CCXIX.--_To_ MR. JOHN ROW.
[John Row, minister of Carnock, was probably the person to whom
this letter is addressed. It could not be his son, of the same
name, who afterwards became minister of St. Nicholas Church,
Aberdeen, and Principal of King's College; for he was at this
time master of the grammar school of Perth, and did not qualify
himself for the ministry till after the overthrow of Prelacy in
1638. John Row of Carnock, the third son of John Row (minister of
Perth, a distinguished Reformer and co-adjutor of Knox), was born
at Perth about the close of the year 1568. He was ordained
minister of Carnock at the end of the year 1592, where he
laboured with great assiduity and success. He opposed the Perth
Articles, and the introduction of Prelacy, with uncompromising
zeal. He is the author of a History of the Kirk of Scotland,
which has been printed by the Wodrow Society. He died on the 26th
of June 1646, aged seventy-eight.]
(_CHRIST'S CROSSES BETTER THAN THE WORLD'S JOYS--CHRIST EXTOLLED._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I received yours. I bless His high and
great name, that I like my sweet Master still the longer the better; a
sight of His cross is more awsome than the weight of it. I think the
worst things of Christ, even His reproaches and His cross (when I look
on these not with bleared eyes), far rather to be chosen than the
laughter and worm-eaten joys of my adversaries. Oh that they were as I
am, except my bonds! My witness is above, that my ministry, next to
Christ, is dearest to me of anything; but I lay it down at Christ's
feet, for His glory and His honour as supreme Lawgiver, which is
dearer to me.
My dear brother, if ye will receive the testimony of a poor prisoner
of Christ, who dare not now dissemble for the world, I believe
certainly, and expect thanks from the Prince of the kings of the
earth, for my poor hazards (such as they are) for His honourable
cause, whom I can never enough extol for His running-over love to my
sad soul, since I came hither. Oh that I could get Him set on high and
praised! I seek no more, as the top and root of my desires, than that
Christ may make glory to Himself, and edification to the weaker (Phil.
i. 14), out of my sufferings. I desire ye would help me both to pray
and praise.
Grace be with you.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,