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LIBRARY 

OF   THE 

Theological   Seminary 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

Case, .^«^..Wk«««r:..r).H..- 

Shelf,         i  (   w"    7 
Book, iio,-. 


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OB, 

THREE  HUNDRED  AJID  FIFTY-TWO 

RELIGIOUS  LETTERS; 

WRITTEN 

BETWEEN  1636  &  1661. 

BY  THE  LATE  EMINENTLY  PIOUS 

MR.    SAMUEL    RUTHERFORD, 

PROFESSOR  OF  DIVINITY  A.T  ST.  ANDREWS. 
TO  WHICH  IS  rREFIXED, 

A  LIFE   OF   THE   AUTHOR, 

INCLUDING 

HIS  LAST  -WORDS. 


FIRST  AMERICAN, 

FROBI    THE    TWELFTH    GLASGOW    EDITION. 


NEW-YORK: 

G,  k  C.  CARVILL,  AND  JOHN  P.  HAVEN,  BROADWAV- 

S'eielU  &  Tucker,  Printera,  Janiaic?),  « 

1826. 


The  writings  of  this  eminently  pious  servant  of  Christ  not 
being  generally  known  in  this  country,  the  publisher  offers 
the  following  recommendations  to  this  work,  from  several  of 
the  most  eminent  Divines  of  our  country — to  which  many 
others  might  have  been  added  had  it  been  deemed  necessary. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

From  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blatchford,  D.  D.  of  Lansingburgh, 

Lansingburgh,  4th  August,  1826. 
Mr.  Henry  C.  Sleight, 

Sir — I  am  much  pleased  with  your  intention  of  publishing 
"Rutherford's  Letters."     It  is  a  compilation  highly  spiritual  • 
It  exhibits  to  the  taste  of  the  believer  that  sweetness  which 
flows  from  fellowship  with  the  father  and  his  Son  Christ  Jesus 
whilst  it  develops  the  character  of  that  support  and  consolation 
which  experimental  religion  affords  to  the  people  of  God,  who 
are  faithful  to  their  Master  under  the  severest  trials.     Surely  the 
Author  of  these  Letters  was  animated  with  a  glowing  zeal  for 
the  glory  of  the   Redeemer,  and  richly  partook  of  the  fullness 
which  there  is  in  Christ ;  he  is  to  be  regarded  as  an  eagle  in  its 
flight,  piercing  through  the  dark,  impending  clouds  up  to  the 
very  eye  of  the  sun,  and  thence  deriving  light,  vigour,  and  joy 
which  the  world  could  not  give  nor  persecution  suppress. 
Respectfully  yours, 

Samuel  Blatchford. 

From  the  Rev.  Alex.  Proudfit,  D.  D.  of  Salem,  JV*.  Y. 

My  respected  friend, 

I  have  recently  been  informed  that  you  intend  to  republish 
the  Letters  of  the  great  Samuel  Rutherford,  and  very  cordially 
recommend  this  design  to  the  patronage  of  the  religious  pub- 
lic. The  honourable  appellation  given  to  John  the  Baptist 
may,  with  much  propriety,  be  applied  to  this  champion  for 
Divine  truth,  "he  was  a  burning  and  a  shining  light,"  and 
multitudes,  in  almost  every  part  of  the  protestant  churches, 
during  the  period  of  two  hundred  years,  "  have  been  rejoicing 
in  his  light."  His  reputation  as  a  scholar  and  divine  is  evi- 
dent from  those  distinguished,  and  very  responsible  stations  which 


he  was  called  to  occupy  in  his  own  country,  and  in  foreign  coun- 
tries. These  letters,  which  you  are  now  proposing  to  reprint, 
cannot  fail,  in  my  opinion,  to  recommend  themselves  to  the  con- 
sciences and  affections  of  all  who  are  attached  to  evangelic 
truth,  and  aspire  after  holiness  of  heart,  or  ardently  breathe  after 
the  fellowship  of  Jesus  as  their  glory  and  joy.  It  has  been  fre- 
quently remarked  that  the  choicest  epistles  of  Paul  were  dated 
from  the  dungeon,  and  the  most  edifying  discourses  in  divinity, 
both  doctrinal  and  practical,  were  written  while  their  authors 
were  suffering  in  the  fires  of  persecution,  and  probably  it  is  no 
disadvantage  (o  this  volume  of  Mr.  Rutherford  that  it  was  chiefly 
composed  during  his  imprisonment  "  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus." 
Although  singularities  of  expression  occasionally  occur,  and  ow- 
ing to  that  revolution  which  every  living  language  must  be  ex- 
pected to  undergo  in  the  lapse  of  two  centuries,  some  words 
may  be  unintelligible  to  a  modern  English  reader,  yet  for  purity 
and  solidity  of  matter;  for  an  impressive  exhibition  of  the  Sa- 
viour in  his  suitableness  and  sufficiency ;  for  intense,  elevated 
breathings  of  soul,  after  the  pledges  of  his  love,  and  for  lively 
contemplations  "  of  the  glory  to  be  revealed,"  perhapa  few  works 
of  human  composition  surpass  them.  Indeed  there  is  an  unction 
about  every  thing  written  by  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ  which 
approaches  nearer  to  the  fervour  of  the  sacred  scriptures  than 
almost  any  other  uninspired  writings  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 
With  great  pleasure,  therefore,  I  recommend  these  letters  to  the 
cordial  reception  of  the  friends  of  our  common  Lord,  and  that  his 
blessing  may  abundantly  accompany  this,  and  every  effort  which  is 
designed  for  the  diffusion  of  his  gospel  in  its  purity,  and  for  the 
advancement  of  his  own  glory,  is  the  prayer  of  your  servant,  for 
Jesus'  sake. 


Salem,  August  )6,  1826. 


Alex.  Proudfit. 


From  the  Rev.  Alex.  Bullions,  M.  V.  D.  of  Cambridge,  JV*.  Y, 

Cambridge,  Aug.  19,  1826. 
I  have  just  learned  that  you  are  publishing  an  edition  of 
Rutherford's  Letters.  This  work  has  ever  been  justly  regarded 
by  all  thriving  Christians  as  highly  evangelical,  and  containing  a 
rich  treasure  of  the  experience  of  a  tried  saint  and  minister  of 
Christ,  and  breathing  a  rich  unction  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  This 
work  is  as  scarce  in  America  as  it  is  valuable,  and  your  republi- 
cation will  confer  a  real  favour  on  our  churches.  Wishing  you 
much  success  in  your  undertaking,  and  pledging  myself  to  pro- 
mote its  circulation,  I  remain  yours, 

Affectionately, 

Alex.  Bullions,  M.  V.  P. 


From  the  Rev.  Richard  Cecil's  Works. 

Rutherford's  Letters  is  one  of  my  classics.  Were  truth 
the  beam,  I  have  no  doubt,  that  if  Homer  and  Virgil  and  Horace 
and  all  that  the  world  hus  agreed  to  idolize  were  weighed  against 
that  book,  they  would  be  lighter  than  vanity.  He  is  a  real 
original.  There  are  in  his  Letters  some  inexpressibly  forcible 
and  arresting  remonstrances  with  unconverted  men. 

From  the  Afflicted  Man's  Companion. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  rfalyburton,  of  St.  Andrews,  when  on  his  death- 
bed, caused  to  be  read  to  him,  one  of  Mr.  Rutherford's  letters, 
viz.  that  to  Mr.  John  Mein,  and  thereafter  said,  "  That  is  a 
book  I  would  commend  to  you  all,  there  is  more  practical  reli- 
gion in  that  letter,  than  in  a  book  of  a  larger  volume." 


LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


Mr.  Samuel  Rutherford,  a  gentleman  by  extraction,  having 
spent  some  time  at  the  grammar-school,  went  to  the  university  of  Edin- 
burgh, where  he  was  so  much  admired  for  his  pregnancy  of  parts,  and 
deservedly  looked  upon  as  one  from  whom  great  tnings  might  be  ex- 
pected, that  in  a  short  time,  though  then  but  very  young,  he  was  made 
professor  of  philosophy  in  that  university. 

Some  time  after  this  he  was  called  to  be  minister  at  Anwoth  in  the 
shire  of  Galloway,  unto  which  charge  he  entered  by  means  of  the 
then  viscount  of  Kenmuir,  without  any  acknowledgment  or  engage- 
ment to  the  bishops.  There  he  laboured  with  great  diligence  and 
success  both  night  and  day,  rising  usually  by  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  spending  the  whole  time  in  reading,  praying,  writing,  cate- 
chising, visiting,  and  other  duties  belonging  to  the  ministerial  pro- 
fession and  employment. 

Here  he  wrote  his  Exercitationes  de  Gratia,  &c.  for  which  he  was 
summoned  as  early  as  June,  1630,  before  the  High  Commission  Court, 
but  the  weather  was  so  tempestuous  as  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  the 
archbishop  of  St.  Andrews  hither,  and  Mr.  Colvill,  one  of  the  judges, 
having  befriended  him,  the  diet  was  deserted.  About  the  same  time 
his  first  wife  died  after  a  sore  sickness  of  thirteen  months,  and  he 
himself  being  so  ill  of  a  tertian  fever  for  thirteen  weeks,  that  then  he 
could  not  preach  on  the  sabbath  day  without  great  difficulty. 

Again  in  April  1634,  he  was  threatened  with  another  prosecution 
at  the  instance  of  the  bishop  of  Galloway,  before  the  High  Commis- 
sion Court ;  and  neither  were  these  threatenings  all  the  reasons  Mr. 
Rutherford  had  to  lay  his  account  with  suffering :  and  as  the  Lord 
would  not  hide  from  his  faithful  servant  Abraham  things  he  was  about 
to  do,  neither  would  he  conceal  from  this  son  of  Abraham  what  his 
purposes  were  concerning  him ;  in  a  letter  to  the  provost's  wife  of 
Kirkcudbright,  dated  April  20,  1633,  he  says.  Upon  the  17th  and  18th 
of  August,  he  got  a  full  answer  of  his  Lord  to  be  a  graced  minister, 
and  a  chosen  arrow  hid  in  his  quiver.*  Accordingly  the  thing  he 
looked  for  came  upon  him,  for  he  was  again  summoned  before  the  High 
Commission  Court  for  his  non-conformity,  his  preaching  against  the 
five  articles  of  Perth,  and  the  fore-mentioned  book,  Exercitationes 
Apologeticce  pro  Divina  Gratia,  which  book  they  alledged  did  reflect 
upon  the  church  of  Scotland  ;  but  the  truth  was,  says  a  late  histori- 
an,! the  argument  of  that  book  did  cut  the  sinews  of  Arminianism, 
and  galled  the  episcopal  clergy  to  the  very  quick,  and  so  bishop  Syd- 

*  See  his  Letters,  Part  III.  Letter  27. 

1  See  Stevenson's  History,  Vol,  1.  page  149.    Rowe's  History,  page  295. 


4  LIFE    OF   THE    AUTHOR. 

reserf  could  endure  him  no  longer.  When  he  came  before  the  Com- 
mission Court,  he  altogether  declined  them  as  a  lawful  judicatory,  and 
would  not  give  the  chancellor,  (being  a  clergyman,)  and  the  bishops 
their  titles,  by  lording  of  them  ;  yet  some  had  the  courage  to  befriend 
him,  particularly  the  lord  Lorn,  afterwards  the  famous  marquis  of  Ar- 
gyle,  who  did  as  much  for  him  as  was  within  his  power  to  do  ;  but  the 
bishop  of  Galloway  threatening  that  if  he  got  not  his  will  of  him,  he 
would  write  to  the  king,  it  was  carried  against  him  ;  and  upon  the  27th 
of  July,  1636,  he  was  discharged  to  exercise  any  part  of  his  ministry 
within  the  kingdom  of  Scotland  under  pain  of  rebelhon,  and  ordered 
within  six  months  to  confine  himself  within  the  city  of  Aberdeen,  &c. 
during  the  king's  pleasure,  which  sentence  he  obeyed,  and  forthwith 
went  toward  the  place  of  his  confinement. 

From  Aberdeen  he  wrote  many  of  his  famous  letters,  from  which 
it  is  evident,  that  the  consolation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  did  greatly  abound 
with  him  in  his  sufferings ;  yea,  in  one  of  these  letters,  he  expresses 
this  in  the  strongest  terms,  when  he  says,  "  I  never  knew  before,  that 
his  love  was  in  such  a  measure.  If  he  leave  me,  he  leaves  me  in 
pain,  and  sick  of  love,  and  yet  my  sickness  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  cast  water  on  it."  Here  he  remained  upwards  of  a 
year  and  a  half,  by  which  time  he  made  the  doctors  of  Aberdeen  know 
that  the  Puritans,  as  they  called  them,  were  clergymen  as  well  as  they. 
But,  upon  notice  that  the  private  council  had  received  in  a  declinature 
against  the  High  Commission  Court  in  the  year  1638,  he  adventured 
to  return  back  again  to  his  flock  at  Anvvoth,  where  he  again  took 
great  pains,  both  in  public  and  in  private  amongst  that  people,  who 
from  all  quarters  resorted  to  his  ministry,  so  that  the  whole  country 
side  might  account  themselves  as  his  particular  flock  ;  and  it  being 
then  at  the  dawning  of  the  reformation,  found  no  small  benefit  by  the 
ffospel,  that  part  of  the  ancient  prophecy  being  farther  accomplished, 
For  in  the  wilderness  shall  waters  break  out  and  streams  in  the  desert, 
Isa.  XXXV.  6. 

He  was  before  that  venerable  assembly  held  at  Glasgow  in  1638, 
and  gave  an  account  of  all  these  his  former  proceedings,  with  respect 
to  his  confinement,  and  the  causes  thereof.  By  them  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  be  professor  of  divinity  at  St.  Andrews,  and  colleague  in 
the  ministry  with  the  worthy  Mr.  Blair,  who  was  translated  hither 
about  the  same  time.  And  here  God  did  again  so  second  this  his 
eminent  and  faithful  servant,  that  by  his  indefatigable  pains  both  in 
teaching  in  the  schools  and  preaching  in  the  congregation,  that  St. 
Andrews,  the  seat  of  the  arch-bishop,  and  by  that  means  the  nursery 
of  all  superstition,  error,  and  profaneness,  soon  became  forthwith  a 
Lebanon  out  of  which  were  taken  cedars,  for  building  the  house  of 
the  Lord,  almost  through  the  whole  land  ;  many  of  whom  were  guided 
to  heaven  before  himself,  who  received  the  spiritual  life  by  his  minis- 
try, and  many  others  did  walk  in  that  light  after  him. 

And  as  he  was  mighty  in  the  public  parts  of  religion,  so  he  was  a 
<Treat  practiser  and  encourager  of  the  private  duties  thereof.  Thus  in 
the  year  1640,  when  a  charge  was  foisted  in  before  the  general  assem- 


LIFE    OF   THE    AUTHOR.  J 

bly  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Henry  Guthrie,  minister  at  Stirling,  (after- 
ward bishop  of  Dunkeld,)  against  private  society  meetings,  which 
were  then  abounding  in  the  land,  on  which  ensued  much  reasoning, 
the  one  side  yielding  that  a  paper  before  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Henderson 
should  be  agreed  unto  concerning  the  order  to  be  kept  in  these  meet- 
ings, &c.  but  Guthrie  and  his  adherents  opposing  this,  Mr.  Rutherford, 
who  was  never  much  disposed  to  speak  in  judicatories,  threw  in  this 
syllogism,  "  What  the  Scriptures  do  warrant  no  assembly  may  dis- 
charge, but  private  meetings  for  religious  exercises  the  Scriptures  do 
warrant,  Mai.  fi.  16.  T7ien  they  that  J  eared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to 
another,  &c.  James  v.  16.  Confess  yourfaidts  one  to  another,  and  pray 
one  for  another,  &c.  These  things  could  not  be  done  in  public  meet- 
ings," &c.  And  although  the  earl  of  Seaforth  there  present,  and 
those  of  Guthrie's  faction,  upbraided  this  good  man  for  this,  yet  it 
had  influence  upon  the  majority  of  the  members,  so  that  all  the  op- 
posite party  got  done,  was  an  act  anent  the  ordering  of  family  wor- 
ship. 

He  was  also  one  of  the  Scots  Commissioners,  appointed  anno  1643, 
to  the  Westminster  Assembly,  and  was  very  much  beloved  there  for 
his  unparalleled  faithfulness  and  zeal  in  going  about  his  Master's  busi- 
ness. It  was  during  this  time  that  he  published  Lex  Rex,  and  seve- 
ral other  learned  pieces  against  the  erastians,  anabaptists,  indepen- 
dents, and  other  sectaries  that  began  to  prevail  and  increase  at  that 
time,  and  none  ever  had  the  courage  to  take  up  the  gauntlet  of  defi- 
ance thrown  down  by  this  champion.* 

When  the  principal  business  of  this  assembly  was  pretty  well  set- 
tled, Mr.  Rutherford,  on  October  24th,  1647,  moved  that  it  might  be 
recorded  in  the  Scribe's  book,  that  the  assembly  had  enjoyed  the  as- 
sistance of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  all  the 
time  they  had  been  debating  and  perfecting  these  four  things  mention- 
ed in  the  solemn  league,  viz.  Their  composing  a  Directory  for  Wor- 
ship, an  uniform  Confession  of  Faith,  a  Form  of  Church  Government 
and  Discipline,  and  the  Public  Catechism,  which  was  done  in  about  a 
week  after  he  and  the  rest  returned  home. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  learned  Damatius  anno  1651,  the  magistrates 
of  Utrecht  in  Holland,  being  abundantly  satisfied  as  to  the  learning, 
piety,  and  true  zeal  of  the  great  Mr.  Rutherford,  invited  him  to  the 
divinity  chair  there,  but  he  could  not  be  persuaded.  His  reasons  else- 
where, when  dissuading  another  gentleman  from  going  abroad,  seem 
to  be  expressed  in  these  words. — "  Let  me  entreat  you  to  be  far  from 
"  the  thoughts  of  leaving  this  land  ;  I  see  it  and  find  it,  that  the  Lord 
"  hath  covered  the  whole  land  with  a  cloud  in  his  anger,  but  though  I 
<♦  have  been  tempted  to  the  like,  I  had  rather  be  in  Scotland  beside  an- 
"  gry  Jesus  Christ,  knowing  he  mindeth  no  evil  to  us,  than  in  any 

*  It  is  reported,  that  when  king  Charles  saw  Lex  Rex,  he  said  it  would  scarce- 
ly ever  get  an  answer ;  nor  did  it  ever  get  any,  except  what  the  pariiament  in  166  i 
gave  it,  when  they  caused  it  to  be  burned  at  the  cross  of  Edinburgh,  by  the  han^l' 
of  the  hangman. 

2 


6  LIFE    OP    THE    AUTHOR. 

"  Eden  or  garden  on  the  earth."*  From  which  it  is  evident  that  he 
chose  rather  to  suffer  affliction  in  his  own  native  country,  than  to  leave 
his  charge  and  flock  in  time  of  danger.  He  continued  with  them 
till  the  day  of  his  death  in  the  free  and  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty. 

When  the  unhappy  difference  fell  out  between  those  called  the  pro- 
testors and  the  public  resolutioners  amiis  1650  and  1651,  he  espoused 
the  protestors'  quarrel,  and  gave  faithful  warning  against  these  public 
resolutions,  and  likewise  during  the  time  of  Cromwell's  usurpation  he 
contended  against  all  the  prevailing  sectaries  that  then  ushered  in  ^yith 
the  sectaries  by  virtue  of  his  toleration.|  And  such  was  his  unwea- 
ried assiduity  and  diligence,  that  he  seemed  to  pray  constantly,  to 
preach  constantly,  to  catechise  constantly,  and  to  visit  the  sick,  ex- 
horting from  house  to  house,  to  teach  as  much  in  the  schools,  and 
spend  as  much  time  with  the  students  and  young  men  in  fitting  them 
for  the  ministry,  as  if  he  had  been  sequestrate  from  all  the  world  be- 
sides, and  yet  withal  to  write  as  much  as  if  he  had  been  constantly 
shut  up  in  his  study. 

But  no  sooner  did  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  take  place,  than  the 
face  of  affairs  began  to  change,  and  after  his  fore-mentioned  book, 
Lex  Rex,  was  burned  at  the  cross  of  Edinburgh,  and  at  the  gates  of 
the  new  college  of  St.  Andrews,  where  he  was  professor  of  divinity, 
the  parliament  in  1661,  were  to  have  an  indictment  laid  before  them 
against  him,  and  such  was  their  humanity  when  every  body  knew  he 
was  a-dying,  that  they  caused  summon  him  to  appear  before  them  at 
Edinburgh,  to  answer  to  a  charge  of  high  treason  :J  But  he  had  a 
higher  tribunal  to  appear  before,  where  his  Judge  was  his  friend,  and 
was  dead  before  that  time  came,  being  taken  away  from  the  evil  to 
come. 

When  on  his  death-bed,  he  lamented  much  that  he  was  withheld 
from  bearing  witness  to  the  work  of  reformation  since  the  year  1 638, 
and  upon  the  28th  of  February  he  gave  a  large  and  faithful  Testi- 
mony§  against  the  sinful  courses  of  that  time,  which  testimony  he 

*  See  his  letter  to  Col.  Gilb.  Ker,  Part  II.  Let.  59. 

t  Betwixt  this  toleration  and  that  of  the  Duke  of  York,  there  was  this  differ- 
ence ;  in  this  all  sects  and  religions  were  tolerated,  except  popery  and  prelacy ; 
but  in  that  of  York,  not  only  these  two  were  tolerated,  but  all  others,  except  those 
who  professed  true  presbyterian  covenanted  principles ;  and  as  for  queen  Anne's 
toleration,  it  was  nothing  else  than  a  reduplication  upon  this,  to  restore  their  be- 
loved idol  prelacy  again. 

J  It  is  commonly  said,  that  when  the  summons  came,  he  spoke  out  of  his  bed 
sind  said.  Tell  them  I  have  got  a  summons  already,  before  a  superior  judge  and  ju- 
dicatory, and  I  behove  to  answer  my  first  summons,  and  ere  your  day  come  I  will 
be  where  few  king's  and  great  folks  come.  When  they  returned  and  told  he  was 
a  dying,  the  parliament  put  to  a  vote,  Whether  or  not  to  let  him  die  in  tlie  col- 
lege. It  carried.  Put  him  out,  only  a  few  dissenting.  My  Lord  Burleigh  said.  Ye 
have  voted  that  honest  man  out  of  the  college,  but  ye  cannot  vote  him  out  of  hea- 
ven. Some  said.  He  would  never  win  there,  hell  was  too  good  for  him.  Burleigh 
said,  I  wish  I  were  as  sure  of  heaven  as  he  is,  I  would  think  myself  happy  to  get  a 
grip  of  his  sleeve  to  haul  me  in.     See  Walker's  Rem.  page  171. 

h  This  Teetiniony,  and  some  of  his  last  words  were  published  in  1712. 


LIFE    OF    THE    AUTHOR.  7 

subscribed  twelve  days  before  his  death,  being  full  of  joy  and  peace 
in  believing. 

During  the  time  of  his  last  sickness,  especially  when  his  end  drew 
near,  he  uttered  many  savoury  speeches,  and  often  broke  out  in  a 
kind  of  sacred  rapture,  extolling  and  commending  the  Lord  Jesus, 
whom  he  often  called  his  blessed  Master — his  kingly  Kino-.  Some 
days  before  his  death  he  said,  I  shall  shine,  I  shall  see  him  as 
he  is,  I  shall  see  him  reign,  and  all  his  fair  company  with  him ;  and 
I  shall  have  my  large  share,  mine  eyes  shall  see  my  Redeemer,  these 
very  eyes  of  mine,  and  no  other  for  me ;  this  may  seem  a  wide  word, 
but  it's  no  fancy  or  delusion ;  it's  true,  it's  true,  let  my  Lord's  name 
be  exalted,  and  if  he  will,  let  my  name  be  grinded  to  pieces,  that  he 
may  be  all  in  all.  If  he  should  slay  me  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand times,  I'll  trust.  He  often  repeated,  Jer.  xv.  16,  '  Thy  words 
were  found,  and  I  did  eat  them,  and  thy  word  was  unto  me  the  joy 
and  rejoicing  of  my  heart.'  Exhorting  one  to  be  diligent  in  seeking 
God,  he  said,  'Tis  no  easy  thing  to  be  a  Christian,  but  for  me,  I  hav« 
gotten  the  victory,  and  Christ  is  holding  out  both  his  arms  to  embrace 
me.  At  another  time,  to  some  friends  about  him,  he  said.  At  the  be- 
ginning of  my  sufterings  I  had  mine  own  fears  like  another  sinful  man 
lest  I  should  faint,  and  not  be  carried  credUably  through  ;  and  I  laid 
this  before  the  Lord  ;  and  as  sure  as  he  ever  spake  to  me  in  his  word, 
as  sure  his  Spirit  witnessed  to  my  heart,  "  he  had  accepted  my  suf- 
fering, he  said  to  me,  fear  not :  the  outgate  shall  not  be  simply  matter 
of  prayer,  but  matter  of  praise.''  I  said  to  the  Lord,  if  he  should 
slay  me  five  thousand  times  five  thousand  times,  I  would  trust  in  him  ; 
and  I  spake  it  with  much  trembling,  fearing  I  should  not  make  my 
putt  good.  But  as  really  as  ever  he  spake  to  me  by  his  Spirit,  he  wit- 
nessed unto  my  heart,  "■  that  his  grace  should  be  sufficient." 

The  Tuesday's  night  before  his  death,  being  much  weighted  with 
the  state  of  the  public,  he  had  that  expression,  "  Terror  hath  taken 
hold  on  me  because  of  his  dispensations."  And  after  falling  upon 
his  own  condition,  he  said,  I  disclaim  all  that  he  ever  made  me  will 
or  do,  and  look  on  it  as  defiled  and  imperfect,  as  coming  from  me ; 
and  I  take  me  to  Christ  for  sanctification,  as  well  as  justification  ;  and 
repeating  these  words,  "  He  is  made  of  God  to  me,  wisdom,  righte- 
ousness, sanctification  and  redemption  ;''  he  added,  I  close  with  it, 
let  him  be  so,  he  is  my  all,  in  all  this. 

On  March  the  17th,  three  gentlewomen  coming  to  see  him ;  after 
exhorting  them  to  read  the  word,  and  be  frequent  in  prayer,  and  much 
in  communion  with  God,  he  said,  My  honourable  master  and  lovely 
Lord,  my  great  and  royal  King,  hath  not  a  match  in  heaven  or  in 
earth  ;  1  have  my  own  guiltiness  like  another  sinful  man,  but  he  hath 
j»ardoned,  loved,  and  washed,  and  given  me  "joy  unspeakable,  and 
full  of  glory."  I  repent  not  that  1  ever  owned  his  cause.  These 
whom  ye  call  Protestors  are  the  witnesses  of  Jesus  Christ ;  I  hope 
never  to  depart  from  that  cause,  nor  side  with  those  that  have  burnt 
the  Causes  of  God's  Wrath. 

They  have  broken  their  covenant  oftener  than  once  or  twice  :  but  I 
believe,  "  The  Lord  will  build  Zion,  and  repair  the  waste  places  of 


8  LIFE   OF    THE   AUTHOR. 

Jacob.''  0  !  to  obtain  mercy,  to  wrestle  with  God  for  their  salvation. 
As  for  this  Presbytery,  it  hath  stood  in  opposition  to  me  these  years 
past :  I  have  my  record  in  heaven  ;  I  had  no  particular  end  in  view, 
but  was  seeking  the  honour  of  God,  the  thriving  of  the  gospel  in  this 
pla'"^,  and  the  good  of  the  new  college,  that  society  which  I  have  left 
upon  the  Lord :  what  personal  wrongs  they  have  done  to  me,  and 
what  grief  they  have  occasioned  to  me,  I  heartily  forgive  them ;  and 
desire  mercy  to  wrestle  with  God,  for  mercy  to  them  and  all  their 
salvation. 

The  same  day,  Mr.  James  M'Gill,  Mr.  John  Wardlaw,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Yiolant,  and  Mr.  Alexander  Wedderburn,  all  members  of  the 
same  presbytery  with  him,  coming  to  visit  him  he  made  them  heartily 
welcome,  and  said,  My  Lord  and  Master  is  the  chief  of  ten  thou- 
sand of  thousands,  none  is  comparable  to  him  in  heaven  or  in  earth. 
Dear  brethren,  do  all  for  him;  pray  for  Christ,  preach  for  Christ; 
teed  the  flock  committed  to  your  charge  for  Christ ;  do  all  for  Christ ; 
beware  of  men  pleasing,  tl  ere  is  too  much  of  it  among  us.  Dear 
'  brethren,  you  know  I  have  had  my  own  grievances  among  you  of  this 
presbytery.  He  belbre  wl^om  1  stand  knows  it  was  not  my  own  in- 
terest, but  the  interest  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  thriving  of  the  gos- 
pel, I  was  seeking.  What  griefs  or  wrongs  you  have  done  me,  I 
heartily  forgive,  as  I  desire  to  be  forgiven  of  Christ.  The  new  col- 
lege hath  broken  my  heart,  and  I  can  say  nothing  of  it,  but  I  have 
left  it  upon  the  Lord  of  the  house,  and  it  hath  been,  and  still  is,  my 
desire,  that  he  may  dwell  in  this  society,  and  that  the  youths  may  be 
fed  with  sound  knowledge.  This  is  a  divided  visit  of  the  presbytery, 
and  1  know  so  much  the  less  what  to  say. 

After  this,  he  said.  Dear  brethren,  it  may  seem  a  presumption  in 
me,  a  particular  man,  to  send  a  commission  to  a  presbytery,  and  Mr. 
M'Gill  replying,  it  was  no  presumption :  he  continued.  Dear  breth- 
ren, take  a  commission  from  me,  a  dying  man,  to  them,  to  appear  for 
God  and  his  cause,  and  adhere  to  the  doctrine  of  the  covenant,  and 
have  a  care  of  the  flock  committed  to  their  charge.  Let  them  feed 
the  flock  out  of  love,  preach  for  God,  visit  and  catechise  for  God,  and 
do  all  for  God.  Beware  of  man  pleasing:  the  chief  Shepherd  will 
appear  shortly  ;  and  tell  them  from  me,  dear  brethren,  that  all  the  per- 
sonal griefs  and  wrongs  they  have  done  to  me,  I  do  cordially  and 
freely  forgive  them  :  but  for  the  business  of  the  new  college,  I  have 
left  that  upon  the  Lord  ;  let  them  see  to  it,  my  soul  desires  the  Lord 
to  dwell  in  that  society,  and  that  himseh"  may  feed  the  youths.  I 
have  been  a  sinful  man,  and  have  had  my  failings,  but  my  Lord  hath 
pardoned  and  accepted  my  labours.  1  adhere  to  the  cause  and  cove- 
nant, and  mind  never  to  depart  from  that  protestation*  against  the 
controverted  assemblies.  1  am  the  man  I  was.  I  am  still  for  keep- 
ing the  government  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland  entire,  and  would  not  for 
a  thousand  worlds,  have  had  the  least  finger  of  an  hand  in  burning  of 

*  This  appears  to  be  those  papers  bearing  the  name  of  representations,  propo- 
sitions, protestations,  &c.  given  in  by  him  and  Messrs.  Cant  and  Livingstone,  to  the 
ministers  and  elders  met  at  Edinburgh,  July  24th,  1652. 


LIFE    OF   THE    AUTHOR.  9 

the  Causes  of  God's  Wrath.  0  !  for  grace  to  wrestle  with  God  for 
their  salvation  who  have  done  it ;  and  Mr.  Violant  having  prayed  at 
his  desire,  as  they  took  their  leave,  he  renewed  his  charge  to  them, 
**  to  feed  the  flock  out  of  love." 

The  next  morning,  as  he  recovered  out  of  fainting,  in  which  they 
who  looked  on  expected  his  dissolution,  he  said,  I  feel,  I  feel,  I  be- 
lieve, I  joy  and  rejoice  ;  I  feed  on  manna.  The  worthy  and  famous 
Mr.  Robert  Blair,  whose  praise  is  in  the  gospel,  through  all  this 
church,  being  with  him  ;  (I  must  tell  the  reader,  our  author  had  this 
man  in  high  esteem  and  lived  in  near  friendship  and  love  with  him  till 
the  day  of  his  death.  A  reverend  minister,  lately  fallen  asleep,  who 
was  often  with  Mr.  Rutherford,  told  me,  he  used  to  call  Mr.  Blair  a 
worthy  man  of  God.)  As  Mr.  Rutherford  took  a  little  wine  in  a 
spoon,  to  refresh  himself,  being  very  weak,  Mr.  Blair  said  to  him,  Ye 
feed  on  dainties  in  heaven,  and  think  nothing  of  our  cordials  on  earth  ; 
he  answered.  They  are  all  but  dung,  yet  they  are  Christ's  creatures, 
and  out  of  obedience  to  his  command,  I  take  them ;  adding,  mine 
eyes  shall  see  my  Redeemer,  I  know  he  shall  stand  the  last  day  upon 
the  earth,  and  I  shall  be  caught  up  in  the  clouds  to  meet  him  in  the 
air,  and  I  shall  be  ever  with  him,  and  what  would  ye  have  more,  there 
is  an  end ;  and  stretching  out  his  hand,  again,  he  said,  there  is  an 
end.  A  little  after,  he  said,  I  have  been  a  wicked  sinful  man,  but  I 
stand  at  the  best  pass  that  ever  a  man  did,  Christ  is  mine  and  I  am 
his  ;  and  spake  much  of  the  white  stone,  and  the  new  name.  Mr. 
Blair,  who  loved  to  hear  Christ  commended  with  all  his  heart,  said  to 
him  again,  What  think  ye  now  of  Christ?  to  which  he  replied,  I 
shall  live  and  adore  him  :  glory,  glory,  to  my  Creator,  and  to  my  Re- 
deemer for  ever  :  glory  shines  in  Immanuel's  land. 

In  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  he  said,  O  !  that  all  my  brethren  in  the 
public,  may  know  what  a  Master  I  have  served,  and  what  peace  I 
have  this  day  :  '  I  shall  sleep  in  Christ,  and  when  I  awake,  I  shall  be 
satisfied  with  his  likeness.'  And  he  said.  This  night  shall  close  the 
door,  and  put  my  anchor  within  the  veil,  and  I  shall  go  away  in  a  sleep, 
by  five  of  the  clock  in  the  morning  :  which  exactly  fell  out  according 
as  he  had  told  that  night.  Though  he  was  very  weak,  he  had  often 
this  expression,  O  for  arms  to  embrace  him  ;  0  for  a  well  tuned  harp. 
And  he  exhorted  Dr.  Colvil,  (a  man  that  complied  with  Episcopacy 
afterwards)  to  adhere  to  the  government  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  and 
to  the  doctrine  of  the  covenant ;  and  to  have  a  care  that  youth  were 
fed  with  sound  knowledge  ;  and  expressed  his  desire  that  Christ  might 
dwell  in  that  society,  and  that  vice  and  profaneness  might  be  borne 
down  :  and  the  doctor  being  a  professor  in  the  new  college,  he  told 
him,  that  he  heartily  forgave  him  all  offence  he  had  done  him. 

He  spake  likewise  to  Mr.  Honeyman,  who  came  to  see  him,  (the 
man  who  afterward  not  only  submitted  to  the  Episcopal  government, 
but  wrote  in  defence  of  it,  and  was  made  Bishop  of  Orkney,)  and  de- 
sired him  to  tell  the  presbytery  to  appear  for  God  and  his  cause,  and 
covenant,  saying,  the  case  is  not  desperate,  let  them  be  in  their  duty. 
And  directing  his  speech  to  Dr.  Colvil,  and  Mr.  Honeyman,  he  said ; 
Stick  to  it.     Ye  may  think  it  an  easy  thing  in  me,  a  dying  man,  that 


10  LIFE   OF   THE   At'THOR. 

is  now  going  out  of  the  reach  of  all  that  man  can  do,  but  he  before 
whom  I  stand,  knows  I  dare  advise  no  colleague  or  brother  to  do  what 
I  would  not  cordially  do  myself,  upon  all  hazard :  and  as  for  the 
Causes  of  God's  Wrath,  that  men  have  now  condemned ;  tell  Mr. 
James  Wood  from  me,  that  I  had-rather  lay  my  head  down  on  a  scaf- 
fold, and  suffer  it  to  be  chopped  off  many  times,  were  it  possible,  be- 
fore I  had  passed  from  them.  And  to  Mr.  Honeyman  he  said.  Tell 
Mr.  James  Wood  from  me,  I  heartily  forgive  him  all  wrongs  he  has 
done  me ;  and  desire  him  from  me,  to  declare  himself  the  man  that 
he  is,  still  for  the  government  of  the  church  of  Scotland. 

And  truly  Mr.  Rutherford  was  not  deceived  in  him,  for  the  learned, 
pious,  and  worthy  Mr.  Wood  was  true  and  ffiithful  to  the  Presbyterian 
government ;  nothing  could  bow  him  to  comply,  in  the  least  degree, 
with  abjured  prelacy  ;  so  far  from  that,  that  apostacy  and  treachery  of 
others,  whom  he  had  too  much  trusted,  broke  his  upright  spirit,  espe- 
cially the  aggravated  defection  and  perfidy  of  one  whom  he  termed 
Judas,  Demas,  an*d  Gehazi,  concentred  in  one,  after  he  found  what 
part  he  acted  to  the  church  of  Scotland,  under  trust.  For  this  Mr. 
Wood  went  to  the  grave  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  left  his  testimony  be- 
hind him  to  the  work  of  God  in  this  land,  which  has  been  in  print  a 
long  time  ago.  I  owe  this  piece  of  justice  to  the  memory  of  this 
great  man  ;  and  to  show  that  the  only  differences  betwixt  Mr.  Ruther- 
ford and  him,  were  occasioned  by  Mr.  Wood's  joining  with  the  pro- 
moters of  the  public  resolutions  of  that  time,  but  Mr.  Rutherford 
ever  spoke  of  him  with  regard,  and  as  a  good  man  whom  he  loved. 
After,  when  some  spoke  to  Mr.  Rutherford  of  his  former  painfulness 
and  faithfulness  in  the  work  of  God,  he  said,  I  disclaim  all  that ;  the 
port  I  would  be  at  is  redemption  and  forgiveness,  through  his  blood. 
Thou  shalt  show  me  the  path  of  life,  in  thy  sight  is  fulness  of  joy. 
There  is  nothing  now  betwixt  me  and  the  resurrection  ;  "  But  to-day 
thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  paradise  ;''  Mr.  Blair  saying,  shall  I  praise 
the  Lord  for  all  the  mercies  he  hath  done  for  you,  and  is  to  do  1  He 
answered,  O  for  a  well  tuned  harp.  To  his  child  he  said,  I  have 
again  left  you  upon  the  Lord ;  it  may  be  you  will  tell  this  to  others. 
That  the  lines  are  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places,  I  have  a  goodly 
heritage :   I  bless  the  Lord  that  gave  me  counsel. 

On  the  19th  of  March  1661,  about  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  (as 
he  himself  had  foretold,)  it  was  said  unto  him.  Come  up  hither,  and 
he  gave  up  the  ghost ;  and  the  renowned  eagle  took  its  flight  unto  the 
mountain  of  spices. 

Thus  died  the  famous  Mr.  Rutherford,  who  may  justly  be  accounted 
among  the  sufferers  of  that  time ;  for  surely  he  was  a  martyr  both  in 
his  own  design  and  resolution,  and  by  the  design  and  determination 
of  men.  Few  men  ever  ran  so  long  a  race  without  cessation,  so 
constantly,  so  unweariedly,  and  so  unblameably.  Two  things,  rarely 
to  be  found  in  one  man  were  eminent  in  him,  viz.  a  quick  invention 
and  sound  judgment,  and  these  accompanied  with  a  homely  but  clear 
expression,  and  graceful  elocution ;  so  that  such  as  knew  him  best 
were  in  a  strait  whether  to  admire  him  most  for  his  penetrating  wit 
and  subUme  genius  in  the  schools,  and  peculiar  exactness  in  disputes 


LIFE    OP    THE    AUTHOR.  11 

and  matters  of  controversy,  or  his  familiar  condescension  in  the  pul- 
pit, where  he  was  one  of  the  most  moving  and  affectionate  preach- 
ers in  his  time,  or  perhaps  in  any  age  of  the  church. — To  sum  up  all 
in  a  word,  He  seems  to  be  one  of  the  most  resplendent  lights  that 
ever  arose  in  this  horizon. 

In  all  his  writings,  he  breathes  the  true  spirit  of  religion,  but  in  his 
every  way  admirable  Letters,  he  seems  to  have  outdone  himself,  as 
well  as  every  body  else,  which,  although  jested  on  by  the  profane  wits 
of  the  age,  because  of  some  homely  and  familiar  expressions  in  them, 
it  must  be  owned  by  all  who  have  any  relish  for  true  piety,  that  they 
contain  such  sublime  flights  of  devotion,  that  they  must  at  once  ra- 
vish and  edify  every  sober,  serious,  and  understanding  reader. 

Among  the  posthumous  works  of  the  laborious  Mr.  Rutherford  are 
his  Letters ;  the  Trial  and  Triumph  of  Faith :  Christ's  Dying  and 
Drawing  of  Sinners,  &c.  and  a  discourse  on  prayer ;  all  in  octavo. 
A  Discourse  on  the  Covenant ;  on  Liberty  of  Conscience  ;  A  Survey 
of  Spiritual  Antichrist ;  A  survey  of  Antinomianism  ;  Antichrist 
stormed  ;  and  several  other  controverted  pieces,  such  as  Lex  Rex ; 
the  Due  Right  of  Church  Government ;  the  Divine  Right  of  Church 
Government ;  and  Peaceable  plea  for  Presbytery ;  are  for  the  most 
part  in  quarto,  as  also  his  Summary  of  Church  Discipline,  and  a 
Treatise  on  the  Divine  Influence  of  the  Spirit.  There  are  also  a 
variety  of  his  Sermons  in  print,  some  of  which  were  preached  be- 
fore both  houses  of  parliament  annis  1644  and  1645,  He  wrote  also 
upon  providence,  but  that  being  in  Latin,  is  only  in  the  hands  of  a 
few ;  as  are  also  the  greater  part  of  his  works,  being  so  seldom  re- 
published. There  is  also  a  Volume  of  Sermons,  Sacramental  Dis- 
courses, &c. 


AN  EPITAPH  ON  HIS  GRAVE-STONE. 

What  tongue !  What  pen,  or  skill  of  men 
Can  famous  Rutherford  commend  ! 
His  learning  justly  rais'd  his  fame. 
True  goodness  did  adorn  his  name. 
He  did  converse  with  things  above, 
Acquainted  with  Emmanuel's  love. 
Most  orthodox  he  was,  and  sound, 
And  many  errors  did  confound. 
For  Zion's  king,  and  Zion's  cause, 
And  Scotland's  covenanted  laws, 
Most  constantly  he  did  contend, 
Until  his  time  was  at  an  end. 
At  last  he  wan  to  the  full  fruition 
Of  that  which  he  had  seen  in  vision. 

October  9th,  1735.  W.  W 


j^6> 


Christian  Reader, 


In  each  of  these  Epistles  thou  mayest  perceive,  how  the  Writer's 
heart  is  inflamed  with  a  holy  fire ;  and  how  his  soul  ascends  in  the 
smoke  :  as  snatched  up  to  heaven,  and  caught  up  above  all  that  is  be- 
low God  :  O  how  much  drops  from  his  pen  above  the  ordinary  attain- 
ments and  experience,  even  of  such  who  seem  to  have  out-run  others  ! 
So  that  in  respect  of  us,  this  angel  of  the  church  speaks  as  one  stand- 
ing already  in  the  choir  of  angels,  or  as  an  angel  come  down  from 
heaven  among  men,  to  give  us  some  account  of  what  they  are  doing 
above.  And  thus  leaving  thee  to  peruse  what  is  made  public  for  thy 
edification  ;  and  to  press  this  pomegranate  and  squeeze  this  grape  ; 
and  to  suck  till  thou  find  thy  soul  refreshed  with  its  spiced  wine  ;  and 
wishing  thee  an  experimental  knowledge  of  that  surpassing  and  in- 
conceivable sweetness  which  is  in  the  fruition  of  God,  and  to  be  en- 
joyed in  a  fellowship  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  a  full  draught  of  these  pure  streams  of  solid  joy  and  consolation, 
wherein  the  soul  of  this  saint  swimmed,  and  which  run  through  these 
lines ;  without  which,  while  he  speaks  as  coming  forth  out  of  the 
king's  banqueting  house,  to  persuade  thee  to  go  in  thither,  and  feast 
and  bathe  thy  soul  in  the  same  pure  delights,  and  permanent  plea- 
sures, whereon  he  fed,  and  which  flow  in  upon  the  soul  and  overflow 
it,  while  the  saint  finds  himself,  with  his  Beloved's  left  hand  under  his 
head,  and  his  right  hand  embracing  him,  he  will  be  to  thee  a  barba- 
rian. I  shall  only  wish  and  beg ;  that  thou  wouldest  seriously  seek 
of  God,  the  same  thing  for  him,  who  seeks  this  for  thee,  and  hath 
this  design  in  the  pains  taken  in  publishing  these  Letters,  if  thou  be 
thereby  provoked  to  seek  till  thou  find ;  this  is  that  adequate  recom- 
pense which  he  seeks,  earnestly  intreats,  and  expects,  who  is 
Thy  soul's  well-wisher  and  servant  in  Christ  Jesus. 


NOTE. 


The  Letters  are  divided  into  three  parts : — Part  First  contains  those  which  were 
written  from  Aberdeen,  where  he  was  confined  by  a  sentence  of  the  High  Com- 
mission drawn  forth  against  him,  partly  upon  the  account  of  declining  them, 
partly  upon  the  account  of  his  Nonconformity. 

Parts  Second  and  Third  contain  some  which  were  written  from  Anwoth  before  he 
was,  by  the  Prelates'  persecution,  thrust  out  of  his  ministry ;  and  others  upon 
divers  occasions  afterward,  from  St.  Andrews,  London,  &c. 


LETTERS. 


PART  FIRST. 


LETTER   I. 

To  Mr.  Robert  Cuninghame,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  at  Holy  wood,  in  Ireland, 
WELL-BELOVED    AND    REV.    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  be  to  you :  Upon  acquaintance  in  Christ, 
I  thought  good,  to  take  the  opportunity  of  writing  to  you.  Seeing  it 
hath  seemed  good  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  to  take  the  hooks 
out  of  our  hands  for  a  time,  and  so  lay  upon  us  a  more  honoura- 
ble service,  even  to  suffer  for  his  name ;  it  were  good  to  comfort 
one  another  in  writing.  I  have  had  a  desire  to  see  you  in  the 
face,  yet  now  being  the  prisoner  of  Christ,  it  is  taken  away.  I 
am  greatly  comforted  to  hear  of  your  stately  spirit,  for  your  princely 
and  royal  Captain,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  and  of  the  grace  of  God 
in  the  rest  of  our  dear  brethren  with  you.  You  have  heard  of  my 
trouble  I  suppose.  It  hath  pleased  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  to  let 
loose  the  malice  of  these  interdicted  lords  in  his  house,  to  deprive 
me  of  my  ministry  at  Anworth,  and  to  confine  me  eightscore  miles 
from  thence  to  Aberdeen ;  and  also  (which  was  not  done  to  any  be- 
fore) to  inhibit  me  to  speak  at  all  in  Jesus'  name,  within  this  kingdom, 
imder  the  pain  of  rebellion.  The  cause  that  ripened  their  hatred  was 
ray  book  against  the  A-minians,  whereof  they  accused  me,  those  three 
days  I  appeared  before  them  ;  but  let  our  crowned  King  in  Zion  reign ; 
by  his  grace  the  loss  is  theirs,  the  advantage  is  Christ's  and  truth's. 
Albeit  this  honest  cross  gained  some  ground  on  me  by  my  heaviness, 
and  inward  challenges  of  conscience  for  a  time  were  sharp,  yet  now 
for  the  encouragement  of  you  all,  I  dare  say  it,  and  write  it  under  my 
hand.  Welcome,  welcome,  sivect,  sweet  cross  of  Christ.  I  verily  think 
the  chains  of  my  Lord  Jesus  are  all  overlaid  with  pure  gold,  and  that 
his  cross  is  perfumed,  and  that  it  smelleth  of  Christ ;  and  that  the  vic- 
tory shall  be  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the  word  of  his  truth ; 
and  that  Christ  lying  on  his  back,  in  his  weak  servants  and  oppressed 
truth,  shall  ride  over  his  enemies'  bellies,  and  shall  strike  through  kings 
in  the  day  of  his  ivrath.  It  is  time  to  laugh  when  he  laugheth,  and 
seeing  he  is  now  pleased  to  sit  with  wrongs  for  a  time,  it  becometh  us 
to  be  silent,  until  the  Lord  hath  let  the  enemies  enjoy  their  hungry, 
lean,  and  feckless  paradise  ;  blessed  are  they  who  are  content  to  take 
strokes  with  weeping  Christ ;  faith  will  trust  the  Lord,  and  is  not  hasty, 
nor  head- strong  ;  neither  is  faith  so  timorous,  as  to  flatter  a  tentation, 
or  to  bud  and  bribe  the  cross.  It  is  Uttle  up  or  little  down  that  the 
Lamb  and  his  followers  can  get  no  law-surety,  nor  truce  with  crosses ; 
it  must  be  so,  till  we  be  up  in  our  Father's  house ;  mv  heart  is  woe 

3 


18  LETTER    I.  PART    I. 

indeed  for  my  mother  church,  that  hath  played  the  harlot  with  many 
lovers  ;  for  her  husband  hath  a  mind  to  sell  her  for  her  horrible  trans- 
gressions, and  heavy  will  the  hand  of  the  Lord  be  upon  this  backsliding 
nation.  The  ways  of  our  Zion  mourn  ;  her  gold  is  become  dim,  her 
white  Nazarites  are  black  like  a  coal ;  how  shall  the  children  not  weep, 
when  the  husband  and  the  mother  cannot  agree ;  yet  I  believe  Scot- 
land's skies  shall  clear  again,  and  that  Christ  shall  build  again  the  old 
waste  places  of  Jacob,  and  that  our  dead  and  dry  bones  shall  become 
an  army  of  living  men ;  and  that  our  Well-beloved  may  yet  feed 
among  the  lilies,  until  the  day  break,  and  the  shadows  flee  away. 
My  deal"  Brother,  let  us  help  one  another  with  our  prayers.  Our  King 
shall  mow  down  his  enemies,  and  shall  come  from  Bozrah  with  his 
garments  all  dyed  in  blood,  and  for  our  consolation  shall  he  appear, 
and  call  his  wife  Hephzibah,  and  his  land  Beulah ;  for  he  will  rejoice 
over  us  and  marry  us,  and  Scotland  shall  say.  What  have  I  to  do  any 
more  with  idols  ?  Only  let  us  be  faithful  to  him,  that  can  ride  through 
hell  and  death  upon  a  windlestrae  and  his  horse  never  stumble ;  and 
Jet  him  make  of  me  a  bridge  over  a  water,  so  that  his  high  and  holy 
name  may  be  glorified  in  me  :  strokes  with  the  sweet  Mediator's  hand, 
are  very  sweet ;  he  has  always  been  sweet  to  my  soul,  but  since  I 
suffered  for  him,  his  breath  hath  a  sweeter  smell  than  before.  Oh  that 
every  hair  of  my  head,  and  every  member,  and  every  bone  in  my  body, 
were  a  man  to  witness  a  fair  confession  for  him,  I  would  think  all  too 
little  for  him :  when  I  look  over  beyond  the  line,  and  beyond  death, 
to  the  laughing  side  of  the  world,  I  triumph,  and  ride  upon  the  high 
places  of  Jacob,  howbeit,  otherwise  I  am  a  faint,  dead-hearted, 
cowardly  man,  often  borne  down,  and  hungry  in  waiting  for  the  mar- 
riage-supper of  the  Lamb ;  nevertheless,  I  think  it  the  Lord's  wise 
love  that  feeds  us  with  hunger,  and  makes  us  fat  with  wants  and  deser- 
tions. I  know  not  my  dear  Brother,  if  our  worthy  brethren  be  gone 
to  sea  or  not ;  they  are  on  my  heart  and  in  my  prayers.  If  they  be 
yet  with  you,  salute  my  dear  friend  John  Stuart ;  my  well-beloved 
brethren  in  the  Lord,  Mr.  Blair,  Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Livingston,  and 
Mr.  M'Cleland,  and  acquaint  them  with  my  troubles,  and  intreat  them 
to  pray  for  the  poor  afflicted  prisoner  of  Christ ;  they  are  dear  to  my 
soul ;  I  seek  your  prayers  and  theirs  for  my  flock  ;  their  remembrance 
breaks  my  heart :  I  desire  to  love  that  people,  and  others  my  dear  ac- 
quaintance in  Christ  with  love  in  God,  and  as  God  loveth  them :  I 
know  that  he  who  sent  me  to  the  West  and  South  sends  me  also  to 
the  North :  I  will  charge  my  soul  to  beUeve  and  to  wait  for  him,  and 
will  follow  his  providence,  and  not  go  before  it,  nor  stay  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  hold- 
eth  the  seven  stars  in  his  right  hand,  that  you  may  be  kept  spotless 
till  the  day  of  Jesus  our  Lord.     I  am. 

Your  Brother  in  Affliction,  in  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Fi-om  Irving,  being  on  my  journey  to  Christ's  palace  in  Aberdeen. 
August  4tii,  lose. 


PART    I.  LETTER   II.  19 

LETTER  ir. 

To  his  Parishioners. 

Dearly  beloved  and  longed  for  in  the  Lord,  my  crown  and  my  joy 
in  the  day  of  Christ ;  grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Fa- 
ther, and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     I  long  exceedingly  to  know,  if  the 
oft  spoken  of  match  betwixt  you  and  Christ  holdeth ;   and  if  you  fol- 
low on  to  know  the  Lord.     My  day  thoughts  and  my  night  thoughts 
are  of  you ;  while  ye  sleep  I  am  afraid  of  your  souls,  that  they  be  off 
the  rock  ;  next  to  my  Lord  Jesus  and  this  fallen  kirk,  ye  have  the 
greatest  share  of  my  sorrow,  and  also  of  my  joy ;  ye  are  the  matter 
of  the  tears,  care,  fear,  and  daily  prayers  of  an  oppressed  prisoner  of 
Christ.     As  I  am  in  bonds  for  my  high  and  lofty  One,  my  royal  and 
princely  Master,  my  Lord  Jesus ;  so  I  am  in  bonds  for  you  :  for  I 
should  have  sleeped  in  my  warm  nest,  and  kept  the  fat  world  in  my 
arms,  and  the  cords  of  my  tabernacle  should  have  been  fastened  more 
strongly,  I  might  have  sung  an  evangel  of  ease  to  my  soul  and  you 
for  a  time  with  my  brethren,  the  sons  of  my  mother,  that  were  angry 
at  me,  and  have  thrust  me  out  of  the  vineyard,  if  I  should  have  been 
broken,  and  drawn  on  to  mire  you  the  Lord's  flock,  and  to  cause  you 
eat  pastures  trodden  upon  with  men's  feet,  and  to  drink  foul  and  muddy 
waters :  but  truly  the  Almighty  was  a  terror  to  me,  and  his  fear  made 
me  afraid.     O  my  Lord  judge  if  my  ministry  be  not  dear  to  me,  but 
not  so  dear  by  many  degrees  as  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord  God  knoweth 
the  sad  and  heavy  sabbaths  I  have  had,  since  I  laid  down  at  my  Mas- 
ter's feet  my  two  shepherd's  staves,  I  have  been  often  saying,  as  it  is 
written,  Lam.  iii.  52,  53.     '  My  enemies  chased  me  sore  like  a  bird 
without  cause :  they  have  cut  off  my  life  in  the  dungeon,  and  cast  a 
stone  upon  me :'  for,  next  to  Christ,  I  had  but  one  joy,  the  apple  of 
the  eye  of  my  delights  to  preach  Christ  my  Lord,  and  tliey  have  vio- 
lently plucked  that  away  from  me,  and  it  was  to  me  like  the  poor  man's 
one   eye,  and  they  have  put  out  that  eye,  and  quenched  my  light  in 
the  inheritance  of  the  Lord  ;  but  my  eye  is  toward  tlie  Lord.     I  know 
I  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God,  and  that  my  hope  shall  not  always  be 
forgotten.     And  my  sorrow  shall  want  nothing  to  complete  it,  and  to 
make  me  say.  What  availeth  it  me  to  live  1     If  ye  follow  the  voice  of 
a  stranger,  of  one  that  cometh  into  the  sheep-fold  not  by  Christ  the 
door,  but  climbeth  up  another  way.     If  the  man  build  his  hay  and 
stubble  upon  the  golden  foundation,  Christ  Jesus,  already  laid  among 
you,  and  ye  follow  him,  1  assure  you,  the  man's  work  shall  burn,  and 
never  bide  God's  fire,  and  ye  and  he  both  shall  be  in  danger  of  ever- 
lasting burning,  except  ye  repent.     O  if  any  pain,  any  sorrow,  any 
Joss  that  I  can  suffer  for  Christ,  and  for  you,  were  laid  in  pledge  to 
buy  Christ's  love  to  you,  and  that  I  could  lay  my  dearest  joys  next  to 
Christ  my  Lord  in  the  gap,  betwLxt  you  and  eternal  destruction  !     O  if 
I  had  paper  as  broad  as  heaven  and  earth,  and  ink  as  the  sea,  and  all 
the  rivers  and  fountains  of  the  earth,  and  were  able  to  write  the  love, 
the  worth,  the  excellency,   the  sweetness,  and  due  praises  of  our 
dearest  and  fairest  Well-beloved  :  and  then  if  ye  could  read  and  un- 
derstand it !  What  could  I  want,  if  my  ministry  among  you  should 


20  LETTER   II.  PART    I. 

make  a  marriage  between  the  little  bride  in  that  bounds  and  the  bride- 
groom ?  O  how  rich  a  prisoner  were  I,  if  I  could  obtain  of  my  Lord, 
before  whom  I  stand  for  you,  the  salvation  of  you  all !  O  what  a  prey 
had  I  gotten,  to  have  you  catched  in  Christ's  net !  O  then  I  had  cast 
out  my  Lord's  lines  and  his  net  with  a  rich  gain !  O  then,  well-wared 
pained  breast  and  sore  back,  and  crazed  body,  in  speaking  early  and 
late  to  you  !  My  witness  is  above,  your  heaven  would  be  two  heavens 
to  me,  and  the  salvation  of  you  all  as  two  salvations  to  me  ;  I  would 
subscribe  a  suspension,  and  a  fristing  of  my  heaven,  for  many  hun- 
dred years,  according  to  G  od's  good  pleasure,  if  you  were  sure  in  the 
upper  lodging,  in  our  Father's  house,  before  me.  I  take  to  witness 
heaven  and  earth  against  you,  I  take  instruments  in  the  hands  of  that 
sun  and  day-light  that  beheld  us,  and  in  the  hands  of  the  timber  and 
walls  of  that  kirk,  if  I  drew  not  up  a  fair  contract  of  marriage  betwixt 
you  and  Christ,  if  I  went  not  with  offers  betwixt  the  Bridegroom  and 
you ;  and  your  conscience  did  bear  you  witness,  your  mouths  con- 
fessed, that  there  were  many  fair  trysts  and  meetings  drawn  on  be- 
twixt Christ  and  you  at  communion  feasts,  and  other  occasions  ;  there 
were  bracelets,  jewels,  rings,  and  love-letters,  sent  to  you  by  the 
Bridegroom ;  it  was  told  you  what  a  fair  dowry  ye  should  have,  and 
what  a  house  your  husband  and  ye  should  dwell  in,  and  what  was  the 
Bridegroom's  excellency,  sweetness,  might,  power  ;  the  eternity  and 
glory  of  his  kingdom,  the  exceeding  deepness  of  his  love,  who 
sought  his  black  wife  through  pain,  fires,  shame,  death  and  the  grave, 
and  swimmed  the  salt  sea  for  her,  undergoing  the  curse  of  the  law  and 
then  was  made  a  curse  for  you,  and  ye  then  consented  and  said,  Even 
so  I  take  him.  I  counsel  you,  beware  of  the  new  and  strange  leaven 
of  men's  inventions,  beside  and  against  the  word  of  God,  contrair  to 
the  oath  of  this  kirk,  now  coming  among  you  ;  I  instructed  you  of 
the  superstition  and  idolatry  of  kneeling  in  the  instant  of  receiving 
the  Lord's  supper,  and  crossing  in  baptism,  and  the  oberving  of  men's 
days  without  any  warrant  of  Christ  our  perfect  lawgiver  ;  countenance 
not  the  surplice,  the  attire  of  the  mass  priest,  the  garment  of  Baal's 
priests,  the  abominable  bowing  to  altars  of  tree  is  coming  upon  you  ; 
hate,  and  keep  yourselves  from  idols  ;  forbear  in  any  case  to  hear  the 
reading  of  the  new  fatherless  Service-book,  full  of  gross  heresies, 
popish  and  superstitious  errors,  without  any  warrant  of  Christ,  tending 
to  the  overthrow  of  preaching :  you  owe  no  obedience  to  the  bastard 
canons ;  they  are  unlawful,  blasphemous,  and  superstitious :  all  the 
ceremonies  that  lye  in  the  Antichrist's  foul  womb,  the  wares  of  that 
great  mother  of  fornications,  the  kirk  of  Rome,  are  to  be  refused  ;  ye 
see  whether  they  lead  you  ;  continue  still  in  the  doctrine  which  ye  have 
received  ;  ye  heard  of  me  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  sew  no  clouts 
upon  Christ's  robe ;  take  Christ  in  his  rags  and  losses,  and  as  perse- 
cuted by  men,  and  be  content  to  sigh  and  pant  up  the  mountain,  with 
Christ's  cross  on  your  back ;  let  me  be  reputed  a  false  prophet,  (and 
your  conscience  once  said  the  contrair,)  if  your  Lord  Jesus  shall  not 
stand  by  you  and  maintain  you,  and  maintain  your  cause  against  your 
enemies.  1  have  heard,  and  my  soul  is  grieved  for  it,  that  since  my 
departure  from  you,  many  among  you  are  turned  back  from  the  goo'd 


PART   I.  LETTER   II.  21 

old  way,  to  the  dog's  vomit  again  ;  let  me  speak  to  these  men  :  it  was 
not  without  God's  special  direction,  that  the  first  sentence  that  ever 
my  mouth  uttered  to  you  was  that  of  John  ix.  39.  ♦  And  Jesus  said, 
For  judgment  came  I  into  the  world,  that  they  which  see  not  might 
see,  and  they  which  see  might  be  made  blind.'  It  is  possible,  my 
first  meeting  and  yours  be,  when  we  shall  both  stand  before  the  dread- 
ful Judge  of  the  world :  and  in  the  name  and  authority  of  the  Son  of 
God,  my  great  King  and  Master,  I  write,  by  these  presents,  summons 
to  these  men,  I  arrest  their  souls  and  bodies  to  the  day  of  our  com- 
pearance ;  their  eternal  damnation  stands  subscribed,  and  sealed  in 
heaven,  by  the  hand  writing  of  the  great  Judge  of  quick  and  dead  ; 
and  I  am  ready  to  stand  up,  as  a  preaching  witness  against  such  to 
their  face,  that  day,  and  to  say  Amen  to  their  condemnation,  except 
they  repent.  The  vengeance  of  the  gospel  is  heavier  than  the  ven- 
geance of  the  law  ;  the  Mediator's  malediction  and  vengeance  is  twice 
vengeance,  and  that  vengeance  is  the  due  portion  of  such  men  ;  and 
there  I  leave  them  as  bound  men,  ay,  and  while  they  repent  and 
amend.  You  were  witnesses  how  the  Lord's  day  was  spent  while  I 
was  among  you  :  O  sacrilegious  robber  of  God's  day,  what  wilt  thou 
answer  the  Almighty  when  he  seeketh  so  many  sabbaths  back  again 
from  thee  ?  What  will  the  curser,  swearer,  and  blasphemer  do,  when 
his  tongue  shall  be  roasted  in  that  broad  and  burning  lake  of  fire  and 
brimstone :  and  what  will  the  drunkard  do  when  tongue,  lungs,  and 
liver,  bones,  and  all,  shall  boil  and  fry  in  a  torturing  fire  1  for  he  shall 
be  far  from  his  barrels  of  strong  drink  then,  and  there  is  not  a  cold 
well  of  water  for  him  in  hell.  What  shall  be  the  case  of  the  wretch, 
the  covetous  man,  the  oppressor,  the  deceiver,  the  earth  worm,  who 
can  never  get  his  womb  full  of  clay,  when  in  the  day  of  Christ,  gold 
and  silver  must  lye  burnt  in  ashes,  and  he  must  compear  and  answer 
his  Judge,  and  quit  his  clayey  and  naughty  heaven  1  V^  oe,  woe,  for 
evermore,  be  to  the  time-turning  Atheist,  that  hath  one  God,  and  one 
religion  for  summer,  and  another  God  and  another  religion  for  winter, 
and  the  day  of  fanning,  when  Christ  fanneth  all  that  is  in  his  barn  floor ; 
who  hath  a  conscience  for  every  fair  and  market,  and  the  soul  of  him 
runneth  upon  these  oiled  wheels,  time,  custom,  the  world,  and  com- 
mand of  men  :  0  if  the  careless  Atheist,  and  sleeping  man,  who  edg- 
eth  by  all,  with,  God  forgive  our  pastors  if  they  lead  us  wrong,  we 
must  do  as  they  command,  and  lay  down  his  head  upon  time's  bosom, 
and  givoth  his  conscience  to  a  deputy,  and  sleepeth  so  while  the  smoke 
of  hell  fire  flee  up  in  his  throat,  and  cause  him  to  start  out  of  his 
doleful  bed  !  O  if  such  a  man  would  awake.  Many  woes  are  for  the 
over-gilded  and  gold-plastered  hypocrite.  A  heavy  doom  is  for  the 
liar  and  white-tongued  flatterer ;  and  the  flying  book  of  God's  fearful 
vengeance,  twenty  cubits  long,  and  ten  cubits  broad,  that  goeth  out 
from  the  face  of  God,  shall  enter  into  the  house,  and  in  upon  the 
soul  of  him  that  stealeth  and  sweareth  falsely  by  God's  name,  Zech. 
v.  2,  3.  I  denounce  eternal  burning,  hotter  than  Sodom's  flames, 
upon  the  men  that  boil  in  filthy  lusts  of  fornication,  adultery,  incest, 
and  the  like  wickedness,  no  room,  no,  not  a  foot  breadth  for  such  vile 
dogs  within  the  clean  Jerusalem.     Many  of  you  put  off"  all  with  tliis, 


22  LETTER   II.  PART   I. 

'  God  forgive  us,  we  know  no  better  :'  I  renew  my  old  answer,  2 
Thess.  i.  the  Judge  is  coming  '  in  flaming  fire,  with  all  his  mighty  an- 
gels, to  render  vengeance  to  all  those  that  know  not  God  and  believe 
not.'  I  have  often  told  you,  security  shall  slay  you  :  all  men  say  they 
have  faith,  as  many  men  and  women  now,  as  many  saints  in  heaven ; 
and  all  believe,  say  ye,  every  foul  dog  is  clean  enough,  and  good 
enough  for  the  clean  and  new  Jerusalem  above.  Every  man  hath 
conversion  and  the  new  birth  :  but  it  is  not  leel  come  ;  they  had  never 
a  sick  night  for  sin  ;  conversion  came  to  them  in  a  night-dream  :  In  a 
word,  hell  will  be  empty  at  the  day  of  Judgment,  and  heaven  panged 
full ;  alas  !  it  is  neither  easy  nor  ordinary  to  believe  and  to  be  saved  : 
many  must  stand  in  the  end  at  heaven's  gates  ;  when  they  go  to  take 
out  their  faith,  they  take  out  a  fair  nothing,  or  as  ye  used  to  speak,  a 
bleflume  :  O  lamentable  disappointment !  I  pray  you,  I  charge  you  in 
the  name  of  Christ,  make  fast  work  of  Christ  and  salvation.  I  know 
there  are  some  believers  among  you,  and  I  write  to  you,  0  poor  bro- 
ken hearted  believers  :  all  the  comforts  of  Christ  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testament  are  yours.  O  what  a  father  and  husband  you  have  !  0  if 
I  had  pen  and  ink,  and  engine,  to  write  of  him  !  Let  heaven  and  earth 
be  consolidate  in  massy  and  pure  pold,  it  will  not  weigh  the  thousand 
part  of  Christ's  love  to  a  soul,  even  to  me  a  poor  prisoner  :  0  that  is  a 
massy  and  marvellous  love :  Men  and  angels,  unite  your  force  and 
strength  in  one  ;  ye  shall  not  heave  nor  poise  it  off  the  ground  ;  ten 
thousand  worlds,  as  many  worlds  as  angels  can  number,  and  then  as  a 
new  world  of  angels  can  multiply,  would  not  all  be  the  balk  of  a  ba- 
lance to  weigh  Christ's  excellency,  sweetness  and  love  :  put  ten  earths 
in  one,  and  let  a  rose  grow  greater  than  ten  whole  earths,  or  ten  worlds, 
O  what  beauty  would  be  in  it,  and  what  a  smell  would  it  cast,  but  a 
blast  of  the  breath  of  that  fairest  rose  in  all  God's  paradise,  even  of 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  one  look  of  that  fairest  face  would  be  infinite- 
ly, in  beauty  and  smell,  above  all  imaginable  and  created  glory.  I 
wonder  that  men  can  bide  off  Christ.  I  would  esteem  myself  blessed, 
if  I  could  make  an  open  proclamation,  and  gather  all  the  world,  that 
are  living  upon  the  earth,  Jew  and  Gentile,  and  all  that  shall  be  born 
till  the  blowing  of  Uie  last  trumpet,  to  flock  round  about  Christ,  and 
to  stand  looking,  wondering,  admiring,  and  adoring  his  beauty  and 
sweetness  ;  for  his  fire  is  hotter  than  any  other  fire,  his  love  sweeter 
than  common  love,  his  beauty  surpasseth  all  other  beauty.  When  I 
am  heavy  and  sad,  one  of  his  love-looks  would  do  me  meikle  world's 
good.  O  if  ye  would  fall  in  love  with  him  !  How  blessed  were  I ! 
How  glad  would  my  soul  be  to  help  you  to  love  him  !  But  amongst  us 
all,  we  could  not  love  him  enough  :  he  is  the  Son  of  the  Father's  love, 
and  God's  delight,  the  Father's  love  lyeth  all  upon  him  :  O  if  all  man- 
kind would  fetch  all  their  love,  and  lay  it  upon  him.  Invite  him  and 
take  him  home  to  your  houses,  in  the  exercise  of  prayer,  morning  and 
evening,  as  I  often  desired  you,  especially  now,  let  him  not  want  lodg- 
ing in  your  houses,  nor  lye  in  the  fields,  when  he  is  shut  out  of  pul- 
pits and  kirks.  If  ye  will  be  content  to  take  heaven  by  violence,  and 
the  wind  on  your  face,  for  Christ  and  his  cross,  I  am  here  one  who 
have  some  trial  of  Christ's  cross  :  I  can  say,  that  Christ  was  ever 


PART    I.  LETTER    II.  2'3 

kind  to  me,  but  he  overcometh  himself,  if  I  may  speak  so,  in  kindness 
while  1  suffer  for  him  ;  I  give  you  my  word  it,  Christ's  cross  is  not  so 
evil  as  they  call  it ;  it  is  sweet,  light,  and  comfortable ;  I  would  not 
want  the  visitations  of  love,  and  the  very  breathings  of  Christ's  mouth 
when  he  kisseth,  and  my  Lord's  delightsome  smiles  and  love  em- 
bracements,  under  my  sufferings  for  him,  for  a  mountain  of  gold,  nor 
for  all  the  honours,  court,  and  grandeur  of  velvet  kirkmen :  Christ 
hath  the  yolk  and  heart  of  my  love,  '  I  am  my  Beloved's,  and  my  Well 
Beloved  is  mine.'  O  that  ye  were  all  hand-fastened  to  Christ !  O  my 
dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  I  would  I  could  change  my  voice  and  had 
a  tongue  tuned  with  the  hand  of  my  Lord,  and  had  the  art  of  speak- 
ing of  Christ  that  I  might  paint  out  unto  you  the  worth,  and  highness, 
and  greatness,  and  excellency  of  that  fairest  and  renowned  Bride- 
groom !  I  beseech  you  by  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  by  the  sighs,  tears, 
and  heart's  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  by  the  salvation  of  your  poor 
and  precious  souls,  set  up  the  mountain,  that  ye  and  I  may  meet  before 
the  Lamb's  throne,  amongst  the  congregation  of  the  first-born.  Lord, 
grant  that  that  may  be  the  trysting-place,  that  ye  and  I  may  put  up  our 
hands  together,  and  pluck,  and  eat  the  apples  off  the  tree  of  life,  and 
we  may  feast  together,  and  drink  together  of  that  pure  river  of  the 
water  of  life,  that  cometh  out  from  under  the  throne  of  God,  and  from 
the  Lamb.  O  how  little  is  your  hand-breadth  and  span-length  of 
days  here !  Your  inch  of  time  is  less  than  when  ye  and  I  parted : 
eternity,  eternity  is  coming,  posting  on  with  wings  :  then  shall  every 
man's  blacks  and  whites  be  brought  to  light.  O  how  light  will  your 
thoughts  be  of  this  fair-skinned  but  heart-rotten  apple,  the  vain,  vain, 
feckless  world,  when  the  worms  shall  make  their  houses  in  your  eye 
holes,  and  shall  eat  off  the  flesh  from  the  ball  of  your  cheeks,  and 
shall  make  that  body  a  number  of  dry  bones  !  Think  not  the  common 
way  of  serving  God,  as  neighbours  and  others  do,  will  bring  you  to 
heaven  ;  few,  few  are  saved  ;  the  devil's  court  is  thick  and  many  ;  ho 
hath  the  greatest  number  of  mankind  for  his  vassals.  I  know  this 
world  is  a  forest  of  thorns  in  your  way  to  heaven ;  but  you  must 
through  it ;  acquaint  yourselves  with  the  Lord,  hold  fast  Christ,  hear 
his  voice  only,  bless  his  name,  sanctify  and  keep  his  day ;  keep  the 
new  commandment,  '  love  one  another  ;'  let  the  Holy  Spirit  dwell  in 
your  bodies,  and  be  clean  and  holy ;  love  not  the  world,  lie  not,  lovo 
and  follow  truth ;  learn  to  know  God ;  keep  in  mind  what  I  taught 
you  ;  for  God  will  seek  an  account  of  it,  when  I  am  far  from  you ; 
abstain  from  all  evil,  and  all  appearance  of  evil ;  follow  good  carefully, 
and  seek  peace,  and  follow  after  it ;  honour  your  king,  and  pray  for 
him  ;  remember  me  to  God  in  your  prayers,  I  do  not  forget  you.  I 
told  you  often,  wliile  I  was  with  you,  and  now  I  write  it  again.  Heavy, 
sad,  and  sore,  is  that  stroke  of  the  Lord's  wrath  that  is  coming  upon 
Scotland ;  wo,  wo,  wo  to  this  harlot  land  ;  for  they  shall  take  the  cup 
of  God's  wrath  from  his  hands,  and  drink,  and  spue,  and  fall,  and  not 
rise  again.  In,  in,  in  with  speed,  to  your  strong  hold,  ye  prisoners  of 
hope,  and  hide  you  there,  while  the  anger  of  the  Lord  pass  :  follow 
not  the  pastors  of  this  land,  for  the  sun  is  gone  down  upon  them  ;  as 
the  Lord  hveth,  they  lead  you  from  Christ,  and  from  the  good  old  wa}-; 


24  LETTER    111.  PART  J. 

yet  the  Lord  will  keep  the  holy  city,  and  make  this  withered  kirk  to 
bud  again  like  a  rose,  and  a  field  blessed  of  the  Lord.  The  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.  The  prayers  and  blessings  of 
a  prisoner  of  Christ,  in  bonds  for  him.  and  for  you,  be  with  you  all, 
Amen. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  14,  1637. 


LETTER  in. 

To  the  Honourable,  Reverend,  and  well-beloved  Professors  of  Christ,  and  his 
Truth,  in  sincerity,  in  Ireland. 

Dearly  beloved  in  our  Lord,  and  partakers  of  the  heavenly  call- 
ing, Grace  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  from  God  our  father,  and  from 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  always,  but  most  of  all  now  in  my  bonds, 
most  sweet  bonds  for  Christ  my  Lord,  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  faith 
and  love,  and  to  hear  that  our  King,  our  well-beloved,  our  Bridegi-oom, 
without  tiring,  stayeth  still  to  woo  you,  as  his  wife  ;  and  that  persecu- 
tions, and  mockings  of  sinners,  have  not  chased  away  the  wooer  from 
the  house.  I  persuade  you  in  the  Lord,  the  men  of  God,  now  scat- 
tered and  driven  from  you,  put  you  upon  the  right  scent  and  pursuit  of 
Christ ;  and  my  salvation  on  it,  if  ten  heavens  were  mine,  if  this  way, 
this  way  that  I  now  suffer  for,  this  way  that  the  world  nicknameth  and 
reproacheth,  and  no  other  way,  be  not  the  King's  gate  to  heaven  ;  and 
I  shall  never  see  God's  face,  (and,  alas,  I  were  a  beguiled  wretch  if 
it  were  so!)  if  this  be  not  the  only  saving  way  to  heaven.  O  that 
you  would  take  a  prisoner  of  Christ's  word  for  it,  nay,  I  know  you 
have  the  greatest  King's  word  for  it,  that  it  shall  not  be  your  ^visdom 
to  seek  out  another  Christ,  another  way  of  worshipping  him,  than 
is  now  savingly  revealed  to  you.  Therefore,  though  I  never  saw  your 
faces,  let  me  be  pardoned  to  write  to  you,  ye  honourable  persons,  ye 
faithful  pastors  yet  amongst  the  flocks,  and  ye  sincere  professors  of 
Christ's  truth,  or  any  weak,  tired  strayers,  who  cast  but  half  an  eye 
after  the  Bridegroom,  if  possibly  I  could,  by  any  weak  experience, 
confirm  and  strengthen  you  in  this  good  way,  every  where  spoken 
against.  I  can  with  the  greatest  assurance,  to  the  honour  of  our 
highest,  and  greatest,  and  dearest  Lord,  let  it  be  spoken,  assert  though 
I  be  but  a  child  in  Christ,  and  scarce  able  to  walk  but  by  a  hold,  and 
the  meanest,  and  less  than  the  least  of  saints,  that  we  do  not  come 
nigh  by  twenty  degrees,  to  the  due  love  and  estimation  of  that  fairest 
amongst  the  sons  of  men  ;  for  if  it  were  possible  that  heaven,  yea, 
ten  heavens,  were  laid  in  the  balance  with  Christ,  I  would  think  the 
smell  of  his  breath  above  them  all :  sure  I  am,  he  is  the  far  best  half 
of  heaven ;  yea,  he  is  all  heaven,  and  more  than  all  heaven  :  and  my 
testimony  of  him  is,  that  ten  lives  of  black  sorrow,  ten  deaths,  ten 
hells  of  pain,  ten  furnaces  of  brimstone,  and  all  exquisite  torments, 
were  all  too  little  for  Christ,  if  our  suffering  could  be  a  hire  to  buy 
him  ;  and  therefore  faint  not  in  your  sufferings  and  hazards  for  him. 
I  proclaim  and  cry,  hell,  sorrow,  and  shame  upon  all  lusts,  upon  all 
bv-lovers,  that  would  take  Christ's  room  over  his  head,  in  this  little 


PART  r.  LETTER   III.  25 

inch  of  love,  of  these  narrow  souls  of  our's,  that  is  due  to  sweetest 
Jesus.  O  highest,  O  fairest,  O  dearest  Lord  Jesus,  take  thine  own 
from  all  bastard  lovers.  0  that  we  could  wadset  and  sell  all  our  part 
of  time's  glory,  and  time's  good  things,  for  a  lease  and  tack  of  Christ 
for  all  eternity  !  O  how  are  we  misled  and  mired  with  the  love  of 
things  that  are  on  this  side  of  time,  and  on  this  side  of  death's  water  ! 
Where  can  we  find  a  match  to  Christ,  or  an  equal,  or  a  better  than  he, 
among  created  things?  Oh,  this  world  is  out  of  all  conceit,  and  all 
love  with  our  Beloved !  O  that  1  could  sell  my  laughter,  joy,  ease, 
and  all  for  him !  and  be  content  with  a  straw  bed,  and  bread  by 
weight,  and  water  by  measure,  in  the  camp  of  our  weeping  Christ !  I 
know  his  sackcloth  and  ashes  are  better  than  the  fool's  laughter, 
which  is  hke  the  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot.  But  alas  !  we  do 
not  harden  our  faces  against  the  cold  north  storms  which  blow  upon 
Christ's  fair  face,  we  well  love  summer  religion,  and  to  be  that  which 
sin  has  made  us,  even  as  thin-skinned  as  if  we  were  made  of  white 
paper,  and  would  fain  be  carried  to  heaven  in  a  close  covered  chariot, 
wishing  from  our  hearts  that  Christ  would  give  us  surety,  and  his  hand 
write,  and  his  seal  for  nothing  but  a  fair  summer,  until  we  be  landed 
in  at  heaven's  gates ;  how  many  of  us  have  been  here  deceived,  and 
fainted  in  the  day  of  trial !  amongst  you  there  are  some  of  this  stamp. 
I  shall  be  sorry  if  my  acquaintance  A.  T.  hath  left  you  ;  I  will  not  be- 
lieve he  dare  stay  from  Christ's  side.  I  desire  that  ye  show  him  this 
from  me ;  for  I  loved  him  once  in  Christ,  neither  can  I  change  my 
mind  suddenly  of  him.  But  the  truth  is,  that  many  of  you,  and  too 
many  also  of  your  neighbour  church  of  Scotland,  have  been  like  a 
tenant  that  sitteth  meal-free,  and  knoweth  not  his  holding  while  his 
rights  be  questioned ;  and  now  I  am  persuaded,  it  will  be  asked  at 
every  one  of  us,  on  what  terms  we  brook  Christ ;  for  we  have  sittea 
long  meal-free  ;  we  found  Christ  without  a  wet  foot ;  and  he,  and  his 
gospel,  came  upon  small  charges  to  our  doors  ;  but  now  we  must  wet 
our  feet  to  seek  him :  our  evil  manners,  and  the  bad  fashions  of  a 
people  at  ease,  from  our  youth,  and  like  Moab,  not  emptied  from  ves- 
sel to  vessel,  Jer.  xlviii.  11,  hath  made  us  like  standing  waters,  to 
gather  a  foul  scum,  and  when  we  are  jumbled  our  dregs  come  up,  and 
are  seen :  many  take  but  half  a  grip  of  Christ,  and  the  wind  bloweth 
them  and  Christ  asunder  ;  indeed  when  the  mast  is  broken  and  blown 
in  the  sea,  it  is  an  art  then  to  swim  upon  Christ  to  dry  land  :  it  is  even 
possible  that  the  children  of  God  in  a  hard  trial,  lay  themseh  es  down, 
as  hidden  in  the  leevvard  side  of  a  bush  while  Christ  their  Master 
being  taken,  as  Peter  did ;  and  lurk  there,  while  the  storm  be  over- 
past ;  all  of  us  know  the  way  to  a  whole  skin  ;  and  the  singlest  heart 
that  is,  hath  a  by-purse  that  will  contain  the  denial  of  Christ,  and  a 
fearful  backsliding.  0  how  rare  a  thing  it  is  to  be  loyal  and  honest 
to  Christ,  when  he  hath  a  controversy  with  the  shields  of  the  earth.  I 
wish  all  of  you  would  consider,  that  this  trial  is  from  Christ,  it  is 
come  upon  you  unbought ;  indeed  when  we  buy  a  temptation  with 
our  own  money,  no  marvel  that  we  be  not  easily  free  of  it,  and  that 
God  be  not  at  our  elbow  to  take  it  oft'  our  hand  ;.  this  is  Christ's  ordi- 
nary house-fare  that  he  makes  use  of,  to  try  all'  the  vessels  of  his 

4 


26  LETTER    III.  PART  I. 

house  withal,  and  Christ  now  is  about  to  bring  his  treasure  out  before 
sun  and  moon,  and  to  tell  his  money,  and  in  the  telling  to  try 
what  weight  of  gold,  and  what  weight  of  watered  copper  is  in 
his  house.  Do  not  now  jouk,  or  bow,  or  yield  to  your  adversa- 
ries in  a  hair-breadth:  Christ  and  his  truth  will  not  divide;  and 
his  truth  hath  not  latitude  and  breadth,  that  ye  may  take  some 
of  it,  and  leave  other  some  of  it ;  nay,  the  gospel  is  like  a  small 
hair,  that  hath  no  breadth,  and  will  not  cleave  in  two :  it  is  not 
possible  to  twist  and  compound  a  matter  betwixt  Christ  and  An- 
tichrist ;  and  therefore,  ye  must  either  be  for  Christ ;  or  ye  must  be 
against  him.  It  was  but  man's  wit,  and  the  wit  of  Prelates  and  their 
godfather  the  Pope,  (that  man  without  law)  to  put  Christ  and  his  pre- 
rogatives royal,  and  his  truth,  or  the  smallest  nail-breadth  of  his  latter- 
will,  in  the  new  kalendar  of  indifferences ;  and  to  make  a  blank  of 
uninked  paper,  in  Christ's  testament  that  men  fill  up  ;  and  to  shuffle 
the  truth,  and  matters  they  call  indifferent,  thorow  other  ;  and  spin 
both  together,  that  Antichrist's  wares  may  sell  the  better.  This  is 
but  the  device  and  forged  dream  of  men,  whose  consciences  are  made 
of  stoutness,  and  have  a  throat,  that  a  graven  image,  greater  than  the 
bounds  of  the  kirk-door,  would  get  free  passage  into :  I  am  sure, 
when  Christ  shall  bring  all  out  in  our  blacks  and  whites,  at  that  day, 
when  he  shall  cry  down  time,  and  the  world,  and  when  the  glory  of 
it  shall  lye  in  white  ashes,  like  a  May-flower  cut  down  and  having  lost 
the  blossom,  there  will  be  few,  yea  none,  that  dare  make  any  point, 
that  toucheth  the  worship  and  honour  of  our  King  and  Law-giver,  to 
be  indifferent.  O  that  this  misled  and  blindfolded  world  would  see, 
that  Christ  doth  not  rise  and  fall,  stand  or  lye,  by  men's  apprehen- 
sions !  What  is  Christ  the  lighter,  that  men  do  with  him  by  open 
proclamation,  as  men  do  with  clipped  and  light  money?  They  are 
now  crying  down  Christ  some  grain  weights,  and  some  pounds  or 
shillings,  and  they  will  have  him  lie  for  a  penny  or  a  pound,  for  one, 
or  for  an  hundred,  according  as  the  wind  bloweth  £v&m  the  east  or 
from  the  west ;  but  the  Lord  hath  weighed  him,  and  balanced  him 
already ;  '  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear 
ye  him ;'  his  worth  and  his  weight  standeth  still.  It  is  our  part  to 
cry.  Up,  up  with  Christ,  and  down,  down  with  all  created  glory  before 
him.  O  that  I  could  heighten  him,  and  heighten  his  name,  and 
heighten  liis  throne !  I  know,  and  am  persuaded,  that  Christ  shall 
again  be  high  and  great,  in  this  poor,  withered,  and  sun-burnt  kirk  of 
Scotland  ;  and  that  the  sparks  of  our  fire  shall  flee  over  sea,  and  round 
about,  to  warm  you  and  other  sister-churches  ;  and  that  this  taberna- 
cle of  David's  house  that  is  fallen,  even  the  son  of  David,  his  waste 
places  shall  be  built  again ;  and  I  know  the  prison,  crosses,  persecu- 
tions, and  trials  of  the  two  slain  witnesses,  that  are  now  dead  and 
buried.  Rev.  xi.  and  of  the  faithful  professors,  have  a  back-door  and 
back-entry  of  escape ;  and  that  death  and  hell,  and  the  world,  and 
tortures,  shall  all  cleave  and  split  in  twain,  and  give  us  free  passage 
and  liberty  to  ^o  through  them  toll-free,  and  we  shall  bring  all  God's 
good  metal  out  of  the  furnace  again,  and  leave  behind  us  but  our 
dross,  and  our  scum  ;  we  may  then  belbre-hand  proclaim  Christ  to  be 
victorious.     He  is  crowned  King  in  mount  Zion ;  God  did  put  the 


PART  I.  LETTER  III.  57 

crown  upon  his  bead,  Psal.  ii.  and  who  dare  take  it  off  again  1  Out 
of  question,  he  hath  sore  and  grievous  quarrels  with  his  church ;  and 
therefore  he  is  called,  Isa.  xxxi.  9.  '  He  whose  fire  is  in  Zion,  and 
whose  furnace  is  in  Jerusalem.'  But  when  he  hath  performed  his 
work  on  mount  Zion,  all  Zion's  haters  shall  be  as  the  hungry  and 
thirsty  man,  that  dreams  he  is  eating  and  drinking,  and  behold  when 
he  awakeneth,  he  is  faint,  and  his  soul  empty :  and  this  advantage  we 
have  also,  that  he  will  not  bring  before  sun  and  moon  all  the  infirmities 
of  his  wife  ;  it  is  the  modesty  of  marriage-anger,  or  husband-wrath, 
that  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus  will  not  come  with  chiding  to  the  streets, 
to  let  all  the  world  hear  what  is  betwixt  him  and  us  ;  his  sweet  glooms 
stay  under  roof,  and  that  because  he  is  God.  Two  special  things 
ye  are  to  mind:  1.  Try  and  make  sure  your  profession;  that  ye 
carry  not  empty  lamps  ;  alas,  security,  security  is  the  bane  and  the 
wreck  of  the  most  part  of  the  world  !  Oh,  how  many  professors  go 
with  a  golden  lustre,  and  gold-like  before  men,  who  are  but  witnesses 
to  our  white  skin,  and  yet  are  but  bastard  and  base  metal !  Consider 
how  fair  before  the  wind  some  do  ply  with  up-sails  and  white,  even  to 
the  nick  of  illuminations  ?  Heb.  vi.  5.  *  And  tasting  of  the  heavenly 
gift ;  and  a  share  and  part  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  the  tasting  of  the 
good  word  of  God,  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come !'  and  yet 
this  is  but  a  false  nick  of  renovation,  and  in  a  short  time  such  are 
quickly  broken  upon  the  rocks,  and  never  fetch  the  harbour,  but  are 
stranded  in  the  bottom  of  hell.  O  make  your  havefi  sure,  and  try 
how  ye  come  by  conversion ;  that  it  be  not  stolen  goods,  in  a  white 
and  well-lustred  profession !  A  white  skin  over  old  wounds  maketh 
an  undercoating  conscience  ;  false  under  water  not  seen  is  dangerous, 
and  that  is  a  leak  and  rift  in  the  bottom  of  an  enlightened  conscience, 
often  falling,  and  sinning  against  light.  Wo,  wo  is  me  that  the  holy 
profession  of  Christ  is  made  a  stage  garment  by  many  to  bring  home 
a  vain  fame  ;  and  Christ  is  made  to  serve  men's  ends  ;  that  is,  as  it 
were,  to  stop  an  oven  with  a  king's  robes.  Know  2.  Except  men 
martyr  and  slay  the  body  of  sin  in  sanctified  self-denial,  they  shall 
never  be  Christ's  martyrs  and  faithful  witnesses.  Oh,  if  I  could  be 
master  of  that  house  idol,  myself,  my  own,  mine,  my  own  will,  wit, 
credit  and  ease  !  How  blessed  were  I !  0  but  we  have  need  to  be  re- 
deemed from  ourselves,  rather  than  from  the  devil  and  the  world ! 
Learn  to  put  out  yourselves,  and  to  put  in  Christ  for  yourselves ;  I 
should  make  a  sweet  bartering  and  niffering,  and  to  give  old  for  new, 
if  I  could  shufHe  out  self  and  substitute  Christ  my  Lord  in  place  of 
myself;  to  say.  Not  I,  but  Christ ;  not  my  will,  but  Christ's  ;  not  my 
ease,  not  my  lust,  not  my  fickless  credit,  but  Christ,  Christ.  But 
alas !  in  leaving  ourselves,  in  setting  Christ  before  our  idol,  self,  we 
have  yet  a  glaiked  back-look  to  our  old  idol.  0  wretched  idol,  my- 
self! When  shall  I  see  thee  wholly  decourted,  and  Christ  wholly  put 
in  thy  room  t  O  if  Christ,  Christ  had  the  full  place  and  room  of  my- 
self! that  all  my  aims,  purposes,  thoughts,  and  desires,  would  coast 
and  land  upon  Christ,  and  not  upon  myself!  and  howbeit  we  cannot 
attain  to  this  denial  of  me  and  mine :  that  we  can  say,  I  am  not  my- 
self, myself  is  not  myself,  mine  own  is  no  longer  mine  own ;  yet 


28  LETTER    IV.  PART  I. 

our  aiming  at  this  in  all  we  do  shall  be  accepted  :  for,  alas,  I  think  I 
shall  die,  but  minting  and  aiming  to  be  a  Christian  ;  it  is  not  our  com- 
fort, that  Christ  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant  is  come  betwixt 
God  and  us  in  the  business,  so  that  green  and  young  heirs,  the  Hke  of 
sinners,  have  now  a  tutor,  that  is  God. — And  now,  God  be  thanked, 
our  salvation  is  bottomed  on  Christ ;  sure  I  am,  the  bottom  shall 
never  fall  out  of  heaven  and  happiness  to  us ;  I  would  give  over  the 
bargain  a  thousand  times,  were  it  not  that  Christ  his  free  grace  hath 
taken  our  salvation  in  hand.  Pray,  pray,  and  contend  with  the  Lord, 
for  your  sister-church  ;  for  it  would  appear,  the  Lord  is  about  to  ask 
for  his  scattered  sheep,  in  the  dark  and  cloudy  day.  0  that  it  would 
please  our  Lord  to  set  up  again  David's  old  wasted  and  fallen  taberna- 
cle in  Scotland,  that  we  might  see  the  glory  of  the  second  temple  in 
this  land.  O  that  my  little  heaven  were  wadset,  to  redeem  the  honour 
of  my  Lord  Jesus  among  Jews  and  Gentiles.  Let  never  dew  lye 
upon  my  branches,  and  let  my  poor  flower  wither  at  the  root,  so  being 
Christ  were  enthroned,  and  his  glory  advanced  in  all  the  world,  and 
especially  in  these  three  kingdoms  ;  but  I  know  he  hath  no  need  of 
me  ;  what  can  I  add  to  him  1  but  oh  that  he  would  cause  his  high  and 
pure  glory  run  through  such  a  foul  channel  as  I  am !  and  howbeit  he 
hath  caused  the  blossom  fall  off  my  one  poor  joy,  that  was  on  this 
side  of  heaven,  even  my  liberty  to  preach  Christ  to  his  people,  yet  I 
am  dead  to  that  now,  so  being  he  would  hew  and  carve  glory  for 
evermore,  to  my  royal  king,  out  of  my  silence  and  sufferings.  Oh 
that  I  had  my  fill  of  his  love  ;  but  I  know  ill  manners  make  an  un- 
couth and  strange  Bridegroom.  1  entreat  you  earnestly  for  the  aid 
of  your  prayers,  for  I  forget  not  you ;  and  I  salute  with  my  soul  in 
Christ,  tlie  faithful  pastors,  and  honourable  and  worthy  professors  in 
that  land.  Now  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again  our  Lord  Je- 
sus from  the  dead,  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  by  the  blood  of 
the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  every  good  work,  to  do 
his  will ;  working  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight. 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweetest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R» 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  4,  163S. 


LETTER  IV. 

To  the  truly  noble  and  elect  Lady,  my  Lady  Viscountess  of  Kenmure. 
yOBLE  AND  ELECT  LADY, 

That  honom-  that  I  have  prayed  for  these  sixteen  years,  with  sub- 
mission to  my  Lord's  will,  my  kind  Lord  hath  now  bestowed  upon  me  ; 
even  to  sutler  for  my  royal  and  princely  King  Jesus,  and  for  his  kingly 
crown,  and  the  fi  eedom  of  his  kingdom  that  his  Father  hath  given 
him.  The  forbidden  lords  have  sentenced  me  with  deprivation,  and 
confinement  within  the  town  of  Aberdeen.  I  am  charged  in  the  king's 
name,  to  enter  against  the  twentieth  day  of  August  next,  and  thereto 
remain  during  the  king's  pleasure,  as  they  have  given  it  out.  Howbeit, 
Christ's  green  cross,  newly  laid  upon  me,  be  somewhat  heavy,  whil© 
I  crdl  to  mind  the  many  lair  days,  sweet  and  comfortable  to  my  soul. 


PART  I.  LETTER   IV.  29 

and  to  the  souls  of  many  others,  and  how  young  ones  in  Christ  are 
plucked  from  the  breast,  and  the  inheritance  of  God  laid  waste;  yet 
that  sweet  smelled  and  perfumed  cross  of  Christ  is  accompanied  with 
sweet  refreshment,  with  the  kisses  of  a  King,  with  the  joy  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  with  faith  that  the  Lord  hears  the  sighing  of  a  prisoner,  with 
undoubted  hope  as  sure  as  my  Lord  liveth,  after  this  night  to  see  day 
hght,  and  Christ's  sky  to  clear  up  again  upon  me,  and  his  poor  kirk, 
and  that  in  a  strange  land,  amongst  strange  faces  ;  he  will  give  favour 
in  the  eyes  of  men  to  his  poor  oppressed  servant,  who  can  not  but  love 
that  lovely  one,  that  princely  one,  Jesus  the  comforter  of  his  soul.  All 
Avould  be  well,  if  I  were  free  of  old  challenges  for  guiltiness,  and  for 
neglect  in  my  calling,  and  for  speaking  too  little  for  my  Well-beloved's 
crown,  honour,  and  kingdom.  Oh  for  a  day  in  the  assembly  of  the 
saints  to  advocate  for  King  Jesus  !  If  my  Lord  go  on  now  to  quar- 
rels also.  I  die,  I  cannot  endure  it :  but  I  look  for  peace  from  him  : 
because  he  knoweth  I  can  bear  men's  feud,  but  I  cannot  bear  his  feud. 
This  is  my  only  exercise,  that  I  fear  I  have  done  little  good  in  my 
ministry  ;  but  1  dare  not  but  say,  I  loved  the  children  of  the  wedding 
chamber,  and  prayed  for,  and  desired  the  thriving  of  the  marriage,  and 
coming  of  his  kingdom.  I  apprehend  no  less  than  a  judgment  upon 
Galloway ;  and  that  the  Lord  shall  visit  this  whole  nation,  for  the 
quarrel  of  the  covenant.  But  what  can  be  laid  upon  me,  or  any  the 
like  of  me,  is  too  light  for  Christ;  Christ  can  bear  more,  and  would 
bear  death  and  burning  quick,  in  his  weak  servants,  even  for  this  ho- 
nourable cause  that  I  now  suffer  for.  Yet  for  all  my  complaints,  and 
he  knoweth  that  I  dare  not  now  dissemble,  he  was  never  sweeter  and 
kinder  than  he  is  now ;  one  kiss  now  is  sweeter  than  ten  long  since  ; 
sweet,  sweet  is  his  cross  ;  hght,  light  and  easy  is  his  yoke.  O  what 
a  sweet  step  were  it  up  to  my  Father's  house,  through  ten  deaths,  for 
the  truth  and  cause  of  that  unknown,  and  so  not  half  well  loved  plant 
of  renown,  the  man  called  the  Branch,  the  chief  among  ten  thousand, 
the  fairest  among  the  sons  of  men  !  O  what  unseen  joys,  how  many 
hidden  heart-burnings  of  love  are  in  the  remnants  of  the  sufierings  of 
Christ !  My  dear  worthy  Lady,  I  give  it  to  your  Ladyship  under  my 
hand,  (my  heart  writing  as  well  as  my  hand,)  welcome,  welcome, 
sweet,  sweet,  and  glorious  cross  of  Christ :  welcome  sweet  Jesus, 
with  thy  light  cross,  thou  hast  now  gained  and  gotten  all  my  love  from 
me,  keep  what  thou  hast  gotten.  Only,  wo,  wo  is  me,  for  my  bereft 
flock,  for  the  lambs  of  Jesus,  that  I  fear  I  shall  be  fed  with  dry  breasts  ; 
but  I  spare  now.  Madam,  I  dare  not  promise  to  see  your  ladyship, 
because  of  the  little  time  I  have  allotted  me,  and  I  propose  to  obey  the 
king,  who  hath  pov^er  over  my  body  ;  and  rebellion  to  kings  is  unbe- 
seeming I  hrist's  ministers.  Be  pleased  to  acquaint  my  Lady  Mary 
with  ifny  case  ;  I  expect  your  Ladyship  and  that  good  Lady  will  be 
mindfVil  to  God  of  the  Lord's  prisoner,  not  for  my  cause,  but  for  the 
gospel's  sake  :  Madam,  bind  me  more,  if  more  can  be,  to  your  La- 
dyship ;  and  write  thanks  to  your  brother,  my  Lord  of  Lome,  for 
what  he  hath  done  for  me  a  poor  unknown  stranger  to  his  Lordship,  I 
shall  pray  for  him  and  his  house  while  I  live  ;  it  is  his  honour  to  open 
his  mouth  in  the  streets  for  his  wronged  and  oppressed  blaster  Chri-it 


30  LETTER  V.  PART  I. 

Jesus.  Now,  Madam,  commending  your  Ladyship,  and  the  sweet 
child  to  the  tender  mercies  of  mine  own  Lord  Jesus,  and  his  good 
■will  v/ho  dwelt  in  the  bush  ;  I  rest, 

Your's  in  his  own  sweetest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edmburgh,  July  28,  1636. 


LETTER  V. 

