[LADY MAR, younger, whose maiden name was Christian Hay, was the
wife of John Erskine, eighth Earl of Mar. She became a widow in
1654, his Lordship having died in that year. Her son, John,
became ninth Earl of Mar, and her daughter, Elizabeth, was
married to Archibald, Lord Napier. Lady Mar, senior, was Lady
Mary Stewart, daughter of Esme, Duke of Lennox, second wife of
John, Lord Erskine, seventh Earl of Mar. She died in the house of
Sir Thomas Hope, in the Cowgate, Edinburgh, and was buried at
Alloa, 11th May 1644. (Sir Thomas Hope's "Diary," p. 205.) It was
for her that, in 1625, the book of devotion, called "The Countess
of Mar's Sanctuary, or Arcadia," was drawn up--a little work of
which only two copies were known to be in existence, till
reprinted in 1862, at Edinburgh.]
(_NO EXCHANGE FOR CHRIST._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND DEAR LADY,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I
received your Ladyship's letter, which hath comforted my soul. God
give you to find mercy in the day of Christ.
I am in as good terms and court with Christ as an exiled, oppressed
prisoner of Christ can be. I am still welcome to His house; He knoweth
my knock, and letteth in a poor friend. Under this black, rough tree
of the cross of Christ, He hath ravished me with His love, and taken
my heart to heaven with Him. Well and long may He brook it. I would
not niffer Christ with all the joys that man or angel can devise
beside Him. Who hath such cause to speak honourably of Christ as I
have? Christ is King of all crosses, and He hath made His saints
little kings under Him; and He can ride and triumph upon weaker bodies
than I am (if any can be weaker), and His horse will neither fall nor
stumble.
Madam, your Ladyship hath much ado with Christ, for your soul,
husband, children, and house. Let Him find much employment for His
calling with you; for He is such a friend as delighteth to be burdened
with suits and employments; and the more ye lay on Him, and the more
homely ye be with Him, the more welcome. O the depth of Christ's
love! It hath neither brim nor bottom. Oh, if this blind world saw His
beauty! When I count with Him for His mercies to me, I must stand
still and wonder, and go away as a poor dyvour, who hath nothing to
pay. Free forgiveness is payment. I would that I could get Him set on
high; for His love hath made me sick, and I die except I get real
possession.
Grace, grace be with you.
Your Ladyship's, at all obedience in Christ,