Letters of Samuel Rutherford : with biographical sketches of his correspondents : with a sketch of his life

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Letters

OF

Samuel Rutherford.

PRINTED BY MURRAY AND GIBB,

W. p. KENNEDY, AND JOHN MACLAREN.

LONDON : . . HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO.

GLASGOW : . . DAVID BRYCE & CO.

Letters

OK

Samuel Rutherford

WITFI

Biographical Sketches of His Correfpondents,

EDITED BY

THE REV. ANDREW A. BONAR,

GLASGOW.

WITH SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

VOL. I.

EDINBURGH :

WILLIAM P. KENNEDY, 79 GEORGE STREET

JOHN MACLAREN, 138 PRINCES STREET.

1863.

*^ He would fend me as a fpy into this wildernefs of fuffering, to fee the land,
and to try the ford ; and I cannot make a lie of Chrift's crofs ; I can report
nothing but good both of Him and it." — [Let. ii8.]

PREFACE,

Most juftly does the old Preface to the earlier Editions begin by
telling the Reader that " Thefe Letters have no need of any man's
epiftle commendatory, the great Mafter having given them one,
written by His own hand on the hearts of all who favour the things
of God." Every one who knows thefe " Letters" at all, is aware
of their moft peculiar charafteriftic, namely, the difcovery they
prefent of the marvellous intercourfe carried on between the writer's
ibul and his God.

This Edition will be found to be the moft complete that has
hitherto appeared. Attending carefully to the chronological ar-
rangement, the Editor has fought, by biographical, topographi-
cal, and hiflorical notices, to put the Reader in pofleiTion of all that
was needed to enable him to enter into the circumflances in which
each Letter was written, fo far as that could be done. The Ex-
planatory Notes, the appended Gloifary of Scottifh words and
expreffions (many of them in reality old Englifh), the Index of
Places and Perfons, the Index of Special Subjects, and the prefixed
Contents of each Letter, will, it is confidently believed, be found
both interefiing and ufeful. The Sketch of Rutherford's life may be
thought too brief -, but the limits within which such a Sketch muft

vi PREFACE,

necefTarily be confined, when occupying the place of a mere Intro-
duftion, rendered brevity inevitable.

Every Letter hitherto publifhed is to be found in this Edition.
The ten additional Letters of the Edition 1848, along with two
more, added fmce that time, are all inferted in their chronological
place. The publifhers have taken great pains with the typography.

A. A. B.

Glasgow, z-jth NoTember 1862.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

Page

Sketch of Samuel Rutherford ^ i

To Marion M'Naught. — Children to be Dedicated to God, . t>s

To a Chrijlian Gentlecwomariy on the death of a Daughter. — Chrift's

Sympathy with, and Property in us — Reafons for Refignation, 36

To Lady Kenmure^ on occafton of illnefs and fpiritual deprejfton. —
Acquiefcence in God's Purpofe — Faith in exercife — Encourage-
ment in view of Sicknefs and Death — Public Affairs, . . 39

To Lady Kenmure, on death of her infant Daughter. — Tribulation
the Portion of God's People, and intended to Wean them
fi-om the World, ........ 44

To Lady Kenmure^ njjhen remo'ving from An<woth. — Changes —

Lofs of Friends — This World no Abiding-Place, . . 46

To Marion M^JNaught, telling of his Wife's illnefs. — Inward Con-
flict, ariiing from Outward Trial, . . . . .48

To Lady Kenmure. — The Earneft of the Spirit — Communion

with Chrift — Faith in the Promifes, . , . .51

To Marion M^Naught. — His Wife's Illnefs — Wreftlings with

God, 54

To Marion M^ Naught. — Recommending a Friend to her Care —

Prayers alked, . . . . . . . '55

To Marion M^Naught. — Submiflion, Perfeverance, and Zeal

recommended, . . . . . . . .56

To Lady Kenmure. — God's Inexplicable Dealings with His People
well ordered — Want of Ordinances — Conformity to Chrift—
Troubles of the Church— Mr Rutherford's Wife's Death, . 58

To Marion M^ Naught. — God Mixeth the Cup — The Reward

of the Wicked — Faithfulnefs — Forbearance — Trials, . . 61

To Marion M^ Naught , <ivhen exposed to reproach for her prin-
ciples. — Jefus a Pattern of Patience under Suffering, . . 65

vui • CONTENTS.

Page

14. To Marion M^ Naught, in profpeB of the Lord's Supper. — Abun-

dance in Jefus — The Reft oration of the Jews — Enemies of
God, 67

15. To Marion M^ Naught. — The threatened Introduction of the Ser-

vice-Book — Troubles of the Church — Private Wrongs, . 69

16. To Marion M^ Naught. — Propofal to Remove him from Anw^oth

— Babylon's Deftrudtion, and Chrift's Coming — The Young
invited, . . . . . . . . .71

17. To Marion M' Naught. — The Profped:s of the Church — Armi-

nianifm — Call to Prayer — No Help but in Chrift, . . 74

1 8. To Marion M' Naught, in profpeB of the Lord's Supper. — Prayer

Solicited — The Church's Profpeds, . . . . .76

19. To Lady Kenmure. — Encouragement to Abound in Faith from

the Profped: of Glory — Chrift's Unchangeablenefs, . . 77

20. To Lady Kenmure. — Aflurance of Chrift's Love under Trials —

Fulnefs of Chrift— Hope of Glory, 80

21. To Lady Kenmure. — Self-denial — Hope of Chrift's Coming —

Loving God for Himfelf, ...... 83

22. To John Kennedy. — Deliverance from ShipwTeck — Recovery from

threatened Death — Ufe of Trials — Remembrance of Friends, 86

23. To Lady Kenmure. — Exhorting to remember her Efpoufal to

Chrift — Tribulation a Preparation for the Kingdom — Glory

in the end, ......... 90

24. To Marion M^Naught. — Chrift and His Garden — Provilion of

Ordinances in the Church — Our Children, . . . 93

25. To a Gentleman at Kirkcudbright , excufmg himfelf from tnfit-

ingy 96

26. To Marion M^ Naught, after her dangerous ilhefs. — Ufe of Sick-

nefs — Reproaches — Chrift our Eternal Feaft — Fafting, . . 97

27. To Lady Kenmure. — Love to Chrift and Submiffion to His Crofs

— Believers kept — The Heavenly Paradife, ... 99

28. To Lady Kenmure, after the death of a child. — The State of the

Church, Caufe for God's Difpleafure — His Care of His Church
—The Jews— Afflided Saints, 102

29. To Marion M^ Naught. — Chrift with His People in the Furnace

of Afflidion — Prayer, . . . . . . .104

30. To Lady Kenmure. — Rank and Profperity hinder Progrefs —

Watchfulnefs — Case of Relatives, . . . . .105

31. To Lady Kenmure. — A Union for Prayer Recommended, . 108

32. To Marion M^ Naught. — State and Profpeds of the Church —

Satan, . . . . . • . • .110

CONTENTS,

Page

:^^. To Marion M^Naught. — In Profpeft of Going to the Lord's

Table, . . . . . . . . .112

34. To Marion M^ Naught. — Profpedts of the Chnrch — Chrift's Care

for the Children of Believers, . . . . . . iiz

2,s, To Lady Kenmure, on the death of a child. — God Meafures our

Days — Bereavements Ripen us for the Harveft, . . . 114

36. To Marion M^ Naught. — Choice of a Commiffioner for Parlia-

ment, . . . . . . . . .116

37. To Lady Kenmure. — On the Death of Lord Kenmure — Defign

of, and Duties under, Afflidtion, . . . . .117

38. To Marion M^ Naught. — Chrift's Care of His Church, and His

Judgments on her Enemies, . . . . . .120

39. To Lady Kenmure. — Preparation for Death and Eternity, . .122

40. To Lady Kenmure. — When Mr Rutherford had the Profpe(5t of

being Removed from Anwoth, . . . . .124

41. To Marion M^ Naught. — The Church's Trials — Comfort under

Temptations — Deliverance — A Meflage to the Young, . 125

42. To Lady Kenmure. — The World pafleth aw^ay — Special Portions

of the Word for the Afflided— Call to Kirkcudbright, . 128

43. To Marion M^ Naught. — When Mr Rutherford v^as in difficulty

as to accepting a Call to Kirkcudbright, and Cramond, . 131

44. To Marion M^ Naught. — Troubles threatening the Church, . 133

45. To Marion M^ Naught. — In the Profpedt of the Lord's Supper,

and of Trials to the Church, . . . . . .134

46. To Marion M'Naught. — Toffings of Spirit — Her Children and

Hufband, ......... 135

47. To Marion M' Naught. — Submiffion to God's Arrangements, . 137

48. To Marion M'Naught. — Troubles from Falfe Brethren — Occur-

rences — Chrift's Coming — Interceffion, . . . .138

49. To Marion M^Naught. — Spoiling of Goods — Call to Kirkcud-

bright — The Lord Reigneth, . . . . . .141

50. To Marion M^ Naught. — Chrift coming as Captain of Salvation —

His Church's Conflict and Covenant — The Jews — Laft Days'
Apoftafy, 143

5 1 . To Marion M^ Naught. — Public Temptations — The Security of

every Saint — Occurrences in the Country-fide, . . . 146

52. To Marion M^ Naught. — In the Profped: of her Hufband being

compelled to receive the Commands of the Prelates — Saints

are yet to Judge, ........ 148

S^. To Marion M^ Naught. — Encouragement under Trial by Profpedl

of Brighter Days, ....... 149

CONTENTS,

Page
54. To Marion M'Naught, — Public Wrongs — Words of Comfort, . 150
K,K^. To Marion M^ Naught. — When he had been threatened with Per-

fecution for Preaching the Gofpel, . . . . . ijz

J 6. To Lady Kenmure. — Reafons for Relignation — Security of Saints

— The End of Time, ....... 153

57. "Xo Marion M^ Naught. — In the Profped of Removal to Aberdeen, 155

58. To Lady Kenmure — On occafion of Efforts to introduce Epifco-

pacy, . . . ." 156

59. To Earljlon^ Elder. — No Suffering for Chrift unrewarded — Lofs

of Children — Chrift in Providence, . . . . .157

60. To Marion M^Naught. — When he was under Trial by the High

Commiffion, . . . . . . . .161

61. To Lady Kenmure y on the evening of his banijhment to Aberdeen.

- — His only Regrets — The Crofs unfpeakably Sweet — Retro-

fpe(5t of his Miniftry, . ...... 162

62. To Lady CulrofSy on the occafion of his banifhment to Aberdeen. —

Challenges of Confcience — The Crofs no Burden, . .164

63. To Mr Robert Cunningham^ at Holy^vood^ in Ireland. — Confola-

tion to a Brother in Tribulation — His own Deprivation of
Miniltry — Chrift worth Suffering for, . . . .167

64. To Alexander Gordon of Earlflon. — His Feelings upon Leaving

Anwoth, . . . . . . . . .171

65. To Robert Gordon of Knockbreck, on his ivay to Aberdeen. — How

Upheld on the Way, . . . . . . .172

66. To Robert Gordon of Knockbrexy after arriving at Aberdeen. —

Challenges of Confcience — Eafe in Zion, . . . .173

67. To William Fullertony Provofl of Kirkcudbright. — Encouragement

to Suffer for Chrift, . . . . . . .175

68. To John Fleming y Bailie of Leith. — The Sweetnefs and Faithful-

nefs of Chrift 's Love, . . . . . . .176

69. To Lady Kenmure. — His Enjoyment of Chrift in Aberdeen — A

Sight of Chrift exceeds all Reports — Some afhamed of Him

and His, . . . . . . . . .178

70. To Lady Kenmure. — Exercife under Reftraint from Preaching —

The Devil — Chrift's Loving-kindnefs — Progrefs, . . 181

71. To Mr Hugh M'Kaily Mini/ler of Irvine.— ChnU to be Trufted

amid Trial, . . . . . . . . .184

72. To William Gordon of Robert on. — How Trials are Misimproved

— The Infinite Value of Chrift — Defpifed Warnings, . . 185

73. To Earlflon y the Elder. — Satisfaction with Chrift's Ways — Private

and Public Caufes of Sorrow, . . . . .188

CONTENTS. . xi

Page

74. To Lady Culrofs. — Sufpicions of God's Ways — God's Ways

always Right — Grace Grows under Trial, . . . .190

75. To John Kennedy y Bailie of u4yr. — Longing after Difcoveries of

Chrift — His Long-fuffering — Trying Circumftances, . .191

'] 6. To Robert Gordon of Knockbrex. — Benefit of A ffliftion, . . 194

77. To Lady Boyd. — Aberdeen — Experience of himfelf Sad — Taking

Pains to win Grace, . . . . . . .197

78. To Lord Boyd — Encouragement to Exertion for Chrift's

Caufe, ......... 199

79. To Margaret Ballantyne. — Value of the Soul, and Urgency of

Salvation, ......... 201

80. To Marion M^Naught. — His Comfort under Tribulations, and

the Prifon a Palace, . . . . . , .204

81. To Mr John Meine (j'un.y — Experience — Patient Waiting —

Sandification, ........ 204

82. To John Gordon of Cardonefs ^ Elder. — Win Chrift at all Hazards

—Chrift's Beauty— A Word to Children, . . .206

83. To the Earl of Lothian. — Advice as to Public Condud: — Every-

thing to be endured for Chrift, . . . . .210

84. To Jean Broivn. — ^The Joys of this Life embittered by Sin —

Heaven an Objedt of Defire — ^Trial a Blefled Thing, . . 214

85. To John Kennedy y Bailie of Ayr. — The Reafonablenefs of Believ-

ing under all Afflidtion — Obligations to Free Grace, . . 216

86. To Lord Craighall. — Epifcopalian Ceremonies — How to Abide

in the Truth — Defire for Liberty to Preach Chrift, . .219

87. To Elizabeth Kennedy. — Danger of Formality — Chrift wholly

to be Loved — Other Objeds of Love, . . . .222

88. To Janet Kennedy. — -Chrift to be kept at every Sacrifice — His in-

comparable Lovelinefs, . . . . . .225

89. To the Renj. Robert Blair. — God's Arrangements fometimes

Myfterious, ........ 228

90. To the Re-v. John Liuingflone. — Refignation — Enjoyment — State

of the Church, . . . , . . . .232

91. To Mr Ephraim Mel'vin. — Kneeling at the Lord's Supper a

fpecies of Idolatry, . . . . . . • ^2>5

92. To Mr Robert Gordon of Knockbrex. — Vifits of Chrift — The

Things which Afflidion Teaches, . . . . .238

93. To Lady Kenmure. — God's Dealings with Scotland — The Eye

to be direded Heavenward, . . . . . .241

94. To Lady Kenmure. — The Times — Chrift's Sweetnefs in Trouble

— Longing after Him, . . . . . . .242

xii CONTENTS.

Page

95. To Lady Kenmure. — Chrift's Crofs Sweet — His coming to be De-

fired — Jealous of any Rival, ...... 244

96. To Lady Kenmure, — Chrift all Worthy — Anwoth, , . 246

97. To Alexander Gordon of Earljlon. — Chrift Endeared by Bitter

Experiences — Searchings of Heart — Fears for the Church, . 247

98. To Mr Alexander Col'ville of Blair. — Increafing Experience of

Chrift's Love — God with His Saints, .... 249

99. To Earljlon^ Younger. — Chrift's AVays Mifunderftood — His in-

creafing Kindnefs — Spiritual Delicacy — Hard to be dead to the
World, . . . . . . . . .251

100. To Lady Cardonefs. — The One Thing Needful — Confcientious

A(5ting in the World — Advice under Dejecting Trials, . 2^^

loi. To Jonet Macculloch. — Chrift's Sufficiency — Stedfaftnefs in the

Truth, 257

1 02. To Alexander Gordon of Knockgray. — Grounds of Praife — Af-

fliction tends to Mifreprefent Chrift — Idols, . . .259

103. To Lady Cardonefs^ Elder. — Chrift and His Caufe Recom-

mended — Heavenly-mindednefs — Caution againft Compli-
ances — Anxiety about his Parifh, . . . . .261

104. To Lady Kenmure. — Pains-taking in the Knowledge of Chrift —

Unufual Enjoyment of His Love — Not Eafy to be a Chriftian
* — Friends muft not Miflead, ...... 263

105. To a Gentlerjuoman^ upon the death of her Hufband. — Refignation

under Bereavement — His own Enjoyment of Chrift's Love, . 266

106. To Lady Kenmure. — Weak Aflurance — Grace different from

Learning — Self-accufations, . . . . . .268

107. To Lady Boyd. — Confcioufnefs of Defedts no Argument of Chrift

being unknown — His Experience in Exile, . . . 270

108. To Lady Kajkiberry. — Gratitude for Kindnefs — Chrift's Prefence

felt, 273

109. To Lady Earljlon. — Following Chrift not Eafy — Children not

to be Over-loved — Joy in the Lord, . . . '273

I TO. To Mr Da-vid Dickfon. — God's Dealings — ^The Bitter Sweetened

— Notes on Scripture, . . . . . • • '-4 75

111. To Jean Broavn. — Chrift's Untold Precioufnefs — A Word to

her Boy, 278

112. To Mr John FerguJhilU — ^The Rod upon God's Children — Pain

from a fenfe of Chrift's Love — His Prefence a Support under
Trials — Contentednefs with Him alone, . . . .279

113. To Mr Robert Douglas. — Greatnefs of Chrift's Love revealed to

thofe who fuffer for Him, . . • • , . • 281

CONTENTS. xi'ii

Page

1 14. To William Rigg of Athernie. — Suftaining Power of Chrift's

Love — Satan's Oppofition — Yearnings for Chrift Himfelf

— Fears for the Church, . . . . . .283

1 15. To Mr Alexader Henderfon* — Sadnefs becaufe of Chrift's Head-

fhip not fet forth — His Caufe attended with CroiTes — ^The
Believer feen of all, . . . . . . .286

116. To Lord Loudon. — Bleflednefs of Afting for Chrift — His Love

to His Prifoner, 288

117. To Mr William Dalglei/h, Mtnijler ofKirkdale and Kirkmabreck. —

Chrift's Kindnefs — Dependence on Providence — Controverfies, 291

118. To Mr Hugh M^Kail, Minijler at Ir'vine. — Chrift's Bountiful

Dealings — Joy in Chrift through the Crofs, . . . 294

119. To Mr Da'vid Dick/on. — Joyful Experience — Cup Overflowing

in Exile, ......... 296

120. To Mr Matthew Mo^juat, Minijler at Kilmarnock. — Plenitude

of Chrift's Love — Need to ufe Grace Aright — Chrift the
Ranfomer — Defire to proclaim His Gofpel — Shortcomings
and Sufferings, . . . . . . . .298

121. To William Halliday. — Diligence in fecuring Salvation, . . 301

122. To a Gentlewoman after the death of her Hujband. — Vanity of

Earthly PofTeffions — Chrift a fufficient Portion — Defign of
Afflidiion, ......... 302

123. To John Gordon of Cardonefsy Younger. — Reafons for being

earaeft about the Soul, and for Refignation, . . .304

124. To John Gordon of Cardonefsy Elder. — 'Call to Eameftnefs

about Salvation — Intrufion of Minifters, . . . .306

125. To Lady Forret. — Sicknefs a Kindnefs — Chrift's Glooms better

than the World's Joys, . . . . . .307

126. To Marion M^ Naught. — Adherence to Duty amidft Oppofition

— Power of Chrift's Love, . . . . . -309

127. To John Carfen. — Nothing worth the finding but Chrift, . 310

128. To the Earl of Cajftllis. — Honour of teftifying for Chrift, . 311

129. To Mr Robert Gordon^ Bailie of Ayr. — Chrift above All, . 313

130. To John Kennedy y Bailie of Ayr. — Chrift's Love — The Three

Wonders — Defires for His Second Coming, . . .315

131. To Jean Brown. — His Wifdom in our Trials — Rejoicing in

Tribulation, . . . . . . . .318

132. To Jean Macmillan. — Strive to enter In, . . . .320

133. To Lady Bujbie. — Complete Surrender to Chrift — No Idols —

Trials difcover Sins — A Free Salvation— The Marriage
Supper, 321

xiv CONTENTS.

Page

134. To John Eq.vart, Bailie of Kirkcudbright. — The Crofs no Bur-

den — Need of Sure Foundation, ..... 324

135. To miliam FuUerton^ Pronjoji of Kirkcudbright. — Fear not them

who kill the Body — Unexpeded Favour, . . ' I'i-s

136. To Robert Glendinning ^ Minifter of Kirkcudbright. — Prepare to

meet thy God — Chrift his Joy, . . . . .326

137. To William Glendinning. — Perfeverance againft Oppofition, . 328

138. To Mr Hugh Henderfon^ Minifier of the Gofpel. — Trials feleded

by God — Patience — Looking for the Judge, . . . 330

139. To Lord Balmerinoch. — His happy Obligations to Chrift —

Emptinefs of the World, ...... ^iZ"^

140. To Lady Marry Younger. — No Exchange for Chrift, . . 2^3

141. To James Macadam. — The Kingdom taken by Force, . . 2>2)5
I ^t. To William Liinngflone. — Counfel to a Youth, . . > Z^l

143. To William Gordon of Whitepark. — Nothing loft by Trials —

Longing for Chrift Himfelf, becaufe of His Love, . . 338

144. To Mr George Gillefpie^ Minifier of Kirkcaldy. — Sufpicions of

Chrift's Love Removed — Three Defires, .... 340

145. To Jean Gordon. — God the Satisfying Portion — Adherence to

Chrift, 342

146. To Mr James Bruce, Minifier of the Gofpel. — Misjudging of

Chrift's Ways, ........ 343

147. To John Gordon, at Rufco. — Prefling into Heaven — To be a

Chriftian no Eafy Attainment — Sins to be Avoided, . . 344

148. To Lady Hallhill.—Chnit's Crofles better than Egypt's

Treafures, ......... 346

149. To John OJburn, Pro'vofl of Ayr. — Adherence to Chrift — His

Approbation worth all Worlds, . . . . .348

150. To John Henderfon, in Rufco. — Continuing in Chrift — Prepared-

nefs for Death, ........ 349

151. To John Meine, Senior. — Enjoyment of God's Love — Need of

Help — Bm-dens, ........ 350

152. To Mr Thomas Garven. — A Prifoner's Joys — Love of Chrift —

The Good Part — Heaven in Sight, 352

153. To Bethaia Aird. — Unbelief under Trials — Chrift's Sympathy, 354

154. To Alexander Gordon of Knockgray. — Profpedive Trials, . 356

155. To Grizzel Fullerton, daughter of Marion M^ Naught. — The

One Thing Needful — Chrift's Love, . . . -35 7

156. To Patrick Carfen.— Early Devotednefs to Chrift, . . • 3j8

157. To the Laird of Carleton. — Increafmg Senfe of Chrift's Love —

Refignation — Deadnefs to Earth — Temptations — ^Infirmities, 359

CONTENTS. XV

Page

158. To Laciy Bu/bie.—ChnR all Worthy— Beft at our Loweft— Sin-

fulnefs of the Land — Prayers, . . . . .362

159. To John Fleming^ Bailie of Leith. — Directions for Chriftian Con-

du(ft, . . . . . . . . .364

160. To Alexander Gordon of Earlflon. — Hungering after Chrift

Himfelf rather than His Love, . . . . .368

161. To John Stuart, ProToJl of Ayr. — Commercial Misfortunes —

Service-Book — Bleflednefs of Trials, . . . .371

162. To John Stuart, Prcvojl of Ayr. — The Burden of a Silenced

Minifter — Spiritual Shortcomings, . . . . '376

163. To John Stuart, Pronjofl of Ayr. — View of Trials paft — Hard

Thoughts of Chrift — Crofles — Hope, . . . .378

164. To Ninian Mure, one of the family of CaJJincarrie. — A Youth

Admonifhed, . . . . . . . ' Z^2>

165. To Mr Thomas Gar'ven. — Perfonal Infufficiency — Grace from

Chrift alone — Longings after Him, . . . .384

166. To Cardonefs, the Elder. — A Good Confcience — Chrift kind to

Sufferers — Refponfibility — Youth, . . . . .387

167. To Lady Boyd. — Leffons learned in the School of Adverfity, . 390
16%. To Mr Da'vid Dickfon. — Chrift's Infinite Fulnefs, . . . 393

169. To the Laird of Carleton. — God's ^Vorking Incomprehenfible — •

Longing after any Drop of Chrift's Fulnefs, . . . 395

170. To Robert Gordon of Knockbrex. — Longing for Chrift's Glory

— Felt Guiltinefs — Longing for Chrift's Love — Sandtifica-

tion, 398

171. To the Laird of Moncrieff. — Concert in Prayer — Stedfaftnefs to

Chrift — Grief mifreprefents Chrift's Glory, . . . 400

172. To John Clark. — Marks of Difference betwixt Chriftians and

Reprobates, ........ 404

173. To Cardonefs, the Younger. — Warning and Advice as to Things

of Salvation, ........ 405

174. To Lord Craighall. — Idolatry Condemned, .... 407

175. To John Laurie. — Chrift's Love — A Right Eftimate of Him —

His Grace, . . . . . . . .411

176. To the Laird of Carleton. — A Chriftian's Confeffion of Un-

worthinefs — Defire for Chrift's Honour. — Prefent Circum-
ftances, ......... 414

177. To Marion M^ Naught. — Chrift Suffering in His Church — His

Coming — Outpourings of Love from Him, . . . 418

178. To Lady C«/ro/}.— Chrift's Management of Trials— What Faith

can do — Chrift not Experience — Prayers, . . . 421

XVI

CONTENTS.

179. To Mr John Nevay. — Chrift's Love Sharpened in Suffering —

Kneeling at the Communion — Pofture at Ordinances,

180. To Jobn Gordon of Cardonefs^ the Elder, — Longings for thofe

under his former Miniftry — Delight in Chrift and His Ap-
pearing — Pleading with his Flock, .....

181. To Earljlon, the Tounger. — Dangers of Youth — Chrift the beft

Phyfician — Four Remedies againft Doubting — Breathing after
Chrift's Honour, ........

182. To Alexander Gordon of Knockgray. — Joy in God — Trials work

out Glory to Chrift, .......

183. To Mr J R .—Chrift the Purifier of His Church—

SubmifTion to His Ways, ......

184. To Mr William Dalglei/h, Minifler of the Gofpel.—ThQ Fra-

grance of the Miniftry — A Review of his Paft and Prefent
Situation, and of his Profpedls, .....

185. To Marion M^ Naught. — Longing to be Reftored to his Charge,

186. To Robert Stuart. — Chrift choofes His own in the Furnace —

Need of a Deep Work — The God-Man, a World's Wonder,

187. To Lady Gaitgirth. — Chrift Unchangeable, though not always

Enjoyed — His Love never yet fully Poured Out — Himfelf
His People's Cautioner, ......

188. To Mr John Fergujhill of Ochiltree. — Defponding Views of his

own SUte — Minifterial Diligence — Chrift's Worth — Self-
feeking, .........

Page

424

430

435

441

444

447
452

454

45 8

461

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SKETCH

OF

SJMUEL RUTHERFORD.

HEREVER the palm-tree is, there is water," fays the
Eaflern proverb ; and fo, wherever the godly flourifh,
there, we are fure, muft the Word of God be found.
In the hiftory of the Reformation we read of Brother Martin, a poor
monk at Bade, whofe hope of falvation refled folely on the Lord
Jefus, long before Luther founded the filver trumpet that fummoned
fm-convinced fouls to the One Sacrifice. Having written out his
confeffion of faith, his ftatement of reliance on the righteoufnefs of
Chrift alone, the monk placed the parchment in a wooden box, and
fhut up the wooden box in a hole of the wall of his cell. It was
not till lafl century that this box, with its interefting contents, was
difcovered : it was brought to light only when the old wall of the
monaflery was taken down. The palm-tree fpeaks of the exigence
of water at its root ; the pure Word of God taught this man his
fimple faith. And herein we learn how it was that Bafle fo early
became a peculiar centre of light in that region : the prayer and the
faith of that hidden one, and others like-minded, and the Word on
which they fed, may explain it all.

VOL. I. A

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

There is a faft not unlike the above in the hiftory of the diftrift
where Samuel Rutherford laboured fo lovingly. The people of
that fhire tell that there was found, fome generations ago, in the
wall of the old caftle of Earlfton, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
a copy of JVickliffe's Bible. It feems to have been depofited in that re-
ceptacle in order to be hid from the view of enemies ; but from time
to time it was the lamp of light to a few fouls, who, perhaps in the
fdence of night, found opportunity to draw it out of its ark, and perufe
its pages. It feems that the Lollards of Kyle (the adjoining diftrift )
had brought it to Earlflon. We know that there were friends and
members of the family of Earlfton who embraced the Gofpel even
in thofe days. In the fixteenth century, fome of the anceftors of
Vifcount Kenmure are found holding the doctrines of WicklifFe,
which had been handed down to them. May we not believe that
the Gordons of Earlfton, in after days, were not a little indebted
to the faith and prayers of thefe ancient witnefTes who hid the
facred treafure in the caftle wall ? As in the cafe of the monk of
BaQe, their faith and patience were acknowledged in after days by
the bleffing fent down on that quarter, when the Lord, in remem-
brance of His hidden ones, both raifed up the Gordons of Earlfton,
with many others of a like fpirit, and alfo fent thither His fervant
Samuel Rutherford, to found forth the word of life, and make the
lamp of truth blaze, like a torch, over all that region.

Samuel Rutherford was born about the year 1600. His
father is underftood to have been a refpe6lable farmer. He had
two brothers, James and George. But the place of his birth was
not near the fcene of his after labours. It is almoft certain that
Nifbet, a village of Roxburghfhire, clofe to the Teviot, in the
parifti of Crailing, was his birth-place ; and not long ago, there
were fome old people in that parifh who remembered the gable-
end of the houfe in which he was born, and which, from refpeft
to his memory, was permitted to ftand as long as it could keep to-
gether. Some one may yet light upon the well where, when very
young, Samuel nearly loft his life. He had been amufmg himfelf
with fome companions, when he fell in, and was left there till they

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 3

ran and procured affiftance ; but on returning to the fpot, they
found him feated on a knoll, cold and dripping, yet uninjured. He
told them that " A bonnie white man came and drew him out of
the well ! " Whether or not he really fancied that an angel had
delivered him, we cannot tell ; but it is plain that, at all events, his
boyifh thoughts were already wandering in the region of the fky.

He owed little to his native place. There was not fo much of
Chrift known in that parifh then as there is now ; for in after days
he writes, " My foul's defire is, that the place to which I owe my firft
birth; — in which, I fear, Chrift was fcarcely named, as touching any
reality of the power of godlinefs -, — may bloflbm as the rofe." * We
have no account of his revifiting thefe fcenes of his early life, though
he thus wrote to his friend, Mr Scott, minifter of the adjoining
parifh of Oxnam. Like Donald Cargill, born in Perthfhire, yet
never known to preach there even once, Rutherford had his labours
in other parts of the land, diftant from his native place. In this
arrangement we fee the Mafter's fovereignty. The Iphere is evi-
dently one of God's choofmg for the man, inftead of being the re-
fult of the man's gratifying his natural predile6lions. It accords, too,
with the Mafter's own example ; He having never returned to Beth-
lehem, where He was born, to do any of His works.

Jedburgh is a town three or four miles diftant from Nifbet,
and thither Samuel went for his education ; either walking to it
and returning home at evening, — as a fchool-boy would fcarcely
grudge to do, — or refiding in the town for a feafon. The fchool
at that time met in a part of the ancient abbey, called, from this
circumftance, the Latiners' Alley. In the year 1617 we find him
farther from home, — removed to Edinburgh, which, forty years
before, had become the feat of a College, though not as yet a Uni-
verfity. There he obtained, in 1 62 1, the degree of Mafter of Arts.
Soon after, he was appointed Regent, or Profeflbr, of Humanity,
though there were three other competitors ; for his talents had
attra6ted the notice of many. But, on occafion of a rumour that

* Let. 334.

4 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD,

charged him with fome irregularity, — whether with or without
foundation, it is now difficult to afcertain, — he demitted his office in
1625, and led a private life, attending prelections on theology, and
devoting himfelf to that ftudy.

That there could not have been anything very ferious in the
rumour, may be inferred from the fa(5l that no church court took
any notice of the matter, though thefe were days when the reins
of difcipline were not held with a flack hand. But it is not unlikely
that this may have been the time of which he fays in a letter, " I
knew a man who wondered to fee any in this life laugh or sport."*
It may have been then that he was led by the Spirit to know the
things that are freely given us of God.f We have no proof that
he was converted at an earlier period, but rather the oppofite. He
writes, " Like a fool as I was, I fuffered my fun to be high in the
heaven, and near afternoon, before ever I took the gate by the
end.":]: And again, " I had fl:ood fure, if in my youth I had bor-
rowed Chrift for my bottom." § The clouds returned after the rain ;
family trials, and other fimilar dealings of Providence, combined to
form his character as a man of God and as a paftor.

In 1627 he was fettled at Anwoth, || a parifh fituated in the Stew-
artry of Kirkcudbright, on the river Fleet, near the Solway. The
church ftood in a wide hollow, or valley, at the foot of the Boreland
Hill. Embofomed in wood, with neither the fmoke nor the noife of
a village near, it mufl: always have been a romantic fpot, the very
ideal of a country church, fet down to cherifh rural godlinefs.
Though at this period Epifcopacy had been obtruded upon Scot-
land, and many faithful minifters were fuffering on account of their
refifl:ance to its ceremonies and fervices, yet he appears to have been
allowed to enter on his charge without any compliance being de-
manded, and ** without giving any engagement to the bifhop." He
began his miniftry with the text, John ix. 39. The fame Lord

* Let. 224. t I Cor. ii. 12. % Let. 177. § Let. 241.

II See notice of the topography at Let. 199. It is a mile and a half from
the modem Gatehoufe of Fleet, a clean, Englifh-looking village.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 5

that would not let Paul and Timothy preach in Afia,* nor in
Bithynia, and yet fent to the one region the beloved John,f and to
the other the fcarcely lefs beloved Peter,:j: in this inftance prevented
John Livingftone going to Anwoth, which the patron had defigned,
and lent Rutherford inflead. This was the more remarkable, be-
caufe Livingftone was fent to Ancrum, the parilh that borders on
Nifbet, while he who was by birth related to that place was de-
fpatched to another fpot. This is the Lord's doing. Minifters
must not choofe according to the flefh.

During the firil years of his labours here, the sore illnefs of his
wife was a bitter grief to him. Her diflrefs was very fevere. He
writes of it : " She is fore tormented night and day .-♦-My life is
bitter unto me. — She fleeps none, and cries as a woman travailing
in birth ; my life was never fo wearifome." § She continued in
this ftate for no lefs than a year and a month, ere fhe died. Be-
fides all this, his two children had been taken from him. Such
was the difcipline by which he was trained for the duties of a
paftor, and by which a fhepherd's heart of true fympathy was
imparted to him.

The parifh of Anwoth had no large village near the church. The
people were fcattered over a hilly diftri6t, and were quite a rural
flock. But their fhepherd knew that the Chief Shepherd counted
them worth caring for ; he was not one who thought that his
learning and talents would be ill fpent if laid out in feeking to
fave fouls, obfcure and unknown. See him fetting out to vifit !
He has juft laid afide one of his learned folios, to go forth among
his flock. See him pafling along yonder field, and climbing that
hill on his way to fome cottage, his "quick eyes" occafionally
glancing on the objects around, but his " face upward " for the
mofl: part, as if he were gazing into heaven. He has time to vifit,
for he rifes at three in the morning ; and at that early hour meets
his God in prayer and meditation, and has fpace for ftudy befides.
He takes occafional days for catechifmg. He never fails to be

* Acts xvi. 6, 7. tRev. i. II. J i Pet. i. i. § Let. 18.

6 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

found at the fick-beds of his people. Men faid of him, "He is
alivays praying, alivays preaching, alivays vifiting the fick, alivays
catechifing, akvays writing and ftudying." He was known to fall
alleep at night talking of Chrill:, and even to fpeak of Him
during his fleep. Indeed, himfelf fpeaks of his dreams being
of Chrift .*

His preaching could not but arreif attention. Though his elo-
cution was not good, and his voice rather fhrill, he was, neverthe-
lefs, " one of the moft moving and affectionate preachers in his
time, or perhaps in any age of the Church." f Efpecially when he
came to dwell upon the fubjedf he fo delighted in, Jefus Chrift,
his manner grew fo animated that it feemed as if he would have
flown out of the pulpit. An Englifh merchant faid of him, even in
days when controverfy had forely vexed him and diftrafted his
fpirit, " I went to St Andrews, where I heard a fweet, majeflic-
looking man (R. Blair), and he fhowed me the majefty of God.
After him I heard a little, fair man (Rutherford), and he fhowed
me the lovelinefs of Chrijl.'' \

Anwoth was dear to him rather as the fphere appointed him
by his Mafter, than becaufe of the fruit he faw of his labours.
Two years after being fettled there, he writes, "I fee exceedingly
fmall fruit of my miniftry. I would be glad of one foul, to be a
crown of joy and rejoicing in the day of Chrift." His people were
"like hot iron, which cooleth when out of the fire." Still he
laboured in hope, and laboured often almoft beyond his flrength.
Once he fays, " I have a grieved heart daily in my calling." He
fpeaks of his pained breaft, at another time, on the evening of the
Lord's day, when his work was done.§ But he had feafons of
refrefhing to his own foul at leafl ; efpecially when the Lord's
Supper was difpenfed. Of thefe feafons he frequently fpeaks. He
afks his friend, Marion" M'Naught, to help with her prayers on
fuch an occafion, " that being one of the days wherein Chrifl was

* Let. 286. t Wodrow's Church Hifl. i. 205.

X >rCrie's Sketches. § Let. 185.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD, 7

wont to make merry with His friends."* It was then that with
i'pecial earneftnefs he belbught the Father to diftribute "the great
Loaf, Chrifl, to the children of His family."

Anwoth church was filled, but not altogether by pariihioners.f
Many came from great diftances ; among others, feveral that were
converted, feventeen years before, under John Welfh, at Ayr.
Thefe all helped him by their prayers, as did alfo a goodly number
of godly people in the parifh itfelf, who were the fruit of the
miniftry of his predecefTor. Yet over the unfaved he yearned
moft tenderly. At one time we hear him fay, *' I would lay my
deareft joys in the gap between you and eternal deftruction." J At
another, " My witnefs is in heaven, your heaven would be two
heavens to me, and your falvation two falvations." He could
appeal to his people, " My day-thoughts and my night-thoughts are
of you ;" and he could appeal to God, '' O my Lord, judge if my
miniftry be not dear to me ; but not fo dear by many degrees as
Chrift my Lord."§

All clafles of people of Anwoth were objefts of his care. He
maintained a friendly intercourfe with people of high rank, and
very many of his Letters are addrefled to such perfons. He feems
to have been remarkably bleffed to the gentry in the neighbour-
hood — more far than to the common people. There was at that
time fome friend of Chrift to be found in almoft every gentleman's
feat many miles round Anwoth.

* Let. 14.

t The oak pulpit out of which he preached was preferved till a few years
ago. The old church (60 feet by 18) is in the fhape of a bam, and could
hold only 250 fitters. The years 1631 and 1633 are carved on fome of the
feats, — perhaps the feats of the Gordons, or other heritors. We may add,
while fpeaking of this old edifice, where '^ the fwallows building their neft,"
feemed to the exiled pallor ^^ blefled birds," that the rufty key of that kirk-
door is now depofited in the New College, Edinburgh, fent to the mufeum
there as a precious relic feveral years ago by a friend, through Dr Welfh. The
church is now rooflefs, its walls overgrown with ivy, in which the fparrows
build their nefts at will.

X Let. 217. § Let. 217.

8 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

But the herd boys were not beneath his fpecial attention. He
writes of them when at Aberdeen, and exclaims, " Oh if I might
but fpeak to thee, or your herd boys, of my worthy Mafter."*
He had a heart for the young of all clafTes, fo that he would fay of
two children of one of his friends, *' I pray for them by name ;"f
and could thus take time to notice one, " Your daughter defires a
Bible and a gown. I hope fhe fhall ufe the Bible well, which, if
fhe do, the gown is the better bellowed." He lamented over the
few that cry "Hofanna" in their youth. " Chrift is an imhioivn
Chrift to young ones -, and therefore they feek Him not, becaufe they
know Him not."

He dealt with individual parijhioners fo clofely and fo perfonally
as to be able to appeal to them regarding his faithfulnefs in this
matter. He addreffes one of them, Jean McMillan : "I did what
I could to put you within grips of Chrift ; I told you Chrifl's tefta-
ment and latter- will plainly." J He fo carried them on his heart
(like the priefl with the twelve tribes on his breaftplate), that he
could declare to Gordon of Cardonefs, " Thoughts of your foul
depart not from me in my fleep." § ** My foul was taken up when
others were fleeping, how to have Chrift betrothed with a bride in
that part of the land," viz. Anwoth. |1 He fo prayed over them
and for them, that he fears not to fay, " There I wreflled with the
angel and prevailed. Woods, trees, meadows, and hills, are my
witnefles that I drew on a fair match betwixt Chrift and Anwoth." f
It is related that, on firft coming to the parifh, there was a piece of
ground on Moflrobin farm, in the hollow of a hill, where on
Sabbath afternoon the people ufed to play at foot-ball. On one
occafion he repaired to that fpot, and pointed out their fm, folemnly
calling on the objects round to be witnefTes againfl them, efpecially
three large flones** jutting out from the face of the hill, two of
which flill remain, and are called " Rutherford^ s Witfiejfes" though
the third was wantonly diflodged fome years ago. This is the fpot

* Let. 163. t Let. 14. X Let. 132. § Let. 180.

II Let 186. t Let. 277. ** Jofh. xxiv. 27.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 9

which is Ipecially taken notice of by Dr Chalmers, in recording a
vifit to Anwoth and its neighbourhood (Life, vol. iii. 130) : —

*' Wednefday, Auguft 23, 1826. — Started at five o'clock; ordered the gig
forvvai'd on the public road, to meet us after a fcramble of about two miles
among the hills, in the line of Rutherford's Memorials. Went firft to his
church ; the identical fabric he preached in, and which is ft ill preached in.*
The floor is a caufeway. There are dates of 1628 f and 1633 on fome old
carved feats. The pulpit is the fame, and I fat in it. It is fmaller than Kil-
many, and very rude and fimple. The church-bell is faid to have been given
him by Lady Kenmure, one of his correfpondents in his Letters. It is An-
gularly fmall for a church, having been the Kenmure houfe-bell. We then
paffed to the new church that is building ; but I am happy to fay the old
fabric and Rutherford's pulpit are to be fpared. It is a cruel circumftance
that they pulled dovra (and that only three weeks ago) his dwelling-houfe,
his old manfe ,- which has not been ufed as a manfe for a long time, but was
recently occupied. It fhould have been fpared. Some of the mafons who
were ordered to pull it down refufed it, as they would an act of facrilege, and
have been difmifled from their employment. We went and mourned over the
nibbifh of the foundation. Then afcended a bank, ft ill known by the name of
Rutherford's JValk.X Then went farther among the hills, to Rutherford's JVit-
nejjesy — fo many ftones which he called to witnefs againft fome of his pa-
rijfhioners who were amufing themfelves at the place with fome game on the
Sunday, and whom he meant to reprove. The whole fcene of our morning's
walk was wild, and primitive, and interefting."

Once, while in Anwoth, his labours were interrupted by a ter-
tian fever which laid him afide for thirteen weeks. Even when
well recovered, he could for a long time only preach on the Sab-
baths : vifiting and catechifmg were at a ftand. This was juft
before his wife's death in 1 630, and he writes in the midft of it,
" Welcome, welcome, crofs of Chrift, if Chrift be with it." " An
afflicted life looks very like the way that leads to the kingdom."
And fome years thereafter, when his mother (who came from Niibet,
and refided with him fix years after his firfl wife's death) was in a
dangerous illnefs, he touchingly informs one of his correfpondents,
to whom he writes from Anwoth, " My mother is weak, and I

* It has not been preached in fince the year 1827.

t A miftake for 163 1.

X It was a walk among trees, clofe to the manfe.

lo SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

think fliall leave me alone ; but I am not alone, becaufe Chrift's
Father is with me."*

And what was his recreation ? The manfe of Anwoth had
many vifits of kind friends, who, in Rutherford's fellowfhip, felt that
faying verified, "They that dwell under his fhadow fhall return ;
they fhall revive as the corn."-|- The righteous compafled him
about, becaufe the Lord had dealt bountifully with him. His
Letters would be enough of themfelves to fhow that his friendihip
and counfel were fought by the godly on all fides. One of his
vifitors was his own brother, George, at Kirkcudbright. This good
man was a teacher in that town, who often repaired to Anwoth to
take fweet counfel with Samuel ; and then together, they talked of
and prayed for their only other brother James, an officer in the
Dutch fervice, who had fympathy with their views, and, in after
days, conveyed to Samuel the invitation to become Profeffor at
Utrecht. Vifits of thofe friends who refided near were not unfre-
quent, fuch as the Gordons, Vifcount Kenmure and his lady, and
Marion M'Naught. But at times Anwoth manfe was lighted up
by the glad vifit of unexpected guefts. There is a tradition that
Archbifhop Ufher, pafTing through Galloway, turned afide on a
Saturday to enjoy the congenial fociety of Rutherford. He came,
however, in difguife ; and being welcomed as a gueft, took his
place with the refl of the family when they were catechifed, as was
ufual, that evening. The flranger was afked, " How many com-
mandments are there ? " His reply was " Eleve?i" The paflor
corrected him ; but the flranger maintained his pofition, quoting
our Lord's words, *' A new commandment I give unto you, that ye
love one another" They retired to refl, all interefted in the flranger.
Sabbath morning dawned. Rutherford arofe, and repaired, as was
his cuffom, for meditation to a walk that bordered on a thicket,!
but was ffartled by hearing the voice of prayer, — prayer too from

* Let. 49. t Hos. xiv. 7.

% The place is ftill pointed out by tradition, as *' Rutherford's Walk."
It was clofe to the old manfe, which was pulled down many years ago. It

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. ii

the heart, and in behalf of the fouls of the people that day to
affemble. It was no other than the holy Archbiihop Ufher ; and
foon they came to an explanation, for Rutherford had begun to
fufpect he had " entertained angels unawares." With great mutual
love they converfed together ; and at the requeft of Rutherford, the
Archbifhop went up to the pulpit, conducSled the ufual fervice of the
Prefbyterian paftor, and preached on " the New Commandment."

Scarcely lefs interefting is the record of another unlooked-for
meeting. Rutherford had one day left home to go to the neighbouring
town of Kirkcudbright, the next day being a day of humiliation in
that place. Having no doubt fpent Ibme time with his like-minded
brother, he turned his fteps to the houfe of another friend, Provoft
FuUerton, whofe wife was Marion M'Naught. While fitting with
them in friendly converfe, a knock at the door was heard, and then
a flep on the threfhold. It was worthy Mr Blair, who, on his
way from London to Port Patrick, had fought out fome of his
godly friends, that with them he might be refrefhed ere he returned
to Ireland. He told them, when feated, that '* he had a defire to
vifit both Mr Rutherford at Anwoth, and Marion M'Naught at
Kirkcudbright -, but not knowing how to accomplifh both, had
prayed for direftion at the parting of the road, and laid the bridle on
the horfe's neck. The horfe took the way to Kirkcudbright, and
there he found both the friends he fo longed to fee." It was a
joyful and refrefhing meeting on all fides. Wodrow tells* another
incident that, in part, bears fome refemblance to this. Rutherford
had been reafoning at Stirling with the Marquis of Argyle, and had
let out homeward. But his horfe was very troublefome, and he was
feeling in his mind that he fhould have been more urgent and plain !
He returned, and dealt freely this time. And now his horfe went
on pleafantly all the way.

ftood about a quarter of a mile from the church, and bore the name, ^^ Bmhy
BieU," or Bujb o Bield^ i.e.^ the bufh of fhelter. A Iketch of it, as it was, is
given in Murray's Life of Rutherford.
* Analecia^ vol. ii., p. i6i.

12 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

In 1634 ^^ attended the remarkable death-bed of Lord Ken-
mure, a narrative of which he publiihed fifteen years after, in " The
Last and Heavenly Speeches and Glorious Departure of John
Vifcount Kenmure." The inroads of Epifcopacy were at this time
threatening to difquiet Anwoth. His own domeftic affliftions were
flill affecting him ; for he writes that fame year, in referring to his
wife's death many years before, *' which wound is not yet fully
healed and cured." About that time, too, there was a propofal
(never carried into effect) to call him to Cramond, near Edinburgh,*
and another to get him settled at IGrkcudbright.

Meanwhile he perfevered in fludy as well as in labours, and
with no common fuccefs. He had a metaphyseal turn, as well as
great readinefs in ufmg the accumulated learning of other days. It
might be inftru6five to inquire why it is that wherever godlinefs is
healthy and progrefTive, we almofl invariably find learning in the
Church of Chrifl attendant on it ; while, on the other hand, negleft
of fludy is attended fooner or later by decay of vital godlinefs.
Not that all are learned in fuch times ; but there is always an
element of the kind in the circle of thofe whom the Lord is ufmg.
The energy called forth by the knowledge of God in the foul leads
on to the ftudy of whatever is likely to be ufeful in the defence or
propagation of the truth ; whereas, on the other hand, when decay
is at work and lifeleffnefs prevailing, floth and eafe creep in, and
theological learning is flighted as uninterefting and dry. With
Samuel Rutherford and his contemporaries we find learning fide by
fide with vital, and fingularly deep, godlinefs. GUlefpie, Hender-
fon, Blair, Dickfon, and others, are well-known examples. Nor
lefs diftinguiflied was Rutherford, who was led by circumflances
in 1636 to publifh his elaborate defence of grace againft the
Arminians, in Latin. Its title is, " Exercitationes de Gratia." So
highly was it efleemed at Amfterdam, where it was publifhed, that a
fecond edition was printed that very year ; and repeated invitations

* Let. 43. His friend and neighbour Mr Dalgleifh, minifter of Kirkdale
and Kirkmabreck, was tranflated to Cramond in 1639.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. i^

were addrefled foon after to the author to come to Holland, and
occupy one or other of their Divinity chairs. Soon after, the con-
teft for Chrijl's kingly office became increafmgly earneft and keen.
To Rutherford it appeared no fmall matter. " I could wifh many
pounds added to my crofs to know that by my fuffering Chrift was
fet forward in His kingly office in this land."* July 27, 1636, was
a day that put his principles to the teft. He was called before the
High Commiffion Court, becaufe of non-conformity to the a6ls of
Epifcopacy, and becaufe of his work againft the Arminians. The
Court was prefided over by SydferfF, Bifhop of Galloway, and was
held at Wigton, about ten miles from Anwoth, acrofs the Bay. He
appeared in perfon there, and defended himfelf. The ifTue could
not be doubtful, though Lord Lorn made every exertion in his be-
half. He was deprived of his minifterial office, which he had
exercifed at Anwoth for a period of nine years, and banifhed to
Aberdeen. The next day (writing at evening on the fubject), he
tells of his fentence, and calls it, " The honour that I have prayed
for thefe fixteen years." He made up his mind to leave Anwoth
at once, obferving, with a submiffivenefs which we might wonder
at in the author of Lex Rex, " I purpofe to obey the king, who
has power over my body." His only alarm was left this feparation
from his flock might be a chaflifement on him from the Lord, " be-
caufe I have not been fo faithful in the end as I was in the two
firfl years of my miniftry, when fleep departed from mine eyes
through care for Chrift's lambs." f

On leaving Anwoth he directed his fteps by Irvine, fpending a
night there with his beloved friend David Dickfon. What a night
that mufl have been ! To hear thefe two in folemn converfe ! The
one could not perhaps handle the harp fo well as the other ; for
David Dickfon could exprefs his foul's weary longings and its con-
foling hopes in fuch ftrains as that which has made his name
familiar in Scotland, *' mother dear Jerufalemf but Rutherford,
neverthelefs, had fo much of poetry and fublime enthufiafm in his

* Let. 115. See also Let. 54. t Let. 109.

14 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

foul, that any poet could fympathife with him to the full. Many
of his letters " from Chri/l's palace in Aberdeen" are really flrains
of true poetry. What elfe is fuch an efPufion as this, when, rifmg
on eagles' wings, he exclaims, " A land that has more than four
fummers in the year ! What a fmging life is there ! There is not a
dumb bird in all that large field, but all fmg and breathe out heaven,
joy, glory, dominion, to the High Prince of that new-found land.
And verily the land is fweeter that He is the glory of that land."*
" O how fweet to be wholly Chrift's, and wholly in Chrift; to dwell
in Immanuel's high and blefled land, and live in that fweeteft air,
where no wind bloweth but the breathings of the Holy Ghoft, no
fea nor floods flow but the pure water of life that floweth from
under the throne and from the Lamb, no planting, but the tree
of life that yieldeth twelve manner of fruits every month ! What
do we here but fm and fuffer ? O when fliall the night be gone,
the fliadows flee away, and the morning of the long, long day,
without cloud or night, dawn ? The Spirit and the bride fay,
* Come ! ' O when fliall the Lamb's wife be ready, and the Bride-
groom fay. Come ?"f Whoever compares fuch breathings with
David Dickfon's hymn, will fee how congenial were their feelings
and their hopes, and even their mode of exprefling what they felt
and hoped, though the one ufed profe and the other tried more
memorable verfe.

We follow Rutherford to Aberdeen, the capital of the North,
whither he was accompanied by a deputation of his afleflionate pa-
rifhioners from Anwoth, in whofe company he would forget the
length and tedioufnefs of the way. He arrived here in September
1636. This town was at that time the fl:ronghold of Epifcopacy
and Arminianifm, and in it the fl:ate of religion was very low. " It
conflfl:ed of Papifl:s, and men of Gallio's naughty faith." J The

* Let. 323. t Let. 334.

X Let. 76. Dr James Sibbald, faid to have been a man of great learning,
was minifter in one of the churches of New Aberdeen. Rutherford attended
his preaching, and finding that he taught Arminianifm, teftified againft him.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 15

clergy and doftors took the opportunity of Rutherford's arrival to
commence a feries of attacks on the fpecial dodlrines of grace which
he held. But in difputation he foiled them ; and when many be-
gan to feel drawn to him in confequence of his earneft dealings and
private exhortations, there was a propofal made to remove him from
the town. *' So cold," writes he, *' is northern love ! But (added
he) Chrifl and I ivill hear it;'''* deeply feeling his union to Him
who faid to Saul, "Why perfecuteft thou MeV' Often, on the
ftreets,f he was pointed out as " the Banijhed Minijler ;'' and hearing
of this, he remarked, " I am not afhamed of my garland." He had
vifitors from Orkney, and from Caithnefs, to the great annoyance
of his perfecutors.J Some blamed him for not being ''prudent
enough^'' as we have feen men ready to do in fimilar cafes in our
own day ; but he replies, " // is ordinary that that Jfjotild be part of
the crofs of thofe ivho fnff^r for Him'' Still he enjoyed, in his foli-
tude, occafional intercourfe with fome of the godly ones, among
whom were Lady Pitfligo, Lady Burnet of Largs, Andrew Cant,
and James Martin. His deepeft affliction was feparation from his
flock at Anwoth. Nothing can exceed his tender forrow over this
flock. §

It was a faying of his own, " Gold may be gold, and bear the
king's fl:amp upon it, when it is trampled upon by men." And
this was true of himfelf. But he came out of his trial not only un-
fcorched, but, as his many letters from Aberdeen fhow, greatly
advanced in every grace. The Latin lines prefixed to the early edi-
tions of thefe Letters fcarcely exaggerate when they fmg, —

* * Quod Chebar et Patmos divinis \'atibus olim ;
Huic fuerant fanfto clauftra Abredaea viro."

He was, during part of two years, clofely confined to that
town, though not in prifon ; but in 1638 public events had taken

* Let. 117.

t The impreflion of fome readers might be that he was in prifon. But he
never was fo. He was in exile ; but the whole town was his prifon. He was,
in this refpedt, hke Shimei confined to Jenifalem.

% Let. 161. § Let. 181.

1 6 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

another turn. The Lord had flirred up the fpirit of the people of
Scotland, and the Covenant was again triumphant in the land.
Rutherford haftened back to Anwoth. During his abfence, " For
fix quarters of a year," fay his pariihioners, " no found of the Word
of God was heard in our kirk." The fwallows had made their nefts
there undifturbed for two fummers.

His Letters do not refer to the proceedings of the Glafgow
Affembly of 1638. It is well known, however, that he was no
mere indifferent fpectator to what then took place, but was prefent,
and was member of feveral committees which at that time fat on
the affairs of the Church. Prefbytery being fully reffored by that
Affembly, it was thought right that one fo ^fted fhould be removed
to a more important fphere. He was fent by the Church to feveral
diftrifts to promote the caufe of Reformation and the Covenant :
and at length, in fpite of his reluftance, arifmg chiefly from love to
his flock, — his rural flock at Anwoth, — he was conflrained to yield
to the united opinion of his brethren, and removed to the Profef^
for's Chair in St Andrews in 1639, and made Principal of the New
College. He bargained to be allowed to preach regularly every
Sabbath in his new fphere ; for he could not endure fdence when
he might fpeak a word for his Lord. He feems to have preached
alfo, as occafion offered, in the parifhes around, efpecially at
Scoonie, in which the village of Leven flands.*

His hands were necefTarily filled with work in his new fphere ;

* ^* 1 65 1, July 13. — The comm. was given at Scoonie. Mr Alex. Mon-
criefF, m. there, did preach the Preparation Sermon, and on Monday morning
Mr Sa. Rutherford did preach ; his text at both occafions was Luke vii. 36
till 39 V. At this time was prefent, befides Mr Sa. Rutherford, Mr Ja.
Guthrie, and Mr David Bennet, Mr Ephraim Melvin, and Mr William Oli-
phant, m. in Dumfermlin. Thither did refort many flrangers, fo that the
throng was great. Mr Ephraim, and Mr D. Bennet, both did fit within the
pulpit while the minifter had his fermon." " 1654, Jan. 4. — Being Saturday,
there was a Preparation Sermon for a Thankfgiving preached at Scoonie in
Fyfe, for the continuance of the Gofpel in the land, and for the fpreading of
it in fome places of the Highlands in Scotland, where in fome families two, and

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 17

yet flill he relaxed nothing of his diligence in fludy. Nor did he
lack anything of former bleffing. It was here the Englifh merchant
heard him preach fo afFectingly on the lovelinefs of Chrift ; while
fuch was his fuccefs as a ProfefTor, that " the Univerfity became a
Lebanon out of which were taken cedars for building the houfe of
God throughout the land."

In the year 1 640, he married his fecond wife, Jean M'Math,
"a woman," fays one, "of fuch worth, that I never knew any
among men exceed him, nor any among women exceed her. He
who heard either of them pray or fpeak, might have learnt to
bemoan his own ignorance. Oh how many times I have been con-
vinced, by obferving them, of the evil of unferioufnefs unto God,
and unfavourinefs in difcourfe." They had feven children ; but
only one furvived the father, a little daughter, Agnes, who does not
feem to have been a comfort to her godly mother.

In July 1643, the Weftminfter AfTembly began to fit ; and to it
he was fent up as one of the CommiiTioners from the Church of
Scotland. A fketch of a ^^ Shorter Catechifm " exifls in MS., in the
library of the Edinburgh Univeriity, '171 Rutherford's ha?uhvrit'wg,
very much refembling the Catechifm as it now ftands, from which
it has been inferred that he had the principal hand in drawing it up
for the Aflembly. He continued four years attending the fittings
of this famous fynod, and was of much ufe in their delibera-
tions. So prominent a part did he take, that the great Milton has
fingled him out for attack in his lines, "■ On the new forcers of

in fome families one, began to call on God by prayer. Mr Samuel Ruther-
ford, m. in St Andrews, preached on Saturday; his text, Ifai. xlix. 9, 10, 11,
12. On the Sabbath, Mr Alex. MoncriefF, m., then preached; his led:ure,
I Thefs. i. ch. ; his text, Colofs. i. 27. In the afternoon of the Sabbath, Mr
Samuel preached again upon his forementioned text. On Monday morning,
Mr Samuel had a Lecture on Pfal. Ixxxviii. He did read the whole Pfalm
Obferve, that on Saturday Mr Samuel had this expreflion in his prayer after
fermon, defiring that the Lord would rebuke Prefbyteries and others that had
taken the keys and the power in their hands, and keeped out, and would fuf-
fer none to enter (meaning in the miniftry) but fuch as faid as they faid." —
Lamoni's Diary.

VOL I. B

1 8 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

confcience, under the Long Parliament." Milton knew him only as
an opponent of his feftarian and Independent principles, and fb
could fcorn meafures propofed by " Mere A. S. and Rutherford."
But had he known the foul of the man, would not even Milton
have found a fublimity of thought and feeling in his adverfary,
that at times approached his own lofty poefy ? How interefling,
in any point of view, to find the devoted paftor of Anwoth,
on the ftreets of London, croiTuig the path of England's greateft
poet.

During his refidence in London he was tried with many afflic-
tions. Several of his family died ; and his own health began to give
way, fo that he and his brother minifler, Mr G. Gillefpie, vifited
Epfom to drink the waters. Yet fuch was the amazing fpirit of
the man, under a fenfe of duty, that amid the trials and buftle of
that time he wrote " The Due Right of Prejhyteries,'' " Lex Rex"
i.e. The Laiv, the Kifig^ and " Trial a?id Triumph of Faiths Nor
was he foured by controverfy. In the preface to one of his contro-
verfial works, he difcovers his large-hearted charity and manly im-
partiality in regard to what he faw in thefe parts. He writes : "I
judge that in England the Lord hath many names, and a fair
company, that fhall ftand at the fide of Chrift when He fhall
render up the kingdom to the Father ; and that in that renowned
nation there be men of all ranks, wife, valorous, generous, noble,
heroic, faithful, religious, gracious, learned."*

Returning home to St Andrews, he refumed his labours both
in the college and in the pulpit with all his former zeal. He de-
clined two invitations to the profefTorfhip in Holland ; one from
Harderwyck in 1 648, the other from Utrecht in 1 65 1 ; though
the former offered the chair both of Divinity and of Hebrew. He
joined the Proteflers in determinedly oppofmg the proceedings of
the Commiffion of Aflembly, who had cenfured fuch as protefled
againfl the admiiTion to power of perfons in the clafs of malignants.
His friend David Dickfon keenly oppofed him, and Mr Blair alfb,

* Preface to SuiTey of the Spiritual Antichrift.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 19

though lefs violently.* It was this controverfy that made John
Livingftone fay, in a letter to Blair, " Your and Mr D. Dickfon's
acceflion to thefe refolutions is the faddeft thing I have feen in my
time. My wife and I have had more bitternefs in this refpeft, thefe
feveral months, than ever we had fince we knew what bitternefs
meant." Rutherford wrote too violently on this matter. Some
fay he was naturally hot and fiery ; but at this time all parties were
greatly excited. Still he did not lofe his brotherly love, — the fame
brotherly love that led him fo fervently to embrace Archbifhop
Ufher as a fellow-believer. We may get a leffon for our times
from his remarks on occafion of thefe bitter controverfies. " It is
hard when faints rejoice in the fufFerings of faints, and redeemed
ones hurt, and go nigh to hate, redeemed ones. For contempt of
the communion of faints, we have need of new-born croffes, fcarce
ever heard of before. — Our flar-light hideth us from ourfelves, and
hideth us from one another, and Chrift from us all." And then he
fubjoins (and is he not borne out by the words of the Lord in John
xvii. 22 ?) : "A doubt it is if we fhall have fully one heart till we
fhall enjoy one heaven." The ftate of things lay heavy on his mind :
" I am broken and wafted by the wrath that is upon this land."

It was in 1 65 1 that he publiftied his work " De Divitid Provi-
dentia," a work in which he affailed Jefuits, Socinians, and Arminians.
Richard Baxter (tinged as he was with the Arminian theology), in
referring to this treatife, remarked (fays Wodrow), that " His Let-
ters were the befl piece, and this work the worfl:, he had ever read."
Of courfe, this was the language of controverfy, for the book is one
of great ability. It was this work, indeed, that drew forth feveral
invitations from foreign Univerfities. The ten years that followed
were times of much diflraftion, being the times of Cromwell and
the Commonwealth, as well as of the Protefters and Refolutioners.

* When the Lord's Supper was to be difpenfed, Blair in vain ufed every
argument to induce Rutherford to take part with himfelf and Mr Wood in
ferving tables ; and being forced to do it alone, began thus: ** We muft have
water in our wine while here. O to be above, where there will be no miftakes ! "
— (Wodrow's Anol.)

20 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

One incident, however, in 1 65 1, is worthy of notice. " In that year
the Scottifh nation refolved to crown Charles II., as lawful king, at
Scone ; and when the young king was at St Andrews, in profpect
of that event, he vifited the colleges. It fell to Rutherford to deliver,
on that occafion, an oration in Latin before His Majefly, on a fub-
jeft which he could handle well, both as a patriot and a Chriftian,
'' The Duty of Kingsr
Milton fings, —

^^ God doth not need

Either man's work, or His ovai gifts ; His ftate
Is kingly; thoufands at His bidding fpeed,
And poft o'er land and ocean without reft :
They alfo fer've ^juho only Jl and and 'wait.''

The days were evil, and Rutherford was longing now for fuch
quiet fervice. He fometimes refers to this defire ; he wifhes for a
harbour in his latter days; only (adds he), " failing is ferving" —
and he did delight in ferving his Lord to the laft. His friend
M'Ward, in an advertifement prefixed to the earlier editions of
the "Letters," bitterly laments the lofs of a Commentary on Ifaiah,
on which '* this true Zechariah, who had underftanding in the
vifions of God,"* employed his leifure time during the clofmg years
of his life.f " His heart travailed more," fays he, *' in birth of
this piece than ever I knew him of any ; neither was there ever any-
thing he put his hand to that would have fo powerfully perfuaded
this panter after the enjoyment of his Mafter's company, to have
had his heaven and the immediate fruition of God fufpended for a
feafon, as the eager defire he had to finifh this work before he finifhed
his courfe." But all thefe papers were carried off, and never re-
covered. So true is it, that of the feed we fow, we " know not
whether ihall profper, either this or that" (Eccles. xi. 6).

When Charles II. was fully reflored, and had begun to adopt
arbitrary meafures, Rutherford's work, " Lex Rex," was taken

* 2 Chron. xxvi. 5.

t He planned a Commentar}- on Hofea in 1637, but the defign was not
executed. Reference is made to this in Let. no.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD, 21

notice of by the Government ; for, reafonable as are its principles in
defence of the liberty of fubje6ls, its fpirit of freedom was intoler-
able to rulers, who were, ftep by flep, advancing to afts of cruelty
and death. Indeed, it was lb hateful to them, that they burnt it, in
1 66 1, firft at Edinburgh, by the hands of the hangman ; and then,
Ibme days after, by the hands of the infamous Sharpe, under the
windows of its author's College in St Andrews. He was next de-
pofed from all his offices -, and, laft of all, was fummoned to anfwer
at next Parliament a charge of high treafon. But the citation
came too late. He was already on his death-bed, and on hearing
of it, calmly remarked, that he had got another fummons before a
fuperior Judge and judicatory, and fent the meffage, " I behove to
anfwer my firft fummons ; and ere your day arrive, I will be where
few kings and great folks come."

We have no account of the nature of his laft ficknefs, except
that it was a difeafe that left him lingering fome time. All that is
told us of his death-bed is charadferiftic of the man. At one time
he fpoke much of the white ftone and the new name. Some days
before his death, after a fainting fit, he faid, " Now I feel, I be-
lieve, I enjoy, I rejoice." And turning to Mr Blair, " I feed on
manna : I have angels' food. My eyes fhall fee my Redeemer. I
know that He fhall ftand on earth at the latter day, and I fhall be
caught up in the clouds to meet Him in the air."* When afked,
" What think ye now of Chrift ? " he replied, " I fhall live and adore
Him. Glory, glory to my Creator and Redeemer for ever. Glory
Ihineth in Immanuel's land." The fame afternoon he faid, " I fhall
lleep in Chrift ; and when I awake, I fhall be fatisfied with His'
likenefs. O for arms to embrace Him ! " Then he cried aloud,
'' O for a well-tuned harp !" This lafl expreffion he ufed more than
once, as if already flretching out his hand to get his golden harp,
and join the redeemed in their new fong. He alfo faid on another
occafion, " I hear Him faying to me, ' Come up hither.' " His little
daughter Agnes, only eleven years of age, flood by his bed-fide ;

* See Fleming's Fulfilling of the Scriptt

2 2 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

he looked on her, and faid, " I have left her upon the Lord." Well
might the man fav fo, who could fo fully teftifv of his portion in
the Lord, as a goodly heritage. To four of his brethren, who
came to fee him, he faid, "My Lord and Mafler is chief of ten
thoufands of thoufands. None is comparable to Him, in heaven
or in earth. Dear brethren, do all for Him. Pray for Chr'iji.
Preach for Chr'iJ}. Do all for Chrifi ; beware of men-pleafmg.
The Chief Shepherd will fhortly appear." He fpoke as if he knew
the hour of his departure ; not perhaps as Paul (2 Tim. iv. 6) or
Peter (2 Peter i. 14), yet ftill in a manner that feems to indicate
that the Lord draws very near His fervants in that hour, and gives
glimpfes of what He is doing. On the laff day of his life, in the
afternoon, he faid, "This night will clofe the door, and faften my
anchor within the veil, and I fhall go away in a fleep by five
o'clock in the morning." And fo it was. He entered Immanuel's
land at that very hour, and is now (as himfelf would have faid)
" fleeping in the bofom of the Almighty," till the Lord come.

We may add his lateft words. " There is nothing now between
me and the Refurreftion but * This day thou fhalt be with Me in pa-
radiie.' " He interrupted one fpeaking in praife of his painfulnefs in
the miniflry, " I difclaim all. The port I would be in at is redemption
and forgivenefs of fin through His blood." Two of his biographers
record that his laft words were, " Glory, glory dwelleth in Im-
manuel's land ! " as if he had caught a glimpfe of its mountain-tops.
It was at St Andrews he died, on 20th March 1 66 1, and there
he was buried. Had he lived a few weeks, his might have been the
cruel death endured by his friend James Guthrie, whom he had en-
couraged, by his letters, in fi:edfafi:nefs to the end. The fentence which
the Parliament pafied, when told that he was dying, did him no dis-
honour. When they had voted that he fhould not die in the College,
Lord Burleigh rofe and faid, " Ye cannot vote him out of heaven."
His death was lamented throughout the land ; and to this day
few names are fo well known and honoured. So great was the
reverence which fome of the godly had for this man of God, that
they requefied to be buried where his body was laid. This was

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 23

Thomas Halyburtoii's dying requeil. An old man in the parifh of
Crailing (in which Nifbet, his birth-place, is fituated) remembers the
veneration entertained for him by the great-grandfather of the pre-
icnt Marquis of Lothian. This good Marquis ufed to lift his hat, as
often as he pafFed the fpot where flood the cottage in which Samuel
Rutherford was born.

If ever there was any portrait of him, it is not now known. We
are moft familiar with the likenefs of his foul. There is one expres-
five line in the epitaph on his tombftone, in the churchyard of the
Chapel of St Regulus : —

*' What tongue, what pen, or Ikill of men,
Can famous Rutherford commend !
His learning juftly raifed his fame,
True greatnefs did adorn his name.
He did converfe with things above,
Acquainted -cvlth hnmamieV s loueS'

A monument to his memory was erefted in 1842, by lubfcrip-
tion, on the Boreland Hill, in the parifh of Anwoth. It is 60 feet
in height, and thus, feen all around, it feems to remind the inhabi-
tants of that region how God once vifited His people there.

His ''Letters" have long been famous among the godly.
The prefent edition of them has feveral things to recommend it.
I. The letters are chronologically arranged. 2. They have bio-
graphical notices prefixed to a large number of them. Moft of
thefe are from the pen of the Rev. James Anderfon. The prefent
editor has added, here and there, topographical notes that feemed
to have fome intereft, moft of them gleaned on the fpot. The ex-
planatory notes in the edition by the Rev. C. Thomfon, 1836, have
often been confulted, with much advantage. 3. There are contents
prefixed to each letter, defcribing generally what are the main fub-
je6fs of each. 4. There are feme tieiv letters hiferted ifi this colleBion ;
and there is a fac-fimile of an unpuhliJJied letter direBed to the Provojl of
Edinburgh, at the time when there was an attempt made to call
Rutherford to that city. The letter, which is preferved in the

24 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

Records of the Edinburgh Town Council, entreats them to drop the
matter. It is written in a very fmall hand, as was ufual with him ;
and the feal on it has the armorial bearing of the Rutherford family.

If it be afked how it came about that thefe letters fhould have
been at firfl printed in an order entirely unchronological, the ex-
planation is fimple : The firft edition appeared in 1 664, and in it
there were only two hundred and eighty-four of his letters gathered
and publifhed ; but many being edified thereby, an edition foon
appeared with fixty-eight more letters appended. All thefe feem
to have been printed very much in the order in which they came
to hand, and the additional fixty-eight, more efpecially, difturbed
all arrangement. The colle6for was Mr M'Ward, who, as a
ftudent, being much beloved by Rutherford, went to the Weft-
minfter AfTembly with him as his amanuenfis or fecretary. He
was afterwards fucceflbr to Andrew Gray in Glafgow, and finally
minifter in Rotterdam. He gave them to the public with an
enthufiaftic recommendation, under the title ; " Jojlnia Redivivus;
publifhed for the ufe of all the people of God, but more particularly
for thole who are now, or afterwards may be, put to fufPering for
Chrifl and His caufe ; by a well-wifher to the work and people of
God. John xvi. 2 ; 2 Thessal. i. 6." The edition was in duodecimo,
and was printed at Rotterdam. And we may here notice, that the
Letters were not only firfl publilhed in Holland, but alfo, in 1674,
they appeared in a Dutch tranflation at Flufhing.

It will be noticed, in reading the letters as they fland chrono-
logically, that at times the pen of the ready writer ran on with
amazing rapidity. He has written many in one day, when his
heart was overflowing. It was eafy to write when the Lord was
pouring on him the uncflion that teacheth all things. He would
have written flill more, but he had heard that people looked up to
him and overpraifed his letters. During his confinement at Aber-
deen, he wrote about 220 of thefe letters.

There are a few diilafleful expreiTions in thefe epiflolary efFufions,
the fparks of a fancy that fought to appropriate everything to fpiritual
purpofes ; but as to extravagance in the thoughts conveyed, there is

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 25

none. Dr Love fays, *' The haughty contempt of that book which
is in the heart of many, will be ground for condemnation when the
Lord Cometh to make inquifition after fuch things " (Let. xiv.). The
extravagance in fentiment alleged againft them by fome, is jiift that
of Paul, when he fpoke of knowing *' the height and depth, length
and breadth," of the love of Chrifl ; or that of Solomon, when the
Holy Ghofl: infpired him to write " The Song of Songs." Rather
would we fay of thefe letters, what Livingftone in a letter fays of
John Welfh's dying words, " O for a fweet fill of this fanatic
humour ! " In modern days, Richard Cecil has faid of Rutherford,
" He is one of my dailies ; he is a real original ;" and in older
times, Richard Baxter, fome of whofe theological leanings might
have prejudiced him, if anything could, faid of his letters, " Hold
off the Bible, fuch a book the world never faw." They were long
ago tranflated into Dutch, and of late years they have been trans-
lated into German. Both in thefe, and in his other writings, we
fee fufficient proof that had he cultivated literature as a purfuit, he
might have ftood high in the admiration of men.*

His correfpondents were chiefly perfons refiding either in Gal-
loivay, where Anwoth was, or in Ayrjhire ; for thefe two counties at
that time were rich in godly men of fome Handing.

His pen fuggefts often, by a few ftrokes, very much that
is profound and impreffive. There is fomething not eafily for-
gotten in the words ufed to exprefs the Church's indeftruftiblenefs
when he fays, " The bufli has been burning thefe five thoufand
years, and no man yet faiu the ajhes of that fire.'' How much

* Even in his controverlial works, fparks of the fame poetic fire fly out
when opportunity occurs. In his Treatife, ^^De Divina Providentia," the
following paragraph occurs, extolling the glory of Godhead wifdom. *^ Com-
parentur cum ilia increata fapientia Dei Patris umbratiles fcintillulae creatas
gloriolse quotquot nominis celebritate inclaruerunt. Delirat Plato, Mentitur
Arijloteles. Cicero balbutit, hasfitat, nefcit Latine loqui. Demojlhenes mutus
et elinguis obftupefcit ; virtutis viam ignorat Seneca ; nihil canit Homerus ;
male canit Firgilius ! Accedant ad Chrillum qui virtutis gloria fulgent ! Ari-
Ji'ides virtutem mentitur. Fabius cefpitat, a via juftitiae deviat. Socrates ne
hoc quidem fcit, fe nihil fcire. Cato levis et futilis eft : Solon eft mundi et vo-

i6 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

truth is conveyed in that laying, *' LoITes for Chrifl are but goods
given out in bank in Chrift's hand." There is an ingenious ufe
of Scripture that often delights the reader ; as when he fpeaks of
" The corn on the houfe-tops that never got the hufbandman's
prayer," or of *' Him that counteth the bafons and knives of His
houle (Ezra i. 9, lo), and bringeth them back lafe to His lecond
temple." But the more general topics of his letters are worthy of
attentive confideration.

Thefe Letters will ever be precious to —

I. A// ivho are fenfihle of their oiun, and the Church's y decay and
corruptions. The wound and the cure are therein fo fully opened
out : felf is expofed, even fpiritual felf. He will tell you, " There
is as much need to watch over grace, as to watch over fm." He
will fhow you God in Chrift, to fill up the place ufurped by felf.
The fubtleties of fm, idols, fnares, temptations, felf-deceptions, are
dragged into view from time to time. And what is better flill, the
cords of Chrifl are twined round the roots of thefe bitter plants,
that they may be plucked up.

Nor is it otherwife in regard to corruption in public, and in the
Church. We do not mean merely the open corruption of error, but
alfo the fecret *' grey hairs" of decay. Hear him cry, " There is imi-
'uerfal deadnefs on all that fear God. O ivhere are the Jometime quicken-
ing breathings and i?jfuences fro7n heaven that have refreJJied His hidden
ones!'' And then he laments, in the name of the faints, "We are

luptatum fervus et mancipium, non legiflator. Pythagoras nee fophos, nee
philofophus eft. Bias nee mundi nee inanis gloriae eontemptor. Alexander
Mace do ignavus eft," &e. Another work bears this title: ^^ Exercitationes Apo-
logetic a: pro Dfvind Gratia y" Jludio et indujlria Samuelis Rhcetorfortis ^ An<wet-
enfiSy in Gallo'vididy Scotice protnncidy Pajioris." The prefaee, or dedication,
to Gordon of Kenmure^ is very eharadteriftie, ending thus: *"*" Non enim ignoras
in hae valle miferiarum minime fiftendum, neque tentorium figendum ; ad aster-
nitatem ipfam (quod vere magnum nomen eft & ineffabile) te voeari ; erefeere
iter, decrefcere diem, omnia alia aliena, tempus tantum noftrum effe, li modo
noftrum eft." In this preface he calls himfelf '' Pajior Anwetenfis,' the old
Ipelling of Anwoth being Anraieth.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 27

half-fatisfied luith our luitherednefs ; nor have we as much of his ftrain
who doth eight times breathe out that fuit (Pfa. cxix.), Quicken me !"
*' We live far from the well, and complain but dryly of our drynefs."

2. All who delight in the Surety's imputed righteoufnefs . If
thoroughly aware of the body of fin in ourfelves, we cannot but
feel that we need a perfon in our (lead, — the perfon of the God-
man in the room of our guilty perfon. " To us a Son is given ;"
not falvation only, but a Saviour. "He gave Himfelf {ox us''

Thefe Letters are ever leading us to the Surety and His right-
eoufnefs. The eye never gets time to refi: long on anything apart
from Him and His righteoufnefs. We are fhown the deluge-
waters undried up, in order to lead us into the ark again ; " I had
fainted, had not want and penury chafed me to the ilorehoule of all."

3. All ivho rejoice in the Go/pel of free grace. Lord Kenmure
having faid to him, "Sin caufeth me to be jealous of His love to
luch a man as I have been ;" he replied, " Be jealous of yourfelf,
my lord, but not of Jefus Chrifl." In his " Trial and Triumph of
Faith," he remarks, " As holy walking is a duty coming from us,
it is no ground of true peace. Believers often feek in themfelves
what they fhould feek in Chrifi:." It is to the like efFe6t he fays
in one of his letters, " Your heart is not the compafs that Chrift
faileth by," — turning away his friend from looking inward, to look
upon the heart of Jefus. And this is his meaning, when he thus
lays the whole burden of falvation on the Lord, and leaves nothing
for us but acceptance ; " Take eafe to thyfelf, and let Him bear
all."* Then, pointing us to the rifen Saviour as our pledge of
complete redemption, " Faith may dance, becaufe Chrift fingeth ;"f
" Faith apprehendeth pardon, but never payeth a penny for it." J On
his death-bed he faid to his friends, " I difclaim all that ever God
made me will or do, and I look upon it as defiled and imperfeft."
And fo in his letters he will admit of no addition, or intermixture

* Let. 182. t Let. 183. X Let. 182.

28 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.

of other things-, "The Gofpel is like a fmall hair that hath no
breadth, and will not cleave in two."* He exhorts to afTurance
as being the way to be humbled very low before God : " Complain-
ing is but a humble backbiting and traducing of Chrifl's new work
in the foul." *' Make meikle of afTurance, for it keepeth your
anchor fixed."f He warns us, in his " Trial and Triumph of Faith,"
*' not to be too defirous of keen awakenings to chafe us to Chriil.
Let Chrift tutor me as He thinketh good. He has feven eyes : I
have but one, and that too dim." In a fimilar ftrain he writes : —
*' The law fhall never be my doomfter, by Chrifl's grace ; I fhall
find a fure enough doom in the Gofpel to humble and caft me
down. There cannot be a more humble foul than a believer. It is no
pride in a droivnmg man to catch hold of a roch.''\ How much truth
there is here ! Naaman never was humble in any degree, until he
felt himfelf completely healed of his fcaly leprofy ; but truly he was
humbled and humble then. And what one word is there that fug-
gefts fo many humbling thoughts as that word "■ grace V

4. All nvhofeek to groiv in holinefs. The Holy Ghoft delights to
fhow us the glorious Godhead, in the face of Jefus. And this is a
very frequent theme in thefe letters. " Take Chrifl for fanftifica-
tion, as well as j unification," is often his theme. And in him we
fee a man who feems to have fought for holinefs as unceafmgly and
as eagerly as other men feek for pardon and peace. In him " Holi-
fiefs to the Lord'' feems written on every affedf ion of the heart, and on
every frefh-fpringing thought.

Fellowfhip with the living God is a diftinguifhing feature in the
holinefs ^ven by the Holy Ghoft ; we get " accefs by one Spirit
to the Father through Him." § Rutherford could fometimes fay,
*' I have been fo near Him that I have faid, * I take inftruments that
this is the Lord.' "II And he could from experience declare, "I
dare avouch, the faints know not the length and largenefs of the
fweet Earneft, and of the fweet green fheaves before the harveft,

* Let. 279. t Let. 288. % Let. 230. § Ephes. ii. 18. || Let. 99.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 29

that might be had on this fide of the water, if nve ivould take more
pains.'"* " I am every way in your cafe, as hard-hearted and dead
as any man, but yet I fpeak to Chrift through my fleep."-f All this
is from the pen of a man who was a metaphyfician, a controver-
fialift, a leader in the Church, and learned in ancient and fcholaftic
lore. Why are there not fuch gracious, as well as great men now ?

5. All offliBed perfom. Here he had the very " tongue of the
learned, to fpeak a word in feafon to him that was weary." And
with what tender fympathy does he fpeak, leading the mourner fo
gently to the heart of Jefus ! He knew the heart of a llranger, for
he had been a ftranger. " Let no man after me flander Chrifi: for
his crofs." J Yes, fays he, His moft loved are often His moft tried :
" The lintel-ftone and pillars of His New Jerufalem fufFer more
knocks of God's hammer and tools than the common fide-wall
ftones." § Even as to reproach and calumny, he declares, " I love
Chrift's worft reproaches."

It was to Hugh M'Kail, uncle of the youthful martyr, that he
penned the words, " Some have written me that I am pofiibly too
joyful of the crofs ; but my joy overleapeth the crofs, — it is
bounded and terminated on Chrift." § And there it was he found
a well of comfort never dry,

6. All luho love the Perfofi of Chrijl. We have too often been
fatisfied with fpeculative truth and abftraft do6lrine. On the one
hand, the orthodox have too often refted in the fiatements of our
Catechifms and Confeffions ; and, on the other, the " election-
doubters " (as Bunyan would have called them) have prefixed their
favourite dogma, that Chrifl died for all men, as if mere afi^ent to a
propofition could fave the foul. Rutherford places the truth before
us in a more accurate, and alfo more favoury way, full of life and
warmth. The Perfon of Him who gave Himfelf for His Church is
held up in all its attracflivenefs. With him, it is ever the Perfon as

* Let. 202. t Let. 286. % Let. 107. § Let. 102. j| Let. 206.

30 SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD,

much as the work done ; or rather, never the one apart from the
other. Like Paul, he would fain know i//;w, as well as the power
of His refurredlion.*

Once, when Lord Kenmure afked him, " What will Chrifl be
like when He cometh ?" his reply was, " All lovely'' And this is
everywhere the favourite theme with him. At times he tells of His
love. " His love furroundeth and furchargeth me."f ** If His love
was not in heaven, I fhould be unwilling to go thither." J Often he
checks his pen to tell of Chrifl Himfelf: " Welcome, welcome,
fweet, fweet crofs of Chrift ; " — then correal ing his language, —
" Welcome, fair, lovely, royal King, ivith Thine own crofs,'' ^ " Oh
if I could doat as much upon Himfelf ^s I do upon His love." || ^' I
fear I make more of His love than of Himfelf" ^ How ftartling,
yet how true, is this remark, ''I fee that in communion with Chrifl
we may make more gods tham one," ** — meaning, that we may be
tempted to make the enjoyment itfelf our god. It was his habitual
aim to pafs through privileges, joys, even fellow ftiip, to God Him-
felf : " I have caften this work upon Chrifl, to get me Himfelf ," \\
** I would be farther in upon Chrifl than at His joys ; in, where
love and mercy lodgeth ; befide His heart." J J " He who fitteth on
the throne is His lone a fufficient heaven." §§ " Sure I am He is the
far befl half of heaven." ||[|

In a word, fuch was his foul's view of the living Perfon, that he
writes, ** Holinefs is not Chrifl, nov the blofToms and flowers of the tree
of life, nor the tree itfelf." f ^ He had found out the true fountain-
head, and would direft all Zion's travellers thither. And let a man
try this ; — let the Holy Spirit lead a man to this Perfon ; — and furely
his experience will be, " None ever came up dry from David's well."

7. All ivho love that bleffed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God our Saviour. The more we love the Perfon of Chrifl, the

* Phil. iii. 10. t Let. 104. % Let. 104. § Let. 61.

II Let. 160. t Let. 179. ** Let. 168. ff Let. 187.

tt Let. 286. §§ Let. 352- |||| Let. 279. ft Let. 336.

SKETCH OF SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. :?i

more ought we to love His appearing; and the more we cheriih both
feelings, the holier fhall we become. Rutherford abounds in afpi-
rations for that day ; he is one who *' looks for and haftens unto
the coming of the Day of God ! " While in exile at Aberdeen in
1637, he writes, *' O when will we meet ! O how long is it to the
dawning of the marriage day ! O fweet Jefus, take wide fleps !
O my Lord, come over mountains at one ftride ! O my Beloved,
flee as a roe or young hart upon the mountains of feparation." Now
and then he utters the expreilion of an intenfe defire for the reftora-
tion of Ifrael to their Lord, and the fulnefs of the Gentiles ; but
far oftener his defires go forth to his Lord Himfelf. " O faireft
among the fons of men, why ftayeft Thou fo long away ? O heavens,
move faft ! O time, run, run, and haften the marriage day!" To
Lady Kenmure his words are, '' The Lord hath told you what you
fhould be doing till He come. ' Wait and haften,' faith Peter, ' for
the coming of the Lord.' Sigh and long for the dawning of that
morning, and the breaking of that day, of the coming of the Son of
Man, when the fhadows fhall flee away. Wait with the wearied
night-watch for the breaking of the eaflern fky." Thofe faints who
feel moft keenly the world's enmity, and the Church's imperfection,
are thofe who will moft fervently love their Lord's appearing. It
was thus with Daniel on the banks of Ulai, and with John in
Patmos ; and Samuel Rutherford's mofl: intenfe afpirations for that
day are breathed out in Aberdeen.

His defcription of himfelf on one occafion is, — " A man often
borne down and hungry, and waiting for the marriage fupper of
the Lamb."* He is now gone to the '' mountain of myrrh and the
hill of frankincenfe ; " and there he no doubt ftill wonders at the
ftill unopened, unfearchable treafures of Chrifl:. But O for his
infatiable defires Chriflward ! O for ten fuch men in Scotland to
fland in the gap ! — men who all day long find nothing but Chrift to
reft in, whofe very fleep is a purfuing after Chrift in dreams, and
who intenfely defire to " awake with His likenefs."

* Let. 63.

LIST OF HIS WORKS.

1. Exercitationes Apologeticce pro Di'vina Gratia. Amftelodami, izmo, 1636'

Franekerae, 165 1.

2. A Peaceable and Temperate Plea for PauTs Prejbytery in Scotland. London,

4to, 1642.

3. A Sermon before the Houfe of Commons y on Daniel vi. 26. London, 4to,

1644.

4. A Sermon before the Houfe of Lords ^ on Luke vii. 22 ; Mark iv. 38 ; Matt.

viii. 26. London, 4to, 1645.

5. *'*' Lex Rex :" The Laiv and the Prince. London, 4to, 1644.

6. The Due Right of Pre/by teries. London, 4to, 1644.

7. The Trial and Triumph of Faith. London, 4to, 1645.

8. The Divine Right of Church Government and Excommunication. London,

4to, 1646. Appended to this is A Difpute touching Scandal and Chriflian
Liberty.

9. Chrifl Dying and Drawing Sinners to Himfelf. London, 4to, 1647.

10. A Survey of the Spiritual Antichrifl. London, 1648. To which is ap-

pended, A Modefl Survey of the Secrets of Antinomianifm.

11. A Free Difputation againft Pretended Liberty of Confcience. London, 4to,

1649.

12. The Lafl and Heavenly Speeches of John Gordon ^ Vifcount Kenmure. Edin-

burgh, 4to, 1649-

13. Difputatio Scholaflica de Divina Providentia. Edinburgh, 4to, 1651.

14. The Covenant of Life Opened. Edinburgh, 4to, 1655.

15. A Survey of Mr Hooker s Church Difcipline ; or^ A Survey of the Survey of

that Summe of Difcipline penned by Mr Thomas Hooker. London, 4to,
1658.

16. Influences of the Life of Grace. The laft work publifhed in his lifetime.

London, 4to, 1659. The original title page adds: — **A Practical
Treatife concerning the way, manner, and means of having and im-
proving fpiritual difpolitions and quickening influences fi-om Chrifl, the
Refurre6t:on and the Life."

LIST OF HIS WORKS, 33

POSTHUMOUS.

17. Jojhua Redii'limj ; or, Mr Rutherford's Letters, Firft Edition, i2mo,

1664. No printer's name and no place mentioned.

18. Examen Arm'inianifmi. Ultrajedti (Utrecht), i2mo, 1668.

19. A Tejlimony left by Mr S. Rutherford to the ffork of Reformation in Great

Britain and Ire/and before his death. Date uncertain.

20. Sacramental Sermons: taken by a hearer. This includes ^* Chrift's

Napkin; Chrift and the Dove's heavenly Salutation," &c. Thefe have
internal e\'idence in their favour, viz., the language and general ftrain of
thought.

21. The Cruel Watchman. The Door of Salnjation Opened^ 1735* Exhortation

at a Communion to a Scots Congregation in London ^ 1730. (Thefe three
are doubtful ; at all events, very imperfed:.)
There is a feparate Treatife on Prayer afcribed to him in Watts' Bibliotheca
and Thomfon's edition of the Letters.

An old Catalogue of the mofl Vendible Books, in 1658, gives as one of his
works, A Rationale on the Book of Coynmon Prayer , 8vo.

VOL. I.

LETTERS.

I. — For Marion M'Naught, on the return home of her daughter.

[In the early editions the date ftands ^^ 1624," by a miftake for *^ 1627;"
for Rutherford was not fettled in Anwoth in 1624.

For a full notice of Marion M^ Naught , fee what is prefixed to Letter VI.]

(CHILDREN TO BE DEDICATED TO GOD.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,— My love in
Chrift remembered. I have fent to you your daughter
Grizel with Robert Gordon, who came to fetch her.
I am in good hopes that the feed of God is in her, as in one born
of God ; and God's feed will come to God's harveft. I have her
promife fhe fhall be Chrift's. For I have told her fhe may promife
much in His worthy name; for He becomes caution* to His Father
for all fuch as refolve and promife to ferve Him. I will remember
her to God. I trull: you will acquaint her with good company,
and be diligent to know with whom fhe loveth to haunt. Remem-
ber Zion, and our neceiTities. I blefs your daughter from our
Lord, and pray the Lord to give you joy and comfort of her.
Remember my love to your hufband, to William and Samuel your
fons. The Lord Jefus Chrifl be with your fpirit.

Yours at all power f in the Lord Jefus,

S. R.
1627.

Security.

t To the utmoft of my power.

36 LETTER 11. [1628.

II. — To a Chrijl'ian Gentleivoman on the death of her daughter.

(CHRIST'S STMPATHT ff'ITH^ AND PROPERTT IX US— REASONS
FOR RESIGNATION.)

ISTRESS, — M}' love in Chrift remembered to you. I
was indeed forrowful at my departure from you,
efpecially fmce ye were in fuch heavinefs after your
daughter's death. Yet I do perfuade myfelf, ye know that the
weightiest end of the crofs of Chrift that is laid upon you lieth
upon your ftrong Saviour ; for Ifaiah faith,* " In all your affli6lions
He is afflifted." O blefled Second f who fuffereth with you ! and
glad may your foul be even to walk in the fiery furnace with one
like unto the Son of Man, who is alfo the Son of God. Courage !
up your heart ! When ye do tire, He will bear both you and your
burden.J Yet a little while and ye fhall fee the falvation of God.
Remember of what age your daughter was, and that juft fo long
was your leafe of her. If fhe was eighteen, nineteen, or twenty
years old, I know not ; but fure I am, feeing her term was come,
and your leafe run out, ye can no more juflly quarrel your great
Superior for taking His own at His jufl: term day, than a poor
farmer can complain that his maAer taketh a portion of his own
land to himfelf when his leafe is expired. Good miftrefs, if ye
would not be content that Chrifl would hold from you the
heavenly inheritance which is made yours by His death, fhall not
that fame Chrift think hardly of you if ye refufe to give Him your
daughter willingly, who is a part of His inheritance and conqueft ? §
I pray the Lord to give you all your own, and to grace you with
patience to give God His alfo. He is an ill debtor who payeth
that which he hath borrowed, with a grudge. Indeed, that long

* Ifa. Ixiii. 9. t Supporter. J Plalm Iv. 22.

§ Acquired by purchafe and pains, not inherited. ^'The young heir

knows not how hard the conqueft was to his poor father " (Sermon at
Anwoth, 1634, on Zech. xi. 9).

1628.] LETTER 11. 37

loan of fuch a good daughter, an heir of grace, a member of
Chrift (as I believe), deferveth more thanks at your Creditor's hand,
than that ye fhould gloom* and murmur when He craveth but His
own. I believe you would judge them to be but thanklefs neigh-
bours who would pay you a fum of money after this manner. But
what ? Do you think her lofl, when fhe is but fleeping in the
bofom of the Almighty .? Think her not abfent who is in fuch a
Friend's houfe. Is (he lofl to you who is found to Chrift ? If fhe
were with a dear friend, although you fhould never fee her again,
your care for her would be but fmall. Oh, now, is fhe not with a
dear Friend ? and gone higher, upon a certain hope that ye fhall,
in the relurreffion, fee her again, when (be ye fure) fhe fhall
neither be heftic nor confumed in body ? You would be lorry
either to be, or to be efteemed, an atheift ; and yet, not I, but the
Apoftle, thinketh thofe to be hopelefs atheiftsf who mourn ex-
ceffively for the dead. But this is not a challenge J on my part. I
do fpeak this only fearing your weaknefs ; for your daughter was a
part of yourlelf ; and, therefore, nature in you being as it were
cut and halved, will indeed be grieved. But ye have to rejoice,
that when a part of you is on earth, a great part of you is glorified
in heaven. Follow her, but envy her not ; for indeed it is felf-love
in us that maketh us mourn for them that die in the Lord. Why ?
Becaufe for them we cannot mourn, fmce they are never happy till
they be dead ; therefore we mourn for our own private refpe6f .
Take heed, then, that in fhowing your afFe6fion in mourning for
your daughter, ye be not, out of felf-afFe6fion, mourning for your-
felf. Confider what the Lord is doing in it. Your daughter is
plucked out of the fire, and fhe refteth from her labours ; and
your Lord, in that, is trying you, and cafting you in the fire. Go
through all fires to your reft ; and now remember that the eye of
God is upon the bufh burning and not confumed ; and He is gladly
content that fuch a weak woman as you fhould send Satan away,

* Put on a lullen look. t i Thefs. iv. 13 and Eph. ii. 12.

t A rebuke, or upbraiding accufation.

38

LETTER IL

[1628.

fruftrate of his defign. Now honour God, and ihame the ftrong
roaring lion, when ye feem weakefl. Should fuch an one as ye
faint in the day of adverfity ? Call to mind the days of old. The
Lord yet liveth. Truft in Him, although He ihould flay you.
Faith is exceeding charitable, and believeth no evil of God. Now
is the Lord laying, in the one fcale of the balance, your making con-
fcience of fubmifTion to His gracious will, and in the other, your
affection and love to your daughter. Which of the two will ye
then choofe to fatisfy ? Be wife, then ; and as I truft ye love Chrifl
better than a fmful woman, pals by your daughter, and kifs the
Lord's rod. Men do lop the branches off their trees round about,
to the end they may grow up high and tall. The Lord hath this
way lopped your branch in taking from you many children, to the
end you fhould grow upward, like one of the Lord's cedars, fetting
your heart above, where Chrifl: is, at the right hand of the Father.
What is next, but that your Lord cut down the ftock after He hath
cut the branches ? Prepare yourfelf ; you are nearer your daughter,
this day than you were yefterday. While ye prodigally fpend time
in mourning for her, ye are fpeedily pofling after her. Run your
race with patience. Let God have His own ; and afk of Him,
inflead of your daughter which He hath taken from you, the
daughter of faith, which is patience ; and in patience pofTefs your
foul. Lift up your head : ye do not know how near your re-
demption doth draw. Thus recommending you to the Lord, who
is able to effablifh you, I reft, your loving and affectionate friend in
the Lord Jefus, 8. R.

Anwoth, April 12,, i6a8.

«^5i^^ii3ii^^

1628.] LETTER III. 39

III. — To the Viscountess of Kenmure, o?i occafion of illnefs and
fpiritual deprejjion.

[LADY JANE CAMPBELL, Vifcountefs of Kenmure, was the third
daughter of Archibald Campbell, feventh Earl of Argyle, and filler to the
Marquis of Argyle who was beheaded in 1 6 6 1 . She was a woman diftinguifhed,
in her day, for the depth of her piety, and her warm attachment to the Prefby-
terian intereft in Scotland. Nor was Ihe lefs diftinguifhed for generofity and
munificence, than for piety. Her bounty was in a particular manner extended
to thofe whom fuffering for confcience' fake had reduced to poverty or exile.
In the yeai- 1628, fhe was married to Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar, after-
wards Vifcount Kenmure and Lord Gordon of Lochinvar. This union did not
laft many years. In 1634, Ihe became a widow, his Lordfhip having died at Ken-
mure Caftle, on the 12th of September that year, in the 35th year of his age.
But her fon-ow on this occafion was alleviated by the Chriftian refignation and
faith, which he was enabled to exercife under his laft illnefs. To this noble-
man fhe had two daughters, who died in infancy, one about the beginning
of the year 1629, ^'^^ ^^^ other in 1634, as may be gathered from allufions to
thefe bereavements, contained in two confolatory letters written to her by
Rutherford in thefe years. She had alfo, by the fame marriage, a fon, John,
fecond Vifcount of Kenmure, who, however, died under age and unmarried,
in Auguft 1649. This event forms the fubjedt of a letter vvritten to her by
Rutherford the ift of O (Sober that year. She married for her fecond hufband,
on the 2ift of September 1640, the Hon. Sir Henry Montgomery of Giffen,
fecond fon of Alexander, fixth Earl of Eglinton ; but this marriage was with-
out iffue. Sir Henry's religious views were congenial to her own ; and he is
defcribed as an ** adive and faithful friend of the Lord's kirk." She was foon
left a widow a fecond time, in which ftate fhe lived till a very venerable age,
having furvived the Reftoration a number of years, as appears from the fadt
that Livingftone, at the time of his death (which took place at Rotterdam in
1672), fpeaks of her as the oldeft acquaintance he then had alive in Scotland.
She was a regular correfpondent of Rutherford, the laft of whofe letters to her
is dated July the 24th, 1661, after the execution of her brother, above men-
tioned. Nor after Mr Rutherford's death was fhe unmindful of his widow.
** Madam," fays Mr M'Ward, in a letter to her, *^ Mrs Rutherford gives me
often an account of the fingular teftimony which fhe met with of your Lady-
fhip's affedtion to her and her daughter."

Kenmure Caftle is well feen from the road that leads along the banks of the
Ken. The loch, the river, and the old baronial houfe, combine to attract
notice. It is built on an infulated knoll, well wooded all around.]

40 LETTER III. [1628.

(ACQUIESCENCE IN GOD'S PURPOSE— FAITH IN EXERCISE-
ENCOURAGEMENT IN FIEJV OF SICKNESS AND DEATH-
PUBLIC AFFAIRS.)

ADAM, — All dutiful obedience in the Lord remembered.
I have heard of your Ladyfhip's infirmity and ficknefs
with grief; yet I truft ye have learned to fay, "It is
the Lord, let Him do whatfoever feemeth good in His eyes." It is
now many years fmce the apoflate angels made a queftion, whether
their will or the will of their Creator fhould be done -, and fmce
that time, froward mankind hath always in that fame fuit of law
compeared* to plead with them againfl God, in daily repining
againft His will. But the Lord being both party and judge, hath
obtained a decreet,f and faith, " My counfel fhall fland, and I will
do all my pleafure."J It is then beft for us, in the obedience of
faith, and in an holy fubmiffion, to give that to God which the law
of His almighty and juft power will have of us. Therefore,
Madam, your Lord willeth you, in all ftates of life, to fay, " Thy
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven :" and herein fhall ye have
comfort, that He, who feeth perfectly through all your evils, and
knoweth the frame and conflitution of your nature, and what is
mofl healthful for your foul, holdeth every cup of affli6lion to your
head, with His own gracious hand. Never believe that your tender-
hearted Saviour, who knoweth the flrength of your flomach, will
mix that cup with one drachm- weight of poifon. Drink then with
the patience of the faints, and the God of patience blefs your phyfic.
I have heard your Ladyfhip complain of deadnefs, and want of
the beflirring power of the life of God. But, courage ! He who
walked in the garden, and made a noife that made Adam hear His
voice, will alfo at fome times walk in your foul, and make you hear
a more fweet word. Yet, ye will not always hear the noife and
the din of His feet, when He walketh. Ye are, at fuch a time, like
Jacob mourning at the fuppofed death of Jofeph, when Jofeph was

* Appeared. f Judicial fentence. t I fa* xlvi. to.

1628.] LETTER III. 41

living. The new creature, the image of the fecond Adam, is living
in you ; and yet ye are mourning at the fuppofed death of the life of
Chrift in you. Ephraim is bemoaning and mourning,* when he
thinketh God is far off and heareth not ; and yet God is like the
bridegroom,-]- ftanding only behind a thin wall, and laying to His
ear; for He faith Himfelf, "I have furely heard Ephraim bemoan-
ing Himfelf."J I have good confidence, Madam, that Chrift Jefus,
whom your foul through forefts and mountains is feeking, is within
you. And yet I fpeak not this to lay a pillow under your head, or
to diffuade you from a holy fear of the Ipfs of your Chiift, or of
provoking and " ftirring up the Beloved before He pleafe," by fin. I
know, in fpiritual confidence, the devil will come in, as in all other
good works, and cry '' Half mine;" and fo endeavour to bring you
under a fearful fleep, till He whom your foul loveth be departed
from the door, and have left off knocking. And, therefore, here the
Spirit of God mufi: hold your foul's feet in the golden mid-line, be-
twixt confident refi:ing in the arms of Chriil:, and prefumptuous and
drowfy fleeping in the bed of flefhly fecurity. Therefore, worthy
lady, {o count little of yourfelf, becaufe of your own wretchednefs
and finful drowfinefs, that ye count not alfo little of God, in the
courfe of His unchangeable mercy. For there be many Chriftians
moft like unto young failors, who think the fiiore and the whole
land doth move, when the fiiip and they themfelves are moved;
juft fo, not a few do imagine that God moveth and faileth§ and
changeth places, becaufe their giddy fouls are under fail, and fub-
je6f to alteration, to ebbing and flowing. But '* the foundation of
the Lord abideth fure." God knoweth that ye are His own.
Wreffle, fight, go forward, watch, fear, believe, pray ; and then ye
have all the infallible fymptoms of one of the eleft of Chrift within you.
Ye have now. Madam, a ficknefs before you; and alfo after
that a death. Gather then now food for the journey. God give
you eyes to fee through ficknefs and death, and to fee fomething

* Jer. xxxi. 18. f Cant. ii. 9. X Jer. xxxi. il

§ So it is in the earlier editions; not '* faileth."

42 LETTER III. [1628.

beyond death. I doubt not but that, if hell were betwixt you and
Chrift, as a river which ye behoved to crofs ere you could come
at Him, but ye would willingly put in your foot, and make through
to be at Him, upon hope that He would come in Himfelf, in the
deepeft of the river, and lend you His hand. Now, I believe your
hell is dried up, and ye have only thefe two fhallow brooks, fick-
nefs and death, to pafs through ; and ye have alfo a promife that
Chrift fhall do more than meet you, even that He fhall come Him-
felf, and go wuth you foot for foot, yea and bear you in His arms.
O then ! O then ! for the joy that is fet before you ; for the love
of the Man (who is alfo " God over all, blefled for ever"), that is
ftanding upon the fhore to welcome you, run your race with
patience. The Lord go with you. Your Lord will not have you,
nor any of His fervants, to exchange for the worfe. Death in it-
felf includeth both the death of the foul and the death of the body ;
but to God's children the bounds and the limits of death are abridged
and drawn into a more narrow compafs. So that when ye die, a
piece of death fhall only feize upon you, or the leaft part of you
fhall die, and that is the diffolution of the body ; for in Chrift ye
are delivered from the fecond death ; and, therefore, as one born of
God, commit not fni (although ye cannot live and not fm), and
that ferpent fhall but eat your earthly part. As for your foul, it is
above the law of death. But it is fearful and dangerous to be a
debtor and fervant to fm; for the count of fm ye will not be able
to make good before God, except Chrift both count and pay for
you.