To  the  same. 
MY    VEUY    HONOURABLE    AND    DEAR    LADY, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  forget  your  Lady- 
ship, and  that  sweet  child.  I  desire  to  hear  what  the  Lord  is  doing 
to  you  and  him  ;  to  write  to  me  were  charity ;  1  cannot  but  write  to 
my  friends,  that  Christ  hath  trysted  me  in  Aberdeen  ;  and  my  adver- 
saries have  sent  me  here  to  be  feasted  with  love-banquets,  with  my 
royal,  high,  high,  and  princely  King  Jesus.  Bladam,  why  should  I 
smoother  Christ's  honesty  1  I  dare  not  conceal  his  goodness  to  my 
soul ;  he  looked  fram'd  and  uncouth-like  upon  me,  when  I  came  first 
here ;  but  I  believe  himself  better  than  his  looks ;  I  shall  not  again 
quarrel  Christ  for  a  gloom,  now  he  hath  taken  the  mask  off  his  face, 
and  saith.  Kiss  thy  till  ;  and  what  can  I  have  more,  while  I  get  great 
heaven  in  my  little  arms?  O  how  sweet  are  the  sufferings  of 
Christ  for  Christ  f  God  forgive  them  that  raise  an  ill  report  upon  the 
sweet  cross  of  Christ :  it  is  but  our  weak  and  dim  eyes  that  look  but 
to  the  black  side,  that  makes  us  mistake  :  those  who  can  take  that 
crabbed  tree  handsomely  upon  their  back,  and  fasten  it  on  cannily, 
shall  find  it  such  a  burden  as  wings  unto  a  bird,  or  sails  to  a  ship. 
Madam,  rue  not  of  your  having  chosen  the  better  part ;  upon  my  sal- 
vation, this  is  Christ's  truth  I  now  suffer  for ;  if  I  found  but  cold  com- 
fort in  my  sufferings,  I  would  not  beguile  others  ;  I  would  have  told 
vou  plainly ;  but  the  truth  is,  Christ's  crown,  his  sceptre,  and  the 
freedom  of  his  kingdom,  is  that  which  is  now  called  in  question  ;  be- 
cause we  will  not  allow  that  C  hrist  pays  tribute,  and  be  a  vassal  to  the 
shields  of  the  earth,  therefore  the  sons  of  our  mother  are  angry  at  us. 
But  it  becometh  not  Christ  to  hold  any  man's  stirrup  :  it  were  a  sweet 
and  honourable  death,  to  die  for  the  honour  of  that  royal  and  princely 
King  Jesus  ;  this  love  is  a  mystery  to  the  world  ;  I  would  not  have 
believed  that  there  was  so  much  in  Christ  as  there  is  ;  Come  and  see, 
maketh  Christ  to  be  known  in  his  excellency  and  glory.  I  wish  all 
this  nation  knew  how  sweet  his  breath  is  ;  it  is  little  to  see  Christ  in  a 
book,  as  men  do  the  world  in  a  card  ;  they  talk  of  Christ  by  the  book, 
and  the  tongue,  and  no  more,  but  to  come  nigh  Christ,  and  hausse 
him,  and  embrace  him,  is  another  thing.  Madam,  1  write  to  your 
honour,  for  your  encouragement  in  that  honourable  profession  Christ 
hath  honoured  you  with  ;  ye  have  gotten  the  sunny  side  of  the  brae, 
and  the  best  of  Christ's  good  things  ;  he  hath  not  given  you  the  bas- 
tard's portion  ;  and  howbeit  ye  get  strokes  and  sour  looks  from  your 
liOrd,  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  sea  ;  that 
which  Christ  hath  said  he  will  bide  bv  it ;  he  will  be  vour  tutor  ;  you 


PART  I.  LETTER  VI.  31 

shall  not  get  your  charters  of  heaven  to  play  you  with  ;  it  is  good  that 
ye  have  lost  your  credit  with  Christ,  and  that  lord  Freewill  shall  not  be 
your  tutor  :  Christ  will  lippen  the  taking  of  you  to  heaven,  neither  to 
yourself,  nor  any  deputy,  but  only  to  himself;  blessed  be  your  tutor  ; 
when  your  Head  shall  appear,  your  Bridegroom  and  Lord,  your  day 
shall  then  dawn,  and  it  shall  never  have  an  afternoon,  nor  an  evenino" 
shadow.  Let  your  child  be  Christ's,  let  him  stay  beside  you  as  the 
Lord's  pledge,  that  you  shall  willingly  render  again,  if  God  will.  Ma- 
dam, I  find  folks  here  kind  to  me,  but  in  the  night,  and  under  their 
breath  ;  my  Master's  cause  may  not  come  to  the  crown  of  the  cause- 
way :  others  are  kind  according  to  their  fashion  ;  many  think  me  a 
strange  man,  and  my  cause  not  good  ;  but  I  care  not  much  for  man's 
thoughts  or  approbation  ;  I  think  no  shame  of  the  cross.  The  preach- 
ers of  this  town  pretend  great  love,  but  the  Prelates  have  added  to  the 
rest  this  gentle  cruelty,  (for  so  they  think  of  it)  to  discharge  me  of  the 
pulpits  of  this  town.  The  people  murmur,  and  cry  out  against  it ;  and 
to  speak  truly  (howbeit  Christ  is  most  indulgent  to  me  otherwise,  yet) 
my  silence  on  the  Lord's  day,  keeps  me  from  being  exalted  above 
measure,  and  from  startling  in  the  heat  of  my  Lord's  love.  Some 
people  affect  me  :  for  the  which  cause,  I  hear  the  preachers  here  pur- 
pose to  have  my  confinement  changed  to  another  place  ;  so  cold  is 
nothern  love :  but  Christ  and  I  will  bear  it.  I  have  wrestled  long  with 
this  sad  silence ;  I  said,  what  aileth  Christ  at  my  service  t  and  my 
soul  hath  been  at  a  pleading  with  Christ,  and  at  yea  and  nay ;  but  I 
will  yield  to  him,  providing  my  suffering  may  preach  more  than  my 
tongue  did  ;  for  I  gave  not  Christ  an  inch,  but  for  twice  as  good  again; 
in  a  word,  I  am  a  fool,  and  he  is  God.  I  will  hold  my  peace  hereaf- 
ter. Let  me  hear  from  your  Ladyship,  and  your  dear  child ;  pray 
for  a  prisoner  of  Christ,  who  is  mindful  of  your  Ladyship.  Remem- 
ber my  obliged  obedience  to  my  good  Lady  Marr.  Grace,  grace  be 
with  you.     I  write,  and  pray  blessings  to  your  sweet  child. 

Your's  in  all  dutiful  obedience  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,      S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  Nov,  22,  1636. 


LETTER  VL 

To  the  same. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  Ladyship's 
letter,  it  refreshed  me  in  my  heaviness  :  the  blessing  and  prayers  of  a 
prisoner  of  Christ  come  upon  you.  Since  my  coming  thither,  Gallo- 
way sent  me  not  a  line,  except  what  my  brother  Earlstoun  and  his  son 
did  write ;  I  cannot  get  my  papers  transported  :  but.  Madam,  I  want 
not  kindness  of  one  who  hath  the  gate  of  it,  Christ  (if  he  had  never 
done  more  for  me  since  I  was  born)  hath  engaged  my  heart,  and 
gained  my  blessing,  in  this  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  It  pleaseth  my 
Well-beloved  to  dine  with  a  poor  prisoner,  and  the  King's  spikenard 
casteth  a  fragrant  smell ;  nothing  grieveth  me  but  that  I  eat  my  feasts 
alone,  and  that  I  cannot  edify  his  saints  :  O  that  this  nation  knew 
what  is  betwixt  him  and  me  ;  none  would  scar  at  the  cross  of  Christ ! 


32  LETTER  VT.  PART  I. 

My  silence  eats  me  up  ;  but  he  hath  told  me  he  thanketh  me  no 
less,  than  if  I  were  preaching  daily :  he  sees  how  gladly  I  would  be  at  it ; 
and  therefore  my  wages  are  going  to  the  fore  up  in  heaven,  as  if  I 
were  still  preaching  Christ.  Captains  pay  duly  bedfast  soldiers,  how- 
beit  they  do  not  march  nor  carry  armour ;  '  Though  Israel  be  not 
gathered,  yet  shall  I  be  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  my  Lord,  and  my  Lord 
shall  be  my  strength,'  Isai.  xlix.  5,  my  garland.  The  banished  minister 
(the  term  of  Aberdeen)  ashameth  me  not ;  I  have  seen  the  white  side 
of  Christ's  cross  ;  how  lovely  hath  he  been  to  his  oppressed  servant ! 
Psal.  cxlvi.  7,  8,  9.  '  The  Lord  executeth  judgment  for  the  op- 
pressed ;  he  giveth  food  to  the  hungry  ;  the  Lord  looseth  the  prisoner  ; 
the  Lord  raiseth  them  that  are  bowed  down  :  the  Lord  preserveth  the 
stranger.'  If  it  were  come  to  exchanging  of  crosses  I  would  not  ex- 
change my  cross  with  any  :  I  am  well  pleased  with  Christ,  and  he 
with  me  ;  I  hope  none  shall  hear  us.  It  is  true,  for  all  this  I  get  my 
meat  with  many  strokes,  and  am  seven  times  a-day  up  and  down,  and 
am  often  anxious  and  cast  down  for  the  case  of  my  oppressed  brother; 
yet  I  hope  the  Lord  will  be  surety  for  his  servant.  But  now,  upon 
some  weak,  very  weak,  experience,  I  am  come  to  love  a  rumbling  and 
raging  devil  best :  seeing  we  must  have  a  devil  to  hold  the  saints  wak- 
ing, I  wish  a  cumbersome  devil,  rather  than  a  secure  and  sleeping  one. 
At  my  first  coming  hither,  I  took  the  dorts  at  Christ,  and  took  up  a 
stomach  against  him  ;  I  said  he  had  cast  me  over  the  dyke  of  the 
vineyard  like  a  dry  tree  ;  but  it  was  his  mercy,  I  see,  that  the  fire  did 
not  burn  the  dry  tree  :  and  now,  as  if  my  Lord  Jesus  had  done  that  fault 
and  not  I  (who  belied  my  Lord)  he  hath  made  the  first  mends,  and 
he  spake  not  one  word  against  me ;  but  he  hath  come  again  and 
quickened  my  soul  with  his  presence  ;  nay,  now  I  think  the  very  an- 
nuity and  casualties  of  the  cross  of  Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord,  and  these 
comforts  that  accompany  it,  better  than  the  world's  set  rent.  0  how 
many  rich  off-fallings  are  in  my  King's  house  !  I  am  persuaded,  and 
dare  pawn  my  salvation  on  it,  that  it  is  Christ's  truth  I  now  suffer  for ; 
I  know  his  comforts  are  no  dreams ;  he  would  not  put  his  seal  on 
blank  paper,  nor  deceive  his  afflicted  ones  that  trust  in  him.  Your 
Ladyship  wrote  to  me  that  ye  are  an  ill  scholar ;  Madam,  ye  must  go 
in  at  heaven's  gates,  and  your  book  in  your  hand,  still  learning  ;  you 
have  had  your  large  share  of  troubles,  and  a  double  portion ;  but  it 
saith,  your  Father  counteth  you  not  a  bastard  ;  full  begotten  children 
are  nurtured.  Heb.  xii.  I  long  to  hear  of  the  child,  I  write  the 
blessings  of  Christ's  prisoner  and  the  mercies  of  God  to  him  ;  let  him 
be  Christ's  and  yours  betwixt  you,  but  let  Christ  be  whole  play-ma- 
ker ;  let  him  be  the  lender,  and  ye  the  borrower,  not  an  owner.  Ma- 
dam, it  is  not  long  since  I  did  write  to  your  Ladyship,  that  Christ  is 
keeping  mercy  for  you  ;  and  I  bide  by  it  still,  and  now  I  write  it  under 
my  hand ;  love  him  dearly  ;  win  in  to  see  him;  there  is  in  him  that 
which  you  never  saw  ;  he  is  ay  nigh,  he  is  a  tree  of  life,  green  and 
jblossoming,  both  summer  and  winter ;  there  is  a  nick  in  Christianity, 
'to  the  which  whosoever  cometh,  they  see  and  feel  more  than  others 
can  do.  I  invite  you  of  new  to  come  to  him  ;  Come  and  see,  will 
speak  better  things  of  him,  than  I  can  do  :  come  nearer  will  say 


PART  I.  LETTER  VII.  33 

much  :  God  thought  never  this  world  a  portion  worthy  of  you  :  he 
would  not  even  you  to  a  gift  of  dirt  and  clay  ;  nay,  he  will  not  give 
you  Esau's  portion  :  but  reserves  the  inheritance  of  Jacob  for  you  ; 
are  you  not  well  married  now  t  have  you  not  a  good  husband  now  I 
My  heart  cannot  express  what  sad  nights  I  have  for  the  virgin  daugh- 
ter of  my  people  ;  wo  is  me,  for  our  time  is  coming.  Ezek.  vii.  10. 
'  Behold  the  day,  behold  it  is  come,  the  morning  hath  gone  forth,  the 
rod  hath  blossomed,  pride  hath  budded,  violence  is  risen  up  in  a  rod 
of  wickedness,  the  sun  is  gone  down  upon  our  prophets.'  A  dry  wind 
upon  Scotland,  but  neither  to  fan  nor  cleanse  ;  but  out  of  all  question 
when  the  Lord  hath  cut  down  his  forest,  the  after  growth  of  Lebanon 
shall  flourish,  '  They  shall  plant  vines  in  our  mountain,  and  a  cloud 
shall  yet  fill  the  temple.'  Now  the  blessing  of  our  dearest  Lord  Jesus, 
and  the  blessing  of  him  that  is  separate  from  his  brethren,  come  upon 
you. 

Your's,  at  Aberdeen,  the  prisoner  of  Christ,  S.  R. 


LETTER  YII. 

To  the  same. 
IMADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship.  I  long  to  hear  from 
you.  I  am  here  waiting  if  a  good  wind,  long-looked  for,  shall  at 
length  blow  in  Christ's  sails  in  this  land  :  but  I  wonder  if  Jesus  be 
not  content  to  suffer  more  yet  in  his  members  and  cause,  and  beauty 
of  his  house,  rather  than  he  should  not  be  avenged  upon  this  land.  I 
hear  many  worthy  men  (who  see  more  in  the  Lord's  dealing,  than  I 
can  take  up  with  my  dim  sight)  are  of  a  contrary  mind,  and  do  believe 
the  Lord  is  coming  home  again  to  his  house  in  Scotland  :  I  hope  he 
is  on  his  journey  that  way  ;  yet  I  look  not  but  that  he  shall  feed  this 
land  with  their  own  blood,  before  he  establish  his  throne  amongst  us. 
I  know  your  honour  is  not  looking  after  things  hereaway ;  ye  have 
no  great  cause  to  think,  that  your  stock  and  principal  is  under  the  roof 
of  these  visible  heavens  ;  and  I  hope  ye  would  think  yourself  a  be- 
guiled and  cozened  soul,  if  it  were  so.  I  would  be  sorry  to  council 
your  Ladyship  to  make  a  covenant  with  time,  and  this  life  ;  but  rather 
desire  you  to  hold  in  fair  generals,  and  afar  off"  from  this  ill-founded 
liaven,  that  is  on  this  side  of  the  water.  It  speaketh  somewhat,  when 
our  Lord  bloweth  the  bloom  off  our  daft  hopes  in  this  life,  and  lop- 
peth  the  branches  off  our  worldly  joys  well  nigh  the  root,  on  purpose 
that  they  should  not  thrive.  Lord  spill  my  fool's  heaven  in  this  life, 
that  I  may  be  saved  for  ever.  A  forfeiture  of  the  saint's  part  of  the 
yolk  and  marrow  of  short  laughing  happiness  worldly,  is  not  such  a 
real  evil  as  our  blinded  eyes  do  conceive.  I  am  thinking  long  now 
for  some  deliverance  more  than  before  ;  but  I  know  I  am  in  an  error : 
it  is  possible  I  am  not  come  to  that  measure  of  trial,  that  the  Lord 
is  seeking  in  his  work  :  if  my  friends  in  Galloway  would  effectually 
do  for  my  deliverance,  I  would  exceedingly  rejoice  ;  but  I  know  not 
but  the  Lord  hath  a  way,  whereof  he  will  be  the  only  reaper  of  praises. 

5 


34  LETTER    Vlfl.  PART  I. 

Let  me  know,  with  the  bearer,  how  the  child  is.     The  Lord  be  his 
tutor,  and  your  only  comforter.     There  is  nothing  here  where  I  am, 
but  profanity  and  atheism.     Grace,  grace  be  with  your  Ladyship. 
Your  Ladyship's  in  all  obliged  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  13,  1637. 


LETTER  VIIL 

To  the  same. 
Madam, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  would  not  omit  the  occasion 
to  write  to  your  Ladyship  with  the  bearer.  I  am  glad  the  child  is 
well ;  God's  favour,  even  in  the  eyes  of  men,  be  seen  upon  him.  I 
hope  your  Ladyship  is  thinking  upon  these  sad  and  woful  days  wherein 
we  now  live  ;  when  our  Lord,  in  his  righteous  judgment,  is  sending 
the  kirk  the  gate  she  is  going,  to  Rome's  brothel  house,  to  seek  a 
lover  of  her  own,  seeing  she  hath  given  up  with  Christ  her  husband. 
O  what  sweet  comfort,  what  rich  salvation  is  laid  up  for  those,  who 
had  rather  wash  and  roll  their  garments  in  their  own  blood,  than  break 
out  from  Christ  by  apostasy !  Keep  yourself  in  the  love  of  Christ, 
and  stand  far  aback  from  the  pollutions  of  the  world  :  side  not  witli 
these  times,  and  hold  from  coming  nigh  the  signs  of  a  conspiracy  with 
those  that  are  now  come  out  against  Christ ;  that  ye  may  be  one  kept 
for  Christ  only.  I  know  your  Ladyship  thinketh  upon  this,  and  how 
you  may  be  humbled  for  yourself  and  this  backsliding  land ;  for  I 
avouch,  that  wrath  from  the  Lord  is  gone  out  against  Scotland.  I 
think  ay  the  longer  the  better  of  my  royal  and  worthy  Master :  he  is 
become  a  new  well-beloved  to  me  now,  in  renewed  consolations,  by 
the  presence  of  the  Spirit  of  grace  and  glory.  Christ's  garments 
smell  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  kisses,  have  made  me  a  poor  prisoner,  see,  there  is  more  to  be 
had  of  Christ  in  this  life,  than  1  believed.  We  think  all  is  but  a  httle 
earnest,  a  four-hours,  a  small  tasting,  we  have,  or  is  to  be  had  in  this 
life,  (which  is  true,  compared  with  the  inheritance;)  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  Jesus  ;  and  "that  love  faileth,  and 
drieth  up  in  loving  him ;  and  that  I  find  no  way  to  spend  my  love  de- 
sires and  the  yolk  of  my  heart,  upon  that  fairest  and  dearest  one  ;  I 
am  far  behind  with  my  narrow  heart.  O  how  ebb  a  soul  have  I  to 
take  in  Christ's  love  !  for  let  worlds  be  multiplied  according  to  angels, 
understanding,  in  miUions,  while  they  weary  themselves  ;  these  worlds 
would  not  contain  the  thousandth  part  of  his  love.  O  if  I  could  yoke 
in  amongst  the  thick  of  angels,  and  seraphims,  and  now  glorified 
saints,  and  could  raise  a  new  love-song  of  Christ,  before  all  the 
world  !  I  am  pained  with  wondering  at  nevz-^opened  treasures  in  Christ; 
if  every  finger,  member,  bone,  and  joint,  were  a  torch  burning  in  the 
hottest  fire  in  hell,  I  would  they  could  all  send  out  love  praises,  high 
songs  of  praise  for  evermore,  to  that  plant  of  renown,  to  that  royal 
and  high  Prince,  Jesus  my  Lord  :  but  alas  !  his  love  swelleth  in  nic, 


PART  I.  LETTER    IX.  35 

and  findeth  no  vent ;  alas  !  what  can  a  dumb  prisoner  do  or  say  for 
him  !  O  for  an  engine  to  write  a  book  of  Christ  and  his  love  ;  nay,  I 
am  left  of  him  bound,  and  chained  with  his  love,  I  cannot  find  a  loosed 
soul  to  lift  up  his  praises  and  give  them  out  to  others.  But  oh  my 
daylight  hath  thick  clouds ;  I  cannot  shine  in  his  praises.  I  am  often 
like  a  ship  plying  about  to  seek  the  wind  ;  I  sail  at  greai  leisure,  and 
cannot  be  blown  upon  that  loveliest  Lord  :  oh  if  I  could  turn  my  sails 
to  Christ's  right  airth ;  and  that  I  had  my  heart's  wishes  of  his  love ! 
But  I  but  marr  his  praises ;  nay,  I  know  no  comparison  of  what 
Christ  is,  and  what  his  worth  is  ;  all  the  angels,  and  all  the  glorified, 
praise  him  not  so  much  as  in  halves  ;  who  can  advance  him  or  utter 
all  his  praises.  I  want  nothing  ;  unknown  faces  favour  me  ;  enemies 
must  speak  good  of  the  truth ;  my  Master's  cause  purchaseth  com- 
mendations. The  hopes  of  m^  enlargement,  from  appearances,  are 
cold :  My  faith  hath  no  bed  to  sleep  upon,  but  omnipotency.  The 
good  will  of  the  Lord,  and  his  sweetest  presence,  be  with  you  and 
that  child.      Grace  and  peace  be  yours. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  all  duty  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,       S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  IX. 

To  the  same. 
Madam, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship.  I  would  not  omit 
to  write  a  line  with  the  Christian  bearer,  one  in  your  Ladyship's  own 
case,  driven  near  to  Christ,  in  and  by  her  affliction.  I  wish  that  my 
friends  in  Galloway  forget  me  not ;  however  it  be,  Christ  is  so  good 
that  I  will  have  no  other  tutor,  suppose  I  could  have  wail  and  choice 
of  ten  thousand  beside.  I  think  now  five  hundred  heavy  hearts  for 
him  too  little.  I  wish  Christ,  now  weeping,  suffering,  and  contemned 
of  men,  were  more  dear  and  desirable  to  many  souls  than  he  is  ;  I  am 
sure  if  the  saints  wanted  Christ's  cross,  so  profitable  and  so  sweet, 
they  might,  for  the  gain  and  glory  of  it,  wish  it  were  lawful,  either  to 
buy  or  borrow  his  cross  ;  but  it  is  a  mercy  that  the  saints  have  it  laid 
to  their  hand  for  nothing  ;  for  I  know  no  sweeter  way  to  heaven,  than 
through  free  grace,  and  hard  trials  together  ;  and  one  on  these  cannot 
well  want  another.  O  that  time  would  post  faster,  and  hasten  our 
looked-for  communion  with  that  fairest,  fairest  among  the  sons  of 
men  !  0  that  the  day  would  favour  us  and  come,  and  put  Christ  and 
us  in  other's  arm !  I  am  sure  a  few  years  will  do  our  turn,  and  the 
soldier's  hour-glass  will  soon  run  out.  Madam,  look  to  your  lamp, 
and  look  for  your  Lord's  coming,  and  let  your  heart  dwell  aloof  from 
that  child.  Christ's  jealousy  will  not  admit  two  equal  loves  in  your 
Ladyship's  heart ;  he  must  have  one,  and  that  the  greatest ;  a  little 
one  to  a  creature  may,  and  must  suffice  a  soul  married  to  him. 
'  Your  maker  is  your  Husband.'  Isa.  liv.  I  would  wish  you  well, 
and  my  obligations  these  many  years  by-gone  speak  no  less  to  me  ; 
but  more  I  can  neither  wish  nor  pray,  nor  desire  for  to  your  Ladyship, 
than  Christ  singled  and  wailed  out  from  all  created  good  things  ;  or 


36  LETTER    X,  XI.  PART  I. 

Christ,  howbeit  wet  in  his  own  blood,  and  wearing  a  crown  of  thorns. 
I  am  sure  the  saints,  at  their  best,  are  but  strangers  to  the  weight  and 
worth  of  the  incomparable  sweetness  of  Christ.  He  is  so  new,  so 
fresh  in  excellency,  every  day  of  new,  to  those  that  search  more  and^ 
more  in  him,  as  if  heaven  could  furnish  us  as  many  new  Christs  (if 
I  may  speak  so)  as  there  are  days  betwixt  him  and  us,  and  yet  he  is 
one  and  the  same.  Oh,  we  love  an  unknown  lover,  when  we  love 
Christ !  Let  me  hear  how  the  child  is  every  way ;  the  prayers  of  a 
prisoner  of  Christ  be  upon  him,  Grace  for  evermore,  even  while 
glory  perfect  it,  be  with  your  Ladyship. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  X. 

To  the  same. 

Madam, 

Notwithstanding  the  great  haste  of  the  bearer,  I  would  bless 
your  Ladyship  on  paper,  desiring,  that  since  Christ  hath  ever  envied 
that  the  world  should  have  your  love  by  him,  that  ye  give  yourself  out 
for  Christ,  and  that  ye  may  be  for  no  other.  I  know  none  worthy  of 
you  but  Christ.  Madam,  I  am  either  suffering  for  Christ,  and  this  is 
either  the  sure  and  good  way,  or  I  have  done  with  heaven,  and  will 
never  see  God's  face  (which,  I  bless  him,  cannot  be.)  I  write  my 
blessing  to  that  sweet  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.  I'hey  say  the  kirk  of  Christ  hath  neither 
son  nor  heir  ;  and  therefore  her  enemies  shall  possess  her  ;  but  I  know 
she  is  not  that  ill  friended,  her  Husband  is  her  heir,  and  she  his  heri- 
tage. If  my  Lord  would  be  pleased  I  would  desire  some  were  dealt 
with,  for  my  return  to  Anworth;  but  it'  that  never  be,  I  thank  God, 
Anworth  is  not  heaven,  preaching  is  not  Christ,  I  hope  to  wait  on. 
Let  me  hear  how  the  child  is,  and  your  Ladyship's  mind  and  hopes  of 
him ;  for  it  would  ease  my  heart  to  know  that  he  is  well.  I  am  in 
good  terms  with  Christ ;  but  oh  my  guiUiness !  yet  he  bringeth  not 
pleas  betwixt  him  and  me  to  the  streets,  and  before  the  sun.  Grace, 
grace  lor  ever  more  be  with  your  Ladyship. 

Your  Ladyship's,  at  all  obedience  m  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  XL 

To  the  same. 
JVTADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  to  you  :  I  am  refreshed  with  your  letters. 
The  right  hand  of  him,  to  whom  belong  the  issues  from  death,  hath 
been  gracious  to  that  sweet  child ;  I  cannot,  I  will  not  forget  him 
and  your  Ladyship  in  my  prayers.  Madam,  for  your  own  case,  I 
love  careful,  and  withal  doing  complaints  of  want  of  practice  ;  because 
I  observe  many,  who  think  it  holiness  enough  to  complain  and  set 


PART  I.  LETTER  Xl.  37 

themselves  at  nothing,  as  if  to  say  I  am  sick,  would  cure  them ;  they 
think  complaints  a  good  charm  for  guiltiness.  I  hope  you  are  wrest- 
ling and  strugling  on,  in  this  dead  age,  wherein  folks  have  lost  tongue 
and  legs,  and  arms  for  Christ.  I  urge  upon  you,  Madam,  a  nearer 
communion  with  Christ,  and  a  growing  communion.  There  are  cur- 
tains to  be  drawn  by,  in  Christ,  that  we  never  saw,  and  new  foldings 
of  love  in  him.  I  despair  that  ever  I  shall  win  to  the  far  end  of  that 
love,  there  are  so  many  plies  in  it.  Therefore  dig  deep  :  and  sweat, 
and  labour,  and  take  pains  for  him ;  and  set  by  so  much  time  in 
the  day  for  him  as  you  can ;  he  will  be  won  with  labour,  I,  his 
exiled  prisoner,  sought  him,  and  he  hath  rued  upon  me,  and  hath 
made  a  moan  for  me,  as  he  doth  for  his  own,  Jer.  xxxi.  20.  Isa. 
xlv.  11.  and  I  know  not  what  to  do  with  Christ,  his  love  sur- 
rouudeth  and  surchargeth  me.  I  am  burdened  with  it,  but  0  how 
sweet  and  lovely  is  that  burden !  I  cannot  keep  it  within  me :  I 
am  so  in  love  with  his  love,  that  if  his  love  were  not  in  heaven, 
I  would  be  unwilling  to  go  there.  O  what  weighing  and  what 
telling  is  in  Christ's  love  !  I  fear  nothing  now  so  much  as  the  laugh- 
ing of  Christ's  cross,  and  the  love  showers  that  accompany  it.  I 
wonder  what  he  meaneth  to  put  such  a  slave  at  the  boardhead,  at  his 
own  elbow.  O  that  I  should  lay  my  black  mouth  to  such  a  fair,  fair, 
fair  face  as  Christ !  but  dare  not  refuse  to  be  loved  ;  the  cause  is  not 
in  me  why  he  hath  looked  upon  me,  and  loved  me  ;  for  he  got  neither 
bud  nor  hire  of  me,  it  cost  me  nothing,  it  is  good  cheap  love.  O  the 
many  pound  weights  of  his  love,  under  which  I  am  sweetly  pressed ! 
Now,  Madam,  I  persuade  you,  the  greatest  part  but  play  with  Chris- 
tianity, they  put  it  by  hand  easily.  I  thought  it  had  been  an  easy 
thing  to  be  a  Christian,  and  that  to  seek  God  had  been  at  the  next 
door ;  but  oh  the  windings,  the  turnings,  the  ups  and  the  downs  that 
he  hath  led  me  through ;  and  I  see  yet  much  way  to  the  ford  ;  he 
speaketh  with  my  reins  in  the  night  season ;  and  in  the  morning, 
when  I  awake,  I  find  his  love  arrows,  that  he  shot  at  me,  sticking  in 
my  heart :  who  will  help  me  to  praise  1  who  will  come  lift  with  me, 
and  set  on  high  his  great  love  1  and  yet  I  find  that  a  fire-flaught  of 
challenges  will  come  out  at  midsummer,  and  question  me  ;  but  it  is 
only  to  keep  a  sinner  in  order.  As  for  friends,  I  shall  not  think  the 
world  to  be  the  world,  if  that  well  go  not  dry.  I  trust  in  God, 
to  use  the  world  as  a  canny  or  cunning  master  doth  a  knave-servant 
(at  least  God  give  me  grace  to  do  so)  he  giveth  him  no  handling 
or  credit,  only  he  entrusteth  him  with  common  errands,  wherein  he 
cannot  play  the  knave.  I  pray  God,  I  may  not  give  this  world  credit 
of  my  joys  and  comforts,  and  confidence :  that  were  to  put  Christ 
out  of  his  office :  nay,  I  counsel  you.  Madam,  from  a  little  experi- 
ence, let  Christ  keep  the  great  seal,  and  entrust  him  so,  as  to  hing 
your  vessels  great  and  small,  and  pin  your  burdens  upon  the  nail  fast- 
ened in  David's  house,  Isa.  xxii.  23.  Let  me  not  be  well,  if  ever  they 
get  the  tutoring  of  my  comforts  :  away,  away  with  irresponsal  tutors, 
that  would  play  me  a  slip,  and  then  Christ  would  laugh  at  me,  and 
say,  Well-wared,  try  again  ere  ye  trust.  Now  wo  is  me,  for  my 
whorish  mother,  the  chinch  of  Scotland  ;  oh  who  will  bewail  her ! 


38  LETTER  XII.  PART  I. 

Now  the  presence  of  the  great  angel  of  the  covenant  be  with  you  and 
that  sweet  child. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  XIL 

To  the  same. 
MABAM, 

Upon  the  offered  opportunity  of  this  worthy  bearer,  1  could  not 
omit  to  answer  the  heads  of  your  letter.  1st,  I  think  not  much  to  set 
down  on  paper  some  good  things  anent  Christ,  that  sealed  and  holy 
thing ;  and  to  feed  my  soul  with  raw  wishes  to  be  one  with  Christ ; 
for  a  wish  is  but  broken  and  half  love  ;  but  verily  to  obey  this.  Come 
and  see,  is  a  harder  matter  1  But  oh,  I  have  rather  smoke  than  fire, 
and  guessings  rather  than  real  assurances  of  him  ;  I  have  little  or  no- 
thing to  say,  but  that  I  am  as  one  who  hath  found  favour  in  his  eyes  ; 
but  there  is  some  pinning  and  mismannered  hunger,  that  maketh  me 
miscal  and  nickname  Christ  as  a  changed  Lord  :  but  alas  !  it  is  ill 
flitten.  I  cannot  believe  without  a  pledge,  I  cannot  take  God's  word 
without  a  caution,  as  if  Christ  had  lost  and  sold  his  credit,  and  were 
not  in  my  books  responsal  and  law-bidding  :  but  this  is  my  way  ;  for 
his  way  is,  Eph.  i.  13,  'After  that  ye  believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  promise.'  2d,  ye  write  that  I  am  filled  with  knowledge, 
and  stand  not  in  need  of  these  warnings  ;  but  certainly  my  light  is  dim, 
when  it  cometh  to  handy  grips  ;  and  how  many  have  full  coffers,  and 
yet  empty  bellies  !  light,  and  the  saving  use  of  light,  are  far  different. 
O  what  need  then  have  I  to  have  the  ashes  blown  away  from  my 
dying-out  fire  !  I  may  be  a  bookman,  and  be  an  idiot  and  stark  fool 
in  Christ's  way  ?  learning  will  not  beguile  Christ ;  the  bible  beguiled 
the  pharisees,  and  so  may  I  be  misled.  Therefore,  as  night  watches 
hold  one  another  waking,  by  speaking  to  one  another,  so  have  we 
need  to  hold  one  another  on  foot :  sleep  stealeth  away  the  light  of 
watching,  even  the  light  that  reproveth  sleeping.  I  doubt  not  but 
more  should  fetch  heaven,  if  they  believed  not  heaven  to  be  at  the 
next  door :  the  world's  negative  holiness,  no  adulterer,  no  murderer, 
no  thief,  no  cozener,  maketh  men  believe  they  are  already  glorified 
saints  :^  but  the  6th  chapter  to  the  Hebrews  may  affright  us  all,  when  we 
hear  that  nu^n  may  take  of  the  gifts  and  common  graces  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  a  taste  of  the  powers  of  the  life  to  come,  to  hell  with  them  : 
here  is  reprobate  silver,  which  yet  seemeth  to  have  the  King's  image, 
and  superscription  upon  it.  3d,  I  find  you  complaining  of  yourself, 
and  it  becometh  a  sinner  so  to  do,  I  am  not  against  that ;  sense  of 
death  is  a  sib  friend,  and  of  kin  and  blood  to  life  ;  the  more  sense, 
the  more  life  ;  the  more  sense  of  sin,  the  less  sin.  I  would  love  my 
pain,  and  soreness,  and  my  wounds,  howbeit  these  should  bereave  me 
of  my  night's  sleep,  better  than  my  wounds  without  pain.  0  how 
sweet  a  thing  it  is,  to  give  Christ  his  handful  of  broken  arms,  and  legs, 
and  disjointed  bones  !  4th,  Be  not  afraid  for  little  grace,  Christ  sovveth 
his  living  seed,  and  he  will  not  loose  his  seed  ;  if  he  have  the  guiding 


PART  I.  LETTER  XIlI.  39 

of  my  stock  and  state,  it  shall  not  miscarry.  Our  spilt  works,  losses, 
deadness,  coldness,  wretchedness,  are  the  ground  which  the  good 
husbandman  laboureth.  5th,  Ye  write  that  his  compassions  fail  not, 
notwithstanding  that  your  service  to  Christ  miscanieth  ;  to  the  which 
I  answer,  God  forbid  that  there  were  buying  and  selling,  and  blocking 
for  as  good  a  gain,  betwixt  Christ  and  us  ;  for  then  free  grace  might 
go  play  it,  and  a  Saviour  sing  dumb,  and  Christ  go  and  sleep  ; 
but  we  go  to  heaven  with  light  shoulders,  and  all  the  family  ;  and  the 
vessels  great  and  small  that  we  have,  are  fastened  upon  the  sure  nail, 
Isa.  xxii.  24.  The  only  danger  is,  that  we  give  grace  more  ado  than 
God  giveth  it,  that  is,  by  turning  his  grace  into  wantonness.  6th, 
Ye  write,  few  see  your  guiltiness,  and  you  cannot  be  free  with  many, 
as  with  me  :  I  answer,  blessed  be  God,  Christ  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. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XIII. 

To  the  same. 
>IADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship :  God  be  thanked 
ye  are  yet  in  possession  of  Christ  and  that  sweet  child.  I  pray  God 
the  former  may  be  a  sure  heritage,  and  the  latter  a  loan  for  your 
comfort,  while  ye  do  good  to  his  poor  afflicted,  withered  mount  Sion  : 
and  who  knoweth,  but  our  Lord  hath  comforts  laid  up  in  store  for  her 
and  you "?  I  am  persuaded  Christ  hath  bought  you  by  the  devil,  and 
hell,  and  sin,  that  they  have  no  claim  to  you  ;  and  that  is  a  rich  and 
invaluable  mercy.  Long  since  ye  were  half  challenging  death's  cold 
kindness,  in  being  so  slow  and  swier  to  come  loose  a  tired  prisoner : 
but  ye  stand  in  need  of  all  the  crosses,  losses,  changes,  and  sad  hearts 
(hat  befel  you  since  that  time.  Christ  knoweth  the  body  of  sin  unsub- 
dued will  take  them  all  and  more  :  we  know  that  Paul  had  need  of 
the  devil's  service,  to  buffet  him ;  and  far  more  we.  But  my  dear 
and  honourable  Lady,  spend  your  sand-glass  well ;  I  am  sure  you 
have  law  to  raise  a  suspension  against  all  that  devils,  men,  friends, 
worlds,  losses,  hell  or  sin  can  decree  against  you.  It  is  good  your 
crosses  will  but  convey  you  to  heaven's  gates  :  in  can  they  not  go, 
the  gates  shall  be  closed  upon  them,  when  ye  shall  be  admitted  to  the 
throne.  Time  standeth  not  still,  eternity  is  hard  at  our  door,  0  what 
is  laid  up  for  you?  Therefore  harden  your  face  against  the  wind: 
and  the  Lamb  your  husband  is  making  ready  for  you ;  the  Bride- 
groom would  fain  have  that  day,  as  gladly  as  your  honour  would 
wish  to  have  it ; — he  hath  not  forgotten  you.  I  have  heard  a  rumour 
of  the  P's  purpose  to  banish  me  ;  but  let  it  come,  if  God  so  will ;  the 
other  side  of  the  sea  is  my  Father's  ground  as  well  as  this  side ;  I 
owe  bowing  to  God,  but  no  servile  bowing  to  crosses  ;  I  have  been 
but  too  soft  in  that :  I  am  comforted  that  I  am  persuaded  fully,  that 
Christ  is  halver  with  me  in  this  well  borne  and  honest  cross  ;  and  if 


40  LETTER    XIV.  PART  I, 

he  claim  right  to  the  best  half  of  my  troubles,  as  I  know  he  doth  to 
the  whole,  I  shall  remit  over  to  Christ,  what  I  shall  do  in  this  case  :  I 
know  certainly  my  Lord  Jesus  will  not  mar  nor  spill  my  sufferings, 
he  hath  use  for  them  in  his  house.  0  what  it  worketh  on  me,  to  re- 
member that  a  stranger,  who  cometh  not  in  by  the  door,  shall  build 
hay  and  stubble  upon  the  golden  foundation,  I  laid  amongst  that  peo- 
ple at  Anwoth  !  But  I  know  providence  looketh  not  asquint,  but 
looketh  straight  out,  and  through  all  men's  darkness  ;  0  that  I  could 
wait  upon  the  Lord  !  I  had  but  one  eye,  one  joy,  one  delight,  even  to 
preach  Christ ;  and  my  mother's  sons  were  angry  at  me,  and  have 
put  out  the  poor  man's  one  eye,  and  what  have  I  behind  1  I  am  sure 
this  sour  world  hath  lost  my  heart  deservedly,  but  oh  that  there  were 
a  days-man  to  lay  his  hands  upon  us  both,  and  determine  upon  my 
part  of  it.  Alas  !  that  innocent  and  lovely  truth  should  be  sold  !  My 
tears  are  little  worth,  but  yet  this  thing  I  weep  ;  I  weep,  alas  !  that 
my  fair  and  lovely  Lord  Jesus  should  be  miskent  in  his  own  house  ! 
It  reckoneth  little  of  five  hundred  the  Uke  of  me  ;  yet  the  water  goeth 
not  over  faith's  breath,  yet  our  King  liveth.  I  write  the  prisoner's 
blessings  ;  the  good-will,  and  long-lasting  kindness,  with  the  comforts 
of  the  very  God  of  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship,  and  to  your  sweet 
child  ;  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Honour's  at  all  obedience,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  Sept.  7th,  1637. 


LETTER  XIV. 

To  the  much  honoured  John  Gordon  of  Cardoness,  Elder. 

Much  honoured  and  dearest  in  my  Lord,  grace,  mercy,  and  peace 
be  to  you.  My  soul  longeth  exceedingly  to  hear  how  matters  go 
betwixt  you  and  Christ ;  and  whether  or  not  there  be  any  work  of 
Christ  in  that  parish,  that  will  bide  the  trial  of  fire  and  water ;  let  me 
be  weighed  of  my  Lord  in  a  just  balance,  if  your  souls  lye  not  weighty 
upon  me  ;  you  go  to  bed  and  you  rise  with  me  ;  thoughts  of  your 
soul,  my  dearest  in  our  Lord,  depart  not  from  me  in  my  sleep  ;  ye 
have  a  great  part  of  my  tears,  sighs,  supplications,  and  prayers  :  0  if 
I  could  buy  your  soul's  salvation  with  any  suffering  whatsoever,  and 
that  ye  and  I  might  meet  with  joy  up  in  the  rainbow,  when  we  shall 
stand  before  our  Judge !  0  my  Lord  forbid,  I  have  any  hard  thing  to 
depone  against  you  in  that  day  !  O  that  he  who  quickeneth  the  dead, 
would  give  life  to  my  sowing  among  you  !  What  joy  is  there,  next 
to  Christ,  that  standeth  on  this  side  of  death,  would  comfort  me  more, 
than  that  the  souls  of  that  poor  people  were  in  safety,  and  beyond  all 
hazard  of  losing  !  Sir,  shew  the  people  this  ;  for  when  I  write  to  you, 
I  think  I  write  to  you  all,  old  and  young  ;  fulfil  my  joy,  and  seek  the 
Lord  ;  sure  I  am,  once  I  discovered  my  lovely,  royal,  princely  Lord 
Jesus  to  you  all ;  wo,  wo,  wo  shall  be  your  part  of  it  for  evermore,  if 
the  gospel  be  not  the  savour  of  life  unto  life  to  you  ;  as  many  ser- 
mons as  I  preached,  as  many  sentences  as  I  uttered,  as  many  points 
of  dittay  shall  they  be,  when  the  Lord  shall  plead  with  the  world,  for 


PART  1.  LETTER    XIV.  41 

the  evil  of  their  doings,  Beheve  me,  I  find  heaven  a  city  hard  to  he 
won  ;  '  The  righteous  will  scarcely  be  saved  ;'  0  what  violence  of 
thronging  will  heaven  take  !  Alas  !  I  see  many  deceiving  themselves ; 
for  we  will  all  to  heaven  ;  now  every  foul  dog  with  his  foul  feet  will 
in  at  the  nearest,  to  the  new  and  clean  Jerusalem  ;  all  say  they  have 
faith,  and  the  greatest  part  in  the  world  know  not,  and  will  not  con- 
sider, that  a  slip  in  the  matter  of  their  salvation,  is  the  most  pitiful  slip 
that  can  be  ;  and  that  no  loss  is  comparable  to  this  loss.  0  then  see 
that  there  be  not  a  loose  pin  in  the  work  of  your  salvation  !  for  ye  will 
not  believe  how  quickly  the  Judge  will  come ;  and  for  yourself,  I 
know  that  death  is  waiting  and  hovering,  and  lingering  at  God's  com- 
mand, that  ye  may  be  prepared.  Then  ye  had  need  to  stir  your  time, 
and  to  take  eternity,  and  death,  to  your  riper  advisement ;  a  wrong 
step  in  going  out  of  this  life,  in  one  property,  is  like  the  sin  against 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  can  never  be  forgiven,  because  ye  cannot  come 
back  again  through  the  last  water  to  mourn  for  it.  I  know  your 
counts  are  many,  and  will  take  telling,  and  laying,  and  reckoning 
betwixt  you  and  your  Lord  ;  fit  your  counts  and  order  them  ;  lose  not 
the  last  play  whatever  ye  do,  for  in  that  play  with  death  your  precious 
soul  is  the  prize;  for  the  Lord's  sake  spill  not  the  play,  and 
lose  not  such  a  treasure.  Ye  know,  out  of  love  I  had  to  your 
soul,  and  out  of  desire  I  had  to  make  an  honest  count  for 
you,  I  testified  my  displeasure  and  disliking  of  your  ways  verv 
often,  both  in  private  and  public  ;  I  am  not  now  a  witness  of 
your  doings,  but  your  Judge  is  always  your  witness.  I  beseech  you 
by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  salvation  of  your  soul,  by  your  com- 
forts when  your  eye-strings  shall  break,  and  the  face  wax  pale,  and 
the  soul  shall  tremble  to  be  out  of  the  lodging  of  clay,  and  by  your 
compearance  before  your  awful  Judge,  after  the  sight  of  this  letter, 
take  a  new  course  with  your  ways,  and  now  in  the  end  of  your  day 
make  sure  of  heaven.  Examine  yourself  if  ye  be  in  good  earnest  in 
Christ ;  for  some,  Heb.  vi.  4.  '  are  partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
taste  of  the  good  word  of  God,  and  of  the  powers  of  the  life  to  come,' 
and  yet  have  no  part  in  Christ  at  all.  Many  think  they  believe,  but 
never  tremble  ;  the  devils  are  farther  on  than  these,  James  ii.  10. 
JMake  sure  to  yourselt'  that  ye  are  above  ordinary  professors ;  tliU 
sixth  part  of  your  span- length  and  hand-breadth  of  your  days  is 
scarcely  before  you ;  haste,  haste,  for  the  tide  will  not  bide.  Put 
Christ  upon  all  your  accounts,  and  your  secrets.  Better  it  is  that  you 
give  him  your  counts,  in  this  life,  out  of  your  own  hand,  than  that 
after  this  life  he  take  them  from  you.  I  never  knew  so  well  what  sin 
was  as  since  I  came  to  Aberdeen,  howbeit  I  was  preaching  of  it  to 
you.  To  feel  the  smoke  of  Hell's  fire  in  the  throat  for  half  an  hour  ; 
to  stand  before  a  river  of  fire  and  brimstone  broader  than  the  earth : 
and  to  think  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  cast  in  the  midst  of  it 
quick,  and  then  to  have  God  locking  the  prison-door,  never  to  be 
opened  for  all  eternity  ;  O  how  it  will  shake  a  conscience  that  hath 
any  life  in  it !  I  find  the  fruits  of  my  pains  to  have  Christ  and  that 
people  once  fairiv  met,  now  meet  mv  soul  in  my  sad  hours ;  and  I 
rejoice  that  I  gave  fair  warning  of  all  the  corruptions  now  entering  in 
Christ's  house ;  and  now  many  a  sweet,  soft  kiss,  many,  perfumed, 

(i 


42  LETTEll    XIV.  TART  I. 

well-smelled  kisses,  and  embracements,  have  I  received  of  my  royal 
master.  He  and  I  have  had  much  love  together.  I  have  for  the 
present  a  sick  dvvining  Hfe,  with  much  pain,  and  much  love-sickness 
for  Christ :  O  what  would  I  give  to  have  a  bed  made  to  my  wearied 
soul,  in  his  bosom  !  I  would  frist  heaven  for  many  years,  to  have  my 
fill  of  Jesus  in  this  life,  and  to  have  occasion  to  offer  Christ  to  my 
people  ;  and  to  woo  many  people  to  Christ.  I  cannot  tell  you  what 
sweet  pain,  and  delightsome  torments  are  in  Christ's  love ;  I  often 
challenge  time  that  holdelh  us  sui.idry.  I  profess  to  you  I  have  no 
rest,  I  have  no  ease,  while  I  be  over  head  and  ears  in  love's  ocean. 
If  Christ's  love,  that  fountain  of  delight,  were  laid  as  open  to  me  as  I 
would  wish,  O  how  would  I  drink,  and  drink  abundantly  !  O  how 
drunken  would  this  my  soul  be  !  I  half  call  his  absence  cruel,  and  the 
mask  and  veil  on  Christ's  face,  a  cruel  covering,  that  hideth  such  a 
fair  face  from  a  sick  soul,  I  dare  not  challenge  himself,  but  his  absence 
is  a  mountain  of  iron  upon  my  heavy  heart.     0  when  will  we  meet  ? 

0  how  long  is  it  to  the  dawning  of  the  marriage  day  !  0  sweet  Lord 
Jesus,  take  wide  steps  ;  O  my  Lord,  come  over  mountains  at  one 
stride  !  O  my  Beloved,  flee  like  a  roe,  or  a  young  hart,  on  the  moun- 
tains of  separation ;  O  if  he  would  fold  the  heavens  together  like  an 
old  cloak,  and  shovel  time  and  days  out  of  the  way,  and  make  ready 
in  haste  the  lamb's  wife  for  her  husband  !  Since  he  looked  upon  me, 
my  heart  is  not  mine  own,  he  hath  run  av^'ay  to  heaven  with  it  ;  I 
know  it  was  not  for  nothing  that  I  spake  so  meikle  good  of  Christ  to 
you  in  public.  O  if  the  iieaven,  and  the  heaven  of  heavens  were 
paper,  and  sea  ink,  and  the  multitude  of  mountains  pens  of  brass,  and 

1  able  to  write  that  paper,  within  and  v.'ithout,  full  of  the  praises  of  my 
fairest,  my  dearest,  my  loveliest,  my  sweetest,  my  matchless,  and  mv 
most  marrowless  and  marvellous  Well-beloved  !  Wo  is  me,  I  cannot 
set  him  out  to  men  and  angels.  O  there  are  few  tongues  to  sing  love 
songs  of  his  incomparable  excellency  !  What  can  I,  poor  prisoner,  do 
to  exalt  him  1  or  what  course  can  I  take  to  extol  my  lofty,  and  lovely 
liOrd  Jesus  1  I  am  put  to  my  wit's  end,  how  to  get  his  name  made 
great.  Blessed  they  who  would  help  me  in  this  !  How  sweet  are 
Christ's  back-parts  1  O  what  then  is  in  his  face?  Tliese  that  see  his 
face,  how  do  they  get  their  eye  plucked  off  him  again  ?  Look  up  to 
him  and  love  him  :  0  love  and  live.  It  were  life  to  me,  if  you  would 
read  this  letter  to  that  people,  and  if  they  did  profit  by  it.  0  if  I 
could  cause  them  die  of  love  for  Jesus  !  I  charge  them  by  the  salva- 
tion of  their  souls,  to  hang  about  Christ's  neck,  and  take  their  fill  of 
his  love,  and  follow  him,  as  I  taught  them.  Part  by  no  means  with 
Christ ;  hold  fast  what  ye  have  received  ;  keep  the  truth  once  deli- 
vered ;  if  yc  or  that  people  quit  it  in  an  hair  or  in  an  hoof,  ye  break 
your  conscience  in  twain  ;  and  who  then  can  mend  it,  and  cast  a  knot 
on  it  1  My  dearest  in  the  Lord,  stand  fast  in  Christ ;  keep  the  faith  ; 
contend  for  Christ ;  wrestle  for  him,  and  take  men's  feud  for  God's 
iavour  ;  there  is  no  comparison  betwixt  these.  O  that  the  Lord 
would  fulfil  my  joy,  and  keep  the  young  bride  to  Christ,  that  is  at 
Anwoth.  And  nov/,  whoever  they  be,  that  have  returned  to  the  old 
vomit  since  my  departure,  1  bind  upon  their  back,  in  my  Master's 


PART  I.  LETTER   XV.  4;> 

name  and  authority,  the  long-lasting  weighty  vengeance,  and  curse  of 
God  ;  in  my  Lord's  name,  I  give  them  a  hlack,  unmixed,  pure  wrath, 
which  my  master  shall  ratify  and  make  good,  when  we  stand  together 
before  him,  except  they  timeously  repent  and  turn  to  the  Lord.  And 
I  write  to  thee,  poor  mourning  and  broken-hearted  believer,  be  who 
thou  will,  of  the  free  salvation  ;  Christ's  sweet  balm  for  thy  wounds, 
O  poor  humble  believer  ;  Christ's  kisses  for  tb.y  watery  cheeks  ; 
Christ's  blood  of  atonement  for  thy  guilty  soul  ;  Christ's  heaven  lor 
thy  poor  soul,  though  once  banished  out  of  paradise  :  and  my  Master 
shall  make  good  my  word  ere  long.  0  that  people  were  wise !  < ) 
that  people  were  wise  !  0  that  people  would  seek  out  Christ,  and 
never  rest  while  they  find  him,  0  how  shall  my  soul  mourn  in  secret  ! 
if  my  nine  years  pained  head,  and  sore  breast,  and  pained  back,  and 
grieved  heart  and  private  and  public  prayers  to  God,  shall  all  be  for 
nothing  among  that  people  !  Did  my  Lord  Jesus  send  me  but  to  sum- 
mon you  before  your  Judge,  and  to  leave  you  summons  at  your 
houses  1  Was  I  sent  as  a  witness  only  to  gather  your  dittays  ?  O  may 
God  forbid !  Often  do  I  tell  you  of  a  fan  of  God's  word  to  come 
among  you,  for  the  contempt  of  it ;  I  told  you  often  of  wrath,  wrath 
from  the  Lord,  to  come  upon  Scotland  ;  and  yet  1  bide  hy  my  Mas- 
ter's word  ;  it  is  quickly  coming,  desolation  for  Scotland,  because  of 
the  quarrel  of  a  broken  covenant.  Now,  worthy  Sirs,  my  dear  peo- 
ple, my  joy,  and  my  crown  in  the  Lord,  let  him  be  your  fear,  seek  the 
Lord,  and  his  face — save  your  souls.  Doves,  flee  to  Christ's  win- 
dows ;  pray  for  me,  and  praise  for  rhe.  The  blessing  of  my  God, 
the  prayers  and  blessings  of  a  poor  prisoner,  and  your  lawful  pastor, 
be  upon  you. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  16,  1C37. 


LETTER  XV. 

To  the  Right  Hoiiourable  and  Christian  Lady,  my  Lady  Boyd. 

Madam, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you,  from  God  our  Father,  and 
from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  cannot  but  thank  your  Ladyship,  for 
your  letter  that  hath  refreshed  my  soul.  I  think  myself  many  ways 
obliged  to  your  Ladyship  for  your  love  to  my  afflicted  brother,  now 
embarked  with  me  in  that  same  cause.  His  Lord  hath  been  pleased 
to  put  him  on  truth's  side ;  I  hope  your  Ladyship  will  befriend  him 
with  your  counsel  and  countenance  in  that  country,  where  he  is  a 
stranger ;  and  your  Ladyship  needeth  not  fear  but  your  kindness  to 
his  own  shall  be  put  up  in  Christ's  accounts.  Now,  Madam,  for  your 
Ladyship's  case  I  rejoice  exceedingly,  that  the  Father  of  lights  hath 
made  you  see  that  there  is  a  nick  in  Christianity,  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  desire  is  to  make  him  your  gar- 
land, and  your  eye  looketh  up  the  mount,  which  certainly  is  nothing 
but  the  new  creature.  Fear  not,  Christ  will  not  cast  water  upon  yoiu- 
smoaking  coal  ;  and  then,  who  else  dare  do  it  if  he  say  nay  ?     Be 


44  LETTER    AV 


PART   I. 


sorry  at  corruption,  and  not  secure  ;  that  companion  lay  with  you  in 
your  mother's  womb,  and  was  as  early  friends  with  you  as  the  breatlx 
of  life :  and  Christ  will  not  have  it  otherwise  ;  for  he  dclighteth  to 
take  up  fallen  children,  and  to  mend  broken  brows ;  binding  up  of 
wounds  is  his  ofiice,  Isa.  Ixi. — 1st.  I  am  glad  Christ  will  get  em- 
ployment of  his  calling  in  you :  many  a  whole  soul  is  in  heaven, 
which  was  sicker  than  ye  are  :  he  is  content,  ye  lay  broken  arms  and 
legs  on  his  knee,  that  he  may  spelt  them. — 2dly.  hiding  of  his  face  is 
wise  love  ;  his  love  is  not  fond,  doating,  and  reasonless,  to  give  your 
head  no  other  pillow,  while  ye  be  in  at  heaven's  gates,  but  to  lye 
between  his  breasts,  and  lean  upon  his  bosom  :  nay,  his  children 
must  often  have  the  frosty  cold  side  of  the  hill,  and  set  down  both 
their  bare  feet  among  thorns  :  his  love  hath  eyes,  and  in  the  mean 
time  is  looking  on.  Our  pride  must  have  winter  weather  to  rot  it. 
But  1  know  Christ  and  ye  shall  not  be  heard  ;  ye  will  whisper  it  over 
betwixt  yourselves,  and  agree  again  ;  for  the  anchor-tow  abideth  fast 
within  the  vail  ;  the  end  of  it  is  in  Christ's  ten  fingers  ;  who  dare  pull 
if  he  hold  ?  I  the  Lord  tliy  God  will  hold  thy  right  hand,  saying,  fear 
not,  I  will  help  thee.  Isa.  xli.  13.  Fear  not,  Jacob.  The  seasick 
passenger  shall  come  to  land  ;  Christ  will  be  the  first  that  will  meet 
you  on  the  shore.  I  hope  your  Ladyship  will  keep  the  king's  high- 
way :  go  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  in  haste,  as  if  ye  had  not  lei- 
sure to  speak  to  the  inn-keepers  by  the  way  ;  he  is  over  beyond  time 
on  the  other  side  of  the  water,  who  thinketh  long  for  you.  For  my 
unfaithful  self,  Madam,  I  must  say  a  word.  At  my  first  coming 
hither,  the  devil  made  many  a  black  lie  of  my  Lord  Jesus,  and  said, 
the  court  was  changed  and  he  was  angry,  and  would  give  an  evil  ser- 
vant his  leave  at  mid-term  ;  but  he  gave  me  grace  not  to  take  my 
leave  ;  I  resolved  to  bide  summons,  and  sit,  howbeit  it  was  suggested 
and  said,  What  should  be  done  with  a  withered  tree,  but  over  the 
dyke  with  it  1  But  now,  now,  I  dare  not,  I  dow  not  keep  it  up,  who  is 
feasted  as  his  poor  exiled  prisoner  ?  I  think  shame  of  the  board-head 
and  the  first  mess,  and  the  royal  king's  dining  Hall,  and  that  my  black 
hand  should  come  on  such  a  ruler's  table ;  but  I  cannot  mend  it, 
Christ  must  have  his  will :  only  he  paineth  my  soul  so  sometimes 
with  his  love,  that  I  have  been  nigh  to  pass  modesty,  and  to  cry  out ; 
he  hath  left  a  smoaking  burning  coal  in  my  heart,  and  gone  to  the 
door  himself  and  left  me  and  it  together  ;  yet  it  is  not  desertion  :  I 
know  not  what  it  is,  but  I  was  never  so  sick  for  him  as  now.  I  durst 
not  challenge  my  Lord,  if  I  got  no  more  for  heaven,  it  is  a  dawting 
cross.  I  know  he  hath  other  things  to  do  than  to  play  with  me,  and 
trundle  an  ai)ple  with  me,  and  that  this  feast  will  end.  O  for  instru- 
ments in  God's  name,  that  this  is  he  !  and  that  I  may  make  use  of  it, 
when  it  may  be,  a  near  friend  within  me  will  say,  and  when  it  will  be 
said  by  a  challenging  devil.  Where  is  thy  God  i  Since  I  know  it  will 
not  last,  I  desire  but  to  keep  broken  meat :  but  let  no  man  after  me 
slander  Christ  for  his  cross.  The  great  Lord  of  the  covenant,  Avho 
brought  from  the  dead  the  great  shepherd  of  his  sheep,  by  the  blood 
of  the  eternal  covenant,  establish  you,  and  keep  you  and  your's  to  his 
appearance.  Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.      ,*^.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7lli,  1G37. 


TAUT    I.  LETTER    XVI,    XVII,  45 

LETTER  XVI. 

To  jNIr.  Alexander  Henderson. 
>IV    REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letters  ;  they  are  apples  of  gold  to  me,  for  with  my 
sweet  feasts  (and  they  are  above  the  deserving  of  such  a  sinner,  hi^h 
and  out  of  measure)  I  have  sadness  to  ballast  me,  and  weight  me  a 
little.  It  is  but  his  boundless  wisdom  who  hath  taken  the  tutorino-  of 
his  witless  child  ;  and  he  knoweth  to  be  drunken  with  comforts  is  not 
safest  for  our  stomachs.  However  it  be,  the  din  and  noise,  and  glooms 
of  Christ's  cross  are  weightier  than  itself,  I  protest  to  you,  my  witness 
is  in  heaven,  I  could  wish  many  pound  weights  added  to  my  cross,  to 
know  that  by  my  sud'erings,  Christ  v.ere  set  forward  in  his  kingly 
oflice  in  this  land.  Oh  !  what  is  my  skin  to  his  glory  ;  or  my  losses, 
or  my  sad  heart,  to  the  apple  of  the  eye  of  our  Lord,  and  his  beloved 
spouse,  his  precious  truth,  his  royal  privileges,  the  glory  of  manifested 
justice  in  giving  of  his  foes  a  dash,  the  testimony  of  his  faithful  ser- 
vants, who  do  glorify  him,  when  he  rideth  upon  poor  weak  worms,  and 
triumpheth  in  them  1  I  desire  you  to  pray,  that  I  may  come  out  of 
this  furnace  with  honesty,  and  that  I  may  leave  Christ's  truth  no  worse 
than  I  found  it :  and  that  this  most  honourable  cause  may  neither  be 
stained  nor  weakened.  As  for  your  case,  my  reverend  and  dearest 
brother,  ye  are  the  talking  of  the  north  and  south  :  and  looked  to  so, 
as  if  ye  were  all  crystal  glass  :  your  mot^s  and  dust  shall  soon  be  pro- 
claimed, and  trumpets  blown  at  your  slips  :  but  I  know  ye  have  laid 
help  upon  one  that  is  mighty.  Intrust  not  your  comforts  to  men's 
airy  and  frothy  applause,  neither  lay  your  down-castings  on  the 
tongues  of  salt  mockers  and  reproachers  of  godliness  :  as  deceivers, 
and  yet  true  ;  as  unknown,  and  yet  still  known.  God  hath  called  you 
to  Christ's  side,  and  the  wind  is  now  in  Christ's  face  in  this  land  ;  and 
seeing  ye  are  with  him,  ye  cannot  expect  the  lee-side,  or  the  sunny 
side  of  the  brae  ;  but  I  know  ye  have  resolved  to  take  Christ  upon 
any  terms  whatsoever ;  I  hope  ye  do  not  rue,  though  your  cause  be 
hated,  and  that  prejudices  are  taken  up  against  it.  The  shields  of  the 
world  think  our  Master  cumbersome  wares,  and  that  he  maketh  too 
great  din,  and  that  his  cords  and  yokes  make  blains  and  deep  scores 
in  their  neck  ;  therefore  they  kick,  they  say — This  man  shall  not  reiga 
over  us.  Let  us  pray  one  for  another  ;  he  who  hath  made  you  a 
chosen  arrow  in  his  quiver,  hide  you  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand.  I  am, 
Your's  in  his  sweetest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  9th,  1637. 


LETTER  XYIL 

To  the  Right  Honourable  my  Lord  Lowdon. 
?.IY  VERY  NOELE  AND  HONOURABLE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  make  bold  to  write  to  }our 
Lordship,  that  you  may  know  the  honourable  cause  ye  are  graced  to 
profess,  is  Christ's  own  truth.  Ye  are  many  ways  blessed  of  God, 
Mho  hath  taken  upon  you  to  come  out  to  the  streets  with  Christ  on 


46  LETTER   XVII.  PART    I. 

your  forehead,  when  so  many  are  ashamed  of  him  and  hide  him  as  it 
were,  under  their  cloak,  as  if  he  were  a  stolen  Christ.  If  this  faithless 
generation,  and  especially  the  nobles  of  this  kingdom,  thought  not 
Christ  dear  wares,  and  religion  expensive,  hazardous,  and  dangerous, 
they  would  not  slip  from  this  cause  as  they  do,  and  stand  looking  on 
with  their  hands  folded  behind  their  back  when  lowns  are  running  with 
the  spoil  of  Zion  on  their  back,  and  the  boards  of  the  Son  of  God's 
tabernacle.  Law  and  justice  are  to  be  had  to  any,  especially  for  mo- 
ney and  moyen  ;  but  Christ  can  get  no  law,  good,  cheap  nor  dear. 
It  were  the  glory  and  honour  of  you,  who  are  the  nobles  of  this  land, 
to  plead  for  your  wronged  Bridegroom,  and  his  oppressed  Spouse,  as 
far  as  zeal  and  standing  law  will  go  with  you.  Your  ordinary  logic 
from  the  event,  that  it  will  do  no  good  to  the  cause,  and  therefore 
silence  is  best,  till  the  Lord  put  to  his  own  hand,  is  not,  with  reverence 
to  your  Lordship's  learning,  worth  a  straw  :  events  are  God's ;  let  us 
do  and  not  plead  against  God's  office,  let  him  sit  at  his  own  helm,  wh'o 
moderateth  all  events  :  it  is  not  a  good  course  to  complain,  that  we 
cannot  get  a  providence  of  gold,  when  our  laziness,  cold  zeal,  tempo- 
rizing, and  faithless  fearfulness  spilleth  God's  providence.  Your 
Lordship  will  pardon  me  :  I  am  not  of  that  mind,  that  tumults  or  arms 
is  the  way  to  put  Christ  on  his  throne:  or  that  Christ  will  be  served 
and  truth  vindicated  only  with  the  arm  of  flesh  and  blood  :  nay,  Christ 
doth  his  turn  with  less  din  than  with  garments  rolled  in  blood.  But  I 
would  the  zeal  of  God  were  in  the  nobles  to  do  their  part  for  Christ : 
and  I  must  be  pardoned  to  write  to  your  Lordship  this,  I  dow  not,  I 
dare  not  but  speak  to  others  what  God  hath  done  to  the  soul  of  his 
poor  afflicted,  exiled  prisoner  :  his  comfort  is  more  than  I  ever  knew 
before  :  he  hath  sealed  the  honourable  cause  I  now  suffer  for,  and  I 
shall  not  believe  that  Christ  will  put  his  Amen  and  ring  upon  an  imagi- 
nation ;  he  hath  made  all  his  promises  good  to  me,  and  hath  filled  up 
all  the  blanks  with  his  own  hand ;  I  would  not  exchange  my  bonds 
with  the  plastered  joy  of  this  whole  world :  it  hath  pleased  him  to 
make  a  sinner,  the  like  of  me,  an  ordinary  banqueter  in  his  house  of 
wine,  with  that  royal,  princely  one,  Christ  Jesus.  0  what  weighing  ! 
O  what  telling  is  in  his  love  !  how  sweet  must  he  be,  when  that  black 
and  burdensome  tree,  his  own  cross,  is  so  perfumed  with  joy  and  glad- 
ness !  O  for  h'jip  to  lift  him  up  by  praises  on  his  royal  throne  !  I  seek 
no  more  but  that  his  name  may  be  spread  abroad  in  me,  that  meikle 
good  may  be  spoken  of  Christ  on  my  behalf;  this  being  done,  my 
losses,  place,  stipend,  credit,  ease,  and  liberty,  shall  all  be  made  up 
to  my  full  contentment  and  joy  of  heart.  I  will  be  confident  your 
Lordship  will  go  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  keep  Christ  and 
avouch  him,  that  he  may  read  your  name  publicly  before  men  and 
angels.  I  will  entreat  your  lordship  to  exhort  and  encourage  that  no- 
bleman, your  chief,  to  do  the  same  ;  but  I  am  wo,  many  of  you  find  a 
new  wisdom,  which  deserveth  not  such  a  name  ;  it  were  better  that 
men  should  see  that  their  wisdom  be  holy,  and  their  holiness  wise.  I 
must  be  bold  to  desire  your  Lordship  to  add  to  your  former  favours  to 
me,  for  the  which  your  Lordship  hath  a  prisoner's  blessing  and  prayers, 
this,  that  ye  would  be  pleased  befriend  my  brother,  now  suffering  for 


PART  I.  LETTER  XVIII.  47 

the  same  cause ;  for  he  is  to  dwell  nigh  your  Lordship's  bounds  • 
your  Lordship's  word  and  countenance  may  help  him.  Thus  recom- 
mending your  Lordship  to  the  saving  grace,  and  tender  mercy  of 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  I  rest. 

Your  Lordship's  obliged  servant  in  Christ,  S.  R 

Aberdeen,  March  9,  1637, 


LETTER  XVIIL 

To  Mr.  William  Dalglish,  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  well  ;  my  Lord  Jesus 
is  kinder  to  me  than  ever  he  was ;  it  pleaseth  him  to  dine  and  sup 
with  his  afflicted  prisoner ;  a  King  feasteth  me,  and  his  spikenard 
casteth  a  sweet  smell.  Put  Christ'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  more  of  the  suf- 
ferings of  my  Lord,  than  of  this  world's  lustred  and  over-gilded  glory. 
I  dare  not  say  but  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  fully  recompensed  my  sadness 
with  his  joys  ;  my  losses  with  his  own  presence.  I  find  it  a  sweet 
and  rich  thing  to  exchange  my  sorrows  with  Christ's  joys,  my  afflic- 
tions with  that  sweet  peace  I  have  with  himself.  Brother  this  is  his 
own  truth  I  now  suffer  for  ;  he  hath  sealed  my  sufferings  with  his 
own  comforts,  and  I  know  he  will  not  put  his  seal  upon  blank  paper : 
his  seals  are  not  dumb,  nor  delusive,  to  confirm  imagination  and  lies. 
Go  on,  my  dear  brother,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  not  fearing  man  that 
is  a  worm,  nor  the  son  of  man  that  will  die.  Providence  hath  a  thou- 
.sand  keys  to  open  a  thousand  sundry  doors,  for  the  deliverance  of  his 
own,  when  it  is  even  come  to  a  conclamatum  est.  Let  us  be  faithful  • 
and  care  for  our  own  part,  which  is  to  do  and  suffer  for  him,  and  lay 
Christ's  part  on  himself,  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  so  speak)  upon  God's  providence,  and  beginncth  to 
say,  How  wilt  thou  do  this  and  that  ?  we  lose  ground,  we  have  nothing 
to  do  there,  it  is  our  part  to  let  the  Almighty  exercise  his  own  office" 
and  steer  his  own  helm  ;  there  is  nothing  left  us,  but  to  see  how  we 
may  be  approved  of  him,  and  how  we  may  roll  the  weight  of  our  weak 
souls,  in  well  doing,  upon  him  who  is  God  omnipotent  :  and  when 
what  we  thus  essay  miscarrieth,  it  shall  neither  be  our  sin  nor  cross. 
Brother  remember  the  Lord's  word  to  Peter  ;  '  Simon,  Lovest  thou 
me  ?  Feed  my  sheep  :'  no  greater  testimony  of  our  love  to  Christ 
can  be,  than  to  feed  painfully  and  faithfully  his  lambs.  I  am  in  no  bet- 
ter neighbourhood  with  the  ministers  here  than  before  :  they  cannot 
endure  that  any  speak  of  me,  or  to  me.  Thus  I  am,  in  the  mean  time, 
silent,  which  is  my  greatest  grief.  Dr.  Baron  hath  disputed  with  me, 
especially  about  Arminian  controversies,  and  for  the  ceremonies: 
three  yokings  laid  him  by ;  and  I  have  not  been  troubled  with  him 
since.  Now  he  hath  appointed  a  dispute  before  witnesses ;  1  trust 
Christ  and  truth   shall  do   for  themselves.     T  hope,  brother,  ve  will 


48  LETTER  XIX.  PART  I. 

help  iTiy  people,  and  write  to  me  what  ye  hear  the  Bishop  is  to  do 
with  them.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  in  bonds,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XIX. 

To  Mr.  Hugh  M'Kail,  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  BLESS  you  for  your  letter  :  he  is  come  down  as  rain  upon  the 
mown  grass,  he  hath  revived  my  withered  root,  and  he  is  the  dew  of 
herbs.  I  am  most  secure  in  this  prison  ;  salvation  is  for  walls  in  it, 
and  what  think  ye  of  these  walls  ?  he  maketh  the  dry  plant  to  bud  as 
the  lilly,  and  to  blossom  as  Lebanon  ;  the  great  Husbandman's  bless- 
ing cometh  down  upon  the  plants  of  righteousness.  Who  may  say 
this,  my  dear  brother,  if  I,  his  poor  exiled  stranger  and  prisoner,  may 
not  say  it  ?  Howbeit  all  the  world  should  be  silent,  I  cannot  hold  my 
peace.  O  how  many  black  counts  hath  Christ  and  I  rounded  over 
together  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage  !  and  how  fat  a  portion  he  hath 
given  to  a  hungry  soul !  I  had  rather  have  Christ's  four-hours,  than 
have  dinner  and  supper  both  in  one  from  any  other :  his  dealing,  and 
the  way  of  his  judgments  are  past  finding  out.  No  preaching,  no 
book,  no  learning  could  give  me  that,  which  I  behoved  to  come  and 
get  in  this  town.  But  what  of  all  this,  if  I  were  not  misled  and  con- 
founded, and  astonished  how  to  be  thankful,  and  how  to  get  him 
praised  for  evermore  ?  And  which  is  more,  he  hath  been  pleased  to 
pain  me  with  his  love,  and  my  pain  groweth  through  want  of  real  pos- 
session. Some  have  written  to  me,  that  I  am  possibly  too  joyful  of 
the  cross,  but  my  joy  overleapeth  the  cross,  it  is  bounded,  and  termi- 
nates upon  Christ.  I  know  the  sun  will  over-cloud  and  echpse,  and  I 
shall  again  be  put  to  walk  in  the  shadow  :  but  Christ  must  be  wel- 
come 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  casting  apples  to  me,  at  such  a  fainting  time  as  this  ; 
holy  and  blessed  is  his  name.  It  was  not  my  flattering  of  Christ,  that 
drew  a  kiss  from  his  mouth  :  but  he  would  send  me  as  a  spy  into  this 
"ivilderness  of  sutfering,  to  see  the  land,  and  try  the  ford  ;  and  I  cannot 
make  a  lie  of  Christ's  cross  ;  I  can  report  nothing  but  good  both  of 
him  and  it,  lest  others  should  faint.  I  hope,  when  a  change  cometh, 
to  cast  anchor  at  midnight  upon  the  Rock,  which  he  hath  taught  me 
to  know  in  this  day-light,  whither  I  may  run,  when  I  must  say  my  les- 
son without  book,  and  believe  in  the  dark.  I  am  sure  it  is  sin  to 
despise  Christ's  good  meat,  and  not  to  eat  when  he  saith,  '  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  set  down 
my  feet  on  dry  ground,  when  the  way  is  better :  but  this  is  slippery 
ground  ;  my  Lord  thought  good  1  should  go  by  and  hold,  and  lean  on 
my  Well-beloved's  shoulder  ;  it  is  good  to  be  ever  taking  from  him. 
I  desire  he  may  get  the  fruit  of  praises,  for  dawting  and  thus  dandling 
me  on  his  knee  :  and  I  may  give  my  bond  of  thankfulness,  so  being  t 


PART  I.  LETTER   XX.  49 

have  Christ's  back-bond  again  for  my  relief,  that  I  shall  he  strengthen- 
ed by  his  powerful  grace,  to  pay  my  vows  to  him.  But  truly  I  find 
we  have  the  advantage  of  the  brae  upon  our  enemies  ;  we  are  more 
than  conquerors,  through  him  that  loved  us ;  and  tliey  know  not 
wherein  our  strength  lyeth.     Pray  for  me  ;  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Brother  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XX. 

To  my  Lady  Boyd. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  The  Lord  hath  brought  me 
to  Aberdeen,  where  I  see  God  in  few.  This  town  hath  been  advised 
upon  of  purpose  for  me  ;  it  consisteth  of  Papists,  or  men  of  GaUio's 
naughty  faith  ;  it  is  counted  wisdom  in  the  most,  not  to  countenance 
a  confined  minister  !  but  I  find  Christ  neither  strange  nor  unkind;  for 
I  have  found  many  faces  smile  upon  me  since  I  came  hither.  I  am 
Iieavy  and  sad,  considering  what  is  betwixt  the  Lord  and  my  soul, 
Avhich  none  seeth  but  he.  I  find  men  have  mistaken  me  ;  it  would  be 
no  art,  as  I  now  see,  to  spin  small  and  make  hypocrisy  seem  a  goodly 
web,  and  go  through  the  market  as  a  saint  among  men,  and  yet  steal 
quietly  to  hell,  without  observation  ;  so  easy  is  it  to  deceive  men.  I 
have  disputed  whether  or  no  I  ever  knew  any  thing  of  Christianity, 
save  the  letters  of  that  name.  Men  see  but  as  men,  and  they  call  ten 
twenty,  and  twenty  an  hundred  ;  but,  O  !  to  be  approved  of  God  in 
the  heart,  and  in  sincerity,  is  not  an  ordinary  mercy.  My  neglects 
while  I  had  a  pulpit,  and  other  things  whereof  I  am  ashamed  to  speak, 
meet  me  now,  so  as  God  maketh  an  honest  cross  my  daily  sorrow  ; 
and,  for  fear  of  scandal  and  stumbling,  I  must  hide  this  day  of  the 
law's  pleading  ;  I  know  not,  if  this  court  kept  within  my  soul,  be  fenced 
in  Christ's  name.  If  certainty  of  salvation  were  to  be  bought,  God 
knoweth  if  I  had  ten  earths,  I  would  not  prig  with  God  hke  a  fool.  I 
believed,  under  sufferings  for  Christ,  that  I  myself  should  keep  the 
key  of  Christ's  treasures,  and  take  out  comforts,  when  I  listed,  and 
eat,  and  be  fat :  but  I  see  now  a  sufferer  for  Christ  will  be  made  to 
know  himself,  and  will  be  holden  at  the  door,  as  well  as  another  poor 
sinner  ;  and  will  be  fain  to  eat  with  the  children,  and  take  the  bye- 
board,  and  glad  so.  My  blessing  on  the  cross  of  Christ,  that  hath 
made  me  see  this.  Oh  if  we  could  take  pains  for  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  !  but  we  sit  down  upon  some  ordinary  marks  of  God's  chil- 
dren, thinking  we  have  as  much  as  will  separate  us  from  a  reprobate, 
and  thereupon  we  take  the  play,  and  cry,  Holiday  ;  and  thus  the 
devil  casteth  water  on  our  fire,  and  blunteth  our  zeal  and  care  ;  but  I 
see  heaven  is  not  at  the  next  door  ;  and  I  see,  howbeit  my  challenges 
be  many,  I  suffer  for  Christ  and  dare  hazard  my  salvation  upon  it ;  for 
sometimes  my  Lord  cometh  with  a  fair  hour,  and  O  but  his  love  be 
sweet,  delightful  and  comfortable  !  Haifa  kiss  is  sweet ;  butourdoat- 
ing  love  will  not  be  content  of  a  right  to  Christ,  unless  we  get  pos 

7 


50  LETTER  XXI.  PART  I. 

session ;  like  the  man  who  will  not  be  content  of  rights  to  bought 
land,  except  he  get  also  the  ridges  and  acres  laid  upon  his  back,  to 
carry  home  with  him.  However  it  be,  Christ  is  wise ;  and  we  are 
fools  to  bebrowden  and  fond  of  a  pawn  in  the  loof  of  our  hand  ;  living 
on  trust  by  faith  may  well:  content  us.  Madam,  I  know  your  Lady- 
ship knoweth  this,  and  that  made  me  bold  to  write  of  it,  that  others 
might  reap  somewhat  by  my  bonds  for  the  truth  ;  for  I  should  desire, 
and  aim  at  this,  to  have  my  Lord  well  spoken  of  and  honoured,  how- 
beit  he  should  make  nothing  of  me,  but  a  bridge  over  a  water.  Thus 
recommending.your  Ladyship,  your  son  and  children  to  his  grace,  who 
hath  honoured  you  with  a  name  and  room  among  the  living  in  Jerusa- 
lem, and  wishing  grace  to  be  with  your  Ladyship,  I  rest, 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XXL 

To  Mr.  David  Dickson. 
REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  find  great  men  especially 
old  friends,  scar  to  speak  for  me  ;  but  my  kingly  and  royal  Master  bid- 
deth  me  try  his  moyen  to  the  uttermost,  and  I  shall  find  a  friend  at 
hand  ;  I  still  depend  upon  him  ;  his  court  is  as  before  ;  the  prisoner  is 
welcome  to  him ;  the  black  crabbed  tree  of  my  Lord's  cross,  hath 
made  Christ  and  my  soul  very  entire  ;  he  is  my  song  in  the  night.  I 
am  often  laid  in  the  dust  with  challenges,  and  apprehensions  of  his 
anger ;  and  then,  if  a  mountain  of  iron  were  laid  upon  me,  I  cannot 
be  heavier ;  and  with  much  wrestling  I  win  into  the  King's  house  of 
Avine,  and  for  the  most  part,  my  life  is  joy,  and  such  joy  through  his 
comforts,  as  I  have  been  afraid  to  shame  myself,  and  to  cry  out,  for  I 
can  scarce  bear  what  I  get ;  Christ  giveth  me  a  measure  heaped  up, 
pressed  down,  and  running  over.  And,  believe  it,  his  love  paineth 
more  than  prison  and  banishment.  I  cannot  get  the  way  of  Christ's 
love.  Had  1  known  what  he  was  keeping  for  me  I  would  never  have 
been  so  faint  hearted.  In  my  heaviest  times,  when  all  is  lost,  the 
memory  of  his  love  maketh  me  think  Christ's  glooms  are  but  for  the 
fashion  ;  I  seek  no  more  but  a  vent  to  my  wine  ;  I  am  smothered  and 
ready  to  burst  for  want  of  vent.  Think  not  much  of  persecution  ;  it 
is  before  you  ;  but  it  is  not  as  men  conceive  of  it ;  my  sugared  cross 
forceth  me  to  say  this  to  you,  ye  shall  have  wailed  meat ;  the  sick 
child  is  oftentimes  the  spoiled  child  :  ye  shall  command  all  the  house. 
I  hope  ye  help  a  tired  prisoner  to  pray  and  praise ;  had  I  but  the  an- 
nual of  annual  to  give  to  my  Lord  Jesus,  it  should. ease  my  pain  ;  but, 
alas,  I  have  nothing  to  pay,  he  will  get  nothing  of  poor  me  ;  but  I  am 
.wo,  I  have  not  room  enough  in  my  heart  for  such  a  stranger.  I  am 
not  cast  down  to  go  farther  JVorth,  I  have  good  cause  to  work  for  my 
Master,  for  I  am  well  paid  before  the  hand  ;  I  am  not  behind,  howbeit 
I  should  not  get  one  smile  more  till  my  feet  be  up  within  the  King's 
dining  hall.  I  have  gone  through  yours  upon  the  Covenant ;  it  hath 
edified  my  soul,  and  refreshed  an  hungry  man:    I   judge  it  sharp. 


PART  I.  LETTER    XXII.  51 

sweet,  quick  and  profound  ;  take  me  at  my  word,  I  fear  it  ^et  no  lod^-- 
ing  in  Scotland.  The  brethren  of  Ireland  write  not  to  me ;  chide 
with  them  for  that ;  I  am  sure  that  I  may  give  you  and  them  a  com- 
mission, and  I  will  abide  by  it,  that  you  tell  my  beloved,  I  am  sick  of 
love.  I  hope  in  God  to  leave  some  of  my  rust  and  superfluities 
in  Aberdeen ;  I  cannot  get  an  house  in  this  town  wherein  to  leave 
drink-silver  in  my  Master's  name,  save  one  only  ;  there  is  no  sale  for 
Christ  in  the  North  ;  he  is  like  to  lye  long  on  my  hand  ere  any  ac- 
cept him.     Grace  be  with  you, 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XXIL 

To  Mr.  Matthew  Mowat. 
REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  AM  a  very  far  mistaken  man  ;  if  others  knew,  how  poor  my  stock 
were,  they  would  not  think  upon  the  like  of  me,  but  with  compassion  ; 
for  I  am  as  one  kept  under  a  strict  tutor  ;  I  would  have  more  than  my 
tutor  alloweth  upon  me,  but  it  is  good  tiiat  a  child's  wit  is  not  the  rule 
which  regulateth  my  Lord  Jesus  :  Let  him  give  what  he  will,  it  shall 
ay  be  above  merit,  and  my  ability  to  gain  therewith.  I  would  not  wish 
a  better  stock,  while  heaven  be  my  stock,  than  to  live  upon  credit  at 
Christ's  hands,  daily  borrowing  ;  surely  running-over  love,  that  vast, 
huge,  boundless  love  of  Christ,  that  there  is  telling  in  for  man  and  an- 
gel, is  the  only  thing  I  fainest  would  be  in  hands  with  ;  he  knoweth  I 
have  httle  but  the  love  of  that  love  ;  and  that  I  shall  be  happy,  suppose 
I  never  get  another  heaven,  but  only  an  eternal  lasting  feast  of  that 
love  ;  but  suppose  my  wishes  were  poor,  he  is  not  poor ;  Christ  all 
the  seasons  of  the  year  is  dropping  sweetness  ;  if  I  had  vessels  I 
might  fill  them,  but  my  old  riven,  and  running  out  dish,  even  when  I 
am  at  the  well,  can  bring  little  away  ;  nothing  but  glory  will  make  ti^ht 
and  fast  our  leaking  and  rifty  vessels.  Alas,  I  have  skailed  more  of 
Christ's  grace,  love,  faith,  humility,  and  godly  sorrow,  than  I  have 
brought  with  me.  How  little  of  the  sea  can  a  child  carry  in  his  hand  ! 
as  little  do  I  take  away  of  my  great  sea,  my  boundless  and  running 
over  Christ  Jesus.  I  have  not  lighted  upon  the  right  way  of  putting 
Christ  to  the  bank,  and  making  myself  rich  with  him  ;  my  misguiding 
and  childish  trafficking  with  that  matchless  pearl,  that  heaven's  jewel, 
the  jewel  of  the  Father's  delights  hath  put  me  to  a  great  loss.  O  that 
he  would  take  the  loan  of  me,  and  my  stock,  and  put  his  name  in  all 
my  bonds,  and  serve  himself  heir  to  the  poor  mean  portion  I  have, 
and  be  countable  for  the  talent  himself!  Gladly  would  I  put  Christ 
in  my  room,  to  guide  all ;  and  let  me  be  but  a  servant  to  run  errands, 
and  do  by  his  direction,  let  me  be  his  interdicted  heir.  Lord  Jesus 
work  upon  my  minority,  and  let  him  win  a  pupil's  blessing.  0  how 
would  I  rejoice  to  have  this  work  of  my  salvation  legally  fastened 
upon  Christ !  A  back-bond  of  my  Lord  Jesus,  that  it  should  be  fortli- 
coming  to  the  orphan,  should  be  my  happiness  ;  dependency  on  Christ 
were  my  surest  way  ;  if  Christ  were  my  bottom  I  were  sure  enough. 


52  LETTER   XXII.  PART  I. 

I  thought  guiding  of  grace  had  been  no  art,  I  Ihought  it  would  come 
of  will ;  but  I  would  spill  my  own  heaven  yet,  if  I  had  not  burdened 
Christ  with  all.     I  but  lend  my  bare  name  to  the  sweet  covenant ; 
Christ  behind  and  before  and  on  either  side  maketh  all  sure.     God 
will  not  take  an  Arminian  cautioner  free-will,  a  weather-cock  turning 
at  a  serpent's  tongue,  a  tutor  that  couped  our  father  Adam  unto  us, 
and  brought  down  the  house,  and  sold  the  land ;   and  sent  the  father 
and  mother,  and  all  the  children  through  the  earth,  to  beg  their  bread  : 
nature  in  the  gospel  hath  cracked  credit.     O  well  to  my  poor  soul  for 
evermore,  that  my  Lord  called  grace  to  the  council,  and  put  Christ 
Jesus  with  free  merits,  and  the  blood  of  God,  foremost  in  the  chace, 
to  draw  sinners  after  a  Ransomer !     0  what  a  sweet  block  was  it,  by 
way  of  buying  and  selling,  to  give  and  tell  down  a  ransom  for  grace 
and  glory  to  dyvours !     O  would  to  my  Lord  I  could  cause  paper  and 
ink  to  speak  the  worth  and  excellency,  the  high  and  loud  praises  of  a 
brother-ransomer  !     O  the  Ransomer  needs  not  my  report ;  but  oh,  if 
he  would  take  it,  and  make  use  of  it !   I  should  be  happy  !  if  I  had 
an  errand  to  this  world,  but  for  some  few  years,  to  spread  proclama- 
tions and  outcries,  and  love-letters,  of  the  highness  (the  highness  for 
evermore)  the  glory  (the  glory  for  evermore)  of  the  Ransomer,  whose 
clothes  were  wet,  and  died  in  blood ;  howbeit  after  I  had  done  that, 
my  soul  and  body  should  go  back  to  the  mother  nothing,  that  their 
Creator  brought  them  once  out  from,  as  from  their  beginning.     But 
why  should  I  pine  away,  and  pain  myself  with  wishes,  and  not  believe 
rather,  that  Christ  will  hire  such  an  outcast  as  I  am,  a  masterless  body, 
put  out  of  the  house  be  the  sons  of  my  mother,  and  give  me  employ- 
men   and  a  calling,  one  way  or  other,  to  out  Christ  and  his  wares  to 
country  buyers,  and  propose  Christ  unto,  and  press  him  upon  some 
poor  souls,  that  fainer  than  their  life  would   receive  him?     You  com- 
plain heavily  of  your  short-coming  in  practice,  and  venturing  on  suf- 
fering for  Christ :  you  have  many  marrows.     For  the  first,  I  would 
not  put  you  off.  a  sense  of  wretchedness  ;  hold  on,  Christ  never  yet 
slew  a  sighing,  groaning  child  ;  more  of  that  would  make  you  won 
goods,  and  a  meet  prey  for  Christ.     Alas  !  I  have  too  little  of  it,  for 
venturing  on  suffering ;  I  had  not  so  much  free  gear,  when  I  came  to 
Christ's  camp,  as  to  buy  a  sword ;  a  v.'onder  that  Christ  should  not 
laugh  at  such  a  soldier ;  I  am  no  better  yet ;  but  faith  liveth  and 
spendeth  upon  our  Captain's  charges,  who  is  able  to  pay  for  all :  we 
need  not  pity  him,  he  is  rich  enough.     Ye  desire  me  also  not  to  mis- 
take Christ  under  a  mask ;  I  bless  you  and  thank  God  for  it :  but 
alas !  masked  or  bare-faced,  kissing,  or  glooming,  I  mistake  him : 
yea,  I  mistake  him  farthest  when  the  mask  is  off;  for  then  I  play  me 
with  his  sweetness  ;  I  am  like  a  child  that  hath  a  gilded  book,  that 
playeth  with  the  ribbons,  and  the  gilding,  and  the  picture  on  the  first 
page  ;  but  readeth  not  the  contents  of  it.     Certainly  if  my  desires  to 
my  Well-beloved  were  fulfilled,  I  could  provoke  devils,  and  crosses, 
and  the  world,  and  temptations  to  the  field  ;  but  oh  my  poor  weakness 
makes  me  lye  behind  the  bush  and  hide  me.     Remember  my  service 
and  my  blessing  to  my  Lord  ;  I  am  mindful  of  him  as  I  am  able  ;  de- 
sire him  from  a  juisoner,  to  come  and  visit  my  good  master,  and  feel 


PART  I.  LETTER  XXIII,  XXIV.  53 

but  the  smell  of  his  love  :  It  sets  him  well,  howbeit  he  be  young,  to 
make  Christ  his  garland  ;  I  could  not  wish  him  in  a  better  case,  than 
in  a  fever  of  love-sickness  for  Christ.  Remember  my  bonds.  The 
Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

AlerJeen,  1637. 


LETTER  XXIIL 

To  Willia-in  Halliday. 
LOVING  FRIEND, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter :  I  wish  ye  take  pains  for  salvation ;  mis- 
taken grace,  and  somewhat  like  conversion,  which  is  not  conversion, 
is  the  riaddest  and  most  doleful  thing  in  the  world  ;  make  sure  of  sal- 
vation, and  lay  the  foundation  sure,  for  many  are  beguiled  ;  put  a  low 
price  upon  tlie  world's  clay,  put  a  high  price  upon  Christ ;  temptations 
will  come,  but  if  they  be  not  made  welcome  by  you,  ye  have  the  best 
of  it !  be  jealous  over  yourself  and  your  own  heart,  and  keep  touches 
with  God ;  let  him  not  have  a  faint  and  feeble  soldier  of  you ;  fear 
not  to  back  Christ,  for  he  will  conquer  and  overcome :  let  no  man 
scar  at  Christ,  for  I  have  no  quarrels  at  his  cross  ;  he  and  his  cross 
are  two  good  guests,  and  worth  the  lodging :  men  would  fain  have 
Christ  good  cheap,  but  the  market  will  not  come  down ;  acquaint 
yourself  with  prayer  ;  make  Christ  your  Captain  and  your  armour ; 
make  conscience  of  sinning  when  no  eye  seetli  you.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeeu. 


LETTER  XXIY. 

To  a  Gentlewoman,  after  tlie  death  of  her  Iliisbund, 
DEAR  AND  LOVING  SISTER, 

I  KNOW  you  are  minding  your  sweet  country,  and  not  taking  your 
inns,  the  place  of  your  banishment,  for  your  home ;  this  life  is  not 
worthy  to  be  the  thatch  or  out-wall  of  your  Lord  Jesus'  paradise,  that 
he  did  sweat  for  to  you,  and  that  he  keepeth  for  you  ;  and  silly  and 
sand-bhnd  were  our  hope,  if  it  could  not  look  over  the  water  to  our 
best  heritage,  and  if  it  stayed  only  at  home  about  the  doors  of  our 
clay  house.  I  marvel  not,  my  dear  sister,  that  ye  complain^  that  ye 
come  short  of  your  old  wrestlings,  you  had  for  a  blessing,  and  that 
now  you  find  it  not  so  :  children  are  but  hired  to  learn  their  lesson, 
when  they  first  go  to  school :  and  it  is  enough  that  these  who  run  a 
race  see  the  gold  only  at  the  starting-place  ;  and  possibly  they  see 
little  more  of  it,  or  nothing  at  all,  till  they  win  to  the  rink's-end,  and 
get  the  gold  in  the  loof  of  their  hand.  Our  Lord  maketh  delicates 
and  dainties  of  his  sweet  presence  and  love-visits  to  his  own,  but 
Christ's  love  under  a  vail  is  love  ;  if  ye  get  Christ,  howbeit  not  the 
sweet  and  pleasant  way  ye  would  have  him,  it  is  enough  ;  for  the 
Well-beloved  comcth  not  our  M'ay,  he  must  wail  his  own  way  himself. 


54  LETTER   XXV.  PART  I. 

For  worldly  things,  seeing  they  are  meadows  and  fair  flowers  in  your 
way  to  heaven,  a  smell  in  the  by-going  is  sufficient ;  he  that  would 
reckon  and  tell  all  the  stones  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  short  of  his  journey.  You 
cannot  stay  in  your  inch  of  time  to  lose  your  day,  seeing  you  are  in 
haste,  and  the  night  and  your  afternoon  will  not  bide  you,  in  setting 
your  heart  on  this  vain  world ;  it  were  your  wisdom  to  read  your 
count-book,  and  to  have  in  readiness  your  business,  against  the  time 
you  come  to  death's  water-side.  I  know  your  lodging  is  taken  ;  your 
forerunner  Christ  hath  not  forgotten  that,  and  therefore  you  must  set 
yourself  to  one  thing,  which  you  cannot  well  want.  In  that  our  Lord 
took  your  husband  to  himself,  I  know  it  was  that  he  might  make  room 
for  himself;  he  cutteth  off"  your  love  to  the  creature,  that  ye  might 
learn  that  God  only  is  the  right  owner  of  your  love,  sorrow,  loss,  sad- 
ness, death,  or  the  worst  things  that  are,  except  sin  ;  but  Christ  know- 
eth  well  what  to  make  of  them,  and  can  put  his  own  in  the  cross's 
common,  that  we  shall  be  obliged  to  affliction,  and  thank  God,  who 
learned  us  to  make  our  acquaintance  with  such  a  rough  companion, 
who  can  hale  us  to  Christ.  You  must  learn  to  make  your  evils  your 
great  good,  and  to  spin  out  comforts,  peace,  joy,  communion  with 
Christ,  out  of  your  troubles,  that  are  Christ's  wooers,  sent  to  speak 
for  you  to  himself.  It  is  easier  to  get  good  words,  and  a  comfortable 
message  from  our  Lord,  even  from  such  Serjeants,  as  divers  tempta- 
tions. Thanks  to  God,  for  crosses.  When  we  count  and  reckon 
our  losses  in  seeking  God,  we  find  godliness  is  great  gain.  Great 
partners  of  a  shipful  of  gold  are  glad  to  see  the  ship  come  to  the 
harbour :  surely  we  and  our  Lord  Jesus  together  have  a  shipful  of 
gold  coming  home,  and  our  gold  is  in  that  ship.  Some  are  so  in 
love,  or  rather  in  lust  with  this  life,  that  they  sell  their  part  of  the 
ship,  for  a  little  thing :  I  would  counsel  you  to  buy  hope,  but  sell  it 
not,  and  give  not  away  your  crosses  for  nothing  ;  the  inside  of 
Christ's  cross  is  white  and  joyful,  and  the  far  end  of  the  black  cross 
is  a  fair  and  glorious  heaven  of  ease  :  and  seeing  Christ  hath  fastened 
heaven  to  the  far  end  of  the  cross,  and  he  will  not  loose  the  knot  him- 
self, and  none  else  can,  (for  when  Christ  casteth  a  knot,  all  the  world 
cannot  loose  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  rest. 

Your  Loving  Brother,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XXV. 

To  John  Gordon  of  Cardoness,  Younger. 
HONOURED  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  WROTE  of  late  to  you  :  multitudes  of  letters  burden  me  now.  I 
am  refreshed  with  your  letter.  I  exhort  you  in  the  bowels  of  Christ, 
set  to  work  for  your  soul,  and  let  these  bear  weight  with  you  and  pon- 
der them  seriously :    1st.  Weeping  and  gnashing  ot  teeth  in  utter 


PART  I.  LETTER    XXVI.  55 

darkness,  or  heaven's  joy.  2d.  Think  what  ye  would  give  for  an 
hour,  when  ye  shall  lye  like  dead,  cold,  blackened  clay.  3d.  There 
is  sand  in  your  glass  yet,  and  your  sun  is  not  gone  down.  4th.  Con- 
sider what  joy  and  peace  is  in  Christ's  service.  5th.  Think  what  ad- 
vantage it  will  be,  to  have  angels,  the  world,  life  and  death,  crosses, 
yea,  and  devils,  all  for  you,  as  the  king's  Serjeants  and  servants  to  do 
your  business.  6th.  To  have  mercy  on  your  seed,  and  a  blessing  on 
your  house.  7th.  To  have  true  honour,  and  a  name  on  earth  that 
casts  a  sweet  smell.  8th.  How  ye  will  rejoice  when  Christ  layeth 
down  your  head  under  his  chin,  and  betwixt  his  breasts,  and  drieth 
your  face,  and  welcometh  you  to  glory  and  happiness.  9th.  Imagine 
what  pain  and  torture  is  a  guilty  conscience ;  what  slavery  to  carry 
the  devil's  dishonest  loads.  10th.  Sin's  joys  are  but  night  dreams, 
thoughts,  vapours,  imaginations,  and  shadows.  11th.  What  dignity 
it  is  to  be  a  son  of  God.  12th.  Dominion  and  mastery  over  tempta- 
tions, over  the  world  and  sin.  13th.  That  your  enemies  should  be 
the  tail,  and  you  the  head. — For  your  children,  now  at  rest,  I  speak 
to  you  and  your  wife  (and  cause  her  read  this.)  1st.  I  am  witness 
for  Barbara's  glory  in  heaven.  2d.  For  the  rest,  I  write  it  under  my 
hand,  there  are  days  coming  on  Scotland,  when  barren  wombs  and 
dry  breasts,  and  childless  parents,  shall  be  pronounced  blessed  :  they 
are  then  in  the  lee  of  their  harbour,  ere  the  storm  come  on.  3d. 
They  are  not  lost  to  you,  that  are  laid  up  in  Christ's  treasury  in  heaven. 
4th.  At  the  resurrection  ye  shall  meet  with  them  ;  there  they  are  sent 
before,  but  not  sent  away.  5.  Your  Lord  loveth  you,  who  is  homely 
to  take  and  give,  borrow  and  lend.  6th.  Let  not  children  be  your 
idols  ;  for  God  will  be  jealous,  and  take  away  the  idol,  because  he  is 
greedy  of  your  love  wholly.  I  bless  you,  your  wife  and  children. 
Grace  for  ever  more  be  with  you. 

Your  Loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XXVL 

To  John  Gordon  of  Cardoness,  Elder. 
HONOURED  AND  DEAREST  IN  THE  LORD, 

I^OUR  letter  hath  refreshed  my  soul.  My  joy  is  fulfilled,  if  Christ 
and  ye  be  fast  together :  ye  are  my  joy  and  crown  ;  ye  know  I  have 
recommended  his  love  to  you.  I  defy  the  world,  Satan,  and  sin. 
His  love  hath  neither  brim,  nor  bottom  in  it.  My  dearest  in  Christ,  I 
write  my  soul's  desire  to  you ;  heaven  is  not  at  the  next  door ;  I  find 
Christianity  a  hard  task  :  set  to  it  in  your  evening  ;  we  would  all  keep 
both  Christ  and  our  right  eye,  our  right  hand  and  foot ;  but  it  will  not 
do  with  us.  I  beseech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  your  com- 
pearance before  Christ,  look  Christ's  count-book  and  your  own  to- 
gether, and  collation  them  :  give  the  remnant  of  your  time  to  your 
soul.  This  great  idol-god,  the  world,  will  be  lying  in  white  ashes,  on 
the  day  of  your  compearance;  and  why  should  night-dreams,  and 
day- shadows,  and  water-froth,  and  May-flowers  run  away  with  your 
heart  ?     When  we  win  to  the  water-side,  and  black  death's  river-brink. 


