_St. Andrews_, _Jan. 25, 1660_.
[Illustration: EDINBURGH CASTLE.]
CCCLVII.--_To his Reverend and dear Brethren, MR. GUTHRIE, MR. TRAILL,
and the rest of their brethren imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh._
[The circumstances of the case to which this letter refers are
these:--On the 23rd of August 1660, the following ministers, Mr.
James Guthrie of Stirling, Mr. John Stirling and Mr. Robert
Traill of Edinburgh, Mr. Alexander Moncrieff of Scoonie, Mr. John
Semple of Carsfairn, Mr. Thomas Ramsay of Mordington, Mr. John
Scot of Oxnam, Mr. Gilbert Hall of Kirkliston, Mr. John Murray of
Methven, Mr. George Nairn of Burntisland, with two gentlemen,
ruling elders, met in a private house in Edinburgh, to draw up an
humble address to Charles II., congratulating his return, and
expressing their entire and unfeigned loyalty, but at the same
time reminding him of the obligation of the Covenant which he and
the nation had sworn. Whilst thus employed, their papers were
secured, by the order of the Committee of Estates; and they
themselves were arrested, and committed close prisoners to the
Castle of Edinburgh.]
(_ON SUFFERING FOR CHRIST--GOD'S PRESENCE EVER WITH HIS
PEOPLE--FIRMNESS AND CONSTANCY._)
REVEREND, NOW VERY DEAR, AND MUCH HONOURED PRISONERS FOR CHRIST,--I
am, as to the point of light, at the utmost of persuasion in that kind
that it is the cause of Christ which ye now suffer for, and not men's
interest. If it be for men, let us leave it; but if we plead for God,
our own personal safety and man's deliverance will not be peace.
There is a salvation called "the salvation of God," which is cleanly,
pure, spiritual, unmixed, near to the holy word of God. It is that
which we would seek, even the favour of God that He beareth to His
people; not simple gladness, but the gladness and goodness of the
Lord's chosen. And sure, though I be the weakest of His witnesses, and
unworthy to be among the meanest of them, and am afraid that the Cause
be hurt (but it cannot be lost) by my unbelieving faintness, I would
not desire a deliverance separated from the deliverance of the Lord's
cause and people. It is enough to me to sing when Zion singeth, and to
triumph when Christ triumpheth. I should judge it an unhappy joy to
rejoice when Zion sigheth. "Not one hoof" will be your peace. (Exod.
x. 26.)
If Christ doth own me, let me be in the grave in a bloody
winding-sheet, and go from the scaffold in four quarters, to grave or
no grave. I am His debtor, to seal with sufferings this precious
truth; but, oh! when it cometh to the push, I dare say nothing,
considering my weakness, wickedness, and faintness. But fear not ye.
Ye are not, ye shall not be, alone: the Father is with you. It was not
an unseasonable, but a seasonable and a necessary duty ye were about.
Fear Him who is Sovereign. Christ is captain of the castle and Lord of
the keys. The cooling well-spring, and refreshment from the promises,
are more than the frownings of the furnace. I see snares and
temptations in capitulating, composing, ceding, minching with
distinctions of circumstances, formalities, compliments, and
extenuations, in the cause of Christ. "A long spoon: the broth is
hell-hot."[518] Hold a distance from carnal compositions, and much
nearness to the fountain, to the favour and refreshing light from the
Father of lights speaking in His oracles. This is sound health and
salvation. Angels, men, Zion's elders, eye us; but what of all these?
Christ is by us, and looketh on us, and writeth up all. Let us pray
more, and look less to men.
[518] A proverb: "They need a long spoon who sup with the devil."
Remember me to Mr. Scott, and to all the rest. Blessings be upon the
head of such as are separated from their brethren. Joseph is a
fruitful bough by a well.
Grace be with you.
Your loving brother and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus
Christ,