I truft alfo. Madam, that ye will be careful to prefent to the
Lord the prefent eflate of this decaymg Kirk. For what fhall be
concluded in Parliament anent* her, the Lord knoweth. Sure I

* *' In reference to her," — alluding to the kno\^•^l delign of Charles I. to
enforce conformity to Epifcopacy. About the clofe of July, Charles I. re-
folved to come to Scotland to be crowned, and he wTote to that effed to the
Privy Council, and indicted a Parliament to lit down at Edinburgh the 15th
of September following. It is to that intended meeting of Parliament that
Rutherford here refers. But it was not held.

628.]

LETTER III.

43

am, the decree of a moft fearful parliament in heaven is at the very
point of coming forth, becaufe of the fms of the land. For *' we
have caft away the law of the Lord, and defpifed the words of the
Holy One of Ifrael."* " Judgment is turned away backward, and
juftice ftandeth afar off; truth is fallen in the flreets, and equity
cannot enter." f Lo! the prophet, as if he had feen us and our
kirk, refembleth J Jujiice to be handled as an enemy holden out at
the ports of our city [fo is ilie banilhed !] , and Truth to a perfon fickly
and difeafed, fallen down in a deadly fwooning fit in the ftreets, be-
fore he can come to an houie. " The priefts have caufed many to
Ihimble at the law, and have corrupted the covenant of Levi."§
" But what will they do in the end ?" || Therefore give the Lord no
reft for Zion. Stir up your hufband, your brother, and all with
whom ye are in favour and credit, to fland upon the Lord's fide
againft Baal. I have good hope that your hufband loveth the peace
and profperity of Zion. The peace of God be upon him, for his in-
tended courfes anent the eftablifhment of a powerful miniftry in
this land. Thus, not willing to weary your Ladyfhip further, I
commend you now, and always, to the grace and mercy of that
God who is able to keep you, that ye fall not. The Lord Jefus be
with your fpirit.

Your Ladyfhip's fervant at all dutiful obedience in Chrift.

S. R.

AnwOTH, July 2 7, 1628.

* Ila. V. 24.
§ Mai. ii. 8.

t I fa. lix. 14.
II Jer. V. 31.

X Reprelenteth.

44 LETTER IV. [1629.

IV. — To the Elecl and Noble Lady, my Lady Kenmure, on occajton
of the death of her mfatit daughter.

(TRIBULATION THE PORTION OF GOD'S PEOPLE^ AND INTENDED
TO H'EAN THEM FROM IHE WORLD.)

ADAM, — Saluting your Ladyfhip with grace and mercy
from God our Father, and from our Lord Jefus Chrifl:,
— I was forry, at my departure, leaving your Ladyfhip
in grief, and would ftill be grieved at it, if I were not afTured that
ye have One with you in the furnace, whofe vifage is like unto the
Son of God. I am glad that ye have been acquainted from your
youth with the wreftlings of God, and that ye get fcarce liberty to
fwallow down your fpittle, being caften* from furnace to furnace,
knowing if ye were not dear to God, and if your health did not re-
quire fo much of Him, He would not fpend fo much phyfic upon
you. All the brethren and fiflers of Chrift mufl be conform to
His image and copy in fulfering.f And fome do more vivelyj re-
femble the copy than others. Think, Madam, that it is a part of
your glory to be enrolled among thofe whom one of the elders
pointed out to John, ** Thefe are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have wafhed their robes, and made them white in
the blood of the Lamb." § Behold your Forerunner going out of
the world all in a lake of blood, and it is not ill to die as He did.
Fulfil with joy the remnant of the grounds and remainders of the
aiRiftions of Chrift in your body. Ye have loft a child : nay, fhe
is not loft to you who is found to Chrift. She is not fent away, but
only fent before, like unto a ftar, which going out of our fight
doth not die and evanifh, but ftiineth in another hemifphere. Ye
fee her not, yet ftie doth ftiine in another country. If her glafs was
but a ftiort hour, what ftie wanteth of time that Ihe hath gotten of

* Call. t Rom. viii. 29. :J: To the life, livingly, vividly.

§ Rev. vii. 14.

1629.] LETTER IF. 45

eternity; and ye have to rejoice that ye have now fome plenifhing*
up in heaven. Build your neft upon no tree here; for ye fee God
hath fold the foreft to death ; and every tree whereupon we would
reft is ready to be cut down, to the end we may flyf and mount
up, and build upon the Rock, and dwell in the holes of the Rock.
What ye love befides Jefus, your hufband, is an adulterous lover.
Now it is God's fpecial bleifmg to Judah, that He will not let her
find her paths in following her flrange lovers. " Therefore, behold
I will hedge up her way with thorns, and make a wall that fhe fhall
not find her paths. And ftie fhall follow after her lovers, but fhe
fhall not overtake them." J O thrice happy Judah, when God
buildeth a double flone wall betwixt her and the fire of hell ! The
world, and the things of the world, Madam, is the lover ye natu-
rally afFeft, § befide your own hufband Chrifl. The hedge of thorns
and the wall which God buildeth in your way, to hinder you from
this lover, is the thorny hedge of daily grief, lofs of children, weak-
nefs of body, iniquity of the time, uncertainty of eftate, lack of
worldly comfort, fear of God's anger for old unrepented-of fms.
What lofe ye, if God twift and plait the hedge daily thicker? God
be blefled, the Lord will not let you find your paths. Return to
your firfl hufband. Do not weary, neither think that death walk-
eth towards you with a flow pace. Ye muft be riper ere ye be
fhaken. Your days are no longer than Job's, that were " fwifter
than a pofl, and pafTed away as the fhips of defire, and as the eagle
that hafteth for the prey." || There is lefs fand in your glafs now
than there was yefternight. This fpan-length of ever-pofling time
will foon be ended. But the greater is the mercy of God, the more
years ye get to advife, upon what terms, and upon what conditions,
ye caft your foul in the huge gulf of never-ending eternity. The
Lord hath told you what ye fhould be doing till He come. "Wait
and haften," faith Peter, *' for the coming of our Lord." All is

* Property, or furniture.

t In the earlier editions it is given ^^Jly" throughout; not ^^flee"

X Hos. ii. 6, 7. § Love, have affection to. || Job ix. 25, 26, margin.

46 LETTER V. [1629.

night that is here, in refpeft of ignorance and daily enfuing troubles,
one always making way to another, as the ninth wave of the fea to
the tenth ; therefore figh and long for the dawning of that morning,
and the breaking of that day of the coming of the Son of Man,
when the fhadows fhall flee away. Perfuade yourfelf the King is
coming; read His letter fent before Him, " Behold, I come quickly."*
Wait with the wearied night-watch for the breaking of the eaftern
fky, and think that ye have not a morrow. As the wife father faid,
who, being invited againft to-morrow to dine with his friend,
anfwered, " Thofe many days I have had no morrow at all." I
am loth to weary you. Show yourfelf a Chriflian, by fuffering
without murmuring, for which fm fourteen thoufand and feven
hundred were flain.f In patience poflefs your foul. They lofe
nothing who gain Chrift. Thus remembering my brother's and
my wife's humble fervice to your Ladyihip, I commend you to the
mercy and grace of our Lord Jefus, afTuring you that your day is
coming, and that God's mercy is abiding you. The Lord Jefus be
with your fpirit.

Yours in the Lord Jefus at all dutiful obedience,

S. R.

AxwoTH, Jan. 15, 1629.

V. — To my Lady Kenmure, upon her removal luith her hujhatul from
the pariJJj of Anivoth.

(CHANGES AND LOSS OF FRIENDS— THIS WORLD NO ABIDING-
PLACE.)

jADAM, — Saluting you in Jefus Chrifl, — to my grief I
mufi: bid you, it may be, for ever farewell, in paper^
having fmall afTurance ever to fee your face again till
the lafl: general aflembly, where the whole Church univerfal fhall

* Rev. iii. 11. f Num. xvi. 49.

629.] LETTER V. 47

meet; yet promifing, by His grace, to prefent your Ladyfhip and
your burdens to Him who is able to fave you, and give you an in-
heritance with the faints, after a more fpecial manner than ever I
have done before.*

Ye are going to a country where the Sun of righteoufnefs, in
the Gofpel, fhinetli not fo clearly as in this kingdom; but if ye would
know where He whom your foul loveth doth reft, and where He
feedeth at the noontide of the day, wherever ye be, get you forth
by the footfteps of the flock, and feed yourfelf befide the fhepherds'
tents ;f that is, afk for fome of the watchmen of the Lord's city,
who will tell you truly, and will not lie, where ye ihall find Him
whom your foul loveth. I truft ye are fo betrothed in marriage to
the true Chrift, that ye will not give your love to any falfe Chrift.
Ye know not how foon your marriage-day will come; nay, is not
eternity hard upon you ? It were time, then, that ye had your
wedding garment in readinefs. Be not fleeping at your Lord's com-
ing. I pray God you may be upon your feet ftanding when He
knocketh. Be not difcouraged to go from this country to another
part of the Lord's earth : "The earth is His, and the fulnefs there-
of." \ This is the Lord's lower houfe ; whUe we are lodged here,
we have no aflurance to lie ever in one chamber, but muft be con-
tent to remove from one corner of our Lord's nether houfe to an-
other, refting in hope that, when we come up to the Lord's upper
city, " Jerufalem that is above," we fhall remove no more, becaufe
then we fhall be at home. And go wherefoever ye will, if your
Lord go with you, ye are at home; and your lodging is ever taken
before night, fb long as He who is Ifrael's dwelling-houfe is your
home. § Believe me. Madam, my mind is that ye are well lodged,
and that in your houfe there are fair eafe-rooms || and pleafant lights,
if ye can in faith lean down your head upon the breaft of Jefus

* Lord Kenmure and his lady refided at Rufco, in the parifh of Anwoth,
during the firft two years of Rutherford's miniftry there ; but they were now
about to leave it. See a notice of this. Let. 147.

t Cant. i. 7, 8. X Pfalm xxiv. i. § Pfalm xc. i. || Rooms for repofe.

48 LETTER VI. [1629.

Chrifl: and till this be, ye fliall never get a found fleep. Jefus,
Jefus, be your fhadow and your covering. It is a fweet foul-fleep
to lie in the arms of Chrift, for His breath is very fweet.

Pray for poor friendlefs Zion. Alas ! no man will fpeak for
her now, although at home in her own country fhe hath good
friends, her hufband Chrifl:, and His Father her Father-in-law.
Befeech your hulband to be a friend to Zion, and pray for her.

I have received many and divers dafhes and heavy ftrokes, fmce
the Lord called me to the miniflry ; but indeed I efteem your de-
parture from us amongft the weightiefl : but I perceive God will
have us to be deprived of whatfoever we idolize, that He may have
His own room. I fee exceeding fmall fruit of my miniflry, and
would be glad to know of one foul to be my crown and rejoicing
in the day of Chrifl. Though I fpend my flrength in vain, yet my
labour is with my God.* I wifh and pray that the Lord would
harden my face againfl all, and make me to learn to go with my
face againft a ftorm. Again I commend you, body and fpirit, to
Him who hath loved us, and wafhed us from our fin in His own
blood. Grace, grace, grace for ever be with you. Pray, pray
continually.

Your Ladyfhip's at all dutiful obedience in Chrifl,

S. R.

Anwoth, Sept. 14, 1629.

VL — For Marion M'Naught, on occafton of the illnefs of his (Mr
Rutherford^ s^ ivfe.

[MARION M^NAUGHT was daughter to the Laird of Kilquhanatie,
in Kirkpatrick Durham (fee Let. 252), the reprefentative of an ancient
family, now extinct, and conne6ted alfo with the houfe of Kenmure, through
her mother, Margaret Gordon, fifter to Lord Kenmure. She became the wife
of William Fullerton, Provoft of Kirkcudbright, and was a woman extenfively
known and held in honour by the molt eminent Chriftians and minifters of

* I fa. xlix. 4.

1629.] LETTER VL 49

her day, on account of her rare godlinefs and public fpirit. We find in
The Lajl and Hea'venly Speeches of Vifcount Kenmure, that by the fpecial defire
of that nobleman (who was her relative), fhe was in continual attendance on
him as he lay on his deathbed. Her name is fometimes fpelt ^^ M^Knaight,"
or ^* M^Knaichte," the modem ** Macknight." She had three children — one
daughter, Grizzel, and two fons, Samuel and William, — who are often affec-
tionately remembered in Rutherford's letters to her. The following epitaph
was infcribed on her tomb, in the churchyard of Kirkcudbright: —
** Marion M* Naught, fifter to John M* Naught of Kilquhanatie, an ancient

and honourable baron, and fpoufe to William Fullerton, Provofl of

Kirkcudbright, died April 1643, ^g^ 5 8.

Sexum animis y pietate genus y genorofuy locumque
Virtute exfuperanSy conditur hoc tumulo"

The tombftone has fince been removed. It was only in i860 that her
houfe (in which the meeting with Blair and Rutherford took place) was
pulled down. It flood at the foot of the High Street, which was then the
principal flreet of the town.

A relative of this lady's hufband, Fullerton of Carlton (fee Let. 157),
wi-ote on her the following acroftic : —

M More happy than imagined can be,

A And blefTed, are fuch as with heart fmcere

R Refolve to cleave to Chrift, to live and die

I In Him, with Him, and for Him to appear.

O what tranfcendant glory grows from grace !
N None but — no, not — the foul refined fhall

M^ Make to appear; that life, that light, that peace, '
K Known only to the pure pofTeflbrs all.
N Now, THOUy by grace, art into glory gone,
A And gained the garland of eternal blifs,

1 In feeing Him who, on that glorious throne,
G Created, uncreated, glory is.

H Heaven's quire did fing at thy converfion fweet, ''

T Time pofts thy final comforts to complete.
(Append, to ^* Minute-Book of Committee ofCcvenanters")

(INIVARD CONFLICT ARISING FROM OUTWARD TRIAL.)

OVING AND DEAR SISTER,— If ever you would
pleafure me, entreat the Lord for me, now when I am
fo comfortlefs, and fo full of heavinefs, that I am not
able to Aand under the burthen any longer. The Almighty hath

VOL. I. D

so LETTER VI. [1629.

doubled His ftripes upon me, for my wife is fo fore tormented night
and day, that I have wondered why the Lord tarrieth fo long.
My life is bitter unto me, and I fear the Lord be my contrair*
party. It is (as I now know by experience) hard to keep fight of
God in a ftorm, efpecially when He hides Himfelf, for the trial of
His children. If He would be pleafed to remove His hand, I have
a purpofe to feek Him more than I have done. Happy are they
that can win awayf with their foul. I am afraid of His judgments.
I blefs my God that there is a death, and a heaven. I would
weary to begin again to be a Chriflian, fo bitter is it to drink of the
cup that Chrifl drank of, if I knew not that there is no poifon in it.
God ^ve us not of it till we vomit again, for we have fick fouls
when God's phyfic works not. Pray that God would not lead my
wife into temptation. Woe is my heart, that I have done fo little
againft the kingdom of Satan in my calling ; for he would fain
attempt to make me blafpheme God in His face. I believe, I be-
lieve, in the ftrength of Him who hath put me in His work, he
fhall fail in that which he feeks. I have comfort in this, that my
Captain, Chrifl:, hath faid, I muft fight and overcome the world, J
and with a weak, fpoiled, weaponlefs devil, " the prince of this
world Cometh, and hath nothing in me." § Defire Mr Robert || to
remember me, if he love me. Grace, grace be with you, and all
yours.

Remember Zion. There is a letter procured from the King by
Mr John Maxwell to urge conformity, to give the communion at
Chriftmas in Edinburgh, f Hold fail: that which you have, that no

* Contrary, />., my adverfary. t Efcape, get away from the world.

X John xvi. 2,?,' § John xiv. 30.

II Mr Robert Glendinning, minifter of Kirkcudbright.

^ Mr J. Maxwell here mentioned was at this time a minifter in Edin-
burgh, and afterwards became Bifhop of Rofs, — a man of talent, but de\'oid
of principle, whofe aim was to fecure the favour of the notorious Laud, and
forward his defigns for forcing Epifcopacy upon the Scottifli people. The
letter above referred to was from the King, urging the adoption of the Englifh
ferv'ice.

1630.] LETTER VIL 51

man take the crown from you. The Lord Jefus be with your

ipirit.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.
Anwoth, Noi\ 17, 1629.

^M^

VIL — To my Lady Kenmure.

(THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT— COMMUNION WITH CHRIST-
FAITH IN THE PROMISES.)

ADAM, — I have longed exceedingly to hear of your life
and health, and growth in the grace of God. I lacked
the opportunity of a bearer, in refpeft I did not under-
ftand of the hafly departure of the laft, by whom I might have
fainted your Ladyfhip, and therefore I could not write before this
time. I entreat you. Madam, let me have two lines from you con-
cerning your prefent condition. I know ye are in grief and heavinefs ;
and if it were not ib, ye might be afraid, becaufe then your way
fhould not be fo like the way that (our Lord faith) leadeth to the New
Jerufalem. Sure I am, if ye knew what were before you, or if ye
faw but fome glances of it, ye would with gladnefs fwim through
the prefent floods of ibrrow, fpreading forth your arms out of defire
to be at land. If God have given you the earneft of the Spirit, as
part of payment of God's principal fum, ye have to rejoice; for our
Lord will not lofe His earnefl, neither will He go back or repent
Him of the bargain. If ye find at fome time a longing to fee God,
joy in the affurance of that fight, howbeit that feaft be but like the
PafTover, that cometh about only once a-year. Peace of confcience,
liberty of prayer, the doors of God's treafure cafl up to the foul,
and a clear fight of Himfelf looking out, and faying, with a fmiling
countenance, " Welcome to Me, afflicted foul ;'' this is the earneft that
He giveth fometimes, and which maketh glad the heart, and is an
evidence that the bargain will hold. But to the end ye may get this

52 LETTER FIL [1630.

earnefl:, it were good to come oft iiito terms of fpeech with God,
both in prayer and hearing of the word. For this is the houfe of
wine, where ye meet with your Well-Beloved. Here it is where
He kifleth you with the kifTes of His mouth, and where ye feel the
fmell of His garments; and they have indeed a mofl fragrant and
glorious fmell. Ye muft, I fay, wait upon Him, and be often
communing with Him, whofe lips are as lilies, dropping fweet-
fmelling myrrh, and by the moving thereof He will afTuage your
grief ; for the Chrift that faveth you is a fpeaking Chrift ; the
Church knoweth Him* by His voice, and can difcern His tongue
amongft a thoufand. I fay this to the end ye fhould not love thofe
dumb mafks of antichriflian ceremonies, that the Church, f where
ye are for a time, hath caft over the Chrift whom your foul
loveth. This is to fet before you a dumb ChrLft. But when our
Lord cometh, He fpeaketh to the heart in the fimplicity of the
Gofpel.

I have neither tongue nor pen to exprefs to you the happinefs of
fuch as are in ChrLft. When ye have fold all that ye have, and
bought the field wherein this pearl is, ye will think it no bad mar-
ket ; for if ye be in Him, all His is yours, and ye are in Him ;
therefore, " becaufe He liveth, ye (hall live alfo."J And what is
that elfe, but as if the Son had faid, " I will not have heaven ex-
cept My redeemed ones be with Me : they and I cannot live afunder.
Abide in Me, and I in you." § O fweet communion, when Chrifi:
and we are through other, || and are no longer two! " Father, I will
that thofe whom Thou haft given Me be with Me where I am, to
behold My glory that Thou haft given Me."f Amen, dear Jefus,
let it be according to that word. I wonder that ever your heart
fhould be caft down, if ye believe this truth. I and they are not
worthy of Jefus Chrift, who will not fuffer forty years' trouble for
Him, fmce they have fuch glorious promifes. But we fools believe
thofe promifes as the man that read Plato's writings concerning the

* Cant. ii. 8. f Epifcopal. t John xiv 19.

§ John XV. 4 Ij Mixed up with each other. ^ John xvii. 24.

1630.] LETTER VIL 53

immortality of the Ibul : lb long as the book was in his hand he be-
lieved all was true, and that the foul could not die ; but fo foon as
he laid by the book, he began to imagine that the foul is but a fmoke
or airy vapour, that perifheth with the expiring of the breath. So
we at ftarts* do aflent to the fweet and precious promifes; but lay-
ing afide God's book, we begin to call all in queftion. It is faith
indeed, to believe without a pledge, and to hold the heart conftant
at this work; and when we doubt, to run to the law and to the
teftimony, and flay there. Madam, hold you here : here is your
Father's teftament, — read it ; in it He hath left to you remiffion of
fms and life everlafting. If all that ye have here be crofTes and
troubles, down-caftings, frequent defertions, and departure of the
Lord, who is fuitingf you in marriage, courage! He who is wooer
and fuitor fhould not be an houfehold man with you till ye and He
come up to His Father's houfe together. He purpofeth to do you
good at your latter end, J and to give you reft from the days of ad-
verfity.§ "It is good to bear the yoke of God in your youth." ||
" Turn in to your ftronghold as a prifoner of hope." % " For the
vifion is for an appointed time ; but at the end it fhall fpeak, and not
lie : though it tarry, wait for it, becaufe it will furely come, it will not
tarry."** Hear Himfelf faying, " Come, My people" (rejoice. He
calleth on you!), " enter thou into thy chambers, and fliut thy doors
about thee ; hide thyfelf, as it were for a little moment, till the in-
dignation be paft.ff Believe, then, believe and be faved; think
not hard if ye get not your will, nor your delights in this life ; God
will have you to rejoice in nothing but Himfelf. God forbid that
ye ftiould rejoice in anything but in the crofs of Chrift. Jf

Our Church, Madam, is decaying, — she is like Ephraim's cake ;
" and grey hairs are here and there upon her, and fhe knoweth it
not." § § She is old and grey-haired, near the grave, and no man
taketh it to heart. Her wine is four and is corrupted. Now if

* On occafions, fitfully. f Wooing. % Deut. viii. 16.

§ Ps. xciv. 13. II Lam. iii. 27. ^ Zech. ix. 12.

** Hab. ii. 3. ft Ha- xxvi. 20. XX Gal. vi. 14.
§§ Hos. vii. 9.

54 LETTER Fill. [163c.

Phinehas's wife did live, ihe might travail in birth and die, to fee
the ark of God taken, and the glory depart from our Ifrael. The
power and life of religion is away. " Woe be to us ! for the day
goeth away, for the fhadows of the evening are ftretched out."*
Madam, Zion is the fhip wherein ye are carried to Canaan ; if fhe
fuffer fhipwreck, ye will be caft overboard upon death and life, to
fwim to land upon broken boards. It were time for us, by prayer,
to put uponf our mafter-pilot, Jefus, and to cry, " Mafter, fave us ;
we perifh." Grace, grace be with you. We would think it a
blefling to our kirk to fee you here ; but our fins withhold good
things from us. The great MefTenger of the Covenant preferve you
in body and fpirit.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.
Anwoth, FeL I, 1630.

VIII. — For Marion M*Naught, on occafwn of his {Mr Rutherford s)

ivfe's illnefs.

(WRESTLINGS WITH GOD.)

"l ISTRESS, — My love in Jefus Chrift remembered. I am
1 1 in good health ; honour to my Lord -, but my wife's

^1 difeafe increafeth daily, to her great torment and pain
night and day. She has not been in God's houfe fince our commu-
nion, neither out of her bed. I have hired a man to Edinburgh to
Doctor Jeally and to John Hamilton. J I can hardly believe her
difeafe is ordinary, for her life is bitter to her ; fhe ileeps none, but
cries as a woman travailing in birth. What will be the event. He
that hath the keys of the grave knoweth. I have been many times,
fince I faw you, that I have befought the Lord to loofe her out of

* Jer. vi. 4. t Importune.

X Probably a relative of his wife, whofe name was Eupham Hamilton.

1630.] LETTER IX. S5

body, and to take her to her rell:. I believe the Lord's tide of afflic-
tions will ebb again ; but at prefent I am exercifed with the wres-
tlings of God, being afraid of nothing more than this, that God has
let loofe the tempter upon my houfe. " God rebuke him and his
inftruments." Becaufe Satan is not caft out but by fafting and
prayer, I entreat you remember our eftate to our Lord, and entreat
all good Chriftians whom ye know, but efpecially your paftor,* to
do the fame. It becomes us Ml to knock, and to lie at the Lord's
door, until we die knocking. If He will not open, it is more than
He has faid in His word. But He is faithful. I look not to win
away to my home without wounds and blood. Welcome, welcome
crofs of Chrift, if Chrift be with it. I have not a calm fpirit in the
work of my calling here, being daily chaflifed ; yet God hath not
put out my candle, as He does to the wicked. Grace, grace be
with you and all yours.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.
Anwoth.

IX. — For Marion M'Naught, recommefidmg a friend to her love.
(PRATERS ASKED.)

ISTRESS,— My love in Chrift remembered. At the de-
fire of this bearer, whom I love, I thought to requefl:
you if ye can help his wife with your advice, for fhe is
in a moft dangerous and deadly-like condition. For I have thought
fhe was changed in her carriage and life, this fometime bypaft, and
had hope that God would have brought her home ; and now, by
appearance, fhe will depart this life, and leave a number of children
behind her. If ye can be entreated to help her, it is a work of
mercy. My own wife is ftill in exceeding great torment night and

* The Rev. Mr Robert Glendinning, then minifter of Kirkcudbright. His
grave-ftone may be feen in the churchyard.

56 LETTER X, [1630.

day. Pray for us, for my life was never fo wearifome to me. God
hath filled me with gall and wormwood ; but I believe (which holds
up my head above the water), "It is good for a man," faith the
Spirit of God, " that he bear the yoke in his youth."*

I do remember you. I pray you be humble and believe; and I
entreat you in Jefus Chrift, pray for John Stuart and his wife, and
defire your huiband to do the fame. Remember me heartily to
Jean Brown. Defire her to pray for me and my wife : I do re-
member her. Forget not Zion. Grace, grace upon them, and
peace, that pray for Zion. She is the fhip we fail in to Canaan.
If fhe be broken on a rock, we will be cafl overboard, to fwim to
land betwixt death and life. The grace of Jefus be with your hus-
band and children.

Yours in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth.

X. — For Marion M'Naught.
(SUBMISSION, PERSEVERANCE, AND ZEAL RECOMMENDED.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,

— I could not get an anfwer written to your letter till
now, in refpeft of my wife's difease ; and fhe is yet
mightily pained. I hope that all fhall end in God's mercy. I know
that an aiflicfted life looks very like the way that leads to the king-
dom-, for the Apoftlef hath drawn the line and the King's market-
way, "through much tribulation, to the kingdom." The Lord
grant us the whole armour of God.

Ye write to me concerning your people's difpofition, how that
their hearts are inclined toward the man ye know, and whom ye
defire moft earneflly yourfelf. He would moft gladly have the

* Lam. ill. 27. t Acts xiv. 22 ; 1 Thefs. iii. 4.

1630.] LETTER X. 57

Lord's call for tranfplantation ; for he knows that all God's plants,
iet by His own hand, thrive well; and if the work be of God, He
can make a ftepping-flone of the devil himfelf for fetting forward
the work. For yourlelf, I would advife you to afk of God a fub-
miflive heart. Your reward fhall be with the Lord, although the
people be not gathered (as the prophet fpeaks) ; and fuppofe the word*
do not profper, God fhall account you *' a repairer of the breaches."
And take Chrifl caution ,f ye Ihall not lofe your reward. Hold
your grip J fast. If ye knew the mind of the glorified in heaven,
they think heaven come to their hand at an eafy market, when they
have got it for three-fcore or four-fcore years wreflling with God.
When ye are come thither, ye fhall think, " All I did, in refpeft of
my rich reward, now enjoyed of free grace, was too little." Now
then, for the love of the Prince of your falvation, who is flanding at
the end of your way, holding up in His hand the prize and the gar-
land to the race-runners. Forward, forward, faint not. Take as
many to heaven with you as ye are able to draw. The more ye
draw with you, ye fhall be the welcomer yourfelf. Be no niggard
or fparing churl of the grace of God ; and employ all your endea-
vours for eftablifhing an honefl miniflry in your town, now when
ye have fo few to fpeak a good word for you. I have many a
grieved heart daily in my calling. I would be undone, if I had not
accefs to the King's chamber of prefence, to fhow Him all the bufi-
nefs. The devil rages, and is mad to fee the water drawn from
his own mill; but would to God we. could be the Lord's instru-
ments to build the Son of God's houfe.

Pray for me. If the Lord furnilh not new timber from Lebanon
to build the houfe, the work will ceafe. I look to Him, who hath
begun well with me. I have His handwrite. He will not change.
Your daughter is well, and longs for a Bible. The Lord eftablifh
you in peace. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.
Yours at all power in Chrifl: ,

S. R.

Anwoth.

* \^^ork ? f Security. % Firm hold.

58 LETTER XL [1630.

XI. — To My Lady Kenmure.

(GOD'S INEXPLICABLE DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE WELL
ORDERED — WANT OF ORDINANCES — CONFORMITT TO
CHRIST— TROUBLES OF THE CHURCH— DEATH OF MR
RUTHERFORD'S WIFE,)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon
you. I received your Ladyfhip's letter, in the which I
perceive your cafe in this world fmelleth of a fellow-
fhip and communion with the Son of God in His fufFerings. Ye
cannot, ye muft not, have a more pleafant or more eafy condition
here, than He had, who "through afflictions was made perfect."*
We may indeed think, Cannot God bring us to heaven with eafe
and profperity ? Who doubteth but He can ? But His infinite
wifdom thinketh and decreeth the contrary ; and we cannot fee a
reafon of it, yet He hath a moft juft reafon. We never with our
eyes faw our own foul ; yet we have a foul. We fee many rivers,
but we know not their firft fpring and original fountain ; yet they
have a beginning. Madam, when ye are come to the other fide of
the water, and have fet down your foot on the fhore of glorious
eternity, and look back again to the waters and to your wearifome
journey, and fhall fee, in that clear glafs of endlefs glory, nearer to
the bottom of God's wifdom, ye fhall then be forced to fay, *'If
God had done otherwife with me than He hath done, I had never
come to the enjoying of this crown of glory." It is your part now
to believe, and fufFer, and hope, and wait on ; for I proteft, in the
prefence of that all-difcerning eye, who knoweth what I write and
what I think, that I would not want the fweet experience of the
confolations of God for all the bitternefs of affli6rion. Nay, whether
God come to His children with a rod or a crown, if He come
Himfelf with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome, Jefus, what way
foever Thou come, if we can get a fight of Thee. And lure I am,

* Heb. ii. 10.

1630.] LETTER XL 59

it is better to be fick, providing Chrift come to the bed-fide and
draw by* the curtains, and fay, "Courage, I am Thy falvation,"
than to enjoy health, being lufty and ftrong, and never to be
vifited of God.

Worthy and dear lady, in the ftrength of Chrifl, fight and
overcome. Ye are now yourfelf alone, but ye may have, for the
feeking, three always in your company, the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. I truft they are near you. Ye are now deprived of the
comfort of a lively minifiry ; fo was Ifrael in their captivity ; yet
hear God's promife to them : " Therefore fay. Thus faith the
Lord God, although I have caft them far ofF among the heathen,
and although I have fcattered them among the countries, yet will I
be to them as a little fan<5luary in the countries where they fliall
come."f Behold a fanftuary ! for a fanftuary, God Himfelf in the
place and room of the temple of Jerufalem ! I truft in God, that,
carrying this temple about with you, ye fiiall fee Jehovah's beauty
in His houfe.

We are in great fears of a great and fearful trial to come upon
the kirk of God ; for thefe, who would build their houfes and
nefts upon the afhes of mourning Jerufalem, have drawn our King
upon hard and dangerous conclufions againft fuch as are termed
Puritans, for the rooting of them out. Our prelates (the Lord take
the keys of His houfe from thefe baftard porters ! ) afiiire us that, for
fuch as will not conform, ;}: there is nothing but imprifonment and
deprivation. || The fpoufe of Jefus will ever be in the fire ; but I
truft in my God fhe fhall not confume, becaufe of the good-will of

* Afide. t Ezek. xi. 16. % To the Englifh fonii of religious worfhip.

II The prelates, when the Courts of High Commiflion were eredled in
1 6 10, were inverted with the powers of imprifoning and depriving Nonconfor-
mifts. Nor had the bifhops failed, previous to the date of this letter, to exer-
cife the exorbitant power thus granted them over the bodies and goods of
loyal fubjedts, not a few minifters having been deprived, imprifoned, and
banifhed by the Courts of High Commiflion fimply for their nonconformity.
In a paper entitled **The Grievances of the Minifters and other Profeflbrs
given in by fome in their name to his Majefty, or to the Eftates," foon after
Charles I. afcended the throne, it is complained, ''That the bifliops, not being

6o LETTER XL [1630.

Him who dwelleth in the Bufh ; for He dwelleth in it with good-
will. All forts of crying fins without controlment abound in our
land. The glory of the Lord is departing from Ifrael, and the
Lord is looking back over His Ihoulder, to fee if any one will fay,
" Lord, tarry," and no man requefleth Him to flay. Corrupt and
falfe doftrine is openly preached by the idol-{hepherds of the land.
For myfelf, I have daily griefs, through the difobedience unto, and
contempt of, the word of God. I was fummoned before the High
CommifTion by a profligate perfon in this pariih, convifted of incefl.
In the bufmefs, Mr Alexander Colvill* (for refpecTt to your Lady-
fhip) was my great friend, and wrote a moft kind letter to me.
The Lord give him mercy in that day. Upon the day of my
compearance, the fea and winds refufed to give paflage to the Biihop
of St Andrews.f I entreat your Ladyfhip, thank Mr Alexander
Colvill with two lines of a letter.

My wife now, after long difeafe and torment, for the fpace of a
year and a month, is departed this life. The Lord hath done it ;
blefl^ed be His name. I have been difeafed of a fever tertian for
the fpace of thirteen weeks, and am yet in the ficknefs, fo that I
preach but once on the Sabbath with great difficulty. I am not
able either to vifit or examine the congregation. The Lord Jefus
be with your fpirit.

Your Ladyfhip at all obedience,

S. R.

Anwoth, z6th June J 1630.

content with the titles and benefices of bifhopricks, encroached, againft their
own proteftations and promife, upon the jurifdidion ecclefiaftical, in accepting,
or rather procuring, power and comminion from his Majefty to fine, confine,
decern upon fi.ifpenfion, depofition, deprivation of minifters, and excommuni-
cation of whatfoever fubjedts ; and that they have removed worthy men of the
miniftry from their calling for no other caufe but refufal of conformity to fome
ceremonies unknown till of late to our Kirk. — Scots Apologet. Narrati've^ pp.

32i, 324-

* One of the judges. f Archbilhop Spottifwoode.

1630.] LETTER XI I. 61

XII. — For Marion M'Naught.

{GOD MIXETH THE CUP^THE WICKED HAFE THEIR REWARD
—FAITHFULNESS— FORBEARANCE— TRIALS.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,— My love in
the Lord Jefus remembered. I underfland that you
are ftill under the Lord's vifitation, in your former
bufniels with your enemies, which is God's dealing. For, till He
take His children out of the furnace that knoweth how long they
Ihould be tried, there is no deliverance ; but after God's highefl
and fulleft tide, that the fea of trouble is gone over the fouls of His
children, then comes the gracious, long-hoped-for ebbing and dry-
ing up of the waters. Dear fifter, do not faint ; the wicked may
hold the bitter cup to your head, but God mixeth it, and there is
no poifon in it. They flrike, but God moves the rod ; Shimei
curfeth, but it is becaufe the Lord bids Him. I tell you, and I
have it from Him before whom I ftand for God's people, that there
is a decreet* ^ven out, in the great court of the higheft heavens,
that your prefent troubles fhall be difperfed as the morning cloud,
and God fhall bring forth your righteoufnefs, as the light of the
noon-tide of the day. Let me intreat you, in Chrifl's name, to
keep a good confcience in your proceedings in that matter, and
beware of yourfelf : yourfelf is a more dangerous enemy than I, or
any without you. Innocence and an upright caufe is a good advo-
cate before God, and fhall plead for you, and win your caufe. And
count much of your Matter's approbation and His fmiling. He is
now as the king that is gone to a far country. God feems to be
from home (if I may fay fo), yet He fees the ill fervants, who fay,
" Our Matter deferreth His coming," and fo ttrike their fellow-
fervants. But patience, my beloved ; Chritt the King is coming
home ; the evening is at hand, and He will afk an account of His

* Sentence.

62 LETTER XII. [1630.

fervants. Make a fair, clear count to Him. So carry yourfelf, as
at night you may fay, Mafler, I have wronged none ; behold, you
have your own with advantage. O ! your foul then will efleem
much of one of God's kiffes and embracements, in the teftimony of
a good confcience. The wicked, howbeit they be cafting many evil
thoughts, bitter words, and fmful deeds behind their back, yet they
are, in fo doing, clerks to their own procefs, and doing nothing all
their life but gathering dittayes* againft themfelves ; for God is
angry at the wicked every day. And I hope your prefent procefs
fhall be fightedf one day by Him, who knoweth your juft caufe ;
and the bloody tongues, crafty foxes, double ingrained hypocrites,
fhall appear as they are before His majefty, when He fhall take the
malk off their faces. And O, thrice happy fhall your foul be then,
when God finds you covered with nothing but the white robe of
the faints' innocence, and the righteoufnefs of Jefus Chrifl.

You have been of late in the King's wine-cellar, where you were
welcomed by the Lord of the inn, upon condition that you would
walk in love. Put on love, and brotherly kindnefs, and long-fufFer-
ing ; wait as long upon the favour and turned hearts of your ene-
mies as your Chrift waited upon you, and as dear Jefus flood at
your foul's door, with dewy and rainy locks, the long cold night.
Be angry, but fm not. I perfuade myfelf, that holy un6lion within
you, which teacheth you all things, is alfo faying, " Overcome evil
with good." If that had not fpoken in your foul, at the tears of
your aged paflor, you would not have agreed, and forgiven his
foolifh fon, who wronged you ; but my Mafter bade me tell you,
God's blefling fhall be upon you for it ; and from Him I fay, Grace^
grace, grace, and everlafting peace be upon you. It is my prayer
for you, that your carriage may grace and adorn the Gofpel of that
Lord who hath graced you. I heard your hufband alfo was fick ;
but I befeech you in the bowels of Jefus, welcome every rod of
God, for I find not in the whole book of God a greater note of
the child of God, than to fall down and kifs the feet of an angry

* Indicftments. t Narrowly infpeded.

1630.] LETTER XII. 63

God ; and when He ieems to put you away from Him, and looie
your hands that grip* Him, to look up in faith, and fay, ''I fhall
not, I will not, be put away from Thee. Howbeit Thy Majefty
draw to free Thyfelf of me, yet. Lord, give me leave to hold, and
cleave unto Thyfelf." I will pray, that your hulband may return
in peace. Your decreet comes from heaven ; look up thither, for
many (fays Solomon) feek the face of the ruler, but every man's
judgment cometh of the Lord. And be glad that it is fo, for Chrifl
is the clerk of your procefs, and will fee that all go right ; and I
perfuade myfelf He is faying, *' Yonder fervants of Mine are
wronged ; for My blood. Father, give them juftice." Think you
not, dear filler, but our High Prieft, our Jefus, the Mafter of
requefts, prefents our bills of complaint to the great Lord Juflice ?
Yea, I believe it, fince He is our Advocate, and Daniel calls Him
the Spokefman, whofe hand prefents all to the Father.

For other bufinefs, I fay nothing, while f the Lord give me to
fee your face. I am credibly informed, that multitudes of England,
and efpecially worthy preachers, and filenced preachers of London,
are gone to New England ; and I know one learned holy preacher,
who hath written againfl the Arminians, who is gone thither.J
Our blelTed Lord Jefus, who cannot get leave to fleep with His

* Grafp, hold firm. t Till.

% The emigration of thefe preachers and of multitudes of the people to
New England was the confequence of the perfecuting meafures purfued by
Archbifhop Laud for enforcing conformity, in the profecution of his favourite
fcheme of bringing the Church of England as near to that of Rome as could
confort with his own fupremacy and that of his fovereign. Aflfeded with the
conftant perfecution of their party, and the reduftion of their families to beg-
gary, without any profpedt of deliverance, Meflrs Higginfon and Skelton,
with about three hundred and fifty private perfons, retired to America, and
fettled in the MafTachufetts Bay, as their friends had formerly done at Ply-
mouth. After landing, they entered into a folemn covenant to walk together
in the fear of the Lord and in church-fellowfhip with one another. About
feventy minifters and four thoufand planters are faid to have retired to that
continent from the tyrannical rage of Laud and his agents. — Browns Brhijh
Churches^ vol. i., pp. 215-217.

64 LETTER XIL [1630.

fpoufe in this land, is going to feek an inn where He will be better
entertained. And what marvel ? Wearied Jefus, after He had
travelled from Geneva, by the miniftry of worthy Mr Knox, and
was laid down in His bed, and reformation begun, and the curtains
drawn, had not gotten His dear eyes well together, when irreverent
bifhops came in, and with the din and noife of ceremonies, holy
days, and other Romifh corruptions, they awake our Beloved
Others came to His bed-fide, and drew the curtains, and put hands
on His fervants, bani{hed, deprived, and confined them ; and for the
pulpit they got a ftool and a cold fire in the Blacknefs ; * and the
nobility drew the covering off Him, and have made Him a poor
naked Chrifl, in fpoiling His fervant of the tithes and kirk-
rents. And now there is fuch a noife of crying fins in the land, as
the want of the knowledge of God, of mercy, and truth ; fuch
fwearing, whoring, lying, and blood touching blood ; that Chrift
is putting on His clothes, and. making Him,f like an ill-handled
firanger, to go to other lands. Pray Him, fifier, to lie down again
with His beloved.

Remember my deareft love to John Gordon, to whom I will
write when I am ftrong, and to John Brown, Grifiel, Samuel, and
William ; grace be upon them. As you love Chrift, keep Chrifi:'s
favour, and put not upon Him when He fleeps, to awake Him
before He pleafe. The Lord Jefus be with your ipirit.
Your brother in Chrift,

S. R.

AnWOTH, July 21, 1630.

* Blacknefs Caftle, on the Forth, was ufed as a prifon.

fin the fenfe of appearing as if He would go ; Luke xxiv. 28.

wm^^/^^^-

1 63 1.] LETTER XII I. 6^

XIII. — For Marion M'Naught, luhen expofed to reproach for her

principles.

CJESUS A PATTERN OF PATIENCE UNDER SUFFERING.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— I have been thinking, fince
my departure from you, of the pride and malice of your
adverfaries; and ye may not (fnice ye have had the
Book of Pfalms fo often) take hardly with this; for David's enemies
fnufFed at him, and through the pride of their heart faid, " The Lord
will not require it."* I befeech you, therefore, in the bowels of
Jefus, fet before your eyes the patience of your forerunner Jefus,
who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; when He fuiFered, He
threatened not, but committed Himfelf to Him who judgeth right-
eoufly.f And fmce your Lord and Redeemer with patience re-
ceived many a black ftroke on His glorious back, and many a buffet
of the unbelieving world, and fays of Himfelf, " I gave My back to
the fmiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair ; I
hid not My face from fhame and fpitting ;":[: follow Him, and think
it not hard that you receive a blow with your Lord. Take part
with Jefus of His fufFerings, and glory in the marks of Christ. If
this florm were over, you muft prepare yourfelf for a new wound ;
for, five thoufand years ago, our Lord proclaimed deadly war be-
twixt the Seed of the Woman and the feed of the ferpent. And
marvel not that one town cannot keep the children of God and the
children of the devil, for one belly could not keep Jacob and Efau ; §
one houfe could not keep peaceably together Ifaac, the fon of the
promife, and Ifhmael, |1 the fon of the handmaid. Be you upon
Chrift's fide of it, and care not what flefh can do. Hold yourfelf
faft by your Saviour, howbeit you be buffeted, and thofe that fol-
low Him. Yet a little while and the wicked fhall not be. " We

* Ps. X. 13. t I Pet. ii. 23. t Ifa. 1. 6.

§ Gen. XXV. 22. |j Gen. xxi. 10.

VOL. 1. E-

66 LETTER XIII. [163 1.

are troubled on every fide, yet not diflrefled ; we are perplexed,
but not in defpair ; perfecuted, but not forfaken ; caft down, but
not deftroyed."* If you can polTefs your foul in patience, their day
is coming. Worthy and dear fifter, know to carry yourfelf in
trouble ; and when you are hated and reproached, the Lord fhows
it to you — " All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten
Thee, neither have we dealt falfely in Thy covenant." f ** Unlefs
Thy law had been my delight, I had perifhed in mine aifliftion."J
Keep God's covenant in your trials. Hold you by His blefTed word,
and fm not. Flee anger, wrath, grudging, envying, fretting. For-
give an hundred pence to your fellow-fervant, becaufe your Lord
hath forgiven you ten thoufand talents. For I afTure you by the
Lord, your adverfaries fhall get no advantage againft you, except
you fm, and offend your Lord in your fufferings. But the way to
overcome is by patience, forgiving and praying for your enemies, in
doing whereof you heap coals upon their heads, and your Lord
fhall open a door to you in your troubles. Wait upon Him, as the
night watch waiteth for the morning. He will not tarry. Go up
to your watch-tower, and come not down ; but by prayer, and faith,
and hope, wait on. When the fea is full, it will ebb again ; and fo
foon as the wicked are come to the top of their pride, and are
waxed high and mighty, then is their change approaching. They
that believe make not hafte.

Remember Zion, forget her not, for her enemies are many; for
the nations are gathered together againfl: her. ''But they know not
the thoughts of the Lord, neither underftand they His counfel : for
He fhall gather them as the fheaves into the floor. Arife and threfh,
O daughter of Zion." § Behold, God hath gathered His enemies to-
gether, as fheaves to the threfhing. Let us ftay and refl upon thefe
promifes. Now, again, I trufl in our Lord you fhall by faith fus-
tain yourfelf, and comfort yourfelf in your Lord, and be ftrong in
His power ; for you are in the beaten and common way to heaven

* 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9. t Ps. xl'.v. 17.

t Ps. cxix. 92. § Micah iv. 12, 13.

1631.] LETTER XIV. 67

when you are under our Lord's crofTes. You have reafon to re-
joice in it, more than in a crown of gold ; and rejoice, and be glad
to bear the reproaches of Chrifl. I reft, recommending you and
yours for ever to the grace and mercy of God.
Yours in Chrift,

S. R.

AnwOTH, Feb. II, 1 63 1.

XIV. — For Marion M'Naught, in the profpeEl of a Communion

feafon.

(ABUNDANCE IN JESUS— THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS-
ENEMIES OF GOD.)

lELL-BELOVED IN THE LORD,— You are not un-
acquainted with the day of our Communion.* I entreat,
therefore, the aid of your prayers for that great work,
which is one of our feafl-days, wherein our Well-beloved Jefus re-
joiceth, and is merry with His friends.

Good caufe have we to wonder at His love, fmce the day of
His death was fuch a forrowful day to Him, even the day when
His mother, the kirk, crowned Him with thorns, and He had many
againft Him, and compeared His lonef in the fields againft them
all ; yet He delights with us to remember that day. Let us love
Him, and be glad and rejoice in His falvation. I am confident that
you fhall fee the Son of God that day, and I dare in His name invite
you to His banquet. Many a time you have been well entertained in
His houfe ; and He changes not upon His friends, nor chides them
for too great kindnefs. Yet I fpeak not this to make you leave ofF
to pray for me, who have nothing of myfelf, but in fo far as daily
I receive from Him, who is made of His Father a running-over
fountain, at which I and others may come with thirfly fouls, and

* The difpenfation of the Lord's Supper.

68 LETTER XIV, [163 1.

fill our veflels. Long hath this well been ftanding open to us.
Lord Jefus, lock it not up again upon us. I am forry for our defo-
late kirk ; yet I dare not but truft, fo long as there be any of God's
loft money here He fhall not blow out the candle. The Lord
make fair candlefticks in His houfe, and remove the blind lights.

I have been this time bypaft * thinkiog much of the incoming of
the kirk of the Jews. Pray for them. When they were in their
Lord's houfe, at their Father's elbow, they were longing for the in-
coming of their little filler, the kirk of the Gentiles. They faid
to their Lord, " We have a little fifter, and flie hath no breafls :
what fhall we do for our fifter in the day when fhe fhall be fpoken
for?"f Let us give them a meeting. What fhall we do for our
elder fifter, the Jews ? Lord Jefus, give them breafls. That were
a glad day to fee us and them both fit down to one table, and
Chrifl at the head of the table. Then would our Lord come fhortly
with his fair guard to hold His great court.

Dear fifler, be patient, for the Lord's fake, under the wrongs
that you fufPer of the wicked. Your Lord fhall make you fee your
defire on your enemies. Some of them fhall be cut off; " they
fhall fhake off their unripe grapes as the vine, and caft off their
flower as the olive : "J God fhall make them like unripe four grapes,
fhaken off the tree with the blaft of God's wrath ; and therefore
pity them, and pray for them. Others of them mufl remain to
exercife you. God hath faid of them, Let the tares grow up until
harvefl:.§ It proves you to be your Lord's wheat. Be patient ;
Chrift went to heaven with many a wrong. His vifage and counte-
nance was all marred more than the fons of men. You may not
be above your Mafler ; many a black ftroke received innocent
Jefus, and He received no mends, || but referred them all to the
great court-day, when all things fhall be righted. I defire to hear
from you within a day or two, if Mr Robert remain in his purpofe to
come and help us. God fhall give you joy of your children. I pray

* For fome time of late. f Cant. viii. 8. % Job xv. 33.

§ Matt. xiii. 30. Il Reparation.

1 63 1.] LETTER XV. 69

for them by their names. I blefs you from our Lord, your hufband
and children. Grace, grace, and mercy be multiplied upon you.
Yours in the Lord for ever,

S. R.

Anvvoth, May 7, 163 1.

XV. — For Marion M^Naught, on occafton of the threatened intro-
duEi'ion of the Epifcopalian Service-Book,

(TROUBLES OF THE CHURCH— PRIVATE WRONGS.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— My love in Chrifl re-
membered. I have received a letter from Edinburgh,
certainly informing me that the Engliih fervice, and the
organs, and King James' Pfalms, are to be impofed upon our kirk ;
and that the bifhops are dealing for a General AiTembly. A. R.
hath confirmed the news alfo, and fays he fpoke with Sir William
Alexander,* who is to come down with his prince's warrant for
that efFedf . I am defired in the received letter to acquaint the befl-
afFe<fled about me with that ftorm : therefore I intreat you, and
charge you in the Lord's name, pray ; but do not communicate this
to any till I fee you. My heart is broken at the remembrance of
it, and it was my fear, and anfwereth to my laft letter except one,
that I wrote unto you. Dearly beloved, be not caften down, but
let us, as our Lord's doves, take us to our wings (for other armour
we have none), and flee into the hole of the rock. It is true A. R.
fays, the worthiefl: men in England are baniflied, and filenced, about
the number of fixteen or feventeen choice Gofpel preachers, and the
perfecution is already begun. Howbeit I do not write this unto you
with a dry face, yet I am confident in the Lord's ftrength, Chrifl
and His fide fhall overcome ; and you fhall be afTured ; the kirk were
not a kirk, if it were not fo. As our dear Hufband, in wooing
His kirk, received many a black flroke, fo His bride, in wooing Him,

* Sir W. Alexander of Menftrie, afterwards Earl of Stirling.

70 LETTER XV. [1631.

gets many blows, and in this wooing there are ilrokes upon both
fides. Let it be lb. The devil will not make the marriage go back,
neither can he tear the contraft ; the end jfhall be mercy. Yet
notwithflanding of all this, we have no warrant of God to leave off
all lawful means. I have been writing unto you the counfels and
draughts* of men againft the kirk -, but they know not, as Micah
fays, the counfel of Jehovah. The great men of the world may
make ready the fiery furnace for Zion ; but trow ye that they can
caufe the fire to burn ? No. He that made the fire, I trufi, fhall
not fay amen to their decreets. I trufi: in my Lord, that God hath
not fubfcribed their bill, and their conclufions have not yet palfed
our great King's feal. Therefore, if ye think good, addrefs yourfelf
firft to the Lord, and then to A. R., anent the bufmefs that you know.

I am mofl unkindly handled by the prefbytery-, and (as if I had
been a firanger, and not a member of that feat, to fit in judgment
with them) I was fummoned by their order as a witnefs againfl B. A.
But they have got no advantage in that matter. Other particulars
you fhall hear, God willing, at meeting.

Anent the matter betwixt you and L E., I remember it to God.
I intreat you in the Lord, be fubmiilive to His will ; for the higher
that their pride mounts up, they are the nearer to a fall. The Lord
will more and more difcover that man. Let your hufband, in all
matters of judgment, take Chrifi's part, for the defence of the poor
and needy, and the opprelfed, for the maintenance of equity and
juftice in the town. And take you no fear. He fhall take your part,
and then you are firong enough. What ? Howbeit you receive
indignities for your Lord's fake, let it be fo. When He fhall put His
holy hand up to your face in heaven, and dry your face, and wipe
the tears from your eyes, judge ye if you will not have caufe then
to rejoice. Anent other particulars, if you would fpeak with me,
appoint any of the firft three days of the next week in Carletoun,f

* What men draw up in forming plans.

t Carleton, in Galloway (see note at Let. 157), not far from Anwoth,
where Mr Fullerton, a true friend, refided.

1631.] LETTER XV I. 71

when Carletoun is at home, and acquaint me with your defires.
And remember me to God, and my deareft affedion to your hus-
band ; and for Zion's fake hold not your peace. The grace of our
Lord Jefus Chrift be with you, and your hufband and children.
Yours in the Lord,

S. R.

Anwoth, June a, 163 1.

XVL — For Marion M'Naught, ofj occajion of a propofal to remove
him from Anwoth,

(BABYLON'S DESTRUCTION AND CHRIST'S COMING— THE YOUNG

INVITED.)

fORTHY AND DEAR MISTRESS,— My deareft love
in Chrifl remembered. As to the bufmefs which I
know you would fo fain have taken efFedl,* my earneft
defire is, that you ftand ftill. Hafle not, and you fhall fee the falva-
tion of God. The great Mafter Gardener, the Father of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, in a wonderful providence, with His own hand (I dare,
if it were for edification, fwear it), planted me here,f where, by His
grace, in this part of His vineyard, I grow. — I dare not fay but
Satan and the world (one of his pages whom he fends his errands)
have faid otherwife. And here I will abide till the great Mafier
of the Vineyard think fit to tranfplant me. But when He fees meet
to loofe me at the root, and to plant me where I may be more
ufeful, both as to fruit and fhadow, and when He who planted
pulleth up that He may tranfplant, who dare put to their hand and
hinder ? If they do, God fhall break their arm at the ihoulder
blade, and do His turn. When our Lord is going weft, the devil
and worjd go eaft ; and do you not know that it hath been ever
this way betwixt God and the world — God drawing, and they

* So defire to fee accomplifhed. . f At Anwoth.

72 ^ LETTER XVL [163 1.

holding, God " yea," and the world " nay?" But they fall on their
back and are fruftrate, and our Lord holdeth His grip.*

Wherefore doth the word fay, that our Chrift, the Goodman of
this houfe, His dear kirk, hath feet like fine brafs, as if they burned
in a furnace ?f For no other caufe but becaufe where our Lord
fetteth down His brazen feet, He will forward ; and whitherfoever
He looketh. He will follow His look ; and His feet burn all under
them, like as fire doth ftubble and thorns. I think He hath now
given the world a proof of His exceeding great power, when He
is doing fuch great things, wherein Zion is concerned, by the fword
of the Swedifh king, J as of a Gideon. As you love the glory of
God, pray inflantly § (yea engage all your praying acquaintance, and
take their faithful promife to do the like) for this king, and every
one that Zion's King armeth, to execute the written vengeance on
Babylon. Our Lord hath begun to loofe fome of Babylon's corner-
fiones. Pray to Him to hold on, for that city muft fall, and the
birds of the air and the beafis of the earth muft make a banquet
of Babylon ; for He hath invited them to eat the flefh of that
whore, and to drink her blood. And the cup of the Lord's right
hand fhall be turned unto her, and fhameful fpewing fhall be upon
her glory. He whofe word muft ftand hath liiid, " Take this cup
at the hand of the Lord, and drink and be drunken, and fpew, and
fall, and rife no more." || Our Jefus is fetting up Himfelf, as His
Father's enfign, ^ as God's fair white colours, that His soldiers may
all flock about Him. Long, long may thefe colours ftand. It is
long fince He difplayed a banner againft Babylon in the fight
of men and angels. Let us rejoice and triumph in our God.
The victory is certain ; for when Chrift and Babel wreftle, then
angels and faints may prepare themfelves to fing, "Babylon the great
is fallen, is fallen." Howbeit that Prince of renown, precious Jefus,
be now weeping and bleeding in His members, yet Chrift will laugh
again ; and it is time enough for us to laugh, when our Lord Chrift

* Firm grafp. f Rev. i. 15. % Guftavus Adolphus.

§ Eameftly. || Jer. xxv. 27. 1 I fa. xi. 10.

1 63 1.] LETTER XV I. 73

laugheth, — and that will be ihortly. For when we hear of wars and
rumours of wars, the Judge's feet are then before the door, and He
muft be in heaven giving order to the angels to make themfelves
ready, and prepare their hooks* and fickles for that great harveft.
Chrift will be upon us in hafte ; watch but a little, and ere long the
ikies will rive,f and that fair lovely perfon, Jefus, ihall come in the
clouds, freighted and loaded with glory. And then all thefe knaves
and foxes that deftroyed the vines fhall call to the hills, and cry to
the mountains to cover them, and hide them from the face of Him
who fitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

Remember me to your huiband, and defire him from me to
help Chrift, and to take His part, and in judgment fit ever befide
Him, and receive a blow patiently for His fake ; for He is worthy
to be fuffered for, not only to blows, but alfo to blood. He fhall
find that innocency and uprightnefs in judgment fhall hold its feet
and make him happy, when joukingj will not do it. I fpeak this
becaufe a perfon faid to me, " I pray God the country be not in
worfe cafe now, when the provofl and bailies are agreed, than for-
merly," — to whom I replied, "I truft the provofl is agreed with
the man's perfon, but not with his faults." I pray for you, with
my whole foul and defire, that your children may walk in the
truth, and that the Lord may fhine upon them, and make their
faces to fhine, when the faces of others fhall blufh. I dare promife
them, in His name, whofe truth I preach, if they will but try God's
fervice, that they fhall find Him the fweetefl Mafter that ever they
ferved. And defire them from me but to try for a while the
fervice of this bleffed Mafler, and then, if His fervice be not fweet,
if it afford not what is pleafant to the foul's tafle, change Him upon
trial, and feek a better. Chrifi is an unknown Chrifl to young
ones ; and therefore they feek Him not, becaufe they know Him
not. Bid them come and fee, and feek a kifs of His mouth -, and
then they will find His mouth is fo fweet, that they will be ever-

* Reaping-hooks. f Rend.

X DifTembling ; properly, inclining the body forward to avoid a blow.

74 LETTER XVIL [1631.

laftingly chained unto Him by their own confent. If I have any
credit with your children, I entreat them in Chrifl's name to try
what truth and reality is in what I fay, and leave not His fervice
till they have found me a liar. I give you, your hulband, and
them, to His keeping, to whom I have,* and dare venture myfelf
and foul, even to our dear Friend Jefus Chrifl, in whom I am.

Yours,
Anwoth. S. R.

XVII. — For Marion M'Naught, luhen in dijlrefs as to profpeBs of

the Church.

{ARMINIANISM—CALL TO PRATER^NO HELP BUT IN CHRIST.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— My dearefl love in Chrift
remembered to you. Know that I am in great heavi-
nefs for the pitiful cafe of our Lord's kirk. I hear the
caufe why Dr Burton f is committed to prifon is his writing and
preaching againft the Arminians. I therefore entreat the aid of
your prayers for myfelf, and the Lord's captives of hope, and for
Zion. The Lord hath let and daily lets me fee clearly, how deep
furrows Arminianifm and the followers of it fhall draw upon the
back of God's Ifrael (but our Lord cut the cords of the wicked !) ;
" Zion faid, The Lord hath forfaken me, and my Lord hath for-
gotten me." J " Zion weepeth fore in the night, and her tears are
upon her cheeks ; amongft all her lovers fhe hath none to comfort
her : all her friends have dealt treacheroufly with her ; they are be-
come her enemies." § "Our filver is become drofs, our wine
mixed with water." |1 " How is the gold become dim ! how is the
moft fine gold changed ! the flones of the fanftuary are poured out

* To whom I have given , and dare venture to give.

t He refers to the cafe of Henry Burton^ an able divine of the Church of
England, who wrote feveral vigorous pieces against Popery, and againft Mon-
tagu's ^* Appello Caefarem." See Brook's ** Lives of the Puritans."

X Ifa. xlix. 14. § Lam. i. 2. || Ifa. i. 22.

1631.] LETTER XVIL 75

in the top of every flreet. The precious fons of Zion, comparable
to fine gold, how are they efleemed as earthen pitchers, the work
of the hands of the potter ! " * It is time now for the Lord's fecret
ones, who favour the duft of Zion, to cry, "How long, Lord?"
and to go up to their watch-tower, and to ftay there, and not to
come down until the vifion fpeak ; for it fhall fpeak.f Li the mean
time, the juft fhall live by faith. Let us wait on and not weary. I
have not a thread to hang upon and reft, but this one, " Can a
woman forget her fucking child, that fhe fhould not have com-
paiTion on the fon of her womb ^ Yea, fhe may forget, yet will I
not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My
hands ; Thy walls are continually before Me." J For all outward
helps do fail ; it is time therefore for us to hang ourfelves, as our
Lord's vefTels, upon the nail that is faflened in a fure place. We
would make flakes of our own faflening, but they will break. Our
Lord will have Zion on His own nail. Edom is bufy within us,
and Babel without us, againft the handful of Jacob's feed. It were
beft that we were upon Chrift's fide of it, for His enemies will get
the Jlalh to keep, § as the proverb is. Our greateft difficulty will
be to win upon the rock now, when the wind and waves of perfe-
cution are fo lofty and proud. Let fweet Jefus take us by the
hand. Neither muft we think that it will be otherwife ; for it is told
to the fouls under the altar, "That their fellow-fervants muff be
killed as they were." |1 Surely, it cannot be long to the day. Nay,
hear Him fay, " Behold, I come, My dear bride ; think not long. ^
I fhall be at you at once. I hear you, and am coming." Amen ;
even fo come, Lord Jefus, come quickly ; for the prifoners of hope
are looking out at the prifon windows, to fee if they can behold the
King's ambaffador coming with the IGng's warrant and the keys.
I write not to you by guefs now, becaufe I have a warrant to fay
unto you, the garments of Chriff's fpoufe muft be once again dyed

* Lam. iv. i, 2. f Hab. ii. 3. + lia. xlix. 15, 16.

§ Nothing but the ftalks ; none of the grain or fruit.

II Rev. vi. II. ^ To think long, is to long wearily for.

LETTER XVIII. [163 1.

in blood, as long ago her Hufband's were. But our Father fees His

bleeding Son. What I write unto you, fhow it to I. G. Grace,

grace, grace and mercy be with you, your hufband, and children.

Yours in the Lord,

Anwoth. S. R.

XVIII. — For Marion M'Naught, in the profpeSl of a Communion

feafon,

{PRArER SOLICITED— THE CHURCH'S PROSPECTS.)

ISTRESS, — My love in Chrifl as remembered. Our
Communion is on Sabbath come * eight days. I will
entreat you to recommend it to God, and to pray for
me in that work. I have more fms upon me now than the lafl
time. Therefore I will befeech you in Chrifl, feek this petition to
me from God, that the Lord would ^ve me grace to vow and
perform new obedience. I have caufe to fuitef this of you ; and
Ihow it to Thomas Carfon, Fergus and Jean Brown, for I have
been and am exceedingly caft down, and am fighting againfl a
malicious devil, of whom I can win little ground. I would think a
fpoil plucked from him, and his trufly fervant fm, a lawful and juft
conqueft. And it were no fm to take from him, in the name of the
Goodman of our houfe, our King Jefus. I invite you to the
banquet. He faith, ye Ihall be dearly welcome to Him. And I
defire to believe (howbeit not without great fear) He fhall be as
hearty in His own houfe as He has been before. For me, it is but
fmall reckoning ; but I would fain have our Father and Lord to
break the great fair loaf, Chrift, and to diftribute His flain Son
amongft the bairns J of His houfe. And that if any were a flep-
bairn, in refpeft of comfort and fenfe, it were rather myfelf than
His poor bairns.J Therefore bid our Well-beloved come to His
garden and feed among the lilies.

* Sabbath that comes eight days after this.

t Urge this requeft. J Children.

1631.] LETTER XIX. 77

And as concerning Zion, I hope our Lord, who fent His angel*
with a meaiuring line in his hand to meafure the length and breadth
of Jerufalem, in token He would not want a foot length or inch of
His own free heritage, fhall take order f with thofe who have taken
away many acres of His own land from Him. And God will
build Jerufalem in the old fled J and place where it was before. In
this hope rejoice and be glad. Chrift's garment was not dipt in
blood for nothing, but for His bride, whom He bought with
ftrokes. I will defire you to remember my old fuits to God,
God's glory and the increafe of light, that I dry not up. For
your town, hope and believe that the Lord will gather in His loofe
(heaves among you to His barn, and fend one with a well-toothed,
(harp hook, and ftrong gardies, § to reap His harveft. And the
Lord Jefus be Hufbandman, and overfee the growing. Remem-
ber my love to your hufband and to Samuel. Grace upon you
and your children. Lord, make them corner-ftones in Jerufalem,
and give them grace in their youth to take band|| with the fair
Chief Corner-ftone, who was hewed out of the mountain without
hands, and got many a knock with His Father's forehammer, and
endured them all, and the flone did neither cleave nor break.
Upon that flone make your foul to lie. Kng Jefus be with your fpirit.
Your friend in his well-beloved Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Anwoth.

XIX. — To my Lady Kenmure.

(ENCOURAGEMENT TO ABOUND IN FAITH FROM THE PROSPECT
OF GLORT— CHRIST'S UNCHANGEABLENESS.)

ADAM, — Having faluted you in the Lord Jefus, I thought
it my duty, having the occafion of this bearer, to write
again unto your Ladyfhip, though I have no new pur-

* Zech. ii. 1,2. f Take meafures, — an old Englifh phrafe.

X Situation, or lite. § Arms; fi-om the Gaelic ^^ gairdean^" an arm.

II To unite themfelves to ; q.d., bind together.

78 LETTER XIX. [1631.

pofe but what I wrote of before. Yet ye cannot be too often
awakened to go forward towards your city, fince your way is long,
and (for anything ye know) your day is fhort. And your Lord re-
quireth of you, as ye advance in years and fteal forward infenfibly
towards eternity, that your faith may grow and ripen for the Lord's
harvefl. For the great Hufbandman giveth a feafon to His fruits that
they may come to maturity, and having gotten their fill of the tree,
they may then be fhaken and gathered in for ufe ; whereas the
wicked rot upon the tree, and their branch fhall not be green, '' He
fhall fhake off his unripe grape as the vine, and fhall caft off his
flower as the olive."* It is God's mercy to you, Madam, that
He giveth you your fill, even to loathing, of this bitter world, that
ye may willingly leave it, and, like a full and fatisfied banqueter,
long for the drawing of the table. And at laft, having trampled
under your feet all the rotten pleafures that are under fun and
moon, and having rejoiced as though ye rejoiced not, and having
bought as though ye poflefled not,f ye may, like an old crazy fhip,
arrive at our Lord's harbour, and be made welcome, as one of thofe
who have ever had one foot loofe from the earth, longing for that
place where your foul fhall feail: and banquet for ever and ever
upon a glorious fight of the incomprehenfible Trinity, and where
ye fhall fee the fair face of the man Chrifi, even the beautiful face
that was once for your caufe more marred than any of the vifages
of the fons of men, J and was all covered with fpitting and blood.
Be content to wade through the waters betwixt you and glory with
Him, holding His hand faft, for He knoweth all the fords. How-
beit ye may be ducked, but ye cannot drown, being in His com-
pany; and ye may all the way to glory fee the way bedewed with
His blood who is the Forerunner. Be not afraid, therefore, when
ye come even to the black and fwelling river of death, to put in
your foot and wade after Him. The current, how ftrong foever,
cannot carry you down the water to hell : the Son of God, His
death and refurre6lion, are ftepping-fiiones and a ftay to you ; set

* Job XV. ^2,' t I Cor. vii. 30. % Ifa. lii. 14.

1 63 1.] LETTER XIX. 79

down your feet by faith upon thefe flones, and go through as on
dry land. If ye knew what He is preparing for you, ye would be
too glad. He will not (it may be) give you a full draught till you
come up to the well-head and drink, yea, drink abundantly, of the
pure river of the water of life, that proceedeth out from the throne
of God and of the Lamb.* Madam, tire not, weary not; I dare
find you the Son of God caution,f when ye are got up thither, and
have cafl your eyes to view the golden city, and the fair and never-
withering Tree of Life, that beareth twelve manner of fruits every
month, ye fhall then fay, " Four-and-twenty hours' abode in this
place is worth threefcore and ten years' forrow upon earth." If
ye can but fay, that ye long earneftly to be carried up thither (as
I hope you cannot for fhame deny Him the honour of having wrought
that defire in your foul), then hath your Lord given you an earnefl.
And, Madam, do ye believe that our Lord will lofe His earneft,
and rue of the bargain, and change His mind, as if He were a
man that can lie, or the fon of man that can repent.? Nay, He is
unchangeable, and the fame this year that He was the former year.
And His Son Jefus, who upon earth ate and drank with publicans
and finners, and fpake and conferred with whores and harlots, and
put up His holy hand and touched the leper's filthy fkin, and came
evermore nigh fmners, even now in glory, is yet that fame Lord.
His honour, and His great court in heaven, hath not made Him for-
get His poor friends on earth. In Him honours change not man-
ners, and He doth yet defire your company. Take Him for the
old Chrift, and claim flill kindnefs to Him, and fay, " O it is fo;
He is not changed, but I am changed." Nay, it is a part of His
unchangeable love, and an article of the new covenant, to keep you
that ye cannot difponej: Him, nor fell Him. He hath not played
faft and loofe with us in the covenant of grace, fo that we may run
from Him at our pleafure. His love hath made the bargain furer
than fo ; for Jefus, as the cautioner, is bound for us. § And it can-

* Rev. xxii. i. f Security.

X Difpofe of, make over. § Heb. vii. 22.

8o LETTER XX. [1631.

not fland with His honour to die in the borrows* (as we ufe to
fay), and lole thee, whom He mufl render again to the Father when
He fhall give up the kingdom to Him. Confent and fay " Amen"
to the promifes, and ye have fealed that God is true, and Chrift is
yours. This is an eafy market. Ye but look on with faith; for
Chrift suffered all, and paid all.

Madam, fearing I be tedious to your Ladyfhip, I mufl: ftop here,
defiring always to hear that your Ladyihip is well, and that ye have
ftill your face up the mountain. Pray for us. Madam, and for Zion,
whereof ye are a part. We expe6l a trial. God's wheat in this
land muft go through Satan's sieve, but their faith fhall not fail. I
am ftill wreflling in our Lord's work, and have been tried and
tempted with brethren who look awry to the Gofpel. Now He
that is able to keep you unto that day preferve your foul, body, and
fpirit, and prefent you before His face with His own Bride, fpotlefs
and blamelefs.

Your Ladyfhip to be commanded always in the Lord Jefus.

S. R.
Anwoth, No'v. 26, 163 1.

XX. — To my Lady Kenmure.

{ASSURANCE OF CHRIST'S LOFE UNDER TRIALS— FULNESS OF
CHRIST— HOPE OF GLORT.)

ADAM, — I am grieved exceedingly that your Ladyfhip
fhould think, or have caufe to think, that fuch as love
you in God, in this country, are forgetful of you. For
myfelf. Madam, I owe to your Ladyfhip all evidences of my high
refpeft (in the fight of my Lord, whofe truth I preach, I am bold
to fay it) for His rich grace in you.

My Communion, put off till the end of a longfome and rainy

* Fail, when He has become fecurity. Borro^.u is ^^ pledge."

1632.] LETTER XX. 81

harveft, and the prefbyterial exercife (as the bearer can inform your
Ladyfhip), hindered me to fee you. And for my people's fake (find-
ing them like hot iron, that cooleth being out of the fire, and that
is pliable to no work), I do not ftir abroad ; neither have I left them
at all, fince your Ladyfhip was in this country, fave at one time
only, about two years ago. Yet I dare not fay but it is a fault,
howbeit no defeft in my affe6lion ; and I truft to make it up again,
fo foon as poilibly I am able to wait upon you.

Madam, I have no new purpofe to write unto you, but of that
which I think (nay, which our Lord thinketh) needful, that one
thing, Mary's good part, which ye have chofen.* Madam, all that
God hath, both Himfelf and the creatures. He is dealing and parting
amongft the fons of Adam. There are none fo poor as that they
can fay in His face, " He hath given them nothing." But there is
no fmall odds betwixt the ^ts given to lawful bairns, f and to
baftards ; and the more greedy ye are in fuiting,J the more willing
He is to give, delighting to be called open-handed. I hope your
Ladyfiiip laboureth to get afTurance of the fureft patrimony, even
God Himfelf. Ye will find in Chriilianity, that God aimeth, in all
His dealings with His children, to bring them to a high contempt
of, and deadly feud with the world, and to fet an high price upon
Chrifl, and to think Him One who cannot be bought for gold, and
well worthy the fighting for. And for no other caufe, Madam,
doth the Lord withdraw from you the childilh toys and the earthly
delights that He giveth unto others, but that He may have you
wholly to Himfelf. Think therefore of the Lord, as of one who
Cometh to woo you in marriage, when ye are in the furnace. He
feeketh His anfwer of you in affliftion, to fee if ye will fay. Even fo
I take Him. Madam, give Him this anfwer pleafantly, and in your
mind do not fecretly grudge nor murmur. When He is firiking
you in love, beware to ftrike again : that is dangerous ; for thofe
who ftrike again fhall get the laft blow.

If I hit not upon the right firing, it is becaufe I am not ac-

* Luke X. 42. t Children. + Soliciting.

VOL.-^I. F

82 LETTER XX. [1632.

quainted with your Ladyfhip's prefent condition ; but I believe your
Ladyfhip goeth on foot, laughing, and putting on a good counte-
nance before the world, and yet ye carry heavinefs about with you.
Ye do well, Madam, not to make them witnefTes of your grief, who
cannot be curers of it. But be exceedingly charitable of your dear
Lord. As there be fome friends worldly of whom ye will not
entertain an ill thought, far more ought ye to believe good evermore
of your dear friend, that lovely fair perfon, Jefus Chrift. The
-thorn is one of the mofl curfed, and angry, and crabbed weeds that
the earth yieldeth, and yet out of it fpringeth the rofe, one of the
fweeteft-fmelled flowers, and mofl: delightful to the eye, that the
earth hath. Your Lord fliall make joy and gladnefs out of your
affliftions ; for all His rofes have a fragrant fmell. Wait for the
time when His own holy hand fliall hold them to your nofe ; and
if ye would have prefent comfort under the crofs, be much in prayer,
for at that time your faith kifl^eth Chrifl, and He kifleth the foul.
And oh ! if the breath of His holy mouth be fweet, I dare be
caution,* out of fome fmall experience, that ye fliall not be beguiled ;
for the world (yea, not a few number of God's children) know
not well what that is which they call a Godhead. But, Madam,
come near to the Godhead, and look down to the bottom of the
well ; there is much in Him, and fweet were that death to drown
in such a well. Your grief taketh liberty to work upon your mind,
when ye are not bufied in the meditation of the ever-delighting
and all-blefled Godhead. If ye would lay the price ye give out
(which is but fome few years pain and trouble) befide the commo-
dities ye are to receive, ye would fee they are not worthy to be laid
in the balance together : but it is nature that maketh you look what
ye give out, and weaknefs of faith that hindereth you to fee what
ye fliall take in. Amend your hope, and friflf your faithful Lord
awhile. He maketh Himfelf your debtor in the new covenant. He
is honeft ; take His word : " Afllicftion fliall not fpring up the
fecond time." J " He that overcometh fliall inherit all things."§

* Security, f Put off your demand. % Nahum i. 9. § Rev. xxi. 7.

1632.] LETTER XXL 83

Of all things, then, which ye want in this life. Madam, I am able
to fay nothing, if that be not believed which ye have in Rev. iii. 5,
21 : " The overcomer {hall be clothed in white raiment. To the
overcomer I will ^ve to fit with Me in My throne, as I overcame,
and am fet down with My Father in His throne." Confider, Madam,
if ye are not high up now, and far ben* in the palace of our Lord,
when ye are upon a throne in white raiment, at lovely Chrifl's elbow.
O thrice fools are we, who, like new-born princes weeping in the
cradle, know not that there is a kingdom before them ! Then let
our Lord's fweet hand fquare us and hammer us, and ftrike off the
knots of pride, felf-love, and world- worfhip, and infidelity, that He
may make us ftones and pillars in His Father's houfe.f Madam,
what think ye to take binding:|: with the fair corner-ffone Jefus ? The
Lord give you wifdom to believe and hope your day is coming. I
hope to be witnefs of your joy, as I have been a hearer and be-
holder of your grief. Think ye much to follow the heir of the
crown, who had experience of forrows, and was acquainted with
grief ? § It were pride to aim to be above the ling's Son : it is
more than we deferve, that we are equals in glory, in a manner.
Now commending you to the deareft grace and mercy of God, I
reft Your Ladyfhip's at all obedience in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth, Jan. 4, 1632.

XXL — To my Lady Kenmure.

{SELF-DENIAL— HOPE OF CHRISTS COMING— LOFING GOD
FOR HIMSELF.)

ADAM, — Underftanding (a little after the writing of
my lafl letter) of the going of this bearer, I would not
omit the opportunity of remembering your Ladyfhip,

* Got far into. *^ Ben" is the inner chamber. f Rev. iii. 12.

X To be united to ; Hke ^' take band" in Let. 18. § Ifa. liii. 3.

84 LETTER XXL [1632.

flill harping upon that ftring, which in our whole lifetime is never
too often touched upon, nor is our lefTon well enough learned, that
there is a neceffity of advancing in the way to the kingdom of God,
of the contempt of the world, of denying ourfelf and bearing of our
Lord's crofs, which is no lefs needful for us than daily food. And
among many marks that we are on this journey, and under fail to-
ward heaven, this is one, when the love of God so filleth our hearts,
that we forget to love, and care not much for the having, or want-
ing of, other things ; as one extreme heat burneth out another. By
this, Madam, ye know, ye have betrothed your foul in marriage to
Chrift, when ye do make but fmall reckoning of all other fuitors
or wooers ; and when ye can (having little in hand, but much in
hope) live as a young heir, during the time of his non-age and
minority, being content to be as hardly handled, and under as precife
a reckoning, as fervants, becaufe his hope is upon the inheritance.
For this caufe God's bairns* take well with fpoiling of their goods,
knowing in themfelves that they have in heaven a better and an
enduring fubftance.f That day that the earth and the works
therein fhall be burned with fire,J your hidden hope and your life
fhall appear. And therefore, fmce ye have not now many years to
your endlefs eternity, and know not how foon the fky above your
head will rive, and the Son of man will be feen in the clouds of
heaven, what better and wifer courfe can ye take, than to think that
your one foot is here, and your other foot in the life to come, and
to leave off loving, defiring, or grieving for the wants that fhall be
made up when your Lord and ye fhall meet, and when ye fhall give
in your bill, that day, of all your wants here ? If your loffes be
not made up, ye have place to challenge the Almighty ; but it fhall
not be fo. Ye fhall then rejoice with joy unfpeakable and full of
glory, and your joy fhall none take from you.§ It is enough, that
the Lord hath promifed you great things, only let the time of be-
ftowing them be in His own carving. It is not for us to fet an hour-

* Children. t Heb. x. 34.

X % Pet. iii. 10. § I Pet i. 8 ; John xvi. 22.

1632.] LETTER XXL 85

glafs to the Creator of time. Since He and we differ only in the
term of payment ; fmce He hath promifed payment, and we believe it,
it is no great matter. We will put that in His own will, as the frank
buyer, who cometh near to what the feller feeketh, ufeth at lafl: to
refer the difference to his own will, and fo cutteth off the courfe of
mutual prigging.* Madam, do not prigg with your frank-hearted
and gracious Lord about the time of the fulfilling of your joys.
It will be ; God hath faid it ; bide His harveft, wait upon His whit-
funday.f His day is better than your day ; He putteth not the
hookj in the corn till it be ripe and full-eared. The great Angel
of the covenant bear you company, till the trumpet fhall found, and
the voice of the Archangel awaken the dead. Ye fhall find it your
only happinefs, under whatever thing difturbeth and croffeth the
peace of your mind, in this life, to love nothing for itfelf, but only
God for Himfelf. It is the crooked love of fome harlots, that they
love bracelets, ear-rings, and rings better than the lover that fendeth
them. God will not fo be loved ; for that were to behave as
harlots, and not as the chafte fpoufe, to abate from our love when
thefe things are pulled away. Our love to Him fhould begin on
earth, as it fhall be in heaven ; for the bride taketh not, by a thoufand
degrees, fb much delight in her wedding garment as fhe doth in her
bridegroom ; fo we, in the life to come, howbeit clothed with glory
as with a robe, fhall not be fo much affefted with the glory that
goeth about us, as with the bridegroom's joyful face and prefence.
Madam, if ye can win§ to this here, the field is won ; and your mind,
for anything ye want, or for anything your Lord can take from
you, fhall foon be calmed and quieted. Get Himfelf as a pawn,
and keep Him, till your dear Lord come and loofe the pawn, and
rue II upon you, and give you all again that He took from you, even
a thoufand talents for one penny. It is not ill to lend God willingly,
who otherwife both will and may take from you againft your will.

* Higgling, chaffering. t His term-day.

X His fickle. In a fermon preached at Kirkmabreck, 1630, he fpeaks of
^' Mowers with the fcythe and hook."

§ Get to. II Take pity upon.

86 LETTER XX 11. [1632.

It is good to play the ufurer with Him, and take in, inftead of ten
of the hundred, an hundred of ten, often an hundred of one.

Madam, fearing to be tedious to you, I break off here, com-
mending you (as I trufl to do while I live), your perfon, ways,
burdens, and all that concerneth you, to that Almighty who is able
to bear you and your burdens. I ftill remember you to Him, who
will caufe you one day to laugh. I expeft that, whatever ye can
do, by word or deed, for the Lord's friendlefs Sion, ye will do it.
She is your mother ; forget her not ; for the Lord intendeth to
melt and try this land, and it is high time we were all upon our
feet, and falling* about to try what claim we have to Chriil:. It is
like the bridegroom will be taken from us, and then we fhall mourn.
Dear Jefus, remove not, elfe take us with Thee. Grace, grace be
with you for ever. Your Ladyfhip at all dutiful obedience,

S. R.

Anwoth, i/^th Jan. 163 a.

XXII.— T*^ John Kennedy .f

{DELIVERANCE FROM SHIPWRECK— RECOVERY FROM THREAT-
ENED DEATH— USE OF TRIALS— REMEMBRANCE OF FRIENDS.)

Y LOVING AND MOST AFFECTIONATE
BROTHER IN CHRIST,— I falute you with grace,
mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and from our
Lord Jefus Chrifl.

I promiied to write to you, and although late enough, yet I
now make it good. I heard with grief of your great danger of
perifhing by the fea, and of your merciful deliverance, with joy.
Sure I am, brother, that Satan will leave no flone unrolled, as the
proverb is, to roll you off your Rock, or at leaft to fhake and un-
fettle you : for at that fame time the mouths of wicked men were
opened in hard fpeeches againft you, by land, and the prince of the

* Searching about. t See Let. 75.

1632.] LETTER XX IL 87

power of the air was angry with you by lea. See then how much
ye are obliged to that malicious murderer, who would beat you with
two rods at one time ; but, blefled be God, his arm is Ihort ; if the
lea and wind would have obeyed him, ye had never come to
land. Thank your God, who faith, " I have the keys of hell and
of death ;"* " I kill, and I make alive ;"t " The Lord bringeth
down to the grave, and bringeth up."{ If Satan were jailor, and
had the keys of death and of the grave, they fhould be ftored
with more prifoners. Ye were knocking at thefe black gates, and
ye found the doors fhut ; and we do all welcome you back again.

I trufl that ye know that it is not for nothing that ye are fent to
us again. The Lord knew that ye had forgotten fomething that was
necelFary for your journey ; that your armour was not as yet thick
enough againfl the ftroke of death. Now, in the ftrength of Jefus
defpatch your bufmefs ; that debt is not forgiven, but frifted :§
death hath not bidden you farewell, but hath only left you for a
fhort feafon. End your journey ere the night come upon you.
Have all in readinefs againft the time that ye muft fail through that
black and impetuous Jordan ; and Jefus, Jefus, who knoweth both
thofe depths and the rocks, and all the coafts, be your pilot. The
laft tide will not wait you for one moment. If ye forget anything,
when your fea is full, and your foot in that fhip, there is no return-
ing again to fetch it. What ye do amifs in your life to-day, ye may
amend it to-morrow ; for as many funs as God maketh to arife
upon you, ye have as many new lives ; but ye can die but once,
and if ye mar, or fpill || that bufmefs, ye cannot come back to mend
that piece of work again. No man fmneth twice in dying ill ; as
we die but once, fo we die but ill or well once. You fee how the
number of your months is written in God's book ; and as one of
the Lord's hirelings, ye muft work till the fhadow of the evening
come upon you, and ye fhall run out your glafs even to the laft
pickle f of fand. Fulfil your courfe with joy, for we take nothing

* Rev. i. 18. t Deut. xxxii. 39. % i Sam. ii. 6.

§ The payment put off. || Spoil or deftroy. 1^ Grain.

LETTER XXIL [1632.

to the grave with us, but a good or evil confcience. And, although
the fky clear after this ftorm, yet clouds will engender another.

Ye contracted with Chrift, I hope, when firfl ye began to fol-
low Him, that ye would bear His crofs. Fulfil your part of the
contract with patience, and break not to Jefus Chrift. Be honefl,
brother, in your bargaining with Him ; for who knoweth better
how to bring up children than our God ? For (to lay afide His
knowledge, of the which there is no finding out) He hath been
practifed in brining up His heirs thefe five thoufand years ; and
His bairns are all well brought up, and many of them are honefl
men now at home, up in their own houfe in heaven, and are entered
heirs to their Father's inheritance. Now, the form of His bringing
up was by chaflifements, fcourging, corre6ting, nurturing -, and fee
if He maketh exception of any of His bairns : * no. His eldefl Son
and His Heir, Jefus, is not excepted.-]- Suffer we mufl ; ere we
were born, God decreed it ; and it is eafier to complain of His de-
cree than to change it. It is true, terrors of confcience caft us
down ; and yet without terrors of confcience we cannot be raifed
up again : fears and doubtings fhake us ; and yet without fears and
doubtings we would foon fleep, and lofe our grips J of Chrifl.
Tribulation and temptations will almoft loofen us to the root ; and
yet, without tribulations and temptations, we can now no more
grow than herbs or corn without rain. Sin, and Satan, and the
world will fay, and cry in our ear, that we have a hard reckoning
to make in judgment ; and yet none of thefe three, except they lie,
dare fay in our face that our fm can change the tenor of the new
covenant. Forward, then, dear brother, and lofe not your grips.
Hold faft the truth : for the world, fell not one dram-weight of
God's truth, efpecially now, when moft men meafure truth by
time, like young feamen fetting their compafs by a cloud ; for now
time is father and mother to truth, in the thoughts and practices of
our evil time. The God of truth eflablifh us ; for, alas ! now there
are none to comfort the prifoners of hope, and the mourners in

* Rev. iii. 19 ; Heb. xii. 7,8. t Heb. ii. 10. % Grafp, firm hold.

1632.] LETTER XX 11. 89

Zion. "We can do little, except pray and mourn for Jofeph in the
ftocks. And let their tongue cleave to the roof of their mouth who
forget Jerufalem now in her day ; and the Lord remember Edom,
and render to him as he hath done to us.

Now, brother, I lliall not weary you ; but I entreat you to
remember my deareft love to Mr David Dickfon, with whom I
have fmall acquaintance ; yet, I blefs the Lord, I know that he
both prayeth and doeth for our dying kirk. Remember my deareft
love to John Stuart, whom I love in Chrifl ; and fhow him from
me, that I do always remember him, and hope for a meeting. The
Lord Jefus eftablifh him more and more, though he be already a
ftrong man in Chrift. Remember my heartiefl afFe6lion in Chrift
to William Rodger,* whom I alfo remember to God. I widi that
the firfl news I hear of him and you, and all that love our com-
mon Saviour in thofe bounds, may be, that they are fb knit and
linked, and kindly faflened in love with the Son of God, that ye
may fay, " Now if ye would ever fo fain efcape out of Chrift's
hands, yet love hath fo bound us, that we cannot get our hands
free again ; He hath fo ravifhed our hearts, that there is no loofen-
ing of His grips ; the chains of His foul-ravifhing love are fo ftrong,
that neither the grave nor death will break them." I hope, brother,
yea, I doubt not of it, that ye lay me, and my firfl entry to the
Lord's vineyard, and my flock, before Him who hath put me into
His work. As the Lord knoweth, fmce firfl I faw you, I have
been mindful of you. Marion M'Naught doth remember mofl
heartily her love to you, and to John Stuart.f BlefTed be the Lord !
that in God's mercy I found in this country fuch a woman, to
whom Jefus is dearer than her own heart, when there be fo many
that cafl Chrifl over their fhoulder. Good brother, call to mind
the memory of your worthy father, now afleep in Chrift ; and, as
his cuftom was, pray continually, and wreftle, for the life of a

* Livingftone in his '^ Memor. Characteriftics" inferts, this godly man, a
merchant in Ayr, after being for a time at Coleraine, in Ireland,
t See Let. 161, addrefled to him.

90 LETTER XX III. [1632.

dying, breathlefs kirk. And defire John Stuart not to forget poor
Zion ; fhe hath few friends, and few to fpeak one good word for her.
Now I commend you, your whole foul, and body, and fpirit,
to Jefus Chrift and His keeping, hoping that ye will live and die,
ftand and fall, with the caufe of our Mafler, Jefus. The Lord
Jefus Himfelf be with your fpirit.

Your loving brother in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, Feb. 2, 1632.

XXIIL — To my Lady Kenmure.

{EXHORTING TO REMEMBER HER ESPOUSAL TO CHRIS7— TRI-
BULATION A PREPARATION FOR THE KINGDOM— GLORT IN
THE END.)

ADAM, — Your Ladyfhip will not (I know) weary nor
offend, though I trouble you with many letters. The
memory of what obligadons I am under to your Lady-
fhip, is the caufe of it.

I am pollibly impertinent in what I write, becaufe of my igno-
rance of your prefent eftate ; but for all that is faid, I have learned
of Mr W. D.* that ye have not changed upon, nor wearied of your
fweet Mafler, Chrift, and His fervice ; neither were it your part to
change upon Him who " refteth in His love." Ye are among
honourable company, and fuch as affedf grandeur and court. But,
Madam, thinking upon your eftate, I think I fee an improvident
wooer coming too late to feek a bride, becaufe fhe is contracted
already, and promifed away to another ; and fo the wooer's bufk-
ingf and bravery (who cometh to you J as " who but he ?") are in
vain. The outward pomp of this bufy wooer, a beguiling world,
is now coming in to fuit§ your foul too late, when ye have pro-

* Mr William Dalgleifh, minifter at Kirkmabreck.

t Decking, adorning. % ^ proverbial exprefTion, as in Herkat's Poem, 84.
' * Then came brave Glory paffing by,
With filks that whittled. Who but he."
§ To woo.

1632.] LETTER XX III, 91

miied away your Ibul to Chrift many years ago. And I know,
Madam, what anfwer ye may now juftly make to the late fuitor -,
even this : " Ye are too long of coming ; my foul, the bride, is
away already, and the contraft with Chrift fubfcribed, and I cannot
choofe, but I muft be honeft and faithful to Him." Honourable lady,
keep your firft love, and hold the firft match with that foul-delight-
ing, lovely Bridegroom, our fweet, fweet Jefus, fairer than all
the children of men, " the Rofe of Sharon," and the faireft and
fweeteft-fmelled rofe in all His Father's garden. There is none
like Him ; I would not exchange one fmile of His lovely face with
kingdoms. Madam, let others take their filly, fecklefs* heaven in
this life. Envy them not ; but let your foul, like a tar rowing f and
miQearned child, take the dortsj (as we ufe to fpeak), or cafl at§
all things and difdain them, except one only : either Chriil or
nothing. Your well-beloved, Jefus, will be content that ye be
here devoutly proud, and ill to pleafe, as one that contemneth all
hulbands but Himfelf. Either the King's Son, or no hufband at
all ; this is humble, and worthy ambition. What have ye to do to
dally with a whorifh and foolifh world ? Your jealous Hufband
will not be content that ye look by || Him to another : He will be
jealous indeed, and offended, if ye kifs another but Himfelf. What
weights do burden you. Madam, I know not ; but think it great
mercy that your Lord from your youth hath been hed^ng in your
outflrajing affe6lions, that they may not go a-whoring from Him-
felf. If ye were His baflard. He would not nurture you fo. If ye
were for the flaughter, ye would be fattened. But be content ;
ye are His wheat, growing in our Lord's field ; ^ and if wheat, ye
muft go under our Lord's threfhing-inflrument, in His barn-floor,
and through His fieve,** and through His mill to be bruifed (as
the Prince of your falvation, Jefus, wasff ), that ye may be found
good bread in your Lord's houfe. Lord Jefus, blefs the fpiritual

* Pithlefs, worthlefs. f Pettifh. % Get fulky.

§ Quarrel with, objed to. || Faft. t Matt. xiii. 25, 38.

** Amos ix. 9. ft I fa. liii. 10.

92 LETTER XXIII. [1632.

hufbandry, and feparate you from the chaff, that dow not bide*
the wind. I am perfuaded your glafs is fpending itfelf by little and
little ; and if ye knew who is before you, ye would rejoice in your
tribulations. Think ye it a fmall honour to fland before the throne
of God and the Lamb ? and to be clothed in white, and to be
called to the marriage fupper of the Lamb? and to be led to the
fountain of living waters, and to come to the Well-head, even God
Himfelf, and get your fill of the clear, cold, fweet, refrefhing water
of life, the King's own well ? and to put up your own fmful hand
to the tree of life, and take down and eat the fweeteft apple in all
God's heavenly paradife, Jefus Chrift, your life and your Lord.''
Up your heart ! fhout for joy ! Your King is coming to fetch you
to His Father's houfe.

Madam, I am in exceeding great heavinefs, God thinking it beft
for my own foul thus to exercife me, thereby, it may be, to fit me
to be His mouth to others. I fee and hear, at home and abroad,
nothing but matter of grief and discouragement, which indeed
maketh my life bitter. And I hope in God never to get my will
in this world. And I expe6f ere long a fiery trial upon the Church ;
for as many men almoft in England and Scotland, as many falfe
friends to Chriff, and as many pulling and drawing to pull the
crown off His holy head ! and for fear that our Beloved ftay
amongfl us (as if His room were more defirable than Himfelf),
men are bidding Him go feek His lodging. Madam, if ye have
a part in filly, friendlefs Zion (as I know ye have), fpeak a word
on her behalf to God and man. If ye can do nothing elfe, fpeak
for Jefus, and ye fhall thereby be a witnefs againft this declining age.
Now, from my very foul, laying and leaving you on the Lord, and
defiring a part in your prayers (as, my Lord knoweth, I remember
you), I deliver over your body, fpirit, and all your neceffities, to
the hands of our Lord, and remain for ever

Your Ladyfhip's in your fweet Lord Jefus and mine,

S. R.

AnwoTH, Feb. 13, 1632.

* Cannot ftand.

1632.] LETTER XXIV. 93

XXIV.— T^or Marion M'Naught.

(CHRIST JND HIS GARDEN— PROFISION OF ORDINANCES IN
THE CHURCH— OUR CHILDREN.)

;EL0VED mistress,— My dearefl love in Chrifl re-
membered to you. Know that Mr Abraham* fhowed
me there is to be a meeting of the bifhops at Edinburgh
fhortly. The caufes are known to themfelves. It is our part to
hold up our hands for Zion. Howbeit, it is reported, they came
fad from court. It is our Lord's wifdom, that His kirk fhould
ever hang by a thread ; and yet the thread breaketh not, being
hanged upon Him who is the fure Nail in David's houfe,f upon
whom all the veflels, great and fmall, do hang; and the Nail (God be
thanked) neither crooketh nor can be broken. Jefus, that Flower
of JefTe fet without hands, getteth many a blaft, and yet withers
not, because He is His Father's noble Rofe, cafting a fweet imell
through heaven and earth, and mufl grow ; and in the fame garden
grow the faints, God's fair and beautiful lilies, under wind and rain,
and all fun-burned, and yet life remaineth at the root. Keep within
His garden, and you fhall grow with them, till the Great Hufband-
man, our dear Mafter Gardener, come and tranfplant you from the
lower part of His vineyard up to the higher, to the very heart of
His garden, above the wrongs of the rain, fun, or wind. And then,
wait upon the times of the blowing of the fweet fouth and north
wind of His gracious Spirit, that may make you caft a fweet fmell
in your Beloved's noftrils ; and bid your Beloved come down to
His garden, and eat of His pleafant fruits. J And He will come.
You will get no more but this until you come up to the Well-head,

* Poffibly, this is Mr Abraham Henderfon, a ftaiinch defender of Pres-
bylery, who in 1605, prefifted, along with eight of his brethren, in convening
at Aberdeen, in face of prohibition, in order to maintain a proteft in behalf of
the Church's inherent right to meet in General Aflembly. (See Forbes'
Apolog. Narration,) p. 136.

t Ifa. xxii. 23. t Cant. iv. 16.

94 LETTER XXIV, [1632.

where you fhall put up your hand and take down the apples of
the tree of life, and eat under the fhadow of that tree. Thefe apples
are fweeter up befide the tree than they are down here in this piece
of a clay prifon-houfe. I have no joy but in the thoughts of thefe
times. Doubt not of your Lord's part and the fpoufe's part ; fhe
fhall be in good cafe. That word fhall ftand, " I fhall be as the
dew to Ifrael : he fhall grow up as the lily, and cafl out his roots
as Lebanon. His branches fhall fpread, his beauty fhall be as the
olive-tree, and his fmell as Lebanon."* Chrift fhall fet up His
colours, and His enfign for the nations, and fhall gather together
the outcafts of Ifrael. f " Then the Lord faid to me. Son of man,
thefe dead bones are the whole houfe of Ifrael : behold, they fay, Our
bones are dried, our hope is loft ; we are cut ofF for our parts.
Therefore prophefy unto them, and fay. Thus faith the Lord God,
Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and caufe you come
up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Ifrael." J
Thefe promifes are not wind, but the breaft of our beloved Chrift,
which we muft fuck and draw comfort out of. Ye have caufe to
pity thofe poor creatures that fland out againfl Chrift, and the build-
ing of His houfe. Silly men ! they have but a fecklefs § and filly
heaven, nothing but meat and cloth, and laugh a day or two in the
world, and then in a moment go down to the grave ; and they
fhall not be able to hinder Chrift's building. He that is Mafter of
work will lead flones || to the wall over their belly.

And for that prefent tumult that the children of this world raife
anent the planting of your town with a paftor, believe and flay
upon God, as you ftill fhame us all in believing. Go forward in
the flrength of the Lord ; and I fay from my Lord, before whom I
fland, have your eyes upon none but the Lord of armies, and the
Lord fhall either let you fee what you long to fee, or then elfe fulfil
your joy more abundantly another way. You and yours, and the

* Hos. xiv. 5,6. t Ifa. xi. 12. X Ezek. xxxvii. 11, 12.

§ No fubftance, or pith, in it, worthlefs.

II Carry (or caufe to be carried) the (tones for building His houfe.

1632.] LETTER XXIV. 95

children of God whom you care for in this town, fhall have as much
of the Son of God's fupper cut and laid upon your trenchers, be
who he will that carveth, as fhall feed you to eternal life. And be
not caft down for all that is done : your reward is laid up with
God. I hope to fee you laugh and leap for joy. Will the temple
be built without din and tumult ? No ; God's flones in His houle
in Germany are laid with blood ; and the Son of God no Iboner
begins to chop and hew flones with His hammer, but as foon the
fword is drawn. If the work were of men, the world would fet
their fhoulders to yours ; but, in Chrift's work, two or three muft
fight againfl a Prefbytery (though His own court) and a city. This
proveth that it is Chrift's errand, and therefore that it fhall thrive.
Let them lay iron chains crofs over the door, — flay, and believe,
and wait, whill* the Lion of the tribe of Judah come. And He
that comes from heaven clothed with the rainbow, and hath the
little book in His hand, when He taketh a gripf of their chains.
He will lay the door on the broadfide,:|: and come in, and go up to
the pulpit, and take the man with Him whom He hath chofen for
His work. Therefore, let me hear from you, whether you be in
heavinefs, or rejoicing under hope, that I may take part of your
grief, and bear it with you, and get part of your joy, which is to
me alfo as my own joy.

And as to what are your fears anent the health or life of your
dear children, lay it upon Chrift's flioulders : let Him bear all.
Loofe your gripsf of them all ; and when your dear Lord pulleth,
let them go with faith and joy. It is a tried faith to kifs a Lord
that is taking from you. Let them be careful, during the fhort time
that they are here, to run and get a grip of the prize. Chrift is
ftanding in the end of their way, holding up the garland of endlefs
glory to their eyes, and is crying, " Run fail, and come and receive."
Happy are they (if their breath ferve them) to run and not to weary,
whill* their Lord, with His own dear hand, puts the crown upon
their head. It is not long days, but good days, that make life glo-

* Till. t A fii-m hold. X Lay it flat.

96 LETTER XXV. L1632.

rious and happy ; and our dear Lord is gracious to us, who fhort-
eneth and hath made the way to glory fhorter than it was , fo that
the crown that Noah did fight for five hundred years, children may
now obtain it in fifteen years. And heaven is in fome fort better for
us now than it was to Noah, for the man Chrift is there now,
who was not come in the flefh in Noah's days. You fhall fhow
this to your children, whom my foul in Chrifi blefTeth, and entreat
them by the mercies of God, and the bowels of Jefus Chrift, to
covenant with Jefus Chrift to be His, and to make up the bond of
friendfhip betwixt their fouls and their Chrift, that they may have
acquaintance in heaven, and a friend at God's right hand. Such a
friend at court is much worth.

Now I take my leave of you, praying my Chrift and your Chrift

to fulfil your joy ; and more graces and bleffings from our fweet

Lord Jefus to your foul, your hufband's and children, than ever I

wrote of the letters of A, B, C, to you. Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in my fweet Mafter, Jefus Chrift,

S. R.

Anwotii, March 9, 1632.

XXV. — To a Gentlewoman at Kirkcudbright, excuftng him/elf from

vifiting.

ISTRESS, — I befeech you to have me excufed if the daily
employments of my calling ftiall hinder me to fee you
according as I would wifh ; for I dare not go abroad,
fince many of my people are fick, and the time of our Communion*
draweth near. But frequent the company of your worthy and
honeft-hearted paftor, Mr Robert (Glendinning), to whom the
Lord hath given the tongue of the learned, to minifter a word in
feafon to the weary. Remember me to him and to your huft)and.
The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Your affectionate friend,

S. R.

* The difpenfing of the Lord's Supper.

1632.1 LETTER XXV I. 97

XXVI. — For Marion M'Naught, after her dangerous ilhiefs.

(USE OF SICKNESS— REPROJCHES— CHRIST OUR ETERNAL
FEAST— FASTING.)

jEARLY BELOVED MISTRESS,— My love in Chrift
remembered. You are not ignorant what our Lord in
His love-vifitation hath been doing with your foul,
even letting you fee a little fight of that dark trance* you muft go
through ere you come to glory. Your life hath been near the
grave, and you were at the door, and you found the door ihut and
fall : your dear Chrift thinking it not time to open thefe gates to
you till you have fought fome longer in His camp. And therefore
He willeth you to put on your armour again, and to take no truce
with the devil or this prefent world. You are little obliged to any
of the two; but I rejoice in this, that when any of the two comes
to fuitf your foul in marriage, you have an anfwer in readinefs to
tell them, — '* You are too long a-coming; I have many a year fmce
promifed my foul to another, even to my deareft Lord Jefus, to
whom I muft be true." And therefore you are come back to us
again to help us to pray for Chrift's fair bride, a marrow J dear to Him.
Be not caft down in heart to hear that the world barketh at
Chrift's ftrangers, both in Ireland and in this land ; they do it be-
caufe their Lord hath chofen them out of this world. And this is
one of our Lord's reproaches, to be hated and ill-entreated by men.
The filly ftranger, in an uncouth § country, muft take with a fmoky
inn and coarfe cheer, a hard bed, and a barking, ill-tongued hoft.
It is not long to the day, and he will to his journey upon the mor-
row, and leave them all. Indeed, our fair morning is at hand,
the day-ftar is near the rifing, and we are not many miles from
home. What matters ill entertainment in the fmoky inns of this

* PafTage. f Woo in marriage. % Companion.

§ Unco^ in other editions ; /.^., ftrange. In his fermons, it is generally
written *^ uncouth." Thus, *^ ftrange and uncouth to fee! " (On Zech. xi. 9.)
VOL. I. G

98 LETTER XXVL [1632.

miserable life ? We are not to ftay here, and we will be dearly
welcome to Him whom we go to. And I hope, when I ftiall fee
you clothed in white raiment, wafhed in the blood of the Lamb,
and fhall fee you even at the elbow of your dearefl Lord and Re-
deemer, and a crown upon your head, and following our Lamb and
lovely Lord whitherfoever He goeth, — you will think nothing of
all thefe days ; and you fhall then rejoice, and no man fhall take
your joy from you. It is certain there is not much fand to run in
your Lord's fand-glafs, and that day is at hand ; and till then your
Lord in this life is giving you fome little feafls.

It is true, you fee Him not now as you fhall fee Him then.
Your well-beloved flandeth now behind the wall looking out at the
window,* and you fee but a little of His face. Then, you fhall fee
all His face and all the Saviour, — a long, and high, and broad Lord
Jefus, the loveliefl perfon among the children of men. O joy of
joys, that our fouls know there is fuch a great fupper preparing for
us even ! Howbeit we be but half-hungered f of Chrift here, and
many a time dine behind noon,l yet the fupper of the Lamb will
come in time, and will be fet before us before we famifli and lofe our
ftomachs. You have caufe to hold up your heart in remembrance
and hope of that fair, long fummer day ; for in this night of your
life, wherein you are in the body abfent from the Lord, Chrifl's fair
moonlight in His word and facraments, in praver, feeling, and holy
conference, hath fhined upon you, to let you fee the way to the
city. I confefs our diet here is but fparing ; we get but taflings of
our Lord's comforts ; but the caufe of that is not becaufe our
Steward, Jefus, is a niggard, and narrow-hearted, but becaufe our
flomachs are weak, and we are narrow-hearted. But the great
feaft is coming, and the chambers of them made fair and wide to
take in the great Lord Jefus. Come in, then. Lord Jefus, to hungry
fouls gaping for thee ! In this journey take the Bridegroom as you
may have Him, and be greedy of His fmalleft crumbs; but, dear

* Cant. ii. 9. t Only half fed with.