56  LETTER    XXVII.  PART  I. 

and  put  our  foot  in  the  boat,  we  shall  laugh  at  our  folly.  Sir,  I  re- 
commend unto  you  the  thoughts  of  death,  and  how  ye  could  wish  your 
soul  to  be,  when  ye  shall  lye  cold,  blue,  ill  smelling  clay.  For  any 
hireling  to  be  intruded,  I,  being  the  king's  prisoner,  cannot  say  much : 
but  as  God's  minister,  I  desire  you  to  read  Acts  i.  15,  16,  to  the  end, 
and  Acts  vi.  2,  3,  4,  5,  and  ye  shall  find  God's  people  should  have  a 
voice  in  chusing  church-rulers  and  teachers.  I  shall  be  sorry,  if  wil 
lingly  ye  shall  give  away  to  his  unlawful  intrusion  upon  my  labours  : 
the  only  wise  God  direct  you.     God's  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XXVIL 

To  Earlstoun,  Younger. 
MUCH-HONOURED  AND  WELL-BELOVED  IN   THE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  Yours  letters  give  a  dash  to 
my  laziness  in  writing.  I  must  first  tell  you,  there  is  not  such  a 
glassy,  icy,  and  slippery  piece  of  way  betwixt  you  and  heaven,  as 
youth  :  I  have  experience  to  say  with  me  here,  and  seal  what  I  assert  : 
the  old  ashes  of  the  sins  of  my  youth  are  now  fire  of  sorrow  to  me  : 
I  have  seen  the  devil,  as  it  were,  dead  and  buried,  and  yet  rise  again, 
and  be  a  worse  devil  than  ever  he  was.  Therefore,  my  brother,  be- 
ware of  a  green  young  devil,  that  hath  never  been  buried  :  the  devil 
in  his  flowers  (I  mean  the  hot  fiery  lusts  and  passions  of  youth)  is 
much  to  be  feared  :  better  yoke  with  an  old  grey-haired,  withered 
dry  devil :  for  in  youth  he  findeth  dry  sticks,  and  dry  coals,  and  a  hot 
hearth-stone  ;  and  how  soon  can  he  with  his  flint  cast  fire,  and,  with 
his  bellows,  blow  it  up,  and  fire  the  house  1  Sanctified  thoughts, 
thoughts  made  conscience  of,  and  called  in,  and  kept  in  awe,  are 
green  fuel  that  burn  not,  and  are  a  water  for  Satan's  coal.  Yet  I  must 
tell  you,  the  whole  saints  now  triumphant  in  heaven,  and  standing  be- 
fore the  throne,  are  nothing  but  Christ's  forlorn  and  beggarly  dyvours. 
What  are  they  but  a  pack  of  redeemed  sinners  ?  but  their  redemption 
is  not  only  past  the  seals,  but  completed  ;  and  your's  is  on  the  wheels, 
and  in  doing :  all  Christ's  good  children  go  to  heaven  with  a  broken 
brow,  and  with  a  crooked  leg.  Christ  hath  an  advantage  of  you,  and 
I  pray  you  let  him  have  it,  he  shall  find  employment  for  his  calling  in 
you  :  if  it  were  not  with  you  as  you  write,  grace  should  find  no  sale 
nor  market  in  you  ;  but  ye  must  be  content  to  give  Christ  somewhat 
ado  ;  I  am  glad  that  he  is  employed  that  way  ;  let  your  bleeding  soul 
and  your  sores  be  put  in  the  hand  of  this  expert  Physician  ;  let  young 
and  strong  corruptions,  and  his  free  grace,  be  yoked  together,  and  let 
Christ  and  your  sins  deal  in  betwixt  them.  I  will  be  loth  to  put  you  ofi' 
your  fears,  and  your  sense  of  deadness  ;  I  wish  it  were  more  ;  there 
be  some  wounds  of  that  nature,  that  their  bleeding  should  not  be  soon 
stopped  :  ye  must  take  a  house  beside  the  Physician  ;  it  shall  be  a 
miracle  if  ye  be  the  first  sick  man  he  put  away  uncured,  and  worse 
than  he  found  you.  Nay,  nay,  Christ  is  honest,  and  in  that,  flyting 
free  with  sinners,  John  vi.  37.  "  '  And  him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will 


PART  I.  tETTEIl  XXVII.  Of 

in  no  wise  cast  out.'  Take  ye  that :  it  cannot  be  presumption  to  take 
that  as  your  own,  when  you  find  your  wounds  stound  you  :  presump- 
tion is  ever  whole  at  the  heart,  and  hath  but  the  truant-sickness,  and 
groaneth  only  for  the  fashion  ;  faith  hath  sense  of  sickness,  and  look- 
eth  hke  a  friend  to  the  promises  ;  and  looking  to  Christ  therein  is  glad 
to  see  a  known  face.  Christ  is  as  full  a  feast  as  ye  can  have  to  hun- 
ger. Nay,  Christ,  I  say,  is  not  a  full  man's  leavings  ;  his  mercy  sends 
always  a  letter  of  defiance  to  all  your  sins,  if  there  were  ten  thousand 
more  of  them.  I  grant  you  it  is  a  hard  matter  for  a  poor  hungry  man 
to  win  his  meat  upon  hidden  Christ :  for  then  the  key  of  his  pantry 
door,  and  of  the  house  of  wine  is  a  seeking,  and  cannot  be  had ;  but 
hunger  must  break  through  iron  locks.  I  bemoan  them  not  who  can 
make  a  din,  and  all  the  fields  ado,  for  a  lost  Saviour  :  ye  must  let  him 
hear  it,  to  say  so,  upon  both  sides  of  his  head,  v.hen  he  hideth  him- 
self; it  is  not  time  then  to  be  bird-mouth'd  and  patient.  Christ  is 
rare  indeed,  and  a  delicate  to  a  sinner  ;  he  is  a  miracle,  and  a  world's 
wonder  to  a  seeking  and  a  weeping  sinner  ;  but  yet  such  a  miracle  as 
will  be  seen  by  them,  who  will  come  and  see  ;  the  seeker  and  sigher 
is  at  last  a  singer  and  enjoyer  :  nay,  I  have  seen  a  dumb  man  get  an 
alms  from  Christ.  He  that  can  tell  his  tale,  and  send  such  a  letter  to 
heaven  as  he  hath  sent  to  Aberdeen,  it  is  very  like  he  will  come  speed 
with  Christ ;  it  bodeth  God's  mercy  to  complain  heartily  for  sin.  Let 
wrestling  be  with  Christ,  till  he  say,  how  is  it,  Sir,  that  I  cannot  be 
quit  of  your  bills,  and  your  mislearned  cries?  and  then  hope  for 
Christ's  blessing,  and  his  blessing  is  better  than  other  ten  blessings. 
Think  not  shame  because  of  your  guiltiness  :  necessity  must  not 
blush  to  beg  :  it  standeth  you  hard  to  want  Christ :  and  therefore  that 
which  idle  on-waiting  cannot  do,  misnurtured  crying  and  knocking 
will  do.  And  for  doubtings,  because  you  are  not  as  you  were  long- 
since  with  your  Master,  consider  three  things  :  1st.  What  if  Christ 
had  such  tottering  thoughts  of  the  bargain  of  the  new  covenant  be- 
twixt you  and  him,  as  you  have  1  2d.  Your  heart  is  not  the  compass 
Christ  saileth  by  ;  he  will  give  you  leave  to  sing  as  you  please,  but  he 
will  not  dance  to  your  daft  spring.  It  is  not  referred  to  you  and  your 
thoughts  what  Christ  will  do  with  the  charters  betwixt  you  and  him  :■ 
your  own  misbelief  hath  torn  them  ;  but  he  hath  the  principal  in 
heaven  with  himself:  your  thoughts  are  no  parts  of  the  new  cove- 
nant ;  dreams  change  not  Christ.  3d.  Doubtings  ai-e  your  sins,  but 
they  are  Christ's  drugs  and  ingredients,  that  the  Physician  maketh  use 
of  for  the  curing  of  your  pride.  Is  it  not  suitable  for  a  beggar  to  say 
at  meat,  God  reward  the  winners  ?  for  then  he  saith,  he  knoweth  who 
beareth  the  charges  of  the  house.  It  is  also  meet  ye  should  know  by 
experience  that  faith  is  not  nature's  ill-gotten  bastard,  but  your  Lord's 
free  gift  that  lay  in  the  womb  of  God's  free  grace  ;  praised  be  the 
winner.  I  may  add,  4th.  In  the  passing  of  your  bill  and  your  char- 
ters, when  they  went  through  the  Mediator's  great  seal,  and  were 
concluded,  faith's  advice  was  not  sought :  faith  hath  not  a  vote  be- 
side Christ's  merits  ;  blood,  blood,  dear  blood,  that  came  from  your 
cautioner's  holy  body,  maketh  that  sure  work.  The  use  then  which 
ye  have  of  faith  now  (having  already  closed  with  Jesus  Christ  for 

■8 


58  LETTER  XXVII.  PART  I. 

justification)  is,  to  take  out  a  copy  of  your  pardon  ;  and  so  ye  have 
peace  with  God  upon  the  account  of  Christ :  for,  since  faith  appre- 
hendeth  pardon,  but  never  payeth  a  penny  for  it,  no  marvel  that  sal- 
vation doth  not  die  and  hve,  ebb  or  flow  with  the  working  of  faith. 
But,  because  it  is  your  Lord's  honour  to  beHeve  his  mercy  and  his 
fidelity,  it  is  infinite  goodness  in  our  Lord,  that  misbelief  giveth  a 
dash  to  our  Lord's  glory,  and  not  to  our  salvation.  And  so,  whoever 
want,  yea,  howbeit  God  here  bear  with  the  want  of  what  we  are  obli- 
ged to  give  him,  even  the  glory  of  his  grace  by  believing,  yet  a  poor 
covenanted  sinner  wanteth  not ;  but  if  guiltiness  were  removed, 
doubtings  would  find  no  friend,  nor  life ;  and  yet  faith  is  to  believe 
the  removal  of  guiltiness  in  Christ.  A  reason  why  ye  get  less  now 
(as  ye  think)  than  before  (as  I  take  it)  is,  because,  at  our  first  con- 
version, our  Lord  putteth  the  meat  in  young  children's  mouths  with 
his  own  hand ;  but  when  we  grow  to  some  further  perfection,  we 
must  take  heaven  by  violence,  and  take  by  violence  from  Christ  what 
we  get ;  and  he  can,  and  doth  hold,  because  he  will  have  us  to  draw. 
Remember,  now  ye  must  live  upon  violent  plucking.  Laziness  is  a 
greater  fault  now  than  long  since  ;  we  love  always  to  have  the  pap  in 
our  mouth.  Now  for  myself ;  alas !  I  am  not  the  man  I  go  for  in 
this  nation  :  men  have  not  just  weights  to  weigh  me  in.  Oh,  but  I 
am  a  silly  feckless  body,  and  overgrown  with  weeds  ;  corruption  is 
rank  and  fat  in  me.  0  if  I  were  answerable  to  this  holy  cause,  and 
to  that  honourable  Prince's  love  for  whom  I  now  suffer !  If  Christ 
would  refer  the  matter  to  me,  (in  his  presence  I  speak  it)  I  might 
think  shame  to  vote  my  own  salvation  :  1  think  Christ  might  say, 
Thinkest  thou  not  shame  to  claim  heaven,  who  dost  so  little  for  it !  I 
am  very  often  so,  that  I  know  not  whether  I  sink  or  swim  in  the  wa- 
ter ;  I  find  myself  a  bag  of  light  froth  ;  I  would  bear  no  weight,  (but 
vanity  and  nothings  weigh  in  Christ's  balance)  if  my  Lord  cast  not  in 
borrowed  weight  and  metal,  even  Christ's  righteousness,  to  weigh  for 
me.  The  stock  I  have,  is  not  mine  own ;  I  am  but  the  merchant 
that  traffics  with  other  folk's  goods  :  if  my  creditor  Christ  would  take 
from  me  what  he  hath  lent,  I  would  not  long  keep  the  causeway  ;  but 
Christ  hath  made  it  mine  and  his.  I  think  it  manhood  to  play  the 
coward,  and  jouk  in  the  lee-side  of  Christ ;  and  thus  I  am  not  only 
saved  from  my  enemies,  but  I  obtain  the  victory.  I  am  so  empty, 
that  I  think  it  were  an  alms-deed  in  Christ,  if  he  would  win  a  poor 
prisoner's  blessing  for  evermore,  and  fill  me  with  his  love.  I  com- 
plain when  Christ  cometh,  he  cometh  always  to  fetch  fire,  he  is  ever 
in  haste,  he  may  not  tarry  ;  and  poor  I,  a  beggarly  dyvour,  get  but  a 
standing  visit  and  a  standing  kiss,  and  but,  How  doest  thou  ?  in  the 
by-going.  I  dare  not  say  he  is  lordly,  because  he  is  made  a  king 
now  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ;  or  is  grown  miskenning  and  dry  to  his 
poor  friends  ;  for  he  cannot  make  more  of  his  kisses  than  they  are 
worth  ;  but  I  think  it  my  happiness  to  love  the  love  of  Christ ;  and 
when  he  goeth  away,  the  memory  of  his  sweet  presence  is  like  a  feast 
in  a  dear  summer.  I  have  comfort  in  this,  that  my  soul  desireth  that 
every  hour  of  my  imprisonment  were  a  company  of  heavenly  tongues 
to  praise  him  on  my  behalf;  howbeit,  my  bonds  were  prolonged  for 


PART  I.  LETTER    XXVIII.  59 

many  hundred  years.  O  that  I  could  be  the  man  who  could  procure 
my  lord's  glory  to  flow  like  a  full  sea,  and  blow  like  a  mighty  wind 
upon  all  the  four  airths  of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland !  O  if  I 
could  write  a  book  of  his  praises  !  O  .fairest  among  the  sons  of  men 
why  stayest  thou  so  long  away  ?  O  heavens,  move  fast !  O  time,  run^ 
run,  and  hasten  the  marriage-day  !  for  love  is  tormented  with  delays. 

0  angels,  O  seraphims  who  stand  before  him,  O  blessed  spirits  who 
now  see  his  face,  set  him  on  high  !  for  when  ye  have  worn  your  harps 
in  his  praises,  all  is  too  little,  and  is  nothing,  to  cast  the  smell  of  the 
praise  of  that  fair  flower,  that  fragrant  rose  of  Sharon,  through  many 
worlds  !  Sir,  take  my  hearty  commendations  to  him,  and  tell  him  that 

1  am  sick  of  love.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  16,  1637. 


LETTER  XXVIIL 

To  his  honoured  and  dear  brother  Alexander  Gordon  of  Knockgray. 
DEAREST  AND  TRULY  HONOURED  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  have  seen  no  letter  from 
you  since  I  came  to  Aberdeen :  I  will  not  interpret  it  to  be  forgetful- 
ness.     I  am  here  in  a  fair  prison.     Christ  is  my  sweet  and  honourable 
fellow-prisoner,  and  I  his  sad  and  joyful  lord-prisoner,  if  I  may  speak 
so.     I  think  this  cross  becometh  me  well,  and  is  suitable  to  me  in  re- 
spect to  my  duty  to  suffer  for  Christ ;  howbeit  not  in  regard  of  my  de- 
serving to  be  thus  honoured.     However  it  be,  I  see  Christ  is  strong, 
even  lying  in  the  dust,  in  prison,  and  in  banishment.     Losses  and 
disgraces  are  the  wheels  of  Christ's  triumphing  chariot :  in  the  suflTer- 
ings  of  his  own  saints,  as  he  intendeth  their  good,  so  he  intendeth 
his  own  glory,  and  that  is  the  butt  his  arrows  shoot  at ;  and  Christ 
shooteth  not  at  the  rovers,  he  hitteth  what  he  purposeth  to  hit :  there- 
fore he  doth  make  his  own  feckless  and  weak  nothings,  and  those  who 
are  contempt  of  men,  '  a  new  sharp  threshing  instrument  having  teeth, 
to  thresh  the  mountains,  and  beat  them  small,  and  to  make  the  hills 
as  chaff",  and  to  fan  them,'  Isaiah  xli,  15,  16.     What  harder  stuff",  or 
harder  grain  for  threshing  out,  than  high  and  rocky  mountains ;  but 
the  saints  are  God's  threshing  instruments  to  beat  them  all  in  chaff"; 
are  we  not  God's  leem  vessels  !  and  yet  when  they  cast  us  over  an 
house  we  are  not  broken  in  shivers :  we  creep  in  under  our  Lord's 
wings  in  the  great  shower,  and  the  water  cannot  go  through  these 
wings.     It  is  folly  then  for  men  to  say,  this  is  not  Christ's  plea,  he 
will  lose  the  wedfee  ;  men  are  like  to  beguile  him  :  that  were  indeed 
a  strange  play.     Nay,  I  dare  pledge  my  soul,  and  lay  it  in  pawn  on 
Christ's  side  of  it,  and  be  half-loser  half-winner  with  my  Master !  let 
fools  laugh  the  fool's  laughter,  and  scorn  Christ,  and  bid  the  weeping 
captives  in  Babylon  sing  us  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion,  play  a  spring 
to  cheer  up  your  sad-hearted  God ;  we  may  sing  upon  luck's  head 
before-hand,  even  in  our  winter-storm,  in  the  expectation  of  a  summer 
sun  at  the  turn  of  the  year ;  no  created  powers  in  hell,  or  out  of  hell, 
can  mar  our  liord  Jesus  his  music,  nor  spill  our  song  of  joy  ;  let  us 


(J0  LETTER   XXVIII.  PART  I. 

then  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  the  salvation  of  our  Lord  :  for  faith  had 
never  yet  cause  to  have  wet  cheeks,  and  hanging  down  brows,  or  to 
droop  or  die  ;  what  can  ail  faith,  seeing  Christ  sufTereth  himself,  with 
reverence  to  him  be  it  spoken,  to  be  commanded  by  it,  and  Christ 
commandeth  all  things.  Faith  may  dance  because  Christ  sings  ;  and 
we  may  come  in  the  choir,  and  lift  our  hoarse  and  rough  voices,  and 
chirp  and  sing,  and  shout  for  joy  with  our  Lord  Jesus.  We  see  oxen 
go  to  the  shambles  leaping  and  startling ;  we  see  God's  fed  oxen, 
prepared  for  the  day  of  slaughter,  go  dancing  and  singing  down  to  tlie 
black  chambers  of  hell ;  and  why  should  we  go  to  heaven  weeping, 
as  if  we  were  like  to  fall  down  through  the  earth  for  sorrow?  If  God 
were  dead,  if  I  may  speak  so,  with  reverence  of  him  who  liveth  for 
ever  and  ever,  and  Christ  buried,  and  rotten  among  the  worms,  we 
might  have  cause  to  look  like  dead  folks  :  but  *  the  Lord  liveth,  and 
blessed  be  the  rock  of  our  salvation.'  Psalm  xviii.  46.  None  have 
right  to  joy  but  we  ;  for  joy  is  sown  for  us,  and  an  ill  summer  or  har- 
vest will  not  spoil  the  crop.  The  children  of  this  world  have  much 
robbed  joy  that  is  not  well  come ;  it  is  no  good  sport  they  laugh 
at :  they  steal  joy,  as  it  were,  from  God ;  for  he  commandeth  them 
to  mourn  and  howl ;  then  let  us  claim  our  leel  come  and  lawfully- 
conquished  joy.  My  dear  brother,  I  cannot  but  speak  what  I  have 
felt ;  seeing  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  broken  a  box  of  spikenard  upon 
the  head  of  his  poor  prisoner,  and  it  is  hard  to  hide  a  sweet  smell ; 
it  is  a  pain  to  smother  Christ's  love  ;  it  will  be  out  whether  we 
will  or  not.  If  we  did  but  speak  according  to  the  matter,  a  cross 
for  Christ  should  have  another  name ;  yea,  a  cross,  especially  when 
he  Cometh  with  his  arms  full  of  joys,  is  the  happiest  hard  tree  that 
ever  was  laid  upon  my  weak  shoulder.  Christ  and  his  cross  to- 
gether are  sweet  company,  and  a  blessed  couple.  My  prison  is  my 
palace,  my  sorrow  is  with  child  of  joy,  my  losses  are  rich  losses, 
my  pain  easy  pain,  my  heavy  days  are  holy  and  happy  days.  I  may 
tell  a  new  tale  of  Christ  to  my  friends.  Oh  if  I  could  make  a  love- 
song  of  him,  and  could  commend  Christ,  and  tune  his  praises  aright ! 

0  if  I  could  set  all  tongues  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  to  work, 
to  help  me  to  sing  a  new  song  of  my  Well-beloved !  0  if  I  could  be  a 
bridge  over  a  water  for  my  Lord  Jesus  to  walk  upon,  and  keep  his  feet 
dry  !  0  if  my  poor  bit  heaven  could  go  betwixt  my  Lord  and  blas- 
phemy, and  dishonour !  upon  condition  he  loved  me.  0  that  my 
heart  could  say  this  word  and  abide  by  it  for  ever !  is  it  not  great  art 
and  incomparable  wisdom  in  my  Lord,  who  can  brmg  forth  such  fair 
apples  out  of  this  crabbed  tree  of  the  cross  1  Nay,  my  Father's  never- 
enough  admired  providence  can  make  a  fair  feast  out  of  a  black  devil ; 
nothing  can  come  wrong  to  my  Lord  in  his  sweet  working.  I  would 
even  fall  sound  asleep  in  Christ's  arms,  and  my  sinful  head  on  his  holy 
breast,  while  he  kisseth  me  ;  were  it  not  that  often  the  wind  turneth 
to  the  north,  and  whiles  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus  is  so,  that  he  will  neither 
give  nor  take,  borrow  nor  lend  with  me,  I  complain  he  is  not  social ; 

1  half  call  him  proud  and  lordly  of  his  company,  and  nice  of  his  looks; 
which  yet  is  not  true.  It  would  content  me  to  give,  howbeit  he  should 
not  take  ;  I  should  be  content  to  want  his  kisses  at  such  times,  pro- 


PART  I.  LETTER    XXIX.  Gl 

viding  he  would  be  content  to  come  near  hand,  and  take  my  wersh, 
dry,  and  feckless  kisses ;  but  at  that  time  he  will  not  be  entreated, 
but  lets  a  poor  soul  stand  still  and  knock,  and  never  let  on  him  that  he 
heareth  ;  and  then  the  old  leavings  and  broken  meat,  and  dry  sighs, 
are  greater  cheer  than  I  can  tell ;  all  I  have  then  is,  that  howbeit  the 
law  and  wrath  have  gotten  a  decreet  against  me,  I  can  yet  hppen  that 
meikle  good  in  Christ,  as  to  get  a  suspension,  and  to  bring  my  cause 
in  reasoning  again  before  my  Well-beloved.  I  desire  but  to  be  heard, 
and  at  last  he  is  content  to  come  and  agree  the  matter  with  a  fool,  and 
forgive  freely,  because  he  is  God.  Oh,  if  men  would  glorify  him,  and 
taste  of  Christ's  sweetness  !  Brother,  ye  have  need  to  be  busy  with 
Christ  for  this  whorish  kirk  ;  I  fear  least  Christ  cast  water  upon  Scot- 
land's coal :  nay,  I  know  Christ  and  his  wife  will  be  heard,  he  will 
plead  for  the  broken  covenant.  Arm  you  against  that  time.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  June  16, 1637, 


LETTER  XXIX. 

To  tlie  Lady  Kilconquhair. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you ;  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you 
liave  your  face  homewards  towards  your  Father's  house,  now  when 
so  many  are  for  a  home  nearer  hand  ;  but  your  Lord  calleth  you  to 
another  life  and  glory  than  is  to  be  found  hereaway  :  and  therefore  I 
would  counsel  you  to  make  sure  the  charters  and  rights  which  ye 
have  to  salvation.  You  came  to  this  life  about  a  necessary  and 
weighty  business,  to  tryst  with  Christ  anent  your  precious  soul,  the 
eternal  salvation  of  it :  this  is  the  most  necessary  business  ye  have  ia 
this  life ;  and  your  other  adoes,  beside  this,  are  but  toys,  and  fea- 
thers, and  dreams,  and  fancies  :  this  is  in  the  greatest  haste,  and  should 
be  done  first.  Means  are  used  in  the  gospel  to  draw  on  a  meeting 
betwixt  Christ  and  you :  if  ye  neglect  your  part  of  it,  it  is  as  if  you 
would  tear  the  contract  before  Christ's  eyes,  and  give  up  the  match, 
that  there  shall  be  no  more  communing  of  that  business.  I  know 
other  lowers  beside  Christ  are  in  suit  of  you,  and  your  soul  wanteth 
not  many  wooers  :  but  I  pray  you  make  a  chaste  virgin  of  your  soul, 
and  let  it  love  but  one  ;  most  worthy  is  Christ  alone  of  all  your  soul's 
love,  howbeit  your  love  were  higher  than  the  heaven,  and  deeper  than 
the  lowest  of  this  earth,  and  broader  than  this  world.  Many,  alas  ; 
too  many,  make  a  common  strumpet  of  their  soul,  for  every  lover  that 
cometh  to  the  house.  Marriage  with  Christ  would  put  your  love  and 
your  heart  by  the  gate  out  of  the  way,  and  out  of  the  eye  of  all  other 
unlawful  suitors  ;  and  then  you  had  a  ready  answer  for  all  others,  I  am 
already  promised  away  to  Christ,  the  match  is  concluded,  my  soul 
hath  a  husband  already,  and  it  cannot  have  two  husbands.  Oh,  if  the 
world  did  but  know  what  a  smell  the  ointments  of  Christ  cast,  and 
how  ravishing  his  beauty  is,  even  the  beauty  of  the  fairest  of  the  sons 
of  men,  and  how  sweet  and  powerful  his  voice  is,  the  voice  of  thnt  one 


(j2  letter   XXIX.  PART  I. 

Well-beloved ;  certainly  where  Christ  cometh  he  runneth  away  with 
the  soul's  love,  so  that  they  cannot  command  it.  I  would  far  rather 
look  but  through  the  hole  of  Christ's  door,  to  see  but  the  one  half  of 
his  fairest  and  most  comely  face,  (for  he  looketh  like  heaven)  suppose 
I  should  never  win  in  to  see  his  excellency  and  glory  to  the  full, 
than  to  enjoy  the  flower,  the  bloom,  and  chiefest  excellency  of  the 
glory  and  riches  of  ten  worlds.  Lord  send  me  for  my  part,  but  the 
meanest  share  of  Christ  that  can  be  given  to  any  of  the  in-dwellers 
of  the  new  Jerusalem.  But  I  know  my  Lord  is  no  niggard  ;  he  can, 
and  it  becometh  him  well  to  give  more  than  my  narrow  soul  can  re- 
ceive. If  there  were  ten  thousand  thousand  millions  of  worlds,  and 
as  many  heavens  full  of  men  and  angels,  Christ  would  not  be  pinched 
to  supply  all  our  wants,  and  to  fill  us  all.  Christ  is  a  well  of  life,  but 
who  knoweth  how  deep  it  is  to  the  bottom?  This  soul  of  ours 
hath  love,  and  cannot  but  love  some  fair  one :  O  what  a  fair  one, 
what  an  only  one,  what  an  excellent,  lovely,  ravishing  one  is  Jesus  ! 
Put  the  beauty  of  ten  thousand  thousand  worlds  of  paradises  like  the 
garden  of  Eden  in  one  ;  put  all  trees,  all  flowers,  all  smells,  all  co- 
lours, all  tastes,  all  joys,  all  sweetness,  all  loveUness  in  one  :  O  what 
a  fair  and  excellent  thing  would  that  be  ?  And  yet  it  should  be  less 
to  that  fair  and  dearest  Well-beloved,  Christ,  than  one  drop  of  rain 
to  the  whole  seas,  rivers,  lakes,  and  fountains  of  ten  thousand  earths. 
O  but  Christ  is  heaven's  wonder,  and  earth's  wonder!  What  marvel 
that  his  bride  saith,  Cant.  v.  16.  'He  is  altogether  lovely?'  O  that 
black  souls  will  not  come  and  fetch  all  their  love  to  this  fair  one !  O 
if  I  could  invite  and  persuade  thousands,  and  ten  thousand  times  ten 
thousand  of  Adam's  sons,  to  flock  about  my  Lord  Jesus,  and  to  come 
and  take  their  fill  of  love  !  O  pity  for  evermore,  that  there  should  be 
such  a  one  as  Christ  Jesus,  so  boundless,  so  bottomless,  and  so  incom- 
parable in  infinite  excellency  and  sweetness,  and  so  few  to  take  him  ! 
Oh,  oh,  ye  poor  dry  and  dead  souls,  why  will  ye  not  come  hither  with 
your  tomb  vessels,  and  your  empty  souls,  to  this  huge,  and  fair,  and 
deep,  and  sweet  well  of  hfe  ;  and  fill  all  your  tomb  vessels  ?  O  that 
Christ  should  be  so  large  in  sweetness  and  worth,  and  we  so  narrow, 
so  pinched,  so  ebb,  and  so  void  of  all  happiness,  and  yet  men  will  not 
take  him  !  they  lose  their  love  miserably,  who  will  not  besto^v  it  upon 
this  lovely  One.  Alas  !  these  five  thousand  years,  Adam's  fools,  his 
waster  heirs,  have  been  wasting  and  lavishing  out  their  love  and  their 
affections  upon  black  lovers,  and  upon  black  harlots,  upon  bits  of  dead 
creatures,  and  broken  idols,  upon  this  and  that  feckless  creature  ;  and 
have  not  brought  their  love  and  their  heart  to  Jesus.  O  pity,  that 
fairness  hath  so  few  lovers  !  O  wo,  wo  to  the  fools  of  this  world,  who 
run  by  Christ  to  other  lovers  !  Oh  misery,  misery,  misery,  that  comeli- 
ness can  scarce  get  three  or  four  hearts  in  a  town  or  country  1  O  that 
there  is  so  much  spoken,  and  so  much  written,  and  so  much  thought  of 
creature-vanity  ;  and  so  little  spoken,  so  little  written,  so  little  thought 
of  my  great,  and  incomprehensible,  and  never-enough  wondered  at 
Lord  Jesus  !  Why  should  I  not  curse  this  forlorn,  and  wretched  world, 
that  suffereth  my  Lord  Jesus  to  lye  his  alone  ?  0  damned  souls !  O 
miskenning  world !  O  blind !  0  beggarly,  and  poor  souls !  0  bewitched 


PART  I.  LETTER  XXIX.  63 

fools !  what  aileth  you  at  Christ,  that  you  run  so  from  him  ?  I  dare  not 
challenge  providence,  that  there  are  so  few  buyers,  and  so  little  sale^or 
such  an  excellent  one  as  Christ.  O  the  depth,  and  O  the  height  of  my 
Lord's  ways,  that's  past  finding  out !  but  O  if  men  would  once  be 
wise,  and  not  fall  so  in  love  with  their  own  hell,  as  to  pass  by  Christ 
and  misken  him  !  but  let  us  come  near,  and  fill  ourselves  with  Christ, 
and  let  his  friends  drink,  and  be  drunken,  and  satisfy  our  hollow  and 
deep  desires  with  Jesus.  Oh  come  all  and  drink  at  this  living  well ; 
come,  drink  and  live  for  evermore,  come,  drink  and  welcome ;  wel- 
come, saith  our  fairest  Bridegroom  ;  no  man  getteth  Christ  with  ill  will, 
no  man  cometh  and  is  not  welcome  :  no  man  cometh  and  rueth  his  voy- 
age :  all  men  speak  well  of  Christ,  who  have  been  at  him  ;  men  and 
angels  who  know  him  will  say  more  than  I  do,  and  think  more  of  him 
than  they  can  say.  0  if  I  were  misted  and  bewildered  in  my  Lord's 
love!  O  if  I  were  fettered  and  chained  to  it !  O  sweet  pain,  to  be 
pained  for  a  sight  of  him !  O  living  death  !  O  good  death  !  0  lovely 
death,  to  die  for  love  of  Jesus  !  0  that  I  should  have  a  sore  heart  and 
a  pained  soul,  for  the  want  of  the  love  of  this  and  that  idol !  Wo,  wo 
to  the  mistaking  of  my  miscarrying  heart,  that  gapeth  and  crieth  for 
creatures,  and  is  not  pained  and  cutted,  and  tortured,  and  in  sorrow 
for  the  want  of  a  soul-fill  of  Christ !  Oh  that  thou  wouldst  come  near, 
my  Beloved  !  0  my  fairest  one,  why  standeth  thou  afar  !  come  hither, 
that  I  may  be  satiated  with  thy  excellent  love  :  O  for  an  union  !  O  for 
a  fellowship  with  Jesus  !  O  that  I  could  buy  with  a  price  that  lovely 
One,  suppose  hell's  torments  for  a  while  were  the  price  !  I  cannot 
believe  but  Christ  will  rue  upon  his  pained  lovers,  and  come  and  ease 
sick  hearts  who  sigh  and  swoon  for  want  of  Christ ;  who  dow  bide 
Christ's  love  to  be  nice  1  What  heaven  can  there  be  liker  to  hell,  than 
to  lust,  and  grein  and  dwine,  and  fall  aswoon  for  Christ's  love,  and  to 
want  it  ?  is  not  this  hell,  and  heaven  woven  thorough  other  ?  is  not 
this  pain  and  joy,  sweetness  and  sadness  to  be  in  one  web,  the  one  the 
weft  the  other  the  warp  ?  therefore  I  would  Christ  would  let  us  meet 
and  join  together,  the  soul  and  Christ  in  other's  arms.  0  what  meet- 
ing is  like  this,  to  see  blackness,  and  beauty,  contemptibleness  and 
glory,  highness  and  baseness,  even  a  soul  and  Christ  kiss  one  another ! 
Nay,  but  when  all  is  done  I  may  be  wearied  in  speaking  and  writing ; 
But  O  how  far  am  I  from  the  right  expression  of  Christ  or  his  love  ?  I 
can  neither  speak,  nor  write  feeling,  nor  tasting,  nor  smelling  ;  come 
feel,  and  smell,  and  taste  Christ  and  his  love,  and  ye  shall  call  it  more 
than  can  be  spoken  ;  to  write  how  sweet  the  honey-comb  is,  is  not  so 
lovely  as  to  eat  and  suck  the  honey-comb ;  one  night's  rest  in  a  bed 
of  love  with  Christ,  will  say  more  than  heart  can  think,  or  tongue  can 
utter.  Neither  need  we  fear  crosses,  or  sigh  or  be  sad  for  any  thing 
that  is  on  this  side  of  heaven,  if  we  have  Christ :  our  crosses  will 
never  draw  blood  of  the  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  peace  of  con- 
science ;  our  joy  is  laid  up  in  such  a  high  place,  as  temptations  can- 
not climb  up  to  take  it  down ;  this  world  may  boast  Christ,  but  they 
dare  not  strike  ;  or  if  they  strike  they  break  their  arm  in  fetching  a 
Ptroke  upon  a  rock.  0  that  we  could  put  our  treasure  in  Christ's 
Itand,  and  give  him  our  gold  to  keep,  and  our  crown.     Strive,  mis- 


64  LETTER   XXX,    XXXI.  PART  I. 

tress,  to  throng  through  the  thorns  of  this  Hfe,  to  be  at  Christ :  lose 
not  sight  of  him  in  this  cloudy  and  dark  day  ;  sleep  with  him  in  your 
heart  in  the  night ;  learn  not  at  the  world  to  serve  Christ,  but  ask 
himself  the  way ;  the  world  is  a  false  copy,  and  a  lying  guide  to  fol- 
low. Remember  my  love  to  your  husband ;  I  wish  all  to  him  I  have 
written  here.  The  sweet  presence,  the  long-lasting  good-will  of  our 
God,  the  warmly  and  lovely  comforts  of  our  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you. 
Help  me  his  prisoner  in  your  prayers  :  for  I  remember  you. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Aug.  8,  1637. 

LETTER    XXX. 

To  the  Lady  Forret. 
WORTHY  MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you  f 
I  hear  Christ  hath  been  that  kind  as  to  visit  you  with  sickness,  and  to 
bring  you  to  the  door  of  the  grave :  but  ye  found  the  door  shut 
(blessed  be  his  glorious  name)  until  ye  be  riper  for  eternity  ;  he  will 
have  more  service  of  you :  and  therefore  he  seeketh  of  you,  that 
henceforth  ye  be  honest  to  your  new  Husband,  the  Son  of  God.  We 
have  all  idol-love,  and  are  whorishly  incHned  to  love  other  things  be- 
side our  Lord,  and  therefore  our  Lord  hunteth  for  our  love  more  ways 
than  one  or  two.  Oh  that  Christ  had  his  own  of  us  !  I  know  he  will 
not  want  you,  and  that  is  a  sweet  wilfulness  in  his  love  ;  and  ye  have 
as  good  cause  on  the  other  part  to  be  headstrong  and  peremptory  in 
your  love  to  Christ,  and  not  to  part  or  divide  your  love  betwixt  him  and 
the  world  :  if  it  were  more,  it  is  little  enough,  yea,  too  little  for  Christ. 
I  am  now  every  way  in  good  terms  with  Christ ;  he  hath  set  a  banished 
prisoner  as  a  seal  on  his  heart,  and  as  a  bracelet  on  his  arm  ;  that 
crabbed  and  black  tree  of  the  cross  laugheth  upon  me  now ;  the 
alarming  noise  of  the  cross  is  worse  than  itself.  I  love  Christ's 
glooms  better  than  the  world's  worm-eaten  joys.  Oh  if  all  the  king- 
dom were  as  I  am,  except  these  bonds  !  My  loss  is  gain ;  my  sadness 
joyful ;  my  bonds,  liberty ;  my  tears  comfortable  ;  this  world  is  not 
worth  a  drink  of  cold  water.  Oh  but  Christ's  love  casteth  a  great 
heat ;  hell,  and  all  the  salt  sea,  and  the  rivers  of  the  earth,  cannot 
quench  it.  I  remember  you  to  God ;  ye  have  the  prayers  of  a  priso- 
ner of  Christ.     Grace,  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  9,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXL 

To  the  Lady  Kaskiberry. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
Ladyship  is.  I  know  not  how  to  requite  your  Ladyship's  kindness  ; 
but  your  love  to  the  saints.  Madam,  is  laid  up  in  heaven  :  I  know  it  is 
for  your  Well-beloved  Christ's  sake,  that  ye  make  his  friends  so  dear 


PART  I.  LETTER   XXXII,   XXXIII.  65 

to  you,  and  concern  yourself  so  much  in  them.  I  am  in  this  house 
of  pilgrimage,  every  way  in  good  case  ;  Christ  is  most  kind  and  loving 
to  my  soul.  It  pleaseth  him  to  feast  with  his  unseen  consolations,  a 
stranger,  and  an  exiled  prisoner :  and  I  would  not  exchange  my  Lord 
Jesus,  with  all  the  comfort  out  of  heaven  :  his  yoke  is  easy,  and  his 
burden  is  hght.  This  is  his  truth  I  now  suffer  for  ;  for  he  hath  sealed 
it  with  his  blessed  presence  :  I  know  Christ  shall  yet  win  the  day,  and 
gain  the  battle  in  Scotland.     Grace  be  \vith  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXIL 

To  Mr.  James  Bruce,  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 
REVEREND  AND  WELL-BELOVED  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Upon  the  nearest  acquaint- 
ance, that  we  are  Father's  children,  I  thought  good  to  write  to  you. 
My  case  in  my  bonds,  for  the  honour  of  my  royal  Prince  and  King 
Jesus,  is  as  good  as  becometh  the  witness  of  such  a  Sovereign  King. 
At  my  first  coming  hither,  I  was  in  great  heaviness,  wresthng  with 
challenges,  being  burdened  in  heart  (as  I  am  yet)  for  my  silent  sab- 
baths, and  for  a  bereft  people,  young  ones,  new-born,  plucked  from 
the  breasts,  and  the  children's  table  drawn.  I  thought  I  was  a  dry 
tree  cast  over  the  dyke  of  the  vineyard  :  but  my  secret  conceptions  of 
Christ's  love,  at  his  sweet  and  long-desired  return  to  my  soul,  were 
found  to  be  a  he  of  Christ's  love,  forged  by  the  tempter,  and  my  own 
heart,  and  I  am  persuaded  it  was  so.  Now  there  is  greater  peace 
and  seciuity  within  than  before,  the  court  is  raised  and  dismissed,  for 
it  was  not  fenced  in  God's  name.  I  was  far  mistaken,  who  should 
have  summoned  Christ  for  unkindness ;  misted  faith,  and  my  fever 
conceived  amiss  of  him  :  now,  now,  he  is  pleased  to  feast  a  poor  pri- 
soner, and  to  refresh  me  with  joy  unspeakable  and  glorious  ;  so  as  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  witness,  that  my  sufferings  are  for  Christ's  truth  ;  and 
God  forbid  I  should  deny  the  testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  make 
him  a  false  witness.  Now  I  testify  under  my  hand,  out  of  some 
small  experience,  that  Christ's  cause  (even  with  the  cross,)  is  better 
than  the  king's  crown  ;  and  that  his  reproaches  are  sweet,  his  cross 
perfumed,  the  walls  of  my  prison  fair  and  large,  my  losses  gain.  I 
desire  you,  my  dear  brother,  help  me  to  praise,  and  remember  me  in 
your  prayer  to  God.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXm. 

To  the  Lady  Earlstoim. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  long  to  hear  how  your  soul 
prospereth.  I  exhort  you  to  go  on  in  your  journey ;  your  day  is  short, 
and  your  afternoon  sun  will  soon  go  down ;  make  an  end  of  your 

9 


66  Better  xxxiv.  part  i. 

accounts  with  your  Lord  ;  for  death  and  judgment  are  tides  that  bide 
no  man ;  salvation  is  supposed  to  be  at  the  door,  and  Christianity  is 
thought  an  easy  task  ;  but  I  find  it  hard,  and  the  way  strait  and  nar- 
row, were  it  not  that  my  guide  is  content  to  wait  on  me,  and  to  care 
for  a  tired  traveller.  Hurt  not  your  conscience  with  any  known  sin. 
Let  your  children  be  as  so  many  flowers,  borrowed  from  God  :  if  the 
flowers  die  or  wither,  thank  God  for  a  summer's  loan  of  them,  and 
keep  good  neighbourhood,  to  borrow  and  lend  with  him.  Set  your 
heart  upon  heaven,  and  trouble  not  your  spirit  with  this  clay-idol  of 
the  world,  which  is  but  vanity,  and  hath  but  the  lustre  of  the  rain-bow 
in  the  air,  which  cometh  and  goeth  with  a  flying  March  shower :  clay 
is  the  idol  of  bastards,  not  the  inheritance  of  the  children.  My 
Lord  hath  been  pleased  to  make  many  unknown  faces  laugh  upon  me, 
and  hath  made  me  well  content  of  a  borrowed  fire-side,  and  a  bor- 
rowed bed ;  I  am  feasted  with  the  joys  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  my 
royal  King  beareth  my  charges  honourably.  I  love  the  smell  of 
Christ's  sweet  breath  better  than  the  world's  gold.  I  would  I  had 
help  to  praise  him.  The  great  messenger  of  the  covenant,  the  Son 
of  God,  establish  you  on  your  Rock,  and  keep  you  to  the  day  of  his 
coming. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7, 1637. 


LETTER  XXXI Y. 

To  Carletoun. 
WORTHY  AND  MUCH  HONOURED, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter  Irom 
my  brother,  to  which  I  now  answer  particularly.  I  confess  two  things 
of  myself:  1st,  Wo,  wo  is  me  that  men  should  think  there  is  any 
thing  in  me  !  He  is  my  witness,  before  whom  I  am  as  crystal,  that  the 
secret  house-devils,  that  bear  me  too  often  company,  that  this  sink  of 
corruption  which  I  find  within,  maketh  me  go  with  low  sails  ;  and  if 
others  saw  what  I  see,  they  would  look  by  me,  but  not  to  me.  2d,  I 
laiow  this  shower  of  his  free  grace  behoved  to  be  on  me,  otherways 
I  would  have  withered.  I  know  also  that  I  have  need  of  a  buffeting 
tempter,  that  grace  may  be  put  to  exercise,  and  I  kept  low.  Worthy 
and  dear  brother  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  I  write  that  from  my  heart  which 
ye  now  read.  1st,  I  vouch  that  Christ,  and  sweating  and  sighing  un- 
der his  cross,  is  sweeter  to  me  by  far  than  all  the  kingdoms  in  the 
world  could  possibly  be.  2d,  If  you  and  my  dearest  acquaintance  in 
Christ,  reap  any  fruit  by  my  suffering,  let  me  be  weighed  in  God's 
even  balance,  if  my  joy  be  not  fulfilled.  What  am  I  to  carry  the 
marks  of  such  a  great  King  1  But  howbeit  I  am  a  sink  and  sinful 
mass,  a  wretched  captive  of  sin,  my  Lord  Jesus  can  hew  heaven  out 
of  worse  timber  than  I  am,  if  worse  can  be.  3d.  I  now  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  glorious,  that  I  never  purposed  to  bring  Christ, 
nor  the  least  hoof  or  hair-breadth  of  truth  under  trysting  :  I  desired 
to  have  and  keep  Christ  all  alone  and  that  he  should  never  rub  clothes 
with  that  black  skinned  harlot  of  Rome.     I  am  now  fully  paid  home, 


PART  I.  LETTER    XXXIV.  67 

SO  that  nothing  aileth  me  for  the  present  but  love-sickness  for  a  real 
possession  of  my  fairest  Well-beloved :  I  would  give  him  my  bond 
under  my  faith  and  hand,  to  frist  heaven  an  hundred  years  longer,  so 
being  he  would  lay  his  holy  face  to  my  sometimes  wet  cheeks.  Oh 
who  would  not  pity  me,  to  know  how  fain  I  would  have  the  Kino- 
shaking  the  tree  of  life  upon  me,  or  letting  me  into  the  well  of  life 
with  my  old  dish,  that  I  might  be  drunken  with  the  fountain  here  in 
the  house  of  my  pilgrimage !  I  cannot,  nay,  I  would  not  be  quit  of 
Christ's  love.  He  hath  left  the  mark  behind  where  he  gripped :  he 
goeth  away,  and  leaveth  me  and  his  burning  love  to  wrestle  together, 
and  I  can  scarce  win  my  meat  of  his  love,  because  of  absence :  my 
Lord  giveth  me  but  hungry  half  kisses,  which  serve  to  feed  pain,  and 
increase  hunger,  but  do  not  satisfy  my  desires ;  his  dieting  of  my 
soul  for  this  race  maketh  me  lean.  I  have  gotten  the  wail  and  choice 
of  Christ's  crosses,  even  the  tythe  and  the  flower  of  the  gold  of  all 
crosses,  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth  ;  and  herein  find  I  liberty,  joy, 
access,  life,  comfort,  love,  faith,  submission,  patience,  and  resolution 
to  take  delight  in  on-waiting ;  and  withal  in  my  race  he  hath  come 
near  me,  and  let  me  see  the  gold  and  crown ;  what  then  want  I,  but 
fruition  and  real  enjoyment,  which  is  reserved  to  my  country  1  Let 
no  man  think  he  shall  lose  at  Christ's  hands  in  sufiering  for  him.  4th, 
for  these  present  trials,  they  are  most  dangerous  ;  for  people  shall  be 
stolen  off  their  feet  with  well  washen  and  white-skinned  pretences  of 
indifferency  ;  but  it  is  the  power  of  the  great  Antichrist  working  in 
this  land.  Wo,  wo,  wo  be  to  apostate  Scotland  ;  There  is  wrath  and 
a  cup  of  the  red  wine  of  the  wrath  of  God  Almighty  in  the  Lord's 
hand,  that  they  shall  drink  and  spue,  and  fall  and  not  rise  again. 
The  star  called  wormwood  and  gall,  is  fallen  in  the  fountains,  and 
rivers,  and  hath  made  them  bitter  ;  the  sword  of  the  Lord  is  furbished 
against  the  idol-shepherds  of  the  land  ;  women  shall  bless  the  barren 
womb  and  miscarrying  breast ;  all  hearts  shall  be  f*int,  and  all  knees 
5?hall  tremble ;  an  end  is  coming  ;  the  Leopard  and  the  Lion  shall 
M'atch  over  our  cities  ;  houses  great  and  fair  shall  be  desolate  without 
an  inhabitant ;  the  Lord  hath  said,  '  Pray  not  for  this  people,  for  I  have 
taken  my  peace  from  them  :'  yet  the  Lord's  third  part  shall  come 
through  the  fire,  as  refined  gold  for  the  treasure  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
outcasts  of  Scotland  shall  be  gathered  together  again,  and  the  wilder- 
ness shall  blossom  as  the  flower,  and  bud,  and  grow  as  the  rose  of 
Sharon,  and  great  shall  be  the  glory  of  the  Lord  upon  Scotland.  5th, 
I  am  here  assaulted  with  the  learned  and  pregnant  wits  of  this  king- 
dom ;  but,  all  honour  be  to  my  Lord,  truth  but  laughs  at  bemisted 
and  bhnd  scribes,  and  disputers  of  this  world :  and  God's  wisdom 
confoundeth  them,  and  Christ  triumpheth  in  his  own  strong  truth,  that 
speaketh  for  itself.  6th,  I  doubt  not  but  my  Lord  is  preparing  me 
for  heavier  trials  ;  I  am  most  ready  at  the  good  pleasure  of  my  Lord, 
in  the  strength  of  his  grace,  for  any  thing  he  shall  be  pleased  to  call 
me  to  ;  neither  shall  the  last  black-faced  messenger,  death,  be  holden 
at  the  door,  when  it  shall  knock.  If  my  Lord  will  take  honour  of  the 
like  of  me,  how  glad  and  joyful  shall  my  soul  be!  Let  Christ  come 
out  with  me  to  an  hotter  battle  than  this,  and  I  shall  fear  no  flesh.     I 


68  LETTER   XXXV.  PART  I. 

know  that  my  Master  will  win  the  day,  and  that  he  hath  taken  the 
ordering  of  my  sufTerings  in  his  own  hand.  7th,  As  for  my  dehver- 
ance,  that  miscarrieth,  I  am  here,  by  my  Lord's  grace,  to  lay  my  hand 
on  my  mouth,  to  be  silent  and  wait  on  ;  my  Lord  Jesus  is  on  his 
journey  for  my  deliverance  ;  1  will  not  grudge  that  he  runneth  not  so 
fast  as  I  would  have  him  ;  on-waiting  till  the  swelling  rivers  fall,  and 
till  my  Lord  arise  as  a  mighty  man  after  strong  wine,  shall  be  my  best ; 
I  have  not  yet  resisted  to  blood.  8th,  0  how  often  am  I  laid  in  the 
dust,  and  urged  by  the  tempter,  who  can  ride  his  own  errands  upon 
our  lying  apprehensions,  to  sin  against  the  unchangeable  love  of  my 
Lord  ;  when  I  think  upon  the  sparrows  and  swallows,  that  build  their 
nests  in  the  kirk  of  Anwoth,  and  of  my  dumb  sabbaths,  my  sorrowful 
bleared  eyes  look  asquint  upon  Christ,  and  present  him  as  angry. 
But  in  this  trial  all  honour  to  our  princely  and  royal  King,  faith 
saileth  fair  before  the  wind,  with  top-sail  up,  and  carrieth  the  passenger 
through.  I  lay  inhibitions  upon  my  thoughts,  that  they  receive  no 
slanders  of  my  only,  only  beloved  ;  let  him  even  say  out  of  his  own 
mouth.  There  is  no  hope  ;  yet  I  will  die  in  that  sweet  beguile.  It  is 
not  so  ;  I  shall  see  the  salvation  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  Christ ;  let  my  conceptions  of 
Christ'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  Christ's  pawn ;  if  he  never 
come  to  loose  it,  let  him  see  to  his  own  promise.  I  know,  presump- 
tion, howbeit  it  be  made  of  stoutness,  Avill  not  thus  be  wilful  in  heavy 
trials.  Now,  my  dearest  in  Christ,  the  great  messenger  of  the  co- 
venant, the  only  wise  and  all-sufficient  Jehovah,  estabUsh  you  to  the 
end.  I  hear  the  Lord  hath  been  at  your  house,  and  hath  called  home 
your  vnfe  to  her  rest.  I  know.  Sir,  ye  see  the  Lord  loosing  the  pins 
of  your  tabernacle,  and  wooing  your  love  from  this  plaistered  and 
over-gilded  world,  and  calling  upon  you  to  be  making  yourself  ready 
to  go  to  your  Father's  country,  which  shall  be  a  sweet  fruit  of  that  visi- 
tation. Ye  know,  to  send  the  Comforter,  was  the  King's  word  when 
he  ascended  on  high  :  ye  have  claim  to,  and  interest  in,  that  pro- 
mise. Remember  my  love  in  Christ  to  your  father ;  shew  him  it  is 
late  and  black  night  with  him  ;  his  long  lying  at  the  water-side,  is  that 
he  may  look  his  papers  ere  he  take  shipping,  and  be  at  a  point  for  his 
last  answer  before  his  Judge  and  Lord.  All  love,  all  mercy,  all  grace, 
and  peace,  all  multiplied  saving  consolations,  all  joy  and  faith  in  Christ, 
all  stability,  and  confirming  strength  of  grace,  and  the  good-will  of 
him  that  dwelt  in  the  bush,  be  with  you. 

Your  unworthy  Brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  15,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXV. 

To    Marion    M'Naught. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAREST  IN  THE  LORD, 

1  EVER  loved  (since  I  knew  you,)  that  little  vineyard  of  the  Lord's 
planting  in  Galloway,  but  now  much  more,  since  I  have  heard  that  he 


PART  I.  LETTER  XXXV.  C9 

who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion,  and  his  furnace  in  Jerusalem,  hath  been 
pleased  to  set  up  a  furnace  amongst  you  with  the  first  in  this  kingdom : 
he  who  maketh  old  things  new,  seeing  Scotland  an  old  drossy  and 
rusted  kirk,  is  beginning  to  make  a  new  clean  bride  of  her,  and  to 
bring  a  young  chaste  wife  to  himself  out  of  the  fire.  This  fire  shall 
be  quenched,  so  soon  as  Christ  has  brought  a  clean  spouse  through 
the  fire  !  Therefore,  my  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  fear  not  a  worm  : 
fear  not  worm  Jacob  ;  Christ  is  in  that  plea,  and  shall  win  the  plea  ; 
charge  an  unbelieving  heart,  under  the  pain  of  treason  against  our 
great  and  royal  King  Jesus,  to  dependence  by  faith,  and  quiet  on- 
waiting  on  our  Lord  :  get  you  into  your  chambers,  and  shut  the  doors 
about  you  ;  in,  in  with  speed  to  your  strong  hold,  ye  prisoners  of  hope  : 
ye  doves,  flee  unto  Christ's  windows  till  the  indignation  be  over,  and 
the  storm  be  past :  glorify  the  Lord  in  your  sufferings,  and  take  his 
banner  of  love  and  spread  over  you  ;  others  will  follow  you,  if  they 
see  you  strong  in  the  Lord  ;  their  courage  shall  take  life  from  your 
Christian  courage  :  look  up  and  see  who  is  coming,  lift  up  your  head, 
he  is  coming  to  save,  in  garments  dyed  in  blood,  and  travelling  in  the 
greatness  of  his  strength.  I  laugh,  I  smile,  I  leap  for  joy,  to  see 
Christ  coming  to  save  you  so  quickly.  O  such  wide  steps  Christ 
taketh  !  three  or  four  hills  are  but  a  step  to  him  ;  he  skippeth  over  the 
mountains.  Christ  hath  set  a  battle  betwixt  his  poor  weak  saints  and 
his  enemies  ;  he  waileth  the  weapons  for  both  parties,  and  saith  to  the 
enemies,  take  you  a  sword  of  steel,  law,  authority,  parliaments,  and 
■kings  upon  your  side,  that  is  your  armour  ;  and  he  saith,  to  his  saints 
I  give  you  a  feckless  tree-sword  in  your  hand,  and  that  is,  suffering, 
receiving  of  strokes,  spoiling  of  your  goods  ;  and  with  your  tree-sword 
ye  shall  get  and  gain  the  victory.  Was  not  Christ  dragged  through 
the  ditches  of  deep  distresses  and  great  straits  1  and  yet  Christ,  who 
is  your  head,  hath  win  through  with  his  life,  howbeit  not  with  a  whole 
skin.  Ye  are  Christ's  members,  and  he  is  drawing  his  members 
through  the  thorny  hedge  up  to  heaven  after  him :  Christ  one  ^ay 
will  not  have  so  much  as  a  pained  toe  ;  but  there  are  great  pieces  and 
portions  of  Christ's  mystical  body  not  yet  within  the  gates  of  the  great 
high  city,  the  new  Jerusalem  :  and  the  dragon  will  strike  at  Christ,  so 
long  as  there  is  one  bit  or  member  of  Christ's  body  out  of  heaven. 
I  tell  you,  Christ  will  make  new  work  out  of  old  for-casten  Scotland, 
and  gather  the  old  broken  boards  of  his  tabernacle,  and  pin  them,  and 
nail  them  together :  but  bills  and  supplications  are  up  in  heaven, 
Christ  hath  coffers  full  of  them  ;  there  is  mercy  on  the  other  side  of 
this  his  cross  ;  a  good  answer  to  all  our  bills  is  agreed  upon.  I  must 
tell  you  what  lovely  Jesus,  fair  Jesus,  King  Jesus,  hath  done  to  my 
soul :  sometimes  he  sendeth  me  out  a  standing  drink,  and  whispereth 
a  word  through  the  wall ;  and  I  am  well  content  of  kindness  at  the  se- 
cond hand  ;  his  bode  is  ever  welcome  to  me,  be  what  it  will ;  but  at 
other  times  he  will  be  messenger  himself,  and  I  get  the  cup  of  salva- 
tion out  of  his  own  hand,  (he  drinking  to  me)  and  we  cannot  rest  till 
we  be  in  other's  arms  ;  and  0  how  sweet  is  a  fresh  kiss  from  his  holy 
mouth  !  his  breathing  that  goeth  before  a  kiss  upon  my  poor  soul,  is 
sweet,  and  hath  no  fault,  but  that  it  is  too  short ;  I  am  careless,  and 


70  LETTER    XXXVI.  PART  I. 

stand  not  much  on  this,  howbeit  loins,  and  back,  and  slioulders,  and 
head  rive  in  pieces,  in  stepping  up  to  my  Father's  house.  I  know 
my  Lord  can  make  long,  and  broad,  and  high,  and  deep  glory  to  his 
name,  out  of  this  bit  feckless  body  ;  for  Christ  looketh  not  what  stuff 
he  maketh  glory  out  of.  My  dearly  beloved,  ye  have  often  refreshed 
me  but  this  is  put  up  in  my  Master's  account ;  ye  have  liim  debtor 
for  me :  but  if  ye  will  do  any  thing  for  me,  (as  I  know  ye  will)  now 
in  my  extremity,  tell  all  my  dear  friends,  that  a  prisoner  is  fettered  and 
chained  in  Christ's  love,  Lord,  never  loose  the  fetters ;  and  ye  and 
they  together  take  my  heartiest  commendations  to  my  Lord  Jesus, 
and  thank  him  for  a  poor  friend.  I  desire  your  husband  to  read  this 
letter  :  I  send  him  a  prisoner's  blessing  ;  I  will  be  obliged  to  him  if 
he  will  be  willing  to  suffer  for  my  dear  Master  ;  suffering  is  the  pro- 
fessor's golden  garment ;  there  shall  be  no  losses  on  Christ's  side  of 
it.  Ye  have  been  witnesses  of  much  joy  betwixt  Christ  and  me  at 
communion-feasts,  the  remembrance  whereof  (howbeit  I  be  feasted 
in  secret)  holdeth  my  heart ;  for  I  am  put  from  the  board  head,  and 
the  King's  first  mess  to  his  by-board,  and  his  broken  meat  is  sweet 
unto  me.  I  thank  my  Lord  for  borrowed  crumbs  no  less  than  when  I 
was  feasted  at  the  communion-table  tit  Anworth  and  Kircudbright.  Pray 
that  I  may  get  one  day  of  Christ  in  public,  as  I  have  had  long  since, 
before  my  eyes  be  closed.  O  that  my  Master  would  take  up  house 
again,  and  lend  me  the  keys  of  his  wine-cellar  again,  and  God  send 
me  borrowed  drink  till  then !  Remember  my  love  to  Christ's  kinsmen 
with  you.  I  pray  for  Christ's  Father's  blessing  to  them  all.  Grace 
be  with  you  ;  a  prisoner's  blessing  be  with  you  :  I  write  it,  and  abide 
by  it,  God  shall  be  glorious  in  Marion  M'Naught,  when  this  stormy 
blast  shall  be  over.  0  woman,  beloved  of  God,  believe,  rejoice,  be 
strong  in  the  Lord  !  Grace  is  thy  portion. 

Your  Brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  15th,  1G37. 


LETTER  XXXVL 

To  John  Gordon,  at  Kisco,  in  Galloway. 
JMY    WORTHY    AND    DEAR    BROTHER. 

MispEND  not  your  short  sand-glass,  which  runneth  very  fast  ;  seek 
your  Lord  in  time.  Let  me  obtain  of  you  a  letter  under  your  hand, 
for  a  promise  to  God,  by  his  grace  to  take  a  new  course  of  walking 
with  God :  heaven  is  not  at  the  next  door ;  I  find  it  hard  to  be  a 
Christian ;  there  is  no  little  thrusting  and  thronging  to  thrust  in  at 
lieaven's  gates  ;  it  is  a  castle  taken  by  force  :  '  Many  shall  strive  to 
enter  in,  and  shall  not  be  able.'  I  beseech  and  obtest  you  in  the  Lord, 
make  conscience  of  rash  and  passionate  oaths,  of  raging  and  sudden 
avenging  anger,  of  night-drinking,  of  needless  companionry,  of  sab- 
bath-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  sober  minded  as  a  babe)  ye  cannot 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God :'  that  is  a  word  which  should  touch 
you  near,  and  make  you  stoop  and  cast  vourself  down,  and  make 


PART  I.  LETTER   XXXVII.  71 

your  great  spirit  fall.  I  know  this  will  not  be  easily  done,  but  I  re- 
commend it  to  you,  as  you  tender  your  part  of  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven. Brother,  I  may  from  new  experience,  speak  of  Christ  to  you. 
O  if  ye  saw  in  him  what  I  see  !  A  river  of  God's  unseen  joys  have 
flowed  from  bank  to  brae  over  my  soul  since  I  parted  with  you  :  I 
wish  I  wanted  part,  so  being  ye  might  have  !  that  your  soul  might  be 
sick  of  love  for  Christ,  or  rather  satiate  with  him :  this  clay  idol,  the 
world,  would  seem  to  you  then  not  worth  a  fig  ;  time  will  eat  you  out 
of  possession  of  it :  when  the  eye-strings  break,  and  the  breath  grow- 
eth  cold,  and  the  imprisoned  soul  looketh  out  of  the  windows  of  the 
clay  house,  ready  to  leap  out  into  eternity,  what  would  you  then  give 
for  a  lamp  full  of  oil  1  0  seek  it  now,  I  desire  you  to  correct  and  curb 
banning,  swearing,  lying,  drinking ;  sabbath-breaking,  and  idle  spend- 
ing of  the  Lord's  day  in  absence  from  the  kirk,  as  far  as  your  authority 
reacheth  in  that  parish.  I  hear  a  man  is  to  be  thrust  into  that  place, 
to  the  which  I  have  God's  right ;  I  know  ye  should  have  a  voice  by 
God's  word  in  that.  Acts  i.  15,  16,  to  the  end,  and  Acts  vi.  3,  6.  Ye 
would  be  loath  that  any  prelate  should  put  you  out  of  your  possession 
earthly,  and  this  is  your  right.  I  write  to  your  wife.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your  Loving  Pastor,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXVII. 

To  the  Lady  Halhill. 
DEAR    AND    CHRISTIAN    LADY, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  longed  much  to  write  to 
your  Ladyship ;  but  now,  the  Lord  offering  a  fit  occasion,  I  would 
not  omit  to  do  it.  I  cannot  but  acquaint  your  Ladyship  with  the  kind 
dealing  of  Christ  to  my  soul,  in  this  house  of  my  pilgrimage,  that 
your  Ladyship  may  know  that  he  is  as  good  as  he  is  called  ;  for  at  my 
first  entry  into  this  trial,  (being  casten  down  and  troubled  with  chal- 
lenges and  jealousies  of  his  love,  whose  name  and  testimony  I  now 
bear  in  my  bonds)  I  feared  nothing  more  than  that  I  was  casten  over 
the  dyke  of  the  vineyard,  as  a  dry  tree  ;  but,  blessed  be  his  great  nniiie, 
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  pleased  to  feast  his  exiled  and  afllicted 
prisoner  with  the  joy  of  his  consolations :  now  I  weep,  but  am  not 
sad  ;  I  am  chastened  but  I  die  not ;  I  have  loss,  but  I  want  nothing ; 
this  water  cannot  drown  me,  this  fire  cannot  burn  me,  because  of  the 
good-will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bush.  The  worst  things  of  Christ, 
his  reproaches,  his  cross,  is  better  than  Egypt's  treasures.  He  hath 
opened  his  door,  and  taken  into  his  house  of  wine  a  poor  sinner,  and 
hath  left  me  so  sick  of  love  for  my  Lord  Jesus,  that  if  heaven  were 
at  my  disposing,  I  would  give  it  for  Christ,  and  would  not  be  content 
to  go  to  heaven,  except  I  were  persuaded  Christ  were  there  ;  I  would 
not  give  nor  exchange  my  bonds  for  the  P.  velvets ;  nor  my  prison 
for  their  coaches ;  nor  my  sighs  for  all  the  world's  laughter :  this  clay- 


72  LETTER   XXXVIII.  PART  I. 

idol,  the  world,  hath  no  great  court  in  my  soul :  Christ  hath  come  and 
run  away  to  heaven  with  my  heart  and  my  love,  so  that  neither  heart 
nor  love  is  mine  ;  I  pray  God,  Christ  may  keep  both  without  rever- 
sion. In  my  estimation,  as  I  am  now  disposed,  if  my  part  of  this 
world's  clay  were  rouped  and  sold,  I  would  think  it  dear  of  a  drink  of 
water.  I  see  Christ's  love  is  so  kingly,  that  it  will  not  abide  a  mar- 
row :  it  must  have  a  throne  all  alone  in  the  soul ;  and  I  see  apples  be- 
guile children,  howbeit  they  be  worm-eaten :  the  moth-eaten  plea- 
sures of  this  present  world  make  children  believe  ten  is  a  hundred, 
and  yet  all  that  are  here  are  but  shadows  :  if  they  would  draw  by  the 
curtain  that  is  hanged  betwixt  them  and  Christ,  they  should  see  them- 
selves fools  who  have  so  long  miskenned  the  Son  of  God,  I  seek  no 
more,  next  to  heaven,  but  that  he  may  be  glorified  in  a  prisoner  of 
Christ ;  and  that  in  my  behalf  many  would  praise  his  high  and  glo- 
rious name  who  heareth  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner.  Remember  my 
service  to  the  Laird  your  husband,  and  to  your  son  my  acquaintance  : 
I  wish  Christ  had  his  young  love,  and  that  in  the  morning  he  would 
start  to  the  gate,  to.  seek  that  which  this  world  knoweth  not,  and 
therefore  doth  not  seek  it.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be 
with  you. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R> 

Aberdeen,  March  14, 1637. 


LETTER  XXXVIIL 

To  the  Right  Honourable  my  Lord  Lindsay, 
RIGHT  HONOURABLE  AND  MV  VERY  GOOD  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordship  ;  pardon  my  boldness 
to  express  myself  to  your  Lordship  at  this  so  needful  a  time,  when 
your  wearied  and  friendless  mother  kirk  is  looking  round  about  her,  to 
see  if  any  of  her  sons  doth  really  bemoan  her  desolation  :  Therefore,, 
my  dear  and  worthy  Lord,  I  beseech  you  in  the  bowels  of  Christ,  pity 
that  widow-hke  sister  and  spouse  of  Christ.  I  know,  her  husband  is 
not  dead,  but  he  seemeth  to  be  in  another  country,  and  seeth  well,  and 
beholdeth  who  are  his  true  and  tender-hearted  friends,  who  dare  ven- 
ture under  the  water  to  bring  out  to  dry-land  sinking  truth,  and  who  of 
the  nobles  will  cast  up  their  arm,  to  ward  a  blow  off  the  crowned  head 
of  our  royal  Lawgiver  who  reigneth  in  Zion,  who  will  plead  and  con- 
tend for  Jacob,  in  the  day  of  his  controversy.  It  is  now  time,  my 
worthy  and  noble  Lord,  for  you  who  are  the  httle  nurse-fathers  (under 
our  sovereign  Prince)  to  put  on  courage  for  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  to 
take  up  a  fallen  orphan,  speaking  out  of  the  dust,  and  to  embrace  in 
your  arms  Christ's  bride  :  he  hath  no  more  in  Scotland  that  is  the  de- 
light of  his  eyes,  but  that  one  little  sister,  whose  breasts  were  once 
well-fashioned ;  she  once  ravished  her  Well-beloved  with  her  eyes, 
and  overcame  him  with  her  beauty  ;  '  She  looked  forth  as  the  morning, 
fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners  : 
her  stature  was  like  the  palm-tree,  and  her  breasts  like  clusters  of 
grapes,  and  she  held  the  king  in  his  galleries.'  Cant.  iv.  9.  and  vi.  10. 
and  vii.  5,  7.  But  now  the  crown  is  fallen  from  her  head,  and  her  gold 


PART  r.  LETTER  XXXVIII.  /'J 

waxed  dim,  and  our  white  Nazarites  are  become  black  as  the  coal. 
Blessed  are  they  who  will  come  out  and  help  Christ  against  the  mighty: 
The  shields  of  the  earth  and  the  nobles  are  debtors  to  Christ  for  their 
honour,  and  should  bring  their  glory  and  honour  to  the  new  Jerusalem : 
Rev.  xxi.  24.  Alas  that  great  men  should  be  so  far  from  subjecting 
themselves  to  the  sweet  yoke  of  Christ,  that  they  burst  his  bonds 
asunder,  and  think  they  dow  not  go  on  foot  when  Christ  is  on  horseback, 
and  that  every  nod  of  Christ,  commanding  as  a  king,  is  a  load  like  a 
mountain  of  iron  ;  and  therefore  they  say,  This  man  shall  not  reigii 
over  us,  we  must  have  another  king  than  Christ  in  his  own  house. 
Therefore  kneel  to  Christ,  and  kiss  his  Son,  and  let  him  have  your 
Lordship's  vote,  as  your  alone  law-giver.  I  am  sure,  when  you  leave 
the  old  waste  inns,  of  this  perishing  life,  and  shall  reckon  with  your 
host,  and  depart  hence,  and  take  shipping,  and  make  over  for  eternity, 
which  is  the  yonder  side  of  time,  and  a  sandglass  of  threescore  short 
years  is  running  out ;  to  look  over  your  shoulder,  then,  to  that  which 
ye  have  done,  spoken,  and  suffered  for  Christ,  his  dear  bride,  that  he 
ransomed  with  that  blood  which  is  more  precious  than  gold,  and  for 
truth,  the  freedom  of  Christ's  kingdom  :  your  accounts  shall  more 
sweetly  smile  and  laugh  upon  you,  than  if  you  had  two  worlds  of  gold 
to  leave  to  your  posterity.  O  my  dear  Lord,  consider  that  our  Master, 
eternity,  and  judgment,  and  the  last  reckoning,  will  be  upon  us  in  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye  ;  the  blast  o^  the  last  trumpet,  now  hard  at  hand, 
will  cry  down  all  acts  of  parliament,  all  the  determinations  of  pre- 
tended assemblies,  against  Christ  our  law-giver  :  there  will  be  shortly 
a  proclamation  by  one  standing  in  the  clouds,  that  time  shall  be  no 
more,  and  that  courts  with  kings  of  clay  shall  be  no  more  ;  and  prisons, 
confinements,  forfeitures  of  nobles,  wrath  of  kings,  hazard  of  lands, 
•houses,  and  name,  for  Christ,  shall  be  no  more.  This  world's  span- 
length  of  time  is  drawn  now  to  less  than  half  an  inch,  and  to  the  point 
of  the  evening  of  the  day  of  this  old  gray-hair'd  world :  and  there- 
fore be  fixed  and  fast  for  Christ  and  his  truth  for  a  time  ;  and  fear  not 
him  whose  life  goeth  out  at  his  nostrils,  who  shall  die  as  a  man.  I 
am  persuaded  Christ  is  responsal,  and  law-biding,  to  make  recom- 
pense for  any  thing  that  is  hazarded  or  given  out  for  him  :  losses  for 
Christ  are  but  our  goods  given  out  in  bank  in  Christ's  hand.  Kings 
earthly  are  well-favoured  little  clay  gods,  time's  idols  ;  but  a  sight  of 
our  invisible  King  shall  decry  and  darken  all  the  glory  of  this  world. 
At  the  day  of  Christ,  truth  shall  be  tmth,  and  not  treason  :  alas  !  it  is 
pitiful,  that  silence,  when  the  thatch  of  our  Lord's  house  hath  taken 
tire,  is  now  the  flower  and  bloom  of  court  and  state-wisdom  ;  and  to 
cast  a  covering  over  a  good  profession,  as  if  it  blushed  at  light,  is 
thought  a  canny  and  sure  way  through  this  life ;  but  the  safest  way,  I 
am  persuaded,  is  to  lose  and  win  with  Christ,  and  to  hazard  fairly  tor 
him  ;  for  heaven  is  but  a  company  of  noble  venturers  for  Christ.  I 
dare  hazard  my  soul,  Christ  shall  grow  green  and  blossom  like  the 
Rose  of  Sharon  yet  in  Scotland :  howbeit  now  his  leaf  seemeth  to 
wither,  and  his  root  to  dry  up.  Your  noble  ancestors  have  been  en- 
rolled amongst  the  worthies  of  this  nation,  as  the  sure  friends  of  the 
Bridegroom,  and  valiant  for  Christ :  I  hope  you  will  follow  on  to  come 

10 


74  LETTER  XXXIX. 


PART  I, 


to  the  streets  for  the  same  Lord.  The  world  is  still  at  yea  and  nay 
with  Christ.  It  shall  be  your  glory,  and  the  sure  foundation  of  your 
house,  (now  when  houses  are  tumbling  down,  and  birds  building  their 
nests,  and  thorns  and  briers  are  growing  up,  where  nobles  did  spread 
a  table)  if  you  engage  your  estate  and  nobility  for  this  noble  King 
Jesus,  with  whom  the  created  powers  of  the  world  are  still  in  tops  ;  all 
the  world  shall  fall  before  him,  and,  as  God  liveth,  every  arm  lifted  up 
to  take  the  crown  off  his  royal  head,  or  that  refuseth  to  hold  it  on  his 
head,  shall  be  broken  from  the  shoulder  blade  :  the  eyes  that  behold 
Christ  weep  in  sackcloth,  and  wallow  in  his  blood,  and  will  not  help, 
even  these  eyes  shall  rot  away  in  their  eye-holes.  0  if  ye  and  the 
nobles  of  this  land  saw  the  beauty  of  that  world's  wonder,  Jesus  our 
King,  and  the  glory  of  him  who  is  angels'  wonder,  and  heaven's 
wonder  for  excellency  !  Oh  what  would  men  count  of  clay  estates, 
of  time-eaten  life,  of  worm-eaten  and  moth-eaten  worldly  glory,  in 
comparison  of  that  fairest  of  God's  creation,  the  Son  of  the  Father's 
delights.  I  have  but  small  experience  of  suffering  for  him ;  but  let 
my  judge  and  witness  in  heaven  lay  my  soul  in  the  balance  of  justice, 
if  I  find  not  a  young  heaven,  and  a  little  paradise  of  glorious  com- 
forts and  soul-delighting  love-kisses  of  Christ  here  beneath  the  moon, 
in  suffering  for  him  and  his  truth  :  and  that  the  glory,  joy,  and  peace, 
and  fire  of  love,  I  thought  had  been  kept  while  supper-time,  when  we 
shall  get  leisure  to  feast  our  fill  upon  Christ ;  I  have  felt  it  in  glorious 
beginnings  in  my  bonds  for  this  princely  Lord  Jesus.  Oh  !  it  is  my 
sorrow,  my  daily  pain,  that  men  will  not  come  and  see :  I  would  not 
be  ashamed  to  believe  that  it  should  be  possible  for  any  soul  to  think 
that  he  could  be  a  loser  for  Christ,  suppose  he  should  lend  Christ  the 
lofdship  of  Lindsay,  or  some  such  great  worldly  estate.  Therefore 
my  worthy  and  dear  Lord,  set  now  your  face  against  the  opposite  oU 
Jesus,  and  let  your  soul  take  courage  to  come  under  his  banner,  to 
appear  as  his  soldier  for  him  ;  and  the  blessings  of  a  falling  kirk,  the 
prayers  of  the  prisoners  of  hope  who  wait  for  Zion's  joy,  and  the 
good  will  of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  bush,  and  it  burned  not,  shall  be 
with  you.  To  his  saving  grace  I  recommend  your  Lordship  and  youv 
house,  and  am  still  Christ's  prisoner,  and 

Your  Lordship's  obliged  servant  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,       S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  Sept.  7th,  1637. 


LETTER  XXXIX. 

To  my  Lord  Boyd. 
jMV  very  honourable  and  good  lord, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you,  in 
the  morning  of  your  short  day,  mind  Christ ;  and  that  you  love  the  ho- 
nour of  his  crown  and  kingdom.  I  beseech  your  Lordship,  begin  now 
to  frame  your  love,  and  to  cast  it  in  no  mould  but  one,  that  it  may  be 
for  Christ  only  ;  for  when  your  love  is  now  in  the  framing  and  making, 
it  will  take  best  with  Christ ;  if  any  other  than  Jesus  get  a  grip  of  it, 
when  it  is  green  and  young,  Christ  will  be  an  uncouth  and  strange 
world  to  you.     Promise  the  lodging  of  your  soul  first  away  to  Christ., 


PART    I.  LETTER   XXXIX.  ii> 

and  stand  by  your  first  covenant,  and  keep  to  Jesus,  that  he  may  find 
you  honest.  It  is  easy  to  master  an  arrow,  and  to  set  it  right,  ere  the 
string  be  drawn  :  but  when  once  it  is  shot  and  in  the  air,  and  the  flight 
begun,  then  ye  have  no  more  power  to  command  it ;  it  were  a  blessed 
thing,  if  your  love  could  now  level  only  at  Christ,  that  his  foir  face 
were  the  black  of  the  mark  ye  shot  at ;  for  when  your  love  is  loosed, 
and  out  of  your  grips,  and  in  its  motion  to  fetch  home  an  idol,  and 
hath  taken  a  whorish  gadding  journey,  to  seek  an  unknown  and 
strange  lover,  ye  shall  not  then  have  power  to  call  home  the  arrow,  or 
to  be  master  of  your  love  ;  and  ye  shall  hardly  give  Christ  what  ye 
scarcely  have  yourself.  I  speak  not  this,  as  if  youth  itself  could  fetch 
heaven  and  Christ ;  believe  it,  my  Lord,  it  is  hardly  credible  what  a 
nest  of  dangerous  temptations  youth  is  ;  how  inconsiderate,  foolish, 
proud,  vain,  heady,  rash,  profane,  and  careless  of  God,  this  piece  of 
your  life  is  ;  so  that  the  devil  findeth  in  that  age  a  garnished  and  well 
swept  house,  and  seven  devils  worse  than  himself,  for  then  afiections 
are  on  horseback,  lofty  and  stirring ;  then  the  old  man  hath  blood, 
lust,  much  will,  and  little  wit,  and  hands,  feet,  wanton  eyes,  profane 
ears,  as  his  servants,  and  as  king's  officers  at  command,  to  come  and 
go  at  his  will ;  then  a  green  conscience  is  as  supple  as  the  twig  of  a 
young  tree  ;  it  is  for  every  way,  every  religion,  every  lewd  course  pre- 
vaileth  with  it :  and  therefore,  O  what  a  sweet  couple,  what  a  glorious 
yoke  are  youth  and  grace,  Christ  and  a  young  man  !  This  is  a  meeting 
not  to  be  found  in  every  town.  None  who  have  been  at  Christ  can 
bring  back  to  your  Lordship  a  report  answerable  to  his  worth ;  for 
Christ  cannot  be  spoken  of,  or  commended  according  to  his  worth  : 
come  and  see,  is  the  most  faithful  messenger  to  speak  of  him ;  little 
persuasion  would  prevail  where  this  were.  It  is  impossible  in  the 
setting  out  of  Christ's  love,  to  lie  and  pass  over  truth's  line  :  the  dis- 
courses of  angels,  or  love-books  written  by  the  congregation  of  sera- 
phims  (all  their  wits  being  conjoined  and  melted  into  one)  would  for 
ever  be  in  the  nether  side  of  truth,  and  plentifully  declaring  the  thing 
as  it  is.  The  infiniteness,  the  boundlessness  of  that  incomparable  ex- 
cellency that  is  in  Jesus,  is  a  great  word.  God  send  me,  if  it  were 
but  the  relics  and  leavings,  or  an  ounce  weight  or  two,  of  his  matcii- 
less  love  ;  and  suppose  I  never  got  another  heaven  (provided  this 
blessed  fire  was  evermore  burning)  I  could  not  but  be  happy  for  ever. 
Come  hither,  then,  and  give  out  your  money  wisely  for  bread  ;  come 
here,  and  bestow  your  love.  I  have  cause  to  speak  this,  because  ex- 
cept ye  enjoy  and  possess  Christ,  ye  will  be  a  cold  friend  to  his  spouse; 
for  it  is  love  to  the  husband  that  causeth  kindness  to  the  wife.  I  dare 
swear  it  were  a  blessing  to  your  house,  the  honor  of  your  honour,  the 
flower  of  your  credit,  now  in  your  place,  and  as  far  as  ye  are  able,  to 
lend  your  hand  to  your  weeping  mother,  even  your  oppressed  and  spoil- 
ed mother-kirk.  If  ye  love  her,  and  bestir  yourself  for  her,  and  ha- 
zard the  lordship  of  Boyd  for  the  recovery  of  her  vail,  which  thft 
smiting  watchmen  have  taken  from  her,  then  surely  her  husband  will 
scorn  to  sleep  in  your  common  or  reverence.  Bits  of  lordships  are 
little  to  him,  who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head,  and  the  kingdoms 
-of  the  Avorld  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand.     Court,  honour,  glory,  riclies. 


'6  LETTER   XXXIX. 


PART  I. 


stability  of  houses,  favour  of  princes,  are  all  on  his  finger  ends.     O 
what  glory  were  it  to  lend  your  honour  to  Christ,  and  to  his  Jerusa- 
lem.    Ye  are  one  of  Zion's  born  sons;  your  honourable  and  Christian 
parents  would  venture  you  upon  Christ's  errands  :  therefore  I  beseech 
you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  death  and  wounds  of  Jesus,  by 
the    hope   of   your  glorious   inheritance,  and  by  the    comfort  and 
hope    of   the  joyful   presence  ye   would  have   at   the   water   side, 
when  ye  are   putting  your  foot  in   the    dark  grave,  take  courage 
for   Christ's,  and  the  honour    of    his  free   kingdom  ;    for,  howbeit 
ye  be  a  young  flower,  and  green  before  the  sun,  ye  know  not  how 
soon  d^,ath   will  cause  you  cast  your  bloom,  and  wither  root,  and 
branch,  and  leaves  ;  and  therefore  write  up  what  ye  have  to  do  for 
Christ,  and  make  a  treasure  of  good  works,  and  begin  in  time.     By 
appearance  ye  have  the  advantage  of  the  brae ;  see  what  ye  can  do 
for  C  hrist,  against  these  who  are  waiting  while  Christ's  tabernacle  fall, 
that  they  may  run  away  with  the  boards  thereof,  and  build  their  nests 
on  Zion's  ruins.      They  are  blind  who  see  not  lowns  now  pulling  up 
the  steaks,  and  breaking  the  cords,  and  rending  the  curtains  of  Christ's 
sometimes  beautiful  tent  in  this  land  :  Antichrist  is  lifting  that  tent  up 
upon  his  shoulders,  and  going  away  with  it ;  and  when  Christ  and  the 
gospel  are  out  of  Scotland,  dream  not  that  your  houses  shall  thrive, 
and  that  it  shall  go  well  with  the  nobles  of  the  land.     As  the  Lord 
liveth,  the  streams  of  your  waters  shall  become  pitch,  and  the  dust  of 
'vour  land  brimstone,  and  your  land  shall  become  burning  pitch,  and 
the  owl  and  the  raven  shall  dwell  in  your  houses  :  and  where  your  tablo 
stood,  there  shall  grow  briers  and  nettles,  Isa.  xxxiv.  9,  11.     The 
Lord  gave  Christ  and  his  gospel  as  a  pawn  to  Scotland  ;  the  watch- 
men have  fallen  foul,  and  lost  their  part  of  the  pawn  ;  and  who  seeth 
not,  that  God  hath  dried  up  their  right  eye,  and  their  right  arm,  and 
hath  broken  the  shepherds'  staves,  and  men  are  treading  in  their 
hearts  upon  such  unsavoury  salt,  that  is  good  for  nothing  else  ;  If  ye, 
the  nobles,  put  away  the  pawn  also,  and  refuse  to  plead  the  controver- 
sy of  Zion  with  the  professed  enemies  of  Jesus,  ye  have  done  with  it. 
Oh  !  where  is  the  courage  and  zeal  of  the  ancient  nobles  of  this  land, 
who  with  their  swords,  and  hazard  of  life,  honour,  and  houses,  brought 
Christ  to  our  hands  1  and  now  the   nobles  cannot  be   but  guilty  of 
shouldering  out  Christ,  and  murdering  of  the  souls  of  their  posterity,  if 
they  shall  hide  themselves,  and  lurk  in  the  lee-side  of  the  hill,  till  the 
wind  blow  down  the  temple  of  God.     It  goeth  now  under  the  name 
of  wisdom,  for  men  to  cast  their  cloak  over  Christ  and  their  profes- 
sion, as   if  Christ  were   stolen  goods,  and  durst  not  be  avouched  : 
though  this  be  reputed  a  piece  of  policy,  yet  God  esteemeth  such  men 
to  be  but  state  fools  and  court  gouks,  whatever  they,  or  other  heads 
of  wit  like  to  them,  think  of  themselves,  since  their  damnable  silence 
is  the  ruin  of  Christ's  kingdom.     O  but  it  be  true  honour  and  glory  to 
be  the  fast  friends  of  the  Bridegroom,  and  to  our  own  Christ's  bleeding 
head,  and  his  forsaken  cause;  and  to  contend  legally,  and  in  the  wis- 
dom of  God,  for  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  and  his  kingly  crown.     But  I 
will  believe  your  Lordship  will  take  Christ's  honour  to  heart,  and  be  a 
mail  in  the  streets   (us  the  prophet  speaketh)  for  the  Lord  and  hh 


PART  1.  LETTER  XL.  77 

truth.  To  his  rich  grace  and  sweet  presence,  and  the  everlasting  con- 
solation of  the  promised  Comforter,  I  recommend  your  Lordship, 
and  am 

Your  Lordship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  XL. 

To  my  Lady  Boyd. 
MY    VERY    HONOURABLE    AND    CHRISTIAN    LADY, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter,  and 
am  well  pleased  that  your  thoughts  of  Christ  stay  with  you,  and  that 
your  purpose  still  is,  by  all  means,  to  take  the  kingdom  of  heaven  by 
violence,  which  is  no  small  conquest ;  and  it  is  a  degree  of  watchful- 
ness and  thankfulness  also,  to  observe  sleepiness  and  unthankfulness. 
We  have  all  good  cause  to  complain  of  false  light,  that  playeth  the 
thief,  and  stealeth  away  the  lantern  ;  when  it  cometh  to  the  practice 
of  constant  walking  with  God,  our  journey  is  ten  times  a  day  broken 
in  ten  pieces  ;  Christ  getteth  but  only  broken,  and  halfed,  and  tired 
work  of  us,  and  alas  !  too  often  against  the  hair.  I  have  been  some- 
what nearer  the  Bridegroom  ;  but  when  I  draw  nigh  and  see  my  vile- 
ness,  for  shame  I  would  be  out  of  his  presence  again ;  but  yet  desire 
of  his  soul-refreshing  love  putteth  blushing  me  under  an  arrest.  O 
what  am  I,  so  loathsome  a  burden  of  sin,  to  stand  beside  such  a  beau- 
tiful and  holy  Lord,  such  an  high  and  lofty  one,  who  inhabiteth  eter- 
nity !  But,  since  it  pleaseth  Christ  to  condescend  to  such  an  one  as 
me,  let  shamefacedness  be  laid  aside,  and  lose  itself  in  his  condescend- 
ing love.  I  would  heartily  be  content  to  keep  a  corner  of  the  King'j^ 
hall ;  Oh  if  I  were  at  the  yonder  end  of  my  weak  desires  !  then  should  I 
be  where  Christ,  my  Lord  and  Lover,  lives  and  reigns  ;  there  I  should 
be  everlastingly  solaced  with  the  sight  of  his  face,  and  satisfied  with  the 
surpassing  sweetness  of  his  matchless  love ;  but  truly  now  I  stand  in 
the  nether  side  of  my  desires,  and  with  a  drooping  head,  and  panting 
heart.  I  look  up  to  fair  Jesus  standing  afar  off  from  us,  while  corrup- 
tion and  death  shall  scour  and  refine  the  body  of  clay,  and  rot  out  the 
bones  of  the  old  man  of  sin.  In  the  mean  time,  we  are  blessed  in 
sending  word  to  the  Beloved,  that  we  love  to  love  him  ;  and  till  then 
there  is  joy  in  wooing,  suiting,  lying  about  his  house,  looking  in  at  the 
windows,  and  sending  a  poor  soul's  groans  and  wishes  through  a  hole  of 
the  door  to  Jesus,  till  God  send  a  glad  meeting  :  and  blessed  be  God, 
that  after  a  low  ebb,  and  so  sad  a  word.  Lord  Jesus  it  is  long  since  I 
saw  thee  ;  that  even  then,  our  wings  are  growing,  and  the  absence  of 
sweet  Jesus  breedeth  a  new  fleece  of  desires  and  longings  for  him. 
I  know  no  man  hath  a  velvet  cross,  but  the  cross  is  made  of  that  which 
God  will  have  it.  But  verily,  howbeit  it  be  no  warrantable  market  to 
buy  a  cross,  yet  I  dare  not  say,  O  that  I  had  liberty  to  sell  Christ's 
cross,  lest  therewith  also  I  should  sell  joy,  comfort,  sense  of  love, 
patience,  and  the  kind  visits  of  a  Bridegroom  :  and  therefore  blessed 
be  God,  we  get  crosses  unbought  and  good  cheap.  Sure  I  am,  it 
were  better  to  buv  crosses  for  Christ  tlian  to  sell  them  :  howbeit  nei- 


78  LETTER  XLI.  PART    I. 

ther  be  allowed  to  us.  And  for  Christ's  joyful  coming  and  going, 
which  your  Ladyship  speaketh  of,  I  bear  with  it,  as  love  can  permit : 
it  should  be  enough  to  me,  if  I  were  wise,  that  Christ  will  have  joy 
and  sorrow  halvers  of  the  life  of  the  saints,  and  that  each  of  them 
should  have  a  share  of  our  days  :  as  the  night  and  the  day  are  kindly 
partners  and  halvers  of  time,  and  take  it  up  betwixt  them  ;  but  if 
sorrow  be  the  greediest  halver  of  our  days  here,  I  know  joy's  day  shall 
dawn,  and  do  more  than  recompense  all  our  sad  hours.  Let  my 
Lord  Jesus  (since  he  will  do  so)  weave  my  bit  and  span-length 
of  time  with  white  and  black,  well  and  wo,  with  the  bridegroom's 
coming  and  his  sad  departure,  as  warp  and  woof  in  one  web ;  and  let 
the  rose  be  neighboured  with  the  thorn ;  yet  hope,  that  maketh  not 
ashamed,  hath  written  a  letter  and  lines  of  hope  to  the  mourners  in 
Zion,  that  it  shall  not  be  long  so  :  when  we  are  over  the  water,  Christ 
shall  cry  down  crosses,  and  up  heaven  for  evermore  ;  and  down  hell, 
and  down  death,  and  down  sin,  and  down  sorrow  ;  and  up  glory,  up 
life,  up  joy  for  evermore.  In  this  hope  I  sleep  quietly  in  Christ's  bo- 
som till  he  come,  who  is  not  slack  ;  and  would  sleep  so,  were  it  not  the 
noise  of  the  devil,  and  sin's  feet,  and  the  cries  of  an  unbelieving  heart 
awaken  me  ;  but,  for  the  present,  I  have  nothing  whereof  I  can  accuse 
Christ's  cross.  Oh  if  I  could  please  myself  in  Christ  only !  I  hope, 
Madam,  your  sons  will  improve  their  power  for  Jesus  ;  for  there  is  no 
danger,  neither  is  there  any  question  or  justling  betwixt  Christ  and 
authority,  though  our  enemies  falsely  state  the  question,  as  if  Christ 
and  authority  could  not  abide  under  one  roof;  the  question  only  is 
betwixt  Christ  and  men  in  authority.  Authority  is  for  and  from  Christ, 
and  sib  to  him ;  how  then  can  he  make  a  plea  with  it  ?  Nay,  the 
truth  is,  worms  and  gods  of  clay  are  risen  up  against  Christ.  If  the 
fruit  of  your  Ladyship's  womb  be  helpers  of  Christ,  ye  have  good 
ground  to  rejoice  in  God.  All  your  Ladyship  can  expect  for  your 
good  will  to  me  and  my  brother  (a  wronged  stranger  for  Christ)  is  the 
prayers  of  a  prisoner  of  Jesus,  to  whom  I  recommend  your  Ladyship, 
and  house  and  children,  and  in  Avhom  I  am, 

Madam,  your  Ladyship's  in  Christ,  8.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  »,  1637. 


LETTER  XLI. 

To  the  Lady  Culross. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  1  dare  not  say  I  wonder  that 
ye  have  never  written  to  me  in  my  bonds,  because  I  am  not  ignorant 
of  the  cause  ;  yet  I  could  not  but  write  to  you.  I  know  not  whether 
joy  or  heaviness  in  my  soul  carrieth  it  away  :  sorrow,  without  any 
mixture  of  sweetness,  hath  not  often  love-thoughts  of  Christ ;  but  I 
see  the  devil  can  insinuate  himself,  and  ride  his  errands  upon  the 
thoughts  of  a  poor  distressed  prisoner.  I  am  wo  that  I  am  making 
Christ  my  unfriend,  by  seeking  pleas  against  him,  because  I  am  the 
first  in  the  kingdom  put  to  utter  silence  ;  and  because  I  cannot  preach 
)ay  Lord's  righteousness  in  the  great  congregation.     I  am.  notwith- 


PART  I.  LETTER    XLI.  79 

standing,  the  less  solicitous  how  it  go,  if  there  be  not  wrath  in  my 
cup.  But  I  know,  I  but  claw  my  wounds  when  my  Physician  hath 
forbidden  me  :  I  would  believe  in  the  dark  upon  luck's  head,  and  take 
my  hazard -of  Christ's  good-will,  and  rest  on  this,  that  in  my  fever  my 
Physician  is  at  my  bed-side,  and  that  he  sympathizeth  with  me  when 
I  sigh.  My  borrowed  house,  and  another  man's  bed  and  fire-side, 
and  other  losses,  have  no  room  in  my  sorrow ;  a  greater  heat  to  eat 
out  a  less  fire,  is  a  good  remedy  for  some  burning.  I  believe,  when 
Christ  draweth  blood,  he  hath  skill  to  cut  the  right  vein  ;  and  that  he 
hath  taken  the  whole  ordering  and  disposing  of  my  sufferings.  Let 
liim  tutor  me,  and  tutor  my  crosses,  as  he  thinketh  good ;  there  is  no 
danger  nor  hazard  in  following  such  a  guide,  howbeit  he  should  lead 
me  through  hell,  if  I  could  put  faith  foremost,  and  fill  the  field  with 
a  quiet  on-waiting,  and  believing  to  see  the  salvation  of  God.  I. 
know  Christ  is  not  obliged  to  let  me  see  both  the  sides  of  my  cross, 
and  turn  it  over  and  over  that  I  may  see  all  :  my  faith  is  richer  to  live 
upon  credit,  and  Christ's  borrowed  money,  than  to  have  much  on  my 
liand.  Alas  !  I  have  forgotten  that  faith  in  times  past  hath  stopped  a 
leak  in  my  crazed  bark,  and  hath  filled  my  sails  with  a  fair  wind.  I 
see  it  a  work  of  God  that  experiences  are  all  lost,  when  summons  of 
jmprobation,  to  prove  our  charters  of  Christ  to  be  counterfeits,  are 
raised  against  poor  souls  in  their  heavy  trials  ;  but  let  me  be  a  sinner, 
and,  worse  than  the  chief  of  sinners,  yea,  a  guilty  devil,  I  am  sure  my 
Well-beloved  is  God  :  and  when  I  say  Christ  is  God,  and  my  Christ  is 
G^d,  I  have  said  all  things ;  I  can  say  no  more.  I  would  I  could 
build  as  much  on  this,  my  Christ  is  God,  as  it  would  bear ;  I  might 
lay  all  the  world  upon  it.  I  am  sure,  Christ  untried,  and  untaken  up 
in  the  power  of  his  love,  kindness,  mercies,  goodness,  wisdom,  long- 
suffering  and  greatness,  is  the  rock  that  dim-sighted  travellers  dash 
their  foot  against,  and  so  stumble  fearfully.  But  my  wounds  are 
sorest,  and  pain  me  most,  when  I  sin  against  his  love  and  mercy  :  and 
if  he  would  set  me  and  my  conscience  by  the  ears  together, 'and  re- 
solve not  to  rid  the  plea,  but  let  us  deal  it  betwixt  us,  my  spitting  upon 
the  fair  face  of  Christ's  love  and  mercies,  by  my  jealousies,  unbelief 
and  doubting,  would  be  enough  to  sink  me.  Oh,  I  am  convinced  ;  O 
Lord,  I  stand  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  still  misbe- 
lieve, though  I  have  seen  that  my  Lord  hath  made  my  cross  as  if  it 
were  all  crystal,  so  as  I  can  see  through  it  Christ's  fair  face  and  hea- 
ven, and  that  God  hath  honoured  a  lump  of  sinful  flesh  and  blood, 
the  like  of  me,  to  be  Christ's  honourable  Lord  prisoner.  I  ought  to 
esteem  the  walls  of  the  thieves-hole,  (if  I  were  shut  up  in  it)  or  any 
stinking  dungeon,  all  hung  with  tapestry,  and  most  beautiful,  for  my 
Lord  Jesus ;  and  yet  I  am  not  so  shut  up  but  that  the  sun  shineth 
upon  my  prison,  and  the  fair  wide  heaven  is  the  covering  of  it.  But 
my  Lord  in  his  sweet  visits  hath  done  more  ;  for  he  makes  me  find 
that  he  will  be  a  confined  prisoner  with  me :  he  lyeth  down  and 
riseth  up  with  me  :  when  I  sigh  he  sigheth  ;  when  I  weep  he  suftereth 
with  me  ;  and  I  confess  here  is  the  blessed  issue  of  my  sufferings 
already  begun,  that  my  heart  is  filled  with  hunger  and  desire  to  have 


80  LETTER   XLII.  PARf  I. 

him  glorified  in"  my  sufferings.  Blessed  ye  of  the  Lord,  Madam,  if 
ye  would  help  a  poor  dyvour,  and  cause  others  of  your  acquaintance 
in  Christ  help  me  to  pay  my  debt  of  love,  even  real  praises  to  Christ 
my  Lord.  Madam,  let  me  charge  you  in  the  Lord,  as  ye  will  answer 
to  him,  help  me  in  this  duty,  which  he  hath  tied  about  my  neck,  with 
a  chain  of  such  singular  expressions  of  his  loving  kindness,  to  set  on 
high  Christ,  to  hold  in  my  honesty  at  his  hands  ;  for  I  have  nothing 
to  give  to  him.  0  that  he  would  arrest  and  comprise  my  love  and 
my  heart  for  all !  I  am  a  dyvour,  who  have  no  more  free  goods  in 
the  world  for  Christ,  save  that ;  it  is  both  the  whole  heritage  I  have, 
and  all  my  moveables  besides.  Lord,  give  the  thirsty  man  a  drink. 
Oh  to  be  over  the  ears  in  the  well !  Oh  to  be  swattering,  and  swim- 
ming over  head  and  ears  in  Christ's  love !  I  would  not  have  Christ's 
love  entering  in  me,  but  I  would  enter  into  it,  and  be  swallowed  up  of 
that  love.  But  I  see  not  myself  here  ;  for  I  fear  I  make  more  of  his 
love  than  of  himself;  whereas  himself  is  far  beyond  and  much  bet- 
ter than  his  love.  Oh  if  I  had  my  sinful  arms  filled  with  that  lovely 
one,  Christ !  Blessed  be  my  rich  Lord  Jesus,  who  sendeth  not  away 
beggars  from  his  house  with  a  toom  dish ;  he  filleth  the  vessels  of 
such  as  will  come  and  seek  ;  we  might  beg  ourselves  rich,  if  we  were 
wise,  if  we  could  but  hold  out  our  withered  hands  to  Christ,  and  learn 
to  suit  and  seek,  ask  and  knock.  I  owe  my  salvation  for  Christ's  glory, 
I  owe  it  to  Christ;  and  desire  that  my  hell,  yea,  a  new  hell,  seven  times 
hotter  by  far  than  the  old  hell,  might  buy  praises  before  men  and 
angels  to  my  Lord  Jesus ;  providing  always  I  were  free  of  Christ's 
hatred  and  displeasure.  What  am  I,  to  be  forfeited  and  sold  in  soul 
and  body,  to  have  my  great  and  royal  King  set  on  high  and  extolled 
above  all  ?  O  if  I  knew  how  high  to  have  him  set,  and  all  the  world 
far,  far  beneath  the  soles  of  his  feet !  Nay,  I  deserve  not  to  be  the 
matter  of  his  praises,  far  less  to  be  an  agent  in  praising  of  him  :  but 
he  can  win  his  own  glory  out  of  me,  and  out  of  worse  than  I,  if  any 
such  be,  if  it  please  his  holy  majesty  so  to  do  ;  he  knoweth  that  I  am 
not  now  flattering  him.  Madam,  let  me  have  your  prayers,  as  ye 
have  the  prayers  and  blessing  of  him  that  is  separated  from  his 
brethren.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  own  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  15,  1637.  , 

LETTER  XLII. 

To  the  Earl  of  Cassils. 
MY    VERY    NOBLE    AND    HONOURABLE   LORD, 

I  MAKE  bold,  out  of  the  honourable  and  Christian  report  I  hear  of 
your  Lordship,  having  no  other  thing  to  say,  but  that  which  concern- 
eth  the  honourable  cause  which  the  Lord  hath  enabled  your  Lordship 
to  profess,  to  write  this,  that  it  is  your  Lordship's  crown,  your  glory,  and 
your  honour,  to  set  your  shoulder  under  the  Lord's  glory,  now  falling 
to  the  ground,  and  to  back  Christ  now,  when  so  many  think  it  wisdom 
to  let  him  fend  for  himself.  The  shields  of  the  earth  ever  did,  and  do 
still  believe  that  Christ  is  a  cumbersome  neighbour,  and  that  it  is  a 


PART  I.  LETTER    XLIII.  81 

pain  to  hold  up  his  yeas  and  nays ;  they  fear  he  take  their  cha- 
riots, and  their  crowns,  and  their  honour  from  them  ;  but  my  Lord 
standeth  in  need  of  none  of  them  all ;  but  it  is  your  glory  to  own 
Christ  and  his  buried  truth  ;  for,  let  men  say  what  they  please, 
the  plea  with  Zion's  enemies,  in  this  day  of  Jacob's  trouble, 
is.  If  Christ  should  be  King,  and  no  mouth  speak  laws  but  his?  It 
concerneth  the  apple  of  Christ's  eye,  and  his  royal  privileges,  what 
is  now  debated ;  and  Christ's  kingly  honour  is  come  to  yea  and  nay. 
But  let  me  be  pardoned,  my  dear  and  noble  Lord,  to  beseech  you  by 
the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  comfort  of  the  Spirit,  by  the  wounds  of 
your  dear  Saviour,  by  your  compearance  before  the  Judge  of  quick 
and  dead,  to  stand  for  Christ,  and  to  back  him.  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  wisdom  to  stand  beside  Christ  till  his  head 
be  broken,  and  sing  dumb.  There  is  a  time  coming  when  Christ  will 
have  a  thick  court,  and  he  will  be  the  glory  of  Scotland  ;  and  he  will 
make  a  diadem,  a  garland,  a  seal  upon  his  heart,  and  a  ring  upon  his 
linger,  of  these  who  have  avouched  him  before  this  faithless  genera- 
tion ;  howbeit,  ere  that  come,  wrath  is  ordained  for  tliis  land.  My 
Lord,  I  have  cause  to  write  this  to  your  Lordship,  for  I  dare  not  con- 
ceal his  kindness  to  the  soul -of  an  afflicted,  exiled  prisoner  :  who  hath 
more  cause  to  boast  in  the  Lord  than  such  a  sinner  as  I,  who  am 
feasted  with  the  consolations  of  Christ,  and  have  no  pain  in  my  suffer- 
ings, but  the  pain  of  soul-sickness  of  love  for  Christ,  and  sorrow  that 
I  cannot  help  to  sound  aloud  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  heard  the 
sighing  of  the  prisoner,  and  is  content  to  lay  the  head  of  his  oppressed 
servant  in  his  bosom,  under  his  chin,  and  let  him  feel  the  smell  of  his 
garments  ?  This  I  behoved  to  write,  that  your  Lordship  might  know 
Christ  is  as  good  as  he  is  called  ;  and  to  testify  to  your  Lordship  the 
cause  your  Lordship  now  professeth  before  the  faithless  world,  is 
Christ's,  and  your  Lordship  shall  have  no  shame  of  it.  Grace  be  with 
you.     Your  Lordship's  obliged  servant,  S.  R. 

Abej-deen,  March  13,  1637. 

LETTER  XLIII. 

To  the  much  Honoured  John  Osburn,  Provost  ol' Ayr. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Upon  our  small  acquaintance, 
and  the  good  report  I  hear  of  you,  I  could  not  but  write  to  you  :  I  have 
nothing  to  say,  but  Christ,  in  that  honourable  place  he  hath  put  you 
in,  hath  intrusted  you  with  a  dear  pledge,  which  is  his  own  glory  ;  and 
hath  armed  you  with  his  sword,  to  keep  the  pledge,  and  make  a  good 
account  of  it  to  God.  Be  not  afraid  of  men  ;  your  Master  can  mow 
down  his  enemies,  and  make  withered  hay  of  fair  flowers  ;  your  time 
will  not  be  long  ;  after  your  afternoon  will  come  your  evening,  and  af- 
ter evening,  night.  Serve  Christ,  back  him ;  let  his  cause  be  your 
cause ;  give  not  an  hair-breadth  of  truth  away  ;  for  it  is  not  yours, 
but  God's.  Then,  since  ye  are  going,  take  Christ's  testificate  with 
vou  out  of  this  life,  Well  done  good  and  faithful  servant.     His  well- 

11 


82 


LETTER    XLIV,  XLV.  PART  I. 


done  is  worth  a  shipfiil  of  good  days  and  earthly  honours.  I  have 
cause  to  say  this,  because  I  find  him  Truth  itself.  In  my  sad  days 
Christ  laughcth  cheerfully,  and  saith,  All  will  be  well.  Would  to  God 
all  this  kingdom,  and  all  that  know  God,  knew  what  is  betwixt  Christ 
and  me  in  this  prison  ;  what  kisses,  embracements,  and  love  commu- 
nions :  I  take  his  cross  in  my  arms  with  joy,  I  bless  it,  I  rejoice  in  it ; 
suffering  for  Christ  is  my  garland.  I  would  not  exchange  Christ  for 
ten  thousand  worlds  !  nay,  if  the  comparison  could  stand,  I  would  not 
exchange  Christ  with  heaven.  Sir,  pray  for  me,  and  the  prayers  and 
blessing  of  a  prisoner  of  Christ  meet  you  in  all  your  straits.  Grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  XLIY. 

To  Robert  Gordon,  Baillieof  Ayr. 
■WORTHY  SIK, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  hear  from  you  on 
paper.  Remember  your  Chief's  speeches  on  his  death  bed  :  I  pray 
you.  Sir,  sell  all,  and  buy  the  pearl :  time  will  cut  you  from  this 
world's  glory  ;  look  what  will  do  you  good  ;  when  your  glass  shall  be 
run  out,  and  let  Christ's  love  bear  most  court  in  your  soul,  and  that 
court  will  bear  down  the  love  of  other  things  :  Christ  seeketh  your 
help  in  your  place,  give  him  your  hand.  Who  hath  more  cause  to 
encourage  others  to  own  Christ  than  I  have  1  for  he  hath  made  me 
sick  of  love,  and  left  me  in  pain  to  wrestle  with  his  love,  and  love  is 
like  to  fall  a  swoon  through  his  absence  :  I  mean  not  that  he  defer- 
reth  me,  or  that  I  am  ebb  of  comforts  ;  but  this  is  an  uncouth  pain.  Oh 
that  I  had  an  heart  and  a  love  to  render  to  him  back  again  !  O  if 
principalities  and  powers,  thrones  and  dominions,  and  all  the  world, 
would  help  me  to  praise.  Praise  him  in  my  behalf.  Remember  my 
love  to  your  wife.  I  thank  you  most  kindly  for  your  love  to  my  bro- 
ther.    Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S»  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  XLV. 

