[152] The prelates; alluding to 1 Pet. v. 3.
[153] _Exercitat. Apol. pro Divinâ Gratiâ_, published this year (1636)
at Amsterdam.
[154] Calling them "Lords."
[155] Brother to Lady Kenmure, and afterwards the celebrated Marquis
of Argyle. See Letter LXI. also.
LXI.--_To the truly Noble and Elect Lady, my LADY VISCOUNTESS OF
KENMURE, on the evening of his banishment to Aberdeen._
(_HIS ONLY REGRETS--THE CROSS UNSPEAKABLY SWEET--RETROSPECT OF HIS
MINISTRY._)
NOBLE AND ELECT LADY,--That honour that I have prayed for these
sixteen years, with submission to my Lord's will, my kind Lord hath
now bestowed upon me, even to suffer for my royal and princely King
Jesus, and for His kingly crown, and the freedom of His kingdom that
His Father hath given Him. The forbidden lords have sentenced me with
deprivation, and confinement within the town of Aberdeen. I am charged
in the King's name to enter against the 20th day of August next, and
there to remain during the King's pleasure, as they have given it out.
Howbeit Christ's green cross, newly laid upon me, be somewhat heavy,
while I call to mind the many fair days sweet and comfortable to my
soul and to the souls of many others, and how young ones in Christ are
plucked from the breast, and the inheritance of God laid waste; yet
that sweet smelled and perfumed cross of Christ is accompanied with
sweet refreshments, with the kisses of a King, with the joy of the
Holy Ghost, with faith that the Lord hears the sighing of a prisoner,
with undoubted hope (as sure as my Lord liveth) after this night to
see daylight, and Christ's sky to clear up again upon me, and His poor
kirk; and that in a strange land, among strange faces, He will give
favour in the eyes of men to His poor oppressed servant, who dow not
but love that lovely One, that princely One, Jesus, the Comforter of
his soul. All would be well, if I were free of old challenges for
guiltiness, and for neglect in my calling, and for speaking too little
for my Well-beloved's crown, honour, and kingdom. O for a day in the
assembly of the saints to advocate for King Jesus! If my Lord also go
on now to quarrels I die, I cannot endure it. But I look for peace
from Him, because He knoweth I dow bear men's feud, but I dow not bear
His feud. This is my only exercise, that I fear I have done little
good in my ministry; but I dare not but say, I loved the bairns of the
wedding-chamber, and prayed for and desired the thriving of the
marriage, and coming of His kingdom.
I apprehend no less than a judgment upon Galloway, and that the Lord
shall visit this whole nation for the quarrel of the Covenant. But
what can be laid upon me, or any the like of me, is too light for
Christ. Christ dow bear more, and would bear death and burning quick,
in His quick servants, even for this honourable cause that I now
suffer for. Yet for all my complaints (and He knoweth that I dare not
now dissemble), He was never sweeter and kinder than He is now. One
kiss now is sweeter than ten long since; sweet, sweet is His cross;
light, light and easy is His yoke. O what a sweet step were it up to
my Father's house through ten deaths, for the truth and cause of that
unknown, and so not half well loved, Plant of Renown, the Man called
the Branch, the Chief among ten thousands, the fairest among the sons
of men! O what unseen joys, how many hidden heart-burnings of love,
are in the "remnants of the sufferings of Christ!" (Col. i. 24.) My
dear worthy Lady, I give it to your Ladyship, under my own hand, my
heart writing as well as my hand,--welcome, welcome, sweet, sweet and
glorious cross of Christ; welcome, sweet Jesus, with Thy light cross.
Thou hast now gained and gotten all my love from me; keep what Thou
hast gotten! Only woe, woe is me, for my bereft flock, for the lambs
of Jesus, that I fear shall be fed with dry breasts. But I spare now.
Madam, I dare not promise to see your Ladyship, because of the little
time I have allotted me; and I purpose to obey the King, who hath
power of my body; and rebellion to kings is unbeseeming Christ's
ministers. Be pleased to acquaint my Lady Mar[156] with my case. I
will look that your Ladyship and that good lady will be mindful to God
of the Lord's prisoner, not for my cause, but for the Gospel's sake.
Madam, bind me more, if more can be, to your Ladyship, and write
thanks to your brother, my Lord of Lorn, for what he hath done for me,
a poor unknown stranger to his Lordship. I shall pray for him and his
house, while I live. It is his honour to open his mouth in the
streets, for his wronged and oppressed Master Christ Jesus. Now,
Madam, commending your Ladyship and the sweet child to the tender
mercies of mine own Lord Jesus, and His good-will who dwelt in the
Bush,