X Noon, or a little before it, was then the ufual hour for dinner.

1632.] LETTER XXV 11. 99

Miftrefs, buy none of Chrift's delicates-fpiritual with fin, or fafting
againll: your weak body. Remember you are in the body, and it is
the lodging-houfe ; and you may not, without offending the Lord,
fuffer the old walls of that houfe to fall down through want of
neceffary food. Your body is the dwelling-houfe of the Spirit ; and
therefore, for the love you carry to the fweet Gueft, give a due re-
gard to His houfe of clay. When He loofeth the wall, why not ?
Welcome Lord Jefus ! But it is a fearful fm in us, by hurting the
body by falling, to loofe one flone or the leafl: piece of timber in it ;
for the houfe is not our own. The Bridegroom is with you yet ;
fo fail as that alfo you may feaft and rejoice in Him. I think upon
your magift rates ; but He that is clothed in linen, and hath the
writer's inkhorn by His fide, hath written up their names in heaven
already. Pray and be content with His will ; God hath a council-
houfe in heaven, and the end will be mercy unto you. For the
planting of your town with a godly minifter, have your eye upon
the Lord of the harveft. I dare promife you, God in this life fhall
fill your foul with the fatnefs of His houfe, for your care to fee
Chrlft's bairns fed. And your pofterity fhall know it, to whom I
pray for mercy, and that they may get a name amongfl the living in
Jerufalem; and if God portion them with His bairns, their rent is
fair, and I hope it fhall be fo. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.
Yours ever in Chrifl,

S. R.

Anwoth, Sept. 19, 1632.

XXVn. — To my Lady Kenmure.

(LOVE TO CHRIST AND SUBMISSION TO HIS CROSS— BELIEVERS
KEPT— THE HEAFENLT PARADISE.)

ADAM, — Having faluted you with grace and mercy from
God our Father, and from our Lord Jefus Chrifl, I long
both to fee your Ladyfhip, and to hear how it goeth
you.

loo LETTER XXVII. [1632.

I do remember you, and prefent you and your neceilities to
Him who is able to keep you, and prefent you blamelefs before His
face with joy ; and my prayer to our Lord is, that ye may be fick
of love for Him, who died of love for you, — I mean your Saviour
Jefus. And O fweet were that ficknefs to be foul-fick for Him !
And a living death it were, to die in the fire of the love of that foul-
lover, Jefus ! And, Madam, if ye love Him, ye will keep His com-
mandments ; and this is not one of the leaf!:, to lay your neck
cheerfully and willingly under the yoke of Jefus Chrift. For I
trufl your Ladyfhip did firfl contraft and bargain with the Son of
God to follow Him upon thefe terms, that by His grace ye fhould
endure hardfhip, and fuffer affli6lion, as the foldier of Chrifl. They
are not worthy of Jefus who will not take a blow for their Mafter's
fake. As for our glorious Peace-maker, when He came to make
up the friendfhip betwixt God and us, God bruifed Him, and
jftruck Him ; the fmful world alfo did beat Him, and crucify Him ;
yet He took buffets of both parties, and (honour to our Lord Jefus !)
He would not leave the field for all that, till He had made peace be-
twixt the parties. I perfuade myfelf your fufFerings are but like
your Saviour's (yea, incomparably lefs and lighter), which are
called but a bruifmg of His heel ;* a wound far from the heart.
Your life is hid with Chrift in God,f and therefore ye cannot be
robbed of it. Our Lord handleth us, as fathers do their young
children ; they lay up jewels in a place, above the reach of the
fhort arm of bairns, elfe bairns would put up their hands and take
them down, and lofe them foon : fo hath our Lord done with our
fpiritual life. Jefus Chrifl is the high coffer in the which our Lord
hath hid our life ; we children are not able to reach up our arm fo
high as to take down that life and lofe it ; it is in our Chrifl's hand.
O long, long may Jefus be Lord Keeper of our life ! and happy are
they that can, with the Apoftle,J lay their foul in pawn in the
hand of Jefus, for He is able to keep that which is committed in
pawn to Him againft that day. Then, Madam, fo long as this life

* Gen. iii. 15. f Col. iii. 3. % 2 Tim. i. 12.

1632.] LETTER XXVIL 101

is not hurt, all other troubles are but touches iii the heel. I trufl:
ye will foon be cured. Ye know, Madam, kings have fome ler-
vants in their court that receive not prefent wages in their hand, but
live upon their hopes : the ICing of kings alfo hath fervants in His
court that for the prefent get little or nothing but the heavy crofs of
Chrift, troubles without and terrors within ; but they live upon
hope ; and when it cometh to the parting of the inheritance, they
remain in the houfe as heirs. It is better to be fo than to get pre-
fent payment, and a portion in this life, an inheritance in this world
(God forgive me, that I fhould honour it with the name of an in-
heritance, it is rather a farm-room !*), and then in the end to be
caflen out of God's houfe, with this word, " Ye have received
your confolation, ye will get no more." Alas ! what get they ?
The rich glutton's heaven, f O but our Lord maketh it a £\\\yX
heaven! "He fared well," faith our Lord, "and delicately every
day." O no more ? a fdly heaven ! Truly no more, except that
he was clothed in purple, and that is all. I perfuade myfelf,
Madam, ye have joy when ye think that your Lord hath dealt
more gracioully with your foul. Ye have gotten little in this life,
it is true indeed : ye have then the more to crave, yea, ye have all
to crave ; for, except fome taftings of the firfl fruits, and fome kilTes
of His mouth whom your foul loveth, ye get no more. But I can-
not tell you what is to come. Yet I may fpeak as our Lord doth
of it. The foundation of the city is pure gold, clear as cryflal ; the
twelve ports § are fet with precious flones ; if orchards and rivers
commend a foil upon earth, there is a paradife there, wherein grow-
eth the tree of life, that beareth twelve manner of fruits every month,
which is feven fcore and four harvefls in the year ; and there is
there a pure river of water of life, proceeding out of the throne
of God and of the Lamb -, and the city hath no need of the light of
the fun or moon, or of a candle, for the Lord God Almighty and
the Lamb is the light thereof. Madam, believe and hope for this,
till ye fee and enjoy. Jefus is faying in the Gofpel, Come and fee ;

* Rented room, like a tenant's farm, f Luke xvi. 25. % Poor. § Gates.

I02 LETTER XXVIII. [1633.

and He is come down in the chariot of truth, wherein He rideth
through the world, to conquer men's fouls,* and is now in the
world faying, *' Who will go with Me ? will ye go ? My Father
will make you welcome, and give you houfe-room ; for in My
Father's houfe are many dwelling-places." Madam, confent to go
with Him. Thus I reft, commending you to God's deareft mercy.
Yours in the Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Anwoth.

XXVIII. — To my Lady Kenmure, after the death of a child.

(THE STATE OF THE CHURCH, CAUSE FOR GOD'S DISPLEASURE—
HIS CARE OF HIS CHURCH— THE JEH^S— AFFLICTED SAINTS.)

ADAM, — I am afraid now (as many others are) that, at
the fitting down of our Parliament, f our Lord Jefus
and His fpoufe ihall be roughly handled. And it muft
be fo, fince falfe and declining Scotland, whom our Lord took off
the dunghill and out of hell, and made a fair bride to Himfelf, hath
broken her faith to her fweet Huft^and, and hath put on the fore-
head of a whore. And therefore He faith He will remove. Would
God we could ftir up ourfelves to lay hold upon Him, who, being
highly provoked with the handling He hath met with, is ready to
depart ! Alas ! we do not importune Him by prayer and fupplica-
tion to abide amongft us ! If we could but weep upon Him, and
in the holy pertinacity of faith wreftle with Him, and fay, " We
will not let Thee go," it may be that then. He, who is eafy to be in-
treated, would yet, notwithftanding of our high provocations, con-
defcend to ftay and feed among the lilies, till that fair and defirable
day break, and the ihadows flee away. Ah ! what caufe of mourn-
ing is there, when our gold is become dim, and the vifage of our

* Ps. xlv. 4.

t The Parliament to be held at Edinburgh on 25th June of this year.

1633.] LETTER XXVIIL 103

Nazarites, Ibmetime* whiter than ihow, is now become blacker than
a coal, and Levi's houfe, once comparable to fine gold, is now
changed, and become like veflels in whom He hath no pleafure !
Madam, think upon this, that when our Lord, who hath His hand-
kerchief to wipe the face of the mourners in Zion, fhall come to
wipe away all tears from their eyes. He may wipe yours alio, in the
pafling, amongft others. I am confident. Madam, that our Lord
will yet build a new houfe to Himfelf, of our reje6ted and fcattered
ftones , for our Bridegroom cannot want a wife. Can He live a
widower? Nay, He will embrace both us, the little young fifter,
and the elder fifter, the Church of the Jews ; and there will yet be
a day of it. And therefore we have caufe to rejoice, yea, to fing and
fhout for joy. The Church hath been, fince the world began, ever
hanging by a fmall thread, and all the hands of hell and of the
wicked have been drawing at the thread. But, God be thanked,
they only break their arms by pulling, but the thread is not broken ;
for the fweet fingers of Chrift our Lord have fpun and twifted it.
Lord, hold the thread whole !

Madam, ftir up your hufband to lay hold upon the covenant,
and to do good. What hath he to do with the world .? It is not
his inheritance. Defire him to make homef over, and put to his
hand to lay one ffone or two upon the wall of God's houfe before
he go hence. I have heard alfo. Madam, that your child is re-
moved ; but to have or want is beft, as He pleafeth. Whether fhe
be with you, or in God's keeping, think it all one ; nay, think it the
better of the two by far that fhe is with Him. I truft in our Lord
that there is fomething laid up and kept for you ; for our kind Lord,
who hath wounded you, will not be fo cruel as not to allay the pain
of your green wound; and, therefore, claim Chrift ftill as your
own, and own Him as your One thing. So refiing, I recommend
your Ladyfhip, your foul and fpirit, in pawn to Him who keepeth
His Father's pawns, and will make an account of them faithfully,
even to that faireft amongft the fons of men, our fweet Lord

* Once on a time. f Homewards.

I04 LETTER XXIX. [1633.

Jefus, the fairefl, the fweeteft, the moft delicious Rofe of all His
Father's great field. The fmell of that Rofe perfume your foul !
Your Ladyfhip, in his fweeteft Lord Jefus,
Anvvoth, April I, 1633. S. R.

XXIX.— i^V Marion M'Naught.

(CHRIST WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION-
PRATER.)

EAR SISTER, — I longed much to have conferred with
you at this time. I am grieved at anything in your
houfe that grieveth you -, and fhall, by my Lord's grace,
fuit* my Lord to help you to bear your burden, and to come in be-
hind you, and give you and your burdens a putf up the mountain.
ICnow you not that Chrifl wooeth His wife in the furnace.? "Be-
hold, I have refined thee, but not with filver ; I have chofen thee
in the furnace of affliftion."J He cafteth His love on you when
you are in the furnace of affliflion. You might indeed be cafien
down if He brought you in and left you there ; but when He lead-
eth you through the waters, think ye not that He has a fweet, foft
hand .'' You know His love-grip § already ; you fhall be delivered ,
wait on. Jefus will make a road, and come and fetch home the
captive. You fhall not die in prifon ; but your firokes are fuch as
were your Hufband's, who was wounded in the houfe of His
friends. Strokes were not newings || to Him, and neither are they
to you. But your winter night is near fpent ; it is near-hand f the
dawning. I will fee you leap for joy. The kirk fhall be delivered.
This wildernefs fhall bud and grow up like a rofe. Chrifl got a
charter of Scotland from His Father ; and who will bereave Him of
His heritage, or put our Redeemer out of His mailing,* until His

* Entreat. f Pufh. t Ifa. xh'iii. 10.

§ Grafp, or firm hokl. || News, or new things, f Nigh.
** Mailing J a farm ; fo called IVom mai/y rent.

i633-] LETTER XXX. 105

tack be run out ? I muft have you praying for me : I am black
fhamed for evermore now with Chrift's goodnefs; and in private,
on the 17th and 1 8th of Auguft, I got a full anfwer of my Lord
to be a graced minifter, and a chofen arrow hidden in His own
quiver. But know this, aflurance is not keeped but by watching
and prayer ; and, therefore, dear miftrefs, help me. I have gotten
now (honour to my Lord !) the gate* to open the £lote,f and fhutj
the bar of His door ; and I think it eafy to get anything from the
ICing by prayer, and to ufe holy violence with Him. Chrift was in
Cariphairne§ kirk, and opened the people's hearts wonderfully.
Jefus is looking up that water ; || and minting ^ to dwell amongft
them. I would we could give Him His welcome home to the
moors. Now peace and grace be upon you and all yours.
Yours in Chrift,
Anwoth, Aug. 20, 1633. S* R*

XXX. — To my Lady Kenmure.

(RANK AND PROSPERITY HINDER PROGRESS— fFATCHFULNESS
^CASE OF RELATIVES.)

ADAM, — I determined, and was defirous alfo, to have
feen your ladyfhip, but becaufe of a pain in my arm I
could not. I know ye will not impute it to any un-
fuitable forgetfulnefs of your Ladyfhip, from whom, at my firft
entry to my calling in this country (and fmce alfo), I received fuch
comfort in my affliftion as I truft in God never to forget, and Ihall

* Way. t Bolt.

t Shut, or fhute, or fhoot. Here it is to pufh back the bar fo as to open
the door.

§ The village and church of Carfphairn ftood not far from Kenmure Caftle,
and very near Earlfton and Knockgray. If one travels to it from the fide of
Dalmellington, the road is folitary, dreary, bare, with fteep, rocky hills on
either fide of the glen.

II That river, — the Ken (?). ^ Making as if He would, trying.

io6 LETTER XXX. [1633.

labour by His grace to recompenfe in the only way poffible to me ;
and that is, by prefenting your foul, perfon, houfe, and all your
necefTities, in prayer to Him, whofe I hope you are, and who is able
to keep you till that Day of Appearance, and to prefent you before
His face with joy.

I am confident your Ladyfhip is going forward in the begun
journey to your Lord and Father's home and kingdom. Howbeit
ye want not temptations within and without. And who among the
faints hath ever taken that caille without ftroke of fword? the Chief
of the houfe, our Elder Brother, our Lord Jefus, not being excepted,
who won His own houfe and home, due to Him by birth, with
much blood and many blows. Your Ladyfhip hath the more need
to look to yourfelf, becaufe our Lord hath placed you higher than
the reft, and your way to heaven lieth through a more wild and
wafle wildernefs than the way of many of your fellow-travellers, —
not only through the midfl of this wood of thorns, the cumberfome
world, but alfo through thefe dangerous paths, the vain-glory of it ;
the confideration whereof hath often moved me to pity your foul,
and the foul of your worthy and noble hufband. And it is more to
you to win* heaven, being fhips of greater burden, and in the main
fea, than for little vefTels, that are not fo much in the mercy and
reverencef of the florms, becaufe they may come quietly to their
port by launching alongil the coaft. For the which caufe ye do
much, if in the midft of fuch a tumult of bufmefs, and crowd of
temptations, ye ihall give Chrifl Jefus His own court and His own
due place in your foul. I know and am perfuaded, that that lovely
One, Jefus, is dearer to you than many kingdoms; and that ye
efteem Him your Well-beloved, and the Standard-bearer among
ten thoufand.J And it becometh Him full well to take the place

* Reach.

t " Renjerence" occurs in Lets. Z33 and 298 in the fenfe of *^ power," and
is there fo explained by Jamiefon. It would be q.d., '' giving homage to the
ftorms." A perfon ufed to fay, ** I will not be in your reverence;" />., not
fubmit to your dilation.

X Cant. V. 10.

1633.] LETTER XXX. 107

and the board-head* in your foul before all the world. I knew and
iaw Him with you in the furnace of affli(5fion ; for there he wooed
you to Himfelf, and chofe you to be His ; and now He craveth
no other hire of you but your love, and that He get no caufe to be
jealous of you. And, therefore, dear and worthy lady, be like to
the frefh river, that keepeth its own frefh tafle in the fait fea. This
world is not worthy of your foul. Give it not a good-day when
Chrifl Cometh in competition with it. Be like one of another
country. Home ! and ftay not ; for the fun is fallen low, and nigh
the tops of the mountains, and the fhadows are Ifretched out in
great length. Linger not by the way. The world and fm would
train f you on, and make you turn afide. Leave not the way for
them; and the Lord Jefus be at the voyage !

Madam, many eyes are upon you, and many would be glad
your Ladyfhip fhould fpillf a Chriflian, and mar a good profefTor.
Lord Jefus, mar their godlefs defires, and keep the confcience
whole without a crack ! If there be a hole in it, fo that it take in
water at a leak,§ it will with difficulty mend again. It is a dainty,
delicate creature, and a rare piece of the workmanftiip of your
Maker ; and therefore deal gently with it, and keep it entire, that
amidft this world's glory your Ladyfhip may learn to entertain
Chrifl. And whatfoever creature your Ladyfhip findeth not to fmell
of Him, may it have no better relifh to you than the white of an

Madam, it is a part of the truth of your profeifion to drop
words in the ears of your noble huiband continually, of eternity,
judgment, death, hell, heaven, the honourable profellion, the fms
of his father's houfe. He muft reckon with God for his father's
debt : forgetting of accounts payeth no debt. Nay, the intereft of
a forgotten bond runneth up with God to intereft upon intereff. I
knoweth he looketh homeward, and loveth the truth ; but I pity
him with my foul becaufe of his many temptations. Satan layeth

* Head of the dinner-table. f Draw, entice; the French *^ trainer."
X Spoil. § Spelt ^* leek" in old editions.

io8 LETTER XX XL [1634.

upon men a burden of cares above a load,* and maketh a pack-
horfe of men's fouls when they are wholly fet upon this world.
We owe the devil no fuch fervice. It were wifdom to throw off
that load into a mire, and caft all our cares over upon God.

Madam, think ye have no child. Subfcribe a bond to your
Lord that ihe fhall be His if He take her ; and thanks, and praife,
and glory to His holy name fhall be the interefl for a year's loan of
her. Look for crofTes, and while it is fair weather mend the fails
of the fhip.

Now, hoping your Ladyfhip will pardon my tedioufnefs, I re-
commend your foul and perlbn to the grace and mercy of our fweet
Lord Jefus, in whom I am.

Your Ladyfhip, at all dutiful obedience in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth, No'v. 15, 1633.

XXXI. — To my Lady Kenmure.
(A UNION FOR PRATER RECOMMENDED.)

ADAM, — Having received a letter from fome of the
worthiefl of the miniftry in this kingdom, the contents
whereof I am defired to communicate to fuch profes-
fors in thefe parts as I know love the beauty of Zion, and are
aiflifted to fee the Lord's vineyard trodden under foot by the wild
boars out of the wood, who lay it wafte, I could not but alfo defire
your Ladyfhip's help to join with the reft, defiring you to impart it
to my Lord your hufband, and if ye think it needful, I fhall write
to his Lordfhip, as Mr. G. G.f fhall advertife me.

Know, therefore, that the beft afFefted of the miniflry have

* A burden above a load, or a load above a burden, is a phrafe for a very
heavy weight.

t Mr George Gillefpie; fee Let. 144.

634-] LETTER XXX I. 109

thought it convenient and necefTary, at fuch a time as this, that all
who love the truth ihould join their prayers together, and cry to
God with humiliation and fafting. The times, which are agreed
upon, are the two firft Sabbaths of February next, and the fix
days intervening betwixt thefe Sabbaths, as they may conveni-
ently be had, and the firft Sabbath of every quarter. And the
caufes, as they are written to me, are thefe :

1. Befides the diflreffes of the Reformed churches abroad, the
many reigning fms of uncleannefs, ungodlinefs, and unrighteoufnefs
in this land, the prefent judgments on the land, and many more
hanging over us, whereof few are fenfible, or yet know the right
and true caufe of them.

2. The lamentable and pitiful eftate of a glorious church (in fo
fhort a time, againft fo many bonds), in doftrine, facrament, and
difcipline, fo fore perfecuted, in the perfons of faithful paftors and
profefTors, and the door of God's houfe kept fo flrait by baftard
porters, infomuch that worthy inftruments, able for the work, are
held at the door, the rulers having turned over religion into policy,
and the multitude ready to receive any religion that fhall be enjoined
by authority.

3. In our humiliation, befides that we are under a neceflity of
deprecating God's wrath, and vowing to God fincerely new obedi-
ence, the weaknefs, coldnefs, filence, and lukewarmnefs of fome of
the befl of the miniftry, and the deadnefs of profeffors, who have
fuiFered the truth both fecretly to be flolen away, and openly to
be plucked from us, would be confeffed.

4. Atheifm, idolatry, profanity, and vanity, fhould be confeffed ;
our king's heart recommended to God ; and God intreated, that He
would ftir up the nobles and the people to turn from their evil ways.

Thus, Madam, hoping that your Ladyfhip will join with others,
that fuch a work be not flighted, at fuch a neceflary time, when our
kirk is at the overturning, I will promife to myfelf your help, as the
Lord in fecrecy and prudence fhall enable you, that your Ladyfhip
may rejoice with the Lord's people, when deliverance fhall come ;
for true and fincere humiliation come always fpeed with God. And

no LETTER XXX 11. [1634.

when authority, king, court, and churchmen oppofe the truth, what
other armour have we but prayer and faith ? whereby, if we wreftle
with Him, there is ground to hope that thofe who would remove
the burdenfome flone* out of its place, ihall but hurt their back,
and the flone fhall not be moved, at leaft not removed.

Grace, grace be with you, from Him who hath called you to
the inheritance of the faints in light.

Your Ladyfhip's at all fubmiiTive obedience in his fweet Lord
Jefus.

S. R.

Anwoth, Jan. 23, 1634.

XXXII.— i^(?r Marion M^Naught.
{STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH— SATAN.)

ISTRESS, — My love in Chrifl remembered. I am in
care and fear for this work of our Lord's, now near
approaching, becaufe of the danger of the time ; and I
dare not for my foul be filent, to fee my Lord's houfe burning, and
not cry, ^'Fire, fire ! " Therefore, feek from our Lord wifdom fpiri-
tual, and not black policy, to fpeak with liberty our Lord's truth. — I
am caft down, and would fain have accefs and prefence to The King
that day, even howbeit I Ihould break up iron doors. I believe
you will not forget me ; and you will defire Jean Brown, Thomas
Carfbn, and Marion Carfon, to help me. Pray for well-cooked
meat and an heartfomef Saviour, with joy crying, " Welcome in
My Father's name."

I am confident Zion fhall be well ; the Bufh fhall burn and
not confume, for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bufh.
But the Lord is making on J a fire in Jerufalem, and purpofeth to
blow the bellows, and to melt the tin and brafs, and bring out a

* Zech. xii. 3. f Cheerful. % Making on; putting the fuel in order.

1634.] LETTER XXX I I. iii

fair beautiful bride out of the furnace, that will be married over
again upon the new Huiband, and fing as in the days of her youth,
when the contrail of marriage is written over again. But I fear
the bride be hidden for a time from the dragon that purfueth the
woman with child. But what, howbeit we go and lurk in the
wildernefs for a time ? for the Lord will take His kirk to the wilder-
nefs, and fpeak to her heart.

Nothing cafteth me down, but only I fear the Lord will caft
down the fhepherd's tents, and feed His own in a fecret place. But
let us, however matters frame,* cafl over the affairs of the bride
upon the Bridegroom ; the government is upon His fhoulders, and
He dowf bear us all well enough. That fallen ftar, the prince of the
bottomlefs pit, knoweth it is near the time when he fhall be tor-
mented ; and now in his evening he has gathered his armies, to win
one battle or two, in the edge of the evening, at the fun going down.
And when our Lord has been watering His vineyards in France,
and Germany, and Bohemia, how can we think ourfelves Chrift's
filler, if we be not like Him, and our other great fifters ? I cannot
but think, feeing the ends of the earth are given to Chrifl::f (and
Scotland is the end of the earth, and fo we are in Chrifl's charter-
tailzie§), but our Lord will keep His poiTeflion. We fall by promife
and law to Chrift. He won us with the fweat of His brow, if I
may fay fo ; His Father promifed Him His liferent of Scotland.
Glory, glory to our ICing ! long may He wear His crown. O
Lord, let us never fee another ICing ! O let Him come down like
rain upon the new-mown grafs !

I had you in remembrance on Saturday in the morning laft, in
a great meafure, and was brought, thrice on end,|| in remembrance
of you in my prayer to God. Grace, grace be your portion.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, March 2, 1634.

* Turn out; fucceed. f Is able to. % Ps. ii. 8.

§ Charter of entail. || In fucceflion.

112

LETTERS XXXIIL, XXXIF.

[1634.

XXXIII.— i^cr Marion M^Naught.
{IN PROSPECT OF A COMMUNION SEASON.)

ISTRESS,— My love in Chrift remembered. Pleafe you
underftand, to my grief, our Communion is delayed till
Sabbath come eight days ; for the laird and lady hath
earneftly defired me to delay it, becaufe the laird is fick, and he
fears he be not able to travel, becaufe he has lately taken phyfic.
The Lord blefs that work. Commend it to God as you love me,
for I love not Satan's thorns cafl in the Lord's way. The Lord
rebuke him. I truft in God's mercy, Satan has gotten but a delay,
but no free difcharge that his kingdom fhall not be hurt. Com-
mend the laird to your God. I pray you advertife your people,
that they be not difappointed in coming here. Show fuch of them
as you love in Chrift, from me, that Jefus Chrift will be welcome,
when He comes, in that He has fharpened their defires for eight
days' fpace. Your daughter is well, I hope, every way. Forget
not God's kirk ; they are but baftards, and not fons and daughters,
that mourn not for Zion. Lord hear us ! No further. Jefus
Chrifl be with your fpirit. I fhall remember you and your new
houfe. Lord Jefus go from the one houfe to the other.
Yours at all power in the Lord,

S. R.
Anwoth.

XXXIV.— i^cr Marion M'Naught.

(PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH— CHRIST'S CARE FOR THE
CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— My old and dearefl love in
Chrifl remembered. Know that I have been vifiting
my Lady Kenmure. Her child is with the Lord. I

i634-] LETTER XXXIV. 113

entreat you, vifit her, and defire the good- wife* of Barcapple to
vifit her, and Kjiockbrecks (Mr Gordon), if you fee him in the
town. My Lord her hufband is abfent, and I think fhe will be
heavy. You know what Mr W. Dalgleifh and I defired you to
deal for, at my Lord Kirkcudbright's hand. Send me word if
you obtained anything at my Lord's hands, anent the giving up of
our names to the High Commiffion ; for I hear it is not for nothing
that the Bi(hop hath taken that courfe. Our Lord knows beft what
is good for an old kirk that is fallen from her iirft love, and hath
forgotten her Huiband days without number. A trial is like to
come on ; but I am fure our Huibandman Chrift fhall lofe chafF,
but no corn at all. Yet there is a dry wind coming, but neither
to fan nor to purge. Happy are they who are not blown away
with the chaff, for we will but fuffer temptation for ten days ; but
thofe who are faithful to the death fhall receive the crown of life.
I hear daily what hath been fpoken of myfelf, moft unjuftly and
fallely; and no marvel, — the dragon, with the fwing of his tail,
hath made the third part of the ftars to fall from heaven, and the
fallen ftars would have many to fall with them. If ever Satan was
busy, now, when he knoweth his time is fhort, he is bufy. " Yet a
little while, and He that fhall come will come, and will not tarry."
I know, ere it be long, the Lord fhall come and reddf all pleas
betwixt us and our enemies. Now welcome. Lord Jefus, go fail.

Send me word about Grizel, your daughter, whom I remember
in Chrift •, and defire her to caft herfelf in His arms who was born
of a woman, and, being the Ancient of days, was made a young
weeping child. It was not for nothing that our brother Jefus was
an infant. It was that He might pity infants of believers, who
were to come out of the womb into the world. I believe our
Lord Jefus fhall be waiting on, with mercy, mercy, mercy, to the
end of that battle, and bring her through with life and peace, and

* Like ** the good-man of the houfe," Luke xii. 39 ; one of the indepen-
dent yeomanry of the day. Barcaple is in the ftewartry of Kircudbright, in
the parifh of Tongueland.

t Settle, clear up.

VOL. I. H

114 LETTER XXXV. [1634.

a fign of God's favour. I will expeft advertifement from you, and
efpecially if you fear her. Miflrefs, you remember that I faid to
you anent your love to me and my brother, begun in Chrift ; you
know we are here but ft rangers, and you have not yet found us a
dry well, as others have been. Be not overcome of any fufpicion.
I truft in God that the Lord, who knit us together, fhall keep us
together. It is time now that the lambs of Jefus fhould all run
together, when the wolf is barking at them ; yet I know, ere God's
bairns want a crofs, their love amongst themfelves fhall be a crofs ;
but our Lord giveth love for another end. I know you will, with
love, cover infirmities ; and our Lord ^ve you wifdom in all things.
I think love hath broad fhoulders, and will bear many things, and
yet neither faint nor fweat, nor fall under the burden.

Commend me to your hufband and dear Grizel. I think on
her. Lord Jefus be in the furnace with her, and then fhe will but
fmoke and not burn. Defire Mr Robert* to excufe my not feeing
of him at his houfe. I have my own reafons therefor.f Grace,
mercy, and peace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus, n -p

Anwoth, April 2$, 1634-

XXX\^. — To my Lady Kenmure, o?i the death of a child.

{GOD MEASURES OUR DATS—BEREAFEMENTS RIPEN US FOR
THE HARVEST.)

ADAM, — All fubmiilive and dutiful obedience in our
Lord Jefus remembered. I truft I need not much en-
treat your Ladyfhip to look to Him who hath ftricken
you at this time -, but my duty, in the memory of that comfort I
found in your Ladyfhip's kindnefs, when I was no lefs heavy (in a
cafe not unlike that), fpeaketh to me to fay fomething now. And I

* Mr Robert Glendinning, the minifter.

t For this; as in our metre verfion, Ps. cvi. 40, etc.

1634.] LETTER XXXV. 115

vvifh I could eafe your Ladyfhip, at leafl: with words. I am per-
fuaded your Phyfician will not flay you, but purge you, feeing He
calleth Himfelf the Chirurgeon, who maketh the wound and bindeth
it up again ; for to lance a wound is not to kill, but to cure the
patient.* I believe faith will teach you to kifs a ftriking Lord ; and
fo acknowledge the fovereignty of God (in the death of a child) to
be above the power of us mortal men, who may pluck up a flower
in the bud, and not be blamed for it. If our dear Lord pluck up
one of His rofes, and pull down four and green fruit before harvefl,
who can challenge Him ? For He fendeth us to His world, as men
to a market, wherein fome fl:ay many hours, and eat and drink, and
buy and fell, and pafs through the fair, till they be weary ; and fuch
are thofe who live long and get a heavy fill of this life. And others
again come flipping in to the morning market, and do neither fit nor
fl:and, nor buy nor fell, but look about them a little, and pafs
prefently home again ; and thefe are infants and young ones, who
end their fliort market in the morning, and get but a fliort view of
the fair. Our Lord, who hath numbered man's months, and fet
him bounds that he cannot pafs,f hath written the length of our
market, and it is eafier to complain of the decree than to change it.
I verily believe, when I write this, your Lord hath taught your
Ladyfliip to lay your hand on your mouth. But I fliall be far from
defiring your Ladyfliip, or any others, to cafl by a crofs, like an old
ufelefs bill that is only for the fire ; but rather would wifli each
crofs were looked in the face feven times, and were read over and
over again. It is the meflenger of the Lord, and fpeaks fomething ;
and the man of underflanding will hear the rod, and Him that hath
appointed it. Try what is the tafl:e of the Lord's cup, and drink
with God's blefling, that ye may grow thereby. I trufl in God,
whatever fpeech it utter to your foul, this is one word in it, — " Be-
hold, blefl^ed is the man whom God correfteth ;"J and that it faith
to you, " Ye are from home while here ; ye are not of this world,

* Deut. xxxii. 39 \ i Sam. ii. 6; Job v. 18 ; Hos. vi. i.
tjobxiv. 5. tjobv. 17.

1 16 LETTER XXXV I. [1634.

as your Redeemer, Chrifl, was not of this world." There is some-
thing keeping for you, which is worth the having. All that is here
is condemned to die, to pafs away like a fnow-ball before a fummer
fun ; and fmce death took firfl pofleffion of fomething of yours, it
hath been and daily is creeping nearer and nearer to yourfelf, how-
beit with no noife of feet. Your Hufbandman and Lord hath lopped
off fome branches already ; the tree itfelf is to be tranfplanted to
the high garden. In a good time be it. Our Lord ripen your
Ladyfhip. All thefe crofTes (and indeed, when I remember them,
they are heavy and many, — peace, peace be the end of them !) are
to make you white and ripe for the Lord's harvefl-hook. I have
feen the Lord weaning you from the breafls of this world. It was
never His mind it fhould be your patrimony ; and God be thanked
for that. Ye look the liker one of the heirs. Let the moveables
go ; why not ? They are not yours. Fallen your grips* upon
the heritage ; and our Lord Jefus make the charters fure, and ^ve
your Ladyfhip to grow as a palm-tree on God's mount Zion ; how-
beit fhaken with winds, yet the root is fail:. This is all I can do,
to recommend your cafe to your Lord, who hath you written upon
the palms of His hand. If I were able to do more, your Ladyfhip
may believe me that gladly I would. I truft fhortly to fee your
Ladyfhip. Now He who hath called you, confirm and Aablifh your
heart in grace unto the Day of the Liberty of the Sons of God.
Your Ladyfhip at all fubmifTive obedience in his fweet Lord Jefus,
Anwoth, April 2<), 1634. S. R.

XXXVI.— i^or Marion M^Naught.
{CHOICE OF A COMMISSIONER FOR PARLIAMENT.)

ELL-BELOVED MISTRESS,— My love in Chrift re-
membered. I hear this day your town is to choofe a
commifTioner for the Parliament ; and I was written to

* Firm grafp.

1634.] LETTER XX XV 11. 117

from Edinburgh, to fee that good men fhould be chofen in your
bounds. And I have heard this day that Robert Glendoning or
John Ewart look to be chofen. I befeech you fee this be not. The
Lord's caufe craveth other witnefFes to fpeak for Him than fuch
men ; and, therefore, let it not be faid that Kirkcudbright, which is
fpoken of in this kingdom for their religion, hath fent a man to be
their mouth that will fpeak againft Chrifl. Such a time as this will
not fall out once in half an age. I would intreat your hufband to
take it upon him. It is an honourable and neceffary fervice for
Chrift ; and ihew him that I wrote unto you for that effe(ft. I fear
William Glendoning hath not fkill and authority. I am in great
heavinefs. Pray for me, for we muft take our life in our hand in
this ill time. Let us flir up ourfelves, to lay our Lord's bride and
her wrongs before our Hufband and Lord. Lord Jefus be with
your fpirit.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, May 20.

XXXVIL — To my Lady Kenmure.

{ON THE DEATH OF LORD KENMURE— DESIGNS OF AND
DUTIES OF AFFLICTION)

Y VERY NOBLE AND WORTHY LADY,— So oft

as I call to mind the comforts that I myfelf, a poor
friendlefs Granger, received from your Ladyihip here
in a flrange part of the country, when my Lord took from me the
delight of mine eyes,* as the Word fpeaketh (which wound is not
yet fully healed and cured), I truft your Lord fhall remember that,
and give you comfort now at fuch a time as this, wherein your
deareil Lord hath made you a widow, that ye may be a free

* Ezek. xxiv. 16.

ii8 LETTER XXXVII. [1634.

woman for Chrift, who is now fuiting for marriage-love of you.
And therefore, fmce you lie alone in your bed, let Chrifl be as a
bundle of myrrh, to fleep and lie all the night betwixt your breafts,*
and then your bed is better filled than before. And feeing, amongft
all croffes fpoken of in our Lord's Word, this giveth you a parti-
cular right to make God your Hufband (which was not fo yours
while your hufband was alive), read God's mercy out of this
vifitation. And albeit I muft out of fome experience fay, the
mourning for the huiband of your youth be, by God's own mouth,
the heaviefl worldly forrow ;f and though this be the weightielf
burden that ever lay upon your back ; yet ye know (when the fields
are emptied and your hufband now afleep in the Lord), if ye fhall
wait upon Him who hideth His face for a while, that it lieth upon
God's honour and truth to fill the field, and to be a Hufband to the
widow. See and confider then what ye have lofi, and how little it
is. Therefore, Madam, let me intreat you, in the bowels of Chrift
Jefus, and by the comforts of His Spirit, and your appearance
before Him, let God, and men, and angels now fee what is in
you. The Lord hath pierced the vefTel ; it will be known whether
there be in it wine or water. Let your faith and patience be feen,
that it may be known your only beloved firfl and laft hath been
Chrifi. And, therefore, now ware J your whole love upon Him ;
He alone is a luitable obje6l for your love and all the afFeftions of
your foul. God hath dried up one channel of your love by the
removal of your hufband. Let now that fpeat§ run upon Chrift.
Your Lord and lover hath gracioufly taken out your hufband's
name and your name out of the fummonfes that are raifed at the
inftance of the terrible fm-revenging Judge of the world againft the
houfe of the Kenmure. And I dare fay that God's hammering of
you from your youth is only to make you a fair carved ftone in the
high upper temple of the New Jerufalem. Your Lord never
thought this world's vain painted glory a gift worthy of you ; and

* Cant. i. 13. t Joel '• 8. + To ^uare, is to expend.

§ Flood; often written _>$>«//. It is the Celtic ^<?/W, a great river-flood.

1634.] LETTER XXXV 11. 119

therefore would not bellow it on you, becaufe He is to propine*
you with a better portion. Let the moveables go ; the inheritance
is yours. Ye are a child of the houfe, and joy is laid up for you ;
it is long in coming, but not the worfe for that. I am now expell-
ing to fee, and that with joy and comfort, that which I hoped of
you fmce I knew you fully, even that ye have laid fuch flrength
upon the Holy One of Ifrael, that ye defy troubles, and that your
foul is a caftle that may be befieged, but cannot be taken. What
have ye to do here ? This world never looked like a friend upon
you. Ye owe it little love. It looked ever four-like upon you.
Howbeit ye ihould woo it, it will not match with you ; and
therefore never feek warm fire under cold ice. This is not a field
where your happinefs groweth ; it is up above, where there are a
great multitude, which no man can number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, ilanding before the throne and
before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their
hands.f What ye could never get here ye fhall find there. And
withall confider how in all thefe trials (and truly they have been
many) your Lord hath been loofmg you at the root from perifhing
things, and hunting after you to grip J your foul. Madam, for the
Son of God's fake, let Him not mifs His grip,:}: but flay and abide
in the love of God, as Jude faith. §

Now, Madam, I hope your Ladyihip will take thefe lines in good
part ; and wherein I have fallen fhort and failed to your Ladyihip,
in not evidencing what I was obliged to you more-than-undeferved
love and refpe6l, I requefl for a full pardon for it. Again, my
dear and noble lady, let me befeech you to lift up your head, for
the day of your redemption draweth near. And remember, that
fiar that fhined in Galloway is now fhining in another world. Now
I pray that God may anfwer, in His own flyle, to your foul, and that
He may be to you the God of all confolations. Thus I remain,
Your Ladyfhip's at all dutiful obedience in the Lord,

Anwoth, Sept. 14, 1634. S. R.

* Prefent. f R^v. vi". 9. % Take firm hold of. § Jude ver. 21.

120 LETTER XXXVIIL [1634.

XXXyill.—To Marion M^Naught.

(CHRIST'S CARE OF HIS CHURCH, AND HIS JUDGMENTS ON

HER ENEMIES.)

ISTRESS, — My dearefl love in Chrifl remembered. I
entreat you charge your foul to return to reft, and to
glorify your dearefl Lord in believing ; and know that
for the good- will of Him that dwelleth in the bufh, the burning kirk
Ihall not be confumed to afhes -, but " BleiTmg fhall come on the
head of Jofeph, and upon the top of the head of him that was
feparate from his brethren."* And are not the faints feparate from
their brethren, and fold and hated? " For the archers have forely
grieved Jofeph, and fhot at him and hated him •, but his bow abode
in ftrength, and the arms of his hands were made ftrong by the
hands of the mighty God of Jacob."f From Him is the Shepherd
and the Stone of Ifrael. The Stone of Ifrael fhall not be broken in
pieces ; it is hammered upon by the children of this world, and we
fhall live and not die. Our Lord hath done all this, to fee if we will
believe, and not give over ; and I am perfuaded you mufl of neces-
iity flick by your work. The eye of Chrifl hath been upon all this
bufmefs ; and He taketh good heed to who is for Him, and who is
againfl Him. Let us do our part, as we would be approved of
Chrifl. The Son of God is near to His enemies. If they were
not deaf, they may hear the dinn of His feet ; and He will come
with a ftart upon His weeping bairns, and take them on His knee,
and lay their head in His bofom, and dry their watery eyes. And
this day is fafl coming. " Yet a little time, and the vifion will fpeak,
it will not tarry."J Thefe queftions betwixt us and our adverfaries
will all be decided in yonder day, when the Son of God fhall come,
and redd all pleas ; § and it will be feen whether we or they have

* Deut. xxxiii. 16. f Gen. xlix. 23, 24. ; Hab. ii. .3.

§ Settle all difputed cafes.

1634-] LETTER XXXVIII. 121

been for Chrift, and who have been pleading for Baal. It is not
known what we are now ; but when our Life ihall appear in glory,
then we ihall fee who laughs faftefl that day. Therefore, we muft
poflefs our fouls in patience, and go into our chamber and reft,
whill* the indignation be paft. We fhall not weep long when our
Lord fhall take us up, in the day that He gathereth His jewels.
" They that feared the Lord fpoke often one to another, and the
Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was
written before Him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought
upon His name."f I fhall never be of another faith, but that our
Lord is heating a furnace for the enemies of His kirk in Scotland.
It is true the fpoufe of Chrift hath played the harlot, and hath left
her iirft Hufband, and the enemies think they offend not, for we
have fmned againft the Lord ; but they fhall get the devil to their
thanks. The rod fhall be caft into the fire, that we may fmg as in
the days of our youth. My dear friend, therefore, lay down your
head upon Chrift's breaft. Weep not ; the Lion of the tribe of
Judah will arife. The fun is gone down upon the prophets, and
our gold is become dim, and the Lord feedeth His people with
waters of gall and wormwood ; yet Chrift ftandeth but behind the
wall. His bowels are moved for Scotland. He waiteth, as Ifaiah
faith, that He may fhow mercy. If we could go home, and take
our brethren with us, weeping with our face towards Zion, afking
the way thitherward. He would bring back our captivity. We
may not think that God has no care of His honour, while men
tread it under their feet ; He will cloth Himfelf with vengeance, as
with a cloak, and appear againft our enemies for our deliverance.
Ye were never yet beguiled, and God will not now begin with you.
Wreftle ftill with the angel of the covenant, and you fhall get the
blefling. Fight ! He delighteth to be overcome by wreftling.

Commend me to Grizel. Defire her to learn to know the ad-
verfaries of the Lord, and to take them as her adverfaries, and to
learn to know the right gate J into the Son of God. O but acquaint-

* Till. t Mai. iii. 16. % Way to go to.

122 LETTER XXXIX. [1634.

ance with the Son of God, to fay, " My Well-beloved is mine, and
I am His," is a fweet and glorious courfe of life, that none know
but thofe who are fealed and marked in the forehead with Chrift's
mark, and the new name, that Chrifl writeth upon His own.
Grace, grace, and mercy be with you.

Yours in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth, Sept, ^Sy 1634.

XXXIX. — To my Lady Kenmure.
(PREPARATION FOR DEATH AND ETERNITY).

I ADAM, — All dutiful obedience in our Lord remembered.
I know ye are now near one of thofe ftraits in which
ye have been before. But becaufe your outward com-
forts are fewer, I pray Him, whofe ye are, to fupply what ye want
another way. For howbeit we cannot win* to the bottom of His
wife providence, who ruleth all •, yet it is certain this is not only good
which the Almighty hath done, but it is beft. He hath reckoned
all your Heps to heaven-, and if your Ladyfhip were through this
water, there are the fewer behind ; and if this were the laft, I hope
your Ladyfhip hath learned by on-waiting to make your acquaintance
with death, which being to the Lord, the woman's feed, Jefus, only
a bloody heel and not a broken head,f cannot be ill to His friends,
who get far lefs of death than Himfelf. Therefore, Madam, fee-
ing ye know not but the journey is ended, and ye are come to the
water-fide, in God's wifdom look all your papers and your counts,
and whether ye be ready to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little
child, in whom there is little haughtinefs and much humility. I
would be far from discouraging your Ladyfhip ; but there is an ab-
folute neceffity that, near eternity, we look ere we leap, feeing no

* Get at. t Gen. iii. 15.

1634.] LETTER XXX IX. 123

man winneth back again to mend his leap. I am confident your
Ladyfhip thinketh often upon it, and that your old Guide fhall go
before you and take your hand. His love to you will not grow
four, nor wear out of date, as the love of men, which groweth old
and gray-haired often before themfelves. Ye have fo much the
more reafon to love a better life than this, becaufe this world
hath been to you a cold fire, with little heat to the body, and as
little light, and much fmoke to hurt the eyes. But, Madam, your
Lord would have you thinking it but dry breads, full of wind and
empty of food. In this late vifitation that hath befallen your Lady-
fhip, ye have feen God's love and care, in fuch a meafure that I
thought our Lord brake the fharp point off the crofs, and made us
and your Ladyfhip fee Chrift take poffefTion and infeftment upon
earth, of him who is now reigning and triumphing with the hundred
forty and four thoufand who ftand with the Lamb on Mount Zion.
I know the fweetefl of it is bitter to you ; but your Lord will not ^ve
you painted crofles. He pareth not all the bitternefs from the crofs,
neither taketh He the fharp edge quite from it ; then * it fhould be
of your waling f and not of His, which fhould have as little reason
in it as it ihould have profit for us. Only, Madam, God commandeth
you now to believe and cafl anchor in the dark night, and climb up
the mountain. He who hath called you, eftablifh you and confirm
you to the end.

I had a purpofe to have vifited your Ladyfhip -, but when I
thought better upon it, the truth is, I cannot fee what my company
would profit you ; and this hath broken off my purpofe, and no
other thing. I know many honourable friends and worthy pro-
fefibrs will fee your Ladyfhip, and that the Son of God is with you,
to whofe love and mercy, from my foul, I recommend your Lady-
fhip, and remain,

Your Ladyfhip's at all dutiful obedience in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Anwoth, aw. 29, 1634.

*■ In that cafe. f Choofmg, felecting.

24 LETTER XL. [1634.

XL. — To my Lady Kenmure.

(WHEN MR RUTHERFORD HAD THE PROSPECT OF BEING
REMOVED FROM ANWOTH.)

ADAM, — My humble obedience in the Lord remembered.
Know it hath pleafed the Lord to let me fee, by all ap-
pearance, that my labours in God's houfe here are at
an end ; and I muft now learn to fuffer, in the which I am a dull
fcholar. By a flrange providence, fome of my papers, anent the
corruptions of this time, are come to the King's hand. I know, by
the wife and well-afFe6led I fhall be cenfured as not wife nor circum-
fpecH: enough ; but it is ordinary, that that fhould be a part of the crofs
of thofe who fufFer for Him. Yet I love and pardon the inflrument ;
I would commit my life to him, howbeit by him this hath befallen
me. But I look higher than to him. I make no queflion of your
Ladyfhip's love and care to do what ye can for my help, and am
perfuaded that, in my adverfities, your Ladyfhip will wifh me well.
I feek no other thing but that my Lord may be honoured by me in
^ving a teflimony. I was willing to do Him more fervice; but
feeing He will have no more of my labours, and this land will thruft
me out, I pray for grace to learn to be acquaint with milery, if I
may ^ve fo rough a name to fuch a mark of thofe who fhall be
crowned with Chrift. And howbeit I will poffibly prove a faint-
hearted, unwife man in that, yet I dare fay I intend otherwife; and
I defire not to go on the lee-fide or funny fide of religion, or to
put truth betwixt me and a florm: my Saviour did not fo for
me, who in His fufFering took the windy fide of the hill. No
farther; but the Son of God be with you.

Your Ladyfhip's in the Lord Jefus,

S. R.

AnwoTH, Dec. 5, 1 634'

634-] LETTER XLL 125

^lA.—For Marion M'Naught.

{THE CHURCH'S TRIALS— COMFORT UNDER TEMPTATIONS-
DELIVERANCE— A MESSAGE TO THE YOUNG.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— My love in Chrift remem-
bered. I hear of good news anent our kirk ; but I
fear that our King will not be refifted, and therefore
let us not be fecure and carelefs. I do wonder if this kirk come
not through our Lord's fan, fmce there is fo much chafFin it ; how-
beit I perfuade myfelf, the Son of God's wheat will not be blown
away. Let us be putting on God's armour, and be ftrong in the
Lord. If the devil and Zion's enemies flrike a hole in that armour,
let our Lord fee to that -, — let us put it on, and ftand. We have
Jefus on our fide ; and they are not worthy fuch a Captain, who
would not take a blow, at His back. We are in fight of His colours -,
His banner over us is love ; look up to that white banner, and (land,
I perfuade you, in the Lord of viflory.

My brother writeth to me of your heavinefs, and of temptations
that prefs you fore. I am content it be fo : you bear about with
you the mark of the Lord Jefus. So it was with the Lord's apoAle,
when he was to come with the Gofpel to Macedonia : * his flefh had
no refl ; he was troubled on every fide, and knew not what fide to
turn him unto ; without were fightings, and within were fears. In
the great work of our redemption, your lovely, beautiful, and glo-
rious Friend and Well-beloved Jefus, was brought to tears and
ftrong cries ; fo as His face was wet with tears and blood, arifing
from a holy fear and the weight of the curfe. Take a drink of the
Son of God's cup, and love it the better that He drank of it before
you. There is no poifon in it. I wonder many times that ever a
child of God fhould have a fad heart, confidering what their Lord
is preparing for them.

* 2 Cor. vii. 5.

126 LETTER XLL [1634.

Is your mind troubled anent that bufinefs that we have now in
hand in Edinburgh ?* I truft in my Lord, the Lord fhall in the
end give to you your heart's defire ; even howbeit the bufmefs
frame f not, the Lord fhall feed your foul, and all the hungry fouls
in that town. Therefore I requeft you in the Lord, pray for a fub-
miiTive will, and pray as your Lord Jefus bids you, " Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven." And let it be that your faith be
brangledj with temptations, believe ye that there is a tree in our
Lord's garden that is not often fhaken with wind from all the four
airts ?§ Surely there is none. Rebuke your foul, as the Lord's
prophet doth : ** Why art thou cafl down, O my foul ? why art
thou difquieted within me ?"|| That was the word of a man who
was at the very overgoing of the brae^I and mountain ; but God
held a grip of him. Swim through your temptations and troubles
to be at that lovely, amiable perfon, Jefus, to whom your foul is
dear. In your temptations run to the promifes : they be our Lord's
branches hanging over the water, that our Lord's filly, half-drowned
children may take a grip of them ; if you let that grip go, you will
fall to the ground. Are you troubled with the cafe of God's
kirk ? Our Lord will evermore have her betwixt the fmking and
the fwimming. He will have her going through a thoufand deaths,
and through hell, as a cripple woman, halting, and wanting the
power of her one fide,** that God may be her ftaff. That broken
fhip will come to land, becaufe Jefus is the pilot. Faint not ; you
fhall fee the falvation of God, — elfe fay, that God never fpake His
word by my mouth ; and I had rather never have been born, ere
it were fo with me. But my Lord hath fealed me. I dare not deny
I have alfo been in heavinefs fince I came from you, fearing for my
unthankfulnefs that I be deferted. But the Lord will be kind to
me, whether I will or not. I repofe thatff much in His rich grace,

* Referring to the efforts then making by feveral eminent Prefbylerian
minifters, to obtain redrefs from grievances inflicted by the prelatic party,
t Yet even if it turn out not fo (as in Let. 187); fucceed.
X Shaken. § Quarters of the heavens. || Ps. xlii. 11.

^ Hill-fide. ** Micah iv. 6, 7. tt So much.

1634.] LETTER XLL 127

that He will be loath to change upon me. As you love me, pray
for me in this particular.

After advifmg with Carletoun, I have written to Mr David
Dicklbn anent Mr Hugh M'Kail,* and defired him to write his mind
to Carletoun, and Carletoun to Edinburgh, that they may particu-
larly remember Mr Hugh to the Lord ; and I happened upon a
convenient trufty bearer by God's wonderful providence. No
further. I recommend you to the Lord's grace, and your hufband
and children. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.
Yours in the Lord,

S. R.
Edinburgh, 1634.

P.S. — Mistress, — I had not time to give my advice to your
daughter Grizel ; you fhall carry my words therefore to her. Show
her now, that in refpeft of her tender age, ihe is in a manner as clean
paper, ready to receive either good or ill ; and that it were a fweet
and glorious thing for her to give herfelf up to Chrifl, that He may
write upon her His Father's name, and His own new name. And
defire her to acquaint herfelf with the book of God ; the promifes
that our Lord writes upon His own, and performeth in them and for
them, are contained there. I perfuade you, when I think that fhe is
in the company of fuch parents, and hath occafion to learn Chrift, I
think Chrifl is wooing her foul ; and I pray God fhe may not refufe
fuch a hufband. And therefore I charge her, and befeech her by
the mercies of God, by the wounds and blood of Him who died
for her, by the word of truth, which fhe heareth, and can read,
by the coming of the Son of God to judge the world, that fhe
would fulfil your joy, and learn Chrifl, and walk in Chrifl. She
fhall think this the truth of God many years after this ; and I will
promife to myfelf, in refpeft of the beginnings that I have feen,
that fhe fhall give herfelf to Him that gave Himfelf for her. Let
her begin at prayer ; for if fhe remember her Creator in the days

* See Let. 71.

128 LETTER XL 11. [1634.

of her youth, He will claim kindnefs to her in her old age. It fhall
be a part of my prayers, that this may be efFeftual in her, by Him
who is able to do exceeding abundantly, to whofe grace again I
recommend you, and her, and all yours.

XLII. — To my Lady Kenmure.

{THE WORLD PASSETH AJVAT— SPECIAL PORTIONS OF THE
IVORD FOR THE AFFLICTED— CALL TO KIRKCUDBRIGHT.)

ADAM, — The caufe of my not writing to your Ladyfhip
was not my forgetfulnefs of you, but the want of the
opportunity of a convenient bearer ; for I am under
more than a fimple obligation to be kind (on paper, at leaft) to
your Ladyfhip. I blefs our Lord, through Chrifl, who hath
brought you home again to your own country from that place,*
where ye have feen with your eyes that which our Lord's truth
taught you before, to wit, that worldly glory is nothing but a vapour,
a fhadow, the foam of the water, or fomething lefs and lighter, even
nothing ; and that our Lord hath not without caufe faid in His
Word, "The countenance," or fafhion, *'of this world pafTeth
away,"f — in which place our Lord compareth it to an image in a
looking-glafs, for it is the looking-glafs of Adam's fons. Some
come to the glafs, and fee in it the pidlure of honour, — and but a
picture indeed, for true honour is to be great in the fight of God ;
and others fee in it the fhadow of riches, — and but a fhadow indeed,
for durable riches ftand as one of the maids of Wifdom upon her
left hand ;J and a third fort fee in it the face of painted pleafiires,
and the beholders will not believe but the image they fee in this
glafs is a living man, till the Lord come and break the glafs in
pieces and remove the face, and then, like Pharaoh awakened, they
fay, "And behold it was a dream." I know your Ladyfhip thinketh

* Edinburgh. t i Cor. vii. 31. % Prov. iii. 16.

1634.] LETTER XLIL 129

yourfelf little in the common* of this world, for the favourable
afpeft of any of thefe three painted faces ; and bleffed be our Lord
that it is fo. The better for you, Madam ; they are not worthy to
be wooers, to fuitf in marriage your foul, that look to no higher
match than to be married upon painted clay. Know, therefore.
Madam, the place whither our Lord Jefus cometh to woo a bride,
it is even in the furnace : for if ye be one of Zion's daughters
(which I ever put beyond all queftion, fince I firfl had occaflon to
fee in your Ladyihip fuch pregnant evidences of the grace of God),
the Lord, who hath His fire in Zion, and His furnace in Jerufalem, J
is purifying you in the furnace. And therefore be content to live
in it, and every day to be adding and fewing-to a pafment§ to your
wedding garment, that ye may be at laft decored |1 and trimmed as
a bride for Chrift, a bride of His own bufking, beautified in the
hidden man of the heart. " Forgetting your father's houfe, fo fhall
the King greatly defire your beauty." f If your Ladyfhip be not
changed (as I hope ye are not), I believe ye efteem yourfelf to be
of thofe whom God hath tried thefe many years, and refined as
filver. But, Madam, I will fhew your Ladyfiiip a privilege that
others want, and ye have, in this cafe. Such as are in profperity,
and are fatted with earthly joys, and increafed with children and
friends, though the Word of God is indeed written to fuch for
their infi:ru(fi:ion, yet to you, who are in trouble (fpare me. Madam,
to fay this), from whom the Lord hath taken many children, and
whom He hath exercifed otherwife, there are fome chapters, fome
particular promifes in the Word of God, made in a moft fpecial
manner, which fhould never have been yours, fo as they now are,
if you had your portion in this life, as others. And, therefore, all
the comforts, promifes, and mercies God offereth to the afflifted,
they are as fo many love-letters written to you. Take them to you.
Madam, and claim your right, and be not robbed. It is no fmall

* Under obligation to ; a phrafe derived from dining at a common table in
a college, — a privilege enjoyed by fpecial favour.

t Woo. X Ifa. xxxi. 9. § Ornament, piece of lace.

II Adorned. ^[ Ps. xlv. ir.

VOL. I. I

130 LETTER XLIL [1634.

comfort, that God hath written fome fcriptures to you, which He
hath not written to others. Ye feem rather in this to be envied
than pitied ; and ye are indeed in this, like people of another world,
and thofe that are above the ordinary rank of mankind, whom our
King and Lord, our Bridegroom Jefus, in His love-letter to His
well-beloved fpoufe, hath named befide all the reft. He hath
written comforts and His hearty commendations, in the 56th of
Ifaiah, vers. 4, 5 ; Pfalm cxlviii. 2, 3, to you. Read thefe and
the like, and think your God is like a friend that fendeth a letter to
a whole houfe and family, but fpeaketh in His letter to fome by
name, that are dearefl to Him in the houfe. Ye are, then. Madam,
of the deareft friends of the Bridegroom. If it were lawful, I
would envy you, that God honoured 3'ou fo above many of His
dear children. Therefore, Madam, your part is, in this cafe (feeing
God taketh nothing from you but that which He is to fupply with
His own prefence), to defire your Lord to know His own room,
and take it even upon Him to come in, in the room of dead chil-
dren. " Jehovah, know Thy own place, and take it to Thee," is
all ye have to fay.

Madam, I perfuade myfelf that this world is to you an unco*
inn ; and that ye are like a traveller, who hath his bundle upon his
back, and his flaif in his hand, and his feet upon the door-threfhold.
Go forward, honourable and eleft lady, in the flrength of your
Lord (let the world bide at home and keep the houfe), with your
face toward Him, who longeth more for a fight of you than ye
can do for Him. Ere it be long. He will fee us. I hope to fee
you laugh as cheerfully after noon, as ye have mourned before
noon. The hand of the Lord, the hand of the Lord be with you
in your journey. What have ye to do here } This is not your
mountain of reft. Arife, then, and fet your foot up the mountain ;
go up out of the wildernefs, leaning upon the fhoulder of your
Beloved. f If ye knew the welcome that abideth you when ye
come home, ye would haften your pace ; for ye ihall fee your

* Strange. t Cant. viii. 5.

I634-] LETTER XLIIL 131

Lord put up His own holy hand to your face, and wipe all tearvS
from your eyes ; and I trow, then ye fhall have fome joy of heart.

Madam, paper willeth me to end before affection. Remember
the eftate of Zion ; pray that Jerufalem may be as Zechariah pro-
phefied, " a burdenfome ftone for all,"* that whofoever boweth
down to roll the ftone out of the way, may hurt and break the
joints of their back, and flrain their arms, and disjoint their fhoulder-
blades. And pray Jehovah that the flone may lie ftill in its own
place, and keep bandf with the corner-ftone. I hope it fhall be fo ;
He is a fkilled Mafler-builder who laid it.

I would, Madam, under great heavinefs be refrefhed with two
lines from your Ladyfhip, which I refer to your own wifdom.
Madam, I would feem undutiful not to {how you, that great folici-
tation is made by the town of Kirkcudbright for to have the ufe of
my poor labours amongft them. If the Lord fhall call, and His
people cry, who am I to refift ? But without His feen calling, and
till the flock whom I now overfee be planted with one to whom I
dare intruft Chrifl's fpoufe, gold nor filver nor favour of men, I hope,
fhall not loofe me. I leave your Ladyfliip, praying more earneftly
for grace and mercy to be with you, and multiplied upon you, here
and hereafter, than my pen can exprefs. The Lord Jefus be with
your fpirit.

Your Ladyfhip's at all obedience in the Lord.
Kirkcudbright.

XLIIL — For Marion M'Naught.

{WHEN MR RUTHERFORD WAS IN DIFFICULTT AS TO ACCEPT-
ING A CALL TO KIRKCUDBRIGHT, AND CRAMOND.)

UCH HONOURED AND DEAR MISTRESS,— My
love in Chrifl remembered. I am grieved at the heart
to write anything to you to breed heavinefs to you ;

* Zech. xii. 3. t Keep united with.

132 LETTER XLIIL [1634.

and what I have written, I wrote with much heavinefs. But I en-
treat you in Chrift's name, when my foul is under wreftlings, and
feeking direction from our Lord (to whom His vineyard belongeth)
whither I Ihall go, give me liberty to advife, and try all airts * and
paths, to fee whether He goeth before me and leadeth me. For if I
were affured of God's call to your town, let my arm fall from my
fhoulder-blade and lofe power, and my right eye be dried up, (which
is the judgment of the idol fhepherd,f ) if I would not swim through
the water without a boat ere I fat His bidding. { But if ye knew my
doubtings and fears in that, ye would fuffer with me. Whether
they be temptations or impediments cafl in by my God, I know not.
But you have now caufe to thank God ; for feeing the Bifhop § hath
^ven you fuch a promife, he will ^ve you an honeft man more
willingly than he will permit me to come to you. And, as I ever
entreated you, put the bufmefs out of your hand in the Lord's rever-
ence ; 11 and try of Him, if ye have warrant of Him to feek no man
in the world but one only, when there are choice of good men to
be had. Howbeit they be too fcarce, yet they are. And what God
faith to me in the bufmefs, I refolve by His grace to do ; for I know
not what He will do with me. But God ihall fill you with joy ere
this bufmefs be ended ; for I perfuade myfelf our Lord Jefus hath
ftirred you up already to do good in the bufmefs, and ye ihall not
lofe your reward.

I have heard your hufband and Samuel have been fick. The
man who is called the Bratich and God's felloiv, who ftandeth before
His Father, will be your flay and help, f I would I were able to
comfort your foul. But have patience, and ftand ilill ; he that be-
lieveth maketh not hafte. This matter of Cramond, cail in at this
time, is either a temptation, having fallen out at this time ; or then**

* All points of the compafs. f Zech xi. 17.

X Failed promptly to obey Him, or do His bidding.

§ Referring to a promife made to the people of Kirkcudbright by the
Biihop of Galloway, to give them a man according to their own mind, pro-
vided they would not choofe Mr Rutherford.

Ij Power, difpofal. See Note, Lett. 30. ^ Zech. xiii. 7. ** Or elfe.

1634.] LETTER XLIV. 133

it will clear all my doubts, and let you lee the Lord's will. But I

never knew my own part in the bufmefs till now. I thought I was

more willing to have embraced the charge in your town, than I am,

or am able to win to. I know ye pray that God would refolve

me what to do ; and will interpret me, as love biddeth you, which

** thinketh not ill, and believeth all things, and hopeth all things."

Would ye have more than the Son of God ? and ye have Him

already. And ye ihall be fed by the carver of the meat, be he who

he will ; and thofe who are hungry look more to the meat than to

the carver.

I cannot fee you the next week. If my lady come home, I

muft vifit her. The week thereafter will be a Prefbytery at Gir-

thon. God will difpofe of the meeting. Grace upon you, and

your feed, and hufband. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours in Chrift, ^

Anwoth.

XLIV. — For Marion M'Naught.
(TROUBLES THREATENING THE CHURCH.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— My love in Jefus Chriil
remembered. Your daughter is well, thanks be to
God. I trufl in Him ye fhall have joy of her ; the
Lord blefs her. I am now prefently going about catechifmg. The
bearer is in hafle. Forget not poor Zion ; and the Lord remember
you, for we fhall be fhortly winnowed. Jefus, pray for us, that
our faith fail not ! I would wifh to fee you a Sabbath with us, and
we ihall ftir up one another, God willing, to feek the Lord ; for it
may be He hide Himfelf from us ere it be long. Keep that which
you have : ye will get more in heaven. The Lord fend us to the
fhore out of all the ftorms, with our filly fouls found and whole
with us ; for if liberty of confcience come, as is rumoured, the beft
of us will be put to our wits to feek how to be freed. But we ihall
be like thofe who have their chamber to go in unto, fpoken of in

134 LETTER XLV. [1634.

Ifaiah.* Read the place yourfelf, and keep you within your houfe
whillf the florm be pafled. If you can learn a ditty:f againft C,
try, and caufe try, that ye may fee the Lord's righteous judgment
upon the devil's inflruments. We are not much obliged to his kind-
nefs. I wifh all fuch wicked doers were cut off.

Thefe in hafte. I blefs you in God's name, and all yours.
Your daughter defires a Bible and a gown. I hope fhe fhall ufe
the Bible well, which if fhe do, the gown is the better befkowed.
The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours for ever in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth.

XLV.— i^(?r Marion M'Naught.

{IN THE PROSPECT OF THE COMMUNION, AND OF TRIALS TO

THE CHURCH.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER IN CHRIST,— You fhall
underftand I have received a letter from Edinburgh,
that it is fufpefled that there will be a General As-
fembly, or then § fome meeting of the bifhops ; and that at this fynod
there will be fome commifTioners chofen by the Bifhop ; which news
have fo taken up my mind that I am not fo fettled for ftudies as I
have been before, and therefore was never in fuch fear for the
work. But becaufe it is written to me as a fecret, I dare not re-
veal it to any but to yourfelf, whom I know. And therefore, I
entreat you, not for any comfort of mine, who am but one man,
but for the glory and honour of Jefus Chrift, the Mafter of the
banquet, be more earneft with God ; and, in general, ihow others
of your Chriflian acquaintance my fears for myfelf. I can be con-
tent of fhame in that work, if my Lord and Mafter be honoured ;
and therefore petition our Lord efpecially to fee to His own glory,

* I fa. xxvi. 20. t Till. t Ground of charge. § Or if not that.

1634.J LETTER XLVL 135

and to give bread to His hungry bairns, howbeit I go hungry away
from the feafl. Requeft Mr Robert* from me, if he come not, to
remember us to our Lord.

I have neither time, nor a free difpofed mind, to write to you
anent your own cafe. Send me word if all your children and your
hufband be well. Seeing they are not yours, but your dear Lord's,
efleem them but as borrowed, and lay them down at God's feet.
Your Chrift to you is better than they all. You will pardon my
unaccuftomed fhort letter ; and remember me and that honourable
feaft to our Lord Jefus. He was with us before. I hope He will
not change upon us ; but I fear I have changed upon Him. But,
Lord, let old kindnefs ftand. Jefus Chrifl be with your fpirit.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth.

XLVL— fTo Marion M*Naught.
(TOSSINGS OF SPIRIT— HER CHILDREN AND HUSBAND,)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,— My tender
affeftion in Chrifl remembered. I left you in as great
heavinefs as I was in fmce I came to this country ; but
I know you doubt not but that (as the truth is in Chrift), my foul
is knit to your foul, and to the foul of all yours ; and I would, if I
could, fend you the largefl part of my heart inclofed in this letter.
But by fervent calling upon my Lord, I have attained fome viftory
over my heart, which runneth often not knowing whither, and over
my beguiling hopes, which I know now better than I did. I trufl:
in my Lord to hold aloof from the enticings of a feducing heart,
by which I am daily cofened ; and I mind not (by His grace who
hath called me according to His eternal purpofe) to come fo far
within the gripsf of my foolifh mind, gripping^ about any folly com-
ing its way, as the woodbine or ivy goeth about the tree.

* Mr Robert Glendinning. t Gralp. % Gralping.

136 LETTER XLVI. [1634.

I adore and kifs the providence of my Lord, who knoweth well
what is moft expedient for me, and for you and your children ; and
I think of you as of myfelf, that the Lord, who in His deep wifdom
turneth about all the wheels and turning of fuch changes, fhall alfo
difpofe of that for the befl to you and yours. In the prefence of
my Lord, I am not able, howbeit I would, to conceive amifs of you
in that matter. Grace, grace for ever be upon you and your feed ,
and it fhall be your portion, in defpite of all the powers of darknefs.
Do not make more quellion of this. But the Lord faw a nail in
my heart loofe, and He hath now faftened it. Honour be to His
Majefty.

I hear your fon is entered to the fchool. If I had known of the
day, I would have begged from our Lord that He would have put
the book in his hand with His own hand. I truft in my Lord it is
fo; and I conceive a hope to fee him a flar, to g^ve light in fome
room of our Lord's houfe ; and purpofe, by the Lord's grace, as I
am able (if our Lord call you to reft before me), when you are at
your home, to do to the uttermoft of my power to help him every
way in grace and learning, and his brothers, and all your children.
And I hope you would expeft that of me.

Further, you fhall know that Mr W. D.* is come home, who
faith it is a miracle that your hufband, in this procefs before the
Council, efcaped both difcredit and damage. Let it not be forgot-
ten he was, in our apprehenfion, to our grief, caft down and
humbled in the Lord's work, in that matter betwixt him and the
bailie : now the Lord hath honoured him, and made him famous for
virtue, honefly, and integrity, two feveral times, before the nobles
of this kingdom. Your Lord liveth. We will go to His throne of
grace again : His arm is not fhortened.

The I^ng is certainly expe6f ed. Ill is feared ; we have caufe
for our fms to fear that the Bridegroom fhall be taken from us.
By our fms we have rent His fair garments, and we have ftirred up

* \\^illiam Dalgleilh, minifter of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck, adjoining the
pirifli of Anwoth.

1634.] LETTER XLVIL 137

and awakened our Beloved. Pray Him to tarry, or then* to take

us with Him. It were good that we fhould knock and rap at our

Lord's door. We may not tire to knock oftener than twice or

thrice. He knoweth the knock of His friends.

I am ftill what I was ever to your dear children, tendering their

foul's happinefs, and praying that grace, grace, grace, mercy, and

peace from God, even God our Father, and from our Lord Jefus,

may be their portion ; and that now, while they are green and young,

their hearts may take bandf with Jefus, the Corner-Hone : and win

once in, in our Lord and Saviour's houfe, and then they will not

get leave to flit. Pray for me, and efpecially for humility and thank-

fulnefs. I have always remembrance of you, and your hufband,

and dear children. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours evermore in my dear Lord Jefus and yours,

S. R.
Anwoth.

XLVIL— i^or Marion M'Naught.
(SUBMISSION TO GOD'S ARRANGEMENTS.)

jORTHY AND BELOVED IMISTRESS,— My love in
Chrifl: remembered. I have fent you a letter from Mr
David Dick J concerning the placing of Mr Hugh
M'Kail with themfelves ; therefore I write to you now only to en-
treat you in Chrift not to be difcouraged thereat. Be fubmiffive to
the will of your dear Lord, who knoweth beft what is good for your
Ibul and your town both ; for God can come over greater moun-
tains than thefe, we believe ; for He worketh His greatefl works
contrary to carnal reafon and means. " My ways are not," faith
our Lord, " as your ways ; neither are My thoughts as your
thoughts." § I am no whit put from my belief for all that. Be-

Or elfe. f Unite with. $ Or Dickfon. § Ifa. \\. 8.

138 LETTER XLVIIL [1634.

lieve, pray, and ufe means. We Ihall caufe Mr John Kerr, who
conveyed myfelf to Lochinvar, to ufe means to feek a man, if Mr
Hugh fail us. Our Lord has a little bride among you, and I trufl
He will fend one to woo her to our fweet Lord Jefus. He will
not want His wife for the fuiting,* and He has means in abundance
in His hand to open all the flotsf and bars that Satan draws over
the door. He cometh to His bride leaping over the mountains, and
fkipping over the hills. His way to His fpoufe is full of jftones,
mountains, and waters, yet He putteth in His foot and wadeth
through. He will not want her ; and therefore refrefh me with two
words concerning your confidence and courage in our Lord, both
about that, and about His own Zion ; for He wooeth His wife in
the Burning Bufh ; and for the good-will of Him that dwelleth in
the bufh, the bufh is not confumed. It is better to weep with Jeru-
falem in the forenoon, than to weep with Babel after noon, in
the end of the day. Our day of laughter and rejoicing is coming.
Yet a little while, and ye fhall fee the falvation of God. I long to
fee you, and to hear how your children are, efpecially Samuel.
Grace be their heritage and portion from the Lord, and the Lord be
their lot, and then their inheritance fhall pleafe them well. Re-
member my love to your hufband. The Lord Jefus be with your
Ipirit.

Yours in his fweeteil Lord Jefus,

S. R.

AXWOTH.

XLVHL— i^?r Marion M*Naught.

{TROUBLES FROM FALSE BRETHREN— OCCURRENCES—
CHRIST'S COMING— INTERCESSION.)

ELL-BELOVED SISTER,— I know you have heard of
the fuccefs of our bufmefs in Edinburgh. I do every
Prelbytery day fee the faces of my brethren fmiling

Urging His requefb, wooing. f Moveable bolts.

1634.] LETTER XLVIIL 139

upon me, but their tongues convey reproaches and lies of me a
hundred miles off, and have made me odious to the Bifhop of St
Andrews, who faid to Mr W. Dalgleifh that minifters in Galloway
were his informers. Whereupon no letter of favour could be pro-
cured from him for effe6luating of our bufmefs ; only I am brought in
the mouths of men, who otherwife knew me not, and have power
(if God fhall permit) to harm me. Yet I entreat you, in the bowels
of Chrift Jefus, be not cafl down. I fear your forrow exceed
becaufe of this ; and I am not fo careful for myfelf in the matter as
for you. Take courage ; — your deareft Lord will light your candle,
which the wicked would fain blow out ; and, as fure as our Lord
liveth, your foul fhall find joy and comfort in this bufmefs. How-
beit you fee all the hounds in hell let loofe to mar it, their iron
chains to our dear and mighty Lord are but ftraws, which He can
eafily break. Let not this temptation ftick in your throat ; fwallow
it, and let it go down ; our Lord give you a drink of the confola-
tions of His Spirit, that it may digeft. You never knew one in
God's book who put to their hand to the Lord's work for His
kirk, but the world and Satan did bark againft them, and bite alfo
where they had power. You will not lay one flone on Zion's
walls, but they will labour to caft it down again.

For myfelf, the Lord letteth me fee now greater evidence of a
calling to Kirkcudbright than ever He did before ; and therefore
pray, and pofTefs your foul in patience. Thofe that were doers in the
bufmefs have good hopes that it will yet go forward and profper.
As for the death of the King of Sweden (which is thought to be
too true), we can do nothing elfe but reverence our Lord, who
doth not ordinarily hold Zion on her rock by the fword, and arm
of flefh and blood, but by His own mighty and outftretched arm.
Her King that reigneth in Zion yet liveth, and they are plucking
Him round about to pull Him off His throne ; but His Father hath
crowned Him, and who dare fay, "It is ill done"? The Lord's
bride will be up and down, above the water fwimming and under
the water fmking, until her lovely and mighty Redeemer and
Hufband fet His head through the fkies, and come with His fair

140 LETTER XL FIJI. [1634.

court to red* all their pleas, and give them the hoped-for inherit-
ance : and then we fhall lay down our fwords and triumph, and
fight no more. But do not think, for all this, that our Lord and
Chief Shepherd will want one weak fheep, or the fillieft dying
lamb, that He hath redeemed. He will tell His flock and gather
them all together, and make a faithful account of them to the
Father who gave them to Him. Let us learn to turn our eyes off
men, that our whoriih. hearts doat not on them, and woo our old
Hufband, and make Him our darling. For, " thus faith the Lord
to the enemies of Zion, Drink ye, and be drunk, and fpue, and fall,
and rife no more, becaufe of the fword that I fend amongft you.
And it fhall be, if they refufe to take the cup at thine hand to drink,
then fhalt thou fay to them. Thus faith the Lord of Hofls, Ye fhall
certainly drink." f You fee our Lord brewing a cup of poifon for
His enemies, which they mufl drink, and becaufe of this have lore
bowels and fick flomachs, yea, burfl. But when Zion's captivity is
at an end, ** the children of Ifrael fhall come, they and the children
of Judah together, going and weeping : they fhall go, and feek
the Lord their God. They fliall afk the way to Zion, with their
faces thitherward, faying, Come, and let us join ourfelves to the
Lord in an everlafting covenant that fhall not be forgotten." J This
is fpoken to us, and for us, who with woe§ hearts afk, "What
is the way to Zion?" It is our part who know how to go
to our Lord's door, and to knock by prayer, and how to lift
Chrifl's flot, II and fhut the bar of His chamber door, to complain
and tell Him how the Lord handleth us, and how our King's
bufmefs goeth, that He may get up and lend them a blow, who are
tigging f and playing with Chrifl: and His fpoufe. You have alfo,
dear Mflrefs, houfe troubles, in ficknefs of your hufband and bairns,
and in fpoiling of your houfe by thieves ; take thefe rods in patience
from your Lord. He mufl ftill move you from veffel to veffel, and
grind you as our Lord's wheat, to be bread in His houfe. But

* Settle all difputes. f Jer« xxv. 27, 28. t Jer. 1. 4, 5.

§ Sorrowful. || Moveable bolt. ^ Dallying, toying.

1635.] LETTER XLIX. 141

when all thefe Arokes are over your head, * what will ye fay to fee
your well -beloved Chrift's white and ruddy face, even His face
who is worthy to bear the colours among ten thoufand ?f Hope
and believe to the end. Grace for ever be multiplied upon you,
your hufband, and children.

Your own in his deareft Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Edinburgh, Dec. 1634.

XLIX.— T'o Marion M'Naught.

(SPOILING OF GOODS— CALL TO KIRKCUDBRIGHT-— THE LORD

REIGNETH.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,— My love in
Chrift remembered. God hath brought me home from
a place where I have been exercifed with great heavi-
nefs, and I have found at home new matter of great heavinefs, yet
dare not but in all things give thanks.

In my bufinefs in Edinburgh, J I have not fmned nor wronged
my party, — by his own confeifion, and by the confeffion of his friends,
I have given of my goods for peace and the faving of my Lord's
truth from reproaches, which is dearer to me than all I have. My
mother is weak, and I think fhall leave me alone ; but I am not
alone, becaufe Chrift's Father is with me.

For your bufmefs anent your town I fee great evidence ; but
Satan and his inftruments are againft it, and few fet their fhoulders
to Chrift's ftioulder to help Him. But He will do all His lone ;
and I dare not but exhort you to believe, and perfuade you, that
the hungry in your city ftiall be fed ; and as for the reft that want
a ftomach, the parings of God's loaf will fuffice them ; and, there-
fore, believe it ftiall be well. I may not leave my mother to come
and confer with you of all particulars. I have given fuch direftions

* Paft and gone. t Cant. v. 10 % See note. Let. 12.

142 LETTER XLIX. [1635.

to our dear friend as I can ; but the event is in our dear Lord's
hands.

God's Zion abroad flourifheth, and His arm is not fhortened
with us, if we could believe. There is fcarcity and a famine of the
word of God in Edinburgh. Your filler Jane laboureth mightily
in our bufinefs ; but hath not as yet gotten an anfwer from I. P. Mr
A. C* will work what he can. My Lady faith fhe can do little,
and that it fuiteth not her nor her hufband well to fpeak in fuch an
affair. I told her my mind plainly.

I long to know of your eftate. Remember me heartily to your
dear hufband. Grace be the portion of your bairns. I know you
are mindful of the green wound of our fifter kirk in Ireland. Bid
our Lord lay a plaifter to it (He hath good fkill to do fo), and fet
others to work. Grace, grace upon your foul, and body, and all
yours.

Yours in Chrifl:,

S. R.
Anwoth.

[The following brief note, addrefled to Marion M ^Naught, may be read
as a fort of poftfcript to the foregoing, though generally printed as a feparate
Letter.]

EAR MISTRESS, — I have not time this day to write to
you •, but God, knowing my prefent flate and neceilities
of my calling, will, I hope, fpare my mother's life for a
time, for the which I have caufe to thank the Lord. I entreat you,
be not cafl down for that which I wrote before to you anent the
planting of a minifler in your town. Believe, and you fhall fee
the falvation of God. I write this, becaufe when you fuffer, my
heart fuffereth with you. I do believe your foul fhall have joy in
your labours and holy defires for that work. Grace upon you, and
your hufband, and children.

Yours ever in Chrift.
Anwoth.

* Probably Mr Alexander Colville, mentioned Let. 11.

1635.] LETTER L, 14:

L. — For Marion M^Naught.

(CHRIST COMING JS CAPTAIN OF SALFATION—HIS CHURCITS
CONFLICT AND COVENANT— THE JEWS—LAST DATS'
APOSTASY,)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,— I know your
heart is caft down for the defolation like to come upon
this kirk, and the appearance that an hireling fhall be
thrult in upon Chrift's flock in that town ; but fend a heavy heart up
to Chrift, it fliall be welcome. Thofe who are with the beaft and
the dragon, muft make war with the Lamb ; " but the Lamb fliall
overcome them : for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings ; and
they who are with Him are called, and chofen, and faithful."* Our
ten days fliall have an end ; all the former things fliall be forgotten
when we fliall be up before the throne. Chrifl: hath been ever thus
in the world ; He hath always the defender's part, and hath been
fl:ill in the camp, fighting the Church's battles. The enemies of the
Son of God will be fed with their own flefli, and fliall drink their
own blood ; and therefore, their part of it fliall at lafl: be found
hard enough : fo that we may look forward and pity them. Until
the number of the ele6t be fulfilled, Chrifl: garments muft be rolled
in blood. He cometh from Edom, from the flaughter of His ene-
mies, " clothed with dyed garments, glorious in His apparel, travel-
ling in the greatnefs of His fl:rength." Who is this (faith he) that
appears in this glorious pofture ? Our great He ! that He who is
mighty to fave, whofe glory fliineth while He fprinkleth the blood
of His adverfaries, and fl:aineth all His raiment. The glory of His
righteous revenges fliineth forth in thefe fl:ains.f But feeing our
world is not here-away, if we poor children, far from home, muft
fteal through many waters, weeping as we go, and withal believing
that we do the Lord's faithfulnefs no wrong, feeing He hath faid.

* Rev. xvii. 14. f I fa. Ixiii. i.

:{: In this quarter, in this prefent life's enjoyments.

144 LETTER L. [1635.

" I, even I, am He that comforteth you : who art thou, that fhouldeft
be afraid of a man that fhall die, and of the fon of man that fhall be
made as grafs ?"* " When thou pafTeil through the waters, I will
be with thee ; and through the rivers, they fhall not overflow thee.
When thou walkefl through the fire, thou fhalt not be burnt; neither
fhall the flames kindle upon thee."f

There is a cloud gathering and a florm coming. This land
fhall be turned upfide down ; and if ever the Lord fpake to me
(think on it), Chrifl:'s bride will be glad of a hole to hide her head
in, and the dragon may fo prevail as to chafe the woman and her
man-child over fea. But there fhall be a gleaning, two or three
berries left in the top of the olive-tree, of whom God fhall fay,
" Deflroy them not, for there is a blefTmg in them." Thereafter
there fhall be a fair fun-blink J on Chrifl's old fpoufe, and a clear
fky, and fhe fliall fmg as in the days of her youth. The Antichrifl
and the great red dragon will lop Chrifl's branches, and bring His
vine to a low flump, under the feet of thofe who carry the mark of
the beafl ; but the Plant of Renown, the Man whofe name is the
Branch, will bud forth again and blofTom as the rofe, and there
fhall be fair white flourifhes§ again, with mofl pleafant fruits, upon
that tree of life. A fair feafon may He have ! Grace, grace be
upon that blefTed and beautiful tree ! under whofe fhadow we fhall
fit, and his fruit fhall be fweet to our tafte. But Chrifl fhall woo
His handful in the fire, and choofe His own in the furnace of
afflidlion. But be it fo -, He dow j] not, He will not flay His chil-
dren. Love will not let Him make a full end. The covenant will
caufe Him hold His hand. Fear not, then, faith the Firft and the
Laft, He who was dead and is alive. We fee not Chrifl fharpen-
ing and furbifhing His fword for His enemies ; and therefore our
faithlefs hearts fay, as Zion did, " The Lord hath forfaken me."
But God reproveth her, and faith, "Well, well, Zion, is that well
faid ? Think again on it , you are in the wrong to Me. Can a

* Ifa. li. 12. t Ifa. xliii. 2. % Gleam of funfhine.

§ Bloflbms. II Can.

1635.3 LETTER L. 145

woman forget her fucking child, that fhe fhould not have compas-
fion on the fruit of her womb ? Yea, fhe may ; yet will I not
forget thee. Behold, I have engraven thee upon the palms of My
hands."* You break your heart and grow heavy, and forget that
Chrifl hath your name engraven on the palms of His hand in
great letters. In the name of the Son of God, believe that buried
Scotland, dead and buried with her dear Bridegroom, fhall rife the
third day again, and there fhall be a new growth after the old
timber is cut down. I recommend you, and your burdens and
heavy heart, to the fupporting of His grace and good-will who
dwelt in. the Buih, to Him who was feparated from His brethren.
Try your hufband afar ofF, to fee if He can be induced to think
upon going to America.

O to fee the fight, next to Chrift's Coming in the clouds, the
moft joyful ! our elder brethren the Jews and Chrift fall upon one
another's necks and kifs each other ! They have been long afunder ;
they will be kind to one another when they meet. O day ! O
longed-for and lovely day-dawn ! O fweet Jefus, let me fee that
fight which will be as life from the dead, Thee and Thy ancient
people in mutual embraces.

Defire your daughter to clofe with Chriil: upon terms of fuffer-
ing for Him ; for the crofs is an old mealingf and plot of ground
that lyeth to Chrifl's houfe. Our dear Chief had aye that rent lying
to His inheritance. But tell her the day is near the dawning, the
fky is riving ;J our Beloved will be on us, ere ever we be aware.
The Antichrift, and death and hell, and Chrift's enemies and ours,
will be bound and caft into the bottomlefs pit. The Lord Jefus
be with your fpirit.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, April 22 y 1635.

* Ifa. xlix. 15, 16. t Farm. It is written alfo *^ mailing^ See Let. 29.
% Breaking, rending.

VOL. I.

146 LETTER LI. [1635.

LI. — To Marion M'Naught.

(PUBLIC TEMPTATIONS— THE SECURITT OF EVERY SAINT-
OCCURRENCES IN THE COUNTRY-SIDE.)

OVING AND DEAR SISTER,— For Zion's fake hold
not your peace, neither be difcouraged, for the ongoing
of this perfecution. Jehovah is in this burning Bufh.
The floods may fwell and roar, but our ark fhall fwim above the
waters -, it cannot fink, becaufe a Saviour is in it. Becaufe our Be-
loved was not let in by His fpoufe when He ftood at the door, with
His wet and frozen head, therefore He will have us to feek Him
awhile ; and while we are feeking, the watchmen who go about
the walls have flricken the poor woman, and have taken away her
veil from her. But yet a little while and our Lord will come again.
Scotland's fky will clear again ; her moment mufl: go over. I dare
in faith fay and write, I am not dreaming ; Chrift is but feeking
(what He will have and make) a clean gliftering* bride out of the
fire. God fend Him His errand, but He cannot want what He feeks.
In the meantime, one way or other. He fhall find, or make a nefl
for His mourning dove. What is this we are doing, breaking the
neck of our faith ? We are not come as yet to the mouth of the
Red Sea ; and howbeit we were, for His honour's fake, He muft
dry it up. It is our part to die grippingf and holding fafl His faith-
ful promife. If the Beafl fhould get leave to ride through the land,
to feal fuch as are his, he will not get one lamb with him, for thefe
are fecured and fealed as the fervants of God. In God's name, let
Chrifl take His barn-floor, and all that is in it, to a hill, and winnow
it. Let Him fift His corn, and fweep His houfe, and feek His lofl
gold. The Lord fhall cog J the rumbling wheels, or turn them ; for

* Glittering, fhining. t Grafping, or clafping.

X Put a di-ag on ; it is to put a piece of wood edgewife between it and the
ground, to prevent it moving.

1635.] LETTER LI. 147

the remainder of wrath doth He reftrain. He can loofe the belt of
kings ; to God, their belt, wherewith they are girt, is knit with a
fingle draw-knot.*

As for a paftor to your town, your confcience can bear you
witnefs you have done your part. Let the Mafter of the vineyard
now fee to His garden, feeing you have gone on, till He hath faid,
*' Stand ftill." The will of the Lord be done. But a trial is not,
to give up with God and believe no more. I thank my God in
Chriff, I find the force of my temptation abated, and its edge blunted,
fmce I Ipoke to you laft. I know not if the tempter be hovering,
until he find the dam gather again, and me more fecure ; but it hath
been my burden, and I am yet more confident the Lord will fuccour
and deliver.

I intend, God willing, that our Communion fhall be celebrated
the firft Sabbath after Pafch.f Our Lord, that great Mafter of the
feafi:, fend us one hearty and heartfomej fupper, for I look it fhall
be the laft. But we expeft, when the fhadows fhall flee away, and
our Lord fhall come to His garden, that He fhall feed us in green
paftures without fear. The dogs fhall not then be hounded out
amongft the fheep. I earneftly defire your prayers for afTiftance at
our work, and put others with you to do the fame. Remember
me to your hufband, and defire your daughter to be kind to Chrift,
and feek to win § near Him -, He will ^ve her a welcome into His
houfe of wine, and bring her into the IGng's chamber. O how will
the fight of His face, and the fmell of His garments, allure and
ravifh the heart ! Now, the love of the lovely Son of God be with
you.

Yours in his fweet Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, 1635.

* Slip-knot, eafily loofened. f Eafter, 'ttocij^^^ Acts )(;ii. 4.

X Cheerful, cheering. § Get in.

148 LETTER LIL [1635.

LII. — For Marion M'Naught.

(IN THE PROSPECT OF HER HUSBAND BEING COMPELLED TO
RECEIVE THE COMMAND OF THE PRELATES— SAINTS ARE
TET TO JUDGE.)

ELL-BELOVED MISTRESS,— I charge you in the name
of the Son of God, to reft upon your Rock, that is
higher than yourfelf. Be not afraid of a man, who is a
worm, nor of the fon of man, who (hall die. God be your fear.
Encourage your hulband. I would counfel you to write to Edinburgh
to fome advifed lawyers, to underfland what your hufband, as the
head magiftrate, may do in oppofing any intruded minifler, and in his
carriage toward the new prelate,* if he command him to imprifon
or lay hands upon any, and, in a word, how far he may in his
office difobey a prelate, without danger of law. For if the Bifhop
come to your town, and find not obedience to his heart, it is like
he will command the Provoft to aflifl: him againft God and the
truth. Ye will have more courage under the perfecution. Fear
not ; take Chrift caution ,f who faid, ** There fhall not one hair of
your head perifh.":}: Chrifl will not be in your common § to have
you giving out anything for Him, and not give you all incomes with
advantage. It is His honour His fervants fhould not be berried ||
and undone in His fervice. You were never honoured till now.
And if your hufband be the firft magiftrate who fhall fuffer for
Chrifl's name in this perfecution, he may rejoice that Chrift hath
put the firfl garland on his head and upon yours. Truth will yet

* An attempt had been made by the Bifhop of SydferfFto force a minifler
upon the people of Kirkcudbright, in room of Mr Glendinning, who had been
Tufpended, and ordered to be imprifoned, becaufe he would not conform to
Epifcopacy. Provoft Fullarton (hufband of M. M 'Naught), along with other
magiftrates, would not imprifon Mr Glendinning, and this was the occafion of
the above letter. See note at beginning of Let. 67.

t Surety. % Luke xxi. 18. § Under obligation to. || Pillaged cmelly.

i635-] LETTER LIIL 149

keep the crown of the caufey* in Scotland. Chrifl and truth are
llrong enough. They judge us now ; we fhall one day judge
them, and fit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes.
Believe, believe ; for they dare not pray ; they dare not look Chrifl
in the face. They have been falfe to Chrift, and He will not fit
withf the wrong. Ye know it is not our caufe •, for if we would
quit our Lord, we might fleep for the prefent in a found fkin, and
keep our place, means, and honour, and be dear to them alfo ; but
let us once put all we have over in Chrift's hand. Fear not for my
papers ; I fhall defpatch them, but ye will be examined for them.
The Spirit of Jefus ^ve you inward peace. Defire your hufband
from me to prove honeft to Chrift ; he fhall not be a lofer at
Chrift's hand.

Yours ever in his fweet Lord Jefus, ^^ ^

Anwoth, July 8, 1635.

LIIL — For Marion M'Naught.

{ENCOURAGEMENT UNDER TRIAL BT PROSPECT OF BRIGHTER

DATS.)

ISTRESS, — My love in Chrift remembered. Having
appointed a meeting with Mr David Dickfon, and
knowing that B. will not keep the Prelbytery, I cannot

fee you now. Commend my journey to God. My foul bleffeth
you for your lafl letter. Be not difcouraged ; Chrift will not want
the Ifles-men. The Ifles fhall wait for His law. We are His in-
heritance, and He will fell no part of His inheritance. For the fins of
this land, and our breach of the covenant, contempt of the Gofpel,
and our defection from the truth, He hath fet up a burning furnace
in our Mount Zion ; but I fay it, and will bide by it, the grafs
fhall yet grow green on our Mount Zion. There fhall be dew all
the night upon the lilies, amongft which Chrifl feedeth, until the
day break, and the fhadows flee away. And the moth fhall eat up

* Appear openly with credit on the public ftreet. t Bear in filence.

150 LETTER LIV. [1636.

the enemies of Chrift. Let them make a fire of their own, and

walk in the light thereof, it fhall not let them fee to go to their

bed ; but they fhall lie down in for row.* Therefore, rejoice and

believe. This in hafte. Grace, grace be with you and yours.

Yours in Chrifl, ^ t>

Anwoth.

LIV. — For Marion M*Naught.
{PUBLIC fVRONGS—lVORDS OF COMFORT.)

OVING AND DEAR SISTER,— I fear that you be
moved and cafl down, becaufe of the late wrong that
your huiband received in your Town Council. But I
pray you comfort yourfelf in the Lord ; for a juft caufe bides under
the water only as long as wicked men hold their hand above it ;
their arm will weary, and then the juft caufe fhall fwim above, and
the light that is fown for the righteous fhall fpring and grow up.
If ye were not ftrangers here, the dogs of the world would not
bark at you. You fhall fee all windings and turnings that are in
your way to heaven out of God's Word ; for He will not lead you
to the kingdom at the nearefl, but you mufl go through ** honour
and difhonour, by evil report and good report ; as deceivers, and
yet true ; as unknown, and yet well known ; as dying, and, behold,
we live ; as chaftened, and not killed ; as forrowful, and yet always
rejoicing." f The world is one of the enemies that we have to
fight with, but a vanquifhed and overcome enemy, and like a
beaten and forlorn foldier ; for our Jefus hath taken the armour
from it. Let me then fpeak to you in His words : " Be of good
courage," faith the Captain of our falvation, " for I have overcome
the world." You fhall neither be free of the fcourge of the tongue,
nor of dilgraces (even if it were buffetings and fpittings upon the
face, as was our Saviour's cafe), if you follow Jefus Chrift. I
befeech you in the bowels of our Lord Jefus, keep a good con-

Ila. 1. II. \ 2 Cor. vi. 8, 10.

1636.] LETTER LIV. 151

icience, as I trufl you do. You live not upon men's opinion ; gold

may be gold, and have the king's ftamp upon it, when it is trampled

upon by men. Happy are you, if, when the world trampleth upon

you in your credit and good name, yet you are the Lord's gold,

ftamped with the I^g of heaven's image, and fealed by the Spirit

unto the day of your redemption. Pray for the fpirit of love ; for

" love beareth all things ; it belie veth all things, hopeth all things,

and endureth all things."*

And I pray you and your huiband, yea, I charge you before

God, and the Lord Jefus Chrifl, and the ele6l angels, pray for

thefe your adverfaries, and read this to your huiband from me, and

let both of you put on, as the eleft of God, bowels of mercies.

And, fifter, remember how many thoufands of talents of fins your

Mailer hath forgiven you. For^ve ye therefore your fellow-

fervants one talent. Follow God's command in this, and " feek

not after your own heart, and after your own eyes," in this matter,

as the Spirit fpeaks.f Afk never the counfel of your own heart

here ; the world will blow up your heart now, and caufe it fwell,

except the grace of God caufe it fall. Jefus, even Jefus, the

Eternal Wifdom of the Father, give you wifdom. I truft God

fhall be glorified in you. And a door fiiall be opened unto you, as

to the Lord's prifoners of hope, as Zechariah fpeaks. It is a benefit

to you, that the wicked are God's fan to purge you. And I hope

they fhall blow away no corn, or fpiritual graces, but only your

chaff. I pray you in your purfuit, have fo recourfe to the law of

men, that you wander not from the law of God. Be not cafi:

down : if you faw Him who, ftanding on the ihore, holding out

His arms to welcome you on land, you would not only wade

through a fea of wrongs, but through hell itfelf to be at Him. And

I trufi: in God you fee Him fometimes. The Lord Jefus be with

your fpirit, and all yours.

Your brother in the Lord, o t>

Anwoth.

* I Cor. xiii. 7. f Num. xv. 39.

152 LETTER LV, [1636.

LV. — To Marion M*Naught.

{WHEN HE HAD BEEN THREATENED fVITH PERSECUTION FOR
PREACHING THE GOSPEL— THE SAINTS SHALL TET WIN
THE DAT.)

ORTHY AND WELL-BELOVED MISTRESS,— My

love in Chrift remembered. I know ye have heard of

the purpofe of my adverfaries, to try what they can do

againft me at this Synod for the work of God in your town when

I was at your Communion. They intend to call me in queftion at

the Synod for treafonable do6lrine. Therefore help me with your

prayers, and defire your acquaintance to help me alfo. Y.our ears

heard how Chrift was there. If He fuffer His fervant to get a

broken head in His own kingly fervice, and not either help or

revenge the wrong, I never faw the like of it. There is not a

night drunkard, time-ferving, idle, idol Ihepherd to be fpoken

againft : I am the only man ; and becaufe it is fo, and I know God

will not help them left they be proud, I am confident their procefs

fhall fall afunder. Only be ye earneft with God for hearing, for an

open ear, and reading of the bill, that He may in heaven hear both

parties, and judge accordingly. And doubt not, fear not -, they ftiall

not, who now ride higheft, put Chrift out of His kingly pofteffion

in Scotland. The pride of man and his rage fhall turn to the

praife of our Lord. It is an old feud, that the rulers of the earth,

the dragon and his angels, have carried to the Lamb and His

followers ; but the followers of the Lamb fhall overcome by the

Word of God. And believe this, and wait on a little, till they

have got their womb full of clay and gravel, and they fhall know

(howbeit ftolen waters be fweet) Efau's portion is not worth his

hunting. Commend me to your hufband, and fend me word how

Grizel is. The Son of God lead her through the water. The

Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus, ^ -^

Anwo'ih.

1636.] LETTER LVL 153

LVI. — To My Lady Kenmure.

(REASONS FOR RESIGNATION— SECURITT OF SAINTS— THE
END OF TIME.)

ADAM, — I received your Ladyfhip's letter from J. G.*
I thank our Lord ye are as well at leafl as one may be
who is not come home. It is a mercy in this ftormy
iea to get a lecond wind ; for none of the faints get a firft, but they
muft take the winds as the Lord of the feas caufeth them to blow,
and the inn as the Lord and Mailer of the inns hath ordered it. If
contentment were here, heaven were not heaven. Whoever feek
the world to be their bed, fhall at beft find it ihort and ill-made, and
a ftone under their fide to hold them waking, rather than a foft
pillow to fleep upon. Ye ought to blefs your Lord that it is not
worfe. We live in a fea where many have fuffered fhipwreck, and
have need that Chrift fit at the helm of the ihip. It is a mercy to
win to heaven, though with much hard toil and heavy labour, and
to take it by violence ill and well as it may be. Better go fwim-
ming and wet through our waters than drown by the way ; efpecially
now when truth fufFereth, and great men bid Chrifl: fit lower and
contract Himfelf in lefs bounds, as if He took too much room.

I expedf our new prelatef Ihall try my fitting. I hang by a
thread, but it is (if I may fpeak fo) of ChrLft's fpinning. There is
no quarrel more honeft or honourable than to fuffer for truth. But
the worfl is, that this kirk is like to fink, and all her lovers and
friends fland afar off; none mourn with her, and none mourn for
her. But the Lord Jefus will not be put out of His conquefi:J fo
foon in Scotland. It will be feen that the kirk and truth will rife
again within three days, and Chrifi: again fhall ride upon His white
horfe ; howbeit His horfe feem now to ftumble, yet he cannot fall.
The fulnefs of Chrifi:'s harveft in the end of the earth is not yet
come in. I fpeak not this becaufe I would have it fo, but upon

* J. Gordon. f Sydferff. J Inheritance.

154 LETTER LVL [1636.

better grounds than my naked liking. But enough of this fad
fubjeft.

I long to be fully alTured of your Ladyfhip's welfare, and that
your foul profpereth, efpecially now in your folitary life, when your
comforts outward are few, and when Chrift hath you for the very
uptaking. I know His love to you is ftill running over, and His
love hath not fo bad a memory as to forget you and your dear
child, who hath two fathers in heaven, the one the Ancient of
Days. I truft in His mercy He hath fomething laid up for him
above, however it may go with him here. I know it is long fmce
your Ladyfhip faw this world turned your ftepmother and did for-
fake you. Madam, ye have reafon to take in good part a lean
dinner and fpare diet in this life, feeing your large fupper of the
Lamb's preparing will recompenfe all. Let it go, which was never
yours but only in fight, not in property. The time of your loan
will wear Ihorter and fhorter, and time is meafured to you by
ounce weights ; and then I know your hope fhall be a full ear of
corn and not blafled with wind. It may be your joy that your
anchor is up within the vail, and that the ground it is caft upon is
not falfe but firm. God hath done His part : I hope ye will not
deny to iifh and fetch home all your love to Himfelf ; and it is but
too narrow and fhort for Him if it were more. If ye were before
pouring all your love (if it had been many gallons more) in upon
your Lord, if drops fell by in the in-pouring, He for^veth you.
He hath done now all that can be done to win beyond it all, and
hath left little to woo your love from Himfelf, except one only
child. What is His purpofe herein He knoweth beft, who hath
taken your foul in tutoring. Your faith may be boldly charitable
of Chrift, that however matters go, the worft fhall be a tired travel-
ler, and a joyful and fweet welcome home. The back of your
winter night is broken. Look to the eaft, the day fky is breaking.
Think not that Chrifl lofeth time, or lingereth unfuitably. O fair,
fair, and fweet morning ! We are but as fea pafTengers. If we
look right, we are upon our country coaft : our Redeemer is faft
coming, to take this old worm-eaten world, like an old moth-eaten

636.] LETTER LVII. 155

garment, in His two hands, and to roll it up and lay it by Him.
Thefe are the laft days, and an oath is given, by God Himfelf, that
time ihall be no more ; * and when time itfelf is old and grey-haired,
it were good we were away. Thus, Madam, ye fee I am, as my
cuftom is, tedious in my lines. Your Ladyfhip will pardon it. The
Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Your Ladyfhip at all obedience in Chrift,

S. R.

Anwoth, Jan. 18, 1636.

LVII.— i^cr Marion M'Naught.
{IN THE PROSPECT OF REMOVAL TO ABERDEEN.)

ONOURED AND DEAREST IN THE LORD,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am well, and
my foul profpereth. I find Chrift with me. I burden
no man ; I want nothing ; no face looketh on me but it laugheth
on me. Sweet, fweet is the Lord's crofs. I overcome my heavi-
nefs. My Bridegroom's love-blinks f fatten my weary foul. I foon
go to my King's palace at Aberdeen. Tongue, and pen, and wit
cannot exprefs my joy.

Remember my love to Jean Gordon, to my fifler, Jean Brown,
to Grizel, to your hufband. Thus in hafle. Grace be with
you.

Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Edinburgh, April $, 1636.

P.S. — My charge is to you to believe, rejoice, fing, and triumph.
Chrift has faid to me, Mercy, mercy, grace and peace for Marion
M'Naught.

* Rev. X. 6. t Love-glances.

iS6 LETTER LVIIL [1636.

LVIII. — To my Lady Kenmure.
(ON OCCASION OF EFFORTS TO INTRODUCE EPISCOPACY.)

IGHT HONOURABLE,— I cannot find a time for
writing fome tilings I intended on Job, I have been fb
taken up with the broils that we are encumbered with
in our calling. For our prelate will have us either to fwallow our
light over, and digefi: it contrary to our ftomachs (howbeit we fhould
vomit our confcience and all, in this troublefome conformity), or then*
he will try if deprivation can convert us to the ceremonial faith. f

I write to your Ladyfhip, Madam, not as diflrufling your affec-
tion or willingnefs to help me, as your Ladyfhip is able by yourfelf
or others, but to advertife you that I hang by a fmall thread. For
our learned prelate, becaufe we cannot fee with his eyes fo far in a
mill-flone as his light doeth, will not follow his Mafter, meek Jefus,
who waited upon the wearied and fhort-breathed in the way to
heaven ; and, where all fee not alike, and fome are weaker, He
carrieth the lambs in His bofom, and leadeth gently thofe that are
with young. But we mull: either fee all the evil of ceremonies to
be but as indifferent draws, or fuffer no lefs than to be caften out
of the Lord's inheritance ! Madam, if I had time I would write
more at length, but your Ladyfhip will pardon me till a fitter occa-
fion. Grace be with you and your child, and bear you company to
your beil home.

Your Ladyfhip in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, June 8, 1636.

* Or elfe.

t Referring to the attempts then made by the prelates to compel confor-
mity to epifcopal forms.

1636.] LETTER LIX. 157

LIX. — To Earlston, Elder.

[ALEXANDER GORDON of Earlfton was defcended from the houfe of
Gordon of Lochinvar, and the defignation of his family at firft was Gordon of
Airds; but his great-grandfather, Alexander Gordon of Airds, having married
Margaret, eldeft daughter of John Sinclair of Earlfton, the iflue of that union
came to pofTefs the lands of Earlfton. — {Nijbefs Heraldry^ His anceftors
were at an early period brought to the knowledge of divine truth by fome of
thofe difciples of WicklifF who itinerated in Scotland, preaching the pure doc-
trines of the Gofpel ; and they nobly vindicated the fincerity of their profeflion
by the protedtion which they afforded to thefe devoted miflionaries, as well as
by the zeal with which they laboured to propagate the faith. It is a tradition,
that old Gordon of Airds imbibed Wickliffite views, when he was on a fort
of embafly to the Englifh Borderers, and that he propagated the truth by
bringing home an Englifh Wicklifhte to be tutor to his eldeft fon. Having
obtained a New Teftament in the vulgar tongue, he read it at meetings
which were held in the woods of Airds, in a fecluded fpot, at the junction of
the Ken and the Dee, where the loch begins. So abundantly bleffed were
fuch means, that the truth circulated rapidly through the whole province of
Galloway. And at the very time when Patrick Hamilton fuffered martyrdom,
on the laft day of February 1528, that province may be faid to have abjured
Popery, and adopted the dodrines of the Reformation.

