LII.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.
(IN THE PROSPECT OF HER HUSBAND BEING COMPELLED TO RECEIVE THE
COMMAND OF THE PRELATES--SAINTS ARE YET TO JUDGE.)
WELL-BELOVED MISTRESS,--I charge you in the name of the Son of God, to
rest upon your Rock, that is higher than yourself. Be not afraid of a
man, who is a worm, nor of the son of man, who shall die. God be your
fear. Encourage your husband. I would counsel you to write to
Edinburgh to some advised lawyers, to understand what your husband, as
the head magistrate, may do in opposing any intruded minister, and in
his carriage toward the new prelate,[141] if he command him to
imprison or lay hands upon any, and, in a word, how far he may in his
office disobey a prelate, without danger of law. For if the Bishop
come to your town, and find not obedience to his heart, it is like he
will command the Provost to assist him against God and the truth. Ye
will have more courage under the persecution. Fear not; take Christ
caution,[142] who said, "There shall not one hair of your head perish"
(Luke xxi. 18). Christ will not be in your common to have you giving
out anything for Him, and not give you all incomes with advantage. It
is His honour His servants should not be herried and undone in His
service. You were never honoured till now. And if your husband be the
first magistrate who shall suffer for Christ's name in this
persecution, he may rejoice that Christ hath put the first garland on
his head and upon yours. Truth will yet keep the crown of the causey
in Scotland. Christ and truth are strong enough. They judge us now; we
shall one day judge them, and sit on twelve thrones and judge the
twelve tribes. Believe, believe; for they dare not pray; they dare not
look Christ in the face. They have been false to Christ, and He will
not sit with the wrong. Ye know it is not our cause; for if we would
quit our Lord, we might sleep for the present in a sound skin, and
keep our place, means, and honour, and be dear to them also; but let
us once put all we have over in Christ's hand. Fear not for my papers;
I shall despatch them, but ye will be examined for them. The Spirit
of Jesus give you inward peace. Desire your husband from me to prove
honest to Christ; he shall not be a loser at Christ's hand.
Yours ever in his sweet Lord Jesus,