ABERDEEN, _Sept. 7, 1637_.
CCXXXV.--_To my_ LORD CRAIGHALL.
(_FEAR GOD, NOT MAN--SIGN OF BACKSLIDING._)
MY LORD,--I cannot expound your Lordship's contrary tides, and these
temptations wherewith ye are assaulted, to be any other thing than
Christ trying you, and saying unto you, "And will ye also leave Me?" I
am sure that Christ hath a great advantage against you, if ye play
foul play to Him, in that the Holy Spirit hath done His part, in
evidencing to your conscience that this is the way of Christ, wherein
ye shall have peace; and the other, as sure as God liveth, is the
Antichrist's way. Therefore, as ye fear God, fear your light, and
stand in awe of a convincing conscience. It is far better for your
Lordship to keep your conscience, and to hazard in such an honourable
cause your place, than wilfully, and against your light, to come under
guiltiness. Kings cannot heal broken consciences; and when death and
judgment shall comprise your soul, your counsellors, and others,
cannot become caution to justice for you. Ere it be long, our Lord
will put a final determination to Acts of Parliament, and men's laws,
and will clear you, before men and angels, of men's unjust sentences.
Ye receive honour, and place, and authority, and riches, and
reputation from your Lord, to set forward and advance the liberties
and freedom of Christ's kingdom. Men, whose consciences are made of
stoutness, think little of such matters, which, notwithstanding,
encroach directly upon Christ's prerogative-royal. So would men think
it a light matter for Uzzah to put out his hand to hold the Lord's
falling ark; but it cost him his life. And who doubteth but a carnal
friend will advise you to shut your window, and pray beneath your
breath. "Ye make too great a din with your prayers;" so would a
head-of-wit speak, if ye were in Daniel's place. But men's over-gilded
reasons will not help you, when your conscience is like to rive with a
double charge. Alas, alas! when will this world learn to submit their
wisdom to the wisdom of God? I am sure that your Lordship hath found
the truth. Go not then to search for it over again; for it is common
for men to make doubts, when they have a mind to desert the truth.
Kings are not their own men; their ways are in God's hand. I rejoice,
and am glad, that ye resolve to walk with Christ, howbeit His court be
thin. Grace be with your Lordship.
Your Lordship's, in his sweet Master and Lord Jesus,