CLV.--_To_ GRIZZEL FULLERTON.
[GRIZZEL FULLERTON was the daughter of William Fullerton, Provost of
Kirkcudbright, and Marion M'Naught. See Letter VI.]
(_THE ONE THING NEEDFUL--CHRIST'S LOVE._)
DEAR SISTER,--I exhort you in the Lord, to seek your one thing, Mary's
good part, that shall not be taken from you. Set your heart and soul
on the children's inheritance. This clay-idol, the world, is but for
bastards, and ye are His lawfully-begotten child. Learn the way (as
your dear mother hath done before you) to knock at Christ's door. Many
an alms of mercy hath Christ given to her, and hath abundance behind
to give to you. Ye are the seed of the faithful, and born within the
covenant; claim your right. I would not exchange Christ Jesus for ten
worlds of glory. I know now (blessed be my Teacher!) how to shute the
lock, and unbolt my Well-beloved's door; and He maketh a poor stranger
welcome when He cometh to His house. I am swelled up and satisfied
with the love of Christ, that is better than wine. It is a fire in my
soul; let hell and the world cast water on it, they will not mend
themselves. I have now gotten the right gate of Christ. I recommend
Him to you above all things. Come and find the smell of His breath;
see if His kisses be not sweet. He desireth no better than to be much
made of; be homely with Him, and ye shall be the more welcome; ye know
not how fain Christ would have all your love. Think not this is
imagination and bairns' play, which we make din for. I would not
suffer for it, if it were so. I dare pawn my heaven for it, that it is
the way to glory. Think much of truth, and abhor these ways devised by
men in God's worship.
The grace of Christ be with you.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,