ABERDEEN, _Jan. 3, 1637_.
[173] Kirkcudbright.
LXXXI.--_To_ MR. JOHN MEINE (_Jun_.).
[MR. JOHN MEINE was the son of John Meine, merchant in Edinburgh,
"a solid and stedfast professor of the truth of God." His mother
was Barbara Hamilton, a notice of whom see Letter CCCXIII. He was
now, it would appear from an allusion in the close of this
letter, a student of theology, with a view to the holy ministry.
Halyburton on his deathbed spake of this letter as one in which
was to be found "More practical religion than in a large
volume."]
(_EXPERIENCE--PATIENT WAITING--SANCTIFICATION._)
WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I have
been too long in answering your letter, but other business took me up.
I am here waiting, if the fair wind will turn upon Christ's sails in
Scotland, and if deliverance be breaking out to this over-clouded and
benighted kirk. O that we could contend, by prayers and supplications,
with our Lord for that effect! I know that He hath not given out His
last doom against this land. I have little of Christ, in this prison,
but groanings, and longings, and desires. All my stock of Christ is
some hunger for Him, and yet I cannot say but I am rich in that. My
faith, and hope, and holy practice of new obedience, are scarce worth
the speaking of. But blessed be my Lord, who taketh me, light, and
clipped, and naughty, and feckless as I am. I see that Christ will not
prig with me, nor stand upon stepping-stones; but cometh in at the
broadside without ceremonies, or making it nice, to make a poor,
ransomed one His own. O that I could feed upon His breathing, and
kissing, and embracing, and upon the hopes of my meeting and His!
when love-letters shall not go betwixt us, but He will be messenger
Himself! But there is required patience on our part, till the
summer-fruit in heaven be ripe for us. It is in the bud; but there be
many things to do before our harvest come. And we take ill with it,
and can hardly endure to set our paper-face to one of Christ's storms
and to go to heaven with wet feet, and pain, and sorrow. We love to
carry a heaven to heaven with us, and would have two summers in one
year, and no less than two heavens. But this will not do for us: one
(and such a one!) may suffice us well enough. The man, Christ, got but
one only, and shall we have two?
Remember my love in Christ to your father; and help me with your
prayers. If ye would be a deep divine, I recommend to you
sanctification. Fear Him, and He will reveal His covenant to you.
Grace be with you.
Yours in his sweet Lord Jesus,