Earlfton^ or Erlifton, or Earlefton {Minute-hook of Comm. of Covenanters)^
is not far from Carfphaim. As you come from Dairy, you fee the roof of
the ancient refidence among trees that furround it, and that grow up the flop-
ing ridge at the foot of which it ftands. In front of the grim old tower,
there is a fine lawn, a remnant of better days, and a linn not far off. It is not
to be confounded with the Earlfton near Anwoth, in the parifh of Borgue,
which is quite modem, having been built by a defcendant of this ancient
family, and called after the name of the original property.

The grace of God, which had early chofen this family, continued to favour
it for many generations. Alexander Gordon^ Rutherford's friend, was worthy
of his anceftors. Livingftone, in his Characteriflics ^ fpeaks of him as *^ a man
of great fpirit, but much fubdued by inward exercife, and who attained the
moft rare experience of downcafting and upholding;" and adds, *^ For wis-
dom, courage, and righteoufnefs, he might have been a magiftrate in any part
of the earth." In the ftruggle againft the attempts of the Court to introduce
Prelacy into the Church of Scotland, he warmly efpoufed the fide of the Pres-
byterians. In the end of July 1635, he was fummoned by the Bifhop of
Glafgow to appear before the High Commiffion, for preventing the intrufion

158 LETTER LIX. [1636.

of an unpopular nominee of the Bifhop into a vacant parifh. But Lord Lorn,
afterwards the martyred Marquis of Argyle, having appeared w^ith him before
that court, and affirmed that what Earlfton had done was by his direction as
patron of the parilh, the matter was deferred to a future day. This letter of
Rutherford to Earlfton, it is highly probable, refers to the vexatious proceed-
ings inftituted againft him in regard to this matter. He was afterwards fum-
moned by Sydferif, Bifhop of Galloway, to appear before a High Commiffion
Court to be held at \A^igtown. He did not make his appearance ; but the Bifhop
proceeded in his cafe, fined him five hundred merks, and banifhed him to
Montrofe. Earlfton, by the advice of Lord Lorn, gave in a reprefentation of
his cafe to the Privy Council, who difpenfed with his banifhment upon the
paym.ent of his fine. Earlfton was a member of the AlTembly which met at
Glafgow in 1638, having been a commiffioner from the Prefbytery of Kirk-
cudbright. His name appears among the laft of the members of Parliament in
1 64 1, as member for the fhire of Galloway. He was manied to Elizabeth,
daughter of John Gordon of Muirfad, by whom he had feveral children. His
eldeft fon, William, who fucceeded him, is retoured heir of his father on the
a3d of January 1655. {Inq. Retor. Abbrcv.^ No. 264.) In the avenue leading
to Earlfton, there is a very large old oak, ft ill fhown as that in the thick
foliage of which this William Gordon hid, and fo efcaped his purfuers, in the
days of the perfecution.

(A^ SUFFERING FOR CHRIST UNREWARDED— LOSS OF CHIL-
DREN—CHRIST IN PROFIDENCE.)

|UCH HONOURED SIR,— I have heard of the mind
and malice of your adverfaries againft you. It is like
they will extend the law they have, in length and
breadth, anfwerable to their heat of mind. But it is a great part of
your glory that the caufe is not yours, but your Lord's whom you
ferve. And I doubt not but Chrift will count it His honour to back
His weak fervant; and it were a fhame for Him (with reverence to
His holy name) that He fhould fuffer Himfelf to be in the common *
of fuch a poor man as ye are, and that ye fhould give out for Him
and not get in again. Write up your depurfmentsf for your
Mafter Chrift, and keep the account of what ye give out, whether
name, credit, goods, or life, and fufpend your reckoning till nigh
the evening ; and remember that a poor weak fervant of Chrift

Under obligation to. t Difburfcments.

1636.] LETTER LIX, 159

wrote it to you, that ye fhall have Chrift, a King, caution* for your
incomes and all your lofTes. Reckon not from the forenoon. Take
the Word of God for your warrant ; and for Chrift's aft of
cautionary, howbeit body, life, and goods go for Chrifl your Lord,
and though ye fhould lofe the head for Him, yet " there fhall not
one hair of your head perifh ; in patience, therefore, pofTefs your
foul."f And becaufe ye are the firft man in Galloway called out
and queftioned for the name of Jefus, His eye hath been upon you,
as upon one whom He defigned to be among His witnefTes. Chrift
hath faid, " Alexander Gordon fhall lead the ring in witneiTmg a
good confeffion," and therefore He hath put the garland of fufFer-
ing for Himfelf firft upon your head. Think yourfelf fo much the
more obliged to Him, and fear not ; for He layeth His right hand
on your head. He who was dead and is alive will plead your caufe,
and will look attentively upon the procefs from the beginning to the
end, and the Spirit of glory fhall refl upon you. " Fear none of
thefe things which thou fhalt fuffer : behold, the devil fhall cafl
fome of you into prifon, that ye may be tried ; and ye fhall have
tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life." \ This lovely One, Jefus, who alfo became
the Son of man, that He might take ftrokes for you, write the
crofs-fweetening and foul-fupporting fenfe of thefe words in your
heart !

Thefe rumbling wheels of Scotland's ten days' tribulation are
under His look who hath feven eyes. Take a houfe on your head,
and flip yourfelf by faith in under Chrifl's wings till the florm be
over. And remember, when they have drunken us down, Jeru-
falem will be a cup of trembling and of poifon. § They fhall be fain
to vomit out the faints ; for Judah " fhall be a hearth of fire in a
fheaf, and they fhall devour all the people round about, on the right
hand and on the left." Woe to Zion's enemies ! they have the
worfl of it ; for we have writ || for the victory. Sir, ye were never

* Security. f Luke xxi. 18, 19. % Rev. ii. 10.

§ Zech. xii. 2, 6. |( A writing under His hand.

i6o LETTER LIX. [1636.

honourable till now. This is your glory, that Chrift hath put you
in the roll with Himfelf and with the refl of the witnefTes who are
come out of great tribulation, and have wafhen their garments and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Be not caft down for
what the fervants of Antichrift caft in your teeth, that ye are a head
to and favourer of tke Puritans, and leader to that fe6f. If your
confcience fay, "Alas ! here is much din and little done" (as the pro-
verb is), becaufe ye have not done fo much fervice to Chrifl that way as
ye might and fhould, take courage from that fame temptation. For
your Lord Chrifl looketh upon that very challenge* as an hunger-
ing defire in you to have done more than ye did ; and that filleth
up the blank, and He will accept of what ye have done in that kind.
If great men be kind to you, I pray you overlook them ; if they
Imile on you, Chrifl but borroweth their face to fmUe through them
upon His afflidled fervant. Know the well-head ; and for all that,
learn the way to the well itfelf. Thank God that Chrift came to
your houfe in your abfence and took with Him fome of your children.
He prefumed thatf much on your love, that ye would not offend ;
and howbeit He fhould take the reft, He cannot come upon your
wrong fide. I queftion not, if they were children of gold, but ye
think them well beflowed upon Him.

Expound well thefe two rods on you, one in your houfe at
home, another on your own perfon abroad. Love thinketh no evil.
If ye were not Chrifl's wheat, appointed to be bread in His houfe,
He would not grind you. But keep the middle line, neither defpife
nor faint. J Ye fee your Father is homely § with you. Strokes of
a father evidence kindnefs and care ; take them fo. I hope your
Lord hath manifefted Himfelf to you, and fuggefted thefe, or more
choice thoughts about His dealing with you. We are ufmg our
weak moyenjl and credit for you up at our own court, as we dow.f
We pray the King to hear us, and the Son of Man to go fide for fide
with you, and hand in hand in the fiery oven, and to quicken and

* Rebuke, accufation. t So much, to that degree. % Heb. xii. 5.

§ Familiar. || Means, intereft. 1 As we are able.

1636.] LETTER LX. 161

encourage your unbelieving heart when ye droop and defpond. Sir,
to the honour of Chrifl be it faid, my faith goeth with my pen now.
I am prefently believing Chrift ftiall bring you out. Truth in Scot-
land fhall keep the crown of the caufeway* yet. The faints fhall fee
religion go naked at noon-day, free from fhame and fear of men.
We (hall divide Shechem, and ride upon the high places of Jacob.
Remember my obliged refpefts and love to Lady Kenmure and her
fweet child.

Yours ever in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Anwoth, July 6, 1636.

LX. — To Marion M'Naught.
(WHEN HE WAS UNDER TRIAL BY THE HIGH COMMISSION.)

Y DEAR AND WELL-BELOVED IN CHRIST,—

I am yet under trial, and have appeared before Chrifl's
forbidden lords,f for a teftimony againft them. The
Chancellor and the reft tempted me with queftions, nothing belong-
ing to my fummons, which I wholly declined, notwithftanding of
his threats. My newly printed book againft ArminiansJ was one
challenge ; not lording the prelates § was another. The moft part of
the bhhops, when I came in, looked more aftonifhed than I, and heard
me with fdence. Some fpoke for me ; but my Lord ruled it fo as
I am filled with joy in my fufFerings, and I find Chrifl's crofs fweet.
What they intend againft the next day I know not. Be not fecure,
but pray. Our Bifhop of Galloway faid. If the Commiflion fhould
not give him his will of me (with an oath he faid), he would write
to the I^ng. The Chancellor fummoned me in judgment to appear

* Appear in public v^^ith triumph and honour.
t The Prelates, alluding to i Pet. v. 3.

X Exercitat. ApoL pro Di'vind Gratia, publifhed this year (1636) at
Amfterdam.

§ Calling them ^^ Lords."

VOL. I. L

i62 LETTER LXI. [1636.

that day eight days. My Lord has brought me a friend from the
Highlands of Arg)4e, my Lord of Lorn,* who hath done as much
as was within the compafs of his power. God gave me favour in his
eyes. Mr Robert Glendinning is filenced, till he accepts a colleague.
We hope to deal yet for him. Chrifl: is worthy to be entrufted.
Your hufband will get an eafy and good way of his bufmefs. Ye
and I both fhall fee the falvation of God upon Jofeph feparate from
his brethren. Grace be with you.

S. R.
Edinburgh, 1636.

LXL — To the truly Noble and EleEl Lady, my Lady Viscountess of
Kenmure, on the evening of his haniJJjment to Aberdeen.

(HIS ONLT REGRETS— THE CROSS UNSPEAKABLT SWEET—
RETROSPECT OF HIS MINISTRY.)

OBLE AND ELECT LADY,— That honour that I
have prayed for thefe fixteen years, with fubmiffion to
mj Lord's will, my kind Lord hath now beftowed
upon me, even to fufFer for my royal and princely King Jefus, and
for His kingly crown, and the freedom of His kingdom that His
Father hath given Him. The forbidden lords f have fentenced me
with deprivation, and confinement within the town of Aberdeen. I
am charged in the King's name to enter againfi: the 20th day of
Auguft next, and there to remain during the King's pleafure, as they
have given it out. Howbeit Chrift's green crofs, newly laid upon me,
be fomewhat heavy, while I call to mind the many fair days fweet
and comfortable to my foul and to the fouls of many others, and how
young ones in Chrifl are plucked from the breaft, and the inherit-
ance of God laid wafle ; yet that fweet fmelled and perfumed crofs

* Brother to Lady Kenmure, afterwards the celebrated Marquis of Argyle.
See Let. 61. t Let. 60.

1636.J LETTER LXL 163

of Chrifl: is accompanied with fweet refrefhments, with the kifTes
of a Eng, with the joy of the Holy Ghofl:, with faith that the Lord
hears the fighing of a prifoner, with undoubted hope (as fure as
my Lord liveth) after this night to fee daylight, and Chrift's fky
to clear up again upon me, and His poor kirk ; and that in a
ftrange land, among ftrange faces. He will give favour in the eyes
of men to His poor opprefTed fervant, who dow* not but love
that lovely One, that princely One, Jefus, the Comforter of his
foul. All would be well, if I were free of old challenges f for
guiltinefs, and for negleft in my calling, and for fpeaking too little
for my Well-beloved's crown, honour, and kingdom. O for a day
in the aflembly of the faints to advocate for King Jefus ! If my
Lord go on now to quarrels alfo, I die, I cannot endure it. But I
look for peace from Him, becaufe He knoweth I dow* bear men's
feud, but I dow* not bear His feud. This is my only exercife,
that I fear I have done little good in my miniftry ; but I dare not
but fay, I loved the bairns of the wedding-chamber, and prayed
for and defired the thriving of the marriage, and coming of His
kingdom.

I apprehend no lefs than a judgment upon Galloway, and that
the Lord fhall vifit this whole nation for the quarrel of the Cove-
nant. But what can be laid upon me, or any the like of me, is too
light for Chrifl. Chrifl dow* bear more, and would bear death and
burning quick, in His quick fervants, even for this honourable
caufe that I now fuffer for. Yet for all my complaints (and He
knoweth that I dare not now difTemble), He was never fweeter and
kinder than He is now. One kifs now is fweeter than ten long
fince ; fweet, fweet is His crofs ; light, light and eafy is His yoke.
O what a fweet ftep were it up to my Father's houfe through ten
deaths, for the truth and caufe of that unknown, and fo not half
well loved, Plant of Renown, the Man called the Branch, the Chief
among ten thoufands, the fairefl among the fons of men ! O what
unfeen joys, how many hidden heart-burnings of love, are In the

* Can. t Rebukes.

i64 LETTER LXII. [1636.

remnants of the fufferings of Chrift ! My dear worthy Lady, I give
it to your Ladyfliip, under my own hand, my heart writing as well
as my hand, — welcome, welcome, fweet, fweet and glorious crofs
of Chrift i welcome, fweet Jefus, with Thy light crofs. Thou hail:
now gained and gotten all my love from me ; keep what Thou haft
gotten ! Only woe, woe is me, for my bereft flock, for the lambs
of Jefus, that I fear fhall be fed with dry breafts. But I fpare now.
Madam, I dare not promife to fee your Ladyfhip, becaufe of the
little time I have allotted me •, and I purpofe to obey the IGng, who
hath power of my body ; and rebellion to kings is unbefeeming
Chrift's minifters. Be pleafed to acquaint my Lady Mar* with my
cafe. I will look that your Ladyfhip and that good lady will be
mindful to God of the Lord's prifoner, not for my caufe, but for
the Gofpel's fake. Madam, bind me more, if more can be, to your
Ladyfhip, and write thanks to your brother, my Lord of Lorn, for
what he hath done for me, a poor unknown ftranger to his Lord-
fhip. I fliall pray for him and his houfe, while I live. It is his
honour to open his mouth in the ftreets, for his wronged and
opprefled Mafter Chrift Jefus. Now, Madam, commending your
Ladyfhip and the fweet child to the tender mercies of mine own
Lord Jefus, and His good-will who dwelt in the Bufh,
I am yours in his own fweeteft Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Edinburgh, July 28, 1636.

LXIL — To the Lady Culross, on occajton of his han'ijhment to
Aberdeen.

[Elizabeth Melville, wife of James Colvill, the eldeft Ion of Alex-
ander, Commendator of Culrofs, was the daughter of Sir James Melville of
Halhill, in Fife. Her father, an accomplifhed ftatefman, was ambaflador
from Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth, and a privy councillor to King James
VI. He was alfo a man of piety, and, as Livingftone informs us, '* profeffed
he had got aflurance from the Lord, that himfelf, wife, and all his children,

* See Let. to her, 140, and notice prefixed.

1636.] LETTER LXIL 165

fhould meet in heaven." He died on the 13th of November 161 7. Her
mother was Chriftian, the feventh daughter of David Bofwell of Balmuto.
{Douglas's Peerage J vol. ii.) Lady Culrofs held a high place among the
eminent Chriftians of her day. Livingftone fays: ^* She was famous for her
piety, and for her dream concerning her fpiritual condition, which Ihe put in
verfe, and was by others publifhed. Of all that ever I faw, ihe was moft
unwearied in religious exercifes ; and the more fhe enjoyed accefs to God
therein fhe hungered the more." She was prefent at the Communion at
Shotts in June 1636, when the fermon preached by Livingftone, on the
Monday after the facrament, was the means, it is believed, of the converfion
of not lefs than five hundred individuals. The night before had been fpent in
prayer by a great number of Chriftians in a large room where fhe flept ; and
the minifter who fliould have preached on Monday having fallen fick, it was
at her fuggeftion that the other minifters affifting on that occafion, to whom
Livingftone was a ftranger, laid upon him the work of addreffing the people on
Monday. There is a poem written by her entitled, *^ Ane Godlie Dream ; "
and there is ftill preferved a fonnet of her compofition, which fhe fent to Mr
John Welfh when he was imprifoned in Blacknefs, i6oj : —

^^ My dear brother, with courage bear the crofs,
Joy fhall be joined with all thy forrow here.
High is thy hope, difdain this earthly drofs.
Once fhall you fee the wifhed day appear.

' * Now it is dark, thy Iky cannot be clear,
After the clouds it fhall be calm anon ;
Wait on His will whofe blood hath bought thee dear :
Extol His name, though outward joys be gone.

' ^ Look to the Lord, thou art not left alone,

Since He is thine, what pleafure canft thou take I
He is at hand, and hears thy every groan :
End out thy fight, and fuffer for His fake.

^' A fight moft bright thy foul fhall fhortly fee,
When ftore of glore thy rich reward fhall be."

— Wodroqv MSS. Adv. Lib. Edin. vol. xxix.

{CHALLENGES OF CONSCIENCE— THE CROSS NO BURDEN.)

I AD AM, — Your letter came in due time to me, now a
prifoner of Chrifl:, and in bonds for the Gofpel. I am
fentenced with deprivation and confinement within the
town of Aberdeen. But O my guiltinefs, the follies of my youth,
the negleffs in my calling, and efpecially in not fpeaking more for

i66 LETTER LXIL [1636.

the kingdom, crown, and fceptre of my royal and princely King
Jefus, do fo flare me in the face, that I apprehend anger in that
which is a crown of rejoicing to the dear faints of God. This, be-
fore my compearance,* which was three feveral days, did trouble
me, and burdeneth me more now ; howbeit Chrift, and in Him
God reconciled, met me with open arms, and tryfledf me precifely
at the entry of the door of the Chancellor's hall, and affifted me to
anfwer, fo as the advantage that is is not theirs but Chrift's. Alas !
that is no caufe of wondering that I am thus borne down with
challenges ; J for the world hath miftaken me, and no man knoweth
what guiltinefs is in me fo well as thefe two, who keep my eyes
now waking and my heart heavy, I mean, my heart and con-
fcience, and my Lord, who is greater than my heart.

Shew your brother that I defire him, while he is on the watch-
tower, to plead with his mother, and to plead with this land, and
fpare not to cry for my fweet Lord Jefus His fair crown, that the
interdifted and forbidden lords § are plucking off His royal head.
If I were free of challenges J and a High CommifTion within my
foul, I would not give a ilraw to go to my Father's houfe through
ten deaths, for the truth and caufe of my lovely, lovely One, Jefus.
But I walk in heavinefs now. If ye love me, and Chrifl in me, my
dear Lady, pray, pray for this only, that bygones betwixt my Lord
and me may be bygones, |1 and that He would pafs from the fum-
mons of His High CommifTion, and feek nothing from me, but what
He will do for me and work in me. If your Ladyfhip knew me as
I do myfelf, ye would fay, " Poor foul, no marvel." It is not my
apprehenfion that createth this crofs to me ; it is too real, and hath
fad and certain grounds. But I will not believe that God will take
this advantage of me, when my back is at the wall. He who for-
biddeth to add affliftion to affli6lion, will He do it Himfelf .? Why
fhould He purfue a dry leaf and ftubble ? Defire Him to fpare me

* Appearance at Court in obedience to a citation.

t Appointed a meeting with. % Rebukes that I give myfelf.

^ The Prelates. |j All paft offences forgiven and forgotten.

1636.] LETTER LXIIL 167

now. Alfo the memory of the fair feast-days that Chrifl and I had
in His banqueting-houfe of wine, and of the fcattered flock once com-
mitted to me, and now taken off my hand by Himfelf, becaufe I
was not fo faithful in the end as I was in the two firft years of my
entry, when fleep departed from my eyes, becaufe my foul was taken
up with a care for Chrifl's lambs, — even thefe add Ibrrow to my
forrow. Now my Lord hath only given me this to fay, and I write
it under mine own hand (be ye the Lord's fervant's witnefs), wel-
come, welcome, fweet, fweet crofs of Chriil -, welcome fair, fair,
lovely, royal King with Thine own crofs. Let us all three go to
heaven together. Neither care I much to go from the fouth of
Scotland to the north, and to be Chrift's prifoner amongfl unco*
faces, in a place of this kingdom, which I have little reafon to be in
love with. I know Chrift fhall make Aberdeen my garden of de-
lights. I am fully perfuaded that Scotland fliall eat Ezekiel's book,
that is written within and without, " lamentation, and mourning, and
woe."f But the faints fhall get a drink of the well that goeth
through the ftreets of the New Jerufalem, to put it down. J Thus
hoping that ye will think upon the poor prifoner of Chrifl:, I pray,
grace, grace be with you.

Your Ladyfliip's in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Edinburgh, July 30, 1636.

LXin. — To Mr Robert Cunningham, Minijler of the Go/pel at
Holyivoody in Ireland.

[Mr Robert Cunningham was at firft for fome time employed as
chaplain to the Earl of Buccleuch's regiment in Holland. On the return of
the troops to Scotland, he removed to the north of Ireland, where he was ad-
mitted minifter of Holywood on the 9th of November 1615. '^ He was the
one man to my difceming," fays Livingftone, ^^ of all that ever I faw, who

* Strange. f Ezek. ii. 10.

X Make it more pleafant to fwallovv.

i68 LETTER LXIIL [1636.

refembled moft the meeknefs of Jefus Chrift in his whole carriage, and was fo
far reverenced by all, even the moft wicked, that he was oft troubled with
that Scripture, * Woe to you \vhen all men fpeak well of you.'" He con-
tinued to labour in his charge, and in the furrounding diftrid, with great fuc-
cefs, until, on the appointment of the Earl of AA'entworth to be Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, the Prefbyterian minifters began to be molefted for
their non-conformity. Owing to the Angular gentlenefs of Cunningham's dis-
pofition, he was for fome time fubjecfted to lefs trouble than his brethren ; but
at length, on the 12th of Auguft 1636, he and four other minifters, among
whom was Mr Hamilton mentioned in the clofe of this letter, were formally
depofed for refufing to fubfcribe certain canons, one of which was one enjoin-
ing kneeling at the Lord's Supper. Not long after, he and fome of his de-
pofed brethren came over to Scotland ; but he did not long furvive his arrival,
having been attacked with ficknefs at Irvine, where he died on the 29th of
March 1637, fcarcely eight months after this letter was written. A little be-
fore he expired, while his wife was fitting on the front of his bed with her
hand clafp>ed in his, after committing to God by prayer his flock at Holywood,
his friends and children, he faid, ** And laft of all, I recommend to Thee this
gentlewoman, who is no more my wife." His affedionate wife burfting into
tears, he endeavoured by comfortable words to allay her grief; and while in
the act of fo doing, fell afleep in Jefus.]

(CONSOLATION TO A BROTHER IN TRIBULATION— HIS OIVN
DEPRIVATION OF MINISTRY— CHRIST fFORTH SUFFERING
FOR,)

:|k#^ ^JELL-BELOVED AND REVEREND BROTHER,—
jj\iA%iy Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. Upon acquaint-
|Kv^^EAgi.jj | ance in Chrift, I thought good to take the opportunity
of writing to you. Seeing it hath feemed good to the Lord of the
harveft to take the hooks* out of our hands for a time, and to lay
upon us a more honourable fervice, even to fuffer for His name, it
were good to comfort one another in writing. I have had a defire
to fee you in the face ; yet now being the prifoner of Chrift, it is
taken away. I am greatlv comforted to hear of your foldier's ftately
fpirit, for your princely and royal Captain Jefus our Lord, and for
the grace of God in the reft of our dear brethren with you.

* The Tickles for reaping.

1636.] LETTER LXIIL 169

You have heard of my trouble, I fuppofe. It hath pleafed our
Iweet Lord Jefus to let loofe the malice of thefe interdifted lords in
His houfe to deprive me of my miniftry at Anwoth, and to confine
me, eight fcore miles from thence, to Aberdeen ; and alfo (which
was not done to any before) to inhibit* me to fpeak at all in Jefus'
name, within this kingdom, under the pain of rebellion. The caufe
that ripened their hatred was my book againft the Arminians, whereof
they accufed me, on thefe three days I appeared before them. But,
let our crowned King in Zion reign ! By His grace the lofs is
theirs, the advantage is Chrifl's and truth's. Albeit this honeft crofs
gained fome ground on me, and my heavinefs and my inward
challenges of confcience for a time were fharp, yet now, for the en-
couragement of you all, I dare fay it, and write it under my hand,
" Welcome, welcome, fweet, fweet crofs of Chrift." I verily think
the chains of my Lord Jefus are all overlaid with pure gold, and that
His crofs is perfumed, and that it fmelleth of Chrift, and that the
viftory fhall be by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of His
truth, and that Chrift, lying on His back, in His weak fervants, and
opprefled truth, fhall ride over His enemies' bellies, and fhall " ftrike
through kings in the day of His wrath."f It is time we laugh
when He laugheth ; and feeing He is now pleafed to fit with:|:
wrongs for a time, it becometh us to be filent until the Lord hath
let the enemies enjoy their hungry, lean, and fecklefs§ paradife.
Bleffed are they who are content to take ftrokes with weeping
Chrifl. Faith will truft the Lord, and is not hafty, nor headftrong ;
neither is faith fo timorous as to flatter a temptation, or to bud|| and
bribe the crofs. It is little up or little down f that the Lamb and
His followers can get no law-furety, nor truce with croffes ; it muft be
fo, till we be up in our Father's houfe. My heart is woe** indeed
for my mother Church, that hath played the harlot with many lovers.
Her Hufband hath a mind to fell her for her horrible tranfgreflions ;

* Forbid. f Ps. ex. 5. % To bear with in filence.

§ Worthlefs, no iubftance in it. || Try to gain by gift.

^ Of little moment. ** Sorrowful.

lyo LETTER LXIIL [1636.

and heavy will the hand of the Lord be upon this backfliding nation.
The ways of our Zion mourn ; her gold is become dim, her white
Nazarites are black like a coal. How fhall not the children weep,
when the Hufband and the mother cannot agree ! Yet I believe
Scotland's fky fhall clear again ; that Chrifl fhall build again the
old wafle places of Jacob ; that our dead and dry bones fhall be-
come one army of living men, and that our Well-beloved may yet
feed among the lilies, until the day break and the fhadows flee away.*
My dear brother, let us help one another with our prayers. Our
King fhall mow down His enemies, and fhall come from Bozrah
with His garments all dyed in blood. And for our confolation fhall
He appear, and call His wife Hephzibah, and His land Beulah ;f
for He will rejoice over us and marry us, and Scotland fhall fay,
" What have I to do any more with idols ?" Only let us be faith-
ful to Him that can ride through hell and death upon a windleflrae,:]:
and His horfe never flumble ; and let Him make of me a bridge over
a water, fo that His high and holy name may be glorified in me.
Strokes with the fweet Mediator's hand are very fweet. He was
always fweet to my foul ; but fmce I fufFered for Him, His breath
hath a fweeter fmell than before. Oh that every hair of my head,
and every member and every bone in my body, were a man to
witnefs a fair confefTion for Him ! I would think all too little for
Him. When I look over beyond the line, and beyond death, to the
laughing fide of the world, I triumph, and ride upon the high places
of Jacob ; howbeit otherwife I am a faint, dead-hearted, cowardly
man, oft borne down, and hungry in waiting for the marriage fupper
of the Lamb. Neverthelefs, I think it the Lord's wife love that
feeds us with hunger, and makes us fat with wants and defertions.

I know not, my dear brother, if our worthy brethren be gone
to fea or not. They are on my heart and in my prayers. If they
be yet with you, falute my dear friend, John Stuart, my well-beloved
brethren in the Lord, Mr Blair, Mr Hamilton, Mr Livingfton, and

* Song iv. 5,6. t Ifa. Ixii. 4. J A ftraw of dogs'-tail grafs.

1636.] LETTER LXIV. 171

Mr M'Clelland,* and acquaint them with my troubles, and en-
treat them to pray for the poor aiflicfted prifoner of Chrift. They
are dear to my foul. I feek your prayers and theirs for my flock :
their remembrance breaketh my heart. I defire to love that people,
and others my dear acquaintance in Chrift, with love in God, and
as God loveth them. I know that He who fent me to the weft
and fouth, fends me alio to the north. I will charge my foul to
believe and to wait for Him, and will follow His providence, and
not go before it, nor ftay behind it. Now, my dear brother, taking
farewell in paper, I commend you all to the word of His grace, and
to the work of His Spirit, to Him who holdeth the feven ftars in
His right hand, that you may be kept fpotlefs till the day of Jefus
our Lord.

I am your brother in aifliftion in our fweet Lord Jeftis,

S. R.

From Irvine, being on my journey to Chrift's
Palace in Aberdeen, Auguji 4, 1636.

M

LXrV. — To Alexander Gordon of Earlflon.
(HIS FEELINGS UPON LEA FING ANWOTH.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— I find fmall hopes of Q.'s
bufmefs. I intend, after the council-day, to go on to
Aberdeen. The Lord is with me: I care not what
man can do. I burden no man, and I want nothing. No king is
better provided than I am. Sweet, fweet, and eafy is the crofs of
my Lord. All men I look in the face (of whatfoever denomina-
tion, nobles and poor, acquaintance and ftrangers) are friendly to

* Correfpondents to whom there are letters inferted in this volume, v^^ho
having been obliged to remove from Scotland by the oppreflive meafures of
the prelates, intended to proceed to New England. But the voyage proving
difaftrous, they ultimately returned to Ireland. There was a M'Lelland of
Balmagachan, near Roberton, in the parish of Borgue; but this is not he.
This was John M^Lelland, fometime minifter of Kirkcudbright, a friend of
R. Blair's.

172 LETTER LXV. [1636.

me. My Well-beloved is fome* kinder and more warmly than ordi-
nary, and Cometh and vifiteth my foul. My chains are overgilded
with gold. Only the remembrance of my fair days with Chrift in
Anwoth, and of my dear flock (whofe cafe is my heart's forrow), is
vinegar to my fugared wine. Yet both fweet and four feed my foul.
No pen, no words, no inginef can exprefs to you the lovelinefs of
my only, only Lord Jefus. Thus, in hafte, making for my palace
at Aberdeen, I blefs you, your wife, your eldeft fon, and other
children. Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Edinburgh, Sept. 5, 1636.

LXV. — To Robert Gordon of Knockbreck, on his luay to Aberdeen.

[Robert Gordon of Knockbrex, in the parifh of Borgue, which adjoins
Anwoth, is, by Livingftone in his Charaderi/lics , defcribed as ** a fingle-hearted
and painful Chriftian, much employed at parliaments and public meetings after
the year 1638." He was a member of the famous Aflembly which met at
Glasgow in 1638, as commifTioner from the Prefbytery of Kirkcudbright. The
precife date of his death is uncertain. But, on the 28th of July 1657, John
Gordon, fon to John Gordon, who was fon to Alexander Gordon in Gar-
loch, is retoured **heir of Robert Gordon of Knockbreck, his granduncle,"
in the lands of Knockbreck, &c. {Inq. Retor. Abbrenj. Kirkcudbright , No.
274.) This retour enables us to con-edt fome miftakes which have been fallen
into in reference to Knockbreck and his family. Stevenfon, in his edition of
Livingftone's Charaderijlics , 1773, has added to Livingftone's account of
Robert Gordon of Knockbreck the following fentence: — ^^They all three
fufFered for religion. The two younger brothers were executed on one
gibbet, and embracing each other in their arms, did fo expire." The two
brothers to whom Stevenfon refers, John Gordon of Knockbreck, and Robert,
who were executed at Edinburgh on the 7th of December 1666, for having
been engaged in the riling at Pentland (fee Let. 218), were the grandchildren
of Alexander Gordon of Garloch, the brother of Robert Gordon of Knock-
breck, to whom Rutherford addrefTes this letter, and to whom one of them,
John, in the above retour, was ferved heir. Others have made the fame

* Somewhat. f Power of mind. It is alfo written engine or ingyne.

It is the Latin ingenium.

1636.] LETTER LXVL 173

miftake. Robert Gordon of Knockbreck was evidently only their granduncle.
Their father's name was John, and he died many years before the martyr-
dom of his fons.

Knockbrex ftands over near the fea-fhore, amid thick woods, looking down
on the opening of Wigtown Bay, But a modern manfion has taken the place
of Gordon's refidence.]

(HOW UPHELD ON THE WAT,)

! Y DEAREST BROTHER,— I fee Chrift thinketh fhame
(if I may fpeak fo) to be in fuch a poor man's common*
as mine. I burden no man ; I want nothing ; no face
hath gloomed upon me fmce I left you. God's fun and fair weather
conveyeth me to my time-paradife in Aberdeen. Chrifl hath fo
handfomely fitted for my fhoulders this rough tree of the crofs, as
that it hurteth me no ways. My treafure is up in Chrifl's coffers ;
my comforts are greater than ye can believe ; my pen fhall lie for
penury of words to write of them. God knoweth I am filled with
the joy of the Holy Ghoft. Only the memory of you, my dearefl
in the Lord, my flock and others, keepeth me under, and from
being exalted above meafure. Chrift's fweet fauce hath this four
mixed with it ; but O fuch a fweet and pleafant tafle ! I find fmall
hopes of Q.'s matter. Thus in hafl:e. Remember me to your
wife, and to William Gordon. Grace be with you.
Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Edinburgh, Sept. 5, 1636.

LXVL — To Robert Go^no^ of Knockbrex , after arriving at Aberdeen.

(CHALLENGES OF CONSCIENCE— EASE IN ZION)

EAR BROTHER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to
you. I am, by God's mercy, come now to Aberdeen,
the place of my confinement, and fettled in an honeft
man's houfe. I find the town's-men cold, general, and dry in their

* Under obligation to.

174 LETTER LXVL [1636.

kindnefs ; yet I find a lodging in the heart of many ftrangers. My
challenges are revived again, and I find old fores bleeding of new ;
dangerous and painful is an undercotted* confcience; yet I have
an eye to the blood that is phyfic for fuch fores. But, verily, I fee
Chriftianity is conceived to be more eafy and lighter than it is ; fb
that I fometimes think I never knew anything but the letters of
that name ; for our nature contenteth itfelf with little in godlinefs.
Our "Lord, Lord" feemeth to us ten " Lord, Lords." Little holi-
nefs in our balance is much, becaufe it is our own holinefs ; and we
love to lay fmall burdens upon our foft natures, and to make a fair
court-way to heaven. And I know it were neceffary to take more
pains than we do, and not to make heaven a city more eafily taken
than God hath made it. I perfuade myfelf that many runners fhall
come fhort, and get a difappointment. Oh! how eafy is it to de-
ceive ourfelves, and to fleep, and wifii that heaven may fall down
in our laps ! Yet for all my Lord's glooms,f I find Him fweet, gra-
cious, loving, kind ; and I want both pen and words to fet forth the
fairnefs, beauty, and fweetnefs of Chrift's love, and the honour of
this crofs of Chrifl, which is glorious to me, though the world
thinketh ftiame thereof. I verily think that the crofs of Chrift
would blufh and think fhame of thefe thin-fkinned worldlings, who
are fo married to their credit that they are afhamed of the fufFerings
of Chrift. O the honour to be fcourged and ftoned with Chrift,
and to go through a furious-faced death to life eternal! But men
would have law-borrows J againft Chrift's crofs.

Now, my dear brother, forget not the prifoner of Chrift, for I
fee very few here who kindly fear God. Grace be with you. Let
my love in Chrift and hearty affeftion be remembered to your kind
wife, to your brother John, and to all friends. The Lord Jefus be
with your fpirit.

Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus, S. R.

Aberdeex, Sept. 20, 1636.

* F eft ering under the fkin. Calderwood's Hift. v. 658. f Frowns.

X Surety from injury ; giving a pledge to the law not to injure.

1636.] LETTER LXVIL 175

LXVII. — For William Fullarton, Provojl of Kirkcudbright.

[William Fullarton, as has been formerly noticed, was the hufband
of Marion M * Naught. His religious principles were the fame with thofe of his
excellent wife, and he was a man of virtue, integrity, and piety. He proved
himfelf the patron of the opprefled in the cafe of Mr Robert Glendinning, the
aged minifter of Kirkcudbright ; to which cafe there is evident allufion in this
letter. Mr Glendinning having refufed to conform to Prelacy, and to receive,
as his affiiftant and fucceflbr, a man whom Bifhop Sydferff intruded upon him
and the people of Kirkcudbright, the Bifhop fufpended him from his office,
and fentenced him to be imprifoned. Provoft Fullarton, and the other magis-
trates of the burgh (one of whom was Mr William Glendinning, fon of the
minifter), indignant at fuch tyrannical proceedings, refufed to incarcerate their
own paftor, then nearly 80 years of age, and were determined, with the
great body of the inhabitants of the town, to attend upon his miniftry.
Sydferff, too proud and violent to allow his authority to be thus defpifed,
caufed Bailie Glendinning to be imprifoned in Kirkaidbright, and the other
magiftrates to be confined within the town of Wigtown, while he fentenced the
aged minifter to remain within the bounds of his parilh, and forbade him to
exercife any part of his minifterial fund:ions. But he found it impoffible, by
all the means he could employ, to reduce thefe refradtory magiftrates to
obedience. The firmnefs which Fullarton manifefted on this occafion is
warmly commended by Rutherford.]

{ENCOURAGEMENT TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST.)

UCH HONOURED AND VERY DEAR FRIEND,

— Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I am in good
cafe, blefTed be the Lord, remaining here in this unco *
town, a prifoner for Chrift and His truth. And I am not afhamed
of His crofs. My foul is comforted with the confolations of His
fweet prefence, for whom I fuffer.

I earneftly entreat you to give your honour and authority to
Chrifl:, and for Chrift ; and be not difmayed for flefh and blood,
while you are for the Lord, and for His truth and caufe. And
howbeit we fee truth put to the worfe for the time, yet Chrifl will

* Strange.

17^ LETTER LXFIIL [1636.

be a friend to truth, and will do* for thofe who dare hazard all

that they have for Him and for His glory. Sir, our fair day is

coming, and the court will change, and wicked men will weep after

noon, and forer than the fons of God, who weep in the morning.

Let us believe and hope for God's falvation.

Sir, I hope I need not write to you for your kindnefs and love

to my brother,f who is now to be diftrefTed for the truth of God

as well as I am. I think myfelf obliged to pray for you, and your

worthy and kind bed-fellow and children, for your love to him and

me alfo. I hope your pains for us in Chrift fhall not be loft. Thus

recommending you to the tender mercy and loving-kindnefs of God,

I reft,

Your very loving and afFed^ionate brother,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Sept. 21, 1636.

LXVIII.— 51? John Fleming, Bailiffe of Leith.X

[Of Mr Fleming nothing can be afcertained, unlefs it is he who is men-
tioned by Livingfton as being a merchant in Edinburgh, a man of note among
the godly.]

(THE SWEETNESS AND FAITHFULNESS OF CHRIST'S LOFE.)

Y VERY WORTHY FRIEND,— Grace, mercy, and
peace be to you. I received your letter. I blefs the
Lord through Jefus Chrift, I find His word good, " I
have chofen thee in the furnace of affliftion." § — "I will be with

* Ad: fo as to undo them.

t His brother was a teacher in Kirkcudbright, and between him and
Samuel there was a warm attachment, and ftrong mutual fympathies. He,
too, fuffered perfecution for his adherence to the caufe of Prefbytery. For this,
and his zealous fupport of Mr Glendinning, whom the Bifliop of Galloway
treated with fuch cruelty, he was fummoned in November 1636 before the
High Commiffion, and condemned to refign his charge, and remove from
Kirkcudbright before the enfuing term of Whitfunday.

t BailifFe is the modern '' Bailie," the name for a city magiftrate.

§ I fa. xlviii. lo.

1636.] LETTER LXFIII. 177

him in trouble."* I never expe6ted otherf at Chrift's hand but much
good and comfort ; and I am not difappointed. I find my Lord's
crofs overgilded and oiled with comforts. My Lord hath now
fhown me the white fide of His crofs. I would not exchange my
weeping in prifon with the Fourteen Prelates' :j: laughter, amidfi:
their hungry and lean joys. This world knoweth not the fweetnefs
of Chrift's love ; it is a myftery to them.

At my firfi: coming here, I found great heavinefs, efpecially
becaufe it had pleafed the prelates to add this gentle cruelty to my
former fufferings (for it is gentle to them), to inhibit the minifters
of the town to give me the liberty of a pulpit. I faid, What aileth
Chrifi: at my fervice ? But I was a fool ; He hath chid Himfelf
friends with me. If ye and others of God's children fhall praife
His great name, who maketh worthlefs men witnefies for Him, my
filence and fufferings fiiall preach more than my tongue could do.
If His glory be feen in me, I am fatisfied ; for I want for no kind-
nefs from Chrifi:. And, fir, I dare not fmother His liberality. I
write it to you, that ye may praife, and defire your brother and
others to join with me in this work.

This land fiiall be made defolate. Our iniquities are full ^ the
Lord faith, we fiiall drink, and fpue, and fall. Remember my love
to your good kind wife. Grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Nov, 13, 1636.

* Ps. xci. 15. f Ought elfe.

X Referring probably to the number of prelates (confifting of two arch-
bifhops and twelve bifhops), who were members of the High Commiffion by
whom he was fentenced to imprifonment.

VOL. I.

178 LETTER LXIX. [1636.

LXIX. — To the Noble and Chrijlian Lady the Viscountess of
Kenmure.

{HIS ENJOYMENT OF CHRIST IN ABERDEEN— A SIGHT OF CHRIST
EXCEEDS ALL REP0R7S—S0ME ASHAMED OF HIM AND
HIS.)

Y VERY HONOURABLE AND DEAR LADY,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I cannot forget
your Ladyihip, and that fweet child. I defire to hear
what the Lord is doing to you and him. To write to me were
charity. I cannot but write to my friends, that Chrift hath tryfted*
me in Aberdeen -, and my adverfaries have fent me here to be
feafted with love banquets with my royal, high, high, and
princely I^ng Jefus. Madam, why fhould I fmother Chrifl's hon-
efty ? I dare not conceal His goodnefs to my foul ; He looked
fremedf and unco-like J upon me when I came firfl here •, but I
believe Himfelf better than His looks. I fhall not again quarrel
Chrifl for a gloom, § now He hath taken the mafk off His face, and
faith, "Kjfs thy fill ;" and what can I have more when I get great
heaven in my little arms ? Oh how fweet are the fufFerings of Chrifl
for Chrift ! God forgive them that raife an ill report upon the
fweet crofs of Chrifl. It is but our weak and dim eyes, that look
but to the black fide, that makes us miflake. Thofe who can take
that crabbed tree handfomely upon their back, and faflen it on
cannily,|| fhall find it fuch a burden as wings unto a bird, or fails to
a fhip. Madam, rue not of your having chofen the better part.
Upon my falvation, this is Chrift's truth I now fuffer for. If I
found but cold comfort in my fufFerings, I would not beguile others ;
I would have told you plainly. But the truth is, Chrifl's crown,
His fceptre, and the freedom of His kingdom, is that which is now

* Appointed to meet, f Like one who was no kinfman. X Strange-like.
§ Frown. |( Quietly, and Ikilfully.

1636.] LETTER LXIX. 179

called in queftion ; becaufe we will not allow that Chrifl: pay tri-
bute and be a vaflal to the ihields of the earth, therefore the fons of
our mother are angry at us. But it becometh not Chrift to hold
any man's flirrup. It were a fweet and honourable death to die
for the honour of that royal and princely I^ng Jefus. His love is
a myftery to the world. I would not have believed that there was
fo much in Chrift as there is. " Come and fee" maketh Chrifl to
be known in His excellency and glory. I wifh all this nation knew
how fweet His breath is. It is little to fee Chrift in a book, as
men do the world in a card.* They talk of Chrift by the book
and the tongue, and no more ; but to come nigh Chrift, and haufef
Him; and embrace Him, is another thing. Madam, I write to your
honour, for your encouragement in that honourable profeffion
Chrift hath honoured you with. Ye have gotten the funny fide of
the brae, J and the beft of Chrift's good things. He hath not given
you the baftard's portion ; and howbeit ye get ftrokes and four
looks from your Lord, yet believe His love more than your own
feeling, for this world can take nothing from you that is truly
yours, and death can do you no wrong. Your rock doth not ebb
and flow, but your fea. That which Chrift hath faid. He will
bide by it. He will be your tutor. You fhall not get your charters
of heaven to play you with. It is good that ye have loft your
credit with Chrift, and that Lord Free-will ftiall not be your tutor.
Chrift will lippen§ the taking you to heaven, neither to yourfelf,
nor any deputy, but only to Himfelf. Blefted be your tutor. When
your Head fhall appear, your Bridegroom and Lord, your day
ftiall then dawn, and it fhall never have an afternoon, nor an even-
ing ftiadow. Let your child be Chrift's ; let him ftay befide you as
thy Lord's pledge, that you fhall willingly render again, if God
will.

Madam, I find folks here kind to me ; but in the night, and
under their breath. My Mafter's caufe may not come to the crown

* Chart, map. f Clofe with; clafp round the neck; hals^ the neck, or throat.
X Of the hill ; the comfortable and warm fituation. § Entruft.

i8o LETTER LXIX. [1636.

of the caufeway.* Others are kind according to their fafhion.
Many think me a ftrange man, and my caufe not good ; but I care
not much for man's thoughts or approbation. I think no fhame of
the crofs. The preachers of the town pretend great love, but the
prelates have added to the reft this gentle cruelty (for fo they think
of it), to difcharge me of the pulpits of this town. The people mur-
mur and cry out againft it ; and to fpeak truly (howbeit Chrifl: is moft
indulgent to me otherwife), my filence on the Lord's day keeps me
from being exalted above meafure, and from ftartlingf in the heat of
my Lord's love. Some people afFedl J me, for the which caufe, I hear
the preachers here purpofe to have my confinement changed to
another place ; fo cold is northern love ; but Chrifl and I will bear it.
I have wreftled long with this fad filence. I faid, what aileth Chrifl
at my fervice ? and my foul hath been at a pleading with Chrifl,
and at yea and nay. But I will yield to Him, providing my fufFer-
ing may preach more than my tongue did ; for I give not Chrifl an
inch but for twice as good again. In a word, I am a fool, and He
is God. I will hold my peace hereafter.

Let me hear from your Ladyfhip, and your dear child. Pray
for the prifoner of Chrifl, who is mindful of your Ladyfhip. Re-
member my obliged obedience to my good Lady Marr. Grace,
grace be with you. I write and pray bleffings to your fweet child.
Yours in all dutiful obedience in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Not'. 22, 1636.

* Appear without fhame in public.

t Startle, as cattle do in hot weather, nin up and down in an excited manner.

t Love.

r^m^

636.] LETTER LXX. 181

LXX. — To the Right Honourable and Chrijlian Lady, my Lady
Viscountess of Kenmure.

{EXERCISE UNDER RESTRAINT FROM PREACHING— THE DEVIL
—CHRIST'S LOFING-KINDNESS— PROGRESS.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received
your Ladyfhip's letter. It refrefhed me in my heavi-
nefs. The ble/Iing and prayer of a prilbner of Chrifl
come upon you. Since my coming hither, Galloway fent me not a
line, except what my brother, Earleflon and his fon did write. I
cannot get my papers tranfported ; but. Madam, I want not kind-
nefs of one who hath the gate * of it. Chrift (if He had never done
more for me fmce I was born) hath engaged my heart, and gained
my bleffing in this houfe of my pilgrimage. It pleafeth my Well-
beloved to dine with a poor prifoner, and the King's fpikenard cafleth
a fragrant fmell. Nothing grieveth me, but that I eat my feafts
my lone, and that I cannot edify His faints. O that this nation
knew what is betwixt Him and me ; none would fcarf at the
crofs of Chrifl ! My filence eats me up, but He hath told me He
thanketh me no lefs, than if I were preaching daily. He fees how
gladly I would be at it •, and therefore my wages are going to the
fore, J up in heaven, as if I were ftill preaching Chrift. Captains
pay duly bedfafl foldiers, howbeit they do§ not march, nor carry
armour. " Though Ifrael be not gathered, yet fhall I be glorious
in the eyes of the Lord, and my God fhall be my ftrength." || My
garland, " the banillied minifter" (the term of Aberdeen), afhameth
me not. I have feen the white fide of Chrift's crofs ; how lovely
hath He been to His opprefTed fervant ! " The Lord executeth
judgment for the opprefTed, He giveth food to the hungry : the Lord
loofeth the prifoner -, the Lord raifeth them that are bowed down :

* Way. t Start alide in fear. :j: Laid up in ftore for my advantage^
§ Some editions read *^ dow," — are not able. || Ifa. xlix. 5.

i82 LETTER LXX. [1636.

the Lord preferveth the flranger." * If it were come to exchanging
of crofTes, I would not exchange my crofs with any. I am well
pleafed with Chrift, and He with me -, I hope none fhall hear us.f
It is true for all this, I get my meat with many ftrokes, and am
feven times a-day up and down, and am often anxious and caft
down for the cafe of my oppreffed brother -, yet I hope the Lord
will be furety for His fervant. But now upon fome weak, very
weak experience, I am come to love a rumbling and raging devil
befl. Seeing we muft have a devil to hold the faints waking, I wifli
a cumberfome devil, rather than a fecure and fleeping one. At my
firfl coming hither, I took the dortsj at Chrift, and took up a ftomach
againfl Him -, I faid, He had caft me over the dike of the vineyard,
like a dry tree. But it was His mercy, I fee, that the fire did not
burn the dry tree ; and now, as if my Lord Jefus had done that
fault, and not I (who belied my Lord), He hath made the firft mends, §
and He fpake not one word againft me, but hath come again and
quickened my foul with His prefence. Nay, now I think the very
annuity j' and cafualties of the crofs of Chrifl Jefus my Lord, and
thefe comforts that accompany it, better than the world's fet-rent. ||
O how many rich off-fallings f are in my King's houfe! I am per-
fuaded, and dare pawn my falvation on it, that it is Chrift's truth I
now fuifer for. I know His comforts are no dreams ; He would not
put His feal on blank paper, nor deceive His afflicted ones that
trufl in Him.

Your Ladyfhip wrote to me that ye are yet an ill fcholar.
Madam, ye mufl go in at heaven's gates, and your book in your
hand, ftill learning. You have had your own large fhare of troubles,
and a double portion ; but it faith your Father counteth you not a
baflard ; full-begotten bairns are nurtured.** I long to hear of the
child. I write the blefTmgs of Chrifl's prifoner and the mercies of

* Ps. cxlvi. 7-9.

t In Thomfon's edition this is explained by referring to Proverbs xiv. 10.
X Sulks. § Firft repaired the injury, made up the quarrel.

II The quit-rent ; better than the world's full rent. 1 Odds and ends.
** Heb. xii. 8. Legitimate children are put under difcipline.

1636.J LETTER LXX. 183

God to him. Let him be Chrift's and yours betwixt you, but let
Chrift be whole play-maker.* Let Him be the lender ; and you
the borrower, not an owner.

Madam, it is not long fmce I did write to your Ladyfhip that
Chrift is keeping mercy for you ; and I bide by it ftill, and now I
write it under my hand. Love Him dearly. Winf in to fee Him ;
there is in Him that which you never faw. He is aye nigh ; He
is a tree of life, green and bloflbming, both fummer and winter.
There is a nick J in Chriftianity, to the which whofoever cometh,
they fee and feel more than others can do. I invite you of new to
come to Him. "■ Come and fee," will fpeak better things of Him than
I can do. " Come nearer" will fay much. God thought never this
world a portion worthy of you. He would not even § you to a g^ft
of dirt and clay ; nay, He will not give you Efau's portion, but re-
ferves the inheritance of Jacob for you. Are ye not well married
now ? Have you not a good hufband now ?

My heart cannot exprefs what fad nights I have had for the
virgin daughter of my people. Woe is me, for my time is coming.
" Behold, the day, behold, the day is come , the morning hath gone
forth, the rod hath bloftbmed, pride hath budded, violence is rifen
up in a rod of wickednefs, the fun is gone down upon our prophets."
A dry wind upon Scotland, but neither to fan nor to cleanfe ; but out
of all queftion, when the Lord hath cut down the foreft, the after-
growth of Lebanon fhall flourifh ; they ftiall plant vines in our
mountains, and a cloud fhall yet fill the temple. Now the bleffmg
of our deareft Lord Jefus, and the blefling of him that is " feparate
from his brethren," come upon you.

Yours, at Aberdeen, the prifoner of Chrift,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

* Sole diredor of the play. f Get in, in fpite of difficulty.

X Notch, degree, particular point.

§ A word for difparaging comparifon ; propofe as fit for you.

184 ' LETTER LXXL [1636.

LXXI.— T<? Mr Hugh M'Kail.

[Mr Hugh M^Kail was at this time'minifter of Irvine. Previous to his
fettlement in that parifh^ Rutherford, as we learn from fome of the preceding
letters to Marion M 'Naught, was very defirous of feeing him fettled afliftant
and fuccelTor to Mr Robert Glendinning, the aged minifter of Kirkcudbright,
and to him the people had an eye, but were difappointed, they having been
anticipated by the parifh of which he was now paftor. He and Mr William
Gockbum were appointed by the General Aflembly of 1644 to vilit the north of
Ireland for three months, with the view of promoting the interefts of the Pres-
byterian Church in that country. He was ultimately tranflated to Edinburgh.
In the unhappy controverfy between the Refolutioners and Protefters, M'Kail
took the fide of the foiTner ; but he was among the more moderate of the
party, and always fhowed a readinefs to enter into healing meafures. Baillie
often refers to him in his letters. M^Kail died in the beginning of the year
1660, and was buried in the Greyfriars' churchyard, Edinburgh. (Lamont's
Diary^ p. lai.) He was the brother of Mr Matthew M'Kail of Bothwell,
who was the father of the youthful Hugh M'Kail. Young Hugh was edu-
cated at Edinburgh, under the fuperintendence of this uncle, and nobly fuffered
martyrdom in 1666.]

(CHRIST TO BE TRUSTED AMID TRIAL.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I thank you for
your letter. I cannot but fhow you, that as I never ex-
pected anything from Chrifl, but much good and kind-
nefs, fo He hath made me to find it in the houfe of my pilgrimage.
And believe me, brother, I ^ve it to you under mine own hand-writ,
that whofo looketh to the white fide of Chrifl's crofs, and can take it
up handfomely with faith and courage, fhall find it fuch a burden
as fails are to a fhip, or wings to a bird. I find that my Lord hath
overgilded that black tree, and hath perfumed it, and oiled it with
joy and confolation. Like a fool, once I would chide and plead
with Chrift, and llander Him to others, of unkindnefs. But I truff
in God, not to call His glooms* unkind again ; for He hath taken
from me my fackcloth ; and I verily cannot tell you what a poor

Frowns.

1636.] LETTER LXXIL 185

Jofeph and priibner (with whom my mother's children were angry)
doth now think of kind Chrift. I will chide no more, providing
He will quit me all by-gones ; * for I am poor. I am taught in this
ill weather to go on the lee-fide of Chrifl, and to put Him in between
me and the ftorm ; and (I thank God) I walk on the funny fide of
the brae.f I write it, that ye may fpeak in my behalf the praifes of
my Lord to others, that my bonds may preach. O if all Scotland
knew the feafls, and love-blinks, and vifits that the prelates have
lent unto me ! I will verily give my Lord Jefus a free difcharge
of all that I, like a fool, laid to His charge, and beg Him pardon,
to the mends. J God grant that in my temptations I come not on
His wrong fide again, and never again fall a raving againft my
Phyfician in my fever.

Brother, plead with your mother while ye have time. A pulpit
would be a high feafi: to me ; but I dare not fay one word againfl
Him who hath done it. I am not out of the houfe as yet. My
fweet Mafi:er faith, I fiiall have houfe-room at His own elbow ;
albeit their fynagogue will need-force § to cafi: me out. A letter
were a work of charity to me. Grace be with you. Pray for me.
Your brother and Chrift's prifoner,

Aberdeen, Nov, 22, 1636.

LXXIL — To William Gordon of Roberton.

[VViLLlAxM Gordon of Roberton, in the parifh of Borgue in Gallo-
way, to whom this letter is addrefled, w^as the father of William Gordon of
Roberton who joined with the Covenanters in the rifing at Pentland in 1666,
where he was killed, ^* to the great lofs of the country where he lived," fays
Wodrow, **and his own family, his aged father having no more fons." A
daughter of this venerable old man, named Mary, alfo fuftered much for non-
conformity at the hands of Claverhoufe and his friends. She was married to
John Gordon of Largmore (which is in Kells, near Kenmure Caftle), who

* Pad offences. t Comfortable fide of the hill.

X To boot, to make all up. § Under plea of abfolute neceflity.

i86 LETTER LXXIL [1636.

was alfo in the battle at Pentland, where he was feverely wounded, and who,
returning to his own houfe, died in the courfe of a few days in confequence of
the lofs of blood, and of lying in the fields some nights after the engagement.
The old man, to whom this letter was written, did not long funive the death
of his fon and fon-in-law ; for, on the 8th of September 1668, Mar)^ Gordon
is retoured heir of William Gordon of Roberton, her father, in the lands of
Rotraix, Roberton, Kingzeantoun, etc. {Inq. Retor. Abbre'v. Kirkcudbright.)

(HOfV TRIALS ARE MISIMPROFED—THE INFINITE FALUE OF
CHRIST— DESPISED WARNINGS,)

EAR BROTHER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.
So often as I think on our cafe, in our foldier's night-
watch, and of our fighting life in the fields, while we
are here, I am forced to fay, prifoners in a dungeon, condemned by a
judge to want the light of the fun, and moon, and candle till their
dying day, are no more, nay, not fo much, to be pitied as we are.
For they are weary of their life, they hate their prifon ; but we fall
to,* in our prifon, where we fee little, to drink ourfelves drunk with
the night-pleafures of our weak dreams -, and we long for no better
life than this. But at the blaft of the lafl trumpet, and the fhout of
the archangel, when God fhall take down the fhepherd's tent of
this fading world, we Ihall not have fo much as a drink of water,
of all the dreams that we now build on. Alas ! that the (harp and
bitter blaft s on face and fides, which meet us in this life, have not
learned us mortification, and made us dead to this world ! We buy
our own forrow, and we pay dear for it, when we fpend out our
love, our joy, our defires, our confidence, upon an handful of fnow
and ice, that time will melt away to nothing, and go thirfty out of
the drunken inn when all is done. Alas ! that we inquire not for
the clear fountain, but are fo foolifh as to drink foul, muddy, and
rotten waters, even till our bed-time. And then in the refurrecffion,
when we fhall be awakened, our yefternight's four drink and fwinifh
dregs fhall riftf up upon us -, and fick, fick, fhall many a foul be then.
I know no wholefome fountain but one. I know not a thing

* Occupy ourfelves in. f Be vomited up with violent retching.

1636.] LETTER LXXIL 187

worth the buying but heaven ; and my own mind is, if comparifon
were made betwixt Chrift and heaven, I would fell heaven with my
blefling, and buy Chrifl:. O if I could raife the market for Chrift,
and heighten the market a pound for a penny, and cry up Chrifl in
men's eftimation ten thoufand talents more than men think of Him !
But they are fhaping Him, and crying Him down, and valuing Him
at their unworthy halfpenny ; or elfe exchanging and bartering
Chrifl with the miferable old fallen houfe of this vain world. Or
then * they lend Him out upon interefl, and play the ufurers with
Chrifl : becaufe they profefs Him, and give out before men that
Chrifl is their treafure and flock ; and, in the mean time, praife of
men, and a name, and eafe, and the fummer fun of the Gofjpel, is
the ufury they would be at. So, when the trial cometh, they quit
the flock for the interefl, and lofe all. Happy are they who can
keep Chrifl by Himfelf alone, and keep Him clean and whole, till
God come and count with them. I know (that) in your hard and
heavy trials long fmce, ye thought well and highly of Chrift ; but,
truly, no crofs fhould be old to us. We fhould not forget them
becaufe years are come betwixt us and them, and cafl them byhandf
as we do old clothes. We may make a crofs old in time, new in
ufe, and as fruitful as in the beginning of it. God is where and
what He was feven years ago, whatever change may be in us. I
fpeak not this as if I thought ye had forgotten what God did, to
have your love long fmce, but that ye may awake yourfelf in this
fleepy age, and remember fruitfully of Chrifl's iirft wooing and
luiting of your love, both with fire and water, and try if He got
His anfwer, or if ye be yet to give Him it. For I find in myfelf,
that water runneth not fafler through a fieve than our warnings
flip from us ; for I have lofl and caflen byhands \ many fummons
the Lord fent to me ; and therefore the Lord hath given me double
charges, that I trufl in God fhall not rive me. J I blefs His great
name, who is no niggard in holding-in croffes upon me, but fpend-
eth largely His rods, that He may fave me from this perifhing

* Or, if they did not do this. f Afide. % Rend in pieces.

i88 LETTER LXXIIL [1636.

world. How plentiful God is in means of this kind is efteemed by
many one of God's unkind mercies ; but Chrifl's crofs is neither a
cruel nor unkind mercy, but the love-token of a father. I am fure,
a lover chafmg us for our well,* and to have our love, fhould not be
run away from, or fled from. God fend me no worfe mercy than
the fanftified crofs of Chrift portendeth, and I am fure I fhould be
happy and bleffed.

Pray for me, that I may find houfe-room in the Lord's houfe to
fpeak in His name. Remember my deareft love in Chrifl: to your
wife. Grace, grace be unto you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus, ,, ^

Aberdeen, 1636.

LXXIIL— r^ Earlston, Elder,

** And they overcame the dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word
of their teftimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." — Rev.
xii. II.

{CHRIST'S LIBERALITY— HIS OWN MISAPPREHENSIONS OF

CHRIST.)

lUCH-HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace be
to you. I long to fee you in paper, and to be refrefhed
by you. I cannot but defire you, and charge you to
help me to prail'e Him who feedeth a poor prifoner with the fatnefs
of His houfe. O how weighty is His love ! O but there is much
telling in Chrift's kindnefs ! The Amen, the Faithful and True Wit-
nefs, hath paid me my hundred-fold, well told, and one to the hun-
dred. I complained of Him, but He is owing me nothing now.
Sir, I charge you to help me to praife His goodnefs, and to pro-
claim to others my Bridegroom's kindnefs, whofe love is better than
wine. I took up an a<fl:ion againfl Chrift, and broughtf a plea

* Welfare, weal.

t Entered into a controverfy. Old editions have ** bought," by a mis-
print apparently.

1636.] . LETTER LXXIIL 189

againft His love, and libelled unkindnefs againft Chrifl: my Lord ;
and I laid, "This is my death; He hath forgotten me." But my
meek Lord held His peace, and beheld me, and would not contend
lor the laft word of flyting ; * and now He hath chided Himfelf
friends with me. And now I fee He muil: be God, and I muft be
flefti. I pafs from my fummons ; \ I acknowledge He might have
given me my fill of it, and never troubled Himfelf. But now He
hath taken away the mafk ; I have been comforted ; He could not
fmother His love any longer to a prifoner and a ftranger. God
grant that I may never bring J a plea againft Chrifl again, but may
keep good quarters with Him. I want here no kindnefs,§ no love-
tokens ; but O wife is His love ! for, notwithftanding of this hot
fummer-blink, I am kept low with the grief of my filence. For
His word is in me as a fire in my bowels ; and I fee the Lord's
vineyard laid wafle, and the heathen entered into the fan6tuary : and
my belly is pained, and my foul in heavinefs, becaufe the Lord's
people are gone into captivity, and becaufe of the fury of the Lord,
and that wind (but neither to fan nor purge) which is coming upon
apoflate Scotland. Alfo I am kept awake with the late wrong done
to my brother ; but I trufl ye will counfel and comfort him. Yet,
in this mift, I fee and believe the Lord will heal this halting kirk,
" and will lay her flones with fair colours, and her foundations
with fapphires, and will make her windows of agates, and her gates
carbuncles." || " And for brafs He will bring gold." He hath
created the fmith that formed the fword ; no weapon in war fhall
profper againfl us. Let us be glad and rejoice in the Lord, for His
falvation is near to come. Remember me to your wife and your
fon John. And I entreat you to write to me. Grace, grace be
with you.

Yours in his only, only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Dec, 30, 1636.

* Chiding. f Do not enforce.

X Enter into controverfy with. Old editions have *^ buy."
§ I am not in want of. 11 Ifa. liv. 11, 12.

ipo LETTER LXXIF. [1636.

LXXIV. — To the Lady Culross.

* ^ Thefe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have wafhed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." — Rev. vii. 14.

{HIS OWN MISCONCEPTION OF CHRIST'S fF^TS— CHRIST'S
KINDNESS.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon
you. I greatly long to be refrefhed with your letter.
I am now (all honour and glory to the King eternal,
immortal, and invifible !) in better terms with Chrift than I was. I,
like a fool, iummoned my Hulband and Lord, and libelled unkindnefs
againft Him ; but now I pafs from that foolifti purfuit ; I give over the
plea. He is God, and I am man. I was loofmg a fafl* ilone, and
digging at the ground-(tone,f the love of my Lord, to fhake and un-
fettle it. But, God be thanked, it is fafl ; all is fure. In my prifon He
hath fhown me daylight -, He dought J not hide His love any longer.
Chrift was difguifed and mafked, and I apprehended it was not
He, and He hath faid, *' It is I, be not afraid ;" and now His love
is better than wine. O that all the virgins had part of the Bride-
groom's love whereupon He maketh me to feed! Help me to
praife. I charge you, Madam, help me to pay praifes ; and tell
others, the daughters of Jerufalem, how kind Chrifl: is to a poor
prifoner. He hath paid me my hundred-fold ; it is well told me,
and one to the hundred. I am nothing behind with Chrift. Let
not fools, becaufe of their lazy and foft flefh, raife a flander and an
ill report upon the crofs of Chrifl. It is fweeter than fair.

I fee grace groweth befl in winter. This poor perfecuted kirk,
this lily amongfl the thorns, fhall bloflbm, and laugh upon the
gardener ; the hufbandman's bleiling fhall light upon it. O if I

* Firm. t Foundation-ftone.

X Was not able. Dought is the paft tenfe of ** dow."

1636.] LETTER LXXV. 191

could be free of jealoufies* of Chrift, after this, and believe, and
keep good quarters with my dearefl Hufband ! for He hath been
kind to the ftranger. And yet in all this fair hot fummer weather, I
am kept from laying, " It is good to be here," with my fdence, and
with grief to fee my mother wounded and her veil taken from her,
and the fair temple caften down. And my belly is pained, my foul
is heavy for the captivity of the daughter of my people, and becaufe
of the fury of the Lord, and His fierce indignation againfl apoftate
.Scotland. I pray you, Madam, let me have that which is my prayer
here, that my fufFerings may preach to the four quarters of this land ;
and, therefore, tell others how open-handed Chrill hath been to the
prifoner and the opprefTed flranger. Why fhould I conceal it ?
I know no other way how to glorify Chrifl, but to make an open
proclamation of His love, and of His foft and fweet kifTes to me in
the furnace, and of His fidelity to fuch as fuffer for Him. Give it
me under your hand, that ye will help me to pray and praife ; but
rather to praife and rejoice in the falvation of God. Grace, grace
be with you.

Yours in his deareft and only, only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Dec. 30, 1636.

LXXV. — To John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr. \

[John Kennedy was the fon of Hugh Kennedy, Provoft of Ayr. Hugh
was an eminent Chriftian, and greatly inftrumental in promoting the caufe of
religion in the place where he lived. To his religious charad:er, John Wellh,
minifter of Ayr, bore this high teftimony in a letter written to him from France :
'* Happy is that city, yea, happy is that nation that has a Hugh Kennedy in
it. I have myfelf certainly found the anfwer of his prayers from the Lord in
my behalf." On his death-bed, he was filled ^* with inexpreflible joy in the
Holy Ghoft, beyond what it was poflible to comprehend." (Wodrow, in
his Life of Boyd of Trochrig.) John, his fon, pofTefled much of the fpirit

* Sufpicions. f Written ** BailifFe" in the old editions, as in Let. 68.

192 LETTER LXXV. [1636.

and charadter of his father. ^^ He was," fays Fleming (Fulfilling of the Scrip-
tures), ** as choice a Chriftian as was at that time." The fame writer records
a remarkable efcape from imminent peril at fea which Kennedy on one occafion
experienced ; but whether it was the deliverance to which Rutherford refers in
a fubfequent letter, it is now impoffible to afcertain. The cafe was fhortly
this : John Stewart, Provoft of Ayr, another of Rutherford's correfpondents,
who had gone to France, having loaded a fhip at Rochelle with various com-
modities for Scotland, proceeded to England by the neareft way, and thence
to Ayr. After waiting a confiderable time for the arrival of his veflel, he was
told that it was captured by the Turks. This information, however, proved
to be incorred, for it at length arrived in the roads ; upon hearing of which, •
Kennedy, an intimate friend of Stewart, was fo overjoyed, that he went out to
it in a fmall boat. But a ftorm fuddenly arifing, he was driven paft the veflel,
and the general belief of the onlookers from the fhore was that he and his boat
were fwallowed up ; yea, the ftorm increafed to fuch a degree of violence as to
threaten even the fhipwTeck of the veflel. Deeply affedted at the apprehended
lofs of his friend in fuch circumftances, Stewart fhut himfelf up in entire feclu-
fion for three days ; but at laft having gone to vifit Kennedy's wife under her
fuppofed painful bereavement, Kennedy, who had been driven far away to
another part of the coaft, but who had reached the land in fafety, made his
appearance, to the great joy of his afflid:ed family and friends. Kennedy was
a member of the Scottifh Parliament in the years 1644-5-6, for the burgh of
Ayr; and is ftyled in the roll, ** John Kennedy, Provoft of Ayr." He was
alfo a member of the General AflTemblies of 1642-3-4-6 and 7, and his name
appears among the ruling elders in the commiflion for the public affairs of the
kirk in all thefe years. His brother Hugh (alfo an elder of the Church) was
frequently a member of the General Aflembly, and, as we learn from Baillies
Letters y had an active fliare in the proceedings of the Covenanters during the
reign of Charles I. There are lineal defcendants of this family in Ayr at this
day : one of them, like his anceftor, was lately Provoft of the town.]

{LONGING AFTER CLEARER VIEWS OF CHRIST— HIS LONG-
SUFFERING— TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES.)

ORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace, mercy,
and peace be to you. I long to fee you in this northern
world on paper ; I know it is not forgetful nefs that ye
write not. I am every way in good cafe, both in foul and body ;
all honour and glory be to my Lord. I want nothing but a further
revelation of the beauty of the unknown Son of God. Either I

1637.] LETTER LXXV, 193

know not what Chriftianity is, or we have ftinted a mealure of ib
many ounce weights, and no more, upon holinefs ; and there we are
at a ftand, drawing our breath all our life. A moderation in God's
way now is much in requeft. I profefs that I have never taken
pains to find out Him whom my foul loveth ; there is a gate* yet of
finding out Chrifi that I have never lighted upon. Oh, if I could find
it out ! Alas, how foon are we pleafed with our own fhadow in a
glafs ! It were good to be beginning in fadf earneft to find out
God, and to feek the right tread of Chrift. Time, cuftom, and a
good opinion of ourfelves, our good meaning, and our lazy defires,
our fair (hows, and the world's gliftering luflres, and thefe broad
pafTmentsJ and bufldngs§ of religion, that bear bulk in the kirk, is
that wherewith mofi: fatisfy themfelves. But a bed watered with
tears, a throat dry with praying, eyes as a fountain of tears for the
fins of the land, are rare to be found among us. Oh if we could
know the power of godlinefs !

This is one part of my cafe ; and another is, that I, like a fool,
once fummoned Chrift for unkindnefs, and complained of His fickle-
nefs and inconfi:ancy, becaufe He would have no more of my fervice
nor preaching, and had caften me out of the inheritance of the Lord.
And now I confefs that this was but a bought plea, || and I was a fool.
Yet He hath borne with me. I gave Him a fair advantage againft
me, but love and mercy would not let Him take it ; and the truth
is, now He hath chided Himfelf friends with me, and hath taken
away the mafk, and hath renewed His wonted favour in fuch a
manner that He hath paid me my hundred-fold in this life, and one
to the hundred. This prifon is my banquefing-houfe ; I am handled
as softly and delicately as a dawtedf child. I am nothing behind
(I fee) with Chrift ; He can, in a month, make up a year's lofles.
And I write this to you, that I may entreat, nay, adjure and charge
you, by the love of our Well-beloved, to help me to praiie ; and to

* A^^ay, or manner, f Settled. % Ornaments of lace, fewed on garments.
§ Deckings. || Got up ; not properly what I had to complain of.

^ Much fondled J or doted upon.
VOL. 1. N

194 LETTER LXXVL [1637.

tell all your Chriftian acquaintance to help me, for I am as deeply
drowned in His debt as any dyvour* can be. And yet in this fair
fun-blink I have fomething to keep me from flartling,-]- or being
exalted above meafure; His word is as fire fhut up in my bowels,
and I am weary with forbearing. The miniflers in this town are
laying that they will have my prifon changed into lefs bounds, be-
caufe they fee God with me. My mother hath borne me a man of
contention, one that ftriveth with the whole earth. The late wrongs
and oppreiTions done to my brother keep my fails low ; yet I defy
crofles to embark me in fuch a plea againft Chrift as I was troubled
with of late. I hope to over-hope and over-believe my troubles. I
have caufe now to trufl: Chrift's promife more than His gloom.J

Remember my hearty affeftion to your wife. My foul is grieved
for the fuccefs of our brethren's journey to New England -, but
God hath fomewhat to reveal that we fee not. Grace be with you.
Pray for the prifoner.

Yours, in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Jan. i, 1637.

LXXVL — To Robert Gordon of Knockbrex.

(BENEFIT OF AFFLICTION.)

Y DEAR BROTHER,— Grace, mercy, and peace be
multiplied upon you. — I am almoft wearying, yea, won-
dering, that ye write not to me : though I know it is
not forgetfulnefs.

As for myfelf, I am every way well, all glory to God. I was
before at a plea with Chrifl (but it was brought § by me, and un-
lawful), becaufe His whole providence was not yea and nay to my
yea and nay, and becaufe I believed Chrifl's outward look better

* Bankrupt ; or rather, debtor. t Running wild, in high excitement.
X Frown. § Got up.

1637.] LETTER LXXVL 195

than His faithful promife. Yet He hath in patience waited on,
whill* I be come to myfelf, and hath not taken advantage of my
weak apprehenfions of His goodnefs. Great and holy is His name !
He looketh to what I defire to be, and not to what I am. One
thing I have learned. If I had been in Chrift, by way of adhefion
only, as many branches are, I fhould have been burnt to afhes, and
this world would have feen a fuffering minifter of Chriil: (of fomething
once in fhow) turned into unfavoury fait. But my Lord Jefus had
a good eye that the tempter fhould not play foul play, and blow
out Chrifl's candle. He took no thought of my flomach, and fret-
ting and grudging humour, but of His own grace. When He burnt
the houfe. He faved His own goods. And I believe that the devil
and the perfecuting world fhall reap no fruit of me, but burnt afhes :
for He will fee to His own gold, and fave that from being confumed
with the fire.

Oh what owe I to the file, to the hammer, to the furnace of
my Lord Jefus ! who hath now let me fee how good the wheat of
Chrift is, that goeth through His mill, and His oven, to be made
bread for His own table. Grace tried is better than grace, and it
is more than grace ; it is glory in its infancy. I now fee that godli-
nefs is more than the outfide, and this world's pafTments and their
bufldngs.f Who knoweth the truth of grace without a trial ? Oh
how little getteth Chrifl of us, but that which He winneth (to fpeak
fo) with much toil and pains ! And how foon would faith freeze
without a crofs ! How many dumb croffes have been laid upon
my back, that had never a tongue to fpeak the fweetnefs of Chrift,
as this hath ! When Chrift bleffeth His own croffes with a tongue,
they breathe out Chrift's love, wifdom, kindnefs, and care of us.
Why fhould I ftart at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep
furrows on my foul ? I know that He is no idle Hufbandman, He
purpofeth a crop. O that this white, withered lea-ground J were
made fertile to bear a crop for Him, by whom it is fo painfully
drefTed ; and that this fallow-ground were broken up ! Why was

* Till. t See lafl letter. % Land left in grafs, not tilled.

196 LETTER LXXVL [1637.

I (a fool !) grieved that He put His garland and His roie upon my
head — the glory and honour of His faithful witnefles ? I defire
now to make no more pleas* with Chrift. Verily He hath not
put me to a lofs by what I fufFer ; He oweth me nothing ; for in
my bonds how fweet and comfortable have the thoughts of Him
been to me, wherein I find a fufficient recompenfe of reward !

How blind are my adverfaries, who fent me to a banqueting-
houfe, to a houfe of wine, to the lovely feafts of my lovely Lord
Jefus, and not to a prifon, or place of exile ! Why fhould I
fmother my Hufband's honefty, or fm againft His love, or be a
niggard in giving out to others what I get for nothing ? Brother,
eat with me, and give thanks. I charge you before God, that ye
fpeak to others, and invite them to help me to praife ! Oh, my
debt of praife, how weighty it is, and how far run up ! O that
others would lend me to pay, and learn me to praife ! Oh, I am a
drowned dyvour !f Lord Jefus, take my thoughts for payments.
Yet I am in this hot fummer-blink with the tear in my eye ; for
(by reafon of my fdence) forrow, forrow hath filled me ; my harp
is hanged upon the willow-trees, becaufe I am in a ftrange land. I
am flill kept in exercife with envious brethren ; my mother hath
borne me a man of contention.

Write to me your mind anent Y. C. : I cannot forget him ; 1
know not what God hath to do with him : — and your mind anent
my parifhioners' behaviour, and how they are ferved in preaching ;
or if there be a minifter as yet thrufl in upon them, which I defire
greatly to know, and which I much fear.

Dear brother, ye are in my heart, to live and to die with you.
Vifit me with a letter. Pray for me. Remember my love to your
wife. Grace, grace be with you ; and God, who heareth prayer,
vifit you, and let it be unto you according to the prayers of
Your own brodier, and Chrifl's prifoner,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Jan* i, 1637.

* Controverfies. t Debtor.

1637J LETTER LXXVIL 197

LXXVIL— r© my Lady Boyd.

[Lady Boyu, whofe maiden name was Chriftian Hamilton, was the
eldeft daughter of Thomas, firft Earl of Haddington. She was firft married
to Robert, ninth Lord Lindfay of Byres, who died in 1616. To him fhe had
a fon, John, tenth Lord Lindfay of Byres, and a daughter, Helen, married to
Sir William Scott of Ardrofs. {Douglas' Peerage^ vol. i.) She married for her
fecond hufband, Robert, fixth Lord Boyd, who died in Auguft 1628. To
him flie had feveral children. Lady Boyd was diftinguifhed for piety, and a
zealous Prefbyterian. Livingftone gives her a place among ^ ^ fome of the
profeflbrs in the Church of Scotland of his acquaintance, who were eminent for
grace and gifts," eulogizes her as *^ a rare pattern of Chriftianity, grave, dili-
gent, and prudent;" and adds, '^ She ufed every night to write what had been
the cafe of her foul all the day, and what fhe had obferved of the Lord's deal-
ing." In his Life he fpeaks of refiding for fome time, during the courfe of his
miniftry, in the houfe of Kilmarnock, with ^* the worthy Lady Boyd."]

{ABERDEEN— EXPERIENCE OF HIMSELF SAD— PRESSING
FORfFARDS.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. The
Lord hath brought me to Aberdeen, where I fee God
in few. This town hath been advifed upon of purpofe
for me ; it confifteth either of Papifls, or men of Gallio's naughty*
faith. It is counted wifdom in the moft, not to countenance a con-
fined minifler ; but I find Chrifl neither ftrange nor unkind ; for I
have found many faces fmile upon me fmce I came hither. I am
heavy and fad, confidering what is betwixt the Lord and my foul,
which none feeth but He. I find men have miflaken me ; it would
be no art (as I now fee) to fpin fmall,f and make hypocrify a
goodly web, and to go through the market as a faint among men,
and yet fteal quietly to hell, without obfervation : fo eafy is it to
deceive men. I have difputed whether or no I ever knew anything
of Chriftianity, fave the letters of that name. Men fee but as men,
and they call ten twenty, and twenty an hundred ; but O ! to be

* Vile. t Spin fine.

198 LETTER LXXVIL [1637.

approved of Gk)d in the heart and in iincerity is not an ordinary
mercy. My negle^ls while I had a pulpit, and other things where-
of I am afhamed to ipeak, meet me now, fo as God maketh an
honefl crofs my daily forrow. And, for fear of fcandal and tum-
bling, I muft hide this day of the law's pleading : I know not if
this court kept within my foul be fenced* in Chrift's name. If
certainty of falvation were to be bought, God knoweth, if I had ten
earths, I would not prigf with God. Like a fool, I believed,
under fufFering for Chrifl, that I myfelf fhould keep the key of
Chrifl's treafures, and take out comforts when I Med, and eat and
be fat : but I fee now a fufFerer for Chrifl will be made to know
himfelf, and will be holden at the door as well as another poor
finner, and will be fain to eat with the bairns, and to take the by-
board,J and glad to do fo. My bleiTmg on the crofs of Chrifl that
hath made me fee this ! Oh ! if we could take pains for the king-
dom of heaven ! But we fit down upon fome ordinary marks of
God's children, thinking we have as much as will feparate us from
a leprobate ; and thereupon we take the play and cry, " Holy day !"
and thus the devil cafleth water on our fire, and blunteth our zeal
and care. But I fee heaven is not at the door ; and I fee, howbeit
my challenges § be many, I fufFer for Chrift, and dare hazard my
falvation upon it ; for fometimes my Lord cometh with a fair hour,
and O ! but His love be fweet, delightful, and comfortable. Half
a kifs is fweet ; but our doting love will not be content with a
right to Chrifl, unlefs we get poffeilion ; like the man who will not
be content with rights j] to bought land, except he get alfo the
ridges and acres laid upon his back to carry home with him. How-
ever it be, Cbrifl is wife ; and we are fools, to be browden f and
fond of a pawn in the loof of our hand.** Living on truft by faith
may well content us. Madam, I know your Ladyfhip knoweth
this, and that made me bold to write of it, that others might reap

* Conftituted by proclaiming its authority. t Higgle.

t Sit at the fide-table with the children. § Self-upbraidings.

II Title-deeds. ^ Eagerly and childifhly defirous. ** Palm of the hand.

1637.] LETTER LXXVIIL 199

Ibmewhat by my bonds for the truth ; for I fhould defire, and I
aim at this, to have my Lord well fpoken of and honoured, how-
beit He fhould make nothing of me but a bridge over a water.
Thus, recommending your Ladyfhip, your fon, and children to
His grace, who hath honoured you with a name and room among
the living in Jerufalem, and wiihing grace to be with your Lady-
fhip, I reff ,

Your Ladyfhip's in his fweeteft Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

LXXVIIL— r^ my Lord Boyd.

[Robert, feveiith Lord Boyd, the nobleman to whom this letter is
addrefTed, was the only fon of Robert, lixth Lord Boyd, by Lady Chriftian
Hamilton, juft now noticed. His father (who w^as coulin of the famous
Robert Boyd of Trochrig, two miles from Girvan, under whom he ftudied
at Saumur) died in Auguft 1628, at the early age of 33. Young Robert was
ferved heir to his father the 9th of May 1629. His earthly courfe was, how-
ever, brief; for he died of a fever on the 17th of November 1640, aged about
24. He was married to Lady Anne Fleming, fecond daughter of John,
fecond Earl of Wigtown, but their union was without iflue. Lord Boyd
warmly efpoufed the fide of the Covenanters ; and, though not a member of
the General AfTembly held at Glafgow in 1638, he attended its meetings and
took a deep interefl in its proceedings. Rutherford affectionately commends
and flimulates his early zeal in behalf of the liberties of the Church.]

(ENCOURAGEMENT TO EXERTION FOR CHRIST'S CAUSE.)

\Y VERY HONOURABLE AND GOOD LORD,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Lordfhip. Out
of the worthy report that I hear of your Lordfhip's
zeal for this borne-down and opprefTed Gofpel, I am bold to write
to your Lordfhip, befeeching you by the mercies of God, by the
honour of our royal and princely King Jefus, by the forrows, tears,
and defolation of your aifli6led mother-Church, and by the peace of
your confcience, and your joy in the day of Chriil, that your Lord-
fhip would go on, in the flrength of your Lord, and in the power
of His might, to beftir yourfelf, for the vindicating of the fallen

200 LETTER LXXVIIL [1637.

honour of your Lord Jellis. Oh, blelTed hands for evermore, that
fhall help to put the crown upon the head of Chrift again in Scot-
land ! I dare promife, in the name of our Lord, that this will fallen
and fix the pillars and the ftakes of your honourable houfe upon
earth, if you lend and lay in pledge in Chrift's hand, upon fpiritual
hazard, life, eftate, houfe, honour, credit, moyen,* friends, the
favour of men (fuppofe kings with three crowns), fo being that ye
may bear witnefs, and acquit yourfelf as a man of valour and courage
to the Prince of your falvation, for the purging of His temple, and
fweeping out the lordly Diotrephefes, time-courting Demafes, corrupt
Hymeneufes and Philetufes, and other fuch oxen, that with their
dung defile the temple of the Lord. Is not Chrift now crying,
"Who will help Me? who will come out with Me, to take part
with Me, and fhare in the honour of My viftory over thefe Mine
enemies, who have faid, We will not have this man to rule over us ?"
My very honourable and dear Lord, join, join (as ye do) with
Chrift. He is more worth to you and your pofterity than this
world's May-flowers, and withering riches and honour, that fhall
go away as fmoke, and evanifh in a night vifion, and fhall, in one
half-hour after the blaft of the archangel's trumpet, lie in white
afties. Let me befeech your Lordfhip to draw by the lapf of time's
curtain, and to look in through the window to great and endlel's
eternity, and confider, if a worldly price (fuppofe this little round
clay globe of this afhy and dirty earth, the dying idol of the fools
of this world, were all your own) can be given for one fmile of
Chrift's God-like and foul-ravifhing countenance. In that day when
\o many joints and knees of thoufand thoufands wailing ftiall ftand
before Chrifl: , trembling, fhouting, and making their prayers to hills
and mountains to fall upon them, and hide them from the face of
the Lamb, oh, how many would fell lordfhips and kingdoms that
day, and buy Chrift ! But, oh, the market fhall be clofed and
ended ere then ! Your Lordfhip hath now a bleffed venture of
winning court with the Prince of the kings of the earth. He Him-

Intcrcft. t Draw afide the loofe fold.

1637.] LETTER LXXIX. 20 r

lelf weeping ; truth borne down and fallen in the llreets, and an
opprefFed Goipel ; Chrift's bride with watery eyes and Ipoiled of her
veil, her hair hanging about her eyes, forced to go in ragged ap-
parel ; the banifhed, alienated, and imprifoned prophets of God,
who have not the favour of liberty to prophefy in fackcloth, all
thele, I fay, call for your help. Fear not worms of clay ; the moth
ihall eat them as a garment. Let the Lord be your fear ; He is
with you, and fhall fight for you ; and ye fhall make the heart of
this your mother-Church to fmg for joy. The Lamb and His armies
are with you, and the kingdoms of the earth are the Lord's. I am
perfuaded that there is not another gofpel, nor another faving truth,
than that which ye now contend for. I dare hazard my heaven
and falvation upon it, that this is the only faving way to glory.

Grace, grace, be with your Lordfhip.

Your Lordfhip's at all refpeftful obedience in Chriff,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

LXXIX. — To Margaret Ballantyne.

[Probably this perfon was one of his Anwoth parifhioners.]

{FALUE OF THE SOUL, AND URGENCT OF SALVATION.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. — It
is more than time that I fhould have written to you ;
but it is yet good time, if I could help your foul to mend
your pace, and to go more fwiftly to your heavenly country. For
truly ye have need to make all haif e, becaufe the inch of your day
that remaineth will quickly flip away ; for whether we fleep or
wake, our glafs runneth. The tide bideth no man. Beware of a
beguile in the matter of your falvation. Woe, woe for evermore,
to them that lofe that prize. For what is behind, when the foul is
once lofl, but that fmners warm their bits of clay houfes at a fire
of their own kindling, for a day or two (which doth rather fuffocate
with its fmoke than warm them) ; and at length they lie down in

202 LETTER LXXIX. [1637.

forrow, and are clothed with everlafting fhame ! I would feek no
further meafure of faith to begin withal than to believe really and
fledfaflly the doctrine of God's juftice, His all-devouring wrath,
and everlafting burning, where finners are burnt, foul and body,
in a river and great lake of fire and brimflone. Then they would
wifh no more goods than the thoufandth part of a cold fountain-
well to cool their tongues. They would then buy death with endur-
ing of pain and torment for as many years as God hath created
drops of rain fmce the creation. But there is no market of buying
or felling life or death there. Oh, alas ! the greatefi: part of this
world run to the place of that torment rejoicing and dancing, eating,
drinking, and fleeping. My counfel to you is, that ye ftart in time
to be after Chrift -, for if ye go quickly, Chrift is not far before
you ; ye ihall overtake Him. O Lord God, what is fo needful as
this, "Salvation, falvation !" Fy upon this condemned and foolifh
world, that would give fo little for falvation ! Oh, if there were
a free market for falvation proclaimed in that day when the trumpet
of God ihall awake the dead, how many buyers would be then !
God fend me no more happinefs than that fdvation which the
blind world, to their eternal woe, letteth flip through their fingers.
Therefore, look if ye can give out your money (as Ifaiah fpeaketh*)
for bread, and lay Chrift and His blood in wadfetf for heaven. It is
a dry and hungry bairn's part of goods that Efaus are hunting for
here. I fee thoufands following the chafe, and in the purfuit of
fuch things, while in the meantime they lofe the bleffing ; and, when
all is done, they have caught nothing to roafl: for fupper, but lie
down hungry. And, befides, they go to bed, when they die, with-
out a candle ; for God faith to them, " This ye fhall have at My
hand, ye fhall lie down in forrow." J And truly this is as ill-made
a bed to lie upon as one could wifh ; for he cannot fleep foundly,
nor refl fweetly, who hath Ibrrow for his pillow. Roufe, roufe
up, therefore, your foul, and fpeer§ how Chrift and your foul met
together. I am fure that they never got Chrift, who were not once

* Ifa. Iv. 2. t Mortgaged, pledged. % Ifa. 1. 11. § Alk.

1637.J LETTER LXXIX. 203

fick at the yolk of the heart for Him. Too, too many whole fouls
think that they have met with Chriil, who had never a wearied
night for the want of Him : but, alas ! what richer are men, that
they dreamed the lafl night they had much gold, and, when they
awoke in the morning, they found it was but a dream ? What
are all the fmners in the world, in that day when heaven and earth
fhall go up in a flame of fire, but a number of beguiled dreamers ?
Every one fhall fay of his hunting and his conquefl,* " Behold, it was
a dream ! " Every man in that day will tell his dream. I befeech
you, in the Lord Jefus, beware, beware of unfound work in the
matter of your falvation : ye may not, ye cannot, ye dow not want
ChrLfl:. Then, after this day, convene all your lovers before your
foul, and give them their leave ; and flrike hands with Chrlfl:, that
thereafter there may be no happinefs to you but Chrift, no hunting
for anything but Chrifl, no bed at night, when death cometh, but
Chrift. Chrift, Chrift, who but Chrift ! I know this much of
Chrift, that He is not ill to be found, nor lordly of His love. Woe
had been my part of it for evermore, if Chrift had made a dainty of
Himfelf to me. But, God be thanked, I gave nothing for Chrift.
And now I proteft before men and angels that Chrift cannot be
exchanged, that Chrift cannot be fold, that Chrift cannot be weighed.
Where would angels, or all the world, find a balance to weigh Him
in ? All lovers blufti when ye ftand befide Chrift ! Woe upon
all love but the love of Chrift ! Hunger, hunger for evermore be
upon all heaven but Chrift ! Shame, fhame for evermore be upon
all glory but Chrift's glory. I cry death, death upon all lives but
the life of Chrift. Oh, what is it that holdeth us afunder ? O
that once we could have a fair meeting !

Thus recommending Chrift to you and you to Him, for ever-
more, I reft. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

* Acquiiition ; what he has won.

204 LETTER LXXX. [1637.

LXXX. — For Marion M^Naught.

{HIS COMFORT UNDER TRIBULATIONS, AND THE PRISON A

PALACE.)

Y DEARLY BELOVED SISTER,— Grace, mercy, and
peace be to you. I complain that Galloway is not
kind to me in paper. I have received no letters thefe
fixteen weeks but two. I am well. My prifon is a palace to me,
and Chrifl's banqueting-houfe. My Lord Jefus is as kind as they
call Him. O that all Scotland knew my cafe, and had part of my
feaft ! I charge you in the name of God, I charge you to believe.
Fear not the fons of men ; the worms fhall eat them. To pray and
believe now, when Chrift feems to give you a nay-fay,* is more than
it was before. Die believing; die, and Chrift's promife in your
hand. I defire, I requefl, I charge your hufband and that town,f to
ftand for the truth of the Gofpel. Contend with Chrift's enemies ;
and I pray you fhow all profefTors (whom) you know my cafe.
Help me to praife. The miniflers here envy me ; they will have
my prifon changed. My mother hath born me a man of contention,
and one that ftriveth with the whole earth. Remember my love
to your hufband. Grace be with you.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Jan. 3, 1637.

LXXXI.—To Mr John Meine {Jim.)

[Mr John Meine was the fon of John Meine, merchant in Edinburgh,
*^ a folid and ftedfaft profeflbr of the truth of God." His mother was Bar-
bara Hamilton, a notice of whom fee at Let. 313. He was now, it wouki
appear from an allufion in the clofe of this letter, a ftudent of theology, with
a view to the holy miniftry.]

* A denial. t Kirkcudbright.

637.] LETTER LXXXI. 205

(EXPERIENCE— PATIENT IVAITINGSANCTIFICATION.)

ORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace, mercy,
and peace be to you. I have been too long in anfwer-
ing your letter, but other bufinefs took me up. I am
here waiting, if the fair wind will turn upon Chrift's fails in Scot-
land, and if deliverance be breaking out to this overclouded and be-
nighted kirk. O that we could contend, by prayers and fupplica-
tions, with our Lord for that efPeft ! I know that He hath not
^ven out His lail: doom againft this land. I have little of Chrifl:,
in this prifon, but groanings, and longings, and defires. All my
ftock of Chrifl is fome hunger for Him, and yet I cannot fay but I
am rich in that. My faith, and hope, and holy practice of new obe-
dience, are fcarce worth the fpeaking of. But blefTed be my Lord,
who taketh me, light, and clipped, and naughty,* and fecklefsf as
I am. I fee that Chrifl will not prigf with me, nor ftand upon
ftepping-ftones ; § but cometh in at the broadfide || without cere-
monies, or making it nice,5[ to make a poor, ranfomed one His own.
O that I could feed upon His breathing, and kifling, and embracing,
and upon the hopes of my meeting and His ! when love-letters fhall
not go betwixt us, but He will be mefTenger Himfelf ! But there is
required patience on our part, till the fummer-fruit in heaven be
ripe for us. It is in the bud ; but there be many things to do before
our harvefl come. And we take ill with it, and can hardly endure to
fet our paper-face to one of Chrifl's florms, and to go to heaven
with wet feet, and pain, and for row. We love to carry a heaven
to heaven with us, and would have two fummers in one year, and
no lefs than two heavens. But this will not do for us : one (and
fuch a one!) may fuffice us well enough. The man, Chrifl, got but
one only, and fhall we have two ?

* Of little value, like dipt coin; and worth naught.

t Pithlefs, unfubftantial. % Chaflcr, higgle.

§ Require help of ftepping-ftones. || All at once, frankly.

^ Being ill to pleafe.

2o6 LETTER LXXXIL [1637.

Remember my love in Chrift to your father ; and help me with
your prayers. If ye would be a deep divine, I recommend to you
fanftification. Fear Him, and He will reveal His covenant to you.
Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Jan. 5, 1637.

LXXXIL — To John Gordon of Cardonefs^ Elder.

[John Gordon of Cardonefs, in the parifli of Anwoth, was defcended
from Gordon of Lochinvar; but the degree of his defcent cannot now be afcer-
tained, and little is known concerning him. His name appears the firft of 188
signatures attached to an unfuccefsful petition of the elders and pariihioners of
Anwoth, prefented to the Commiflion of the General Aflembly 1638, for
Rutherford being continued minifter of that parifh, when counter applications
were made by the city of Edinburgh and the Univerfity of St Andrews for the
transference of his fervices. From Rutherford's letters to him, we learn that
he was at this time far advanced in life. He was naturally a man of ftrong
paffions, by which it would appear he had, in the previous part of his life,
been led aftray.

The old caftle oi Cardonefs Hands on a tongue of land, at the mouth of the
river Fleet, about a mile from Gatehoufe. It is built on a rocky height, over-
hanging the public road, and looking toward the bay. You fee an old fquare-
built tower, or fortalice, railing its grey head from among the tall trees that now
furround it. Tradition tells of an old proprietor, in league with Graeme, the
Border outlaw, and how, in confequence of his daring and God-def)^ing
deeds, the chief and his whole family perifhed in the Black Loch, in the parifh
of Anwoth. Though not a defcendant, John Gordon feems to have been a
man of like ftrong paffions with that old chieftain, till fubdued by grace.]

{WIN CHRIST AT ALL HAZARDS— CHRIST'S BEAUTT—A WORD
TO CHILDREN.)

^UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. — I have longed to hear from you, and to
know the eftate of your foul, and the eflate of that

people with you.

I befeech you, Sir, by the falvation of your precious foul, and

1637.] LETTER LXXXIL 207

the mercies of God, to make good and fure work of your falvation,
and try upon what ground-ftone* ye have builded. Worthy and
dear Sir, if ye be upon finking fand, a ilorm of death, and a blaft,
will loofe Chrifi: and you, and wafli you clofe ofFf the rock. Oh,
for the Lord's fake, look narrowly to the work !

Read over your life, with the light of God's day-light and fun ;
for falvation is not caflen down at every man's door. It is good to
look to your compafs, and all ye have need of, ere you take (hip-
ping ; for no wind can blow you back again. Remember, when
the race is ended, and the play either won or loft, and ye are in the
utmoft circle and border of time, and fhall put your foot within the
march J of eternity, and all your good things of this Ihort night-
dream fhall feem to you like the afhes of a bleeze§ of thorns or
ftraw, and your poor foul fhall be crying, " Lodging, lodging, for
God's fake ! " then fhall your foul be more glad at one of your
Lord's lovely and homely fmiles, than if ye had the charters of
three worlds for all eternity. Let pleafures and gain, will and
defires of this world, be put over into God's hands, as arrefted and
fenced II goods that ye cannot intromit^ with. Now, when ye are
drinking the grounds of your cup, and ye are upon the utmoft end
of the laft link of time, and old age, like death's long fhadow, is
cafting a covering upon your days, it is no time to court this vain
life, and to fet love and heart upon it. It is near after-fupper ;**
feek reft and eafe for your foul in God through Chrift.

Believe me, that I find it to be hard wreftling to play fair with
Chrift, and to keep good quarters with Him, and to love Him in
integrity and life, and to keep a conftant courfe of found and folid
daily communion with Chrift. Temptations are daily breaking the
thread of that courfe, and it is not eafy to caft a knot again ; and
many knots make evil work. Oh, how fair have many fhips.been
plying before the wind, that, in an hour's fpace, have been lying in

* Foundation. f Completely off. % Border.

§ Sudden blazing, flame. || Guarded. If Meddle with.

** The time between fupper and bedtime ; the very lateft part of the day.

2o8 LETTER LXXXIL [1637.

the fea-bottom ! How many profeflbrs caft a golden luftre, as if
they were pure gold, and yet are, under that fldn and cover, but
bafe and reprobate metal ? And how many keep breath in their
race many miles, and yet come fhort of the prize and the garland !
Dear Sir, my foul would mourn in fecret for you, if I knew your
cafe with God to be but falfe work. Love to have you anchored
upon Chrift maketh me fear your tottering and flips. Falfe under-
water, * not feen in the ground of an enlightened confcience, is
dangerous ; fo is often falling, and finning againfl light. Know
this, that thofe who never had fick nights or days in confcience for
fin, cannot have but fuch a peace with God as will undercoat,f and
break the flefh again, and end in a fad war at death. O how
fearfully are thoufands beguiled with falfe hide,J grown over old
fins, as if the foul were cured and healed !

Dear Sir, I always faw nature mighty, lofty, heady, and flrong
in you ; and that it was more for you to be mortified and dead to
the world, than for another common man. Ye will take a low ebb,
and a deep cut, and a long lance, to go to the bottom of your
wounds in faving humiliation, to make you a won prey for Chrift.
Be humbled ; walk foftly. Down, down, for God's sake, my dear
and worthy brother, with your topfail. Stoop, ftoop ! it is a low
entry to go in at heaven's gate. There is infinite juflice in the party
ye have to do with ; it is His nature not to acquit the guilty and the
finner. The law of God will not want one farthing of the finner.
God forgetteth not both the cautioner and the finner ; and every
man mufi: pay, either in his own perfon (oh ! Lord fave you from
that payment !), or in his cautioner § Chrift. It is violence to corrupt
nature for a man to be holy, to lie down under Chrift's feet, to quit
will, pleafure, worldly love, earthly hope, and an itching of heart
after this farded |1 and over-gilded world, and to be content that Chrift
trample upon all. Come in, come in to Chrifi:, and fee what ye want,
and find it in Him. He is the fiiort cut (as we ufed to fay), and the

* Bilge-water. t Fefter, after being fkinned over.

I Falfe Ik'n. § Surety. || Painted.

1637.] LETTER LXXXII. 209

neareft way to an outgate* of all your burdens. I dare avouch
that ye fhall be dearly welcome to Him ; my foul would be glad to
take part of the joy ye fhould have in Him. I dare lay that angels'
pens, angels' tongues, nay, as many worlds of angels as there are
drops of water in all the feas, and fountains, and rivers of the earth,
cannot paint Him out to you. I think His fweetnefs, fmce I was a
prifoner, hath fwelled upon me to the greatnefs of two heavens.
Oh for a foul as wide as the utmoft circle of the highefl: heaven
that containeth all, to contain His love ! And yet I could hold little
of it. O world's wonder ! Oh, if my foul might but lie within
the fmell of His love, fuppofe I could get no more but the fmell of
it! Oh, but it is long to that day when I fhall have a free world of
Chrift's love ! Oh, what a fight to be up in heaven, in that fair
orchard of the new paradife ; and to fee, and fmell, and touch, and
kifs, that fair Field-flower, that ever-green Tree of Life ! His bare
fhadow were enough for me ; a fight of Him would be the earneft
of heaven to me. Fy, fy upon us ! that we have love lying rufting
befide us, or, which is worfe, wafting upon fome loathfbme obje<fbs,
and that Chrifl fhould lie His lone.f Wo, wo is me ! that fin hath
made fo many madmen, feeking the fool's paradife, fire under ice,
and fome good and defirable things, without and apart from, Chrifl.
Chriil, Chrifl, nothing but Chrift, can cool our love's burning lan-
guor. O thirfl:y love ! wilt thou fet Chrifl, the well of life, to thy
head, and drink thy fill ? Drink, and fpare not ; drink love, and
be drunken with Chrift ! Nay, alas ! the diftance betwixt us and
Chrift is a death. Oh if we were clafped in other's J arms ! We
fhould never twin§ again, except heaven twinned and fundered us;
and that cannot be.

I defire your children to feek this Lord. Defire them from me,
to be requeued, for Chrifl's sake, to be bleffed and happy, and to
come and take Chrifl, and all things with Him. Let them beware
of glaffy and flippery youth, of foolifh young notions, of worldly

* Outlet, efcape from. f Alone, and no one of us befide Him.

X Each other's. § Separate, be parted.

VOL I. O

2IO LETTER LXXXIII. [1637.

lufts, of deceivable gain, of wicked company, of curfing, lying, blas-
pheming, and foolifh talking. Let them be filled with the Spirit ;
acquaint themfelves with daily praying ; and with the flore-houfe of
wifdom and comfort, the good word of God. Help the fouls of
the poor people. O that my Lord would bring me again among
them, that I might tell unco* and great tales of Chrift to them !
Receive not a ftranger to preach any other doftrine to them.

Pray for me. His prifoner of hope. I pray for you without
ceafing. I write my bleiTmg, earnefl prayers, the love of God, and
the fweet prefence of Chrifl to you, and yours, and them. Grace,
grace, grace be with you.

Your lawful and loving paftor,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

LXXXin. — To the Earl of Lothian.

[William, third Earl of Lothian, to whom this letter is addrefled,
was the eldeft fon of Robert, firft Earl of Ancrum ; and he acquired the title
of Earl of Lothian by his marriage with Anne Ker, Countefs of Lothian, the
eldeft daughter of Robert, fecond Earl of Lothian, to whofe eftates and titles
fhe fucceeded at his death in 1624. When the differences betwixt the King and
his Scottifh fubjeds arofe in 1638, in confequence of the attempt of the former
to impofe on the latter the Anglo-Popifh Liturgy or Service Book, and other
innovations, this nobleman manifefted great zeal for the Covenant. He was
a member of the General Aflembly which met at Glafgow that year, as elder
for the Prefbytery of Dalkeith. Hoftilities having again commenced in 1640,
his Lordfhip was in the Scottifh army that invaded England, defeated the
Royalifts at Newbum, and took pofleflion of Newcaftle, of which he was confti-
tuted Governor, with a garrifon of 2000 men. In 1643 he was fent from Scot-
land by the Privy Council, with the approbation of Charles I., to make fome
propofitions to the Court of France relating to certain privileges of the Scot-
tifh nation. In 1644 he commanded, with the Marquis of Argyle, the forces
fent againft the Marquis of Montrofe, whom he obliged to retreat, and then
delivered up his commiflion to the Committee of Eftates, who pafled an adl
in approbation of his fervices. His Lordfhip was prefident of the Committee

* Strange.

1 63 7-] LETTER LXXXIIL 211

defpatched by the Parliament to the King in December 1646, with their laft
propofitions, which were refiifed. He protefted againft the raifing of an army
in 1648 to refciie the King from the hands of the Englifh, without receiving
from his Majefty afliirance that he would fecure the religious liberties of his
Scottifh fubjeds, — an attempt which was called the *^ Engagement." But
while refilling the arbitrary meafures of his princes, he was of fincere and ar-
dent loyalty. No fooner was it known that the Parliament of England in-
tended to proceed againft Charles I. before the High Court of Juftice, than
he and other commifli oners were fent to remonftrate with them, in name of
the kingdom of Scotland, againft the violence and indignity which it was feared
they intended againft the facred perfon of the King. The Earl warned them
that the whole nation regarded the very thoughts of fuch a thing with the ut-
moft abhorrence ; and he took a folemn proteft againft their proceedings, for
which he was put under arreft, fent with a guard to Gravefend, and thence to
Scotland. On his return he received the thanks of Parliament for his condud:
on this occafion ; and, along with the Earl of Caflillis, was defpatched to Breda
in 1650 to invite King Charles to Scotland. His Lordfhip died in the year
1675. By Anne, Countefs of Lothian, he had five fons and nine daughters.]

