LXXI.--_To_ MR. HUGH M'KAIL.
[MR. HUGH M'KAIL was at this time minister of Irvine. Previous to
his settlement in that parish, Rutherford was very desirous of
seeing him settled assistant and successor to Mr. Robert
Glendinning, the aged minister of Kirkcudbright; the people too
had an eye to him, but were disappointed, having been anticipated
by the parish of which he was now pastor. He and Mr. William
Cockburn were appointed by the General Assembly of 1644 to visit
the north of Ireland for three months, with the view of promoting
the interests of the Presbyterian Church in that country. He was
ultimately translated to Edinburgh. In the unhappy controversy
between the Resolutioners and Protesters, M'Kail took the side of
the former; but was among the more moderate of the party. Baillie
often refers to him in his letters. He died in the beginning of
the year 1660, and was buried in the Greyfriars' churchyard,
Edinburgh. (Lamont's "Diary," p. 121.) He was the brother of Mr.
Matthew M'Kail of Bothwell, who was the father of the youthful
Hugh M'Kail, and young Hugh, who nobly suffered in 1666, was
educated in Edinburgh, under the superintendence of this uncle.]
(_CHRIST TO BE TRUSTED AMID TRIAL._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I thank you for your letter. I cannot but
show you, that as I never expected anything from Christ, but much good
and kindness, so He hath made me to find it in the house of my
pilgrimage. And believe me, brother, I give it to you under mine own
hand-writ, that whoso looketh to the white side of Christ's cross, and
can take it up handsomely with faith and courage, shall find it such
a burden as sails are to a ship, or wings to a bird. I find that my
Lord hath overgilded that black tree, and hath perfumed it, and oiled
it with joy and consolation. Like a fool, once I would chide and plead
with Christ, and slander Him to others, of unkindness.[167] But I
trust in God, not to call His glooms unkind again; for He hath taken
from me my sackcloth; and I verily cannot tell you what a poor Joseph
and prisoner (with whom my mother's children were angry) doth now
think of kind Christ. I will chide no more, providing He will quit me
all by-gones; for I am poor. I am taught in this ill weather to go on
the lee-side of Christ, and to put Him in between me and the storm;
and (I thank God) I walk on the sunny side of the brae. I write it
that ye may speak in my behalf the praises of my Lord to others, that
my bonds may preach. O if all Scotland knew the feasts, and
love-blinks, and visits that the prelates have sent unto me! I will
verily give my Lord Jesus a free discharge of all that I, like a fool,
laid to His charge, and beg Him pardon, to the mends. God grant that
in my temptations I come not on His wrong side again, and never again
fall a raving against my Physician in my fever.
[167] At one time I would have falsely charged Him with unkindness.
Brother, plead with your mother while ye have time. A pulpit would be
a high feast to me; but I dare not say one word against Him who hath
done it. I am not out of the house as yet. My sweet Master saith, I
shall have house-room at His own elbow; albeit their synagogue will
need force to cast me out. A letter were a work of charity to me.
Grace be with you. Pray for me.
Your brother and Christ's prisoner,