CCCLX.--_For the Right Honourable my_ LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.
[_On the imprisonment of the Marquis of Argyle._]
(_GOD'S JUDGMENTS CALLING TO FLEE TO HIM--THE RESULT OF TIMID
COMPLIANCE._)
MADAM,--It is not my part to be unmindful of you. Be not afflicted for
your brother, the Marquis of Argyle.[522] As to the main, in my weak
apprehension, the seed of God being in him, and love to the people of
God and His cause, it will be well. The making of particular reckoning
with the Lord, and of peace with God, and owning of His cause when too
many disown it, will make his peace with the King the surer.[523] The
Lord is beginning to reckon with such as did forsake His cause and
covenant; and until we return to Him, our peace shall not be like a
river and as the waves of the sea. However, the opening of the bosom
to take in all the Malignants can produce no better fruits. The Lord
calleth us to flee into our chambers, and shut the doors, till the
indignation be over. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) The lily among the thorns is so
served. He hideth Himself, and our mountain is removed, and we are
troubled. But the Lord reigneth; let the earth tremble, and let the
earth rejoice. The Lord, without blood, broke the yoke of usurping
oppressors, and laid them aside: the same Lord can settle throne and
kingdom on the pillars of heaven. But, oh, the controversy the Lord
hath with Edom, and those who covenanted with us, and then sold us;
and with those of whom the Holy Ghost speaketh, "Thy prophets have
seen vain and foolish things for thee; they have not discovered thine
iniquity to turn away thy captivity, but have seen for thee false
burdens, and causes of banishment" (Lam. ii. 14). The time of Jacob's
suffering is but short, and the vision will speak. Could we be from
under deadness, and watch unto wrestling and prayer with the Lord, and
live more by faith, we should be more than conquerors. Wait upon the
Lord; faint not.
[522] A fortnight before this was written, viz. on 8th July 1660, the
King had committed the Marquis to the Tower, on an unfounded charge of
treason. Rutherford did not live to see the issue.
[523] "His heavenly King, whom he has faithfully owned, as well as in
private conscientiously served, will on that account all the more
stand by him, in the question of his earthly King being reconciled to
him." The hopes of his friends, however, were not realized; for next
year (on 27th May 1661) he was beheaded at Edinburgh.
The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours, at all respective observance in the Lord,