To  John  Kennedy,  Baillie  of  Ayr. 
WORTHY  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  not  writing  to  me  cannot 
bind  me  up  from  remembering  you  now  and  then,  that  at  least  ye  may 
be  a  witness  and  a  third  man  to  behold  on  paper  what  is  betwixt 
Christ  and  me.  I  was  in  his  eyes  like  a  young  orphan,  wanting  known 
parents,  casten  out  in  the  open  fields  ;  either  Christ  behoved  to  take 
me  up,  and  to  bring  me  home  to  his  house  and  fire-side,  else  I  had 
died  in  the  fields  ;  and  now  I  am  homely  with  Christ's  love,  so  that  I 
think  the  house  mine  own,  and  the  master  of  the  house  mine 
also.  Christ  enquired  not,  when  he  began  to  love  me,  whether  I  was 
fair,  or  black,  or  sun-burnt !  love  taketh  what  it  may  have.     He  loved 


PART  I.  LETTER  XLV.  Ob 

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  rose  opened  up  out  of 
the  green  leaves,  and  it  casteth  a  strong  and  fragrant  smell.  I  want 
nothing  but  ways  of  expressing  Christ's  love  ;  a  full  vessel  would 
have  a  vent.  0  if  I  could  smoke  out  and  cast  out  coals,  to  make  a 
fire  in  many  breasts  of  tliis  land !  0  !  it  is  a  pity  that  there  were  not 
many  imprisoned  for  Christ,  for  no  other  purpose,  but  to  write  books 
and  love-songs  of  the  love  of  Christ.  This  love  would  keep  all  created 
tongues  of  men  and  angels  in  exercise,  and  busy  night  and  day,  to 
speak  of  it.  Alas  !  I  can  speak  nothing  of  it,  but  wonder  at  three 
things  in  his  love  ;  First,  freedom.  O  that  lumps  of  sin  should  get 
such  love  for  nothing !  Secondly,  The  sweetness  of  his  love.  I  give 
over  either  to  speak  or  write  of  it ;  but  these  that  feel  it,  may  bet- 
ter bear  witness  what  it  is  :  but  it  is  so  sweet,  that,  next  to  Christ  him- 
self, nothing  can  match  it.  Nay,  I  think  a  soul  could  live  eternaUy 
blessed  only  on  Christ's  love  and  feed  upon  no  other  thing,  yea,  when 
Christ  in  love  giveth  a  blow,  it  doth  a  soul  good ;  and  it  is  a  kind  of 
comfort  and  joy  to  it,  to  get  a  cuff  with  the  lovely,  sweet,  and  soft  liand 
of  Jesus.  And,  thirdly.  What  power  and  strength  is  in  his  love  !  I  am 
persuaded  it  can  climb  a  steep  hill,  and  hell  upon  its  back  ;  and  swim 
through  water  and  not  drown  ;  and  sing  in  the  fire,  and  find  no  pain  ; 
and  triumph  in  losses,  prisons,  sorrows,  exile,  disgrace,  and  laugh  and 
rejoice  in  death.  O  for  a  year's  lease  of  the  sense  of  his  love  with- 
out a  cloud  to  try  what  Christ  is  !  Oh  for  the  coming  of  the  Bride- 
groom !  Oh  when  will  I  see  the  Bridegroom  and  the  Bride  meet  in 
the  clouds,  and  kiss  each  other  !  Oh  when  will  we  get  our  day  and 
our  heart's-fill  of  that  love  !  Oh  if  it  were  lawful  to  complain  of  the 
famine  and  want  of  the  immediate  vision  of  God  !  O  time,  time,  how 
dost  thou  torment  the  souls  of  those  that  would  be  swallowed  up  of 
Christ's  love,  because  thou  movest  so  slowly  !  Oh  if  he  would  pity 
a  poor  prisoner,  and  blow  love  upon  me,  and  give  a  prisoner  a  taste  or 
draught  of  that  sweetness,  which  is  glory  as  it  were  begun  to  be  a 
confirmation,  that  Christ  and  I  shall  have  our  fill  of  other  for  ever  : 
come  hither,  O  love  of  Christ,  that  I  may  once  kiss  thee  before  I  die  : 
what  would  I  not  give  to  have  time,  that  lyeth  betwixt  Christ  and  me, 
taken  out  of  the  way,  that  we  might  once  meet  ?  I  cannot  think  but 
at  the  first  sight  I  shall  see  of  that  most  lovely  and  fairest  face,  love 
shall  come  out  of  his  two  eyes,  and  fill  me  with  astonishment :  I 
would  but  desire  to  stand  at  the  outer  side  of  the  gates  of  the  new 
Jerusalem,  and  look  through  a  hole  of  the  door,  and  see  Clirist's  face ; 
a  borrowed  vision  in  this  life  would  be  my  borrowed  and  begun  hea- 
ven, while  the  long  long  looked  for  day  dawn.  It  is  not  for  nothing 
that  it  is  said.  Col.  i.  27,  '  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.'  1  will  be 
content  of  no  pawn  of  heaven  but  Christ  himself,  for  Christ  possessed 
by  faith  here,  is  young  heaven  and  glory  in  the  bud  ;  if  I  had  that 
pawn,  I  would  bide  horning  and  hell  both,  ere  I  gave  it  again.  All  we 
have  here,  is  scarce  the  picture  of  glory  ;  should  not  we  young  chil- 
dren, long  and  look  for  the  expiring  of  our  minority  ?  It  were  good 
to  be  daily  begging  propines  and  love  gifts,  and  the  Bridegroom's  fa- 
A  ours  :  and,  if  we  can  do  no  more,  seek  crumbs,  and  hungry  dinners 


84  LETTER   XLVI.  TART  I. 

of  Christ's  love,  to  keep  the  taste  of  heaven  in  our  mouth,  while  sup- 
per-time. I  know  it  is  far  after  noon,  and  nigh  the  marriage-supper  of 
the  lamb  ;  the  table  is  covered  already.  O  Well  beloved,  run,  run 
fast !  0  fair  day,  when  wilt  thou  dawn  !  0  shadows,  flee  away  !  I 
think,  hope  and  love  woven  through  other  make  our  absence  from 
Christ  spiritual  torment ;  it  is  a  pain  to  wait  on,  but  hope  that  maketh 
not  ashamed  svvalloweth  up  that  pain.  It  is  not  unkindness  that 
keepeth  Christ  and  us  so  long  asunder.  What  can  I  say  to  Christ's 
love  ?  I  think  more  than  I  can  say  ;  to  consider,  that  when  my  Lord 
Jesus  may  take  the  air,  if  I  may  so  speak  and  go  abroad,  yet  he  will 
be  confined  and  keep  the  prison  with  me  ;  but  in  all  this  sweet  commu- 
nion with  him,  what  I  am  to  be  thanked  for  ?  I  am  but  a  sufferer  ; 
whether  I  will  or  not,  he  will  be  kind  to  me,  as  if  he  had  defied  my 
guiltiness  to  make  him  unkind  ;  so  he  beareth  his  love  in  on  me. 
Here  I  die  with  wondering,  that  justice  hindereth  not  love  ;  for  there 
are  none  in  hell,  nor  out  of  hell,  more  unworthy  of  Christ's  love.  Shame 
may  confound  and  fear  me,  once  to  hold  up  my  black  mouth,  to  re- 
ceive one  of  Christ's  undeserved  kisses  :  if  my  inner-side  were  turned 
out,  and  all  men  saw  my  vileness,  they  would  say  to  me.  It  is  a  shame 
for  thee  to  stand  still,  while  Christ  kiss  thee  and  embrace  thee  ;  it 
would  seem  to  become  me  rather  to  run  away  from  his  love,  as  asha- 
med at  my  own  unworthiness  ;  nay  I  may  think  shame  to  take  hea- 
ven, who  have  so  highly  provoked  my  Lord  Jesus  ;  but  seeing  Christ's 
love  will  shame  me,  I  am  content  to  be  ashamed.  My  desire  is,  that 
my  Lord  would  give  me  broader  and  deeper  thoughts,  to  feed  myself 
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  stump,  in  praising 
of  Christ,  I  have  done  nothing  to  him  ;  I  must  let  him  alone,  for  my 
withered  arms  will  not  go  about  his  high,  wide,  long  and  broad  love. 
AVhat  remaineth  then,  but  that  my  debt  to  the  love  of  Christ  lye  un- 
paid for  all  eternity  ?  All  that  are  in  heaven  are  black-shamed  with 
his  love  as  well  as  I ;  we  must  all  be  dyvours  together ;  and  the 
blessings  of  that  houseful,  or  heavenful  of  dyvours,  shall  rest  for  ever 
upon  him.  Oh  if  this  land  and  nation  would  come  and  stand  beside 
his  inconceivable  and  glorious  perfections,  and  look  in,  and  love,  and 
adore  !  Would  to  God  I  could  bring  in  many  lovers  to  Christ's  house! 
but  this  nation  hath  forsaken  the  fountain  of  living  waters.  Lord,  cast 
not  water  on  Scotland's  coal.  Wo,  wo  will  be  this  land,  because  of 
the  day  of  the  Lord's  fierce  anger,  that  is  so  fast  coming.  Grace  be 
with  you. 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XLVI. 

To  the  same. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  see  you  in  this 
northern  world  on  paper  ;  I  know  it  is  not  forgetfulness  that  ye  write 
not.     I  am  every  way  in  good  case,  both  in  soul  and  body  :  all  honour 


PART  I.  LETTER    XLVI.  85 

and  glory  be  to  my  Lord  :  I  want  nothing  but  a  further  revelation  of 
the  beauty  of  the  unknown  Son  of  God.  Either  I  know  not  what 
Christianity  is,  or  we  have  stinted  a  measure  of  so  many  ounce 
weights  and  no  more,  upon  hoHness ;  and  there  we  are  at  a  stay, 
drawing  our  breath  all  our  life  :  a  moderation  in  God's  way,  now,  is 
much  in  request.  I  profess  I  have  never  taken  pains  to  find  out  him 
whom  my  soul  loveth  ;  there  is  a  way  yet  of  finding  out  Christ,  that  I 
have  never  lighted  upon.  O  if  I  could  find  it  out !  Alas  how  soon 
are  we  pleased  with  our  own  shadow  in  a  glass  !  It  were  good  to  be 
beginning  in  sad  earnest  to  find  out  God,  and  to  seek  the  right  tread 
of  Christ.  Time,  custom,  and  a  good  opinion  of  ourselves,  our  good 
meaning,  and  our  lazy  desires,  our  fair  shews,  and  the  world's  glister- 
ing lustres,  and  these  broad  passments  and  buskings  of  religion,  that 
bear  bulk  in  the  kirk,  is  that  wherewith  most  satisfy  themselves  :  but 
a  watered  bed  with  tears,  a  dry  throat  with  praying,  eyes  as  a  fountain 
of  tears  for  the  sins  of  the  land,  is  rare  to  be  found  among  us.  Oh 
if  we  could  know  the  power  of  godliness  !  This  is  one  part  of  my  case  ; 
and  another  is,  that  I,  like  a  fool,  once  summoned  Christ  for  unkind- 
ness  and  complained  of  his  fickleness  and  inconstancy,  because  he 
would  have  no  more  of  my  service  nor  preaching,  and  had  casten  me 
out  of  the  inheritance  of  the  Lord ;  and  now  1  confess  this  was  but 
a  bought  plea,  and  I  was  a  fool :  yet  he  hath  borne  with  me.  I  gave 
him  a  fair  advantage  against  me,  but  love  and  mercy  would  not  let  him 
take  it ;  and  the  truth  is,  now  he  hath  chided  himself  friends  with  me, 
and  hath  taken  away  the  mask,  and  hath  renewed  his  wonted  favour  in 
such  a  manner,  that  he  hath  paid  me  my  hundred  fold  in  this  life,  and 
one  to  the  hundred.  This  prison  is  my  banqueting  house  ;  I  am 
handled  as  softly  and  delicately  as  a  dawted  child  ;  I  am  nothing  be- 
hind, I  see,  with  Christ ;  he  can  in  a  month  make  up  a  year's  losses : 
and  1  write  this  to  you  that  I  may  entreat,  nay,  adjure  and  charge  you 
by  the  love  of  our  Well-beloved,  to  help  me  to  praise ;  and  to  tell  all 
your  Christian  acquaintance  to  help  me !  for  I  am  as  deeply  drowned 
in  his  debt  as  any  dyvour  can  be  :  and  yet  in  this  fair  sun-blink,  I 
have  something  to  keep  me  from  starthng,  or  being  exalted  above 
measure ;  his  word  is  as  fire  shut  up  in  my  bowels,  and  I  am  weary 
with  forbearing.  The  ministers  in  this  town  are  saying  they  shall 
have  my  prison  changed  into  less  bounds,  because  they  see  God  with 
me ;  my  mother  hath  born  lue  a  man  of  contention,  one  that  striveth 
with  the  whole  earth.  The  late  wrongs  and  oppressions  done  to  my 
brother  keep  my  sails  low ;  yet  I  defy  crosses  to  embark  me  in  sucii 
a  plea  against  Christ  as  I  was  troubled  with  of  late.  I  hope  to  over- 
hope  and  over-beHeve  my  troubles  ;  I  have  cause  now  to  trust  Christ's 
promise,  more  than  his  gloom.  Remember  my  hearty  affections  to 
your  wife.  My  soul  is  grieved  for  the  success  of  our  brethrens'  jour- 
ney to  New-England ;  but  God  hath  somewhat  to  reveal  that  we  see 
not.     Grace  be  with  you.     Pray  for  the  prisoner. 

Your's  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  1,  16;37. 


86 
LETTER  XLVII. 

To  Margaret  Ballantine. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  It  is  more  than  time  that  I 
should  have  written  to  you,  but  it  is  yet  good  time,  if  I  could  help 
your  soul  to  mend  your  pace,  and  to  go  more  swittly  to  your  heavenly 
country :  for  truly  ye  have  need  to  make  all  haste,  because  the  inch 
of  your  day  that  remaineth  will  quickly  slip  away ;  for  whether  we 
sleep  or  wake,  our  glass  runneth,  the  tide  bideth  no  man.  Beware  of 
a  beguile  in  the  matter  of  your  salvation  :  wo,  wo  for  evermore  to 
them  that  lose  that  prize  ;  for  what  is  behind,  when  the  soul  is  once 
lost,  but  that  sinners  warm  their  bits  of  clay-houses  at  a  fire  of  their 
own  kindling,  for  a  day  or  two,  which  doth  rather  suffocate  with  its 
smoke  than  warm  them  :  and  at  length  they  lye  down  in  sorrow,  and 
are  clothed  with  everlasting  shame  !  I  would  seek  no  further  measure 
of  faith  to  begin  withal,  than  to  believe  really  and  steadfastly  the  doc- 
trine of  God's  justice,  his  all-devouring  wrath  and  everlasting  burning, 
where  sinners  are  burnt,  soul  and  body  in  a  river  and  great  lake  of 
fire  and  brimstone ;  then  they  would  wish  no  more  goods,  but  the 
thousandth  part  of  a  cold  fountain-well  to  cool  their  tongue :  they 
would  then  buy  death,  with  enduring  of  pain  and  torment  for  as  many 
years  as  God  hath  created  drops  of  rain  since  the  creation ;  but  there 
is  no  market  of  buying  or  selling  life  or  death  there  ;  Oh,  alas  !  the 
greatest  part  of  the  world  run  to  the  place  of  that  torment  rejoicing 
and  dancing,  eating,  drinking,  and  sleeping.  My  counsel  to  you  is, 
that  ye  start  in  time  to  be  after  Christ ;  for  if  ye  go  quickly,  Christ  is 
not  far  before  you,  ye  shall  overtake  him.  O  Lord  God,  what  is  so 
needful  as  this.  Salvation,  salvation  1     Fly  upon  this  condemned  and 

~\_5  foolish  world  that  would  give  so  little  for  salvation  !  Oh,  if  there  were 
a  free  market  of  salvation  proclaimed  in  that  day  when  the  trumpet  of 
God  shall  awake  the  dead  ;  how  many  buyers  would  be  then  !  God 
send  me  no  more  happiness  but  that  salvation  which  the  blind  world, 

\^y  to  their  eternal  wo,  letteth  slip  through  their  fingers ;  therefore  look 
if  ye  can  give  out  your  money,  (as  Isaiah  speaketh,  chap.  Iv.  2,)  for 
bread,  and  lay  Christ  and  his  blood  in  wadset  for  heaven ;  it  is  a  dry 
and  hungry  child's  part  of  goods  that  Esaus  are  hunting  for  here  ;  I 
see  thousands  following  the  chase,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  such  things, 
while  in  the  mean  time  they  lose  the  blessing ;  and  when  all  is  done, 
they  have  caught  nothing  to  roast  for  supper  but  lye  down  hungry ; 
and  besides  they  go  to  bed,  when  they  die  without  a  candle  ;  for  God 
saith  to  them,  '  This  shall  ye  have  at  my  hand,  ye  shall  lye  down  in 
sorrow.'  And  truly  this  is  as  ill  made  a  bed  to  lye  upon  as  one  could 
wish  ;  for  he  cannot  sleep  soundly,  nor  rest  sweetly,  who  hath  sorrow 
for  his  pillow.  Rouse,  rouse  up,  therefore,  your  soul,  and  ask  how 
Christ  and  your  soul  met  together  ;  1  am  sure  they  never  got  Christ 
who  were  not  once  sick  at  the  yolk  of  the  heart  for  him  ;  too,  too 
many  whole  souls  think  they  have  met  with  Christ,  who  had  never  a 
wearied  night  for  the  want  of  him  ;  but  alas,  what  richer  are  men,  that 
they  dreamed  the  last  night  they  had  much  gold,  and  when  they  awoke 


TART  I.  LETTER  XLVIII.  87 

in  the  morning  they  found  it  was  but  a  dream  ?  What  are  all  the  sin- 
ners  in  the  world,  in  that  day  when  heaven  and  earth  shall  go  up  in  a 
flame  of  fire,  but  a  number  of  beguiled  dreamers  ?  Every  one  shall 
say  of  his  hunting  and  his  conquest,  Behold  it  was  a  dream  ;  every 
man  in  that  day  will  tell  his  dream.  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
beware,  beware  of  unsound  work,  in  the  matter  of  your  salvation :  ye 
may  not,  ye  cannot,  ye  dow  not  want  Christ ;  then  after  this  day  con- 
vene all  your  lovers  before  your  soul,  and  give  them  their  leave  ;  and 
strike  hands  with  Christ,  that  thereafter  there  may  be  no  happiness  to 
you  but  Christ,  no  hunting  for  any  thing  but  Christ,  no  bed  at  night, 
when  death  cometh,  but  Christ ;  Christ,  Christ,  who  but  Christ  1  I 
know  this  much  of  Christ,  he  is  not  ill  to  be  found,  nor  lordly  of  his 
love  ;  wo  had  been  my  part  of  it  for  evermore,  if  Christ  had  made  a 
dainty  of  himself  to  me ;  but  God  be  thanked,  I  gave  nothing  for 
Christ ;  and  now,  I  protest  before  men  and  angels  ;  Christ  cannot  be 
sold,  Christ  cannot  be  weighed  ;  where  would  angels,  or  all  the  world 
find  a  balance  to  weigh  him  in  ?  All  lovers  blush  when  ye  stand  be- 
side Christ :  wo  upon  all  love  but  the  love  of  Christ ;  hunger,  hunger 
for  evermore,  be  upon  all  heaven  but  Christ ;  shame,  shame  for  ever- 
more, be  upon  all  glory.  I  cry  death  upon  all  lives  but  the  life  of 
Christ.  O  what  is  it  that  holdeth  us  asunder  !  0  that  once  we  could 
have  a  fair  meeting.  Thus  recommending  Christ  to  you,  and  you  to 
him  for  evermore  I  rest.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  E. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  XLVIIL 

To  Janet  Kennedy. 
LOVING    AND    DEAR    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter :  I 
know  the  savour  of  Christ  in  you  (that  the  virgins  love  to  follow) 
cannot  be  blown  away  with  winds,  either  from  hell,  or  the  evil  smelled 
air  of  this  polluted  world :  sit  far  a  back  from  the  walls  of  this  pest- 
house,  even  the  pollutions  of  this  defiling  world.  Keep  your  taste, 
your  love  and  hope  in  heaven ;  it  is  not  good  your  love  and  your 
Lord  should  be  in  two  sundry  countries.  Up,  up  after  your  Lover, 
that  ye  and  he  may  be  together.  A  King  from  heaven  hath  sent  for 
you :  by  faith  he  sheweth  you  the  New  Jerusalem,  and  taketh  you 
alongst  in  the  Spirit,  through  all  the  ease  rooms,  and  dwelling-houses 
in  heaven,  and  saith.  All  these  are  thine,  this  palace  is  for  thee  and 
Christ :  and  if  ye  only  had  been  the  chosen  of  G^d,  Christ  would 
have  built  that  one  house  for  you  and  himself;  now  it  is  for  you  and 
many  others  also  :  take  with  you  in  your  journey  what  ye  may  carry 
with  you,  your  conscience,  faith,  hope,  patience,  meekness,  goodness, 
brotherly  kindness,  for  such  wares  as  these  are  of  great  price  in  the 
high  and  new  country  whither  ye  go  ;  as  for  other  things,  that  are  but 
the  world's  vanity  and  trash,  since  they  are  but  the  house-sweepings, 
ye  shall  do  best  not  to  carry  them  with  you ;  ye  found  them  here, 
leave  them  here,  and  let  them  keep  the  house.     Your  sun  is  well 


88  LETTER   XLIX.  PART  I. 

turned  and  low :  be  nigh  your  lodging  against  night.  We  go  one  and 
one  out  of  this  great  market,  till  the  town  be  empty,  and  the  two 
lodgings,  heaven  and  hell,  be  filled  ;  at  length  there  will  be  nothing  in 
the  earth  but  toom  walls  and  burnt  ashes,  and  therefore  it  is  best  to 
make  away.  Antichrist  and  his  master  are  busy  to  plenish  hell,  and 
to  seduce  many :  and  stars,  great  church  lights,  are  falling  from  hea- 
ven, and  many  are  misled  and  seduced,  and  make  up  with  their  faith, 
and  sell  their  birth-rights,  by  their  hungry-hunting  for  I  know  not 
what.  Fasten  your  grips  fast  upon  Christ.  I  verily  esteem  him  the 
best  aught  that  I  have ;  he  is  my  second  in  prison :  having  him, 
though  my  cross  were  as  heavy  as  ten  mountains  of  iron,  when  he 
putteth  his  sweet  shoulder  under  me  and  it,  my  cross  is  but  a  feather. 
I  please  myself  in  the  choice  of  Christ ;  he  is  my  wail  in  heaven  and 
earth:  I  rejoice  that  he  is  in  heaven  before  me;  God  send  a  joyful 
meeting :  and  in  the  meantime,  the  traveller's  charges  for  the  way,  I 
mean  a  burden  of  Christ's  love  to  sweeten  the  journey  and  to  encourage 
a  breathless  runner  ;  for  when  I  lose  breath,  climbing  up  the  moun- 
tain, he  maketh  new  breath.  Now  the  very  God  of  peace  establish 
you  to  the  day  of  his  appearance. 

Your's  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  9,  1637. 


LETTER  XLIX. 

To  Margaret  Reid. 
MY    VERY    DEAR    AND    WORTHY    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Ye  are  truly  blessed  of  the 
Lord,  however  a  sour  world  gloom  upon  you,  if  ye  continue  in  the 
faith  grounded  and  settled,  and  be  not  moved  away  from  the  hope  of 
the  gospel.  It  is  good  there  is  a  heaven,  and  it  is  not  a  night  dream 
or  a  fancy :  it  is  a  wonder  that  men  deny  not  that  there  is  a  heaven, 
as  they  deny  there  is  a  way  to  it  but  of  men's  making.  You  have 
learned  of  Christ  that  there  is  a  heaven  ;  contend  for  it,  and  contend 
for  Christ ;  bear  well  and  submissively  the  hard  cross  of  this  step- 
mother world,  that  God  will  not  have  to  be  your's.  I  confess  it  is 
hard,  and  1  would  I  were  able  to  ease  you  of  your  burden  ;  but  believe 
me,  this  world  (which  the  Lord  will  not  have  to  be  your's)  is  but  the 
dross,  the  refuse  and  scorn  of  God's  creation,  the  portion  of  the 
Lord's  poor  hired  servants  ;  the  moveables,  not  the  heritage  ;  a  hard 
bone  casten  to  the  dogs,  holden  out  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  where- 
upon they  rather  break  their  teeth  than  satisfy  their  appetite :  it  is 
your  Father's  blessing,  and  Christ's  birth-right,  that  our  Lord  is  keep- 
ing for  you ;  and  I  persuade  you,  your  seed  also  shall  inherit  the 
earth,  (if  that  be  good  for  them)  for  that  is  promised  to  them ;  and 
God's  bond  is  as  good,  and  better,  than  if  men  would  give  every  one 
of  them  a  bond  for  a  thousand  thousands.  Ere  you  was  born, 
crosses  in  number,  measure  and  weight  were  written  for  you,  and  your 
Lord  will  lead  you  through  them  :  make  Christ  sure,  and  the  bless- 
ings of  the  earth  shall  be  at  Christ's  back.  I  see  many  professors 
for  the  fashion  followeth  on ;  but  they  are  professors  of  glass :  I 


PART  1.  LETTER    L.  89 

would  cause  a  little  knock  of  persecution  ding  them  in  twenty  pieces, 
and  so  the  world  should  laugh  at  the  shivers.  Therefore  make  fast 
work,  see  that  Christ  lay  the  ground  stone  of  your  profession ;  for 
wind  and  rain,  and  speats  will  not  wash  away  his  building ;  his  works 
have  no  shorter  date  than  to  stand  for  evermore.  I  should  twenty 
times  have  perished  in  my  affliction,  if  I  had  not  leaned  my  weak 
back,  and  laid  my  pressing  burden  both  upon  the  stone,  the  foun- 
dation stone,  the  corner  stone  laid  in  Zion :  and  I  desire  never  to 
rise  off  this  stone.  Now,  the  very  God  of  peace  confirm  and  estab- 
lish you  unto  the  day  of  the  blessed  appearance  of  Christ  Jesus. 
God  be  with  you.     Your's  in  his  dearest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  L. 

To  James  Bautie. 
LOVING  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  received  your  letter,  and 
render  you  thanks  for  the  same  :  but  I  have  not  time  to  answer  all  the 
heads  of  it,  as  the  bearer  can  inform  you.  1.  Ye  do  well  to  take 
yourself  at  the  right  stot,  when  ye  wrong  Christ  by  doubting  and  mis- 
belief; for  this  is  to  nick-name  Christ,  and  term  him  a  liar,  which 
being  spoken  to  our  Prince,  would  be  hanging  or  beheading ;  but 
Christ  hangeth  not  always  for  treason  :  it  is  good  that  he  may  regis- 
trate  a  believer's  bond  a  hundred  times,  and  more  than  seven  times  a 
day  have  law  against  us,  and  yet  he  spareth  us  as  a  man  doth  his  son 
that  serveth  him :  no  tender-hearted  mother,  who  may  have  law  to 
kill  her  sucking  child,  would  put  in  execution  that  law.  2dly,  For 
your  failings,  even  when  ye  have  a  set  tryst  with  Christ,  and  when  ye 
have  a  fair  seen  advantage,  by  keeping  your  appointment  with  him, 
and  salvation  cometh  to  the  very  passing  of  the  seals,  I  would  say  two 
things  ;  1st,  Concluded  and  sealed  salvation  may  go  through  and  be 
ended,  suppose  you  write  your  name  to  the  tail  of  the  covenant  with 
ink  that  can  hardly  be  read  :  neither  think  I  ever  any  man's  salvation 
passed  the  seals,  but  there  was  an  odd  trick  or  slip,  in  less  or  more, 
upon  the  fool's  part,  who  is  infefted  in  heaven.  In  the  most  grave 
and  serious  work  of  our  salvation,  I  think  Christ  had  ever  good  cause 
to  laugh  at  our  silliness,  and  to  put  on  us  his  merits,  that  we  might 
bear  weight.  2.  It  is  a  sweet  law  of  the  new  covenant,  and  a  privi- 
lege of  the  new  burgh,  that  citizens  pay  according  to  their  means  ;  for 
the  new  covenant  saith  not,  so  much  obedience  by  ounce  weights,  and 
no  less,  under  the  pain  of  damnation :  Christ  taketh  as  poor  men 
may  give  ;  where  there  is  a  mean  portion  he  is  content  with  the  less, 
if  there  be  sincerity  :  broken  sums  and  little  feckless  obedience  will 
be  pardoned,  and  hold  the  foot  with  him  :  know  ye  not  that  our  kindly 
Lord  retaineth  his  good  old  heart  yet  I  He  breaketh  not  a  bruised 
reed,  nor  quencheth  the  smoking  flax ;  but  if  the  wind  blow  he  hold- 
eth  his  hand  about  it  till  it  rise  to  a  flame.  The  law  cometh  on  with 
three  0  yeses,  with  all  the  heart,  with  all  the  soul,  and  with  all  the 
whole  strength  ;  and  when  would  poor  folks  like  you  and  me,  furnish 

12 


90  LETTER    I,.  PART    I, 

all  these  sums  'I  It  feareth  me,  (nay  it  is  most  certain)  that  if  the  pay- 
ment were  to  come  out  of  our  purse,  when  we  should  put  our  hand  in 
our  bag  we  would  bring  out  the  wind  or  worse :  but  the  covenant 
seeketh  not  heap-mete,  nor  stented  obedience  as  the  condition  of  it, 
because  forgiveness  hath  always  place.     Hence  I  draw  this  conclu- 
sion ;  to   think   matters  betwixt  Christ  and  us  go  back  for  want  of 
heaped  measure,  is  a  piece  of  old  Adam's  pride,  who  would  either  be 
at  legal  payment  or  nothing ;  we  would  still  have  God  in  our  com- 
mon,  and  buy  his  kindness  with  our  merits ;  for  beggarly  pride  is 
devil's  honesty,  and  blusheth  to  be  in  Christ's  common,  and  scarce 
giveth  God  a  grammercy,  and  a  lifted  cap,  (except  it  be  the  Pharisee's 
unlucky  God  I  thank  thee)  or  a  bowed  knee  to  Christ ;  it  will  only 
give  a  good  day  for  a  good  day  again,  and  if  he  dissemble  his  kind- 
ness, as  it  were,  in  jest,  and  seem  to  misken  it,  it  in  earnest  spurneth 
with  the  heels,  and  snuffeth   in  the  wind,  and  careth   not  much  for 
Christ's  kindness  ;  if  he  will  not  be  friends,  let  him  go,  saith  pride  ; 
beware  of  this  thief,  when  Christ  offereth  himself.     3.   No  marvel 
then  of  whisperings,  whether  you  be  in  the  covenant  or  not :  for  pride 
maketh  loose  work  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  will  not  let  Christ 
be  full  bargain-maker.     To   speak   to  you  particularly  and  shortly  : 
1.  All  the  truly  regenerated  cannot  determinately  tell  you  the  mea- 
sure of  their  dejections,  because  Christ  beginneth  young  with  many, 
and  stealeth  into  their  heart,  ere  they  wit  of  themselves,  and  becom- 
eth  homely  with  them,  with  little  din   or  noise.     I  grant  many  are 
bhnded,   in    rejoicing  in  a  good  cheap  conversion,  that  never  cost 
them  a  sick  night ;  Christ's  physic  wrought  in  a  dream  upon  them  ; 
but  for  that  I  would  say,  if  other  marks  be  found,  that  Christ  is  indeed 
come  in,  never  make  plea  with  him,  because  he  will  not  answer.  Lord 
Jesus  how   camest  thou  in  ?  whether  in  at  door  or  window  1  Make 
him  welcome  since  he  is  come.     The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth  ; 
all  the  world's  wit  cannot  perfectly  render  a  reason,  why  the  wind 
should  be  a  month  in  the  east,  six  weeks,  possibly,  in  the  west,  and 
the  space  only  of  an  afternoon  in  the  south  or  north.     Ye  will  not 
find  out  all  the  nicks  and  steps  of  Christ's  way  with  a  soul,  do  what 
ye  can  ;  for  sometimes  he  will  come  in  stepping  softly,  like  one  walk- 
ing beside  a  sleepy  person,  and  slip  to  the  door,  and  let  none  know  he 
was  there.     2.  Ye  object.  The  truly  regenerate  should  love  God  for 
himself;  and  ye  fear  that  ye  love  him  more  for  his  benefits  (as  incite- 
ments and  motives  to  love  him)  than  for  himself.     I  answer,  To  love 
God  for  himself  as  the  last  end,  and  also  for  his  benefits,  as  incite- 
ments and  motives  to  love  him,  may  stand  well  together ;  as  a  son 
loveth  his  mother,  because  she  is  his  mother,  howbeit  she  be  poor  ; 
and  he  loveth  her  for  an  apple  also.     I   hope  ye  will  not   say,  that 
benefits  are  the  only  reason  and  bottom  of  your  love  ;  it  seemeth 
there  is  a  better  foundation  for  it ;  always,  if  a  hole  be  in  it,  sew  it  up 
shortly.     3.  Ye  feel  not  such  mourning  in  Christ's  absence  as  ye 
would.     I  answer,  That  the  regenerate  mourn  at  all  times,  and  all  in 
a  like  measure  for  his  absence,  I  deny  :  there  are  different  degrees  of 
mourning,  less  or  more,  as  they  have  less  or  more  love  to  him,  and 
less  or  more  sense  of  his  absence.    But,  1.  Some  thev  must  have. 


PART  I.  LETTER   L.  91 

2.  Sometimes  they  miss  not  the  Lord,  and  then  they  cannot  mourn  ; 
howbeit,  it  is  not  long  so  ;  at  least,  it  is  not  always  so.  3.  Ye  chal- 
lenge yourself,  that  some  truths  find  more  credit  with  you  than  others. 
Ye  do  well,  for  God  is  true  in  the  least,  as  well  as  in  the  greatest,  and 
he  must  be  so  to  you :  ye  must  not  call  him  true  in  the  one  page  of 
the  leaf,  and  false  in  the  other ;  for  our  Lord  in  all  his  writings  never 
contradicted  himself  yet ;  although  the  best  of  the  regenerate  have 
slipped  here,  always  labour  ye  to  hold  your  feet.  4.  Comparing  the 
estate  of  one  truly  regenerate,  whose  heart  is  a  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  your's,  which  is  full  of  uncleanness  and  corruption,  ye 
stand  dumb  and  discouraged,  and  dare  not  sometimes  call  Christ 
heartsomely  your  own.  I  answer.  The  best  regenerate  have  their 
defilements,  and  if  I  may  speak  so,  their  drafF-pock,  that  will  clog  be- 
hind them  all  their  days  ;  and,  wash  as  they  will,  there  will  be  filth  ia 
their  bosom ;  but  let  not  this  put  you  from  the  well.  2.  I  answer, 
Albeit  there  be  some  ounce  weights  of  carnality  and  some  squint 
look,  or  eye  in  our  neck  to  an  idol,  yet  love  in  its  own  measure  may 
be  found  ;  for  glory  must  purify  and  perfect  our  love,  it  will  never  till 
then  be  absolutely  pure  ;  yet  if  the  idol  reign,  and  have  the  whole  of 
the  heart,  and  the  keys  of  the  house,  and  Christ  only  be  made  an  un- 
derling to  run  errands,  all  is  not  right,  therefore  examine  well.  3. 
There  is  a  two-fold  discouragement ;  one  of  unbelief,  to  conclude, 
and  make  doubt  of  the  conclusion,  for  a  mote  in  your  eye,  and  a  by- 
look  to  an  idol ;  this  is  ill.  There  is  another  discouragement  of  sor- 
row for  sin,  when  ye  find  a  by-look  to  an  idol ;  this  is  good,  and  mat- 
ter of  thanksgiving :  therefore  examine  here  also.  5.  The  assur- 
ance of  Jesus's  love,  ye  say,  would  be  the  most  comfortable  news 
that  ever  ye  heard.  Answer,  That  may  stop  twenty  holes,  and  loose 
many  objections ;  that  love  hath  telling  in  it,  I  trow.  Oh  that  ye 
knew  and  felt  it,  as  I  have  done  !  I  wish  you  a  share  of  my  feast ; 
sweet,  sweet  hath  it  been  to  me.  If  my  Lord  had  not  given  me  this 
love,  I  would  have  fallen  through  the  causeway  of  Aberdeen  ere  now  ! 
but  for  you,  hing  on,  your  feast  is  not  far  off;  ye  shall  be  filled  ere  ye 
go ;  there  is  as  much  in  our  Lord's  pantry,  as  will  satisfy  all  his  chil- 
dren, and  as  much  wine  in  his  cellar  as  will  quench  all  their  thirst ; 
hunger  on,  for  there  is  meat  in  hunger  for  Christ ;  never  go  from  him, 
but  fash  him  (who  yet  is  pleased  with  the  importunity  of  hungry  souls) 
with  a  dish  full  of  hungry  desires,  till  he  fill  you ;  and  if  he  delay, 
yet  come  not  ye  away,  albeit  ye  should  fall  aswoon  at  his  feet.  6. 
Ye  crave  my  mind,  whether  sound  comfort  may  be  found  in  prayer, 
when  conviction  of  a  known  idol  is  present.  I  answer,  An  idol,  as 
an  idol,  cannot  stand  with  sound  comforts ;  for  that  comfort  that  is 
gotten  at  Dagon's  feet  is  a  cheat  or  bleflume  ;  yet  sound  comfort,  and 
conviction  of  an  eye  to  an  idol,  may  as  well  dwell  together  as  tears 
and  joy  ;  but  let  this  do  you  no  ill,  I  speak  it  for  your  encouragement, 
that  ye  may  make  the  best  out  of  your  joys  ye  can,  albeit  you  find 
them  mixed  with  mutes.  2dly.  Sole  conviction,  if  alone,  without  re- 
morse and  grief,  is  not  enough ;  therefore  lend  it  a  tear  if  ye  would 
win  at  it.  7.  Ye  question,  when  ye  win  to  more  fervency  sometimes 
with  your  neighbour  in  prayer,   than  when  you  are  alone,  whether 


92  LETTER    L.  PART  I, 

hypocrisy  be  in  it  or  not  ?  I  answer,  If  this  be  always,  no  question  a 
spice  of  hypocrisy  is  in  it,  which  would  be  taken  heed  to  ;  but  possi- 
bly desertion  may  be  in  private,  and  presence  in  public,  and  then  the 
case  is  clear.  2.  A  fit  of  applause  may  occasion,  by  accident,  a  rub- 
bing of  a  cold  heart,  and  so  heat  and  life  may  come  ;  but  it  is  not  the 
proper  cause  of  that  heat;  hence  God  of  his  free  grace  will  ride  his 
errands  upon  our  stinking  corruption :  but  corruption  is  but  a  mere 
occasion  and  accident,  as  the  playing  on  a  pipe  removed  anger  trom 
the  prophet,  and  made  him  fitter  to  prophesy,  2  Kings  iii.  15.  8.  Ye 
complain  of  Christ's  short  visits,  that  he  will  not  bear  you  company 
one  night ;  but  when  ye  lye  down  warm  at  one  night,  ye  rise  cold  at 
morning.  Answer,  I  cannot  blame  you  nor  any  other,  that  knoweth 
that  sweet  guest,  to  bemoan  his  withdrawings,  and  to  be  most  desi- 
rous of  his  abode  and  company  ;  for  he  would  captivate  and  engage 
the  affection  of  any  creature  that  saw  his  face  ;  since  he  looked  on 
me,  and  gave  me  a  sight  of  his  fair  love,  he  gained  my  heart  wholly, 
and  got  away  with  it ;  well,  well,  may  he  brook  it ;  he  shall  keep  it 
long,  ere  I  fetch  it  from  him.  But  I  shall  tell  you  what  ye  should  do  ; 
treat  him  well,  give  him  the  chair  and  the  board  head,  and  make  hinj 
welcome  to  the  mean  poition  ye  have  ;  a  good  supper  and  kind  enter- 
tainment maketh  the  guests  love  the  inns  the  better :  yet  sometimes 
Christ  has  an  errand  elsewhere,  for  mere  trial ;  and  then,  though  ye 
give  him  king's  cheer,  he  will  away ;  as  is  clear  m  desertions  for 
mere  trial,  and  not  for  sin.  9.  Ye  seek  the  difference  betwixt  the 
motions  of  the  Spirit,  in  their  least  measure,  and  the  natural  joys  of 
your  own  heart.  Answer,  As  a  man  can  tell,  if  he  joy  and  deUght  in 
his  wife,  as  his  wife  ;  or  if  he  delight  and  joy  in  her  for  satifaction  of 
his  lust,  but  hating  her  person,  and  so  loving  her  for  her  flesh,  and 
not  grieving  when  ill  befalleth  her ;  so  will  a  man's  joy  in  God,  and 
his  whorisl)  natural  joy,  be  discovered  ;  if  he  sorry  for  any  thing  that 
rnay  offend  the  Lord,  it  will  speak  the  singleness  of  that  love  to  him. 
10.  Ye  ask  the  reason  why  sense  overcometh  faith.  Answer,  Be- 
cause sense  is  more  natural,  and  near  of  kin  to  our  selfish  and  soft 
nature.  Ye  ask,  if  faith  in  that  case  be  sound  1  Answer,  If  it  be 
chased  away,  it  is  neither  sound  nor  unsound,  because  it  is  not  faith ; 
but  it  might  be,  and  was  faith,  before  sense  did  blow  out  the  act  of 
believing.  Lastly,  ye  ask  what  to  do,  when  promises  are  born  in 
upon  you,  and  sense  of  impenitency,  for  sins  of  youth,  hindereth 
application.  I  answer,  if  it  be  living  sense,  it  may  stand  with  appli- 
cation ;  and  in  this  case,  put  to  your  hand  and  eat  your  meat  in  God's 
name  :  if  false,  so  that  the  sins  of  youth  are  not  repented  of,  then,  as 
faith  and  impenitency  cannot  stand  together,  so  neither  that  sense  and 
application  can  consist.  Brother,  excuse  my  brevity,  for  time  straiten- 
eth  me,  that  I  get  not  my  mind  said  in  these  things,  but  must  refer 
that  to  a  new  occasion,  if  God  offer  it.  Brother,  pray  for  me. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  dearest  I^ord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Ih:37. 


93 
LETTER  LI. 

To  John  Stewart,  Provost  of  Ayr,  now  in  Ireland. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you, 
being  now  removed  from  my  flock,  and  the  prisoner  of  Christ  at  Aber- 
deen. I  would  not  have  you  to  think  it  strange,  that  your  journey  to 
New-England  hath  gotten  such  a  dash  :  it  indeed  hath  made  my  heart 
heavy ;  yet  I  know  it  is  no  dumb  providence,  but  a  speaking  one, 
whereby  our  Lord  speaketh  his  mind  to'  you,  though  for  the  present 
ye  do  not  well  understand  what  he  saith :  however  it  be,  he  who  sitteth 
upon  the  floods,  hath  shewn  you  his  marvellous  kindness  in  the  great 
depths.  I  know  your  loss  is  great,  and  your  hope  gone  against  you  ; 
but  I  entreat  you,  Sir,  expound  aright  our  Lord's  laying  all  hindrances 
in  the  way.  I  persuade  myself,  your  heart  aimeth  at  the  footsteps  of 
the  flock,  to  feed  beside  the  shepherd's  tents,  and  to  dwell  beside  Him 
whom  your  soul  loveth  ;  and  that  it  is  your  desire  to  remain  in  the 
wilderness,  where  the  woman  is  kept  from  the  dragon  :  and  this  being 
you  desire,  remember  that  a  poor  prisoner  of  Christ  said  it  to  you, 
that,  that  miscarried  journey  is  full  of  mercy  and  consolation  to  you  ; 
which  the  Lord  shall  let  you  see  in  his  own  way  ;  wait  on  then,  for  he 
that  believeth  maketh  not  haste,  Isaiah  xxviii.  16.  I  hope,  ye  have  been 
asking  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  consolation,  and  shall  make  glory 
out  of  your  sufferings  ;  and  would  you  wish  better  work  ?  This  water 
was  in  your  way  to  heaven,  and  written  in  your  Lord's  book,  ye  be- 
hoved to  cross  it ;  and  therefore  kiss  his  wise  and  unerring  providence. 
Let  not  the  censures  of  men,  who  see  but  the  outside  of  things,  and 
scarce  well  that,  abate  your  courage  and  rejoicing  in  the  Lord ;  how- 
beit,  your  faith  seeth  but  the  black  side  of  providence,  yet  it  hath  a 
better  side,  and  God  shall  let  you  see  it.  Learn  to  beheve  Christ 
better  than  his  strokes,  himself  and  his  promises  better  than  his 
glooms  :  dashes  and  disappointments  are  not  canonic  scripture  ;  fight- 
ing for  the  promised  land,  seemed  to  cry  to  God's  promise.  Thou  liest. 
If  our  Lord  ride  upon  straw,  his  horse  shall  neither  stumble  nor  fall, 
Rom.  vin.  23.  For  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  God  :  ergo,  shipwreck,  losses,  &c.  work  together  for 
the  good  of  them  that  love  God :  hence  I  infer,  that  losses,  disap- 
pointments, ill  tongues,  loss  of  friends,  houses,  or  country,  are  God's 
workmen,  set  on  work  to  work  out  good  to  you,  out  of  every  thing 
that  befalleth  you.  Let  not  the  Lord's  dealing  seem  harsh,  rough,  or 
imfatherly,  because  it  is  unpleasant :  when  the  Lord's  blessed  will 
bloweth  cross  your  desires,  it  is  best,  in  humility,  to  strike  sail  to  him, 
and  to  be  wiUing  to  be  led  any  way  our  Lord  pleaseth.  It  is  a  point 
of  denial  of  yourself,  to  be  as  if  ye  had  not  a  will,  but  had  made  a  free 
disposition  of  it  to  God,  and  had  sold  it  over  to  him  ;  and  to  make  use 
of  his  will  for  your  own,  is  both  true  holiness,  and  your  ease  and 
peace :  ye  know  not  what  the  Lord  is  working  out  of  this,  but  ye 
shall  know  it  hereafter.  And  what  1  write  to  you,  I  write  to  your 
wife  ;  I  compassionate  her  case,  but  intreat  her  not  to  fear  or  faint : 


94  LETTER   LI.  PART   I. 

this  journey  is  a  part  of  her  wilderness  to  heaven  and  the  promised 
land,  and  there  are  fewer  miles  behind  ;  it  is  nearer  the  dawning  of 
the  day  to  her,  than  when  she  went  out  of  Scotland.  1  would  be  glad 
to  hear  that  ye  and  she  have  comibrt  and  courage  in  the  Lord.  Now 
as  concerning  our  kirk  ;  our  service  book  is  ordained,  by  open  procla- 
mation and  sound  of  trumpet  to  be  read  in  all  the  kirks  of  this  king- 
dom ;  our  prelates  are  to  meet  this  month  for  it,  and  our  canons,  and 
for  a  reconciliation,  betwixt  us  and  the  Lutherans.  The  professors 
of  Aberdeen  university  are  charged  to  draw  up  the  articles  of  an  uni- 
form confession  ;  but  reconciliation  with  Popery  is  intended  ;  this  is 
the  day  of  Jacob's  visitation  ;  the  ways  of  Zion  mourn,  our  gold  is 
become  dim,  the  sun  is  gone  down  upon  our  prophets.  A  dry  wind, 
but  neither  to  fan  nor  to  cleanse,  is  coming  upon  this  land  :  and  all 
our  ill  is  coming  from  the  multiplied  transgressions  of  this  land,  and 
from  the  friends  and  lovers  of  Babel  among  us,  Jer.  xxxi.  53.  The 
violence  done  to  me  and  my  flesh  be  upon  thee,  Babylon,  shall  the 
inhabitants  of  Zion  say,  and  my  blood  upon  the  inhabitants  of  (Jhal- 
dea,  shall  Jerusalem  say.  Now  for  myself:  I  was  three  days  before 
the  high  commission,  and  accused  of  treason  preached  against  our 
king ;  a  minister  being  witness,  went  well  nigh  to  swear  it ;  God  has 
saved  me  from  their  malice.  1st,  They  have  deprived  me  of  my 
ministry  ;  2dly,  Silenced  me,  that  I  exercise  no  part  of  the  ministe- 
rial function  within  this  kingdom,  under  the  pain  of  rebellion  ;  3dly, 
Confined  my  person  within  the  town  of  Aberdeen,  where  1  find  the 
ministers  working  for  my  confiement  in  Caithness  or  Orkney,  far  from 
them  ;  because  some  people  here  willing  to  be  edified,  resort  to  me. 
At  my  first  entry,  I  had  heavy  challenges  within  me,  and  a  court 
fenced,  but  I  hope  not  in  Christ's  name,  wherein  it  was  asserted,  that 
my  Lord  would  have  no  more  of  my  service,  and  was  tired  of  me : 
and,  like  a  fool,  I  summoned  Christ  also  for  unkindness  ;  my  soul 
fainted,  and  1  refused  comfort,  and  said,  what  ailed  Christ  at  me  ? 
for  I  desired  to  be  faithtul  in  his  house.  Thus  in  my  rovings  and  mis- 
takings,  my  Lord  Jesus  bestowed  mercy  on  me,  who  am  less  than  the 
least  of  all  saints.  I  lay  upon  the  dust,  and  bought  a  plea  from 
Satan  against  Christ,  and  he  was  content  to  sell  it :  but  at  length 
Christ  did  shew  himself  friends  with  me,  and  in  mercy  pardoned  and 
past  my  part  of  it,  and  only  complained  that  a  court  should  be  holden 
in  his  bounds,  without  his  own  allowance.  Now  I  pass  from  my 
compearance  ;  and  as  if  Christ  had  done  the  fault,  he  hath  made  the 
mends,  and  returned  to  my  soul  ;  so  that  now  his  poor  prisoner  feed- 
eth  on  the  feasts  of  love.  My  adversaries  know  not  what  a  courtier  I 
am  now  with  my  Royal  King,  for  whose  crown  1  now  suffer,  it  is  but 
our  soft  and  lazy  flesh  that  hath  raised  an  ill  report  of  the  cross  of 
Christ ;  O  sweet,  sweet  is  his  yoke  !  Christ's  chains  are  of  pure  gold  ; 
suflTerings  for  him  are  perfumed  ;  I  would  not  give  my  weeping  for 
the  laughing  of  all  the  fourteen  prelates,  1  would  not  exchange  my 
sadness  with  the  world's  joy.  0  lovely,  lovely  Jesus,  how  sweet 
must  thy  kisses  be,  when  thy  cross  smelleth  so  sweetly !  0  if  all  the 
three  kingdoms  had  part  of  my  love-feast,  and  of  ihe  comfort  of  a 
dawted  prisoner !  Dear  brother,  I  charge  you  to  praise  for  me,  and 


PART  I.  LETTER   LII.  95 

seek  help  of  our  acquaintance  there,  to  help  me  to  praise.  Why 
should  I  smother  Christ's  honesty  to  me !  my  heart  is  taken  up  with 
this,  that  my  silence  and  sufferings  may  preach.  I  beseech  you  in  the 
bowels  of  Christ,  to  help  me  to  praise.  Remember  my  love  to  your 
wife,  to  Mr.  Blair,  and  Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Cunningham.  Let 
me  hear  from  you,  for  I  am  anxious  what  to  do  :  if  I  saw  a  call  for 
New-England,  I  would  follow  it.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's,  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LIL 

To  John  Stewart,  Provost  of  Ayr. 
MUCH    HONOURED    AND    DEAREST    IN    CHRIST, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  be  upon  you.  I  expected  the  comfort  of  a  letter  to  a 
prisoner  from  you,  ere  now.  I  am  here,  Sir,  putting  off  a  part  of  my 
inch  of  time ;  and  when  1  awake  first  in  the  morning,  which  is  always 
with  great  heaviness  and  sadness,  this  question  is  brought  to  my  mind ; 
Am  I  serving  God  or  not  ?  Not  that  I  doubt  of  the  truth  of  this  ho- 
nourable cause  wherein  I  am  engaged,  I  dare  venture  into  eternity,  and 
before  my  judge,  that  I  now  suffer  for  the  truth  :  because  that  I  cannot 
endure  that  my  Master,  who  is  a  free  born  King  should  pay  tribute  to 
any  of  the  shields  or  pot-sherds  of  the  earth  :  0  that  I  could  hold  the 
crown  upon  my  princely  King's  head  with  my  sinful  arm,  howbeit  it 
should  be  struck  from  me,  in  that  service,  from  the  shoulder  blade ! 
but  my  closed  mouth,  my  dumb  sabbaths,  the  memory  of  my  commu- 
nion with  Christ,  in  many  fair,  fair  days  in  Anwoth,  whereas  now  my 
Master  getteth  no  service  of  my  tongue  as  then,  hath  almost  broken 
my  faith  in  two  halves :  yet  in  my  deepest  apprehensions  of  his  anger, 
I  see  through  a  cloud  that  I  am  wrong ;  and  he,  in  love  to  my  soul, 
hath  taken  up  the  controversy  betwixt  faith  and  apprehensions,  and  a 
decreet  is  past  on  Christ's  side  of  it,  and  I  subscribe  the  decreet. 
The  Lord  is  equal  in  his  ways,  but  my  guiltiness  often  over-mastereth 
my  believing.  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  pleased  to  prevent  me  in  mercy,  and  to  cast  me  into  a  fever  of 
love  for  himself,  and  his  absence  maketh  my  fever  most  painful ;  and 
beside  he  hath  visited  my  soul  and  watered  it  with  his  comforts  :  but 
yet  I  have  not  what  I  would,  the  want  of  real  and  felt  possession  is  my 
only  death  ;  I  know  Christ  pitieth  me  in  this.  The  great  men  my 
friends,  that  did  for  me,  are  dried  up,  like  winter  brooks  of  water  :  all 
say,  No  dealing  for  that  man  ;  his  best  will  be,  to  be  gone  out  of  the 
kingdom.  So  I  see  they  tire  of  me  :  but,  believe  me,  I  am  most 
gladly  content  that  Christ  breaketh  all  my  idols  in  pieces  :  it  hath  put 
a  new  edge  upon  my  blunted  love  to  Christ ;  I  see  he  is  jealous  of  my 
love,  and  will  have  all  to  himself.  In  a  word,  these  six  things  are  my 
burden  :  1.  I  am  not  in  the  vineyard  as  others  are,  it  niay  be,  because 
Christ  thinketh  me  a  withered  tree,  not  worth  its  room  :  but  God  for- 
bid.    2.  Wo,  wo,  wo  is  coming  upon  my  harlot  mother,  this  apostate 


96  LETTER   LIII.  PART  I. 

kirk  :  the  time  is  coming,  when  we  shall  wish  for  doves'  wings,  to  fly 
and  hide  us  :  Oh  for  the  desolation  of  this  land  !  3.  I  see  my  dear 
Master,  Christ,  going  his  alone,  as  it  were,  mourning  in  sackcloth  : 
his  fainting  friends  fear  that  King  Jesus  shall  lose  the  field  :  but  he 
must  carry  the  day.  4.  My  guiltiness  and  the  sins  of  youth  are  come 
up  against  me,  and  they  would  come  in  the  plea  in  my  sufferings,  as 
deserving  causes  in  God's  justice  ;  but  I  pray  God,  for  Christ's  sake, 
he  never  give  them  that  room.  Wo  is  me  that  I  cannot  get  my  royal, 
dreadful,  mighty,  and  glorious  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth  set  on 
high.  Sir,  ye  may  help  me  and  pity  me  in  this,  and  bow  your  knee, 
and  bless  his  name,  and  desire  others  to  do  it,  that  he  hath  been  pleas- 
ed in  my  sufferings  to  make  Atheists,  Papists,  and  enemies  about  me, 
say.  It  is  like,  God  is  with  this  prisoner.  Let  hell  and  the  powers  of 
hell,  I  care  not,  be  let  loose  against  me  to  do  their  worst,  so  being 
Christ,  and  my  Father  and  his  Father  be  magnified  in  my  sufferings. 
5.  Christ's  love  hath  pained  me  :  for  howbeit  his  presence  hath  sha- 
med me,  and  drowned  me  in  debt,  yet  he  often  goeth  away  when  my 
love  to  him  is  burning ;  he  seemeth  to  look  like  a  proud  wooer,  who  will 
not  look  upon  a  poor  match,  who  is  dying  of  love  :  I  will  not  say  he 
is  lordly  ;  but  I  know  he  is  wise,  in  hiding  himself  from  a  child  and  a 
fool,  who  maketh  an  idol  and  a  god  of  one  of  Christ's  kisses,  which  is 
idolatry.  I  fear  I  adore  his  comforts  more  than  himself,  and  that  I 
love  the  apples  of  life  better  than  the  trees  of  life.  Sir,  write  to  me  : 
commend  me  to  your  wife,  mercy  be  her  portion.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  his  dearest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LIIL 

To  the  same. 
WORTHY    AND    DEARLY    BELOVED    IN    OUR    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  was  refreshed  and  comforted 
with  your  letter  ;  what  I  wrote  you  for  your  comfort  I  do  not  remem- 
ber ;  but  I  believe,  love  will  prophecy  homeward,  as  it  would  have  it. 
I  wish  I  could  help  you  to  praise  his  great  and  holy  name,  who  keepeth 
the  feet  of  his  saints,  and  hath  numbered  all  your  goings.  I  know  our 
dearest  Lord  will  pardon  and  pass  by  our  honest  errors  and  mistakes, 
when  we  mind  his  honour  :  yet  1  know,  none  of  you  have  seen  the 
other  half  and  the  hidden  side  of  your  wonderful  return  home  to  us 
again.  I  am  confident  ye  shall  yet  say,  that  God's  mercy  blew  your 
sails  back  to  Ireland  again.  Worthy  and  dear  Sir,  I  cannot  but  give 
you  an  account  of  my  present  estate,  that  ye  may  go  an  errand  for  me 
to  my  high  and  Royal  Master,  of  whom  I  boast  all  the  day.  I  am  as 
proud  of  his  love,  nay,  I  bless  myself,  and  boast  more  of  my  present 
lot,  as  any  poor  man  can  be  of  an  earthly  king's  court,  or  of  a  king- 
dom. First,  I  am  very  often  turning  both  the  sides  of  my  cross,  espe- 
cially my  dumb  and  silent  sabbaths ;  not  because  I  desire  to  find  a 
cross  or  defect  in  my  Lord's  love,  but  because  love  is  sick  with  fan- 
cies, and  fear  :  whether  or  not  the  Lord  hath  a  process  leading  against 
my  guiltiness,  that  I  have  not  vet  well  seen,  I  know  not ;  mv  desire 


PART  I.  LETTER  LIU.  97 

is  to  ride  fair,  and  not  to  spark  dirt  (if  with  reverence  to  liim,  I  may  be 
permitted  to  make  use  of  such  a  word,)  in  the  face  of  my  only  Well- 
beloved  ;  but  fear  of  guiltiness  is  a  tale  bearer  betwixt  me  and  Christ, 
and  is  still  whispering  ill  tales  of  my  Lord,  to  weaken  my  faith  :  I  had 
rather  a  cloud  went  over  my  comforts  by  these  messages,  than  that  ray 
faith  should  be  hurt :  for,  if  my  Lord  get  no  wrong  by  me,  verily  I 
desire  grace,  not  to  care  what  become  of  me.  I  desire  to  give  no 
faith,  nor  credit  to  my  sorrow,  that  can  make  a  lie  of  my  friend  Christ ; 
wo,  wo  be  to  them  all,  who  speak  ill  of  Christ.  Hence  these  thoughts 
awake  with  me  in  the  morning,  and  go  to  bed  with  me  ;  Oh  what 
sweet  service  can  a  dumb  body  do  in  Christ's  house  !  Oh  I  think  the 
word  of  God  is  imprisoned  also !  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  speak  to  three  or  four  herd-boys  of  my  Worthy  Master,  I 
would  be  satisfied  to  be  the  meanest  and  most  obscure  of  all  the  pas- 
tors in  this  land,  and  to  live  in  any  place,  in  any  of  Christ's  basest 
out-houses !  but  he  saith,  Sirrah,  I  will  not  send  you,  I  have  no  er- 
rands for  you  there-avvay  ;  my  desire  to  serve  him  is  sick  of  jealousy, 
lest  he  be  unwilling  to  employ  me.  Secondly,  This  is  seconded  by 
another  ;  Oh  !  what  have  I  done  in  Anwoth  1  The  fair  work  that  my 
Master  began  there,  is  like  a  bird  dying  in  the  shell  :  and  what  will  I 
then  have  to  shew  of  all  my  labour,  in  the  day  of  my  compearance 
before  him,  when  the  master  of  the  vineyard  calleth  the  labourers,  and 
giveth  them  their  hire  ?  Thirdly,  But  truly,  when  Christ's  sweet  wind 
is  in  the  right  airth,  I  repent,  and  I  pray  Christ  to  take  the  Jaw-bur- 
roughs of  my  quarrellous  unbelieving  sadness  and  «6orrow  ;  Lord  re- 
buke them  that  put  ill  betwixt  a  poor  servant  like"  me  and  his  good 
master ;  then  I  say,  whether  the  black  cross  will  or  not,  I  must  climb 
on  hands  and  feet  up  to  my  Lord.  I  am  now  rueing  from  my  heart, 
that  I  pleasured  the  law,  my  old  dead  husband,  so  far  as  to  apprehend 
wrath  in  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus  ;  I  had  far  rather  take  a  hire  to  plead 
for  the  grace  of  God,  for  I  think  myself  Christ's  sworn  debtor.  And 
the  truth  is,  to  speak  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  sometimes  so,  that  I  am  ashamed  almost  to  seek  more 
for  a  four-hours,  but  to  live  content,  till  the  marriage-supper  of  the 
Lamb,  with  that  which  he  giveth  :  but  I  know  not  how  greedy  and 
how  ill  to  please  love  is  ;  for  either  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  taught  me  ill 
manners,  not  to  be  content  with  a  seat,  except  my  head  lye  in  his  bo- 
som, and  except  I  be  fed  with  the  fatness  of  his  house  ;  or  else  I  am 
grown  impatiently  dainty,  and  ill  to  please,  as  if  Christ  were  obliged, 
under  this  cross,  to  do  no  other  thing  but  bear  me  in  his  arms,  and  as 
if  I  had  claim  by  his  merit  for  my  suffering  for  him  :  but  I  wish  he 
could  give  me  grace  to  learn  to  go  on  my  own  feet,  and  to  learn  to 
want  his  comforts,  and  to  give  thanks  and  believe,  when  the  sun  is 
not  in  my  firmament,  and  when  my  Well-beloved  is  from  home,  and 
gone  another  errand.  O  what  sweet  peace  have  I,  when  I  find  Christ 
holdeth  and  I  draw,  when  I  climb  up,  and  he  shutteth  me  down,  when 
I  embrace  him,  and  he  seemeth  to  loose  the   grips  and  flee  away 

13 


9g  LETTER    I. IV.  PART  I, 

from  rne  !  I  think  there  is  even  a  sweet  joy  of  faith  and  contentedness, 
and  peace,  in  his  very  tempting  unkindness,  because  my  faith  saith, 
Christ  is  not  in  sad  earnest  with  me,  but  trying  if  I  can  be  khid  to  his 
mask  and  clould  that  covereth  him,  as  well  as  to  his  fair  face.  I  bless 
his  great  name  that  I  love  his  vail  that  goeth  over  his  face,  while 
God  send  better  ;  for  faith  can  kiss  God's  tempting  reproaches  whea 
he  nick-nameth  a  sinner,  a  dog,  not  worthy  to  eat  bread  with  the  chil- 
dren. I  think  it  an  honour  that  Christ  niiscalleth  me,  and  reproacheth 
me  ;  I  will  take  that  well  of  him,  howbeit  I  would  not  bear  it  well,  if 
another  would  be  that  homely ;  but  because  I  am  his  own  (God  be 
thanked)  he  may  use  me  as  he  pleaseth  ;  I  must  say,  the  saints  have 
a  sweet  life  between  them  and  Christ;  there  is  much  sweet  solace  of 
love  between  him  and  them,  when  he  feedeth  among  the  lillies,  and 
Cometh  into  his  garden,  and  maketh  a  feast  of  honey-combs,  and 
drinketh  his  wine  and  his  milk,  and  crieth,  Eat,  0  friends,  drink,  yea, 
drink  abundantly,  O  Well-beloved.  One  hour  of  this  labour  is  worth 
a  shipful  of  world's  drunken  and  muddy  joy  :  nay,  even  the  gate  of 
heaven  is  the  sunny  side  of  the  brae,  and  the  very  garden  of  the  world ; 
for  the  men  of  this  world  have  their  own  unchristened  and  profane 
crosses  ;  and  wo  be  to  them  and  their  cursed  crosses  both  ;  for  their 
ills  are  salted  with  God's  vengeance,  and  our  ills  seasoned  with  our 
Father's  blessing ;  so  they  are  no  fools  who  choose  Christ,  and  sell 
all  things  for  him  ;  it  is  no  child's  market,  nor  a  blind  block  ;  we  know 
\vell  what  we  get  and  what  we  give.  Now,  for  any  resolution  to  go 
to  any  other  kingdom,  I  dare  not  speak  one  word  :  my  hopes  of  en- 
largement are  cold,  my  hopes  of  re-entry  to  my  Master's  ill-dressed 
vineyard  again  a»e  far  colder  :  I  have  no  seat  for  my  faith  to  sit  on, 
but  bare  omnipoteiicy,  and  God's  holy  arm  and  good-will ;  here  I  de- 
sire to  stay,  and  ride  at  anchor,  and  winter,  till  God  send  fair  weather 
again,  and  be  pleased  to  take  home  to  his  house  my  harlot-mother  : 
Oh  if  her  husband  would  be  that  kind,  as  to  go  and  fetch  her  out  of 
the  brothel-house,  and  chase  her  lovers  to  the  hills  !  but  there  will  be 
sad  days  ere  it  come  to  that.  Remember  my  bonds.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LIT. 

To  the  Lady  Biisbie. 
WISTEESS, 

Although  not  acquaint,  yet  because  we  are  Father's  children,  I 
thought  good  to  write  unto  you  :  howbeit  ray  first  discourse  and  com- 
muning with  you  of  Christ  be  on  paper:  yet  I  have  cause  since  I 
came  hither  to  have  no  paper  thoughts  of  him  ;  for  in  my  sad  days  he 
has  become  the  flower  of  my  joys,  and  I  but  lye  here  living  upon  his 
love ;  but  cannot  get  so  much  of  it  as  I  fain  would  have ;  not  be- 
cause Christ's  love  is  lordly,  and  looketh  too  high ;  but  because  I 
have  a  narrow  vessel  to  receive  his  love,  and  I  look  too  low :  but  I 
give  under  mv  own  hand  write  to  your  testimonial  of  Christ  and  his 


PART  I.  LETTER   LV.  DO 

cross,  that  they  are  a  sweet  couple,  and  that  Christ  hath  never  yet 
been  set  in  his  own  due  chair  of  honour  amongst  us  all.  Oh,  I 
know  not  where  to  set  him  !  O  for  a  high  seat  to  that  royal  princely 
one  !  0  that  my  poor  withered  soul  had  once  a  running  over  flood  of 
that  love  to  put  sap  in  my  dry  root,  and  that  that  flood  would  spring 
out  to  the  tongue  and  pen,  to  utter  great  things  to  the  high  and  due 
commendation  of  such  a  fair  one  !  0  holy,  holy,  holy  one !  Alas 
there  are  too  many  dumb  tongues  in  the  world,  and  dry  hearts,  seeing 
there  is  employment  in  Christ  for  them  all,  and  ten  thousand  worlds  of 
men  and  angels  more,  to  set  on  high,  and  exalt  the  greatest  Prince  of 
the  kings  of  the  earth.  Woes  me,  that  bits  of  living  clay  dare  come 
out,  to  rush  hard-heads  with  him  ;  and  that  my  unkind  mother,  this 
harlot-kirk,  hath  given  her  sweet  half-marrow  such  a  meeting  ;  for  this 
land  hath  given  up  with  Christ,  and  the  Lord  is  cutting  Scotland  in 
two  halves,  and  sending  the  worst  half,  the  harlot  sister,  over  to 
Rome's  brothel  house,  to  get  her  fill  of  Egypt's  love.  I  would  my 
sufferings  (nay,  suppose  I  were  burnt  quick  to  ashes)  might  buy  an 
agreement  betwixt  his  fairest  and  sweetest  love,  and  his  gawdy  lewd 
wife  ;  fain  would  1  give  Christ  his  welcome  home  to  Scotland  again  if 
he  would  return.  This  is  a  black  day,  a  day  of  clouds  and  darkness ; 
for  the  roof-tree  of  my  Lord  Jesus  his  fair  temple  has  fallen,  and 
Christ's  back  is  toward  Scotland.  0  thrice  blessed  are  they  who 
could  hold  Christ  with  their  tears  and  prayers  !  I  know  ye  will  help 
to  deal  with  him,  for  he  shall  return  again  to  this  land :  the  next  day 
shall  be  Christ's,  and  there  shall  be  a  fair  green  young  garden  for 
Christ  in  this  land,  and  God's  summer-dew  shall  lye  on  it  all  the  night, 
and  we  shall  sing  again  our  new  marriage-song  to  our  Bridegroom, 
concerning  his  vineyard  :  but  who  knoweth  whether  we  shall  hve  and 
see  it  ?  I  hear  the  Lord  is  taking  pains  to  afflict  and  dress  you,  as  a 
fruitful  vine  for  himself;  grow  and  be  green,  and  cast  out  your 
branches,  and  bring  forth  fruit  ;  fat  and  green,  and  fruitful  may  ye  be, 
in  the  true  and  sappy  root.  Grace,  grace,  free  grace  be  your  portion. 
Hemember  my  bonds  with  prayers  and  praises. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  »S.  !»• 

Aberdeen,  1637, 


LETTER  LV. 

To  Ninian  Mure. 
LOVING    FRIEND, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter  :  I  entreat  you,  now  in  the  morning  of  your 
life,  seek  the  Lord  and  his  face  :  beware  of  the  folly  of  dangerous 
youth,  a  perilous  time  for  your  soul ;  love  not  the  world  ;  keep  faith 
and  truth  with  all  men,  in  your  covenants  and  bargains  :  walk  with 
God,  for  he  seeth  you  :  do  nothing  but  that  which  ye  may  and  would 
do  if  your  eye-strings  were  breaking,  and  your  breath  growing  cold. 
Ye  heard  the  truth  of  God  from  me  ;  my  dear  heart,  follow  it,  and 
forsake  it  not ;  prize  Christ  and  salvation  above  all  the  world :  to 
live  after  the  guise  and  course  of  the  rest  of  tlie  world,  will  not 
bring  you  to  heaven  ;  without  faith  in  Christ,  and  repentance,  ye  can- 


too  LETTER   LVI.  PART  I. 

not  see  God :  take  pains  for  salvation  ;  press  forward  toward  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calhng  :  if  ye  watch  not  against  evils 
night  and  day,  which  beset  you,  ye  will  come  behind  :  beware  of 
lying,  swearing,  uncleanness,  and  the  rest  of  the  works  of  the  flesh  ; 
because  for  these  things  the  wrath  of  God  cometh  upon  the  children 
of  disobedience  :  how  sweet  soever  they  may  seem  for  the  present, 
yet  the  end  of  these  courses  is  the  eternal  wrath  of  God,  and  utter 
darkness,  where  there  is  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth.  Grace  be 
w  ith  you. 

Your  Loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdefn,  1637. 


LETTER  LVL 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Garveii. 
P.EVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  sorry  that  what  joy  and 
sorrow  drew  from  my  imprisoned  pen,  in  my  love-fits,  hath  made  you 
and  many  of  God's  children  believe,  that  there  is  something  in  a 
broken  reed  the  like  of  me  ;  except  that  Christ's  grace  hath  bought 
such  a  sold  body,  I  know  not  what  else  any  may  think  of  me,  or  ex- 
pect from  me.  My  stock  is  less  (my  Lord  knoweth  I  speak  truth) 
than  many  believe  ;  my  empty  sounds  have  promised  too  much  :  I 
would  be  glad  to  lie  under  Christ's  feet,  and  keep  and  receive  the  ofF- 
iallings,  or  the  old  pieces  of  any  grace,  that  fall  from  his  sweet  fin- 
gers to  forlorn  sinners.  I  lie  often  uncouth-like,  looking  in  at  the 
King's  windows  ;  surely  I  am  unworthy  of  a  seat  in  the  King's  hall- 
floor  :  I  but  often  look  afar  oft",  both  feared  and  framed-like,  to  that 
Ikirest  face,  fearing  he  bid  me  look  away  from  him  ;  my  guiltiness 
riseth  up  upon  me,  and  I  have  no  answer  for  it.  I  offered  my  tongue 
to  Christ,  and  my  pains  in  his  house  ;  and  what  know  I  what  itmean- 
eth,  when  Christ  will  not  receive  my  poor  propine  1  When  love  will 
not  take,  we  expone,  it  will  neither  take  nor  give,  borrow  nor  lend. 
Yet  Christ  hath  another  sea-compass  he  saileth  by,  than  my  short  and 
raw  thoughts  :  1  leave  this  part  of  it  to  himself.  I  dare  not  expound 
his  deahng,  as  sorrow  and  misbelief  often  dictateth  to  me :  I  look 
often  with  my  bleared  and  blind  eyes  to  my  Lord's  cross  ;  and  when 
I  look  to  the  wrong  side  of  his  cross,  I  know  I  miss  a  step  and  shde : 
surely  I  see  I  have  not  legs  of  my  own  for  carrying  me  to  heaven ;  I 
must  go  in  at  heaven's  gates,  borrowing  strength  from  Christ.  I  am 
often  thinking,  O  if  he  would  but  give  me  leave  to  love  him,  and  if 
Christ  would  but  open  up  his  wares,  and  the  infinite  plies  and  wind- 
ings and  corners  of  his  soul-delighting  love  ;  and  let  me  see  it,  back- 
side and  foreside ;  and  give  me  leave  but  to  stand  beside  it,  like  an 
hungry  man  beside  meat,  to  get  my  fill  of  wondering,  as  a  preface  to 
my  fill  of  enjoying !  But  verily,  I  think  my  foul  eyes  would  defile  his 
fair  love  to  look  to  it ;  either  my  hunger  is  over  humble,  if  that  may 
be  said,  or  else  1  consider  not  what  honour  it  is  to  get  leave  to  love 
Christ.  O  that  he  would  pity  a  prisoner,  and  let  out  a  flood  upon  the 
dry  ground  !  It  is  nothing  to  him  to  fill  the  like  of  me  ;  one  of  his  looks 


PART  I.  LETTER  LVII.  101 

would  do  me  meikle  world's  good,  and  him  no  ill.  I  know  I  am  not 
at  a  point  yet  with  Christ's  love,  I  am  not  yet  fitted  for  so  much  as  I 
would  have  of  it ;  my  hope  sitteth  neighbour  with  meikle  black  hunger ; 
and  certainly  I  can  not  but  think,  there  is  more  of  that  love  ordained 
for  me  than  I  yet  comprehend,  and  I  know  not  the  weight  of  the  pen- 
sion the  king  will  give  me  ;  I  shall  be  glad  if  my  hungry  bill  get  leave 
to  lie  beside  Christ,  waiting  on  an  answer.  Now  I  would  be  full  and 
rejoice  if  I  got  a  poor  man's  alms  of  that  sweetest  love  ;  but  I  con- 
fidently believe  there  is  a  bed  made  for  Christ  and  me,  and  that  we 
shall  take  our  fill  of  love  in  it ;  and  I  often  think  when  my  joy  is  run 
out,  and  at  the  lowest  ebb,  that  I  would  seek  no  more,  but  my  rights 
past  the  King's  great  seal,  and  that  these  eyes  of  mine  could  see 
Christ's  hand  at  the  pen.  If  your  Lord  call  you  to  suffering,  be  not 
dismayed ;  there  shall  be  a  new  allowance  of  the  King  for  you  when 
ye  come  to  it :  one  of  the  softest  pillows  Christ  hath  is  laid  under  his 
witnesses'  head,  though  often  they  must  set  down  their  bare  feet 
among  thorns.  He  hath  brought  my  poor  soul  to  desire  and  wish, 
O  that  my  ashes,  and  the  powder  I  shall  be  dissolved  into,  had  well 
tuned  tongues  to  praise  him.  Thus  in  haste,  desiring  your  prayers 
and  praises,  I  recommend  you  to  my  sweet,  sweet  master,  my  honour- 
able Lord,  of  whom  I  hold  all.     Grace  be  %vith  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 

LETTER  LVIL 

To  Jane  Brown. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  glad  that  ye  go  on  at 
Christ's  back,  in  this  dark  and  cloudy  time  ;  it  were  good  to  sell  other 
things  for  him  ;  for  when  all  these  days  are  over,  we  shall  find  it  our 
advantage,  that  we  have  taken  part  with  Christ.  I  confidently  believe, 
his  enemies  shall  be  his  footstool,  and  that  he  shall  make  green  flow- 
ers dead  withered  hay,  when  the  honour  and  glory  shall  fall  off"  them, 
like  the  bloom  or  flower  of  a  green  herb  shaken  with  the  wind.  It 
were  not  wisdom  for  us  to  think  that  Christ  and  the  gospel  will  come 
and  sit  down  at  our  fire-side  ;  nay,  but  we  must  go  out  of  our  warm 
houses,  and  seek  Christ  and  his  gospel :  it  is  not  the  sunny  side  of 
Christ  that  we  must  look  to,  and  we  must  not  forsake  him  for  want  of 
that ;  but  must  set  our  face  against  what  may  befall  us,  in  following  on 
till  he  and  we  be  through  the  briers  and  bushes  on  the  dry  ground. 
Our  soft  nature  would  be  borne  through  the  troubles  of  this  miserable 
life,  in  Christ's  arms  ;  and  it  is  his  wisdom,  who  knoweth  our  mould, 
that  his  children  go  wet-shod  and  cold-footed  to  heaven.  O  how  sweet 
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 
Christ  and  his  cross  not  so  ill  to  please,  nor  yet  such  troublesome 
guests  as  men  call  them  ;  nay,  I  think  patience  should  make  Christ's 
water  good  wine,  and  his  dross  good  metal ;  and  we  have  cause  to 
wait  on  ;  for,  ere  it  be  long,  our  Master  will  be  at  us  and  bring  this 


102  LETTER   LVIII.  PART  I. 

whole  world  out  before  the  sun  and  day-light,  ia  their  blacks  and 
■whites.  Happy  are  they  who  are  found  watching  ;  our  sand-glass  is 
not  so  long  as  we  need  to  weary  ;  time  will  eat  away  and  root  out  our 
woes  and  sorrow ;  our  heaven  is  in  the  bud,  and  growing  up  to  an 
harvest ;  why  then  should  we  not  follow  on,  seeing  our  span-length  of 
time  will  come  to  an  inch  1  Therefore  I  commend  Christ  to  you  as 
your  last  hving,  and  longest  living  husband,  and  the  staff  of  your  old 
age  ;  let  him  now  have  the  rest  of  your  days  ;  and  think  not  much  of 
a  storm  upon  the  ship  that  Christ  saileth  in  ;  there  shall  no  passenger 
fall  overboard,  but  the  crazed  ship  and  the  sea-sick  passengers  shall 
come  to  land  safe.  I  am  in  as  sweet  communion  with  Christ  as  a 
poor  sinner  can  be ;  and  am  only  pained  that  he  hath  much  beauty 
and  fairness,  and  I  little  love  ;  he  great  power  and  mercy,  and  I  little 
faith  ;  he  much  light,  and  I  bleared  eyes.  Oh  that  I  saw  him  in  the 
sweetness  of  his  love,  and  in  his  marriage-clothes,  and  were  over  head 
and  ears  in  love  with  that  princely  one,  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord !  Alas, 
my  riven  dish,  and  running-out  vessel  can  hold  little  of  Christ  Jesus. 
I  have  joy  in  this,  that  I  would  not  refuse  death,  before  I  put  Christ's 
lawful  heritage  in  men's  trysting  ;  and  what  know  I,  if  they  would 
have  pleased  both  Christ  and  me?  Alas,  that  this  land  hath  put 
Christ  to  open  rouping,  and  to  an.  Any  man  more  bids  !  Blessed  are 
they  who  would  hold  the  crown  on  his  head,  and  buy  Christ's  honour 
with  their  own  losses.  I  rejoice  to  hear  your  son  John  is  coming  to 
visit  Christ,  and  taste  of  his  love.  I  hope  he  shall  not  lose  his  pains, 
or  rue  of  that  choice.  I  had  always  (as  I  said  often  to  you)  a  great 
love  to  dear  Mr.  John  Brown,  because  I  thought  I  saw  Christ  in  him 
more  than  in  his  brethren  ;  fain  would  I  write  to  him,  to  stand  by  my 
sweet  Master  ;  and  I  wish  ye  would  let  him  read  my  letter,  and  the 
joy  I  have,  if  he  will  appear  for,  and  side  with  my  Lord  Jesus. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13th,  1637. 


LETTER  LVIIL 

To  Jane  Macmillan. 
LOVING    SISTEH, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  come  to  you,  to 
give  you  my  counsel ;  and  howbeit  I  would  come,  I  cannot  stay  with 
you  :  but  I  beseech  you  to  keep  Christ,  for  1  did  what  I  could  to  put 
you  within  grips  of  him  ;  I  told  you  Christ's  testament  and  latter-will 
plainly,  and  I  kept  nothing  back  that  my  Lord  gave  me  ;  and  I  gave 
Christ  to  you  with  good  will :  I  pray  you  make  him  your  own,  and  go 
not  from  that  truth  I  taught  you  in  one  hair-breadth  ;  that  truth  shall 
save  you  if  ye  follow  it.  Salvation  is  not  an  easy  thing  and  soon  got- 
ten ;  I  often  told  you  few  are  saved  and  many  damned ;  I  pray  you 
make  your  poor  soul  sure  of  salvation,  and  make  the  seeking  of  hea- 
ven your  daily  task.  If  ye  never  had  a  sick  night  and  a  pained  soul 
for  sin,  ye  have  not  yet  lighted  upon  Christ ;  look  to  the  right  marks 
of  having  closed  with  Christ :  if  ye  love  him  better  than  the  world, 


PART  T.  LETTER   LIX.  103 

and  would  quit  all  the  world  for  him,  then  that  saith  the  work  is  sound. 
O  if  ye  saw  the  beauty  of  Jesus,  and  felt  the  smell  of  his  iove,  you 
would  run  through  fire  and  water  to  be  at  him !  God  send  you  him. 
Pray  for  me,  for  I  cannot  forget  you.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LIX. 

To  the  Lady  Busbie. 
airSTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  Christ 
and  ye  are  one,  and  that  ye  have  made  him  your  one  thing ;  when 
many  are  painfully  toiled  in  seeking  many  things,  and  their  many 
things  are  nothing.  It  is  only  best  ye  set  yourself  apart  as  a  thing 
laid  up  and  out  of  the  gait,  for  Christ  alone  ;  for  ye  are  good  for  no 
other  thing  but  Christ ;  and  he  has  been  going  about  you  these  many 
years,  by  afflictions,  to  engage  you  to  himself;  it  were  a  pity  and  a 
loss  to  say  him  nay.  Verily  I  could  wish  that  I  could  swim  through 
hell ;  and  all  the  ill  weather  in  the  world,  and  Christ  in  my  arms  ;  but 
it  is  my  evil  and  folly,  that  except  Christ  come  unsent  for,  I  can  not 
go  to  seek  him  :  when  he  and  I  fall  in  reckoning,  we  are  both  behind, 
he  in  payment,  and  I  in  counting ;  and  so  marches  lie  still  unrid,  and 
counts  uncleared  betwixt  us.  O  that  he  would  take  his  own  blood 
for  counts  and  miscounts,  that  I  might  be  a  free  man,  and  none  had 
any  claim  to  me  but  only,  only  Jesus.  I  will  think  it  no  bondage  to 
be  rouped,  comprised  and  possessed  by  Christ,  as  his  bondman. 
Think  well  of  the  visitations  of  your  Lord :  for  I  find  one  thing,  I 
saw  not  well  before,  that  when  the  saints  are  under  trials,  and  well 
iiumbled,  little  sins  raise  great  cries  and  war-shouts  in  the  conscience  ; 
and  in  prosperity  conscience  is  a  Pope,  to  give  dispensations,  and  let 
out  and  in,  and  give  latitude  and  elbow-room  to  our  heart.  O  how 
little  care  we  for  pardon  at  Christ's  hand,  when  we  make  dispensa- 
tions !  and  all  is  but  children's  play,  till  a  cross  without  beget  an  hea- 
vier cross  within,  and  then  we  play  no  longer  with  our  idols.  It  is 
good  still  to  be  severe  against  ourselves  ;  for  we  but  transform  God's 
mercy  into  an  idol,  and  an  idol  that  hath  a  dispensation  to  give,  for 
turning  of  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness.  Happy  are  they  who 
take  up  God,  wrath,  justice,  and  sin,  as  they  are  in  themselves  :  for 
we  have  miscarrying  light,  that  parteth  with  child,  when  we  have 
good  resolutions  :  but  God  be  thanked,  that  salvation  is  not  rolled 
upon  our  wheels.  0  but  Christ  hath  a  saving  eye  !  Salvation  is  in 
his  eye-lids  ;  when  he  first  looked  on  me,  I  was  saved  ;  it  cost  him 
but  a  look  to  make  hell  quit  of  me  :  0  merits,  free  merits,  and  the 
dear  blood  of  God,  was  the  best  gait  that  ever  we  could  have  gotten 
out  of  hell !  0  what  a  sweet,  O  what  a  safe  and  sure  way  is  it,  to 
come  out  of  hell  leaning  on  a  Saviour !  That  Christ  and  a  sinner 
should  be  one,  and  have  heaven  betwixt  them,  and  be  halvers  of  sal- 
vation, is  the  wonder  of  salvation.  What  more  humble  could  love 
be  ?  and  what  an  excellent  smell  doth  Christ  cast  on  his  lower  garden, 


104  LETTER   L\.  PART  I. 

where  there  grow  but  wild  flowers,  if  we  speak  by  way  of  compari- 
son :  but  there  is  nothing  but  perfect  garden  flowers  in  heaven,  and 
the  best  plenishing  that  is  there  is  Christ.  We  are  all  obliged  to  love 
heaven  for  Christ's  sake :  he  graceth  heaven,  and  all  his  Father's 
house  with  his  presence  :  he  is  a  Rose  that  beautifieth  all  the  upper 
garden  of  God ;  a  leaf  of  that  Rose  of  God  for  smell  is  worth  a 
world :  O  that  he  would  blow  his  smell  upon  a  withered  and  dead 
soul !  let  us  then  go  on  to  meet  with  him,  and  to  be  filled  with  the 
sweetness  of  his  love.  Nothing  will  hold  him  from  us  ;  he  hath  de- 
creed to  put  time,  sin,  hell,  devils,  men  and  death  out  of  the  way, 
and  to  rid  the  rough  way  betwixt  us  and  him,  that  we  may  enjoy  one 
another.  It  is  strange  and  wonderful,  that  he  would  think  long  in 
heaven  without  us,  and  that  he  would  have  the  company  of  sinners  to 
solace  and  delight  himself  withal  in  heaven ;  and  now  the  supper  is 
abiding  us ;  Christ  the  Bridegroom,  with  desire,  is  waiting  on,  till  the 
bride,  the  Lamb's  wife,  be  busked  for  the  marriage,  and  the  great  hall 
be  rid  for  the  meeting  of  that  joyful  couple.  O  fools,  what  do  we 
here  ?  and  why  sit  we  still  ?  why  sleep  we  in  the  prison  1  were  it  not 
best  to  make  us  wings,  to  flee  up  to  our  blessed  match,  our  marrow, 
and  our  fellow  friends  1  I  think,  Mistress,  ye  are  looking  thereaway, 
and  this  is  your  second  or  third  thought ;  make  forward,  your  guide 
waiteth  on  you.  I  cannot  but  bless  you  for  your  care  and  kindness  to 
the  saints.  God  give  you  to  find  mercy  in  that  day  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus, to  whose  grace  I  recommend  you. 

Your's  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LX. 

To  William  Rigg,  of  Atheniie. 
MUCH    HONOURED    AND    WORTHY    SIR, 

Your  letter  full  of  complaints,  bemoaning  your  guiltiness,  halli 
humbled  me ;  but  give  me  leave  to  say.  Ye  seem  to  be  too  far  upon 
the  law's  side,  ye  will  not  gain  much  to  be  the  law's  advocate  :  I 
thought  ye  had  not  been  the  law's,  but  grace's  man  ;  nevertheless,  I 
am  sure  ye  desire  to  take  God's  part  against  yourself;  whatever  your 
guiltiness  be,  yet  when  it  falleth  into  the  sea  of  God's  mercy,  it  is  but 
like  a  drop  of  blood  fallen  in  the  great  ocean.  There  is  nothing  here 
to  be  done,  but  let  Christ's  doom  light  on  the  old  man,  and  let  him 
bear  his  condemnation,  seeing  in  Christ  he  was  condemned ;  for  the 
law  hath  but  power  over  your  worst  half;  let  the  blame  therefore  Jie 
where  the  blame  should  be,  and  let  the  new  man  be  sure  to  say,  I  am 
comely  as  the  tents  of  Kedar ;  howbeit  I  be  black  and  sun  burnt,  by 
sitting  neighbour  beside  a  body  of  sin.  I  seek  no  more  here  but 
room  for  grace's  defence,  and  Christ's  white  throne,  whereto  a  sin- 
ner, condemned  by  the  law,  may  appeal :  but  the  use  that  I  make  of 
it  is,  I  am  sorry  that  I  am  not  so  tender  and  thin-skinned,  though  I 
am  sure  Christ  may  find  employment  for  his  calling  in  me,  if  in  any 
hving,  seeing  from  my  youth  upward  I  have  been  making  up  the 
blackest  process  that  any  minister  in  the  world,  or  any  other  can 


PART  1.  LETTER    LXl.  105 

answer  to ;  and  when  I  had  done  this,  I  painted  a  providence  of  my 
own,  and  wrote  ease  for  myself,  and  a  peaceable  ministry,  and  the 
sun  shining  on  me,  till  I  should  be  in  at  heaven's  gates ;  such  green 
and  raw  thoughts  had  I  of  God !  I  thought  also  of  a  sleeping  devil 
that  would  pass  by  the  like  of  me,  lying  in  muirs  and  out-fields  ;  so  I 
bigged  the  gouk's  nest,  and  dreamed  of  dying  at  ease,  and  living  in  a 
fool's  paradise  :  but  since  I  came  hither,  I  am  often  so,  as  they  would 
have  much  rhetorick  that  would  persuade  me,  that  Christ  hath  not 
written  wrath  on  my  dumb  and  silent  sabbaths  ;  (which  is  a  persecu- 
tion of  the  latest  edition,  being  used  against  none  in  this  land,  that  I 
can  learn  of,  besides  me  ;)  and  often  I  lie  under  a  non-entry,  and 
would  gladly  sell  all  my  joys  to  be  confirmed  King  Jesus'  free  tenant, 
and  to  have  sealed  assurances  ;  but  I  see  ol"ten  blank  papers.  And 
my  greatest  desires  are  these  two,  1.  That  Cluist  would  take  me  in 
hand  to  cure  me,  and  undertake  for  a  sick  man :  I  know  I  should  not 
die  under  his  hand  ;  and  yet  in  this,  while  I  still  doubt,  I  beheve, 
through  a  cloud,  that  sorrow,  which  hath  no  eyes,  hath  but  put  a  veil 
on  Christ's  love.  2.  It  pleaseth  him  often  since  I  came  hither,  to 
come  with  some  short  blinks  of  his  sweet  love  ;  and  then,  because  I 
have  none  to  help  me  to  praise  his  love,  and  can  do  him  no  service  in 
my  own  person,  (as  I  once  thought  I  did  in  his  temple)  I  die  witli 
wishes,  and  desire  to  take  up  house,  and  dwell  at  the  well  side,  and^ 
to  have  him  praised  and  set  on  high  ;  but  alas !  what  can  the  like  of 
me  do,  to  get  a  good  name  raised  upon  my  Well-beloved  liord  Jesus, 
suppose  I  could  desire  to  be  suspended  for  ever  for  my  part  of  heaven, 
for  his  glory  ?  I  am  sure  if  I  could  get  my  will  of  Christ's  love,  and 
could  once  be  over  head  and  ears  in  the  believed,  apprehended,  and 
seen  love  of  the  Son  of  God,  it  were  the  fulfilling  of  the  desires  of 
the  only  happiness  I  would  be  at.  But  the  truth  is,  I  hinder  my 
communion  with  him,  because  of  want  of  both  faith  and  repentance, 
and  because  I  will  make  an  idol  of  Christ's  kisses.  I  will  neither 
lead  nor  drive,  except  I  see  Christ's  love  run  in  my  channel,  and 
when  I  wait  and  look  for  him  the  upper  way,  I  see  his  wisdom  is 
pleased  to  play  me  a  slip,  and  come  the  lower  way  :  so  that  I  have 
not  the  right  art  of  guiding  Christ ;  for  there  is  art  and  wisdom  re- 
quired in  guiding  of  Christ's  love  aright  when  we  have  gotten  it.  O 
how  far  are  his  ways  above  mine  !  O  how  little  of  him  do  I  see  !  And 
when  I  am  as  dry  as  a  burnt  heath  in  a  drouthy  summer,  and  when  my 
root  is  withered,  howbeit,  I  think  then,  that  I  would  drink  a  sea-full  of 
Christ,  ere  ever  I  would  let  the  cup  go  from  my  head ;  yet  I  get 
nothing  but  delays,  as  if  he  would  make  hunger  my  daily  food.  I 
think  myself  also  hungered  of  hunger ;  the  rich  Lord  Jesus  satisfy  a 
famished  man.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  own  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 


LETTER  LXL 

To  his  worthy  and  much  honoured  Friend,  Fulk  Elies. 
WORTHY    AND    MUCH    HONOURED    IN    OUR    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  am  glad  of  our  more  than 
paper  acquaintance  :  seeing  we  have  one  Father,  it  reckoneth  the  less 


lOG  LETTEil   LXi.  PART  I. 

though  we  never  saw  one  another's  face.  I  profess  myself  most 
vmworthy  to  follow  the  camp  of  such  a  worthy  and  renowned  captain 
as  Christ.  Oh  alas !  I  have  cause  to  be  grieved,  that  men  expect 
any  thing  of  such  a  wretched  man  as  I  am  :  it  is  a  wonder  to  me,  if 
Christ  can  make  any  thing  of  my  naughty,  short  and  narrow  love  to 
him ;  surely  it  is  not  worth  the  up-taking.  2.  As  for  our  lovely  and 
beloved  ctnirch  in  Ireland,  my  heart  bleedeth  for  her  desolation  ;  but 
I  beheve  our  Lord  is  only  lopping  the  vine  trees,  but  not  intending  to 
cut  them  down,  or  root  them  out.  It  is  true,  seeing  we  are  heart-athe- 
ists by  nature,  and  cannot  take  providence  aright,  because  we  halt  and 
crook  ever  since  we  fell,  we  dream  of  an  halting  providence,  as  if 
God's  yard,  whereby  he  measureth  joy  and  sorrow  to  the  sons  of 
men,  were  crooked  and  unjust,  because  servants  ride  on  horseback, 
and  princes  go  on  foot :  but  our  Lord  dealeth  good  and  evil,  and 
some  one  portion  or  other  to  both,  by  ounce-weights  :  and  measureth 
them  in  a  just  and  even  balance.  It  is  but  folly  to  measure  the  gospel 
by  summer  or  winter  weather :  the  summer  sun  of  the  saints  shineth 
not  on  them  in  this  hfe.  How  should  we  have  complained,  if  the 
Lord  had  turned  the  same  providence  that  we  now  stomach  at,  upside 
down,  and  had  ordered  matters  thus,  that  first  the  saints  should  have 
enjoyed  heaven,  glory,  and  ease,  and  then  Methuselah's  days  of  sor- 
row and  daily  miseries  ?  We  would  think  a  short  heaven  no  heaven  ; 
certainly  his  ways  pass  finding  out.  3.  Ye  complain  of  the  evil  of 
heart-atheism  :  but  it  is  to  a  greater  atheist  than  any  man  can  be,  that 
ye  write  of  that ;  Oh,  light  findeth  not  that  reverence  and  fear  as  a 
plant  of  God's  setting  should  find  in  our  soul !  How  do  we  by  nature, 
as  others  detain  and  captivate  the  truth  of  God  in  unrighteousness, 
and  so  make  God's  light  a  bound  prisoner  1  and  even  when  the  pri- 
soner breaketh  the  jail,  and  cometh  out,  in  belief  of  a  Godhead,  and 
in  some  practice  of  holy  obedience,  how  often  do  we,  of  new,  lay 
liands  on  the  prisoner,  and  put  our  light  again  in  fetters  t  Certainly 
there  cometh  a  great  mist  and  clouds  from  the  lower  part  of  our  soul, 
our  earthly  aflections,  to  the  higher  part,  which  is  our  conscience, 
either  natural  or  renewed  ;  a  smoke  in  a  lower  house  breaketh  up,  and 
defileth  the  house  above  :  if  we  had  more  practice  of  obedience 
we  should  have  more  sound  light.  I  think,  lay  aside  all  other 
guiltiness,  this  one,  the  violence  done  to  God's  candle  in  our  soul, 
were  a  sufficient  dittay  against  us  ;  for  there  is  no  helping  of  this  but 
by  striving  to  stand  in  awe  of  God's  light ;  lest  light  tell  tales  of  us, 
we  desire  little  to  hear  :  but  since  it  is  not  without  God,  that  light  sit- 
teth  neighbour  to  will,  (a  lawless  lord)  no  marvel  that  such  a  neigh- 
bour should  leaven  our  judgment,  and  darken  our  light.  I  see  there  is 
a  necessity  that  we  protest  against  the  doings  of  the  old  man,  and 
raise  up  a  party  against  our  worst  half  to  accuse,  condemn,  sentence, 
and  with  sorrow  bemoan  the  dominion  of  sin's  kingdom  ;  and  withal 
make  law,  in  the  new  covenant,  against  our  guiltiness :  for  Christ 
once  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh,  and  we  are  to  condemn  it  over 
again :  and  if  there  had  not  been  such  a  thing  as  the  grace  of  Jesus, 
I  should  have  long  since  given  up  with  heaven,  and  with  the  expecta- 
tion to  see  God  ;  but  grace,  grace,  free  grace,  the  merits  of  Christ  for 


PART  r.  LETTER    LXII.  107 

nothing,  white  and  fair,  and  large  Saviour-mercy  (which  is  another 
sort  of  thing  than  creature-mercy,  or  law-mercy,  yea,  a  thousand 
degrees  above  angel-mercy)  hath  been,  and  must  be,  the  rock  that 
we  drowned  souls  must  swim  to.  New  washing,  renewed  application 
of  purchased  redemption,  by  that  sacred  blood  that  sealeth  the  free 
covenant,  is  a  thing  of  daily  and  hourly  use  to  a  poor  sinner.  Till 
we  be  in  heaven  our  issue  of  blood  will  not  be  quite  dried  up  ;  and 
therefore  we  must  resolve  to  apply  peace  to  our  souls  from  the  new 
and  living  way  ;  and  Jesus  who  cleanseth  and  cureth  the  leprous  soul, 
lovely  Jesus,  must  be  our  song  on  this  side  of  heaven's  gates  ;  and 
even  when  we  have  won  the  castle,  then  must  we  eternally  sing, 
Worthy,  worthy  is  the  Lamb,  who  hath  saved  us  and  washed  us  in  hi.s 
own  blood.  I  would  counsel  all  the  ransomed  ones  to  learn  this  song, 
and  to  drink  and  be  drunk  with  the  love  of  Jesus.  O  fairest,  O  high^ 
est,  O  loveliest  One,  open  the  well !  O  water  the  burnt  and  withered 
travellers  with  this  love  of  thine  !  I  think  it  is  possible  on  earth  to 
build  a  young  new  Jerusalem,  a  little  new  heaven  of  this  surpassing 
love.  God,  either  send  me  more  of  this  love,  or  take  me  quickly 
over  the  water,  where  I  may  be  filled  with  his  love  :  my  softness  can- 
not take  with  want :  I  profess  I  bear  not  hunger  of  Christ's  love,  fair  : 
I  know  not  if  I  play  foul  play  with  Christ,  but  I  would  have  a  link  of 
that  chain  of  his  providence  mended,  in  pinning  and  delaying  the  hun- 
gry on- waiters.  For  myself,  I  could  wish  that  Clirist  would  let  out 
upon  me  more  of  that  love  ;  yet  to  say  Christ  is  a  niggard  to  me,  I 
dare  not ;  and  if  I  say,  I  have  abundance  of  his  love,  I  should  lie.  I 
am  half  straitened  to  complain,  and  cry,  Lord  Jesus,  hold  thy  hand 
no  longer.  Worthy  Sir,  let  me  have  your  prayers  in  my  bonds. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Yours,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1G37. 


