ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_.
CXI.--_To_ JEAN BROWN.
(_CHRIST'S UNTOLD PRECIOUSNESS--A WORD TO HER BOY._)
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I
received your letter, which I esteem an evidence of your Christian
affection to me, and of your love to my honourable Lord and Master. My
desire is, that your communion with Christ may grow, and that your
reckonings may be put by-hand with your Lord ere you come to the
water-side.
Oh, who knoweth how sweet Christ's kisses are! Who hath been more
kindly embraced and kissed than I, His banished prisoner? If the
comparison could stand, I would not exchange Christ with heaven
itself. He hath left a dart and arrow of love in my soul, and it
paineth me till He come and take it out. I find pain of those wounds,
because I would have possession. I know now that this worm-eaten
apple, the plastered, rotten world, which the silly children of this
world are beating, and buffeting, and pulling each other's ears for,
is a portion for bastards, good enough; and that it is all they have
to look for. I am not offended that my adversaries stay at home at
their own fireside, with more yearly rent than I. Should I be angry
that the Goodman of this house of the world casteth a dog a bone to
hurt his teeth? He hath taught me to be content with a borrowed
fireside, and an unco bed; and I think I have lost nothing, the income
is so great. Oh, what telling is in Christ! Oh, how weighty is my fair
garland, my crown, my fair supping-hall in glory, where I shall be
above the blows and buffetings of prelates! Let this be your desire,
and let your thoughts dwell much upon that blessedness that abideth
you in the other world. The fair side of the world will be turned to
you quickly, when ye shall see the crown. I hope that ye are near your
lodging. Oh, but I would think myself blessed, for my part, to win to
the house before the shower come on; for God hath a quiver full of
arrows to shoot at and shower down upon Scotland.
Ye have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ. I desire Patrick to give
Christ his young love, even the flower of it; and to put it by all
others. It were good to start soon to the way; he should thereby have
a great advantage in the evil day. Grace be with you.
Yours only in his Lord Jesus,