ABERDEEN, _Feb. 20, 1637_.
CI.--_To_ JONET MACCULLOCH.
[No doubt this lady was one of the _Maccullochs_ of _Ardwell_, a
residence near Anwoth, next to Cardoness. The Letter, CLXXXIV.,
to Mr. Thomas Macculloch of _Nether Ardwell_, relates apparently
to another of the same house. The house is very pleasantly
situated near the mouth of the Fleet. The old mansion-house of
Ardwell, or Ardwall, bore the name of "Nether Ardwell;" it
occupied a spot about a hundred yards distant from the present
mansion, lying towards the shore, a little below where the bay
receives the waters of the Fleet. "Higher Ardwell" was towards
the north: a farm near Bushy Bield (Rutherford's old manse, which
was originally a mansion house) still bears that name. The family
of the Maccullochs, who were intimate with Rutherford, still
retain the property. They are an ancient family; for William
Macculloch got a feu charter of the lands of Nether Ardwell from
his cousin, or uncle, Macculloch of Cardoness and Myreton, in
1587. It is the wife of this William Macculloch, in all
probability, of whom the following lines speak, on the tomb at
the south side of the raised pile in the old churchyard:--
Dumb, senseless statue of a painted stone,
What means this boast? Thy captive is but clay.
Thou gainest nothing but some lifeless bones;
Her choicest part, her soul, triumphs for aye.
Then, gazing friends, do not her death deplore;
You lose, while she doth gain for evermore.
"Margrat Maklellan, goodwife of Ardwell, departed this life 1620.
Ætatis suæ 31."
We may add, the grand-daughter of this lady, to whom the lines on
the monument refer, was mother of the martyr, John Bell of
Whyteside.]
(_CHRIST'S SUFFICIENCY--STEDFASTNESS IN THE TRUTH._)
DEAR SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear how
your soul prospereth.
I am as well as a prisoner of Christ can be, feasted and made fat with
the comforts of God. Christ's kisses are made sweeter to my soul than
ever they were. I would not change my Master with all the kings of
clay upon the earth. Oh! my Well-beloved is altogether lovely and
loving. I care not what flesh can do.
I persuade my soul that I delivered the truth of Christ to you. Slip
not from it, for any bosts or fear of men. If ye go against the truth
of Christ that I now suffer for, I shall bear witness against you in
the day of Christ.
Sister, fasten your grip fast on Christ. Follow not the guises of this
sinful world. Let not this clay portion of earth take up your soul: it
is the portion of bastards, and ye are a child of God; and, therefore,
seek your Father's heritage. Send up your heart to see the dwelling
house and fair rooms in the New City. Fy, fy upon those who cry, "Up
with the world and down with conscience and heaven!" We have bairn's
wits, and therefore we cannot prize Christ aright. Counsel your
husband, and mother, to make them ready for eternity. That day is
drawing nigh.
Pray for me, the prisoner of Christ. I cannot forget you.
Your lawful pastor and brother,