EDINBURGH, _May 18, 1651_.
CCCXXXV.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.
(_DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IS MAN'S AND CHRIST'S, AND BETWEEN CHRIST
HIMSELF AND HIS BLESSINGS._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--We are fallen in winnowing
and trying times. I am glad that your breath serveth you to run to the
end, in the same condition and way wherein ye have walked these twenty
years past. It is either the way of peace, or we are yet in our sins,
and have missed the way. The Lord, it is true, hath stained the pride
of all our glory; and now, last of all, the sun hath gone down upon
many of the prophets. But stumble not; men are but men, and God
appeareth more and more to be God, and Christ is still Christ.
Madam, a stronger than I am had almost stumbled me and cast me down.
But oh what mercy is it to discern between what is Christ's and what
is man's, and what way the hue, colour, and lustre of gifts of grace
dazzle and deceive our weak eyes! Oh to be dead to all things that are
below Christ, were it even a created heaven and created grace!
Holiness is not Christ; nor are the blossoms and flowers of the Tree
of Life the tree itself. Men and creatures may wind themselves between
us and Christ; and, therefore, the Lord hath done much to take out of
the way all betwixt Him and us. There are not in our way now, kings,
nor armies, nor nobles, nor judicatories, nor strongholds, nor
watchmen, nor godly professors. The fairest things, and most eminent
in Britain, are stained, and have lost their lustre; only, only Christ
keepeth His greenness and beauty, and remaineth what He was. Oh, if He
were more and more excellent to our apprehensions than ever He was
(whose excellency is above all apprehensions), and still more and more
sweet to our taste! I care for nothing, if so be that I were nearer to
Him. And yet He fleeth not from me: I flee from Him, but He pursueth.
I hear that your Ladyship hath the same esteem of the despised cause
and covenant of our Lord that ye had before. Madam, hold you there. I
dare and would gladly breathe out my spirit in that way, with a nearer
communion and fellowship with the Father and the Son, and would seek
no more but that I might die believing. And also I would hope, that
the earth should not cover the blood of the godly, slain in Scotland,
but that the Lord will make inquisition for their blood when the
sufferings of the saints in these lands shall be fulfilled.
The good-will of Him that dwelt in The Bush be with you.
Your Ladyship's, at all observance, in the Lord Jesus,