ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_.
CXLV.--_To_ JEAN GORDON.
(_GOD THE SATISFYING PORTION--ADHERENCE TO CHRIST._)
MY VERY DEAR AND LOVING SISTER,--Grace mercy, and peace be to you.--I
long to hear from you. I exhort you to set up the brae to the King's
city, that must be taken by violence. Your afternoon's sun is wearing
low. Time will eat up your frail life, like a worm gnawing at the root
of a May-flower. Lend Christ your heart. Set Him as a seal there. Take
Him in within, and let the world and children stand at the door. They
are not yours; make you and them[234] for your proper owner, Christ.
It is good that He is your Husband and their Father. What missing can
there be of a dying man, when God filleth His chair? Give hours of the
day to prayer. Fash Christ (if I may speak so), and importune Him; be
often at His gate; give His door no rest. I can tell you that He will
be found. Oh, what sweet fellowship is betwixt Him and me! I am
imprisoned, but He is not imprisoned. He hath shamed me with His
kindness. He hath come to my prison, and run away with my heart and
all my love. Well may He brook it! I wish that my love get never an
owner but Christ. Fy, fy upon old lovers, that held us so long
asunder! We shall not part now. He and I shall be heard, before He
win out of my grips. I resolve to wrestle with Christ, ere I quit Him.
But my love to Him hath casten my soul into a fever, and there is no
cooling of my fever, till I get real possession of Christ. O strong,
strong love of Jesus, thou hast wounded my heart with thine arrows! Oh
pain! Oh pain of love for Christ! Who will help me to praise?
Let me have your prayers. Grace be with you.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,