LETTER  LXIL 

To  James  Lindsay. 
WEAR  BROTHER, 

The  constant  and  daily  observing  of  God's  going  alongst  with  you, 
in  his  coming,  going,  ebbing,  flowing,  embracing,  and  kissing,  gloom- 
ing and  striking,  giveth  me  (a  witless  and  lazy  observer  of  the  Lord's 
way  and  working)  an  heavy  stroke  ;  could  I  keep  sight  of  him,  and 
know  when  I  want,  and  carry  as  became  me  in  that  condition,  I  would 
bless  my  case.  But,  1.  For  desertions,  I  think  them  like  lying  lea  of 
lean  and  weak  land  for  some  years,  while  it  gather  sap  for  a  better 
crop.  It  is  possible  to  gather  gold,  where  it  may  be  had,  with  moon 
liirht.  Oh  if  I  could  but  creep  one  foot,  or  half  a  foot  nearer  in  to 
Jesus  in  such  a  dismal  night  as  that,  when  he  is  away  !  I  should  think 
it  an  happy  absence.  2.  If  I  knew  the  Beloved  were  only  gone 
away  for  trial,  and  further  humiliation,  and  not  smoked  out  of  the 
house  with  new  provocations,  I  would  forgive  desertions,  and  hold  my 
peace  at  his  absence ;  but  Christ's  bought  absence  (that  I  bought 
with  my  sin)  is  two  running  boils  at  once,  one  upon  either  sido ;  and 


108  LETTER    LXIl.  PART  I. 

what  side  then  can  I  He  on  ?  3.  I  know  as  night  and  shadows  are 
good  for  flowers,  and  moon  light  and  dews  are  better  than  a  continual 
sun  ;  so  is  Christ's  absence  of  special  use,  and  it  hath  some  nourish- 
ing virtue  in  it,  and  giveth  sap  to  humility,  and  putteth  an  edge  on 
hunger,  and  furnisheth  a  fair  field  to  faith  to  put  forth  itself,  and  to 
exercise  its  fingers  in  gripping,  it  seelh  not  what.  4.  It  is  mercy's 
Avonder,  and  grace's  wonder,  that  Christ  will  lend  a  piece  of  the  lodg- 
ing, and  a  black  chamber  beside  himself,  to  our  lusts  ;  and  that  he 
and  such  swine  should  keep  house  together  in  our  soul ;  for  suppose 
they  couch  and  contract  themselves  into  little  room  when  Christ 
Cometh  in  ;  and  seem  to  lie  as  dead  under  his  feet,  yet  they  often 
break  out  again ;  and  that  a  foot  of  the  old  man,  or  a  leg  or  arm 
nailed  to  Christ's  cross,  looseth  the  nail  or  breaketh  out  again  ;  and 
ret  Christ,  beside  this  unruly  and  misnurtured  neighbour,  can  still  be 
making  heaven  in  the  saints,  one  way  or  other.  May  I  not  say.  Lord 
Jesus,  what  dost  thou  here  1  Yet  here  he  must  be  ;  but  I  will  not  lose 
my  feet  to  go  on  into  this  depth  and  wonder  ;  for  free  mercy  and  infi- 
nite merits,  took  a  lodging  to  Christ  and  us,  beside  such  a  loathsome 
guest  as  sin.  5.  Sanctification  and  mortification  of  our  lusts,  are  the 
hardest  part  of  Christianity.  It  is  in  a  manner,  as  natural  to  us  to 
leap  when  we  see  the  new  Jerusalem,  as  to  laugh  when  we  are  tick- 
led :  joy  is  not  under  command,  or  at  our  nod,  when  Christ  kisseth  : 
but  0  how  many  of  us  would  have  Christ  divided  in  two  halves,  that 
we  might  take  the  half  of  him  only,  and  take  his  office,  Jesus  and 
salvation  !  but  Lord  is  a  cumbersome  word,  and  to  obey  and  work 
out  our  own  salvation,  and  to  perfect  hohness,  is  the  cumbersome  and 
stormy  north  side  of  Christ,  and  that  we  shew  and  shift.  6.  For 
your  question,  The  access  that  reprobates  have  to  Christ  (which  is 
none  at  all,  for  to  the  Father  in  Christ  neither  can  they,  nor  will  they 
come,  because  Christ  died  not  for  them ;  and  yet  by  law,  God  and 
justice  overtaketh  them)  I  say,  first,  There  are  with  you  more  worthy 
and  learned  than  I  am,  Messrs.  Dickson,  Blair,  and  Hamilton,  who 
can  more  fully  satisfy  you  ;  but  I  shall  speak  in  brief  what  I  think  of 
it,  in  these  assertions.  First,  All  God's  justice  toward  man  and 
angels  floweth  from  an  act  of  absolute,  sovereign  free  will  of  God, 
who  is  our  Former  and  Potter,  and  we  are  but  clay ;  for  if  he  had 
forbidden  to  eat  of  the  rest  of  the  trees  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  and 
commanded  Adam  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil, 
that  command  no  doubt  had  been  as  just  as  this  ;  Eat  of  all  the  trees, 
but  not  at  all  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil.  The  rea- 
son is,  because  his  will  is  his  justice,  and  he  willeth  not  things  with- 
out himself,  because  they  are  just :  God  needed  not  hunt  sanctity, 
holiness,  or  righteousness  from  things  without  himself,  and  so  not 
from  the  actions  of  men  and  angels  ;  because  his  will  is  essentially 
holy  and  just,  and  the  prime  rule  of  holiness  and  justice  ;  as  the  fir© 
is  naturally  light,  and  inclineth  upward,  and  the  earth  heavy  and  in- 
clineth  downward.  The  second  assertion  then  is,  that  God  saith  to 
reprobates,  Believe  in  Christ  (who  hath  not  died  for  your  salvation) 
and  ye  shall  be  saved,  is  just  and  right ;  because  his  eternal  and 
essentially  just  will  hath  so  enacted  and  decreed ;  suppose  natural 


PART  1.  LETTER  LXII.  109 

reason  speak  against  this,  this  is  the  deep  and  special  mystery  of  the 
gospel.  God  hath  obliged,  hard  and  fast,  all  the  reprobates  of  the 
visible  church  to  beUeve  this  promise.  He  that  believeth  shall  be 
saved  :  and  yet,  in  God's  decree  and  secret  intention,  there  is  no  sal- 
vation at  all  decreed  and  intended  to  reprobates  ;  and  yet  the  obhga- 
tion  of  God,  being  from  his  sovereign  free  will,  is  most  just,  as  is 
said  in  the  first  assertion.  Third  assertion,  The  righteous  Lord  hath 
right  over  the  reprobates  and  all  reasonable  creatures,  that  violate  his 
commandments  ;  this  is  easy.  Fourth  assertion,  The  faith  that  God 
seeketh  of  reprobates,  is,  that  they  rely  upon  Christ,  as  despairing  of 
their  own  righteousness,  leaning  wholly,  and  withal  humbly,  as  weary 
and  loaded,  upon  Christ  as  on  the  resting-stone  laid  in  Zion  ;  but  he 
seeketh  not  that,  without  being  weary  of  their  sin,  they  rely  upon 
Christ,  as  mankind's  Saviour ;  for  to  rely  on  Christ,  and  not  to  be 
weary  of  sin,  is  presumption,  not  faith  :  faith  is  ever  neighbour  to  a 
contrite  spirit ;  and  it  is  impossible  that  faith  can  be,  where  there  is 
not  a  casten  down  and  contrite  heart,  in  some  measure,  for  sin  :  now 
it  is  certain,  God  commandeth  no  man  to  presume.  Fifth  assertion, 
Then  reprobates  are  not  absolutely  obliged  to  believe  that  Christ  died 
for  them  in  particular ;  for,  in  truth,  neither  reprobates  nor  others  are 
obliged  to  believe  a  lie  ;  only  they  are  obliged  to  believe  Christ  died 
for  them,  if  they  be  first  weary,  burdened,  sick,  and  condemned  in 
their  own  consciences,  and  stricken  dead  and  killed  with  the  law's 
sentence,  and  have  indeed  embraced  him  as  offered,  which  is  a  second 
and  subsequent  act  of  faith,  following  after  a  coming  to  him,  and 
closing  with  him.  Sixth  assertion,  Reprobates  are  not  formally  guilty 
of  contempt  of  God,  and  misbelief,  because  they  apply  not  Christ 
and  the  promises  of  the  gospel  to  themselves  in  particular  ;  for  so 
they  should  be  guilty,  because  they  believe  not  a  lie,  which  God  never 
obliged  them  to  believe.  Seventh  assertion.  Justice  hath  a  right  to 
punish  reprobates,  because  out  of  pride  of  heart,  confiding  in  their 
own  righteousness,  they  rely  not  upon  Christ,  as  a  Saviour  of  all  them 
that  come  to  him  ;  this  God  may  justly  oblige  them  unto  ;  because  in 
Adam  they  had  perfect  ability  to  do  ;  and  men  are  guilty  because  they 
love  their  own  inability,  and  rest  upon  themselves,  and  refuse  to  deny 
their  own  righteousness,  and  to  take  them  to  Christ,  in  whom  there  is 
righteousness  for  wearied  sinners.  Eighth  assertion.  It  is  one  thing 
to  rely,  lean,  and  rest  upon  Christ,  in  humility  and  weariness  of  spirit, 
and  denying  our  own  righteousness,  believing  him  \o  be  the  only 
)ighteousness  of  wearied  sinners  ;  and  it  is  another  thing  to  believe 
that  Christ  died  for  me,  John,  Thomas,  Anna,  upon  an  intention  and 
decree  to  save  us  by  name.  For,  1st,  The  first  goeth  first,  the  latter 
is  always  after  in  due  order.  2d,  The  first  is  faith,  the  second  is  a 
fruit  of  faith ;  and,  3d,  The  first  obligeth  reprobates  and  all  men  in 
the  visible  kirk,  the  latter  obligeth  only  the  weary  and  laden,  and  so 
only  the  elect  and  effectually  called  of  God.  Ninth  assertion,  It  is  a 
vain  order,  I  know  not  if  Christ  died  for  me,  John,  Thomas,  Anna, 
by  name  ;  and,  therefore,  I  dare  not  rely  on  him.  The  reason  is, 
because  it  is  not  faith,  to  believe  God's  intention  and  decree  of  elec- 
tion at  the  fir-st,  ere  ye  be  wearied  :  look  first  to  your  own  intenfion 


110  LETTER  LXIII.  PARTI. 

and  soul ;  if  you  find  sin  a  burden,  and  can  and  do  rest  under  that 
burden,  upon  Christ ;  if  this  be  once,  now  come  and  beheve  in  par- 
ticular, or  apply  by  sense  (for,  in  my  judgment,  it  is  a  fruit  of  belief, 
not  behef,)  and  feeling  the  good- will,  intention,  and  gracious  purpose 
of  God  anent  your  salvation :  hence,  because  there  is  malice  in  repro- 
bates, and  contempt  of  Christ,  guilty  they  are,  and  justice  hath  law 
against  them ;  and,  which  is  the  mystery,  they  cannot  come  up  to 
Christ,  because  he  died  not  for  them ;  but  their  sin  is,  that  they  love 
their  inability  to  come  to  Christ,  and  he  who  loveth  his  chains,  deserv- 
eth  chains.     And  thus  in  short,  remember  my  bonds. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXIIL 

To  tlie  Earl  of  Cassils. 
MY  VERY  NOBLE  AND  HONOURABLE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordship.  Pardon  me  to 
express  my  earnest  desire  to  your  Lordship  for  Zion's  sake,  for  whom 
we  should  not  hold  our  peace.  I  know  your  Lordship  will  take  my 
pleading  on  his  behalf  in  the  better  part,  because  the  necessity  of  a 
falling  and  weak  church  is  urgent.  I  believe  your  Lordship  is  one  of 
Zion's  friends,  and  that  by  obligation  ;  for  when  the  Lord  shall  count 
and  write  up  the  people,  it  shall  be  written,  This  man  was  born  there. 
Therefore,  because  your  Lordship  is  a  born  son  of  the  house,  I  hope 
your  desire  is,  that  the  beauty  and  glory  of  the  Lord  may  dwell  in 
the  midst  of  the  city,  whereof  your  Lordship  is  a  son.  It  must  be, 
without  all  doubt,  the  greatest  honour  of  your  place  and  house,  to 
kiss  the  Son  of  God,  and  for  his  sake  to  be  kind  to  his  oppressed 
and  wronged  Bride,  who,  now  in  the  day  of  her  desolation,  beggeth 
help  of  you,  that  are  the  shields  of  the  earth.  I  am  sure  many  kings, 
princes,  and  nobles,  in  the  day  of  Christ's  second  coming,  would  be 
glad  to  run  errands  for  Christ,  even  bare-footed,  through  fire  and 
water  ;  but  in  that  day  he  will  have  none  of  their  service.  ISow  he 
is  asking,  if  your  Lordship  will  help  him  against  the  mighty  of  the 
earth,  when  men  are  sitting  their  shoulders  to  Christ's  fair  and  beauti- 
ful tent  in  this  land,  to  loose  its  stakes,  and  break  it  down  ;  and  cer- 
tainly such  as  are  not  with  Christ,  are  against  him  :  and  blessed  shall 
your  Lordship  be  of  the  Lord,  blessed  shall  your  house  and  seed  be, 
and  blessed  shall  your  honour  be,  if  ye  empawned  and  lay  in  Christ's 
hand,  the  earldom  of  Cassils  (and  it  is  but  a  shadow  in  comparison  of 
the  city  made  without  hands)  and  lay  it  even  at  the  stake,  rather  than 
Christ,  and  borne-down  truth  want  a  witness  of  you,  against  the  apos- 
tacy  of  this  land.  Ye  hold  your  lands  of  Christ,  your  charters  are 
under  his  seal,  and  he  who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head,  dealeth, 
cutteth,  and  carveth  pieces  of  this  clay  heritage  to  men  at  his  plea- 
sure. It  is  little  your  Ijordship  hath  to  give  iiim  ;  he  will  not  sleep 
long  in  your  common,  but  shall  surely  pay  home  your  losses  for  his 
cause.  It  is  but  our  bleared  eyes  that  look  through  a  false  glass  to 
this  idol-god  of  clay,  and  think  something  of  it ;  they  who  are  past 


PART  I.  LETTER  LXIII.  Ill 

with  their  last  sentence  to  heaven  or  hell,  and  have  made  their  reckon- 
ing, and  departed  out  of  this  smoky  inn,  have  now  no  other  conceit 
of  this  world,  but  as  a  piece  of  beguiling  well-lustred  clay  ;  and  how 
fast  doth  time,  like  a  flood  in  motion,  carry  your  Lordship  out  of  it ! 
and  is  not  eternity  coming  with  wings  1  Court  goeth  not  in  heaven  as 
it  doth  here.  Our  Lord,  who  hath  all  you,  the  nobles  lying  in  the 
shell  of  his  balance,  esteemeth  you  accordingly  as  ye  are  the  Bride- 
groom's friends  or  foes  ;  your  honourable  ancestors,  with  the  hazard 
of  their  lives,  brought  Christ  to  our  hands  ;  and  it  shall  be  cruelty  to 
the  posterity,  if  ye  lose  him  to  them.  One  of  our  tribes,  licvi's  sons, 
the  watchmen,  are  fallen  from  the  Lord,  and  have  sold  their  mother, 
and  their  father  also,  and  the  Lord's  truth,  for  their  new  velvet  world, 
and  their  satin  church.  If  ye,  the  nobles,  play  Christ  a  slip,  now 
when  his  back  is  at  the  wall,  if  I  may  so  speak,  then  may  we  say, 
that  the  Lord  hath  casten  water  upon  Scotland's  smoking  coal ;  but 
we  hope  better  things  of  you.  It  is  no  wisdom,  however  it  be  the 
state-wisdom  now  in  request,  to  be  silent,  when  they  are  casting  lots 
for  a  better  thing  than  Christ's  coat.  All  this  land,  and  every  man's 
part  of  the  play  for  Christ,  and  tears  of  poor  and  friendless  Zion,  now 
going  dool-like  in  sackcloth,  are  up  in  heaven  before  our  Lord ;  and 
there  is  no  question,  but  our  King  and  Lord  shall  be  master  of  the 
field  at  length ;  and  we  would  all  be  glad  to  divide  the  spoil  with 
Christ,  and  to  ride  in  triumph  with  him  ;  but  oh,  how  few  will  take  a 
cold  bed  of  straw  in  the  camp  with  him  !  How  fain  \yould  men  have  a 
well-thatched  house  above  their  heads,  all  the  way  to  heaven !  And 
many  now  would  go  to  heaven  the  land  way,  for  they  love  not  to  be 
sea-sick,  riding  up  to  Christ  upon  foot-mantles,  and  rattling  coaches, 
and  rubbing  their  velvet  with  the  princes  of  the  land  in  the  highest 
seats.  If  this  be  the  way  Christ  called  strait  and  narrow,  I  quit  all 
skill  of  the  way  to  salvation.  Are  they  not  now  rouping  Christ  and 
the  gospel  1  have  they  not  put  our  Lord  Jesus  to  the  market,  and  he 
who  out-biddeth  his  fellow  shall  get  himl  O  my  dear  and  noble  Lord, 
go  on,  howbeit  the  wind  be  in  your  face,  to  back  our  princely  Captain  ; 
be  courageous  for  him  ;  fear  not  those  who  have  no  subscribed  lease 
of  days  ;  the  worms  shall  eat  kings  ;  let  the  Lord  Jehovah  be  your 
fear  ;  and  then,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  the  victory  is  your's.  It  is  true, 
many  are  striking  up  a  new  way  to  heaven ;  but  my  soul  for  their's,  if 
they  find  it ;  and  if  this  be  not  the  only  way,  whose  end  is  Christ's 
Father's  house  ;  and  my  weak  experience,  since  the  day  I  was  first  in 
bonds,  hath  confirmed  me  in  the  truth  and  assurance  of  this  ;  let  doc- 
tors and  learned  men  cry  the  contrair,  I  am  persuaded  this  is  the  way. 
The  bottom  hath  fallen  out  of  both  their  wit  and  conscience  at  once ; 
their  book  hath  beguiled  them,  for  we  have  fallen  upon  the  true  Christ. 
I  dare  hazard,  if  I  alone  had  ten  souls,  my  salvation  upon  this  stone, 
that  many  now  break  their  bones  upon.  Let  them  take  this  fat  world, 
O  poor  and  hungry  is  their  paradise !  Therefore  let  me  intreat  your 
Lordship,  by  your  compearance  before  Christ,  now  while  this  piece 
of  the  afternoon  of  your  day  is  before  you  (for  ye  know  not  when 
your  sun  will  turn,  and  eternity  shall  benight  you,)  let  your  worldly 
glory,  honour,  and  might,  be  for  our  Lord  Jesus ;   and  to  his  rich 


112  LETTER   LXIV.  PART  1. 

grace  and  tender  mercy,  and  to  the  never-dying  comforts  of  his  gra- 
cious Spirit,  I  recommend  your  Lordship  and  noble  house. 

Your  Lordship's  at  all  obedience,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  9,  1637. 

LETTER  LXIV. 

To  the  Lady  Largiiie. 

Mistress, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  hope  ye  know  what  condi- 
tions past  betwixt  Christ  and  you,  at  your  first  meeting ;  ye  remember, 
he  said,  your  summer  days  would  have  clouds,  and  your  rose  a  prickly 
thorn  beside  it ;  Christ  is  unmixt  in  heaven,  all  sweetness  and  honey  : 
here  we  have  him  with  his  thorny  and  rough  cross  ;  yet  I  know  no 
tree  beareth  sweeter  fruit  than  Christ's  cross,  except  I  would  raise  a 
lying  report  on  it.  It  is  your  part  to  take  Christ,  as  he  is  to  be  had  in 
this  hfe ;  sufferings  are  like  a  wood  planted  round  about  his  house, 
ever  door  and  window ;  if  we  could  hold  fast  our  grips  of  him,  the 
field  were  won.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  Christ  shall  triumph  :  give 
Christ  his  own  short  time,  to  spin  out  these  two  long  threads  of  hea- 
ven and  hell  to  all  mankind,  for  certainly  the  thread  will  not  break : 
and  when  he  hath  accomplished  his  work  in  Mount  Zion,  and  hath 
refined  his  silver,  he  will  bring  new  vessels  out  of  the  furnace,  and 
plenish  his  house,  and  take  up  his  house  again.  I  counsel  yoii  to  free 
yourself  of  clogging  temptations,  by  overcoming  some,  and  contemn- 
ing others,  and  watching  over  all  ;  abide  true  and  loyal  to  Christ,  for 
few  now  are  fast  to  him  ;  they  give  Christ  blank  paper,  for  a  bond  of 
service  and  attendance,  now  when  Christ  hath  most  ado  ;  to  waste  a 
little  blood  with  Christ,  and  to  put  our  part  of  this  drossy  world  in 
pawn  over  in  his  hand,  as  willing  to  quit  it  for  him,  is  the  safest  cabi- 
net to  keep  the  world  in  ;  but  those  who  would  take  the  world  and  all 
their  flitting  on  their  back,  and  run  away  from  Christ,  they  will  fall  by 
the  way,  and  leave  their  burden  behind  them,  and  be  taken  captive 
themselves.  Well  were  my  soul,  to  have  put  all  I  have,  hfe  and  soul, 
over  in  Christ's  hands  :  let  him  be  forthcoming  for  all.  If  any  ask 
Jiow  I  do  1  I  answer.  None  can  be  but  well  that  are  in  Christ ;  and 
if  I  were  not  so,  my  sufferings  had  melted  me  away  in  ashes  and 
smoke  ;  I  thank  my  Lord,  that  he  hath  something  in  me  that  this  fire 
cannot  consume.  Remember  my  love  to  your  husband,  and  shew 
him  from  me,  I  desire  that  he  may  set  aside  all  things,  and  make  sure 
Avork  of  salvation,  that  it  be  not  a-seeking,  when  the  sand-glass  is  run 
out,  and  time  and  eternity  shall  tryst  together :  there  is  no  errand  so 
weighty  as  this  ;  0  that  he  would  take  it  to  heart.  Grace  be  with  you. 
Your's  in  Christ  Jesits  his  Lord*  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


PARTI.  LETTER    LXV,    LXVl.  113 

LETTER  LXV. 

To  the  Lady  Dungueigh. 
MISTRESS, 

I  LONG  to  hear  from  you,  and  how  you  go  on  with  Christ :  I  am 
sure  that  Christ  and  you  once  met :  I  pray  you  fasten  your  grips ; 
there  is  holding  and  drawing,  and  much  sea-way  to  heaven,  and  we 
are  often  sea-sick  ;  but  the  voyage  is  so  needful,  that  we  must  on  any 
terms  take  shipping  with  Christ.  I  believe  it  is  a  good  country  we 
are  going  to,  and  there  is  ill  lodging  in  this  smoky  house  of  the  world, 
in  which  we  are  yet  living.  Oh  that  we  should  love  smoke  so  well, 
and  clay  that  holdeth  our  feet  fast !  It  were  our  happiness  to  follow 
on  after  Christ,  and  to  anchor  ourselves  upon  the  rock,  in  the  upper 
side  of  the  vail.  Christ  and  Satan  are  now  drawing  two  parties  ;  and 
they  are  blind  who  see  not  Scotland  divided  in  two  camps,  and  Christ 
coming  out  with  his  white  banner  of  love,  and  he  hangeth  that  over 
the  heads  of  his  soldiers  ;  and  the  other  captain,  the  dragon,  is  com- 
ing out  with  a  great  black  flag,  and  crieth,  The  world,  the  world,  ease, 
honour,  and  a  whole  skin,  and  a  soft  couch ;  and  there  lye  they,  and 
leave  Christ  to  fend  for  himself  My  counsel  is,  that  ye  come  out 
and  leave  the  multitude,  and  let  Christ  have  your  company  ;  let  them 
take  clay  and  this  present  world,  who  love  it ;  Christ  is  a  more  worthv 
and  noble  portion ;  blessed  are  those  who  get  him.  It  is  good,  ere 
the  storm  rise,  to  make  ready  all,  and  to  be  prepared  to  go  to  the  camp 
with  Christ,  seeing  he  will  not  keep  the  house,  nor  sit  at  the  fire-side 
with  couchers.  A  shower  for  Christ  is  little  enough.  Oh,  I  find  all 
too  little  for  him !  Wo,  wo,  wo's  me,  that  I  have  no  propine  for  my 
Lord  Jesus  ;  my  love  is  so  feckless,  that  it  is  a  shame  to  offer  it  to 
him.  Oh,  if  it  were  as  broad  as  heaven,  as  deep  as  the  sea,  I  would 
gladly  bestow  it  upon  him  !  I  persuade  you,  God  is  wringing  grapes 
of  red  wine  for  Scotland,  and  this  land  shall  drink,  and  spue,  and  fall. 
His  enemies  shall  drink  the  thick  of  it,  and  the  grounds  of  it ;  but 
Scotland's  withered  tree  shall  blossom  again,  and  Christ  shall  make  a 
second  marriage  with  her,  and  take  home  his  wife  out  of  the  furnace  ; 
but  if  our  eyes  shall  see  it,  he  knoweth  who  hath  created  time.  Grace 
be  with  you.         Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LXVL 

To  Janet  Mackullocli. 
LOVING    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Hold  on  your  course,  for,  it 
may  be,  I  will  not  soon  see  you  :  venture  through  the  thick  of  all 
things  after  Christ,  and  lose  not  your  Master,  Christ,  in  the  throng  of 
this  great  market.  Let  Christ  know  how  heavy,  and  how  many  a 
stone  weight  you  and  your  cares,  burdens,  crosses,  and  sins  are  :  let 
him  bear  all ;  make  the  heritage  sure  to  yourself:  get  charters  and 
writs  passed  and  through,  and  put  on  arms  for  the  battle,  and  keep 
you  fast  by  Christ,  and  then  let  the  wind  blow  out  of  what  airth  it 
will,  your  soul  will  not  be  blown  into  the  sea.     I  find  Christ  the  most 

15 


114  LETTER  LXVII.  PART  I, 

steady  friend  and  companion  in  the  world  to  nie  now  :  the  need  and 
usefulness  of  Christ  is  seen  best  in  trials.  O  if  he  be  not  well  wor- 
thy of  his  room !  Lodge  him  in  house  and  heart,  and  stir  up  your 
husband  to  seek  the  Lord  :  I  wonder  he  hath  never  written  to  me  :  I 
do  not  forget  him.  I  taught  you  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  and 
delivered  it  to  you  :  it  will  be  enquired  for  at  your  hands  ;  have  it  in 
readiness  against  the  time  that  the  Lord  ask  for  it ;  make  you  ready  to 
meet  the  Lord,  and  rest  and  sleep  in  the  love  of  that  fairest  among 
the  sons  of  men.  Desire  Christ's  beauty ;  give  out  all  your  love  to 
him,  and  let  none  fall  by  ;  learn  in  prayer  to  speak  to  him  :  help  your 
mother's  soul,  and  desire  her,  from  me,  to  seek  the  Lord  and  his 
salvation  ;  it  is  not  soon  found  ;  many  miss  it.  Grace  be  with  you. 
Your  loving  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LXVIL 

To  my  Lord  Craighall. 
M5f    LORD, 

I  CANNOT  expound  your  Lordship's  contrary  tides,  and  these  tenta- 
tions  wherewith  ye  are  assaulted,  to  be  any  other  thing  but  Christ 
trying  you,  and  saying  unto  you.  And  will  ye  also  leave  me  1  I  am 
sure  Christ  hath  a  great  advantage  against  you,  if  ye  play  foul  play  to 
him,  in  that  the  Holy  Spirit  hath  done  his  part,  in  evidencing  to  your 
conscience,  that  this  is  the  way  of  Christ,  wherein  ye  shall  have 
peace  ;  and  the  other,  as  sure  as  God  liveth,  the  Antichrist's  way : 
therefore,  as  ye  fear  God,  fear  your  light,  and  stand  in  awe  of  a  con- 
vincing conscience.  It  is  far  better  for  your  Lordship  to  keep  youv 
conscience,  and  to  hazard  in  such  an  honourable  cause,  your  place, 
tlian  wilfully,  and  against  your  light,  to  come  under  guiltiness. 
Kings  cannot  heal  broken  consciences ;  and  when  death  and  judg- 
ment shall  comprise  your  soul,  your  counsellors  and  others  cannot  be 
cautioners  to  justice  for  you.  Ere  it  be  long,  our  Lord  will  put  a 
final  determination  to  acts  of  parliament,  and  men's  laws,  and  will 
clear  you  before  men  and  angels,  of  men's  unjust  sentences.  Ye 
received  honour,  and  place,  and  authority,  and  riches,  and  reputation 
from  your  Lord,  to  set  forward  and  advance  the  liberties  and  freedom 
of  Christ's  kingdom.  Men,  whose  consciences  are  made  of  stoutness, 
think  little  of  such  matters,  which  notwithstanding,  encroach  directly 
upon  Christ's  prerogative  royal.  So  would  men  think  it  a  hght  mat- 
ter for  Uzzah  to  put  out  his  hand  to  hold  the  Lord's  falling  ark ; 
but  it  cost  him  his  life.  And  who  doubteth  but  a  carnal  friend  will 
advise  you  to  shut  your  window,  and  pray  beneath  your  breath ; 
Ye  make  too  great  a  din  with  your  prayers  ;  so  would  a  head-of-wit 
speak  if  ye  were  in  Daniel's  place  ;  but  men's  overgilded  reasons  will 
not  help  you  when  your  conscience  is  hke  to  split  with  a  double 
charge.  Alas,  alas  !  when  will  this  world  learn  to  submit  their  wis- 
dom to  the  wisdom  of  God  1  I  am  sure,  your  Lordship  hath  found  the 
truth ;  go  not  then  to  search  it  over  again,  for  it  is  ordinary  for  men 
to  make  doubts,  when  they  have  a  mind  to  desert  the  truth.     Kings 


PART  I.  LETTER   LXVIII,    LXIX.  115 

are  not  their  own  men,  their  ways  are  in  God's  hand.  I  rejoice  and 
am  glad,  that  ye  resolve  to  walk  with  Christ,  howbeit  his  court  be 
thin.     Grace  be  with  your  Lordship. 

Your  Lordship's  in  his  sweet  Master  and  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXVIIL 

,  *  To  William  Rigg  of  Athernie. 

WORTHY    AND    MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  How  sad  a  prisoner  would  I 
be,  if  I  knew  not  that  my  Lord  Jesus  had  the  keys  of  the  prison  him- 
self, and  that  his  death  and  blood  hath  bought  a  blessing  to  our 
crosses,  as  well  as  to  ourselves  1  I  am  sure  troubles  have  no  prevail- 
ing rights  over  us,  if  they  be  but  our  Lord's  Serjeants,  to  keep  us  in 
ward  while  we  are  in  this  side  of  heaven  ;  I  am  persuaded  also,  that 
they  shall  not  go  over  the  bound  road,  nor  enter  into  heaven  with  us  ; 
for  they  find  no  welcome  there,  where  '  there  is  no  more  death,  nei- 
ther sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  any  more  pain ;'  and  therefore  we 
shall  leave  them  behind  us.  Oh  if  I  could  get  as  good  a  gait  of  sin, 
even  this  woful  and  wretched  body  of  sin,  as  I  get  of  Christ's  cross ! 
Nay,  indeed,  I  think  the  cross  beareth  both  me  and  itself  rather  than 
I  it,  in  comparison  of  the  tyranny  of  the  lawless  flesh  and  wicked 
neighbour,  that  dwelleth  beside  Christ's  new  creature.  But,  Oh,  this 
is  that  which  presseth  me  down  and  paineth  me  ;  Jesus  Christ  in  his 
saints  sitteth  neigbour  with  an  ill  second,  corruption,  deadness,  cold- 
ness, pride,  lust,  worldliness,  self-love,  security,  falsehood,  and  a 
world  of  more  the  like,  which  I  find  in  me,  that  are  daily  doing  vio- 
lence to  the  new  man.  0  but  we  have  cause  to  carry  low  sails,  and 
to  cleave  fast  to  free  grace,  free,  free  grace !  Blessed  be  our  Lord 
that  ever  that  way  was  found  out ;  if  my  one  foot  were  in  heaven,  and 
my  soul  half  in,  if  free-will  and  corruption  were  absolute  lords  of  me, 
I  should  never  win  wholly  in.  O  but  the  sweet,  new  and  living  way, 
that  Christ  hath  struck  up  to  our  home,  be  a  safe  way !  I  find  now 
presence  and  access  a  greater  dainty  than  before  ;  but  yet  the  Bride- 
groom looketh  through  the  lattice,  and  through  the  hole  of  the  door. 
O  if  he  and  I  were  on  fair  dry  land  together,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
water.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  ''^-  R- 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  :10,  1637. 


LETTER  LXIX. 

To  the  Lady  Kilconquhair. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter.  I  am 
heartily  content,  ye  love  and  own  this  oppressed  and  wronged  cause 
of  Christ ;  and  that  now,  when  so  many  are  miscarried,  ye  are  in  any 
measure  taken  with  the  love  of  Jesus.  Weary  not,  but  come  in,  and 
see  if  there  be  not  more  in  Christ  than  the  tongue  of  men  and  angels 


116  LETTER    LXX.  PART  I. 

can  express  :  if  ye  seek  a  way  to  heaven,  the  way  is  in  him,  or,  he  is 
it :  what  ye  want  is  treasured  up  in  Jesus,  and  he  saith,  all  his  are 
yours,  even  his  kingdom,  he  is  content  to  divide  it  betwixt  him  and 
you  :  yea,  his  throne  and  his  glory,  Luke  xxii.  29,  30.  John  Xvii.  24. 
Rev.  iii.  21.  and  therefore  take  pains  to  climb  up  that  besieged  house 
to  Christ :  for  devils,  men,  and  armies  of  temptations,  are  lying  about 
the  house,  to  hold  out  all  that  are  out,  and  it  is  taken  with  violence  :  it 
is  not  a  smooth  and  easy  way,  neither  will  your  weather  be  fair  and 
pleasant :  but  whosoever  saw  the  invisible  God,  and  the  fair  city, 
make  no  reckoning  of  losses  or  crosses.  In  ye  must  be,  cost  you 
what  it  will ;  stand  not  for  a  price,  and  for  all  that  ye  have,  to  win  the 
castle  ;  the  rights  to  it  are  won  to  you,  and  it  is  disponed  to  you,  in 
your  Lord  Jesus's  testament ;  and  see  what  a  fair  legacy  your  dying 
friend  Christ  hath  left  you  :  and  there  wanteth  nothing  but  possession. 
Then  get  up  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  ;  get  over  the  water  to  pos- 
sess that  good  land  :  it  is  better  than  a  land  of  olives  and  wine-trees ; 
for  the  tree  of  life,  that  beareth  twelve  manner  of  fruits  every  month,  is 
there  before  you  ;  and  a  pure  river  of  life,  clear  as  chrystal,  proceeding 
out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb,  is  there.  Your  time  is  short, 
therefore  lose  no  time ;  gracious  and  faithful  is  he  who  hath  called 
you  to  his  kingdom  and  glory.  The  city  is  yours  by  free  conquest 
and  by  promise,  and  therefore  let  no  uncouth  lord-idol  put  you  from 
your  own.  The  devil  hath  cheated  the  simple  heir  of  his  paradise, 
and  by  enticing  us  to  taste  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  hath,  as  it  were, 
brought  us  out  of  our  kindly  heritage ;  but  our  Lord,  Christ  Jesus, 
hath  done  more  than  bought  the  devil  by,  for  he  hath  redeemed  the 
wadset,  and  made  the  poor  heir  free  to  the  inheritance.  If  we  knew 
the  glory  of  our  elder  brother  in  heaven,  we  would  long  to  be  there  to 
see  him,  and  to  get  our  fill  of  heaven ;  we  children  think  the  earth  a 
fair  garden,  but  it  is  but  God's  out-field,  and  wild,  cold  barren  ground  ; 
all  things  are  fading  that  are  here  :  it  is  our  happiness  to  make  sure  of 
Christ  to  ourselves.  Thus  remembering  my  love  to  your  husband, 
and  wishing  to  him  what  I  write  to  you,  I  commit  you  to  God's  ten- 
der mercy. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  13,  1637. 


LETTER  LXX. 

To  the  Lady  Craighall. 
lIONOUrvABLE  AND  CHRISTIAN  LADY, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  but  write  to  your 
Ijadyship  of  the  sweet  and  glorious  terms  I  am  in  with  the  most  joyful 
King  that  ever  was,  under  this  well-thriving,  and  prosperous  cross  ;  it 
is  my  Lord's  salvation,  wrought  by  his  own  right  hand,  that  the  water 
doth  not  suffocate  the  breath  of  hope  and  joyful  courage  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  ;  for  his  own  person  is  still  in  the  camp  with  his  poor  soldier. 
I  see  the  cross  is  tied  with  Christ's  hand  to  the  end  of  an  honest  pro- 
fession ;  we  are  but  fools  to  endeavour  to  loose  Christ's  knot.  When 
I  consider  the  comforts  of  God,  I  durst  not  consent  to  sell  or  wadset 


PART  1.  LETTER  LXXI.  117 

my  short  life-rent  of  the  cross  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  know  that  Christ 
bought  with  his  own  blood  a  right  to  sanctified  and  blessed  crosses,  in 
as  far  as  they  blow  me  over  the  water  to  my  long  desired  home  :  and 
it  were  not  good  that  Christ  should  be  the  buyer  and  I  the  seller.  I 
know  time  and  death  shall  take  sufTermgs  fairly  off  my  hand  ;  I  hope 
we  shall  have  an  honest  parting  at  night,  when  this  cold  and  frosty  af- 
ternoon tide  of  my  evil  and  rough  day  shall  be  over ;  well  is  my  soul 
of  either  sweet  or  sour,  that  Christ  hath  any  part  or  portion  in  :  if  he 
be  at  the  one  end  of  it,  it  shall  be  well  with  me.  I  shall  die  ere  I  libel 
faults  against  Christ's  cross  ;  it  shall  have  my  testimonial  under  my 
hand,  as  an  honest  and  saving  mean  of  Christ  for  mortification  and 
faith's  growth.  I  have  a  stronger  assurance,  since  I  came  over  Forth, 
of  the  excellency  of  Jesus  than  I  had  before.  I  am  rather  about  him 
than  in  him,  while  I  am  absent  from  him  in  this  house  of  clay  ;  but  I 
would  be  in  heaven  for  no  other  cause  but  to  essay  and  try  what 
boundless  joy  it  must  be  to  be  over  head  and  ears  in  my  Well-beloved 
Christ's  love.  0  that  fair  one  hath  my  heart  for  evermore  !  but  alas, 
it  is  too  little  for  him !  0  if  it  were  better  and  more  worthy  for  his 
sake  !  O  if  1  might  meet  with  him  face  to  face  on  this  side  of  eterni- 
ty, and  might  have  leave  to  plead  with  him,  that  I  am  so  hungered, 
and  famished  here,  with  the  niggardly  portion  of  his  love  that  he  giveth 
me  !  0  that  I  might  be  carver  and  steward  myself,  at  mine  own  will, 
of  Christ's  love  !  if  I  may  lawfully  wish  this,  then  would  I  enlarge  my 
vessel  (alas !  a  narrow  and  ebb  soul)  and  take  in  a  sea  of  his  love. 
My  hunger,  for  it  is  hungry  and  lean,  in  believing  that  ever  I  shall  be 
satisfied  with  that  love  ;  so  fain  would  I  have  what  I  know  I  cannot 
hold.  0  Lord  Jesus,  delightest  thou,  to  pine  and  torment  poor  souls 
with  the  want  of  thy  incomparable  love  ?  O  if  I  durst  call  thy  dis- 
pensation cruel !  I  know  thou  thyself  art  mercy,  without  either  brim 
or  bottom  :  I  know  thou  art  a  God  bank-full  of  mercy  and  love,  but  oh, 
alas !  little  of  it  cometh  my  way ;  1  die  to  look  afar  off  to  that  love, 
because  I  can  get  but  little  of  it ;  but  hope  saith,  This  providence  shall 
ere  long  look  more  favourably  upon  poor  bodies,  and  me  also.  Grace 
be  with  your  Ladyship's  spirit. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  B. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  10, 16;i7. 


LETTER  LXXL 

To  Mr.  James  Hamilton, 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Peace  be  to  you  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus. 
I  am  laid  low,  when  I  remember  what  I  am,  and  that  my  outside  cast- 
eth  such  a  lustre,  when  I  find  so  little  within.  It  is  a  wonder  that 
Christ's  glory  is  not  defiled,  running  through  such  an  unclean  and  im- 
pure channel ;  but  I  see  Christ  will  be  Christ,  in  the  dreg  and  refuse 
of  men ;  his  art,  his  shining  wisdom,  his  beauty  speaketh  loudest  in 
blackness,  weakness,  deadness,  yea,  in  nothing.  I  see  nothing,  no 
money,  no  worth,  no  good,  no  life,  no  deserving,  is  the  ground  that 
omnipotency  delighteth  to  draw  glory  out  of.     O  how  sweet  is  the 


118  LETTER    LXXII.  PART    I. 

inner  side  of  the  walls  of  Christ's  house,  and  a  room  beside  himself! 
my  distance  from  him  maketh  me  sad.  O  that  we  were  in  other's 
arms  !  O  that  the  middle  things  betwixt  us  were  removed !  I  find  it 
a  difficult  matter  to  keep  all  stots  with  Christ ;  when  he  laugheth  I 
scarce  believe  it,  I  would  so  fain  have  it  true.  But  I  am  like  a  low 
man  looking  up  to  a  high  mountain,  whom  weariness  and  fainting 
overcometh.  I  would  climb  up,  but  1  find  that  I  do  not  advance  in 
my  journey  as  1  would  wish;  yet  I  trust  he  shali  take  me  home 
against  night.  I  marvel  not  that  Antichrist  in  his  slaves  is  so  busy  ; 
but  our  crowned  King  seeth  and  beholdeth,  and  will  arise  for  Zion's 
safety.  I  am  exceedingly  distracted  with  letters,  and  company  that 
visit  me  ;  what  I  can  do,  or  time  will  permit,  I  shall  not  omit.  Ex- 
cuse my  brevity,  for  I  am  straitened.  Remember  the  Lord's  prisoner : 
I  desire  to  be  mindful  of  you.     Grace,  grace,  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7, 1637. 


LETTER  LXXIL 

To  Mr.  George  Dunbar. 
REVEREND  AND  DEARLY  BELOVED  IN  THE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Because  your  words  have 
strengthened  many,  I  was  silent,  expecting  some  lines  from  you  in  my 
bonds  ;  and  this  is  the  cause  why  I  wrote  not  to  you,  but  now  I  am 
forced  to  break  off  and  speak.  I  never  believed,  till  now,  that  there 
was  so  much  to  be  found  in  Christ,  on  this  side  of  death  and  of 
heaven.  O  the  ravishments  of  heavenly  joy  that  may  be  had  here,  in 
the  small  gleamings  and  comforts  that  fall  from  Christ  1  What  fools 
are  we  who  know  not,  and  consider  not  the  weight  and  the  telling  that 
is  in  the  very  earnest  penny,  and  the  first  fruits  of  our  hoped  for  har- 
vest !  How  sweet,  how  sweet  is  our  infeftment !  0  what  then  must 
personal  possession  be  !  I  find  that  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  not  mis- 
cooked  or  spilt  this  sweet  cross ;  he  hath  an  eye  on  the  fire  and  the 
melting  gold,  to  separate  the  metal  and  the  dross.  O  how  much  time 
would  it  take  me  to  read  my  obligations  to  Jesus  my  Lord,  who  will 
neither  have  the  faith  of  his  own  to  be  burnt  to  ashes,  nor  yet  will 
have  a  poor  believer  in  the  fire  to  be  half  raw,  like  Ephraim's  unturned 
cake !  this  is  the  wisdom  of  him  who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion,  and  fur- 
nace in  Jerusalem.  I  need  not  either  bud  or  flatter  temptations  and 
crosses,  nor  strive  to  buy  the  devil,  or  this  malicious  world  by,  or  re- 
deem their  kindness  with  half  a  hair's  breadth  of  truth  :  he,  who  is 
surety  for  his  servant  for  good,  doth  powerfully  overrule  all  that.  I 
see  my  prison  hath  neither  lock  nor  door  ;  1  am  free  in  my  bonds,  and 
my  chains  are  made  of  rotten  straw,  they  shall  not  bide  one  pull  of 
faith.  1  am  sure  they  are  in  hell  who  would  exchange  their  torments 
with  our  crosses,  supposing  they  should  never  be  delivered,  and  give 
twenty  thousand  years  torment  to  boot,  to  be  in  our  bonds  for  ever ; 
and  therefore  we  wrong  Christ,  who  sigh,  and  fear,  and  doubt,  and 
despond  in  them.  Our  sufferings  are  washen  in  Christ's  blood,  as 
well  as  our  souls ;  for  Christ's  merits  brought  a  blessing  to  the  crosses 


PART  I.  LETTER  LXXIII.  119 

of  the  sons  of  God ;  and  Jesus  hath  a  back  bond  of  all  our  tempta- 
tions, that  the  free- warders  shall  come  out  by  law  and  justice,  in 
respect  of  the  infinite  and  great  sum  that  the  Redeemer  paid.  Our 
troubles  owe  us  a  free  passage  through  them :  devils  and  men,  and 
crosses  are  our  debtors,  death  and  all  storms  are  our  debtors,  to  blow 
our  poor  tossed  bark  over  the  water  fraught  free,  and  to  set  the  tra- 
vellers on  their  own  known  ground  :  therefore  we  shall  die,  and  yet 
live.  We  are  over  the  water,  someway,  already ;  we  are  married, 
and  our  tocher  good  is  paid  ;  we  are  already  more  than  conquerors. 
If  the  devil  and  the  world  knew  how  the  court  with  our  Lord  shall  go, 
I  am  sure  they  would  hire  death  to  take  us  off  their  hand ;  our  suf- 
ferings are  the  only  wreck  and  ruin  of  the  black  kingdom ;  and  yet  a 
little,  and  the  Antichrist  must  play  himself  with  bones  and  slain  bodies 
of  the  Lamb's  followers ;  but  withal  we  stand  with  the  hundred  forty 
and  four  thousand,  who  are  with  the  Lamb,  upon  the  top  of  mount 
Zion  ;  Antichrist  and  his  followers  are  down  in  the  valley  ground : 
Ave  have  the  advantage  of  the  hill ;  our  temptations  are  always 
beneath,  our  waters  are  beneath  our  breath  ;  as  dying,  and  behold  we 
live.  I  never  heard  before  of  a  hving  death,  or  a  quick  death  but 
ours  ;  our  death  is  not  like  the  common  death ;  Christ's  skill,  his 
handy-work,  and  a  new  cast  of  Christ's  admirable  art,  may  be  seen 
in  our  quick  death.  I  bless  the  Lord,  that  all  our  troubles  come 
through  Christ's  fingers,  and  that  he  casteth  sugar  among  them,  and 
casteth  in  some  ounce  weights  of  heaven,  and  of  the  spirit  of  glory, 
that  resteth  on  suffering  believers,  in  our  cup,  in  which  there  is  no 
taste  of  hell.  My  dear  brother,  ye  know  all  these  better  than  I ;  1 
send  water  to  the  sea,  to  speak  of  these  things  to  you ;  but  it  easeth 
me,  to  desire  you  to  help  me  to  pay  my  tribute  of  praise  to  Jesus. 

0  what  praises  I  owe  him  !     I  would,  I  were  in  my  free  heritage,  that 

1  might  begin  to  pay  my  debts  to  Jesus.  I  intreat  for  your  prayers 
and  praises.     I  forget  not  you. 

Your  brother  and  fellow-sufferer,  in  and  for  Christ,      S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  Sept.  17,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXIII. 

To  Mr.  David  Dickson. 
REVEREND  AND  WELL-BELOVED  IN  THE  LORD, 

I  BLESS  the  Lord,  who  hath  so  wonderfully  stopped  the  on-going  ol 
that  lawless  process  against  you.  The  Lord  reigneth,  and  hath  a 
saving  eye  upon  you,  and  your  ministry  ;  and  therefore  fear  not  what 
men  can  do.  I  bless  the  Lord,  that  the  Irish  ministers  find  employ- 
ment, and  the  professors  comfort  of  their  ministry.  Beheve  me,  I 
durst  not,  as  I  am  not  disposed  hold  an  honest  brother  out  of  the  pul- 
pit ;  I  trust,  the  Lord  shall  guard  you,  and  hide  you  in  the  shadow  of 
his  hand  :  I  am  not  pleased  with  any  that  are  against  you  in  that.  I 
see  this,  in  prosperity  men's  conscience  will  not  start  at  small  sins  ; 
but  if  some  had  been  where  I  have  been  since  I  came  from  you,  a 
little  more  would  have  caused  their  eyes  water,  and  troubled  their 
peace.     O  how  ready  are  we  to  incline  to  the  world's  hand !     Our 


120  LETTER  LXXIV.  PAKT  I. 

arguments,  being  well  examined,  are  often  drawn  from  our  skin :  the 
whole  skin,  and  a  peaceable  tabernacle,  is  a  topic  maxim  in  great  re- 
quest in  our  logic.  I  find  a  little  brairding  of  God's  seed  in  this 
town,  for  the  which  the  doctors  have  told  me  their  mind,  that  they 
cannot  bear  with  it,  and  have  examined  and  threatened  the  people  that 
haunt  my  company  ;  I  fear  I  get  not  leave  to  winter  here  ;  and 
whither  I  go  I  know  not ;  I  am  ready  at  the  Lord's  call.  I  would  I 
could  make  acquaintance  with  Christ's  cross,  for  I  find  comforts  lye 
to  and  follow  upon  the  cross.  I  suffer  in  my  name,  by  them  ;  I  take 
it  as  a  part  of  the  crucifying  of  the  old  man  ;  let  them  cut  the  throat 
of  my  credit,  and  do  as  they  like  best  with  it :  when  the  wind  of  their 
calumnies  hath  blown  away  my  good  name  from  me,  in  the  way  to 
heaven,  I  know  Christ  will  take  my  name  out  of  the  mire,  and  wash 
it,  and  restore  it  to  me  again.  I  would  have  a  mind  (if  the  Lord 
would  be  pleased  to  give  me  it,)  to  be  a  fool  for  Christ's  sake.  Some- 
times, while  I  have  Christ  in  my  arms,  I  fall  asleep  in  the  sweetness 
of  his  presence,  and  he,  in  my  sleep  stealeth  away  out  of  my  arms  ; 
and  when  I  awake,  I  miss  him.  I  am  much  comforted  with  my  Lady 
Pitsligo,  a  good  woman,  and  acquainted  with  God's  ways.  Grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  H,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXIV. 

To  the  Right  Honourable,  my  Lord  Lowdon. 
JRIGHT  HONOURABLE, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordship.  I  rejoice  exceed- 
ingly, that  I  hear  your  Lordship  hath  a  good  mind  to  Christ,  and  his 
now  Isorne-down  truth.  My  very  dear  Lord,  go  on,  in  the  strength  of 
the  Lord,to  carry  your  honours  and  worldly  glory  to  the  new  Jerusalema 
For  this  cause,  your  Lordship  received  these  of  the  Lord  ;  this  is  a 
sure  way  for  the  estabhshment  of  your  house,  if  ye  be  of  those,  who 
are  willing,  in  your  place,  to  build  Zion's  old  waste  places  in  Scotland. 
Your  Lordship  wanteth  not  God's  and  man's  law  both,  now  to  como 
to  the  streets  for  Christ :  and  suppose  the  bastard  laws  of  man  were 
at^ainst  you,  it  is  an  honest  and  zealous  error,  if  here  ye  slip  against  a 
point  or  punctilio  of  standing  policy  :  when  your  foot  slippeth  in  such 
known  ground,  as  is  the  royal  prerogative  of  our  high  and  most  truly 
dread  Sovereign,  (who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head,)  and  the  liber- 
ties of  his  house,  he  will  hold  you  up.  Blessed  shall  they  be,  who 
take  Babel's  httle  ones,  and  dash  their  heads  against  the  stones  :  I  wish 
your  Lordship  have  a  share  of  that  blessing,  with  other  worthy  nobles 
in  our  land.  It  is  true,  it  is  now  accounted  wisdom  for  men  to  be 
partners  in  pulling  up  the  stakes,  and  loosing  the  cords  of  the  tent  of 
Christ :  but  I  am  persuaded,  that  that  wisdom  is  cried  down  in  heaven, 
and  shall  never  pass  for  true  wisdom  with  the  Lord,  whose  word 
crieth  shame  upon  wit  against  Christ  and  truth :  and  accordingly,  it 
shall  prove  shame  and  confusion  of  face  in  the  end.  Our  Lord  hath 
given  your  Lordship  hght  of  a  better  stamp,  and  learning  also,  where- 


PART  1.  LETTER  LXXIV.  121 

in  ye  are  not  behind  the  disnuter  and  the  scribe.  O  what  a  blessed 
thing  is  it,  to  see  nobihty,  learning  and  sanctitication,  all  concur  in  one ! 
For  these  ye  owe  yourself  to  Christ  and  his  kingdom  :  God  hath  be- 
wildered and  bemisted  the  wit  and  the  learning  of  the  scribes  and 
disputers  of  this  time ;  they  look  asquint  to  the  Bible  :  this  blinding 
and  bemisting  world  blindfoldeth  men's  light,  that  they  are  afraid  to 
see  straight  out  before  them  :  nay,  their  very  light  playeth  the  knave, 
or  worse,  to  truth.  Your  Lordship  knoweth,  within  a  little  while, 
policy  against  truth  will  blush,  and  the  works  of  men  shall  burn  up, 
even  their  spider's^-web,  who  spin  out  many  hundred  ells  and  webs  of 
indifferences  in  the  Lord's  worship,  more  than  ever  Moses,  who 
would  have  an  hoof  material,  and  Daniel,  who  would  have  a  look  out 
at  a  window,  a  matter  of  life  and  death,  than  ever,  1  say,  these  men  of 
God  dreamed  of.  Alas,  that  men  dare  shape,  carve,  cut,  and  clip  our 
King's  princely  testament  in  length  and  breadth,  and  in  all  dimensions, 
answerable  to  the  conception  of  such  policy  as  a  head  of  wit  thinketh 
a  safe  and  trim  way  of  serving  God !  how  have  men  forgotten  the 
Lord,  that  they  dare  go  against  even  that  truth,  which  once  they 
preached  themselves,  howbeit  their  sermons  now  be  as  thin  sown  as 
strawberries,  in  a  wood  or  wilderness  1  certainly  the  sweetest  and 
safest  course  is,  for  this  short  time  of  the  afternoon  of  this  old  and 
declining  world,  to  stand  for  Jesus ;  he  hath  said  it,  and  it  is  our  part 
to  believe  it,  that  ere  it  be  long,  time  shall  be  no  more,  and  the  heaven 
ishall  wax  old,  as  a  garment.  Do  we  not  see  it  already  an  old,  holey, 
and  thread-bare  garment  1  Doth  not  cripple  and  lame  nature  tell  us, 
that  the  Lord  will  fold  up  the  old  garment,  and  lay  it  aside  :  and  the 
heavens  shall  be  folded  together  as  a  scroll,  and  this  pest  house  shall 
be  burnt  with  fire,  and  that  both  plenishing  and  walls  shall  melt  with 
fervent  heat  1  for  at  the  Lord's  coming,  he  will  do  with  this  earth,  as 
jnen  do  with  a  leper-house  ;  he  will  burn  the  walls  with  fire,  and  the 
plenishing  of  the  house  also,  2  Peter  iii.  10,  12.  My  dear  Lord,  how 
shall  ye  rejoice  in  that  day,  to  have  Christ,  angels,  heaven,  and  your 
own  conscience  to  smile  upon  you  1  I  am  persuaded,  one  sick  night, 
through  the  terrors  of  the  Almighty,  would  make  men,  whose  con- 
science hath  such  a  wide  throat  as  an  image  hke  a  cathedral  church 
would  go  down  it,  have  other  thoughts  of  Christ  and  his  worship,  than 
now  they  please  themselves  with.  The  scarcity  of  faith  in  the  earth 
saith,  We  are  hard  upon  the  last  nick  of  time  :  blessed  are  those  who 
keep  their  garments  clean  against  the  Bridegroom's  coming.  There 
shall  be  spotted  clothes,  and  many  defiled  garments,  at  his  last  coming; 
and  therefore,  few  found  worthy  to  walk  with  him  in  white.  I  am  per- 
suaded, my  Lord,  this  poor  travailing  woman,  our  pained  church,  is 
with  child  of  victory,  and  shall  bring  forth  a  man  child  all  lovely  and 
glorious,  that  shall  be  caught  up  to  God  and  his  throne,  howbeit  the 
dragon,  in  his  followers,  be  attending  the  child-birth  pain,  as  an  Egyp- 
tian midwife,  to  receive  the  birth  and  strangle  it,  Isa.  xxix.  8.  But 
they  shall  be  disappointed  who  thirst  for  the  destruction  of  Zion  :  they 
shall  be  as  when  a  hungry  man  dreameth  that  he  eateth  ;  but  be- 
hold he  awaketh,  and  his  soul  is  empty  ;  or  when  a  thirsty  man  drean>- 
«th  that  he  drinketh ;  but  behold  he  awaketh,  and  is  faint,  and  his  soul 

16 


122  LETTER  LXXV .  PART  I. 

is  not  satisfied  :  so  shall  it  be,  I  say,  with  the  multitude  of  all  the  na- 
tions that  fight  against  mount  Zion.  Therefore  the  weak  and  feeble, 
those  that  are  as  signs  and  wonders  in  Israel,  have  chosen  the  best 
side,  even  the  side  that  victory  is  upon  ;  and  I  think  this  is  no  evil 
policy.  Verily,  for  myself  I  am  so  well  pleased  with  Christ,  and  his 
noble  and  honest  born  cross,  this  cross  that  is  come  of  Christ's  house, 
and  is  of  kin  to  himself,  that  I  should  weep,  if  it  should  come  to 
niffering  and  bartering  of  lots  and  condition  with  those  that  are  at  ease 
in  Zion  ;  I  hold  still  my  choice,  and  bless  myself  in  it.  I  see  and'I 
believe,  there  is  salvation  in  this  way,  that  is  every  where  spoken 
against,  I  hope  to  go  to  eternity,  and  to  venture  on  the  last  evil  to 
the  saints,  even  upon  death,  fully  persuaded  that  this  only,  even  this, 
is  the  saving  way  for  "racked  consciences,  and  for  weary  and  loaden 
sinners,  to  find  ease  and  peace  for  evermore  into,  and  indeed  it  is  not 
for  any  worldly  respect  that  I  speak  so  of  it :  the  weather  is  not  so 
hot,  that  I  have  great  cause  to  startle  in  my  prison,  or  to  boast  of 
that  entertainment  that  my  good  friends,  the  prelates  intend  for  me, 
which  is  banishment,  if  they  shall  obtain  their  desire,  and  effectuate 
what  they  design  ;  but  let  it  come,  I  rue  not  that  I  made  Christ  my 
waile  and  my  choice ;  I  think  him  aye  the  longer  the  better.  My 
Lord,  it  shall  be  good  service  to  God,  to  hold  your  noble  friend  and 
chief  upon  a  good  course  for  the  truth  of  Christ.  Now  the  very  God 
of  peace  establish  your  Lordship  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  the  end. 

Your  Lordship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  10,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXV. 

.      ,  To  the  Laird  of  Gaitgirth. 

MUCK  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  can  do  uo  more  but  thank 
you  on  paper,  and  remember  you  to  him  whom  I  serve,  for  kindness 
and  care  of  a  prisoner.  I  bless  the  Lord,  the  cause  I  suffer  for  need- 
eth  not  blush  before  kings :  Christ's  white,  honest,  and  fair  truth 
needeth  neither  to  wax  pale  for  fear,  nor  blush  for  shame.  1  bless  the 
Lord,  who  hath  graced  you  to  own  Christ  now,  when  so  many  are 
afraid  to  profess  him,  and  hide  him,  for  fear  they  suffer  loss  by  avouch- 
ing him.  Alas  !  that  so  many  in  these  days  are  carried  with  the 
times !  as  if  their  conscience  rolled  upon  oiled  wheels,  so  do  they  go 
any  way  the  wind  blows  :  and  because  Christ  is  not  market  sweet,  men 
put  him  away  from  them.  Worthy  and  much  honoured  Sir,  go  on  to 
own  Christ  and  his  oppressed  truth :  the  end  of  sufferings  for  the 
gospel,  is  rest  and  gladness.  Light  and  joy  is  sown  for  the  mourners 
in  Zion,  and  the  harvest  (which  is  of  God's  making  for  time  and  man- 
ner) is  near  :  crosses  have  right  and  claim  to  Christ  in  his  members, 
till  legs  and  arms,  and  whole  mystical  Christ  be  in  heaven.  There 
will  be  rain,  and  hail,  and  storm,  in  the  saints'  clouds,  ever  till  God 
cleanse  with  fire  the  works  of  creation,  and  till  he  burn  the  botch 
house  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  men's  sin  hath  subjected  unto  vanity. 
They  are  blessed  who  suffer  and  sin  not,  for  suffering  is  the  badge 


PART  I.  LETTER  LXXVI.  123 

that  Christ  hath  put  upon  his  followers  :  take  what  way  we  can  to 
heaven,  the  way  is  hedged  up  with  crosses,  there  is  no  way  but  to 
break  through  them  ;  wit  and  wiles,  shifts  and  laws,  will  not  find  out 
a  way  about  the  cross  of  Christ,  but  we  must  through  ;  one  thing,  by 
experience,  my  Lord  hath  taught  me,  that  the  waters  betwixt  this  and 
heaven  may  all  be  ridden,  if  we  be  well  horsed,  I  mean,  if  we  be  in 
Christ ;  and  not  one  shall  drown  by  the  way,  but  such  as  love  their 
own  destruction.  Oh,  if  we  could  wait  on  for  a  time,  and  believe  in 
the  dark  the  salvation  of  God !  At  least  we  are  to  believe  good  of 
Christ,  till  he  gives  us  the  slip,  (which  is  impossible)  and  to  take  his 
word  for  caution,  that  he  shall  fill  up  all  the  blanks  in  his  promises, 
and  give  us  what  we  want ;  but  to  the  unbeliever  Christ's  testament  is 
white,  blank,  unwritten  paper.  Worthy  and  dear  Sir,  set  your  face  to 
heaven  and  make  you  to  stoop  at  all  the  low  entries  in  the  way  ;  that 
ye  may  receive  the  kingdom  as  a  child ;  without  this,  he  that  knew 
the  way,  said,  there  is  no  eutry  in.  O  but  Christ  be  willing  to  lead  a 
poor  sinner !  O  what  love  my  poor  soul  hath  found  in  him,  in  the 
house  of  my  pilgrimage !  Suppose  love  in  heaven  and  earth  were 
lost,  I  dare  swear,  it  may  be  found  in  Christ.  Now  the  very  God  of 
peace  establish  you,  till  the  day  of  the  glorious  appearance  of  Christ. 
Your  own  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXVL 

To  the  Lady  Gaitgirih. 
."MUCH  HONOURED  AND  CHRISTIAN  LADY, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  it  goeth 
with  you  and  your  children ;  I  exhort  you,  not  to  lose  breath,  nor  to 
faint  in  your  journey  ;  the  way  is  not  so  long  to  your  home  as  it  was  ; 
it  will  wear  to  one  step  or  an  inch  at  length,  and  ye  shall  come  ere  Ion" 
to  be  within  your  arm-length  of  the  glorious  crown.  Your  Lord  Je- 
sus did  sweat  and  pant,  ere  he  got  up  that  mount ;  he  was  at.  Father, 
save  me,  with  it ;  it  was  he  who.  Psalm  xxii.  14.  said,  I  am  poured  out 
like  water  ;  all  my  bones  are  out  of  joint.  Christ  was  as  if  they  had 
broken  him  upon  the  wheel,  My  heart  is  like  wax,  it  is  melted  in  the 
midst  of  my  bowels,  ver.  15.  My  strength  is  dried  up  like  a  potsherd. 
I  am  sure,  ye  love  the  way  the  better,  his  holy  feet  trod  it  before  you. 
Crosses  have  a  smell  of  crossed  and  pained  Christ.  I  beheve  your 
Lord  will  not  leave  you  to  die  your  alone  in  the  way.  I  know  ye  have 
sad  hours,  when  the  Comforter  is  hid  under  a  vail,  and  when  ye  in- 
quire for  him,  and  find  but  a  toom  nest ;  this,  I  grant,  is  but  a  cold 
good-day,  when  the  seeker  misseth  him  whom  the  soul  loveth ;  but 
even  his  unkindness  is  kind,  his  absence  lovely,  his  mask  a  sweet  sight, 
till  God  send  Christ  himself  in  his  own  sweet  presence :  make  his 
sweet  comforts  your  own,  and  be  not  strange  and  shame-faced  with 
Christ ;  homely  dealing  is  best  for  him,  it  is  his  liking.  When  your 
winter  storms  are  over,  the  summer  of  your  Lord  shall  come ;  your 
sadness  is  with  child  of  joy,  he  will  do  you  good  in  the  latter-end. 
Take  no  heavier  lift  of  your  children  than  your  Lord  alloweth ;  give 


124  LETTER  LXXVlr.  PART  I. 

them  room  beside  your  heart,  but  not  in  the  yolk  of  your  heart,  where 
Christ  should  be  ;  for  then  they  are  your  idols,  not  your  children  :  if 
your  Lord  take  any  of  them  home  to  his  house,  before  the  storm 
come  on,  take  it  well ;  the  owner  of  the  orchard  may  take  down  two 
or  three  apples  off  his  own  trees,  before  mid-summer,  and  ere  they 
get  the  harvest  sun  :  and  it  would  not  be  seemly  that  his  servant,  the 
gardener,  should  chide  him  for  it ;  let  our  Lord  pluck  his  own  fruit  at 
any  season  he  pleaseth :  they  are  not  lost  to  you,  they  are  laid  up  so 
well,  as  that  they  are  coffered  in  heaven,  where  our  Lord's  best  jew- 
els lye :  they  are  all  free  goods  that  are  there,  death  can  have  no  lav/ 
to  arrest  any  thing  that  is  within  the  walls  of  the  new  Jerusalem, 
All  the  saints,  because  of  sin,  are  like  old  rusty  horologies,  that  must 
be  taken  down,  and  the  wheels  scoured  and  mended,  and  set  up  again, 
in  better  case  than  before  ;  sin  hath  rusted  both  soul  and  body  :  our 
dear  Lord,  by  death,  taketh  us  down  to  scour  the  wheels  of  both,  and 
to  purge  us  perfectly  from  the  root  and  remainder  of  sin  ;  and  we  shall 
be  set  up  in  better  case  than  before.  •  Then  pluck  up  your  heart,  hea- 
ven is  yours,  and  that  is  a  word  few  can  say.  Now,  the  great  Shep* 
herd  of  the  sheep,  and  the  very  God  of  peace,  confirm  and  estabhsh 
you,  to  the  day  of  the  appearance  of  Christ  our  Lord. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R^ 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXVIL 

To  his  Pieverend  and  very  dear  Brother,  Mr.  George  Gillespie, 
MY  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  yours.  I  am  still  with  the  Lord ;  his  cross  hath  done 
that  which  I  thought  impossible  once;  Christ  keepeth  tryst  in  the  fire 
and  water  with  his  own,  and  cometh  ere  our  breath  go  out,  and  ere  our 
blood  grow  cold.  Blessed  are  they,  whose  feet  escape  the  great 
golden  net  that  is  now  spread  ;  it  is  happiness  to  take  the  crabbed, 
rough,  and  poor  side  of  Christ's  world,  which  is  a  lease  of  crosses  and 
losses  for  him ;  for  Christ's  incomes  and  casualties  that  follow  him 
are  many,  and  it  is  not  a  little  one,  that  a  good  conscience  may  be  had 
in  following  him.  This  is  true  gain,  and  must  be  laboured  for,  and 
loved.  Many  give  Christ  for  a  shadow,  because  Christ  was  rather 
Reside  their  conscience,  in  a  dead  and  reprobate  light,  than  in  their 
conscience.  Let  us  therefore  be  ballasted  with  grace,  that  we  be  not 
blown  over,  and  that  we  stagger  not.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  Christ 
and  his  redeemed  ones  shall  fill  the  field,  and  come  out  victorious  ; 
Christ's  glory  of  triumphing  in  Scotland  is*  yet  in  the  bud,  and  in  the 
birth,  but  the  birth  cannot  prove  an  abortive.  He  shall  not  faint  nor 
be  discouraged,  till  he  hath  brought  forth  judgment  unto  victory. 
Let  us  still  mind  our  covenant.  And  the  verv  God  of  peace  be  with 
you. 

Your  Brother  in  Christ.  ^.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  9,  1637. 


125 
LETTER  LXXVIII. 

To  Mr.  Matthew  Mowat. 
PvEVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  AM  refreshed  with  your  letters.  I  would  take  all  well  at  my 
Lord's  hands  that  he  hath  done,  if  I  knew  I  could  do  my  Lord  any 
service  in  my  suffering :  suppose  my  Lord  would  make  a  stop  hole 
of  me,  to  fill  a  hole  in  the  wall  of  his  house,  or  a  pinning  in  Zion's  new 
work:  for  any  place  of  trust  in  my  Lord's  house,  as  steward,  or 
chamberlain,  or  the  like,  surely  I  think  myself  (my  very  dear  brother, 
I  speak  not  by  any  proud  figure  or  trope)  unworthy  of  it :  nay,  I  am 
not  worthy  to  stand  behind  the  door ;  if  my  head,  and  feet,  and  body 
were  half  out,  half  in,  in  Christ's  house,  so  I  saw  the  fair  face  of  the 
Lord  of  the  house,  it  would  still  my  longing  and  love-sick  desires. 
When  I  hear  that  the  men  of  God  are  at  work,  and  speaking  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  his  name,  I  think  myself  but  an  out-cast  or  out-law,  cha- 
sed from  the  city,  to  lye  on  the  hills,  and  hve  amongst  the  rocks  and 
out-fields.  O  that  I  might  but  stand  in  Christ's  out-house,  or  hold  a 
candle  in  any  low  vault  of  his  house !  But  I  know  this  is  but  the 
vapours  that  arise  out  of  a  quarrellous  and  unbelieving  heart  to  darken 
the  wisdom  of  God.  And  your  fault  is  just  tnine,  that  1  cannot 
believe  my  Lord's  bare  and  naked  word.  I  must  either  have  an 
apple  to  play  me  with,  and  shake  hands  with  Christ,  and  have  seal, 
caution,  and  witness  to  his  word,  or  else  I  count  myself  loose ;  how- 
beit,  I  have  the  word  and  faith  of  a  King.  Oh,  I  am  made  of  unbe- 
lief, and  cannot  swim  but  where  my  feet  may  touch  the  ground  !  Alas, 
Christ  under  my  temptations  is  presented  to  me  as  lying  waters,  as  a 
dyvour  and  a  cousener !  We  can  make  such  a  Christ,  as  temptations, 
casting  us  in  a  night-dream,  do  feign  and  devise,  and  temptations 
represent  Christ  ever  unlike  himself,  and  we  in  om-  folly  listen  to  the 
tempter.  If  I  could  minister  one  saving  word  to  any,  how  glad  would 
my  soul  be  !  But  I  myself,  which  is  the  greatest  evil,  often  mistake 
the  cross  of  Christ ;  for  I  know  if  we  had  wit,  and  knew  well  that 
ease  slayeth  us  fools,  we  would  desire  a  market  where  we  might  bar- 
ter or  niffer  our  lazy  ease  with  a  profitable  cross ;  howbeit  there  be 
an  outcast  natural  betwixt  our  desires  and  tribulation  ;  but  some  give 
a  dear  price  and  gold  for  physic,  which  they  love  not ;  and  buy  sick- 
ness, howbeit  they  wish  rather  to  have  been  whole  than  to  be  sick. 
But  surely,  brother,  ye  shall  not  have  my  advice,  howbeit,  alas !  I 
cannot  follow  it  myself,  to  contend  with  the  honest  and  faithful  Lord 
of  the  house  ;  for,  go  he,  or  come  he,  he  is  aye  gracious  in  his  depart- 
ure :  there  are  grace,  and  mercy,  and  loving  kindness  upon  Christ's 
back  parts  ;  and  when  he  goeth  away,  the  proportion  of  his  face,  the 
image  of  that  fair  Sun  that  stayeth  in  his  eyes,  senses  and  heart,  after 
he  is  gone,  leaveth  a  mass  of  love  behind  it  in  the  heart.  The  sound 
of  his  knock  at  the  door  of  his  beloved,  after  he  is  gone  and  past, 
ieaveth  a  share  of  joy  and  sorrow  both  ;  so  we  have  something  to  feed 
upon  till  he  return ;  and  he  is  more  loved  in  his  departure,  and  after 
he  is  gone,  than  before ;  as  the  day  in  the  declining  of  the  sun,  and 
towards  the  evening,  is  often  most  desired.  And  as  for  Christ's  cross, 
f  never  received  e^'il  of  it,  but  what  was  mine  own  making ;  when  I 


126  LETTER  LXXIX.  PART  1. 

miscooked  Christ's  physic,  no  marvel  that  it  hurt  me ;  for  since  it 
was  on  Christ's  back,  it  hath  always  a  sweet  smell,  and  these  1600 
years  it  keepeth  the  smell  of  Christ ;  nay,  it  is  older  than  that  too, 
for  it  is  a  long  time  since  Abel  first  handseled  the  cross,  and  had  it 
laid  upon  his  shoulder ;  and  down  from  him,  all  alongst  to  this  very 
day,  all  the  saints  have  known  what  it  is.  I  am  glad  that  Christ  hath 
such  a  relation  to  this  cross,  and  that  it  is  called  the  cross  of  our  Lord 
Jesus,  Gal.  vi.  14.  his  reproach,  Heb.  xiii.  13.  as  if  Christ  would 
claim  it  as  his  proper  goods,  and  so  it  cometh  in  the  reckoning  among 
Christ's  own  property ;  if  it  were  simple  evil,  as  sin  is,  Christ  who  is 
not  the  author  nor  owner  of  sin,  would  not  own  it.  I  wonder  at  the 
enemies  of  Christ,  in  whom  malice  hath  run  away  with  wit,  and  will 
is  up,  and  wit  down,  that  they  would  essay  to  lift  up  the  stone  laid  in 
Zion ;  surely  it  is  not  laid  in  such  sinking  ground  as  that  they  can 
raise  it,  or  remove  it ;  for  when  we  are  in  their  belly,  and  they  have 
swallowed  us  down,  they  will  be  sick,  and  spue  us  out  again.  I  know 
Zion  and  her  husband  cannot  both  sleep  at  once ;  I  believe  our  Lord 
once  again  shall  water  with  his  dew  the  withered  hill  of  Mount  Zion 
in  Scotland,  and  come  down  and  make  a  new  marriage  again,  as  he 
did  long  since.  Remember  our  covenant.  Your  excuse  for  your 
advice  to  me  is  needless :  alas,  many  sit  beside  hght,  as  sick  folks 
beside  meat,  and  cannot  make  use  of  it.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  in  Christ,  S,  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXIX. 

To  Mr.  John  Meine. 
DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter.  I  cannot  but  testify  under  mine  own  hand, 
that  Christ  is  still  the  longer  the  better,  and  that  this  time  is  the  time 
of  loves.  When  I  have  said  all  I  can,  others  may  begin  and  say,  I 
have  said  nothing  of  him ;  I  never  knew  Christ  to  ebb  or  flow,  wax 
or  wane  ;  his  winds  turn  not ;  when  he  seemeth  to  change,  it  is  but 
we  who  turn  our  wrong  side  to  him,  I  never  had  a  plea  with  him,  in 
my  hardest  conflicts,  but  of  mine  own  making.  Oh  that  I  could  live 
in  peace  and  good  neighbourhood  with  such  a  second,  and  let  him 
alone !  My  unbelief  made  many  black  lies,  but  my  recantation  to 
Christ  is  not  worth  the  hearing.  Surely  he  hath  borne  with  strange 
gades  in  me  ;  he  knoweth  my  heart  hath  not  natural  wit  to  keep 
quarters  with  such  a  Saviour.  Ye  do  well  to  fear  your  backsliding. 
I  had  stood  sure,  if  I  had  in  my  youth  borrowed  Christ  to  be  my  bot- 
tom ;  but  he  that  beareth  his  own  weight  to  heaven,  shall  not  fail  to 
sHp  and  sink.  Ye  had  no  need  to  be  bare-footed  among  the  thorns  of 
this  apostate  generation,  lest  a  stob  stick  up  in  your  foot,  and  cause 
you  to  halt  all  your  days.  And  think  not  Christ  will  do  with  you  in 
the  matter  of  suffering,  as  the  pope  doth  in  the  matter  of  sin  ;  ye  shall 
not  find  that  Christ  will  sell  a  dispensation  or  give  a  dyvour's  protec- 
tion against  crosses  ;  crosses  are  proclaimed  as  common  accidents  to 
n]l  the  saints,  and  in  them  standeth  a  part  of  our  communion  with 


PART  I. 


LETTER   LXXX,    LXXXI.  127 


Christ ;  but  there  lyeth  a  sweet  casualty  to  the  cross,  even  Christ's 
presence  and  his  comforts,  when  they  are  sanctified.  Remember  my 
love  to  your  father  and  mother.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 

LETTER  LXXX. 

To  John  Fleming,  Baillie  of  Leitli. 
MUCH    HONOURED    IN    THE    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  still  in  good  terms 
with  Christ ;  however  my  Lord's  wind  blow,  I  have  the  advantage 
of  the  calm  and  sunny  side  of  Christ.  Devils,  and  hell,  and 
devils'  servants,  are  all  blown  blind,  in  pursuing  the  Lord's  little 
bride ;  they  shall  be  as  a  night  dream,  who  fight  against  Mount 
Zion.  Worthy  Sir,  I  hope  ye  take  to  heart  the  worth  of  your 
calUng:  this  great  fair  and  meeting  of  the  people  will  skail,  and 
the  port  is  open  for  us ;  as  fast  as  time  weareth  out,  we  flee  away : 
eternity  is  at  our  elbow.  O  how  blessed  are  they,  who  in  time,  make 
Christ  sure  for  themselves  !  Salvation  is  a  great  errand,  I  find  it  hard 
<o  fetch  heaven.  Oh  that  we  could  take  pains  on  our  lamps,  for  the 
Bridegroom's  coming :  the  other  side  of  this  world  will  be  turned  up 
incontinent,  and  up  shall  down  :  and  those  that  are  weeping  in  sack- 
cloth shall  triumph  on  white  horses,  with  him  whose  name  is.  The 
Word  of  God.  Those  dying  idols,  the  fair  creatures  that  we  whor- 
ishly  love  better  than  our  Creator,  will  pass  away  like  snow  water. 
The  God-head,  the  God-head,  a  communion  with  God  in  Christ,  to 
be  halvers  with  Christ  of  the  purchased  house  and  inheritance  in  hea- 
ven, should  be  our  scope  and  aim.  For  myself,  when  I  lay  my  counts, 
O  what  telling,  O  what  weighing  is  in  Christ !  O  how  soft  are  his 
kisses  !  0  love,  love  surpassing  in  Jesus !  I  have  no  fault  to  that 
love,  but  that  it  seemeth  to  deal  niggardly  \vith  me  ;  I  have  little  of 
it.  O  that  I  had  Christ's  seen  and  read  bond,  subscribed  by  himaelf, 
for  my  fill  of  it !  What  garland  have  I,  or  what  crown,  if  I  looked 
right  on  things,  but  Jesus  !  0  there  is  no  room  in  us  on  this  side  of 
the  water  for  that  love  !  This  narrow  bit  of  earth,  and  these  ebb  and 
narrow  souls  can  hold  little  of  it,  because  we  are  full  of  rifts.  I  would 
glory,  glory  would  enlarge  us,  as  it  will,  and  make  us  tight,  and  close 
up  our  seams  and  rifts,  that  we  might  be  able  to  comprehend  it,  which 
yet  is  incomprehensible.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Yours,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXL 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Earlstoun. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

HowBEiT  I  would  have  been  glad  to  have  seen  you  ;  yet,  seeing 
our  Lord  hath  been  pleased  to  break  the  snare  of  your  adversaries,  I 
heartily  bless  our  Lord  on  your  behalf.     Our  crosses  for  Christ  are 


128  LETTER   LXXXI.  PART  I. 

not  made  of  iron,  they  are  softer  and  of  more  gentle  metal  ;  it  is  easy 
for  God  to  make  a  fool  of  the  devil,  the  father  of  all  fools  :  as  for  me, 
I  but  breathe  out  what  my  Lord  breatheth  in.     The  scum  and  froth  of 
my  letters  I  father  upon  my  unbelieving  heart.     I  know  your  Lord 
hath  something  to  do  with  you,  because  Satan  and  malice  have  shot 
sore  at  you  ;  but  your  bow  abideth  in  its  strength.     Ye  shall  not,  by 
my  advice,  be  a  halver  with  Christ,  to  divide  the  glory  of  your  deli- 
verance betwixt  yourself  and  him,  or  any  other  second  mean  whatso- 
ever.    Let  Christ,  as  it  setteth  him  well,  have  all  the  glory  and  tri- 
umph his  alone.     The  Lord  set  himself  on  high  in  you.     I  see  Christ 
can  borrow  a  cross  for  some  hours,  and  set  his  servants  beside  it, 
rather  than  under  it,  and  win  the  plea  too,  yea,  and  make  glory  to 
himself,  and  shame  to  his  enemies,  and  comfort  to  his  children,  out 
of  it ;  but  whether  Christ  buy  or  borrow  crosses,   he  is  King  of 
crosses,  and   King  of  devils,   and  King  over  hell,  and  King  over 
malice.     When  he  was  in  the  grave,  he  came  out,  and  brought  the 
keys  with  him ;  he  is  Lord  Jailor :  nay,  what  say,  11  he  is  Captain 
of  the  castle,  and  he  hath  the  keys  of  death  and  hell :  and  what  are 
our  troubles  but  little  deaths :  and  he  who  commandeth  the  great 
castle  commandeth  the  httle  also.     2.  I  see  a  hardened  face,  and  two 
skins  upon  our  brows,   against  the  winter  hail  and  stormy  wind,  is 
meetest  for  a  poor  traveller  in  a  winter  journey  to  heaven.     O  what 
art  is  it  to  learn  to  endure  hardness,  and  to  learn  to  go  barefooted 
either  through  the  devil's  fiery  coals  or  his  frozen  waters !  3.  I  am 
persuaded  a  sea-venture  with  Christ  maketh  great  riches  :  is  not  our 
King  Jesus  his  ship  coming  home,  and  shall  not  we  get  part  of  the 
gold?  Alas  !  we  fools  miscount  our  gain  when  we  seem  losers.     Be- 
lieve me,  I  have  no  challenges  against  this  well  born  cross  :  for  it  is 
come  of  Christ's  house,  and  is  honourable,  and  his  propine  ;  to  you 
it   is  given  to  suffer ;  O  what  fools  are  we,  to  undervalue  his  gifts, 
and  to  lightly  that  which  is  true  honour !  for  if  we  could  be  faithful, 
our  tackling  shall  not  loose,  nor  our  mast  break,  nor  our  sails  blow 
into  the  sea.     The  bastard  crosses,  the  kinless  and  base-born  crosses 
of  worldlings  for  evil  doing,  must  be  heavy  and  grievous  ;  but   our 
afflictions  are  light  and  momentary.     4.  I  think  myself  happy  that  I 
have  lost  credit  with  Christ,  and  that  in  this  bargain  I  am  Christ's 
sworn  dyvour,  to  whom  he  will  lippen  nothing,  no,  not  one  pin  in  the 
work  of  my  salvation :  let  me  stand  in  black  and  white  in  the  dy  vour- 
book  before  Christ.     I  am  happy  that  my  salvation  is  concredited  to 
Christ's  mediation  :  Christ  oweth  no  faith  to  me,  to  lippen  any  thing 
to  me ;  but  O  what  faith  and  credit  I  owe  to  him  !  Let  my  name  fall, 
and  let  Christ's  name  stand  in  honour  with  men  and  angels.     Alas  !  I 
have  no  room  to  spread  out  my  affection  before  God's  people  :  and  I 
see  not  how  I  can  shout  out  and  cry  out  the  loveliness,  the  high 
honour,  and  the  glory  of  my  fairest  Lord  Jesus.     Oh  that  he  would 
let  me  have  a  bed  to  lye  on,  to  be  dehvered  of  my  birth,  that  I  might 
paint  him  out  in  his  beauty  to  men,  as  I  can.     5.  I  wondered  once  at 
Providence,  and  called  white   providence   black  and  unjust,  that  I 
should  be  smothered  in  a  town  where  no  soul  will  take  Christ  off  my 
hand ;  but  providence  hath  another  lustre  with  God  than  with  xay- 


PARTI.  LETTER  LXXXII.  129 

bleared  eyes.  I  procliiim  myself  a  blind  body,  who  knows  not  black 
and  white,  in  the  uncouth  course  of  God's  providence.  Suppose 
Christ  would  set  hell  where  heaven  is,  and  devils  up  in  glory  beside 
the  elect  angels  (which  yet  cannot  be)  I  would  I  had  a  heart  to  ac- 
quiesce in  his  way,  without  further  dispute.  I  see,  infinite  wisdom  is 
the  mother  of  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out.  6.  I 
cannot  learn ;  but  I  desire  to  learn  to  bring  my  thoughts,  will,  and 
lusts,  in  under  Christ's  feet,  that  he  may  trample  upon  them  ;  but  alas, 
I  am  still  upon  Christ's  wrong  side  !   Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  12, 1637. 


LETTER  LXXXn. 

To  Robert  Lennox,  of  Disdove. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  FORGOT  you  not  in  my  bonds  ;  I  know  ye  are  looking  to  Christ ; 
and  I  beseech  you,  follow  your  look.  I  can  say  more  of  Christ  now 
by  experience,  though  he  be  infinitely  above  and  beyond  all  that  can 
be  said  of  him,  than  when  I  saw  you.  I  am  drowned  over  head  and 
ears  in  his  love.  Sell,  sell,  sell  all  things  for  Christ.  If  this  whole 
world  were  the  balk  of  a  balance,  it  should  not  be  able  to  bear  the 
weight  of  Christ's  love  ;  men  and  angels  have  short  arms  to  fathom 
it ;  set  your  feet  upon  this  piece  blue  and  base  clay  of  an  over-gilded 
and  fair-plaistered  world  ;  an  hour's  kissing  of  Christ  is  worth  a  world 
of  worlds.  Sir,  make  sure  work  of  your  salvation :  build  not  upon 
sand  ;  lay  the  foundation  upon  the  rock  in  Zion ;  strive  to  be  dead  to 
this  world,  and  to  your  will  and  lusts  ;  let  Christ  have  a  commanding- 
power  and  a  King's  throne  in  you ;  walk  with  Christ,  howbeit  the 
world  should  take  the  skin  off  your  face  :  I  promise  you  Christ  will 
win  the  field.  Your  pastors  cause  you  to  err ;  except  you  see 
Christ's  word,  go  not  one  foot  with  them ;  countenance  not  the  read- 
ing of  that  Rome  service-book ;  keep  your  garments  clean,  as  ye 
would  walk  with  the  Lamb  cloathed  in  white.  The  wrongs  I  suffer 
are  recorded  in  heaven  :  our  great  Master  and  Judge  will  be  upon  us 
all,  and  bring  us  before  the  sun  in  our  blacks  and  whites  ;  blessed  are 
they  who  watch  and  keep  themselves  in  God's  love.  Learn  to  dis- 
cern the  Bridegroom's  tongue,  and  to  give  yourself  to  prayer  and 
reading.  Ye  were  often  a  hearer  of  me  :  I  would  put  my  heart's 
blood  on  the  doctrine  I  taught,  as  the  only  way  to  salvation  ;  go  not 
from  it,  my  dear  brother.  What  I  write  to  you,  I  write  to  your  wife 
also.  Mind  heaven  and  Christ,  and  keep  the  spark  of  the  love  of 
Christ  you  have  gotten  ;  Christ  shall  blow  on  it  if  ye  entertain  it,  and 
your  end  shall  be  peace.  There  is  a  fire  in  our  Zion,  but  our  Lord  is 
but  seeking  a  new  bride  refined  and  purified  out  of  the  furnace ;  I 
assure  you,  howbeit  we  be  nick-named  Puritans,  all  the  powers  of 
the  world  shall  not  prevail  against  us  ;  remember  though  a  sinful  man 
write  it  to  you,  these  people  shall  be  in  Scotland,  as  a  green  olive-tree, 
and  a  field  blessed  of  the  Lord  ;  and  it  shall  be  proclaimed — Up,  up 
with  Christ,  and  down,  down  with  all  contrary  powers.     Sir,  pray  for 

17 


130  LETTER   LXXXIII,  LXXXIV.  PART  I. 

me,  I  name  you  to  the  Lord,  for  further  evil  is  determined  against  me. 
Kemember  my  love  to  Christian  Murray,  and  her  daughter  ;  I  desire 
her,  in  the  edge  of  her  evening,  to  wait  a  little,  the  king  is  coming, 
and  he  hath  something,  that  she  never  saw  with  him  ;  heaven  is  no 
dream ;  come  and  see,  will  teach  her  best.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R< 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  13, 1637. 

LETTER  LXXXIII. 

To  Marion  M'Naught. 
DEAREST  m  OUR  LORD  JESUS, 

Count  it  your  honour,  that  Christ  hath  begun  at  you,  to  fine  you 
first.  Fear  not,  saith  the  Amen,  the  true  and  faithful  witness ;  I 
•write  to  you.  As  my  Master  liveth,  upon  the  word  of  my  Royal  King, 
continue  in  prayer  and  in  watching,  and  your  glorious  deliverance  is 
coming :  Christ  is  not  far  off;  a  fig,  a  straw,  for  all  the  bits  of  clay 
that  are  risen  against  us.  Ye  shall  thresh  the  mountains,  and  fan  them 
like  chaff,  Isa.  xli.  If  ye  slack  your  hands  at  your  meetings,  and 
your  watching  to  prayer,  then  it  would  seem  our  Rock  hath  sold  us  ; 
but  be  dihgent,  and  be  not  discouraged.  I  charge  you  in  Christ, 
rejoice,  give  thanks,  believe,  be  strong  in  the  Lord :  that  burning 
bush  in  Galloway  and  Kirkcudbright  shall  not  be  burnt  to  ashes,  for 
the  Lord  is  in  the  bush.  Be  not  discouraged,  that  banishment  is  to 
be  procured  by  the  king's  warrant  to  the  council,  against  me ;  the 
earth  is  my  Lord's  ;  I  am  filled  with  his  sweet  love  and  running  over. 
I  rejoice  to  hear  you  are  on  your  journey  ;  such  news  as  I  hear,  of 
all  your  faith  and  love,  rejoice  my  sad  heart.  Pray  for  me,  for  they 
seek  my  hurt ;  but  I  give  myself  to  prayer.  The  blessing  of  my 
Lord,  and  the  blessing  of  a  prisoner  of  Christ  be  with  you.  O 
chosen  and  greatly  beloved  woman,  faint  not.  Fy,  fy,  if  ye  faint 
now,  ye  lose  a  good  cause :  double  your  meetings ;  cease  not  for 
Zion's  sake,  and  hold  not  your  peace  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise 
in  the  earth. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXIY. 

To  Thomas  Corbet. 
DEAR  FRIEND, 

I  FORGET  you  not;  it  shall  be  my  joy,  that  ye  follow  after  Christ 
till  ye  find  him ;  my  conscience  is  a  feast  of  joy  to  me,  that  I  sought 
in  singleness  of  heart,  for  Christ's  love,  to  put  you  upon  the  King's 
highway  to  our  Bridegroom,  and  our  Father's  house :  thrice  blessed 
are  ye,  my  dear  brother,  if  ye  hold  the  way  :  I  beheve,  ye  and  Christ 
once  met,  I  hope  ye  will  not  sunder  with  him ;  follow  the  counsel  of 
the  man  of  God,  Mr.  William  Dalglish.  If  ye  depart  from  what  I 
taught  you  in  a  hair-breadth,  for  fear  or  favour  of  men,  or  desire  of 
ease  in  this  world,  I  take  heaven  and  earth  to  witness,  that  ill  shall 


PART  I.  LETTER  LXXXV.  131 

come  upon  you  in  end.  Build  not  your  nest  here  ;  this  world  is  a 
hard  ill  made  bed,  no  rest  in  it  for  your  soul ;  awake,  awake,  and 
make  haste  to  seek  that  pearl,  Christ,  that  this  world  seeth  not. 
Your  night,  and  your  master  Christ,  will  be  upon  you  within  a  clap ; 
your  hand-breadth  of  time  will  not  bide  you  ;  take  Christ,  howbeit  a 
storm  follow  him  ;  howbeit  this  day  be  not  your's  and  Christ's  the 
morrow  will  be  your's  and  his.  I  would  not  exchange  the  joy  of  my 
bonds  and  imprisonment  for  Christ,  for  all  the  joy  of  this  dirty  and 
foul-skinned  world.  I  have  a  love-bed  with  Christ,  and  am  filled  with 
his  love.  I  desire  your  wife  to  do  what  I  write  to  you ;  let  her 
remember  how  dear  Christ  would  be  to  her,  when  her  breath  turneth 
cold,  and  the  eye-strings  shall  break.  O  how  joyful  should  my  soul 
be,  to  know  that  I  had  brought  on  a  marriage  betwixt  Christ  and  that 
people,  few  or  many ;  if  it  be  not  so,  I  will  be  wo  to  be  a  witness 
against  them.  Use  prayer ;  love  not  the  world ;  be  humble,  and 
esteem  little  of  yourself;  love  your  enemies,  and  pray  for  them ; 
make  conscience  of  speaking  truth,  when  none  knoweth  but  God.  1 
never  eat,  but  I  pray  for  you  all.  Pray  for  me ;  ye  and  I  shall  see 
one  another  up  in  our  Father's  house.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  your 
eye  is  upon  Christ.  Follow  on,  hang  on,  and  quit  him  not.  The 
Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  affectionate  Brother  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXV. 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Earlstouii. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter,  whick 
refreshed  me.  Except  from  your  son,  and  my  brother,  I  have  seen 
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  gait  of  it ;  for  though,  for  the  present,  I 
have  seen  ups  and  downs  every  day,  yet  I  am  abundantly  comforted 
and  feasted  with  my  King  and  Well-beloved  daily ;  it  pleaseth  him  to 
come  and  dine  with  a  sad  prisoner,  and  a  solitary  stranger  ;  his  spike- 
nard casteth  a  smell ;  yet  my  sweet  hath  some  sour  mixed  with  it, 
wherein  I  must  acquiesce  ;  for  there  is  no  reason  that  his  comforts  be 
too  cheap,  seeing  they  are  delicates  ;  why  should  he  not  make  them 
so  to  his  own  1  But  I  verily  think  now,  Christ  hath  led  me  up  to  a 
nick  in  Christianity  that  I  was  never  at  before ;  I  think  all  before  was 
but  childhood  and  children's  play.  Since  I  departed  from  you,  I 
have  been  scalded,  while  the  smoke  of  hell's  fire  went  in  at  my  throat, 
and  I  would  have  bought  peace  with  a  thousand  years  torment  in 
hell ;  and  1  have  been  up  also,  after  these  deep  down  castings  and 
sorrows,  before  the  Lamb's  white  throne,  in  my  Father's  inner  court, 
the  great  King's  dining-hall ;  and  Christ  did  cast  a  covering  of  love 
on  me  ;  he  hath  casten  a  coal  into  my  soul,  and  it  is  smoking  among 
the  straw,  and  keeping  the  hearth  warm :  I  look  back  to  what  I  was 
before,  and  I  laugh  to  see  the  sand-houaes  I  built  when  I  was  a  child. 


132  LETTER   LXXXV* 


PART  I. 


At  first,  the  remembrance  of  the  many  fair  feast-days  with  my  Lord 
Jesus  in  public,  which  are  now  changed  into  silent  sabbaths,  raised 
a  great  tempest,  and  (if  I  may  speak  so)  made  the  devil  ado  in  my 
soul ;  the  devil  came  in,  and  would  prompt  me  to  make  a  plea  with 
Christ,  and  to  lay  the  blame  on  him  as  a  hard  master ;  but  now  these 
mists  are  blown  away,  and  I  am  not  only  silenced  as  to  all  quarelling, 
but  fully  satisfied,  ^'ow,  I  wonder  that  any  man  living  can  laugh 
Tipon  the  world,  or  give  it  a  hearty  good-day.  The  Lord  Jesus  hath 
handled  me  so,  that,  as  I  am  now  disposed,  I  think  never  to  be  in' 
this  world's  common  again  for  a  night's  lodging.  Christ  beareth  me 
good  company  ;  he  hath  eased  me,  when  1  saw  it  not,  lifting  the  cross 
off"  my  shoulders,  so  that  I  think  it  to  be  but  a  feather,  because  under- 
neath are  everlasting  arms.  God  forbid  it  come  to  bartering  or  nif- 
fering  of  crosses  ;  for  I  think  my  cross  so  sweet,  that  I  know  not 
where  I  would  get  the  like  of  it.  Christ's  honey-combs  drop  so 
abundantly,  that  they  sweeten  my  gall.  Nothing  breaketh  my  heart, 
but  that  1  cannot  get  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem,  to  tell  them  of  my 
Bridegroom's  glory  :  I  charge  you  in  the  name  of  Christ,  that  ye  tell 
all  ye  come  to  of  it ;  and  yet  it  is  above  telling  and  understanding. 
Oh,  if  all  the  kingdom  were  as  I  am,  except  my  bonds !  they  know 
not  the  love-kisses  that  my  only  Lord  Jesus  wasteth  on  a  dawted  pri- 
soner. On  my  salvation,  this  is  the  only  way  to  the  new  city.  I 
know  Christ  hath  no  dumb  seals  ;  would  he  put  his  privy  seal  upon 
blank  paper?  he  hath  sealed  my  sufferings  with  his  comforts.  I 
write  this  to  confirm  you.  I  write  now  what  I  have  seen  as  well  as 
heard.  Now  and  then  my  silence  burneth  up  my  spirit ;  but  Christ 
hath  said.  Thy  stipend  is  running  up  with  interest  in  heaven,  as  if 
thou  wert  preaching ;  and  this  from  a  King's  mouth  rejoiceth  my 
heart ;  at  other  times,  1  am  sad,  dwelling  in  Kedar's  tents.  There 
are  none,  that  I  yet  know  of,  but  two  persons  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,  I  be  forgotten  in  the  place, 
where  the  Lord  made  me  the  instrument  to  do  some  good.  But  I 
see  this  is  vanity  in  me  ;  let  him  make  of  me  what  he  pleaseth,  if  ho 
make  salvation  out  of  it  to  me ;  I  am  tempted  and  troubled,  that  all 
the  fourteen  prelates  should  have  been  armed  of  God  against  me 
only,  while  the  rest  of  my  brethren  are  still  preaching  ;  but  I  dare  not 
say  one  word  but  this — It  is  good,  Lord  Jesus,  because  thou  hast 
done  it.  Wo  is  me  for  the  virgin  daughter !  wo  is  me  for  the  desola- 
tion of  the  virgin  daughter  of  Scotland  !  O  if  my  eyes  were  a  foun- 
tain of  tears,  to  weep  day  and  night  for  that  poor  widow-kirk,  that  poor 
miserable  harlot !  Alas,  that  my  Father  hath  put  to  the  door  my  poor 
harlot  mother  !  Oh  for  that  cloud  of  black  wrath,  and  fury  of  the  in- 
dignation of  the  Lord,  that  is  hanging  over  the  land.  Sir,  write  to 
me,  I  beseech  you  :  I  pray  you  also,  be  kind  to  my  afflicted  brother. 
Remember  my  love  to  your  wife  ;  and  the  prayer  and  blessing  of  the 
prisoner  of  Christ  be  on  you.  Frequent  your  meetings  for  prayer  and 
communion  with  God  ;  they  would  be  sweet  meetings  to  me. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  16,  1637. 


13S 
LETTER  LXXXYL 

To  Robert  Gordon,  of  Knoxbrex. 

jMv  dear  brother, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you  :  I  am  almost 
wearying,  yea,  wondering,  that  ye  write  not  to  me  :  though  I  know  it 
is  not  forgetfulness.  As  for  myself,  I  am  every  way  well,  all  glory  to 
God.  I  was  before  at  a  plea  with  Christ,  but  it  was  bought  by  me, 
and  unlawful ;  because  his  whole  providence  was  not  yea  and  nay  to 
my  yea  and  nay,  and  because  I  believed  Christ's  outward  look  better 
than  his  faithful  promise  ;  yet  he  hath  in  patience  waited  on,  while  I 
be  come  to  myself,  and  hath  not  taken  advantage  of  my  weak  appre- 
hensions of  his  goodness,  great  and  holy  is  his  name !  he  looketh  to 
what  I  desire  to  be,  and  not  to  what  I  am.  One  thing  I  have  learned, 
if  I  had  been  in  Christ,  by  way  of  adhesion  only,  as  many  branches 
are,  I  should  have  been  burnt  to  ashes,  and  this  world  should  have 
seen  a  suffering  minister  of  Christ  turned  (of  something  once  in  shew) 
into  unsavoury  salt.  But  my  Lord  Jesus  had  a  good  eye,  that  the 
tempter  should  not  play  foul  play,  and  blow  out  Christ's  candle.  He 
took  no  thought  of  my  stomach,  and  fretting  and  grudging  humour, 
but  of  his  own  grace :  when  he  burnt  the  house,  he  saved  his  own 
goods.  And  I  believe,  the  devil,  and  the  persecuting  world,  shall 
reap  no  fruit  of  me,  but  burnt  ashes  :  for  he  will  see  to  his  own  gold, 
and  save  that  from  being  consumed  with  the  fire.  0  what  owe  I  to 
the  file,  to  the  hammer,  to  the  furnace  of  my  Lord  Jesus !  who  hath 
now  let  me  see  how  good  the  wheat  of  Christ  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  see  godliness  is  more  than  the  outside,  and  this 
world's  passments  and  buskings ;  who  knoweth  the  truth  of  grace 
without  a  trial  ?  O  how  little  getteth  Christ  of  us,  but  that  which  ho 
winneth,  to  speak  so,  with  much  toil  and  pains  !  And  how  soon  would 
faith  freeze  without  a  cross  !  How  many  dumb  crosses  have  been  laid 
upon  my  back,  that  had  never  a  tongue  to  speak  the  sweetness  of 
Christ,  as  this  hath  1  when  Christ  blesseth  his  own  crosses  with  a 
tongue,  they  breathe  out  Christ's  love,  wisdom,  kindness,  and  care  of 
us.  Why  should  I  start  at  the  plough  of  my  Lord,  that  maketh  deep 
furrows  on  my  soul  1  I  know  he  is  no  idle  husband,  he  purposeth  a 
crop.  O  that  this  white  withered  ley-ground  were  made  fertile  to 
bear  a  crop  for  him,  by  whom  it  is  so  painfully  dressed  ;  and  that  this 
fallow-ground  were  broken  up  ?  Why  was  I,  a  fool,  grieved  that  he 
put  his  garland  and  his  rose  upon  my  head,  the  glory  and  honour  of 
his  faithful  witnesses  1  I  desire  now  to  make  no  more  pleas  with 
Christ ;  verily  he  hath  not  put  me  to  a  loss  by  what  I  sutfer,  he  oweth 
me  nothing :  for  in  my  bonds  how  sweet  and  comfortable  have  the 
thoughts  of  him  been  to  me,  wherein  I  find  a  sufficient  recompence  of 
reward  !  How  blind  are  my  adversaries,  who  sent  me  to  a  banqueting- 
house,  to  a  house  of  wine,  to  my  lovely  Lord  Jesus  his  lovely  feasts, 
and  not  to  a  prison  or  place  of  exile !  Why  should  1  smother  my 
husband's  honesty,  or  sin  against  his  love,  or  be  a  niggard  in  giving 


134  LETTER  LXXXVII.  PART  I. 

out  to  others  what  I  get  for  nothing  1  Brother,  eat  with  me,  and 
give  thanks  :  I  charge  you  before  God,  that  ye  speak  to  others,  and 
invite  them  to  help  me  to  praise.  0  my  debt  of  praise,  how  weighty 
it  is,  and  how  far  run  up !  Oh  that  others  would  lend  me  to  pay,  and 
learn  me  to  praise  !  Oh  I  am  a  drowned  dyvour !  Lord  Jesus,  take 
my  thoughts  for  payments.  Yet  I  am  in  this  hot  summer  bUnk  with 
the  tear  in  my  eye  ;  for,  by  reason  of  my  silence,  sorrow,  sorrow  hath 
filled  me  :  my  harp  is  hanged  upon  the  willow-trees,  because  I  am  in 
a  strange  land  :  I  am  still  kept  in  exercise  with  envious  brethren  ;  my 
mother  hath  born  me  a  man  of  contention.  Write  to  me  your  mind 
anent  Y.  C.  I  cannot  forget  him  :  I  know  not  what  God  hath  to  do 
with  him  :  and  your  mind  anent  my  parishoners'  behaviour,  and  how 
they  are  served  in  preaching,  or  if  there  be  a  minister  as  yet  thrust  in 
upon  them,  which  I  desire  greatly  to  know,  and  which  I  much  fear. 
Dear  brother,  ye  are  in  my  heart,  to  live  and  to  die  with  you.  Visit 
me  with  a  letter.  Pray  for  me.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife. 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you  :  and  God,  who  heareth  prayer,  visit  you, 
and  let  it  be  unto  you  according  to  the  prayers  of 

Your  own  brother,  and  Christ'  prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  1,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXVIL 

To  my  well-beloved  and  Reverend  Brother,  Robert  Blaii . 
REVEREND    AND    DEARLY    BELOVED    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  unto  you.  It  is  no  great  wonder,  my  dear 
brother,  that  ye  be  in  heaviness  for  a  season,  and  that  God's  will,  in 
crossing  your  design  and  desires  -to  dwell  amongst  a  people  whose 
God  is  the  Lord,  should  move  you :  I  deny  not  but  ye  have  cause  to 
inquire  what  his  providence  speaketh  in  this  to  you ;  but  God's  direct- 
ing and  commanding  will  can,  by  no  good  logic,  be  concluded  from 
events  of  providence.  The  Lord  sent  Paul  many  errands  for  the 
spreading  of  his  gospel,  where  he  found  lion's  in  his  way :  a  promise 
was  made  to  his  people  of  the  holy  land,  and  yet  many  nations  in  the 
way,  fighting  against,  and  ready  to  kill  them  who  had  the  promise,  or 
to  keep  them  from  possessing  that  good  land  which  the  Lord  their 
God  had  given  them.  I  know  ye  have  most  to  do  with  submission  of 
spirit ;  but  I  persuade  myself  ye  have  learned,  in  every  condition 
wherein  ye  are  cast,  therein  to  be  content,  and  to  say,  Good  is  the  will 
of  the  Lord,  let  it  be  done.  I  believe  the  Lord  tackleth  his  ship  often 
to  fetch  the  wind,  and  that  he  purposeth  to  bring  mercy  out  of  your 
sufferings  and  silence,  which  I  know  from  mine  own  experience  is 
grievous  to  you  :  seeing  he  knoweth  our  willing  mind  to  serve  him, 
our  wages  and  stipend  is  running  to  the  fore  with  our  God,  even  as 
some  sick  soldiers  get  pay  when  they  are  bedfast,  and  not  able  to  go 
to  the  field  with  others.  '  Though  Israel  be  not  gathered,  yet  shall  I 
be  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  my  God  shall  be  my  strength,' 
Isa.  xlix.  5.  And  we  are  to  believe  it  shall  be  thus  ere  all  the  play 
be  played.    Jer.  11.  35.    '  The  violence  done  to  me  and  my  flesh  be 


PART  I.  LETTER  LXXXVII.  135 

upon  Babylon,  and  the  great  whore's  lovers,  shall  the  inhabitants  of 
Zion  say ;  and  my  blood  be  upon  Chaldea,  shall  Jerusalem  say.' 
And  Zech.  xii.  2.  '  Behold,  I  will  make  Jerusalem  a  cup  of  trem- 
bhng  to  all  the  people  about,  when  they  shall  be  in  the  siege  both 
against  Judah  and  Jerusalem.'  ,  ver.  3.  '  And  in  that  day  I  will 
make  Jerusalem  a  burdensome  stone  for  all  people  ;  they  that  burden 
themselves  with  it  shall  be  broken  in  pieces,  though  all  the  people  of 
the  earth  be  gathered  against  it.'  When  they  have  eaten  and  swal- 
lowed us  up,  they  shall  be  sick,  and  vomit  us  out  hving  men  again ; 
the  devil's  stomach  cannot  digest  the  church  of  God.  Suffering  is  the 
other  half  of  our  ministry,  howbeit  the  hardest :  for  we  would  be  con- 
tent our  King  Jesus  would  make  an  open  proclamation,  and  cry  down 
crosses,  and  cry  up  joy,  gladness,  ease,  honour,  and  peace  ;  but  it 
must  not  be  so ;  through  many  afflictions  we  must  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God  ;  not  only  by  them  but  through  them  must  we  go  ; 
and  wiles  will  not  take  us  by  the  cross  ;  it  is  folly  to  think  to  steal  to 
heaven  with  a  whole  skin.  For  myself,  I  am  here  a  prisoner  con- 
fined in  Aberdeen,  threatened  to  be  removed  to  Caithness,  because  I 
desire  to  edify  in  this  town  ;  and  am  openly  preached  against  in  the 
pulpits  in  my  hearing,  and  tempted  with  disputations  by  the  doctors, 
especially  by  D.  B.  Yet  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my  Lord  Jesus  his 
garland  and  crown  ;  I  would  not  exchange  my  weeping  with  the  four- 
teen prelates  their  pamted  laughter.  At  my  first  coming  here  I  took 
the  dorts  at  Christ,  and  would  forsooth  summon  him  for  unkindness ; 
I  sought  a  plea  of  my  Lord,  and  was  tossed  with  challenges  whether 
he  loved  me  or  not  ?  and  disputed  all  over  again  that  he  had  done  to 
me ;  because  his  word  was  a  fire  shut  up  in  my  bowels,  and  I  was 
weary  with  forbearing ;  because  I  said  I  was  cast  out  of  the  Lord's 
inheritance.  But  now  I  see  I  was  a  fool :  my  Lord  miskent  all,  and 
did  bear  with  my  foolish  jealousies,  and  miskent  that  ever  I  wronged 
his  love  ;  and  now  he  is  come  again  with  mercy  under  his  wings.  I 
passed  from  my  (0  witless)  summons ;  he  is  God,  I  see,  and  I  am 
man.  Now  it  hath  pleased  him  to  renew  his  love  to  my  soul,  and  to 
dawt  his  poor  prisoner.  Therefore  my  dear  brother,  help  me  to  praise 
and  shew  the  Lord's  people  with  you  what  he  hath  done  to  my  soul, 
that  they  may  pray  and  praise ;  and  I  charge  you,  in  the  name  of 
Christ,  not  to  omit  it ;  for  this  cause  I  write  to  you,  that  my  sufferings 
may  glorify  my  royal  King,  and  edify  his  church  in  Ireland.  He 
knoweth  how  one  of  Christ's  love-coals  hath  burnt  my  soul  with  a 
desire  to  have  my  bonds  to  preach  his  glory,  whose  cross  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  sweetness,  excellency,  and  glory 
of  my  royal  King.  It  is  but  our  soft  flesh  that  hath  raised  a  slander 
on  the  cross  of  Christ ;  I  see  now  the  white  side  of  it ;  my  Lord's 
chains  are  all  over-guilded.  0  if  Scotland  and  Ireland  had  part  of  my 
feast !  And  yet  I  get  not  my  meat  but  with  many  strokes.  There 
are  none  here  to  whom  I  can  speak ;  I  dwell  in  Kedar's  tents.  Re- 
fresh me  with  a  letter  from  you;  for  none  know  what  is  betwixt 
Christ  and  me.  Dear  brother,  upon  my  salvation,  this  is  his  truth 
that  we  suffer  for ;  Christ  would  not  seal  a  blank  charter  to  souls. 


