ABERDEEN, _Feb. 16, 1637_.
XCVIII.--_To the Worthy and much Honoured MR. ALEXANDER COLVILLE of
Blair._
[ALEXANDER COLVILLE of Blair (which is in the parish of Carnock,
Fifeshire) early commended himself to the gratitude of Rutherford
by befriending him under prelatic persecutions. When Rutherford
in 1630 was summoned before the High Commission Court, this
gentleman, being one of the judges, exerted himself in his
behalf; and his influence, together with the absence of the
Archbishop of St Andrews, occasioned the desertion of the diet,
and put a stop to the proceedings against the obnoxious minister.
(See Letter XI.) As we learn from this letter, he also showed
much kindness to Rutherford's brother on his trial before the
High Commission in November 1636, for his nonconformity and
zealous support of Mr. Glendinning, the injured minister of
Kirkcudbright. Colville was an elder of the Church, and his name
appears on the roll of the members of the General Assemblies
1645, 1646, 1648, and 1649, and of the Commissions appointed by
these Assemblies. We find him after this, in co-operation with
another individual, delating Mr. Robert Bruce, minister of
Ballagray, of which they were parishioners, on the ground that
they were not edified by his doctrine.]
(_INCREASING EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST'S LOVE--GOD WITH HIS SAINTS._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. The bearer
hereof, Mr. R. F., is most kind to me; I desire you to thank him. But
none is so kind as my only royal King and Master, whose cross is my
garland. The King dineth with His prisoner, and His spikenard casteth
a smell. He hath led me up to such a pitch and nick of joyful
communion with Himself, as I never knew before. When I look back to
by-gones, I judge myself to have been a child at A, B, C with Christ.
Worthy Sir, pardon me, I dare not conceal it from you; it is as a fire
in my bowels. (In His presence who seeth me I speak it!) I am pained,
pained with the love of Christ; He hath made me sick, and wounded me.
Hunger for Christ outrunneth faith; I miss faith more than love. Oh,
if the three kingdoms would come and see! Oh, if they knew His
kindness to my soul! It hath pleased Him to bring me to this, that I
will not strike sails to this world, nor flatter it, nor adore this
clay idol that fools worship. As I am now disposed, I think that I
shall neither borrow nor lend[196] with it; and yet I get my meat from
Christ with nurture; for seven times a-day I am lifted up, and casten
down. My dumb Sabbaths burden my heart, and make it bleed. I want not
fearful challenges, and jealousies sometimes of Christ's love, that He
hath casten me over the dyke of the vineyard as a dry tree. But this
is my infirmity. By His grace I take myself in these ravings. It is
kindly that faith and love both be sick, and fevers are kindly to most
joyful communion with Christ.
[196] "Neither borrow nor lend," have no dealings with it.
Ye are blessed who avouch Christ openly before The Prince of this
kingdom, whose eyes are upon you. It is your glory to lift Him up on
His throne, to carry His train, and bear up the hem of His robe royal.
He hath an hiding-place for Mr. Alexander Colville against the storm:
go on, and fear not what man can do. The saints seem to have the worst
of it (for apprehension can make a lie of Christ and His love); but it
is not so. Providence is not rolled upon unequal and crooked wheels;
all things work together for the good of those who love God, and are
called according to His purpose. Ere it be long, we shall see the
white side of God's providence.
My brother's case hath moved me not a little. He wrote to me your care
and kindness. Sir, the prisoner's blessings and prayers, I trust,
shall not go past you. He that is able to keep you, and to present you
before the presence of His face with joy, establish your heart in the
love of Christ.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,