My Lady Marischall[323] is very kind to me, and her son also.
ABERDEEN, _June 17, 1637_.
[323] Lady Marischall, whose maiden name was Margaret Erskine, being
the eldest daughter of John Erskine, seventh Earl of Mar, by Lady
Margaret Stewart, daughter to Esme, Duke of Lennox, was the wife of
William, sixth Earl of Marischall. In 1635 she became a widow, his
Lordship having died on the 28th of October that year, aged about
fifty. She had to him seven children, four sons and three daughters
(Douglas' "Peerage").
Lady Marischall's son, whose kindness also Rutherford gratefully
records, was William, who succeeded his father. He was a devoted
adherent of Charles II.; and entering with zeal into the engagement in
1648 for the King's liberation, commanded a regiment of horse at the
battle of Preston, where the Scottish army was routed by the English.
When he and others of the King's friends, who had assembled at Alyth
in 1650 for the support of the royal cause, were surprised by a large
body of English horse, the Earl and some of his friends were sent
prisoners to the Tower of London by sea, where he was kept for a long
time. He died in 1670, at his house of Inverringie.
CCVII.--TO JOHN HENDERSON, _in Rusco_.
[He was probably tenant in the farm of Rusco, which is at the
foot of the hill Castramont, a farm on the property of Gordon of
Rusco.]
(_PRACTICAL HINTS_.)
LOVING FRIEND,--I earnestly desire your salvation. Know the Lord and
seek Christ. You have a soul that cannot die: see for a lodging to
your poor soul; for that house of clay will fall. Heaven or nothing!
either Christ or nothing! Use prayer in your house, and set your
thoughts often upon death and judgment. It is dangerous to be loose in
the matter of your salvation. Few are saved; men go to heaven in ones
and twos, and the whole world lieth in sin. Love your enemies, and
stand by the truth which I have taught you, in all things. Fear not
men, but let God be your fear. Your time will not be long: make the
seeking of Christ your daily task. Ye may, when ye are in the fields,
speak to God. Seek a broken heart for sin; for without that there is
no meeting with Christ. I speak this to your wife, as well as to
yourself. I desire your sister, in her fears and doubtings, to fasten
her grips on Christ's love. I forbid her to doubt; for Christ loveth
her, and hath her name written in His book. Her salvation is fast
coming. Christ her Lord is not slow in coming, nor slack in His
promise.
Grace be with you.
Your loving pastor,