ABERDEEN, _Sept. 30, 1637_.
CCLXXIV.--_To_ JAMES MURRAY.
[This may be James Murray of whom Livingstone, in his
"Characteristics," writes, "An Israelite indeed, in whom was no
guile." He was a writer in Edinburgh; hence, perhaps, the
expectation of news as to what Government was doing, in the close
of the letter.]
(_THE CHRISTIAN LIFE A MYSTERY TO THE WORLD--CHRIST'S KINDNESS._)
DEAR BROTHER,--I received your letter. I am in good health of body,
but far better in my soul. I find my Lord no worse than His word. "I
will be with him in trouble," is made good to me now. He heareth the
sighing of the prisoner. Brother, I am comforted in my royal Prince
and King. The world knoweth not our life; it is a mystery to them. We
have the sunny side of the world, and our paradise is far above
theirs; yea, our weeping is above their laughing, which is but like
the crackling of thorns under a pot. And, therefore, we have good
cause to fight it out, for the day of our laureation is approaching. I
find my prison the sweetest place that ever I was in. My Lord Jesus is
kind to me, and hath taken the mask off His face, and is content to
quit me all bygones. I dare not complain of Him. And for my silence, I
lay it before Christ: I hope it will be a speaking silence. He who
knoweth what I would, knoweth that my soul desireth no more than that
King Jesus may be great in the north of Scotland, in the south, and in
the east and west, through my sufferings for the freedom of my Lord's
house and kingdom. If I could keep good quarters, in time to come,
with Christ, I would fear nothing. But, oh, oh, I complain of my woful
outbreakings! I tremble at the remembrance of a new outcast betwixt
Him and me; and I have cause, when I consider what sickness and sad
days I have had for His absence who is now come! I find that Christ
dow not be long unkind: our Joseph's bowels yearn within Him; He
cannot smother love long; it must break out at length. Praise, praise
with me, brother, and desire my acquaintance to help me. I dare not
conceal His love to my soul. I wish you all a part of my feast, that
my Lord Jesus may be honoured. I allow you not to hide Christ's bounty
to me, when ye meet with such as know Christ.
Ye write nothing to me. What are the cruel mercies of the prelates
towards me? The ministers of this town, as I hear, intend that I
shall be more strictly confined, or else transported, because they
find some people affect me. Grace be with you.
Yours, in the sweet Lord Jesus,