136  LETTER   LXXXVIII.  PART   I. 

Courage,  courage,  joy,  joy,  for  evermore  !  0  joy  unspeakable  and 
glorious  !  O  for  help  to  set  my  crowned  King  on  high  !  0  for  love  to 
him  who  is  altogether  lovely !  that  love  which  many  waters  cannot 
quench,  neither  can  the  floods  drown !  I  remember  you,  and  bear 
your  name  on  my  breast  to  Christ ;  I  beseech  you  forget  not  his 
afflicted  prisoner.  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  with  you.  Salute  in 
the  Lord,  from  me,  Mr.  Cunninghame,  Mr.  Livingstone,  Mr.  Ridge, 
Mr.  Colwart,  &c. 

Your  brother  and  feflow-prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  7,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXVm. 

To  John  Kennedy,  Baillie  of  Ayr. 
WORTHY  AND  WELL-BELOVED  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  am  yet  waiting  what  our 
Lord  will  do  for  his  afflicted  church,  and  for  my  re-entry  to  my  Lord's 
house.  O  that  I  could  hear  the  forfeiture  of  Christ  (now  out  of  his 
inheritance  (recalled  and  taken  oflf  by  open  proclamation ;  and  that 
Christ  were  restored  to  be  a  free-holder  and  a  land  heritor  in  Scot- 
land :  and  that  the  courts  fenced  in  the  name  of  the  bastard  prelates, 
(their  godfathers  the  pope's  baihffs  and  sheriffs)  were  cried  down  I 
Oh  how  sweet  a  sight  were  it,  to  see  all  the  tribes  of  the  Lord  in  this 
land  fetching  home  again  our  banished  King,  Christ,  to  his  own 
palace,  his  sanctuary  and  throne  !  I  shall  think  it  mercy  to  my  soul,  if 
my  faith  shall  out-watch  all  this  winter  night,  and  not  nod  or  slumber 
till  my  Lord's  summer-day  dawn  upon  me.  It  is  much  if  faith  and 
hope,  in  the  sad  nights  of  our  heavy  trial,  escape  with  a  whole  skin, 
and  without  crack  or  crook.  I  confess,  unbelief  hath  not  reason  to 
be  either  father  or  mother  to  it,  for  unbelief  is  always  an  irrational 
thing,  but  how  can  it  be,  but  such  weak  eyes  as  ours  must  cast  water 
in  a  great  smoke  :  or  that  a  weak  head  should  not  turn  giddy  when 
the  water  runneth  deep  and  strong  1  but  God  be  thanked,  that  Christ 
in  his  children  can  endure  a  stress  and  storm,  howbeit  soft  nature 
would  fall  down  in  pieces.  Oh  that  I  had  that  confidence  as  to  rest 
on  this,  though  he  should  grind  me  into  small  powder,  and  bray  me 
into  dust,  and  scatter  the  dust  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven ;  that  my 
Lord  would  gather  up  the  powder,  and  make  me  up  a  new  vessel 
again,  to  bear  Christ's  name  to  the  world !  I  am  sure  that  love  bot- 
tomed and  seated  upon  the  faith  of  his  love  to  me,  would  desire  and 
endure  this,  and  would  even  claim  and  urge  kindness  upon  Christ's 
strokes,  and  kiss  his  love-glooms  ;  and  both  spell  and  read  salvation 
upon  the  wounds  made  by  Christ's  sweet  hands.  0  that  I  had  but  a 
promise  made  from  the  mouth  of  Christ,  of  his  love  to  me !  and  then, 
howbeit  my  faith  were  as  tender  as  paper,  I  think  longing,  and  dvvi- 
ning,  and  complaining  of  sick  desires  would  cause  it  hold  out  the 
siege,  till  the  Lord  came  to  fill  the  soul  with  his  love ;  and  I  know 
also,  in  that  case,  faith  should  bide  green  and  sappy  at  the  root,  even 
at  mid-winter,  and  stand  out  against  all  storms.  However  it  be,  I 
know  Christ  winneth  h«^ven  in  despite  of  hell ;  but  I  owe  as  many 


PART  I.  LETTER    LXXXIX.  W7 

praises  and  tlianks  to  free  grace,  as  would  lye  betwixt  me  and  the 
utmost  border  of  the  highest  heaven,  suppose  ten  thousand  heavens 
were  all  laid  above  other.  But  oh !  I  have  nothing  that  can  hire  or 
bud  grace ;  for  if  grace  would  take  hire  it  were  no  more  grace  ;  but 
all  our  stability,  and  the  strength  of  our  salvation,  is  anchored  and 
fastened  upon  free  grace  ;  and  I  am  sure  Christ  hath,  by  his  death 
and  blood,  casten  the  knot  so  fast,  that  the  fingers  of  the  devils,  and 
hell-fulls  of  sins  cannot  loose  it :  and  that  bond  of  Christ,  that  never 
yet  was,  nor  never  shall,  nor  can  be  registrated,  standeth  surer  than 
heaven,  or  the  days  of  heaven,  as  that  sweet  pillar  of  the  covenant, 
whereon  we  all  hang.  Christ,  and  all  his  little  ones  under  his  two 
wings,  and  in  the  compass  or  circle  of  his  arms,  is  so  sure,  that  cast 
him  and  them  in  the  ground  of  the  sea,  he  shall  come  up  again,  and 
not  lose  one  :  an  odd  one  cannot,  nor  shall  not  be  lost  in  the  telling. 
This  was  always  God's  aim,  since  Christ  came  in  the  play  betwixt 
him  and  us,  to  make  men  dependent  creatures,  and  in  the  work  of  our 
salvation,  to  put  created  strength  and  arms,  and  legs  of  clay,  quite 
out  of  play,  and  out  of  office  and  court;  and  now  God  hath  substi- 
tuted 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  skinked  over 
and  foregone  my  part  of  paradise  and  salvation,  for  a  breakfast  of 
dead  moth-eaten  earth ;  but  now  I  would  not  give  it,  nor  let  it  go, 
ibr  more  than  I  can  tell ;  and  truly  they  are  silly  fools,  and  ignorant 
of  Christ's  worth,  and  so  full  trained  and  tutored,  who  tell  heaven  and 
Christ  over  the  board,  for  two  feathers,  or  two  straws  of  the  devil's 
painted  pleasures,  only  lustered  in  the  outer  side.  This  is  our  happi- 
ness now,  that  our  reckonings  at  night,  when  eternity  shall  come  upon 
us,  cannot  be  told :  we  shall  be  so  far  gainers,  and  so  far  from  being 
super-expended,  as  the  poor  fools  of  this  world  are,  who  give  out 
their  money,  and  get  in  bat  black  hunger,  that  angels  cannot  lay  our 
counts,  nor  sum  our  advantage  and  incomes.  Who  knoweth  how  far 
it  is  to  the  bottom  of  our  Christ,  and  to  the  ground  of  our  heaven  ? 
ivho  ever  weighed  Christ  in  a  pair  of  balances  1  who  hath  seen  the 
foldings  and  piles,  and  the  heights  and  depths  of  that  glory  which  is  in 
him,  and  kept  for  us  ?  O  for  such  a  heaven  as  to  stand  afar  off,  and 
see,  and  love,  and  long  for  him,  while  time's  thread  be  cut,  and  this 
great  work  of  creation  dissolved,  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord !  Now 
to  his  grace  I  recommend  you.  I  beseech  you  also,  pray  for  a  rc*^ 
entry  to  me  into  the  Lord's  house,  if  it  be  his  good  will. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  6tb,  1637. 


LETTER  LXXXIX. 

To  Elizabeth  Kennedy. 
:mistress, 

Grace^  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  long  had  a  purpose  of 
■writing  unto  you,  but  I  have  been  hindered.  I  heartily  desire  that  ye 
would  mind  your  country,  and  consider  to  what  airth  your  soul  setteth 
its  face  ;  for  all  come  not  home  at  night,  who  suppose  they  have  set 

18 


1^8 


LETTEIl   LXXXIX.  PART  1. 


their  face  heavenward.  It  is  a  woful  thing  to  die  and  miss  heaven, 
and  to  lose  house-room  with  Christ  at  night ;  it  is  an  evil  journey 
where  travellers  are  benighted  in  the  fields.  I  persuade  myself  that 
thousands  shall  be  deceived  and  ashamed  of  their  hope ;  because 
they  cast  their  anchor  in  sinking  sands,  they  must  lose  it.  Till  now, 
I  knew  not  the  pain,  labour,  nor  difficulty  that  there  is  to  win  at  home  ; 
nor  did  I  understand  so  well,  before  this,  what  that  meaneth,  The 
righteous  shall  scarcely  be  saved.  Oh  how  many  a  poor  professor's 
candle  is  blown  out,  and  never  lighted  again !  I  see  ordinary  profes- 
sion, and  to  be  ranked  amongst  the  children  of  God,  and  to  have  a 
name  among  men,  is  now  thought  good  enough  to  carry  professors 
to  heaven  ;  but  certainly  a  name  is  bat  a  name,  and  will  never  bide  a 
blast  of  God's  storm  :  I  counsel  you,  not  to  give  your  soul  or  Christ 
rest,  nor  your  eyes  sleep,  till  ye  have  gotten  something  th  at  will  bide 
the  fire,  and  stand  out  the  storm.  I  am  sure,  if  my  one  foot  were  in 
heaven,  and  then  he  would  say.  Fend  thyself,  I  will  hold  my  grips  of 
thee  no  longer ;  I  should  go  no  farther,  but  presently  fall  down  in  as 
many  pieces  of  dead  nature.  They  are  happy  for  evermore  who  are 
over  head  and  ears  in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  know  no  sickness  but 
love-sickness  for  Christ,  and  feel  no  pam  but  the  pain  of  an  absent  and 
hidden  Well-beloved.  We  run  our  souls  out  of  breath,  and  tire  them 
in  coursing  and  gallopping  after  our  night-dreams,  such  are  the 
rovings  of  our  miscarrying  hearts  to  get  some  created  good  thing  in 
this  life,  and  on  this  side  of  death  :  we  would  fain  stay  and  spin  out 
a  heaven  to  ourselves,  in  this  side  of  the  water ;  but  sorrow,  want, 
changes,  crosses,  and  sin,  are  both  woof  and  warp  in  that  ill-spun 
web.  O  how  sweet  and  dear  are  these  thoughts  that  are  still  upon 
things  which  are  above  !  and  how  happy  are  they  who  are  longing  to 
have  little  sand  in  their  glass,  and  to  have  time's  thread  cut,  and  can 
cry  to  Christ,  Lord  Jesus,  have  over,  come  and  fetch  the  dreary  pas- 
senger !  I  wish  our  thoughts  were  more  frequently  than  they  are  upon 
our  country.  O  but  heaven  casteth  a  sweet  smell  afar  off,  to  those 
who  have  spiritual  smelling !  God  hath  made  many  fair  flowers,  but 
the  fairest  of  them  all  is  heaven,  and  the  flower  of  all  flowers  is  Christ. 
O  why  do  we  not  flee  up  to  that  lovely  one  1  Alas,  that  there  is  such 
scarcity  of  love,  and  lovers  of  Christ  amongst  us  all !  Fy,  fy  upon 
us,  who  love  fair  things,  as  fair  gold,  fair  houses,  fair  lands,  fair 
pleasures,  fair  honours,  and  fair  persons,  and  do  not  pine  and  melt 
away  with  love  to  Christ !  Oh  would  to  God,  I  had  more  love  for  his 
sake !  O  for  as  much  as  would  lye  betwixt  me  and  heaven,  for  his 
sake  !  O  for  as  much  as  would  go  round  about  the  earth,  and  over 
the  heaven,  yea,  the  heaven  of  heavens,  and  ten  thousand  worlds, 
that  I  might  let  all  out  upon  fair,  fair,  only  fair  Christ !  But  alas,  I 
have  nothing  for  him,  yet  he  hath  much  for  me.  It  is  no  gain  to 
Christ,  that  he  getteth  my  little  feckless  span-length  and  hand-breadth 
of  love.  If  men  would  have  something  to  do  with  their  hearts  and 
their  thoughts,  that  are  always  rolhng  up  and  down  like  men  with  oars 
in  a  boat,  after  sinful  vanities,  they  may  find  great  and  sweet  employ- 
ment to  their  thoughts  upon  Christ ;  if  those  frothy,  fluctuating,  and 
restless  hearts  of  ours,  would  come  all  about  Christ,  and  look  into 


PART  I.  LETTER    XC.  139 

his  love,  to  bottomless  love,  to  the  depth  of  mercy,  to  the  unsearcha- 
ble riches  of  his  grace,  to  enquire  after,  and  search  into  the  beauty  of 
God  in  Christ,  they  would  be  swallowed  up  in  the  depth  and  height, 
length  and  breadth  of  his  goodness.  Oh  if  men  would  draw  the  cur- 
tains, and  look  into  the  inner  side  of  the  ark,  and  behold  how  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  dwelleth  in  him  bodily !  O  who  would  not 
say,  let  me  die  ten  times,  to  see  a  sight  of  him  !  Ten  thousand 
deaths  were  no  great  price  to  give  for  him.  I  am  sure,  sick,  fainting 
love  would  heighten  the  market,  and  raise  the  price  to  the  double  for 
him.  But  alas,  if  men  and  angels  were  rouped,  and  sold  at  the 
dearest  price,  they  would  not  all  buy  a  night's  love,  or  a  four  and 
twenty  hours'  sight  of  Christ.  O  how  happy  are  they  who  get  Christ 
for  nothing !  God  send  me  no  more  for  my  part  of  paradise  but 
Christ ;  and  surely  I  were  rich  enough,  and  as  well  heaven'd  as  the 
best  of  them,  if  Christ  were  my  heaven.  I  can  write  no  better  thing 
to  you,  than  to  desire  you,  if  ever  ye  laid  Christ  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  soul's 
delight,  but  Christ ;  he  will  be  found  worthy  of  all  your  love,  howbeit 
it  should  swell  upon  you  from  the  earth  to  the  uppermost  circle  of 
the  heaven  of  heavens.  To  our  Lord  Jesus  and  his  love,  I  commend 
you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  XC. 

To  Janet  Kennedy. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  Ye  are  not  a  little  obliged 
to  his  rich  grace,  who  hath  separated  you  for  himself,  and  for  the  pro- 
mised inheritance,  with  the  saints  in  light,  from  this  condemned  and 
guilty  world.  Hold  fast  Christ,  contend  for  him  :  it  is  a  lawful  plea, 
to  go  to  holding  and  drawing  for  Christ ;  and  it  is  not  possible  to  keep 
Christ  peaceably,  having  once  gotten  him,  except  the  devil  were  dead. 
It  must  be  your  resolution,  to  set  your  face  against  Satan's  northern 
tempests  and  storms,  for  salvation  ;  nature  would  have  heaven  come 
to  us  while  sleeping  in  our  beds.  We  would  all  buy  Christ,  so  being 
we  might  make  price  ourselves  ;  but  Christ  is  worth  more  blood  and 
lives  than  either  you  or  I  have  to  give  him.  When  we  shall  come 
home  and  enter  to  the  possession  of  our  brother's  fair  kingdom,  and 
when  our  heads  shall  find  the  weight  of  the  eternal  crown  of  glor}', 
and  when  we  shall  look  back  to  pains  and  sufferings,  then  shall  we 
see  life  and  sorrow,  to  be  less  than  one  step  or  stride  from  a  prison 
to  glory  ;  and  that  our  little  inch  of  time-suffering  is  not  worthy  of  our 
first  night's  welcome  home  to  heaven.  O  what  then  will  be  the 
weight  of  every  one  of  Christ's  kisses!  Oh  how  weighty,  and  of  what 
worth  shall  every  one  of  Christ's  love-smiles  be  !  Oh  when  once  ho 
shall  thrust  a  wearied  traveller's  head  betwixt  his  blessed  breasts,  the 
poor  soul  shall  think  one  kiss  of  Christ  hath  fully  paid  home  forty  or 


140  LETTER  %V,  PART  I. 

fifty  years'  wet  feet,  and  all  its  sore  hearts,  and  light  sufterings,  it  had 
in  following  after  Christ !  Oh  thrice  blinded  souls,  whose  hearts  are 
charmed  and  bewitched  with  dreams,  shadows,  feckless  things,  night- 
vanities,  and  night-fancies  of  a  miserable  life  of  sin !  Shame  on  us, 
who  sit  still  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  smooth  promises,  and  rotten  worm-eaten 
hopes !  May  not  the  devil  laugh  to  see  us  give  out  our  souls,  and  get 
in  but  corrupt  and  counterfeit  pleasures  of  sin  ?  O  for  a  sight  of  eter- 
nity's glory,  and  a  little  tasting  of  the  Lamb's  marriage-supper !  Half 
a  draught  or  a  drop  of  the  wine  of  consolation,  that  is  up  at  our  ban- 
queting house,  out  of  Christ's  own  hand,  would  make  our  stomachs^ 
loath  the  brown  bread  and  the  sour  drink  of  a  miserable  life.  Oli 
how  far  are  we  bereft  of  wit,  to  chase,  and  hunt,  and  run,  till  our 
souls  be  out  of  breath,  after  a  condemned  happiness  of  our  own  mak- 
ing !  And  do  we  not  sit  far  in  our  own  light,  to  make  it  a  matter  of 
children's  play,  to  skink  and  drink  over  paradise,  and  the  heaven  that 
Christ  did  sweat  for,  even  for  a  blast  of  smoke,  and  for  Esau's  morn- 
ing breakfast?  0  that  we  were  out  of  ourselves,  and  dead  to  this 
world,  and  this  world  dead  and  crucified  to  us  !  And  when  we  should 
be  close  out  of  love  and  conceit  of  any  masked  and  fairded  lover 
whatsoever,  then  Christ  would  win  and  conquer  to  himself  a  lodging 
in  the  inmost  yolk  of  our  heart ;  then  Christ  should  be  our  night  song, 
and  our  morning  song :  then  the  very  noise  and  din  of  our  Well-be- 
loved's feet,  when  he  cometh,  and  his  first  knock  or  rap  at  the  door, 
should  be  as  the  news  of  two  heavens  to  us.  O  that  our  eyes  and 
our  soul's  smelling  should  go  after  a  blasted  and  sun-burnt  flower, 
even  this  fair-plaistered  out-sided  world  ;  and  then  we  have  neither 
eye  nor  smell  for  the  Flower  of  Jesse,  for  that  Plant  of  Renown,  for 
Christ,  the  choicest,  the  fairest,  the  sweetest  Rose  that  ever  God 
planted  !  O  let  some  of  us  die  to  feel  the  smell  of  him  !  and  let  my 
part  of  this  rotten  world  be  forfeited  and  sold  for  evermore,  providing 
I  may  anchor  my  tottering  soul  upon  Christ !  I  know,  it  is  sometimes 
at  this,  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  for  Christ  ?  But,  O  Lord,  canst 
thou  be  budded  and  propined  with  any  gift  for  Christ  ?  O  Lord,  can 
Christ  be  sold  1  or  rather,  may  not  a  poor  prisoner  have  him  for  no- 
thing ?  If  I  can  get  no  more,  0  let  me  be  pained  to  all  eternity,  with 
longing  for  him !  The  joy  of  hungering  for  Christ,  should  be  my  hea- 
ven for  evermore.  Alas,  that  I  cannot  draw  souls  and  Christ  to- 
f  ether !  But  I  desire  the  coming  of  his  kingdom,  and  that  Christ,  as 
assuredly  hope  he  shall,  would  come  upon  withered  Scotland,  as 
rain  upon  the  new-mown  grass.  O  let  the  King  come !  0  let  his 
kingdom  come  !  O  let  their  eyes  rot  in  their  eye-holes,  who  Avill  not 
receive  him  home  again  to  reign  and  rule  in  Scotland  !  Grace,  grace 
be  ^ith  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R-» 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


141 
LETTER  XCI. 

To  his  Reverend  and  dear  Brother,  Mr.  David  Dick^oii. 
UEVEREND  AND  DEAREST  BROTHER, 

What  joy  have  I  out  of  heaven's  gates,  but  that  my  Lord  Jesus  be 
illorified  in  ray  bonds  ?  Blessed  be  ye  of  the  Lord,  who  contribute 
any  thing  to  my  obUged  and  indebted  praises.  Dear  brother,  help 
me,  a  poor  dyvour,  to  pay  the  interest,  for  I  cannot  come  nigh  to  ren- 
der the  principal.  It  is  not  jest  nor  sport  which  maketh  me  to  speak 
and  write  as  I  do  :  I  never  before  came  to  that  nick  or  pitch  of  com- 
munion with  Christ,  that  I  have  now  attained  unto.  For  my  confir- 
mation, I  have  been  these  two  Sabbaths  or  three  in  private,  taking 
instruments  in  the  name  of  God,  that  my  Lord  Jesus  and  I  have 
kissed  each  other  in  Aberdeen,  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  I  seek 
not  an  apple  to  play  me  with,  he  knoweth,  whom  I  serve  in  the  Spirit, 
but  a  seal  :  I  but  beg  earnest,  and  am  content  to  suspend  and  trist 
glory  while  supper-time.  I  know  this  world  will  not  last  with  me ; 
lor  my  moon-light  is  noon-day  light,  and  my  four-hours  above  my 
leasts,  when  I  was  a  preacher  ;  at  which  times  also  I  was  embraced 
very  often  in  his  arms.  But  who  can  blame  Christ  to  take  me  on 
behind  him,  if  I  may  say  so,  on  his  white  horse,  or  in  his  chariot, 
paved  with  love,  through  a  water  ?  Will  not  a  father  take  his  little 
dawted  Davie  in  his  arms,  and  carr}'  him  over  a  ditch  or  a  mire  ?  My 
short  legs  could  not  step  over  this  laire  or  sinking  mire  ;  and,  therefore, 
my  Lord  Jesus  will  bear  me  through.  If  a  change  come,  and  a  dark 
day,  so  being  that  he  will  keep  my  faith  without  flaw  or  crack,  I  dare 
not  blame  him,  howbeit  I  get  no  more  while  I  come  to  heaven  :  but 
ye  know,  the  physic  behoved  to  have  sugar ;  my  faith  was  fallen 
aswoon,  and  Christ  but  held  up  a  swooning  man's  head.  Indeed,  I 
pray  not  for  a  dawted  child's  diet ;  he  knoweth  I  would  have  Christ, 
sour  or  sweet ;  any  w'ay,  so  being  it  be  Christ  indeed  ;  I  stand  not 
now  upon  paired  apples,  or  sugared  dishes  ;  but  I  cannot  blame  him 
to  give,  I  must  gape  and  make  a  wide  mouth.  Since  Christ  will  not 
pantry-up  joys,  he  must  be  welcome,  who  will  not  bide  away ;  I  seek 
no  other  fruit,  but  that  he  may  be  glorified  ;  he  knoweth  I  would  take 
hard  fare,  to  have  his  name  set  on  high.  I  bless  you  for  your  counsel; 
I  hope  to  live  by  faith,  and  swim  without  a  mass  or  bundle  of  joyful 
sense  under  my  chin  ;  at  least  to  venture,  albeit  I  should  be  ducked. 
Now  for  my  case  ;  I  think  the  CouncU  should  be  essayed  and  the 
event  referred  to  God :  duties  are  ours,  and  events  are  God's.  I 
shall  go  through  your's  upon  the  covenant  at  leisure,  and  write  to  you 
my  mind  there-anent ;  and  anent  the  Arminian  contract  betwixt  the 
Father  and  the  Son.  I  beseech  you,  set  to,  to  go  through  Scripture. 
Your's  on  the  Hebrews  is  in  great  request  with  all  who  would  be  ac- 
quaint with  Christ's  testament.  I  purpose,  God  willing,  to  set  about 
liosea,  and  to  try  if  I  can  get  it  to  the  press  here.  It  retresheth  me 
much,  that  ye  are  so  kind  to  my  brother  ;  I  hope  your  counsel  shall 
do  him  good ;  I  reconunend  him  to  you,  since  I  am  so  far  from  him. 
T  am  glad,  that  the  dying  servant  of  God,  famous  and  faithful  Mr. 
Cunnighame,  sealed  your  ministry,  before  he  fell  asleej).  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you.      Your's  in  his  sweet  Jjord  Jesus.  S.  R. 

Abonlecn.  Marrh  7.  IfiflT. 


U2 
LETTER  XCII. 

To  the  much  honoured  William  Rigg,  of  AUieiiiie. 
r*lUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  long  looked 
for  and  short  letter  ;  I  would  ye  had  spoken  more  to  me,  who  stand  in 
need.  I  find  Christ,  as  ye  write,  aye  the  longer  the  better,  and  there- 
fore cannot  but  rejoice  in  his  salvation,  who  hath  made  my  chains  my 
wings,  and  hath  made  me  a  king  over  my  crosses,  and  over  my  adver- 
saries :  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  so  much  wearied  to  suffer,  as  Zion's 
haters  are  to  persecute.  O  if  I  could  find  a  way  in  any  measure,  to 
strive  to  be  even  with  Christ's  love  !  but  that  I  must  give  over.  Oh 
who  would  help  a  dyvour  to  pay  praises  to  the  King  of  saints,  who 
triumpheth  in  his  weak  servants !  I  see,  if  Christ  but  ride  upon  a 
worm  or  feather,  his  horse  will  neither  stumble  nor  fall :  the  worm 
Jacob  is  made  by  him  a  new  sharp  threshing  instrument,  having  teeth 
to  thresh  the  mountains,  and  beat  them  small,  and  to  make  the  hills 
as  chaff,  and  to  fan  them,  so  as  the  wind  shall  carry  them  away,  and 
the  whirlwind  shall  scatter  them,  Isa.  xli.  14,  15,  16.  Christ's  ene- 
mies are  but  breaking  their  own  heads  in  pieces,  upon  the  Rock  laid 
in  Zion,  and  the  Stone  is  not  removed  out  of  its  place.  Faith  hath 
cause  to  take  courage  from  our  very  afflictions ;  the  devil  is  but  a 
whet-stone  to  sharpen  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  saints.  I  know 
he  but  heweth  and  pohsheth  stones  all  this  time  for  the  new  Jerusa- 
lem. But  in  all  this,  three  things  have  much  moved  me,  since  it  hath 
pleased  my  Lord  to  turn  my  moon-light  into  day-light.  First,  he  hath 
yoked  me  to  work,  to  wrestle  with  Christ's  love  of  longing,  where- 
with I  am  sick,  pained,  fainting,  and  like  to  die,  because  I  cannot  get 
himself,  which  I  think  a  strange  sort  of  desertion ;  for  I  have  not 
himself,  whom  if  I  had,  my  love-sickness  would  cool,  and  my  fever 
go  away  ;  at  least,  I  should  know  the  heat  of  the  fire  of  complacency, 
which  would  cool  the  scorching  heat  of  the  fire  of  desire,  and  yet  I 
have  no  penury  of  his  love ;  and  so  I  dwine,  I  die,  and  he  seemeth 
not  to  rue  on  me.  I  take  instruments  in  his  hand,  that  I  would  have 
him,  but  I  cannot  get  him ;  and  my  best  cheer  is  black  hunger :  I 
bless  him  for  that  feast.  Secondly,  Old  challenges  now  and  then 
revive,  and  cast  all  down  ;  I  go  halting  and  sighing,  fearing  there  be 
an  unseen  process  yet  coming  out,  and  that  heavier  than  I  can  answer. 
I  cannot  read  distinctly  my  Surety's  act  of  cautionary  for  me  in  par- 
ticular, and  my  discharge  ;  and  sense,  rather  than  faith,  assureth  me 
of  what  I  have ;  so  unable  am  I  to  go,  but  by  a  hold.  I  could,  with 
reverence  of  my  Lord,  forgive  Christ,  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  so  sure  to  me,  as  I  would  wish  :  yet,  one  thing  I 
know,  there  is  not  a  way  to  heaven,  but  the  way  he  hath  graced  me  to 
profess  and  suffer  for.  Thirdly,  Wo,  wo  is  me  for  the  virgin-daughter 
of  Scotland,  and  for  the  fearful  desolation  and  wrath  appointed  for  this 
land  ;  and  yet  all  are  sleeping,  eating,  and  drinking,  laughing  and 


TAUT  I.  LETTER    XCIII,  XCIV.  14^3 

sporting,  as  if  all  \vere  well.  Oh  our  dim  gold !  our  duuib,  blind 
pastors  !  the  sun  is  gone  down  upon  them,  and  our  nobles  bid  Christ 
fend  for  himself,  if  he  be  Christ.  It  were  good,  we  should  learn  in 
time  the  way  to  our  strong  hold.  Sir,  howbeit  not  acquainted,  re- 
member my  love  to  your  wife.     I  pray  God  establish  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  9,  1637. 


LETTER  XCIIL 

To  John  Evvart,  BaiUie  of  Kirkcudbright. 
MY  VERY  WORTHY  AND  DEAR  FRIEND, 

I  CANNOT  but  kindly  thank  you  for  the  expressions  of  your  love  ; 
your  love  and  respect  to  me  is  a  great  comfort  to  me.  I  bless  his 
high  and  glorious  name,  that  the  terrors  of  great  men  have  not  affright- 
ed me  from  openly  avouching  the  Son  of  God  ;  nay,  his  cross  is  the 
sweetest  burden  that  ever  I  bare  :  it  is  such  a  burden,  as  wings  are  to 
a  bird,  or  sails  to  a  ship,  to  carry  me  forward  to  my  harbour.  I  have 
not  much  cause  to  fall  in  love  with  the  world  :  but  rather  to  wish,  that 
he  who  sitteth  upon  the  floods,  would  bring  my  broken  ship  to  land, 
and  keep  my  conscience  safe  in  these  dangerous  times,  for  wrath  from 
the  Lord  is  coming  on  this  sinful  land.  It  were  good,  that  we  priso- 
ners of  hope  knew  of  our  strong  hold  to  run  to,  before  the  storm 
come  on ;  therefore.  Sir,  I  beseech  you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and 
comforts  of  his  Spirit,  by  the  blood  of  your  Saviour,  and  by  your 
compearance  before  the  sin-revenging  Judge  of  the  world,  keep  your 
garments  clean,  and  stand  for  the  truth  of  Christ,  which  ye  profess. 
When  the  time  shall  come  that  your  eye-strings  shall  break,  your  face 
wax  pale,  your  breath  grow  cold,  and  this  house  of  clay  shall  totter, 
and  your  one  foot  shall  be  over  the  march,  in  eternity,  it  shall  be  your 
comfort  and  joy,  that  ye  gave  your  name  to  Christ.  The  greatest 
part  of  the  world  think  heaven  at  the  next  door,  and  that  Christianity 
is  an  easy  task ;  but  they  will  be  beguiled.  Worthy  Sir,  I  beseech 
you,  make  sure  work  of  salvation ;  I  have  found  by  experience,  that 
all  I  could  do  hath  had  much  ado  in  the  day  of  my  trial ;  and  there- 
fore lay  up  a  sure  foundation  for  the  time  to  come.  I  cannot  requite 
you,  for  your  undeserved  favours  to  me  and  my  now  afflicted  brother ; 
but  I  trust  to  remember  you  to  God.  Remember  me  heartily  to  your 
kind  wife. 

Your's  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  XCIV. 

To  William  Fullerton,  Provost  of  Kirkcudbright. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  obliged  to  your  love  iii 
God.  I  beseech  you.  Sir,  let  nothing  be  so  dear  to  you  as  Christ's 
truth,  for  salvation  is  worth  all  the  world  ;  and  therefore  be  not  afraid 
of  men,  that  shall  die ;  the  Lord  shall  do  for  you  in  your  suffering  for 


144  LETTER  XCV.  PART   I. 

him,  and  shall  bless  your  house  and  seed ;  and  ye  have  God's  promise, 
that  ye  shall  have  his  presence  in  fire,  water,  and  in  seven  tribulations. 
Your  day  will  wear  to  an  end,  and  your  sun  go  down.  In  death  it 
will  be  your  joy,  that  ye  have  ventured  all  ye  have  for  Christ ;  and 
there  is  not  a  promise  of  heaven  made,  but  to  such  as  are  willing  to 
suffer  for  it :  it  is  a  castle  taken  by  force.  This  earth  is  but  the  clay 
portion  of  bastards;  and  therefore  no  wonder  the  world  smile  on  its 
own ;  but  better  things  are  laid  up  for  his  lawfully  begotten  children, 
whom  the  world  hateth  ;  I  have  experience  to  speak  this,  for  I  would 
not  exchange  my  prison  and  sad  nights,  with  the  court,  honour,  and 
ease  of  my  adversaries  :  my  Lord  is  pleased  to  make  many  unknown 
faces  to  laugh  upon  me,  and  to  provide  a  lodging  for  me  ;  and  he  him- 
self visiteth  my  soul  with  feasts  of  spiritual  comforts.  O  how  sweet 
a  master  is  Christ !  Blessed  are  they  who  lay  down  all  for  him.  I 
thank  you  kindly  for  your  love  to  my  distressed  brother.  Ye  have 
the  blessing  and  prayers  of  the  prisoner  of  Christ  to  you,  your 
wife  and  children.  Remember  my  love  and  blessing  to  William  and 
Samuel :  I  desire  them  in  their  youth  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  fear  his 
great  name  :  to  pray  twice  a-day,  at  least,  to  God,  and  to  read  God's 
word;  to  keep  themselves  from  cursing,  lying,  and  filthy  talking. 
Now  the  only  wise  God,  and  the  presence  of  the  Son  of  God,  be 
with  you  all.         Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  XCV. 

To  the  Worthy  and  much  Honoured  Mr.  Alex.  Colvil,  of  Blair. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  bearer  hereof,  M.  R.  F. 
is  most  kind  to  me  :  I  desire  you  to  thank  him  :  but  none  is  so  kind 
as  my  only  royal  King  and  Master,  whose  cross  is  my  garland.  The 
King  dineth  with  his  prisoner,  and  his  spikenard  casteth  a  smell.  JHc 
hath  led  me  up  to  such  a  pitch  and  nick  of  joyful  communion  with 
himself,  as  I  never  knew  before  :  when  I  look  back  to  by-gones,  I 
judge  myself  to  have  been  a  child  at  A,  B,  C,  with  Christ.  Worthy 
Sir,  pardon  me,  I  dare  not  conceal  it  from  you,  it  is  as  a  fire  in  my  bow- 
els, in  his  presence  who  seeth  me  I  speak  it,  I  am  pained,  pained  with 
the  love  of  Christ ;  he  hath  made  me  sick,  and  wounded  me  ;  hunger 
for  Christ  outrunneth  faith  ;  I  miss  faith  more  than  love.  0  if  the 
three  kingdoms  would  come  and  see  !  O  if  they  knew  his  kindness 
to  my  soul !  It  hath  pleased  him  to  bring  me  to  this,  that  I  will  not 
strike  sails  to  this  world,  nor  flatter  it,  nor  adore  this  clay-idol  that 
fools  worship  :  as  I  am  now  disposed,  I  think  I  will  neither  borrow 
nor  lend  with  it;  and  yet  I  get  my  meat  from  Christ  with  nurture  ;  for 
seven  times  a-day  I  am  lifted  up  and  casten  down.  My  dumb  sab- 
baths burden  my  heart,  and  make  it  bleed  :  I  want  not  fearful  chal- 
lenges and  jealousies  sometimes  of  Christ's  love,  that  he  hath  casten 
me  over  the  dyke  of  the  vineyard  as  a  dry  tree.  But  this  is  my  in- 
firmity ;  by  his  grace  I  take  myself  in  these  ravings  :  it  is  kindly  thaf 
faith  and  love  both  be  sick,  and  fevers  are  kindly  to  most  joyful  conj- 


PART    I.  LETTER   XCVI,  145 

munion  with  Christ.  Ye  are  blessed  who  avouch  Christ  openly  be- 
fore the  Prince  of  this  kingdom,  whose  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.  A.  C.  against 
the  storm  ;  go  on,  and  fear  not  what  man  can  do.  The  saints  seem 
to  have  the  worst  of  it ;  for  apprehensions  can  make  a  lye  of  Christ 
and  his  love,  but  it  is  not  so  ;  providence  is  not  rolled  upon  unequal 
and  crooked  wheels  ;  all  things  work  together  for  the  good  of  those 
who  love  God,  and  are  called  according  to  his  purpose.  Ere  it  be 
long,  we  shall  see  the  white  side  of  God's  providence.  My  brother's 
case  hath  moved  me  not  a  little  ;  he  wrote  to  me  your  care  and  kind- 
ness. Sir,  the  prisoner's  blessings  and  prayers,  I  trust,  shall  not  go 
by  you.  He  that  is  able  to  keep  you,  and  to  present  you  before  the 
presence  of  his  face  with  joy,  establish  your  heart  in  the  love  of 
Christ. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R,. 

AberJeeu,  Feb.  Vj,  1637. 


LETTER  XCVI. 

To  Earlstoun,  Younger. 
HONOURED  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter,  which 
refreshed  my  soul.  I  thank  God,  the  court  is  closed,  I  think  shame 
of  my  part  of  it ;  I  pass  now  from  my  unjust  summons  of  unkind- 
iiess,  libelled  against  Christ  my  Lord  ;  he  is  not  such  a  Lord  and 
Master  as  I  took  him  to  be ;  verily  he  is  God,  and  I  am  dust  and 
ashes  ;  I  took  Christ's  glooms  to  be  as  good  as  Scripture  speaking 
wrath ;  but  I  have  seen  the  other  side  of  Christ,  and  the  white  side 
of  his  cross  now.  I  behoved  to  come  to  Aberdeen,  to  learn  a  new 
mystery  in  Christ,  that  his  promise  is  better  to  be  believed  than  his 
looks,  and  that  the  devil  can  cause  Christ's  glooms  speak  a  lie  to  a 
weak  man.  Nay,  verily  I  was  a  child  before ;  all  by-gones  are  but 
children's  play  :  I  would  I  could  begin  to  be  a  Christian  in  earnest.  I 
need  not  blame  Christ  if  I  be  not  one  ;  for  he  hath  shewed  me  hea- 
ven and  hell  in  Ab'erdeen ;  but  the  truth  is,  for  all  my  sorrow,  Christ 
is  nothing  in  my  debt,  for  comforts  have  refreshed  my  soul ;  I  have 
heard  and  seen  him  in  his  sweetness,  so,  as  I  am  almost  saying  it  is 
not  he  that  I  was  wont  to  meet  with  ;  he  laugheth  more  cheerfully,  his 
kisses  are  more  sweet  and  soul-refreshing,  than  the  kisses  of  the 
Christ  I  saw  before  were,  though  he  be  the  same  ;  or  rather  the  Kino- 
hath  led  me  up  to  a  measure  of  joy  and  communion  with  my  Bride- 
groom, that  I  never  attained  to  before ;  so  that  I  often  think,  I  will 
neither  borrow  nor  lend  with  this  world ;  I  will  not  strike  sail  to 
crosses,  nor  flatter  them  to  be  quit  of  them,  as  I  have  done.  Come 
all  crosses,  welcome,  welcome !  so  I  may  get  my  heart  full  of  my 
Lord  Jesus.  I  have  been  so  near  him,  as  I  have  said,  I  take  instru- 
ments, this  is  the  Lord  ;  leave  a  token  behind  thee,  that  I  may  never 
forget  this.  Now,  what  can  Christ  do  more  to  dawt  one  of  his  poor 
prisoners ;  Therefore,  Sir,  I  charge  you  in  the  name  of  my  Loixl 

19 


146  LETTER   XCVI.  PART  I. 

Jesus,  praise  -vvith  me,  and  shew  unto  others  what  he  hath  done  unto 
my  soul.  This  is  the  fruit  of  my  sufferings,  that  I  desire  Christ's 
name  may  be  spread  abroad  in  this  kingdom,  in  my  behalf  I  hope  in 
God  not  to  slander  him  again ;  yet  in  this,  I  get  not  my  feasts  without 
some  mixture  of  gall ;  neither  am  I  free  of  old  jealousies ;  for  he 
hath  removed  my  lovers  and  friends  far  from  me  :  he  hath  made  my 
congregation  desolate,  and  taken  away  my  crown  :  and  my  dumb  sab- 
baths are  like  a  stone  tyed  to  a  bird's  foot,  that  wanteth  not  wings, 
they  seem  to  hinder  me  to  flee,  were  it  not  that  I  dare  not  say  one 
word,  but,  Well  done,  Lord  Jesus.  We  can  in  our  prosperity  sport 
ourselves,  and  be  too  bold  with  Christ ;  yea,  be  that  insolent,  as  to 
chide  with  him  ;  but  under  the  water  we  dare  not  speak.  I  wonder 
now  of  my  sometimes  boldness,  to  chide  and  quarrel  Christ,  to  nick- 
name providence,  when  it  stroaked  me  against  the  hair ;  but  now 
swimming  in  the  waters,  I  think  my  will  is  fallen  to  the  ground  of  the 
water  ;  I  have  lost  it.  I  think  I  would  fain  let  Christ  alone,  and  give 
him  leave  to  do  with  me  what  he  pleaseth,  if  he  would  smile  upon 
me.  Verily,  we  know  not  what  an  evil  it  is  to  spill  and  indulge  our- 
selves, and  to  make  an  idol  of  our  will ;  I  was  once,  I  would  not  eat, 
except  I  had  wailed  meat ;  now  I  dare  not  complain  of  the  crumbs 
and  parings  under  his  table  :  I  was  once  that  I  would  make  the  house 
ado,  if  I  saw  not  the  world  carved,  and  set  in  order  to  my  liking  ;  now 
I  am  silent,  when  I  see  God  hath  set  servants  on  horseback,  and  is 
fattening  and  feeding  the  children  of  perdition.  I  pray  God,  I  never 
find  my  will  again ;  Oh  if  Christ  would  subject  my  will  to  his,  and 
trample  it  under  his  feet,  and  liberate  me  from  that  lawless  lord  ! 
Now,  Sir,  in  your  youth  gather  fast ;  your  sun  will  mount  to  the  meri- 
dian quickly,  and  thereafter  decline ;  be  greedy  of  grace :  study 
above  any  thing,  my  dear  brother,  to  mortify  your  lusts.  0  but  pride 
of  youth,  vanity,  lust,  idolizing  of  the  world,  and  charming  pleasures, 
take  long  time  to  root  them  out !  As  far  as  ye  are  advanced  in  the 
way  to  heaven,  as  near  as  ye  are  to  Christ,  as  much  progress  as  ye 
have  made  in  the  way  of  mortification,  ye  will  find  that  ye  are  far  be- 
hind, and  have  most  of  your  work  before  you.  I  never  took  it  to  be 
so  hard,  to  be  dead  to  my  lusts  and  to  this  world  ;  when  the  day  of 
visitation  cometh,  and  your  old  idols  come  weeping  about  you,  ye  will 
have  much  ado  not  to  break  your  heart ;  it  is  best  to  give  up  in  time 
with  them,  so  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  seen  the  best 
of  this  world,  a  moth-eaten  thread  bare  coat ;  I  purpose  to  lay  it 
aside,  being  now  holey  and  old.  0  for  my  house  above,  not  mad© 
with  hands  !  Pray  for  Christ's  prisoner,  and  write  to  me.  Remember 
my  love  to  your  mother  ;  desire  her  from  me,  to  make  ready  for 
removing ;  the  Lord's  tide  will  not  bide  her ;  and  to  seek  an  heavenly 
mind,  that  her  heart  may  be  often  there.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  and  Christ's  prisoner.  S.  R. 

Al-erdeen.  Feb.  10,  1637.  ■ 


147 

LETTER  XCVll. 

To  Robert  Glendining. 
,>iY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  thank  you  most  kindly  lor 
vour  care  of  me,  and  your  love  and  respective  kindness  to  my  brother 
in  his  distress.  I  pray  the  Lord  ye  may  find  mercy  in  the  day  of 
Christ ;  and  I  intreat  you,  Sir,  to  consider  the  times  ye  live  in,  and 
that  your  soul  is  more  worth  to  you  than  the  whole  world,  which,  in 
the  day  of  the  blowing  of  the  last  trumpet,  shall  lye  in  white  ashes, 
as  an  old  castle  burnt  to  nothing ;  and  remember  that  judgment  and 
eternity  is  before  you.  My  dear  and  worthy  friend,  let  me  intreat  you 
in  Christ's  name,  and  by  the  salvation  of  your  soul,  and  by  your  com- 
pearance before  the  dreadful  and  sin-revenging  Judge  of  the  world, 
make  your  accounts  ready,  read  them  ere  ye  come  to  the  water-side  ; 
for  your  afternoon  will  wear  short,  and  your  sun  fall  low  and  go  down  : 
and  ye  know,  that  this  long  time  your  Lord  hath  waited  on  you.  O 
how  comfortable  a  thing  it  shall  be  to  you,  when  time  shall  be  no 
more,  and  your  soul  shall  depart  out  of  the  house  of  clay,  to  vast  and 
endless  eternity,  to  have  your  soul  dressed  up,  and  prepared  for  your 
Bridegroom !  No  loss  is  comparable  to  the  loss  of  the  soul ;  there  is 
no  hope  of  regaining  that  loss.  O  how  joyful  would  my  soul  be,  to 
hear  that  ye  would  start  to  the  gate,  and  contend  for  the  crown,  and 
leave  all  vanities,  and  make  Christ  your  garland  !  Let  your  soul  put 
away  your  old  lovers,  and  let  Christ  have  your  whole  love ;  I  have 
some  experience  to  write  of  this  to  you.  My  witness  is  in  heaven,  I 
would  not  exchange  my  chains  and  bonds  for  Christ,  and  my  sighs, 
for  ten  world's  glory.  I  judge  this  clay  idol,  that  Adam's  sons  are 
rouping  and  selling  their  souls  for,  not  worth  a  drink  of  cold  water. 
O  if  your  soul  were  in  my  soul's  stead,  how  sick  would  ye  be  of  love 
for  that  fairest  one,  that  fairest  among  the  sons  of  men  !  May-flowers 
and  morning-vapour,  and  summer-mist  posteth  not  so  fast  away,  as 
these  worm-eaten  pleasures  that  we  follow :  we  build  castles  in  the 
air,  and  night-dreams  are  our  daily  idols  that  we  dote  on.  Salvation, 
salvation  is  our  only  necessary  thing.  Sir,  call  home  your  thoughts 
to  this  work,  to  enquire  for  your  Well-beloved  :  this  earth  is  the  por- 
tion of  bastards  ;  seek  the  son's  inheritance,  and  let  Christ's  truth  be 
dear  to  you.  I  pawn  my  salvation  on  it,  that  this  is  the  honouf  of 
Christ's  kingdom  I  now  suffer  for,  and  this  world,  1  hope,  shall  not 
come  between  me  and  my  garland,  and  that  this  is  the  way  to  life. 
When  ye  and  I  shall  lye  lumps  of  pale  clay  upon  the  ground,  our 
pleasures  that  we  now  naturally  love,  shall  be  less  than  nothing  in 
that  day.  Dear  brother,  fulfil  my  joy,  and  betake  you  to  Christ  with- 
out further  delay,  ye  will  be  fain  at  length  to  seek  him,  or  do  infinitely 
worse.     Remember  my  love  to  your  wife.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


]4y  LETTiTR  XGVIII,    XCIX.  PARTI. 

LETTER  XCVIII. 

To  William  Glendininj. 
WELL-BELOVED    AND    DEAR   BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  thank  you  most  kindly  fof 
your  care  and  love  to  me,  and  in  particular  to  my  brother,  in  his  dis- 
tress in  Edinburgh  :  go  on  through  your  waters  without  wearying ; 
your  guide  knoweth  the  way,  follow  him,  and  cast  your  cares  and  ten- 
tations  upon  him  ;  and  let  not  worms,  the  sons  of  men,  affright  you  ; 
they  shall  die,  and  the  moth  shall  eat  them ;  keep  y.our  garland  ; 
there  is  no  less  at  the  stake,  in  this  game  betwixt  us  and  the  world, 
than  our  conscience  and  salvation ;  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  conscience,  we  must  hold  and  draw  with  kings, 
and  set  ourselves  in  terms  of  opposition  with  the  shields  of  the  earth. 

0  the  sweet  communion  for  evermore,  that  hath  been  between  Christ 
and  his  prisoner !     He  wearieth  not  to  be  kind  ;  he  is  the  fairest  sight 

1  see  in  Aberdeen,  or  any  part  that  ever  my  feet  were  in.  Remember 
my  hearty  kindness  to  your  wife  ;  I  desire  her  to  believe,  and  lay  her 
cares  on  God,  and  make  fast  work  of  salvation.     Grace  be  with  you, 

Your's  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13, 1637. 


LETTER  XCIX, 

To  Jean  Brown, 
WELL  BELOVED  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter,  which 
1  esteem  an  evidence  of  your  Christian  affection  to  me,  and  of  your 
love  to  my  honourable  Lord  and  Master.  My  desire  is,  that  your 
communion  with  Christ  may  grow,  and  that  your  reckonings  may  be 
put  by  hand  with  your  Lord  ere  ye  come  to  the  water-side.  0  who 
knoweth  how  sweet  Christ's  kisses  are  !  who  hath  been  more  kindly 
embraced  and  kissed  than  I  his  banished  prisoner  1  If  the  comparison 
could  stand,  I  would  not  exchange  Christ  with  heaven  itself:  he  hath 
left  a  dart  and  arrow  of  love  in  my  soul,  and  it  paineth  me  till  he  come 
and  taketh  it  out.  I  find  pain  of  these  wounds,  because  I  would  have 
possession.  I  know  now,  this  worm-eaten  apple,  the  plaistered,  rotten 
world,  that  the  silly  children  of  this  world  are  beating  and  buffeting, 
and  pulling  others'  ears  for,  is  a  portion  for  bastards  good  enough ; 
and  that  is  all  they  have  to  look  for.  I  offend  not,  that  my  adversa- 
ries stay  at  home  at  their  own  fire-side,  with  more  yearly  rent  than  I ; 
should  I  be  angry  that  the  good-man  of  this  house  of  the  world  casteth 
a  dog  a  bone  to  hurt  his  teeth  1  He  hath  taught  me  to  be  content  with 
a  borrowed  fire-side,  and  an  uncouth  bed  ;  and  I  think  I  have  lost 
nothing,  the  income  is  so  great.  O  what  telling  is  in  Christ !  0  how 
weighty  is  my  fair  garland,  my  crown,  my  fair  supping-hall  in  glory, 
where  I  shall  be  above  the  blows  and  buffetings  of  prelates  !  Let  this 
be  your  desire,  and  let  your  thoughts  dwell  much  upon  that  blessed- 
ness that  abideth  you  in  the  other  world.     The  fair  side  of  the  world 


PART  I.  LETTER  (J.  149 

will  be  turned  to  you  quickly,  when  ye  shall  see  the  crown.  I  hope 
ye  are  near  your  lodging.  O  but  I  would  think  myself  blessed,  for 
my  part,  to  win  the  house  before  the  shower  come  on !  for  God  hath 
a  quiver  full  of  arrows  to  shoot  at,  and  shower  down  upon  Scotland. 
Ye  have  the  prayers  of  a  prisoner  of  Christ.  I  desire  Patrick  to  give 
Christ  his  young  love,  even  the  flowers  of  it,  and  to  put  it  by  all  others ; 
it  were  good  to  start  soon  to  the  way  ;  he  should  thereby  have  a  great 
advantage  in  the  evil  day.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Yqur's  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  C. 

To  Mr.  John  Fergushill. 
REVtREND    AND    WELL-BELOVED    IN    THE    LORD, 

I  WAS  refreshed  with  your  letter  :  I  am  sorry  for  that  lingering  and 
longsome  visitation  that  is  upon  your  wife  ;  but  I  know  ye  take  it  as 
the  mark  of  a  lawfully  begotten  child,  and  not  of  a  bastard;  to  be  un- 
der your  Father's  rod.  Till  ye  be  in  heaven  it  will  be  but  foul  weather, 
one  shower  up  and  another  down.  The  lintle  stone  and  pillars  of  the 
New  Jerusalem  suffer  more  knocks  of  God's  hammer  and  tool,  than 
the  common  side-wall  stones  :  and  if  twenty  crosses  be  written  for 
you  in  God's  book,  they  will  come  to  nineteen,  and  then  at  last  to  one, 
and  after  that  to  nothing  ;  but  your  head  shall  lie  betwixt  Christ's 
breasts  for  evermore,  and  his  own  soft  hand  shall  dry  your  face  ;  and 
wipe  away  your  tears.  As  for  public  sufferings  for  his  truth,  your 
Master  also  will  see  to  these  ;  let  us  put  him  in  his  own  office,  to  com- 
fort and  deliver.  The  gloom  of  Christ's  cross  is  worse  than  itself.  I 
cannot  keep  up  what  he  hath  done  to  my  soul.  My  dear  brother,  will 
I  not  get  help  of  you  to  praise,  and  to  lift  Christ  up  on  high  ]  he  hath 
pained  me  with  his  love,  and  hath  left  a  love-arrow  in  my  heart,  iha"; 
hath  made  a  wound,  and  swelled  me  up  with  desires,  so  that  I  an  to 
be  pitied  for  want  of  real  possession.  Love  would  have  the  comoany 
of  the  party  loved :  and  my  greatest  pain  is  the  want  of  him,  nat  of 
his  joys  and  comforts,  but  of  a  near  union  and  communion.  This  is 
his  truth,  I  am  fully  persuaded,  I  now  suffer  for  :  for  Christ  hath  taken 
upon  him  to  be  witness  to  it,  by  his  sweet  comforts  to  my  soul ;  and 
shall  I  think  him  a  false  witness,  or  that  he  would  subscribe  blank  pa- 
per ?  I  thank  his  high  and  dreadful  name  for  what  he  hath  given  ;  I 
hope  to  keep  his  seal  and  his  pawn  till  he  come  and  loose  it  himself.  I 
defy  hell  to  put  me  off  it,  but  he  is  Christ,  and  he  hath  met  with  hia 
prisoner,  and  I  took  instruments  in  his  own  hand,  that  it  was  he,  and 
none  other  for  him.  When  the  devil  fenceth  a  bastard-court  in  mv 
Lord's  ground  and  giveth  me  forged  summons,  it  will  be  my  shame  to 
misbelieve,  after  such  a  fair  broad  seal  ;  and  yet  Satan  and  my  appre- 
hension sometimes  make  a  lie  of  Christ,  as  if  he  hated  me  ;  but  I  dare 
believe  no  evil  of  Christ :  if  he  would  cool  my  love-fever  for  himself 
with  real  presence  and  possession  I  would  be  rich  ;  but  I  dare  not  be 
mislearned,  and  seek  more  in  that  kind,  howbeit  it  be  no  shame  to  beg 
at  Christ's  door.     I  pity  my  adversaries  :  I  grudge  not  that  my  Lord 


150  LETTER   €1,   Oil.  PART  I. 

keepeth  them  at  their  own  fire-side,  and  hath  given  me  a  borrowed 
bed  and  a  borrowed  fire-side  :  let  the  good  man  of  the  house  cast  the 
dog  a  bone !  why  should  I  offend  !  I  rejoice  that  the  broken  bark 
shall  come  to  land,  and  that  Christ  will,  on  the  shore,  welcome  the 
sea-sick  passenger.  We  have  need  of  a  great  stock  against  this  day 
of  trial  that  is  coming;  neither  chaff  nor  corn  in  Scotland,  but  it  shall 
once  pass  through  God's  sieve.  Praise,  praise,  and  pray  for  me  ;  for 
I  cannot  forget  you  :  I  know  you  will  be  friendly  to  my  afflicted  bro- 
ther, who  is  now  embarked  in  the  same  cause  with  me  ;  let  him  have 
your  counsel  and  comforts.  Remember  my  love  in  Christ  to  your 
wife  ;  her  health  is  coming,  and  her  salvation  sleepeth  not.  Ye  have 
the  prayers  and  blessing  of  a  prisoner  in  Christ ;  sow  fast,  deal  bread 
plentifully :  the  pantry-door  will  be  locked  on  the  children,  in  appear- 
ance, ere  long.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  CL 

To  his  Rev.  and  dear  Brother  Mr.  Robert  Douglas. 
MY    VERY    REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  see  you  on  paper. 
I  cannot  but  write  you,  that  this  which  I  now  suffer  for  is  Christ's  truth ; 
because  he  hath  been  pleased  to  seal  my  sufferings  with  joy  unspeak- 
able and  glorious  ;  I  know  he  will  not  put  his  seal  upon  blank  paper ; 
Christ  hath  not  dumb  seals,  neither  will  he  be  witness  to  a  lie.  I  be- 
seech you,  my  dear  brother,  help  me  to  praise,  and  to  lift  Christ  up  on 
his  throne,  above  the  shields  of  the  earth.  I  am  astonished  and  con- 
founded at  the  greatness  of  his  kindness  to  such  a  sinner.  I  know 
Christ  and  I  shall  never  be  even,  I  shall  die  in  his  debt ;  he  hath  left 
an  arrow  in  my  heart  that  paineth  me  for  want  of  real  possession  ;  and 
hell  cannot  quench  this  coal  of  God's  kindling.  I  wish  no  man  slan- 
der Christ  or  his  cross  for  my  cause  ;  for  I  have  much  cause  to  speak 
much  good  of  him  ;  he  hath  brought  me  to  a  nick  and  degree  of  com- 
munon  with  himself  that  I  knew  not  before.  The  din  and  gloom  of 
our  Lord's  cross  is  more  fearful  and  hard  than  the  cross  itself:  he  ta- 
keth  the  children  in  his  arms,  when  they  come  to  a  deep  water ;  at 
least  when  they  lose  ground  and  are  put  to  swim,  then  his  hand  is  under 
theirchin.  Let  me  be  helped  by  your  prayers,  and  remember  my  love 
10  ycur  kind  wife.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Brother,  and  Christ's  prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  CIL 

To  his  loving  friend,  John  Henderson, 
tOVING   FRIEND, 

Continue  in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  which  I  taught 
yoii  faithfully  and  painfully,  according  to  my  measure.  I  am  free  of 
your  blood.     Fear  the  dreadful  name  of  God.    Keep  in  mind  the  ex- 


PARTI.  LETTER    CIII.  J  51 

aminations  which  I  taught  you,  and  love  the  truth  of  God.  Death, 
as  fast  as  time  fleeth,  chaseth  you  out  of  this  life ;  it  is  possible,  ye 
make  your  reckoning  with  your  Judge  before  I  see  you  :  let  salvation 
be  your  care  night  and  day,  and  set  aside  hours  and  times  of  the  day 
for  prayer.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  there  is  prayer  in  your  house  ;  see 
that  your  servants  keep  the  Lord's  day.  This  dirt  and  god  of  clay,  I 
mean  the  vain  world,  is  not  worth  the  seeking.  An  hireling  pastor  is  to 
be  thrust  in  upon  you,  in  t'^e  room  to  which  I  have  Christ's  warrant  and 
right :  stand  to  your  liberties,  for  the  word  of  God  alloweth  you  a  vote 
in  chusing  your  pastor.  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  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14, 1637. 


LETTER  CIIL 

To  Mr.  Hugh  Henderson. 
MY    REVEREND    AND    DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  HEAR  ye  bear  the  marks  of  Christ's  dying  about  with  you,  and  that 
your  brethren  have  cast  you  out  for  your  Master's  sake  ;  let  us  wait 
on  till  the  evening,  and  till  our  reckoing  in  black  and  white  come  before 
our  Master.  Brother,  since  we  must  have  a  devil  to  trouble  us,  I  love 
a  raging  devil  best ;  our  Lord  knoweth  what  sort  of  devil  we  have  need 
of;  it  is  best  Satan  be  in  his  own  skin,  and  look  like  himself;  Christ 
weeping  looketh  like  himself  also,  with  whom  Scribes  and  Pharisees 
were  at  yea  and  nay,  and  sharp  contradiction.  Ye  have  heard  of  the 
patience  of  Job  ;  when  he  lay  in  in  the  ashes  God  was  with  him,  claw- 
ing and  curing  his  scabs,  and  letting  out  his  boils,  comforting  his  soul ; 
and  he  took  him  up  at  last.  That  God  is  not  dead  ;  yet  he  will  stoop 
and  take  up  fallen  children  ;  many  broken  legs  since  Adam's  days 
hath  he  spelked,  and  many  weary  hearts  hath  he  refreshed.  Bless 
him  for  comfort :  Why  ?  None  cometh  dry  from  David's  well ;  let  us 
go  among  the  rest,  and  cast  down  our  toom  buckets  into  Christ's 
ocean,  and  suck  consolations  out  of  him  ;  we  are  not  so  sore  stricken, 
but  we  may  fill  Christ's  hall  with  weeping  ;  We  have  not  gotten  our 
answer  from  him  yet ;  let  us  lay  up  our  broken  pleas  to  a  full  sea,  and 
keep  them  till  the  day  of  Christ's  coming;  we  and  this  world  will  not 
be  even  till  then  ;  they  would  take  our  garment  from  us  ;  but  let  us 
hold  and  them  draw.  Brother,  it  is  a  strange  world  if  we  laugh  not ;  I 
never  saw  the  like  of  it,  if  there  be  not  paiks  the  man,  for  this  con- 
tempt done  to  the  Son  of  God  ?  We  must  do  as  those  who  keep  the 
bloody  napkin  to  the  baillie,  and  let  him  see  blood  :  we  must  keep 
our  wrongs  to  our  Judge,  and  let  him  see  our  blurred  and  foul  faces  ; 
prisoners  of  hope  must  run  to  Christ,  with  the  gutters  that  tears  have 
made  on  their  cheeks.  Brother,  for  myself,  I  am  Christ's  dawted  one 
for  the  present ;  and  I  live  upon  no  deaf  nuts,  as  we  use  to  speak,  he 
hath  opened  fountains  to  me  in  the  wilderness.  Go,  look  to  my  Lord 
Jesus  :  his  love  to  me  is  such,  that  I  defy  the  world  to  find  either 
brim  or  bottom  in  it.    Grace  be  with  you. 

•  Your  brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13, 1637. 


152 

LETTER  CIV. 

To  the  Lady  Robertlaiul. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  that 
your  soul  prospereth,  and  that  fruit  groweth  upon  you  after  the  Lord's 
husbandry  and  pains  in  his  rod,  that  he  hath  not  been  a  stranger  to 
you  from  your  youth.  It  is  the  Lord's  kindness  that  he  will  take  the 
scum  off"  us  in  the  fire  ;  who  knoweth  how  needful  winnowing  is  to  us, 
and  what  dross  we  must  want,  ere  we  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  ? 
So  narrow  is  the  entry  to  heaven,  that  our  knots,  our  bunches,  and 
lumps  of  pride,  and  self-love,  and  idle-love,  and  world-love,  must  be 
hammered  off  us,  that  we  may  throng  in,  stooping  low,  and  creeping 
through  that  narrow  and  thorny  entry.  And  now,  for  myself,  I  find 
it  the  most  sweet  and  heavenly  life,  to  take  up  house  and  dwelHng  at 
Christ's  fire-side,  and  set  down  my  tent  upon  Christ,  that  foundation 
stone,  who  is  sure  and  faithful  ground,  and  hard  under  foot.  Oh !  if 
I  could  win  to  it,  and  proclaim  myself  not  the  world's  debtor,  nor  a 
lover  obliged  to  it ;  and  that  I  mind  not  to  hire  or  bud  this  world's 
love  any  longer  ;  but  defy  the  kindness  and  feud  of  God's  whole  crea- 
tion whatsomever  ;  especially  the  lower  vault  and  clay-part  of  God's 
creatures,  this  vain  earth  !  for  what  hold  I  of  his  world  1  a  borrowed 
lodging,  and  some  years  house-room,  and  bread,  and  water,  and  fire, 
and  bed,  and  candle,  &c.  are  all  a  part  of  the  pension  of  my  King  and 
Lord,  to  whom  I  owe  thanks,  and  not  to  a  creature.  I  thank  God, 
that  God  is  God,  and  Christ  is  Christ,  and  the  earth  the  earth,  and 
the  devil  the  devil,  and  the  world  the  world,  and  that  sin  is  sin,  and 
that  every  thing  is  what  it  is  :  because  he  hath  taught  me  in  my  wilder- 
ness not  to  shuffle  my  Lord  Jesus,  nor  to  intermix  him  with  creature 
vanities,  nor  to  spin  or  twine  Christ  or  his  sweet  love  in  one  web, 
or  in  one  thread  with  the  world,  and  the  things  thereof.  Oh  if  I  could 
hold  and  keep  Christ  all  alone,  and  mix  him  with  nothing  !  O  if  I 
could  cry  down  the  price  and  weight  of  my  cursed  self,  and  cry  up  the 
price  of  Christ,  and  double,  and  triple,  and  augment  and  heighten  to 
millions  the  price  and  worth  of  Christ !  I  am,  if  I  durst  speak  so,  and 
might  lawfully  complain,  so  hungeredly  tutored  by  Christ  Jesus,  my 
liberal  Lord,  that  his  nice  love,  which  my  soul  would  be  in  hands 
with,  flyeth  me ;  and  yet  I  am  trained  on  to  love  him,  and  lust,  and 
long,  and  die  for  his  love,  whom  I  cannot  see.  It  is  a  wonder  to  pine 
away  with  love  for  a  covered  and  hid  lover,  and  to  be  hungered  with 
his  love,  so  as  a  poor  soul  cannot  get  his  fill  of  hunger  for  Christ ;  it  is 
hard  to  be  hungered  of  hunger,  whereof  such  abundance  for  other 
things  is  in  this  world  ;  but  sure  if  we  were  tutors,  and  stewards,  and 
masters,  and  lord-carvers  of  Christ's  love,  we  should  be  more  lean, 
and  worse  fed  than  we  are  :  our  meet  doth  us  the  more  good  that 
Christ  keepeth  the  keys,  and  that  the  wind  and  the  air  of  Christ's 
sweet  breathing,  and  of  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,  is  locked  up  in  the 
hands  of  the  good  pleasure  of  him  who  bloweth  where  he  listeth,  I 
see  there  is  a  sort  of  impatient  patience  required  in  the  want  of  Christ, 
as  to  his  manifestations  and  waiting  on  ;  thev  thrive  who  wait  on  his 


PART  T.  LETTER    CV.  153 

love,  and  the  blowing  of  it,  and  the  turning  of  his  gracious  wind  ;  and 
they  thrive  who  in  that  on-waiting  make  haste  and  din,  and  much  ado, 
for  their  lost  and  hidden  Lord  Jesus.  However  it  be,  God  feed  me 
Avith  him  any  way.  If  he  would  come  in,  I  shall  not  dispute  the  mat- 
ter where  he  got  a  hole,  or  how  he  opened  the  lock  ;  I  should  be  con- 
tent, that  Christ  and  I  met  suppose  he  should  stand  on  the  other  side 
of  hell's  lake,  and  cry  to  me,  Either  put  in  your  foot  and  come  through, 
else  ye  shall  not  have  me  at  all.  But  what  fools  are  we,  in  the  taking 
up  of  him  and  of  his  dealing  !  he  hath  a  gait  of  his  own,  beyond  the 
thoughts  of  men,  that  no  foot  has  skill  to  follow  him  :  but  we  are  still 
ill  scholars,  and  will  go  in  at  heaven's  gate,  wanting  the  half  of  our 
lesson,  and  shall  still  be  children  so  long  as  we  are  under  time's  hands, 
and  till  eternity  cause  a  sun  to  arise  in  our  souls  that  shall  give  us  wit. 
We  may  see  how  we  spill  and  mar  our  own  fair  heaven  and  our  salva- 
tion, and  how  Christ  is  every  day  putting  in  one  bone  or  other  in 
those  fallen  souls  of  ours,  in  the  right  place  again  ;  and  that  in  this 
side  of  the  New  Jerusalem  we  shall  still  have  need  of  forgiving  and 
healing.  I  find  crosses  Christ  carved  work,  that  he  marketh  out  for 
us  ;  and  that  with  crosses  he  figureth  and  pourtrayeth  us  to  his  own 
image,  cutting  away  pieces  of  our  ill  and  corruption :  Lord  cut,  Lord 
carve,  Lord  wound.  Lord  do  any  thing  that  may  perfect  the  Father's 
image  in  us,  and  make  us  meet  for  glory.  Pray  for  me,  I  forget  not 
you,  that  our  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  lend  me  house-room,  to 
preach  his  righteousness,  and  tell  what  I  have  heard  and  seen  of  him. 
Forget  not  Zion  that  is  now  in  Christ's  calms  and  in  his  forge  :  God 
bring  her  out  new  work.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  bis  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  4,  1637. 


LETTER  CV. 

To  the   Earl  of  Cassils. 
RIGHT  HONOURABLE,  AND  MY  VERY  GOOD  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordship.  I  hope  your  Lord- 
ship will  be  pleased  to  pardon  my  boldness,  if,  upon  report  of  your 
zealous  and  forward  mind,  that  I  hear  our  Lord  hath  given  you  in  this 
his  honourable  cause,  when  Christ  and  his  gospel  are  so  foully  wrong- 
ed, I  speak  to  your  Lordship  on  paper,  entreating  your  Lordship  to 
go  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  toward,  and  against  a  storm  of  An- 
tichristian  wind,  that  bloweth  upon  the  face  of  this  your  poor  mother- 
church,  Christ's  lily  amongst  the  thorns.  It  is  your  Lordship's  glory 
and  happiness,  when  ye  see  such  a  blow  coming  upon  Christ,  to  cast 
up  your  arm  to  prevent  it :  neither  is  it  a  cause  that  needeth  to  blush 
before  the  sun,  or  to  flee  the  sentence  or  censure  of  impartial  behold- 
ers, seeing  the  question  indeed,  if  it  were  rightly  stated,  is  about  the 
prerogative-royal  of  our  princely  and  royal  Lawgiver,  our  Lord  Jesus, 
whose  ancient  march-stones,  and  land-bounds,  our  bastard  lords,  and 
earthly  generation  of  tyrannizing  prelates,  have  boldly  and  shamefully 
removed  :  and  they  who  have  but  half  an  eye,  may  see,  that  it  is  the 
greedy  desires  of  time-idolizing  Demas's,  and  the  itching  scab  of  ambi- 

20 


154  LETTER    CV.  PART  I. 

tious  and  climbing  Diotrephes's,  who  love  the  goat's  life,  to  climb  till 
they  cannot  find  a  way  to  set  their  souls  on  ground  again,  that  hath 
made  such  a  wide  breach  in  our  Zion's  beautiful  walls  :  and  these  are 
the  men  who  seek  no  hire  for  the  crucifying  of  Christ,  but  his  coat. 
O  how  forlorn  and  desolate  is  the  Bride  of  Christ  made  to  all  passers 
by !  Who  seeth  not  Christ  buried  in  this  land,  his  prophets  hidden  in 
caves,  silenced,  banished,  and  imprisoned  ;  truth  weeping  in  sackcloth 
before  the  judges,  parliament,  and  the  rulers  of  the  land  1  But  he? 
bill  is  cast  by  them,  and  holiness  bideth  itself,  fearing  the  streets,  for 
the  reproaches  and  persecution  of  men  :  justice  is  fallen  aswoon  in 
the  gate,  and  the  long-shadows  of  the  evening  are  stretched  out  upoia, 
•IS  ;  wo,  wo  to  us,  for  our  day  flieth  away  ;  what  resiaineth,  but  that 
Antichrist  set  down  his  tent  in  the  midst  of  us,  except  your  Lordship, 
and  others  wiih  you,  read  Christ's  supplication,  and  give  him  that 
which  the  most  lewd  and  scandalous  wretches  in  this  land,  may  have 
before  a  judge,  even  the  poor  man's  due,  law  and  justice  for  God's 
sake  ?  O  therefore,  my  noble  and  dear  Lord,  as  ye  have  begun,  go 
on,  in  the^  ijiighty  power  and  strength  of  the  Lord,  to  cause  our  Lord, 
in  his  gospei  an^  afflicted  members,  laugh,  and  cause  the  Christian 
churches,  wh<?s^  eyes  are  all  now  upon  you,  to  sing  for  joy  when; 
Scotland's  moon  :?hall  shi-ne  like  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  the  sun  like 
the  light  of  seven  days  in  one  ;  ye  can  do  no  less  than  run  and  bear 
up  the  head  of  your  dying  and  swooning  mother-church,  and  plead  for 
the  production  of  her  ancient  charters.  They  hold  out  and  put  out, 
they  hold  in,  and  bring  in  at  their  pleasure,  men  in  God's  house  ;  they 
stole  the  keys  from  Christ  and  his  church,  and  came  in  like  the  thief 
and  the  robber,  not  by  the  door,  Christ,  and  now  their  song  is.  Au- 
thority, authority,  obedience  to  church  governors.  When  such  a  has-, 
tard  and  lawless  pretended  step-dame,  as  our  prelates,  is  gone  mad,  it 
is  your  place,  who  are  the  nobles,  to  rise  and  bind  them  j  at  least  law 
should  fetter  such  wild  bulls  as  they  are,  who  push  all  who  oppose 
themselves  to  their  domination.  Alas  !  what  have  we  lost,  since  prc-r 
lates  were  made  master-coiners,  to  change  our  gold  into  brass,  and  to 
mix  the  Lord's  wine  with  their  water  1  Blessed  for  ever  shall  ye  be 
of  the  Lord,  if  ye  help  Christ  gainst  the  mighty,  a^d  shall  deliver  the 
flock  of  God,  scattered  upon  the  mountains,  in  ^he  dark  and  cloudy 
day,  put  of  the  hands  of  these  idolrshepherds.  Fear  not  men  that 
shall  be  moth-eaten  clay,  that  shall  be  rolled  up  in  a  chest,  and  casten 
under  the  earth  ;  let  the  holy  one  of  Israel  be  your  fear,  and  be 
courageous  for  the  Lord  and  his  truth.  Remember  your  accounts  are  , 
coming  upon  you  with  wings,  as  fast  as  time  posteth  ;  remember  what 
peace  with  God  in  Christ,  and  the  presence  of  the  Son  of  God,  the 
revealed  and  felt  sweetness  of  his  love,  will  be  to  you,  when  eternity  , 
shall  put  time  to  the  door,  and  ye  shall  take  good-night  at  time,  and 
this  little  shepherd's  tent  of  elay,  this  inns  of  a  borrowed  earth.  I 
hope  your  Lordship  is  now  and  then  sending  out  thoughts  to  view 
this  world's  naughtiness  and  vanity,  and  the  hoped-for  glory  of  the 
life  to  come  ;  and  that  ye  resolve  that  Christ  shall  have  yourself,  and 
all  yours,  at  command  for  him,  his  honour  and  gospel.  Thus,  trusting 
your  Lordoliip  will  pardon  my  boldness,  I  pray  that  the  only  wise 


PART  I.  LETTER    CVI.  155 

God,  the  very  God  of  peace,  may  preserve,  strengthen,  and  establish 
you  to  the  end. 

Your  Lordship's  at  all  command  and  obedience  in  Christ,    S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  1637. 


Letter  cVl 

To  the  Lady  Rowallan. 

itlXt)AM, 

Though  not  acquainted,  I  am  bold  in  Christ  to  speak  to  your  La- 
dyship on  paper.  I  rejoice  in  our  Lord  Jesus  on  your  behalf,  that  it 
hath  pleased  him,  whose  love  to  you  is  as  old  as  himself,  to  manifest 
the  savour  of  his  love  in  Christ  Jesus  to  your  sOul,  in  the  revelation  of 
his  will  and  mind  to  you,  now  when  so  many  are  shut  up  in  unbelief. 

0  the  sweet  change  ye  have  made,  in  leaving  the  black  kingdom  of 
this  world  and  sin,  and  coming  over  to  our  Bridegroom's  new  king- 
dom, to  know,  and  be  taken  with  the  love  of  the  beautiful  Son  of  God. 

1  beseech  you,  madam,  in  the  Lord,  make  now  sure  work,  and  see 
that  the  old  house  be  casten  down,  and  raied  from  the  foundation,  and 
that  the  new  building  of  your  soul  be  of  Christ's  own  laying  ;  for  then 
wind  nor  storm  shall  neither  loose  it,  nor  shake  it  asunder.     Many 
now  take  Christ  by  guess  ;  be  sure  that  it  be  he,  and  only  he,  whom 
ye  have  met  with  ;  his  sweet  smell,  his  lovely  voice,  his  fair  face,  his 
sweet  working  in  the  soul,  will  not  he  :  they  will  soon  tell  if  it  be 
Christ  indeed  ;  and  I  think  your  love  to  the  saints  speaketh  that  it  is 
he,  and  therefore  I  say,  be  sare  Ihat  ye  take  Christ  himself,  and  take 
him  ^vith  his  Father's  blessing ;  his  Father  alloweth  him  well  upon 
you,  your  Hnes  are  well  fallen,  it  could  not  have  been  better,  nor  so 
well  with  you,  if  they  had  not  fallen  in  these  places  ;  in  heaven  or  out 
of  heaven,  there  is  nothing  better,  nothing  so  sweet  and  excellent  as 
the  thing  ye  have  lighted  on,  and  therefore  hold  you  with  Christ :  joy, 
much  joy  may  ye  have  of  him  :  but  take  his  cross  with  him  cheer- 
fully :  Christ  and  his  cross  are  not  separable  in  this  life,  howbeit 
Christ  and  his  cross  part  at  heaven's  door,  for  there  is  no  house-room 
for  crosses  in  heaven  :  one  tear,  one  sigh,  one  sad  heart,  one  fear,  one 
loss,  one  thought  of  trouble  cannot  find  lodging  there  :  they  are  but 
the  marks  of  our  Lord  Jesus  down  in  this  wide  inn,  and  stormy  "coun- 
try, on  this  side  of  death  :  sorrow  and  the  saints  are  not  married  to- 
gether ;  or,  suppose  it  were  so,  heaven  would  make  a  divorce.     I  find 
his  sweet  presence  eateth  out  the  bitterness  of  sorrow  and  suffering. 
I  think  it  a  sweet  thing,  that  Christ  saith  of  my  cross.  Half  mine  ;  and 
that  he  divideth  these  sufferings  with  me,  and  taketh  the  largest  share 
to  himself;  nay,  that  I  and  my  whole  cross  are  tvhoUy  Christ's.     O 
what  a  portion  is  Christ !     O  that  the  saints  would  dig  deeper  in  the 
treasures  of  his  wisdom  and  excellency  !     Thus  recommending  your 
Ladyship  to  the  good  will  and  tender  mercies  of  our  Lord,  I  rest 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  7,  1G37. 


156 
LETTER  CYIl. 

To  Robert  Gordon,  of  Kiiockbrex, 
MY  VERY  WOUTHY  AND  DEAR  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  all  Galloway  should 
have  forgotten  me,  I  would  have  expected  a  letter  from  you  ere  now  : 
but  I  will  not  expound  it  to  be  forgetfulness  of  me.  Now,  my  dear 
brother,  I  cannot  shew  you  how  matters  go  betwixt  Christ  and  me :  I 
iind  my  Lord  going  and  coming  seven  times  a-day ;  his  visits  are 
short ;  but  they  are  both  frequent  and  sweet.  I  dare  not  for  my  life 
think  of  a  challenge  of  my  Lord  ;  I  hear  ill  tales,  and  hard  reports 
of  Christ,  from  the  tempter  and  my  flesh  ;  but  love  believeth  no  evil  ; 
I  may  swear  that  they  are  liars,  and  that  apprehensions  make  lies  of 
Christ's  honest  and  unalterable  love  to  me.  I  dare  not  say  that  I  am 
a  dry  tree,  or  that  I  have  no  room  at  all  in  the  vineyard ;  but  yet  I 
often  think,  that  the  sparrows  are  blessed,  who  may  resort  to  the  house 
of  God  in  Anworth,  from  which  I  am  banished.  Temptations,  that  I 
suppose  to  be  stricken  dead,  and  laid  upon  their  back,  rise  again  and 
revive  upon  me  ;  yea,  I  see  that,  while  I  live,  temptations  will  not  die ; 
the  devil  seemeth  to  brag  and  boast  as  much,  as  if  he  had  more  court 
with  Christ  than  I  have  ;  and  as  if  he  had  charmed  and  blasted  my 
ministry,  that  I  shall  do  no  more  good  in  public  ;  but  his  wind  shaketh 
no  corn.  I  will  not  believe  Christ  would  have  made  such  a  mint  to 
have  me  to  himself,  and  have  taken  so  much  pains  upon  me,  as  he 
hath  done,  and  then  slip  so  easily  from  possession,  and  lose  the  glory 
of  what  he  hath  done ;  nay,  since  I  came  to  Aberdeen,  I  have  been 
taken  up  to  see  the  new  land,  the  fair  palace  of  the  Lamb  :  and  will 
Christ  let  me  see  heaven,  to  break  my  heart,  and  never  give  it  to  me  i 
I  shall  not  think  my  Lord  Jesus  giveth  a  dumb  earnest,  or  putteth  his 
seals  to  blank  paper,  or  intendeth  to  put  me  off  with  fair  and  false 
promises :  I  see  that  now  which  I  never  saw  well  before  ;  1.  I  see 
faith's  necessity  in  a  fair  day  is  never  known  aright ;  but  now  I  miss 
nothing  so  much  as  faith.  Hunger  in  me  runneth  to  fair  and  sweet 
promises ;  but  when  I  come  I  am  like  a  hungry  man  that  wanteth 
teeth,  or  a  weak  stomach  having  a  sharp  appetite,  that  is  filled  with  the 
very  sight  of  meat,  or  like  one  stupified  with  cold  under  the  water, 
that  would  fain  come  to  land,  but  cannot  grip  any  thing  casten  to  him  : 
I  can  let  Christ  grip  me,  but  I  cannot  grip  him.  I  love  to  be  kissed, 
and  to  sit  on  Christ's  knee,  but  I  cannot  set  my  feet  to  the  ground,  for 
afflictions  bring  the  cramp  upon  my  faith.  All  I  can  do,  is  to  hold 
out  a  lame  faith  to  Christ,  like  a  beggar  holding  out  a  stump,  instead 
of  an  arm  or  leg,  and  crying,  Lord  Jesus,  work  a  miracle.  O  what 
would  I  give  to  have  hands  and  arms,  to  grip  strongly,  and  fold  heart- 
somely  about  Christ's  neck,  and  to  have  my  claim  made  good  with 
real  possession  !  I  think  my  love  to  Christ  hath  feet  abundance,  and 
runneth  swiftly  to  be  at  him,  but  it  wanteth  hands  and  fingers  to  ap- 
prehend him.  I  think  I  would  give  Christ  every  morning  my  blessing, 
to  have  as  much  faith  as  I  have  love  and  hunger ;  at  least,  I  miss  faith 
more  than  love  or  hunger.  2.  I  see  mortification,  and  to  be  crucified 
to  the  world,  is  not  so  highlv  accounted  of  bv  us,  as  it  should  be.     O 


PART   I.  LETTER    CVIII.  157 

how  heavenly  a  thing  is  it  to  be  dead,  and  dumb,  and  deaf  to  this 
world's  sweet  music !  I  confess  it  hath  pleased  his  Majesty  to  make 
me  laugh  at  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  present,  I  would 
scorn  to  court  such  a  feckless  and  petty  princess,  or  buy  this  world's 
kindness  with  a  bow  of  my  knee.  I  scarce  now  either  hear  or  see 
what  it  is  that  this  world  otfereth  me  ;  I  know  it  is  little  it  can  take 
from  me,  and  as  little  it  can  give  me.  I  recommend  mortification  to 
you  above  any  thing  :  for  alas,  we  but  chase  feathers  flying  in  the  air, 
and  tire  our  own  spirits,  for  the  froth  and  overgilded  clay  of  a  dying- 
life  ;  one  sight  of  what  my  Lord  hath  let  me  see  within  this  short  time, 
is  worth  a  world  of  worlds.  3.  I  thought  courage  in  the  time  of 
trouble  for  Christ's  sake,  a  thing  that  I  might  take  up  at  my  foot  ;  I 
thought  that  the  very  remembrance  of  the  honesty  of  the  cause  would 
be  enough  ;  but  I  was  a  fool  in  so  thinking  ;  I  have  much  ado  now  to 
win  to  one  smile  ;  but  I  see  joy  groweth  up  in  heaven,  and  it  is  above 
our  short  arm  ;  Christ  will  be  steward  and  dispenser  himself,  and  none 
else  but  he ;  therefore,  now,  I  count  much  of  one  drachm  weight  of 
spiritual  joy  ;  one  smile  of  Christ's  face  is  now  to  me  as  a  kingdom, 
and  yet  he  is  no  niggard  to  me  of  comforts  ;  truly,  I  have  no  cause  to 
say,  that  I  am  pinched  with  penury,  or  that  the  consolations  of  Christ 
are  dried  up  :  for  he  hath  poured  down  rivers  upon  a  dry  wilderness, 
the  like  of  me,  to  my  admiration :  and  in  my  very  swoonings,  he 
holdeth  up  my  head,  and  stayeth  me  with  flagons  of  wine,  and  com- 
forteth  me  with  apples  ;  my  house  and  bed  are  strewed  with  kisses  of 
love.  Praise,  praise  with  me.  0  if  ye  and  I  betwixt  us  could  lift  up 
Christ  upon  his  throne,  howbeit  all  Scotland  should  cast  him  down  to 
the  ground !  My  brother's  case  toucheth  me  near  :  I  hope  ye  will 
be  kind  to  him,  and  give  him  your  best  counsel.  Remember  my  love 
to  your  brother,  to  your  wife,  and  G.  M.  desire  him  to  be  faithful,  and 
repent  of  his  hypocrisy,  and  say  that  I  wrote  it  to  you  ;  I  wish  him 
salvation.  Write  to  me  your  mind  anent  C.  E.  and  C.  Y.  and  their 
wives,  and  I.  G.  or  any  others  in  my  parish  ;  I  fear  I  am  forgotten 
amongst  them ;  but  I  cannot  forget  them.  The  prisoner's  prayers 
and  blessing  come  upon  you.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  •  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  9,  1637. 


LETTER  CVin. 

To  my  Lord  Balmerinoch. 
MY   VERY    NOBLE    AND    TRULY    HONOURABLE    LORD, 

I  MAKE  bold  to  write  news  to  your  Lordship  from  my  prison, 
though  your  Lordship  have  experience  more  than  I  can  have.  At  my 
first  entry  here  I  was  not  a  little  casten  down  with  challenges,  for 
old  unrepented-of  sins  ;  and  Satan  and  my  own  apprehensions  made  a 
lie  of  Christ,  that  he  had  casten  a  dry  withered  tree  over  the  dyke  of 
the  vineyard ;  but  it  was  my  folly  :  blessed  be  his  great  name,  the 
fire  cannot  burn  the  dry  tree ;  he  is  pleased  now  to  feast  the  e.xiled 


158  LETTER    CIX.  l^ART   J. 

prisoner  with  his  lovely  presence  ;  for  it  suileth  Christ  well  to  be 
kind,  and  he  dineth  and  suppeth  with  such  a  sinner  as  I  am.  I  am  in 
Christ's  tutoring  here  ;  he  hath  made  hie  content  with  a  borrowed 
fire-side,  and  it  casteth  as  much  heat  as  mine  own :  I  want  nothing 
but  real  possession  of  Christ :  and  he  hath  given  me  a  pawn  of  that 
also,  which  I  hope  to  keep  till  he  come  himself  to  loose  the  pawn.  I 
cannot  get  help  to  praise  his  high  name  ;  he  hath  made  me  king  over  my 
losses,  imprisonment,  banishment,  and  only  my  dumb-sabbaths  stick 
in  ray  throat :  but  I  forgive  Christ's  wisdom  in  that ;  I  dare  not  say 
one  word,  he  hath  done  it,  and  I  will  lay  my  hand  upon  my  mouth  ;  if 
any  other  had  done  it  to  me,  I  could  not  have  borne  it.  Now,  my 
Lord,  I  must  tell  your  Lordship,  that  I  would  not  give  a  drink  of  Cold 
water  for  this  clay-idol,  this  plaistered  world.  I  testify,  and  give  it 
under  my  own  hand,  that  Christ  is  most  worthy  to  be  suffered  for. 
Our  lazy  flesh,  which  would  have  Christ  to  cry  down  crosses  by  open 
proclamation,  hath  but  raised  a  slander  upon  the  cross  of  Christ. 
My  Lord,  I  hope  ye  will  not  forget  what  he  hath  done  for  your  soul : 
I  think  ye  are  in  Christ's  count-book,  as  his  obliged  debtor,  Grace, 
grace  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  Lordship's  obliged  servant,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  ClX. 

To  Alexander  Gordon  of  Knockgray. 
i)EAR,    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your  soui 
prospereth  ;  I  expected  letters  from  you  ere  now.  As  for  myself,  I 
am  here  in  good  case,  well  feasted  with  a  great  King:  at  my  first 
coming  here,  I  was  that  bold  as  to  take  up  a  jealousy  of  Christ's  love  : 
I  said  I  was  cast  over  the  dyke  of  the  Lord's  vineyardj  as  a  dry  tree ; 
but  1  see,  if  I  had  been  a  withered  branch,  the  fire  would  have  burnt 
me  long  ere  now  :  blessed  be  his  high  name,  who  hath  kept  sap  in  the 
dry  tree ;  and  now,  as  if  Christ  had  done  the  wrong,  he  hath  made 
the  amends,  and  hath  miskent  my  ravings ;  for  a  man  under  the 
water  cannot  well  command  his  wit,  far  less  his  faith  and  love ; 
because  it  was  a  fever,  my  Lord  Jesus  forgave  me  that,  amongst  the 
rest ;  he  knoweth,  in  our  afflictions  we  can  find  a  spot  in  the  fairest 
face  that  ever  was,  even  in  Christ's  face.  I  would  not  have  believed 
that  a  gloom  should  have  made  me  to  misken  my  old  Master  ;  but  wb 
must  be  whiles  sick ;  sickness  is  but  kindly  to  both  faith  and  love. 
But  0  how  exceedingly  is  a  poor  dawted  prisoner  obliged  to  sweet 
Jesus  !  My  tears  are  sweeter  to  me,  than  the  laughter  of  the  fourteen 
prelates  to  them ;  the  worst  of  Christ,  even  his  chaff",  is  better  than 
the  world's  corn.  Dear  brother,  I  beseech  you,  I  charge  you  in  the 
name  and  authority  of  the  Son  of  God,  help  me  to  praise  his  highness ; 
and  I  charge  you  also,  to  tell  all  your  acquaintance,  that  my  Master 
may  get  many  thanks.  O  il'  my  hairs,  all  my  members,  and  all  my 
bones,  were  well  tuned  tongues,  to  sing  the  high  praises  of  my  great 
cirid  glorious  King !  Help  mc  to  lift  Christ  up  upoa  his  glorious  throne. 


PART  I.  LETTER   CX.  159 

and  to  lift  him  up  above  all  the  thrones  of  the  clay-kings,  the  dying 
sceptre-bearers  of  this  world.  The  prisoner's  blessing,  the  blessing 
of  him  that  is  separated  froni  his  brethren,  be  upon  them  all  who 
will  lend  me  a  lift  in  this  work.  Shew  this  to  that  people  with  you  to 
■whom  I  sometimes  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 ;  Christ  hath  made  me  dead  to  that ;  I  now  wonder 
that  ever  I  was  such  a  child  long  since,  as  to  beg  at  such  beggars ! 
fy  upon  us,  who  woo  such  a  black-skinned  harlot,  when  we  may  get 
such  a  fair,  fair  match  in  heaven.  O  that  I  could  give  up  with  this 
clay^idol,  this  masked,  painted,  over-guilded  dirt,  that  Adam's  sons 
adore !  we  make  an  idol  of  our  will ;  as  many  lusts  in  us,  as  many 
gods ;  we  are  all  god-makers :  we  are  like  to  lose  Christ  the  true 
God,  in  the  throng  of  these  new  and  false  gods.  Scotland  hath  cast 
her  crown  off  her  head ;  the  virgin  daughter  hath  lost  her  garland  : 
wo,  wo  to  our  harlot  mother :  our  day  is  coming,  a  time  when  women 
shall  wish  they  had  been  childless  and  fathers  shall  bless  miscarrying 
wombs  and  dry  breasts ;  many  houses  great  and  fair  shall  be  deso- 
late. This  kirk  shall  sit  on  the  ground  all  the  night,  and  the  tears 
shall  run  down  her  cheeks ;  the  sun  hath  gone  down  upon  her 
prophets  ;  blessed  are  the  prisoners  of  hope,  who  can  run  in  to  their 
strong  hold,  and  hide  themselves  for  a  little  till  the  indignation  be 
overpast.  Commend  me  to  your  wife,  your  daughters,  your  son-in- 
law,  and  to  A.  T.  Write  to  me  the  case  of  your  kirk.  Grace  be 
with  you.  I  am  much  moved  for  my  brother  ;  I  entreat  for  your 
Icindness  and  counsel  to  him. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  .  S.  R» 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  23,  1637. 


LETTER  CX. 

To  my  Lady  Marr,  Younger, 
JIY  VERY  NOBLE  AND  DEAll  LADY, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  Ladyship's 
letter,  which  hath  comforted  my  soul.  God  give  you  to  find  mercy 
in  the  day  of  Christ.  I  am  in  as  good  terms  and  court  with  Christ, 
as  an  exiled  oppressed  prisoner  of  Christ  can  be ;  I  am  still  welcome 
to  his  house ;  he  knoweth  my  knock,  and  letteth  in  a  poor  friend, 
Under  this  black  rough  tree  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  he  hath  ravished 
me  with  his  love,  and  taken  my  h^art  to  heaven  with  him ;  well  and 
long  may  he  brook  it.  I  would  not  niffer  Christ  with  all  the  joys  that 
man  or  angel  can  devise  beside  him.  Who  hath  such  cause  to  speak 
honourably  of  Christ  as  I  have  1  Christ  is  King  of  all  crosses,  and 
he  hath  made  his  saints  little  kings  under  him,  and  he  can  ride  and 
triumph  upon  weaker  bodies  than  I  am,  if  any  can  be  weaker,  and  his 
horse  will  neither  fall  nor  stumble.  Madam,  your  Ladyship  hath 
much  ado  with  Christ,  for  your  soul,  husband,  children,  and  house ; 
let  him  find  much  employment  for  his  calling  with  you  ;  for  he  is  such 
a  friend  as  delighteth  to  be  burdened  with  suits  and  employments ; 
and  the  more  ye  lay  on  him,  and  the  more  homely  yc  be  with  him, 
the  more  welconie.     Oh  the  depth  of  Christ's  love !  it  hath  neither 


160  LETTER    CXI,  CXII.  PART  I. 

brim  nor  bottom.  0  if  this  blind  world  saw  his  beauty !  When  I 
count  with  him  for  his  mercies  to  me,  I  must  stand  still  and  wonder, 
and  go  away  as  a  poor  dyvour,  who  hath  nothing  to  pay  ;  free  forgive- 
ness is  payment.  I  would  I  could  get  him  set  on  high  ;  for  his  love 
liath  made  me  sick,  and  I  die  except  I  get  real  possession.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637, 


LETTER  CXI. 

To  James  M'Adam. 
MY  VERY  DEAR  AND  WORTHY  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  of  your  grow- 
ing in  grace,  and  of  your  advancing  on  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.  Christ  shall,  when  he  ariseth,  mow  down  his  enemies,  and  lav 
bulks,  as  they  use  to  speak,  on  the  green,  and  fill  the  pits  with  dead 
bodies ;  Psalm  ex.  6.  They  shall  lye  like  handfuls  of  withered  hay, 
when  he  ariseth  to  the  prey.  Salvation,  salvation  is  the  only  neces- 
sary thing  :  this  clay-idol,  the  world,  is  not  to  be  sought ;  it  is  a  mor- 
sel not  for  you,  but  for  hunger-bitten  bastards.  Contend  for  salva- 
tion :  your  master  Christ  won  heaven  with  strokes ;  it  is  a  besieged 
castle,  it  must  be  taken  with  violence.  0  this  world  thinketh  heaven 
but  at  the  next  door,  and  that  godliness  may  sleep  in  a  bed  of  down, 
till  it  come  to  heaven,  but  that  will  not  do  it.  For  myself,  I  am  as 
well  as  Christ's  prisoner  can  be  ;  for  by  him  I  am  master  and  king 
of  all  my  crosses  ;  I  am  above  the  prison,  and  the  lash  of  men's 
tongues ;  Christ  triumpheth  in  me.  I  have  been  casten  down,  and 
heavy  with  fears,  and  hunted  with  challenges  :  I  was  swimming  in  the 
depths,  but  Christ  had  his  hand  under  my  chin  all  the  time,  and  took 
good  heed  that  I  should  not  lose  breath  :  and  now  I  have  gotten  mv 
feet  again,  and  there  are  love-feasts  of  joy,  and  spring-tides  of  con- 
solation betwixt  Christ  and  me :  we  agree  well ;  I  have  court  with 
him ;  I  am  still  welcome  to  his  house.  O  my  short  arms  cannot 
fathom  his  love  !  I  beseech  you,  I  charge  you,  help  me  to  praise.  Ye 
have  a  prisoner's  prayers,  therefore  forget  me  not.  I  desire  Sibilla  to 
remember  me  dearly  to  all  in  that  parish  who  know  Christ,  as  if  I  had 
named  them.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  CXn. 

To  my  very  dear  brother,  William  Livingston. 
MY  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  REJOICE  to  hear  that  Christ  hath  run  away  with  your  young  love, 
and  that  ye  are  so  early  in  the  morning  matched  with  such  a  lord  ;  for 
a  young  man  is  often  a  dressed  lodging  for  the  devil  to  dwell  in.     Be 


PART  I.  LETTER   CXIir.  161 

humble  and  thankful  for  grace,  and  weigh  it  not  so  much  by  weight, 
as  if  it  be  true  ;  Christ  will  not  cast  water  on  your  smoaking  coal ;  he 
never  yet  put  out  a  dim  candle  that  was  lighted  at  the  sun  of  righte- 
ousness. I  recommend  to  you  prayer  and  watching  over  the  sins  of 
your  youth :  for  I  know  missive  letters  go  between  the  devil  and 
young  blood.  Satan  hath  a  friend  at  court  in  the  heart  of  youth ; 
and  there  pride,  luxury,  lust,  revenge,  forgetfulness  of  God,  are  hired 
as  his  agents.  Happy  is  your  soul,  if  Christ  man  the  house,  and 
take  the  keys  himself,  and  command  all ;  as  it  suiteth  him  full  well  to 
rule  all,  wherever  he  is.  Keep  Christ,  and  entertain  him  well,  cherish 
his  grace,  blow  upon  your  own  coal,  and  let  him  tutor  you.  Now  for 
myself:  know,  I  am  fully  agreed  with  my  Lord  ;  Christ  hath  put  the 
Father  and  me  in  other's  arms  ;  many  a  sweet  bargain  he  made  be- 
fore, and  he  hath  made  this  among  the  rest.  I  reign  as  king  over  my 
crosses  ;  I  will  not  flatter  a  temptation,  nor  give  the  devil  a  good 
word ;  I  defy  hell's  iron  gates  :  God  hath  past  over  my  quarrelling  of 
him  at  my  entry  here,  and  now  he  feedeth  and  feasteth  with  me ; 
praise,  praise  with  me,  and  let  us  exalt  his  name  together. 

