XLIII.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(_WHEN MR. RUTHERFORD WAS IN DIFFICULTY AS TO ACCEPTING A CALL TO
KIRKCUDBRIGHT, AND CRAMOND._)
MUCH HONOURED AND DEAR MISTRESS,--My love in Christ remembered. I am
grieved at the heart to write anything to you to breed heaviness to
you; and what I have written, I wrote with much heaviness. But I
entreat you in Christ's name, when my soul is under wrestlings, and
seeking direction from our Lord (to whom His vineyard belongeth)
whither I shall go, give me liberty to advise, and try all airts and
paths, to see whether He goeth before me and leadeth me. For if I were
assured of God's call to your town, let my arm fall from my
shoulder-blade and lose power, and my right eye be dried up (which is
the judgment of the idol shepherd) (Zech. xi. 17), if I would not swim
through the water without a boat ere I sat His bidding. But if ye knew
my doubtings and fears in that, ye would suffer with me. Whether they
be temptations or impediments cast in by my God, I know not. But you
have now cause to thank God; for seeing the Bishop hath given you such
a promise, he will give you an honest man more willingly than he will
permit me to come to you. And, as I ever entreated you, put the
business out of your hand in the Lord's reverence;[133] and try of
Him, if ye have warrant of Him to seek no man in the world but one
only, when there are choice of good men to be had. Howbeit they be too
scarce, yet they are. And what God saith to me in the business, I
resolve by His grace to do; for I know not what He will do with me.
But God shall fill you with joy ere this business be ended; for I
persuade myself our Lord Jesus hath stirred you up already to do good
in the business, and ye shall not lose your reward.
[133] Referring to a promise made to the people of Kirkcudbright by
the Bishop of Galloway, to give them a man according to their own
mind, provided they would not choose Mr. Rutherford.
I have heard your husband and Samuel have been sick. The man who is
called _the Branch_ and _God's fellow_, who standeth before His
Father, will be your stay and help (Zech. xiii. 7). I would I were
able to comfort your soul. But have patience, and stand still; he that
believeth maketh not haste. This matter of Cramond, cast in at this
time, is either a temptation, having fallen out at this time; or then
it will clear all my doubts, and let you see the Lord's will. But I
never knew my own part in the business till now. I thought I was more
willing to have embraced the charge in your town, than I am, or am
able to win to. I know ye pray that God would resolve me what to do;
and will interpret me, as love biddeth you, which "thinketh not ill,
and believeth all things, and hopeth all things." Would ye have more
than the Son of God? and ye have Him already. And ye shall be fed by
the carver of the meat, be he who he will; and those who are hungry
look more to the meat than to the carver.
I cannot see you the next week. If my lady come home, I must visit
her. The week thereafter will be a Presbytery at Girthon. God will
dispose of the meeting. Grace upon you, and your seed, and husband.
The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours in Christ,