LONDON, _Jan. 30, 1646_.
CCCXX.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.
(_TRIALS CANNOT INJURE SAINTS--BLESSEDNESS IN SEEING CHRIST._)
MADAM,--It is too like that the Lord's controversy with these two
nations is but yet beginning, and that we are ripened and white for
the Lord's sickle.
For the particular condition your Ladyship is in, another might speak
(if they would say all) of more sad things. If there was not a
fountain of free grace to water dry ground, and an uncreated wind to
breathe on withered and dry bones, we were gone. The wheels of
Christ's chariot (to pluck us out of the womb of many deaths) are
winged like eagles. All I have is, to desire to believe that Christ
will show all good-will to save; and as for your Ladyship, I know that
our Lord Jesus carrieth on no design against you, but seeketh to save
and redeem you. He lieth not in wait for your falls, except it be to
take you up. His way of redeeming is ravishing and taking. There are
more miracles of glorified sinners in heaven than can be on earth.
Nothing of you, Madam, nay, not even your leaf, can wither.
Verily, it is a king's life to follow the Lamb. But when ye see Him in
His own country at home, ye will think ye never saw Him before: "He
shall be admired of all them that believe" (2 Thess. i. 10). Ye may
judge how far all your now sad days, and tossings, changes, losses,
wants, conflicts, shall then be below you. Ye look to the cross: now
it is above your head, and seemeth to threaten death, as having a
dominion; but it shall then be so far below your thoughts, or your
thoughts so far above it, that ye shall have no leisure to lend one
thought to old-dated crosses, in youth, in age, in this country or in
that, from this instrument or from another, except it be to the
heightening of your consolation, being now got above and beyond all
these.
Old age, and "waxing old as a garment," is written on the fairest face
of the creation (Ps. cii. 26). Death, from Adam to the Second Adam's
appearance, playeth the king and reigneth over all. The prime Heir
died; His children, whom the Lord hath given, follow Him. And we may
speak freely of the life which is here; were it heaven, there were not
much gain in godliness. But there is a rest for the people of God.
Christ-man possesseth it now one thousand six hundred years before
many of His members; but it weareth not out.
Grace be with you.
Your Ladyship's, in Christ Jesus,