Your  brother  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  CXIIL 

To  William  Gordon,  of  Wbitepark. 
AVORTIIV  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you. 
I  am  here  the  Lord's  prisoner  and  patient,  handled  as  softly  by  my 
Physician,  as  if  I  were  a  sick  man  under  cure.  I  was  at  hard  terms 
with  my  Lord,  and  pleaded  with  him,  but  I  had  the  worst  side  ;  it  is  a 
wonder  he  should  have  suffered  the  like  of  me  to  have  nicknamed  th& 
Son  of  his  love,  Christ,  and  to  call  him  a  changed  Lord,  who  had  for- 
saken me  ;  but  misbelief  hath  never  a  good  word  to  speak  of  Christ, 
The  dross  of  my  cross  gathereth  a  scum  of  fears  in  the  fire,  doubt- 
ings,  impatience,  unbelief,  challenging  of  providence  as  sleeping,  and 
not  regarding  my  sorrow ;  but  my  goldsmith,  Christ,  was  pleased  to 
take  off  the  scum,  and  burn  it  in  the  fire.  And,  blessed  be  my  finer, 
he  hath  made  the  metal  better,  and  furnished  new  supply  of  grace,  to 
cause  me  hold  out  weight ;  and  I  hope  he  hath  not  lost  one  grain- 
weight  by  burning  his  servant.  Now  his  love  in  my  heart  casteth  a 
mighty  heat ;  he  knoweth,  that  the  desire  I  have  to  be  at  himself 
paineth  me.  I  have  sick  nights  and  frequent  fits  of  love-fevers  for 
my  Well-beloved  ;  nothing  paineth  me  now  but  want  of  presence.  I 
think  it  long  till  day ;  I  challenge  time,  as  too  slow  in  its  pace,  that 
holdeth  my  only,  only  fair  One,  my  Love,  my  well-beloved  from  me  ; 
O  if  we  were  together  once  !  I  am  like  an  old  crazed  ship  that  hath 
endured  many  storms,  and  that  would  fain  be  in  the  lee  of  the  shore, 
and  feareth  new  storms  ;  I  would  be  that  nigh  heaven,  that  the  sha- 
dow of  it  might  break  the  force  of  the  storm,  and  the  crazed  ship 
might  win  to  land.  My  Lord's  sun  casteth  a  heat  of  love  and  beam 
of  light  on  my  soul.     My  blessing  thrice  every  day  upon  the  sweet 

21 


162  LETTER   CXiV.  PART  I. 

cross  of  Christ.  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my  garland,  the  banished 
minister,  which  is  the  term  of  Aberdeen.  Love,  love  defilelh  repro- 
bates ;  the  love  of  Christ  hath  a  croslet  of  proof  on  it,  and  arrows 
will  not  draw  blood  of  it :  we  are  more  than  conquerers  through  the 
blood  of  him  that  loved  us,  Rom.  viii.  The  devil  and  the  world,  they 
cannot  wound  the  love  of  Christ.  I  am  further  from  yielding  to  the 
course  of  defection,  than  when  I  came  hither.  Suiferings  blunt  not 
tbe  fiery  edge  of  love  ;  cast  love  into  the  floods  of  hell,  it  will  swim 
above  ;  it  careth  not  for  the  world's  busked  and  plaistered  offers.  It 
hath  pleased  my  Lord  so  to  line  my  heart  with  the  love  of  my  Lord 
Jesus,  that,  as  if  the  field  were  already  won,  and  I  on  the  other  side 
of  time,  I  laugh  at  the  world's  golden  pleasures,  and  at  this  dirty  idol, 
that  the  sons  of  Adam  worship ;  this  worm-eaten  god  is  that  which 
my  soul  hath  fallen  out  of  love  with.  Sir,  ye  were  once  my  hearer : 
I  desire  now  to  hear  from  you  and  your  wife  :  I  salute  her  and  your 
children  with  blessings.  I  am  glad  that  ye  are  still  hand-feasted  with 
Christ ;  go  on  in  your  journey,  and  take  the  city  by  violence  ;  keep 
your  garments  clean ;  be  clean  virgins  to  your  husband  the  Lamb  : 
the  world  shall  follow  you  to  heaven's  gates  ;  and  ye  would  not  wish 
it  to  go  in  with  you.  Keep  fast  Christ's  love  :  pray  for  me  as  I  do 
for  you.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Mai  ch  13,  1GC7. 


LETTER  CXIV. 

To  Mr.  George  Gillespie. 
KEVKUEND  ANO  1>EAU  BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter.  As  for  my  case,  brother,  1  bless  his  glo- 
)ious  name,  my  losses  are  my  gain,  my  prison  a  palace,  and  my  sad- 
ness joyfulness.  At  my  first  entry,  my  apprehensions  wrought  so 
upon  my  cross,  that  I  became  jealous  of  the  love  of  Christ,  as  being 
by  him  thrust  out  of  the  vineyard,  and  I  was  under  great  challenges, 
as  ordinarily  melted  gold  casteth  forth  a  drossy  scum,  and  Satan  and 
our  corruption  form  the  first  words  that  the  heavy  cross  speaketh,  and 
say,  God  is  angry,  he  loveth  you  not,  but  our  apprehensions  are  not 
canonical ;  they  dite  lies  of  God  and  Christ's  love.  But  since  mv 
spirit  was  settled,  and  the  clay  fallen  to  the  bottom  of  the  well,  I  se& 
better  what  Christ  was  doing :  and  now  my  Lord  is  returned  with  sal- 
vation under  his  wings  :  now  I  want  little  of  half  a  heaven,  and  I  find 
Christ  every  day  so  sweet,  comfortable,  lovely,  and  kind,  as  three 
things  only  trouble  me  :  1.  I  see  not  how  to  be  thankful,  or  how  to 
get  help  to  praise  that  royal  King,  who  raiseth  up  those  that  are 
bowed  down.  2.  His  love  paineth  me,  and  woundeth  my  soul,  so  as 
I  am  in  a  fever  for  want  of  real  presence.  3.  An  excessive  desire  to 
take  instruments  in  God's  name,  that  this  is  Christ  and  his  truth  I  now 
suffer  for,  yea,  the  apple  of  the  eye  of  Christ's  honour,  even  the 
sovereignty  and  royal  privileges  of  our  King  and  Law-giver,  Christ  : 
and  therefore  let  no  man  scar  at  Christ's  cross,  or  raise  an  ill  report 
upon  him,  or  it ;  for  he  beareth  the  sufferer  and  it  both.     I  am  here 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXV,  CXVI.  163 

troubled  with  the  disputes  of  the  great  doctors,  especially  with  D.  B. 
in  ceremonial  and  Arminian  controversies,  for  all  are  corrupt  here, 
but,  I  thank  God,  with  no  detriment  to  the  truth,  or  discredit  to  my 
profession.  So,  then  I  see  that  Christ  can  triumph  in  a  weaker  man 
than  I :  and  who  can  be  more  weak  1  but  his  grace  is  sufficient  for 
me.  Brother,  remember  our  old  covenant,  and  pray  for  me,  and  write 
to  me  your  case.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  IJ,  lb37. 


LETTEK  CXV. 

To  John  jNIeiiie. 
PEAR    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  wonder  ye  sent  me  not  an 
answer  to  my  last  letter,  for  I  stand  in  need  of  it ;  I  am  in  some  piece 
of  court  with  our  great  King,  whose  love  would  cause  a  dead  man 
speak  and  live  ;  whether  my  court  will  continue  or  not,  I  cannot  well 
say  ;  but  I  have  his  ear  frequently,  and,  to  his  glory  only  I  speak  it, 
no  penury  of  the  love-kisses  of  the  Son  of  God.  He  thinketh  good 
to  cast  apples  to  me  in  my  prison  to  play  withal,  lest  I  should  think 
long  and  faint  ;  I  must  give  over  all  attempts  to  fathom  the  depths  of 
his  love  :  all  I  can  do  is,  but  to  stand  beside  his  great  love,  and  look 
and  wonder.  My  debts  of  thankfulness  affright  me  :  I  fear  my  credi- 
tor get  a  dyvour-bill  and  ragged  account.  I  would  be  much  the  better 
of  help  ;  O  for  help !  and  that  ye  would  take  notice  of  my  case. 
Your  not  writing  to  me  maketh  me  think,  ye  suppose  that  I  am  not  to 
be  bemoaned,  because  he  is  comfortable ;  but  I  have  pain  in  my 
unthankfulness,  and  pain  in  the  feeling  of  his  love,  while  I  am  sick 
again  for  real  presence,  and  real  possession  of  Christ ;  yet  there  is  no 
gouked,  if  I  may  so  speak,  nor  tbnd  love  in  Christ :  he  casteth  me 
down  sometimes  for  old  faults  :  and  I  know  he  knoweth  well,  that 
sweet  comforts  are  swelling  :  and  therefore  sorrow  must  take  a  vent 
to  the  wind.  My  dumb  sabbaths  are  undercotting  wounds.  The 
condition  of  the  oppressed  kirk  and  my  brother's  case  (I  thank  you 
and  your  wife  for  your  kindness  to  him)  hold  my  sore  smarting,  and 
keep  my  wounds  bleeding ;  but  the  ground-work  standeth  sure. 
Pray  for  me.  Grace  be  with  you.  Remember  me  to  your  wife. 
Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.   R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  ltJl37. 


LETTER  CXVL 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Garven. 
REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  BLESS  you  for  your  letter :  it  was  a  shower  to  thi^  new  mown 
grass.  The  Lord  hath  given  you  the  tongue  of  the  learned ;  be 
fruitful  and  humble.  It  is  possible  ye  come  to  my  case,  or  the  like ; 
but  the  water  is  neither  so  deep,  nor  the  stream  so  strong,  as  it  is 
called.  I  think  my  tire  is  not  so  hot,  my  water  dry  land,  my  loss 
rich  loss.     O  if  the  walls  of  my  prison  be  high,  wide  and  large,  and 


164  LETTER    CXVn.  PART  J. 

the  place  sweet !  no  man  knoweth  it,  no  man,  I  say,  knowelh  it,  my 
dear  brother,  so  well  as  he  and  I :  no  man  can  put  it  down  in  black 
and  white  as  my  Lord  hath  sealed  it  in  my  heart.  My  poor  stock  is 
grown  since  I  came  to  Aberdeen ;  and  if  any  had  known  the  wrong  I 
did,  in  being  jealous  of  such  an  honest  lover  as  Christ,  who  withheld 
not  his  love  from  me,  they  would  think  the  more  of  it ;  but  I 
see,  he  must  be  above  me  in  mercy  :  I  will  never  strive  with  him  ;  to 
think  to  recompence  him  is  folly.  If  I  had  as  many  angels'  tongues, 
as  there  have  fallen  drops  of  rain  since  the  creation,  or  as  there  are 
leaves  of  trees  in  all  the  forests  of  the  earth,  or  stars  in  the  heaven,  to 
praise  ;  yet  my  Lord  Jesus  would  ever  be  behind  with  me  ;  we  will 
never  get  our  accompts  fitted  ;  a  pardon  must  close  the  reckoning : 
for  his  comforts  to  me  in  this  honourable  cause  have  almost  put  me 
beyond  the  bounds  of  modesty  :  howbeit  I  will  not  let  every  one  know 
what  is  betwixt  us.  Love,  love,  I  mean  Christ's  love,  is  the  hottest 
coal  that  ever  I  felt ;  O  but  the  smoke  of  it  be  hot !  Cast  all  the  salt 
sea  on  it,  it  will  flame ;  hell  cannot  quench  it ;  many,  many  waters 
will  not  quench  love.  Christ  is  turned  over  to  his  poor  prisoner  in  a 
mass  and  globe  of  love  :  I  wonder  he  should  waste  so  much  love 
upon  such  a  waster  as  I  am ;  but  he  is  no  waster,  but  abundant  in 
mercy ;  he  hath  no  niggard's  alms,  when  he  is  pleased  to  give.  O 
that  I  could  invite  all  the  nation  to  love  him.  Free  grace  is  an  un- 
known thing  :  this  world  hath  heard  but  a  bare  name  of  Christ,  and  no 
more :  there  are  infinite  plies  in  his  love,  that  the  saints  will  never 
win  to  unfold  ;  I  would  it  were  better  known,  and  that  Christ  got  more 
of  his  own  due  than  he  doth.  Brother,  ye  have  chosen  the  good  part, 
Avho  have  taken  part  with  Christ ;  ye  will  see  him  win  the  field,  and 
shall  get  part  of  the  spoil  when  he  divideth  it.  They  are  but  fools 
■who  laugh  at  us  :  for  they  see  but  the  backside  of  the  moon  ;  yet  our 
moon-light  is  better  than  their  twelve-hour's  sun,  we  have  gotten  the 
new  heavens,  and  as  a  pledge  of  that,  the  Bridegroom's  love-ring ; 
the  children  of  the  wedding  chamber  have  cause  to  skip,  and  leap  for 
joy  ;  for  the  marrige-supper  is  drawing  nigh,  and  we  find  the  four 
hours  sweet  and  comfortable.  O  time  be  not  slow !  O  sun,  move 
speedily  and  hasten  our  banquet !  O  Bridegroom,  be  like  a  roe  or  a 
young  hart  upon  the  mountains !  0  Well-beloved,  run  fast,  that  we 
may  once  meet !  Brother,  I  contain  myself,  for  want  of  time.  Pray 
for  me  ;  I  hope  to  remember  you.  The  good-will  of  him  who  dwelt 
in  the  bush,  the  tender  mercies  of  God  in  Christ  enrich  you.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R-. 

Aberdeen,  March  11, 1637. 


LETTER  CXVII.. 

To  Bethaia  Aiid. 
WORTHY    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  know  ye  desire  news 
from  my  prison,  and  I  shall  shew  you  news.  At  my  first  entry  hither, 
Christ  and  I  agreed  not  well  upon  it :  the  devil  made  a  plea  in  the 


PART  I.  LETTER   CXVIII.  165 

house,  and  I  laid  the  blame  upon  Chnist ;  for  my  heart  was  fraughted 
with  challenges,  and  I  feared  that  I  was  an  outcast,  and  that  I  was  but 
a  withered  tree  in  the  vineyard,  and  but  held  the  sun  off  the  good 
plants  with  my  idle  shadow,  and,  therefore,  my  master  had  given  the 
evil  servant  the  fields  to  fend  them.  Old  guiltiness,  as  witness,  said  all 
is  true ;  my  apprehensions  were  with  child  of  faithless  fears,  and 
unbelief  put  a  seal  and  amen  to  all.  I  thought  myself  in  a  hard  case  ; 
some  said,  I  had  cause  to  rejoice,  that  Christ  had  honoured  me  to  be 
a  witness  for  him  ;  and  I  said  in  my  heart.  These  are  words  of  men, 
who  see  but  mine  outside,  and  cannot  tell  if  I  be  a  false  witness  or  not. 
If  Christ  had  in  this  matter  been  as  wilful  and  short  as  I  was,  my  faith 
had  gone  over  the  brae,  and  broken  its  neck  ;  but  we  were  well  met,  a 
hasty  fool,  and  a  wise,  patient  and  meek  Saviour ;  he  took  no  law- 
advantage  of  my  folly,  but  waited  on  till  my  ill  blood  was  fallen,  and 
my  drumbled  and  troubled  well  began  to  clear ;  he  was  never  a  whit 
angry  at  the  fever-ravings  of  a  poor  tempted  sinner :  but  he  mercifully 
forgave,  and  came,  as  it  well  becometh  him,  with  grace  and  new 
comfort,  to  a  sinner  who  deserved  the  contrary.  And  now  he  is 
content  to  kiss  my  black  mouth,  to  put  his  hand  in  mine,  and  to  feed 
me  with  as  many  consolations,  as  would  feed  ten  hungry  souls  !  yet  I 
dare  not  say,  he  is  a  waster  of  comforts,  for  no  less  would  have  borne 
me  up  ;  one  grain-weight  less  would  have  casten  the  balance.  Now, 
who  is  like  to  that  royal  King,  crowned  in  Zion  !  Where  will  I  get  a 
seat  for  royal  Majesty,  to  set  him  on  ?  If  I  could  set  him  as  far  above 
the  heaven  as  thousand  thousands  of  heights  devised  by  men  and 
angels,  I  would  think  him  but  too  low.  I  pray  you,  for  God's  sake, 
my  dear  sister,  help  me  to  praise  :  his  love  hath  neither  brim  nor 
bottom :  his  love  is  like  himself,  it  passeth  all  natural  understanding. 
I  go  to  fathom  it  with  my  arms,  but  it  is  as  if  a  child  would  take  the 
globe  of  sea  and  land  in  his  two  short  arms  :  blessed  and  holy  is  his 
name  !  This  must  be  his  truth  I  now  suffer  for ;  for  he  would  not 
laugh  upon  a  lie,  nor  be  witness  with  his  comfort  to  a  night-dream.  I 
intreat  for  your  prayers  ;  and  the  prayer  and  blessing  of  a  prisoner  of 
Christ  be  upon  you.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  E. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  CXVm. 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Knockgray. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  HAVE  not  leisure  to  write  to  you :  Christ's  ways  were  known  to 
you,  long  before  I,  who  am  but  a  child,  knew  any  thing  of  him. 
What  wrong  and  violence  the  prelates  may,  by  God's  permission,  do 
unto  you,  for  your  trial,  I  know  not ;  but  this  I  know,  that  your  ten 
days'  tribulation  will  end :  contend  to  the  last  breath  for  Christ. 
Banishment  out  of  these  kingdoms  is  determined  against  me,  as  I 
hear ;  this  land  cannot  bear  me :  I  pray  you,  recommend  my  case 
and  bonds  to  my  brethren,  and  sisters,  with  you ;  and  I  intrust  more 
of  my  spiritual  comfort  to  you  and  them,  that  way,  my  dear  brother. 


166  LETTER   CXIX.  PART  1. 

than  to  many  in  this  kingdom  besides.  I  hope  ye  will  not  be  wanting 
to  Christ's  prisoner.  Fear  nothing,  for  I  assure  you,  Alexander 
Gordon,  of  Knockgray,  shall  win  away,  and  get  his  soul  for  a  prey  : 
and  what  can  he  then  want  that  is  worth  the  having  1  Your  friends 
are  cold,  as  ye  write,  and  so  are  these,  in  whom  I  trusted  much  ;  our 
husband  doth  well  in  breaking  our  idols  in  pieces :  dry  wells  send  us 
to  the  fountain.  My  hfe  is  not  dear  to  me,  so  being  I  may  fulfil  my 
course  with  joy.  I  fear  you  must  remove,  if  your  new  hirehng  will 
not  bear  ybur  discountenancing  of  him  :  for  the  prelate  is  afraid 
Christ  get  you,  and  that  he  hath  no  will  to.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXIX. 

To  John  Fleming,  Baillie  of  Leilh. 
WORTHY  AND  EEARLV  BELOVED  IN  THE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  received  your  letter  ;  I 
wish  I  could  satisfy  your  desires,  in  drawing  up,  and  framing  for  you 
a  Christian  directory  ;  but  the  learned  have  done  it  before  me,  more 
judiciously  than  I  can  ;  especially  Mr.  Rodgers,  Greenham,  and  Per- 
kins :  notwithstanding,  I  shall  show  you  what  I  would  have  been  at 
myself,  howbeit  I  came  always  short  of  my  purpose.  1.  That  the 
hours  of  the  day,  less  or  more  time,  for  the  word  and  prayer,  be  given 
to  God,  not  sparing  the  twelfth  hour,  or  mid-day,  howbeit  it  should 
then  be  the  shorter  time.  2.  In  the  midst  of  worldly  employments, 
there  should  be  some  thoughts  of  sin,  death,  judgment  and  eternity, 
with  at  least,  a  word  or  two  of  ejaculatory  prayer  to  God.  3.  To 
beware  of  wandering  of  heart  in  private  prayers.  4.  Not  to  grudge, 
liowbeit  ye  come  from  prayer  without  sense  of  joy ;  down-casting, 
sense  of  guiltiness,  and  hunger  is  often  best  for  us.  5.  That  the 
Lord's  day,  from  morning  to  night,  be  spent  always,  either  in  private 
or  public  worship.  6.  That  words  be  observed,  wandering  and  idle 
thoughts  be  avoided,  sudden  anger  and  desire  of  revenge,  even  of  such 
as  persecute  the  truth,  be  guarded  against ;  for  we  often  mix  our  zeal 
with  our  wild-fire.  7.  That  known,  discovered  and  revealed  sins, 
that  are  against  the  conscience,  be  issued,  as  most  dangerous  prepa- 
ratives to  hardness  of  heart.  8.  That  in  dealing  with  men,  faith  and 
truth  in  covenants  and  trafficking  be  regarded,  that  we  deal  with  all 
men  in  sincerity,  that  conscience  be  made  of  idle  and  lying  words  ; 
and  that  our  carriage  be  such,  as  that  they  who  see  it  may  speak 
honourably  of  our  sweet  Master  and  profession.  9.  I  have  been 
much  challenged,  1.  For  not  referring  all  to  God,  as  the  last  end  ; 
that  I  do  not  eat,  drink,  sleep,  journey,  speak  and  think  for  God.  2. 
That  I  have  not  benefited  by  good  company  ;  and  that  I  left  not  some 
word  of  conviction,  even  upon  natural  and  wicked  men,  as  by  reprov- 
ing swearing  in  them,  or  because  of  being  a  silent  witness  to  their 
loose  carriage,  and  because  I  intended  not  in  all  companies  to  do 
good.  3.  That  the  woes  and  calamities  of  the  kirk,  and  particular 
professors  have  not  moved  me.     4.  That  at  the  reading  of  the  life 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXX.  167 

of  David,  Paul,  and  the  like,  when  it  humbled  me,  I,  coming  so  far 
short  of  their  holiness,  laboured  not  to  imitate  them,  afar  off  at  least, 
according  to  the  measure  of  God's  grace.  5.  That  unrepented  sins 
of  youth  were  not  looked  to,  and  lamented  for.  6.  That  sudden 
stirrings  of  pride,  lust,  revenge,  love  of  honours,  were  not  resisted 
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  particu- 
lar, being  gathered,  yet  in  a  new  trouble  I  had  always,  once  at  least, 
iny  faith  to  seek,  as  if  I  were  to  begin  at  A,  B,  C,  again.  9.  That  I 
have  not  more  boldly  contradicted  the  enemies  speaking  against  the 
truth,  either  in  public  church-meetings,  or  at  tables,  or  ordinary  con- 
ference. 10.  That  in  great  troubles,  I  have  received  false  reports  of 
Christ's  love,  and  misbelieved  him  in  his  chastening ;  whereas  the 
event  hath  said.  All  was  in  mercy.  11.  Nothing  more  moveth  me, 
and  weighteth  my  soul,  than  that  I  could  never  for  my  heart,  in  my 
prosperity,  so  wrestle  in  prayer  with  God,  nor  be  so  dead  to  the  world, 
so  hungry  and  sick  of  love  for  Christ,  so  heavenly-minded,  as  when 
ten  stone  weight  of  a  heavy  cross  was  upon  me.  12.  That  the  cross 
extorted  vows  of  new  obedience,  which  ease  hath  blown  away,  as 
chaff  before  the  wind.  13.  That  practice  was  so  short  and  narrow, 
and  light  so  long  and  broad.  14.  That  death  hath  not  been  often 
meditated  upon.  15.  That  I  have  not  been  careful  of  gaining  others 
to  Christ.  16.  That  my  grace  and  gifts  bring  forth  little  or  no 
thankfulness.  There  are  some  things  also,  whereby  I  have  been 
lielped  :  as,  1.  I  have  benefited  by  riding  alone  a  long  journey,  in 
giving  that  time  to  prayer.  2.  By  abstinence,  and  giving  days  to 
God.  3.  By  praying  for  others ;  for  by  making  an  errand  to  God 
ibr  them,  I  have  gotten  something  for  myself.  4.  I  have  been  really 
confirmed,  in  many  particulars,  that  God  heareth  prayers ;  and 
tlierefore  I  used  to  pray  for  any  thing,  of  how  little  importance 
soever.  5.  He  hath  enabled  me  to  make  no  question,  that  this 
mocked  way,  which  is  nicknamed,  is  the  only  way  to  heaven.  Sir, 
These,  and  many  more  occurrences  in  my  life,  would  be  looked  unto  : 
and,  1.  Thoughts  of  atheism  would  be  watched  over,  as  if  there  be  a 
God  in  heaven  :  which  will  trouble  and  assault  the  best,  at  sometimes. 
2.  Growth  in  grace  would  be  cared  for,  above  all  things ;  and  falling 
from  our  first  love  mourned  for.  3.  Conscience  made  of  praying 
for  the  enemies,  who  are  blinded.  Sir,  I  thank  you  most  kindly  for 
the  care  of  my  brother,  and  me  also  ;  I  hope  it  is  laid  up  for  you,  and 
remembered  in  heaven.  I  am  still  ashamed  with  Christ's  kindness  to 
such  a  sinner  as  I  am  :  he  hath  left  a  fire  in  my  heart,  that  hell  can- 
not cast  water  on,  to  quench  or  extinguish  it.  Help  me  to  praise, 
anc}  pray  for  me ;  for  ye  have  a  prisoner's  blessing  and  prayers. 
Remember  my  love  to  your  wife.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 


LETTER  CXX. 

To  Robert  Gordon,  of  Knockbrex. 
NV  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.     I  thought  to  have  an- 
swered your  two  letters  on  this  occasion,  though  I  cannot  say  all  that 


168  LETTER   CXX.  PART  I. 

I  would.  Your  timeous  word,  not  to  delight  in  the  cross,  but  in  him 
who  sweeteneth  it,  came  to  me  in  due  time.  I  find  the  consolations 
and  off-fallings  that  follow  the  cross  of  Christ,  so  sweet,  that  I  almost 
forget  myself ;  my  desire  and  purpose  is,  when  Christ's  honey-combs 
drop,  neither  to  refuse  to  receive  and  feed  upon  his  comforts,  nor  yet 
to  make  joy  my  bastard-god,  or  my  new-found  heaven.  But  what 
shall  I  say  1  Christ  very  often,  in  his  sweet  comforts,  cometh  unsent 
for,  and  it  were  a  sin  to  close  the  door  upon  him  :  it  is  not  unlawful  to 
love  and  delight  in  Christ's  apples,  when  I  am  not  doatingly  wooing, 
nor  eagerly  begging  kisses  ;  but  when  they  come  clean  from  the  tim- 
ber, like  kindness  itself,  that  cometh  of  its  own  accord,  then  I  cannot 
but  laugh  upon  him  who  laugheth  upon  me  :  if  joy  and  comforts  come 
single  and  alone,  without  Christ  himself,  I  think  I  would  send  them 
back  again  the  gait  they  came,  and  not  make  them  welcome  ;  but 
when  the  liing's  train  cometh,  and  the  King  in  the  midst  of  the  com- 
pany, O  how  I  am  overjoyed  with  floods  of  love  !  I  fear  not,  that  too 
great  speats  of  love  wash  away  the  growing  corn,  and  loose  my 
plants  at  the  roots  :  Christ  doth  no  skaith  where  he  cometh  ;  but  cer- 
tainly, I  would  wish  such  spiritual  wisdom,  as  to  love  the  Bridegroom 
better  than  his  gifts,  his  propine,  or  drink-money.  I  would  be  further 
in  upon  Christ,  than  at  his  joys ;  they  but  stand  in  the  outer  side  of 
Christ ;  I  would  wish  to  be  in,  as  a  seal  on  his  heart ;  in,  where  his 
love  and  mercy  lodgeth,  beside  his  heart.  My  Well-beloved  hath 
ravished  me ;  but  it  is  done  with  consent  of  both  parties,  and  it  is  al- 
loAvable  enough  ;  but  my  dear  brother,  ere  I  part  with  this  subject,  I 
must  tell  you,  that  ye  may  hft  up  my  King  in  praises  with  me,  Christ 
hath  been  keeping  something  these  fourteen  years  for  me,  that  1  have 
now  gotten  in  my  heavy  days,  that  I  am  in  for  his  name's  sake;  even 
an  opened  coffer  of  perfumed  comforts,  and  fresh  joys,  coming  new, 
and  green,  and  powerful,  from  the  fairest,  fairest  face  of  Christ,  my 
Lord.  Let  the  sour  law,  let  crosses,  let  hell  be  cried  down  ;  love, 
love  hath  shamed  me  from  my  old  ways.  Whether  I  have  a  race  to 
run,  or  some  work  to  do,  I  see  not ;  but  I  think  Christ  seemeth  to 
leave  heaven,  to  say  so,  and  his  court,  and  come  down  to  laugh,  and 
play,  and  sport  with  a  foolish  child.  I  am  not  thus  plain  with  many  I 
write  to  :  it  is  possible  I  be  misconstructed,  and  deemed  to  seek  a 
name  ;  but  my  Witness  above  knoweth  I  seek  to  have  a  good  name 
raised  upon  Christ.  I  observe  it  to  be  our  folly,  to  seek  little  from 
Christ,  because  our  four  hours  may  not  be  our  supper ;  nor  our  pro- 
pine  sent  by  the  Bridegroom  our  tocher-good  ;  nor  our  earnest  our 
principal  sum.  But  I  trow,  few  of  us  know  how  much  may  be  had  of 
Christ  for  a  four-hours,  and  propine,  and  earnest.  We  are  like  the 
young  heir,  who  knoweth  not  the  whole  bounds  of  his  own  lordship. 
Certainly,  it  is  more  than  my  part  to  say,  0  sweetest  Lord  Jesus, 
what,  howbeit  I  were  split  and  broken  in  five  thousand  shreds  or  bits 
of  clay,  so  being  every  shred  had  a  heart  to  love  thee,  and  every  one 
as  many  tongues  as  there  are  in  heaven,  to  sing  praises  to  thee,  before 
men  and  angels  for  evermore  ?  Therefore,  if  my  sufferings  cry  good- 
ness, and  praise,  and  honour  upon  Christ,  my  stipend  is  well  paid. 
Each  one  knoweth  not  what  a  life  Christ's  love  is.     Scar  not  at  suf- 


PARTI.  LETl'ER   CXX.  169 

fering  for  Christ :  for  Christ  hath  a  chair,  and  a  cushion,  and  sweet 
peace  for  a  sufferer  :  Christ's  trencher  from  the  first  mess  of  the  high 
table  is  for  a  sinful  witness.  O  then,  brother,  who  but  Christ !  who 
but  Christ !  Hold  your  tongue  of  lovers,  where  he  cometh  out.  O 
all  flesh,  O  dust  and  ashes,  0  angels,  O  glorified  spirits,  O  all  the 
shields  of  the  world,  be  silent  before  him,  come  hither,  and  behold  our 
Bridegroom,  stand  still  and  wonder  for  evermore  at  him  !  Why  cease 
we  to  love  and  wonder,  to  kiss  and  adore  him  1  it  is  a  hard  matter, 
that  days  lye  betwixt  him  and  me,  and  hold  us  asunder.  0  how  long, 
how  long  !  O  how  many  miles  are  there  to  my  Bridegroom's  dwelling 
house  !  it  is  a  pain  to  frist  Christ's  love  any  longer.  But,  it  may  be., 
a  drunken  man  lose  his  feet,  and  miss  a  step.  Ye  write  to  me,  hall- 
binks  are  slippery.  I  do  not  think  my  dawting  world  will  still  last,  and 
that  feasts  will  be  my  ordinary  food  ;  I  would  have  humility,  patience, 
and  faith  to  set  down  both  my  feet,  when  I  come  to  the  north  side  of 
the  cold  and  thorny  hill.  It  is  ill  my  common  to  be  swier  to  go  an 
errand  for  Christ,  and  to  take  the  wind  upon  my  face  for  him.  Lord,  let 
me  never  be  a  false  witness,  to  deny  that  I  saw  Christ  take  the  pen  in 
his  hand,  and  subscribe  my  writs.  My  dear  brother,  ye  complain  to 
me,  ye  cannot  hold  sight  of  me  ;  but  were  I  a  footman,  I  would  go  at 
leisure  ;  but  sometimes  the  king  taketh  me  into  his  coach,  and  draw- 
eth  me;  and  then  I  outrun  myself:  but  alas,  I  am  still  a  forlorn 
transgressor!  Oh  how  thankful !  I  will  not  put  you  off  your  sense 
of  darkness  ;  but  let  me  say  this,  who  gave  you  proctor-fee,  to  speak 
for  the  law,  that  can  speak  for  itself,  better  than  ye  can  do  ?  I  would 
not  have  you  to  bring  your  dittay  in  your  own  bosom  with  you  to 
Christ ;  let  the  old  man  and  the  new  man  be  summoned  before 
Christ's  whitQ  throne,  and  let  them  be  confronted  before  Christ,  and 
let  each  of  them  speak  for  themselves.  I  hope,  howbeit  the  new  man 
complain  of  his  lying  among  pots,  which  maketh  the  believer  look 
black  ;  yet  he  can  also  say,  '  I  am  comely  as  the  tents  of  Kedar.'  Yq 
shall  not  have  my  advice  not  to  bemoan  your  deadness  ;  but  I  find  by 
some  experience,  which  ye  knew  before  I  knew  Christ,  it  suiteth  not 
a  ransomed  man  of  Christ's  buying,  to  go  and  plea  for  the  sour  law, 
our  old  forcasten  husband  ;  for  we  are  now  not  under  the  law  as  a  co- 
venant, but  under  grace.  Yo  are  in  no  man's  common,  but  Christ's  : 
I  know,  he  bemoaneth  you  more  than  you  do  yourself;  I  say  this,  be- 
cause I  am  wearied  of  complaining.  I  thought  it  had  been  humility 
to  imagine  that  Christ  was  angry  with  me,  both  because  of  my  dumb 
sabbaths,  and  my  hard  heart ;  but  I  feel  now  nothing  but  aching 
wounds  :  my  grief,  whether  I  will  or  not,  swelleth  upon  me  ; 
but  let  us  die  in  grace's  hall-floor,  pleading  before  Christ.  I  deny 
nothing  that  the  Mediator  will  challenge  me  of ;  but  I  turn  it  all  back 
upon  himself;  let  him  look  his  own  old  counts,  if  he  be  angry,  for  he 
will  get  no  more  of  me :  when  Christ  saith,  '  I  want  repentance,'  I 
meet  him  with  this,  *  True,  Lord  ;  but  thou  art  made  a  King  and  a 
Prince  to  give  me  repentance,'  Acts  v.  31.  When  Christ  bindeth  a 
challenge  upon  us,  we  must  bind  a  promise  back  upon  him  ;  be  low 
and  lay  yourself  in  the  dust  before  God,  which  is  suitable,  but  withal 
let  Christ  take  the  payment  in  his  own  hand,  and  pay  himself  off  the 

22 


l70  LETTER   CXXr.  PART  r. 

first  end  of  his  own  merits,  else  he  will  come  behind  for  any  thing 
that  we  can  do.  I  am  every  way  in  your  case,  as  hard  hearted  and 
dead  as  any  man  ;  but  yet  I  speak  to  Christ  through  my  sleep.  Let 
lis  then  proclaim  a  free  market  for  Christ,  and  swear  ourselves  bare, 
and  cry  on  him,  to  come  without  money  and  buy  us,  and  take  us 
home  to  our  Ransom-payer's  fire-side,  and  let  us  be  Christ's  free- 
boarders  :  because  we  do  not  pay  the  old,  we  need  not  refuse  to  take 
on  Christ's  new  debt :  let  us  do  our  best,  Christ  will  still  be  behind 
with  us,  and  many  terms  will  run  together.  For  my  part,  let  me  stand 
for  evermore  in  his  book,  for  a  forlorn  dyvour  ;  I  must  desire  to  be 
thus  far  in  his  common  of  new,  as  to  kiss  his  feet :  I  know  not  how  to 
win  to  a  heartsome  fill  and  feast  of  Christ's  love ;  for  I  can  neither 
buy,  nor  beg,  nor  borrow,  and  yet  I  cannot  want  it —  I  will  not  want  it. 
O  if  I  could  praise  him  !  Yea,  I  would  rest  content  with  a  heart  sub- 
missive and  dying  of  love  for  him  ;  and  howbeit  I  win  never  person- 
ally in  at  heaven's  gates,  O  would  to  God,  I  could  send  in  my  praises 
to  my  incomparable  Well-beloved,  or  cast  my  love-songs  of  that 
matchless  Lord  Jesus  over  the  walls,  that  they  might  light  in  his  lap, 
before  men  and  angels  !  Now,  grace,  grace  be  with  you.  Remem- 
ber my  love  to  your  wife  and  daughter,  and  brother  John. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  11,  1638. 


LETTER  CXXL 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Earlstoun. 
MUCH  HONOURED  AND  WORTHY  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hgar  fi-om  you  •: 
I  received  few  letters  since  I  came  hither ;  I  am  in  need  of  a  word  ; 
a  dry  plant  would  have  some  watering.  My  case  betwixt  Christ,  my 
Lord,  and  me,  standeth  between  love  and  jealousy,  faith  and  suspi- 
cion of  his  love  ;  it  is  a  marvel  he  keepeth  house  with  me.  I  make 
many  pleas  with  Christ,  but  he  maketh  as  many  agreements  with  me  : 
I  think  his  unchangeable  love  hath  said,  I  defy  thee  to  break  me  and 
change  me ;  if  Christ  had  such  changeable  and  new  thoughts  of  my 
salvation,  as  I  have  of  it,  I  think  I  should  then  be  at  a  sad  loss ;  he 
humoureth  not  a  fool  like  me  in  my  unbelief,  but  rebuketh  me,  and  fa- 
thereth  kindness  upon  me  ;  Christ  is  rather  like  the  poor  friend  and 
needy  prisoner,  begging  love,  than  I  am ;  I  cannot  for  shame  get 
Christ  said  nay  of  my  whole  love  ;  for  he  will  not  want  his  errand  for 
the  seeking.  God  be  thanked,  my  Bridegroom  tireth  not  of  wooing: 
honour  to  him,  he  is  a  wilful  suitor  of  my  soul :  but  as  love  is  his, 
pain  is  mine,  that  I  have  nothing  to  give  him  :  his  count-book  is  full  of 
my  debts  of  mercy,  kindness,  and  free  love  towards  me  ;  oh  tliat  I 
might  read  with  watery  eyes  !  O  that  he  would  give  me  the  interest 
of  interest  to  pay  back  again !  or  rather,  my  soul's  desire  is,  that  he 
would  comprise  my  person,  soul  and  body,  love,  joy,  confidence,  fear^ 
sorrow,  and  desire,  and  drive  the  poind,  and  let  me  be  rouped  and  sold 
to  Christ,  and  taken  home  to  my  Creditor's  house  and  fireside.  The 
Lord  kfloweth,  if  I  could,  I  would  sell  myself  without  reversion  to 


PART  1. 


LETTER   CXXI.  17i 


Christ.  O  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  make  a  market,  and  overbid  all  my 
buyers !  I  dare  sWear,  there  is  a  mystery  in  Christ  which  I  never 
saw ;  a  mystery  of  love.  O  if  he  would  lay  by  the  lap  of  the  co- 
vering that  is  over  it,  and  let  my  longing  soul  see  it ;  I  would  break 
the  door,  and  be  in  upon  him,  to  get  my  fill  of  love ;  for  I  am  an 
hungered  and  famished  soul.  Oh,  Sir,  if  you,  or  any  other  would  tell 
him,  how  sick  my  soul  is,  dying  for  want  of  a  hearty  draught  of 
Christ's  love  !  Oh,  if  I  could  doat,  if  I  may  make  use  of  that  word 
in  this  case,  as  much  upon  himself  as  I  do  upon  his  love !  It  is  a 
pity  that  Christ  himself  should  not  rather  be  my  heart's  choice,  than 
Christ's  manifested  love.  It  would  satisfy  me,  in  some  measure,  if  I 
had  any  bud  to  give  for  his  love  ;  shall  I  offer  him  my  praises  ?  Alas, 
he  is  more  than  praises  !  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  see  if  there  be  both  love  and  anger  in  him  against 
me.  I  am  plucked  from  his  flock,  dear  to  me,  and  from  feeding  his 
lambs ;  I  go  therefore  in  sackcloth  as  one  who  hath  lost  the  wife  of 
his  youth.  Grief  and  sorrow  are  suspicious,  and  spue  out  against 
him  the  smoke  of  jealousies  ;  and  I  say  often,  Shew  me  wherefore 
thou  contendest  with  me  ;  tell  me.  Lord,  read  the  process  against  rae. 
But  I  know,  I  cannot  answer  his  allegiance ;  I  will  lose  the  cause, 
when  it  cometh  to  open  pleading.  Oh,  if  I  could  force  my  heart  to 
believe  dreams  to  be  dreams  !  Yet  when  Christ  giveth  my  fears  the 
lie,  and  saith  to  me,  Thou  art  a  liar,  then  I  am  glad.  I  resolve  to 
hope  to  be  quiet,  and  to  lye  on  the  brink,  on  my  side,  till  the  water 
fall,  and  the  ford  be  ridable  :  and  howbeit  there  be  pain  upon  me  in 
longing  for  deliverance,  Ihat  I  may  speak  of  him  in  the  great  congre- 
gation ;  yet  I  think  there  is  joy  in  that  pain  and  on-waiting  ;  and  even 
rejoice  that  he  putteth  me  off  for  a  time,  and  shifteth  me.  O  if  I 
could  wait  on  for  all  eternity,  howbeit  I  should  never  get  my  soul's 
desire,  so  being  he  were  glorified !  I  would  wish  my  pain  and  my 
ministry  could  live  long  to  serve  him  ;  for  I  know  I  am  a  clay  vessel, 
and  made  for  his  use.  0  if  my  very  broken  shreds  could  serve  to 
glorify  him !  I  desire  Christ's  grace  to  be  willingly  content,  that  my 
hell,  excepting  my  hatred  and  displeasure,  which  I  put  out  of  all  play; 
for  submission  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  1  or  what  can  such  a  clay  shadow  as  I  do  ?  I  know  he 
iieedeth  not  me.  I  have  cause  to  be  grieved,  and  to  melt  away  in 
tears,  if  I  had  grace  to  do  it.  Lord  grant  it  to  me !  to  see  my  Well- 
beloved's  fair  face  spitted  upon  by  dogs,  to  see  lowns  pulling  the  crown 
oflf  my  royal  King's  head,  to  see  my  harlot  mother  and  my  sweet 
Father  agree  so  ill,  that  they  are  going  to  skail,  and  give  up  house  : 
my  Lord's  palace  is  now  a  nest  of  unclean  birds.  Oh,  if  harlot,  har- 
lot Scotland,  would  rue  upon  her  provoked  Lord  ;  and  pity  her  good 
Husband,  who  is  broken  with  her  whorish  heart !  but  these  things  are 
hid  from  her  eyes.  I  have  heard  of  late  of  your  new  trial  by  the 
bishop  of  Galloway.  Fear  not  clay,  worms'  meat ;  let  truth  and 
Christ  get  no  wrong  in  your  hand  ;  it  is  your  gain  if  Christ  be  glori- 
iied ;  and  your  glory  to  be  Christ's  witness.     I  persuade  you,  your 


172  LETTEIl  CXXII.  PART    I. 

sufferings  are  Christ's  advantage  and  victory ;  for  he  is  pleased  to 
reckon  them  so.  Let  me  hear  from  you ;  Christ  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  service  ;  he  is  not  poor 
to  sit  in  your  debt ;  he  will  repay  an  hundred  fold  more,  it  may  be, 
even  in  this  life.  The  prayers  and  blessing  of  Christ's  prisoner  be 
with  you. 

Your  brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesu3,  S.  R« 

Aeberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXIL 

To  his  reverend  and  loving  brother,  Mr.  John  Nevay. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your's  of  April 
11th,  as  I  did  another  of  March  25th,  and  a  letter  for  Mr.  Andrew 
Cant.  I  am  not  a  little  grieved,  that  our  mother-church  is  running  so 
quickly  to  the  brothel-house,  and  that  we  are  hiring  lovers,  and  giving 
gifts  to  the  great  mother  of  fornications  :  alas,  that  our  husband  is 
like  to  quit  us  so  shortly !  it  were  my  part,  if  I  were  able,  when  our 
Husband  is  departing,  to  stir  up  myself  to  take  hold  of  him,  and 
keep  him  in  this  land ;  for  I  know  him  to  be  a  sweet  second,  and  a 
lovely  companion  to  a  poor  prisoner.  I  find  my  extremity  hath  sharp- 
ened the  edge  of  his  love  and  kindness,  so  as  he  seemeth  to  devise 
new  ways  of  expressing  the  sweetness  of  his  love  to  my  soul.  Suf- 
fering for  Christ  is  the  very  element  wherein  Christ's  love  hveth,  and 
exerciseth  itself,  in  casting  out  flames  of  fire  and  sparks  of  heat,  to 
warm  such  a  frozen  heart  as  I  have  ;  and  if  Christ  weeping  in  sack- 
cloth be  so  sweet,  I  cannot  find  any  imaginable  thoughts  to  think 
what  he  will  be,  when  we  clay-bodies,  having  put  off  inortality,  shall 
come  up  to  the  marriage-hall  and  great  palace,  and  behold  the  King 
clothed  in  his  robes  royal,  sitting  on  his  throne.  I  would  desire  no 
more  for  my  heaven,  beneath  the  moon,  while  I  am  sighing  in  this 
house  of  clay,  but  daily  renewed  feasts  of  love  with  Christ,  and 
liberty  now  and  then  to  feed  my  hunger  with  a  kiss  of  that  fairest 
face,  that  is  like  the  sun  in  his  strength  at  noon-day.  I  would  will- 
ingly subscribe  an  ample  resignation  to  Christ  of  the  fourteen  prela- 
cies of  this  land,  and  of  all  the  most  delightful  pleasures  on  earth, 
and  forfeit  my  part  of  this  clay-god,  this  earth,  which  Adam's  foolish 
children  worship,  to  have  no  other  exercise,  but  to  lye  in  a  love  bed 
with  Christ,  and  fill  this  hungered  and  famished  soul  with  kissing, 
embracing,  and  real  enjoying  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  and  I  think  then  I 
might  write  to  my  Iriends,  that  I  had  found  the  golden  world,  and  look 
out  and  laugh  at  the  poor  bodies,  who  are  slaying  one  another  for 
feathers  :  for  verily,  brother,  since  I  came  to  this  prison,  I  have  con- 
ceived a  new  and  extraordinary  opinion  of  Christ,  which  1  had  not  be- 
fore ;  for  I  perceive,  we  frist  all  our  joys  to  Christ,  till  he  and  we  be 
in  our  own  house  above,  as  married  parties :  thinking  that  there  is 
nothing  of  it  here  to  be  sought  or  found,  but  only  hope  and  fair 
promises  ;  and  that  Christ  will  give  us  nothing  here  but  tears,  sadness, 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXXII.  173 

crosses ;  and  that  we  shall  never  feel  the  smell  of  the  flowers  of  that 
high  garden  of  paradise  above,  till  we  come  there.  Nay,  but  I  find 
it  is  possible  to  find  young  glory,  and  a  young  green  paradise  of  joy, 
even  here.  I  know  Christ's  kisses  will  cast  a  more  strong  and  re- 
freshful smell  of  incomparable  glory  and  joy  in  heaven,  than  they  do 
here ;  because  a  drink  of  the  well  of  life,  up  at  the  well's  head,  is 
more  sweet  and  fresh  by  far,  than  that  which  we  get  in  our  borrowed, 
old,  running-out  vessels,  and  our  wooden  dishes  here :  yet  I  am  now 
persuaded,  it  is  our  folly  to  frist  all  till  the  term-day,  seeing  abundance 
of  earnest  will  not  diminish  any  thing  of  our  principal  sum.  We 
dream  of  hunger  in  Christ's  house,  while  we  are  here  although  he 
alloweth  feasts  upon  all  the  children  within  God's  household  ;  it 
■were  good  then  to  store  ourselves  with  more  borrowed  kisses  of 
Christ,  and  with  more  borrowed  visits,  till  we  enter  heirs  to  our  new 
inheritance,  and  our  tutor  puts  us  in  possession  of  our  own,  when  we 
are  past  minority.  O  that  all  the  young  heirs  would  seek  more,  and 
a  greater  and  a  nearer  communion  with  my  Lord  Tutor,  the  prime 
Heir  of  all,  Christ !  I  wish,  for  my  part,  I  could  send  you,  and  that 
gentleman  who  wrote  his  commendations  to  me,  into  the  King's  in- 
nermost cellar  and  house  of  wine,  to  be  filled  with  love  :  a  drink  of 
this  love  is  worth  the  having  indeed :  we  carry  ourselves  but  too 
nicely  with  Christ  our  Lord  ;  and  our  Lord  loveth  not  niceness  and 
dryness,  and  uncouthness  in  friends.  Since  need  forces  we  must  be 
in  Christ's  common,  then  let  us  be  in  his  common ;  for  it  will  be  no 
otherwise.  Now,  for  my  present  case  in  my  imprisonment,  deliver- 
ance, for  any  appearance  I  see,  looketh  cold-like ;  my  hope,  if  it  be 
looked  to,  or  leaned  upon  men,  should  wither  soon  at  the  root,  hke  a 
May-flower ;  yet  I  resolve  to  ease  myself  with  on-waiting  on  my 
Lord,  and  to  let  my  faith  swim  where  it  loseth  ground.  I  am  under  a 
necessity  either  of  fainting,  which  I  hope  my  Master,  of  whom  I 
boast  all  the  day,  shall  avert,  or  then  to  lay  my  faith  upon  Omnipo- 
tency,  and  to  wink  and  stick  by  my  grip ;  and  I  hope  my  ship  shall 
ride  it  out,  seeing  Christ  is  willing  to  blow  his  sweet  wind  in  my  sails, 
and  mendeth  and  closeth  the  leaks  in  my  ship,  and  ruleth  all :  it  will 
be  strange  if  a  believing  passenger  be  casten  overboard.  As  for 
your  master,  my  lord  and  my  lady,  I  will  be  loath  to  forget  them ;  I 
think  my  prayers,  such  as  they  are,  are  due  debt  to  him,  and  I  shall  be 
far  more  engaged  to  his  lordship,  if  he  be  fast  for  Christ,  as  I  hope 
he  will,  now  when  so  many  of  his  coat  and  quality  slip  from  Christ's 
back,  and  leave  him  to  fend  for  himself.  I  intreat  you,  remember  my 
love  to  that  worthy  gentle'.nan,  A.  C.  who  saluted  me  in  your  letter  :  I 
have  heard  that  he  is  one  of  my  Master's  friends,  for  the  which  cause 
I  am  tied  to  him ;  I  wish  he  may  more  and  more  fall  in  love  with 
Christ.  Now,  for  your  question,  as  far  as  I  rawly  conceive  :  I  think 
God  is  praised  two  ways ;  1st,  By  a  conscional  profession  of  his 
highness  before  men,  such  as  is  the  very  hearing  of  the  word,  and 
receiving  of  either  of  the  sacraments ;  in  which  acts,  by  profession, 
we  give  out  to  men,  that  he  is  our  God,  with  whom  we  are  in  cove- 
nant, and  our  Law-giver :  Thus  eating  and  drinking  in  the  Lord's 
supper,  is  an  annunciation  and  profession  before  men,  that  Christ  i^ 


174  LETTER    CXXIIt.  PART  I. 

our  slain  Redeemer :  here,  because  God  speaketh  to  us,  not  we  to 
him,  it  is  not  a  formal  thanksgiving,  but  an  annunciation,  or  predica- 
tion of  Christ's  death,  conscional,  not  adorative,  neither  hath  it  God 
for  the  immediate  object,  and  therefore  no  kneeling  can  be  here. 
2dly,  There  is  another  praising  of  God,  formal,  when  we  are  either 
formally  blessing  God,  and  speaking  his  praises.  And  this  I  take  to 
be  twofold.  1.  When  we  directly  and  formally  direct  praises  and 
thanksgiving  to  God  :  this  may  well  be  done  kneeling,  in  token  of 
our  recognizance  of  his  highness  ;  yet  not  so,  but  it  may  be  done 
standing  or  sitting,  especially  seeing  joyful  elevation,  which  should  be 
in  praising,  is  not  formally  signified  by  kneeling.  2.  When  we  speak 
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  worship  every  way  immediate,  else  I  know  not 
any  immediate  worship  at  all :  the  latter  hath  God  for  the  subject, 
not  properly  the  object,  seeing  the  predication  is  directed  to  men  im- 
mediately, rather  than  to  God,  for  here  we  speak  of  God  by  way  of 
praising,  rather  than  to  God.  And  for  my  own  part,  as  I  am  for  the 
present  minded,  I  see  not  how  this  can  be  done  kneeling,  seeing  it  is 
pro&dicatio  Dei  et  Christi,  non  laudatio  aul  benidictio  Dei :  but  ob- 
serve, that  it  is  formal  praising  of  God,  and  not  merely  conscional,  as 
I  distinguished  in  the  lirst  member  ;  for,  in  the  first  member,  any 
speaking  of  God,  or  of  his  works  of  creation,  providence  and  re- 
demption, is  indirect  and  conscional  praising  of  him,  and  formally 
preaching,  or  an  act  of  teaching,  not  an  act  of  predication,  of  his 
praises ;  tor  there  is  a  difference  betwixt  the  simple  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  cause  others  to  praisa 
with  us.     Thus  recommending  you  to  God's  sweet  grace,  I  rest 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  15,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXIIL 

To  Mr.  J.  R. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  Upon  the  report  I  hear  of 
you,  without  any  further  acquaintance,  except  our  straitest  bonds  in 
our  Lord  Jesus,  I  thought  good  to  write  unto  you,  hearing  of  your 
danger  to  be  thurst  out  of  the  Lord's  house,  for  his  name's  sake  : 
therefore  my  earnest  and  humble  desire  to  God  is,  that  ye  may  be 
strengthened  in  the  grace  of  God,  and  by  the  power  of  his  might,  to 
go  on  for  Christ,  not  standing  in  awe  of  a  worm  that  shall  die.  I 
hope  ye  will  not  put  your  hand  to  the  ark,  to  give  it  a  wrong  touch, 
and  to  overturn  it,  as  many  now  do,  when  the  archers  are  shooting- 
sore  at  Joseph,  whose  bow  shall  abide  in  its  strength.  We  owe  to  our 
royal  King  and  princely  Master  a  testimony.  O  how  blessed  are 
they,  who  can  ward  a  blow  off  Christ,  and  his  borne  down  truth !  men 
think  Christ  a  gone  man  now,  and  that  he  shall  never  get  up  his  head 
again  :  and  they  believe  his  court  is  failed,  because  he  sufiereth  men 


PART  1.  LETTER   CXXIII.  175 

to  break  their  spears  and  swords  upon  him,  and  the  enemies  to  plough 
Zion,  and  make  long  and  deep  their  furrows  on  her  back :  but  it 
would  not  be  so,  if  the  Lord  had  not  a  sowing  for  his  ploughing : 
what  can  he  do,  but  melt  an  old  drossy  kirk,  that  he  may  bring  out  a 
new  bride  out  of  the  fire  again  !  I  think  Christ  is  just  now  repairing 
his  house,  and  exchanging  his  old  vessels  with  new  vessels,  and  is 
going  through  this  land,  and  taking  up  an  inventory  and  a  roll  of  so 
many  of  Levi's  sons,  and  good  professors,  that  he  may  make  them 
new  work  for  the  second  temple  ;  and  whatsoever  shall  be  found,  not 
to  be  for  the  work,  shall  be  casten  over  the  wall ;  when  the  house 
shall  be  builded,  he  shall  lay  by  his  hammers,  as  having  no  more  to  do 
•with  them.  It  is  possible,  he  do  worse  to  them  than  lay  them  by  : 
and  I  think,  the  vengeance  of  the  Lord,  and  the  vengeance  of  his  temple 
shall  be  upon  them.  I  desire  no  more,  but  to  keep  weight  when  I  am 
past  the  fire  ;  and  I  can  now,  in  some  weak  measure,  give  Christ  a 
testimonial  of  a  lovely  and  loving  companion,  under  suffering  for  him. 
I  saw  him  before  but  afar  off,  his  beauty  to  my  eye-sight  groweth ;  a 
fig,  a  straw  for  ten  worlds'  plaistered  glory,  and  for  childish  shadows, 
the  idol  of  clay  (this  god,  the  world)  that  fools  fight  for.  If  I  had  a 
lease  of  Christ  of  my  own  dating  (for  whoever  once  cometh  nigh 
hand,  and  taketh  a  hearty  look  of  Christ's  inner  side,  shall  never 
•wring  nor  wrestle  themselves  out  of  his  love-grips  again)  I  would 
rest  contented  in  my  prison ;  yea,  in  a  prison  without  light  of  sun  or 
candle,  providing  Christ  and  I  had  a  love-bed,  not  of  mine,  but  of 
Christ  his  own  making :  that  we  might  lije  together  among  the  lilies, 
till  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  fly  away.  Who  knoweth  how  sweet 
a  drink  of  Christ's  love  is?  0  but  to  live  on  Christ's  love  is  a  king's 
life !  The  worst  things  of  Christ,  even  that  which  seemeth  to  be  the 
refuse  of  Christ,  his  hard  cross,  his  black  cross,  is  white  and  fair  ; 
and  the  cross  receiveth  a  beautiful  lustre,  and  a  perfumed  smell  from 
Jesus.  My  dear  brother,  scar  not  at  it.  While  ye  have  time  to  stand 
upon  the  watch-tower,  and  to  speak,  contend  with  this  land,  plead 
with  your  harlot  mother,  who  hath  been  a  treacherous  half  marrow  to 
her  husband  Jesus  :  for  I  would  think  liberty,  to  preach  one  day,  the 
root  and  top  of  my  desires  ;  and  would  seek  no  more  of  the  blessings 
that  are  to  be  had  on  this  side  of  time,  till  I  be  over  the  water,  but  to 
spend  this  my  crazy  clay  house  in  his  service  and  saving  of  souls  ; 
but  I  hold  my  peace,  because  he  hath  done  it.  My  shallow  and  ebb 
thoughts  are  not  the  compass  Christ  saileth  by  ;  I  leave  his  ways  to 
himself,  for  they  are  far,  far  above  me  :  only  I  would  contend  >vith 
Christ  for  his  love,  and  be  bold  to  make  a  plea  with  Jesus  my  Lord, 
for  a  heart-fill  of  his  love  ;  for  there  is  no  more  left  to  me.  What 
standeth  beyond  the  far  end  of  my  sufferings,  and  what  shall  be  the 
event,  he  knoweth  ;  and  I  hope,  to  my  joy,  shall  make  me  know, 
when  God  shall  unfold  his  decrees  concerning  me  ;  for  there  are 
windings,  and  tos  and  fros  in  his  ways,  which  blind  bodies  like  us 
cannot  see.  Thus  much  for  farther  acquaintance  :  so  recommending 
you  and  what  is  before  you,  to  the  grace  of  God,  I  rest, 

Your  very  loving  brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  16, 1637. 


176 
LETTER  CXXIV. 

To  Mr.  William  Dalgliesh. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAREST  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  have  heard  somewhat  o( 
your  trials  in  Galloway  ;  I  bless  the  Lord  who  hath  begun  first  in  that 
corner,  to  make  you  a  new  kirk  to  himself:  Christ  hath  the  less  ado 
behind,  when  he  hath  refined  you.  Let  me  entreat  you,  my  dearly 
beloved,  to  be  fast  to  Christ ;  my  witness  is  above,  my  dearest  bro- 
ther, that  ye  have  added  much  joy  to  me  in  my  bonds,  when  I  hear 
that  you  grow  in  the  grace  and  zeal  of  God  for  your  Master.  Our 
ministry,  whether  by  preaching  or  sufiering,  will  cast  a  smell  through 
the  world  both  of  heaven  and  hell,  2  Cor.  ii.  15,  16.  I  persuade  you, 
my  dear  brother,  there  is  nothing  out  of  heaven,  next  to  Christ, 
dearer  to  me,  than  my  ministry ;  and  the  worth  of  it,  in  my  estima- 
tion, is  swelled,  and  paineth  me  exceedingly  :  yet  I  am  content,  for  the 
honour  of  my  Lord,  to  surrender  it  back  again  to  the  Lord  of  the 
vineyard  ;  let  him  do  with  it,  and  me  both,  what  he  thinketh  good  :  1 
think  myself  too  little  for  him.  And  let  me  speak  to  you,  how  kind  a 
fellow-prisoner  is  Christ  to  me !  Believe  me,  this  kind  of  cross,  that 
would  not  go  by  my  door,  but  would  needs  visit  me,  is  still  the  longer 
the  more  welcome  to  me.  It  is  true,  my  silent  sabbaths  have  been 
and  are  glassy  ice,  whereon  my  faith  can  scarce  hold  its  {eet,  and  I  am 
often  blown  on  my  back,  and  off"  my  feet,  with  a  storm  of  doubting ; 
yet  truly,  my  bonds  all  this  time  cast  a  mighty  and  rank  smell  of  high 
and  deep  love  in  Christ ;  I  cannot  indeed  see  through  my  cross  to 
the  far  end  ;  yet  I  believe  I  am  in  Christ's  books  and  in  his  decree 
(not  yet  unfolded  to  me)  a  man  triumphing,  dancing,  and  singing,  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Red  sea,  and  laughing  and  praising  the  Lamb, 
over  beyond  time,  sorrow,  deprivation,  prelates'  indignation,  losses, 
want  of  friends,  and  death  ;  heaven  is  not  a  fowl  flying  in  the  air  as 
men  used  to  speak  of  things  that  are  uncertain  :  nay  it  is  well  paid  for, 
Christ's  comprisement  lyeth  on  glory,  for  all  the  mourners  in  Zion, 
and  shall  never  be  loosed  ;  let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  that  we  have 
blood,  losses,  and  wounds,  to  shew  our  Master  and  Captain,  at  his 
appearance,  and  what  we  suffered  for  his  cause.  Wo  is  me,  my  dear 
brother,  that  I  say  often,  I  am  but  dry  bones,  which  my  Lord  will  not 
bring  out  of  the  grave  again  ;  and  that  my  faithless  fears  can  say,  '  Oh 
I  am  a  dry  tree,  that  can  bear  no  fruit ;  I  am  an  useless  body,  who 
can  beget  no  children  to  the  Lord  in  his  house !'  Hopes  of  deliver- 
ance look  cold  and  uncertain,  and  afar  off",  as  if  I  had  done  with  it :  it 
is  much  for  Christ,  if  I  may  say  so,  to  get  law-borrows  of  my  sorrow, 
and  of  my  quarrellous  heart ;  Christ's  love  playeth  me  fair  play ;  I 
am  not  wronged  at  all ;  but  there  is  a  tricking  and  false  heart  within 
me,  that  still  playeth  Christ  foul  play.  I  am  a  cumbersome  neigh- 
bour to  Christ ;  it  is  a  wonder,  that  he  dwelleth  beside  the  like  of  me  ; 
yet  I  often  get  the  advantage  of  the  hill  above  my  temptations  ;  and 
then  I  despise  temptation,  even  hell  itself,  and  the  stink  of  it,  and  the 
instruments  of  it,  and  am  proud  of  my  honourable  Master  ;  and  I 
resolve,  whether  contrary  winds  will  or  not,  to  fetch  Christ's  harbour ; 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXXIV.  177 

and  I  think  a  wilful  and  stiff  contention  with  my  Lord  Jesus  for  his 
love  very  lawful.  It  is  some  times  hard  to  me,  to  win  my  meat  upon 
Christ's  love,  because  my  faith  is  sick,  and  my  hope  withereth,  and 
my  eyes  wax  dim  ;  and  unkind  and  comfort-eclipsing  clouds  go  over 
the  fair  and  bright  Sun,  Jesus  ;  and  then,  when  I  and  temptation  tryst 
the  matter  together,  we  spill  all,  through  unbelief.  Sweet,  sweet  for 
ever  more  would  my  life  be,  if  I  could  keep  faith  in  exercise !  but  I 
see,  my  fire  cannot  always  cast  light ;  I  have  even  a  poor  man's  hard 
world,  when  he  goeth  away  ;  but  surely,  since  my  entry  hither,  many 
a  time  hath  my  (air  sun  shined  without  a  cloud  ;  hot  and  burning  hath 
Christ's  love  been  to  me  ;  I  have  no  vent  to  the  expression  of  it,  I 
must  be  content  with  stolen  and  smothered  desires  of  Christ's  glory  : 
O  how  far  is  his  love  behind  the  hand  with  me !  I  am  just  like  a  man, 
who  hath  nothing  to  pay  his  thousands  of  debt ;  all  that  can  be  gotten 
of  him,  is  to  seize  upon  his  person ;  except  Christ  would  seize  upon 
myself,  and  make  the  readiest  payment  that  can  be  of  my  heart  and 
love  to  himself,  I  have  no  other  thing  to  give  him  ;  if  my  sufferings 
could  do  beholders  good,  and  edify  his  kirk,  and  proclaim  the  incom- 
parable worth  of  Christ's  love  to  the  world,  O  then  would  my  soul  be 
overjoyed,  and  my  sad  heart  cheered  and  calmed !  Dear  brother,  I 
cannot  tell  what  is  become  of  my  labours  among  that  people  :  If  all 
that  my  Lord  builded  by  me  be  casten  down,  and  the  bottom  be  fallen 
out  of  the  profession  of  the  parish,  and  none  stand  by  Christ,  whose 
love  I  once  preached  as  clearly  and  plainly  as  I  could,  though  far  be- 
low its  worth  and  excellence,  to  that  people  ;  if  so,  how  can  I  bear  it ! 
and  if  another  make  a  foul  harvest,  where  I  have  made  a  painful  and 
honest  sowing,  it  will  not  soon  digest  with  me  ;  but  I  know  his  ways 
pass  finding  out.  Yet  my  witness  both  within  me  and  above  me 
knoweth,  and  my  pained  breast  upon  the  Lord's  day  at  night,  my  de- 
sire to  have  had  Christ  awful  and  amiable,  and  sweet  to  that  people,  is 
now  my  joy  ;  and  it  was  my  desire  and  aim,  to  make  Christ  and  them 
one ;  if  I  see  my  hopes  die  in  the  bud,  ere  they  bloom  a  little,  and^ 
come  to  no  fruit,  I  die  with  grief.  O  my  God,  seek  not  an  account  ot 
the  violence  done  to  me  by  my  brethren,  whose  salvation  I  love  and 
desire :  I  pray,  that  they  and  I  be  not  heard  as  contrary  parties,  in 
the  day  of  our  compearance  before  our  Judge,  in  that  process,  led  by 
them  against  my  ministry,  which  I  received  from  Christ :  I  know  a 
little  inch,  and  less  than  the  third  part  of  this  span-length  and  hand- 
breadth  of  time,  which  is  posting  away,  will  put  me  without  the 
stroke,  and  above  the  reach  of  either  brethren  or  foes  :  and  it  is  a 
short-lasting  injury  done  to  me,  and  to  my  pains,  in  that  part  of  my 
Lord's  vineyard.  O  how  silly  an  advantage  is  my  deprivation  to 
men,  seeing  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  many  ways  to  recover  his  own 
losses,  and  is  irresistible  to  compass  his  own  glorious  ends,  that  his 
lily  may  grow  amongst  thorns,  and  his  little  kingdom  exalt  itself,  even 
under  the  swords  and  spears  of  contrary  powers !  But,  my  dear  bro- 
ther, go  on  in  the  strength  of  his  rich  grace,  whom  ye  serve  :  stand 
fast  for  Christ :  deliver  the  gospel  off  your  hand,  and  your  ministry, 
to  your  Master,  with  a  clean  and  underiled  conscience  ;  loose  not  a 
pin  of  Christ's  tabernacle ;  do  not  so  much  as  pick  with  your  nail  a? 

23 


17&  LETTER  CXXV.  PART  I. 

one  board  or  border  of  the  ark  :  have  no  part  or  dealing,  upon,  any 
terms,  in  a  hoof  in  a  closed  window,  or  in  a  bowing  of  your  knee,  in 
casting  down  of  the  temple  ;  but  be  a  mourning  and  speaking  witness 
against  them  who  now  ruin  Zion.  Our  Master  will  be  on  us  all,  in  a 
clap,  ere  ever  we  wit ;  that  day  will  discover  all  our  whites  and  our 
blacks,  concerning  this  controversy  of  poor  oppressed  Zion ;  let  us 
make  our  part  of  it  good,  that  it  may  be  able  to  abide  the  fire,  when 
hay  and  stubble  shall  be  burnt  to  ashes.  Nothing,  nothing,  I  say 
nothing,  but  sound  sanctification  can  abide  the  Lord's  fan.  I  stand 
to  my  testimony,  that  I  preached  often  of  Scotland,  Lamentation, 
mourning,  and  wo  abideth  thee,  O  Scotland !  0  Scotland,  the  fearful 
quarrel  of  a  broken  covenant  standeth  good  with  thy  Lord  !  Now, 
remember  my  love  to  all  my  friends,  and  to  my  parishoners,  as  if  I 
named  each  of  them  particularly  ;  I  recommend  you,  and  God's  peo- 
ple, committed  by  Christ  to  your  trust,  to  the  rich  grace  of  our  all- 
sufficient  Lord.  Remember  my  bonds  ;  praise  my  Lord  who  beareth 
me  up  in  my  sufferings  ;  as  ye  find  occasion,  according  to  the  wisdom  ■ 
given  you,  shew  our  acquaintance  what  the  Lord  hath  done  to  my 
soul.  This  I  seek  not,  verily,  to  hunt  my  own  praise,  but  that  my 
sweetest  and  dearest  Master  may  be  magnified  in  my  sufferings, 
I  rest 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  17,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXY. 

To  Marion  M'Naught. 
DEARLY    BELOVED    IN    OUR    LORD    JESUS    CHRIST, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  Few  know  the  iieart  of  a 
stranger  and  prisoner ;  I  am  in  the  hands  of  mine  enemies  ;  I  would 
honest  and  lawful  means  were  essayed  for  bringing  me  home  to  my 
charge,  now  when  Mr.  A.  R.  and  Mr.  H.  R.  are  restored.  It  con- 
cerneth  you  of  Galloway  most,  to  use  supplications  and  addresses  for 
this  purpose,  and  try  if  by  fair  means  I  can  be  brought  back  again. 
As  for  liberty,  without  I  be  restored  to  my  flock,  it  is  little  to  me  ;  for 
my  silence  is  my  greatest  prison  ;  however  it  be,  I  wait  for  the  Lord, 
I  hope  not  to  rot  in  my  sufferings  :  Lord  give  me  submission  to  wait 
on ;  my  heart  is  sad,  that  my  days  flee  away,  and  I  do  no  service  to 
my  Lord  in  his  house,  now  when  his  harvest,  and  the  souls  of  perish- 
ing people  require  it ;  but  his  ways  are  not  like  my  ways,  neither  can 
I  find  him  out.  O  that  he  would  shine  upon  my  darkness,  and  bring 
forth  my  morning  light  from  under  the  thick  cloud,  that  men  have 
spread  over  me !  O  that  the  Almighty  would  lay  my  cause  in  a 
balance,  and  weigh  me,  if  my  soul  was  not  taken  up,  when  others 
were  sleeping,  how  to  have  Christ  betrothed  with  a  bride,  in  that  part 
of  the  land  !  But  that  day  that  my  mouth  was  most  unjustly  and 
cruelly  closed,  the  bloom  fell  off  my  branches,  and  my  joy  did  cast 
the  flower.  Howbeit,  I  have  been  casting  myself  under  God's  feet, 
tind  wrestling  to  believe  under  a  hidden  and  covered  Lord,  yet  my 
fainting  cometh  before  I  eat,  and  my  faith  hath  bowed  with  a  sor^ 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXXVI.  179 

cast,  and  under  this  almost  insupportable  weight ;  O  that  it  break  not ! 
I  dare  not  say  that  the  Lord  hath  put  out  my  candle,  and  hath  casten 
water  upon  my  poor  coal,  and  broken  the  stakes  of  my  tabernacle  ; 
but  I  have  tasted  bitterness,  and  eaten  gall  and  wormwood,  since  that 
day  my  Master  laid  bonds  upon  me  to  speak  no  more.  I  speak  not 
this,  because  the  Lord  is  uncouth  to  me  ;  but  because  beholders, 
that  stand  on  dry  land,  see  not  my  sea  storm :  the  witnesses  of 
my  sad  cross  are  but  strangers  to  my  sad  days  and  nights.  O 
that  Christ  would  let  me  alone,  and  speak  love  to  me,  and  come 
home  to  me,  and  bring  summer  with  him !  O  that  I  might  preach 
his  beauty  and  glory,  as  once  I  did,  before  my  clay-tent  be  removed 
to  darkness ;  and  that  I  might  lift  Christ  oft'  the  ground,  and  my 
branches  might  be  watered  with  the  dew  of  God,  and  my  joy  in  his 
work  might  grow  green  again,  and  bud,  and  send  out  a  flower !  But 
I  am  but  a  short-sighted  creature,  and  my  candle  casteth  not  light 
afar  off;  he  knoweth  all  that  is  done  to  me,  how  that  when  I  had  but 
one  joy,  and  no  more,  and  one  green  flower,  that  I  esteemed  to  be  my 
garland,  he  came  in  one  hour  and  dried  up  my  flower  at  the  root,  and 
took  away  mine  only  eye,  and  mine  only  one  crown  and  garland. 
What  can  I  say  ]  surely  my  guiltiness  hath  been  remembered  before 
him,  and  he  was  seeking  to  take  down  my  sails,  and  to  land  the  flow- 
er of  my  delights,  and  to  let  it  lye  on  the  coast,  like  an  old  broken 
ship  which  is  no  more  for  the  sea  ;  but  I  praise  him  for  this  wailed 
stroke,  I  welcome  this  furnace,  God's  wisdom  made  choice  of  it  for 
me,  and  it  must  be  best,  because  it  was  his  choice.  O  that  I  may 
wait  for  him  till  the  morning  of  this  benighted  kirk  break  out !  This 
poor  afflicted  kirk  had  a  fair  morning  ;  but  her  night  came  upon  her 
before  her  noon-day,  and  she  was  like  a  traveller,  forced  to  take  house 
in  the  morning  of  his  journey :  and  now  her  adversaries  are  the  chief 
men  in  the  land  ;  her  ways  mourn,  her  gates  languish,  her  children 
sigh  for  bread ;  and  there  is  none  to  be  instant  with  the  Lord,  that  he 
would  come  again  to  his  house,  and  dry  the  face  of  his  weeping 
spouse,  and  comfort  Zion's  mourners,  who  are  waiting  for  him.  I 
know,  he  shall  make  corn  to  grow  upon  the  top  of  his  withered  Mount 
Zion  again.  Remember  my  bonds,  and  forget  me  not :  O  that  my 
Lord  would  bring  me  again  amongst  you,  with  abundance  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ !  But  0  that  I  may  set  down  my  desires,  where  my 
Lord  biddeth  me  !  Remember  my  love  in  the  Lord  to  your  husband ; 
God  make  him  faithful  to  Christ ;  and  my  blessing  to  your  three 
children.  Faint  not  in  prayer  for  this  kirk  ;  desire  my  people  not  to 
receive  a  stranger  and  intruder  upon  my  ministry ;  let  me  stand  in 
that  right  and  station  that  my  Lord  Jesus  gave  me.  Grace,  grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R. 


LETTER  CXXVL 

To  John  Gordon,  at  Rusco. 
DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  EARNESTLY  dcsire  to  know  the  case  of  your  soul,  and  to  under- 
stand that  ye  have  made  sure  work  of  heaven  and  salvation.     1. 


180  LETTER  CXXVI.  PART  I. 

Remember,  salvation  is  one  of  Christ's  dainties  he  giveth  but  to  a  few. 
2.  That  it  is  violent  sweating  and  striving  that  taketh  heaven.  3. 
That  it  cost  Christ's  blood  to  purchase  that  house  to  sinners,  and 
to  set  mankind  down  as  the  King's  free-tenants  and  free-holders.  4. 
That  many  make  a  start  towards  heaven,  who  fall  on  their  back,  and 
win  not  up  to  the  top  of  the  mount ;  it  plucketh  heart  and  legs  from 
them,  and  they  sit  down  and  give  it  over,  because  the  devil  setteth  a 
sweet-smelled  flower  to  their  nose,  this  fair  busked  world  wherewith 
Ihey  are  bewitched,  and  so  forget  or  refuse  to  go  forward.  5.  Re- 
member, many  go  far  on,  and  reform  many  things,  and  can  find  tears, 
as  Esau  did  ;  and  sufler  hunger  for  truth,  as  Judas  did  ;  and  wish  and 
desire  the  end  of  the  righteous,  as  Balaam  did  ;  and  profess  fair,  and 
fight  for  the  Lord,  as  Saul  did  ;  and  desire  the  saints  of  God  to  pray 
for  them,  as  Pharaoh  and  Simon  Magus  did  ;  and  prophecy  and  speak 
of  Christ,  as  Caiphas  did  ;  and  walk  softly  and  mourn  for  fear  of 
judgments,  as  Ahab  did  ;  and  put  away  gross  sins  and  idolatry  as 
Jehu  did  ;  and  hear  the  word  of  God  gladly,  and  reform  their  life 
in  many  things  according  to  the  word,  as  Herod  did ;  and  say, 
Master,  to  Christ,  I  will  follow  thee  whither  thou  goest,  as  the  man 
who  ofiered  to  be  Christ's  servant,  Math.  viii.  and  may  taste  of  the 
virtues  of  the  life  to  come,  and  be  partaker  of  the  wonderful  gifts  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,,  and  taste  of  the  good  word  of  God,  as  the  apostates, 
who  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  Heb.  vi.  And  yet  all  these  are  but 
like  gold  in  clink  and  colour,  and  watered  brass  and  base  metal. 
These  are  written,  that  we  should  try  ourselves,  and  not  rest  till  we 
be  a  step  nearer  Christ  than  sun-burnt  and  withering  professors  can 
come.  6.  Consider,  it  is  impossible  that  your  idol-sins  and  ye  can  go 
to  heaven  together  :  and  that  they,  who  will  not  part  with  these,  can- 
not indeed  love  Christ  at  the  bottom,  but  only  in  word  and  shev/, 
which  will  not  do  the  business.  7.  Remember  how  swiftly  God's 
post,  time,  flieth  away  ;  and  that  your  forenoon  is  already  spent, 
your  afternoon  will  come,  and  then  your  evening,  and  at  last  night, 
when  ye  cannot  see  to  work  ;  let  your  heart  be  set  upon  finishing  of 
your  journey,  and  summing  and  laying  your  accounts  with  your  Lord. 

0  how  blessed  shall  ye  be,  to  have  a  joyful  welcome  of  your  Lord  at 
night !  How  blessed  are  they  who  in  time  take  sure  course  with  their 
souls  !  Bless  his  great  name,  for  what  ye  possess  in  goods  and 
children,  ease  and  worldly  contentment,  that  he  hath  given  you  ;  and 
seek  to  be  like  Christ  in  humility  and  lowliness  of  mind  ;  and  be  not 
great  and  entire  with  the  world  ;  make  it  not  your  god  nor  your  lover, 
that  ye  trust  unto,  for  it  will  deceive  you.  I  recommend  Christ  and 
his  love  to  you,  in  all  things  ;  let  him  have  the  flower  of  your  heart 
and  your  love  ;  set  a  low  price  upon  all  things  but  Christ,  and  cry 
down  in  your  thoughts  clay  and  dirt,  that  will  not  comfort  you,  when 
ye  get  summons  to  remove,  and  compear  before  your  Judge,  to 
answer  for  all  the  deeds  done  in  the  body.  The  Lord  give  you 
wisdom  in  all  things  :  I  beseech  you  sanctify  God  in  your  speaking, 
for  holy  and  reverend  is  his  name ;  and  be  temperate  and  sober  ; 
companionary,  as  it  is  called,  is  a  sin  that  holdeth  men  out  of  heaven. 

1  will  not  believe,  that  ye  will  receive  the  ministry  of  a  stranger,  who 


PART  I.  LETTER   GXXVTI.  181 

will  preach  a  new  and  uncouth  doctrine  to  you  ;  let  my  salvation  stand 
for  it,  if  I  delivered  not  the  plain  and  whole  counsel  of  God  to  you  in 
his  word.  Read  this  letter  to  your  wife,  and  remember  my  love  to 
her,  and  request  her  to  take  heed  to  do  what  I  write  to  you ;  I  pray 
for  you,  and  your's.  Remember  me  in  your  prayers  to  our  Lord,  that 
he  would  be  pleased  to  send  me  amongst  you  again.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXVIL 

To  Mr.  Hugh    Henderson. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Who  knoweth,  but  the  wind  may  turn  into  the  west  again,  upon 
Christ  and  his  desolate  bride  in  this  land  ;  and  that  Christ  may  get  his 
summer  by  course  again  ]  for  he  hath  had  ill  weather  this  long  time, 
and  could  not  find  law  or  justice  for  himself  and  his  truth  these  many 
years.  I  am  sure,  the  wheels  of  this  crazed  and  broken  kirk  run  all 
upon  no  other  axle-tree,  nor  is  there  any  other  to  roll  them,  and  cogg 
them,  and  drive  them,  but  the  wisdom  and  good  pleasure  of  our  Lord  | 
and  it  were  a  just  trick,  and  glorious,  of  never-sleeping  Providence,  to 
bring  our  brethren's  darts,  they  have  shot  at  us,  back  upon  their  own 
heads  ;  suppose  they  have  two  strings  to  their  bow,  and  can  take  one 
as  another  faileth  them,  yet  there  are  more  than  three  strings  upon  our 
Lord's  bow  ;  and  besides,  he  cannnot  miss  the  white  that  he  shooteth 
at.  I  know  he  shuffleth  up  and  down  in  his  hand,  the  great  body  of 
heaven  and  earth,  and  that  kirk  and  commonwealth  are  in  his  hand^ 
like  a  stock  of  cards,  and  that  he  dealeth  the  play  to  the  mourners  of 
Zion,  and  those  that  say.  Lye  down  that  we  may  go  over  you,  at  his 
own  sovereign  pleasure ;  and  I  am  sure,  Zion's  adversaries,  in  this 
play,  shall  not  take  up  their  own  stakes  again.  0  how  sweet  a  thing  is 
it  to  trust  in  him  !  When  Christ  hath  sleeped  out  his  sleep,  if  I  may 
speak  so  of  him,  who  is  the  watchman  of  Israel,  that  neither  slumber- 
eth  nor  sleepeth,  and  his  own  are  tried,  he  will  arise  as  a  strong  man 
after  wine,  and  make  bare  his  holy  arm,  and  put  on  vengeance  as  a 
cloak,  and  deal  vengeance  thick  and  double  amongst  the  haters  of  Zion. 
It  may  be,  we  see  him  sow,  and  send  down  maledictions  and  vengean- 
ces, as  thick  as  drops  of  rain  or  hail,  upon  his  enemies;  for  our  Lord 
oweth  them  a  black  day,  and  he  useth  duly  to  pay  his  debts  ;  neither 
his  friends  and  followers,  nor  his  foes  and  adversaries  shall  have  it  to 
say.  That  he  is  not  faithful  and  exact  in  keeping  his  word.  I  knoAV  no 
bar  in  God's  way,  but  Scotland's  guiltiness  ;  and  he  can  come  over 
that  impediment,  and  break  that  bar  also,  and  then  say  to  guilty  Scot- 
land, as  he  said,  Ezek.  xxxvi.  JVot  for  your  sakes,  &c.  On-waiting 
had  ever  yet  a  blessed  issue  ;  and  to  keep  the  word  of  God's  patience, 
keepeth  still  the  saints  dry  in  the  water,  cold  in  the  fire,  and  breathing 
and  blood-hot  in  the  grave.  What  are  the  prisons  of  iron-walls  and 
gates  of  brass  to  Christ  1  Not  so  good  as  feal-dykes,  fortifications  of 
strawj  or  old  tottering  walls ;  if  he  give  the  word,  then  chains  will  fall 


182  LETTER    CXXVIII.  PAUT  I. 

off  the  arms  and  legs  of  his  prisoners.  God  be  thanked,  that  our  Lord 
Jesus  hath  the  tutoring  of  king  and  court  and  nobles,  and  that  he  can 
dry  the  gutters  and  the  mires  in  Zion,  and  lay  causeways  to  the  tem- 
ple with  carcasses  of  bastard  and  idol  shepherds ;  the  corn  on  the 
house-tops  got  never  the  husbandman's  prayers,  and  so  is  seen  on  it, 
for  it  filleth  not  the  band  of  mowers.  Christ,  and  truth,  and  innocency 
worketh  even  under  the  earth  ;  and  verily  there  is  hope  for  the  righte- 
ous :  we  see  not  what  conclusions  pass  in  heaven  anent  all  the  affairs 
of  God's  house  ;  we  need  not  give  hire  to  God  to  take  vengeance  of 
his  enemies,  for  justice  worketh  without  hire.  O  that  the  seed  of  hope 
would  grow  again,  and  come  to  maturity !  and  that  we  could  impor- 
tune Christ,  and  double  our  knocks  at  his  gate,  and  cast  our  cries  and 
shouts  over  the  wall,  that  he  might  come  out,  and  make  our  Jerusa- 
lem the  praise  of  the  whole  earth,  and  give  us  salvation  for  walls  and 
bulwarks  !  If  Christ  bud,  and  grow  green,  and  bloom,  and  bear  seed 
again  in  Scotland,  and  his  Father  send  him  two  summers  in  one  year, 
and  bless  his  crop,  O  what  cause  have  we  to  rejoice  in  the  free  salva- 
tion of  our  Lord,  and  to  set  up  our  banners  in  the  name  of  our  God  ! 
O  that  he  would  hasten  the  confusion  of  the  leprous  strumpet,  the  mo- 
ther and  mistress  of  abominations  in  the  earth,  and  take  graven  ima- 
ges out  of  the  way,  and  come  in  with  the  Jews  in  troops,  and  agree 
with  his  old  outcast  and  forsaken  wife,  and  take  them  again  to  his  bed 
of  love  !     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  our  Master  and  Lord,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXVIIL 

To  the  Lady  Largirie. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  exhort  you  in  the  Lord,  to 
go  on  in  your  journey  to  heaven  ;  and  to  be  content  of  such  fare  by 
the  way,  as  Christ  and  his  followers  have  had  before  you ;  for  they 
had  always  the  wind  on  their  faces ;  and  our  Lord  hath  not  changed 
the  way  to  us  for  our  ease,  but  will  have  us  following  our  sweet  Guide. 
Alas,  how  doth  sin  clog  us  in  our  journey,  and  retard  us  !  What  fools 
are  we,  to  have  a  by-good,  or  any  other  love,  or  match  to  our  souls, 
beside  Christ !  It  were  best  for  us,  hke  ill  children,  who  are  best 
heard  at  home,  to  seek  our  own  home,  and  to  sell  our  hopes  of  this 
little  clay-inns  and  idol  of  the  earth,  where  we  are  neither  well  sum- 
mered nor  well  wintered.  Oh  that  our  souls  would  so  fall  at  odds 
with  the  love  of  this  world,  as  to  think  of  it  as  a  traveller  doth  of  a 
drink  of  water,  which  is  not  any  part  of  his  treasure,  but  goeth  away 
with  the  using  ;  for  ten  miles  journey  maketh  that  drink  to  him  as  no- 
thing. O  that  we  had  as  soon  done  with  this  world,  and  could  as 
quickly  dispatch  the  love  of  it  ?  But  as  a  child  cannot  hold  two  apples 
in  his  little  hand,  but  the  one  putteth  the  other  out  of  its  room  ;  so 
neither  can  we  be  masters  and  lords  of  two  loves  ;  blessed  were  we, 
if  we  could  make  ourselves  masters  of  that  invaluable  treasure,  the 
love  of  Christ ;  or  rather,  suffer  ourselves  to  be  mastered  and  subdued 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXXIX.  183 

to  Christ's  love,  so  as  Christ  were  our  all  things,  and  all  other  things 
our  nothings,  and  the  refuse  of  our  delights.  O  let  us  be  ready  for 
shipping  against  the  time  our  Lord's  wind  and  tide  call  for  us  ! 
Death  is  the  last  thief,  that  shall  come  without  the  least  din  or  noise 
of  feet,  and  take  our  souls  away,  and  we  shall  take  our  leave  at  time 
and  face  eternity ;  and  our  Lord  shall  lay  together  the  two  sides  of 
this  earthly  tabernacle,  and  fold  us,  and  lay  us  by,  as  a  man  layeth  by 
clothes  at  night,  and  put  the  one  half  of  us  in  a  house  of  clay,  the  dark 
grave,  and  the  other  half  of  us  in  heaven  or  hell.  Seek  to  be  found  of 
your  Lord  in  peace,  and  gather  in  your  flitting,  and  put  your  soul  in 
order,  for  Christ  will  not  give  a  nail  breadth  of  time  to  our  little  sand 
glass.  Pray  for  Zion,  and  for  me  his  prisoner,  that  he  would  be  plea- 
sed to  bring  me  amongst  you  again,  full  of  Christ,  and  freighted  and 
loaded  with  the  blessing  of  his  gospel.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
Your's  in  his  only  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R,. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXIX. 

To  Earlstoun,  Younger. 
•ttORTHY    AND    DEARLY    BELOVED    IN    OUR    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you  :  I 
remain  still  a  prisoner  of  hope,  and  do  think  it  service  to  the  Lord,  to 
■wait  on  still  with  submission,  till  the  Lord's  morning-sky  break,  and 
his  summer  day  dawn  ;  for  I  am  persuaded,  it  is  a  piece  of  the  chief 
errand  of  our  life,  that  God  sent  us  for  some  years,  down  to  this 
earth,  among  devils  and  men,  the  fire-brands  of  the  devil,  and  tempta- 
tions, that  we  might  suffer  for  a  time  here  amongst  our  enemies ; 
otherwise  he  might  have  made  heaven  to  wait  on  us,  at  our  coming 
out  of  the  womb,  and  have  carried  us  home  to  our  country,  without 
letting  us  set  down  our  feet  in  this  knotty  and  thorny  life  ;  but  seeing 
a  piece  of  suffering  is  carved  to  every  one  of  us,  less  or  more,  as  in-» 
finite  wisdom  hath  thought  good,  our  part  is  to  harden  and  habituate 
our  soft  and  thin-skinned  nature,  to  endure  fire  and  water,  devils,  lions, 
men,  losses,  wo  hearts,  as  these  that  are  looked  upon  by  God,  angels, 
nien,  and  devils.  O  what  folly  is  it,  to  sit  down  and  weep  for  a  de- 
cree of  God,  that  is  both  deaf  and  dumb  at  our  tears,  and  must  stand 
still  as  unmoveable  as  God  who  made  it !  for  who  can  come  behind 
our  Lord,  to  alter  and  better  what  he  hath  decreed  and  done  ]  It  were 
better  to  make  windows  in  our  prison,  and  to  look  out  to  God  and  our 
country  heaven,  and  to  cry  like  fettered  men,  who  long  for  the  King's 
free  air,  '  Lord,  let  thy  kingdom  come !  0  let  the  Bridegroom  come  ! 
And,  O  day,  0  fair  day,  0  everlasting  summer  day,  dawn  and  shine  out, 
break  out  from  under  the  black  sky,  and  shine  !'  I  am  persuaded,  if 
every  day  a  stone  in  the  prison  walls  were  broken,  and  thereby  assu- 
rance given  to  the  chained  prisoner,  lying  under  twenty  stone  of  irons 
upon  arms  and  legs,  that  at  length  his  chain  should  wear  in  two  pieces, 
and  a  hole  should  be  made  at  length,  as  wide  as  he  might  come  safely 
out  to  his  long-desired  liberty  ;  he  would  in  patience  wait  on,  till  time 
should  hole  the  prison  wall  and  break  his  chains.  The  Lord's  hopeful 


184  LETTER  CXXIX.  PART  I. 

prisoners,  under  their  trials,  are  in  that  case ;  years  and  months  will 
take  out  now  one  little  stone,  then  another,  of  this  house  of  clay,  and 
at  length  time  shall  win  out  the  breadth  of  a  fair  door,  and  send  out 
the  imprisoned  soul  to  the  free  air  in  heaven ;  and  time  shall  file  off, 
by  little  and  Httle,  our  iron  bolts,  which  are  now  on  legs  and  arms,  and 
out-date,  and  wear  out  trouble  thread-bare  and  holely,  and  then  wear 
them  to  nothing  ;  for  what  I  suffered  yesterday,  I  know,  shall  never 
come  again  to  trouble  me.     O  that  we  could  breathe  out  new  hope, 
and  new  submission  every  day,  in  Christ's  lap  !     For  certainly,  a 
weight  of  glory  well  weighed,  yea,  increasing  to  a  far  more  exceeding 
and  eternal  weight,  shall  recompense  both  weight  and  length  of  light, 
and  clipped  and  short-dated  crosses ;  our  waters  are  but  ebb,  and 
come  neither  to  our  chin,  nor  to  the  stopping  of  our  breath.  I  may  see, 
if  I  would  borrow  eyes  from  Christ,  dry  land,  and  that  near  ;  why  then 
should  we  not  laugh  at  adversity,  and  scorn  our  short-born  and  soon- 
dying  temptations !     I   rejoice  in  the  hope   of  that  glory  to  be  re- 
vealed, for  it  is  no  uncertain  glory  we  look  for  ;  our  hope  is  not 
hung  upon   such  an  untwisted   thread,   as,  I  imagine   so,   or,  it  is 
likely  ;  but  the  cable,   the   strong  tow  of  our  fastened  anchor,  is 
the  oath   and  promise   of  him  who   is   eternal  verity  ;  our   salva- 
tion is  fastened  with  God's  own  hand,  and  with  Christ's  own  strength, 
to  the  strong  rock  of  God's  unchangeable  nature.     Mai.  iii.  6.     *'  I 
am  the  Lord,  I  change  not ;  and  therefore  ye  sons  of  Jacob  are  not 
consumed."    We  may  play,  and  dance,  and  leap  upon  our  worthy  and 
immovable  Rock ;  the  ground  is  sure  and  good,  and  will  bide  hell's 
brangling,  and  devil's  brangling,  and  the  world's  assaults.     Oh  if  our 
faith  could  ride  it  out,  against  the  high  and  proud  waves  and  winds, 
when  our  sea  seemeth  to  be  all  on  fire  !     O  how  oft  do  I  let  my  grips 
go  !  I  am  put  to  swimming  and  half  sinking.     I  find  the  devil  hath  the 
advantage  of  the  ground,  in  this  battle;  for  he  fighteth  on  known  ground, 
in  our  corrupt  nature  :   Alas  !  that  is  a  friend  near  of  kin  and  blood  to 
himself  and  will  not  fail  to  fall  foul  upon  us  :  and  hence  it  is,  that  ho 
who  saveth  to  the  uttermost,  and  leadeth  many  sons  to  glory,  is  still 
righting  my  salvation,  and  twenty  times  a-day  I  ravel  my  heaven,  and 
then  I  must  come  with  my  ill-ravelled  work  to  Christ,  to  cumber  him, 
as  it  were,  to  right  it,  and  to  seek  again  the  right  end  of  the  thread,  and 
to  fold  up  again  my  eternal  glory  with  his  own  hand,  and  to  give  a  right 
cast  of  his  holy  and  gracious  hand  to  my  maiTed  and  spilt  salvation. 
Certainly,  it  is  a  cumbersome  thing,  to  keep  a  foolish  child  from  falls 
and  broken  brows,  and  weeping  for  this  and  that  toy,  and  rash  running, 
and  sickness,  and  children's  diseases ;  ere  he  win  through  them  all, 
and  win  out  of  the  mires,  he  costeth  meikle  black  cumber  and  fash- 
lie  to  his  keepers  :  and  so  is  a  behever  a  cumbersome  piece  of  work, 
and  an  ill-ravelled  hesp,  as  we  use  to  say,  to  Christ ;  but  God  be 
thanked,  for  many  spilt  salvations,  and  many  ill-ravelled  hesps  hath 
Christ  mended,  since  first  he  entered  tutor  to  lost  mankind.     O  what 
could  we,  children,  do  without  him  !  how  soon  would  we  mar  all ! 
But  the  less  of  our  weight  be  upon  our  own  feeble  legs,  and  the  more 
that  we  be  on  Christ  the  strong  Rock,  the  better  for  us  ;  it  is  good  for 
us,  that  ever  Christ  took  the  cumber  off  us  ;  it  is  our  heaven,  to  lay 
many  weights  and  burdens  on  Christ,  and  to  make  him  all  we  have. 


PART  li  LETTEil    CXXX.  185 

root  and  top,  beginning  and  ending  of  our  salvation  ;  Lord,  hold  us 
here;  Now  to  this  tutor,  and  rich  Lord,  I  recommend  you  ;  hold 
fast  till  he  come,  and  remember  his  priaouer;  Grace,  grace  be  with 
>ou. 

Your's  in  his  and  your  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXX. 

To  air.  William  Dal-lelbh, 
REVEREND  AND  DEAU  BROTHER^ 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter ;  t 
bless  our  high  and  only  wise  Lord,  who  hath  broken  the  snare  that 
men  had  laid  for  you  ;  and  I  hope,  that  now  he  shall  keep  you  in  his 
house,  in  despite  of  the  powers  of  hell.  Who  knoweth,  but  the 
streets  of  our  Jerusalem  shall  yet  be  filled  with  young  men,  and  with 
old  men,  and  boys,  and  women  with  child  ;  and  that  they  shall  plant 
vines  in  the  mountains  of  Samaria  ]  I  am  sure,  the  wheels,  paces  and 
motions  of  this  poor  church  are  tempered  and  ruled,  not  as  men 
would,  but  according  to  the  good  pleasure  and  infinite  wisdom  of  our 
only  wise  Lord.  I  am  here  waiting  in  hope,  that  my  innocency,  in 
this  honourable  cause,  shall  melt  this  cloud  that  men  have  casteu 
over  me.  I  know,  my  Lord  had  his  own  quarrels  against  me,  and 
that  my  dross  stood  in  need  of  this  hot  furnace  :  but  I  rejoice  in  this 
that  fair  truth,  beautiful  truth  (whose  glory  my  Lord  cleareth  to  me 
more  and  more)  beareth  me  company ;  and  that  my  weak  aims  to 
honour  my  Master,  in  bringing  guests  to  his  house,  now  swell  upon 
me  in  comforts  ;  and  that  I  am  not  afraid  to  want  a  witness  in  heaven, 
that  it  was  my  joy  to  have  a  crown  put  upon  Christ's  head  in  that 
country.  O  what  joy  would  I  have,  to  see  the  wind  turn  upon  the 
enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  to  see  my  Lord  Jesus  restored 
with  the  voice  of  praise  to  his  own  free  throne  again ;  and  to  be 
brought  amongst  you,  to  see  the  beauty  of  the  Lord's  house  !  I  hope 
that  my  country  will  not  be  so  silly,  as  to  sutler  men  to  pluck  yon 
away  from  them,  and  that  ye  will  use  means  to  keep  my  place  empty 
and  to  bring  me  back  again  to  the  people,  to  whom  I  have  Christ's 
right  and  his  church's  lawful  calling.  Dear  brother,  let  Christ  be 
dearer  and  dearer  to  you  ;  let  the  conquest  of  souls  be  top  and  root, 
flower  and  bloom  of  your  joys  and  desires,  on  this  side  of  sun  and 
moon  ;  and  in  the  day,  when  the  Lord  shall  pull  up  the  four  stakes  of 
this  clay  tent  of  the  earth,  and  the  last  pickle  of  sand  shall  be  at  the 
nick  of  falling  down  in  your  watch-glass,  and  the  master  shall  call  the 
servants  of  the  vineyard  to  give  them  their  hire ;  ye  will  esteem  the 
bloom  of  this  world's  glory  like  the  colours  of  the  rambow  that  no 
man  can  put  in  his  purse  and  treasure  ;  your  labour  and  pains  shall 
then  smile  upon  you.  My  Lord  now  hath  given  me  experience,  hovv- 
beit  weak  and  small,  that  our  best  fare  here  is  hunger ;  we  are  but  at 
God's  by-board,  in  this  lower  house  ;  we  have  cause  to  long  for  sup' 
per-time,  and  the  high  table,  up  in  the  high  palace ;  this  world  dc' 
serveth  nothing  but  the  outer-court  of  our  soul.     Lord,  hasten  the 

24 


186  LETTER  CXXXI.  PART  I. 

marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  I  find  it  still  peace  to  give  up  with 
this  present  world  ;  as  with  an  old  decourted  and  cast. off  lover  ;  my 
bread  and  drink  in  it,  is  not  so  much  worth  that  I  should  not  loath  the 
inns,  and  pack  up  my  desires  for  Christ,  that  I  have  sent  out  to  the 
feckless  creatures  in  it.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  affectionate  brother  and  Christ's  prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637, 


LETTER  CXXXL 

To  the  Laird  of  Cally. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your  soul 
prospereth  !  I  have  that  confidence  that  your  soul  mindeth  Christ  and 
salvation :  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord,  give  more  pains  and  diligence 
to  fetch  heaven,  than  the  country  sort  of  lazy  professors,  who  think 
their  own  faith  and  their  own  godliness,  because  it  is  their  own.  best ; 
and  content  themselves  with  a  coldrife  custom  and  course,  with  a  reso- 
lution to  summer  and  winter  in  that  sort  of  profession  that  the  multi- 
tude and  the  times  favour  most ;  and  are  still  shaping  and  clipping 
and  carving  their  faith,  according  as  it  may  best  stand  with  their  sum- 
mer sun  and  a  whole  skin  ;  and  so  breathe  out  both  hot  and  cold  in 
God's  matters,  according  to  the  course  of  the  times :  this  is  their 
compass  they  sail  toward  heaven  by,  instead  of  a  better.  Worthy 
and  deal-  Sir,  separate  yourself  from  such,  and  bend  yourself  to  the 
utmost  of  your  strength  and  breath,  in  running  fast  for  salvation  ;  and, 
in  taking  Christ's  kingdom,  use  violence.  It  cost  Christ  and  all  his 
followers  sharp  showers  and  hot  sweats,  ere  they  won  to  the  top  of 
the  mountain  :  but  still  our  soft  nature  would  have  heaven  coming  to 
our  bed-side,  when  we  are  sleeping,  and  lying  down  with  us,  that  we 
might  go  to  heaven  in  warm  clothes  ;  but  all  that  came  there  found 
wet  feet  by  the  way,  and  sharp  storms,  that  did  take  the  skin  off  their 
face,  and  found  tos  and  fros,  and  ups  and  downs,  and  many  enemies. 
It  is  impossible  a  man  can  take  his  lusts  to  heaven  with  him,  such 
wares  as  these  will  not  be  welcome  there.  O  how  loath  are  Ave  to 
forego  our  packalds  and  burdens,  that  hinder  us  to  run  our  race  with 
patience !  It  is  no  small  work  to  displease  and  anger  nature,  that  we 
rnay  please  God.  O  if  it  be  hard  to  win  one  foot  or  half  an  inch  out 
of  our  own  will,  our  own  wit,  out  of  our  own  ease  and  worldly  lusts ; 
and  so  to  deny  ourself,  and  to  say.  It  is  not  I  but  Christ,  not  I  but 
grace,  not  I  but  God's  glory,  not  I  but  God's  love  constraining  me, 
not  I  but  the  Lord's  word,  not  I  but  Christ's  commanding  power  as 
King  in  me  !  O  what  pains  ;  and  what  a  death  is  it  to  nature,  to  turn 
me,  myself,  my  lust,  my  ease,  my  credit,  over  in  my  Lord,  my  Sa- 
viour, my  King,  and  my  God,  my  Lord's  will,  my  Lord's  grace  !  But 
alas  !  that  idol,  that  wliorish  creature,  myself,  is  the  master  idol  we 
all  bow  to.  What  made  Eve  miscarry  ?  and  what  hurried  her  head- 
long upon  the  forbidden  fruit  but  that  wretched  thing,  herself?  what 
drew  that  brother  murderer  to  kill  Abel  1  that  wild  himself.  What 
drove  the  old  world  on  to  corrupt  their  ways  ?  Who,  but  themselves, 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXXXII.  187 

and  their  own  pleasure  ?  What  was  the  cause  of  Solomon's  falling  into 
adultery  and  multiplying  of  strange  wives  1  what,  but  himself,  whom 
he  would  rather  please  than  God  ?  What  was  the  hook  that  took  Da- 
vid and  snared  him  first  in  adultery,  but  his  self-lust ;  and  then  in  mur- 
der, but  his  self-credit  and  self-honour  ?  What  led  Peter  on  to  deny 
his  Lord  ?  was  it  not  a  piece  of  himself,  and  self-love  to  a  whole 
skin  ?  What  made  Judas  sell  his  Master  for  thirty  pieces  of  money, 
but  a  piece  self-love,  idolizing  of  avaricious  self?  What  made  Demas 
to  go  off  the  way  of  the  gospel,  to  embrace  this  present  world  ]  even 
self-love  and  love  of  gain  for  himself.  Every  man  blameth  the  devil 
for  his  sins ;  but  the  great  devil,  the  house-devil  of  every  man,  the 
house-devil  that  eateth  and  lyeth  in  every  man's  bosom,  is  that  idol 
that  killeth  all,  himself.  O  blessed  are  they,  who  can  deny  them- 
selves, and  put  Christ  in  the  room  of  themselves !  0  would  to  the 
Lord,  I  had  not  a  myself,  but  Christ ;  not  a  my  lust,  but  Christ ;  not 
a  my  ease,  but  Christ ;  not  a  my  honour,  but  Christ !  O  sweet  word! 
Gal.  ii.  20.  '  I  live  no  more,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me  !'  0  if  every 
one  would  put  away  himself,  his  own  self,  his  own  ease,  his  own  plea- 
sure, his  own  credit,  and  his  own  twenty  things,  his  own  hundred 
things,  that  he  setteth  up  as  idols  above  Christ !  Dear  Sir,  I  know  ye 
will  be  looking  back  to  your  old  self,  and  to  your  self-lust  and  self- 
idol,  that  ye  set  up  in  the  lusts  of  youth,  above  Christ.  Worthy  Sir, 
pardoi>  this  my  freedom  of  love.  God  is  my  witness,  that  it  is  out 
of  an  earnest  desire  after  your  soul's  eternal  welfare,  that  I  use  this 
freedom  of  speech  :  your  sun  I  know,  is  lower,  and  your  evening-sky 
and  sun-setting  nearer  than  when  I  saw  you  last :  strive  to  end  your 
task  before  night,  and  to  make  Christ  yourself,  and  to  acquaint  your 
love  and  your  heart  with  the  Lord.  Stand  now  by  Christ  and  his 
truth,  when  so  many  fall  foully,  and  are  false  to  him.  I  hope  ye  love 
him  and  his  truth,  let  me  have  power  with  you  to  confirm  you  in  him. 
I  think  more  of  my  Lord's  sweet  cross  than  of  a  crown  of  gold,  and 
a  free  kingdom  lying  to  it.  Sir,  I  remember  you  in  my  prayers  to  the 
Lord,  according  to  my  promise  :  help  me  with  your  prayers,  that  oui 
Lord  would  be  pleased  to  bring  me  amongst  you  again,  with  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweetest  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXXIL 

To  John  Gordon  of  Cardoness,  Younger, 
DEARLY  BELOVED  IN  OUR  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  exceedingly  to  hear 
of  the  ease  of  your  soul,  which  hath  a  large  share  both  of  my  pray- 
ers and  careful  thoughts.  Sir,  remember  that  a  precious  treasure  and 
prize  is  upon  this  short  play  that  ye  are  now  upon ;  even  the  eternity 
of  well  or  wo  to  your  soul,  standeth  upon  the  little  point  of  your 
well  or  ill  employed  short  and  swift  posting  sand-glass  :  seek  the 
Lord  while  he  may  be  found  :  the  Lord  waiteth  upon  you.  Your 
soul  is  of  no  little  price ;  gold  nor  silver,  of  as  much  bounds  as  would 


188  LETTER    CXXXn.  PART  I. 

€Over  the  highest  heaven  round  about  cannot  buy  it.  To  live  as 
others  do,  and  be  free  of  open  sins  that  the  world  crieth  shame  upon, 
will  not  bring  you  to  heaven ;  as  much  civiUty  and  country  discretion 
as  would  lye  between  you  and  heaven,  will  not  lead  you  one  foot  or 
one  inch  above  condemned  nature;  and  therefore  take  pains  upon 
seeking  of  salvation,  and  give  your  will,  wit,  humour,  the  green  de- 
sires of  youth's  pleasures  off"  your  hand  to  Christ.  It  is  not  possi- 
ble for  you  to  know  till  experience  teach  you,  how  dangerous  a  time 
youth  is  ;  it  is  like  green  and  wet  timber  ;  when  Christ  casteth  fire  on 
it,  it  taketh  not  fire.  There  is  need  here  of  more  than  ordinary 
pains,  for  corrupt  nature  hath  a  gook  back  friend  of  youth ;  and  sin- 
ning against  light  will  put  out  your  candle,  and  stupify  your  con- 
science, and  bring  upon  it  more  coverings  and  skin,  and  less  feeling 
and  sense  of  guiltiness ;  and  when  that  is  done,  the  devil  is  like  a 
mad  horse  that  hath  broken  the  bridle,  and  runneth  away  with  his 
rider  whither  he  listeth.  Learn  to  know  that  which  the  Apostle 
knew,  the  deceitfulness  of  sin :  strive  to  make  prayer,  and  reading, 
and  holy  company,  and  holy  conference  your  delight ;  and  when  de- 
light Cometh  in,  ye  shall  by  little  and  little  smell  the  sweetness  of 
Christ,  till  at  length  your  soul  be  over  head  and  ears  in  Christ's  sweet- 
ness ;  then  shall  ye  be  taken  up  to  the  top  of  the  mountain  with  the 
liOrd,  to  know  the  ravishments  of  spiritual  love,  and  the  glory  and  ex- 
cellency of  a  seen,  revealed,  felt,  and  embraced  Christ ;  and  then  ye 
shall  not  be  able  to  loose  yourself  off  Christ,  and  to  bind  your  soul 
to  old  lovers  ;  then,  and  never  till  then,  are  all  the  paces,  motions, 
%valkings,  and  wheels  of  your  soul  in  a  right  tune,  and  a  spiritual  tem- 
per. But  if  this  world  and  the  lusts  thereof  be  your  delight,  1  know 
not  what  Christ  can  make  of  you  ;  ye  cannot  be  metal  to  be  a  vessel 
of  glory  and  mercy.  As  the  Lord  liveth,  thousand  thousands  are  be- 
guiled with  security,  because  God,  and  wrath,  and  judgment  are  not 
terrible  to  them.  Stand  in  awe  of  God,  and  of  the  warnings  of  a 
checking  and  rebuking  conscience  :  make  others  to  see  Christ  in 
you,  moving,  doing,  speaking  and  thinking ;  your  actions  will  smell 
of  him,  if  he  be  in  you  :  there  is  an  instinct  in  the  new-born  babes  of 
Christ,  like  the  instinct  of  nature  that  leads  birds  to  build  their  nests, 
and  bring  forth  their  young,  and  love  such  and  such  places,  as  woods, 
forests,  and  wildernesses,  better  than  other  places.  The  instinct  of 
nature  maketh  a  man  love  his  mother-country,  above  all  countries  ; 
the  instinct  of  renewed  nature  and  supernatural  grace,  will  lead  you 
to  such  and  such  works,  as  to  love  your  country  above,  to  sigh  to  be 
clothed  with  your  house  not  made  with  hands,  and  to  call  your  bor- 
rowed prison  here  below,  a  borrowed  prison  ;  and  to  look  upon  it 
servant-like  and  pilgrim-hke  ;  and  the  pilgrim's  eye  and  look  is  a 
disdainful-like  discontented  cast  of  his  eye,  his  heart  crying  after  his 
eye,  Fy,  fy,  this  is  not  like  my  country.'  I  recommend  to  you  the 
mending  of  a  hole,  and  reforming  of  a  failing,  one  or  other  every 
week  ;  and  put  off  a  sin,  or  a  piece  of  it,  as  of  anger,  wrath,  lust,  in- 
temperance, every  day,  that  ye  may  more  easily  master  the  remnant 
of  your  corruption.  God  hath  given  you  a  wife  ;  love  her,  and  let 
her  breasts  satisfy  you :  and,  for  the  Lord's  sake,  drink  no  waters^ 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXXXIII,  189 

but  out  of  your  own  cistern ;  strange  wells  are  poison.  Strive  to 
learn  some  new  way  against  your  corruption  from  the  man  of  God, 
M.  W.  D.  or  other  servants  of  God ;  sleep  not  sound,  till  ye  find 
yourself  in  that  case,  that  ye  dare  look  death  in  the  face  and  durst 
hazard  your  soul  upon  eternity.  I  am  sure,  many  ells  and  inches  of 
the  short  thread  of  your  life  are  by-hand  since  I  saw  you ;  and  that 
thread  hath  an  end,  and  ye  have  no  hands  to  cast  a  knot,  and  add 
one  day  or  a  finger  breadth  to  the  end  of  it.  When  hearing,  and 
seeing,  and  the  outer  walls  of  the  clay-house  shall  fall  down,  and  life 
shall  render  the  besieged  castle  of  clay  to  death  and  judgment,  and  ye 
find  your  time  worn  ebb  and  run  out,  what  thoughts  will  you  then 
have  of  idol-pleasures,  that  possibly  are  now  sweet  1  what  bud  or 
hire  would  you  then  give  for  the  Lord's  favour  ]  and  what  a  price 
would  ye  then  give  for  pardon  ?  It  were  not  amiss  to  think,  '  What 
if  I  were  to  receive  a  doom,  and  to  enter  into  a  furnace  of  fire  and 
brimstone  1  what  if  it  come  to  this,  that  I  shall  have  no  portion  but 
utter  darkness  ?  and  what  if  I  be  brought  to  this,  to  be  banished  from 
the  presence  of  God,  and  to  be  given  over  to  God's  Serjeants,  the 
devil,  and  the  power  of  the  second  death  1'  Put  your  soul  by  sup^ 
position,  in  such  a  case,  and  consider  what  horror  would  take  hold  of 
you,  and  what  ye  would  then  esteem  ot  pleasing  yourself  in  the  course 
of  sin.  0  dear  Sir,  for  the  Lord's  sake  awake  to  live  righteously,  and 
love  your  poor  soul  ?  and  after  ye  have  seen  this  my  letter,  say  with 
yourself,  The  Lord  will  seek  an  account  of  this  warning  I  have  re- 
ceived. Lodge  Christ  in  your  family.  Receive  no  stranger  hireling 
as  your  pastor.     I  bless  your  children.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R> 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXXIIL 

To  my  Lord  Boyd. 
HY   VERY  HONOURABLE    AND    GOOD    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordship.  Out  of  the  worthy 
report  that  I  hear  of  your  Lordship's  zeal  for  this  borne  down  and 
oppressed  Gospel,  I  am  bold  to  write  to  your  Lordship,  beseeching 
you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  honour  of  our  royal  and  princely 
King  Jesus,  by  the  sorrows,  tears,  and  desolation  of  your  afflicted 
mother-church,  and  by  the  peace  of  your  conscience,  and  your  joy  in 
the  day  of  Christ,  that  your  Lordship  would  go  on,  in  the  strength  of 
your  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might,  to  bestir  yourself,  for  the 
vindicating  of  the  fallen  honour  of  your  Lord  Jesus.  O  blessed 
hands  for  evermore,  that  shall  help  to  put  the  crown  upon  the  head  of 
Christ  again,  in  Scotland.  1  dare  promise  in  the  name  of  our  Lord, 
that  this  shall  fasten  and  fix  the  pillars  and  the  stakes  of  your  honour- 
able house  upon  earth,  if  you  lend,  and  lay  in  pledge  in  Christ's  hand, 
upon  spiritual  hazard,  life,  estate,  house,  honour,  credit,  moyen, 
friends,  the  favour  of  men,  suppose  kings  with  three  crowns,  so  being 
ye  may  bear  witness,  and  acquit  yourself  as  a  man  of  valour  and  cou- 
rage, to  the  Prince  of  your  salvation,  for  the  purging  of  his  temple. 


