ABERDEEN, _Sept. 5, 1637_.
CCXXX.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, my_ LADY KENMURE.
(_BELIEVER SAFE THOUGH TRIED--DELIGHT IN CHRIST'S TRUTH._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship.--God be thanked
ye are yet in possession of Christ, and that sweet child. I pray God
that the former may be a sure heritage, and the latter a loan for your
comfort, while ye do good to His poor, afflicted, withered Mount Zion.
And who knoweth but our Lord hath comforts laid up in store for her
and you! I am persuaded that Christ hath bought you past the devil,
and hell, and sin, so that they have no claim to you; and that is a
rich and invaluable mercy. Long since, ye were half challenging
death's cold kindness, in being so slow and sweer to come to loose a
tired prisoner; but ye stand in need of all the crosses, losses,
changes, and sad hearts that befell you since that time. Christ
knoweth that the body of sin unsubdued will take them all, and more:
we know that Paul had need of the devil's service, to buffet him; and
far more we. But, my dear and honourable Lady, spend your sand-glass
well. I am sure that you have law to raise a suspension against all
that devils, men, friends, worlds, losses, hell, or sin, can decree
against you. It is good that your crosses will but convoy you to
heaven's gates: in, they cannot go; the gates shall be closed upon
them, when ye shall be admitted to the throne. Time standeth not
still, eternity is hard at our door. Oh, what is laid up for you!
therefore, harden your face against the wind. And the Lamb, your
Husband, is making ready for you. The Bridegroom would fain have that
day, as gladly as your Honour would wish to have it. He hath not
forgotten you.
I have heard a rumour of the prelates' purpose to banish me. But let
it come, if God so will: the other side of the sea is my Father's
ground, as well as this side. I owe bowing to God, but no servile
bowing to crosses: I have been but too soft in that. I am comforted
that[343] I am persuaded fully, that Christ is halfer with me in this
well-born and honest cross; and if He claim right to the best half of
my troubles (as I know He doth to the whole), I shall remit over to
Christ what I shall do in this case. I know certainly, that my Lord
Jesus will not mar nor spill my sufferings; He hath use for them in
His house.
[343] In having this persuasion.
Oh, what it worketh on me to remember that a stranger, who cometh not
in by the door, shall build hay and stubble upon the golden foundation
which I laid amongst that people at Anwoth! But I know that Providence
looketh not asquint, but looketh straight out, and through all men's
darkness. Oh that I could wait upon the Lord! I had but one eye, one
joy, one delight, even to preach Christ; and my mother's sons were
angry at me, and have put out the poor man's one eye, and what have I
behind? I am sure that this sour world hath lost my heart deservedly;
but oh that there were a daysman to lay his hands upon us both, and
determine upon my part of it. Alas, that innocent and lovely truth
should be sold! My tears are little worth, but yet for this thing I
weep. I weep, alas, that my fair and lovely Lord Jesus should be
miskent in His own house! It reckoneth little of five hundred the like
of me; yet the water goeth not over faith's breath.[344] Yet our King
liveth.
[344] It is of little consequence what hundreds like me feel; yet, at
the same time, I can say that faith is not drowned in me.
I write the prisoner's blessings: the good-will, and long-lasting
kindness, with the comforts of the very God of peace, be to your
Ladyship, and to your sweet child. Grace, grace be with you.
Your Honour's, at all obedience, in his sweet Lord Jesus,