(ADVICE AS TO PUBLIC CONDUCT— EVERYTHING TO BE EN-
DURED FOR CHRIST.)

IGHT HONOURABLE, AND MY VERY
WORTHY AND NOBLE LORD,— Out of the

honourable and good report that I hear of your Lord-
fhip's good-will and kindnefs, in taking to heart the honourable
caufe of Chrift, and His aiBifted Church and wronged truth in this
land, I make bold to fpeak a word, on paper, to your Lordfhip, at
this diflance, which I truft your Lordfhip will take in good part.
It is to your Lordfhip's honour and credit, to put to your hand, as
ye do (all honour to God !), to the falling and tottering tabernacle
of Chriil, in this your mother-Church, and to own Chrift's wrongs
as your own wrongs. O blefled hand, which fhall wipe and dry
the watery eyes of our weeping Lord Jefus, now going mourning
in fackcloth in His members, in His fpoufe, in His truth, and in the
prerogative royal of His kingly power ! He needeth not fervice
and help from men ; but it pleafeth His wifdom to make the wants
and loffes, the fores and wounds of His fpoufe, a field and an office-

212 LETTER LXXXIII. [1637.

houfe for the zeal of His fervants to exercife themfelves in. There-
fore, my noble and dear Lord, go on, go on in the flrength of the
Lord, againfl all oppofition, to fide with wronged Chrifl:. The
defending, and warding of ftrokes off Chrifl's bride, the King's
daughter, is like a piece of the reft of the way to heaven, knotty,
rough, flormy, and full of thorns. Many would follow Chrifl:,
but with a refervation that, by open proclamation, Chrift would cry
down croffes, and cry up fair weather, and a fummer fky and fun,
till we were all fairly landed at heaven. I know that your Lordfhip
hath not fo learned Chrift; but that ye intend to fetch* heaven, fup-
pofe that your father were ftanding in your way, and to take it
with the wind on your face ; for fo both ftorm and wind were on
the fair face of your lovely Forerunner, Chrift, all His way. It is
poiTible that the fuccefs anfwer not your defire in this worthy
caufe. What then "i duties are ours, but events are the Lord's ;
and I hope, if your Lordfhip, and others with you, will go on to
dive to the loweft ground and bottom of the knavery and perfidious
treachery to Chrift of the accurfed and wretched prelates, the
Antichrift's firft-born, and the firft-fruit of his foul womb, and
fhall deal with our Sovereign (law going before you) for the reafon-
able and impartial hearing of Chrift 's bill of complaints, and fet
yourfelves fmglyf to feek the Lord and His face, that your righteous-
nefs fhall break through the clouds which prejudice hath drawn
over it, and that ye fhall, in the ftrength of the Lord, bring our
banifhed and departing Lord Jefus home again to His fanftuary.
Neither muft your Lordfhip advife with flefh and blood in this ;
but wink, and in the dark, reach your hand to Chrift, and follow
Him. Let net men's fainting difcourage you ; neither be afraid of
men's canny J wifdom, who, in this ftorm, take the neareft fhore, and
go to the lee and calm fide of the Gofpel, and hide Chrift (if ever
they had Him) in their cabinets, as if they were afhamed of Him,
or as if Chrift vv^^re ftolen wares, and would blufh before the fun.
My very dear and noble Lord, ye have rejoiced the hearts of

* Make for heaven. f ^Vith a (ingle mind. % Prudent and kind.

1637.] LETTER LXXXIIL 21^

many, that ye have made choice of Chrift and His Golpel, whereas
llich great temptations do fland in your way. But I love your pro-
feflion the better that it endureth winds. If we knew ourfelves
well, to want temptations is the greateft temptation of all. Neither
is father, nor mother, nor court, nor honour, in this over-luflred
world with all its paintry* and farding,f anything elfe, when they
are laid in the balance with Chrift, but feathers, fhadows, night-
dreams, and flraws. Oh, if this world knew the excellency, fweet-
nefs, and beauty of that high and lofty One, that Fairefl among the
fons of men, verily they would fee, that if their love were bigger
than ten heavens, all in circles beyond each other, it were all too
little for Chrift our Lord ! I hope that your choice will not repent
you, when life fhall come to that twilight betwixt time and eternity,
and ye fhall fee the utmofl border of time, and fhall draw the
curtain, and look into eternity, and fhall one day fee God take the
heavens in His hands, and fold them together, like an old holelyj
garment, and fet on fire this clay part of the creation of God, and
confume away into fmoke and afhes the idol-hope of poor fools,
who think that there is not a better country than this low country of
dying clay. Children cannot make comparifon aright betwixt this
life and that which is to come ; and, therefore, the babes of this
world, who fee no better, mould, in their own brain, a heaven of their
own coining, becaufe they fee no farther than the nearefl fide of time.
I dare lay in pawn my hope of heaven, that this reproached
way is the only way of peace. I find it is the way that the Lord
hath fealed with His comforts now, in my bonds for Chrifl ; and I
verily efleem and find chains and fetters for that lovely One, Chrift,
to be watered over with fweet confolations, and the love-fmiles of
that lovely Bridegroom, for whofe coming we wait. And when
He cometh, then fhall the blacks and whites of all men come be-
fore the fun ; then fhall the Lord put a final decifion upon the
pleas § that Zion hath with her adverfaries. And as faff as time

* Painted things. f Fine colouring.

:j: Full of holes ; worn out. § Matters of contrt)verfy.

214 LETTER LXXXIV. [1637.

pofteth away (which neither fitteth, nor ftandeth, nor fleepeth), as
faft is our hand-breadth of this ihort winter-night flying away, and
the fky of our long-lafting day drawing near its breaking.

Except your Lordfhip be pleafed to plead for me againft the
tyranny of prelates, I fhall be forgotten in this prifon ; for they did
fhape my doom according to their new, lawlefs canons, which is,
that a deprived minifter fhall be utterly filenced, and not preach at
all ; which is a cruelty, contrary to their own former practices.

Now, the only wife God, the very God of peace, confirm,
flrengthen, and eflablifh your Lordihip upon the ftone laid in Zion,
and be with you for ever.

Your Lordfhip's at all refpeftful obedience in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

LXXXIV.— r^? Jean Brown.

[Jean Brown was the mother of the well-known Mr John Brown,
minifter of Wamphray in Annandale, who, after the reftoration of Charles
II., was ejefted from his charge and banifhed from the King's dominions for
his oppofition to Prelacy. As may be gathered from Rutherford's letters to
her, fhe was a woman of intelligence and piety.]

{THE JOTS OF THIS LIFE EMBITTERED BT SIN— HE J FEN
AN OBJECT OF DESIRE— TRIAL A BLESSED THING.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I
long to hear how your foul profpereth. I earneflly
defire your on-going toward your country. I know
that ye fee your day melteth away by little and little, and that in a
ihort time ye fhall be put beyond time's bounds ; for life is a pofl
that ilandeth not ftill, and our joys here are born weeping, rather
than laughing, and they die weeping. Sin, fin, this body of fin
and corruption embittereth and poifoneth all our enjoyments. Oh
that I were where I fhall fin no more ! Oh to be freed of thefe

1637.] LETTER LXXXIV. 215

chains and iron fetters, which we carry about with us ! Lord,
loofe the fad prifoners ! Who of the children of God have not
caufe to fay, that they have their fill of this vain life ? and, like a full
and fick ftomach, to wifh at mid-fupper that the fupper were ended,
and the table drawn, that the fick man might win * to bed, and enjoy
reft ? We have caufe to tire at mid-fupper of the befl mefTes that
this world can drefs up for us ; and to cry to God, that He would
remove the table and put the fm-fick fouls to reft with Himfelf.
Oh for a long play-day with Chrift, and our long-lafling vacancef
of refl ! Glad may their fouls be that are fafe over the frith, J
Chrifl having paid the fraught. § Happy are they who have paffed
their hard and wearifbme time of apprenticefhip, and are now free-
men and citizens in that joyful, high city, the New Jerufalem.

Alas ! that we fhould be glad of and rejoice in our fetters, and
our prifon-houfe, and this dear inn, a life of fm, where we are
abfent from our Lord, and fo far from our home. O that we
could get bonds and law-furetyfhip of our love, that it faflen not
itfelf on thefe clay-dreams, thefe clay-fhadows, and worldly vanities !
We might be oftener feeing what they are doing in heaven, and our
hearts more frequently upon our fweet treafure above. We fmell
of the Imoke of this lower houfe of the earth, becaufe our hearts
and our thoughts are here. If we could haunt || up with God, we
fhould fmell of heaven and of our country above ; and we fhould
look like our country, and like ftrangers, or people not born or
brought up hereaway, f Our croffes would not bite** upon us
if we were heavenly-minded. I know of no obligation which the
faints have to this world, feeing we fare but upon the fmoke of it ;
and, if there be any fmoke in the houfe, it bloweth upon our eyes.
All our part of the table is fcarce worth a drink of water ; and
when we are If ricken, -we dare not weep, but fteal our grief away
betwixt our Lord and us, and content ourfelves with ftolen for row

* Get into. f Vacation, holidays. % The ftrait, or eftuary.

§ Freight. || *' Haunt," frequent God's prelence up above this workU

^ In this quarter. ** Leave the mark of their teeth.

2i6 LETTER LXXXV. [1637.

behind backs. God be thanked that we have many things that fo
flroke us againft the hair that we may pray, '' God keep our better
home, God blefs our Father's houfe ; and not this fmoke, that
bloweth us to feek our beft lodging." I am fure that this is the
befl fruit of the crofs, when we, from the hard fare of the dear* inn,
cry the more that God would fend a fair wind, to land us,
hungered and opprefled ftrangers, at the door of our Father's
houfe, which now is made, in Chrifl, our kindly heritage. Oh ! then,
let us pull up the flakes and ftoups f of our tent, and take our tent
on our back, and go with our flitting to our beft home ; for here
we have no continuing city.

I am waiting in hope here, to fee what my Lord will do with
me. Let Him make of me what He pleafeth •, providing He make
glory to Himfelf out of me, I care not. I hope, yea, I am now
fure, that I am for Chrift, and all that I can or may make is for
Him. I am His everlafting dyvour, J and ftill fliall be ; for, alas,
I have nothing for Him, and He getteth but little fervice of me !
Pray for me, that our Lord would be pleafed to give me houfe-
room, that I may ferve Him in the calling which He hath called me
unto. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

LXXXV. — To John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr.

{THE REASONABLENESS OF BELIEVING UNDER ALL AFFLIC-
TION—OBLIGATIONS TO FREE GRACE.)

ORTHY AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be untp you. — I am yet wait-
ing what our Lord will do for His afflicHied Church, and

* Where provifion is dear, or coftly. t Pofts.

t Debtor. Banknipt is the meaning preferred by fome; but that is not
necefTarily implied. In one of his fermons Rutherford has, '* As we fay to
dyvours, Pay me, or fay ye will not !'"

1637.] LETTER LXXXV. 217

for my re-entry to my Lord's house. O that I could hear the
forfeiture of Chrifl (now caflen out of His inheritance) recalled and
taken off by open proclamation ; and that Chrift were reflored to
be a freeholder and a landed heritor in Scotland ; and that the
courts fenced* in the name of the baflard prelates (their godfather,
the Pope's, bailiffs and fheriffs) were cried down ! Oh how fweet
a fight were it to fee all the tribes of the Lord in this land fetching
home again our banifhed King, Chrifl, to His own palace. His
fanftuary, and His throne ! I fhall think it mercy to my foul, if
my faith will out-watch all this winter-night, and not nod nor ilumber
till my Lord's fummer-day dawn upon me. It is much if faith and
hope, in the fad nights of our heavy trial, efcape with a whole fkin,
and without crack or crook. I confefs that unbelief hath not reafon
to be either father or mother to it,f for unbelief is always an irra-
tional thing ; but how can it be, but that fuch weak eyes as ours
mufl cafl water in a great fmoke, or that a weak head fhould not
turn giddy when the water runneth deep and ftrong } But God be
thanked that Chrift in His children can endure a ffrefs and a
ftorm, howbeit foft nature would fall down in pieces. O that I had
that J confidence as to reft on this, though He fhould grind me into
fmall powder, and bray me into duft, and fcatter the duft to the four
winds of heaven, that my Lord would gather up the powder, and
make me up a new veffel again, to bear Chrifl's name to the world !
I am lure that love, bottomed and feated upon the faith of His love
to me, would defire and endure this, and would even claim and
threep § kindnefs upon Chrift's flrokes, and kifs His love-glooms, [|
and both fpell and read falvation upon the wounds made by Chrifl's
fweet hands. O that I had but a promife made from the mouth
of Chrifl, of His love to me ! and then, howbeit my faith were as
tender as paper, I think longing, and dwining, ^ and greening** of
fick defires would caufe it to bidef f out the fiege till the Lord came

* Conftituted and opened. f Unbelief has not its origin in reafon.

X Such. § Perfevere in vehement aflertion. || Frowns.

f Pining. ** Longing after greedily, ft Continue to bear or hold out.

2i8 LETTER LXXXV. [1637.

to fill the foul with His love. And I know alfo, that in that cafe
faith would bide * green and fappy at the root, even at mid-winter,
and fland out againft all florms. However it be, I know that
Chrifl winneth heaven in defpite of hell.

But I owe as many praifes and thanks to free grace as would
lie betwixt me and the utmoft border of the higheft heaven, fuppofe
ten thoufand heavens were all laid above other. But oh ! I have
nothing that can hire or budf grace ; for if grace would take hire,
it were no more grace. But all our ftability, and the ftrength of
our falvation, is anchored and faflened upon free grace ; and I am
fure that Chrift hath by His death and blood caften the knot fo faft,
that the fingers of the devils and hell-fulls of fms cannot loose it.
And that bond of Chrifl (that never yet was, nor ever fhall, nor
can be regiftratedj) flandeth furer than heaven, or the days of
heaven, as that fweet pillar of the covenant whereon we all hang.
Chrift, with all his little ones under His two wings and in the com-
pafs or circle of His arms, is fo fure, that, cafl Him and them into
the ground § of the fea, He fhall come up again and not lofe one.
An odd one cannot, nor fhall be lofl in the telling. ||

This was always God's aim, fmce Chrift came into the play
betwixt Him and us, to make men dependent creatures ; and, in the
work of our falvation, to put created ftrength, and arms and legs of
clay, quite out of play, and out of office and court. And now God
hath fubflituted in our room and accepted His Son, the Mediator,
for us and all that we can make. If this had not been, I would
have fkinked f over and foregone my part of paradife and falva-
tion, for a breakfafl of dead, moth-eaten earth ; but now I would
not give it, nor let it go for more than I can tell. And truly they
are filly fools, and ignorant of Chrifl's worth, and fo full ill-trained
and tutored, who tell Chrifl and heaven over the board for two
feathers or two ftraws of the devil's painted pleafures, only luflred
on the outer fide. This is our happinefs now, that our reckonings

* Continue to hold out. f Bribe. % Protefted. § Bottom.

Ij Counting up. % Renounced by a formal farewell.

1637.] LETTER LXXXVL 219

at night, when eternity fhall come upon us, cannot be told. We
fhall be so far gainers, and fo far from being fuper-expended (as the
poor fools of this world are, who give out their money, and get in
but black hunger), that angels cannot lay our counts, nor fum our
advantage and incomes. Who knoweth how far it is to the bottom
of our Chrifl's fulnefs, and to the ground* of our heaven .'' Who
ever weighed Chrifl in a pair of balances ? Who hath feen the
foldings and plies, and the heights and depths of that glory which is
in Him, and kept for us ? O for such a heaven as to ftand afar off,
and fee, and love and long for Him, whillf time's thread be cut, and
this great work of creation difTolved, at the coming of our Lord !

Now to His grace I recommend you. I befeech you alfo to pray
for a re-entry to me into the Lord's houfe, if it be His good will.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Jan. 6, 1637.

LXXXVL — To my Lord Craighall.

[Sir John Hope, Lord Craighall, was the eldeft fon of Sir Thomas
Hope (Lord Advocate of Scotland in the time of James VI. and Charles I.),
and Elizabeth, daughter of John Bennet of Wallyford. His property, Craig-
hall, is in the parifh of Inverelk, near Edinburgh. Sir Thomas was the mod
eminent lawyer of his day, and was firft brought into notice by the ability
with which he defended the caufe of John Forbes, John Welfh, and the
other minifters who were tried for high treafon at Linlithgow, on account of
their holding a General Affembly at Aberdeen in 1605. John, fecond baronet
of Craighall, followed the profeffion of law, and quickly rofe to diftindion and
influence. He was admitted a Lord of Seflion 27th July 1632, and became
Prelident of the Court. In 1645 he was appointed one of the Privy Council.
He was an elder of the Church, and his name appears on the roll of members
of the General Aflemblies 1 645-1 649, and of the commiflions which these
Aflemblies appointed, and invested with full powers for profecuting, advanc-
ing, and bringing to a happy conclufion, the work of uniformity in religion in
all his Majefty's dominions. He was married to Margaret, daughter of Sir

* Bottom. t Till.

220 LETTER LXXXVL [1637.

Archibald Murray of Blackbarony. This lady died on the 3d of Odober
1 641. His father, in his publifhed Diary, has the following entry of that
date in reference to the event : ^* About 9 of the night, my dear daughter D.
M. Murray, fpoufe to my fon Craighall, deceafed in child-bed, fhe and the
bairn in her womb. God in mercy pity me, and my fon, and his children,
for it is a fore ftroke" (p. 152). Lord Craighall died at Edinburgh near the
end of April 1654. He had a daughter, Mary, who became the wife of
William Gordon of Earlfton, and two fons. Sir Thomas and Sir Archibald.
(Douglas' Peerage.y\

{EPISCOPALIAN CEREMONIES— HOW TO ABIDE IN THE TRUTH
—DESIRE FOR LIBERTY TO PREACH CHRIST.)

Y LORD, — I received Mr L.'s* letter with your Lord-
fhip's, and his learned thoughts in the matter of cere-
monies. I owe refpeft to the man's learning, for that
I hear him to be oppofed to Arminian herefies. But, with reverence
of that worthy man, I wonder to hear fuch popifh-like expreflions
as he hath in his letter, as, " Your Lordfhip may fpare doubtings,
when the IGng and Church have agreed in the fettling of fuch
orders ; and the Church's dire6lion in things indifferent and circum-
ftantial (as if indifferent and circumftantial were all one!) ihould be
the rule of every private Chriftian." I only viewed the papers two
hours' fpace, the bearer haflening me to write. I find the worthy
man not fo feenf in this controverfy as fome turbulent men of our
country, whom he calleth *' refufers of conformity ;" and let me fay
it, I am more confirmed in non-conformity, when I fee fuch a great
wit play the agent :j: fo flenderly. But I will lay the blame on the
weaknefs of the caufe, not on the meannefs of Mr L.'s learning. I

* Who is here meant cannot now be well afcertained. It could not be Mr
Robert Leighton, afterwards Archbifhop of Glafgow, as he was then abroad,
and not ordained. Perhaps it may have been Mr Loudian, of whom Baillie
fays, ** He has vn"itten fomewhat againft our courfes (at leaft for kneeling)
againft Rutherford. They fay he is dead alfo. I much regrate it : he was an
excellent philofophe, found and orthodoxe, oppolite to Canterbury's way, al-
beit too conform. I counfelled oft Glafgow to have him for their Divinity
Ledurer." {Baillie s Letters and Journals ^ i. 77.)

t Converfant with. X Advocate ?

637-] LETTER LXXXVL 221

have been, and ftill am confident, that Britain * cannot anfwer one
argument, a fcatidalo : and I longed much to hear Mr L. fpeak to
the caufe ; and I would fay, if fome ordinary divine had anfwered
as Mr L. doth, that he underflood not the nature of a fcandal ; but
I dare not vilify that worthy man fo. I am now upon the heat of
fome other employment. I fhall (but God willing) anfwer this, to
the fatisfying of any not prejudiced.

I will not fay that every one is acquainted with the reafon in
my letter, from God's prefence and bright fhining face in fuffering
for this caufe. Ariflotle never knew the medium of the conclufion :
and Chrift faith few know it.f I am fure that confcience ftanding
in awe of the Almighty, and fearing to make a little hole in the
bottom for fear of under-water, J is a ilrong medium to hold off an
erroneous conclufion in the leaft wing, or lith,§ of fweet, fweet
truth, that concerneth the royal prerogative of our kingly and
highefi Lord Jefus. And my witnefs is in heaven, that I faw
neither pleafure, nor profit, nor honour, to hook me, or catch me,
in entering into prifon for Chrift, but the wind on my face for the
prefent. And if I had loved to fleep in a whole fkin, with the eafe
and prefent delight that I faw on this fide of fun and moon, I fiiould
have lived at eafe, and in good hopes to fare as well as others. The
Lord knoweth that I preferred preaching of Chrift, and ftill do, to
anything, next to Chrift Himfelf. And their new canons took my
one, my only joy, from me, which was to me as the poor man's
one ewe, that had no more ! And, alas ! there is little lodging in
their hearts for pity or mercy, to pluck out a poor man's one eye
for a thing indifferent ; i.e., for knots of ftraw, and things (as they
mean II) off the way to heaven. I defire not that my name take
journey, and go a pilgrim to Cambridge, for fear I come into the
ears of authority. I am fufficiently burnt already.

In the mean time, be pleafed to try if the Bifiiop of St Andrews, f

* All the Divines in Britain, f R^v. ii. 1 7 , ^ ^ hidden manna." % Bilge-water.
§ Joint. In a fermon at Kirkmabreck, 1634, he fpeaks of ^^ the fhoulder-
blade being out of lit h."

II As they reckon, or think. ^ John Spottifwood.

222 LETTER LXXXVIL [16:57.

and Glafgow* (Galloway'sf ordinary), will be pleafed to abate
from the heat of their wrath, and let me go to my charge. Few
know the heart of a prifoner ; yet I hope that the Lord will hew
His own glory out of as knotty timber as I am. Keep Chrifl, my
dear and worthy Lord. Pretended paper-arguments from:): angering
the mother-Church, (that can reel, and nod, and ftagger,) are not of
fuch weight as peace with the Father, and Hufband. Let the wife
gloom, § I care not, if the Hufband laugh.

Remember my fervice to my Lord your father, and mother, and
lady. Grace be with you.

Yours at all obedience in Chrift,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Jan. 24, 1637.

LXXXVIL — To Elizabeth Kennedy.

[Elizabeth Kennedy was the filter of Hugh Kennedy, Provoft of
Ayr, and a woman as eminent for piety and prayer as her brother. Wodrow
records an anecdote of her which illuftrates the devotional charader of Chris-
tians in her time, and their faith in the power of prayer. Being much afflicted
with the ftone, fhe was advifed to fubmit to a furgical operation. Several
meetings for prayer took place among the godly at Ayr in reference to her
cafe in particular. When the furgeon came to perform the operation, one of
thefe meetings was held in her own houfe, and the people continued fo long
in prayer, as nearly to exhauft his patience ; but before they had concluded,
the ftone dilTolved, and without furgical aid fhe obtained immediate relief.
(PP'odrow's AnahBaj vol. ii.)]

{DANGER OF FORMALITY— CHRIST U'HOLLY TO BE LOFED—
OTHER OBJECTS OF LOFE.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I have
long had a purpofe of writing unto you, but I have
been hindered. I heartily defire that ye would mind

* James Law was the ordinary or official deputy of the Bifhop.

t Thomas Sydferff, Bifhop of Galloway.

+ Arguments drawn from the risk of provoking. § Frown.

1637.] LETTER LXXXVIL ii^

your country, and confider to what airt* your foul fetteth its face ;
for all come not home at night who fuppofe that they have fet their
face heavenward. It is a woful thing to die, and mifs heaven, and
to lofe houfe-room with Chrift at night : it is an evil journey where
travellers are benighted in the fields. I perfuade myfelf that thoufands
(hall be deceived and afhamed of their hope. Becaufe they caft their
anchor in finking fands, they mufi: lofe it. Till now I knew not the
pain, labour, nor difficulty that there is to winf at home : nor did
I underfi:and fo well, before this, what that meaneth, " The right-
eous fliall fcarcely be faved." Oh, how many a poor profefibr's
candle is blown out, and never lighted again ! I fee that ordinary
profefiion, and to be ranked amongfi: the children of God, and to
have a name among men, is now thought good enough to carry pro-
fefibrs to heaven. But certainly a name is but a name, and will
never bide J a blail: of God's fiorm. I counfel you not to give your
foul or Chrifi: refi, nor your eyes fleep, till ye have gotten fomething
that will bide J the fire, and ftand out the florm. I am fure, that if
my one foot were in heaven, and if then He fiiould fay, " Fend§
thyself, I will hold my grips || of thee no longer," I fiiould go no
farther, but prefently fall down in as many pieces of dead nature.

They are happy for evermore who are over head and ears in
the love of Chrifi, and know no ficknefs but love-ficknefs for
Chrifi:, and feel no pain but the pain of an abfent and hidden Well-
beloved. We run our fouls out of breath, and tire them, in cours-
ing and galloping after our night-dreams (fuch are the rovings of
our mifcarrying hearts), to get fome created good thing in this life,
and on this fide of death. We would fain fiay and fpin out a
heaven to ourfelves, on this fide of the water ; but forrow, want,
changes, crofies, and fin, are both woof and warp in that ill-fpun
web. O how fweet and dear are thofe thoughts that are flill
upon the things which are above ! and how happy are they who
are longing to have little fand in their glafs, and to have time's

* Quarter of the fky. f Get to. :j: Continue to endure.

§ Take care of. || Grafp.

224 LETTER LXXXVIL [1637.

thread cut, and can cry to Chrifi:, " Lord Jefus, have over :* come
and fetch the drearyf pafTenger ! " I wiih that our thoughts were
more frequently than they are upon our country. Oh but heaven
cafteth a fweet fmell afar oiF to thofe who have fpiritual fmelling !
God hath made many fair flowers ; but the faireft of them all is
heaven, and the Flower of all flowers is Chrifl:. Oh ! why do we
not fly up to that lovely One ? Alas, that there is fuch a fcarcity
of love, and of lovers, to Chrifl: amongft us all ! Fie, fie upon us,
who love fair things, as fair gold, fair houfes, fair lands, fair plea-
fures, fair honours, and fair perfons, and do not pine and melt
away with love to Chrifl ! Oh ! would to God I had more love
for His fake ! O for as much as would lie betwixt me and heaven,
for His fake ! O for as much as would go round about the earth,
and over the heaven, yea, the heaven of heavens, and ten thoufand
worlds, that I might let all out upon fair, fair, only fair Chrifl !
But, alas ! I have nothing for Him, yet He hath much for me. It
is no gain to Chrifl that He getteth my little, fecklefs,J fpan-length
and hand-breadth of love.

If men would have fomething to do with their hearts and their
thoughts, that are always rolling up and down (like men with oars
in a boat), after fmful vanities, they might find great and fweet em-
ployment to their thoughts upon Chrifl. If thofe frothy, fluftuating,
and refllefs hearts of ours would come all about Chrifl, and look
into His love, to bottomlefs love, to the depth of mercy, to the
unfearchable riches of His grace, to inquire after and fearch into the
beauty of God in Chrifl, they would be fw allowed up in the depth
and height, length and breadth of His goodnefs. Oh, if men would
draw the curtains, and look into the inner fide of the ark, and be-
hold how the fulnefs of the Godhead dwelleth in Him bodily ! Oh !
who would not fay, " Let me die, let me die ten times, to fee a fight
of Him " ? Ten thoufand deaths were no great price to ^ve for
Him. I am fure that fick, fainting love would heighten the market,
and raife the price to the double for Him. But, alas ! if men and

* Be done. f Sorrowful. % Unfubftantial, worthlefs.

1637.] LETTER LXXXVIIL 225

angels were rouped,* and ibid at the dearefl: price, they would not
all buy a night's love, or a four-and-twenty-hours' light of Chrifl !
Oh, how happy are they who get Chrift for nothing ! God fend
me no more, for my part of paradife, but Chrift : and furely I were
rich enough, and as well heavened as the bell of them, if Chrift
were my heaven.

I can write no better thing to you, than to defire you, if ever
ye laid Chrift in a count, to take Him up and count over again :
and weigh Him again and again : and after this have no other
to court your love, and to woo your foul's delight, but Chrift. He
will be found worthy of all your love, howbeit it ftiould fwell
upon you from the earth to the uppermoft circle of the heaven of
heavens. To our Lord Jefus and His love I commend you.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

LXXXVIIL — To Janet Kennedy.

[This feems to he the wife of Mr John Fergufhill ; fee Let. 112.]

(CHRIST TO BE KEPT: AT EFERT SACRIFICE— HIS INCOM-
PARABLE LOVELINESS.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. Ye
are not a little obliged to His rich grace, who hath
feparated you for Himfelf, and for the promifed in-
heritance with the saints in light, from this condemned and guilty
world. Hold faft Chrift, contend for Him; it is a lawful pleaf to
go to holding and drawing for Chrift ; and it is not poffible to
keep Chrift peaceably, having once gotten Him, except the devil
were dead. It muft be your refolution to fet your face againft
Satan's northern tempefts and ftorms, for falvation. Nature
would have heaven to come to us while fteeping in our beds. We

* Sold by public auction. f Controverfy.

vol.. 1. P

226 LETTER LXXXVIIL [1637.

would all buy Chrifl, fo being we might make price ourfelves.
But Chrifl is worth more blood and lives than either ye or I have
to give Him. When we fhall come home, and enter to the pofTeflion
of our Brother's fair kingdom, and when our heads fhall find the
weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we fhall look back
to pains and fufFerings, then (hall we fee life and forrow to be lefs
than one flep or ftride from a prifon to glory ; and that our little
inch of time-fuffering is not worthy of our firft night's welcome-
home to heaven. Oh, what then fhall be the weight of every one
of Chrift's kifTes ! Oh, how weighty, and of what worth fhall every
one of Chrift's love-finiles be ! Oh, when once He fhall thrufl a
wearied traveller's head betwixt His bleffed breafls, the poor foul
will think one kifs of Chrift hath fully paid home forty or fifty
years' wet feet, and all its fore hearts, and light*" fufferings it had
in following after Chrifl ! Oh, thrice-blinded fouls, whofe hearts
are charmed and bewitched with dreams, fhadows, fecklefs things,
night-vanities, and night-fancies of a miferable life of fin ! Shame
on us who fit flill, fettered with the love and liking of the loan
of a piece of dead clay ! Oh, poor fools, who are beguiled with
painted things, and this world's fair weather, and fmooth promifes,
and rotten, worm-eaten hopes ! May not the devil laugh to fee us
give out our fouls, and get in but corrupt and counterfeit pleafures
of fin 'i O for a fight of eternity's glory, and a litde tafling of
the Lamb's marriage-fupper ! Half a draught, or a drop of the
wine of confolation, that is up at our banqueting-houfe, out of
Chrifl's own hand, would make our flomachs loathe the brown
bread and the four drink of a miferable life. Oh, how far are we
bereaved of wit, to chafe, and hunt, and run, till our fouls be out
of breath, after a condemned happinefs of our own making ! And
do we not fit far in our own light, to make it a matter of bairn's
play, to fkink and drink overf paradife, and the heaven that Chrift

* 2 Cor. iv. 17.

t Skink is formally to renounce his part in a thing; ^^ and drink oi^er,
ihink the health of the buver over the concluded bargain.

1637.] LETTER LXXXVIIL 227

did fweat for, even for a blail of fmoke, and for Efau's morning
breakfaft ? O that we were out of ourfelves, and dead to this
world, and this world dead and crucified to us ! And, when we
(hould be clofe* out of love and conceit of any mafked and fardedf
lover whatfoever, then Chrifl: would win and conquer to Himfelf
a lodging in the inmoft yolk of our heart. Then Chriil fhould
be our night-fong and morning-fong : then the very noife and din
of our Well-beloved's feet, when He cometh, and His firit knock
or rap at the door, (hould be as news of two heavens to us. O that
our eyes and our foul's fmelling fhould go after a blafted and fun-
burnt flower, even this plaflered, fair-outfided J world : and then
we have neither eye nor fmell for the Flower of JefTe, for that
Plant of renown, for Chrift, the choicefi:, the faireft, the fweetefl
rofe that ever God planted ! Oh, let fome of us die to fmell the
fragrance of Him ; and let my part of this rotten world be forfeited
and fold for evermore, providing I may anchor my tottering foul
upon Chrifl: ! I know that it is fometimes at this, " Lord, what
wilt Thou have for Chrift ?" But, O Lord, canfl Thou be budded, §
and propined |1 with any gift for Chrifl ? O Lord, can Chrift be
fold? or rather, may not a poor needy finner have Him for nothing?
If I can get no more, oh, let me be pained to all eternity, with long-
ing for Him ! The joy of hungering for Chrift fhould be my heaven
for evermore. Alas, that I cannot draw fouls and Chrifl together !
But I defire the coming of His kingdom, and that Chrifl, as I
afTuredly hope He will, would come upon withered Scotland, as
rain upon the new-mown grafs. Oh, let the King come ! Oh, let
His kingdom come ! Oh, let their eyes rot in their eye-holes,^
who will not receive Him home again to reign and rule in Scotland.
Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

* Quite out. t Embelliihed, painted. % That has a fair external.

§ Bribed. 11 Prefented with. ^ Zech. xiv. 12.

228 LETTER LXXXIX, [163'

LXXXIX. — To 7ny li^ell-beloved and Re^'erend Brotht
Mr Robert Blair.

[Mr Robert Blair was bom at Inine in 1593. After completing his
education at the College of Glafgow, he there held for feveral years the office
of Regent, during which time he was licenfed as a probationer for the holy
miniftr)-. Ha%-ing a ftrong defire to go to France, he was encouraged to this
by M. Bafnage, a French Proteftant minifter who vifited Scotland in 1622.
But Pro\-idence ordered his lot otherwife. He was induced to accept of the
charge of Bangor, in Ireland, and was admitted in the year 1623. Here he
laboured with great diligence and fuccefs ; and there being in the fame part of
the country feveral other de\out minifters, by mutual excitement and co-
operation, they were inftnimental in producing in the north of Ireland a change
upon an ignorant and irreligious people, much refembling the effedts of the
preaching of the Gofpel in the apoftolic age. But this good work was not
allowed to go on unoppofed. In the autumn of 163 1 he was fufpended from
his miniftn- by the Bifhop of Down; in May 1632 he was depofed; and
in November 1634 folemnly excommunicated ; and all this fimply for non-
conformity. In thefe circumftances, he and fome other minifters fimilarly
fituated, together with a confiderable number of people, formed the purpofe
of going to New England, and actually embarked in 1636 ; but the tempeftu-
ous ftate of the weather forced them to return. He then came over to Scot-
land, and in 1638 became minifter of Ayr, from which by a fentence of the
General Affembly he was foon tranflated to St Andrew's, where he and
Rutherford lived in the warmeft friendfhip until the controverfy between the
Refolutioners and Protefters arofe, which in fome degree difturbed their mutual
good underftanding. Rutherford was a ftrong Protefter : Blair endeavoured
to remain neutral. He regretted the extremes, as he conceived, to which
both parties went ; and, with Mr James Durham of Glafgow, endeavoured to
reftore harmony between them, but without fuccefs. Towards the end of
September 1661 he was fummoned before the Privy Council for a fermon he
had preached, in which he dwelt on fuffering for righteouihefs' fake, and bore
teftimony to the covenanted Reformation, as well as againft the defections of
the times. His anfwers to the Council proving unfatisfadton-, he was fentenced
to be confined to his own houfe. He was afterwards permitted to retire to
Muflelburgh. He next removed to Kirkcaldy, and from thence to Meikle
Coufton, in the parifh of Aberdour, where he died on the 2-th of April
1666.J

1637.] LETTER LXXXIX. 229

{GODS ARRANGEMENTS SOMETIMES MYSTERIOUS.)

EVE REND AND DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER,

— Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and
from our Lord Jefus Chrift, be unto you.
It is no great wonder, my dear brother, that ye be in heaviiiefs
for a feafon, and that God's will (in croffing your defign and defires
to dwell amongft a people whofe God is the Lord) fhould move you.
I deny not but ye have caufe to inquire what His providence fpeaketh
in this to you ; but God's directing and commanding Will can by
no good logic be concluded from events of providence. The Lord
fent Paul on many errands for the fpreading of His Gofpel, where
he found lions in his way. A promife was made to His people of
the Holy Land, and yet many nations were in the way, fighting
againft, and ready to kill them that had the promife, or to keep
them from poffeffing that good land which the Lord their God had
given them. I know that ye have moft to do with fubmilTion of
fpirit ; but I perfuade myfelf that ye have learned, in every condition
wherein ye are caft, therein to be content, and to fay, *' Good is
the will of the Lord, let it be done." I believe that the Lord
tacketh His fhip often to fetch the wind, and that He purpofeth to
bring mercy out of your fufferings and fdence, which (I know
from mine own experience) is grievous to you. Seeing that He
knoweth our willing mind to ferve Him, our wages and flipend is
running to the fore* with our God, even as fome fick foldiers get
pay, when they are bedfaft and not able to go to the field with
others. *' Though Ifrael be not gathered, yet fliall I be glorious
in the eyes of the Lord, and my God fhall be my ftrength."f And
we are to believe it fhall be thus ere all the play be played. *' The

* Into account for your advantage. f I fa. xlix. 5.

230 LETTER LXXXIX. [1637.

violence done to me and to my flefh be upon Babylon " (and the
great whore's lovers), '' lliall the inhabitant of Zion fay ; and my
blood be upon Chaldea, fhall Jerufalem fay."* And, " Behold, I
will make Jerufalem a cup of trembling to all the people round
about, when they fhall be in the fiege both againft Judah and againfl:
Jerufalem. And in that day will I make Jerufalem a burden-
fome ftone for all people : they that burden themfelves with it fliall
be broken in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered
together againfl it."f When they have eaten and fwallowed us up,
they fhall be fick, and vomit us out living men again ; the devil's
flomach cannot digeft the Church of God. Suffering is the other
half of our miniftry, howbeit the hardefl ; for we would be content
that our ICing Jefus fhould make an open proclamation, and cry
down croffes, and cry up joy, gladnefs, eafe, honour, and peace.
But it muft not be fo ; through many affli6lions we mufl enter into
the kingdom of God. Not only by them, but through them, mufl
we go ; and wiles will not take us pafl the crofs. It is folly to
think to fleal to heaven with a whole fkin.

For myfelf, I am here a prifoner confined in Aberdeen, threatened
to be removed to Caithnefs, becaufe I defire to edify in this town ;
and am openly preached againft in the pulpits in my hearing, and
tempted with difputations by the doftors, efpecially by D. B.J Yet
I am not aihamed of the Lord Jefus, His garland, and His crown.
I would not exchange my weeping with the painted laughter of the
fourteen prelates. At my firft coming here I took the dorts§ at
Chrift, and would, forfooth, fummon Him for unkindnefs. I fought
a plea II of my Lord, and was toffed with challenges^ whether He
loved me or not ; and difputed over again all that He had done to

* Jer. li. },s- t Zech. xii. 2, 3.

% Dr Robert Barron, ProfelTor of Divinity in the jNIarlfchal College of
Aberdeen, one of the learned dodors of that city, whofe difpute, in 1638,
with Alexander Henderfon, David Dickfon, and Andrew Cant, on the fub-
jed of the Covenant, excited at the time fo much attention.

§ Sulks, pet. II A quarrel. ^[ Upbraiding, queftioning.

1637.] LETTER LXXXIX. 231

me, becauie His word was a fire fhut up in my bowels, and I was
weary with forbearing, becaufe I laid I was call out of the Lord's
inheritance. But now I fee that I was a fool. My Lord mifkent*
all, and did bear with my foolifh jealoufies ; and mifkent* that ever
I wronged His love. And now He is come again with mercy under
His wings. I pafs from my (oh witlefs !) fummons: He is God,
I fee, and I am man. Now it hath pleafed Him to renew His love
to my foul, and to dawtf His poor prifoner. Therefore, dear
brother, help me to praife, and fhow the Lord's people with you
what He hath done to my foul, that they may pray and praife.
And I charge you, in the name of Chrift, not to omit it. For this
caufe I write to you, that my fufferings may glorify my royal King,
and edify His Church in Ireland. He knoweth how one of Chrift's
love coals hath burnt my foul with a defire to have my bonds to
preach His glory, whofe crofs I now bear. God forgive you if you
do it not ; but I hope the Lord will move your heart, to proclaim
in my behalf the fweetnefs, excellency, and glory of my royal King.
It is but our foft flefh that hath raifed a flander on the crofs of
Chrift : I fee now the white fide of it ; my Lord's chains are all
over-gilded. Oh, if Scotland and Ireland had part of my feall: !
And yet I get not my meat but with many ftrokes. There are
none here to whom 1 can fpeak: I dwell in Kedar's tents. Refrefh
me with a letter from you. Few know what is betwixt Chrift and
me.

Dear brother, upon my falvation, this is His truth that we fulfer
for. Chrift would not feal a blank charter to fouls. Courage,
courage ! joy, joy for evermore ! O joy unfpeakable and glorious !
O for help to fet my crowned King on high ! O for love to Him
who is altogether lovely, — that love which many waters cannot
quench, neither can the Hoods drown !

I remember you, and bear your name on my breall to
ChriiL I befeech you, forget not His afflicted prilbner. Grace,
mercy, and peace be with you. Salute in the Lord, from

* Overlooked. f Dote upoi)^ ibndk.

232 LETTER XC. [1637.

me, Mr Cunningham, Mr Livingftone, Mr Ridge,* Mr Col-

wart,f &c.

Your brother, and fellow-prifoner,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Feb. 7, 1637.

XC. — To his Revere?id and Dear Brother, Mr John Livingstone.

[John Livingstone (the fon of Alexander Livingftone, firft minifter at
Monyabroch or Kilfyth, and afterwards at Lanark) was bom at Monyabroch
on the 2ift of January 1603. At the College of Glafgow, where he received
his education, he enjoyed the advantage of having as his regent for two years
the famous Robert Blair, for whom he continued ever after to retain the
higheft veneration. He was firft fettled minifter at Killinchie, in Ireland, to-
wards the clofe of the year 1630, but had not laboured above twelve months
in that charge when he was fufpended by the Biftiop of Down, for non-
conformity. Being afterwards depofed, and finally excommunicated, to enjoy
religious liberty he accompanied Mr Blair and others in their intended emi-
gration to America ; but, with the reft, was forced by the adverfe ftate of
the weather to return. Shortly after, when on a vifit to the weft of Scotland,
he received calls from two parifties, Stranraer and Stewarton. By the advice
of his ft-iends, whom he confulted, he preferred the call from the former parifti,
and his indud:ion took place on the jth of July 1638. Here he continued in
the afliduous difcharge of his paftoral functions until 1648, when, by the fen-
tence of the General Aflembly, he was tranflated to the parifti of Ancrum, in
the Preftjytery of Jedburgh. Upon the death of Charles I., he was fent to
the Hague, and aftenvards to Breda, as one of the commiflioners from the

* Mr John Ridge was an Englifti minifter, whom oppofition to ceremonial
impofitions on confcience led to leave his native country for Ireland. He was
admitted to the vicarage of Antrim on the 7th of July 16 19, in which he
laboured with fuccefs for many years ; but being at length depofed by Henry
Leflie, the Bifliop of Down, for non-conformity, he came over to Irvine, where
he died.

t Mr Henry Colwart was alfo a native of England ; and, like Mr Ridge,
left the land of his birth, and went to Ireland. He was admitted to the pas-
toral charge of Oldftone in 1630; but being alfo depofed by Bifhop Leflie for
refufing to fubmit to the innovations of Prelacy, he came over to Scotland,
and was admitted minifter of Paiflev, where he died.

1637.] LETTER XC. 233

Church of Scotland to treat with his foil Charles II., whofe charac^lier he had
the penetration to difcover. In the controverfy between the Refolutioners and
Protefters, Livingftone took the fide of the latter, but was diilatisfied with
the violence manifefted by his party. After the reftoration of Charles II.,
being fummoned to appear before the Privy Council on the nth of December
1662, he appeared, and, declining to engage to obferve the anniverfary of the
death of Charles I., and to take the oath of allegiance in the precife way in
which it was dilated to him, he was fentenced to quit his native land within
two months. Having repaired to Rotterdam, he preached occafionally to the
Scottifh congregation there, and devoted the remainder of his life to the culti-
vation of Biblical literature. He died in that city on the 9th of Auguft 1672,
in the feventieth year of his age.

It was this fame Livingftone that was fo blefled in awakenings. By a fer-
mon which he preached in 1630 at the Kirk-of-Shotts, on the Monday after
the difpenfation of the Lord's Supper, five hundred fouls, it is believed, were
converted. On a fimilar occafion, at Holywood, in the north of Ireland, he
was the inftrument of awakening double that number to inquiry after falvation.]

(RESIGNATION— ENJOYMENT— STATE OF THE CHURCH.)

Y REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace,

mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear from you,
and to be refreihed with the comforts of The Bride ot
our Lord Jefus in Ireland. I fuffer with you in grief, for the dalh
that your defires to be at New England have received of late; but if
our Lord, who hath fkill to bring up His children, had not feen it?your
befl, it would not have befallen you. Hold your peace, and ftay
yourfelves upon the Holy One of Ifrael. Hearken to what He hath
faid in crolTmg of your defires ; He will fpeak peace to His people.

I am here removed from my flock, and fdenced, and confined
in Aberdeen, for the teftimony of Jefus. And I have been confined
in fpirit alfo with defertions and challenges. I gave in a bill of
quarrels, and complaints of unkindnefs againft Chrift, who feemed
to have caft me over the dyke of the vineyard as a dry tree, and
feparated me from the Lord's inheritance ; but high, high and loud
praifes be to our royal crowned King in Zion, that He hath not
burnt the dry branch. I Ihall yet live, and fee His glory.

Your mother-Church, for her whoredom, is like to be caft off.

234 LETTER XC. [1637.

The bairns may break their hearts to fee fuch chiding betwixt the
hulband and the wife. Our clergy is upon a reconciliation with the
Lutherans ; and the Doftors are writing books, and drawing up a
common confeflion, at the Council's command. Our Service Book
is proclaimed with found of trumpet. The night is fallen down upon
the prophets ! Scotland's day of vifitation is come. It is time
tor the bride to weep, while Chrifl: is a-faying that He will choofe
another wife. But our fky will clear again ; the dry branch of cut-
down Lebanon will bud again and be glorious, and they (hall yet
plant vines upon our mountains.

Now, my dear brother, I write to you for this end, that ye may
help me to praife ; and feek help of others with you, that God may
be glorified in my bonds. My Lord Jefus hath taken the withered,
dry ftranger, and His prifoner broken in heart, into His houfe of
wine. Oh, oh if ye, and all Scotland, and all our brethren with
you, knew how I am feafted ! Chrift's honey-combs drop comforts.
He dineth with His prifoner, and the ICing's fpikenard cafleth a
fmell. The devil cannot get it denied that we fulFer for the apple
of Chrift's eye. His royal prerogatives, as l^ng and Lawgiver. Let
us not fear or faint. He will have His Gofpel once again rouped*
in Scotland, and have the matter going to voices, to fee who
will fay, *' Let Chrifl: be crowned I^ng in Scotland." It is true
that Antichrift ftirreth his tail , but I love a rumbling and raging
devil in the kirk (fmce the Church militant cannot or may not want
a devil to trouble her), rather than a fubtle or fleeping devil. Chrifl:
never yet got a bride without flroke of fword. It is now nigh the
Bridegroom's entering into His chamber ; — let us awake and go in
with Him.

I bear your name to Chrift's door ; I pray you, dear brother,
forget me not. Let me hear from you by a letter ; and I charge
you, iinother not Chrift's bounty towards me. I write what I have
found of Him in the houfe of my pilgrimage. Remember my lo\'e
to all our brethren and fiflers there.

* Set up to fale by audlon, once more.

1637.] LETTER XCI. 235

The Keeper of the vineyard watch for His befieged city, and

for you.

Your brother, and fellow-ibfferer,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Feb. 7, 1637.

XCI. — To Mr Ephraim Melvin.

[Ephraim Melvin, or Melville, was firft ordained minifter of
Queensferry, and afterwards tranflated to Linlithgow, where he died. His
miniftry was fignally blefTed of God for bringing many to the faving know-
ledge of the truth, among whom were fome who afterwards became eminent
minifters of the Gofpel in their day. One of thefe was the famous Mr
James Durham of Glafgow. Happening, with his pious wife, a daughter
of the laird of Duntervie, to pay a vifit to her mother, alfo a religious woman,
in Queensferry, when the facrament of the Lord's Supper was to be obferved in
that place, his mother-in-law, upon the Saturday, defired him to go with her
to hear fermon. Being then a ftranger to true religion, he was difinclined to
go, and faid, with a tone of indifference, * ^ that he had not come there to hear
fermon ; " but upon being prefled, to gratify his pious relative, he went. The
difcourfe which he heard, though plain and ordinary, was delivered with an
affection and earneftnefs that arrefted the attention of Durham, and fo imprefled
him, that on coming home he faid to his mother-in-law, ^^ Your minifter
preached very ferioufly, and I fhall not need to be prefled to go to hear to-
morrow." Accordingly he went, and Mr Melvin choofing for his text thefe
words, ^^To you which believe, He is precious," i Peter ii. 7, opened up
the precioufnefs of Chrift with fuch undion and ferioufnefs, that it proved,
by the power of the Holy Spirit, the means of his converlion. In that
fermon he firft clofed with Chrift, and took his feat at the Lord's Table,
though to that day he had been an abfolute ftranger to believing. He
was accuftomed afterwards to call Mr Melvin his father, when he fpoke of
him or to him. Melvin, by a fermon which he preached at Stewarton,
when a probationer and chaplain to the excellent Lady Boyd, was alfo the
inftrument of converting Mr John Stirling in the fourteenth or (ixteenth
year of his age, an excellent and ufeful minifter in his day, though lefs knou 11
than Durham. **Some fay alfo," remarks Wodrow, ^^that he was a
fpiritual father to Mr John Dury of Dalmeny, who was much efteemed of
in his time, as having a taking and foaring gift of preaching, much like Mr
William Guthrie's gift." When Rutherford heard of Melvin's death he is

2^6 LETTER XCL [1637.

repreferited to have laid, '^ And is Ephraim dead ? He was an interpreter
among a thoufand." (PVodro-vjs Anal.^ vol. iii.)]

(THE IDOLATRT OF KNEELING AT THE COMMUNION.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I received
your letter, and am contented, with all my heart, that
our acquaintance in our Lord continue.
I am wrelHing as I dow,* up the mount with Chrift's crofs :
my Second f is kind and able to help.

As for your queftions, becaufe of my manifold diAra<5lions, and
letters to multitudes, I have not time to anfwer them. What fhall
be faid in common for that fhall be imparted to you ; for I am upon
thefe queftions. Therefore fpare me a little, for the Service Book
would take a great time. But I think ; Sicut deofculatio religiofa
imaginis, aut etiam elementorum, eft in fe idololatria externa, etfi
intentio deofculandi, tota, quanta in a6lu eft, feratur in Deum Trpw-
TOTVTTov ; ita, geuiculatio coram pane, quando, nempe, ex inftituto,
totus homo externus et internus verfari debeat circa elementaria figna,
eft adoratio relativa, et adoratio ipfius panis. Ratio : Intentio ado-
randi objeftum materiale, non eft de eflentia extern^e adorationis, ut
patet in deofculatione religiosa. Sic geniculatio coram imagine
Babylonica eft externa adoratio imaginis, etfi tres pueri mente inten-
diftent adorare Jehovam. Sic, qui ex metu folo, aut fpe pretii, aut
inanis gloriae, geniculatur coram aureo vitulo Jeroboami (quod ab
ipfo rege, qui nulla religione indu6lus, fed libidine dominandi tantum,
vitulum erexit, fa6litatum efte, textus fatis luculenter clamat), adorat
\'itulum externa adoratione ; efto quod putaret vitulum effe meram
creaturam, et honore nullo dignum : quia geniculatio, five nos no-
lumus, five volumus, ex inftituto Dei et naturae, in aftu religiofo,
eft fymbolum religiofge adorationis. Ergo, ficut panis fignificat cor-
pus Chrifti, etfi abfit a6lus omnis noftrae intentionis ; fic religiolh
geniculatio, fublata omni intentione humana, eft externa adoratio
panis, coram quo adoramus, ut coram figno vicario et reprxfentativo

* I am able. f Chrift, who is my helper, at my fide.

1637.] LETTER XCI. 237

Dei. [As the religious homage done to an image, or even to ele-
ments, is in itlelf an external aft of idolatry, in fo far as the aft is
concerned, although the intention of fuch homage may be direfted
to God the Great Firft Caufe, — fo the aft of kneeling to a piece of
bread, feeing that, according to the ordinance, the whole man, in-
ternal and external, ought to be engaged in the elementary iigns,
is a relative aft of worfhip and an adoration of the bread itfelf.
The reafon is : an intention to worfhip a material objeft is not of
the efTence of external adoration, as appears in a religious aft of
homage. Thus, the bending of the knee before the Babylonifh
image is an external aft of worfhip, even though the three youths
had no intention to worfhip any but the true God ; and in like
manner, thofe who, from fear or the hope of reward or vain-glory,
bend the knee to Jeroboam's golden calf (which the text clearly
enough proclaims to have been done by the king himfelf, from no
religious motive but the mere defire to rule), do pay adoration to the
calf by the external aft, although, no doubt, they may fuppofe the
calf a mere created objeft and unworthy of honour, — becaufe the
aft of homage, whether we mean it or not, is, from the ordinance
of God and nature, a fymbol of worfhip. Therefore, as the bread
denotes the body of Chrift (even though that idea be not prefent to
the mind), fo in like manner, kneeling, when ufed as a religious fer-
vice, is the external adoration of that bread, in prefence of which
we bow as before the delegated reprefentative of God, be our in-
tention what it may.]

Thus recommending you to God's tender mercy, I defire that
you would remember me to God. Sanftification will fettle you
moft in the truth.

Grace be with you, Brother in Chrifl: Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

238 . LETTER XCII. [1637.

XCII. — To Robert Gordon of K?iockbrex,
(VISITS OF CHRIST— THE THIXGS WHICH AFFLICTION TEACHES.)

lY VERY WORTHY AND DEAR FRIEND,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. Though all
Galloway ihould have forgotten me, I would have
expected a letter from you ere now ; but I will not expound it to
be forgetfulnefs of me.

Now, my dear brother, I cannot fhow you how matters go
betwixt Chrift and me. I find my Lord going and coming feven
times a day. His vifits are fhort ; but they are both frequent and
fweet. I dare not for my life think of a challenge of my Lord. I
hear ill tales, and hard reports of Chrift, from The Tempter and my
fiefh ; but love believeth no evil. I may fwear that they are liars,
and that apprehenfions make lies of Chrift's honest and unalterable
love to me. I dare not fay that I am a dry tree, or that I have no
room at all in the vineyard ; but yet I often think that the fparrows
are bleffed, who may refort to the houfe of God in Anwoth, from
which I am baniftied.

Temptations, that I fuppofed to be ftricken dead and laid upon
their back, rife again and revive upon me ; yea, I fee that while I
live, temptations will not die. The devil feemeth to brag and boaft
as much as if he had more court with Chrift than I have ; and as if
he had charmed and blafted my miniftry, that I fhall do no more
good in public. But his wind ftiaketh no corn.* I will not believe
that Chrift would have made fuch a mintf to have me to Himfelf,
and have taken fo much pains upon me as He hath done, and then
ilip fo eafily from pofTeffion, and lofe the glory of what He hath
done. Nay, fince I came to Aberdeen, I have been taken up to fee
the new land, the fair palace of the Lamb ; and will Chrift let me
iee heaven, to break my heart, and never give it to me ? I fhall not
think my Lord Jefus giveth a dumb earneft, or putteth His feals to

* Does no harm. f An effort exprefTive of intention.

1637.] LETTER XCIL 239

blank paper, or intendeth to put me off with fair and falfe promifes.
I fee that now which I never faw well before, (i.) I fee faith's
necefTity in a fair day is never known aright ; but now I mifs nothing
fb much as faith. Hunger in me runneth to fair and fweet promiles ;
but when I come, I am like a hungry man that wanteth teeth, or a
weak flomach having a fharp appetite that is filled with the very
fight of meat, or like one ftupified with cold under the water, that
would fain come to land, but cannot grip anything caften* to him.
I can let Chrift grip* me, but I cannot grip Him. I love to be
kiffed, and to fit on Chrift's knee ; but I cannot fet my feet to the
ground, for affliftions bring the cramp upon my faith. All that I
dow dof is to hold out a lame faith to Chrift, like a beggar holding
out a ftump, inftead of an arm or leg, and cry, '' Lord Jefus, work
a miracle ! " Oh, what would I give to have hands and arms to
grip* ftrongly, and fold heartfomely about Chrift's neck, and to have
my claim made good with real pofTefTion ! I think that my love to
Chrift hath feet in abundance, and runneth fwiftly to be at Him, but
it wanteth hands and fingers to apprehend Him. I think that I would
give Chrift every morning my bleiTmg, to have as much faith as I have
love and hunger ; at leaft, I mifs faith more than love or hunger.

(2.) I fee that mortification, and to be crucified to the world, is
not fo highly accounted of by us as it fhould be. Oh, how heavenly a
thing it is to be dead, and dumb, and deaf to this world's fweet mufic !
I confefs it hath pleafed His Majefty to make me laugh at the children,
who are wooing this world for their match. I see men lying about
the world, as nobles about a king's court ; and I wonder what they
are all doing there. As I am at this prefent, I would fcorn to
court fuch a fecklefs J and petty princefs, or buy this world's kindnefs
with a bow of my knee. I fcarce now either hear or fee what it is
that this world ofFereth me ; I know that it is little which it can
take from me, and as little that it can give me. I recommend mor-
tification to you above anything ; for, alas ! we but chafe feathers
flying in the air, and tire our own fpirits for the froth and over-

Take faft hold of anything flung to him. f Am abk' to do. % Worthlefs.

240 LETTER XCII. [1637.

gilded clay of a dying life. One fight of what my Lord hath let
me fee within this fhort time is worth a world of. worlds.

(3.) I thought courage, in the time of trouble for Chrifl's fake,
a thing that I might take up at my foot. I thought that the very
remembrance of the honefty of the caufe would be enough. But I
was a fool in fo thinking. I have much ado now to win to* one
fmile. But I fee that joy groweth up in heaven, and it is above our
fhort arm. Chrifl will be fleward and dilpenfer Himfelf, and none
elfe but He ; therefore, now, 1 count much of one dramweight of
fpiritual joy. One fmile of Chrift's face is now to me as a kingdom ;
and yet He is no niggard to me of comforts. Truly I have no caufe
to fay that I am pinched with penury, or that the confolations of
Chrift are dried up : for He hath poured down rivers upon a dry
wildernefs the like of me, to my admiration ; and in my very fwoon-
ings. He holdeth up my head, and flayeth me with flagons of wine,
and comforteth me with apples. My houfe and bed are ftrewed
with kifl^es of love. Praife, praife with me. Oh, if ye and I betwixt
us could lift up Chrifl: upon His throne, howbeit all Scotland fliould
cafl: Him down to the ground !

My brother's cafe toucheth me near, I hope that ye will be
kind to him, and give him your beft counfel.

Remember my love to your brother, to your wife, and G. M.f
Deflre him to be faithful, and to repent of his hypocrify ; and fay
that I wrote it to you. I wifli him falvation. Write to me your
mind anent C. E. and C. Y., and their wives, and I. G., or any
others in my parifli. I fear that I am forgotten amongft them ; but
I cannot forget them.

The prifoner's prayers and blefl"mgs come upon you. Grace,

grace be with you.

Your brother, in the Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, Feb. 9, 1637.

* To get at.

t All thofe whofe initials are given are underftood to have been parifhioners
of his at Anwoth.

1637.] LETTER XCIII. 241

XCIII. — To the Honourable, and truly Noble Lady, the
Viscountess of Kenmure.

(GOD'S DEALINGS WITH SCOTLAND— THE ETE TO BE
DIRECTED HEAVENJVARD.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyfhip.
— I long to hear from you.

I am here waiting, if a good wind, long looked for,
will at length blow into Chrifl's fails, in this land. But I wonder
if Jefus be not content to fuffer more yet in His members and caufe,
and in the beauty of His houfe, rather than He ihould not be avenged
upon this land. I hear that many worthy men, who fee more in
the Lord's dealings than I can take up with my dim fight, are of
a contrary mind, and do believe that the Lord is coming home again
to His houfe in Scotland. I hope He is on His journey that way ;
yet I look not but that He will feed this land with their own blood,
before He eftablifh His throne amongil: us.

I know that your honour is not looking after things hereaway.*
Ye have no great caufe to think that your flock and principal is
under the roof of thefe vifible heavens ; and I hope that ye would
think yourfelf a beguiled and cozened foul if it were fb. I fhould
be forry to counfel your Ladyfhip to make a covenant with time,
and this life; but rather defire you to hold in fair generals, and
afar off from this ill-founded heaven that is on this fide of the water.
It fpeaketh fomewhat when our Lord bloweth the bloom off our
daftf hopes in this life, and loppeth the branches off our worldly
joys, well nigh the root, on purpofe that they fhould not thrive.
Lord, fpillj my fool's heaven in this life, that I may be faved for
ever. A forfeiture of the faint's part of the yolk and marrow of
fhort-laughing worldly happinefs, is not fuch a real evil as our
blinded eyes conceive.

* In this quarter, this prefent world.

t Blows off the bloflbm from our foolilh hopes. % Spoil, mar.

VOL. I. Q

242 LETTER XCIV. [1637.

I am thinking long * now for fome deliverance more than before.
But I know I am in an error. It is poflible I am not come to that
meafure of trial which the Lord is feeking in His work. If my
friends in Galloway would efFeftually dof for my deliverance, I
fhould exceedingly rejoice ; but I know not but the Lord hath a
way whereof He will be the only reaper of praifes.

Let me know with the bearer how the child is. The Lord be
his father and tutor, and your only comforter. There is nothing
here, where I am, but profanity and atheifm. Grace, grace, be with
your Ladyfhip.

Your Ladyfhip's, at all obliged obedience, in Chrifl,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Feb. 13, 1637.

XCIV. — To the Noble and Chriftiati Lady, the Viscountess of
Kenmure.

{THE TIMES— CHRIsrs SWEETNESS IN TROUBLE— LONGING
AFTER HIM.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I would
not omit the occafion to write to your Ladyfhip with
the bearer. I am glad that the child is well. God's
favour, even in the eyes of men, be feen upon him !

I hope that your Ladyihip is thinking upon thefe fad and woful
days wherein we now live, when our Lord, in His righteous judg-
ment, is fending the kirk the gate:); fhe is going to Rome's brothel-
houfe to feek a lover of her own, feeing that fhe hath given up
with Chrifl her Hulband. Oh, what fweet comfort, what rich fal-
vation, is laid up for thofe who had rather wafh and roll their
garments in their own blood, than break out§ from Chrift by apos-
tacy ! Keep yourfelf in the love of Chrift, and ftand far aback from

* Am longing, f Adl for, make exertions. :{: The way. § Off^ probably.

1637J LETTER XCIF. 243

the pollutions of the world. Side not with thefe times, and hold off
from coming nigh the figns of a confpiracy with thofe that are now
come out againft Chrift, that ye may be one kept for Chrift only.
I know that your Ladyfhip thinketh upon this, and how you may
be humbled for yourfelf and this backfliding land ; for I avouch,
that wrath from the Lord is gone out againfl Scotland. I think aye
the longer the better of my royal and worthy Mafter. He is be-
come a new Well-beloved to me now, in renewed confolations, by
the prefence of the Spirit of grace and glory. Chrift's garments fmell
of the powder of the merchant, when He cometh out of His ivory
chambers. O, His perfumed face, His fair face, His lovely and
kindly kiffes, have made me, a poor prifoner, fee that there is more
to be had of Chrift in this life than I believed ! We think all is
but a little earneft, a four-hours,* a fmall tafting, that we have, or
that is to be had, in this life (which is true compared with the in-
heritance) ; but yet I know it is more : it is the kingdom of God within
us. Wo, wo is me, that I have not ten loves for that one Lord
Jefus ; and that love faileth, and drieth up in loving Him ; and that
I find no way to fpend my love defires, and the yolk of my heart
upon that faireft and dearefl One. I am far behind with my narrow
heart. O, how ebbf a foul have I to take in Chrift's love ! for
let worlds be multiplied, according to angels' underftanding, in
millions, whillj they weary themfelves, thefe worlds would not
contain the thoufandth part of His love. O, if I could yoke in §
amongft the thick || of angels, and feraphims, and now glorified
faints, and could raife a new love-fong of Chrift, before all the
world ! I am pained with wondering at new-opened treafures in
Chrift. If every finger, member, bone, and joint, were a torch
burning in the hottefi: fire in hell, I would that they could all fend
out love praifes, high fongs of praife for evermore, to that Plant of
Renown, to that royal and high Prince, Jefus my Lord. But alas !
His love fwelleth in me, and findeth no vent. Alas ! what can a

* Afternoon meal. f Shallow. % Till.

§ Join in with energy. || The crowd.

244 LETTER XCF. [1637

dumb prifoner do or fay for Him ! O for an ingine* to write a
book of Chrift and His love ! Nay, I am left of Him bound and
chained with His love. I cannot find a loofed foul to lift up His
praifes, and give them out to others. But oh ! my day-light hath
thick clouds ; I cannot fiiine in His praifes. I am often like a fhip
plying about to feek the wind : I fail at great leifure, and cannot be
blown upon that loveliefl Lord. Oh, if I could turn my fails to
Chrift's right airth,f and that I had my heart's wifhes of His love !
But I but mar His praifes : nay, I know no companion of what
Chrifl is, and what His worth is. All the angels, and all the glorified,
praife Him not fo much as in halves. Who can advance Him, or
utter all His praifes ? I want nothing : unknown faces favour me :
enemies mufi: fpeak good of the truth : my Mafier's caufe pur-
chafeth commendations.

The hopes of my enlargement, from appearances, are cold. My
faith hath no bed to fleep upon but omnipotency. The good-will
of the Lord, and His fweetefi: prefence, be with you and that child.
Grace and peace be yours.

Your Ladyfhip's, in all duty in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

XCV. — To the Right Honourable and Chrijlian Lady, the
Viscountess of Kenmure.

iCHRISTS CROSS SWEET— HIS COMING TO BE DESIRED-
JEALOUS OF ANT RIFAL.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyfhip.
I would not omit to write a line with this Chrifiian
bearer ; one in your Ladyfhip's own cafe, driven near
to Chrift, in and by her affliftion. I wifh that my friends in Gallo-

*" Power or faculty. f Point of the compafs.

1637.] LETTER XCV, 245

way forget me not. However it be, Chrift is fo good, I will have
no other tutor, fuppofel could have wale* and choice often thoufand
befide. I think now five hundred heavy hearts for Him too little.
I wilh that Chrift, now weeping, fufFering, and contemned of men,
were more dear and defirable to many fouls than He is. I am
fure that if the faints wantedf Chrift's crofs, fo profitable, and fo
fweet, they might, for the gain and glory of it, wifh it were lawful
either to buy or borrow His crofs. But it is a mercy that the
laints have it laid to their hand for nothing ; for I know no fweeter
way to heaven than through free grace and hard trials together ;
and one of thefe cannot well want another.

Oh that time would pofl f after, and haft en our looked-for com-
munion with that faireft, faireft among the fons of men ! Oh that
the day would favour us and come, and put Chrift and us into each
other's arms ! I am fure that a few years will do our turn, and the
foldier's hour-glafs will foon run out. Madam, look to your lamp,
and look for your Lord's Coming, and let your heart dwell aloof
from that fweet child. Chrift's jealoufy will not admit of two equal
loves in your Ladyfhip's heart. He muft have one, and that the
greateft ; a little one to a creature may and muft fufiice a foul mar-
ried to Him. " Thy Maker is thine Hufband."J I would wifti you
well, and my obligations thefe many years byegone§ fpeak nolefs to
me ; but more I can neither wifti, nor pray, nor defire for your
Ladyftiip, than Chrift fnigled and waled || out from all created good
things, or Chrift howbeit wet in His own blood, and wearing a
crown of thorns. I am fure that the faints, at their beft, are but
ftrangers to the weight and worth of the incomparable fweetnefs of
Chrift. He is fo new, fo frefti in excellency every day of new, to
thofe that fearch more and more in Him, as if heaven could furnifli
us as many new Chrifts (if I may fo fpeak) as there are days be-
twixt Him and us -, and yet He is one and the fame. Oh, we love
an unknown lover when we love Chrift !

* Liberty of feleding from a ftorc. f \Vere deftitute of. :;: Ifa. liv. 5.
§ Pafled. II Selected.

246 LETTER XCVL [1637.

Let me hear how the child is every way. The prayers of a
prifoner of Chrifl be upon him. Grace for evermore, even whill*
glory perfect it, be with your Ladyfhip.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
1637-

XCVL — To the Noble and Chri/lian Lady, the Viscountess of
Kemmure.

(CHRIST ALL WORTHT—ANJVOTH.)

ADAM, — Notwithftanding the great hafte of the bearer,
I would blefs your Ladyfhip on paper, defiring, that
fmce Chrift hath ever envied that the world fhould have
your love by Him,f that ye give yourfelf out for Chrift, and that ye
may be for no other. I know none worthy of you but Chrilf.

Madam, I am either fuffering for Chrift — and this is either the
fure and good way — or I have done with heaven, and fhall never fee
God's face, which, I blefs Him, cannot be.

I write my blelling to that fweet child, that ye have borrowed
from God. He is no heritage to you, but a loan : love him as folks
do borrowed things. My heart is heavy for you.

They fay that the kirk of Chrift hath neither fon nor heir, and
therefore that her enemies fhall pofTefs her. But I know that fhe
is not that J ill-friended ; § her Huiband is her heir, and ihe His
heritage.

If my Lord would be pleafed, I fhould defire that fome be dealt
with, for my return to Anwoth. But if that never be, I thank God
Anwoth is not heaven ; preaching is not Chrift. I hope to wait on.

Let me hear how your child is, and your Ladyfhip's mind and
hopes of him ; for it would eafe my heart to know that he is well.

* Till. t More than He, or to the fetting Him afide.

X So. § Deftitute of friends.

1637.J LETTER XCVII. 247

I am in good terms with Chrill -, but oli, my guiltinels ! Yet
He bringeth not pleas betwixt Him and me to the ftreets, and before
the fun.

Grace, grace for ever more be with your Ladyfhip.
Your Ladyfhip's at all obedience in Chrifl,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

XCVII. — To Alexander Gordon of Earlston.

(CHRIST ENDEARED BT BITTER EXPERIENCES— SEARCHINGS
OF HEART— FEARS FOR THE CHURCH.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. I received your letter, which refrefhed me.
Except from your fon, and my brother, I have feen few
letters from my acquaintance in that country ; which maketh me
heavy. But I have the company of a Lord who can teach us all
to be kind, and hath the right gate* of it. Though, for the pre-
fent, I have feven ups and downs every day, yet I am abundantly
comforted and feafted with my Eang and Well-beloved daily. It
pleafeth Him to come and dine with a fad prifoner, and a folitary
ftranger. His fpikenard cafteth a fmell. Yet my fweet hath fome
four mixed with it, wherein I muft acquiefce ; for there is no reafon
that His comforts be too cheap, feeing they are delicates. Why
fhould He not make them fo to His own ? But I verily think now,
that Chrift hath led me up to a nickf in Chriftianity that I was never
at before ; I think all before was but childhood and bairn's play.
Since I departed from you, I have been fcalded, whillj the fmoke
of hell's fire went in at my throat, and I would have bought peace
with a thoufand years' torment in hell ; and I have been up alfo,
after thefe deep down-caftings and forrows, before the Lamb's

* Way. t A point. % Till.

248 LETTER XCVIL [1637.

white throne, in my Father's inner court, the Great ICing's dining-
hall. And Chrift did cafl a covering of love on me. He hath caflen
a coal into my foul, and it is fmoking among the ftraw and keeping
the hearth warm. I look back to what I was before, and I laugh
to fee the fand-houfes I built when I was a child.

At firft the remembrance of the many fair feaft-days with my
Lord Jefus in public, which are now changed into filent Sabbaths,
raifed a great tempeft, and (if I may fpeak fo) made the devil ado*
in my foul. The devil came in, and would prompt me to make a
pleaf with Chrift, and to lay the blame on Him as a hard mafter.
But now thefe mifts are blown away, and I am not only filenced as
to all quarrelling, but fully fatisfied. Now, I wonder that any man
living can laugh upon the world, or give it a hearty good-day.
The Lord Jefus hath handled me fo, that, as I am now difpofed, I
think never to be in this world's commons { again for a night's lodg-
ing. Chrifl beareth me good company. He hath eafed me, when
I faw it not, lifting the crofs off my fhoulders, fo that I think it to
be but a feather, becaufe underneath are everlafting arms. God
forbid it come to bartering or niffering§ of crolTes ; for I think my
crofs fo fweet, that I know not where I would get the like of it.
Chrifl's honey-combs drop fo abundantly, that they fweeten my gall.
Nothing breaketh my heart, but that I cannot get the daughters of
Jerufalem to tell them of my Bridegroom's glory. I charge you in
the name of Chrift, that ye tell all that ye come to of it ; and yet it
is above telling and underftanding. Oh, if all the kingdom were as
I am, except my bonds ! They know not the love-kilTes that my
only Lord Jefus wafteth on a dawtedii prilbner. On my falvation,
this is the only way to the New City. I know that Chrift hath no
dumb feals. Would he put His privy-feal upon blank paper ^ He
hath fealed my fufferings with His comforts. I write this to con-
firm you. I write now what I have ieen as well as heard. Now
and then my filence burneth up my fpirit ; but Chrifl hath faid,

* Artir. See Let. 181, note. f Controverfy. % Under obligation to.
ij Exchanging. jl Fondled.

1 63 7-] LETTER XCVIII. 249

" Thy ftipend is running up with intereft in heaven, as if thou wert
preaching;" and this from a King's mouth rejoiceth my heart. At
other times I am fad, dwelling in Kedar's tents.

There are none (that I yet know of) but two perfons in this
town that I dare give my word for. And the Lord hath removed
my brethren and my acquaintance far from me ; and it may be, that
I fhall be forgotten in the place where the Lord made me the in-
If rument to do fome good. But I fee that this is vanity in me ; let
Him make of me what He pleafeth, if He make falvation out of it to
me. I am tempted and troubled, that all the fourteen prelates*
fhould have been armed of God againft me only, while the reft of
my brethren are flill preaching. But I dare not fay one word but
this, " It is good. Lord Jefus, becaufe Thou half done it."

Wo is me for the virgin-daughter ! wo is me for the defolation
of the vir^n-daughter of Scotland ! Oh, if my eyes were a foun-
tain of tears, to weep day and night for that poor widow-kirk, that
poor miferable harlot ! Alas, that my Father hath put-to f the door
on my poor harlot-mother ! Oh for J that cloud of black wrath,
and fury of the indignation of the Lord, that is hanging over the land !

Sir, write to me, I befeech you. I pray you alfo be kind to my
alfli6fed brother. Remember my love to your wife ; and the prayer
and blefling of the prifoner of Chrift be on you. Frequent your
meetings for prayer and communion with God : they would be
fweet meetings to me.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Feb. 16, 1637.

XCVIIL — To the Worthy and much Honoured Mr Alexander
CoLViLLE of Blair.

[Alexander Colville of Blair (which is in the parish of Camock,
Fifefhire) early commended himfelf to the gratitude of Rutherford by be-

* Sec note Let. 68. f Shut. j Alas! for.

250 LETTER XCVIIL [1637.

friending him under prelatic periecutions. When Rutherford in 1630 was
fummoned before the High Gommiflion Court, this gentleman, being one of
the judges, fo exerted himfelf in his behalf, that his influence, together with
the abfence of the Archbifhop of St Andrews (whom the tempeftuous ftate
of the weather prevented from attending), occalioned the defertion of the diet,
and put a ftop to the proceedings againft the obnoxious minifter. (See Letter
XI.) As we learn from this letter, he alfo fhowed much kindnefsto Ruther-
ford's brother on his trial before the High Commiflion in November 1636, for
his non-conformity and zealous fupport of Mr Glendinning, the injured minifter
of Kirkcudbright. Colville was an elder of the Church, and his name appears
on the roll of the members of the General Aflemblies 1645, 1646, 1648, and
1649, ^'^^ of the Commiflions appointed by thefe Aflemblies. In the roll he
is ftyled ** Mr Alexander Colville, Juftice-Depute." We find him after this,
in co-operation with another individual, delating Mr Robert Bruce, minifter
of Ballagray, of which they were parifhioners, on the ground that they were
not edified by his doctrine.]

(INCREASING EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST'S LOFE—GOD WITH
HIS SAINTS.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. The bearer hereof, Mr R. F., is moft kind
to me •, I defire you to thank him. But none is fo kind
as my only royal King and Mafler, whofe crofs is my garland.
The ICing dineth with His prifoner, and His fpikenard cafteth a
fmell. He hath led me up to fuch a pitch and nick* of joyful
communion with Himfelf, as I never knew before. When I look
back to by-gones,f I judge myfelf to have been a child at A, B, C,
with Chrift. Worthy Sir, pardon me, I dare not conceal it from
you ; it is as a fire in my bowels. (In His prefence who feeth me I
speak it !) I am pained, pained with the love of Chrift; He hath
made me fick, and wounded me. Hunger for Chrift outrunneth
faith •, I mifs faith more than love. Oh, if the three kingdoms
would come and fee ! Oh, if they knew His kindnefs to my foul !
It hath pleafed Him to bring me to this, that I will not ftrike fails
to this world, nor flatter it, nor adore this clay idol that fools wor-
Ihip. As I am now difposed, I think that I fhall neither borrow

* Degree. t Things pafled, former attainments.

m

1 63 7-] LETTER XCIX. 251

nor lend * with it ; and yet I get my meat from Chrift with nurture ;f
for feven times a-day I am lifted up, and caflen down. My dumb
Sabbaths burden my heart, and make it bleed. I want not fearful
challenges, and jealoufies;]: fometimes of Chrift's love, that He hath
caften me over the dyke § of the vineyard as a dry tree. But this is
my infirmity. By His grace I take myfelf || in thefe ravings. It is
kindly 5[ that faith and love both be fick, and fevers are kindly to
moll joyful communion with Chrift.

Ye are blefTed who avouch Chrift openly before The Prince of
this kingdom, whofe eyes are upon you. It is your glory to lift
Him up on His throne, to carry His train, and bear up the hem of
His robe royal. He hath an hiding-place for Mr Alexander Col-
ville againfl the florm : go on, and fear not what man can do. The
faints feem to have the worfl of it (for apprehenfion can make a lie
of Chrift and His love) ; but it is not fo. Providence is not rolled
upon unequal and crooked wheels ; all things work together for the
good of thofe who love God, and are called according to His purpofe.
Ere it be long, we fhall fee the white fide of God's providence.

My brother's cafe hath moved me not a little. He wrote to
me your care and kindnefs. Sir, the prifoner's bleffings and prayers,
I truft, fhall not go pafl you. He that is able to keep you, and to
prefent you before the prefence of His face with joy, eflabliih your
heart in the love of Chrift.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus, „ „

Aberdeen, i()th Feb. 1637.

XCIX. — To Earlston, Touriger.

[William Gordon, to whom this letter is addrefled, was the eldeft fon
of Alexander Gordon of Earlfton, formerly noticed (Let. 59). He exhi-

* That is, have no dealings with it.

t Difcipline ; fuch as a child gets when training.

X Queftionings and fufpicions. § The dry wall. || Retradt my word.

1 According to nature.

252 LETTER XCIX. [1637.

bited in youth much of the piety and public fpirit of his father, which
Rutherford, in his correfpondence with him, is careful to ftrengthen. His
well-known attachment to the caufe of Prefb\i;ery rendered him early obnoxi-
ous to Charles II. and the Malignant party. "When that monarch came to
Scotland in 1 65 1 , and held a Parliament, Gordon (like many other gentlenien
within the kingdom) was fined for his compliance with the Englifh ; and on
his refufing to pay the fine, foldiers were fent out to extraA it by compulfion
from his tenants, who were almoft ruined by the driving away of their cattle
and the robbing of their houfes. He was again fined by Middleton, in the
Parliament 1662. But ftill further: he was fummoned before the Privy
Council; and on the ist of March 1664, fentence of banifhment from the
kingdom was pronounced upon him for keeping conventicles, and for refufing
to engage to refi-ain from fuch meetings in all time coming. He accordingly
left the kingdom. \'\'hither he went we have not difcovered ; but the Coun-
cil, on being petitioned, granted him licenfe to return until the 15th of March
enfuing, at the fame time requiring him to ** depart and remain forth of the
kingdom the faid day, in cafe the faid Lords give order therefor." {Deer.
Seer. Couneil, Regi/ier Houfe^ Edin.) After this he remained at home, but had
not long to live. He died a martyr in the caufe of religious freedom, of
which he had proved a noble defender during life. Coming up to join the
forces of the Covenanters at Bothwell, in the beginning of the year 1679, ^^^^
the defeat (either on the day of it, or the day after), he was met near the place
by a party of Englifh dragoons, who, upon his refufing to furrender, killed him
on the fpot. *' Thus fell," fays Howie, in the Scots Worthies ^ ** a renowned
Gordon, one whofe charader at prefent I am in no capacity to defcribe ; only
I may venture to fay, that he was a gentleman of good parts and endo\\Tnents ;
a man devoted unto religion and godlinefs , and a prime fupporter of the Prefby-
terian intereft in that part of the countr)- where he lived." He was married to
Mary, daughter of Sir John Hope, fecond baronet of Craighall, and Prefident
of the Court of SeflTion, by his v^-ife Margaret, daughter of Sir Archibald
Murray of Blackbarony. His eldeft fon, Alexander, fucceeded him.]

(CHRIST S WATS MISUNDERSTOOD— HIS INCREASING KINDNESS
—SPIRITUAL DELICACr—HARD TO BE DEAD TO THE MVRLD.)

lONOURED AND DEAR BROTHER, — Grace,

mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter,

which refrefhed my foul.
I thank God that the court is clofed •, I think fhame of my
part of it. I pafs now from my unjuft lummons of unkindnels
libelled againft Chrifl: my Lord. He is not fuch a Lord and Mafter

y

t637.] letter XCIX. 253

as I took Him to be -, verily He is God, and I am diifl: and afhes.
I took Chrift's glooms * to be as good as Scripture fpeaking wrath -,
but I have feen the other fide of Chrifl:, and the white fide of His
crofs now. I behoved to come to Aberdeen to learn a new myftery
in Chrifl, that His promife is better to be believed than His looks,
and that the devil can caufe Chrift's glooms* to fpeak a lie to a
weak man. Nay, verily, I was a child before : all by-gonesf are but
bairn's play. I would I could begin to be a Chriftian in fad J earneft.
I need not blame Chrift if I be not one, for He hath fhowed me
heaven and hell in Aberdeen. But the truth is, for all my forrow,
Chrift is nothing in my debt, for comforts have refrefhed my foul.
I have heard and feen Him in His fweetnefs, fo as I am almoft fay-
ing, it is not He that I was wont to meet with. He fmileth more
cheerfully. His kiffes are more fweet and foul-refrefhing than the
kiffes of the Chrift I faw before were, though He be the fame. Or
rather, the King hath led me up to a meafure of joy and communion
with my Bridegroom that I never attained to before, fo that often I
think that I will neither borrow nor lend with this world. § I will
not ftrike fail to croifes, nor flatter them to be quit of them, as I
have done. Come all croffes, welcome, welcome ! fo that I may
get my heartful of my Lord Jefus. I have been fo near Him, that
I have faid, " I take inftruments that this is the Lord. Leave a
token behind Thee, that I may never forget this." Now, what can
Chrift do more to dawt || one of His poor prifoners ? Therefore,
Sir, I charge you in the name of my Lord Jefus, praife with me,
and fhow unto others what He hath done unto my foul. This is
the fruit of my fufferings, that I defire Chrift's name may be fpread
abroad in this kingdom, in my behalf. I hope in God not to flander
Him again. Yet in this, I get not my feafts without fome mixture
of gall ; neither am I free of old jealoufies, for He hath removed
my lovers and friends far from me ; He hath made my congrega-
tion defolate, and taken away my crown. And my dumb Sabbaths
are like a ftone tied to a bird's foot, that wanteth not wings, — they

* Frowns, t The paft matters. X Settled. § Let. 98. || Dote upon, fondle.

254 LETTER XCIX. [1637.

feem to hinder me to fly, were it not that I dare not fay one word,
but, " Well done, Lord Jefus."

We can, in our profperity, fport ourfelves, and be too bold with
Chrifl: ; yea, be that * infolent, as to chide with Him -, but under the
water we dare not fpeak. I wonder now of my fometimef bold-
nefs, to chide and quarrel Chrift, to nickname providence when it
ftroked me againfl the hair ; for now, fwimming in the waters, I
think my will is fallen to the ground J of the water : I have lofl: it.
I think that I would fain let Chrift alone, and give Him leave to do
with me what He pleafeth, if He would fmile upon me. Verily,
we know not what an evil it is to fpill § and indulge ourfelves, and
to make an idol of our will. I was once that I would not eat ex-
cept I had waled j; meat ; now I dare not complain of the crumbs
and parings under His table. I was once that I would make the
houfe ado, f if I faw not the world carved and fet in order to my
liking ; now I am filent when I fee God hath fet fervants on horfe-
back, and is fattening and feeding the children of perdition. I pray
God, that I may never find my will again. Oh, if Chrift would fub-
je<5l my will to His, and trample it under His feet, and liberate me
from that lawlefs lord !

Now, Sir, in your youth gather fail ; your fun will mount to
the meridian quickly, and thereafter decline. Be greedy of grace.
Study above anything, my dear brother, to mortify your lufl:s. Oh,
but pride of youth, vanity, luft, idolizing of the world, and charm-
ing pleafures, take long time to root them out ! As far as ye are
advanced in the way to heaven, as near as ye are to Chrifl, as much
progrefs as ye have made in the way of mortification, ye will find
that ye are far behind, and have mofl: of your work before you. I
never took it to be fo hard to be dead to my lufts and to this world.
When the day of vifitation cometh, and your old idols come weep-
ing about you, ye will have much ado** not to break your heart :

* So. t Former. % Bottom. § Spoil.

II Carefully feleded. t Aftir.

** Troublefome occupation. ^^ Ado" here is a noun; in the phrafe,
** make the houfe ado," it is an adjedtive.

1637-] LETTER C. 255

it is beft to give up in time with them, fo as ye could at a call quit
your part of this world for a drink of water, or a thing of nothing.
Verily I have feen the beft of this world, a moth-eaten, threadbare
coat : I purpofe to lay it afide, being now old and full of holes.
O for my houfe above, not made with hands !

Pray for Chrift's prifoner : and write to me. Remember my
love to your mother. Defire her, from me, to make ready for re-
moving ; the Lord's tide will not bide her : and to feek an heavenly
mind, that her heart may be often there. Grace be with you.
Yours, and Chrift's prifoner,

S. R.

Aberdeen', FeL 20, 1637.

C. — To the Lady Cardoness.

(THE ONE THING NEEDFUL— CONSCIENTIOUS ACTING IN THE
MVRLD— ADVICE UNDER DEJECTING TRIALS.)

|Y DEARLY BELOVED, AND LONGED-FOR IN

THE LORD, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. —
I long to hear how your foul profpereth, and how the
kingdom of Chrift thriveth in you. I exhort you and befeech you
in the bowels of Chrifl, faint not, weary not. There is a great
neceiTity of heaven ; ye muft needs have it. All other things, as
houfes, lands, children, hufband, friends, country, credit, health,
wealth, honour, may be wanted ; but heaven is your one thing
neceflary, the good part that fhall not be taken from you. See that
ye buy the field where the pearl is. Sell all, and make a purchafe
of falvation. Think it not eafy ; for it is a Heep afcent to eternal
glory : many are lying dead by the way, that were flain with fecurity.
I have now been led by my Lord Jefus to fuch a nick* in
Chrlftianity, as I think little of former things. Oh what I want !
I want fo many things, that I am almofl afking if I have anything

* Degree, point.

256 LETTER C. [1637.

at all. Every man thinketh he is rich enough in grace, till he
take out his purfe, and tell his money, and then he iindeth his pack
but poor and light in the day of a heavy trial. I found that I had
not to bear my expenfes ; and I fhould have fainted, if want and
penury had not chafed me to the ftore-houfe of all.

I befeech you make confcience of your ways. Deal kindly, and
with confcience, with your tenants. To fill a breach, or a hole,
make not a greater breach in the confcience. I wifh plenty of love
to your foul. Let the world be the portion of baftards, make it
not yours. After the lafl: trumpet is blown, the world and all its
glory will be like an old houfe that is burnt to afhes, and like an
old fallen caflle, without a roof. Fy, fy upon us, fools ! who
think ourfelves debtors to the world ! My Lord hath brought me
to this, that I would not give a drink of cold water for this world's
kindnefs. I wonder that men long after, love, or care for thefe
feathers. It is almoft an unco* world to me. To think that men
are fo mad as to blockf with dead earth ! To give out confcience,
and get in clay again, is a flrange bargain !

I have written my mind at length to your hufband. Write to
me again his cafe. I cannot forget him in my prayers ; I am look-
ing.:}: Chrifl hath fome claim to him. My counfel is, that ye bear
with him when paffion overtaketh him : "A foft anfwer putteth
away wrath." Anfwer him in what he fpeaketh, and apply yourfelf
in the fear of God to him ; and then ye will remove a pound
weight of your heavy crofs, that way, and fo it fhall become light.

When Chrifl hideth Himfelf, wait on, and make din till He re-
turn ; it is not time then to be careleflly patient. I love to be grieved
when He hideth His fmiles. Yet believe His love in a patient on-
waiting and believing in the dark. Ye muft learn to fwim and hold
up your head above the water, even when the fenfe of His prefence
is not with you to hold up your chin. I truft in God that He will
bring your (hip fafe to land. I counfel you to ftudy fan(5fification,
and to be dead to this world. Urge kindnefs on Knockbrex.

* Strange. f Bargain. :j: For an anfwer, Ps. v. 3. '

1 63 7-] LETTER CI, 257

Labour to benefit by his company ; the man is acquainted with
Chrift.

I beg the help of your prayers, for I forget not you. Counfel
your hulband to fulfil my joy, and to feek the Lord's face. Show
him, from me, that my joy and defire is to hear that he is in the
Lord. God cafleth him often in my mind : I cannot forget him.
I hope Chrift and he have fomething to do together. Blefs John
from me. I write bleflings to him, and to your huiband, and to the
reft of your children. Let it not be faid, " I am not in your houfe,"
through negleft of the Sabbath exercife.

Your lawful and loving paftor in his only, only Lord,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Feb. 20, 1637.

CL — To JoNET Macculloch.

[No doubt this lady was one of the Maccullochs of Ard<welly a. refidence
near Anwoth, next to Cardonefs, and to this day in pofleflion of the fame
family. The Letter, 284, to Mr Thomas Macculloch oi Nether Ard^juell^ re-
lates apparently to another of the fame houfe. The houfe is very pleafantly
fituated near the mouth of the Fleet. The old manhon-houfe of Ardwell, or
Ardwall, bore the name ^^ Nether Ardwell;" it occupied a fpot about a
hundred yards diftant from the prefent manlion, lying toward the fhore, a
little below where the bay has received the waters of the Fleet. ^^ Higher
Ardwell" was toward the north: a farm near Bufhy Bield (Rutherford's old
manse, which was originally a manfion-houfe) ftill bears that name. The
family of the Maccullochs, who were intimate with Rutherford, ftill retain
the property. They are an ancient family; for William Macculloch got a feu-
charter of the lands of Nether Ardwell from his coufm, or uncle, Macculloch
of Cardonefs and Myreton, in 1587. It is the wife of this William Mac-
culloch, in all probability, of whom the following lines fpeak, on the tomb at
the fouth fide of the raifed pile in the old Churchyard : —
** Dumb, fenfelefs ftatue of a painted ftone,

W hat means this boaft ? Thy captive is but clay.

Thou gaineft nothing but fome lifelefs bones ;

Her choiceft part, her foul, triumphs for aye.

Then, gazing friends, do not her death deplore ;

You lofe, while fhe doth gain for evermore.
VOL. 1. R

258 LETTER CI. [1637.

^* Margrat Maklellan, goodwife of Ardwell, departed this life 1620.
^tatis fuas 31."

We may add, the grand-daughter of this lady, to whom the lines on the
monument refers, was mother of the martyr, John Bell of Whytefide.]

(CHRIST'S SUFFICIENCr—STED FASTNESS IN THE TRUTH.)

I EAR SISTER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. —
I long to hear how your foul profpereth.

I am as well as a prifoner of Chrift can be, feafted
and made fat with the comforts of God. Chrift's kifTes are made
fweeter to my foul than ever they were. I would not change my
Mafter with all the kings of clay upon the earth. Oh ! my Well
beloved is altogether lovely, and loving. I care not what flefh can
do.

I perfuade my foul that I delivered the truth of Chrift to you.
Slip not from it, for any bofts* or fear of men. If ye go againft
the truth of Chrift that I now fufFer for, I ftiall bear witnefs againft
you in the day of Chrift.

Sifter, faften your grips f faft on Chrift. Follow not the guifesj
of this fmful world. Let not this clay portion of earth take up your
foul : it is the portion of baftards, and ye are a child of God ; and,
therefore, feek your Father's heritage. Send up your heart to fee
the dwelling-houfe and fair rooms in the New City. Fy, fy upon
thofe who cry, " Up with the world, and down with confcience
and heaven ! " We have bairn's wits, and therefore we cannot
prize Chrift aright. Counfel your huiband, and mother, to make
them ready for eternity. That day is drawing nigh.

Pray for me, the prifoner of Chrift. I cannot forget you.
Your lawful paftor and brother,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Fe6. 20, 1637.

* Threatened blows; often written boiji. t Your hold.

X Ways ; mapper, (French).

1637.] LETTER CII. 259

CII. — To Alexander Gordon of Knockgray.

[Knockgray is a farm-like houfe, enclofed by trees, at the foot of the hills
of Carfphaim. It is on your right hand, coming from Earlfton to Carfphaim,
after parting the little hill of Dundeiich. ^^ Alexander Gordon of Knockgray,"
fays Livingftone, who perfonally knew him, *^ was a rare Chriftian in his time.
His chief, the Laird of Lochinvar, put him out of his land mollly for his
religion ; yet, being thereafter reftored by that man's fon. Lord Vifcount of
Kenmure, he told me the Lord had blefled him, fo as he had ten thoufand
fheep." {Seled Biograph, vol. i.) From what Rutherford fays in a fubfequent
letter addrefled to him — ^* Chrill's ways were known to you long before I
(who am but a child) knew anything of Him," — it may be concluded that
he was much older than Rutherford. As, therefore, Rutherford was born
about the year 1600, and Gordon many years before, there is reafon to
believe that the following ad of Privy Council may refer to Gordon's fon,
and not to himfelf : ^^ Ordaining thebaillies of the Canongate to fet at liberty
Alexander Gordon, defigned of Knockgray, in regard they find he is not an
heritor, that he is an old dying man, and has renounced in the King's favours,
or his donator, any lands he had the time of the rebellion, and has given
bond to appear when called." {Deer. Seer. Cone.) At any rate the venerable
old man, to whom this ad: refers, was apprehended in his own houfe by one
Captain Stuart ; by whom alfo he feems to have been carried to Edinburgh,
and there incarcerated. Alexander, his fon (the grandfon of Rutherford's
correfpondent), had alfo his own fhare of perfecution under the intolerant
reign of Charles H. He fuffered much by garrifons put into his houfe, by
the houfehold articles which they carried away, and by the forfeiture of his
property, which was gifted to Lord Livingftone. (JVodro'TLV, MSS., vol.
xxxvii.)]

(GROUNDS OF PRAISE— AFFLICTION TEMPTS TO MISREPRESENT
CHRIST— IDOLS.)

EAR BROTHER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.
I long to hear how your foul profpereth. I expefted
letters from you ere now.
As for myfelf, I am here in good cafe, well feafted with a great
King. At my coming here, I was that bold * as to take up a jealoufyf

* Bold to fuch an extent that. t Sufpicion.

26o LETTER CII. [1637.

of Chrifl's love. I faid I was caft over the dyke of the Lord's vine-
yard, as a dry tree ; but I fee that if I had been a withered branch,
the fire would have burned me long ere now. Bleffed be His high
name, who hath kept fap in the dry tree. And now, as if Chrift
hath done the wrong. He hath made the mends, and hath mifkent*
my ravings ; for a man under the water cannot well command his
wit, far lefs his faith and love. Because it was a fever, my Lord
Jefus forgave me that amongft the reft. He knoweth that in our
affliftions we can find a fpot in the faireft face that ever was, even
in Chrift's face. I would not have believed that a gloomf fhould
have made me to mi{ken:f my old Mafter ; but we muft be whiles §
fick. Sicknefs is but kindly || to both faith and love. But O how
exceedingly is a poor dawted f prifoner obliged to fweet Jefus ! My
tears are fweeter to me than the laughter of the Fourteen Prelates
is to them. The worft of Chrift, even His chaff, is better than the
world's corn.

Dear Brother, I befeech you, I charge you in the name and
authority of the Son of God, to help me to praife His Highnefs ;
and I charge you, alfo, to tell all your acquaintance, that my Master
may get many thanks. Oh, if my hairs, all my members, and all
my bones, were well-tuned tongues, to fmg the high praifes of my
great and glorious I^ng ! Help me to lift Chrift up upon His
throne, and to lift Him up above the thrones of the clay-kings, the
dying fceptre-bearers of this world. The prifoner's blefling, the
blefling of him that is feparate from his brethren, be upon them
all who will lend me a lift in this work. Show this to that people
with you to whom I fometimes preached.

Brother, my Lord hath brought me to this, that I will not
flatter the world for a drink of water. I am no debtor to clay •,
Chrift hath made me dead to that. I now wonder that ever I was
fuch a child, long fmce, as to beg at fuch beggars ! Fy upon us,
who woo fuch a black-fkinned harlot, when we may get fuch a

* Overlooked, as if He did not know. f Frown. % Overlook.

§ At times. || Quite natural. ^ Fondled.

1637.] LETTER cm. 261

fair, fair match in heaven ! Oh that I could give up this clay-idol,
this mafked, painted, over-gilded dirt, that Adam's fons adore !
We make an idol of our will. As many lufts in us, as many gods ;
we are all godmakers. We are like to lofe Chrift, the true God, in
the throng of thofe new and falfe gods. Scotland hath caft her
crown off her head ; the vir^n-daughter hath loft her garland.
Wo, wo to our harlot-mother. Our day is coming ; a time when
women fhall wifh they had been childlefs, and fathers fhall blefs
mifcarrying wombs and dry breafts : many houfes great and fair
fhall be defolate. This kirk fhall fit on the ground all the night,
and the tears fhall run down her cheeks. The fun hath gone down
upon her prophets. BlefTed are the prifoners of hope, who can run
into their ilronghold, and hide themfelves for a little, till the indigna-
tion be overpafl.

Commend me to your wife, your daughters, your fon-in-law,
and to A. T. Write to me the cafe of your kirk. Grace be with
you.

I am much moved for my brother. I entreat for your kindnefs
and counfel to him.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Feb. 23, 1637.

CIII. — To the Lady Cardoness, Elder.

{CHRIST ANDHISCAUSE RECOMMENDED— HE AFENLY-MINDED-
NESS— CAUTION AGAINST COMPLIANCES— ANXIETY ABOUT
HIS PARISH.)

lORTHY AND WELL-BELOVED IN THE LORD,

— Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear
from you on paper, that I may know how your foul
profpereth. My defire and longing is to hear that ye walk in the
truth, and that ye are content to follow the defpised, but moft lovely
Son of God.

262 LETTER CIII. [1637.

I cannot but recommend Him unto you, as your Huiband, your
Well-Beloved, your Portion, your Comfort, and your Joy. I fpeak
this of that lovely One, becaufe I praife and commend the ford (as
we ufe to fpeak) as I find it. He hath watered with His fweet
comforts an oppreffed prifoner. He was always kind to my foul ;
but never fo kind as now, in my greateft extremities. I dine and
fup with Chrifl. He vifiteth my foul with the vifitations of love, in
the night-watches.

I perfuade my foul that this is the way to heaven, and His own
truth I now fufFer for. I exhort you in the name of Chrift to con-
tinue in the truth which I delivered unto you. Make Chrifl fure to
your foul ; for your day draweth nigh to an end. Many Aide back
now, who feemed to be Chrift's friends, and prove difhoneft to
Him ; but be ye faithful to the death, and ye fhall have the crown
of life. This fpan-length of your days (whereof the Spirit of God
fpeaketh,*) shall, within a fhort time, come to a finger-breadth, and
at length to nothing. O how fweet and comfortable will the
feafi: of a good confcience be to you, when your eye-ftrings fhall
break, your face wax pale, and the breath turn cold, and your poor
foul come fighing to the windows of the houfe of clay of your dying
body, and fhall long to be out, and to have the jailor to open the
door, that the prifoner may be fet at liberty ! Ye draw nigh the
water-fide : look your accounts ; afk for your Guide to take you to
the other fide. Let not the world be your portion ; what have ye
to do with dead clay ? Ye are not a bafi:ard, but a lawfully be-
gotten child ; therefore, fet your heart on the inheritance. Go up
beforehand, and fee your lodging. Look through all your Father's
rooms in heaven : in your Father's houfe are many dwelling-places.
Men take a fight of lands ere they buy them. I know that Chrift
hath made the bargain already ; but be kind to the houfe ye are
going to, and fee it often. Set your heart on things that are above,
where Chrift is at the right hand of God.

Stir up your hufband to mind his own country at home.

* Ps xxxix. 5.

1637.] LETTER CIF. 263

Counfel him to deal mercifully with the poor people of God under

him. They are Chrifl's, and not his ; therefore, defire him to fhow

them merciful dealing and kindnefs, and to be good to their fouls.

I defire you to write to me. It may be that my pari(h forget me ;

but my witnefs is in heaven that I dow * not, I do not, forget them.

They are my fighs in the night, and my tears in the day. I think

myfelf like a hufband plucked from the wife of his youth. O Lord,

be my Judge : what joy would it be to my foul to hear that my

miniftry hath left the Son of God among them, and that they are

walking in Chrift ! Remember my love to your fon and daughter.

Defire them from me to feek the Lord in their youth, and to give

Him the morning of their days. Acquaint them with the word of

God and prayer.

Grace be with you. Pray for the prifoner of Chrift -, in my

heart I forget you not.

Your lawful and loving paftor, in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 6, 1637.

CIV. — To the Right Honour able afid Chrifliafi Lady, my
Lady Viscountess of Kenmure.

(PAINS-TAKING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST— UNUSUAL
ENJOYMENT OF HIS LOVE— NOT EAST TO BE A CHRISTIAN
—FRIENDS MUST NOT MISLEAD.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I am re-
frefhed with your letter. The right hand of Him to
whom belong the iffues from death hath been gracious
to that fweet child. I dow not, * I do not, forget him and your
Ladyfhip in my prayers.

Madam, for your own cafe. I love careful, and withal, doing

* Cannot.

264 LETTER CIV. [1637.

complaints of want of pra6lice -, becaufe I obferve many who think
it holinefs enough to complain, and fet themfelves at nothing -, as if
to fay "I am fick " could cure them. They think complaints a
good charm for guiltinefs. I hope that ye are wreftling and ftrug-
gling on, in this dead age, wherein folks have loft tongue, and legs,
and arms for Chrift. I urge upon you. Madam, a nearer com-
munion with Chrift, and a growing communion. There are curtains
to be drawn by* in Chrift, that we never faw, and new foldings of
love in Him. I defpair that ever I fhall win to the far end of that
love, there are fo many pliesf in it. Therefore, dig deep ; and
fweat, and labour, and take pains for Him ; and fet by as much time
in the day for Him as you can. He will be won with labour.

I, His exiled prifoner, fought Him, and He hath rued J upon
me, and hath made a moan for me, as He doth for His own , § and
I know not what to do with Chrift. His love furroundeth and fur-
chargeth me. I am burdened with it ; but Oh how fweet and
lovely is that burden ! I dow || not keep it within me. I am fo in
love with His love, that if His love were not in heaven, I fhould be
unwilling to go thither. Oh, what weighing, and what telling is in
Chrift's love ! I fear nothing now {o much as the lofmg ^ of Chrift's
crofs, and of the love-ftiowers that accompany it. I wonder what He
meaneth, to put fuch a (lave at the board-head, ** at His own elbow.
Oh that I ftiould lay my black mouth to fuch a fair, fair, fair face
as Chrift's ! But I dare not refufe to be loved. The caufe is not
in me, why He hath looked upon me, and loved me , for He got
neither budf f nor hire of me ; it coft me nothing, it is good-
cheap J J love. O the many pound- weights of His love, under
which I am fweetly prefTed !

Now, Madam, I perfuade you, that the greateft part but play
with Chriftianity ; they put it by-hand §§ easily. I thought it had

* Alide. t Folds. % Grieved for. § Jer. xxxi. 20; Hos. xi. 8. || Cannot.
^ The fear to be deprived of it. Former editions give '* laughing,'^ w^hich
feems a mifprint.

** Head of the table. If Bribe. XX ^'^^ry cheap

§§ Put it paft, and arc done with it.

1637.] LETTER CIV. 26s

been an eafy thing to be a Chriftian, and that to feek God had been

at the next door ; but O the windings, the turnings, the ups and

the downs that He hath led me through ! And I fee yet much way

to the ford. He fpeaketh with my reins in the night-feafon -, and

in the morning, when I awake, I find His love-arrows, that He fhot

at me, flicking in my heart. Who will help me to praise ? Who

will come to lift up with me, and fet on high. His great love .'* And

yet I find that a fire-flaught* of challenges will come in at mid-

fummer, and queflion me. But it is only to keep a fmner in order.

As for friends, I will not think the world to be the world if

that well go not dry. I truft, in God, to ufe the world as a canny f

or cunning mafler doth a knave fervant (at leafl God give me grace

to do fo ! ) : he ^veth him no handling nor credit, only he intrufleth

him with common errands, wherein he cannot play the knave. I

pray God that I may not ^ve this world the credit of my joys,

and comforts, and confidence. That were to put Chrift out of

His office. Nay, I counfel you. Madam, from a little experience,

let Chrift keep the great feal, and intruft Him fo as to hing:|: your

veffels, great and fmall, and pin your burdens, upon the Nail

faflened in David's houfe.§ Let me not be well, if ever they get

the tutoring of my comforts. Away, away with irrefponfal )| tutors

that would play me a flip, and then Chrift would laugh at me, and

fay, " Well-wared ; f try again ere you truft." Now wo is me,

for my whorifli mother, the ICirk of Scotland ! Oh, who will

bewail her !

