XLVI.--_To_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(_TOSSINGS OF SPIRIT--HER CHILDREN AND HUSBAND._)
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,--My tender affection in Christ
remembered. I left you in as great heaviness as I was in since I came
to this country; but I know you doubt not but that (as the truth is in
Christ) my soul is knit to your soul, and to the soul of all yours;
and I would, if I could, send you the largest part of my heart
inclosed in this letter. But by fervent calling upon my Lord, I have
attained some victory over my heart, which runneth often not knowing
whither, and over my beguiling hopes, which I know now better than I
did. I trust in my Lord to hold aloof from the enticings of a seducing
heart, by which I am daily cosened; and I mind not (by His grace who
hath called me according to His eternal purpose) to come so far within
the grips of my foolish mind, gripping about any folly coming its way
as the woodbine or ivy goeth about the tree.
I adore and kiss the providence of my Lord, who knoweth well what is
most expedient for me, and for you and your children; and I think of
you as of myself, that the Lord, who in His deep wisdom turneth about
all the wheels and turning of such changes, shall also dispose of that
for the best to you and yours. In the presence of my Lord, I am not
able, howbeit I would, to conceive amiss of you in that matter. Grace,
grace for ever be upon you and your seed, and it shall be your
portion, in despite of all the powers of darkness. Do not make more
question of this. But the Lord saw a nail in my heart loose, and He
hath now fastened it. Honour be to His Majesty.
I hear your son is entered to the school. If I had known of the day, I
would have begged from our Lord that He would have put the book in his
hand with His own hand. I trust in my Lord it is so; and I conceive a
hope to see him a star, to give light in some room of our Lord's
house; and purpose, by the Lord's grace, as I am able (if our Lord
call you to rest before me), when you are at your home, to do to the
uttermost of my power to help him every way in grace and learning, and
his brothers, and all your children. And I hope you would expect that
of me.
Further, you shall know that Mr. W. D.[135] is come home, who saith it
is a miracle that your husband, in this process before the Council,
escaped both discredit and damage. Let it not be forgotten he was, in
our apprehension, to our grief, cast down and humbled in the Lord's
work, in that matter betwixt him and the bailie: now the Lord hath
honoured him, and made him famous for virtue, honesty, and integrity,
two several times, before the nobles of this kingdom. Your Lord
liveth. We will go to His throne of grace again; His arm is not
shortened.
[135] William Dalgleish, minister of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck. See
Letter CXVII.
The King is certainly expected. Ill is feared; we have cause for our
sins to fear that the Bridegroom shall be taken from us. By our sins
we have rent His fair garments, and we have stirred up and awakened
our Beloved. Pray Him to tarry, or then to take us with Him. It were
good that we should knock and rap at our Lord's door. We may not tire
to knock oftener than twice or thrice. He knoweth the knock of His
friends.
I am still what I was ever to your dear children, tendering their
soul's happiness, and praying that grace, grace, grace, mercy, and
peace from God, even God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus, may be
their portion; and that now, while they are green and young, their
hearts may take band with Jesus, the Cornerstone: and win once in, in
our Lord and Saviour's house, and then they will not get leave to
flit. Pray for me, and especially for humility and thankfulness. I
have always remembrance of you, and your husband, and dear children.
The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours evermore in my dear Lord Jesus and yours,