ST. ANDREWS, _July 24, 1660_.
CCCLXI.--_For MISTRESS CRAIG, upon the Death of her hopeful Son, who
was drowned while washing himself in a river in France._
(_NINE REASONS FOR RESIGNATION._)
MISTRESS,--You have so learned Christ as now (in the furnace) what
dross, what shining of faith may appear, must come forth. I heard of
the removal of your son, Mr. Thomas. Though I be dull enough in
discerning, yet I was witness to some spiritual savouriness of the new
birth and hope of the resurrection, which I saw in the hopeful youth,
when he was, as was feared, a-dying in this city. And, since it was
written and advisedly appointed, in the spotless and holy decree of
the Lord, where, and before what witnesses, and in what manner,
whether by a fever, the mother being at the bed, or by some other way
in a far country (dear patriarchs died in Egypt, precious to the Lord,
and have wanted burials) (Ps. lxxix. 3), your safest way will be, to
be silent, and command the heart to utter no repining and fretting
thoughts of the holy dispensation of God.
1. The man is beyond the hazard of dispute; the precious youth is
perfected and glorified.
2. Had the youth lain, year and day, pained beside a witnessing
mother, it had been pain and grief lengthened out to you in many
portions, and every parcel would have been a little death. Now His
holy Majesty hath, in one lump and mass, brought to your ears the
news, and hath not divided the grief into many portions.
3. It was not yesterday's thought, nor the other year's statute, but a
counsel of the Lord of old; and "who can teach the Almighty
knowledge?"
4. There is no way of quieting the mind, and of silencing the heart of
a mother, but godly submission. The readiest way for peace and
consolation to clay vessels is, that it is a stroke of the Potter and
Former of all things. And since the holy Lord hath loosed the grip,
when it was fastened sure on your part, I know that your light, and I
hope that your heart, also, will yield. It is not safe to be at
pulling and drawing with the omnipotent Lord. Let the pull go with
Him, for He is strong; and say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven."
5. His holy method and order is to be adored. Sometimes the husband
before the wife, and sometimes the son before the mother. So hath the
only wise God ordered; and when he is sent before, and not lost, in
all things give thanks.
6. Meditate not too much on the sad circumstances, "the mother was not
witness to the last sigh; possibly, cannot get leave to wind the son,
nor to weep over his grave;" and, "he was in a strange land!" There is
a like nearness to heaven out of all the countries of the earth.
7. This did not spring out of the dust. Feed and grow fat by this
medicine and fare of the only wise Lord. It is the art and the skill
of faith to read what the Lord writeth upon the cross, and to spell
and construct right His sense. Often we miscall words and sentences of
the cross, and either put nonsense on His rods, or burden His Majesty
with slanders and mistakes, when He mindeth for us thoughts of peace
and love, even to do us good in the latter end.
8. It is but a private stroke on a family, and little to the public
arrows shot against grieved Joseph, and the afflicted, but ah! dead,
senseless, and guilty people of God. This is the day of Jacob's
trouble!
9. There is a bad way of wilful swallowing of a temptation, and not
digesting it, or laying it out of memory without any victoriousness of
faith. The Lord, who forbiddeth fainting, forbiddeth also
despising.[524] But it is easier to counsel than to suffer: the only
wise Lord furnish patience.
[524] Proverbs iii. 2.
It were not amiss to call home the other youth. I am not a little
afflicted for my Lady Kenmure's condition. I desire you, when ye see
her, to remember my humble respects to her. My wife heartily
remembereth her to you; and is wounded much in mind with your present
condition, and suffereth with you.
Grace be with you.
Yours in the Lord,