Now the prefence of the great Angel of the Covenant be with

you and that fweet child.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

* Fire-flake, or flafli of lightning. f Prudent. t Hang.

§ Ifa. xxii. 23. II Irrefponfible. ^ Well-deferved.

266 LETTER CV. [1637.

CV. — To a Gentlewoman, tipofi the death of her Hujhand.

{RESIGNATION UNDER BEREAVEMENT— HIS OWN ENJOYMENT
OF CHRIST'S LOVE.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.

I cannot but rejoice, and withal be grieved, at your
cafe. It hath pleafed the Lord to remove your hufband
(my friend, and this kirk's faithful profeffor*) foon to his reft ; but
fhall we be forry that our lofs is his gain, feeing his Lord would
want his company no longer .? Think not much of fhort fummons ;
for, feeing he walked with his Lord in his life, and defired that
Chrift fhould be magnified in him at his death, ye ought to be filent
and fatisfied. When Chrift cometh for His own. He runneth faft :
mercy, mercy to the faints goeth not at leifure. Love, love in our
Redeemer is not flow -, and withal He is homelyf with you, who
cometh at His own hand to your houfe, and intromitteth,J as a friend,
with anything that is yours. I think He would fain borrow and lend
with you. Now he (hall meet with the folacious § company, the fair
flock and bleffed bairn-temej| of the firft-born, banqueting at the
marriage fupper of the Lamb. It is a mercy that the poor wander-
ing iheep get a dyke-fide in this ftormy day, and a leaking ftiip a
fafe harbour, and a fea-fick pafTenger a found and foft bed afhore.
Wrath, wrath, wrath from the Lord is coming upon this land that
he hath left behind him. Know, therefore, that the wounds of
your Lord Jefus are the wounds of a lover, and that He will have
compalTion upon a fad-hearted fervant ; and that Chrift hath faid.
He will have the huft^and's room in your heart. He loved you in
your firft huiband's dme, and He is but wooing you ftill. Give Him
heart and chair, houfe and all. He will not be made companion
with any other. Love is full of jealoufies : He will have all your

* Confeflbr r t Familial". % Intermeddleth.

§ Full of conlblation. || Family by one mother.

1637.] LETTER CV. 267

love ; and who fhould get it but He ? I know that ye allow it
upon Him. There are comforts both fweet and fatisfying laid up
for you : wait on. Frill:* Chriff ; He is an honeft debtor.

Now for mine own cafe. I think fome poor body would be
glad of a dawted prifoner's leavings.f I have no fcarcity of Chrifl's
love : He hath wafted more comforts upon His poor banifhed
iervant than would have refrefhed many fouls. My burden was
once fo heavy, that one ounce weight would have caften the balance,
and broken my back ; but Chrift faid, *' Hold, hold !" to my for-
row, and hath wiped a blutheredj face, which was foul with
weeping. I may joyfully go my Lord's errands, with wages in my
hands. Deferred hopes need not make me dead-fweir§ (as we ufed
to fay) : my crofs is both my crofs and my reward. Oh that men
would found His high praife ! I love Chrift's worft reproaches.
His glooms, II His crofs, better than all the world's plaftered glory.
My heart is not longing to be back again from Chrifl's country ; it
is a fweet foil I am come to. I, if any in the world, have good
caufe to fpeak much good of Him. Oh, hell were a good-cheap 5[
price to buy Him at ! Oh, if all the three kingdoms were witneifes
to my pained, pained foul, overcome with Chrifl's love !

I thank you mofl kindly, my dear fifter, for your love to, and
tender care of, my brother. I fhall think myfelf obliged to you if
ye continue his friend. He is more to me than a brother now, being
engaged to fufFer for fo honourable a Mafler and caufe.

Pray for Chrifl's prifoner ; and grace, grace be with you.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

* Give Him credit to a future day.

t What an over-indulged prifoner leaves after his feaft is over.

X Blurred v^ith tears. § Extremely lazy, jj Frowns. 1" Very cheap.

!68 LETTER CFL [1637.

CVI. — To the Right Honourable and Chrijlian Lady, my
Lady Kenmure.

(WEAK ASSURANCE-HORACE DIFFERENT FROM LEARNING-
SELF- ACCUSATIONS.)

ADAM, — Upon the offered opportunity of this worthy
bearer, I could not omit to anfwer the heads of your
letter.

I/?/)', I think not much to fet down on paper fome good things
anent Chrifl (that fealed and holy thing),* and to feed my foul with
raw wifhes to be one with Chrifl ; for a wifh is but broken and
half love. But verily to obey this, " Come and fee," is a harder
matter ! Oh, I have rather fmoke than fire, and gueffings rather
than real afTurances of Him. I have little or nothing to fay, that I
am as one who hath found favour in His eyes ; but there is fome
pining and mifmanneredf hunger, that maketh me mifcallif and
nickname Chrift as a changed Lord. But alas ! it is ill-flitten.§ I
cannot believe without a pledge. I cannot take God's word with-
out a caution, || as if Chrift had loft and fold His credit, and were
not in my books refponfal, f and law-biding.** But this is fny way ;
for His way is, " After that ye believed, ye were fealed with that
Holy Spirit of promife."f f

2dlyj Ye write, " that I am filled with knowledge, and ftand
not in need of thefe warnings." But certainly my light is dim when
it cometh to handy-grips. J J And how many have full coffers, and
yet empty bellies ! Light, and the faving ufe of light, are far dif-
ferent. Oh, what need then have I to have the afhes blown away
from my dying-out fire ! I may be a bookman, and (yet) be an idiot
and ftark fool in Chrift's way ! Learning will not beguile Chrift.

* Luke i. ;'^5. t That makes a man unmannerly.

% Give wrong names to. § A milplaced rebuke.

II Security given. ^ Refponfible. ** Able to face the law.
tt Eph. i. 13. t+ Clofe grappling.

637-] LETTER CVL 269

The Bible beguiled the Pharifees, and lb may I be milled. There-
fore, as night-watchers hold one another waking by fpeaking to one
another, (o have we need to hold one another on foot : fleep ftealeth
away the light of watching, even the light that reproveth fleeping.
I doubt not but more would fetch* heaven, if they believed not
heaven to be at the next door. The world's negative holinefs — * no
adulterer, no murderer, no thief, no cozener,' — maketh men believe
they are already glorified faints. But the fixth chapter to the Hebrews
may affright us all, when we hear that men may take (a tafte) of the
gifts and common graces of the Holy Spirit, and a tafte of the powers
of the life to come, to hell with them. Here is reprobate filver,
which yet feemeth to have the King's image and fuperfcription upon it !

3^/y, I find you complaining of yourfelf. And it becometh a
finner fo to do. I am not againft you in that. Senfe of death is a
fib friend, f and of kin and blood to life ; the more fenfe, the more
life ; the more fenfe of fin, the lefs fin. I would love my pain, and
forenefs, and my wounds, howbeit thefe fhould bereave me of my
night's fieep, better than my wounds without pain. Oh how fweet
a thing it is to give Chrift His handful of broken arms and legs, and
disjointed bones !

^hly^ Be not afraid for little grace. Chrift foweth His living
feed, and He will not lofe His feed. If He have the guiding of my
ftock and ftate, it fhall not mifcarry. Our lpilled:j: works, loffes,
deadnefs, coldnefs, wretchednefs, are the ground upon which the
Good Hufbandman laboureth.

^thly. Ye write, " that His compaffions fail not, notwithftanding
that your fervice to Chrift mifcarrieth." To which I anfwer :

God forbid that there were buying and felling, and blocking §
for as good again, betwixt Chrift and us ; for then free grace might
go to play, and a Saviour fing dumb, || and Chrift go to fleep. But
we go to heaven with light flioulders ; and all the bairn-teme, f and

* Make for ; Lett. 83. t Near relative. % Spoiled.

§ Bargaining. || Be filenced.

^ Family. Peden ufes the word thus: * ^ The Church fhall come forth with
a bonnv bairn-teme at her back."

2 70 LETTER CVII. [1637.

the vefTels great and fmall that we have, are faftened upon the fiire
Nail.* The only danger is, that we give grace more to do than
God giveth it ; that is, by turning His grace into wantonnefs.

6thly, Ye write, that " few fee your guiltinefs, and that ye
cannot be free with many, as with me." I anfwer : BlefTed be God,
that Chrifl and we are not heard before men's courts. It is at home,
betwixt Him and us, that pleas are taken away.

Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

CVII. — To the Right Honourable and Chrijlian Lady^ my
Lady Boyd.

(CONSCIOUSNESS OF DEFECTS XO ARGUMENT OF CHRIST BEING
UNKNOIVN—HIS EXPERIENCE IN EXILE.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you, from God
our Father, and from our Lord Jefus Chrift.

I cannot but thank your Ladyfhip for your letter,
that hath refreshed my foul. I think myfelf many ways obliged to
your Ladyfhip for your love to my afflicted brother, now embarked
with me in that fame caufe. His Lord hath been pleafed to put
him on truth's fide. I hope that your Ladyfhip will befriend him
with your counfel and countenance in that country, where he is a
ftranger. And your Ladyfhip needeth not fear but your kindnefs to
His own will be put up into Chrifl's accounts.

Now, Madam, for your Ladyfhip' s cafe. I rejoice exceedingly
that the Father of lights hath made you fee that there is a nickf in
Chriftianitv, which ye contend to be at ; and that is, to quit the
right eye, and the right hand, and to keep the Son of God. I hope
your defire is to make Him your garland, and that your eye looketh

* I fa. xxii. 23, 24. t A degree or point.

1637.] LETTER cm, 271

up the mount, which certainly is nothing but the new creature.
Fear not, Chrifl will not caft water upon your fmoking coal ; and
then, who elfe dare do it if He fay nay ? Be forry at corruption,
and be not fecure. That companion lay with you in your mother's
womb, and was as early friends with you as the breath of life.
And Chrifl will not have it otherwife ; for He delighteth to take up
fallen bairns, and to mend broken brows. Binding up of wounds
is His office.*

Firjl, I am glad that Chrifl will get employment of His calling
in you. Many a whole foul is in heaven which was fickererf than
ye are. He is content that ye lay broken arms and legs on His knee,
that He may fpelk J them. Secondly, hiding of His face is wife love.
His love is not fond, doting, and reafonlefs, to give your head no
other pillow whill§ ye be in at heaven's gates, but to lie between
His breafls, and lean upon His bofom. Nay, His bairns muft often
have the frofty cold fide of the hill, and fet down both their bare
feet among thorns. His love hath eyes, and, in the meantime, is
looking on. Our pride muft have winter weather to rot it. But I
know that Chrifl and ye will not be heard ; || ye will whifper it over
betwixt you rfelves, and agree again. For the anchor-tow f abideth
faft within the vail ; the end of it is in Chrift's ten fingers : who
dare pull, if He hold ? "I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right
hand, faying. Fear not, I will help thee. Fear not, Jacob."** The
fea-fick paffenger fhall come to land ; Chrift will be the firft to meet
you on the fhore. I hope that your Ladyfhip will keep the King's
highway. Go on (in the flrength of the Lord), in hafle, as if ye
had not leifure to fpeak to the innkeepers by the way. He is over
beyond time, on the other fide of the water, who thinketh longff
for you.

For my unfaithful felf, Madam, I mufl fay a word. At my

* I fa. Ixi. I. t Stronger.

X Support by fplinters or trufs. § Till.

II No one will ever hear the chiding. •[[ Cable.

ft Longeth for.

LE1TER CFIL [163'

firft coming hither, the devil made many a black lie of my Lord
Jefus, and faid the court was changed, and he was angry, and
would give an evil fervant his leave at mid-term. * But He gave me
grace not to take my leave. I refolved to bide fummons,f and fit,
howbeit it was fuggefted and faid, " What fhould be done with a
withered tree, but over the dyke with it ? " But now, now (I
dare not, I dow:j: not keep it up !), who is feafted as His poor
exiled prifoner ? I think fhame of the board-head § and the firft
mefs, and the royal King's dining-hall, and that my black hand
fhould come upon fuch a Ruler's table. But I cannot mend it ;
Chrift muft have His will : only He paineth my foul fo fometimes
with His love, that I have been nigh to pafs modeily, and to cry
out. He hath left a fmoking, burning coal in my heart, and gone
to the door Himfelf, and left me and it together. Yet it is not de-
fertion ; I know not what it is, but I was never fo fick for Him as
now. I durft not challenge my Lord, if I got no more for heaven ;
it is a dawting |j crofs. I know He hath other things to do than to
play with me, and to trindle % an apple with me, and that this feafl
will end. O for inflruments** in God's name, that this is He!
and that I may make ufe of it, when, it may be, a near friend within
me will fay, and when it will be faid by a challengingff devil,
*' Where is thy God ?" Since I know that it will not laft, I defire
but to keep broken meat. But let no man after me flander Chrifl
for His crofs.

The great Lord of the Covenant, who brought from the dead
the great Shepherd of His fheep, by the blood of the eternal cove-
nant eftablifh you, and keep you and yours to His appearance.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

* Difcharge His fervant, turn him off. f Obey the citation.

X Cannot. § Head of the table.

II That has fondnefs in it. ^ Tnindle.

** A law phrafe; taking documents in proof of a thing,
tt Accufmg, upbraiding.

1637.] LETTERS CFIIL, CIX. 273

CVIII. — To the Lady Kaskiberry.

[This lady was wife to James Schoneir of Kq/keberr'ie ^ or Kafkeberrian, in
Fife. His name occurs as elder to the General Aflembly in 1647, ^^^ ^^
was ruling elder in the Prefbylery of Kirkcaldy. {Lamont's Diary ^ 1650.)
His lady died in 1655, and was buried in Kinglaffie church. {Do.y]

(GRJnrUDE FOR KINDNESS— CHRIST'S PRESENCE FELT.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I long to
hear how your Ladyfhip is. I know not how to re-
quite your Ladyfhip's kindnefs ; but your love to the
Taints, Madam, is laid up in heaven. I know it is for your well-
beloved Chrifl's fake that ye make His friends fo dear to you, and
concern yourfelf fo much in them.

I am, in this houfe of pilgrimage, every way in good cafe : Chrifl
is mofl kind and loving to my foul. It pleafeth Him to feaft, with
His unfeen confolations, a ftranger and an exiled prifoner ; and I
would not exchange my Lord Jefus with all the comfort out of
heaven. His yoke is eafy, and His burden is light.

This is His truth which I now fuiFer for ; for He hath fealed it
with His blefled prefence. I know that Chrift fhall yet win the
day, and gain the battle in Scotland. Grace be with you.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
1637.

CIX. — To the Lady Earlston.

[This was probably Lady Earlfton, fenior, as may be inferred from Ruther-
ford's reminding her that her ' * afternoon fun will foon go down." Her maiden
name was Elizabeth Gordon, fhe being the daughter of John Gordon of Muir-
fad, in Kirkmabreck, next parifh to Anwoth (the fame who was afterguards
defigned of Penningham), the fecond fon of Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar,
vol.. I. S

274 LETTER CIX. [1637.

and brother to Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar, father of firft Lord Kenmure.
{Nijbets Heraldry ^\o\. i.) Sir John Gordon was married to Jean Glendon-
ning. (Minutes of Com. of Cor., p. 29.)]

(FOLLOHIXG CHRIST XOT EJST—CHILDREX XOT TO BE OFER-
LOFED—JOr IX THE LORD.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I long
to hear how your foul profpereth. I exhort you to go
on in your journey ; your day is fhort, and your after-
noon fun will foon go down. Make an end of your accounts with
your Lord ; for death and judgment are tides that bide* no man.
Salvation is fuppofed to be at the door, and Chriflianity is thought
an eafy tafk ; but I find it hard, and the way ftrait and narrow,
were it not that my Guide is content to wait on me, and to care for
a tired traveller. Hurt not your confcience with any known fm.
Let your children be as fo many flowers borrowed from God : if
the flower die or wither, thank God for a fummer loan of them,
and keep good neighbourhood, to borrow and lendf with Him.
Set your heart upon heaven, and trouble not your fpirit with this
clav-idol of the world, which is but vanity, and hath but the luflre
of the rainbow in the air, which cometh and goeth with a flying
March fhower. Clay is the idol of baflards, not the inheritance of
the children.

INIv Lord hath been pleafed to make many unknown faces laugh
upon me, and hath made me well content of a borrowed firefide,
and a borrowed bed. I am feafled with the joys of the Holy
Ghofl, and my royal King beareth my charges honourably. I love
the fmell of Chiift's fweet breath better than the world's gold. I
would I had help to praife Him.

The great MeflTenger of the Covenant, the Son of God, eflablifh
vou on vour Rock, and keep you to the day of His coming.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

* Wait for. t To be on good terms.

1637.] LETTER ex. 275

ex. — To his Reverend and Dear Brother ^ Mr David Dickson.

[David Dickson or Dick, bom in 1583, was the only fon of Mr John
Dlckfon, a pious and wealthy merchant in Glafgow. After finifliing his ftudies
at the Univerfity of Glafgow, he was admitted Profeflbr of Philofophy in that
Univerfity, a fituation which he held for eight years. In 161 8 he was or-
dained minifter of Irvine, where he laboured with much acceptance and fuc-
cefs. In 1622, refufmg to pradife the ceremonies then impofed upon the
Church by the Perth Articles, he was fummoned by James Law, Archbifhop
of Glafgow, to appear before the High Commiffion Court. Dickfon appeared,
but declined the authority of the Court in ecclefiaftical matters. The refult
was, that he was deprived of his charge at Irvine, and banifhed to Turriff, in
Aberdeenfhire. There he was employed every Sabbath by the incumbent of
the parifh. Yielding to the folicitations of the Earl of Eglinton and the town
of Inline, the Bifhop granted him liberty to return to his old charge about the
end of July 1623. He refumed his paftoral duties with increafed ardour; and
in addition to his Sabbath labours, preached every Monday (the market-day
of Irvine), for the benefit of the rural population. Great numbers, particu-
larly from the neighbouring parifh of Stewarton, attending thefe meetings,
the refult was the famous Stewarton Revival, which lafted from 1623 to 1630.
After the renewal of the National Covenant, in 1638, Dickfon, who was then
diftinguifhed as a leader, in conjunction with Alexander Henderfon and An-
drew Cant, was I'ent on a million to Aberdeen, to explain the Covenant to
the inhabitants who were hoftile to it, when the celebrated controverfy be-
tween the three commiffioners and the dodors of Aberdeen, on the fubjed:,
took place. In 1642 he was appointed Profeflbr of Divinity in the Univer-
fity of Glafgow, in which office he was aflbciated with the celebrated Robert
Baillie. He was afterwards tranflated to the fame office in the Univerfity
of Edinburgh. In the differences between the Refolutioners and Protefters,
he took the fide of the former ; but on feeing how matters went upon the
reftoration of Charles II., is reported to have faid to one who vifited him
on his deathbed, that the Protefters were the trueft prophets. He died in
December 1662. Dickfon was a man of more than ordinary talents, of ex-
tenfive theological acquirements, of a very intrepid fpirit, and a popular
preacher. He was the author of various works, which have been highly
efteemed.]

276 LETTER CX. [1637.

{GOD'S DEALINGS— THE BITTER SWEETENED— NOTES ON
SCRIPTURE.)

EVEREND AND DEAREST BROTHER,— What

joy have I out of heaven's gates, but that my Lord Jefus
be glorified in my bonds ? BlefTed be ye of the Lord
who contribute anything to my obliged and indebted praifes. Dear
brother, help me, a poor dyvour,* to pay the intereft ; for I cannot
come nigh to render the principal. It is not jeft nor fport which
maketh me to fpeak and write as I do : I never before came to that
nickf or pitch of communion with Chrift that I have now attained
to. For my confirmation, I have been thefe two Sabbaths or
three in private, taking inftruments :|: in the name of God, that my
Lord Jefus and I have kifTed each other in Aberdeen, the houfe of
my pilgrimage. I feek not an apple to play me with (He knoweth,
whom I ferve in the fpirit !) but a feal. I but beg earneft, and am
content to fufpend and frift§ glory whill|| fupper-time. I know
that this world will not laft with me; for my moon-light is noon-
day light, and my four hours f above my feafts when I was a
preacher ; at which time, alfo, I was embraced very often in His
arms. But who can blame Chrift to take me on behind Him (if I
may lay fo), on His white horfe, or in His chariot, paved with love,
through a water ? Will not a father take his little dawted Davie**
in his arms, and carry him over a ditch or a mire ? My Ihort legs
could not ftep over this lair,-|-f or finking mire ; and, therefore, my
I^ord Jefus will bear me through. If a change come, and a dark
day (fo being that He will keep my faith without flaw or crack), I
dare not blame Him, howbeit I get no more whill || I come to
heaven. But ye know that the phyfic behoved to have fugar : my
faith was fallen afwoon,:j:J and Chrift but held up a fwooning man's

* Debtor. t Degree.

X The documents that prove the matter fettled. § Poftpone for a time.

11 Till. 1" Slight afternoon refrefhment. ** His fondled boy, or pet.

tt Sinking bog. %% Into a fwoon.

1637.] LETTER ex. 277

head. Indeed, I pray not for a dawted * bairn's diet : He knoweth
that I would have Chrifl, four or fweet, — any way, fo being it be
Chrift indeed. I ftand not now upon pared apples, or fugared
difhes , but I cannot blame Him to give, and I muft gape and make
a wide mouth. Since Chrift will not pantryf up joys, He muft be
welcome who will not bide away. I feek no other fruit than that
He may be glorified. He knoweth that I would take hard fare to
have His name fet on high.

I blefs you for your counfel. I hope to live by faith, and fwim
without a mafs or bundle of joyful fenfe under my chin ; at leaft to
venture, albeit I fhould be ducked.

Now for my cafe : I think that the council Ihould be eflayed,
and the event referred to God ; — duties are ours, and events are
God's.

I ftiall go through yours upon the Covenant at leifure, and write
to you my mind thereanent ; :j: and anent the Arminian contract be-
twixt the Father and the Son. I befeech you, fet to,§ to go through
Scripture. II Yours on the Hebrews is in great requeft with all who
would be acquainted with Chrift's Teftament. I purpofe, God
willing, to fet about Hofea, and to try if I can get it to the prefs
here.

It refrefheth me much that ye are fo kind to my brother. I hope
your counfel will do him good. I recommend him to you, fince
I am fo far from him. I am glad that the dying fervant of God,

* Fondled. f Lock up in the pantry, or cupboard.

X Regarding this. § Set about, begin.

II Rutherford feems here to allude to a plan of fumifhing fhort commen-
taries on the whole Bible, which was fuggefted and fet on foot by Dickfon at
the beginning of the feventeenth century. *^ The Hebrews," as is mentioned
in this letter, together with *'The Pfalms" and ^' Matthew," were under-
taken by Dickfon; and ^* Hofea," which Rutherford here intimates his inten-
tion to undertake, but never accomplifhed, was contributed by Hutchifon in-
ftead of him. In the Preface to one of the earlieft editions of the Letters, a
complaint is made that fome one was fecreting a MS. commentary of Ruther-
ford's, upon Ifa'iah.

278 LETTER CXI. [1637.

famous and faithful Mr Cunningham, fealed your miniftry before he
fell afleep.

Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

CXI. — To Jean Brown.
(CHRIST'S UNTOLD PRECIOUSNESS—J WORD TO HER EOT.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER, — Grace,

mercy, and peace be to you. — I received your letter,
which I efleem an evidence of your Chriftian affe6lion
to me, and of your love to my honourable Lord and Mafter. My
defire is, that your communion with Chrifl may grow, and that
your reckonings may be put by-hand* with your Lord ere you
come to the water-fide.

Oh, who knoweth how fweet Chrift's kifTes are ! Who hath
been more kindly embraced and kifled than I, His banifhed prifoner ^.
If the comparifon could ftand, I would not exchange Chrift with
heaven itfelf. He hath left a dart and arrow of love in my foul,
and it paineth me till He come and take it out. I find pain of thofe
wounds, becaufe I would have pofi^effion. I know now that this
worm-eaten apple, the plaftered, rotten world, which the filly
children of this world are beating, and buffeting, and pulling each
other's ears for, is a portion for baftards, good enough ; and that it is
all they have to look for. I am not offended that my adverfaries flay
at home at their own firefide, with more yearly rent than I. Should
I be angry that the Goodman of this houfe of the world cafteth a
dog a bone to hurt his teeth ? He hath taught me to be content
with a borrowed firefide, and an uncof bed ; and I think I have
loft nothing, the income is fo great. O what telling is in Chrifl: !

Put afide, as finifhed and over. f Strange.

1637.] LETTER CXII. i79

O how weighty is my fair garland, my crown, my fair fupping-
hall in glory, where I fhall be above the blows and buffeting of
prelates ! Let this be your defire, and let your thoughts dwell
much upon that bleflednefs that abideth you in the other world.
The fair fide of the world will be turned to you quickly, when ye
fhall fee the crown. I hope that ye are near your lodging. Oh,
but I would think myfelf blefled, for my part, to win * to the houfe
before the fhower come on ; for God hath a quiver full of arrows
to Ihoot at and fhower down upon Scotland.

Ye have the prayers of a prifoner of Chrift. I defire Patrick to

give Chrift his young love, even the flower of it ; and to put it by

all others. It were good to flart foon to the way ; he fhould

thereby have a great advantage in the evil day. Grace be with you.

Yours in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

CXIL — To Mr John Fergushill.

[Mr John Fergushill's mother was Janet Kennedy, jfifter or near
relative to Hugh Kennedy of Ayr. He was at this time minifter of Ochiltree,
a parifh in the centre of A)Tfhire, in the diftrid: of Kyle. When Mr Robert
Blair was tranflated from Ayr to St Andrews by the General Aflembly, 1639,
Fergufhill was^ by the fame Aflembly, appointed his fucceflbr. He died in
1644. He is mentioned by Livingftone, as one of the ** many of the godly
and able minifters " in Scotland. He was a member of the famous Glafgow
Aflembly 1638. Lady Gaitgirth's manfion was near Ochiltree; fee Let. 187.]

{THE ROD UPON GOB'S CHILDREN— P JIN FROM A SENSE OF
CHRISrS LOVE— HIS PRESENCE A SUPPORT UNDER TRIALS
—CONTENTEDNESS fVITH HIM ALONE.)

lEVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED IN THE
LORD, — I was refreflied with your letter. I am
forry for that lingering and longfome vifitation that is

* Reach in fpite of difficulty.

286 LETTER CXIL [1637.

upon your wife ; but I know that ye take it as the mark of a
lawfully begotten child, and not of a baflard, to be under your
Father's rod. Till ye be in heaven, it will be but foul weather ;
one fhower up and another down. The lintel-ftone and pillars of
the New Jerufalem fufFer more knocks of God's hammer and tool
than the common fide-wall ftones. And if twenty crofles be written
for you in God's book, they will come to nineteen, and then at laft
to one, and after that to nothing, but your head fhall lie betwixt
Chrijft's breafls for evermore, and His own foft hand jfhall dry your
face, and wipe away your tears. As for public fuiFerings for His
truth, your Mafter alfo will fee to thefe. Let us put Him into His
own office, to comfort and deliver. The gloom* of Chrifl's crofs
is worfe than itfelf.

I cannot keep up what He hath done to my foul. My dear
brother, will I not get help of you to praife, and to lift Chrift up
on high ? He hath pained me with His love, and hath left a love-
arrow in my heart, that hath made a wound, and fwelled me up
with defires, fo that I am to be pitied for want of real pofTeffion.
Love would have the company of the party loved ; and my greateft
pain is the want of Him, not of His joys and comforts, but of a
near union and communion.

This is His truth, I am fully perfuaded, which I now fufFer for ;
for Chrift hath taken upon Him to be witnefs to it by His fweet
comforts to my foul ; and fhall I think Him a falfe witnefs ? or that
He would fubfcribe blank paper ? I thank His high and dreadful
name for what He hath given. I hope to keep His feal and His
pawn till He come and loofe it Himfelf. I defy hell to put me off
it. But He is Chrifl, and He hath met with His prifoner ; and I
took inftruments in His own hand, f that it was He, and none other
for Him. When the devil fenceth a baftard-court J in my Lord's
ground, and giveth me forged fummons, it will be my fhame to mis-

* The frown imagined to be in it.

t Took documents that proved the matter fettled.

X Opens and conflitutes an unauthorized court.

1637J LETTER CXIIL 281

believe, * after luch a fair broad feal. And yet Satan and my appre-
henfion fometimes make a lie of Chrift, as if He hated me. But I
dare believe no evil of Chrifl. If He would cool my love-fever
for Himfelf with real preience and poiTefTion, I would be rich ; but
I dare not be miflearned,f and feek more in that kind, howbeit it
be no fhame to beg at Chrift's door. I pity my adverfaries. I
grudge not that my Lord keepeth them at their own firefide, and
hath given me a borrowed firefide : let the Goodman of the houfe
cafl the dog a bone, why Ihould I take offence ? I rejoice that the
broken bark ftiall come to land, and that Chrift will, on the fhore,
welcome the fea-fick pafienger. We have need of a great flock
againfl this day of trial that is coming. There is neither chaff nor
corn in Scotland, but it fhall once J pafs through God's fieve. Praife,
praife, and pray for me ; for I cannot forget you. I know that ye
will be friendly to my afHifled brother, who is now embarked in
the fame caufe with me. Let him have your counfel and comforts.
Remember my love in Chrifl to your wife ; her health is com-
ing, and her falvation fleepeth not. Ye have the prayers and bleiUng
of a prifoner of Chrift. Sow fafl, deal bread plentifully. The
pantry-door will be locked on the bairns, in appearance, ere long.
Grace, grace, be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

CXIIL — To his Reverend and Dear Brother, Mr Robert Douglas.

[Robert Douglas, one of the ableft and moft refpeded minifters of the
Church of Scotland in his day, was the illegitimate fon of one Mr Douglas, who
was believed to have been a baftard child of Queen Mary, by Sir G. Douglas,
Governor of Lochleven Caflle, bom when fhe was prifoner there. He was thus
the grandfon of C^^een Mary (^odroav's AnaleBa, iv. 226). Having finifhed
his preparations for the miniftry, he was ordained to be chaplain for the forces

* Not to believe truly. f Ill-bred, indifcreet. X Some time or other*

LETTER CXIIl. [1637.

that ferved under the celebrated Guftavus of Sweden. Continuing in this
fituation for a confiderable time, he attracted the notice of the Swedifh
monarch, who held his character and talents in high eftimation. It is faid
that, in one of Guftavus' engagements, furveying the battle from an eminence,
and obfening fomething \^Tong in the left wing of Guftavus army which
threatened to prove difaftrous, he either went perfonally, or fent a meflfenger
to acquaint the commanding officer with the circumftance, and that this
information led to vi(5tory. When he left the army, Guftavus parted w4th
him reluctantly, pronouncing him to be a man of the moft diftinguifhed
abilities he had ever known. *^ There," fays he, ^Ms a man who, for wifdom
and prudence, might be a counfellor to any king in Europe. He might be a
moderator to any aflembly in the world ; and he might be a general to con-
dud: any army, for his Ikill in military affairs" (^Ibid. iv. 221). During this
period, he committed to memory the greater part of the Bible, having almoft
no other book to read. Returning to his own country, he was admitted
colleague to Mr James Simfon, minifter of Kirkaldy, in 1630. Thence he
was tranflated to Edinburgh in 1641. For a time he was deceived by the
duplicity of James Sharp, but at laft he deteded his real charader ; and when
the traitor (fhortly before he went up to London to be confecrated Arch-
bifhop) happened to meet with him, and addreffed him as ^' Brother," the
good man, difgufted at his hypocrify, exclaimed, ** Brother ! no more
brother ! James, if my confcience had been of the make of yours, I could
have been Bifhop of St Andrews fooner than you." {AnaleBa^ vol. iii. p.
130.) In 1669 he was admitted indulged minifter at Pencaitland, where he
died at an advanced age in 1674, and was buried in Edinburgh. {Ibid. vol. i.
p. 337 ; Wodro^jjs Hi/iory^ vol. ii. p. 133-)]

{GREATNESS OF CHRIST'S LOFE REVEALED TO THOSE fVHO
SUFFER FOR HIM,)

VERY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,

■Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I long to fee
you on paper. I cannot but write you, that this which
I now luffer for is Chrifl's truth ; becaufe He hath been pleafed to
feal my sufferings with joy unfpeakable and glorious. I know that
He will not put His feal upon blank paper ; Chrifl hath not dumb
feals, neither will He be a witnefs to a lie. I befeech you, my dear
brother, to help me to praife, and to lift Chrifl up on His throne
above the ihields of the earth. I am aftonifhed and confounded at
the greatnefs of His kindnefs to fuch a fmner. I know that Chrift

1637.] LETTER CXIV. 283

and I ihall never be even ; * I fhall die in His debt. He hath left
an arrow in my heart that paineth me for want of real pofTedion ;
and hell cannot quench this coal of God's kindling. I wifh no man
to flander Chrift or His crofs for my caufe ; for I have much caufe
to fpeak much good of Him. He hath brought me to a nickf and
degree of communion with Himfelf that I knew not before. The
din and gloom \ of our Lord's crofs is more fearful and hard than
the crofs itfelf. He taketh the bairns in His arms when they come
to a deep water ; at leafl, when they lofe ground, and are put to
fwim, then His hand is under their chin.

Let me be helped by your prayers -, and remember my love to
your kind wife. Grace be with you.

Your brother, and Chrifl's prifoner,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.

CXIV. — To the much Honoured William Rigg, of Athernie, in
Fife, near Leven.

[William Rigg of Athernie, in the capacity of one of the bailies of
Edinburgh, *^ gave great evidence (fays Livingftone) that he had the fpirit of
a magiftrate beyond many, being a terror to all evil-doers." He took an adtive
part againft all attempts to introduce Prelacy, and contributed liberally to the
printing of fuch books as ^^ crofled the courfe of Conformity." In March
1624, a committee of the Privy Council, by the authority of the King, de-
prived Rigg of his office, fined him in fifty thoufand pounds Scots, and ordered
him to be warded in Blacknefs Caftle till the fum was paid, and afterwards
to be confined in Orkney. This fentence, however, was afterwards mitigated.
He was diftinguifhed above moft for devoting a large portion of his in-
come to religious purpofes. Such was his liberality, that one faid, ^* To my
certain knowledge, he fpends yearly more on pious ufes than all my eftate is

* Be quits, have accounts fairly balanced.

t Explained by the next word, "degree," which probably has crept into
the text from the margin. So in Let. no, '' pitch."
X The noife made about the crofs, and the fi^own.

284 LETTER CXIF. [1637.

worth ; and mine will be towards 8 or 9000 merks (about L.350) in the year."
He was a man of much prayer, and generally commenced with deep and bitter
complaints and confeflion of fin, but ended with unfpeakable aflurance, and
joy and thankfgiving. His death took place on the 2d of January 1644, and
is thus recorded by Sir Thomas Hope, in his Diary (p. 201) : ** This day,
my worthy coufin, William Rigg of Athemie, departed, at his houfe of
Athernie, having taken bed on Sunday of before, and died on the third day.
The Lord prepare me ; for this, next to my deareft fon, is a heavy ftroke."]

{SUSTAINING POWER OF CHRIST'S LOFE—SJTAN'S OPPOSITION
— YEARNINGS FOR CHRIST HIMSELF— FEARS FOR THE
CHURCH.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. I received your long-looked-for and fhort
letter. I would that ye had fpoken more to me, who
fland in need. I find Chrift, as ye write, aye the longer the better ;
and therefore cannot but rejoice in His falvation, who hath made my
chains my wings, and hath made me a king over my crofles, and over
my adverfaries. Glory, glory, glory to His high, high and holy
name ! Not one ounce, not one grain-weight more is laid on me
than He hath enabled me to bear ; and I am not Co much wearied
to fuiFer as Zion's haters are to perfecute. Oh, if I could find a
way, in any meafure, to ftrive to be even with* Chrift's love ! But
that I mufl give over. Oh, who would help a dyvour f to pay
praifes to the King of faints, who triumpheth in His weak fervants !
I fee that if Chrift but ride upon a worm or feather. His horfe
will neither ftumble nor fall. The worm Jacob is made by Him a
new, fharp threfhing inftrument, having teeth, to threfh the moun-
tains, and beat them fmall, and to make the hills as chafF, and to
fan them fo as the wind fhall carry them away, and the whirlwind
fhall fcatter them. J Chrifl's enemies are but breaking their own
heads in pieces, upon the Rock laid in Zion ; and the flone is not
removed out of its place. Faith hath caufe to take courage from
our very affli6fions -, the devil is but a whetflone to fharpen the

Be quits ; repay in full. t Debtor. t I fa. xli. 14-16.

1637.] LETTER CXIV. 285

faith and patience of the faints. I know that he but heweth and
polifheth ftones, all this time, for the New Jerufalem.

But in all this, three things have much moved me, fince it hath
pleafed my Lord to turn my moon-light into day-light. Firft, He
hath yoked* me to work, to wreftle with Chrifl's love; off longing
wherewith I am fick, pained, fainting, and like to die becaufe I can-
not get Himfelf ; which I think a flrange fort of defertion. For I
have not Himfelf, whom if I had, my love-ficknefs would cool, and
my fever go away : at leaft, I fhould know the heat of the fire of
complacency, which would cool the fcorching heat of the fire of
defire. (And yet I have no penury of His love I) And fo I dwine,f
I die, and He feemeth not to rue§ on me. I take inflruments in His
hand, || that I would have Him, but I cannot get Him ; and my befl
cheer is black hunger. I blefs Him for that feaft.

Secondly, Old challenges f now and then revive, and caft all
down. I go halting and fighing, fearing there be an unfeen procefs
yet coming out, and that heavier than I can anfwer. I cannot read
diflin^lly my furety's a6l of cautionary** for me in particular, and
my difcharge ; and fenfe, rather than faith, afTureth me of what I
have ; fo unable am I to go but by a hold. I could, with rever-
ence of my Lord, for^ve Chrifl, if He would give me as much faith
as I have hunger for Him. I hope the pardon is now obtained,
but the peace is not fo fure to me as I would wiih. Yet, one thing
I know, there is not a way to heaven but the way which He hath
graced me to profefs and fuffer for.

Thirdly, Wo, wo is me for the virgin-daughter of Scotland,
and for the fearful defolation and wrath appointed for this land !
And yet all are fleeping, eating and drinking, laughing and fporting,
as if all were well. O our dim gold ! our dumb, blind paflors !
The fun is gone down upon them, and our nobles bid Chrifl fendff

* Engaged, bound me in a prefling way.

t I am fick of longing for which. % Pine. § Take pity on.

II Take documents in evidence. 1 Self-upbraidings, or rebukes.

** Suretyfhip. ft Provide for, fhift for.

286 LETTER CXV. [1637.

for Himfelf, if He be Chrift. It were good that we fhould learn
in time the way to our ftronghold.

Sir, howbeit not acquainted, remember my love to your wife.
I pray God to eflablifh you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 9, 1637.

CXV. — To Mr Alexander Henderson.

[Alexander Henderson, the well-known hero of the Second Reforma-
tion, was bom in the year 1583, and received his education at the Univerfity
of St Andrews. After having taught for feveral years a clafs of philofophy
and rhetoric in that Univerfity, he obtained a prefentation to the parifh of
Leuchars, in 161 2. Being at that time unimprefTed with fpiritual truth, he
was a defender of the principles and meafures of the prelatic party in the
Church. His fettlement was on thefe accounts fo unpopular, that on the
day of his ordination the church-doors were fecured by the people, and the
members of Prefbytery, together with the prefentee, were obliged to break in
by the window. But his foul was foon after vifited by the Holy Spirit, and
underwent an entire change. He became Leader in effed:ing that revolution
in the ecclefiaftical affairs of Scotland which commenced about the year 1637.
He was Moderator of the famous Affembly which met at Glafgow in 1638,
and by that AfTembly was tranflated to Edinburgh. In the civil war, Hender-
fon was appointed by the Covenanters to ad: as one of their commiffioners in
treating with his Majefty Charles I. In 1642, he was delegated by the Com-
miflion of the General Aflembly to fit as one of their commiflTioners in the
Weftminfter Aflembly of Divines, which kept him in London for feveral years.
He died on the 12th of Auguft 1646, in the 63d year of his age, fhortly after
his return from England. Baillie, in his fpeech to the General Aflembly in
the following year, pronounced him, ^*thefaireft ornament after Mr John
Knox, of incomparable memory, that ever the Church of Scotland did enjoy."]

(^SADNESS BECAUSE CHRIST S HEADSHIP NOT SET FORTH— HIS
CAUSE ATTENDED WITH CROSSES— THE BELIEFER SEEN
OF ALL.)

Y REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I re-
ceived your letters. They are as apples of gold to
me ; for with my fweet feafts (and they are above the

m

1637.] LETTER CXV. 287

defer ving of fuch a finner, high and out of meafure), I have fadnefs
to ballajft me, and weight* me a little. It is but His boundlefs
wifdom which hath taken the tutoring of His witlefs child -, and He
knoweth that to be drunken with comforts is not fafefl for our
llomachs. However it be, the din and noife and glooms f of Chrift's
crofs are weightier than itfelf. I proteft to you (my witnefs is in
heaven), that I could wifh many pound-weights added to my crofs,
to know that by my fufFerings Chrifl: were fet forward in His kingly
office in this land. Oh, what is my fkin to His glory ; or my loffes,
or my fad heart, to the apple of the eye of our Lord and His beloved
Spoufe, His precious truth. His royal privileges, the glory of mani-
fefted juflice in giving of His foes a dafh, the teftimony of His faith-
ful fervants, who do glorify Him, when He rideth upon poor, weak
worms, and triumpheth in them ! I defire you to pray, that I may
come out of this furnace with honefty, and that I may leave Chrift's
truth no worfe than I found it ; and that this mofl honourable caufe
may neither be flained nor weakened.

As for your caufe, my reverend and dearefl brother, ye are the
talk of the north and fouth ; and looked to, fo as if ye were all
cryftal glafs. Your motes and dufl would foon be proclaimed, and
trumpets blown at your flips. But I know that ye have laid help
upon One that is mighty. Intruft not your comforts to men's airy
and frothy applaufe, neither lay your down-caflings on the tongues
of fait J mockers and reproachers of godlinefs. " As deceivers, and
yet true ; as unknown, and yet well known."§ God hath called you
to Chrifl's fide, and the wind is now in Chrifl's face in this land ;
and feeing ye are with Him, ye cannot expeft the lee-fide, || or the
funny fide of the brae. But I know that ye have refolved to take
Chrifl upon any terms whatfoever. I hope that ye do not rue,5[
though your caufe be hated, and prejudices are taken up againfl it.

* Burden, deprefs. t Frowns.

X Bitter, farcaftic ? In Jamiefon's Dift. we have it lignifying **trouble-
fome." § 2 Cor. vi. 8, 9.

II The fheltered fide of the hill. 1 Repent of it.

288 LETTER CXVI. [1637.

The fhields of the world think our Mafler cumberfome wares, and
that He maketh too great din, and that His cords and yokes make
blains, and deep fcores in their neck. Therefore they kick. They
fay, *' This man fhall not reign over us."

Let us pray one for another. He who hath made you a chofen
arrow in His quiver, hide you in the hollow of His hand !
I am yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 9, 1637.

CXVL — To the Right Honourable my Lord Loudon.

[John Campbell, firft Earl of Loudon, and the fon of Sir James
Campbell of Lawers, was a man of diftinguifhed talents, and of a very decided
charadter. In the hiftor)' of his country he makes no fmall figure as a ftrenu-
ous opponent of the attempts made by Charles I. to impofe Prelacy and arbi-
trary- power on Scotland. He was a member of the General AfTembly which
met at Glafgow in 1638, in the bufinefs of which he took an ad:ive part.
When the King, diflatisfied with the proceedings of this Aflembly, put him-
felf at the head of an army to reduce his Scottifh fubjeds to fubmiflion,
Loudon had a leading hand in the meafures then adopted for preferving the
religion and liberties of Scotland, according to the ecclefiaftical and civil laws
of the kingdom. In the Ikirmifh at Newbum, where the King's forces were
defeated by the Scottifh army, he commanded a brigade of horfe. In 1641,
when peace was reftored between the King and his Scottifh fubjeds, Loudon
was made Lord Chancellor of Scotland, a fituation which he held till after
the execution of Charles I., and the calling home of Charles 1 1, by the Scots in
1650. Malignants being again brought into places of power and truft, he
demitted his office. He continued, howe\er, ftrongly to adhere to the caufe
of Charles, in confequence of which he was excepted from Cromwell's a(5l of
indemnity, and his eftates forfeited. But all that he had fuffered for the royal
caufe did not recommend him to the favour of the unprincipled government
of Charles II. His name is in the lift of Middleton's fines (impofed upon
the gentlemen of Ayrfhire in i66a) for L. 12, 000. He felt convinced that,
fhould his life be fpared, he would fall an early vidim to the vengeance of his
enemies, and often exhorted his pious lady to befeech the Lord that he might
not live to the next feffion of Parliament, elfe he would fhare the fame fate with
the Marquis of Argyle. His wilh was granted ; for he died at Edinburgh,
March 15, 1662. Rutherford's ^* Divine Right of Church Government and

1637.] LETTER CXVI. 289

Excommunication," printed at London in 1646, is dedicated to this noble-
man, who was then Chancellor of the Univerfity of St Andrews. His fon
James, fecond Earl of Loudon, was fubjeded to no fmall perfecution under
the dominancy of Prelacy ; and, feeking refuge in Holland, took up his refi-
dence at Leyden, where he died on the 29th of Odober 1684.]

{BLESSEDNESS OF ACTING FOR CHRIST— HIS LOFE TO HIS
PRISONER.)

Y VERY NOBLE AND HONOURABLE LORD,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I make bold to
write to your Lorddiip, that you may know the honour-
able caufe which ye are graced* to profefs is Chrift's own truth.
Ye are many ways blefTed of God, who have taken upon you to
come out to the ftreets with Chrifl on your forehead, when {o many
are afhamed of Him, and hide Him (as it were) under their cloak,
as if He were a ftolen Chrift. If this faithlefs generation, and
efpecially the nobles of this kingdom, thought not Chrift dear wares,
and reli^on expeniive, hazardous, and dangerous, they would not
flip from His caufe as they do, and fland looking on with their
hands folded behind their back when lounsf are running with the
fpoil of Zion on their back, and the boards of the Son of God's
tabernacle. Law and juftice are to be had by any, efpecially for
money and moyen ;\ but Chrifl can get no law, good-cheap § or
dear. It were the glory and honour of you, who are the nobles of
this land, to plead for your wronged Bridegroom and His oppreffed
fpouse, as far as zeal and flanding law will go with you. Your
ordinary lo^c from the event, " that it will do no good to the caufe,
and, therefore, filence is beft till the Lord put to His own hand," is
not (with reverence to your Lordfhip's learning) worth a ftraw.
Events are God's. Let us do, || and not plead againfl God's office.
Let Him fit at His own helm, who moderateth all events. It is

* Allulion to Luke i. 28, x£jiot,p;T<y,a£v-/?, '' graced, highly favoured."
t Rogues, worthlefs fcoundrels. % Means, influence.

§ Gratis. || Ad.

VOL. I. T

290 LETTER CXVL [1637.

not a good courfe to complain that we cannot get a providence of
gold, when our lazinefs, cold zeal, temporizing, and faithlefs fear-
fulnefs fpilleth * good providence.

Your Lordftiip will pardon me : I am not of that mind, that
tumults or arms is the way to put Chrift on His throne ; or that
Chrifl will be ferved and truth vindicated, only with the arm of
flefh and blood. Nay, Chrifl doth His turn with lefs din, than with
garments rolled in blood. But I would that the zeal of God were
in the nobles to do their part for Chrift ; and I muft be pardoned
to write to your Lordfhip thus.

I dow not,f I dare not, but fpeak to others what God hath done
to the foul of His poor, afBi6led exile-prifoner. His comfort is more
than I ever knew before. He hath fealed the honourable caufe
which I now fufFer for, and I fhall not believe that Chrift will put
His amen and ringj upon an imagination. He hath made all His
promifes good to me, and hath filled up all the blanks with His
own hand. I would not exchange my bonds with the plaftered joy
of this whole world. It hath pleafed Him to make a fmner the like
of me an ordinary banqueter in His houfe-of-wine, with that royal,
princely One, Chrifl: Jefus. O what weighing, O what telling is
in His love ! How fweet mufi: He be, when that black and burden-
ibme tree. His own crofs, is fo perfumed with joy and gladnefs !
Oh for help to lift Him up by praifes on His royal throne ! I feek
no more than that His name may be fpread abroad in me, that
meikle § good may be fpoken of Chrift on my behalf ; and this being
done, my loITes, place, fiipend, credit, eafe, and liberty, fhall all be
made up to my full contentment and joy of heart.

I fhall be confident that your Lordfhip will go on in the if rength
of the Lord, and keep Chrilf, and avouch Him, that He may read
your name publicly before men and angels. I fhall entreat your
Lordfhip to exhort and encourage that nobleman, your chief, || to

* Spoils. t I cannot.

X As if fealing it by His ring as in marriage, or as Efth. iii. 10.

§ Much. II The Earl of Argyle.

1637.] LETTER CXVIL 291

do the fame. But I am wo* that many of yon find a new wifdom,
which deferveth not fiich a name. It were better that men would
fee that their wifdom be holy, and their holinefs wife.

I muft be bold to defire your Lordfhip to add to your former
favours to me (for the which your Lordfhip hath a prifoner's blefs-
ing and prayers), this, that ye would be pleafed to befriend my
brother, now fuffering for the fame caufe ; for as he is to dwell
nigh your Lordfhip's bounds, your Lordfhip's word and countenance
may help him.

Thus recommending your Lordfhip to the faving grace and
tender mercy of Chrifl Jefus our Lord, I reft, your Lordfhip's
obliged fervant in Chrift,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 9, 1637.

CXVIL — To Mr William Dalgleish, Minijler of the Go/pel.

[Mr William Dalgleish was minifter of the conjund parilhes of
Anwoth, Kirkdale, and Kirkmabreck.f He preached at Anwoth only every
alternate week ; but fo abundantly blefled were his labours to the people, that
when he fuiTendered (quoad facra) the charge of Anwoth to Rutherford, upon
its being formed into a diftind: parochial charge, not only many of the humbler
clafs of the parifhioners, but the proprietors too, had embraced the doArines of
the Gofpel. Dalgleilh ftridly adhered to Prefbyterian principles, and on that
account was fubjed:ed to trouble. Upon the death of Andrew Lamb, the
tolerant Bifhop of Galloway, in 1634, and the elevation of Thomas SydferfF,
Bifhop of Brechin, a man of the moft intolerant character, to the vacant fee,
the prelate immediately threatened Rutherford and Dalgleifh with a profecution
before the High Commiflion Court, as appears from a letter written at that
time by Rutherford to Marion M^ Naught, referring to a requeft which he and
Dalgleifh had made to her to ufe her influence in inducing Lord Kirkcudbright

* Grieved.

f Bar holm Cajile is in this parifh, and was the fpot where John Knox was
fecreted previous to his efcape for the Continent. His fignature was long
fhown on the wall of one of the rooms. You fee the old walls, covered with
ivy, on the right of the road as you are going from Kirkdale to Creetown.
The modern Barholm is a fine manfion, on the other fide of Creetown.

292 LETTER CXVIL [1637.

to extend to them his proteftion. (See Let. 34.) Next year, he was de-
prived of his charge as minifter of the united parifhes of Kirkdale* and Kirk-
mabreck. In 163 7, when Epifcopacy began to be the lofing caufe, he returned
to his flock. His name appears on the roll of the members of the famous
Aflembly which met at Glafgow^ in 1638 ; and in 1639 ^^ was tranflated to
Cramond, as fucceflbr to Mr William Colville, afterwards Principal of the
Univerfity of Edinburgh; to whom he appears to have been related, as the
name of his wife was Elizabeth Colville. He was the intimate friend of the
well-known Alexander Henderfon, who by his latter wdll ordained his executor
*' to deliver to my dear acquaintance Mr John Duncan, at Culrofs, and Mr
William Dalgleifh, minifter at Cramond, all my manufcripts and papers which
are in my ftudy, and that belong to me any where elfe ; and after they have
received them, to deftroy or preferve and keep them, as they fhall judge con-
venient for their own private or the public good." In 1662, Dalgleifh was
ejected for non-confoiTnity, and died before the Revolution. Rutherford often
preached at Kirkmabreck. We have notes of feveral fermons in print, as
preached by him there, at Communions.]

(CHRIST'S KINDNESS— DEPENDENCE ON PROVIDENCE—
CONTROFERSIES.)

JEVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace, mercy,
? and peace be to you. — I am well. My Lord Jefus is
kinder to me than ever He was. It pleafeth Him to
dine and fup with His afflicSled prifoner. A King feafteth me, and
His fpikenard cafteth a fweet fmell. Put Chrift's love to the trial,
and put upon it our burdens, and then it will appear love indeed.
We employ not His love, and therefore we know it not. I verily
count the fufferings of my Lord more than this world's luflredf
and over-gilded glory. I dare not fay but my Lord Jefus hath fully
recompenfed my fadnefs with His joys, my lofFes with His own
prefence. I find it a fweet and rich thing to exchange my forrows
with Chrift's joys, my afflicflions with that fweet peace I have with
Himfelf.

* The modem manfion of Kirkdale looks acrofs the bay to Wigton, and
is seen peering out on the pafTer-by from its high platform above the road.
Kirkmabreck was a pendicle of the abbey of Dundrennan^ which Ls about
feven miles from Kirkcudbright. (Nicolfon's^ro/Z^W.)

t Shining by art.

1637-] LETTER CXFIL 293

Brother, this is His own truth I now lufFer for. He hath fealed
my fufFerings with His own comforts, and I know that He will not
put His feal upon blank paper. His feals are not dumb nor delufive,
to confirm imaginations and lies. Go on, my dear brother, in the
flrength of the Lord, not fearing man who is a worm, nor the ion
of man that fhall die. Providence hath a thoufand keys, to open a
thoufand fundry doors for the deliverance of His own, when it is
even come to a coticlamatum eft* Let us be faithful, and care for
our own part, which is to do and fuffer for Him, and lay Chrift's
part on Himfelf, and leave it there. Duties are ours, events are the
Lord's. When our faith goeth to meddle with events, and to hold
a court (if I may fo fpeak) upon God's providence, and beginneth
to fay, " How wilt Thou do this and that ? " we lofe ground. We
have nothing to do there. It is our part to let the Almighty ex-
ercife His own office, and fleer His own helm. There is nothing
left to us, but to fee how we may be approved of Him, and how
we may roll the weight of our weak fouls in well-doing upon Him
who is God Omnipotent : and when that we thus efTay mifcarrieth,
it will be neither our fm nor crofs.

Brother, remember the Lord's word to Peter ; " Simon, loveft
thou Me ? — Feed My fheep." No greater teftimony of our love to
Chrifl can be, than to feed carefully and faithfully His lambs.

I am in no better neighbourhood with the minifters here than
before : they cannot endure that any fpeak of me, or to me. Thus
I am, in the mean time, filent, which is my greateft grief. Dr
Barron f hath often difputed with me, efpecially about Arminian con-

* *^ All is over!"

t Barron was a branch of the family of Kinnaird in Fifefhire, and educated
at St Andrews. He afterwards became minifter in the parifh of Keith; in
1624 was appointed to a charge in Aberdeen; and 1625 nominated ProfefTor
of Divinity in Marifchal College there. He was a determined opponent of
Rutherford, Dickfon, and others, and was obliged to refign the chair and
retire to Berwick, where he died in 1639. Vide Funeral Sermon by Patrick
Forbes, publiflied by the Spotteswoode Society, p. 27, and Baillie's Letters,

294 LETTER CXVIII. [1637.

troverfies, and for the ceremonies. Three yokings* laid him by -,
and I have not been troubled with him fmce. Now he hath ap-
pointed a difpute before witnelTes ; I truil: that Chrift and truth will
do for themfelves.

I hope, brother, that ye will help my people ; and write to me
what ye hear the Bifhop is to do with them. Grace be with you.
Your brother in bonds,

S. R.
Aberdeen.

CXVIII. — To Mr Hugh Mackail, Minifter of the Go/pel at Irvine.

(CHRIsrS BOUNTIFUL DEALINGS— JOT IN CHRIST THROUGH
THE CROSS.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I blefs you
for your letter. He is come down as rain upon the
mown grafs -, He hath revived my withered root ; and
He is the dew of herbs. I am mofl fecure in this prifon : falvation
is for walls in it -, and what think ye of thefe walls .'* He maketh
the dry plant to bud as the lily, and to blofTom as Lebanon : — the
great Hufbandman's bleiling cometh down upon the plants of
righteoufnefs. Who may fay this, my dear brother, if I, His poor
exiled ftranger and prifoner, may not fay it ? Howbeit all the world
Ihould be filent, I cannot hold my peace. Oh how many black
accounts have Chrift and I rounded over together in the houfe of
my pilgrimage ! and how fat a portion He hath given to a hungry
jbul ! I had rather have Chrift's four-hours,-]- than have dinner
and fupper both in one from any other. His dealing, and the way
of His judgments, are paft finding out. No preaching, no book,
no learning, could give me that which it behoved me to come and
get in this town. But what of all this, if I were not mifted, J and

* Contefts, onlets. t Afternoon refrefliment, which was very flight.

X Like one in a mift.

1637.] LETTER CXVIII. 295

confounded, and aftonifhed how to be thankful, and how to get
Him praifed for evermore ! And, what is more, He hath been
pleafed to pain me with His love, and my pain groweth through
want of real pofleffion.

Some have written to me, that I am poilibly too joyful of the
crofs ; but my joy overleapeth the crofs, it is bounded and termi-
nated upon Chrift. I know that the fun will overcloud and eclipfe,
and that I fhall again be put to walk in the fhadow : but Chrift
mufl be welcome to come and go, as He thinketh meet. Yet He
would be more welcome to me, I trow, to come than to go. And
I hope He pitieth and pardoneth me, in cafling apples to me at fuch
a fainting time as this. Holy and blefled is His name ! It was not
my flattering of Chrift that drew a kifs from His mouth. But He
would fend me as a fpy into this wildernefs of fuffering, to fee the
land and try the ford ; and I cannot make a lie of Chrift's crofs.
I can report nothing but good both of Him and it, left others ftiould
faint. I hope, when a change cometh, to caft anchor at midnight
upon the Rock which He hath taught me to know in this day-light ;
whither I may run, when I muft fay my leflbn without book, and
believe in the dark. I am fure it is fm to tarrow* at Chrift's good
meat, and not to eat when He faith, '^ Eat, O well-beloved, and
drink abundantly." If He bear me on His back, or carry me in
His arms over this water, I hope for grace to fet down my feet on
dry ground, when the way is better. But this is flippery ground :
my Lord thought good I fliould go by a hold, and lean on my
Well-beloved's fhoulder. It is good to be ever taking from Him.
I defire that He may get the fruit of praifes, for dawtingf and thus
dandling me on His knee : and I may give my bond of thankfulnefs,
{o being I have Chrift's back-bond J again for my relief, that I fhall
be ftrengthened by His powerful grace to pay my vows to Him.
But, truly, I find that we have the advantage of the brae upon our

* To be pettifh at. f Fondling.

X A bond given after a former bond, declaring the perfon who gave the
firft bond free.

29^ LETTER CXIX. [1637.

enemies : we are more than conquerors through Him who loved
us ; and they know not wherein our ilrength lieth.
Pray for me. Grace be with you.

Your brother in Chrill,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

CXIX. — To Mr David Dickson.

{JOYFUL EXPERIENCE— CUP OVERFLOWING IN EXILE.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace, mercy,
and peace be unto you. — I find that great men, efpecially
old friends, fcaur* to fpeak for me. But my kingly and
royal Mafter biddeth me to try his moyenf to the uttermofi:, and I
fhall find a friend at hand. I ftill depend upon Him ; His court is
fiill as before ; the prifoner is welcome to Him. The black, crabbed
tree of my Lord's crofs hath made Chrifi: and my foul very entire.
He is my fong in the night. I am often laid in the dufl with
challenges, and apprehenfions of His anger ; and then, if a mountain
of iron were laid upon me, I cannot be heavier ; and with much
wreftling I win into the King's houfe-of-wine. And then, for the
mofl part, my life is joy ; and fuch joy through His comforts, as I
have been afraid left I fhould fiiame myfelf and cry out, for I can
Icarce bear what I get. Chrift giveth me a meafure heaped up,
prefled down, and running over ; and, believe it, His love paineth more
than prilbn and banifhment. I cannot get the way of Chrifl's love.
Had I known what He was keeping for me, I ihould never have
been fo faint-hearted. In my heavieft times, when all is lofl, the
memory of His love maketh me think Chrift's glooms are but
for the fafhion.J I leek no more than a vent to my wine ; § I am

* Are afi-aid, boggk^ at. t Means or intereft.

X Frowns for form's fake. § Alkiding to Job xxxii. 19.

1637.] LETTER CXIX, 297

fmothered and ready to burfi: for want of vent. Think not much
of perfecution. It is before you -, but it is not as men conceive of
it. My fugared crofs forceth me to fay this to you, ye fhall have
waled* meat. The fick bairn is ofttime the fpilledf bairn; ye fhali
command all the houfe. I hope that ye help a tired priibner to
praife and pray. Had I but the annual of annual J to give to my
Lord Jefus, it would eafe my pain. But, alas ! I have nothing to
pay. He will get nothing of poor me -, but I am wo that I have
not room enough in my heart for fuch a ftranger. I am not caft
down to go farther north. I have good caufe to work for my
Mafter, for I am well paid beforehand •, I am not behind, howbeit
I fhould not get one fmile more till my feet be up within the King's
dining-hall.

I have gone through yours upon the Covenant ; § it hath edified
my foul, and refrefhed a hungry man. I judge it fharp, fweet,
quick, and profound. Take me at my word, I fear that it get no
lodging in Scotland.

The brethren of Ireland write not to me ; chide with them for
that. I am fure that I may give you and them a commiffion (and
I will abide by it), that you tell my Beloved that I am fick of love.
I hope in God to leave fome of my rufl and fuperfluities in Aber-
deen. I cannot get a houfe in this town wherein to leave drink-
filver II in my Maker's name, fave one only. There is no fale for
Chrifl in the north ; He is like to lie long on my hand, ere any
accept Him. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

* The beft, felefted. f The fpoilt child.

X The fmalleft return, the quit-rent of a quit-rent.

§ Therapeutica Sacra ; feu de curandis cafibus confcientiae circa regenera-
tionem per Foederum Divinonim applicationem.
II A token of regard for kindnefs fliown.

298 LETTER CXX, [1637.

CXX.— T*^ Mr Matthew Mowat.

[Matthew Mowat, Ion to the Laird of Bufbie (Lett. 133), was minifter
of Kilmarnock. He was one of the feven leading minifters in the weft whom
the Parliament, after the reft oration of Charles IL, brought before them with
the view of extorting their acquiefcence in the eftablifhment of Prelacy ; w^hich,
if effected, it was apprehended would have an influence in leading others to
comply. They were all put in prifon, and refuting (though feveral times brought
before the Parliament), to take the oath of allegiance without explanation, inas-
much as it involved the oath of fupremacy, they were more feverely treated.
Livingftone defcribes Mowat as ^^one of a meek, fweet difpofition, ftraight
and zealous for the truth." Rutherford, who highly valued him, fays in
one of his letters, *^ I cannot fpeak to a man fo flck of love to Chrift as Mr
Matthew Mowat;" and in another, '' I am greatly in love with Mr Matthew
Mowat, for I fee him really ftampt with the image of God." The time of
his death is unknown. Some additional notices of him are to be found in
Wodrow's Analeda^ vol. iii.]

{PLENITUDE OF CHRIST S LOrE—NEED TO USE GRACE ARIGHT
—CHRIST THE RANSOMER— DESIRE TO PROCLAIM HIS GOS-
PEL—SHORTCOMINGS AND SUFFERINGS.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I am a very
far miflaken man. If others knew how poor my ftock
was, they would not think upon the like of me, but
with compafTion. For I am as one kept under a ftrift tutor ; I would
have more than my tutor alloweth me. But it is good that a bairn's
wit is not the rule which regulateth my Lord Jefus. Let Him give
what He will, it fhall aye be above merit, and my ability to gain
therewith. I would not wifh a better ftock, whill * heaven be my
ftock, than to live upon credit at Chrift's hands, daily borrowing.
Surely, running-over love (that vaft, huge, boundlefs love of Chrift
that there is telling f in for man and angels!) is the only thing I moil:
fain would be in hands with. He knoweth that I have little
but the love of that love , and that I Ihall be happy, fuppose I
never get another heaven but only an eternal, lafling, feaft of that

Till. t Which will trv the Ikill of men and angels to eftimate.

i637-] LETTER CXX, 299

love. But luppofe my wifhes were poor, He is not poor : Chrill:,
all the feafons of the year, is dropping fweetnefs. If I had velTels,
I might fill them ; but my old, riven,* and running-out difh, even
when I am at the Well, can bring little away. Nothing but glory
will make tight and faft our leaking and riftyf vefTels. Alas ! I have
(kailedj more of Chrifl's grace, love, faith, humility, and godly
for row, than I have brought with me. How little of the fea can a
child carry in his hand ! As little dow § I take away of my great
Sea, my boundlefs and running-over Chrifl Jefus.

I have not lighted upon the right gate || of putting Chrifl to the
bank, and making myfelf rich with Him. My mifguiding and
childifh trafficking with that matchlefs Pearl, that heaven's Jewel,
the Jewel of the Father's delights, hath put me to a great lofs.
O that He would take a loan of me, and my ftock, and put His
name in all my bonds, and ferve Himfelf heir to the poor, mean,
portion which I have, and be accountable for the talent Himfelf !
Gladly would I put Chrifl into my room to guide all ; and let me
be but a fervant to run errands, and a6f by His direction. Let me
be His interdifted^ heir. Lord Jefus, work upon my minority,
and let Him win a pupil's bleffing. Oh, how would I rejoice to
have this work of my falvation legally faftened upon Chrift ! A
back-bond** of my Lord Jefus that it fhould be forthcoming to the
orphan, would be my happiness. Dependency on Chrift were my
furefl way ; if Chrifl: were my foundation, I were fure enough. I
thought the guiding of grace had been no art ;ff I thought it would
come of will ; but I would fpill JJ my own heaven yet, if I had not
burdened Chrift with all. I but lend my bare name to the fweet
covenant ; Chrift, behind and before, and on either fide, maketh
all fure. God will not take an Arminian cautioner. §§ Freewill is
a weather-cock, turning at a ferpent's tongue, a tutor that cowped || ||
our Father Adam, unto us ; and brought down the houie ; and

* Rent. t Full of rents. % Spilled. § Am able to. || Way.
^ Forbidden by interdict to enter a pofleflion in the meantime.
"** See Let. 118. ft Required no (kill, but would come as I chofe.

XX Mar. §§ Surety. |||| Overturned, uplet.

300 LETTER CXX. [1637.

fold the land ; and ient the father, and mother, and all the bairns
through the earth to beg their bread. Nature in the Gofpel hath
but a cracked credit. Oh, well to* my poor foul for evermore, that
my Lord called grace to the council, and put Chrifl Jefus, with
free merits and the blood of God, foremoft in the chafe to draw
fmners after a Ranfomer ! Oh, what a fweet block f was it by
way of buying and felling, to ^ve and tell down a ranfom for grace
and glory to dyvours \\ Oh, would to my Lord that I could caufe
paper and ink to fpeak the worth and excellency, the high and
loud praifes of a Brother-ranfomer ! The Ranfomer needeth not
my report, but, oh, if He would take it, and make ufe of it ! I
fhould be happy if I had an errand to this world, but for fome few
years, to fpread proclamations, and outcries, and love-letters of the
highnefs, the highnefs for evermore, the glory, the glory for ever-
more, of the Ranfomer, whofe clothes were wet and dyed in blood !
albeit, after I had done that, my foul and body fhould go back to
their mother Nothing that their Creator brought them once out from,
as from their beginning. But why fhould I pine away, and pain
myfelf with wifhes ? and not believe, rather, that Chrift will hire
fuch an outcaft as I am, a mafterlefs § body, put out of the houfe
by the fons of my mother, and give me employment and a calling,
one way or other, to fet out Chriil and His wares to country
buyers, and propofe Chrift unto, and prefs Him upon fome poor
fouls, that fainer than their life would receive Him ?

You complain heavily of '' your fhortcoming in practice, and
venturing on fufFering for Chrift." You have many marrows. ||
For the firft, I would put you off a fenfe of wretchednefs. Hold
on ! Chrift never yet flew a fighing, groaning child : more of that
would make you won goods, f and a meet prey for Chrift. Alas !
I have too little of it, for venturing on fufFering. I had not fo much
free gear** when I came to Chrift's camp as to buy a fword. I

* It has been well for my foul. t Bargain drawn up. % Debtors.

§ None to own him as under his care. || Many to match you.
t Goods already got. ** Money.

1637.] LETTER CXXI. 301

wonder* that Chrill: fhould not laugh at fuch a foldier. I am no
better yet ; but faith liveth and fpendeth upon our Captain's charges,
who is able to pay for all. We need not pity Him, He is rich
enough.

Ye defire me alfo '' Not to miftake Chrift under a mafk.'* I
blefs you, and thank God for it. But alas ! mafked or bare-faced,
kifling or glooming, I miflake Him : yea, I miftake Him the far-
theft when the mafk is off ; for then I play me with His fweetnefs.
I am like a child that hath a gilded book, that playeth with the
ribbons and the gilding, and the pi(5ture on the firft page, but readeth
not the contents of it. Certainly, if my defires to my Well-beloved
were fulfilled, I could provoke devils, and croffes, and the world,
and temptations to the field ; but oh ! my poor weaknefs maketh
me lie behind the bufh and hide me.

Remember my fervice and my bleiling to my Lord. I am
mindful of him as I am able. Defire him from a prifoner, to come
and vifit my good Mafler, and feel but the fmell of His love. It
fetteth himf well, howbeit he be young, to make Chrifl his gar-
land. I could not wifh him in a better cafe, than in a fever of
love-ficknefs for Chrift.

Remember my bonds. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CXXL — To William Halliday.

[The name '* Halliday" occurs on the tombftones of the old churchyard
of Anwoth. No doubt this correfpondent was one of his flock at Anwoth.
One of the name lies buried in the old churchyard, with the following in-
fcription on her tombftone : —

** Margaret Halliday ^ fpoufe of John Bell in Archland, 163 1. O death,

* In old editions, it is ^^ ^ wonder," as if in way of exclamation.
t It becomes him.

302 LETTER CXXIL [1637.

I will be thy death ! Now is Chrift rifen from the dead, and is the firft fruits
of them that . . ." (broken off.)

Archland is the fame place as Henton^ in the parifh of Anwoth, a notice
of which is given at Letter 219, addrefled to this John Bell.]

{DILIGENCE IN SECURING SALFATION.)

OVING FRIEND, — I received your letter. — I wifh that
ye take pains for falvation. Miftaken grace, and fome-
what like converfion which is not converfion, is the
faddeft and moft doleful thing in the world. Make fure of falvation,
and lay the foundation fure, for many are beguiled. Put a low price
upon the world's clay ; but a high price upon Chrift. Temptations
will come , but if they be not made welcome by you, ye have the
beft of it. Be jealous over yourfelf and your own heart, and keep
touches* with God. Let Him not have a faint and feeble foldier
of you. Fear not to back Chrift, for He will conquer and over-
come. Let no man fcaurf at Chrift, for I have no quarrels at His
crofs ; He and His crofs are two good guefts, and worth the lodg-
ing. Men would fain have Chrift good-cheap ;J but the market
will not come down. Acquaint yourfelf with prayer. Make Chrift
your Captain and your armour. Make confcience of fmmng§ when
no eye feeth you. Grace be with you.

Yours, in Chrift Jefus,
Aberdeen. S. R.

CXXIL — To a Gentleiuoinaji, after the death of her Hufband.

yVANITY OF EARTHLY POSSESSIONS— CHRIST A SUFFICIENT
PORTION— DESIGN OF AFFLICTION.)

EAR AND LOVING SISTER,— I know that ye are
minding your fweet country, and not taking your inn,
the place of your banifhment, for your home. This

* Keep faith with. It is an old Englifh phrafe for '^ exad performance of
agreement."

t Boggle at, go off in fear. + Gratis.

§ Be confcientioiis as to finning.

1 63 7- J LETTER CXXII. 503

life is not worthy to be the thatch, or outer wall, of the paradife of
your Lord Jefus, that He did fweat for to yon, and that He keepeth
for you. Short, and filly, and fand-blind were our hope, if it
could not look over the water to our befl heritage, and if it flayed
only at home about the doors of our clay houfe.

I marvel not, my dear fifter, that ye complain that ye come
Ihort of your old wreftlings which ye had for a bleffing ; and that
now you find it not fo. Bairns are but hired to learn their lefTon
when they firfl go to fchool. And it is enough that thofe who run
a race fee the gold only at the flarting-place ; and poflibly they fee
little more of it, or nothing at all till they win to the rinks-end, *
and get the gold in the looff of their hand. Our Lord maketh
delicates and dainties of His fweet prefents and love-vifits to His
own : but Chrifl's love, under a veil, is love. If ye get Chrift,
howbeit not the fweet and pleafant way ye would have Him, it is
enough ; for the Well-beloved cometh not our way ; He muft wale
His own gate J Himfelf. For worldly things, feeing there are
meadows and fair flowers in your way to heaven, a fmell in the by-
going § is fufficient. He that would reckon and tell all the flones
in his way, in a journey of three or four hundred miles, and write
up in his count-book || all the herbs and the flowers growing in his
way, might come fhort of his journey. You cannot flay, in your
inch of time, to lofe your day (feeing that you are in hafle, and the
night and your afternoon will not bidef you), in fetting youi heart
on this vain world. It were your wifdom to read your account-
book, II and to have in readinefs your bufmefs, againfl the time you
come to death's water-fide. I know that your lodging is taken ;
your forerunner, Chrift, hath not forgotten that ; and therefore you
mufl fet yourfelf to your ** one thing," which you cannot well want.

In that our Lord took your hufband to Himfelf, I know it was
that He might make room for Himfelf. He cutteth off your love to
the creature, that ye might learn that God only is the right owner

* Get to the end of the courfe. f Palm of the hand.

X Seled His own way. § In the pafTing by. || Journal. ^ Wait for.

304 LETTER CXXIII. [1637.

of your love. Sorrow, lofs, fadnefs, death, are the worft of things
that are, except fin. But Chrifl knoweth well what to make of
them, and can put His own in the crofPs common,* that we fhall
be obliged to affli6^ion, and thank God who taught us to make our
acquaintance with fuch a rough companion, who can hale us to
Chrifl. You mufl learn to make your evils your great good -, and
to fpin comforts, peace, joy, communion with Chrifl, out of your
troubles, which are Chrift's wooers, fent to fpeak for youf to Himfelf.
It is eafy to get good words, and a comfortable meflage from our
Lord, even from fuch rough ferjeants as divers temptations. Thanks
to God for crofTes ! When we count and reckon our lofTes in feek-
ing God, we find that godlinefs is great gain. Great partners of
a fhipful of gold are glad to fee the fhip come to the harbour ; —
furely we, and our Lord Jefus together, have a fhipful of gold
coming home, and our gold is in that fhip. Some are fo in love,
or, rather, in lufl, with this life, that they fell their part of the fhip
for a little thing. I would counfel you to buy hope, but fell it not,
and give not away your croffes for nothing. The infide of Chrifl's
crofs is white and joyful, and the far-end of the black crofs is a fair
and glorious heaven of eafe. And feeing Chrifl hath faflened
heaven to the far-end of the crofs, and He will not loofe the knot
Himfelf, and none elfe can (for when Chrifl caflethj a knot, all
the world cannot loofe it), let us then count it exceeding joy when
we fall into divers temptations.

Thus recommending you to the tender mercy and grace of our
Lord, I refl, your loving brother,

S. R.
Aberdeen.

CXXin. — To John Gordon of Cardonefs, Younger.

[John Gordon of Cardonefs, younger, like his father, previoufly noticed
(Let. 82), was naturally a man of ftrong paflions. Judging from this letter, he

* Put you under deep obligations to the crofs.
t See I Kings ii. 18. % Tieth.

1 63 7-] LETTER CXXIII. 305

appears not only to have been negledful of religion, but to have freely indulged
in the follies and vices of youth. Rutherford vv^arns him of his fin and danger
with much freedom and affectionate earneftnefs ; and thefe warnings, it is to
be hoped, were not in vain. He was in the Covenanters' army in England in
1644, as appears from a letter of his preferved among the Wodrow MSS. It
is dated ** Sunderland, 28th Mai'ch 1644," and is addreffed to Mr Thomas
Wylie. It is \\Titten in a religious ftrain. After referring to the fuccefs of the
aiTTiy, and to the account of this drawn up by Mr Robert Douglas, it contains
in the clofe the following paflage: — ^^ I entreat you be kind to my wife, and
deal with her neither to take my abfence, nor the form of coming from her, in
evil part; for, in God's prefence, public duties and nothing elfe removed me,
or man-ed the form of my removal. Be eameft with her that fhe feek a nearer
acquaintance with Chrift: and fail not to pray for her and her family, and me."
{Wodroqjj MSS., vol. xxix. 4to.)]

(REASONS FOR BEING EARNEST ABOUT THE SOUL, AND FOR
RESIGNATION)

ONOURED AND DEAR BROTHER,— I wrote of
late to you : multitudes of letters burden me now. I
am refrefhed with your letter.

I exhort you in the bowels of Chriil:, fet to work for your foul.
And let thefe bear weight with you, and ponder them ferioufly :
ly?. Weeping and gnafhing of teeth in utter darknefs, or heaven's
joy. 2(i/y, Think what ye would give for an hour, when ye fhall
lie like dead, cold, blackened clay, '^d/y. There is fand in your glafs
yet, and your fun is not gone down, ^h/y, Confider what joy and
peace are in Chrift's fervice. 5//Vj?, Think what advantage it will be
to have angels, the world, life and death, croffes, yea, and devils,
all for you, as the King's ferjeants and fervants, to do your bufinefs.
6t/)ly, To have mercy on your feed, and a bleffing on your houfe.
ytkly^ To have true honour, and a name on earth that cafteth a
fweet fmell. Sth/y, How ye will rejoice when Chrift layeth down
your head under His chin, and betwixt His breafts, and drieth
your face, and welcometh you to glory and happinefs. ^th/y, Ima-
gine what pain and torture is a guilty confcience -, what flavery to
carry the devil's diflioneft loads, lothly, Sin's joys are but night-
dreams, thoughts, vapours, imaginations, and fhadows. iithly,

VOL. I. u

3o6 LETTER CXXIV. [1637.

What dignity it is to be a fon of God. I ithly. Dominion and mas-
tery over temptations, over the world and fm. '^ykly^ That your
enemies fhould be the tail, and you the head.

For your bairns, now at reft, I fpeak to you and your wife (and
caufe her read this). I/?, I am a witnefs for Barbara's glory in
heaven. 2^/y, For the reft, I write it under my hand, there are
days coming on Scotland when barren wombs, and dry breafts, and
childlefs parents ftiall be pronounced blefled. They are, then, in
the lee of the harbour ere the ftorm come on. 3^/)', They are not
loft to you that are laid up in Chrift's treafury in heaven, ^hly.
At the refurre6lion, ye fhall meet with them; thither they are fent
before, but not fent away. 5^^/)', Your Lord loveth you, who is
homely* to take and give, borrow and lend. 6/^/)', Let not bairns
be your idols ; for God will be jealous, and take away the idol, be-
caufe He is greedy of your love wholly.

I blefs you, your wife, and children. Grace for evermore be
with you.

Your loving paftor,

S. R.
Aberdeen.

CXXIV.— r^ John Gordon of Cardonefs , Elder.

(CALL TO EARNESTNESS ABOUT SALVATION— INTRUSION OF
MLXISTERS.)

m

HONOURABLE, AND DEAREST IN THE LORD,—

Your letter hath refreftied my foul. My joy is fulfilled
if Chrift and ye be faft together. Ye are my joy and

my crown. Ye know that I have recommended His love to you.
I defy the world, Satan, and fin. His love hath neither brim nor
bottom in it. My deareft in Chrift, I write my foul's defire to you.
Heaven is not at the next door. I find Chriftianity to be a hard tafk ;
fet to in your evening. We would all keep both Chrift and our

* A(5ts the part of a familiar friend.

1637.] LETTER CXXV, 307

right eye, our right hand and foot ; but it will not do with us. 1
befeech you, by the mercies of God, and your compearance* before
Chrifl, look Chrifl's account-bookf and your own together, and
collate them. Give the remnant of your time to your foul. This
great idol-god, the world, will be lying in white afhes on the day
of your compearance;* and why fhould night-dreams, and day-
fhadows, and water-froth, and May-flowers run away with your
heart ? When we win to the water-fide, and black death's river-
brink, and put our foot into the boat, we Ihall laugh at our folly.
Sir, I recommend unto you the thoughts of death, and how ye would
wifh your foul to be when ye fhall lie cold, blue, ill-fmelling clay.

For any hireling to be intruded, I, being the King's prifoner, can-
not fay much ; but, as God's minifter, I defire you to read Afts i.
15, 16, to the end, and Afts vi. 2-5, and ye fhall find that God's
people fhould have a voice in choofmg church-rulers and teachers.
I fhall be fbrry if, willingly, ye fhall give way to his unlawful intru-
fion upon my labours. The only wife God direft you.
God's grace be with you.

Your loving paflor,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

♦

CXXV.— r^ the Lady Forret.

[Lady Forret was, we fuppofe, a *^ faint in Caefar's houfehold;" for
Lord Forret (originally Mr David Balfour), was one of Lauderdale's friends,
appointed to watch the outed minifters in Fife. See Blair s Life, by Row.]

(SICKNESS A KINDNESS— CHRIST'S GLOOMS BETTER THAN
THE WORLD'S JOTS.)

ORTHY MISTRESS,— Grace, mercy, and peace be to
you. — I long to hear from you. I hear Chrifl hath
been thatj kind as to vifit you with ficknefs, and to bring

* Appearing in court in obedience to a fummons.

t Journal of tranfadions. | So very kind.

3o8 LETTER CXXV. [1637.

you to the door of the grave : but ye found the door fhut (blefTed
be His glorious name !) whill* ye be riper for eternity. He will
have more fervice of you ; and, therefore, He seeketh of you that
henceforth ye be honefl: to your new Hufband, the Son of God.
We have all idol-love, and are whorifhly inclined to love other
things befide our Lord ; and, therefore, our Lord hunteth for our
love more ways than one or two. Oh that Chrift had His own of
us ! I know He will not want you, and that is a fweet wilfulnefs
in His love : and ye have as good caufe, on the other part, to be
headflrong and peremptory in your love to Chrift, and not to part,
nor divide your love betwixt Him and the world. If it were more,
it is little enough, yea, too little for Chrift.

I am now, every way, in good terms with Chrift. He hath let
a banifhed prifoner as a feal on His heart, and as a bracelet on
His arm. That crabbed and black tree of the crofs laugheth upon
me now ; the alarming noife of the crofs is worse than itfelf. I
love Chrift's gloomsf better than the world's worm-eaten joys. Oh,
if all the kingdom were as I am, except thefe bonds ! My lofs is
gain ; my fadnefs joyful ; my bonds, liberty ; my tears comfortable.
This world is not worth a drink of cold water. Oh, but Chrift's
love cafteth a great heat ! Hell, and all the fait fea, and the rivers
of the earth, cannot quench it.

I remember you to God ; ye have the prayers of a prifoner of
Chrift. Grace, grace, be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March c)^ 1637.

* Till. t Frowns.

1637.] LETTER CXXVL 309

CXXSfl.—For Marion M'Naught.

{ADHERENCE TO DUTY AMIDST OPPOSITION— POWER OF
CHRIsrS LOFE.)

OVING AND DEAR SISTER —Grace, mercy, and
peace be to you. Your letter hath refrefhed my foul.
You fhall not have my advice to make hafle to go out
of that town ; for if you remove out of Kirkcudbright, they will
eafily undo all. You are at God's work, and in His way there.
Be ftrong in the Lord ; the devil is weaker than you are, becaufe
flronger is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Your
care of and love fhowed towards me, now a prifoner of Chrifl:, is
laid up for you in heaven, and you ihall know that it is come up in
remembrance before God.

Pray, pray for my defolate flock ; and give them your counfel,
when you meet with any of them. It fhall be my grief to hear that
a wolf enter in upon my labours ; but if the Lord permit it, I am
filent. My fky fhall clear, for Chrifl layeth my head in His bofom,
and admitteth me to lean there. I never knew before what His
love was in fuch a meafure. If He leave me. He leaveth me in
pain, and fick of love ; and yet my ficknefs is my life and health.
I have a fire within me , I defy all the devils in hell and all the
prelates in Scotland, to caft water on it.

I rejoice at your courage and faith. Pray flill, as if I were on
my journey to come and be your paftor. What iron gates or bars
are able to ftand it out againft Chrift ? for when He bloweth, they
open to Him.

I remember your hufband. Grace, grace, be with you.
Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
637-

310 LETTER CXXFIL [1637.

CXXVIL— r^ John Carsen.

[John Carsen was the fon of Andrew Carfen, merchant and burgefs of
Kirkcudbright. He was retoured heir of his father 13th May 1635. — Inquir.
Gener. No. ai2i. There are ftill feveral of the name in Kirkcudbright, and it
is found often in the churchyard. There is ** Bailie John Carfen" in the
*^ Minute-book of Comm. of Covenanters," along with Bailie Ewart ; and
is called *^ Carfen of Sennvick.''~\

{NOTHING WORTH THE FINDING, BUT CHRIST.)

Y WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR FRIEND,—

Every one feeketh not God , and far fewer find Him ;

becaufe they feek amifs. He is to be fought for above
all things, if men would find what they feek. Let feathers and
fhadows alone to children, and go feek your Well-beloved. Your
only errand to the world, is to woo Chrifl: ; therefore, put other
lovers from about the houfe, and let Chriil have all your love, with-
out minching* or dividing it. It is little enough, if there were
more of it. The ferving of the world and fm hath but a bafe re-
ward and fmoke inftead of pleafures, and but a night-dream for
true eafe to the foul. Go where you will, your foul fhall not fleep
ibund but in Chrifl's bofom. Come in to Him, and lie down, and
reft you on the (lain Son of God, and inquire for Him. I fought
Him ; and now, a fig for all the worm-eaten pleafures, and moth-
eaten glory out of heaven, fince I have found Him, and in Him all
I can want or wifh ! He hath made me a king over the world.
Princes cannot overcome me. Chrifl hath given me the marriage-
kifs, and He hath my marriage-love : we have made up a full
bargain, that fhall not go back on either fide. Oh, if ye, and all
in that country, knew what fweet terms of mercy are betwixt Him
and me ! Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,
Aberdeen, March 11, 1637. S. R.

* Cutting into fmall pieces.

1637.] LETTER CXXVIII. 311

CXXVIII.— r^ the Earl of Cassillis.

[John Kennedy, fixth Earl of Cassillis, was the fon of Gilbert
Kennedy, mafter of Caflillis (which is fix miles from Ayr), third fon of
Gilbert, fourth Earl of Caflillis. He was ferved heir to his uncle, John, fifth
Earl of CafiTillis, in 1616. His Lordfhip was a perfon of confiderable talents,
of great virtue, and a zealous Covenanter. Having ftudied under Dr Cameron,
Principal of the College of Glafgow, a great defender of abfolute government,
he could not yield to fome claufes in the firft draught of The Covenant, which
feemed to vindicate the ufe of defenfive arms againft the King ; but he agreed
to the Covenant as it now ftands. He fat in the Glafgow Aflembly, 1638,
being returned as elder by the Prefbytery of Ayr ; and was one of the three
ruling elders fent to the AflTembly of Divines at Weftminfter in 1643. He
was one of the commiflioners who, in March i6jo, went from Scotland to
Breda, to treat with Charles H., and who returned 23d June that year,
bringing his Majefty along with them. He attended at the crowning of Charles
at Scoone, January i, 1651. So ftrongly attached was he to the royal family,
that when Cromwell, at one time, fummoned him to a meeting, inftead of
attending it, he, along with fome minifters and his chaplain, kept a day of
fafting and prayer in his family. Such was his hoftility to the meafures of the
court, in eftablifhing Prelacy and in ejed:ing the Prefbyterian minifters from
their charges for non-conformity, that he would fcarce ever pay ftipend to any
of the curates intruded into their places till he got a charge of homing.
Wodrow defignates him *^ the great and worthy Earl of Caflillis." ** I have
this account," fays he, '^ of the Earl of CafTillis, that he was Angularly pious,
and a man of a very high fpirit, who carried wath a great ftate and majefty.
His carriage in his family was moft exemplary and religious. He was very
much in fecret duty, and had his hours wherein none had accefs to him. Upon
the Sabbath his carriage was Angular. He ufually WTote the fermon, and at
night caufed his chaplain to examine all his fervants and his children, even
after they were pretty big, upon the fermon ; and every one behoved to give
their notes ; and after all, many times he took out his owti papers and read to
them. When at Edinburgh, Lauderdale fent a fervant to him upon a Sabbath
night, telling him he was coming to wait on him. Prefently he called Mr
Violant, his chaplain, and ordered him to go out and meet Lauderdale, and
tell him that if he defigned a Sabbath day's vifit he was very welcome, but he
would difcourfe upon no other thing with him but what was fuitable to the
day. Lauderdale came up, and difcourfed with him, — as he could very well
do,^-only upon points of divinity." {H^odroivs Anakcia.) His Lordfhip
died at his own houfe in the Weft in 1668.

312 LETTER CXXVIII. [1637.

The manfion is a peculiar edifice, near Dairy mple. It is on the banks of
the Doon, and embofomed in wood, with the hill called The Dounans facing
the houfe. It is a confiifed pile of building. A long avenue of fine old trees
leads up to it.]

(HONOUR OF TESTIFYING FOR CHRIST.)

Y VERY NOBLE AND HONOURABLE LORD,

— I make bold (out of the honourable and Chriftian
report I hear of your Lordfhip, having no other thing
to fay but that which concerneth the honourable caufe which the
Lord hath enabled your Lordfhip to profefs) to write this, that it is
your Lordfliip's crown, your glory, and your honour, to fet your
fhoulder under the Lord's glory, now falling to the ground, and to
back Chrifl now, when ib many think it wifdom to let Him fend*
for Himfelf. The fhields of the earth ever did, and do ftill believe
that Chrifl is a cumberfome neighbour, and that it is a pain to hold
up His yeas and nays. They fear that He take their chariots, and
their crowns, and their honour from them ; but my Lord ftandeth
in need of none of them all. But it is your glory to own Chrift
and His buried truth -, for, let men fay what they pleafe, the plea
with Zion's enemies in this day of Jacob's trouble is, if Chrift jQiould
be King, and no mouth fpeak laws but His ? It concerneth the
apple of Chrift's eye, and His royal privileges, what is now debated ;
and Chrifl's kingly honour is come to yea and nay. But let me be
pardoned, my dear and noble Lord, when I befeech you by the
mercies of God, by the comfort of the Spirit, by the wounds of our
dear Saviour, by your compearance f before the Judge of quick and
dead, to fland for Chrift, and to back Him. J Oh, if the nobles
had done their part, and been zealous for the Lord ! it had not been
as it is now. But men think it wifdom to ftand befide Chrift till
His head be broken, and fmg dumb. § There is a time coming
when Chrift will have a thick |1 court, and He will be the glory of

* Provide for, fliift for. t Appearing when fummoned.

X Help, fecond Him in what He docs. § Be reduced to filence.
II Crowded.

i637-] LETTER CXXIX. 313

Scotland -, and He will make a diadem, a garland, a feal upon His
heart, and a ring upon His finger, of thofe who have avouched Him
before this faithlefs generation. Howbeit, ere that come, wrath
from the Lord is ordained for this land.

My Lord, I have caufe to write this to your Lordfhip ; for I dare
not conceal His kindnefs to the foul of an afflifted, exiled prifoner.
Who hath more caufe to boaft in the Lord than fuch a fmner as I,
who am feafted with the confolations of Chrift, and have no pain in
my fulFerings, but the pain of foul-ficknefs of love for Chrift, and
ibrrow that I cannot help to found aloud the praifes of Him who
hath heard the fighing of the prifoner, and is content to lay the head
of His oppreffed fervant in His bofom, under His chin, and let Him
feel the fmell of His garments ? It behoved me to write this, that
your Lordfhip might know that Chrifl is as good as He is called ;
and to teftify to your Lordfhip, that the caufe, which your Lordfliip
now profeffeth before the faithlefs world, is Chrift's, and that your
Lordiliip fliall have no fhame of it.

Grace be with you.

Your Lordfhip's obliged fervant,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXXIX.— To Mr Robert Gordon, Bailie of Ayr.

[Robert Gordon was a merchant in Ayr. In Paterfon's Hijtory of the
County of Ayr y he and his partner merchants are mentioned as having, in 1644,
fupplied the Scots army in Ireland, at a certain price, with a large quantity of
meal and beans. He was coufm to John, Vifcount of Kenmure, whofe '^ Laft
and Heavenly Speeches and Glorious Departure " were publifhed by Ruther-
ford, and to which there is a reference in the beginning of this letter. This
appears from the following quotations from thefe Speeches: — ^^ To a coufin
(Robert Gordon, bailie of Ayr), he faid, ' Robert, I know you have light and
underftanding ; and though you have no need to be inftruded by me, yet
have you need to be incited'" (p. 94). Gordon was frequently a member of
the Town Council of Ayr. In the Records, he appears in 1631 as Dean of
Guild, and in 1632 as Bailie. In 1638, and 1647, ^^^ b^ld the office of Pro-

314 LETTER CXXIX, [1637.

voft. He was a man of piety, and a zealous fupporter of the Prefbyterian
caufe. In an old parchment copy of the National Covenant 1638 (in the
pofleffion of Hugh Cowan, Efquire, Ayr), Gordon's fignature appears, as
well as the (ignatures of the other members of the Town Council, fome of
whom were Rutherford's correfpondents, as John Kennedy, John Ofburn,
and John Stewart. The above copy of the National Covenant is iigned by
Rothes, Montrofe, and other men of rank, being one of the copies fent at that
time by the Covenanters from Edinburgh to the various burghs throughout
the country to be fubfcribed.]

(CHRIST ABOFE ALL.)

ORTHY SIR, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I
long to hear from you on paper. Remember your
chief's fpeeches* on his death-bed. I pray you, fir, fell
all, and buy the Pearl. Time will cut you from this world's glory ;
look what will do you good, when your glafs fhall be run out.
And let Chrift's love bear mofl court in your foul, and that court
will bear down the love of other things. Chrifl feeketh your help
in your place ; give Him your hand. Who hath more caufe to en-
courage others to own Chrifl than I have .? for He hath made me
fick of love, and left me in pain to wreftle with His love. And love
is like to fall afwoon through His abfence. I mean not that He
deferteth me, or that I am ebbf of comforts ; but this is an unco J
pain. O that I had a heart and a love to render to Him back
again ! Oh, if principalities and powers, thrones and dominions,
and all the world would help me to praife ! Praife Him in my
behalf.

Remember my love to your wife. I thank you mofl kindly
for your love to my brother. Grace be with you.
Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

* The words of Lord Kenmure. t At a low tide in refped of.

X Strange.

1637]. LETTER CXXX. 315

CXXX. — To John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr,

{CHRIST'S LOVE— THE THREE WONDERS—DESIRES FOR HIS
SECOND COMING.)

RACE, mercy, and peace be to you. Your not writing
to me cannot bind me up from remembering you now
and then, that at leaft ye may be a witnefs, and a
third man, to behold on paper what is betwixt Chrifl and me. I
was in His eyes like a young orphan, wanting known parents,
caften out in the open fields ; either Chrifl behoved to take
me up, and to bring me home to His houfe and firefide, elfe
I had died in the fields. And now I am homely* with Chrifl's
love, fo that I think the houfe mine own, and the Mafter of the
houfe mine alfo. Chrift inquired not, when He began to love me,
whether I was fair, or black, or fun-burnt j love taketh what it
may have. He loved me before this time, I know ; but now I
have the flower of His love ; His love is come to a fair bloom, like
a young rofe opened up out of the green leaves -, and it cafteth a
ftrong and fragrant fmell. I want nothing but ways of exprefling
Chrifl's love. A full veflel would have a vent. Oh, if I could
fmoke out, and cafl out coals, to make a fire in many breafts of
this land ! Oh ! it is a pity that there were not many imprifoned
for Chrifl:, were it for no other purpofe than to write books and
love-fongs of the love of Chrifl:. This love would keep all created
tongues of men and angels in exercife, and bufy night and day, to
fpeak of it. Alas ! I can fpeak nothing of it, but wonder at three
things in His love : — Fir/I, freedom. Oh that lumps of fm fliould
get fuch love for nothing ! Secondly ^ the fweetnefs of His love. I
give over either to fpeak or write of it ; but thofe that feel it, may
better bear witnefs what it is. But it is fo fweet, that, next to

* At home with, on no ceremony with.

3i6 LETTER CXXX. [1637.

Chrift Himfelf, nothing can match it. Nay, I think that a foul
could live eternally blefTed only on Chrift's love, and feed upon no
other thing. Yea, when Chrift in love ^veth a blow, it doeth a
foul good •, and it is a kind of comfort and joy to it to get a cuff*
with the lovely, fweet, and foft hand of Jefus. And, thirdly, what
power and ftrength are in His love ! I am perfuaded it can climb
a fteep hill, with hell upon its back ; and fwim through water and
not drown , and fmg in the fire, and find no pain -, and triumph in
lofTes, prifons, forrows, exile, difgrace, and laugh and rejoice in
death. O for a year's leafe of the fenfe of His love without a
cloud, to try what Chrift is ! O for the coming of the Bride-
groom ! O, when fhall I fee the Bridegroom and the Bride meet
in the clouds, and kifs each other ! O, when will we get our day,
and our heart's fill of that love ! O, if it were la\\^ul to complain
of the famine of that love, and want of the immediate vifion of God !
O time, time ! how doft thou torment the fouls of thofe that would
be fwallowed up of Chrift's love, becaufe thou moveft fo flowly !
Oh, if He would pity a poor prifoner, and blow love upon me, and
give a prifoner a tafte or draught of that fweetnefs, which is glory
as it were begun, to be a confirmation that Chrift and I fhall have
our fill of each other for ever ! Come hither, O love of Chrift,
that I may once kifs thee before I die ! What would I not ^ve to
have time, that lieth betwixt Chrift and me, taken out of the way,
that we might once meet ! I cannot think but that, at the firft
fight I fhall fee of that moft lovely and faireft face, love will come
out of His two eyes, and fill me w^ith aftonifhment. I would but
defire to ftand at the outer fide of the gates of the New Jerufalem,
and look through a hole of the door, and fee Chrift's face. A
borrowed vifion in this life would be my borrowed and begun
heaven, whillf the long, long-looked-for day dawn. It is not for
nothing that it is faid, " Chrift in you the hope of glory."t I will
be content of no pawn of heaven but Chrift Himfelf ; for Chrift,
poffefTed by faith here, is young heaven, and glory in the bud. If

* A blow. t Till. ; Col. 1. 27.

1637.] LETTER CXXX. 317

I had that pawn, I would bide horning* and hell both, ere I gave
it again. All that we have here is fcarce the picture of glory.
Should not we young bairns long and look for the expiring of our
minority ? It were good to be daily begging propinesf and love-
gifts, and the Bridegroom's favours ; and, if we can do no more, to
leek crumbs, and hungry dinners of Chrift's love, to keep the tafle
of heaven in our mouth whill± fupper-time. I know it is far after
noon, and nigh the marriage-fupper of the Lamb ; the table is
covered already. O Well-beloved, run, run fail ! O fair day,
when wilt thou dawn ! O fhadows, flee away ! I think hope and
love, woven through other, § make our abfence from Chrift fpiritual
torment. It is a pain to wait on ; but hope that maketh not afhamed
fwalloweth up that pain. It is not unkindnefs that keepeth Chrift
and us fo long alunder. What can I fay to Chrift's love ? I think
more than I can fay. To confider, that when my Lord Jefus may
take the air (if I may fo fpeak), and go abroad, yet He will be
confined and keep the prifon with me ! But, in all this fweet com-
munion with Him, what am I to be thanked for ? I am but a
fufferer. Whether I will or not. He will be kind to me ; as if He
had defied my guiltinefs to make Him unkind, He fo beareth His
love in on me. Here I die with wondering, that juftice hindereth
not love ; for there are none in hell, nor out of hell, more unworthy
of Chrifl's love. Shame may confound and fcaur : me once to hold
up my black mouth to receive one of Chrifl's undeferved kilTes. If
my innerfide were turned out, and all men faw my vilenefs, they
would fay to me, " It is a fhame for thee to ftand ftill whilli Chrifl
kifs thee and embrace thee." It would feem to become me rather
to run away from His love, as afhamed at my own unworthinefs ;
nay, I may think fhame to take heaven, who have fo highly pro-
voked my Lord Jefus. But feeing Chrift's love will fhame me, I
am content to be fhamed. INIy defire is, that my Lord would give

* A legal demand for pa^Ttient of a debt, under threat of imprifonment if
difregarded. It ufed to be made with three blafts of a horn in the market-
place.

t Prefents. X Till. § Through one another. || Make afraid.

3i8 LETTER CXXXL [1637.

me broader and deeper thoughts, to feed myfelf with wondering at
His love. I would I could weigh it, but I have no balance for it.
When I have worn my tongue to the ftump, in praifmg of Chrifl:,
I have done nothing to Him. I muft let Him alone, for my
withered arms will not go about His high, wide, long, and broad
love. What remaineth, then, but that my debt to the love of Chrifl
lie unpaid for all eternity ? All that are in heaven are black-ftiamed*
with His love as well as I. We muft all be dyvours f together ;
and the blefling of that houfeful, or heavenful, of dyvours f fhall
reft for ever upon Him. Oh, if this land and nation would come
and ftand befide His inconceivable and glorious perfections, and
look in, and love, and adore ! Would to God I could bring in
many lovers to Chrift's houfe ! But this nation hath forfaken the
Fountain of living waters. Lord, caft not water on Scotland's coal.
Wo, wo will be to this land, becaufe of the day of the Lord's fierce
anger that is fo faft coming.

Grace be with you.

Your affe6i:ionate brother, in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen.

CXXXI.— r^? Jean Brown.
(HIS HISDOM IX OUR TRIALS— REJOICE IN TRIBULATION.)

ISTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am
glad that ye go on at Chrift's back, in this dark and
cloudy time. It were good to fell other things for
Him ; for when all thefe days are over, we fhall find it our advan-
tage that we have taken part with Chrift. I confidently believe that
His enemies fhall be His footftool, and that He will make green
flowers dead, withered hay, when the honour and glory fhall fall
off them, like the bloom or flower of a green herb fhaken with

* Made black with (hame. t Debtors.

1637.J LETTER CXXXL 319

the wind. It were not wifdom for us to think that Chrifl and the
Gofpel would come and fit down at our firefide ; nay, but we mufl
go out of our own warm houfes, and feek Chrifi: and His Gofpel.
It is not the funny fide of Chrift that we muft look to, and we muft
not forfake Him for want of that; but muft let our face againft
what may befall us in following on, till He and we be through the
briers and bufhes, on the dry ground. Our foft nature would be
borne through the troubles of this miferable life in Chrift's arms ;
and it is His wifdom, who knoweth our mould, that His bairns go
wet-fhod and cold-footed to heaven. Oh, how fweet a thing were
it for us to learn to make our burdens light, by framing our hearts
to the burden, and making our Lord's will a law!

I find Chrift and His crofs not fo ill* to pleafe, nor yet fuch
troublefome guefts, as men call them ; nay, I think patience fhould
make the water which Chrift giveth us good wine, and His drofs
good metal. And we have caufe to wait on ; for, ere it be long,
our Mafter will be at us, and bring this whole world out, before
the fun and daylight, in their blacks and whites. Happy are they
who are found watching. Our fand-glafs is not fb long as we need
to weary ; time will eat away and root out our woes and fbrrow.
Our heaven is in the bud, and growing up to an harveft. Why then
fhould we not follow on, feeing our fpan-length of time will come
to an inch? Therefore I commend Chrift to you, as your laft-
living, and longeft-living Hufband, and the ftaff of your old age.
Let Him now have the reft of your days. And think not much
of a ftorm upon the fhip that Chrift faileth in ; there fhall no
paffenger fall overboard ; but the crazed fhip and the fea-fick paffen-
gers fhall come to land fafe.

I am in as fweet communion with Chrift as a poor finner can
be ; and am only pained that He hath much beauty and fairnefs, and
/ little love ; He great power and mercy, and / little faith ; He much
light, and / bleared eyes. O that I faw Him in the sweetnefs of His
love, and in His marriage-clothes, and were over head and ears in love

* Difficult.

320 LETTER CXXXII. [1637.

with that princely one, Chrifl: Jefus my Lord ! Alas, my riven *
difh, and the running-out veflel, can hold little of Chrifl: Jefus !

I have joy in this, that I would not refufe death beforef I put
Chrift's lawful heritage in men's tryfl:ing ; and what know I, if they
would have pleafed both Chrifl: and me ? Alas, that this land hath
put Chrifl: to open rouping,J and to an "Any man bids more?"
Blefl^ed are they who would hold the crown on His head, and buy
Chrifl:'s honour with their own lofles.

I rejoice to hear that your fon John§ is coming to vifit Chrifl:,
and tafl:e of His love. I hope that he will not lofe his pains, nor
rue of that choice. I had always (as I faid often to you) a great
love to dear Mr John Brown, becaufe I thought I faw Chrifl: in
him more than in his brethren. Fain would I write to him, to fl:and
by my fweet Mafl:er ; and I wifli ye would let him read my letter,
and the joy I fhall have if he will appear for, and fide with, my
Lord Jefus. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXXXIL— 21? Jean Macmillan.

[There were Macmillans at Dallliangan, near Carfphaim, noted as Cove-
nanters. But the name is a common one, and this correfpondent was probably
an Anwoth parifliioner.]

(STRIFE TO ENTER IN.)

OVING SISTER,— Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.
I cannot come to you to give you my counfel ; and how-
beit I would come, I cannot ftay with you. But I be-

* Rent, cracked.

t I would die, ere ever I would put Chrift's property at the difpofal of
men who may choofe to appoint their own times.

X Public fale by auction.

§ This was he who was afterwards fo well known as an eminent Chriftian,
Brown of ^^'^amphray.

1637.] LETTER C XXX III. 321

feech you to keep Chrift, for I did what I could to put you within
grips* of Him. I told you Chrifl's teftament and latter- will plainly,
and I kept nothing back that my Lord gave me ; and I gave Chrift
to you with good will. I pray you to make Him your own, and
go not from that truth which I taught you, in one hair-breadth.
That truth will fave you if you follow it. Salvation is not an eafy
thing, and foon gotten. I often told you that few are faved, and
many damned : I pray you to make your poor foul fure of falvation,
and the feeking of heaven your daily tafk. If ye never had a fick
night and a pained foul for fin, ye have not yet lighted upon Chrifl.
Look to the right marks of having clofed with Chrifl. If ye love
Him better than the world, and would quit all the world for Him,
then that faith the work is found. Oh, if ye faw the beauty of
Jefus, and fmelled the fragrance of His love, you would run through
fire and water to be at Him ! God fend you Him.

Pray for me, for I cannot forget you. Grace be with you.
Your loving pafior.

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CXXXIIL— r^ the Lady Busbie.

