ABERDEEN, _Sept. 10, 1637_.
[373] The Earl of Argyle.
CCLIX.--_To_ MR. DAVID DICKSON.
(_DANGER OF WORLDLY EASE--PERSONAL OCCURRENCES._)
REVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER IN THE LORD,--I bless the Lord, who
hath so wonderfully stopped the ongoing of that lawless process
against you.[374] The Lord reigneth, and has a saving eye upon you and
your ministry; and, therefore, fear not what men can do. I bless the
Lord, that the Irish ministers find employment, and the professors
comfort of their ministry. Believe me, I durst not, as I am now
disposed, hold an honest brother out of the pulpit. I trust that the
Lord will guard you, and hide you in the shadow of His hand. I am not
pleased with any that are against you in that.
[374] This is probably an allusion to a threat of the Archbishop of
Glasgow, to prosecute Dickson for employing Blair, Livingstone, and
Cunningham, after they had been silenced and ejected by the Irish
prelates.
I see this, that, in prosperity, men's conscience will not start at
small sins; but if some had been where I have been since I came from
you, a little more would have caused their eyes to water, and trouble
their peace. Oh how ready are we to incline to the world's hand! Our
arguments, being well examined, are often drawn from our skin; the
whole skin, and a peaceable tabernacle, is a topic-maxim in great
request in our logic.
I find a little brairding of God's seed in this town, for the which
the doctors have told me their mind, that they cannot bear with it,
and have examined and threatened the people that haunt my company. I
fear I get not leave to winter here; and whither I go I know not; I am
ready at the Lord's call. I would I could make acquaintance with
Christ's cross, for I find comforts lie to, and follow upon, the
cross. I suffer in my name, by them; but I take it as a part of the
crucifying of the old man. Let them cut the throat of my credit, and
do as they like best with it. When the wind of their calumnies hath
blown away my good name from me, in the way to heaven, I know that
Christ will take my name out of the mire, and wash it, and restore it
to me again. I would have a mind (if the Lord would be pleased to give
me it) to be a fool for Christ's sake. Sometimes, while I have Christ
in my arms, I fall asleep in the sweetness of His presence, and He, in
my sleep, stealeth away out of my arms; and when I awake, I miss Him.
I am much comforted with my Lady Pitsligo, a good woman, and
acquainted with God's ways.
Grace be with you.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,