ST. ANDREWS, _Oct. 15, 1640_.
CCCI.--_To_ MR. MATTHEW MOWAT.
(_WORTHINESS OF GOD'S LOVE AS MANIFESTED IN CHRIST--HEAVEN WITH
CHRIST._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--What am I to answer you? Alas! my books
are all bare, and show me little of God. I would fain go beyond books
into His house-of-love to Himself. Dear brother, neither you nor I are
parties worthy of His love or knowledge. Ah! how hath sin bemisted and
blinded us, that we cannot see Him. But for my poor self; I am pained
and like to burst, because He will not take down the wall, and fetch
His uncreated beauty, and bring His matchless, white, and ruddy face
out of heaven once-errand, that I may have heaven meeting me, ere I
go to it, in such a wonderful sight. Ye know that majesty and love do
humble; because homely love to sinners dwelleth in Him with majesty.
Ye should give Him all His own court-styles, His high and
heaven-names. What am I, to shape conceptions of my highest Lord? How
broad, and how high, and how deep He is above and beyond what these
conceptions are, I cannot tell: but for my own weak practice (which
alas! can be no rule to one so deep in love-sickness with Christ as ye
are), I would fain add to my thoughts and esteem of Him, and make Him
more high, and would wish a heart and love ten thousand times wider
than the utmost circle and curtain that goeth about the heaven of
heavens, to entertain Him in that heart, and with that love. But that
which is your pain, my dear brother, is mine also. I am confounded
with the thoughts of Him. I know that God is casten (if I may speak
so) in a sweet mould, and lovely image, in the person of that Heaven's
Jewel, the Man Christ; and that the steps of that steep ascent and
stairs to the Godhead is the flesh of Christ, the New and Living Way;
and there is footing for faith in that curious Ark of the humanity,
wherein dwelleth the Godhead, married upon our humanity. I would be in
heaven, suppose I had not another errand than to see that dainty
golden Ark, and God personally looking out at ears and eyes and a body
such as we sinners have, that I might wear my sinful mouth in kisses
on Him for evermore. And I know all the Three blessed Persons would be
well pleased that my piece of faint and created love should first
coast upon the Man Christ. I should see them all through Him.
I am called from writing by my great employments in this town, and
have said nothing. But what can I say of Him? Let us go and see.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,