[Lady Busbie is probably the mother-in-law of R. Blair, Rutherford's
intimate friend. R. Blair married Catherine, daughter of Hugh Montgomery,
Laird of Bufbie, near Glafgow, in 1635.]

{COMPLETE SURRENDER TO CHRIST-^NO IDOLS— TRIALS DIS-
COVER SINS— A FREE SALVATION— THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.)

llSTRESS, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I am
glad to hear that Chrift and ye are one, and that ye
have made Him your " one thing," whereas many are
painfully toiled in feeking many things, and their many things are

* Reach, grafp.
VOL. I.

322 LETTER CXXXni. [1637.

nothing. It is only beft that ye fet yourfelf apart, as a thing laid
up and out of the gate, * for Chrift alone ; for ye are good for no
other thing than Chrift ; and He hath been going about you thefe
many years, by affliftions, to engage you to Himfelf. It were a pity
and a lofs to fay Him nay. Verily I could wifh that I could fwim
through hell, and all the ill weather in the world, and Chrift in my
arms. But it is my evil and folly, that except Chrift come unfent
for, I dowf not go to feek Him : when He and I fall a-reckoning,
we are both behind, He in payment, and I in counting ; and fo
marches J lie ftill unredd,§ and accounts uncleared betwixt us. Oh
that He would take His own blood for counts and mifcounts, [ that
I might be a free man, and none had any claim to me but only,
only Jefus. I will think it no bondage to be rouped, f comprifed, **
and pofTeffed by Chrift as His bondman.

Think well of the vifitation of your Lord ; for I find one thing,
which I faw not well before, that when the faints are under trials,
and well humbled, little fins raife great cries and war-ftiouts in the
confcience ; and in profperity, confcience is a pope, to give difpenfa-
tions, and let out and in, and give latitude and elbow-room to our
heart. Oh, how little care we for pardon at Chrift's hand, when
we make difpenfations ! And all is but bairns' play, till a crofs
without beget a heavier crofs within, and then we play no longer
with our idols. It is good ftill ff to be fevere againft ourielves ; for
we but transform God's mercy into an idol, and an idol that hath
a difpenfation to ^ve, for the turning of the grace of God into
wantonnefs. Happy are they who take up God, wrath, juftice, and
fin, as they are in themfelves ; for we have mifcarrying light, that
parteth with the child, when we have good refolutions only. But,
God be thanked, that falvation is not rolled upon our wheels.

Oh, but Chrift hath a faving eye ! falvation is in His eyelids !
When He firft looked on me, I was faved -, it coft Him but a look

* Out of the way. f Cannot. % Boundaries. § Undefined.

II Erroneous reckonings. ^ Set up to public fale by auction.

** Seized for debt. tt Always.

637.] LETTER CXXXIIL 323

to make hell quit of me ! Oh, but merits, free merits, and the dear
blood of God, were the beft gate* that ever we could have gotten
out of hell ! Oh what a fweet, oh what a fafe and fure way is it,
to come out of hell leaning on a Saviour ! That Chrift and a fmner
fhould be one, and have heaven betwixt them, and be halvers of
falvation, is the wonder of falvation. What more humble could
love be ? And what an excellent fmell doth Chriil: call on His
lower garden, where there grow but wild flowers, if we fpeak by
way of comparifon. But there is nothing but perfect garden flowers
in heaven, and the befl: plenifliingf that is there is Chrifl:. We are
all obliged to love heaven for Chrifl:'s fake. He graceth heaven,
and all His Father's houfe, with His prefence. He is a Rofe that
beautifieth all the upper garden of God ; a leaf of that Rofe of God
for fmell is worth a world. O that He would blow His fmell
upon a withered and dead foul ! Let us, then, go on to meet with
Him, and to be filled with the fweetnefs of His love. Nothing will
hold Him from us. He hath decreed to put time, fm, hell, devils,
men, and death out of the way, and to rid J the rough way betwixt
us and Him, that we may enjoy one another. It is fl:range and
wonderful, that He would think long § in heaven without us ; and
that He would have the company of finners to folace and delight
Himfelf withal in heaven. And now the fupper is abiding us.
Chrifl:, the Bridegroom, with defire is waiting on, till the bride, the
Lamb's wife, be bufl<;ed|| for the marriage, and the great hall be
reddf for the meeting of that joyful couple. Oh, fools ! what do
we here ? and why fit we flill ? Why fleep we in the prifon ?
Were it not befl to make us wings, to flee up to our bleflTed Match,
our Marrow,** and our fellow Friend ?

I think, Miflrefs, that ye are looking thereaway, \\ and that this
is your fecond or third thought. Make forward ; your Guide
waiteth on you.

* Way, manner. f Furniture of a houfe. % Annihilate.

§ Have a longing heart. || Decked with ornaments. ^ Cleared out.
** Partner. ft To that quarter.

324 LETTER CXXXJV. [1637.

I cannot but blefs you for your care and kindnefs to the faints.
God give you to find mercy, in that day of our Lord Jefus ; to
whofe faving grace I recommend you.

Yours, in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CXXXIV. — To John Ewart, Bnilie of Kirkcudbright.

[John Ewart's name often occurs in the ^^ Minute Book of Comm. of
Covenanters," as refiding in Kirkcudbright. He is underftood to be the
father of the John Ewart who was fentencedtobanifhment, 1663, for refufing
to take part in quelling a tumult raifed at the intrufion of a curate in room of
the ejeded minifter of Kirkcudbright. — (fVodro^'s H'l/l.) A defcendant of
his at Stranraer has a fmall filver cup, which has been handed down as once
belonging to his anceftors.]

(THE CROSS NO BURDEN^NEED OF SURE FOUNDATION.)

lY VERY WORTHY AND DEAR FRIEND,— I

cannot but moft kindly thank you for the expreilions of
your love. Your love and refpeft to me is a great com-
fort to me.

I blefs His high and glorious name, that the terrors of great
men have not affrighted me from openly avouching the Son of God.
Nay, His crofs is the fweetefl burden that ever I bare ; it is fuch a
burden as wings are to a bird, or fails are to a fhip, to carry me
forward to my harbour. I have not much caufe to fall in love with
the world ; but rather to wifh that He who fitteth upon the floods
would bring my broken fhip to land, and keep my confcience safe
in thefe dangerous times ; for wrath from the Lord is coming on
this finful land.

It were good that we prifoners of hope know of our ftronghold
to run to, before the florm come on ; therefore, Sir, I befeech you
by the mercies of God, and comforts of His Spirit, by the blood of

1637.] LETTER CXXXV. 325

your Saviour, and by your compearance * before the fin-revenging
Judge of the world, keep your garments clean, and fland for the
truth of Chrift, which ye profefs. When the time fhall come that
your eye-ftrings fhall break, your face wax pale, your breath grow
cold, and this houfe of clay fhall totter, and your one foot fhall be
over the march,f in eternity, it will be your comfort and joy that ye
gave your name to Chrifl. The greateft part of the world think
heaven at the next door, and that Chriflianity is an eafy tafk ; but
they will be beguiled. Worthy Sir, I befeech you, make fure work
of falvation. I have found by experience, that all I could do hath
had much ado J in the day of my trial ; and, therefore, lay up a fure
foundation for the time to come.

I cannot requite you for your undeferved favours to me and my
now afflicted brother. But I truft to remember you to God.
Remember me heartily to your kind wife.

Yours, in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXXXV. — To William Fullerton, Provoft of Kirkcudbright.

{FEAR NOT THEM WHO KILL THE BODT— UNEXPECTED

FAVOUR.)

JUCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. I am much obliged to your love in God.
I befeech you. Sir, let nothing be fo dear to you as
Chrifl's truth, for falvation is worth all the world ; and, therefore,
be not afraid of men that fhall die. The Lord will do for you § in
your fuffering for Him, and will blefs your houfe and feed ; and ye
have God's promife, that ye fhall have His prefence in fire, water,
and in feven tribulations. Your day fhall wear to an end, and your

* Appearance in court in obedience to a fummons. f Boundary.

X My utmoft ftrcngth is hiu-d put to. § Ad for^

326 LEriER CXXXVL [1637.

fun go down. In death it will be your joy that ye have ventured
all ye have for Chrift ; and there is not a promife of heaven made
but to fuch as are willing to fuffer for it. It is a caflle taken by
force. This earth is but the clay portion of baflards ; and, therefore,
no wonder that the world fmile on its own ; but better things are
laid up for His lawfully-begotten bairns, whom the w^orld hateth.

I have experience to fpeak this ; for I would not exchange my
prifon and fad nights with the court, honour, and eafe of my adver-
faries. My Lord is pleafed to make many unknown faces to laugh
upon me, and to pro\-ide a lodging for me ; and He Himfelf vifiteth
my foul with feafls of fpiritual comforts. Oh how fweet a Mafter is
Chrift ! Bleffed are they who lay down all for Him.

I thank you kindly for your love to my diftreffed brother. Ye
have the blefling and prayers of the prifoner of Chrift to you, your
wife and your children.

Remember my love and bleffing to William and Samuel. I
defire them in their youth to feek the Lord, and to fear His great
name ; to pray twice a-day, at leaft, to God, and to read God's
word ; to keep themfelves from curling, lying, and filthy talking.

Now the only wife God, and the prefence of the Son of God,
be with you all.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXXX\T. — To Robert Glendinntng, Mimjler of Kirkcudbright.

(PREPARE TO MEET THT GOB— CHRIST HIS JOT.)

Y DEAR FRIEND, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to
you. I thank you moft kindly for your care of me,
and } our love and refpective * kindnefs to my brother in

^ Perhaps this word means kindnefs that had refpect to his fpecial needs.

1637.] LETTER CXXXri. 327

his diftrels. I pray the Lord that ye may find mercy in the day of
Chrift ; and I entreat you, Sir, to confider the times which ye live
in, and that your foul is more worth to you than the whole world,
which, in the day of the blowing of the Laft Trumpet, fhall lie in
white afhes, as an old caftle burned to nothing. And remember
that judgment and eternity is before you. My dear and worthy
friend, let me entreat you in Chrifl's name, and by the falvation of
your foul, and by your compearance* before the dreadful and fm-
revenging Judge of the world, to make your accounts ready. Reddf
them ere ye come to the water-fide ; for your afternoon will wear
fiiort, and your fun fall low and go down ; and ye know that this
long time your Lord hath waited on you. Oh how comfortable a
thing it will be to you, when time fhall be no more, and your foul
fhall depart out of the house of clay to vaft and endlefs eternity, to
have your foul drefi^ed up, and prepared for your Bridegroom ! No
lofs is comparable to the lofs of the foul -, there is no hope of re-
gaining that lofs. Oh how joyful would my foul be to hear that ye
would fi:art to the gate,J and contend for the crown, and leave all
vanities, and make Chrifl your garland ! Let your foul put away
your old lovers, and let Chrifi: have your whole love.

I have fome experience to write of this to you. My witnefs is
in heaven, that I would not exchange my chains and bonds for
Chrifl, and my fighs, for ten worlds' glory. I judge this clay-idol,
which Adam's fons are rouping§ and felling their fouls for, not
worth a drink of cold water. Oh, if your foul were in my foul's
fi:ead, how fick would ye be of love for that faireft One, that
Fairefi: among the fons of men ! May-flowers, and morning vapour,
and fummer mifi:, pofi:eth not {o fafi: away as thefe worm-eaten
pleafures which we follow. We build cafi:les in the air, and night-
dreams are our daily idols that we doat on. Salvation, falvation is
our only necefiary thing. Sir, call home your thoughts to this
work, to inquire for your Well-beloved. This earth is the portion

* Appearing in court. t Settle ; fet in order.

X Begin with alacrity the journey. § Setting up to audjon

328 LETTER CXXXVIL [1637,

of baftards ; feek the Son's inheritance, and let Chrift's truth be
dear to you.

I pawn* my falvation on it, that this is the honour of Chrifl's
kingdom which I now fufFer for (and this world, I hope, fhall not
come between me and my garland) ; and that this is the way to life.
When ye and I fhall lie lumps of pale clay upon the ground, our
pleafures, that we now naturally love, fhall be lefs than nothing in
that day. Dear brother, fulfil my joy, and betake you to Chrift
without further delay. Ye will be fain at length to feek Him, or
do infinitely worfe. Remember my love to your wife. Grace be
with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXXXVIL — To William Glendinning.

[William Glendinning was the fon of Mr Robert Glendinning,
minifter of Kirkcudbright. A fhort time before this letter was written, he
was ordered to be imprifoned in Kirkcudbright by Bifhop SydferfF, for refufing
to incarcerate his father, whom that intolerant prelate had fufpended from his
office, and had ordered to be imprifoned, becaufe he would neither conform
to Epifcopacy, nor admit as his affiftant a creature of the Bifhop. He was a
member of the General AfTembly of Glafgow 1638, being returned by the
burgh of Kirkcudbright, of which he was then Provoft. During the fubfe-
quent years, he was fi-equently a member of the General AfTembly; and his
name appears as a member of Parliament for the burgh of Kirkcudbright, and
fent by the Committee of Eflates, in 1644, 164J, and 1646.]

{PERSEVERANCE AGAINST OPPOSITION.)

ELL-BELOVED AND DEAR BROTHER,— Grace,
mercy, and peace be to you. I thank you mofl kindly
for your care and love to me, and in particular to my

* Pledge.

1637.] LETTER CXXXVIL 329

brother, in his diflrefs in Edinburgh.* Go on through your waters
without wearying; your Guide knoweth the way; follow Him, and
caft your cares and temptations upon Him. And let not worms,
the Tons of men, affright you ; they fhall die, and the moth fhall
eat them. Keep your garland ; there is no lefs at the flake, in this
game betwixt us and the world, than our confcience and falvation.
We have need to take heed to the game, and not to yield to them.
Let them take other things from us ; but here, in matters of con-
fcience, we mufl hold and drawf with kings, and fet ourfelves in
terms of oppofition with the fhields of the earth. O the fweet com-
munion, for evermore, that hath been between Chrifl and His
prifoner ! He wearieth not to be kind. He is the fairefl fight I
fee in Aberdeen, or in any part that ever my feet were in.

Remember my hearty kindnefs to your wife. I defire her to
believe, and lay her cares on God, and make fafl work of falvation.
Grace be with you.

Yours, in his only Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

* Rutherford here refers to the trial of his brother George, fchoolmafter
and reader in Kirkcudbright, before the High Commiflion, at Edinburgh, in
November the preceding year, for his non-conformity and zealous fupport of
Mr Robert Glendinning, the perfecuted minifter of Kirkcudbright. As pre-
vioufly noticed (Let. 67), he was condemned to relign his charge, and to re-
move from Kirkcudbright before the enfuing term of Whitfunday. When
at Edinburgh, and on his trial, he experienced much kindnefs from feveral
of the correfpondents of our author, who, in his letters to them, makes the
moft heartfelt grateful acknowledgments. After his ejection, ^^he feems,"
fays Murray, *'to have taken refuge in Ayrfhire; for in a letter to Lord
Loudon, Rutherford fpeaks of his brother as being nigh his Lordfhip's
bounds ; and every individual whom he addrefled on his behalf (after his re-
moval from Kirkcudbright), was conneded with that county. The kindnefs
and the frequency with which, in his letters, he fpeaks of him, do honour to
his heart." — Life of Rutherford ^ p. 93.

t We muft flruggle with.

330 LETTER CXXXVIII. [1637,

CXXX\^II.~T^ Mr Hugh Henderson.

[Hugh Henderson was firft minifter of Daln-, a parilh in the diftrid of
Cunningham, A)Tfhire, and afterwards of Dumfries. The firft inftance in
which we meet with his name as minifter of Dalr)- is in 1643, when he was
nominated as one of the eight minifters whom the General Aflembly appointed
to vifit Ireland by pairs, and to continue there for three months fucceffively,
to inftruci, comfort, and encourage the Prefbnerians in that country-, who had
been deprived of their minifters through the t)Tanny of the prelates. In 1645
he was appointed by the General Aflembly chaplain to Colonel Stuart's regi-
ment; and in 1648 tranflated to Dumfries, by a fentence of the Aflembly.
Shortly after the reftoration of Charles II., he, and all the minifters of the
Prefbnen- of Dumfries, were, by the order of the King's Commifl^ioner, car-
ried prifoners to Edinburgh, for ha\-ing, on various grounds, agreed not to
obferve the 29th day of May as a religious anniverlar)-, in commemoration of
the King's birth and reftoration. But he and the reft, with the exception of
two, at laft yielded fo far as to engage fimply to preach on that day, knowing
it would be the day of their ordinary weekly fermon ; upon which they were
difmifled. This engagement feems hardly compatible with ftraightforwardnefs
and ftedfaftnefs to principle, as it was fomething like a difingenuous attempt to
make it appear that they were complying with the ftatute of Parliament, when
they were merely difcharging a profefl^ional duty. Henderfon exhibited more
confiftency and ftedfaftnefs the fubfequent year, when he preferred being expelled
from his charge to conforming to Prelacy. He was ejected in the clofe of the
year 1662, by the Earl of Middleton. After this, Henderfon ft^uently
preached in his own houfe in Galloway.]

{TRIALS SELECTED BT GOD— PATIENCE— LOOKING FOR THE

JUDGE.)

Y REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I hear
that you bear the marks of ChriiV^ dying about with
you, and that your brethren have call you out for your

m

Mailer's fake. Let us wait on till the evening, and till our reckon-
ing in black and white come before our Mailer. Brother, fmce we
muil have a devil to trouble us, I love a raging devil beil. Our
Lord knoweth what fort of devil we have need of : it is beil that
Satan be in his own (kin, and look like hunfelf. Chriil weeping
looketh like Himfelf alfo, with whom Scribes and Pharifees were
at yea and nay, and iharp contradiclion.

1637.] LETTER CXXXVIIL 331

Ye have heard of the patience of Job. When he lay in the
afhes, God was with him, clawing and curing his fcabs, and letting
out his boils, comforting his foul -, and He took him up at laft.
That God is not dead yet : He will ftoop and take up fallen bairns.
Many broken legs fmce Adam's days hath He fpelked,* and many
weary hearts hath He refrefhed. Blefs Him for comfort. "Why ?
None Cometh dry from David's well. Let us go among the reft,
and caft down our toomf buckets into Chrifl's ocean, and fuck
confolations out of Him. We are not fo fore flricken, but we may
fill Chrifl's hall with weeping. We have not gotten our anfwer
from Him yet. Let us lay up our broken pleas to a full fea, and
keep them till the day of Chriil's Coming. We and this world
will not be even J till then ; they would take our garment from us ;
but let us hold and them draw.

Brother, it is a flrange world if we laugh not. I never faw the
like of it, if there be not ** paiks the man,"§ for this contempt done
to the Son of God. We muft do as thofe who keep the bloody
napkin to the Bailie, |j and let him fee blood -, we muft keep our
wrongs to our Judge, and let Him fee our bluddered^ and foul
faces. Prifoners of hope muft run to Chrifl, with the gutters **
that tears have made on their cheeks.

Brother, for myfelf, I am Chrift's dawtedff one for the prefent ;
and I live upon no deaf J J nuts, as we ufe to fpeak. He hath
opened fountains to me in the wildernefs. Go, look to my Lord
Jefus : His love to me is fuch, that I defy the world to find either
brim or bottom to it. Grace be with you.

Your brother, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

* Trufled up, bound with fplinters. f Empty. % Be quits.

§ ^^ Paiks " is blo=ws, '^ Be the man foundly beaten ; " an expreflion ufed to
intimate what the man deferved.

II The magiflrate who was to judge the cafe. ^ Blurred.

*•* The marks left by the tears that ran down and foiled the face.

ft Fondled. ++ No kernel in them.

332 LETTER CXXXIX. [1637.

CXXXIX. — To my Lord Balmerinoch.

[John Elphinston, fecond Lord Balmerinoch, was the only fon of
the firft marriage of the Honourable Sir James Elphinfton, firft Lord Balmeri-
noch. He diftinguifhed himfelf in 1633 for his oppofition to the meafures of
the Court in favour of Prelacy, and particularly for oppofing in Parliament
the A6t concerning the King's prerogative in impofing apparel on churchmen,
and the A6t ratifying the A6ls previoufly made for fettling and advancing the
eftate of bifhops. Soon after he w^as libelled and condemned to death as guilty
of treafon. How^ever, after a long and fevere imprifonment, he at laft obtained
ft-om his Majefty a fi-ee though reludtant pardon. True to his former principles,
he ftill continued to oppofe the meafures then purfued by Government, and
particularly the attempts to introduce the Service Book into Scotland. He
was a member of the Glafgow Aflembly 1638, being returned as elder for the
Prelbytery of Edinburgh. *^ His Lordfhip," fays Wood, ^^was, without
exception, the beft friend the Covenanters had, as he not only affifted that
party with his advice on all occafions, but alfo fupplied them with large fums
of money, by which he irreparably injured the very ample fortune he inherited
from his father. He lived in habits of ftrid friendfhip with the chief leaders of
the Prefbyterians, and was particularly intimate with Sir Archibald Johnfton
of Warrifton. He had fo ftrong a fenfe of juftice, that having reafon to fus-
ped: his father had made too advantageous a purchafe of the lands of Balumby,
in the county of Forfar, he, of his own accord, gave 10,000 merks to the
heir of that eftate, by way of compenfation." — (Wood's Cramond.) He died
fuddenly in 1649, ^^ ^^ iime when Charles H. was proclaimed King of Scot-
land, and when commiflioners were to be fent to Holland to treat with him,
of which his Lordfhip was chofen to be one. — {Lamont's Diary ^ p. i.)]

{HIS HAPPY OBLIGATIONS TO CHRIST— EMPTINESS OF THE

WORLD,)

Y VERY NOBLE AND TRULY HONOURABLE
LORD, — I make bold to write news to your Lordfhip
from my prifon, though your Lordfhip have experience
more than I can have. At my firfl entry here, I was not a little
caften down with challenges,* for old, unrepented-of fins ; and

* Self-upbraidings.

1637.] LETTER CXL. 333

Satan and my own apprehenfions made a lie of Chrifl, that He hath
caften a dry, withered tree over the dyke of the vineyard. But it
was my folly , blefled be His great name, the fire cannot burn the
dry tree. He is pleafed now to feaft the exiled prifoner with His
lovely prefence ; for it fuiteth Chrift well to be kind, and He dineth
and fuppeth with fuch a fmner as I am. I am in Chrift's tutoring
here. He hath made me content with a borrowed firefide, and it
cafteth as much heat as mine own. I want nothing but real poffes-
fion of Chrift ; and He hath given me a pawn of that alfo, which I
hope to keep till He come Himfelf to loofe the pawn. I cannot get
help to praife His high name. He hath made me king over my
lofles, imprifonment, baniftiment ; and only my dumb Sabbaths ftick
in my throat. But I forgive Chrift's wifdom in that. I dare not
lay one word ; He hath done it, and I will lay my hand upon my
mouth. If any other hand had done it to me, I could not have
borne it.

Now, my Lord, I muft tell your Lordlhip that I would not
^ve a drink of cold water for this clay idol, this plaftered world.
I teftify, and give it under my own hand, that Chrift is moft worthy
to be fuffered for. Our lazy flefti, which would have Chrift to
cry down croftes by open proclamation, hath but raifed a ftander
upon the crofs of Chrift. My Lord, I hope that ye will not forget
what He hath done for your foul. I think that ye are in Chrift's
count-book, as His obliged debtor.

Grace, grace be with your fpirit.

Your Lordftiip's obliged fervant,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXL. — To my Lady Mar, Younger,

[Lady Mar, Younger^ whofe maiden name was Chriftian Hay (being
the daughter of Francis, ninth Earl of Errol), was the wife of John Erlkine,
eighth Earl of Mar. She became a widow in 1654, his Lordfhip having died

334 LETTER CXL. [1637.

in that year. She had to him a fon, John, who became ninth Earl of Mar,
and a daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to Archibald, Lord Napier.
Lord James Edkine of Grange, one of the fenators of the College of Juftice,
who lived in the beginning of the laft centur%^, was the great-grandfon of this
lady. — (^Douglas' Peerage^ vol. ii., p. 216 ; Craqvjord's Hi/tory of the Shire of
Renfrew, p. 112.) Lady Mar, /-w/or, from whom fhe is diftinguifhed, was
Lady Mary Stewart, daughter of Efme, Duke of Lennox, fecond wife of
John, Lord Erfkine, feventh Earl of Mar. She died in the houfe of Sir
Thomas Hope, in the Cowgate, Edinburgh, and was buried at Alloa, nth
May 1644. — {Sir Thomas Hope's Diary ^ p. 205.) It was for her that, in 1625,
the book of devotion, called, ^^The Cowitefs of Mars SanBuary^ or Arcadia,"
was drawn up — a little work of which only two copies were knowm to be in
exiftence, till reprinted this year, 1862, at Edinburgh.]

{NO EXCHANGE FOR CHRIST.)

jY VERY NOBLE AND DEAR LADY,— Grace,

mercy, and peace be to you. I received your Lady-
fhip's letter, which hath comforted my foul. God give
you to find mercy in the day of Chriil.

I am in as good terms and court with Chriil: as an exiled, op-
prefled prifoner of Chrift can be. I am ftill welcome to His houfe ;
He knoweth my knock, and letteth in a poor friend. Under this
black, rough tree of the crofs of Chrift, He hath ravifhed me with
His love, and taken my heart to heaven with Kim. Well and long
may He brook* it. I would not nifferf Chrift with all the
joys that man or angel can devife befide Him. Who hath fuch
caufe to fpeak honourably of Chrift as I have ? Chrift is King
of all crofles, and He hath made His faints little kings under
Him ; and He can ride and triumph upon weaker bodies than I
am (if any can be weaker), and His horfe will neither fall nor
ftumble.

Madam, your Ladyfhip hath much ado with Chrift, for your
foul, huiband, children, and houfe. Let Him find much employ-
ment for His calling with you ; for He is fuch a friend as delighteth
to be burdened with fuits and employments ; and the more ye lay

* Poffefs, enjoy. t Exchange.

1637.] LETTER CXLL 335

on Him, and the more homely* ye be with Him, the more welcome.
O the depth of Chrift's love ! It hath neither brim nor bottom.
Oh, if this blind world faw His beauty ! When I count with Him
for His mercies to me, I mufl: ftand ftill and wonder, and go away
as a poor dyvour, f who hath nothing to pay. Free forgivenefs is
payment. I would that I could get Him fet on high ; for His love
hath made me fick, and I die except I get real pofTeilion.
Grace, grace be with you.

Your Ladyfhip's, at all obedience in Chrifl,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLL — To James Macadam.

[John Livingftone {HiJIor, Relation), along with Marion M ^Naught and
other fuch, mentions John Macadam and Chriftian Macadam of Waterhead,
near Carfphaim, as eminent Chriftians. The perfon to whom this letter is
addrefled may have been one of that family. The famous road engineer in
our day, Macadam, was bom at Waterhead, defcended from this ancient
family.

It feems that the Chriftian Macadam mentioned above was afterwards
Lady Cardonefs ; and becaufe of her connexion with this con-efpondent of
Rutherford's, we may give the infcription on her tomb. The tomb is part of
the enclofed pile clofe to the old Anwoth church. The infcription is on the
north fide of the pile: —

** Chriftian M^Adam, Lady Cardynes. Departed i6th June of 1628.
T^tatis fuse, 22>'
*^ Ye gazers on the trophy of a tomb,

Send out one groan for want of her whofe life.
Twice bom on earth, now is in earth's womb ;
Lived long a virgin, now a fpotlefs wife.
Church keeps her godly life, the tomb her corpfe,
And earth her precious name. Who then does lofe ?
Her hufband ? No, fince heaven her foul doth gain."

* At home, familiar. f Debtor.

336 LETTER CXLL [1637.

(THE KINGDOM TAKEN BT FORCE.)

Y VERY DEAR AND WORTHY FRIEND,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear
of your growing in grace, and of your advancing in
your journey to heaven. It will be the joy of my heart to hear
that ye hold your face up the brae,* and wade through temptations
without fearing what man can do. Chriil: fhall, when He arifeth,
mow down His enemies, and lay bulks f (as they ule to fpeak) on
the green, and fiU the pits with dead bodies. J They fhall lie like
handfuls of withered hay, when He arifeth to the prey. Salvation,
falvation is the only necefTary thing. This clay idol, the world, is
not to be fought ; it is a morfel not for you, but for hunger-bitten
bailards. Contend for falvation. Y^our Mafler, Chrift, won
heaven with firokes : it is a befieged caflle ; it muft be taken with
violence. Oh, this world thinketh heaven but at the next door,
and that godlinefs may fleep in a bed of down till it come to heaven !
But that will not do it.

For m}-felf, I am as well as Chriil's prifoner can be ; for by Him
I am mafter and king of all my crofles. I am above the prifon, and
the lalh of men's tongues ; Chrift triumpheth in me. I have been
caflen down, and heavy with fears, and haunted with challenges.
I was fwimming in the depths, but Chrift had His hand under my
chin all the time, and took good heed that I fhould not lofe breath ;
and now I have gotten my feet again, and there are love-feafts of
joy, and fpring-tides of confolation betwixt Chrift and me. We
agree weU -, I have court with Him ; I am ftUl welcome to His
houfe. Oh, my fhort arms cannot fathom His love ! I befeech
you, I charge you, to help me to praile. Ye have a priibner's
prayers, therefore forget me not.

* The flope, or hillfide.

t Carcafes ; properly, the trtmk^ or bulk of the man. Some \\r\te it
'* boiiks ; '* but ** bulks'' is in all the old editions.
X Ps. ex. 6 ; ^ ' the places."

1637.] LETTER CXLIL 337

I define Sibylla to remember me dearly to all in that paridi who
know Chrifl:, as if I had named them.
Grace, grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLIL — To my very dear Brother, William Livingstone.

[Probably one of his Anwoth parifhioners. There are Livingftones in that
neighbourhood to this day.]

{COUNSEL TO A TOUTH.)

Y VERY DEAR BROTHER,— I rejoice to hear that
Chriil hath run away with your young love, and that
ye are fo early in the morning matched with fuch a
Lord ; for a young man is often a dreffed lodging for the devil to
dwell in. Be humble and thankful for grace ; and weigh it not fo
much by weight, as if it be true. Chrifl will not caft water on
your fmoking coal ; He never yet put out a dim candle that was
lighted at the Sun of Righteoufnefs. I recommend to you prayer
and watching over the fins of your youth ; for I know that miifive *
letters go between the devil and young blood. Satan hath a friend
at court in the heart of youth ; and there pride, luxury, luft, re-
venge, forgetfulnefs of God, are hired as his agents. Happy is
your foul if Chrift manf the houfe, and take the keys Himfelf, and
command all, as it fuiteth Him full well to rule all wherever He is.
Keep Chrift, and entertain Him well. Cherifh His grace ; blow
upon your own coal ; and let Him tutor you.

Now for myfelf : know that I am fully agreed with my Lord.
Chrift hath put the Father and me into each other's arms. Many a
fweet bargain He made before, and He hath made this among the

* Letters empowering a perfon to act.

t Man the houfe, means ad as the goodman of the houfe, attending to vifitors.
VOL. I. Y

338 LETTER CXLIIL [1637.

reft. I reign as king over my crofTes. I will not flatter a tempta-
tion, nor ^ve the devil a good word : I defy hell's iron gates. God
hath pafTed over my quarrelling of Him at my entry here, and now
He feedeth and feafleth with me.

Praife, praife with me ; and let us exalt His name together.
Your brother in Chrifl:,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLIIL — To William Gordon of Whitepark.

[This may be a fon of George Gordon, who is recorded as heir to the
eftate of ^* Whytpark," March 20, 1628. It was in the Parifh of Anwoth.]

(NOTHING LOST BT TRIALS^LONGING FOR CHRIST HIMSELF^
BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE.)

ORTHY SIR, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.
I long to hear from you. I am here the Lord's prifoner
and patient, handled as foftly by my Phyfician as if I
were a fick man under a cure. I was at hard terms with my Lord,
and pleaded with Him, but I had the worft fide. It is a wonder
that He fhould have fuiFered the like of me to have nicknamed the
Son of His love, Chrifl:, and to call Him a changed Lord, who
hath forfaken me. But miibelief* hath never a good word to
fpeak of Chrifl. The drofs of my crofs gathered a fcum of fears in
the fire — doubtings, impatience, unbelief, challenging of Providence
as fleeping, and as not regarding my forrow ; but my goldfmith,
Chrifl, was pleafed to take ofl^ the fcum, and burn it in the fire.
And, blefled be my Refiner, He hath made the metal better, and
furniflied new fupply of grace, to caufe me hold out weight ; and I
hope that He hath not lofl one grain-weight by burning His fervant.

* Erroneous faith.

1637.] LETTER CXLIIL 339

Now His love in my heart cafteth a mighty heat ; He knoweth
that the defire I have to be at Himfelf paineth me. I have Tick
nights and frequent fits of love-fevers for my Well-beloved.
Nothing paineth me now but want of His prefence. I think it long
till day. I challenge time as too flow in its pace, that holdeth my
only fair one, my love, my Well-beloved, from me. Oh, if we
were together once ! I am like an old crazed ihip that hath en-
dured many florms, and that would fain be in the lee of the fhore,
and feareth new florms ; I would be that* nigh heaven, that the
fhadow of it might break the force of the llorm, and the crazed
fhip might win to land.f My Lord's fun cafteth a heat of love and
beam of light on my foul. My blefling thrice every day upon the
fweet crofs of Chrifl: ! I am not afhamed of my garland, " the
banifhed minifl:er," which is the term of Aberdeen. Love, love
defieth reproaches. The love of Chrifl hath a corflet of proof on
it, and arrows will not draw blood of it. We are more than con-
querors through the blood of Him that loved us. J The devil and
the world cannot wound the love of Chrift. I am further from
yielding to the courfe of defection than when I came hither. Suf-
ferings blunt not the fiery edge of love. Cafl: love into the floods
of hell, it will fwim above. It careth not for the world's bufked§
and plaflered offers. It hath pleafed my Lord fo to line my heart
with the love of my Lord Jefus, that, as if the field were already
won, and I on the other fide of time, I laugh at the world's golden
pleafures, and at this dirty idol which the fons of Adam worfhip.
This worm-eaten god is that which my foul hath fallen out of love
with.

Sir, ye were once my hearer : I defire now to hear from you
and your wife. I falute her and your children with bleffings. I
am glad that ye are flill handfafledji with Chrifl. Go on in your
journey, and take the city by violence. Keep your garments clean.
Be clean virgins to your hufband the Lamb. The world fhall fol-

* So nigh. t Get to. % Romans viii. 37.

§ Decked with ornaments. || Betrothed to by joining hands.

340 LETTER CXLIV. [1637.

low you to heaven's gates : and ye would not wiih it to go in with
you. Keep faft Chrifl's love. Pray for me, as I do for you.
The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLIV. — To Mr George Gillespie.

[George Gillespie was the fon of Mr John Gillefpie, fometime mi-
nifter of the Gofpel at Kirkcaldy. He was licenfed to preach the Gofpel fome
time prior to 1638; and in April, that year, was ordained minifter of
Wemyfs. In 1642, by a fentence of the General Aflembly, he was tranflated
to one of the churches in Edinburgh, where he continued till his death.
Gillefpie poflefTed talents of the higheft order ; and fo much were thefe appre-
ciated, that he was one of the four minifters fent as commiffioners from the
Church of Scotland to the Weftminfter Aflembly in 1643. There he attraded
general notice, by the cogency of argument, and the rare learning which he
fhowed in pleading the caufe of Prefbytery, and oppofing Eraftianifin. At one of
the meetings of that Aflembly, when the learned Selden had delivered a long
and an elaborate difcourfe in favour of Eraftianifm, to which none feemed pre-
pared to reply, Gillefpie, who was ftill a young man, was obferved to be writ-
ing. A venerable friend went to his chair, and aiked if he had taken notes,
but found that he had wTitten nothing except thefe words, frequently repeated,
** Give light, Lord." His friend urged him to anfwer. Gillefpie at laft rofe,
and in an extempore fpeech refuted Selden with a power of reafoning and an
amount of learning which excited the admiration of all prefent. Selden him-
felf is faid to have obferved, after hearing this reply, ** That young man, by a
fingle fpeech, has fwept away the labour and the learning of ten years of my
life ! " Gillefpie died in December 1648, in the 36th year of his age. During
his laft illnefs he enjoyed little comfort, but was ftrong in the faith of ad-
herence to the divine promifes — a fubjed: on which he infifted much in his
fermons. When alked if he had any comfort, he faid, *^ No ; but though the
Lord allow me no comfort, yet I will helie've that my Beloved is mine, and
that I am His." To two minifters, who aflced what advice he had to give
them, he anfwered : *M have little experience of the miniftry, having been in
it only nine years ; but I can fay that I have got more afliftance in the work
of preaching from prayer than ftudy ; and much more help from the afliftance
of the Spirit than from books." And yet he was known to have been an in-

1637.] LETTER CXLIF. 341

defetigable ftudent. He is the author of various works, which are chiefly
controverfial, fuch as *^The Englifli Popifh Ceremonies," and ** Aaron's Rod
Bloflbming."]

(SUSPICIONS OF CHRIST'S LOFE REMOFED— THREE DESIRES.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER— I received
your letter. As for my cafe, brother, I blefs His
glorious name, that my lofles are my gain, my prifon a
palace, and my fadnefs joyfulnefs. At my firfl: entry, my appre-
henfions fo wrought upon my crofs, that I became jealous* of the
love of Chrifl, as being by Him thruft out of the vineyard, and I
was under great challenges if as, ordinarily, J melted gold cafteth forth
a droffy fcum, and Satan and our corruption form the firft words
that the heavy crofs Ipeaketh, and fay, ** God is angry, He loveth
you not." But our apprehenfions are not canonical ; § they indite
lies of God and Chrift's love. But iince my fpirit was fettled, and
the clay has fallen to the bottom of the well, I fee better what Chrift
was doing. And now my Lord is returned with falvation under
His wings. Now I want little of half a heaven, and I find Chrifl
every day fo fweet, comfortable, lovely, and kind, that three things
only trouble me : ly?, I fee not how to be thankful, or how to get
help to praife that Royal lOng, who raifeth up thofe that are bowed
down. 2d, His love paineth me, and woundeth my foul, fo that I
am in a fever for want of real prefence. 3^, An exceilive defire to
take inftruments |1 in God's name, that this is Chrift and His truth,
which I now fuffer for ; yea, the apple of the eye of Chrift's
honour, even the fovereignty and royal privileges of our Eng and
Lawgiver, Chrift. And, therefore, let no man fcaur at Chrift's
crofs, or raife an ill report upon Him or it ; for He beareth the
fufferer and it both.

I am here troubled with the difputes of the great doctors
(efpecially with Dr B.f ) in Ceremonial and Arminian controverfies,

* Sufpicious. t Rebukes. % Usually § Authentic Scripture.

II Take documents to atteft the matter. ^ Dr Robert Barron.

342 LETTER CXLV. [1637.

for all are corrupt here ; but, I thank God, with no detriment to

the truth, or difcredit to my profeflion. So, then, I fee that Chrift

can triumph in a weaker man * nor I -, and who can be more weak ?

But His grace is fufficient for me.

Brother, remember our old covenant, and pray for me, and

write to me your cafe. The Lord Jefus be with your fpirit.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLV.— r^ Jean Gordon.

{GOD THE SATISFYING PORTION— ADHERENCE TO CHRIST.)

Y VERY DEAR AND LOVING SISTER,— Grace,
mercy, and peace be to you. — I long to hear from you.
I exhort you to fet up the braef to the King's city,
that muft be taken by violence. Your afternoon's fiin is wearing
low. Time will eat up your frail life, like a worm gnawing at the
root of a May-flower. Lend Chrifl your heart. Set Him as a feal
there. Take Him in within, and let the world and children fland
at the door. They are not yours ; makej you and them for your
proper owner, Chrift. It is good that He is your Hufband and
their Father. What miffing can there be of a dying man, when
God filleth His chair ? Give hours of the day to prayer. Fafh §
Chrifl: (if I may fpeak fo), and importune Him; be often at His
gate ; give His door no refl. I can tell you that He will be found.
Oh what fweet fellow fhip is betwixt Him and me! I am imprifoned,
but He is not imprifoned. He hath fhamed me with His kindnefs.
He hath come to my prifon, and run away with my heart and all
my love. Well may He brook it ! I wifh that my love get never

* Than. t Pufli up the hil

X This feems to mean, mould, fafliion yourfelf and them.

§ Trouble ; by being importunate. || Poflefs, enjoy.

1637.] LETTER CXLVI. 343

an owner but Chriil. Fy, fy upon old lovers, that held us fo long
afunder ! We fhall not part now. He and I fhall be heard, before
He win out of my grips.* I refolve to wreflle with Chrill:, ere I
quit Him. But my love to Him hath caften my foul into a fever,
and there is no cooling of my fever, till I get real pofTeflion of
Chrift. O ftrong, ftrong love of Jefus, thou haft wounded my
heart with thine arrows ! Oh pain ! Oh pain of love for Chrift !
Who will help me to praife ?

Let me have your prayers. Grace be with you.
Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 13, 1637.

CXLVL — To Mr James Bruce, Mimjler of the Go/pel.

[Mr James Bruce was minifter of Kingfbarns, in the Prefbytery of St
Andrews. He was admitted in 1630. Prelacy and the Englifh ceremonies
had then, for a confiderable time, been impofed upon the Church of Scotland.
But Bruce, like many other of her minifters, being in principle decidedly
favourable to Prefbytery, refufed to practife the ceremonies. He was, how-
ever, overlooked, and permitted to continue in his charge, the Bifhops at that
time removing very few, becaufe, the introduced ceremonies being fo un-
popular, it was judged dangerous and impolitic to enforce a rigid and univerfal
compliance with them. Bruce made an early public appearance againft the
attempts of the court to impofe the Anglo-Popifh liturgy, or Service-book,
in 1637. He was a member of the Glafgow Aflembly, 1638. He died at
Kingfbams, May 26, i66z, when the ftorm of perfecution was about to
break upon the Church of Scotland, being thus taken away from the evil to
come.]

(MISJUDGING OF CHRIST'S IVATS.)

EVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER,—

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — Upon the neareft
acquaintance (that we are Father's children), I thought

good to write to you. My cafe in my bonds for the honour of my

* Grafp. .

344 LETTER CXLFIL [1637

royal Prince and King, Jefus is as good as becometh the witnefs of
fuch a fovereign King. At my firft coming hither, I was in great
heavinefs, wreftling with challenges-,* being burdened in heart (as
I am yet), for my filent Sabbaths, and for a bereaved people, young
ones new-born, plucked from the breaft, and the children's table
drawn. f I thought I was a dry tree call over the dyke of the vine-
yard. But my fecret conceptions of Chrift's love, at His fweet and
long-defired return to my foul, were found to be a lie of Chrift's
love, forged by the tempter and my own heart. And I am perfuaded
it was fo. Now there is greater peace and fecurity within than be-
fore ; the court is raifed and dilmifled, for it was not fenced J in God's
name. I was far miflaken who fhould have fummoned Chrifl for
unkindnefs ; milled § faith, and my fever, conceived amifs of Him.
Now, now. He is pleafed to feafl a poor prifoner, and to refrefh me
with joy unfpeakable and glorious ! fo as the Holy Spirit is witnefs
that my fufferings are for Chrifl's truth -, and God forbid that I
fhould deny the teftimony of the Holy Spirit and make Him a falfe
witnefs. Now, I teflify under my hand, out of fome fmall experi-
ence, that Chrifl's caufe, even with the crofs, is better than the king's
crown ; and that His reproaches are fweet. His crofs perfumed, the
walls of my prifon fair and large, my lofles gain.

I defire you, my dear brother, to help me to praife, and to re-
member me in your prayer to God. Grace, grace be with you.
Yours, in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March ^ 14, 1637.

CXLVII. — To John Gordon, at Rufco, in Par'ifh of Anwothy
Galloivay,

[The old tower, or caftle, ftill ftands on a gentle flope, three miles from
Anwoth, but uninhabited. It was at this old manfion (Rufco) that Robert

Self-upbraidings. f Removed. | Opened and conftituted.

That ha3 a mift between it and its objed.

1637.J LETTER CXLVIL 345

Campbell, laird of Kinzeancleugh, the friend of John Knox, died of fever,
in 1574, when on a vifit to Gordon of Lochinvar, *^ exprefling his confidence of
victory, and his defire to depart and be v^ith Chrift."]

(PRESSING INTO HEAVEN— A CHRISTIAN NO EAST ATTAIN-
MENT—SINS TO BE AVOIDED,

Y WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER —MifTpend
not your fhort fand-glafs, which runneth very fafi: ;
feek your Lord in time. Let me obtain of you a letter
under your hand, for a promife to God, by His grace, to take a
new courfe of walking with God. Heaven is not at the next door ;
I find it hard to be a Chriftian. There is no little thrufting and
thringing* to thrufl in at heaven's gates; it is a caflle taken by force;
— " Many fhall ftrive to enter in, and fhall not be able."

I befeech and obteft you in the Lord, to make confcience of
rafh and pailionate oaths, of raging and fudden avenging anger, of
night drinking, of needlefs companion ry,f of Sabbath-breaking, of
hurting any under you by word or deed, of hating your very
enemies. " Except ye receive the kingdom of God as a little child,"
and be as meek and fober-minded as a babe, ** ye cannot enter into
the kingdom of God." That is a word which fhould touch you
near, and make you ftoop and cafl yourfelf down, and make your
great fpirit fall. I know that this will not be eafdy done, but I re-
commend it to you, as you tender your part of the kingdom of heaven.

Brother, I may, from new experience, Ipeak of Chrifl to you.
Oh, if ye faw in Him what I fee ! A river of God's unfeen joys
have flowed from bank to brae J over my foul fmce I parted with
you. I wifh that I wanted part, fo being ye might have ; that your
foul might be fick of love for Chrifl, or rather fatiated with Him.
This clay-idol, the world, would feem to you then not worth a fig ;
time will eat you out of pofl^eifion of it. When the eye-ftrings
break, and the breath groweth cold, and the imprifoned foul looketh

* Prefling urgently. f Aflbciating with companions ; companionfhips.

I Rifing high above ordinary limits.

34^ LETTER CXLVIIL [1637.

out of the windows of the clay-houfe, ready to leap out into eternity,
what would you then give for a lamp full of oil ? Oh feek it now.

I defire you to correct and curb banning,* fwearing, lying,
drinking. Sabbath-breaking, and idle fpending of the Lord's day in
abfence from the kirk, as far as your authority reacheth in that
parifh.

I hear that a man is to be thrufl into that place, to the which I
have God's right. I know that ye fhould have a voice by God's
word in that (Acts i. 15, 16, to the end ; vi. 3-5). Ye would be
loath that any prelate (hould put you out of your poflefTion earthly ;
and this is your right. What I write to you, I write to your wife.
Grace be with you.

Your loving paftor,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CXLVIIL— r^ the Lady Hallhill.

[Lady Hallhill, whofe maiden name was Learmonth, was the wife
of Sir James Melville of Hallhill, in Fife, the fon of Sir James Melville of
Hallhill, a privy counfellor to King James VI., and an accomplifhed ftatefman
and courtier in his day, who died in 1617. — (^Douglas' Peerage ^ vol. ii.)
Confequently, this lady was fifter-in-law to Lady Culrofs, formerly noticed*
Livingftone, who was perfonally acquainted with her, defcribes her as * * emi-
nent for grace and gifts; and whofe ** memory was very precious and re-
frefhing " to him.]

(CHRIST'S CROSSES BETTER THAN EGYPT S TREASURES,)

EAR AND CHRISTIAN LADY,— Grace, mercy, and
peace be to you. — I longed much to write to your
Ladyfhip ; but now, the Lord offering a fit occaiTion, I
would not omit to do it.

I cannot but acquaint your Ladyfhip with the kind dealing of
Chrift to my foul, in this houfe of my pilgrimage, that your Lady-

* Smaller oaths.

1637-] LETTER CXLVIIL 347

Ihip may know that He is as good as He is called. For at my riril
entry into this trial (being caften down and troubled with challenges
and jealoufies * of His love, whofe name and teftimony I now bear
in my bonds), I feared nothing more than that I was caflen over
the dyke of the vineyard, as a dry tree. But, blefled be His great
name, the dry tree was in the fire, and was not burnt ; His dew
came down and quickened the root of a withered plant. And now
He is come again with joy, and hath been pleafed to feaft His exiled
and alflidted prilbner with the joy of His confolations. Now I
weep, but am not fad ; I am chaftened, but I die not ; I have lofs,
but I want nothing ; this water cannot drown me, this fire cannot
burn me, becaufe of the good-will of Him that dwelt in The Bufh.
The worft things of Chrift, His reproaches. His crofs, are better
than Eg}'pt's treafures. He hath opened His door, and taken into
His houfe-of-wine a poor fmner, and hath left me fo fick of love
for my Lord Jefus, that if heaven were at my difpofing, I would
give it for ChrLft, and would not be content to go to heaven, except
I were perfuaded that Chrifi: were there. I would not give, nor
exchange, my bonds for the prelates' velvets ; nor my prifon for
their coaches ; nor my fighs for all the world's laughter. This
clay-idol, the world, hath no great court f in my foul. Chrift hath
come and run away to heaven with my heart and my love, fo that
neither heart nor love is mine : I pray God, that Chrift may keep
both without reverfion.J In my eflimation, as I am now difpofed,
if my part of this world's clay were rouped§ and fold, I would
think it dear of a drink of water. I fee Chrifl's love is fo kingly, that
it will not abide a marrow -, [| it mufl have a throne all alone in
the foul. And I fee that apples beguile bairns, howbeit they be
worm-eaten. The moth-eaten pleafures of this prefent world make
bairns believe ten is a hundred, and yet all that are here are but
(hadows. If they would draw by f the curtain that is hung betwixt

* Self-upbraidings and fufpicions. f No great influence.

X Without there being any one to pofTefs it after Him. § Set up to public fale*
II A companion on equal terms. T Draw alide.

348 LETTER CXLIX. [1637.

them and Chrifl:, they fliould fee themfelves fools who have fo long
mifkenned* the Son of God. I leek no more, next to heaven, than
that He may be glorified in a prifoner of Chrifl: -, and that in my
behalf many would praife His high and glorious name who heareth
the fighing of the prifoner.

Remember my fervice to the laird, your hufl^and ; and to your
fon, my acquaintance. I wifh that Chrifl: had His young love, and
that in the morning he would flart to the gate,f to feek that which
the world knoweth not, and, therefore, doth not feek it.
The grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift be with you.
Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CXLIX. — To the much honoured John Osburn, Provojl of Ayr,

[Of John Osburn, merchant in Ayr, and at this time chief magiftrate of
that burgh, little is now kno\Mi. He died about the clofe of the year 1653,
or beginning of the following year, as appears from his fon David being re-
toured his heir on 17th January- 1654. — (Jnq. Gener. No. 3884.) He had a
daughter, Jane, who was married to Robert Kelfo of Halrig and Kelfoland,
the reprefentative of one of the moft ancient families of A)Tfhire, to whom
fhe had two fons, John, surveyor of the cuftoms at Port-Glafgow, and
William of Dalkeith, wTiter to the fignet. Their father appears on the lift of
the gentlemen in A)Tfhire, whom Middleton fined, in 1662.]

(ADHERENCE TO CHRIST— HIS APPROBATION WORTH ALL

MVRLDS.

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. — L^pon our fmall acquaintance, and the good
report I hear of you, I could not but write to you. I
have nothing to fay, but that Chrifl, in that honourable place He
hath put you in, hath intrufled you with a dear pledge, which is
His own glory •, and hath armed you with His fword to keep the

* Miftaken through ignorance. f Set out on his journey with alacrity.

1637.] LETTER CL, 349

pledge, and make a good account of it to God. Be not afraid of
men. Your Mafter can mow down His enemies, and make withered
hay of fair flowers. Your time will not be long ; after your after-
noon will come your evening, and after evening, night. Serve
Chrift. Back Him ; let His caufe be your caufe ; give not an hair-
breadth of truth away ; for it is not yours, but God's. Then,
fmce ye are going, take Chrifl's teftificate * with you out of this life
— '* Well done, good and faithful fervant!" His "well done" is
worth a fhipful of " Good-days " and earthly honours. I have caufe
to fay this, becaufe I find Him truth itfelf. In my fad days, Chrifl
laugheth cheerfully, and faith, "All will be well!" Would to
God that all this kingdom, and all that know God, knew what is
betwixt Chrift and me in this prifon — what kifles, embracements,
and love communions ! I take His crofs in my arms with joy ; I
blefs it, I rejoice in it. Suffering for Chrifl is my garland. I would
not exchange Chrifl for ten thoufand worlds ! nay, if the compari-
fon could ftand, I would not exchange Chrift with heaven.

Sir, pray for me, and the prayers and blefling of a prifoner of
Chrift meet you in all your ftraits. Grace be with you.
Yours, in Chrifl Jefus, his Lord,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CL. — To his loving Friend , John Henderson. [See Let. 208.]

(CONTINUING IN CHRIST— PREPAREDNESS FOR DEATH,)

OVING FRIEND,— Continue in the love of Chrifl, and
the do6lrine which I taught you faithfully and pain-
fully, according to my meafure. I am free of your
blood. Fear the dreadful name of God. Keep in mind the ex-

* Teftimonial, or certificate of charader.

350 LETTER CLI. [1637,

aminations* which I taught you, and love the truth of God. Death,
as fafl as time fleeth, chafeth you out of this life ; it is poiTible that
ye may make your reckoning with your Judge before I fee you.
Let falvation be your care, night and day, and fet afide hours and
times of the day for prayer. I rejoice to hear that there is prayer in
your houfe. See that your fervants keep the Lord's day. This dirt
and god of cl^y (I mean the vain world) is not worth the feeking.

An hireling paftor is to be thrufl in upon you, in the room to
which I have Chrift's warrant and right. Stand to your liberties,
for the word of God alloweth you a vote in choofmg your paftor.

What I write to you, I write to your wife. Commend me
heartily to her. The grace of God be with you.
Your loving Friend and Paftor,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CLL — To John Meine, Senior.

[John Meine, merchant in Edinburgh, was a man of enlightened piety,
and a decided Prefbyterian. His zeal and fteadfaftnefs in maintaining Prefby-
terian principles, expofing him to the refentment of the court and prelates, he
was, on different occafions, the objed: of their perfecution. Having, with
other citizens of Edinburgh, encouraged Nonconforming minifters, by accom-
panying them to the court when dragged before the High Commiffion, he
was, without citation, trial, or convidion, banifhed to Wigtown by the Privy
Council, according to the orders of the king. But the execution of the fen-
tence was fufpended. In regard to the Perth Articles, he would make no com-
promife. In 1624, when the To\\ti Council, Seflion, and citizens of Edinburgh,
convened, according to an ancient cuftom obferved among them from the
time of the Reformation, to remove fuch grounds of difference as might have
arifen, before uniting in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, Meine ftrongly
pleaded that the ordinance {hould be folemnifed without kneeling, a ceremony
with which (he faid) he could not comply. On account of his zeal in this
matter, he was fummoned before the Privy Council. The refult was, that in

* Perhaps (fee in Let. 166) his inftrndions on the Catechifm are meant.

1637.] LETTER CLL 351

June that year, Meine was fentenced by the Council to be confined within the
town of Elgin. About the beginning of January next year, he obtained
liberty for a few days to come home to vifit his family. He was afterwards
ordered to return to his place of confinement; but James VI. dying on the
27th of March that year, an end was put to his trouble for a time. Living-
ftone, defcribing him in his Memorable Charadteriftics, fays, ^^He ufed,
fummer and winter, to rife about three in the morning, and always fing fome
pfalm as he put on his clothes. He fpent till fix o'clock alone in religious ex-
ercifes, and at fix worfhipped God with his family, and then went to his
fhop." Meine was married to Barbara Hamilton, filter to the firft wife of the
famous Robert Blair.]

{ENJOYMENT OF GOD'S LOFE—NEED OF HELP— BURDENS.)

EAR BROTHER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.
— I wonder that ye fent me not an anfwer to my lafl:
letter, for I fland in need of it. I am in fome piece of
court* with our great ICing, whofe love would caufe a dead man
to fpeak, and live. Whether my court* will continue or not, I
cannot well fay ; but I have His ear frequently, and (to His glory
only I fpeak it), no penury of the love-kifTes of the Son of God.
He thinketh good to cafi: apples to me in my prifon to play withal,
left I fhould think longf and faint. I muft give over all attempts
to fathom the depth of His love. All I can do is, but to ftand
befide His great love, and look and wonder. My debts of thank-
fulnefs affright me ; I fear that my creditor get a dyvour-billj and
ragged account. J

I would be much the better of help. Oh, for help ! and that ye
would take notice of my cafe. Your not writing to me maketh me
think ye fuppofe that I am not to be bemoaned, becaufe He fendeth
comfort. But I have pain in my unthankfulnefs, and pain in the
feeling of His love, whill§ I am fick again for real prefence and
real polTeffion of Chrifl. Yet there is no gowked || (if I may fo
fpeak), nor fond love in Chrifl:. He cafteth me down fometimes for

* Have fomething like influence. f Yearn wearily.

X A bankrupt debtor's account ; torn and incomplete. § Till.
II Foolifh i love that puts the perfon in a foolifh pofition.

352 LETTER CLII. Li<^37-

old faults ; and I know that He knoweth well that fweet comforts
are swelling, and, therefore for row mufl: take a vent to the wind.

My dumb Sabbaths are undercoating * wounds. The condition
of this opprefTed kirk, and my brother's cafe (I thank you and your
wife for your kindnefs to him), hold my fore fmarting, and keep
my wounds bleeding. But the groundwork ftandeth fure. Pray
for me. Grace be with you. Remember me to your wife.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus, <-, -^

Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CLII. — To Mr Thomas Garven.

[This correfpondent was one of the minifters of Edinburgh. Letters 165
and 247, are alfo addrefled to him.]

(A PRISONER'S JOrS—LOFE OF CHRIST— THE GOOD PART-
HEAVEN IN SIGHT.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I blefs you
for your letter ; it was a fhower to the new-mown grafs.
The Lord hath given you the tongue of the learned.
Be fruitful and humble.

It is poflible that ye may come to my cafe, or the like ; but the
water is neither fo deep, nor the ftream fo ftrong, as it is called.
I think my fire is not fo hot ; my water is dry land, my lofs rich
lofs. Oh, iff the walls of my prifon be high, wide, and large, and
the place fweet ! No man knoweth it, no man, I fay, knoweth it,
my dear brother, fo well as He and I ; no man can put it down in
black and white as my Lord hath fealed it in my heart. My poor
flock hath grown fmce I came to Aberdeen ; and if any had known
the wrong I did, in being jealous of fuch an honefl lover as Chriif ,
who withheld not His love from me, they would think the more of
it. But I fee, He muft be above me in mercy. I will never ftrive

* Feftering under the Ikin.

] ^' Oh if;'' q. d.y What will you fay if I tell you that the walls of my
prifon are, etc.

1637.] LETTER CLIL 353

with Him ; to think to recompenfe Him is folly. If I had as many
angels' tongues, as there have fallen drops of rain fmce the creation,
or as there are leaves of trees in all the forefls of the earth, or ftars
in the heaven, to praife, yet my Lord Jefus would ever be behind
with me.* We will never get our accounts fitted. A pardon mufl
clofe the reckoning ; for His comforts to me in this honourable
caufe have almofl put me beyond the bounds of modefly ; howbeit
I will not let every one know what is betwixt us. Love, love (I
mean Chrift's love), is the hotteft coal that ever I felt. Oh, but
the fmoke of it be hot ! Cafl all the fait fea on it, it will flame ;
hell cannot quench it ; many many waters will not quench love.
Chrifl: is turned over to His poor prifoner in a mafs and globe of
love. I wonder that He fhould wafte so much love upon such a
wafler as I am ; but He is no wafter, but abundant in mercy. He
hath no niggard's alms, when He is pleafed to give. Oh that I
could invite all the nation to love Him ! Free grace is an unknown
thing. This world hath heard but a bare name of Chrifl, and no
more. There are infinite plies in His love that the faints will never
win f to unfold ; I would it were better known, and that Chrifl got
more of His own due than He doth.

Brother, ye have chofen the good part, who have taken part
with Chrifl. Ye will fee Him win the field, and fliall get part of
the fpoil when He divideth it. They are but fools who laugh at
us ; for they fee but the backfide of the moon, yet our moonlight
is better than their twelve-hours' J fun. We have gotten the New
Heavens, and, as a pledge of that, the Bridegroom's love-ring. The
children of the wedding-chamber have caufe to flcip and leap for
joy ; for the marriage-fupper is drawing nigh, and we find the four-
hours' § fweet and comfortable. O time, be not flow! O fun,
move fpeedily, and haflen our banquet! O Bridegroom, be like a
roe or a young hart upon the mountains! O Well-beloved, run
fafl, that we may once || meet !

* Never get me to come up to His due. f Folds that faints will not get at.
X Noon of the day ; their fun at his beft.

§ The flight meal taken in the ,^ftemoon. || Some time or other.
VOL. I. Z

354 LETTER CLIIL [1637.

Brother, I reftrain myfelf for want of time. Pray for me ; I
hope to remember you. The good-will of Him who dwelt in the
bufh, the tender mercies of God in Chrift, enrich you. Grace be
with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CLIIL — To Bethaia Aird.

[The name Aird is not uncommon in the hiftory of the Church. Mr JVni.
Aird was a noted minifter in Edinburgh in Livingftone's days. Wodrow's
Hiftory mentions Aird of Muirkirk, and alfo John Aird of Milton. In the
memoir of Walter Pringle of Greenknow, we find James Aird was his inti-
mate friend. But whether this correfpondent was related to any of them, we
know not. She may have been fimply an Anwoth parifhioner.]

(UNBELIEF UNDER TRIALS— CHRIST'S SYMPATHY.)

ORTHY SISTER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto
you. I know that ye defire news from my prifon, and
I fhall fhow you news. At my firfl entry hither,
Chrift and I agreed not well upon it. The devil made a plea * in
the houfe, and I laid the blame upon Chrifl ; for my heart was
fraughtedf with challenges, and I feared that I was an outcaft, and
that I was but a withered tree in the vineyard, and but held the fun
off the good plants with my idle fhadow, and that, therefore, my
Mafter had given the evil fervant the fields, to fend J him. Old
guiltinefs (as witnefs) faid, " All is true." My apprehenfions were
with child of faithlefs fears, and unbelief put a feal and amen to
all. I thought myfelf in a hard cafe. Some faid I had caufe to re-
joice that Chrift had honoured me to be a witnefs for Him ; and I
faid in my heart, " Thefe are words of men, who fee but mine out-
fide, and cannot tell if I be a falfe witnefs or not."

* Controverfy, difpute. f Fully filled with felf-upbraidings.

X To fhift for himfelf in the fields; caft him out.

1637.J LETTER CLIIL ^S5

If Chrifl: had in this matter been as wilful and fhort* as I was,
my faith had gone over the brae,f and broken its neck. But we
were well met, — a hafly fool, and a wife, patient, and meek Saviour.
He took no law-advantage of my folly, but waited on till my ill-
blood was fallen, and my d rumbled J and troubled well began to
clear. He was never a whit angry at the fever-ravings of a poor
tempted finner ; but He mercifully forgave, and came (as it well be-
cometh Him), with grace and new comfort, to a finner who deferved
the contrary. And now He is content to kifs my black mouth, to
put His hand into mine, and to feed me with as many confolations
as would feed ten hungry fouls. Yet I dare not fay that He is a
waiter of comforts, for no lefs would have borne me up -, one
grain-weight lefs would have caflen § the balance.

Now, who is like to that royal King, crowned in Zion ! Where
fhall I get a feat for real Majefty to fet Him on ? If I could fet
Him as far above the heaven as thoufand thoufands of heights de-
vifed by men and angels, I fhould think Him but too low. I pray
you, for God's fake, my dear filler, to help me to praife. His love
hath neither brim nor bottom ; His love is like Himlelf, it pafiTeth
all natural underftanding. I go to fathom it with my arms ; but it
is as if a child would take the globe of fea and land in his two fhort
arms. Blefied and holy is His name! This muft be His truth
which I now fuffer for ; for He would not laugh upon a lie, nor
be witnefs with His comforts to a night-dream.

I entreat for your prayers ; and the prayer and bleiling of a
prifoner of Chrifl be upon you. Grace be with you.
Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

* Short-tempered ; hafty. t Fallen over the hill.

X Difturbed, made muddy. § Turned the fcale.

35^ LETTER CLIK [1637.

CLn^. — To Alexander Gordon of Knockgray, fiear Carjpha'irn.
(PROSPECTIFE TRIALS.)

^|EAR BROTHER, — I have not leifure to write to you.
Chrifl's ways were known to you long before I, who
^ am but a child, knew anything of Him. What wrong
and violence the prelates may, by God's permiffion, do unto you,
for your trial, I know not; but this I know, that your ten days' tribu-
lation will end. Contend to the lafl: breath for Chrift. Banifhment
out of thefe kingdoms is determined againft me, as I hear ; this land
dow* not bear me. I pray you, to recommend my cafe and bonds to
my brethren and fifters with you. I intrufl more of my fpiritual com-
fort to you and them that way, my dear brother, than to many in
this kingdom befides. I hope that ye will not be wanting to Chrift's
prifoner.

Fear nothing ; for I afTure 5'ou that Alexander Gordon of Knock-
gray fhall win away,f and get his foul for a prey. And what can
he then want that is worth the having ? Your friends are cold (as
ye write) ; and fo are thofe in w^hom I trufted much. Our Hulband
doth well in breaking our idols in pieces. Dry wells fend us to the
fountain. " My life is not dear to me, fo being I may fulfil my
courfe with joy." I fear that ye muA remove, if your new hireling
will not bear your difcountenancing of him ; for the prelate is afraid
that Chrifl get you ; and that he hath no will to.
Grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord and Mafler,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

* Is riot able to. t Get away from this world.

i637-] LETTER CLF. 357

CLV. — To Grizzel Fullerton.

[Grizzel Fullerton was the daughter of William Fullerton, Provoft
of Kirkcudbright, and Marion M ^Naught. See Let. 6.]

(THE ONE THING NEEDFUL— CHRIST'S LOVE.)

EAR SISTER, — I exhort you in the Lord, to feek your
one thing, Mary's good part, that fhall not be taken
from you. Set your heart and foul on the children's
inheritance. This clay-idol, the world, is but for baftards, and ye
are His lawfully-begotten child. Learn the way (as your dear
mother hath done before you) to knock at Chrift's door. Many an
alms of mercy hath Chrift given to her, and hath abundance behind
to give to you. Ye are the feed of the faithful, and born within
the covenant ; claim your right. I would not exchange Chrift Jefus
for ten worlds of glory. I know now (bleffed be my Teacher !)
how to fhute* the lock, and unbolt my Well-beloved's door ; and
He maketh a poor flranger welcome when He cometh to His houfe.
I am fwelled up and fatisfied with the love of Chrifl, that is better
than wine. It is a fire in my foul ; let hell and the world call
water on it, they will not mend themfelves. I have now gotten the
right gatef of Chrift. I recommend Him to you above all things.
Come and find J the fmell of His breath ; fee if His kifles be not
fweet. He defireth no better than to be much made of ; be homely §
with Him, and ye fhall be the more welcome -, ye know not how
fain Chrifl would have all your love. Think not this is imagina-
tion and bairns' play, which we make din for. |1 I would not fuiFer
for it, if it were fo. I dare pawn my heaven for it, that it is the
way to glory. Think much of truth, and abhor thefe ways devifed
by men in God's worfhip.

* Shove back. f ^V'ay of dealing with. X Feel ; or find out.

$ At home with; familiar. 11 Make fo much noife about.

358 ■ LETTER CLVL [1637.

The grace of Chrifl be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jeius,

8. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

CLVL— 21? Patrick Carsen.

[This was, perhaps, the fon of John Carfen, formerly noticed. See
Let. 127.]

{EARLY DEFOTEDNESS TO CHRIST.)

EAR AND LOVING FRIEND,— I cannot but, upon
the opportunity of a bearer, exhort you to refign the
JJ love of your youth to Chrift ; and in this day, while
your fun is high and your youth ferveth you, to feek the Lord and
His face. For there is nothing out of heaven fo necefTary for you as
Chrifl. And ye cannot be ignorant but your day will end, and the
night of death fhall call you from the pleafures of this life : and a
doom given out in death Aandeth for ever — as long as God liveth !
Youth, ordinarily, is a poft and ready fervant for Satan, to run
errands ; for it is a nefl for lufl:, curfmg, drunkennefs, blafpheming
of God, lying, pride, and vanity. Oh, that there were fuch an
heart in you as to fear the Lord, and to dedicate your foul and
body to His fervice ! When the time cometh that your eye-ftrings
{haU break, and your face wax pale, and legs and arms tremble,
and your breath fhaU grow cold, and your poor foul look out at
your priibn houfe of clay, to be fet at liberty ; then a good con-
fcience, and your Lord's favour, fhall be worth all the world's glory.
Seek it as your garland and crown.
Grace be with you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, lA;,;.

637-] LETTER CLVII. 359

CLVIL— -r^ Carleton.

[Livingftone, in his Charaderiftics, mentions two peiibns of this name -.
^* Fullerton of Carleton^ in Galloway, a grave and cheerful Chriftian;" and
** Cathcart of Carleton, in Carrick, an old, experienced Chriftian," in much
repute among the religious of his day, for his fkill in folving cafes of con-
fcience, and dealing with perfons under fpiritual afflidion. But it feems clear
that Rutherford's correspondent was John Fullerton of Carleton^ in the parifh of
Borgue. For, in Let. 15, he is fpoken of as in Galloway. In the ^* Minutes
of Comm. of Covenanters," we find the following eftates put fide by fide, all
of them a few miles from Anwoth, viz., ^^ Roberton and Carleton ^ Caillie and
Rufco, Carfiuth and Caflincarrie." His lady's name appears prefixed to Let.
256.

This, too, was the Carleton that wrote the Acroftic on Marion M^ Naught
(fee note on Let. 5). He was author of a poem — ^* The Turtle Doi^e^ under
the abfence and prefence of her only Choice. 1664," — dedicated by the author
to Lady Jane Campbell, Vifcountefs Kenmure, with whom he was conneded.
The only copy known is in pofleflion of Mr Nicholfon, Kirkcudbright. He
alfo wrote * * A Manifefto of the Kingdom of Scotland in favour of the League
and Covenant," in verfe. (See ^^ Minutes of Comm. of Covenanters.")]

{INCREASING SENSE OF CHRIST'S LOFE— RESIGNATION—
DEADNESS TO EARTH— TEMPTATIONS^ INFIRMITIES.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— I wiU not impute your not
writing to me to forgetfulnefs. However, I have One
above who forgetteth me not — nay, He groweth in His
kindnels. It hath pleafed His holy Majefty to take me from the
pulpit, and teach me many things, in my exile and priibn, that were
myfteries to me before.

I fee His bottomlefs and boundlefs love and kindnels, and my
jealoufies and ravings, which, at my firft entry into this furnace,
were fo foolifh and bold, as to fay to Chrifl, who is truth itfelf, in
His face, " Thou liefl." I had well nigh loft my grips.* I won-
dered if it was Chriil or not ; for the mift and fmoke of my per-

Firm hold.

36o LETTER CLFII. [1637.

turbed heart made me miftake my Mafter, Jefus. My faith was
dim, and hope frozen and cold ; and my love, which caufed
jealoufies, had fome warmnefs, and heat, and fmoke, but no flame
at all. (Yet I was looking for fome good of Chrill's old claim to
me.) I thought I had forfeited all my rights. But the tempter
was too much upon my counfels, and was ilill blowing the coal.
Alas ! I knew not well before how good fkill my Interceflbr and
Advocate, Chrift, hath of pleading, and of pardoning me fuch follies.
Now He is returned to my foul with healing under His wings ; and
I am nothing behind with Chrifl: * now ; for He hath overpaid me,
by His prefence, the pain I was put to by on-waiting, and any little
lofs that I fuflained by my witnefling againfl the wrongs done to
Him. I trow it was a pain to my Lord to hide Himfelf any longer.
In a manner. He was challengingf His own unkindnefs, and repented
Him of His glooms. J And now, what want I on earth that Chrift
can give to a poor prifoner ? Oh, how fweet and lovely is He now !
Alas ! that I can get none to help me to lift up my Lord Jefus
upon His throne, above all the earth.

id/y, I am now brought to fome meafure of fubmiflion, and I
refolve to wait till I fee what my Lord Jefus will do with me. I
dare not now nickname, or fpeak one word againft, the all-feeing
and over-watching providence of my Lord. I fee that providence
runneth not on broken wheels. But I, like a fool, carved a provi-
dence for my own eafe, to die in my neft, and to fleep flill till my
grey hairs, and to lie on the funny fide of the mountain, in my
miniflry at Anwoth. But now I have nothing to fay againfl a
borrowed firefide, and another man's houfe, nor Kedar's tents,
where I live, being removed far from my acquaintance, my lovers,
and my friends. I fee that God hath the world on His wheels, and
cafteth it as a potter doth a vefTel on the wheel. I dare not fay
that there is any inordinate or irregular motion in providence. The
I^ord hath done it. I will not go to law with Chrift, for I would
gain nothing of that.

* Chrilt has paid mc all my claim. t Rebuking. t Frowns.

1637-] LETTER CLVIL 361

3^/y, I have learned fome greater mortification ; and not to
mourn after, or feek to fuck, the world's dry breads. Nay, my
Lord hath filled me with fuch dainties, that I am like to a full
banqueter, who is not for common cheer. What have I to do to
fall down upon my knees, and worfhip mankind's great idol, the
world ^ I have a better God than any claygod : nay, at prefent,
as I am now difpofed, I care not much to give this world a difcharge
of my life-rent of it, for bread and water. I know that it is not
my home, nor my Father's houfe ; it is but His foot-ftool, the outer
clofe* of His houfe. His out-fields and muir-ground. Let baftards
take it. I hope never to think myfelf in its common, f for honour
or riches. Nay, now, I fay to laughter, " Thou art madnefs."

^hly, I find it to be moft true, that the greatefl temptation out of
hell, is, to live without temptations. If my waters fhould fland, they
would rot. Faith is the better of the free air, and of the fharp
winter ftorm in its face. Grace withereth without adverfity. The
devil is but God's mailer fencer, to teach us to handle our weapons.

^thly, I never knew how weak I was, till now when He hideth
Himfelf, and when I have Him to feek, feven times a day. I am a
dry and withered branch, and a piece of dead carcafs, dry bones,
and not able to ftep over a flraw. The thoughts of my old fms,
are as the fummons of death to me , and my late brother's cafe
hath flricken me to the heart. When my wounds are clofmg, a
little ruffle J caufeth them to bleed afrefh ; {o thin-fkinned is my
foul, that I think it is like a tender man's fkin that may touch nothing.
Ye fee how fhort I would fhoot of the prize, if His grace were not
fufficient for me.

Wo is me for the day of Scotland ! Wo, wo is me for my
harlot-mother ; for the decree is gone forth ! Women of this land
fhall call the childlefs and mifcarrying wombs bleffed. The anger
of the Lord is gone forth, and fhall not return, till He perform the
purpofe of His heart againft Scotland. Yet He fhall make Scotland

* The lane, or paflage, forming the entry to the houle.

t Under obligation to. % It is written ^^ rifle/' in old editions.

362 LETTER CLVIIL [1637.

a new, {harp inftrument, having teeth to threfh the mountains, and
fan the hills as chafF.

The prifoner's blelTing be upon you.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637.

QlN\ll.—To the Lady Busbie. [See Let. 133.]

(CHRIST ALL'tVORTHT AND BEST AT OUR LOWESTSINFULNESS
OF THE LAND— PRAYERS.)

ISTRESS, — I know that ye are thinking ibmetimes what
Chrift is doing in Zion, and that the haters of Zion
may get the bottom of our cup, and the burning coals
of our furnace that we have been tried in, thofe many years bygone.
Oh, that this nation would be awakened to cry mightily unto God,
for the fetting up of a new tabernacle to Chrifl in Scotland. Oh,
if this kingdom knew how worthy Chrifl: were of His room ! His
worth was ever above man's eflimation of Him.

And for myfelf I am pained at the heart, that I cannot find my-
Idf difpofed to leave myfelf and go wholly into Chrifl. Alas, that
there fhould be one bit of me out of Him, and that we leave too
much liberty and latitude for ourfelves, and our own eafe, and
credit, and pleafures, and fo little room for all-love-worthy Chrift !
Oh, what pains and charges it cofleth Chrifl ere He get us ! and
when all is done, we are not worth the having. It is a wonder
that He fhould feek the like of us. But love overlooketh blacknefs
and fecklefTnefs -, * for if it had not been fo, Chrifl would never
have made fo fair and blefTed a bargain with us as the covenant of
grace is. I find that in all our fufFerings Chrift is but redding
marches, f that every one of us may lay, " Mine, and thine ;" and

* Worthlefs, iifelcflhefs. f Settling the boundaries.

1637.] LETTER CLVIIL 363

that men may know by their crofles, how weak a bottom nature is
to ftand upon in trial ; that the end which our Lord intendeth, in
all our fufPerings, is to bring grace into court* and requeft, amongfl
us. I fhould fuccumb and come fhort of heaven, if I had no more
than my own ftrength to fupport me ; and if Chrift (hould say to
me, " Either do or die," it were eafy to determine what fhould
become of me. The choice were eafy, for I behoved to die if
Chrirt fhould pafs by with ftraitened bowels ; and who then
would take us up in our ftraits .? I know we may fay that Chrifl
is kindeft in His love, when we are at our weakeft -, and that if
Chrift had not been to the fore,f in our fad days, the waters had
gone over our foul. His mercy hath a fet period, and appointed
place, how far and no farther the fea of affliction fhall flow, and
where the waves thereof fhall be flayed. He prefcribeth how
much pain and forrow, both for weight and meafure, we mufl
have. Ye have, then, good caufe to recall your love from all lovers,
and give it to Chrifl. He who is afflifted in all your afHi(Slions,
looketh not on you in your fad hours with an infenfible heart or
dry eyes.

All the Lord's faints may fee that it is lofl love which is be-
llowed upon this perifhing world. Death and judgment will make
men lament that ever their mifcarrying hearts carried them to lay
and lavifh out their love upon falfe appearances and night-dreams.
Alas ! that Chrifl fhould fare the worfe, becaufe of His own good-
nefs in making peace and the Gofpel to ride together ; and that we
have never yet weighed the worth of Chrift in His ordinances, and
that we are like to be deprived of the well, ere we have tafted the
fweetnefs of the water. It may be that with watery eyes, and a
wet face, and wearied feet, we feek Chrifl:, and fliall not find Him.
Oh, that this land were humbled in time, and by prayers, cries,
and humiliation, would bring Chrifl in at the Church-door again,
now when His back is turned toward us, and He is gone to the
threfhhold, and His one foot, as it were, is out of the door ! I am

Into favour. f If Chrift had not been exifting ftill.

364 LETTER CLIX. [1637,

fure that His departure is our deferving ; we have bought it with
our iniquities ; for even the Lord's own children are fallen aileep,
and, alas ! profeflbrs are made all of fhows and fafhions, and are
not at pains to recover themfelves again. Every one hath his fet
meafure of faith and holinefs, and contenteth himfelf with but a
ftinted meafure of godlinefs, as if that were enough to bring him to
heaven. We forget that as our gifts and light grow, fo God's gain
and the intereft of His talents, fhould grow alfo ; and that we can-
not pay God with the old ufe and wont (as we ufe to fpeak) which
we gave Him feven years ago ; for this were to mock the Lord,
and to make price with Him as we lift. Oh, what difficulty is there
in our Chriftian journey, and how often come we ftiort of many
thoufand things that are Chrift's due ! and we confider not, how
far our dear Lord is behind with us.

Miftrefs, I cannot render you thanks, as I would, for your
kindnefs to my brother, an oppreffed ftranger ; but I remember
you unto the Lord as I am able. I entreat you to think upon me,
His prifoner, and pray that the Lord would be pleafed to give me
room to fpeak to His people in His name.

Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord and Mafter,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CLIX. — To John Fleming, Bailie of Leith.

{DIRECriONS FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT).

ORTHY AND DEARLY BELOVED IN THE
LORD, — Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I
received your letter. I wi(h that I could fatisfy your

defire in drawing up, and framing for you, a Chriftian directory.

But the learned have done it before me, more judicioufly than I can ;

1637.] LETTER CLIX, 365

efpeciallyMr Rogers,* Greenham,-|- and Perkins. J Notwithftand-
ing, I fhall fhow you what I would have been at myfelf ; howbeit
I came always fhort of my purpofe.

1. That hours of the day, lefs or more time, for the word and
prayer, be ^ven to God, not fparing the twelfth hour, or mid-day,
howbeit it fhould then be the ihorter time.

2. In the midfl of worldly employments, there fhould be fome
thoughts of fm, death, judgment, and eternity, with at leaft a word
or two of ejaculatory prayer to God.

3. To beware of wandering of heart in private prayers.

4. Not to grudge, howbeit ye come from prayer without fenfe of
joy. Down-cafting, fenfe of guiltinefs, and hunger, are often beft for us.

5. That the Lord's-day, from morning to night, be fpent always
either in private or public worfhip.

6. That words be obferved, wandering and idle thoughts be
avoided, fudden anger and defire of revenge, even of fuch as perfe-
cute the truth, be guarded againft ; for we often mix our zeal with
our wild-fire.

* Dr Daniel Rogers, a Puritan divine, author of a treatife called ^^ David's
Coft ; or, What it will coft to ferve God aright ; " ^^ A Practical Catechifm ;"
^* Naaman the Syrian," and others. He was bom in 1573, educated at Cam-
bridge, fuffered from the perfecution of Laud, and died in 1652, at the age of
eighty. He was a man of great talents, deep humility and devotion, but of a
temper fo bold that a friend faid of him, ^^ He had grace enough for t<wo men,
but not enough for himfelf."

t Richard Greenham, a Puritan, who was bom in 153 1, and died of the
plague 1 5 9 1 . He was the author of feveral fermons and praftical treatifes. (See
Brooke's Li-ves of the Puritans y vol. ii., pp. 448.)

% Dr Wm. Perkins, an Englifh divine, who lived in the end of the fixteenth
century, and was the author of feveral pra<5tical and dodrinal treatifes; among
others, the one here referred to, ^^ A Cafe of Confcience, and Thirteen Princi-
ples of Religion," publifhed after his death. He was a ftridl Calvinifl, and
took part in the controverfy againft Arminianifm. He ufed fo to apply the
terrors of the law to the confcience, that oftentimes his hearers fell down before
him. It was alfo faid that he pronounced the word ** Damnation'' with fuch
an emphafis and pathos as left a doleful echo in the ear long after. He wrote
on all his books, ^ ^ Thou art a minifter of the ^^^ord : mind thy bufinefs."

366 LETTER CLIX. [1637.

7. That known, difcovered, and revealed fins, that are againft
the confcience, be efchewed, as moft dangerous preparatives to
hardnefs of heart.

8. That in dealing with men, faith and truth in covenants and
trafficking be regarded, that we deal with all men in fmcerity ;
that confcience be made of idle and lying words ; and that our car-
riage be fuch, as that they who fee it may fpeak honourably of our
fweet Mafter and profeffion.

9. I have been much challenged,* I. For not referring all to
God as the laft end ; that I do not eat, drink, deep, journey, fpeak,
and think for God. 2. That I have not benefited by good com-
pany ; and that I left not fome word of conviftion, even upon natu-
ral and wicked men, as by reproving fwearing in them ; or becaufe
of being a filent witnefs to their loofe carriage ; and becaufe I in-
tended not in all companies to do good. 3. That the woes and
calamities of the ICirk, and of particular profefTors, have not moved
me. 4. That at the reading of the life of David, Paul, and the like,
when it humbled me, I (coming fo far fhort of their holinefs)
laboured not to imitate them, afar off at leajft, according to the
meafure of God's grace. 5. That unrepented fms of youth were
not looked to, and lamented for. 6. That fudden flirrings of pride,
luft, revenge, love of honours, were not refifted and mourned for.
7. That my charity was cold. 8. That the experiences I had of God's
hearing me, in this and the other particular, being gathered, yet in a
new trouble I had always (once at leafl) my faith to feek, as if I were
to begin at A, B, C, again. 9. That I have not more boldly contra-
dicSled the enemies fpeaking againfl the truth, either in public church
meetings, or at tables, or ordinary conference. lo. That in great
troubles I have received falfe reports of Chrifl's love, and misbelieved
Him in His chaflening ; whereas the event hath faid, " All was ifi
mercy-," 1 1. Nothing more moveth me, and weightethf my foul,

* Rebuked.

t Weighed down with fadnefs. *^ Death did not weight the martyrs when
it was laid on them," occurs in one of his fermons.

1637.] LETTER CLIX. 367

than that I could never from* my heart, in my profperity, fo wreftle
in prayer with God, nor be fo dead to the world, fo hungry and fick
of love for Chrifl:, fo heavenly-minded, as when ten ftone-weight of
a heavy crofs was upon me. 12. That the crofs extorted vows of
new obedience, which eafe hath blown away, as chaff before the
wind. 13. That praftice was fo fhort and narrow, and light fo long
and broad. 14. That death hath not been often meditated upon.
I v That I have not been careful of gaining others to Chrift.
16. That my grace and gifts bring forth little or no thankfulnefs.

There are fome things, alfo, whereby I have been helped : as,
I. I have been benefited by riding alone a long journey, in giving
that time to prayer. 2. By abftinence, and giving days to God. 3.
By praying for others ; for by making an errand to God for them,
I have gotten fomething for myfelf. 4. I have been really con-
firmed, in many particulars, that God heareth prayers ; and, there-
fore, I ufed to pray for anything, of how little importance foever.
5. He enabled me to make no queAion, that this mocked way,
which is nicknamed, is the only way to heaven.

Sir, thefe and many more occurrences in your life, fhould be
looked unto; and, I. Thoughts of Atheifm fhould be watched
over, as, " If there be a God in heaven ?" which will trouble and
afTault the befl, at fome times. 2. Growth in grace fhould be cared
for above all things ; and falling from our firft love mourned for.
3. Confcience made of praying for the enemies, who are blinded.

Sir, I thank you mofl kindly for the care of my brother, and of
me alfo. I hope it is laid up for you, and remembered in heaven.

I am {till afhamed with Chrift's kindnefs to fuch a fmner as I
am. He hath left a fire in my heart, that hell cannot cafl water on,
to quench or extinguifh it. Help me to praife, and pray for me ,
for ye have a prifoner's blefTmg and prayers.

Remember my love to your wife. Grace be with you. Yours
in Chrift Jefus,

Aberdeen, March 15, 1637. S. R.

* Should probably be ^^from;' though it is *^ for," in other editions.

368 LETTER CLX. [1637.

CLX. — To Alexander Gordon of Earljloti,

(HUNGERING AFTER CHRIST HIMSELF RATHER THAN HIS

LOFE.)

iUCH HONOURED AND WORTHY SIR,— Grace,

mercy, and peace be unto you. — I long to hear from
you. I have received few letters fmce I came hither ;
I am in need of a word. A dry plant fhould have fome watering.
My cafe betwixt Chrifi: my Lord, and me, ftandeth between
love and jealoufy, faith and fufpicion of His love ; it is a marvel He
keepeth houfe with me. I make many pleas* with Chrift, but He
maketh as many agreements with me. I think His unchangeable
love hath faid, *' I defy thee to break Me and change Me." If
Chrift had fuch changeable and new thoughts of my falvation as I
have of it, I think I fhould then be at a fad lofs. He humoureth
not a fool like me in my unbelief, but rebuketh me, and fathereth
kindnefs upon me. Chrift is more like the poor friend and needy
prifoner begging love, than I am. I cannot, for fhame, get Chriil
faid " nay" of my whole love, for He will not want His errand for
the feeking. God be thanked that my Bridegroom tireth not of
wooing. Honour to Him ! He is a wilful fuitor of my foul.
But as love is His, pain is mine, that I have nothing to give Him.
His account-book is full of my debts of mercy, kindnefs, and free
love towards me. Oh that I might read with watery eyes ! Oh
that He would give me the interefl of intereft to pay back ! Or
rather, my foul's defire is, that He would comprifef my perfon, foul
and body, love, joy, confidence, fear, forrow, and defire, and drivej
the poind, and let me be rouped,§ and fold to Chrifi, and taken
home to my creditor's houfe and firefide.

* Quarrels. t Arreft by a civil procefs, by writ.

JDriveaway the cattlethathas been feized, is the primary meaning of the term.
§ Set up by public auction to fale.

1637.] LETTER CLX. 369

The Lord knoweth that, if I could, I would fell mylelf without
reverfion to Chrifl:. O fweet Lord Jefus, make a market, and
overbid all my buyers ! I dare fwear, that there is a myftery in
Chrift which I never faw •, a myflery of love. Oh,, if He would
lay by* the lap of the covering that is over it, and let my greeningf
foul fee it ! I would break the door, and be in upon Him, to get
a wombful of love ; for I am an hungered and famiflied foul. O,
fir, if you, or any other, would tell Him how fick my foul is, dying
for want of a hearty draught of Chrifl's love ! Oh, if I could dote
(if I may make ufe of that word in this cafe) as much upon Himfelf
as I do upon His love ! It is a pity that Chrift Himfelf fhould not
rather be my heart's choice, than Chrifl's manifefled love. It would
fatisfy me, in fome meafure, if I had any bud \ to give for His love.
Shall I offer Him my praifes ? Alas ! He is more than praifes. I
give it over to get Him exalted according to His worth, which is
above what can be known.

Yet all this time I am tempting Him, to fee if § there be both love
and anger in Him againft me. I am plucked from His flock (dear
to me !), and from feeding His lambs ; I go, therefore, in fackcloth,
as one who hath loft the wife of His youth. Grief and forrow are
fuspicious, and fpew out againft Him the fmoke of jealoufies ; and
I fay often, " Show me wherefore Thou contendeft with me. Tell
me, O Lord : read the procefs againft me." But I know that I
cannot anfwer His allegations -, I ftiall lofe the caufe when it cometh
to open pleading. Oh, if I could force my heart to believe dreams
to be dreams ! Yet when Chrift giveth my fears the lie, and faith
to me, " Thou art a liar," then I am glad. I refolve to hope to be
quiet, and to lie on the brink on my fide, till the water fall and the
ford be ridable. || And, howbeit there be pain upon me, in lon^ng
for deliverance that I may fpeak of Him in the great congregation,
yet I think there is joy in that pain and on-waiting ; and I even re-
joice that He putteth me off for a time, and fhifteth me. Oh, if I

* Put afide. \ Eameftly longing. % Bribe.

§ As if I wifhed to find out. || Can be crofled on horfeback

VOL. I. A A

370 LETTER CLX, [1637.

could wait on for all eternity, howbeit I fhould never get my foul's
defire, fo being He were glorified ! I would wilh my pain and my
miniflry could live long to ferve Him ; for I know that I am a clay
veflel, and made for His ufe. Oh, if my very broken fherds could
ferve to glorify Him ! I defire Chrifl's grace to be willingly content,
that my hell (excepting His hatred and difpleafure, which I put out
of all play, for fubmiflion to this is not called for) were a preaching
of His glory to men and angels for ever and ever ! When all is
done, what can I add to Him ? or what can fuch a clay-fhadow as
I do ? I know that He needeth not me. I have caufe to be grieved,
and to melt away in tears, if I had grace to do it (Lord, grant it to
me !), to fee my Well-beloved's fair face fpitted upon by dogs, to
fee loons * pulling the crown off my royal King's head ; to fee
my harlot-mother and my fweet Father agree fo ill, that they are
going to fkailf and give up houle. My Lord's palace is now a neft
of unclean birds. Oh, if harlot, harlot Scotland, would ruej upon
her provoked Lord, and pity her good Husband, who is broken
with her whorifh heart ! But thefe things are hid from her eyes.

I have heard of late of your new trial by the Bifliop of Gallo-
way. § Fear not clay, worms' meat. Let truth and Chrifl get no
wrong in your hand. It is your gain if Chrifl be glorified ; and
your glory to be Chrifl's witnefs. I perfuade you, that your fufFer-
ings are Chrifl's advantage and victory ; for He is pleafed to reckon
them fo. Let me hear from you. Chrift is but winning a clean
kirk out of the fire -, He will win this play. He will not be in your
common || for any charges ye are at in His fervice. He is not poor.

* Worthlefs fcoundrels. f To part ; break up and difperfe. % Repent.

§ The Bifhop of Galloway held this year a High Commiffion Court in
Galloway, in which, befides fining fome gentlemen, and confining the magis-
trates of Kirkcudbright to Wigtown, for matters of nonconformity, he fined
Gordon of Earlfton for his abfence, five hundred merks (about L.a8), and fen-
tenced him to be confined to Montrofe. {Baillies Letters and Journals^ This,
no doubt, is the *^ new trial by the Bifhop of Galloway," to which Ruther-
ford refers. See notice of Alexander Gordon of Earlfton, Let. 59.

II Under obligation to.

1637.] LETTER CLXI. 371

to fit in your debt ; He will repay an hundred-fold more, it may be,
even in this life.

The prayers and bleffings of Ghrift's prifoner be with you.
Your brother, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

Aberdeen, 1637. ^' I^*

CLXI. — To John Stuart, Provoft of Ayr.

[John Stuart, Provoft of Ayr, is defcribed by Livingftone as ^' a godly
and zealous Chriftian of a long ftanding," for he had, from his earlieft years,
been imprefled with a fenfe of religion. Inheriting, after the death of his
father, confiderable property, he largely applied it to benevolent purpofes.
Such was his difintereftednefs and love to thofe who were the friends of Chrift
and His truth, that he called a number of them whofe diftrefled and ftraitened
condition he knew, to meet with him in Edinburgh, and after fome time fpent
in prayer, told them he had brought a little money to lend to each of them,
which they were not to offer to pay back till he required it, at the fame time
requiring them to promife not to make this known during his life. Not long
after (the plague raging with feverity in Ayr, and trade becoming, in confe-
quence, much depreffed) he himfelf fell into pecuniary difficulties, which made
him at that time remove from the country. Borrowing a little money, he went
over to France, and coming to Rochelle, loaded a fhip with fait and other
commodities, which he purchafed upon credit at a very cheap rate, there
having been little or no trading there for a long time. He then returned the
neareft way to England, and thence to Ayr, in expectation of the fhip's re-
turn. After waiting long he was informed that it was taken by the Turks,
which, confidering the lofs which others in that cafe would fuftain, much
afflid:ed him. But it at laft arrived in the road ; and it was on this occafion
that his friend John Kennedy, going out to the vefTel in a fmall boat, was
driven away by a ftorm. (See notice of Kennedy, Letter 75.) Stuart having
fold the commodities which he brought from France, not only was enabled by
the profits to pay all his debts, but cleared twenty thoufand merks. {Flemings
Fulfilling of the Scriptures^ He joined with Mr Blair, Mr Livingftone, and
others, in their intended emigration to New England ; but they were forced,
from the tempeftuous ftate of the weather, to return. This good man was
much afflidled on his death-bed. One day he faid, ^^ I teftifv^, that except
when I flept, or was in bufinefs, I was not thefe ten years without thoughts
of God, fo long as I would be in going from my own houfe to the crofs ; and
yet I doubt myfelf, and am in great agony, yea, at the brink of defpair."
But a day or two before he died, all his doubts were difpelled ; and to Mr
Fergufon, the pious minifter of Ayr, he faid, referring to his ftruggle with

372 LETTER CLXL [1637.

temptations at that time, ^^ I Tiave been fighting and working out my falva-
tion with fear and trembling, and now I blefs God it is perfected, fealed, con-
firmed, and all fears are gone."]

{COMMERCIAL MIS FOR TUNES— SERFICE-BOOK— BLESSEDNESS

OF TRIAL.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be unto you. I long to hear from you, being now
removed from my flock, and the prifoner of Chrift at
Aberdeen. I would not have you to think it ftrange that your
journey to New England hath gotten fuch a dalh.* It indeed hath
made my heart heavy ; yet I know it is no dumb providence, but a
fpeaking one, whereby our Lord fpeaketh His mind to you, though
for the prefent ye do not well underfl:and what He faith. However it
be. He who fltteth upon the floods hath fliown you His marvellous
kindnefs in the great depths. I know that your lofs is great, and
your hope is gone far againfl: you ; but I entreat you, fir, expound
aright our Lord's laying all hindrances in the way. I perfuade my-
felf that your heart aimeth at the footfleps of the flock, to feed
befide the fhepherds' tents, and to dwell befide Him whom your
foul loveth ; and that it is your defire to remain in the wildernefs,
where the Woman is kept from the Dragon, And this being your
defire, remember that a poor prifoner of Chrifl faid it to you, that
that mifcarried journey is with child to you of mercy and confola-
tion ; and fhall bring forth a fair birth, on which the Lord will
attend. Wait on ; "He that believeth maketh not hafl:e."f

I hope that ye have been aflcing what the Lord meaneth, and
what further may be His will, in reference to your return. My
dear brother, let God make of you what He will. He will end all
with confolation, and will make glory out of your fuflerings ; and
would you wifh better work ? This water was in your way to
heaven, and written in your Lord's book ; ye behoved to crofs it,
and, therefore, kifs His wife and unerring providence. Let not the
cenfures of men, who fee but the outfide of things, and fcarce well

* See note at Let. 63. f I fa. xxviii. 16.

1637.] LETTER CLXL 373

that, abate your courage and rejoicing in the Lord. Howbeit your
faith feeth but the black fide of providence ; yet it hath a better
fide, and God will let you fee it. Learn to believe Chrift better
than His ftrokes, Himfelf and His promifes better than His glooms.*
Dafhes and difappointments are not canonical Scripture ; fighting
for the promifed land feemed to cry to God's promife, "Thou
liefl." If our Lord ride upon a ftraw, His horfe fhall neither
flumble nor fall. " For we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God ;"f ergo, ihipwreck, loffes, &:c., work
together for the good of them that love God. Hence I infer, that
loffes, difappointments, ill-tongues, lofs of friends, houfes, or country,
are God's workmen, fet on work to work out good to you, out of
everything that befalleth you. Let not the Lord's dealing feem
harfh, rough, or unfatherly, becaule it is unpleafant. When the
Lord's bleffed will bloweth acrofs your defires, it is beft, in humility,
to ilrike fail to Him, and to be willing to be led any way our Lord
pleafeth. It is a point of denial of yourfelf, to be as if ye had not
a will, but had made a free difpofition of it to God, and had fold it
over to Him ; and to make ufe of His will for your own is both
true holinefs, and your eafe and peace. Ye know not what the
Lord is working out of this, but ye fhall know it hereafter.

And what I write to you, I write to your wife. I compaffion-
ate her cafe, but entreat her not to fear nor faint. This journey is
a part of her wildernefs to heaven and the promifed land, and there
are fewer miles behind. It is nearer the dawning of the day to
her than when fhe went out of Scotland. I fhould be glad to hear
that ye and fhe have comfort and courage in the Lord.

Now, as concerning our Kirk ; our Service-book is ordained,
by open proclamation and found of trumpet, to be read in all the
kirks of the kingdom.:): Our prelates are to meet this month about

* Frowns. f Rom. viii. 28.

X The Service-book, or Liturgy, at this time impofed upon Scotland, was
jufl that of England, but containing numerous alterations. The Ad of Privy
Council, enjoining the ufe of the Service-book, is dated 20th December 1636 ;
and it was next day proclaimed at the crofs of Edinburgh : but it was not

374 LETTER CLXL [1637.

our Canons,* and for a reconciliation betwixt us and the Lutherans.
The ProfefTors of Aberdeen Univerfity are charged to draw up the
Articles of an uniform ConfeiTion ; but reconciliation with Popery
is intended. This is the day of Jacob's vifitation ; the ways of
Zion mourn, our gold is become dim, the fun is gone down upon
our prophets. A dry wind, but neither to fan nor to cleanfe, is
coming upon this land ; and all our ill is coming from the multi-
plied tranfgreffions of this land, and from the friends and lovers of
Babel among us. " The violence done to me and to my flefh be
upon thee, Babylon, fhall the inhabitant of Zion fay ; and. My
blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, fhall Jerufalem fay."f

publifhed till towards the end of May 1637. Its title is, ^^TheBookeof
Common Prayer and Adminiftration of the Sacraments and other parts of
Divine Service, for the use of the Church of Scotland. Edinburgh, 1637."
This book was extremely obnoxious to the great body of the minifters and
people of Scotland, both from the manner of its introduction, which was by
the fole authority of the King, without the Church having been even confulted
in the matter, and from the dod:rines which it contained, in which it ap-
proached nearer to the Roman mififal than the Englifh liturgy. It was drawn
up by James AVedderbum, Bifhop of Dunblane, and John Maxwell, Bifhop
of Rofs, wnth the afliftance of Sydferff, Bifhop of Galloway, and Ballenden,
Bifhop of Aberdeen. It was revifed by Archbifhop Laud, and Wren,
Bifhop of Norwich. Kirkton mentions that he faw the original copy cor-
reded by Laud's own hands, and that all his corredions approached towards
Popery and the Roman miflal. {Kirkton s Hi/iory^ p. 30.)

* The Book of Canons was, in obedience to the King's orders, drawn up
b/ four of the Scottifh bifhops, — Sydferff of Galloway, Maxwell of Rofs,
Billenden of Aberdeen, and Whiteford of Dunblane. After being fubmitted
to Archbifhop Laud and two other Englifh prelates for revifal, it received
the Royal fandion, and became law in 1635. This book, like the Service-
book which followed it, was extremely unpopular in Scotland, becaufe it was
impofed folely by Royal authority, and fi-om the nature of the canons them-
felves, which prefcribed a variety of ceremonial and fuperftitious rites in the
obfervance of baptifm and the Lord's Supper ; invefted bifhops with uncon-
trollable power ; inculcated the dodrine of the King's fupremacy in matters
ecclefiaftical as well as civil, — affirming that no meeting of General AfTembly
could be held un'efs called by the King's authority ; and introduced other in-
novations equally arbitrary and obnoxious.

t Jer. li. :.s

1637.] LETTER CLXL 375

Now for myielf : I was three days before the High Commiflion,
and accufed of treafon preached againft our ICing. (A minifler
being witnefs, went well nigh to fwear it.) God hath faved me
from their malice, ifl. They have deprived me of my miniftry ;
2dly, Silenced me, that I exercife no part of the miniflerial function
within this kingdom, under the pain of rebellion ; '^dly, Confined
my perfon within the town of Aberdeen, where I find the minifters
working for my confinement in Caithnefs or Orkney, far from them,
becaufe fome people here (willing to be edified) refort to me. At
my firfl entry, I had heavy challenges* within me, and a court
fencedf (but I hope not in Chrifl's name), wherein it was afierted
that my Lord would have no more of my fervices, and was tired of
me ; and, like a fool, I fummoned Chrift alfo for unkindnefs. My
foul fainted, and I refufed comfort, and faid, " What ailed Chrift at
me ^ for I defired to be faithful in His houfe." Thus, in my rov-
ings;]: and mifi:akings, my Lord Jefus beflowed mercy on me, who
am lefs than the leafi of all faints. I lay upon the dufl, and bought
a plea from Satan againft Chrift, and He was content to fell it. But
at length Chrift did fhow Himfelf friends with me, and in mercy
pardoned and pafled my part of it, and only complained that a court
fhould be holden in His bounds without His allowance. Now I
pafs from my compearance ; § and, as if Chrift had done the fault,
He hath made the mends, || and returned to my foul ; fo that now
His poor prifoner feedeth on the feafts of love. My adverfaries
know not what a courtier I am now with my Royal King, for whofe
crown I now fufFer. It is but our foft and lazy flefh that hath
raifed an ill report of the crofs of Chrift. O fweet, fweet is His
yoke ! Chrifl's chains are of pure gold ; fufferings for Him are
perfumed. I would not ^ve my weeping for the laughing of all
the fourteen prelates ; f I would not exchange my fadnefs with
the world's joy. O lovely, lovely Jefus, how fweet mufi: thy kifies

* Upbraidings. f Conftituted. % Wanderings, like one out ofhis mind.

§ Appearing in court in obedience to legal citation.

II Made up for the wrong.

^ Fourteen was the number of bilhops in Scotland.

37^ LETTER CLXIL [1637.

be, when thy crofs fmelleth fo fweetly ! Oh, if all the three king-
doms had part of my love-feaft, and of the comfort of a dawted*
prifoner !

Dear Brother, I charge you to praife for me, and to feek help
of our acquaintance there to help me to praife. Why fhould I
fmother Chrifl's honefly to me ? My heart is taken up with this,
that my filence and fufPerings may preach. I befeech you in the
bowels of Chrifl, to help me to praife. Remember my love to
your wife, to Mr Blair, and Mr Livingftone, and Mr Cunningham.
Let me hear from you, for I am anxious what to do. If I faw a
call for New England, I would follow it. Grace be with you.
Yours in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CLXIL — To John Stuart, Provoji of Ayr.

{THE BURDEN OF A SILENCED MINISTER^SPIRITUAL
SHORTCOMINGS,)

m

UCH HONOURED AND DEAREST IN CHRIST,

— Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and
from our Lord Jefus Chrift, be upon you.
I expected the comfort of a letter to a prifoner from you, ere
now. I am here, Sir, putting offf a part of my inch of time ; and
when I awake firft in the morning (which is always with great
heavinefs and fadnefs), this queftion is brought to my mind, " Am
I ferving God or not ? " Not that I doubt of the truth of this
honourable caufe wherein I am engaged ; I dare venture into
eternity, and before my Judge, that I now fufFer for the truth : be-
caufe that I cannot endure that my Mafter, who is a freeborn ICing,
fhould pay tribute to any of the Ihields or potfherds of the earth.
Oh that I could hold the crown upon my princely King's head with

* Fondled. t Spending.

1637.] LETTER CLXIL 377

my finful arm, howbeit it ihould be ft ruck from me in that fervice,
from the fhoulder-blade. But my clofed mouth, my dumb Sab-
baths, the memory of my communion with Chrift, in many fair, fair
days in Anwoth, whereas now my Mafter getteth no fervice of my
tongue as then, hath almoft broken my faith in two halves. Yet
in my deepeft apprehenfions of His anger, I fee through a cloud
that I am wrong ; and He, in love to my foul, hath taken up the
controverfy betwixt faith and apprehenfions, and a decreet* ispafTed
on Chrifl's fide of it, and I fubfcribe the decreet.* The Lord is
equal in His ways, but my guiltinefs often overmaftereth my be-
lieving. I have not been well known : for except as to open out-
breakings, I want nothing of what Judas and Cain had ; only He
hath been pleafed to prevent me in mercy, and to caft me into a
fever of love for Himfelf, and His abfence maketh my fever moll
painful. And befide. He hath vifited my foul and watered it with
His comforts. But yet I have not what I would. The want of
real and felt polTeflion is my only death. I know that Chrill pitieth
me. in this.

The great men, my friends, that didf for me, are dried up like
winter-brooks of water. All fay, " No dealing for that man j his
beft will be to be gone out of the kingdom." So I fee they tire of
me. But, believe me, I am mofl gladly content that Chrift breaketh
all my idols in pieces. It hath put a new edge upon my blunted lov.e
to Chrift ; I fee that He is jealous of my love, and will have all to
Himfelf. In a word, thefe fix things are my burden : I. I am not
in the vineyard as others are ; it may be, becaufe Chrift thinketh me
a withered tree, not worth its room. But God forbid ! 2. Woe,
woe, woe is coming upon my harlot-mother, this apoflate Kirk !
The time is coming when we fhall wifh for doves' wings to flee and
hide us. Oh, for the defolation of this land ! 3. I fee my dear
Mailer Chrift going His lone| (as it were), mourning in iackcloth.
His fainting friends fear that ICing Jefus fhall lofe the field. But

* A lenience of the Court. f Aded for me.

