XCVI.--_To the Noble and Christian Lady, the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.
(CHRIST ALL WORTHY--ANWOTH.)
MADAM,--Notwithstanding the great haste of the bearer, I would bless
your Ladyship on paper, desiring, that since Christ hath ever envied
that the world should have your love by Him,[194] that ye give
yourself out for Christ, and that ye may be for no other. I know none
worthy of you but Christ.
[194] More than He; setting Him aside.
Madam, I am either suffering for Christ, and this is the sure and good
way; or, I have done with heaven, and shall never see God's face,
which, I bless Him, cannot be.
I write my blessing to that sweet child, that ye have borrowed from
God. He is no heritage to you, but a loan; love him as folks do
borrowed things. My heart is heavy for you.
They say that the kirk of Christ hath neither son nor heir, and
therefore that her enemies shall possess her. But I know that she is
not that ill-friended; her Husband is her heir, and she His heritage.
If my Lord would be pleased, I should desire that some be dealt with,
for my return to Anwoth. But if that never be, I thank God Anwoth is
not heaven; preaching is not Christ. I hope to wait on.
Let me hear how your child is, and your Ladyship's mind and hopes of
him; for it would ease my heart to know that he is well.
I am in good terms with Christ; but oh, my guiltiness! Yet He bringeth
not pleas betwixt Him and me to the streets, and before the sun.
Grace, grace for ever more be with your Ladyship.
Your Ladyship's, at all obedience in Christ,