ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_.
[228] The same who was afterwards so well known as minister of
Wamphray.
CXXXII.--_To_ JEAN MACMILLAN.
[There were Macmillans at Dalshangan, near Carsphairn, noted as
Covenanters. But the name is a common one, and this correspondent
was probably an Anwoth parishioner.]
(_STRIVE TO ENTER IN._)
LOVING SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I cannot come to
you to give you my counsel; and howbeit I would come, I cannot stay
with you. But I beseech you to keep Christ, for I did what I could to
put you within grips of Him. I told you Christ's testament and
latter-will plainly, and I kept nothing back that my Lord gave me; and
I gave Christ to you with good will. I pray you to make Him your own,
and go not from that truth which I taught you, in one hair-breadth.
That truth will save you if you follow it. Salvation is not an easy
thing, and soon gotten. I often told you that few are saved, and many
damned: I pray you to make your poor soul sure of salvation, and the
seeking of heaven your daily task. If ye never had a sick night and a
pained soul for sin, ye have not yet lighted upon Christ. Look to the
right marks of having closed with Christ. If ye love Him better than
the world, and would quit all the world for Him, then that saith the
work is sound. Oh, if ye saw the beauty of Jesus, and smelled the
fragrance of His love, you would run through fire and water to be at
Him? God send you Him.
Pray for me, for I cannot forget you. Grace be with you.
Your loving pastor,