ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_.
CXXXIX.--_To my_ LORD BALMERINOCH.
[JOHN ELPHINSTON, second LORD BALMERINOCH, was the only son by
the first marriage of the Honourable Sir James Elphinston, first
Lord Balmerinoch. He distinguished himself in 1633 for his
opposition to the measures of the Court in favour of Prelacy, and
particularly for opposing in Parliament the Act concerning the
King's prerogative in imposing Apparel on Churchmen, and also the
Act ratifying the Acts previously made for settling the estate of
Bishops. Soon after he was libelled and condemned to death as
guilty of treason. However, after a long and severe imprisonment,
he obtained from his Majesty a free though reluctant pardon. True
to his former principles, he still continued to oppose the
measures then pursued by Government, and particularly the
attempts to introduce the Service Book into Scotland. He was a
member of the Glasgow Assembly 1638, being returned as elder for
the Presbytery of Edinburgh. "His Lordship," says Wood, "was,
without exception, the best friend the Covenanters had, as he not
only assisted that party with his advice on all occasions, but
also supplied them with large sums of money, by which he
irreparably injured the very ample fortune he inherited from his
father. He lived in habits of strict friendship with the chief
leaders of the Presbyterians, and was particularly intimate with
Sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston. He had so strong a sense of
justice, that, having reason to suspect his father had made too
advantageous a purchase of the lands of Balumby, in the county of
Forfar, he, of his own accord, gave 10,000 merks to the heir of
that estate, by way of compensation" (Wood's "Cramond"). He died
suddenly in 1649, at the very time when commissioners (of whom he
was one) were sent to treat with Charles II. in Holland.
(Lamont's "Diary," p. 1.)]
(_HIS HAPPY OBLIGATIONS TO CHRIST--EMPTINESS OF THE WORLD._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND TRULY HONOURABLE LORD,--I make bold to write news to
your Lordship from my prison, though your Lordship have experience
more than I can have. At my first entry here, I was not a little
casten down with challenges, for old, unrepented-of sins; and Satan
and my own apprehensions made a lie of Christ, that He hath casten a
dry, withered tree over the dyke of the vineyard. But it was my folly
(blessed be His great name), the fire cannot burn the dry tree. He is
pleased now to feast the exiled prisoner with His lovely presence; for
it suiteth Christ well to be kind, and He dineth and suppeth with such
a sinner as I am. I am in Christ's tutoring here. He hath made me
content with a borrowed fireside, and it casteth as much heat as mine
own. I want nothing but real possession of Christ; and He hath given
me a pawn of that also, which I hope to keep till He come Himself to
loose the pawn. I cannot get help to praise His high name. He hath
made me king over my losses, imprisonment, banishment; and only my
dumb Sabbaths stick in my throat. But I forgive Christ's wisdom in
that. I dare not say one word; He hath done it, and I will lay my hand
upon my mouth. If any other hand had done it to me, I could not have
borne it.
Now, my Lord, I must tell your Lordship that I would not give a drink
of cold water for this clay idol, this plastered world. I testify, and
give it under my own hand, that Christ is most worthy to be suffered
for. Our lazy flesh, which would have Christ to cry down crosses by
open proclamation, hath but raised a slander upon the cross of Christ.
My Lord, I hope that ye will not forget what He hath done for your
soul. I think that ye are in Christ's count-book, as His obliged
debtor.
Grace, grace be with your spirit.
Your Lordship's obliged servant,