X Going lonely, by himfelf; Ps. cii. 7.

378 LE1TER CLXIIL [1637.

He mull: carry the day. 4. My guiltinefs and the fins of youth are
come up againfl me, and they would come into the plea in my
fuiferings, as deferving caufes in God's juftice ; but I pray God, for
Chrift's fake, that He may never give them that room. 5. Woe is
me, that I cannot get my royal, dreadful, mighty, and glorious
Prince of the kings of the earth fet on high. Sir, ye may help me
and pity me in this ; and bow your knee, and blefs His name, and
defire others to do it, that He hath been pleafed, in my fufferings, to
make Atheifts, Papifts, and enemies about me fay, " It is like that
God is with this prifoner." Let hell and the powers of hell (I care
not) be let loofe againfl me to do their worfl, fo being that Chriil,
and my Father, and His Father, be magnified in my fufferings.
6. Ch rift's love hath pained me : for howbeit His prefence hath
fhamed me, and drowned me in debt, yet He often goeth away
when my love to Him is burning. He feemeth to look like a proud
wooer, who will not look upon a poor match that is dying of love.
I will not fay He is lordly. But I know He is wife in hiding Him-
self from a child and a fool, who maketh an idol and a god of one
of Chrift's kiifes, which is idolatry. I fear that I adore His com-
forts more than Himfelf, and that I love the apples of life better
than the tree of life.

Sir, write to me. Commend me to your wife. Mercy be her
portion. Grace be with you.

Yours, in his deareft Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CLXIIL — To John Stuart, Provojl of Ayr.

{VIEW OF TRIALS PAST— HARD THOUGHTS OF CHRIST— CROSSES

—HOPE.)

ORTHY AND DEARLY BELOVED IN OUR
LORD, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. — I was
refrefhed and comforted with your letter. What I
wrote to you, for your comfort, I do not remember ; but I believe

1637.] LETTER CLXIIL 379

that love will prophefy homeward,* as it would have it. I wifh that
I could help you to praife His great and holy name who keepeth
the feet of His faints, and hath numbered all your goings. I know
that our deareft Lord will pardon and pafs by our honefl errors and
miAakes, when we mind His honour ; yet I know that none of you
have feen the other half, and the hidden fide, of your wonderful re-
turn home to us again. I am confident ye (hall yet fay, that God's
mercy blew your fails back to Ireland again. f

Worthy and dear Sir, I cannot but give you an account of my
prefent eftate, that ye may go an errand for me to my high and
royal Mafler, of whom I boafl all the day. I am as proud of His
love (nay, I blefs myfelf, and boafl more of my prefent lot) as any
poor man can be of an earthly king's court, or of a kingdom. Firji,
I am very often turning both the fides of my crofs, efpecially my
dumb and filent Sabbaths ; not becaufe I defire to find a crook or
defeft in my Lord's love, but becaufe my love is fick with fancies
and fear. Whether or not the Lord hath a procefs leading againfl
my guiltinefs, that I have not yet well feen, I know not. My de-
fire is to ride fair, and not to fparkj dirt (if, with reverence to Him,
I may be permitted to make ufe of fuch a word) in the face of my
only, only Well-beloved -, but fear of guiltinefs is a talebearer be-

* In its own favour.

t Some of those who had embarked in that voyage had important work to
perform in Scotland. The minifters, after their return coming over to this
country, were settled in various parifhes; Meflrs Blair at Ayr, Livingftone
at Stranraer, McClelland at Kirkcudbright, and Hamilton at Dumfries.
They were zealous promoters of the fubfcribing of the National Covenant,
and of other meafures by which the triumph of the Prelhyterian Church in
Scotland was ultimately fecured; and all of them were chofen members of the
celebrated Aflembly held at Glafgow in 1638, in the proceedings of which
they took a prominent part. Speaking of their return. Row of Ceres fays,
* c Neither the prelates and conformifts, nor they themfelves, knew that within
a year the Lord would not only root out the prelates in Scotland, and, after
that, out of England and Ireland, but make fome of them, efpecially Meflrs
Blair, Livingftone, and McClelland, to be very inftrumental in the work of
reformation." — Life of Robert Blair (\\'odrow Society).

X Caufe fparks ot dirt to be fquiited.

38o LETTER CLXIII. [1637.

twLxt me and Chrift, and is ftill whifpering ill tales of my Lord, to
weaken my faith. I had rather that a cloud went over my comforts
by thefe mefTages, than that my faith fhould be hurt ; for, if my
Lord get no wrong by me, verily I defire grace not to care what
become of me. I defire to give no faith nor credit to my forrow,
that can make a lie of my beft friend Chrift. Woe, woe be to them
all who fpeak ill of Chrill ! Hence thefe thoughts awake with me
in the morning, and go to bed with me. Oh, what fervice can a
dumb body do in Chrift's houfe ! Oh, I think the word of God is
imprifoned alfo ! Oh, I am a dry tree ! Alas, I can neither plant
nor water ! Oh, if my Lord would make but dung of me, to fatten
and make fertile His own corn-ridges in Mount Zion ! Oh, if I
might but fpeak to three or four herdboys* of my worthy Mafler, I
would be fatisfied to be the meanefl and moil obfcure of all the
paftors in this land, and to live in any place, in any of Chrift's bafefl
outhoufes ! But he faith, '' Sirrah, I will not fend you ; I have no
errands for you thereaway." f My defire to ferve Him is fick of
jealoufy, left He be unwilling to employ me. Secondly^ This is
feconded by another ; Oh ! all that I have done in Anwoth, the
fair work that my Mafler began there, is like a bird dying in the
fhell ; and what will I then have to lliow of all my labour, in the
day of my compearance J before Him, when the Mafter of the vine-
yard calleth the labourers, and giveth them their hire ^. Thirdly,
But truly, when Chrifl's fweet wind is in the right airth, § I repent,
and I pray Chrift to take law-burrows |i of my quarrelousf unbeliev-
ing fadnefs and forrow. Lord, rebuke them that put ill betwixt a
poor fervant like me and his good Mafter. Then I fay, whether
the black crofs will or not, I muft climb on hands and feet up to
my Lord. I am now ruing from my heart that I pleafured the
law (my old dead hu(band) fo far as to apprehend wrath in my

* Boys, like David, keeping the fheep or cattle. f In thofe places.

% Appearance, becaufe fummoned. § Quarter.

II Pledge, fuch as the law demands from a man that he will not injure his
neighbour.

^ Querulous, or quaiTelfomc rather.

1 637-] LETTER CLXIIL 381

Iweet Lord Jefus. I had far rather take a hire to plead for the
grace of God, for I think myfelf Chrift's fworn debtor ; and the
truth is (to fpeak of my Lord what I cannot deny), I am over head
and ears, drowned in many obligations to His love and mercy.

He handleth me fome time fo, that I am afhamed almoft to feek
more for a four-hours,* but to live content (till the marriage-fupper
of the Lamb) with that which He giveth. But I know not how
greedy and how illf to pleafe love is. For either my Lord Jefus
hath taught me ill manners, not to be content with a feat, except
my head lie in His bofom, and except I be fed with the fatnefs of
His houfe ; or elfe I am grown impatiently dainty, and ill to pleafe,
as if Chrift were obliged, under this crofs, to do no other thing but
bear me in His arms, and as if I had claim by merit for my fuffering
for Him. But I wifh He would give me grace to learn to go on
my own feet, and to learn to do without His comforts, and to give
thanks and believe, when the fun is not in my firmament, and when
my Well-beloved is from home, and gone another errand. Oh,
what fweet peace have I, when I find that Chrifl holdeth and I
draw ; when I climb up and He fhuteth J me down -, when I
grip § Him and embrace Him, and He feemeth to loofe the grips §
and flee away from me ! I think there is even a fweet joy of faith,
and contentednefs, and peace, in His very tempting unkindnefs,
becaufe my faith faith, " Chrifl is not in fad earneft with me, but
trying if I can be kind to His mafk and cloud that covereth Him, as
well as to His fair face." I blefs His great name that I love His
vail which goeth over His face, whill || God fend better ; for faith
can kifs God's tempting reproaches when He nicknameth a finner,
" A dog, not worthy to eat bread with the bairns." f I think it
an honour that Chrift mifcalleth** me, and reproacheth me. I will
take that well of Him, howbeit I would not bear it well if another
fliould be that homely ;ff but becaufe I am His own (God be
thanked). He may ufe me as He pleafeth. I mufl fay, the faints

* A night afternoon's meal. f Difficult. % Shoveth, pufheth. § Grafp.
II Till. ^ Mark vii. 27,28. ** Gives me by-names. ff So familiar.

38: LETTER CLXIIL [1637.

have a fVe^: ''r^ rrr-— r :hr~ -.■:.i Q'r~S'. ~:.^,:- \- ~:: :~. '- r^-
folace :: . t :-: rri ~ -'. ::i :^tZ\. .r^rr. Hr irzir::: :.z\ .^^ ::.z
lilies, 11 i : -erh into His giriei. and maketh a feaft c£ hooey-
cwnb. r r. irJi His wine and His milk, and crieth, " Eat, O
friend ~ i:'r ^-rnk abimdzr-'-. O weU-bdored." Onehonr

of thi- ^-; .:: . 1 fliipfiil :: : r Drld's drunken and muddy

joy ; nay, even the gate* to hearen is the ftmny fide of the brae,
and the very garden of the world. For the men oE this world have
their own unchiiftened and pro^e cr- ": ■ - - i woe be to them and
their cxiried crofles both ; for their iL :ed with God's renge^

ancDe, and oar ills feafeoed with oar Father's b.eiZiLg. So that they
are no foc^ who choofe Chrift, and fell all things for Him. It is
no bairns' market, nor a blind block ;f we know wdl what we get,
and what we g^e.

Now, for any refolation to go to any other kingdom, I dare not

; : one word.f My hopes oE enlargement are cx^d, my hopes of

re-fflitry to my Mafter's ill-drefled Tineyard again are far cdider.

I hare no feat for my foith to fit on, bat bare oomipocency, and

God's holv arm and good-will. Here I defire to flay, and ride at

* This I'efT-.s to mem , ' * The very -R-^y { ^z ) to bearen is pjeaiant-'"

t Birraiz.

i At prei'ezt the proipects of the Church wer^ 10 dark, xhal Rutherford
appeals fomftrmes to have enteitaiiied the idea ci lemoving to another oomitiy ,
Ihoiikl he farrpfd in o bUiuii^ his fibeity. In a p i wwling letter to Stimt,
he names New Fngfan<l^ then an afyfaim for mnlritnHes who ireie porfecuted
for ooniripnrp lake, as a place to which he would willingly go, pnnided he
oould fee the call of Providence. And fome of his friends about this time
woe defiroos that he mi^fat be hooooiably and ufefoDy en^loyed afannd.
Robert: Bailfie, in a letter to Mr William Spang, mini lter at Campitae , dated
Jannaiy 29, 1637, lays, ** AJwayes I take the man [Riitheffofif| to be among
the moft learned and beft ingynes of oar nation. I think he were v^rie aUe for
feme prafeffion in yoor ooQedges of Utreck, Gronii^, cr Rotteidame; for
oar King's dooiiiuons, there is no app e aiau ce he wiD evq-gett fivii^ into them.
If you coald qaietly procore him a caffing, I think it were a good fervice to
GodtorAereoneof histroabledminillEis; a good to the pbce he came to,
for he is both godfie and learned; yea, I think by time he might be ane orna-
ment to our nafri nnp-" — BailEts Letters amd Jomrmals, vdL L, p. 9.

i637-] LETTER CLXIV. 383

anchor, and winter, whill* God fend fair weather again, and be
pleafed to take home to His houfe my harlot-mother. Oh, if her
hulband would be thatf kind, as to go and fetch her out of the
brothel-houfe, and chafe her lovers to the hills ! But there will be
fad days ere it come to that. Remember my bonds. Grace be
with you.

Yours, in our Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeex, 1637.

CLXIV. — To NiNiAN Mure [fee Let. l^l~], one of the family of

Caffincarrie,

[We do not know more of Ninian Mure than that he was a parifhioner of
Anwoth. The name " Mure" is found on feveral tombs in the old church-
yard, of which the oldeft and moft interefting is the following, on the eaft fide
of the enclofed pile : —

^ ^ Walking with God in purity of life,
In Chrift I died, and endit all my ft rife.
For in my faul Chrift here did dwell by grace ;
Now dwells my faul in glory of His face.
Therefore my body fhall not here remain.
But to full glory furely rife again."

*^ Marion Mure^ good wife of Cullindock,
Departed this life, anno 1612."

{A YOUTH ADMONISHED.)

OVING FRIEND, — I received your letter. I entreat
you now, in the morning of your life, to feek the
Lord and His face. Beware of the follies of dangerous
youth, a perilous time for your foul. Love not the world. Keep
faith and truth with all men in your covenants and bargains. Walk
with God, for He feeth you. Do nothing but that which ye may
and would do if your eye-firings were breaking, and your breath

* Till. t So really kind.

384 LETTER CLXV. [1637.

growing cold. Ye heard the truth of God from me, my dear heart ,
follow it, and forfake it not. Prize Chrift and falvation above all
the world. To live after the guile* and courfe of the reft of the
world will not bring you to heaven ; without faith in Chrifl, and
repentance, ye cannot fee God. Take pains for falvation ; prefs
forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. If ye
watch not againft evils night and day, which befet you, ye will come
behind.f Beware of lying, fwearing, uncleannefs, and the reft of
the works of the flefh ; becaufe "for thefe things the wrath of
God cometh upon the children of difobedience." How fweet foever
they may feem for the prefent, yet the end of thefe courfes is the
eternal wrath of God, and utter darknefs, where there is weeping
and gnafhing of teeth. Grace be with you.
Your loving paftor,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

CLXV.— To Mr Thomas Garven.

[Thomas Garven, one of the minifters of Edinburgh. R. Blair's Life,
by Row, tells of his being banifhed from the town by the King in 1662, for
his adherence to Prefbytery.]

(PERSONAL INSUFFICIEXCr— GRACE FROM CHRIST ALONE—
LONGINGS AFTER HIM.)

{^ E\T:REND and dear brother,— Grace, mercy,
and peace be to you. I am forry that what joy and
forrow drew from my imprifoned pen in my love-fits
hath made you and many of God's children believe that there is
fomething in a broken reed the like of me. Except that Chrift's
grace hath bought fuch a fold body, I know not what elfe any may
think of me, or expect from me. My ftock is lefs (my Lord

* Manner. t i Cor. i. 7 ; fall fhort, or be wanting in.

1637.] LETTER CLXF. 385

knoweth that I Ipeak truth) than many believe. My empty founds
have promifed too much. I fhould be glad to lie under Chrift's
feet, and kep* and receive the off-fallings, or the old pieces of any
grace, that fall from His fweet fingers to forlorn fmners. I lie often,
uncof-like, looking at the King's windows. Surely I am unworthy
of a feat in the ICing's hall-floor ; I but often look afar off, both
feared and fremmed-like, J to that fairefl face, fearing He bid me
look away from Him. My guiltinefs rifeth up upon me, and I have
no anfwer for it. I offered my tongue to Chrift, and my pains in
His houfe : and what know I what it meaneth, when Chrift will
not receive my poor propine ?§ When love will not take, we ex-
pone || that it will neither take nor give, borrow nor lend. Yet
Chrift hath another fea-compafs which He faileth by, than my
ftiort and raw thoughts. I leave His part of it to Himfelf. I dare
not expound His dealing as forrow and mifbelief often dicSlate to
me. I look often with bleared and blind eyes to my Lord's crofs -,
and when I look to the wrong fide of His crofs, I know that I mifs
a ftep and Hide. Surely, I fee that I have not legs of my own for
carrying me to heaven : I mufl go in at heaven's gates, borrowing
fl:rength from Chrifl:.

I am often thinking, *' Oh, if He would but give me leave to
love Him, and if Chrifl would but open up His wares, and the in-
finite plies, and windings, and corners of His foul-delighting love,
and let me fee it, backfide and forefide ; and give me leave but to fi:and
befide it, like a hungry man befide meat, to get my fill of wonder-
ing, as a preface to my fill of enjoying ! " But, verily, I think that
my foul eyes would defile His fair love to look to it. Either my
hunger is over humble (if that may be faid), or elfe I confider not
what honour it is to get leave to love Chrift. Oh, that He would
pity a prifoner, and let out a flood upon the dry ground ! It is
nothing to him to fill the like of me ; one of His looks would do

* Catch up when falling. f Strange.

X Like one who has no bond of relationfhip to the perfon.
§ Prefent held out. Ij Expound the meaning to be.

VOL. I. E B

386 LETTER CLXV. [1637.

me meikle * world's good, and Him no ill. I know that I am not
at a point yet with Chrift's love : I am not yet fitted for fo much
as I would have of it. My hope fitteth neighbour with meikle
blackf hunger : and certainly I dowj not but think that there is
more of that love ordained for me than I yet comprehend, and
that I know not the weight of the penfion which the I^ng will give
me. I fhall be glad if my hungry bill get leave to lie befide Chrifl,
waiting on an anfwer. Now I fhould be full and rejoice, if I got
a poor man's alms of that fweeteft love ; but I confidently believe
that there is a bed made for Chrift and me, and that we fhall take
our fill of love in it. And I often think, when my joy is run out,
and at the loweft ebb, that I would feek no more than my rights
paffed the King's great feal,§ and that thefe eyes of mine could fee
Chrift's hand at the pen.

If your Lord call you to fufFering, be not difmayed ; there fhall
be a new allowance of the I^ng for you when you come to it. One
of the fofteft pillows Chrift hath is laid under His witnefTes' head,
though often they mufi: fet down their bare feet among thorns. He
hath brought my poor foul to defire and wifh, " Oh that my afhes,
and the powder I fhall be difTolved into, had well-tuned tongues to
praife Him !"

Thus in hafte, defiring your prayers and praifes, I recommend
you to my fweet, sweet Mafier, my honourable Lord, of whom I
hold all. Grace be with you.

Your own, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

* As much as having a world's good things.

t Much of terrible hunger. % Cannot.

§ Things I am to get, handed to me in the fhape of title-deeds from the
King.

637.J LETTER CLXVL 587

CLXVI. — To Cardoness, the Elder.

{A GOOD CONSCIENCE— CHRIST KIND TO SUFFERERS—
RESPONSIBILnr-rOUTH.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— I long to hear how your
foul profpereth. I wonder that ye write not to me ;
for the Holy Ghofl beareth me witnefs, that I cannot,
I dare not, I do* not forget you, nor the fouls of thofe with you,
who are redeemed by the blood of the great Shepherd. Ye are in
my heart in the night-watches ; ye are my joy and crown in the
day of Chrift. O Lord, bear me witnefs, if my foul thirfleth for
anything out of heaven, more than for your falvation. Let God lay
me in an even balance, and try me in this.

Love heaven ; let your heart be on it. Up, up, and vifit the
new Land and view the fair City, and the white Throne, and the
Lamb, the bride's Hufband in His Bridegroom's clothes, fitting on
it. It were time that your foul cafl: itfelf, and all your burdens,
upon Chrift. I befeech you by the wounds of your Redeemer,
and by your compearancef before Him, and by the falvation of
your foul, lofe no more time ; run fall, for it is late. God hath
fworn by Himfelf, who made the world and time, that time fhall
be no more. J Ye are now upon the very border of the other
life. Your Lord cannot be blamed for not giving you warning.
I have taught the truth of Chrift to you, and delivered unto you the
whole counfel of God ; and I have ftood before the Lord for you,
and I will yet flill ftand. Awake, awake to do righteoufly. Think
not to be eafed of the burdens and debts that are on your houfe by
oppreiTing any, or being rigorous to thofe that are under you. Re-
member how I endeavoured to walk before you in this matter, as an
example. *' Behold, here am I, witnefs againft me, before the Lord

* '^ Dozv not," in old editions; but we have given it ^^ do not;" for
'^ cannot" is the fame as '^ dow not."

t Appearing in obedience to a fumnmns. J Rev. x. 6.

388 LETTER CLXVL [1637.

and His Anointed : whole ox or whole afs have I taken ? Whom
have I defrauded ? "Whom have I opprefled ?"* Who knoweth
how my foul feedeth upon a good confcience, when I remember
how I fpent this body in feeding the lambs of Chrift ?

At my firft entry hither, I grant, I took a ftomach againfl: my
Lord, becaufe He had caften me over the dyke of the vineyard, as
a dry tree, and would have no more of my fer\-ice. My dumb
Sabbaths broke my heart, and I would not be comforted. But now
He whom my foul loveth is come again, and it plealeth Him to feafi:
me with the kilTes of His love. A King dineth with me, and His
fpikenard cafleth a fweet fmell. The Lord is my witnefs above,
that I write my heart to vou. I never knew, by my nine years*
preaching, fo much of Chrift's love, as He has taught me in Aber-
deen, by fix months' imprilbnment. I charge you in Chrifl's name
to help me to praife ; and Ihow that people and country the
loving-kindnefs of the Lord to my foul, that {o mv lutferings may
fomeway preach to them when I am filent. He hath made me to
know now better than before, what it is to be crucified to the world.
I would not now give a drink of cold water for all the world's
kindnefs. I owe no l€r\*ice to it : I am not the flefh's debtor. l\Iy
Lord Jefus hath dawtedf His prilbner, and hath thoughts of love
concerning me. I would not exchange my fighs with the laughing
of adverfaries. Sir, I write this to inform you, that ye may know
that it is the truth of Chrifl I now fufFer for, and that He hath
fealed my fufFering with the comforts of His Spirit on my foul ;
and I know that He putteth not His feal upon blank paper.

Now, fir, I have no comfort earthly, but to know that I have
efpoufed, and fhall prelent a bride to Chrift in that congregation.
The Lord hath given you much, and therefore He will require
much of vou again. Number your talents, and fee what you have
to render back. Ye cannot be enough perfuaded of the fhortnefs
of your time. I charge vou to write to me, and in the fear of God
to be plain with me, whether or not ye have made your fUvation

* I Sam. xii. ;. t Fondled.

1637.] LETTER CLXFL 389

fure. I am confident, and hope the beft ; but I know that your
reckonings with your Judge are many and deep. Sir, be not be-
guiled, neglefl not your one thing,* your one necefTary thing,f the
good part that fhall not be taken from you. Look beyond time :
things here are but moonfhine. They have but children's wit who are
delighted with fhadows, and deluded with feathers flying in the air.
Defire your children, in the morning of their life, to begin and
feek the Lord, and to remember their Creator in the days of their
youth,J to cleanfe their way, by taking heed thereto, according to
God's word.§ Youth is a glafly age. Satan finds a fwept cham-
ber, for the moft part, in youthhood, and a garnifhed lodging for
himfelf and his train. Let the Lord have the flower of their age ;
the befl: facrifice is due to Him. Inftruft them in this, that they
have a foul, and that this life is nothing in comparifon of eternity.
They will have much need of God's condu6l in this world, to guide
them by || thole rocks upon which moft men fplit ; but far more
need when it cometh to the hour of death, and their compearance
before Chrift. Oh that there were fuch an heart in them, to fear
the name of the great and dreadful God, who hath laid up great
things for thofe that love and fear Him ! I pray that God may be
their portion. Show others of my parifliioners, that I write to them
my beft wifhes, and the bleilings of their lawful paftor. Say to
them from me, that I befeech them, by the bowels of Chrift, to
keep in mind the doftrine of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift,
which I taught them ; that fo they may lay hold on eternal life,
ftriving together for the faith of the Gofpel, and making fure falva-
tion to themfelves. Walk in love, and do righteoufnefs ; feek peace -,
love one another. Wait for the coming of our Mafter and Judge.
Receive no docftrine contrary to that which I delivered to you. If
ye fall away, and forget it, and that Catechifm which I taught you,
and fo forfake your own mercy, the Lord be Judge betwixt you
and me. I take heaven and earth to witnefs, that fuch ftiall eter-
nally perifh. But if they ferve the Lord, great will their reward

Phil. iii. 13. t Luke x. 42. % Kccles. xii. i. § Ps. cxix. 9. || Paft.

390 LETTER CLXVII. [1637.

•be when they and I fhall ftand before our Judge. Set forward up
the mountain, to meet with God ; climb up, for your Saviour calleth
on you. It may be that God will call you to your reft, when I am
far from you ; but ye have my love, and the defires of my heart
for your foul's welfare. He that is holy, keep you from falling,
and eflablifh you, till His own glorious appearance.
Your affe(Sbionate and lawful paflor,

S. R.
Aberdeen, 1637.

CLXVII. — To my Lady Boyd. [Let. 107^]

{LESSONS LEARNED IN THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY,)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace from God our
Father, and from our Lord Jefus Chriil, be multiplied
upon you.

I have reafoned with your fon * at large ; I rejoice to fee him
fet His face in the right airth,f now when the nobles love the funny
fide of the Gofpel beft, and are afraid that Chrift want foldiers, and
fhall not be able to do for Himfelf.

Madam, our debts of obligation to Chrift are not fmall ; the
freedom of grace and of falvation is the wonder of men and angels.
But mercy in our Lord fcorneth hire. Ye are bound to lift ChriA
on high, who hath given you eyes to difcern the devil now coming
out in his whites, and the idolatry and apoftafy of the time, well
wafhen J with fair pretences ; but the fkin is black and the water foul.
It were art, I confefs, to wafh a black devil, and make him white.

I am in ftrange ups and downs, and feven times a-day I lofe
ground. I am put often to fwimming ; and again my feet are fet on
the Rock that is higher than myfelf. He hath now let me fee four
things which I never faw before : ly?. That the Supper fhall be
great cheer, that is up in the great hall with the Royal King of

* Lord Boyd. See notice of him, Let. 78. f Quarter.

X ^^'afhed ; whitened over.

1637.] LETTER CLXVIL 391

glory, when the four-hours,* the {landing drink,* in this dreary
wildernefs, is fo fweet. When He bloweth a kifs afar off to His
poor heart-broken mourners in Zion, and fendeth me but His hearty
commendations till we meet, I am confounded with wonder to think
what it Ihall be, when the Fairefl among the fons of men fhall lay a
King's fweet foft cheek to the fmful cheeks of poor fmners. O time,
time, go fwiftly, and haften that day ! Sweet Lord Jefus, poft !
come, flying like a young hart or a roe upon the mountains of
feparation. I think that we fhould tellf the hours carefully, and
look often how low the fun is. For love hath no " Ho !"J it is
pained, pained in itfelf, till it come into grips § with the party beloved.

2dly. I find Chriil's abfence to be love's ficknefs and love's
death. The wind that bloweth out of the airth where my Lord
Jefus reigneth is fweet-fmelled, foft, joyful, and heartfome|| to a
foul burnt with abfence. It is a painful battle for a foul fick of
love to fight with abfence and delays. Chrilt's " Not yet" is a
ftoundingf of all the joints and liths** of the foul. A nod of His
head, when He is under a mafk, would be half a pawn.ff To fay,
*' Fool, what aileth thee ? He is coming," would be life to a dead
man. I am often in my dumb Sabbaths feeking a new pleaJJ with
my Lord Jefus (God forgive me !), and I care not if there be not
two or three ounce-weight of black wrath in my cup.

'^dly. For the third thing, I have feen my abominable vilenefs ;
if I were well known, there would none in this kingdom afk how I
do. Many take my ten to be a hundred, but I am a deeper hypo-
crite, and fhallower profeflbr, than every one believeth. God
knoweth I feign not. But I think my reckonings on the one page
written in great letters, and His mercy to fuch a forlorn § and

* When even the (light afternoon meal and the cup handed to one at the
door is fo fweet.

t Count. X Ceflation ; cr\' to halt. § Grafp. || Cheering.

^ \ dull ftroke that comes fuddenly and vibrates through the body.

** Joints ; the one word explains the other. '* Joift" was in the margin of
old editions.

ft A pledge. XX Qiiarrel ; controverfy. §^ Loft prodigal debtor.

392 LETTER CLXVIL [1637.

wretched dyvour on the other, to be more than a miracle. If I
could get my finger-ends upon a full afTurance, I trow that I would
grip * fail ; but my cup wanteth not gall. And, upon my part, de-
fpair might be almoft excufed, if every one in this land faw my inner
fide. But I know that I am one of them who have made great
fale, and a free market, to free grace. If I could be faved, as I
would fain believe, fure I am that I have ^ven Chriil's blood, His
free grace, and the bowels of His mercy, a large field to work
upon ; and Chrifl hath manifefled His art, I dare not fay to the
uttermofl (for He can, if He would, forgive all the devils and
damned reprobates, in refpeft of the widenefs of His mercy), but I
fay to an admirable degree.

^hly. I am flricken with fear of unthankfulnefs. This apoftate
ICirk hath played the harlot with many lovers. They are fpitting
in the face of my lovely King, and mocking Him, and I dowf not
mend it ; and they are running away from Chrift in troops, and I
dowf not mourn and be grieved for it. I think Chrifl lieth like an
old forcaften \ caftle, forfaken of the inhabitants -, all men run away
now from Him. Truth, innocent truth, goeth mourning and wring-
ing her hands in fackcloth and afhes. Woe, woe, woe is me, for
the virgin daughter of Scotland ! Woe, woe to the inhabitants of
this land ! for they are gone back with a perpetual backfliding.

Thefe things take me fo up, that a borrowed bed, another man's
firefide, the wind upon my face (I being driven from my lovers and
dear acquaintance, and my poor flock), find no room in myforrow.
I have no fpare or odd forrow for thefe ; only I think the fparrows
and fwallows that build their nefts in the kirk of Anwoth, bleffed
birds. Nothing hath given my faith a harder back-fet§ till it crack
again, than my clofed mouth. But let me be miferable myfelf alone ;
God keep my dear brethren from it. But flill I keep breath; and
when my royal, and never, never-enough -praifed I^ng returneth to

* Gralp. t Am not able. % Not ufed ; caft off.

§ A thruft back. In a fermon at Anwoth, 1630, on Zech. xiii. 7, he fays,
*^ God gives a back-fet and fall under temptation.""

1637.] LETTER CLXVIIL 393

His finful prilbner, I ride upon the high places of Jacob. I divide
Shechem,* I triumph in His ftrength. If this kingdom would glorify
the Lord in my behalf ! I defire to be weighed in God's even balance
in this point, if I think not my wages paid to the full. I fhall crave
no more hire of Chrift.

Madam, pity me in this, and help me to praife Him ; for what-
ever I be, the chief of fmners, a devil, and a mofl guilty devil, yet it
is the apple of Chrifl's eye. His honour and glory, as the Head of the
Church, that I fuffer for now, and that I will go to eternity with.

I am greatly in love with Mr M. M. jf I fee him flamped with
the image of God. I hope well of your fon, my Lord Boyd.

Your Ladyfhip and your children have a prifoner's prayers.
Grace be with you.

Your Ladyfhip' s, at all obedience in Chrifl,

Aberdeen, May i, 1637. S. R.

CLXVIIL — To his reverend and dear Brother, Mr David Dickson.
(CHRIST'S INFINITE FULNESS.)
Y REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,— I fear

that ye have never known me well. If ye faw my
inner fide, it is poflible that ye would pity me, but you
would hardly give me either love or refpeft : men miflake me the
whole length of the heavens. My fms prevail over me, and the
terrors of their guiltinefs. I am put often to afk, if Chrift and I did
ever fhake hands together in earneft. I mean not that my feafl-days
are quite gone, but I am made of extremes. I pray God that ye
never have the woful and dreary experience of a clofed mouth -, for
then ye fhall judge the fparrows, that may fing on J the church of
Irvine, blefTed birds. But my foul hath been refrefhed and watered.

* Pfalm Ix. 6.

t Mr Matthew Mowat, minifter of Kilmarnock. See notice of him, Let.

120.

X 0//, not '^ /«,'" as in old editions.

394 LETTER CLXVIIL [1637.

when I hear of your courage and zeal for your never-enough-
praifed, praifed Mafler, in that ye put the men of God, chafed out
of Ireland, to work.* Oh, if I could confirm 3-ou ! I darefay, in
God's prefence, " That this fhall never haften your fufFering, but
will be David Dickfon's feaft and fpeaking joy, that while he had
time and leifure, he put many to work, to lift up Jefus, his fweet
Mafter, high in the fkies." O man of God, go on, go on ; be valiant
for that Plant of renown, for that Chief among ten thoufands, for
that Prince of the kings of the earth. It is but little that I know of
God ; yet this I dare write, that Chrifl will be glorified in David
Dickfon, howbeit Scotland be not gathered.

I am pained, pained, that I have not more to give my fweet
Bridegroom. His comforts to me are not dealt with a niggard's
hand ; but I would fain learn not to idolize comfort, fenfe, joy, and
fweet, felt prefence. All thefe are but creatures, and nothing but
the kingly robe, the gold ring, and the bracelets of the Bridegroom ;
the Bridegroom Himfelf is better than all the ornaments that are
about Him. Now, I would not fo much have thefe as God Him-
felf, and to be fwallowed up of love to Chrift. I fee that in de-
lighting in a communion with Chrift, we may make more gods than
one. But, however, all was but bairns' play between Chrifl and
me, till now. If one would have fworn unto me, I would not have

* When Mr Robert Blair and Mr John Livingftone, who had been de-
poled in Ireland by the Bifhop of Down, were obliged to leave that country,
to avoid falling into the hands of the Government, which had given orders for
their apprehenfion, on account of their preaching in their own private houfes,
they came over to Irvine in 1637, to Mr Dickfon. Dickfon had been advifed
by fome refpedtable gentlemen not to employ them to preach, left the bilhops,
who were then zealous in urging on minifters the ufe of the Service-book,
fliould thereby take occafion to remove him from his miniftr)-. *^But,"'
faid Dickfon, " I dare not be of their opinion, nor follow their counfel, fo far
as to difcountenance thefe worthies, now when they are fuffering for holding
faft the name of Chrift, and every letter of that blefled name, as not to employ
them as in former times. Yea, I would think my fo doing would provoke the ^
Lord, fo that I might upon another account be depofed, and not have fo good
a confciencc."" — {l-ifi of Robert Blair.)

1637.] LETTER CLXIX. 395

believed what may be found in Chrifl:. I hope that ye pity my pain
that* much, in my prilbn, as to help me yourfelf, and to caufe
others help me, a dyvour, f a fniful wretched dyvour, to pay fome
of my debts of praife to my great King. Let my God be judge and
witnefs, if my foul would not have fweet eafe and comfort, to have
many hearts confirmed in Chrifl, and enlarged with His love, and
many tongues fet on work to fet on high my royal and princely
Well-beloved. Oh that my fufFerings could pay tribute to fuch a
king ! I have given over wondering at His love ; for Chrift hath
manifefled a piece of art upon me, that I never revealed to any
living. He hath gotten fair and rich employment, and fweet fale,
and a goodly market for His honourable calling of fhowing mercy,
on me the chief of fmners. Every one knoweth not fo well as I do,
my wofully-often broken covenants. My fms againft light, working J
in the very adl of fmning, have been met with admirable mercy :
but, alas ! he will get nothing back again, but wretched unthank-
fulnefs. I am fure, that if Chrift pity anything in me next to my
fm, it is pain of love for an armful and foulful of Himfelf, in faith,
love, and begun fruition. My forrow is, that I cannot get Chrift
lifted off the dufl in Scotland, and fet on high, above all the fkies,
and heaven of heavens.

Yours, in his fweet Lord Jefus,
Aberdeen, May i, 1637. S. R.

CLXIX. — To the Laird of Carleton.

{GOD'S WORKING INCOMPREHENSIBLE— LONGING AFTER

ANT DROP OF CHRISTS FULNESS.)

ORTHY SIR, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I
received your letter, and am heartily glad that our
Lord hath begun to work for the apparent delivery

* So greatly. t Debtor ; bankiaipt.

I The fenfe feems to be, " My fms againft light, which was at work even
when 1 was in the ad of finning."

39^ LETTER CLXIX. [1637.

of this poor opprefled Kirk. Oh that falvation would come for
Zion !

I am for the prefent hanging by hope, waiting what my Lord
will do with me, and if it will pleafe my fweet Mafter to fend me
amongfl: you again, and keep out a hireling from my poor people
and flock. It were my heaven till I come home, even to fpend
this life in gathering in fome to Chrifl. I have flill great heavinefs
for my filence, and my forced (landing idle in the market, when this
land hath fuch a plentiful, thick harveft. But I know that His judg-
ments, who hath done it, pafs finding out. I have no knowledge to
take up the Lord in all His ft range ways, and paflages of deep and
unfearchable providences. For the Lord is before me, and I am fo
bemifted* that I cannot follow Him ; He is behind me, and following
at the heels, and I am not aware of Him ; He is above me, but His
glory fo dazzleth my twilight of fliort knowledge, that I cannot look
up to Him. He is upon my right hand, and I fee Him not ; He is
upon my left hand, and within me, and goeth and cometh, and His
going and coming are a dream to me ; He is round about me, and
compafleth all my goings, and ft ill I have Him to feek. He is every
way higher, and deeper, and broader than the fhallow and ebbf
handbreadth of my ftiort and dim light can take up ; and, therefore,
I would that my heart could be filent, and fit down in the learnedly-
ignorant wondering at the Lord, whom men and angels cannot
comprehend. I know that the noon-day light of the higheft angels,
who fee Him face to face, feeth not the borders of His infinitenefs.
They apprehend God near hand ;{ but they cannot comprehend
Him. And, therefore, it is my happinefs to look afar off, and to
come near to the Lord's back parts, and to light my dark candle at
His brightnefs, and to have leave to fit and content myfelf with a
traveller's light, without the clear vifion of an enjoyer. I would
feek no more till I were in my country, than a little watering and
Iprinkling of a withered foul, with fome half out-breakings and half

* Involved in a mift. t Low^ fliallow.

\ They have to do with God near at hand.

1637.] LETTER CLXIX. 397

out-lookings of the beams, and fmall ravifliing fmiles of the faireft
face of a revealed and believed-on Godhead. A little of God would
make my foul bankfull. * Oh that I had but Chrifl's odd ofF-fall-
ings ; that He would let but the meaneft of His love-rays and love-
beams fall from Him, fo as I might gather and carry them with me !
I would not be illf to pleafe with Chrift, and vailed vifions of Chrifl ;
neither would I be dainty in feeing and enjoying of Him : a kifs of
Chrift blown over His fhoulder, the parings and crumbs of glory
that fall under His table in heaven, a fhower like a thin May-mift
of His love, would make me green, and fappy, and joyful, till the
fummer-fun of an eternal glory break up. J Oh that I had anything
of Chrift ! Oh that I had a fip, or half a drop, out of the hollow
of Chrift's hand, of the fweetnefs and excellency of that lovely One !
Oh that my Lord Jefus would rue upon me, and give me but the
meaneft alms of felt and believed falvation ! Oh, how little were
it for that infinite fea, that infinite fountain of love and joy, to fill
as many thoufand thoufand little veffels (the like of me) as there
are minutes of hours fmce the creation of God ! I find § it true that
a poor foul, finding § half a fmell of the Godhead of Chrift, hath
defires (paining and wounding the poor heart fo with longings to be
up at Him) that make it fometimes think, "Were it not better never
to have felt anything of Chrift, than thus to lie dying twenty deaths,
under thefe felt wounds, for the want of Him ? " Oh, where is He '^.
O Faireft, where dwelleft Thou ? O never-enough admired God-
head, how can clay win || up to Thee ? how can creatures of yefter-
day be able to enjoy Thee ? Oh, what pain is it, that time and fin
ftiould be fo many thoufand miles betwixt a loved and longed-for
Lord and a dwining f and love-fick foul, who would rather than
all the world have lodging with Chrift ! Oh, let this bit of love of
ours, this inch and half-fpan length of heavenly longing, meet with
Thy infinite love ! Oh, if the little I have were fwallowed up with
the infinitenefs of that excellency which is in Chrift ! Oh that we

* Like a river, full up to its bank. f Difficult. % Song ii. 17.

§ Experience, or feel. |j Get up. f Pining.

398 LETTER CLXX. [1637.

little ones were in at the greateft Lord Jefus ! Our wants fhould
foon be fwallowed up with His fulnefs.
Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus, n y^

Aberdeen, May 10, 1637.

CLXX. — To Robert Gordon of Knockbrex.

(LONGING FOR CHRIST'S GLORT—FELT GUILTINESS— LONGING
FOR CHRISrs LOFE—SANOnFICATION)

^ EAR BROTHER, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.
I received your letter from Edinburgh.

I would not wifh to fee another heaven, whill* I

get mine own heaven, but a new moon like the light of the fun,
and a new fun like the light of feven days fhining upon my poor
felf, and the Church of Jews and Gentiles, and upon my withered
and funburnt mother, the Church of Scotland, and upon her fiAer
Churches, England and Ireland ; and to have this done, to the
fetting on high of our great ICing ! It matterethf not, howbeit I
were feparate from Chrifl, and had a fenfe of ten thoufand years'
pain in hell, if this were. O bleifed nobility ! Oh, glorious,
renowned gentry ! Oh, bleffed were the tribes in this land to wipe
my Lord Jefus' weeping face, and to take the fackcloth of Chrifl's
loins, and to put His kingly robes upon Him ! Oh, if the Almighty
would take no lefs J wager of me than my heaven to have it done !
But my fears are flill for wrath once § upon Scotland. But I know
that her day will clear up, and that glory fhall be upon the top of
the mountains, and joy at the voice [j of the married wife, once again.
Oh that our Lord would make us to contend, and plead, and
wreftle by prayers and tears, for our Hufband's refloring of His
forfeited heritage in Scotland.

* Till. t Mattereth? In other editions it is ^^ maketh."

X Pledge. § Some time or othei". || *' Noife,'' in old editions.

[1637. LETTER CLXX. 399

Dear brother, I am for the prefent in no Imall battle, betwixt
felt giiiltinefs, and pining longings and high fevers for my Well-
beloved's love ! Alas ! I think that Chrift's love playeth the
niggard to me, and I know it is not for fcarcity of love. There is
enough in Him, but my hunger prophefieth of in-holding and
Iparingnefs in Chrift -, for I have but little of Him, and little of His
fweetnefs. It is a dear fummer with me ; yet there is fuch joy in
the eagernefs and working of hunger for Chrift, that I am often at
this, that if I had no other heaven than a continual hunger for
Chrift, fuch a heaven of ever-working hunger were flill a heaven
to me. I am fure that Chrift's love cannot be cruel ; it muff be a
ruing, a pitying, a melting-hearted love ; but fufpenfion of that love
I think half a hell, and the want of it more than a whole hell.
When I look to my guiltinefs, I fee that my falvation is one of our
Saviour's greateft miracles, either in heaven or earth. I am fure I
may defy any man to fhow me a greater wonder. But, feeing I
have no wares, no hire, no money for Chrift, He muft either take
me with want, mifery, corruption, or then* want me. Oh, if He
would be pleafed to be companionate and pitiful-hearted to my
pining fevers of longing for Him ; or then* give me a real pawnf
to keep, out of His own hand, till God fend a meeting betwixt Him
and me ! But I find neither as yet. Howbeit He who is abfent be
not cruel nor unkind, yet His abfence is cruel and unkind. His
love is like itfelf ; His love is His love ; but the covering and the
cloud, the vail and the mafk of His love, is more wife than kind, if
I durft fpeak my apprehenfions. I lead no procefs now againfl the
fufpenfion and delay of God's love ; I would with all my heart
frift till a day J ten heavens, and the fweet manifeflations of His
love. Certainly I think that I could give Chrifl much on His word ;
but my whole pleading is about intimated and borne-in affurance of
His love. Oh, if He would perfuade me of § my heart's defire of

* Or elfe. f A pledge. % Defer to a day that might be named.
§ Convince me that He intends to gratify my heart's defire.

400 LETTER CLXXL [1637.

His love at all, He ftiould have the term-day of payment at His
own cowing.* But I know that raving unbelief fpeaketh its plea-
fure, while it looketh upon guiltinefs and this body of corruption.
Oh how loathfome and burdenfome is it to carry about a dead
corpfe, this old carrion of corruption ! Oh how fteadablef a thing
is a Saviour, to make a fniner rid of His chains and fetters !

I have now made a new queflion, whether Chrill be more to
be loved, for giving San6tification or for free Juflification. And I
hold that He is more and moft to be loved for fan6lification. It is
in fome refpecft greater love in Him to fanftify, than to juftify ; for
He maketh us moft like Himfelf, in His own effential portraiture
and image, in fan6i:ifying us. Juftification doth but make us happy,
which is to be like angels only. Neither is it fuch a mifery to lie a
condemned man, and under unforgiven guiltinefs, as to ferve fm,
and work the works of the devil ; and, therefore, I think fan6lifica-
tion cannot be bought : it is above price. God be thanked for ever,
that Chrift was a told-down price for liin6lification. Let a finner,
if poiTible, lie in hell for ever, if He make him truly holy ; and let
him lie there burning in love to God, rejoicing in the Holy Ghoft,
hanging upon Chrift by faith and hope, — that is heaven in the heart
and bottom of hell !

Alas ! I find a very thin harveft here, and few to be faved.

Grace, grace be with you.

Yours, in his lovely and longed-for Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

CLXXI. — To the Laird of Moncrieff.

[Sir John Moncrieff, of that ilk, was theeldeft fon of William Mon-
crieff of that ilk, by his wife Anne, daughter of Robert Murray of Abercamie.
He married, firft, Anne, daughter of David Beaton of Creich, and, fecondly,

* Cutting out ; as we fay, ^* at His own caning." f Available; fer\iceable.

1637.] LETTER CLXXI. 401

Lady Mary^ Murray, daughter of William, fecond Earl of Tullibardin. He
was a zealous Covenanter, and a ruling elder in the parifh of Cambee, in
which he refided. His name appears in the lift of the General Aflembly's
CommifTion for the public affairs of the Church, in the years 1646 and 1648 ;
and he was an adive member of the Prefbylery of St Andrews, as appears
from the minutes of that Prefbyler)'. He died about the clofe of the year
1650, or beginning of the year 1651. Lady Leyes, to whom reference is made
in this letter, was his third fifter Jean, who was married to Hay of Leyes*
{Douglas^ Baronage of Scotland^ p. 46).]

(CONCERT IN PRATER— STEDFASTNESS TO CHRIST— GRIEF
MISREPRESENTS CHRIST'S GLORY.)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— Grace, mercy, and peace
be to you. Although not acquainted, yet at the defire
of your worthy fifter, the Lady Leys, and upon the
report of your kindnefs to Chrift and His opprefTed truth, I am bold
to write to you, earneftly defiring you to join with us (fo many as
in thefe bounds profefs Chrift), to wreftle with God, one day of the
week, efpecially the Wednefday, for mercy to this fallen and decayed
Kirk, and to fuch as fuffer for Chrift's name ; and for your own
neceilities, and the neceilities of others, who are by covenant en-
gaged in that bufmefs. For we have no other armour in thefe evil
times but prayer, now when wrath from the Lord is gone out
againft this backfliding land. For ye know we can have no true
public fafts, neither are the true caufes of our humiliation ever laid
before the people.

Now, very worthy Sir, I am glad in the Lord, that the Lord
referveth any of your place, or of note, in this time of common
apoftasy, to come forth in public to bear Chrift's name before men,
when the great men think Chrift a cumbersome neighbour, and that
religion carrieth hazards, trials, and perfecutions with it. I perfuade
myfelf that it is your glory and your garland, and fhall be your joy
in the day of Chrift, and the ftanding of your houfe and feed, to in-
herit the earth, that you truly and fincerely profefs Chrift. Neither
is our King, whom the Father hath crowned in Mount Zion, \o
weak, that He cannot do for Himfelf and His own caufe. T verily

VOL. I. c c

402 LETTER CLXXL [1637.

believe that they are blefTed who can hold the crown upon His head,
and carry up the train of His robe royal, and that He fhall be vic-
torious, and triumph in this land. It is our part to back our royal
King, howbeit there was not fix in all the land to follow Him. It
is our wifdom now to take up, and difcern the de\il and the anti-
chrifl coming out in their whites, and the apoftasy and idolatry of
this land wafhen * with foul waters. I confefs that it is art to wafli
the devil till his fkin be white.

For myfelf, Sir, I have bought a pleaf againll: Chrifl:, fmce I
came hither, in judging my princely Mafter angry at me, becaule I
was caft out of the vineyard as a withered tree, my dumb Sabbaths
working me much forrow. But I fee now that forrow hath not
eyes to read love written upon the crofs of Chrift ; and, therefore,
I pafs from my rafh plea. Woe, woe is me, that I Ihiould have re-
ceived a flander of ChriA's love to my foul ! And for all this, my
Lord Jefus hath forgiven all, as not willing to be heard f with fuch
a fool ; and is content to be, as it were, confined with me, and to
bear me company, and to feaft a poor opprefTed prilbner. And
now I write it under my hand, worthy Sir, that I think well and
honourably of this crofs of Chrift. I wonder that He will take any
glory from the like of me. I find when he but fendeth His hearty
commendations to me, and but bloweth a kifs afar off, I am con-
founded with wondering what the fupper of the Lamb will be, up
in our Father's dining-palace of glory, fmce the four-hours § in this
difmal wildernefs, and (when in prifons and in our fad days), a kifs
of Chrifl:, are fo comfortable. Oh, how fweet and glorious fhall
our cafe be, when that Fairell: among the fons of men will lay His
fair face to our now finful faces, and wipe away all tears from our
eyes ! O time, time, run fwiftly and hall:en this day ! O fweet
Lord Jefus, come flying like a roe or a young hart ! Alas ! that we,

* Walhed. t Got up a quarrel.

X Not willing to be heard difputing with fuch a fool.
§ The flight afternoon's meal is fo refrefhing, —

^Mf fuch the fweetnefs of the ft ream,
AVhat muft the fountain be?"

1637.] LETTER CLXXL 403

blind fools, arc fallen in love with moonfhine and (hadows. How
iweet is the wind that bloweth out of the airth * where Chrift is !
Every day we may fee fome new thing in Chrift -, His love hath
neither brim nor bottom. Oh, if I had help to praife Him ! He
knoweth that if my fntferings glorify His name, and encourage
others to ftand faft for the honour of our fupreme Lawgiver, Chrift,
my wages then are paid to the full. Sir, help me to love that
never-enough-praifed Lord. I find now, that the faith of the
iaints, under fuffering for Chrift, is fair before the wind, and with
full fails carried upon Chrift. And I hope to lofe nothing in this
furnace but drofs •, for Chrift can triumph in a weaker man than
I am, if there be any fuch. And when all is done. His love paineth
me, and leaveth me under fuch debt to Chrift, as I can neither pay
principal nor intereft. Oh, if He would comprifef myfelf, and
if I were fold to Him as a bondman, and that He would take me
home to His houfe and firefide ; for I have nothing to render to
Him ! Then, after me, let no man think hard of Chrift's fweet
crofs ; for I would not exchange my fighs with the painted laughter
of all my adverfaries. I defire grace and patience to wait on, and
to lie upon the brink, till the water fill and flow. I know that He
is faft coming.

Sir, ye will excufe my boldnefs : and, till it pleafe God that I
fee you, ye have the prayers of a prifoner of Chrift ; to whom I
recommend you, and in whom I reft.

Yours, at all obedience in Chrift,

S. R.

Aberdeen, May 14, 1637.

* Point of the compafs. f An-eft me by writ.

f

404 LETTER CLXXIL [1637.

CLXXII. — To John Clark [fuppofed to be one of his PariJIiioners

at Anivoth),

(MARKS OF DIFFERENCE BETWIXT CHRISTIANS AND
REPROBATES.)

OVING BROTHER, — Hold faft Chrifl without waver-
ing, and contend for the faith, becaufe Chrift is not
eafily gotten nor kept. The lazy profefTor hath put
heaven as it were at the very next door, and thinketh to fly up to
heaven in his bed, and in a night-dream ; but, truly, that is not fo
eafy a thing as mofl: men believe. Chrift Himfelf did fweat ere He
wan * this city, howbeit He was the freeborn heir. It is Chriflianity,
my Heart, to be fmcere, unfeigned, honeft, and upright-hearted be-
fore God, and to live and ferve God, fuppofe there was not one man
nor woman in all the world dwelling befide you, to eye you. Any
little grace that ye have, fee that it be found and true.

Ye may put a difference betwixt you and reprobates, if ye have
thefe marks : — I. If ye prize Chrifl: and His truth fo as ye will fell
all and buy Him ; and fuffer for it. 2. If the love of Chrift keepeth
you back from finning, more than the law, or fear of hell. 3. If
ye be humble, and deny your own will, wit, credit, eafe, honour,
the world, and the vanity and glory of it. 4. Your profeflion muft
not be barren, and void of good works. 5. Ye muft in all things
aim at God's honour ; ye muft eat, drink, fleep, buy, fell, fit, fland,
fpeak, pray, read, and hear the word, with a heart-purpofe that
God may be honoured. 6. Ye muft fhow yourfelf an enemy to
fin, and reprove the works of darknefs, fuch as drunkennefs, fwear-
ing, and Jying, albeit the company fhould hate you for fo doing.
7. Keep in mind the truth of God, that ye heard me teach, and
have nothing to do with the corruptions and new guifes entered
into the houfe of God. 8. Make confcience of your calling, in
covenants, in buying and felling. 9. Acquaint yourfelf with daily

* Won ; obtained pofleflion of.

1637.] LETTER CLXXIIL 405

praying ; commit all your ways and aftions to God, by prayer,
fupplication, and thankf^ving ; and count not much of being mocked ;
for Chrift Jefus was mocked before you,

Perfuade yourfelf, that this is the way of peace and comfort
which I now fufPer for. I dare go to death and into eternity with
it, though men may poffibly fee another way. Remember me in
your prayers, and the ftate of this opprefled Church. Grace be
with you.

Your foul's well-wiflier,
Aberdeen. S. R.

CLXXIIL — To Cardoness, the Younger, [Let. 123.]

{WARNING AND ADVICE AS TO THINGS OF SALVATION)

UCH HONOURED SIR,— I long to hear whether or
not your foul be hand-fafled* with Chrift. Lofe your
time no longer : flee the follies of youth : gird up the
loins of your mind, and make you ready for meeting the Lord.
I have often fummoned you, and now I fummon you again, to
compearf before your Judge, to make a reckoning of your life.
While ye have time, look upon your papers, and confider your ways.
Oh that there were fuch an heart in you, as to think what an ill
confcience will be to you, when ye are upon the border of eternity,
and your one foot out of time ! Oh then, ten thoufand thoufand
floods of tears cannot extinguifh thefe flames, or purchafe to you
one hour's releafe from that pain ! Oh, how fweet a day have ye
had ! But this is a fair-day J that runneth faft away. See how ye
have fpent it, and confider the neceility of falvation ! and tell me, in
the fear of God, if ye have made it fure. I am perfuaded, that ye
have a confcience that will be fpeaking fomewhat to you. Why
will ye die, and defl:roy yourfelf ? I charge you in Chrifl^'s name,

* Betrothed by joining hands. f Appear in obedience to a fummons..
X A market-day.

4o6 LETTER CLXXIIL [1637.

to roufe up your confcience, and begin to indent * and contract with
Chrifl in time, wliile falvation is in your offer. This is the accepted
time, this is the day of falvation. Play the merchant ; for ye cannot
expeft another market-day when this is done. Therefore, let me
again befeech you to " confider, in this your day, the things that
belong to your peace, before they be hid from your eyes." Dear
Brother, fulfil my joy, and begin to feek the Lord while He may
be found. Forfake the follies of deceiving and vain youth : lay hold
upon eternal life. Whoring, night-drinking, and the mifTpending
of the Sabbath, and neglefting of prayer in your houfe, and refufing
of an offered falvation, will burn up your foul with the terrors of
the Almighty, when your awakened confcience fhall flee in your
face. Be kind and loving to your wife : make confcience of cherifh-
ing her, and not being rigidly auftere. Sir, I have not a tongue to
exprefs the glory that is laid up for you in your Father's houfe, if
ye reform your doings, and frame your heart to return to the Lord.
Ye know that this world is but a fhadow, a fhort-living creature,
under the law of time. Within lefs than fifty years, when ye look
back to it, ye fhall laugh at the evanifhing vanities thereof, as feathers
flying in the air, and as the houfes of fand within the fea-mark,
which the children of men are building. Give up with courting
of this vain world : feek not the baftard's moveables, but the fon's
heritage in heaven. Take a trial of Chrift. Look unto Him, and
His love will fo change you, that ye fhall be taken with Him, and
never choofe to go from Him. I have experience of His fweetnefs,
in this houfe of my pilgrimage here. My Witnefs, who is above,
knoweth that I would not exchange my fighs and tears with the
laughing of the fourteen prelates. There is nothing that will make
you a Chriflian indeed, but a tafte of the fweetnefs of Chrifl.
" Come and fee," will fpeak befl to your foul. I would fain hope
good of you. Be not difcouraged at broken and fpilledf refolu-
tions ; but to it, and to it again ! Woo about Chrift, till ye get your
foul efpoufed as a chafte virgin to Him. LTfe the means of profit-

* Put your name to a paper containing articles of agreement. f Marred.

1637.J LETTER CLXXIF. 407

ing with your confcience, pray in your family, and read the word.
Remember how our Lord's day was fpent when I was among you.
It will be a great challenge* to you before God, if ye forget the
good that was done within the walls of your houfe on the Lord's
day ; and if ye turn afide after the fafhions of this world, and if ye
go not in time to the kirk, to wait on the public worfhip of God,
and if ye tarry not at it, till all the exercifes of religion be ended.
Give God fome of your time both morning and evening, and after-
noon ; and in fo doing, rejoice the heart of a poor opprefTed prifoner.
Rue uponf your own foul, and from your heart fear the Lord.

Now He that brought again from the dead the great Shepherd
of His fheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, eftablifh your
heart with His grace, and prefent you before His prefence with joy.
Your affeftionate and loving paflor,

S. R.

Aberdeen, 1637.

m

CLXXIV.— T*^ my Lord Craighall. [Let. 86.]

{IDOLATRY CONDEMNED.)

Y LORD, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am
not only content, but I exceedingly rejoice, that I find
any of the rulers of this land, and efpecially your
Lordfhip, fo to affe6lj Chrifl and His truth, as that ye dare, for His
name, come to yea and nay with monarchs in their face. I hope
that He who hath enabled you for that, will give more, if ye fhow
yourfelf courageous, and (as His word Ipeaketh), '' a man in the
flreets," for the Lord.§ But I pray your Lordfhip, give me leave
to be plain with you, as one who loveth both your honour and your
foul. I verily believe that there was never idolatry at Rome, never
idolatry condemned in God's word by the prophets, if religious

* Caufc of fclf- upbraid ing. f Have pity upon. | Love. § Jerem. v. i.

4o8 LETTER CLXXIV. [1637.

kneeling before a confecrated creature, ftanding in room of Chrifl:
crucified in that very a6t, and that for reverence of the elements,
(as our A61 cleareth), be not idolatry. * Neither will your intention
help, which is not of the eflence of worfhip ; for then, Aaron fay-
ing, " To-morrow fhall be a feaft for Jehovah," that is, for the
golden calf, fhould not have been guilty of idolatry : for he intended
only to decline the lafh of the people's fury, not to honour the calf.
Your intention to honour Chrifl is nothing, feeing that religious
kneeling, by God's inflitution, doth necelTarily import religious and
divine adoration, fuppofe that our intention were both dead and
fleeping ; otherwife, kneeling before the image of God and direct-
ing prayer to God were lawful, if our intention go right. My Lord,
I cannot in thefe bounds difpute ; but if Cambridge and Oxford, and
the learning of Britain, will anfwer this argument, and the argument
from aftive fcandal, which your Lord (hip feemeth to fland upon,
I will turn a formalift, and call myfelf an arrant fool (by doing
what I have done) in my fuiFering for this truth. I do much re-
verence Mr L.'sf learning ; but, my Lord, I will anfwer what he
writeth in that, to pervert you from the truth •, elfe repute me, be-
fide an hypocrite, an afs alfo. I hope ye fhall fee fomething upon
that fubjedf (if the Lord permit), that no fophiftry in Britain fhall
anfwer. Courtiers' arguments, for the moft part, are drawn from
their own fkin, and are not worth a- flraw for your confcience. A
Marquis' or a King's word, when ye ftand before Chrifl's tribunal,
fhall be lighter than the wind. The Lord knoweth that I love your
true honour, and the ftanding of your houfe ; but I would not that your
honour or houfe were eftablifhed upon fand, and hay, and ftubble.
But let me, my very dear and worthy Lord, moft humbly be-
feech you, by the mercies of God, by the confolations of His
Spirit, by the dear blood and wounds of your lovely Redeemer, by
the falvation of your Ibul, by your compearance before the awful
face of a fm-revenging and dreadful Judge, not to fet in comparifon
together your foul's peace, Chrift's love, and His kingly honour

Sec Let. xcii. f Probably Mr Loudian. Let. 86, note.

1637.] LETTER CLXXIV. 409

now called in queftion, with your place, honour, houfe, or eale,
that an inch of time will make out of the way. I verily believe that
Chrifl is now begging a teftimony of you, and is faying, " And will
ye alfo leave Me ?" It is pofTible that the wind fhall not blow fo
fair for you all your life, for coming out and appearing before others
to back and countenance Chrift, the fairefl among the fons of men,
the Prince of the kings of the earth, " Fear ye not the reproach of
men, neither be afraid of their revilings : for the moth fhall eat
them up like a garment, and the worm fhall eat them like wool."*
When the Lord will begin. He will make an end, and mow down
His adverfaries ; and they fhall lie before Him like withered hay,
and their bloom be fhaken off them. Confider how many thoufands
in this kingdom ye fhall caufe to fall and flumble, if ye go with them ;
and that ye fhall be out of the prayers of many who do now fland
before the Lord for you and your houfe. And further ; when the
time of your accounts cometh, and your one foot fhall be within
the border of eternity, and the eyeflrings fhall break, and the face
wax pale, and the poor foul fhall look out at the windows of the
houfe of clay, longing to be out, and ye fhall find yourfelf arraigned
before the Judge of quick and dead, to anfwer for your putting to
your hand, with the refl confederated againfl Chrift, to the over-
turning of His ark, and the loofmg of the pins of Chrift's tabernacle
in this land, and fhall certainly fee yourfelf miredf in a courfe of
apoflasy — then, then, a king's favour and your worm-eaten honour
fhall be miferable comforters to you ! The Lord hath enlightened
you with the knowledge of His will ; and as the Lord liveth, they
lead you and others to a communion with great Babel, the mother
of fornications. God faid of old, and continueth to fay the fame to
you, ** Come out of her, My people, left ye be partakers of her
plagues." Will ye, then, go with them, and fet your lip to the
whore's golden cup, and drink of the wine of the wrath of God
Almighty with them } Oh, poor hungry honour ! Oh ! curfed
pleafure ! and, oh, damnable eale, bought with the lols of God !

* I la li. 7,8. t Plunged in mire.

410 LETTER CLXXIV, [1637.

How many will pray for you ! what a fweet prelence ihall ye find
of Chrifl under your fufferings, if ye will lay down your honours
and place at the feet of Chrifl. What a fair recompenfe of reward !
I avouch before the Lord that I am now fhowing you a way how
the houfe of Craighall may (land on fure pillars. If ye will fet it on
rotten pillars, ye cruelly wrong your pofterity. Ye have the word
of a King for an hundred-fold more in this life (if it be good for
you), and for life everlafting alfo. Make not Chrift a liar, in dil-
trufting His promife. Kings of clay cannot back you when you
(land before Him. A ftraw for them and their hungry heaven, that
ftandeth on this fide of time ! A fig for the day's fmile of a worm !
Confider who have gone before you to eternity, and would have
given a world for a new occafion of avouching that truth. It is
true they call it not fubftantial, and we are made a fcorn to thofe
that are at eafe, for fuffering thefe things for it. But it is not time
to judge of our loffes by the morning -, ftay till the evening, and we
will count with the befi of them.

I have found by experience, fince the time of my imprifonment
(my witnefs is above), that Chrifi: is fealing this honourable cauie
with another and a nearer fellowfhip than ever I knew before ; and
let God weigh me in an even balance in this, if I would exchange
the cross of ChriA or His truth, with the fourteen prelacies, or
what elfe a King can give. My dear Lord, venture to take the
wind on your face for Chrift. I believe that if He fhould come
from heaven in His own perfon, and feek the charters of Craighall
from you, and a difmiflion of your place, and ye faw His face, ye
would fall down at His feet and fay, *' Lord Jelus, it is too little
for Thee." If any man think it not a truth to die for, I am againfi:
him. I dare go to eternity with it, that this day the honour of our
Lawgiver and King, in the government of His own free kingdom
(who fhould pay tribute to no dying king), is the true ftate of the
queifion. My Lord, be ye upon Chrilf's fide of it, and take the
word of a poor prifoner, nay, the Lord Jefus be furety for it, that
ye have incomparablv made the wifefi: choice. For my own part,
I have fo been in this prifon, that I would he half-afhamcd to feek

1637.] LETTER CLXXV. 411

more till I be up at the Well-head. Few know in this world the
Iweetnels of ChrilVs breath, the excellency of His love, which hath
neither brim nor bottom. The world hath railed a flander upon
the crofs of Chriil:, becaufe they love to go to heaven by dry land,
and love not lea-florms. But I write it under my hand (and would
lay more, if poffibly a reader would not deem it hypocrify), that my
obligation to Chrift for the fmell of His garments, for His love-kiffes
thefe thirty weeks, ffandeth fo great, that I fhould (and I defire alfo
to choofe to), fufpend my falvation, to have many tongues loofed in
my behalf to praife Him. And, fuppofe in perfon I never entered
within the gates of the New Jerufalem, yet fo being Chrift may be
fet on high, and I had the liberty to caft my love and praifes for
ever over the wall to Chrift, I would be filent and content. But
oh, He is more than my narrow praifes ! Oh time, time, flee
fwiftly, that our communion with Jefus may be perfected !

I wifh that your Lordfhip would urge Mr L. to give his mind
in the ceremonies ; and be pleafed to let me fee it as quickly as can
be, and it fhall be anfwered.

To His rich grace I recommend your Lordfhip, and fhall remain,
Yours, at all refpeffful obedience in Chrift,

S. R.
Aberdeen, June 8, 1637.

CLXXV.— r^ John Laurie.

(CHRIST'S LOFE—A RIGHT ESTIMATE OF HIM— HIS GRACE.)

EAR BROTHER,— I am forry that ye, or fo many in
this kingdom, fhould expeft fo much of me, an empty
reed. Verily I am a noughty* and poor body ; but
if the tinkling of the iron chains of my Lord Jefus on legs and arms
could found the high praifes of my royal Kingt whofe priibner 1

* Some underftand tliis as meaning, " Being nought," or nothing. It is,
however, written "naughty," evil, in okl editions.

LETTER CLXXV. [1637.

am, oh, how would my joy run over ! If my Lord would bring
edification to one foul by my bonds, I am fatisfied. But I know
not what I can do to fuch a princely and beautiful Well-beloved ;
He is far behind with me.* Little thanks to me, to fay to others
that His wind bloweth on me, who am but withered and dry bones ;
but, fince ye defire me to write to you, either help me to fet Chrift
on high, for His running-over love, in- that the heat of His fweet
breath hath melted a frozen heart -, elfef I think that ye do nothing
for a prifoner.

I am fully confirmed, that it is the honour of our Law^ver
which I fuffer for now. I am not afhamed to ^ve out letters of
recommendation of Chrifl's love to as many as will extol the Lord
Jefus and His Crofs. If I had not failed this fea-way to heaven,
but had taken the land-way, as many do, I fhould not have known
Chrifl's fweetnefs in fuch a meafure. But the truth is, let no man
thank me, for I caufed not Chrifl's wind to blow upon me. His
love came upon a withered creature, whether I would or not ; and
yet by coming it procured from me a welcome. A heart of iron,
and iron doors, will not hold Chrifl out. I give Him leave to break
iron locks and come in, and that is all. And now I know not
whether pain of love for want of pofTeiTion, or for row that I dow J
not thank Him, paineth me the moft ; but both work upon me. For
the firfl : oh that He would come and fatisfy the longing foul, and
fill the hungry foul with thefe good things ! I know indeed that
my guiltinefs may be a bar in His way ; but He is God, and ready
to forgive. And for the other : woe, woe is me, that I cannot find
a heart to give back again my unworthy little love for His great
fea-full of love to me ! Oh that He would learn § me this piece of
gratitude ! Oh that I could have leave to look in through the hole
of the door, to fee His face and fmg His praifes ! or could break
up one of His chamber-windows, to look in upon His delighting
beauty, till my Lord fend more ! Any little communion with Him,

* He has fo fully paid me. t Unlefs ye do this.

X Cannot. § Teach, It is the German, Ickreu,

1637.] LETTER CLXXF, 413

one of His love-looks, fhould be my begun heaven. I know that
He is not lordly, neither is the Bridegroom's love proud, though I
be black, and unlovely, and unworthy of Him. I would feek but
leave, and withal grace, to fpend my love upon Him. I counfel you
to think highly of Chrifl, and of free, free grace, more than ye did
before ; for I know that Chrift is not known amongfl us. I think
that I fee more of Chrift than ever I faw ; and yet I fee but little of
what maybe feen. Oh that He would draw by* the curtains, and
that the Kng would come out of His gallery and His palace, that
I might fee Him ! Chrifl's love is young glory and young heaven ;
it would foften hell's pain to be filled with it. What would I re-
fufe to fuffer, if I could get but a draught of love at my heart's
defire ! Oh, what price can be given for Him ? Angels cannot
weigh Him. Oh, His weight. His worth, His fweetnefs. His over-
pafling beauty ! If men and angels would come and look to that
great and princely One, their ebbnefsf could never take up His
depth, their narrownefs could never comprehend His breadth,
height, and length. If ten thoufand thoufand worlds of angels
were created, they might all tire themfelves in wondering at His
beauty, and begin again to wonder of new. Oh that I could win J
nigh Him, to kifs His feet, to hear His voice, to feel the fmell of
His ointments ! But oh, alas, I have litde, little of Him ! Yet I
long for more.

Remember my bonds, and help me with your prayers ; for I
would not niifer §• or exchange my fad hours with the joy of my
velvet adverfaries. Grace be with you.

Yours in his fweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.
Aberdeen, June 10, 1637.

* A fide. t Shallownefs. % Get near.

§ Barter. Perhaps ^^ or exchange" have been put into the text Irom the
margin.

414 LETTER CLXXFL [1637.

CLXXVL— r^ Carleton.

{A CHRISTIAN'S CONFESSION OF UNtVORTHINESS— DESIRE
FOR CHRISrs HONOUR— PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.)

jORTHY AND MUCH HONOURED,— Grace, mercy,
and peace be to you. I received your letter from my
brother, to which I now anfwer particularly.

I confefs two things of myfelf : I/?, Woe, woe is me, that men
fliould think there is anything in me ! He is my witnefs, before
whom I am as cryflal, that the fecret houfe-devils that bear me too
often company, and that this fmk of corruption which I find within,
make me go with low fails. And if others faw what I fee, they
would look by* me, but not to me.

2d/yy I know that this fhower of His free grace behoved to be
on me, otherwife I fhould have withered. I know, alfo, that I have
need of a buffeting tempter, that grace may be put to exercife, and
I kept low.

Worthy and dear brother in the Lord Jefus, I write that from
my heart which ye now read. ly?, I avouch that Chrift, and fweat-
ing and fighing under His crofs, is fweeter to me by far, than all
the kingdoms in the world could poflibly be. 2^/y, If you, and my
dearefl acquaintance in Chrift, reap any fruit by my fuffering, let
me be weighed in God's even balance, if my joy be not fulfilled.
What am I, to carry the marks of fuch a great King ! But, how-
beit I am a fmk and finful mafs, a wretched captive of fin, my Lord
Jefus can hew heaven out of worfe timber than I am ; if worfe can
be. 3^/y, I now rejoice with joy unfpeakable and glorious, that I
never purpofed to bring Chrift, or the leafi: hoof or hair-breadth of
truth, under tryfiing.f I defired to have and keep Chrifi: all alone ,

* Paft ; as Paul *^ failed by Ephefus," />., part ; Ads xx. 16.

t To bring under man's arrangement the fmalleft part of Chrift's trutli.

1637.] LETTER CLXXVL 415

and that He rhould never rub clothes with that black-lkinned harlot
of Rome. I am now fully paid home, fo that nothing aileth me for
the prefent, but love-ficknefs for a real pofTeilion of my fairefl:
Well-beloved. I would give Him my bond under my faith and
hand, to frift* heaven an hundred years longer, fo being He would
lay His holy face to my fometimes wet cheeks. Oh, who would
not pity me, to know how fain I would have the ICing fhaking the
tree of life upon me, or letting me into the well of life with my old
diih, that I might be drunken with the fountain here in the houfe of
my pilgrimage ! I cannot, nay, I would not, be quit of Chrift's
love. He hath left the mark behind where he gripped.f He
goeth away and leaveth me and His burning love to wreftle together,
and I can fcarce win J my meat of His love, becaufe of His abfence.
My Lord giveth me but hungry half-kifTes, which ferve to feed
pain and increafe hunger, but do not fatisfy my defires ; His dieting
of my foul for this race maketh me lean. I have gotten the wale §
and choice of Chrift's crofles, even the tythe and the flower of the
gold of all crofles, to bear witnefs to the truth ; and herein find I
liberty, joy, accefs, life, comfort, love, faith, fubmiflion, patience,
and refolution to take delight in on- waiting. And withal, in my
race. He hath come near me, and let me fee the gold and crown.
What, then, want I but fruition and real enjoyment, which is re-
ferved to my country ? || Let no man think he fliall lofe at Chrift's
hands in fuflering for Him. ^hly. As for thefe prefent trials, they
are moft dangerous ; for people are ftolen ofl' their feet with well-
wafhen % and white-fl<:inned pretences of indiflerency. But it is the
power of the great antichrift working in this land. Woe, woe,
woe be to apoftate Scotland ! There is wrath, and a cup of the
red wine of the wrath of God Almighty in the Lord's hand, that
they fhall drink and fpue, and fall and not rife again. The flar
called " Wormwood and gall," is fallen into the fountains and

* Defer. f Grafp. % Get enough out of His love to feed me.

§ Seledteft part. || Till I reach the heavenly country.

^ Waflied, in order that their blacknefs may not appear.

4x6 LETTER CLXXVL [1637.

rivers, and hath made them bitter. The fword of the Lord is fur-
bifhed againil: the idol-fhepherds of the land. Women fliall blefs
the barren womb and mifcarrying breail: ; all hearts (hall be faint,
and all knees fhall tremble. An end is coming ; the leopard and
the lion fhall watch over our cities ; houfes great and fair fhall be
defolate without an inhabitant. The Lord hath faid, " Pray not for
this people, for I have taken My peace from them." Yet the Lord's
third part fhall come through the fire, as refined gold for the trea-
fure of the Lord, and the outcafts of Scotland fhall be gathered
together again, and the wildernefs fhall blofTom as the flower, and
bud, and grow as the rofe of Sharon -, and great fhall be the glory
of the Lord upon Scotland. 5//^/)', I am here afTaulted with the
learned and pregnant wits of this kingdom. But, all honour be to
my Lord, truth but laughs at bemifted* and blind fcribes, and dif-
puters of this world ; and God's wifdom confoundeth them, and
Chrifl triumpheth in His own ftrong truth, that fpeaketh for itfelf.
6thlyy I doubt not but my Lord is preparing me for heavier trials.
I am moft ready at the good pleafure of my Lord, in the ftrength
of His grace, for anything He will be pleafed to call me to ; neither
fhall the black-faced mefTenger, Death, be holden at the door, when
it fhall knock. If my Lord will take honour of the like of me, how
glad and joyful will my foul be ! Let Chrift come out with me to
a hotter battle than this, and I will fear no flefh. I know that my
Mafter fhall win the day, and that He hath taken the ordering of
my fufferings into His own hand. 'Jthly, As for my deliverance that
mifcarrieth ; I am here, by my Lord's grace, to lay my hand on my
mouth, to be filent, and wait on. IVTy Lord Jefus is on His journey
for my deliverance ; I will not grudge that He runneth not fo fafl
as I would have Him. On-waiting till the fwelling rivers fall, and
till my Lord arife as a mighty man after ftrong wine, will be my
befl. I have not yet refifted to blood. 8//6/)', Oh, how often am
I laid in the dufl, and urged by the tempter (who can ride his own
errands upon our lying apprehenfions) to fin againfl the unchangeable

* Bewildered in mift.

1637.] ' LETTER CLXXVI. 417

love of my Lord ! When I think upon the fparrows and fwallows
that build their nefts in the kirk of Anwoth, and of my dumb
Sabbaths, my forrowful, bleared eyes look afquint upon Chrifl, and
prefent Him as angry. But in this trial (all honour to our princely
and royal I^ng !) faith faileth fair before the wind, with topfail up,
and carrieth the pafTenger through. I lay inhibitions upon my
thoughts, that they receive no flanders of my only, only Beloved.
Let Him even fay out of His own mouth, " There is no hope ;"
yet I will die in that fweet beguile,* " It is not fo, I (hall fee the
falvation of God." Let me be deceived really, and never win to
dry land ; it is my joy to believe under the water, and to die with
faith in my hand, gripping f Chrift. Let my conceptions of Chrift's
love go to the grave with me, and to hell with me ; I may not, I
dare not quit them. I hope to keep Chrift's pawn : if He never
come to loofe it, let Him fee to His own promife. I know that
prefumption, howbeit it be made of floutnefs, will not thus be wilful
in heavy trials.

Now my deareft in Chrift, the great MefTenger of the Covenant,
the only wife and all-fufficient Jehovah, eflablifh you to the end. I
hear that the Lord hath been at your houfe, and hath called home
your wife to her reft. I know. Sir, that ye fee the Lord loofmg the
pins of your tabernacle, and wooing your love from this plaftered
and over-gilded world, and calling upon you to be making yourfelf
ready to go to your Father's country, which fhall be a fweet fruit
of that vifitation. Ye know, " to fend the Comforter," was the
icing's word when He afcended on high. Ye have claim to, and
intereft in, that promife.

Remember my love in Chrift to your father. Show him that it
is late and black night with him. His long lying at the water-fide
is that he may look his papers ere he take fhipping, and be at a
point for his laft anfwer before his Judge and Lord.

All love, all mercy, all grace and peace, all multiplied faving
confolations, all joy and faith in Chrift, all ftability and confirm-

* Delufion. f Grafping.

VOL. I. D D

4i8 LETTER CLXXVIL [1637.

ing ftrength of grace, and the good-will of Him that dwelt in The
Bufh, be with you.

Your unworthy brother, in his fweet Lord Jefus,
Aberdeen, June 15, 1637. S. R.

CLXXVIL— r^ Marion M^Naught.

(CHRIST SUFFERING IN HIS CHURCH— HIS COMING— OUT-
POURINGS OF LOVE FROM HIM.)

ORTHY AND DEAREST IN THE LORD,— I ever
loved (fince I knew you) that little vineyard of the
Lord's planting in Galloway ; but now much more,
fince I have heard that He who hath His fire in Zion, and His
furnace in Jerufalem, hath been pleafed to fet up a furnace amongfl
you with the firft in this kingdom. He who maketh old things
new, feeing Scotland an old, drofTy, and rufted ICirk, is beginning
to make a new, clean bride of her, and to bring a young, chafte
wife to Himfelf out of the fire. This fire fhall be quenched, fo
foon as Chrift has brought a clean fpoufe through the fire !
Therefore, my dearly beloved in the Lord, fear not a worm.
*' Fear not, worm Jacob."* Chrift is in that plea, and fhall win the
plea. Charge an unbelieving heart, under the pain of treafon
againfl: our great and royal King Jefus, to dependence by faith, and
quiet on-waiting on our Lord. Get you into your chambers, and
fhut the doors about you. In, in with fpeed to your flronghold, ye
prifoners of hope. Ye doves, fly into Chrift's windows till the
indignation be over, and the florm be paft. Glorify the Lord in
your fufFerings, and take His banner of love, and fpread it over
you. Others will follow you, if they fee you ftrong in the Lord.
Their courage will take life from your Chriflian carriage. Look up
and fee who is coming ! Lift up your head. He is coming to fave,
in garments dyed in blood, and travelling in the greatnefs of His
flrength. I laugh, I fmile, I leap for joy, to fee Chrifl coming to

* Job XXV. 6, and Ifaiah xli. 14.

1637-] LETTER CLXXVIL 419

fave you fo quickly. Oh, fuch wide fteps Chrift taketh ! Three
or four hills are but a ftep to Him ; He fkippeth over the moun-
tains. Chrifl hath fet a battle betwixt His poor weak faints and
His enemies. He waleth* the weapons for both parties, and faith
to the enemies, " Take you a fwordf of fteel, law, authority, par-
liaments, and kings upon your fide ; that is your armour." And
He faith to His faints, '* I ^ve you a fecklefs tree-fword in your
hand, and that is fuffering, receiving of ftrokes, fpoiling of your
goods ; and with your tree-fword ye fhall get and gain the viftory."
Was not Chrift dragged through the ditches of deep diftreffes and
great flraits ? And yet Chrift, who is your Head, hath won:}:
through with His life, howbeit not with a whole fkin. Ye are
Chrifl's members, and He is drawing His members through the
thorny hedge up to heaven after Him. ChrLft one day will not have
fb much as a pained toe ; but there are great pieces and portions of
Chrifl's myftical body not yet within the gates of the great high
city, the New Jerufalem ; and the dragon will ftrike at Chrill:, fo
long as there is one bit or member of Chrifl's body out of heaven.
I tell you, Chrifl will make new work out of old, forcaflen§ Scot-
land, and gather the old broken boards of His tabernacle, and pin
them and nail them together. Our bills and fupplications are up
in heaven ; Chrifl hath coffers full of them. There is mercy on the
other fide of this His crofs ; a good anfwer to all ourbills is agreed upon.
I mufl tell you what lovely Jefus, fair Jefus, King Jefus hath
done to my foul. Sometimes He fendeth me out a flanding drink, ||
and whifpereth a word through the wall ; and I am well content
of kindnefs at the fecond hand : His bode f is ever welcome to me,
be what it will. But at other times He will be meffenger Himfelf, and

* Seledeth.

t In old editions, ^^ qjoord;' but the contraft, *^ tree-fword," fword of
wood^ inftead oijleel^ fhows the true reading.

X Get. § Caft off.

II A cup handed to one as he flood at the door of a friend without dis-
mounting. It is like the ftirrup-cup.

^ Offer made in order to bargain.

420 LETTER CLXXFIL [1637.

I get the cup of falvation out of His own hand (He drinking to me),
and we cannot reft till we be in other's arms. And oh, how fweet is
a frefti kifs from His holy mouth ! His breathing that goeth before
a kifs upon my poor foul is fweet, and hath no fault but that it is
too fhort. I am carelefs, andftand not much on this, howbeit loins,
and back, and fhoulders, and head iTiould rive* in pieces in flepping
up to my Father's houfe. I know that my Lord can make long, and
broad, and high, and deep glory to His name, out of this bit fecklefsf
body ; for Chrifl looketh not what ftufF He maketh glory out of.

My dearly beloved, ye have often refrefhed me. But this is put
up in my Mafter's account ; ye have Him debtor for me. But if
ye will do anything for me (as I know ye will) now in my ex-
tremity, tell all my dear friends that a prifoner is fettered and
chained in Chrifl's love (Lord, never loofe the fetters !) ; and ye and
they together take my heartieft commendations to my Lord Jefus,
and thank Him for a poor friend.

I defire your hufband to read this letter. I fend him a pri-
foner's bleffing. I will be obliged to him, if he will be willing to
fuffer for my dear Mafter. Suffering is the profelFor's golden gar-
ment ; there fhall be no lofTes on Chrift's fide of it. Ye have been
wirnefles of much joy betwixt Chrifl: and me at communion feafls,
the remembrance whereof (howbeit I be feafl:ed in fecret) holethj
my heart ; for I am put from the board-head J and the King's firft
mefs to His by-board. § And His broken meat is sweet unto me ;
I thank my Lord for borrowed crumbs, no lefs than when I feafled
at the communion table at Anwoth and Kirkcudbright. Pray that
I may get one day of Chrifl in public, fuch as I have had long fince,
before my eyes be clofed. Oh that my Mafter would take up

* Be rent in pieces. t Worthlefs.

J *' Holleth." It is properly ** hokthy' makes a hole in my heart. It is
iifed for making a hole for inferting railings or bars. So in Let. 197, and in
a fermon preached before the Houfe of Commons, 1644, on Dan. vi. 26, he
fpeaks of " a threadbare cloak, ragged and holed," p. 45.

§ Head of the table, the place of honour. The by-board, or fide-table,
for children or tho like.

1637.] LETTER CLXXVIIL 421

houle again, and lend me the keys of His wine-cellar again , and
God fend me borrowed drink till then !

Remember my love to Chrift's kinfmen with you. I pray for
Chriil's Father's blefling to them all. Grace be with you ; a pri-
foner's bleifing be with you. I write it and abide by it, God will
be glorious in Marion M'Naught, when this ftormy blaft fhall be
over. O woman beloved of God, believe, rejoice, be ftrong in the
Lord ! Grace is thy portion.

Your brother, in his fweet Lord Jefus,

Aberdeen, June 15, 1637. 'S. R.

CLXXVIIL— -To Lady Culross. [Let. 74.]

{CHRIST'S MANAGEMENT OF TRIALS— -M'H AT FAITH CAN DO-
CHRIST NOT EXPERIENCE— PRATERS.)

ADAM, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I dare
not fay that I wonder that ye have never written to me
in my bonds, becaufe I am not ignorant of the caufe ;
yet I could not but write to you.

I know not whether joy or heavinefs in my foul carrieth it
away. Sorrow, without any mixture of fweetnefs, hath not often
love-thoughts of Chrift ; but I fee that the devil can infmuate him-
felf, and ride his errands upon the thoughts of a poor diflrefled
prifoner. I am woe* that I am making Chrift my unfriend, f by
feeking pleas { againft Him, becaufe I am the firft in the kingdom
put to utter fdence, and becaufe I cannot preach my Lord's right-
eoufnefs in the great congregation. I am, notwithflanding, the lefs
folicitous how it go, if there be not wrath in my cup. But I know
that I but claw my wounds when my Phyfician hath forbidden me.
I would believe in the dark upon luck's head, § and take my hazard
of ChriU's good-will, and reft on this, that in my fever my Phyfician

* Sorry. t Lefs than friend.

X Occafions of quarrel. § On the chance of winning.

42 2 LETJER CLXXVIII. [1637.

is at my bedfide, and that He fympathizeth with me when I figh.
My borrowed houfe, and another man's bed and firefide, and other
lofTes, have no room in my forrow ; a greater heat to eat out a lefs
fire, is a good remedy for fome burning. I believe that when Chrifl
draweth blood, He hath fkill to cut the right vein ; and that He
hath taken the whole ordering and difpofmg of my fufferings. Let
Him tutor me, and tutor my crofTes, as He thinketh good. There
is no danger nor hazard in following fuch a guide, howbeit He
Ihould lead me through hell, if I could put faith foremoft, and fill
the field with a quiet on-waiting, and believing to fee the falvation of
God. I know that Chrift is not obliged to let me fee both the fides
of my crofs, and turn it over and over that I may fee all. My faith
is richer to live upon credit, and Chrifl's borrowed money, than to
have much on hand. Alas ! I have forgotten that faith in times
paft hath flopped a leak in my crazed bark, and hath filled my fails
with a fair wind. I fee it a work of God that experiences are all
loft, when fummons of improbation,* to prove our charters of Chrifl
to be counterfeits, are raifed againft poor fouls in their heavy trials.
But let me be a iinner, and worfe than the chief of fmners, yea,
a guilty devil, I am fure that my Well-beloved is God. And when
I fay that Chrifl is God, and that my Chrifl is God, I have faid all
things, I can fay no more. I would that I could build as much on
this, " My Chrifl is God," as it would bear ; I might lay all the
world upon it. I am fure, that Chrifl untried, and untaken-up in
the power of His love, kindnefs, mercies, goodnefs, wifdom, long-
liifFering, and greatnefs, is the rock that dim-fighted travellers dafh
their foot againfl, and fo flumble fearfully. But my wounds are
ibrefl, and pain me mofl, when I fm againfl His love and mercy.
And if He would fet me and my confcience by the ears together, and
refolve not to red the plea, but let us deal it betwixt us, my fpitting
upon the fair face of Chrifl's love and mercies by my jealoufies,f

* Actions raifed with the- view of fliowing that the pcrfons had no right to
what they claimed,
t Sufpicions.

1637.] LETTER CLXXVIII. 423

unbelief, and doubting, would be enough to fink me. Oh, oh,
I am convinced ! O Lord, I fland dumb before Thee for this !
Let me be mine own judge in this, and I take a dreadful doom
upon me for it. For I flill mifbelieve, though I have feen that
my Lord hath made my crofs as if it were all cryiftal, fo as I can fee
through it Chrift's fair face and heaven ; and that God hath honoured
a lump of fmful flefh and blood the like of me, * to be Chrifl's
honourable lord-prifoner. I ought to efteem the walls of the
thieves' holef (if I were (hut up in it), or any {linking dungeon,
all hung with tapeifry, and mofl beautiful, for my Lord Jefus ; and
yet, I am not fo fhut up but that the fun fhineth upon my prifon,
and the fair wide heaven is the covering of it. But my Lord, in
His fweet vifits, hath done more ; for He maketh me to find that
He will be a confined prifoner with me. He lieth down and rifeth
up with me ; when I figh. He figheth ; when I weep. He fufFereth
with me ; and I confefs that here is the bleffed ifTue of my fufFer-
ings already begun, that my heart is filled with hunger and defire
to have Him glorified in my fuiferings.

Bleffed be ye of the Lord, Madam, if ye would help a poor
dyvour, and caufe others of your acquaintance in Chrifl to help me
to pay my debt of love, even real praifes to Chrifl my Lord.
Madam, let me charge you in the Lord, as ye fhall anfwer to Him,
to help me in this duty (which He hath ded about my neck with a
chain of fuch fmgular exprefHons of His loving-kindnefs), to fet on
high Chrift ; to hold in my honefty at His hands,J for I have nothing
to give to Him. Oh that He would arrefl and comprife§ my love
and my heart for all ! I am a dyvour, who have no more free
goods in the world for Chrifl fave that ; it is both the whole heri-
tage I have, and all my moveables befides. Lord, give the thirfly
man a drink. Oh, to be over the ears in the well ! Oh, to be
fwattering || and fwimming over head and ears in Chrift's love ! I

* A man fuch as I am. f Prifon.

Jin order hereby to keep up my charader with Him.
§ Arrejl^ is apprehended by force ; comprife, is doing fo by writ of law.
II Fluttering and moving awkwardly in water, as ducks do.

424 LETTER CLXXIX. [1637.

would not have Chrifl's love entering into me, but I would enter
into it, and be Iwallowed up of that love. But I lee not myfelf
here ; for I fear I make more of His love than of Himfelf ; whereas
Himielf is far beyond and much better than His love. Oh, if I had
my fmful arms filled with that lovelv one Chrift ! BlefTed be my
rich Lord Jefus, who fendeth not away beggars from His houie
with a toom* difh. He filleth the velTels of fuch as will come and
feek. We might beg ourfelves rich (if we were wile) if we could
hold out our withered hands to Chrift, and learn to luitf and feek,
afk and knock. I owe my falvation for Chrifl's glory, I owe it to
Chrift ; and defire that my hell, yea, a new hell, feven times hotter
than the old hell, might buy praifes before men and angels to my
Lord Jefus -, pro\iding always that I were free of Chrifl's hatred
and difpleafure. What am I, to be forfeited and fold in foul and
body, to have my great and royal King fet on high and extolled
above all ? Oh, if I knew how high to have Him fet, and all the
world far, far beneath the foles of His feet ? Nay, I deferve not
to be the matter of His praifes, far lefs to be an agent in praifmg
of Him. But He can win His own glory out of me, and out ot
worfe than I (if any fuch be), if it pleafe His holy majefly lb to
do. He knoweth that I am not now flattering Him.

Madam, let me have your prayers, as ye have the prayers and
bleffing of him that is ieparated from His brethren. Grace, grace
be with you.

Your own, in his iweet Lord Jefus,

S. R.

Aberdeen, Ju?i<; 15, 1637.

CLXXIX. — To kis re%'erend ami lovhig Brother, Mr John Nevay.

[Mr John Nevay, or Neave, as he Ipelt his name, was minifter of
New-mills, in the parifh of Loudon, and chaplain to the Earl of Loudon. In
all the queftions which divided the Covenanters in his day, he adhered to what

* F.mpty. + Lrge a requeft.

1637.] LETTER CLXXIX. 425

may be called the ftri<5t party, being oppoled to the Public Reiblutions. After
the reftoration of Charles II., Nevay, in 1662, was obliged to fubfcribe an
engagement to remove forth of the king's dominions before the ift of Feb-
ruary, and not to return under pain of death. He reached Holland, and
lived for fome time in Rotterdam. But, on the 26th of July 1670, a letter of
Charles II. was laid before the aflembled States of Holland, accufing Nevay and
other two minifters, Mr Robert Trail and Mr Robert M'Ward (who was
fecretary to Rutherford at the Weftminfter AfTembly, and who firft edited his
'* Letters"), all refiding within the jurifdidtion of the States, of writing and
publifhing pafquils againft his Majefty's Government. It would, however,
appear that he ftill continued at Rotterdam, and died there. Wodrow de-
fcribes him as ** a perfon of very confiderable parts, and bright piety." Robert
M^Ward, in 1677, thus writes: ^^ Oh! when I remember that burning and
fhining light, worthy and warm Mr Livingftone, who ufed to preach as
within the fight of Chrift, and the glory to be revealed; acute and dijiinci
iV(?i;/2)' ; judicious and neat Simfon ; fervent, ferious, and zealous Trail ; —
when I remember, I fay, that all thefe great luminaries are now fet and re-
moved by death from our people, and out of our pulpit, in fo fhort a time,
what matter of foiTow prefents itfelf to my eye ! " Nevay cultivated the art
of poetry, and is the author of a paraphrafe (called by Wodrow ^ ^ a handfome
paraphrafe") of the Song of Solomon in Latin verfe. The General Aflembly
entertained fo high an opinion of his poetical talents, that they appointed him,
in Auguft 1647, along with three other minifters, to revife Rous' metrical
verfion of the Pfalms. The portion affigned to him for revifal was the laft
thirty pfalms of that verfion. After his death, a volume of fermons, preached
by him on the Covenant of Grace, was publifhed. His fon mamed Sarah
Van Brakel, whofe poetical compofitions are favourably exhibited in her
elegy upon a popular preacher, and who was a kind friend to the Britifh
refugees.]

(CHRIST'S LOFE SHARPENED IN SUFFERING— KNEELING JT
THE COMMUNION— POSTURES AT ORDINANCES.)

EVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER, — Grace,

mercy, and peace be to you. I received yours of
April II, as I did another of March 25, and a letter
for Mr Andrew Cant.*

* Mr Andrew Cant was at this time minifter of Pitfligo, in Buchan,
Aberdeenlhire. He had been previoufly minifter of Alford. In 1639, ^^ was
removed from Pitfligo to Newbottle ; and in 1640, to the New Town of Aber-

426 LETTER CLXXIX. [1637.

I am not a little grieved that our mother Church is running fo
quickly to the brothel-houfe, and that we are hiring lovers, and
giving gifts to the Great Mother of Fornications.* Alas, that our
hufband is like to quit us fo fhortly ! It were my part (if I were
able), when our Hufband is departing, to flir up myfelf to take hold
of Him, and keep Him in this land ; for I know Him to be a fweet
fecond,f and a lovely companion to a poor prifoner.

I find that my extremity hath fharpened the edge of His love
and kindnefs, fo that He feemeth to devife new ways of exprelTmg
the fweetnefs of His love to my foul. Suffering for Chrift is the
very element wherein Chrifl's love liveth, and exercifeth itfelf, in
cafting out flames of fire, and fparks of heat, to warm fuch a frozen
heart as I have. And if Chrift weeping in fackcloth be fo fweet, I
cannot find any imaginable thoughts to think what He will be,
when we clay-bodies (having put ofF mortality) fhall come up to the
marriage-hall and great palace, and behold the I^ng clothed in His
robes royal, fitting on His throne. I would defire no more for my
heaven beneath the moon, while I am fighing in this houfe of clay,
but daily renewed feafis of love with Chrifl, and liberty now and
then to feed my hunger with a kifs of that faireft face, that is like
the fun in his flrength at noon-day. I would willingly fubfcribe an
ample refignation to Chrifl of the fourteen prelacies of this land,
and of all the moft delightful pleafures on earth, and forfeit my
part of this clay god, this earth, which Adam's foolifh children wor-
fhip, to have no other exercife than to lie on a love-bed with Chrift,

deen, where he became ProfefTor of Theology in Marifchal College. In this
fituation he continued till the year after the reftoration of Charles II. Ruther-
ford's Lex Rex having then, by the orders of the State, been publicly burnt, and
the author himfelf fummoned before Parliament to anfwer an accufation of
high treafon, Cant, indignant at fuch ungenerous treatment of a great and
good man, condemned it in one of his fermons. Being accufed of treafon
for this, before the magiftrates, he demitted his charge, and came to dwell with
his fon at Liberton. In 1663, he was formally depofed from his charge by
the Bifhop and Synod of Aberdeen, and died not long after, aged feventy-nine.
He is the author of a treatife on ^' The Titles of our BlefTed Saviour."
* Rev. xvii. 5. t Helper.

1637.1 LETTER CLXXIX. 427

and fill this hungered and famifhed ibul with kifTing, embracing,
and real enjoying of the Son of God ; and I think that then I might
write to my friends, that I had found the Golden World, and look
out and laugh at the poor bodies who are flaying one another for
feathers. For verily, brother, fmce I came to this prifon, I have
conceived a new and extraordinary opinion of Chrift, which I had
not before. For, I perceive, we frill* all our joys to Chrift, till He
and we be in our own houfe above, as married parties, thinking
that there is nothing of it here to be fought or found, but only hope
and fair promifes ; and that Chrift will give us nothing here but
tears, fadnefs, and crofies ; and that we ihall never feel the fmell of
the flowers of that high garden of paradife above, till we come there.
Nay, but I find that it is poffible to find young glory, and a young
green paradife of joy, even here. I know that Chrifl's kifl^es will
caft a more ftrong and refrefliful fmell of incomparable glory and
joy in heaven than they do here ; becaufe a drink of the well of life,
up at the well's head, is more fweet and frefli by far than that
which we get in our borrowed, old, running-out veflTels, and our
wooden diflies here. Yet I am now perfuaded it is our folly to
frifl:* all till the term-day, feeing abundance of earneflf will not
diminifli anything of our principal fum. We dream of hunger in
Chrift's houfe while we are here, although he alloweth feafl:s to all
the bairns within God's houfehold. It were good, then, to fiore
ourfelves with more borrowed kifles of Chrifl:, and with more bor-
rowed vifits, till we enter heirs to our new inheritance, and our
Tutor put us in pofiefiion of our own when we are pafl: minority.
O that all the young heirs would feek more, and a greater, and
a nearer communion with my Lord Tutor, the prime heir of all,
Chrift ! I wifli that, for my part, I could fend you, and that
gentleman who wrote his commendations to me, into the King's
innermofl: cellar and houfe of wine, to be filled with love. A drink
of this love is worth the having indeed. We carry ourfelves but too
nicely with Chrift our Lord ; and our Lord loveth not nicenefs, and

Defer to another time. f Foretafte of what Is to be got.

428 LETTER CLXXIX. [1637.

drynefs, and unconefs, * in friends. Since need-forcef that we
muft be in Chrift's common, \ then let us be in His common \ for it
will be no otherwife.

Now, for my prefent cafe in my imprifonment : deliverance (for
any appearance that I fee) looketh cold-like. § My hope, if it looked
to or leaned upon men, would wither foon at the root, like a May
flower. Yet I refolve to eafe myfelf with on-waiting on my Lord,
and to let my faith fwim where it lofeth ground. I am under a
neceffity either of fainting (which I hope my Mafler, of whom I
boaft all the day, will avert), or then I! to lay my faith upon Omiii-
potency, and to wink and flick by my grip, f And I hope that
my fhip fliall ride it out, feeing Chrifl: is willing to blow His fweet
wind in my fails, and mendeth and clofeth the leaks in my fhip, and
ruleth all. It will be ftrange if a believing paiTenger be caften over-
board.

As for your mafter, my lord and my lady,** I fhail be loath to
forget them. I think my prayers (fuch as they are) are debt due to
him ; and I fhall be far more engaged to his Lordfhip, if he be fafl
for Chrift (as I hope he will) now when fo many of his coat and
quality flip from Chrifl's back, and leave Him to fendf f for Himfelf.

I entreat you to remember my love to that worthy gentleman,
A. C, who fainted me in your letter : I have heard that he is one
of my INIafler's friends, for the which caufe I am tied to him. I
wilh that he may more and more fall in love with Chrifl.

Now for your queftion : — As far as I rawly conceive, I think
that God is praifed two ways : ly?. By a concional profefHon of His
highnefs before men, luch as is the very hearing of the word, and
receiving of either of the facraments ; in which acts by profefTion,
we give out to men, that He is our God with whom we are in

* Refer\e ; behaving as if ftrangers. t Of pure necefTity.

X Under obligation to. § The fire gone out, hopelefs.

II Or, as an alternative. ^ Shut the eyes, and keep firm hold, in fpite of peril.
** John Campbell, fii-ft Earl of Loudon, and his lady, Margaret Campbell,
Baronefs of Loudon, daughter of George Campbell, mafter of Loudon,
tf Shift for, provide.

637.] LETTER CLXXIX. 429

covenant, and our Lawgiver. Thus eating and drinking in the
Lord's Supper, is an annunciation and profeilion before men, that
Chrifl: is our flain Redeemer. Here, becaufe God fpeaketh to us,
not we to Him, it is not a formal thankfgiving, but an annunciation
or predication of Chrift's death — conciofial,* not adorative — neither
hath it God for the immediate obje(5f, and therefore no kneeling
can be here.

idly. There is another praifmg of God, formal, when we are
either formally blefling God, or fpeaking His praifes. And this I
take to be twofold : — I. When we direflly and formally dire6l
praifes and thankfgiving to God. This may well be done kneeling,
in token of our recognizance of His highnefs ; yet not fo but that it
may be done ftanding or fitting, efpecially feeing joyful elevation
(which fhould be in praifmg) is not formally fignified by kneeling.
2. When we fpeak good of God, and declare His glorious nature
and attributes, extolling Him before men, to excite men to conceive
highly of Him. The former I hold to be worfhip every way im-
mediate, elfe I know not any immediate worfhip at all ; the latter
hath God for the fubje6f, not properly the objeft , feeing the predi-
cation is diredfed to men immediately, rather than to God ; for here
we fpeak of God by way of praifmg, rather than to God. And,
for my own part, as I am for the prefent minded, I fee not how
this can be done kneeling, feeing it is priedicatio Dei et Chrifti, 7ion
laiidatlo aid benedictio Dei. [A preaching of God and Chrift, and
not of praifing or blelTmg of God.] But obferve, that it is formal
praifmg of God, and not merely concional, as I diflinguifhed in the
firft member ; for, in the firft member, any fpeaking of God, or of
His works of creation, providence, and redemption, is indireft and
concional* praifmg of Him, and formally preaching, or an a6f of
teaching, not an aft of predication of His praifes. For there is a
difference betwixt the fimple relation of the virtues of a thing (which
is formally teaching), and the extolling of the worth of a thing by
way of commendation, to caufe others to praife with us.

* An a(5t in which we addrefs men, not one in which we adore.

430 LETTER CLXXX. [1637.

Thus recommending you to God's grace, * I reft, yours, in his
fweet Lord Jefus,

Aberdeen", June 15, 1637. S. R.

CLXXX, — 21? the much Hofioured John Gordon of Cardonefs,

the Elder.

(LONGINGS FOR THOSE UNDER HIS FORMER MINISTRT— DE-
LIGHT IN CHRIST JND HIS APPEARING— PLEADING MLTH
HIS FLOCK.)

UCH HONOURED, AND DEAREST IN MY
LORD, — Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. My
foul longeth exceedingly to hear how matters go be-
twixt you and Chrift ; and whether or not there be any work of
Chrift in that parifh, that will bide the trial of fire and water. Let
me be weighed of my Lord in a juft balance, if your fouls lie not
weighty upon me. Ye go to bed and ye rife with me : thoughts
of your foul, my deareft in our Lord, depart not from me in my
fleep. Ye have a great part of my tears, fighs, fupplications, and
prayers. Oh, if I could buy your foul's salvation with any fufFer-
ing whatfoever, and that ye and I might meet with joy up in the
rainbow, when we fhall ftand before our Judge ! Oh, my Lord,
forbid that I have any hard thing to deponef againft you in that
day ! Oh that He who quickeneth the dead would give life to
mv fowing among you ! What joy is there (next to Chrift) that
ftandeth on this fide of death, which would comfort me more, than
that the fouls of that poor people were in fafety, and beyond all
hazard of being loft !

Sir, fhow the people this ; for when I write to you, I think I
write to you all, old and young. Fulfil my joy, and feek the Lord.
Sure I am, that once I difcovered my lovely, royal, princely Lord

* In fome modem editions, it is '^ Tweet grace ; '" but not fo in the earlieft.
t To ftate as a witnefs does.

1637.] LETTER CLXXX. 431

Jefiis to you all. Woe, woe, woe fhall be your part of it for
evermore, if the Gofpel be not the favour of life to you. As many
fermons as I preached, as many fentences as I uttered, as many
points of dittay* (hall there be, when the Lord fhall plead with the
world, for the evil of their doings. Believe me, I find heaven a
city hard to be won. " The righteous fhall fcarcely be faved."
Oh, what violence of throning f will heaven take ! Alas ! I fee
many deceiving themfelves ; for we will all to heaven now ! Every
foul dog, with his foul feet, will in at the neareft, to the new and
clean Jerufalem. All fay they have faith ; and the greateft part in
the world know not, and will not confider, that a flip in the matter
of their falvation is the mofl: pitiable flip that can be ; and that no
lofs is comparable to this lofs. Oh, then, fee that there be not a
loofe pin in the work of your falvation ; for ye will not believe how
quickly the Judge will come. And for yourfelf, 1 know that death
is waiting, and hovering, and lingering at God's command. That
ye may be prepared, then, ye had need to flir your time, and to
take eternity and death to your riper advifement. A wrong ftep,
or a wrong flot,^ in going out of this life, in one property, is like
the fm againfl: the Holy Ghoft:, and can never be for^ven, becaufe
ye cannot come back again through the lafl: water to mourn for it.
I know your accounts are many, and will take telling and laying, and
reckoning betwixt you and your Lord. Fit your accounts, and
order them. Lofe not the lafl: play, whatever ye do, for in that
play with death your precious foul is the prize : for the Lord's fake
fpill § not the play, and lofe not fuch a treafure. Ye know that,
out of love which I had to your foul, and out of defire which I
had to make an honefl: account of you, I teflified my difpleafure and
difliking of your ways very often, both in private and public. I
am not now a witnefs of your doings, but your Judge is always
your witnefs. I befeech you by the mercies of God, by the falva-

* Indiiflment. ** Your dittay is burnt," (/>. there is now no charge
againft you), occurs in Ke