I cannot but think, seeing the ends of the earth are
given to Christ (Psa. ii. 8), and Scotland is the end of the earth,
and so we are in Christ's charter-tailzie, but our Lord will keep His
possession. We fall by promise and law to Christ. He won us with the
sweat of His brow, if I may say so; His Father promised Him His
liferent of Scotland. Glory, glory to our King! long may He wear His
crown. O Lord, let us never see another King! O let Him come down like
rain upon the new-mown grass!
I had you in remembrance on Saturday in the morning last, in a great
measure, and was brought, thrice on end, in remembrance of you in my
prayer to God. Grace, grace be your portion.
Yours in his sweet Lord Jesus,