190  LETTER    CXXXIV.  PART  I. 

and  sweeping  out  the  lordly  Diotrephes's  time-courting  Demas's, 
corrupt  Hynieneus's  and  Philetus's,  and  other  such  oxen,  that  with 
their  dung  defile  the  temple  of  the  Lord.  Is  not  Christ  novv  crying, 
•who  will  help  me  1  who  will  come  out  with  me,  to  take  part  with  me, 
aa.i  share  in  the  honour  of  my  victory  over  these  mine  enemies,  who 
have  said,  We  will  not  have  this  man  to  rule  over  us  ?  My  very 
honourable  and  dear  L^ia.  jttia.  join  as  ye  do  with  Chris-it ;  he  is  more 
wonh  to  yoii,  and  your  posterity,  than  this  world's  May-flowers,  and 
withering  riches  and  honour,  that  shall  go  away  as  smoke,  and  evanish 
in  a  night  vision,  and  shall  in  one  half-hour,  after  the  blast  of  the 
archangel's  trumpet,  lye  in  white  ashes.  Let  me  beseech  your 
Lordship  to  draw  by  the  lap  of  time's  curtain,  and  look  in  through  the 
window  to  great  and  endleSs  eternity,  and  consider,  if  a  worldly  price, 
(suppose  this  little  round  clay  globe  of  this  ashy  and  dirty  earth,  the 
dying  idol  of  the  fools  of  this  world,  were  all  your  own,)  can  be 
given  for  one  smile  of  Christ's  God-like  and  soul-ravishing  counte- 
nance, in  that  day,  when  so  man)^  joints  and  knees  of  thousand  thou- 
sands wailmg  shall  stand  before  Christ,  trembling,  shouting,  and 
making  their  prayers  to  hills  and  mountains,  to  fall  upon  them  and 
hide  them  from  the  face  of  the  Lamb.  O  how  many  would  sell  lord- 
ships and  kingdoms  that  day,  and  buy  Christ !  But,  oh  the  market 
shall  be  closed  and  ended  ere  then !  Your  Lordship  hath  now  a 
blessed  venture  of  winning  court  with  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the 
earth  :  he  himself  weeping,  truth  borne  down  and  fallen  in  the  streets, 
and  an  oppressed  gospel,  Christ's  bride,  with  watery  eyes,  and  spoiled 
of  her  veil,  her  hair  hanging  about  her  eyes,  forced  to  go  in  ragged 
apparel,  the  banished,  silenced,  and  imprisoned  prophets  of  God,  who 
have  not  the  favour  of  liberty  to  prophecy  in  sackcloth  ;  all  these,  I 
say,  call  for  your  help.  Fear  not  worms  of  clay,  the  moth  shall  eat 
them  as  a  garment ;  let  the  Lord  be  your  fear,  he  is  with  you,  and 
shall  fight  for  you  ;  thus  shall  ye  cause  the  blessing  of  those,  who  are 
ready  to  perish,  come  upon  you  ;  and  ye  shall  make  the  heart  of  this 
3'our  mother-church  to  sing  tor  joy.  The  Lamb  and  his  armies  are 
with  you,  and  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  are  the  liord's.  1  am  per- 
suaded, there  is  not  another  gospel,  nor  another  saving  truth,  than 
that  which  ye  now  contend  tor.  I  dare  hazard  my  heaven  and  salva- 
vation  upon  it,  that  this  is  the  only  saving  way  to  glory.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  your  Lordship. 

Your  Lordship's  at  all  respective  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  1637, 


LETTER  CXXXIV. 

To  Robert  Gordon,  Baillie  of  Ayr. 
WORTHY    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you : 
our  Lord  is  with  his  afflicted  kirk,  so  that  this  burning  bush  is  not 
consumed  to  ashes.  I  know,  submissive  on-waiting  for  the  Lord 
shall  at  length  ripen  the  joy  and  deliverance  of  his  own,  who  are  truly 
l)lessed  on-waiteri? ;  what  is  the  dry  and  miscarrying  hope  of  all  them 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXXXIV.  191 

who  are  not  in  Christ,  but  confusion  and  wind  ?  O  how  pitifully  and 
miserably  are  the  children  of  this  world  beguiled,  wlio§e  wine  cometh 
home  to  them,  water,  and  their  gold,  brass  and  tin  !  and  what  wonder, 
that  hopes  builded  upon  sand  should  fall  and  sink  ?  It  were  good  for 
us  all  to  abandon  the  forlorn,  and  blasted,  and  withered  hope,  we  have 
had  in  the  creature ;  and  let  us  henceforth  come  and  drink  water  out 
of  our  own  well,  even  the  fountain  of  living  waters,  and  build  our- 
selves and  our  hope  upon  Christ,  our  rock.  But,  alas !  that  natural 
love,  that  we  have  to  this  borrowed  home,  that  we  were  born  in ; 
and  that  this  clay  city,  the  vain  earth,  should  have  the  largest  share 
of  our  heart !  Our  poor,  lean  and  empty  dreams  of  confidence  in 
something  beside  God,  are  no  further  travelled,  than  up  and  down  the 
naughty  and  feckless  creatures.  God  may  say  of  us,  as  he  said,  Amos 
vi.  13.  Ye  rejoice  in  a  thing  of  nought.  Surely  we  spin  our  spider's 
web  with  pain,  and  build  our  rotten  and  tottering  house  upon  a  lie, 
and  falsehood,  and  vanity.  O  when  will  we  learn  to  have  thoughts 
higher  than  the  sun  and  moon,  and  learn  our  joy,  hope,  confidence, 
and  our  soul's  desires,  to  look  up  to  our  best  country,  and  to  look 
down  to  clay  tents  set  up  for  a  night's  lodging  or  two  in  this  un- 
couth land,  and  laugh  at  our  childish  conceptions  and  imaginations, 
that  suck  our  joy  out  of  creatures,  wo,  sorrow,  losses,  and  grief! 
'  0  sweetest  Lord  Jesus  !  O  fairest  Godhead  !  0  flower  of  men 
and  angels !  why  are  we  such  strangers  to,  and  far  oflT  beholders  of 
thy  glory  V  O  it  were  our  happiness  for  evermore,  that  God  would 
cast  a  pest,  a  botch,  a  leprosy,  upon  our  part  of  this  great  whore,  a 
fair  and  well-busked  world,  that  clay  might  no  longer  deceive  us  ! 
But  0  that  God  may  burn  and  blast  our  hope  here-away,  rather  than 
our  hope  should  live  to  burn  us !  Alas,  the  wrong  side  of  Christ,  to 
speak  so,  his  black  side,  his  suffering  side,  his  wounds,  his  bare  coat, 
his  wants,  his  wrongs,  the  oppressions  of  men  done  to  him,  are  turned 
towards  men's  eyes ;  and  they  see  not  the  best  and  fairest  side  of 
Christ,  nor  see  they  his  amiable  face  and  his  beauty,  that  men  and 
angels  wonder  at.  Sir,  lend  your  thoughts  to  these  things,  and  learn 
to  contemn  this  world,  and  to  turn  your  eyes  and  heart  away  aom 
beholding  the  masked  beauty  of  all  things  under  time's  law  and  doom. 
See  him  who  is  invisible  and  his  invisible  things  ;  draw  by  the  curtain, 
and  look  in  with  liking  and  longing  to  a  kingdom  undefiled,  that  fadeth 
not  away,  reserved  for  you  in  the  heaven :  this  is  worthy  of  your 
pains,  and  worthy  of  your  soul's  sweating,  and  labouring,  and  seeking 
after,  night  and  day.  Fire  will  fly  over  the  earth,  and  all  that  is  in 
it;  even  destruction  from  the  Almighty.  Fy,  fy  upon  that  hope, 
that  shall  be  dried  up  by  the  root !  Fy  upon  the  drunken  night  bar- 
gains, and  the  drunken  and  mad  covenants,  that  sinners  make  with 
death  and  hell  after  cups.  And  when  men's  souls  are  mad  and 
drunken  with  the  love  of  this  lawless  hfe,  they  think  to  make  a  nest 
for  their'hopes,  and  take  quarters  and  conditions  of  hell  and  death, 
that  they  shall  have  ease,  long  life,  peace  ;  and  in  the  morning,  when 
the  last  trumpet  shall  awake  them,  then  they  rue  the  block.  It  is 
time,  and  high  time  for  you,  to  think  upon  death  and  \  our  accounts, 
and  to  remember  what  ye  are,  where  ye  will  ce  before  tlio  year  of  our 


192  LETTER  CXXXV.  PARTI. 

Lord  1700  :  I  hopfe  ye  are  thinking  upon  this.  Pull  at  your  soul,  and 
draw  it  aside  from  the  company  that  it  is  with,  and  round  and  whisper 
into  it  news  of  eternity,  death,  judgment,  heaven  and  hell.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 

LETTER  CXXXY. 

To  Alexander  Gordon  cf  Earlstoun. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  It  is  like  if  ye,  the  gentry  and 
nobility  of  this  nation,  be  men  in  the  streets,  as  the  word  speaketh,  for 
the  Lord,  that  he  will  now  deliver  his  flock,  and  gather  and  rescue  his 
scattered  sheep,  from  the  hands  of  cruel  and  rigorous  lords,  that  have 
ruled  over  them  with  force.  0  that  mine  eyes  might  see  the  moon- 
light turn  to  the  light  of  the  sun!  But  I  still  fear  the  quarrel  of  a  bro- 
ken covenant  in  Scotland  standeth  before  the  Lord.  However  it  be,  I 
avouch  it  before  the  world,  that  the  tabernacle  of  the  Lord  shall  again 
be  in  the  midst  of  Scotland,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  dwell  in 
beauty,  as  the  light  of  many  days  in  one,  in  this  land.  O  what  could 
my  soul  desire  more,  next  to  my  Lord  Jesus,  while  I  am  in  this  fleshj 
but  that  Christ  and  his  kingdom  might  be  great  among  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles ;  and  that  the  isles  (and  amongst  them,  overclouded  and  darkened 
Britain)  might  have  the  glory  of  a  noonday's  sun !  O  that  I  had  any 
thing,  I  will  not  except  my  part  in  Christ,  to  wadset  or  lay  in  pledge, 
to  redeem  and  buy  such  glory  to  my  highest  and  royal  Prince,  my 
sweet  Lord  Jesus !  My  poor  little  heaven  were  well  bestowed,  if  it 
could  stand  a  pawn  for  ever,  to  set  on  high  the  glory  of  my  Lord ;  but 
I  know,  he  needeth  not  wages  nor  hire  at  my  hand ;  yea,  I  know  if 
my  eternal  glory  could  weigh  down  in  weight,  its  alone,  all  the  eternal 
glory  of  the  blessed  angels,  and  of  all  the  spirits  of  just  and  perfect 
men,  glorified  and  to  be  glorified.  Oh,  alas  !  how  far  am  I  engaged 
to  forego  it  for,  and  give  it  over  to  Christ,  so  being  he  might  thereby  be 
set  on  hi^h  above  ten  thousand  thousand  millions  of  heavens,  in  the 
conquest  of  many,  many  nations  to  his  kingdom!  O  that  his  kingdom 
would  come !  O  that  all  the  world  would  stoop  before  him !  0  blessed 
hands  that  shall  put  the  crown  upon  Christ's  head  in  Scotland !  But 
alas !  I  can  scarce  get  leave  to  ware  my  love  on  him :  I  can  find  no 
ways  to  out  my  heart  upon  Christ ;  and  my  love,  that  I  with  my  soul 
bestow  on  him,  is  like  to  die  upon  my  hand,  and  I  think  it  no  children's 
play  to  be  hungred  with  Christ's  love :  to  love  him  and  to  want  him, 
wanteth  little  of  hell.  I  am  sure  he  knoweth,  how  my  joy  would  swell 
upon  me,  from  a  little  well  to  a  great  sea,  to  have  as  much  of  his  love, 
and  as  wide  a  soul  answerable  to  comprehend  it,  till  I  cried.  Hold, 
Lord,  no  more.  But  I  find,  he  will  not  have  me  to  be  nrine  own 
steward,  nor  mine  own  carver :  Christ  kecpeth  the  keys  of  Christ,  to 
speak  so  and  of  his  own  love,  and  he  is  a  wiser  distributer  than  I  can 
take  up  :  I  know,  there  is  more  in  him  than  would  make  me  run  over 
like  a  coast-full  sea.     I  were  happy  for  evermore,  to  get  leave  to  stand 


PART  I.  LETTEit    CXXXV.  193 

but  beside  Christ  and  his  love,  and  to  look  in  suppose  I  were  inter- 
dicted of  God  to  come  near,  touch,  or  embrace,  kiss,  or  set  to  my  sin- 
ful head,  and  drink  myself  drunken  with  that  lovely  thing.  God  send 
me  tiiat  which  I  would  have  ;  for  I  now  verily  see,  more  clearly  than 
before,  our  folly  in  drinking  dead  waters,  and  in  playing  the  whore 
with  our  soul's  love  upon  running  out  wells,  and  broken  sherds  of 
creatures  of  yesterday,  whom  time  will  unlaw,  with  the  penalty  of 
losing  their  being  and  natural  ornaments.  O  !  when  a  soul's  love  is 
itching,  to  speak  so,  for  God,  and  when  Christ,  in  his  boundless  and 
bottomless  love,  beauty  and  excellency,  cometh  and  rubbeth  up  and 
exciteth  that  love,  what  can  be  heaven,  if  this  be  not  heaven  ?  I  am 
sure,  this  bit  feckless,  narrow  and  short  love  of  regenerated  sinners, 
was  born  for  no  other  end,  but  to  breathe,  and  live  and  love,  and  dwell 
in  the  bosom  and  betwixt  the  breasts  of  Christ.  Where  is  there  a  bed 
or  a  lodging  for  the  saint's  love,  but  Christ  ?  0  that  he  would  take  our- 
selves oft'  our  hand  !  for  neither  we  nor  the  creatures  can  be  either  due 
conquest  or  lawful  heritage  to  love  :  Christ,  and  none  but  Christ,  is 
Lord  and  proprietor  of  it.  O  alas,  how  pitiful  is  it,  that  so  much  of 
our  love  goeth  by  him !  O  but  we  be  wretched  wasters  of  our  soul's 
love  !  I  know,  it  is  the  depth  of  bottomless  and  unsearchable  provi- 
dence, that  the  saints  are  suffered  to  play  the  whore  from  God,  and 
that  their  love  goeth  a-hunting,  when  God  knoweth,  it  shall  cost  no- 
thing of  that  at  supper  time.  The  renewed  would  have  it  otherwise  ; 
and  why  is  it  so,  seeing  our  Lord  can  keep  us  without  nodding,  totter- 
ing, or  reehng,  or  any  fall  at  all  ]  Our  desires.  I  hope,  shall  meet  with 
perfection  :  but  God  will  have  our  sins  an  oflice-house  for  God's  grace, 
and,  hath  made  sin  a  matter  of  an  unlaw  and  penalty  for  the  Son  of 
God's  blcfod  :  and  howbeit  sin  should  be  our  sorrow,  yet  there  is  a  sort 
acquiescing  and  resting  upon  God's  dispensation  required  of  us,  that 
there  is  such  a  thing  in  us  as  sin,  whereupon  mercy,  forgiveness,  heal- 
ing, curing,  in  our  sweet  Physician,  may  find  a  field  to  work  upon. 
O  what  a  deep  is  here,  that  created  wit  cannot  take  up !  However 
matters  go,  it  is  our  happiness  to  win  new  ground  daily  in  Christ's 
love,  and  to  purchase  a  new  piece  of  it  daily,  and  to  add  conquest  to 
conquest,  till  our  Lord  Jesus  and  we  be  so  near  other,  that  Satan  shall 
not  drdw  a  straw  or  a  thread  betwixt  us.  And  for  myself,  I  have  no 
greater  joy,  in  my  well-favoured  bonds  for  Christ,  than  that  I  know 
time  shall  put  him  and  me  together :  and  that  my  love  and  longing 
hath  room  and  liberty,  amidst  my  bonds  and  foes,  whereof  there  are 
not  a  few  here  of  all  ranks,  to  go  to  visit  the  borders,  and  outer  coasts 
of  my  Lord  Jesus's  country  !  and  see,  at  least  afar  off  and  darkly,  the 
country  which  shall  be  mine  inheritance,  which  is  my  Lord  Jesus's 
due,  both  through  birth  and  conquest.  I  dare  avouch  to  all  that  know 
God,  that  the  saints  know  not  the  length  and  largeness  of  the  sweet 
earnest,  and  of  the  sweet  green  sheaves  before  the  harvest,  that  might 
be  had  on  this  side  of  the  water,  if  we  would  take  more  pains  :  and 
that  we  all  go  to  heaven  with  less  earnest,  and  lighter  purses  of  tiie 
hoped-for  summer,  than  otherwise  we  might  do,  if  we  took  more  pains 
to  win  further  in  upon  Christ,  in  this  pilgrimage  of  our  absence  from 
him.     Grace,  grace  and  glory  be  your  portion. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

25 


194 
LETTER  CXXXVI. 

To  John  Laurie. 
DEAR  BROTHER,  • 

I  AM  sorry  that  ye,  or  so  many  in  this  kingdom,  should  expect  so 
much  of  me  an  empty  reed  :  verily  I  am  a  naughty  and  poor  body  ;- 
but  if  the  tinkling  of  my  Lord  Jesus'  iron  chains  on  legs  and  arms 
could  sound  the  high  praises  of  my  royal  King,  whose  prisoner  I  am, 

0  how  would  my  joy  run  over !  if  my  Lord  would  bring  edification 
to  one  soul  by  my  bonds,  I  am  satisfied ;  but  I  know  not  what  to  do 
to  such  a  princely  and  beautiful  Well-beloved  ;  he  is  far  behind  with 
me.  Little  thanks  to  me,  to  say  to  others  his  wind  bloweth  on  me, 
who  am  but  withered  and  dry  bonds :  but  since  ye  desire  me  to  write 
to  you,  either  help  me  to  set  Christ  on  high,  for  his  running-over  love, 
in  that  the  heat  of  his  sweet  breath  hath  melted  a  frozen  heart,  else  I 
think  ye  do  nothing  for  a  prisoner.  I  am  fully  confirmed,  that  it  is 
the  honour  of  our  Law-giver  I  suffer  for  now :  I  am  not  ashamed  to 
give  out  letters  of  recommendation  of  Christ's  love,  to  as  many  as 
will  extol  the  Lord  Jesus  and  his  cross.  If  I  had  not  sailed  this  sea- 
way to  heaven,  but  had  taken  the  land-way,  as  many  do,  I  should  not 
have  known  Christ's  sweetness  in  such  a  measure ;  but  the  truth  is, 
let  no  man  thank  me ;  for  I  caused  not  Christ's  wind  to  blow  upon 
me  :  his  love  came  upon  a  withered  creature,  whether  I  would  or  not, 
and  yet  by  coming  it  procured  for  me  a  welcome.  A  heart  of  iron, 
and  iron  doors,  will  not  hold  Christ  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  possession,  or  sorrow  that  I  cannot  thank 
him,  paineth  me  most ;  but  both  work  upon  me.  For  the  first,  O 
that  he  would  come  and  satisfy  the  longing  soul,  and  fill  the  hungry, 
with  these  good  things  !  I  know  indeed,  my  guiltiness  may  be  a  bar 
in  his  way,  but  he  is  God,  and  ready  to  forgive.  And  for  the  other, 
wo,  wo  is  me,  that  I  cannot  find  a  heart  to  give  back  again  my  un- 
worthy little  love,  for  his  great  sea-full  of  love  to  me  ?  O  that  he 
would  learn  me  this  piece  of  gratitude !  0  that  I  could  have  leave  to 
look  in,  through  the  hole  of  the  door,  to  see  his  face,  and  sing  his 
praises  !  or  could  break  up  one  of  his  chamber-windows,  to  look  in 
upon  his  delighting  beauty,  till  my  Lord  send  more  !  Any  little  com- 
munion with  him,  one  of  his  love-looks  should  be  my  begun  heaven. 

1  know  the  Bridegroom  is  not  lordly,  neither  is  he  love-proud,  though 
be  black,  and  unlovely,  and  unworthy  of  him.     I  would  seek  but 

leave,  and  withal  grace,  to  spend  my  love  upon  liim.  I  counsel  you 
to  think  highly  of  Chrisl,  and  of  free,  free  grace,  more  than  ye  did 
before  :  for  I  know  that  Christ  is  not  known  amongst  us.  I  think  I 
see  more  of  Christ  than  ever  I  saw  ;  and  yet  I  see  but  little  of  what 
may  be  seen.  O  that  he  would  draw  by  the  curtains,  and  that  the 
King  would  come  out  of  his  gallery  and  palace,  that  I  might  see  him ! 
Christ's  love,  his  young  glory  and  young  heaven ;  it  would  soften 
hell's  pains  to  be  filled  with  it.  What  would  I  refuse  to  suffer,  if  I 
.  could  get  but  a  draught  of  love  at  my  heart's  desire  ?  0  what  price  can 
be  given  for  him !  Angels  cannot  weigh  him ;    0  his  weight,  his 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXXXVII.  195 

worth,  his  sweetness,  his  overpassing  beauty !  If  men  and  angels 
would  come  and  look  to  that  great  and  princely  One,  their  ebbness 
would  never  take  up  his  depth,  their  narrowness  would  never  com- 
prehend his  breadth,  height,  and  length ;  if  ten  thousand  thousand 
worlds  of  angels  were  created,  then  might  all  tire  themselves  in  won- 
dering at  his  beauty,  and  begin  again  to  wonder  of  new.  0  that  I 
could  win  nigh  him,  to  kiss  his  feet,  to  hear  his  voice,  to  find  the 
smell  of  his  ointments  !  but  oh  alas,  I  have  Httle,  little  of  him !  yet  I 
long  for  more.  Remember  my  bonds,  and  help  me  with  your  pray- 
ers ;  for  I  would  not  niffer  or  exchange  my  sad  hours  with  the  joy  of 
my  velvet  adversaries.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  10,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXXVIL 

To  Mr.  James  Fleming. 
REVEREND  AND  WELL-BELOVED  IN  OUR  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter  which 
hath  refreshed  me  in  my  bonds.  I  cannot  but  testily  unto  you,  my 
dear  brother,  what  sweetness  I  find  in  our  Master's  cross  ;  but  alas, 
what  can  I  either  do  or  suffer  for  him !  If  I  my  alone  had  as  many 
lives,  as  there  have  been  drops  of  rain  since  the  creation,  I  would 
think  them  too  little  for  that  lovely  One,  our  Well-beloved ;  but  my 
pain  and  my  sorrow  is  above  my  sufferings,  that  I  find  not  ways  to 
set  out  the  praises  of  his  love  to  others,  I  am  not  able,  by  tongue, 
pen,  or  sufferings,  to  provoke  many  to  fall  in  love  with  him :  but  he 
knovveth,  whom  I  love  to  serve  in  the  spirit,  what  I  would  do,  and  suf- 
fer by  his  own  strength,  so  being  I  might  make  my  Lord  Jesus  lovely 
and  sweet  to  many  thousands  in  this  land.  I  think  it  amongst  God's 
wonders,  that  he  will  take  any  praise  or  glory,  or  any  testimony  to  his 
honourable  cause,  from  such  a  forlorn  sinner  as  I  am :  but  when 
Christ  worketh,  he  needeth  not  ask  the  question,  by  whom  he  will  be 
glorious ;  I  know,  seeing  his  glory  at  the  beginning  did  shine  out  of 
poor  nothing,  to  set  up  such  a  fair  house  for  men  and  angels,  and  so 
many  glorious  creatures,  to  proclaim  his  goodness,  power  and  wisdom, 
if  I  were  burnt  to  asiies,  out  of  the  smoke  and  powder  of  my  dis- 
solved body,  he  could  raise  glory  to  himself;  his  glory  is  his  end  ;  oh 
that  I  could  join  with  him,  to  make  it  my  end !  I  would  think  that 
fellowship  with  him  sweet  and  glorious.  But  alas !  few  know  the 
guiltiness  that  is  on  my  part ;  it  is  a  wonder,  that  this  good  cause 
hath  not  been  marred  and  spilt,  in  my  foul  hands :  but  I  rejoice  in 
this,  that  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus  hath  found  something  ado,  even  a 
ready  market  for  his  free  grace,  and  incomparable  and  matchless 
mercy,  in  my  wants  :  only  my  loathsome  wretchedness  and  my  wants 
have  qualified  me  for  Christ,  and  the  riches  of  his  glorious  grace ;  he 
behoved  to  take  me  for  nothing,  or  else  to  want  me  :  few  know  the 
unseen  and  private  reckonings  betwixt  Christ  and*me  ;  yet  his  love, 
his  boundless  love  would  not  bide  away,  nor  stay  at  home  with  him- 
self; and  yet  I  cannot  make  it  welcome  as  I  ought,  when  it  is  come 


196  LETTER  CXXXVII.  PART  I. 

unsent-for  and  without  hire.     How  joyful  is  my  heart,  that  ye  write 
ye  are  desirous  to  join  with  me  in  praising ;  for  it  is  a  charity  to  help 
a  dyvour  to  pay  his  debts ;  but  when  all  have  helped  me,  my  name 
shall  stand  in  his  count-book  under  ten  thousand  thousands  of  sums 
unpaid  :  but  it  easeth  my  heart  that  his  dear  servants  will  but  speak 
of  my  debts  to  such  a  sweet  Creditor.     I  desire,  he  may  lay  me  in 
his  own  balance  and  weigh  me,  if  I  would  not  fain  have  a  feast  of 
his  boundless  love  made  to  my  own  soul,  and  to  many  others.     One 
thing  1  know,  we  shall  not  all  be  able  to  come  near  his  excellency 
with  eye,  heart,  or  tongue  ;  for  he  is  above  all  created  thoughts  ;  all 
nations  before  him  are  as  nothing,  and  less  than  nothing ;  he  sitteth 
in  the  circuit  of  heaven,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  as  grass- 
hoppers before  him.     O  that  men  would  praise  him  !  ye  complain  of 
your  private  case  :  alas,  I  am  not  the  man  who  can  speak  to  such  an  one 
as  ye  are  ;  any  sweet  presence  I  have  had  in  this  town,  is  (I  know) 
lor  this  cause,  that  I  might  express  and  make  it  known  to  others ; 
but  I  never  find  myself  nearer  Christ,  that  royal  and  princely  One, 
than  after  a  great  weight  and  sense  of  deadness,  and  gracelessness : 
I  think,  the  sense  of  our  wants,  when  withal  we  have  a  restlessness, 
and  a  sort  of  spiritual  impatience  under  them,  and  can  make  a  din, 
because  we  want  him  whom  our  soul  loveth,  is  that  which  maketh  an 
open  door  to  Christ ;  and  when  we  think  we  are  going  backward,  be- 
cause wc  feel  deadness,  we  are  going  forward  :  for  the  more  sense, 
the  more  life,  and  no  sense  argueth  no  hfe.     There  is  no  sweeter 
fellowship  with  Christ,  than  to  bring  our  wounds  and  our  sores  to 
him.     But  for  myself,  I  am  ashamed  of  Christ's  goodness  and  love, 
since  the  time  of  my  bonds ;  for  he  hath  been  pleased  to  open  up 
new  treasures  of  love  and  felt  sweetness,  and  give  visitations  of  love, 
and  access  to  himself,  in  this  strange  land.     I  would  think  a  fill  of 
his  love,  young  and  green  heaven  ;  and  when  he  is  pleased  to  come, 
and  the  tide  is  in,  and  the  sea  full,  and  the  King  and  a  poor  prisoner 
together  in  the  house  of  wine,  the  black  tree  of  the  cross  is  not  so 
heavy  as    a    feather.     I  cannot,  I    dare  not,  but    give    Christ    an 
honourable  testimony  ;  I  see,  the  Lord  can  ride  through  lijs  enemies' 
bands  and  triumph  in  the  sufferings  of  his  own  ;  and  that  this  blind 
world  seeth  not,  that  sufferings  are  Christ's  armour,  wherein  he  is 
victorious  :  and  they  that  contend  with  Zion  see  not  what  he  is  doing, 
when  they  are  set  to  work,  as  under-smiths  and  servants,  to  the  work 
of  refining  of  the  saints,  (Satan's  hand  also  by  them  is  at  the  melting 
of  the  Lord's  vessels  of  mercy)  and  their  office  in  God's  house,  is  to 
scour  and  cleanse  vessels  for  the  King's  fable.     I  marvel  not  to  see 
them  triumph,  and  sit  at  ease  in   Zion  ;  our  Father  must  lay  up  his 
rods,  and  keep  them  carefully  for  his  own  use  ;  our  Lord  cannot  want 
fire  in  his  house  ;  his  furnace  is  in  Zion,  and  his  fire  in  Jerusalem  ; 
but  little  know  the  adversaries  the  counsel  and  thoughts  of  the  Lord. 
And  for  your  complaints  of  your  ministry,  1  now  think  all  I  do  too 
little  :   plainness,  freedom,  watchfulness,  fidelity,  shall  swell  upon  you, 
in  exceeding   large   comforts,   in  your   sufferings ;    the   feeding   of 
Christ's  lambs   in   private   visitations,    and    catechising,    in   painful 
preaching,  and  fair,  honest,  and  free  warning  of  the  flock,  is  a  sul- 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXXXVIII.  ]97 

ferer's  garland.  0  ten  thousand  times  blessed  are  they,  who  are 
honoured  of  Christ  to  be  faithful  and  painful,  in  wooing  a  bride  to 
Christ !  My  dear  brother,  I  know  ye  tliink  more  on  this,  than  I  can  ; 
and  I  rejoice  that  your  purpose  is,  in  the  Lord's  strength,  to  back 
your  wronged  Master,  and  to  come  out,  and  call  yourself  Christ's 
man,  when  so  many  are  now  denying  him,  as  fearing  that  Christ  can- 
not do  for  himself  and  them.  I  am  a  lost  man  for  ever,  or  this,  this 
is  the  way  to  stdvation,  even  this  way  that  they  call  heresy,  that  men 
now  do  mock  and  scoff  at.  I  am  confirmed  now,  that  Christ  will 
accept  of  his  servant's  sufferings  as  good  service  to  him,  at  the  day 
of  his  appearance  ;  and  that  ere  it  be  long  he  will  be  upon  us  all,  and 
men  in  their  blacks  and  whites  shall  be  brought  out  before  God, 
angels  and  men.  Our  Master  is  not  far  off:  oh  if  we  could  wait  on 
and  be  faithful !  The  good  will  of  Him  v\  ho  dwelt  in  the  Lush,  the 
tender  favour  and  love,  the  grace  of  our  liord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
you.  Help  me  with  your  prayers ;  and  desire,  from  me,  other 
brethren  to  take  courage  for  their  Master. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

AborJecn,  Aug.  15,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXXVHL 

To  Mr.  Jolin  Meine. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long  in  an- 
swering your  letter,  but  other  business  took  me  up.  I  am  here  waiting, 
if  the  fair  wind  will  turn  upon  Christ's  sails  in  Scotland  ;  and  il"  deli- 
verance be  breaking  out  to  this  over-clouded  and  benighted  kirk.  Oh 
that  we  could  contend  by  prayers  and  supplications  with  our  Lord  for 
that  effect !  I  know,  he  hath  not  given  out  his  last  doom  against  this 
land.  1  have  little  of  Christ  in  this  prison,  but  groanings,  and  longings, 
and  desires  ;  all  my  stock  of  Christ  is  some  hunger  for  him,  and  yet  I 
Qpnnot  say,  but  I  am  rich  in  that,  my  faith  and  hope,  and  holy  practice 
of  new  obedience,  are  scarce  worth  the  speaking  of;  but  blessed  be 
my  Lord,  who  taketh  me  light  and  chpped,  and  naughty,  and  feckless, 
as  I  am.  I  see  Christ  will  not  prig  with  me,  nor  stand  upon  stepping- 
stones,  but  Cometh  in  at  the  broadside  '.vithou.  ceremonies,  or  making 
it  nice,  to  make  a  poor  ransomed  one  his  own.  O  that  I  could  feed 
upon  his  breathings,  and  kissing,  and  embracing,  and  upon  the  hopes 
of  my  meeting  and  his,  when  love-letters  shall  not  go  betwixt  us,  but 
lie  shall  be  messenger  himself:  but  there  is  required  patience  on  our 
part,  till  the  summer  fruit  in  hcciven  be  ripe  for  us  ;  it  is  in  the  bud, 
but  there  be  many  things  to  do  before  our  harvest  come  ;  and  we  take 
ill  with  it,  and  can  hardly  endure  to  set  our  paper- face  to  one  of 
Christ's  storms,  and  to  go  to  heaven  with  wet  feet,  and  pain,  and  sor- 
row. We  love  to  carry  a  heaven  to  heaven  with  us,  and  would  have 
two  summers  in  one  year,  and  no  less  than  two  heavens  ;  but  this  will 
not  be  for  us  :  one,  and  such  an  one,  may  suffice  us  well  enough  ;  the 
man  Christ  got  but  one  only,  and  shall  we  have  two  ?  Remember  my 
love  in  Christ  to  vour  father,  and  help  me  with  your  prayers.     If  ye 


198  LETTER  CXXXIX.  PART  I. 

would  be  a  deep  divine,  I  recommend  to  you  sanctification ;  fear  him, 
and  he  shall  reveal  his  covenant  to  you.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  5,  1637. 


LETTER  CXXXIX. 

To  Cardoness,  Elder. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  longed  to  hear  from 
you,  and  to  know  the  estate  of  your  soul,  and  the  estate  of  that  people 
with  you.  I  beseech  you.  Sir,  by  the  salvation  of  your  precious  soul, 
and  the  mercies  of  God,  make  good  and  sure  work  of  your  salvation, 
and  try  upon  what  ground- stone  ye  have  builded.  Worthy  and  dear 
Sir,  if  ye  be  upon  sinking  sand,  a  storm  of  death,  and  a  blast  will  loose 
Christ  and  you,  and  wash  you  close  off  the  rock  ;  O  for  the  Lord's 
sake,  look  narrowly  to  the  work.  Read  over  your  life,  with  the  light 
of  God's  day  light  and  sun  ;  for  salvation  is  not  casten  down  at  every 
man's  door  :  it  is  good  to  look  to  your  compass,  and  all  ye  have  need 
of,  ere  ye  take  shipping  ;  for  no  wind  can  blow  you  back  again.  Re- 
member, when  the  race  is  ended,  and  the  play  either  won  or  lost,  and 
ye  are  in  the  utmost  circle  and  border  of  time,  and  shall  put  your  foot 
within  the  march  of  eternity,  and  all  your  good  things  of  this  short 
night-dream  shall  seem  to  you  like  the  ashes  of  a  blaze  of  thorns  or 
straw,  and  your  poor  soul  shall  be  crying.  Lodging,  lodging,  for  God's 
sake ;  then  shall  your  soul  be  more  glad  at  one  of  your  Lord's  lovely 
and  homely  smiles,  than  if  ye  had  the  charters  of  three  worlds  for  all 
eternity.  Let  pleasures  and  gain,  will  and  desires  of  this  world,  be 
put  over  in  God's  hands,  as  arrested  and  fenced  goods,  that  ye  cannot 
intromit  with.  Now  uhen  ye  are  drinking  the  grounds  of  your  cup, 
and  ye  are  upon  the  utmost  ends  of  the  last  link  of  time,  and  old  age, 
like  death's  long  shadow,  is  casting  a  covering  upon  your  days  ;  it  is 
no  time  to  court  this  vain  life,  and  to  set  love  and  heart  upon  it  •  it  is 
near  after-supper ;  seek  rest  and  ease  for  your  soul,  in  God  through 
Christ.  Believe  me,  I  find  it  hard  wrestling,  to  play  fair  with  C  hrist, 
and  to  keep  good  quarters  with  him,  and  keep  love  to  him  in  integrity 
and  life,  and  to  keep  a  constant  course  of  sound  and  solid  daily  com- 
munion with  Christ  :  temptations  are  daily  breaking  the  thread  of  that 
course,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  cast  a  knot  again,  and  many  knots  make 
evil  work.  O  how  fair  have  many  ships  been  plying  before  the  wind 
that,  in  an  hour's  space,  have  been  lying  in  the  sea  bottom  !  How 
many  professors  cast  a  golden  lustre,  as  if  they  were  pure  gold,  and 
yet  are,  under  that  skhi  and  cover,  but  base  and  reprobate  metal ! 
And  how  many  keep  breath  in  their  rac(i  many  miles,  and  yet  come 
short  of  the  prize  and  the  garland  !  Dear  Sir,  my  soul  would  mourn 
in  secret  for  you,  if  1  knew  your  case  with  God  to  be  but  false  work  : 
love  to  have  you  anchored  upon  Christ,  maketh  me  fear  your  tottering 
and  slips  :  false  under-water  not  seen  in  the  ground  of  an  enlightened 
conscience,  is  dangerous :  so  is  often  failing  and  sinning  against 
light :  know  this,  that  these  M'ho  never  had  sick  niehts  or  davs  in 


PART  I.  LETTER   CXXXIX.  '  199 

conscience  for  sin,  cannot  have  but  such  a  peace  with  God,  as  will 
undercot,  and  break  the  flesh  again,  and  end  in  a  sad  war  at  death. 
O  how  fearfully  are  thousands  beguiled  with  false  hide-grown-over  old 
sins,  as  if  the  soul  were  cured  and  healed  !  Dear  Sir,  I  saw  ever 
nature  mighty,  lofty,  heady  and  strong  in  you  ;  and  it  was  more  for 
you  to  be  mortified  and  dead  to  the  world,  than  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  saving  humiliation,  to  make  you  a 
won  prey  for  Christ.  Be  humbled,  walk  softly ;  down,  down,  for 
God's  sake,  my  dear  and  worthy  brother,  with  your  top-sail ;  stoop, 
stoop,  it  is  a  low  entry  to  go  in  at  heaven's  gates  :  there  is  infinite 
justice  in  the  party  ye  have  to  do  with  ;  it  is  his  nature  not  to  acquit 
the  guilty  and  the  sinner  ;  the  law  of  God  will  not  want  one  farthing  of 
the  sinner  ;  God  forgetteth  not  both  the  cautioner  and  the  sinner  ;  and 
every  man  must  pay,  either  in  his  own  person  (O  Lord,  save  you 
from  that  payment!)  or  in  his  cautioner,  Christ.  It  is  violence  to 
corrupt  nature,  for  a  man  to  be  holy,  to  lye  down  under  Christ's  feet, 
to  quit  will,  pleasure,  worldly  love,  earthly  hope,  and  an  itching  of 
heart  after  this  fairded  and  overgilded  world,  and  to  be  content  that 
Christ  trample  upon  all.  Come  in,  come  in  to  Christ,  and  see  what 
you  want,  and  find  it  in  him ;  he  is  the  short  cut,  as  we  used  to  say, 
and  the  nearest  way  to  an  outgate  of  all  your  burdens.  I  dare  avouch, 
ye  shall  be  dearly  welcome  to  him ;  my  soul  would  be  glad  to  take 
part  of  the  joy  ye  should  have  in  him.  I  dare  say,  angels'  pens,  an- 
gels' tongues,  nay  as  many  worlds  of  angels,  as  there  are  drops  of 
water  in  all  the  seas,  and  fountains,  and  rivers  of  the  earth,  cannot 
paint  him  out  to  you.  1  think  his  sweetness,  since  I  was  a  prisoner, 
hath  swelled  upon  me  to  the  greatness  of  two  heavens.  O  for  a  soul 
as  wide  as  the  utmost  circle  of  the  highest  heaven  thatcontaineth  all, 
to  contain  his  love !  And  yet  I  could  hold  little  of  it.  O  world's 
wonder  !  0  if  my  soul  might  but  lye  within  the  smell  of  his  love,  sup- 
pose I  could  get  no  more  but  the  smell  of  it !  0  but  it  is  long  to  that 
day  when  I  shall  have  a  free  world  of  Christ's  love  !  0  what  a  sight 
to  be  up  in  heaven,  in  that  fair  orchard  of  the  new  paradise  ;  and  to 
see,  and  smell,  and  touch  and  kiss  that  fair  field  flower,  that  ever- 
green tree  of  life  !  His  bare  shadow  were  enough  for  me  ;  a  sight  of 
him  would  be  the  earnest  of  heaven  to  me.  Fy,  fy  upon  us  that  we 
have  love  lying  rusting  beside  us,  or  which  is  worse,  wasting  upon 
loathsome  objects,  and  Christ  should  lye  his  alone.  Wo,  wo  is  me, 
that  sin  hath  made  so  many  mad-men,  seeking  the  fool's  paradise,  fire 
under  ice,  and  some  good  and  desirable  thing,  without  and  apart  from 
Christ.  Christ,  Christ,  nothing  but  Christ  can  cool  our  love's  burn- 
ing languor  ;  O  thirsty  love  !  wilt  thou  set  Christ,  the  well  of  life,  to 
thy  head,  and  drink  thy  fill ;  drink  and  spare  not,  drink  love,  and  be 
drunken  with  Christ  ?  Nay,  alas,  the  distance  betwixt  us  and  Christ 
is  death.  0  if  we  were  clasped  in  other's  arms  !  We  should  never 
twin  again,  except  heaven  twined  and  sundered  us ;  and  that  cannot 
be.  I  desire  your  children  to  seek  this  Lord  :  desire  them  from  me 
to  be  requested,  for  Christ's  sake,  to  be  blessed  and  happy,  and  come 
and  take  Christ,  and  all  things  with  him  ;  let  them  bf^uare  of  glassv 


^00  LETTER    CXL.  TART  I. 

and  slippery  youth,  of  foolish  young  notions,  of  worldly  lusts,  ofde- 
ceivable  gain,  of  wicked  company,  of  cursing,  lying,  blaspheming, 
and  foolish  talking :  let  them  be  filled  with  the  Spirit,  acquaint  them- 
selves with  daily  praying,  and  with  the  store  house  of  wisdom  and 
comfort,  the  good  word  of  God.     Help  the  souls  of  the  poor  people, 

0  that  my  Lord  would  bring  me  again  among  them,  that  I  might  tell 
uncouth  and  great  tales  of  Christ  to  them  !  Receive  not  a  stranger  to 
preach  any  other  doctrine  to  them.     Pray  for  me,  his  prisoner  of  hope. 

1  pray  for  you  without  ceasing ;  I  write  my  blessing,  earnest  prayers, 
the  love  of  God,  and  the  sweet  presence  of  Christ  to  you,  and  yours, 
and  them.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXL.   . 

To  the  Earl  of  Lothian. 
IIIGHT  HONOURABLE,  AND  MY  VERY  WORTHY  AND  NOBLE    LOUD, 

Out  of  the  honourable  and  good  report  that  I  hear  of  your  Lord- 
ship's good  will  and  kindness,  in  taking  to  heart  the  honourable  cause 
of  Christ,  and  his  afflicted  church  and  wronged  truth  in  this  land ;  I 
make  bold  to  speak  a  word  on  paper  to  your  Lordship  at  this  distance, 
which  I  trust  your  Lordship  will  take  in  good  part.  It  is  your  Lord- 
ship's honour  and  credit,  to  put  to  your  hand,  as  ye  do,  all  honour  to 
God !  to  the  falling  and  tottering  tabernacle  of  Christ,  in  this  your 
mother-church,  and  to  own  Christ's  wrongs,  as  your  own  wrongs.  O 
blessed  hand,  which  shall  wipe  and  dry  the  watery  eyes  of  our  weep- 
ing Lord  Jesus,  now  going  mourning  in  sackcloth  in  his  memlsers,  in 
his  spouse,  in  his  truth,  and  in  the  prerogative-royal  of  his  kingly 
power !  he  needeth  not  service  and  help  from  men ;  but  it  pleaseth 
his  wisdom  to  make  the  wants  and  losses,  sores  and  wounds  of  his 
spouse  a  field  and  an  office-house  for  the  zeal  of  his  servants  to 
exercise  themselves  in  ;  therefore,  my  noble  and  dear  Lord,  go  on, 
go  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  against  all  opposition,  to  side  with 
wronged  Christ.  The  defending  and  warding  of  strokes  off  Christ, 
his  bride,  the  King's  daughter,  is  like  a  piece  of  the  rest  of  the  way 
to  heaven,  knotty,  rough,  stormy,  and  full  of  thorns ;  many  would 
follow  Christ,  but  with  a  reservation,  that  by  open  proclamation  Christ 
would  cry  down  crosses,  and  cry  up  fair  weather,  and  a  summer  sky 
and  sun,  till  we  were  all  fairly  landed  at  heaven.  I  know  your  Lord- 
ship hath  not  so  learned  Christ,  but  that  ye  intend  to  fetch  heaven, 
suppose  your  father  were  standing  in  your  way  ;  and  to  take  it  with 
the  wind  on  your  face ;  for  so  both  storm  and  wind  was  on  the  fair 
face  of  your  lovely  Fore-runner,  Christ,  all  his  way.  It  is  possible, 
the  success  answer  not  your  desire,  in  this  worthy  cause  :  what  then  I 
Duties  are  ours,  but  events  are  the  Lord's ;  and  I  hope,  if  your 
Lordship  and  others  with  you  shall  go  on  to  dive  to  the  lowest  ground 
and  bottom  of  the  knavery  and  perlidious  treachery  to  Christ,  of  the 
accursed  and  wretched  prelates,  the  Antichrist's  first-born,  and  the 
first  fruit  of  his  foul  womb,  and  shall  deal  with  our  Sovereign  (Ian 


PART  I.  LETTER   CXL.  201 

going  before  you)  for  the  reasonable  and  impartial  hearing  of  Christ's 
bill  of  complaints,  and  set  yourselves  singly  to  seek  the  Lord  and  his 
face,  your  righteousness  shall  break  through  the  clouds,  that  prejudice 
hath  drawn  over  it ;  and  ye  shall,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  bring 
our  banished  and  departing  Lord  Jesus  home  again  to  his  sanctuary. 
Neither  must  your  Lordship  advise  with  flesh  and  blood  in  this ;  but 
wink,  and  in  the  dark  reach  your  hand  to  Christ,  and  follow  him. 
Let  not  men's  fainting  discourage  you,  neither  be  afraid  of  men's 
canny  wisdom,  who  in  this  storm  take  the  nearest  shore,  and  go  to 
the  lee  and  calm  side  of  the  gospel,  and  hide  Christ,  if  ever  they 
had  him,  in  their  cabinets,  as  if  they  were  ashamed  of  him,  or 
as  if  Christ  were  stolen  wares,  and  would  blush  before  the  sun. 
My  very  dear  and  noble  Lord,  ye  have  rejoiced  the  hearts  of 
many,  that  ye  have  made  choice  of  Christ  and  his  gospel,  whereas 
such  great  temptations  do  stand  in  your  way :  But  I  love  your 
profession  the  better,  that  it  endureth  winds ;  if  we  knew  our- 
selves well,  to  want  temptations  is  the  greatest  temptation  of  all : 
neither  is  father  nor  mother,  nor  court,  nor  honour,  in  this  overlustred 
world,  with  all  its  paint  and  fairding,  any  thing  else,  when  they  are 
laid  in  the  balance  with  Christ,  but  feathers,  shadows,  night  dreams, 
and  straws.  O  if  this  world  knew  the  excellency,  sweetness,  and 
beauty  of  that  high  and  lofty  One,  tlrat  fairest  among  the  sons  of 
men!  Verily  they  should  see,  if  their  love  were  bigger  than  ten 
heavens  all  in  circles  without  other,  that  it  were  all  too  little  for  Christ 
our  Lord.  I  hope  your  choice  shall  not  repent  you,  when  life  shall 
come  to  that  twilight  betwixt  time  and  eternity,  and  ye  shall  see  the 
utmost  border  of  time,  and  shall  draw  the  curtain,  and  look  intr» 
eternity,  and  shall  one  day  see  God  take  the  heavens  in  his  hands, 
and  fold  them  together  like  an  old  holey  garment,  and  set  on  fire  this 
clay  part  of  the  creation  of  God,  and  consume  away  in  smoke  and 
ashes  the  idol-hope  of  poor  fools,  who  think  there  is  not  a  better 
country  than  this  low  country  of  dying  clay.  Children  cannot  make 
comparison  aright  betwixt  this  life  and  that  which  is  to  come  ;  and 
therefore  the  babes  of  this  world  who  see  no  better,  mould  in  their 
own  brain  a  heaven  of  their  own  coining,  because  they  see  no  further 
than  the  nearest  side  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  sealed  with  his  comforts,  now  in  my  bonds  for 
Christ ;  and  I  verily  esteem  and  find  chains  and  fetters  for  that  lovely 
One,  Christ,  to  be  watered  over  with  sweet  consolations,  and  the 
love-smiles  of  that  lovely  Bridegroom,  for  whose  coming  we  wait : 
and  when  he  cometh,  then  shall  the  blacks  and  whites  of  all  men 
come  before  the  sun,  then  shall  the  Lord  put  a  final  decision  upon 
the  pleas  that  Zion  hath  with  her  adversaries ;  and  as  fast  as  time 
posteth  away,  which  neither  sitteth,  nor  standeth,  nor  sleepeth,  as 
fast  is  our  hand-breadth  of  this  short  winter-night  flying  away,  and 
the  sky  of  our  long-lasting  day  drawing  near  its  breaking.  Except 
your  Lordship  be  pleased  to  plead  for  me,  against  the  tyranny  of 
prelates,  I  shall  be  forgotten  in  this  prison,  for  they  did  shape  my 
doom  according  to  their  new  lawless  canons,  whi{;h  is,  that  a  deprived 

26 


202  LETTER    CXLl.  TAUT  I. 

minister  shall  be  utterly  silenced,  and  not  preach  at  all,  which  is  a 
cruelty,  contrary  to  their  own  former  practices.     Now,  the  only  wise 
God,  the  very  God  of  peace,  confirm,  strengthen,  and  establish  your 
Lordship,  upon  the  stone  laid  in  Zion,  and  be  with  you  for  ever. 
Your  Lordship's  at  all  respectful  obedience  in  his  sweet 
Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLL 

To  Jean  Brown. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your  soul 
prospereth.  I  earnestly  desire  your  on-going  toward  your  country  : 
I  know  ye  see  your  day  melteth  away  by  httle  and  little,  and  that  in  a 
short  time  ye  will  be  put  beyond  time's  bounds  ;  for  life  is  a  post  that 
standeth  not  still,  and  our  joys  here  are  born,  weeping,  rather  than 
laughing,  and  they  die  weeping.  Sin,  sin,  this  body  of  sin  and  cor- 
ruption embittereth  and  poisoneth  all  our  enjoyments.  0  that  I 
were  where  I  shall  sin  no  more  !  0  to  be  freed  of  these  chains  and 
iron  fetters,  that  we  carry  about  with  us !  Lord,  loose  the  sad  pri- 
soners. Who  of  the  children  of  God  have  not  cause  to  say,  that 
they  have  their  fill  of  this  vain  life,  and  like  a  full  and  sick  stomach, 
to  wish  at  mid-supper,  that  the  supper  were  ended  and  the  table 
drawn,  that  the  sick  man  might  win  to  bed  and  enjoy  rest  1  We  have 
cause  to  tire  of  a  mid-supper  of  the  best  messes  that  this  world  can 
dress  up  for  us  ;  and  to  cry  to  God,  that  he  would  remove  the  table, 
and  put  the  sin-sick  souls  to  rest  with  himself.  O  for  a  long  play- 
day  with  Christ,  and  our  long  lasting  vacance  of  rest!  Glad  may 
their  souls  be,  that  are  safe  over  the  firth,  Christ  having  paid  the 
freight :  happy  are  they,  who  have  past  their  hard  and  wearisome 
time  of  apprenticeship,  and  are  now  freemen  and  citizens  in  that  joy- 
ful high  city,  the  new  Jerusalem.  Alas !  that  we  should  be  glad  of, 
and  rejoice  in  our  fetters,  and  our  prison-house,  and  this  dear  inns,  a 
life  of  sin,  where  we  are  absent  from  our  Lord,  and  so  far  from  our 
home.  O  that  we  could  get  bonds  and  law  suretiship  of  our  love, 
that  it  fasten  not  itself  on  these  clay-dreams,  th\3se  clay  shadows  and 
worldly  vanities !  We  might  be  oftener  seeing  what  they  are  doing  in 
heaven,  and  our  heart  more  frequently  upon  our  sweet  treasure  above. 
We  smell  of  the  smoke  of  this  lower  house  of  the  earth,  because 
our  hearts  and  our  thoughts  are  here ;  if  we  could  haunt  up  with 
God,  we  should  smell  of  heaven  and  of  our  country  above,  and  we 
should  look  like  our  country,  and  like  strangers  or  people  not  born  or 
brought  up  hereaway :  our  crosses  would  not  bite  upon  us,  if  we 
were  heavenly-minded.  I  know  no  obligation  the  saints  have  to  this 
■world,  seeing  we  fare  but  upon  the  smoke  of  it ;  and  if  there  be  any 
smoke  in  the  house,  it  bloweth  upon  our  eyes ;  all  our  part  of  the 
tabic  is  scarce  worth  a  drink  of  water ;  and  when  we  are  stricken,  we 
dare  not  weep,  but  steal  our  grief  away  betwixt  our  Lord  and  us,  and 
content  ourselves  with  stolen  sorrow  behind  backs.  God  be  thanked, 
we  have  many  things  that  so  stroke  us  against  the  hair,  as  we  may 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXLII.  203 

pray,  God  keep  our  better  home,  God  bless  our  Father's  house  ;  and 
not  this  smoke,  that  blovveth  us  to  seek  our  best  lodging.  I  am  sure, 
this  is  the  best  fruit  of  the  cross,  when  we,  from  the  hard  fare  of  the 
dear  inns,  cry  the  more,  that  God  would  send  a  fair  wind,  to  land  us, 
hungered  and  oppressed  strangers,  at  the  door  of  our  Father's  house, 
which  now  is  made  in  Christ  our  kindly  heritage.  O  then  let  us  pull 
up  the  stakes  and  stoops  of  our  tent,  and  take  our  tent  on  our  back, 
and  go  with  our  tlitting  to  our  best  home  ;  for  here  we  have  no  con- 
tinuing city.  I  am  waiting  in  hope  here  to  see  what  my  Lord  will  do 
Avith  me  :  let  him  make  of  me  what  he  pleaseth  ;  providing  he  make 
glory  to  himself  out  of  me,  I  care  not.  I  hope,  yea,  I  am  now  sure, 
that  I  am  tor  Christ,  and  all  that  I  can  or  may  make  is  for  him  :  I  am 
his  everlasting  dobtor  or  dyvour,  and  still  shall  be  ;  for,  alas,  I  have 
nothing  for  him,  and  he  getteth  little  service  of  me  !  Pray  me,  that 
our  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  give  me  house-room,  that  I  may  serve 
him  in  the  calling  he  hath  called  me  unto.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637, 


LETTER  CXLIL 

To  Robert  Stewart. 
MY  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Ye  are  heartily  welcome 
to  my  world  of  suffering,  and  heartily  welcome  to  my  Master's 
house ;  God  give  you  much  joy  of  your  new  Master.  If  I  have 
been  in  the  house  before  you,  I  were  not  faithful  to  give  the 
house  an  ill  name,  or  to  speak  evil  of  the  Lord  of  the  family ;  I 
rather  wish  God's  holy  Spirit.  O  Lord,  breathe  upon  me  with  that 
Spirit,  to  tell  you  the  fashions  of  the  house.  One  thing  I  can  say,  by 
on-waiting  ye  will  grow  a  great  man  with  the  Lord  of  the  house  ; 
hang  on  till  ye  get  some  good  from  Christ ;  lay  all  your  loads  and 
your  weights  by  faith  upon  Christ;  ease  yourself,  and  let  him  bear 
all :  he  can,  and  will  bear  you,  howbeit  hell  were  upon  your  back.  I 
rejoice  that  he  is  come,  and  hath  chosen  you  in  the  furnace  ;  it  was 
even  there  where  ye  and  he  set  tryst ;  that  is  an  old  gate  of  Christ's ; 
he  keepeth  the  good  old  fashion  with  you.  that  was  in  Hosea's  days, 
Hos.  ii.  14,  '  There,  behold  I  will  allure  her,  and  bring  her  to  the  wil- 
derness, and  speak  to  her  heart :'  there  was  no  talking  to  her  heart, 
while  he  and  she  were  in  the  fair  and  flourishing  city,  and  at  ease ; 
but  out  in  the  cold,  hungry,  waste  wilderness,  he  allureth  her :  he 
whispered  news  into  her  ear  there,  and  said.  Thou  art  mine.  What 
would  ye  think  of  such  abode  1  ye  niay  soon  do  worse  than  say, 
*  Lord  hold  all ;  Lord  Jesus,  a  bargain  be  it,  it  shall  not  go  back  on 
my  side.'  Ye  have  gotten  a  great  advantage  in  the  way  to  heaven, 
that  ye  have  started  to  the  gate  in  the  morning  :  hke  a  fool  as  I  was, 
I  suffered  my  sun  to  be  high  in  the  heaven,  and  near  afternoon,  before 
ever  I  took  the  gate  by  the  end :  I  pray  you  now  keep  the  advantage 
ye  have.  My  heart,  be  not  lazy ;  set  quickly  up  the  brae  on  hands 
and  feet,  as  if  the  last  pickle  of  sand  were  running  out  of  your  glass, 
and  death  were  coming  to  turn  the  glass  :  and  be  very  careful  to  take 


204  LETTER  CXLII.  PART  I. 

heed  to  your  feet,  in  that  sHppery  and  dangerous  way  of  youth,  that 
ye  are  walking  in  ;  the  devil  and  temptations  now  have  the  advantage 
of  the  brae  of  you,  and  are  upon  your  wand-hand  and  your  working 
hand ;  dry  timber  will  soon  take  fire  :  be  covetous  and  greedy  of  the 
grace  of  God,  and  beware  that  it  be  not  holiness  that  cometh  only 
from  the  cross  ;  for  too  rriany  are  that  way  disposed,  Psal.  Ixxviii.  34. 
When  he  slew  them  then  they  sought  him,  and  they  returned  and  en- 
quired  early  after  God.  Ver.  36.  JVeveriheless,  they  did  flatter  him 
with  their  mouth,  and  they  lied  unto  him  ivith  their  tongues.  It  is  a 
part  of  our  hypocrisy,  to  give  God  fair  white  words,  when  he  ..ath  us 
in  his  grips,  if  I  may  speak  so,  and  to  flatter  him  till  we  win  to  the 
fair  fields  again.  Try  well  green  godliness,  and  examine  what  it  is 
ye  love  in  Christ ;  if  ye  love  but  Christ's  sun-side,  and  would  have 
only  summer  weather  and  a  land-gate,  not  a  sea-way  to  heaven  ;  your 
profession  will  play  you  a  slip,  and  the  winter-well  will  go  dry  again  in 
summer.  Make  no  sports  or  children's  play  of  Christ ;  but  labour 
for  a  sound  and  lively  sight  of  sin,  that  ye  may  judge  yourself  an 
undone  man,  a  damned  slave  of  hell  and  sin,  one  dying  in  your  own 
blood,  except  Christ  come  and  rue  upon  you,  and  take  you  up ;  and 
therefore  make  sure  and  fast  work  of  conversion ;  cast  the  earth 
deep ;  and  down,  down  with  the  old  work,  the  building  of  confusion, 
that  was  there  before  ;  and  let  Christ  lay  new  work,  and  make  a  new 
creation  within  you.  Look  if  Christ's  rain  goeth  down  to  the  root  of 
your  withered  plants,  and  if  his  love  wound  your  heart  while  it  bleed 
with  sorrow  for  sin,  and  if  ye  can  pant  and  fall  a-swoon,  and  be  like 
to  die  for  that  lovely  One  Jesus  :  I  know  Christ  will  not  be  hid  where 
he  is ;  grace  will  ever  speak  for  itself,  and  be  fruitful  in  well-doing ; 
the  sanctified  cross  is  a  fruitful  tree,  it  bringeth  forth  many  apples. 
If  I  should  tell  you  by  some  weak  experience,  what  I  have  found  in 
Christ,  ye  or  others  could  hardly  beheve  me ;  I  thought  not  the  hun- 
dredth part  of  Christ  long  since,  that  I  do  now,  though,  alas !  my 
thoughts  are  still  infinitely  below  his  worth.  I  have  a  dwining,  sickly 
and  pained  life,  for  a  real  possession  of  him  ;  and  am  troubled  with 
love-brashes  and  love-fevers  ;  but  it  is  a  sweet  pain.  I  would  refuse 
no  conditions,  not  hell  excepted  (reserving  always  God's  hatred)  to 
buy  possession  of  Jesus  :  but  alas  !  I  am  not  a  merchant,  who  have 
any  money  to  give  for  him  :  I  must  either  come  to  a  good  cheap 
market,  where  wares  are  had  for  nothing,  else  I  go  home  empty:  but 
I  have  casten  this  work  upon  Christ  to  get  me  himself;  I  have  his 
faith,  and  truth,  and  promise  (as  a  pawn  of  hif>)  all  engaged  that  I 
shall  obtain  that  which  my  hungry  desires  would  be  at,  and  I  esteem 
that  the  choice  of  my  happiness  ;  and  for  Christ's  cross,  especially 
the  garland  and  flower  of  all  crosses,  to  suffer  tor  his  name,  I  esteem 
it  more  than  I  can  write  or  speak  to  you  ;  and  I  write  it  under  mine 
own  hand  to  you,  it  is  one  of  the  steps  of  the  ladder  up  to  our 
country,  and  Christ  (whoever  be  one)  is  still  at  the  heavy  end  of  this 
black  tree,  and  so  it  is  but  as  a  feather  to  me ;  I  need  not  run  at 
leisure,  because  of  a  burden  on  my  back  ;  my  back  never  bare  the 
like  of  it ;  the  more  heavily  crossed  for  Christ  the  soul  is,  it  is  still  the 
lighter  for  the  journey.     Now,  would  to  God,  all  cold-blooded,  faint- 


FART  1.  LETTER   CXLIII.  205 

Iiearted  soldiers  of  Christ  would  look  again  to  Jesus,  and  to  his  love  ; 
and  when  they  look,  I  would  have  them  to  look  again  and  again,  and 
fill  themselves  with  beholding  of  Christ's  beauty;  and  I  dare  say 
then,  that  Christ  would  come  in  great  court  and  request  with  many ; 
the  virgins  would  flock  fast  about  the  Bridegroom,  they  would  em- 
brace and  take  hold  of  him,  and  not  let  him  go ;  but  when  I  have 
spoken  of  him,  till  my  head  split,  I  have  said  just  nothing,  I  may 
begin  again.  A  God-head,  a  God-head  is  a  world's  wonder ;  set  ten 
thousand  thousand  new  made  world's  of  angels  and  elect  men,  and 
double  them  in  number,  ten  thousand,  thousand,  thousand  times ;  let 
their  hearts  and  tongues  be  ten  thousand  thoysand  times  more  agile 
and  large,  than  the  hearts  and  tongues  of  the  seraphims  that  stand 
with  six  wings  before  him,  Isa.  vi.  2.  when  they  have  said  all  for  the 
glorifying  and  praising  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  they  have  but  spoken  little 
or  nothing  ;  his  love  will  bide  all  possible  creatures  to  praise  ;  O  if  I 
could  wear  this  tongue  to  the  stump,  in  extolling  his  highness  !  But 
it  is  my  daily-growing  sorrow  ;  that  I  am  confounded  with  his  incom- 
parable love,  and  he  doth  so  great  things  for  my  soul,  and  he  got 
never  yet  any  thing  of  me  worth  the  speaking  of.  Sir,  I  charge  you, 
help  me  to  praise  him  :  it  is  a  shame  to  speak  of  what  he  hath  done 
for  me,  and  what  I  do  to  him  again.  I  am  sure  Christ  hath  many 
drowned  dyvours  in  heaven  beside  him ;  and  when  we  are  convened, 
man  and  angel,  at  the  great  day,  in  that  fair  last  meeting,  we  are  all 
but  his  drowned  dyvours  ;  it  is  hard  to  say,  who  oweth  him  most.  If 
men  could  do  no  more,  I  would  have  them  to  wonder :  if  we  cannot  be 
filled  with  Christ's  love,  we  may  be  filled  with  wondering.  Sir,  I 
would  I  could  persuade  you  to  grow  sick  for  Christ,  and  to  long  after 
him,  and  be  pained  with  love  for  himself;  but  his  tongue  is  in  heaven, 
who  can  do  it !  To  him  and  his  rich  grace  I  recommend  you.  I 
pray  you,  pray  for  me,  and  forget  not  to  praise. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  June  17,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLIIL 

To  the  Lady  Gaitgirth. 
>nSTRESS, ' 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  know  how  matters 
stand  betwixt  Christ  and  your  soul.  I  know  ye  find  him  still  the 
longer  the  better,  time  cannot  change  him  in  his  love :  ye  may  your- 
self ebb  and  flow,  rise  and  fall,  wax  and  wane ;  but  your  Lord  is  this 
day  as  he  was  yesterday  ;  and  it  is  your  comfort  that  your  salvation 
is  not  rolled  upon  wheels  of  your  own  making,  neither  have  ye  to  do 
with  a  Christ  of  your  own  shaping  ;  God  hath  singled  out  a  Mediator, 
strong  and  mighty  ;  if  ye  and  your  burdens  were  as  heavy  as  ten  hills 
or  hells,  he  is  able  to  bear  you,  and  save  you  to  the  uttermost. 
Your  often  seeking  to  him  cannot  make  you  a  burden  to  him.  I 
know  Christ  compassionateth  you,  and  maketh  a  moan  for  you,  in  all 
your  dumps,  and  under  your  down  castings  ;  but  it  is  good  for  you, 
that  he  hideth  himself  sometimes ;  it  is  not  niceness,  dryness,  nor 


206  LETTER  CXLIV.  PART    I. 

coldness  of  love,  that  causeth  Christ  withdraw,  and  slip  in  under  a 
curtain  and  a  vail,  that  ye  cannot  see  him  ;  but  he  knoweth,  ye  could 
not  bear  with  up  sails,  a  fair  gale,  a  full  moon  and  a  high  spring-tide 
of  his  felt  love,  and  always  a  fair  summer-day  and  a  summer-sun  of  a 
felt  and  possessed  and  embracing  Lord  Jesus.  His  kisses  and  his 
visits  to  his  dearest  ones  are  thin  sown  :  he  could  not  let  out  his 
rivers  of  love  upon  his  own,  but  these  rivers  would  be  in  hazard  to 
loose  a  young  plant  at  the  root;  and  he  knoweth  this  of  you ;  ye 
should  therefore  frist  Christ's  kindness,  as  to  its  sensible  and  full 
manifestations,  till  ye  and  he  be  above  sun  and  moon  ;  that  is  the 
country  where  ye  will  be  enlarged  for  that  love  which  ye  can  not  now 
contain.  Cast  the  burden  of  your  sweet  babes  upon  Christ,  and 
lighten  your  heart,  by  laying  your  all  upon  him  ;  he  will  be  their  God. 
I  hope  to  see  you  up  the  mountain  yet,  and  glad  in  the  salvation  of 
God ;  frame  yourself  for  Christ,  and  gloom  not  upon  his  cross.  I 
find  him  so  sweet,  that  my  love,  suppose  I  would«charge  it  to  remove 
from  Christ,  would  not  obey  me  ;  his  love  hath  stronger  fingers  than 
to  let  go  its  grips  of  us,  children  who  cannot  go  but  by  such  a  hold  as 
Christ.  It  is  good  thai  we  want  legs  of  our  own,  since  we  may  bor- 
row from  Christ,  and  it  is  our  happiness  that  Christ  is  under  an  act  of 
cautionary  for  heaven,  and  that  Christ  is  booked  in  heaven,  as  the 
principal  debtor,  for  such  poor  bodies  as  we  are.  I  request  you,  give 
the  Laird  your  husband  thanks  for  his  care  of  me,  that  he  hath  ap- 
peared in  pubhc  for  a  prisoner  of  Christ ;  I  pray  and  write  mercy,  and 
peace,  and  blessings  to  him  and  his.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you  for 
ever. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLIV. 

To  Mr,  John  Fergushill. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  My  longings  and  desires  for 
a  sight  cf  the  new-builded  tabernacle  of  Christ  again  in  Scotland, 
that  tabernacle  that  came  down  from  heaven,  hath  now  taken  some 
life  again,  when  I  see  Christ  making  a  mint  to  sow  vengeance  among 
his  enemies.  I  care  not,  if  this  land  be  ripe  for  such  a  great  won- 
derful mercy ;  but  I  know,  he  must  do,  whenever  it  is  done,  without 
hire.  I  find  the  grief  of  my  silence,  and  my  fear  to  be  holden  at  the 
door  of  Christ's  house,  swelling  upon  me  ;  and  the  truth  is,  were  it 
not  that  I  am  dawted  now  and  then  with  pieces  of  Christ's  sweet 
love  and  comforts,  I  fear  I  should  have  made  an  ill  browst  of  this 
honourable  cross,  that  I  know  such  a  soft  and  silly-minded  body  as  I 
am,  is  not  worthy  of;  for  I  have  httle  in  me  but  softness,  and  super- 
lative and  excessive  apprehensions  of  fear,  and  sadness,  and  sorrow  ; 
and  often  God's  terrors  to  surrourid  me,  because  Christ  looketh  not  so 
favourably  upon  me,  as  a  poor  witness  would  have  him  ;  and  I  won- 
der, how  I  have  past  a  year  and  a  quarter's  imprisonment,  without 
shaming  my  sweet  Lord,  to  whom  I  desire  to  be  faithful ;  and  I  think 


PARTI.  LETTER   CXLIV.  207 

I  shall  die  but  even  minting  and  aiming  to  serve  and  honour  my  Lord 
Jesus.  Few  know  how  toom  and  empty  I  am  at  home  ;  but  it  is  a 
part  of  marriage-love  and  husband-love,  that  my  Lord  Jesus  goeth 
not  to  the  streets  with  his  chiding  against  me :  it  is  but  stolen  and 
concealed  anger  that  I  find  and  feel,  and  his  glooms  to  me  are  kept 
under  roof,  that  he  will  not  have  mine  enemies  hear  what  is  betwixt 
me  and  him  :  and  beheve  me,  I  say  the  truth  in  Christ,  the  only  gall 
and  wormwood  in  my  cup,  and  that  which  hath  filled  me  with  fear, 
hath  been,  lest  my  sins,  that  sun  and  moon  and  the  Lord's  children 
were  never  witness  to,  should  have  moved  my  Lord  to  strike  me  with 
dumb  sabbaths :  Lord  pardon  my  soft  aud  weak  jealousies,  if  I  be 
here  in  an  error.  My  very  dear  brother,  I  would  have  looked  for 
more  large  and  more  particular  letters  from  you,  for  my  comfort  in 
this ;  for  your  words  before  have  strengthened  me  :  I  pray  you,  mend 
this,  and  be  thankful  and  painful,  while  ye  have  a  piece  or  corner  of 
the  Lord's  vineyard  to  dress.  O  would  to  God  I  could  have  leave  to 
follow  you  to  break  the  clods  !  But  I  wish  I  could  command  my  soul 
silence,  and  wait  upon  the  Lord,  t  am  sure,  while  Christ  lives,  I  am 
well  enough  friend-stead :  I  hope  he  will  extend  his  kindness  and 
power  for  me ;  but  God  be  thanked  it  is  not  worse  with  me,  than  a 
cross  for  Christ  and  his  truth.  I  know  he  might  have  pitched  upon 
many  more  choice  and  worthy  witnesses,  if  he  had  pleased ;  but  I 
seek  no  more  (be  what  timber  I  will,  suppose  I  were  made  of  a  piece 
of  hell)  than  that  my  Lord,  in  his  infinite  art,  hew  glory  to  his  name, 
and  enlargement  to  Christ's  kingdom,  out  of  me.  Oh  that  I  could 
attain  to  this,  to  desire  that  my  part  of  Christ  might  belaid  in  pledge 
for  the  heightening  of  Christ's  throne  in  Britain !  Let  my  Lord  re- 
deem the  pledge,  or,  if  he  please,  let  it  sink  and  drown  unredeemed. 
But  what  can  I  add  to  him  t  or  what  way  can  a  smothered  and  borne- 
down  prisoner  set  out  Christ  in  open  market,  as  a  lovely  and  desi- 
rable Lord,  to  many  souls  ?  I  know  he  seeth  to  his  own  glor)',  better 
than  my  ebb  thoughts  can  dream  of;  and  that  the  wheels  and  paces 
of  this  poor  distempered  kirk  are  in  his  hands,  and  that  things  shall 
roll  as  Christ  will  have  them  :  only.  Lord  tryst  the  matter  so,  as 
Christ  may  be  made  a  householder  and  lord  again  in  Scotland,  and 
wet  faces  for  his  departure  may  be  dried  at  his  sweet  and  much  de- 
sired welcome  home.  I  see,  in  all  our  trials,  our  Lord  will  not  mix 
our  wares  and  his  grace  over-head  through  other;  but  he  will  have 
each  man  to  know  his  own,  that  the  like  of  me  may  say  in  my  suffer- 
ings. This  is  Christ's  grace,  and  this  is  but  my  coarse  stuff;  this  is  free 
grace,  and  this  is  but  nature  an  reason.  We  know  what  our  legs  would 
play  us,  if  they  should  carry  us  through  all  our  waters ;  and  the  least 
thing  our  Lord  can  have  off  us,  is,  to  know  we  are,  graces  debtors  or 
grace's  dyvour's,  and  that  nature  is  oft'  a  base  house  and  blood,  and 
grace  is  better  born,  and  of  kin  and  blood  to  Christ,  and  ofl'  a  better 
house.  Oh  that  I  were  free  of  that  idol,  that  they  call  myself;  and 
that  Christ  were  for  myself,  and  myself  a  decourted  cypher,  and  a 
denied  and  foresworn  thing !  But  that  proud  thing,  myself,  will  not 
play,  except  it  ride  up  side  for  side  with  Christ,  or  rather  have  place 
before  liim.     O  myself,  another  devil,  as  evil  as  tlie  prince  of  devils  : 


208  LETTER    CXLV.  PART  I. 

if  thou  could  give  Christ  the  way,  and  take  thine  own  room,  which  is 
to  sit  as  low  as  nothing  or  corruption !  0  but  we  have  much  need  to 
be  ransomed  and  redeemed  by  Christ,  from  that  master-tyrant,  that 
cruel  and  lawless  lord,  ourself.  Nay,  when  I  am  seeking  Christ,  and 
am  out  of  myself,  I  have  the  third  part  of  a  squint  eye  upon  that 
vain,  vain  thing,  myself,  myself,  and  something  of  mine  own  :  but  I 
must  hold  here.  I  desire  you  to  contribute  your  help,  to  see  if  I  can 
be  restored  to  my  wasted  and  lost  flock.  I  see  not  how  it  can  be,  ex- 
cept the  lords  would  procure  me  a  liberty  to  preach  ;  and  they  have 
reason,  1.  Because  the  opposers  and  my  adversaries  have  practised 
their  new  canons  upon  me,  whereof  one  is.  That  no  deprived  minis- 
ter preach,  under  the  pain  of  excommunication.  2.  Because  my  op- 
posing of  these  canons,  was  a  special  thing  that  incensed  Sydserf 
against  me.  3.  Because  I  was  judicially  accused  for  my  book 
against  the  Arminians,  and  commanded  by  the  chancellor,  to  acknow- 
ledge I  had  done  a  fault  in  writing  against  Dr.  Jackson  a  wicked  Ar- 
minian.  Pray  for  a  room  in  the  house  to  me.  Grace,  grace  be  (as 
it  is)  your  portion. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLV. 

To  John  Stewart,  Provost  of  Ayr. 
WORTHY    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  for  the  time,  when  I 
shall  see  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  in  his  house  ;  and  would  be  as  glad  of 
it  as  of  any  sight  on  earth,  to  see  the  halt,  the  blind,  and  the  lame, 
come  back  to  Zion  with  supplications,  Jer.  xxxi.  8,  9.  '  Going  and 
weeping,  and  seeking  the  Lord,  asking  the  way  to  Zion  with  their 
faces  thitherward,'  Jer.  1.  5,  6.  '  And  to  see  the  woman  travailing  in 
birth,  delivered  of  the  man  child  of  a  blessed  reformation.'  If  this 
land  were  humbled,  I  would  look  that  our  skies  should  clear  and  our 
day  dawn  again  ;  and  ye  should  then  bless  Christ,  who  is  content  to 
save  your  travel,  and  to  give  himself  to  you,  in  pure  ordinances  on  this 
side  of  the  sea.  I  know  the  mercy  of  Christ  is  engaged  by  promise 
to  Scotland,  notwithstanding  he  bring  wrath,  as  I  fear  he  shall  upon 
this  land.  I  am  waiting  on  for  enlargement,  and  half  content  that 
my  faith  bow,  if  Christ,  while  he  bow  it,  keep  it,  unbroken ;  for  who 
goeth  through  a  fire  without  a  mark  or  a  scald  1  I  see  the  Lord  making 
use  of  this  fire,  to  scour  his  vessels  from  their  rust.  Oh  that  my  wiTl 
were  silent,  and  '  as  a  child  weaned  from  the  breasts !'  Psal.  cxxxi. 
But  alas  who  hath  an  heart  that  will  give  Christ  the  last  word  in  chi- 
ding, and  will  hear,  and  not  speak  again?  Oh!  contestations  and 
quarrellous  replies  (as  a  soon  saddled  spirit,  '  I  do  well  to  be  angry 
even  to  the  death,'  Jonah  iv.  9, )  smell  of  the  stink  of  strong  corrup- 
tion. O  blessed  soul  that  could  sacrifice  his  will,  and  go  to  heaven, 
having  lost  his  will  and  made  resignation  of  it  to  Christ !  I  would  seek 
no  more,  but  tiiat  Christ  were  absolute  king  over  my  will,  and  that  my 
will  were  a  suflerer  in  all  crosses,  without  meeting  Christ  with  such  a 


PART  I.  LKTTER    CXLV.  209 

word,  Why  is  it  thus?  I  wish  still,  that  my  love  had  but  leave  to  stand 
beside  beautiful  Jesus,  and  to  get  the  mercy  of  looking  to  him,  and 
burning  for  him,  suppose  possession  of  him  were  suspended  and  fristed, 
till  my  Lord  fold  together  the  leaves  and  two  sides  of  the  little  shep- 
herd's tent  of  clay.  Oh  what  pain  is  in  longing  for  Christ,  under  an 
over-clouded  and  eclipsed  assurance  !  What  is  harder  than  to  burn  and 
dwine  with  longing  and  deaths  of  love,  and  then  to  have  blanks  and 
uninked  paper  for  assurance  of  Christ  in  real  fruition  or  possession  I 
Oh  how  sweet  were  one  line  or  half  of  a  letter  of  written  assurance 
under  Christ's  own  hand  !  But  this  is  our  exercise  daily,  that  guiltiness 
shall  overmist  and  darken  assurance  :  it  is  a  miracle  to  believe,  but  for 
a  sinner  to  believe  is  two  miracles.  But  0  what  obligations  of  love 
are  we  under  to  Christ,  who  beareth  with  our  wild  apprehensions,  in 
suffering  them  to  nickname  sweet  Jesus,  and  to  put  a  lie  upon  his  good 
name  !  If  he  had  not  been  God,  and  if  long  suffering  in  Christ  were 
not  like  Christ  himself,  we  should  long  ago  have  broken  Ciirist's  mer- 
cies in  two  pieces,  and  put  an  iron  bar  on  our  salvation,  that  mercy 
should  not  have  been  able  to  break  or  overleap  ;  but  long  suffering  in 
God,  is  God  himself,  and  that  is  our  salvation,  and  the  stability  of  our 
heaven  is  in  God ;  he  knew  (who  said,  'Christ  in  you  the  hope  of 
glory,'  Col.  i.  27.  for  our  hope  and  the  bottom  and  pillars  of  it  is  Christ- 
God)  sinners  are  anchor-fast  and  made  stable  in  God  ;  so  that  if  God 
do  not  change  (which  is  impossible)  then  my  hope  shall  not  fluctuate. 
O  sweet  stability  of  sure  bottomed  salvation  !  Who  could  win  heaven 
if  this  were  not?  and  who  could  be  saved,  if  God  were  not  God,  and 
and  if  he  were  not  such  a  God  as  he  is  ?  '  O  God  be  thanked  that  our 
salvation  is  coasted,  and  landed,  and  shored  upon  Christ,  who  is  mas- 
ter of  winds  and  storms !'  And  what  sea-winds  can  blow  the  coast 
or  the  land  out  of  its  place  ?  Bulwarks  are  often  casten  down,  but 
coasts  are  not  removed ;  but  suppose  that  were  or  might  be,  yet  God 
cannot  reel  or  remove.  0  that  we  go  from  this  strong  and  immoveable 
Lord,  and  that  we  loose  ourselves  if  it  were  in  our  power,  from  him  ! 
Alas,  our  green  and  young  love  hath  not  taken  with  Christ,  being  un- 
acquainted with  him :  he  is  such  a  wide,  and  broad,  and  deep,  and 
liigh  and  surpassing  sweetness,  that  our  love  is  too  little  for  him  ;  but 
O  if  our  love,  little  as  it  is,  could  take  hand  with  his  great  and  huge 
sweetness,  and  transcendent  excellency  !  O  thrice  blessed,  and  eter- 
nally blessed  are  they,  who  are  out  of  themselves,  and  above  them- 
selves, that  they  may  be  in  love  united  to  him !  I  am  often  rolling  up 
and  down  the  thoughts  of  my  faint  and  sick  desires  of  expressing 
Christ's  glory  before  his  people  ;  but  I  see  not  through  the  throng  of 
impediments,  and  cannot  find  eyes  to  look  higher,  and  so  I  put  many 
things  in  Christ's  way  to  hinder  him,  that  I  know  he  would  but  laugh  at, 
and  with  one  stride  set  his  foot  over  them  all.  I  know  not  if  my  Lord 
will  bring  me  to  his  sanctuary  or  not :  but  I  know  he  hath  the  placing 
of  me,  either  within  or  without  the  house,  and  that  nothing  will  be  done 
without  him  ;  but  I  am  often  thinking  and  saying  within  myself,  that 
my  days  flee  away,  and  I  see  no  good,  neither  yet  Christ's  work  thri- 
ving ;  and  it  is  like,  the  grave  shall  prevent  the  answer  of  my  desires 
of  saving  of  souls,  as  I  would :  but  alas  !  I  cannot  make  right  Avork 

27 


210  LETTER  CXLVI.  PART  1. 

of  his  ways,  I  neither  spell  nor  read  my  Lord's  providence  aright,  my 
thouglits  go  away,  that  I  fear  they  meet  not  God  ;  for  it  is  like  God 
will  not  come  the  way  of  my  thoughts  ;  and  I  cannot  be  taught  to 
crucify  to  him  my  wisdom  and  desires  and  to  make  him  king  over  my 
thoughts  ;  for  I  would  have  a  princedom  over  my  thoughts,  and  would 
boldly  and  blindly  prescribe  to  God,  and  guide  my:  elf  in  a  way  of  my 
own  making  :  but  I  hold  my  peace  here,  let  him  do  his  will.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweetest  Lord  and  Master,  S.  K. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLVL 

To  Carsluth. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

I  LONG  to  hear  how  your  soul  prospereth.  I  earnestly  desire  you., 
to  try  how  matters  stand  between  your  soul  and  the  Lord  :  think  it  no 
easy  matter  to  take  heaven  by  violence  :  salvation  cometh  now  to  the 
most  part  of  men  in  a  night  dream  :  there  is  no  scarcity  of  faith  now, 
such  as  it  is ;  for  ye  shall  not  now  light  upon  the  man  who  will  not 
say  he  hath  faith  in  Christ ;  but  alas  !  dreams  make  no  man's  rights. 
Worthy  Sir,  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord,  give  your  soul  no  rest,  till  ye 
have  real  assurance,  and  Christ's  rights  confirmed  and  sealed  to  your 
soul ;  the  common  faith,  and  country-holiness,  and  week-days  zeal, 
that  is  among  people,  will  never  bring  men  to  heaven;  take  pains 
for  your  salvation  ;  for  in  that  day,  when  ye  shall  see  many  men's  la- 
bours and  conquests  and  idol-riches  lying  in  ashes,  when  the  earth 
and  all  the  works  thereof  shall  be  burnt  with  fire.  O  how  dear  a 
price  would  your  soul  give  for  God's  favour  in  Christ !  It  is  a  blessed 
thing  to  see  Christ  with  up  sun,  and  to  read  over  your  papers  and  soul- 
accounts  with  fair  day-light :  it  will  not  be  time  to  cry  for  a  lamp, 
when  the  Bridegroom  is  entered  into  his  chamber,  and  the  door  shut. 
Fy,  fy,  upon  blinded  and  debased  souls,  who  are  committing  whore- 
dom with  this  idol-clay,  and  hunting  a  poor  wretched  hungry  heaven, 
a  hungry  breakfast,  a  day's  meat  from  this  hungry  world,  with  the  for- 
feiting of  God's  favour,  and  the  drinking  over  their  heaven  over  the 
board  (as  men  used  to  speak)  for  the  laughter  and  sports  of  this  short 
forenoon  !  All  that  is  under  this  vault  of  heaven,  and  betwixt  us  and 
death,  and  on  this  side  of  sun  and  moon,  are  but  toys,  night-visions, 
head-fancies,  poor  shadows,  watery  froth,  godless  vanities,  at  their 
best,  and  black  hearts,  and  salt  and  sour  miseries,  sugared  over,  and 
confected  with  an  hour's  laughter  or  two,  and  the  conceit  of  riches, 
honour,  vain,  vain  court,  and  lawless  pleasures.  Sir,  if  ye  look  both 
to  the  laughing  side,  and  weeping  side  of  this  world,  and  if  ye  look 
not  only  upon  the  skin  and  colour  of  things,  but  into  their  inwards, 
and  the  heart  of  their  excellency,  ye  shall  see  that  one  look  of  Christ's 
sweet  and  lovely  eye,  one  kiss  of  his  fairest  face,  is  worth  ten  thou- 
sand worlds  of  such  rotten  stufi",  as  the  foolish  sons  of  men  set  their 
hearts  upon.  Oh  Sir,  turn,  turn  your  heart  to  the  other  side  of  things, 
and  get  it  once  free  of  these  entanglements,  to  consider  eternity. 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXLVI.  211 

death,  the  clay  bed,  the  grave,  awesome  judgment,  everlasting  burn- 
ing quick  in  hell,  where  death  would  give  as  great  a  price  (if  there 
were  a  market,  wherein  death  might  be  bought  and  sold)  as  all  the 
world.  Consider  heaven  and  glory :  but  alas,  why  speak  I  of  con- 
sidering these  things,  which  have  not  entered  into  the  heart  of  man 
to  consider?  Look  into  these  depths  (without  a  bottom)  of  loveliness, 
sweetness,  beauty,  excellency,  glory,  goodness,  grace  and  mercy, 
that  are  in  Christ ;  and  ye  shall  then  cry  down  the  whole  world,  and 
all  the  glory  of  it,  even  wlien  it  is  come  to  the  summer-bloom  ;  and 
ye  shall  cry,  Up  with  Christ,  up  witli  Christ's  Father,  up  with  eternity 
of  glory.  Sir,  there  is  a  great  deal  less  sand  in  your  glass  than  when 
I  saw  you,  and  your  afternoon  is  nearer  even-tide  now  than  it  was. 
As  a  fowl  carried  back  to  the  sea,  so  doth  the  Lord's  swift  post,  time, 
carry  you  and  your  life  with  wings  to  the  grave :  ye  eat  and  drink, 
but  time  ntandeth  not  still ;  ye  laugh,  but  your  day  fleeth  away ;  ye 
sleep,  hit  your  hours  are  reckoned  and  put  by  hand.  0  how  soon 
will  time  shut  you  out  of  the  poor  and  cold  and  hungry  inns  of 
this  life !  and  then  what  will  yesterday's  short  born  pleasures  do  to 
you,  but  be  as  a  snow  ball  melted  away,  many  years  since,  or  worse  ? 
for  the  memory  of  these  pleasures  useth  to  fill  the  soul  with  bitter- 
ness. Time  and  experience  will  prove  this  to  be  true ;  and  dying 
men,  if  they  could  speak,  could  make  this  good.  Lay  no  more  ou 
the  creatures  than  they  are  able  to  carry ;  lay  your  soul  and  your 
weights  upon  God  ;  make  him  your  only,  only  best  beloved.  Your 
errand  to  this  life  is  to  make  sure  an  eternity  of  glory  to  your  soul, 
and  to  match  your  soul  with  Christ ;  your  love,  if  it  were  more  than 
all  the  love  of  angels  in  one,  is  Christ's  due  :  other  things  worthy  in 
themselves,  in  respect  of  Christ,  are  not  worth  a  windle-straw,  or  a 
drink  of  cold  water.  I  doubt  not  but  in  death  ye  will  see  all  things 
more  distinctly,  and  that  then  the  world  shall  bear  no  more  bulk  than 
it  is  worth,  and  that  then  it  shall  couch  and  be  contracted  into  no- 
thing ;  and  ye  shall  see  Christ  longer,  higher,  broader  and  deeper, 
than  ever  he  was.  O  blessed  conquest,  to  lose  all  things,  and  to  gain 
Christ !  I  know  not  what  ye  have,  if  ye  want  Christ ;  alas,  how  poor 
is  your  gain,  if  the  earth  were  all  yours  in  free  heritage,  holding  it  of 
no  man  of  clay,  if  Christ  be  not  yours  1  O  seek  all  midses,  lay  all 
oars  in  the  water,  put  forth  all  your  power,  and  bend  all  your  en- 
deavours, to  put  away  and  part  with  all  things,  that  ye  may  gain  and 
enjoy  Christ ;  try  and  search  his  word,  and  strive  to  go  a  step  above 
and  beyond  ordinary  professors,  and  resolve  to  sweat  more  and  run 
faster  than  they  do  for  salvation.  Men's  mid-way,  cold  and  wise 
courses  in  godliness,  and  their  neighbour-like  cold  and  wise  pace  to 
heaven,  will  cause  many  a  man  want  his  lodging  at  night,  and  lie  in 
the  fields.  I  recommend  Christ  and  his  love  to  your  seeking,  and 
yourself  to  the  tender  mercy  and  rich  grace  of  our  Lord.  Remem- 
ber my  love  in  Christ  to  your  wife  :  I  desire  her  to  learn  to  make  her 
soul's  anchor  fast  upon  Christ  himself:  few  are  saved.  Let  her  con- 
sider what  joy  the  smiles  of  God  in  Christ  will  be,  and  what  the  love- 
kisses  of  sweet,  sweet  Jesus,  and  a  welcome  home  to  the  new  Jeru- 
salem, from  Christ's  own  mouth,  will  be  to  her  soul,  when  Christ 


212  LETTER  CXLVII.  PART  I. 

shall  fold  together  the  clay  tent  of  her  body,  and  lay  it  by  his  hand 
for  a  time,  till  the  fair  morning  of  the  general  resurrection.  I  avouch 
before  God,  man,  and  angel,  that  I  have  not  seen,  nor  can  imagine  a 
lover  to  be  comparable  to  lovely  Jesus  ;  I  would  not  exchange  or  nif- 
fer  him  with  ten  heavens  :  if  heaven  could  be  without  him,  what 
could  we  do  there  1     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  soul's  eternal  well-wisher,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLVIL 

To  Cassincarrie. 
MUCH    HONOUKED    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long  in 
writing  to  you.  I  am  confident  ye  have  learned  to  prize  Christ,  and 
his  love  and  favour,  more  than  ordinary  professors,  who  scarce  see 
Christ  with  half  an  eye,  because  their  sight  is  taken  up  with  eyeing 
and  liking  the  beauty  of  this  over-gilded  world,  that  promiseth  fair  to 
all  its  lovers,  but  in  the  push  of  a  trial,  when  need  is,  can  give  nothing 
but  a  fair  beguile.  I  know  ye  are  not  ignorant,  that  men  come  not 
to  this  world,  as  some  do  to  a  market,  to  see  and  be  seen ;  or  as 
some  come  to  behold  a  May-game,  and  only  to  behold  and  to  go 
home  again  :  ye  came  hither  to  treat  with  God,  and  to  tryst  with  him 
in  his  Christ,  for  salvation  to  your  soul,  and  to  seek  reconciliation 
with  an  angry  wrathful  God,  in  a  covenant  of  peace  made  to  you  in 
Christ ;  and  this  is  more  than  an  ordinary  sport,  or  the  play,  that  the 
greatest  part  of  the  world  give  their  heart  unto :  and  therefore, 
worthy  Sir,  I  pray  you  by  the  salvation  of  your  soul,  and  by  the  mercy 
of  God,  and  your  compearance  before  Christ,  do  this  in  sad  earnest, 
and  let  not  salvation  be  your  by-work,  or  your  holy-day's  task  only,  or 
a  work  by  the  way,  for  men  think  that  this  may  be  done  in  three  days' 
space  on  a  feather  bed,  when  death  and  they  are  fallen  in  hands  to- 
gether, and  that  with  a  word  or  two  they  shall  make  their  soul-matters 
right ;  alas  !  this  is  to  sit  loose  and  unsure  in  the  matters  of  our  salva- 
tion ;  nay,  seeking  of  this  world,  and  the  glory  of  it  is  but  an  odd  and 
by-errand  that  we  may  slip,  so  being  we  make  salvation  sure.  Oh 
when  will  men  learn  to  be  that  heavenly  wise  as  to  divorce  from,  and 
free  their  soul  of  all  idol-lovers,  and  make  Christ  the  only,  only  One, 
and  trim  and  make  ready  their  lamps,  while  they  have  time  and  day ! 
How  soon  will  this  house  skail,  and  the  inns  where  the  poor  soul 
lodgeth  fall  to  the  earth !  how  soon  will  some  few  years  pass  away, 
and  then  when  the  day  is  ended,  and  this  life's  lease  expired,  what 
have  men  of  the  world's  glory  but  dreams  and  thoughts  ?  O  how 
blessed  a  thing  is  it  to  labour  for  Christ,  and  to  make  him  sure  !  know 
and  try  in  time  your  holding  of  him,  and  the  rights  and  charters  of 
heaven,  and  upon  what  terms  ye  have  Christ  and  the  gospel,  and  what 
Christ  is  worth  in  your  estimation,  and  how  lightly  ye  esteem  of  other 
things,  and  how  dearly  of  Christ !  I  am  sure,  if  ye  see  him  in  his 
beauty  and  glory,  ye  shall  see  him  to  be  all  things,  and  that  incompa- 
ble  jewel  of  gold  that  ye  should  seek,  howbeit  ye  should  sell,  wadset 


PART  I.  LETTER   CXLVIII.  213 

and  forfeit  your  few  years'  portion  of  this  life's  joys.  0  happy  soul 
for  evermore,  who  can  rightly  compare  this  life  with  that  long-lastint^ 
life  to  come,  and  can  balance  the  weighty  glory  of  the  one,  with  the 
light  golden  vanity  of  the  other !  The  day  of  the  Lord  is  now  near 
hand,  and  all  men  shall  come  out  in  their  blacks  and  whites,  as 
they  are  :  there  shall  be  no  borrowed  lying  colours  in  that  day,  when 
Christ  shall  be  called  Christ,  and  no  longer  nick-named.  Now  men 
borrow  Christ  and  his  white  colour,  and  the  lustre  and  fairding  of 
Christianity ;  but  how  many  counterfeit  masks  will  be  burnt  in  the 
day  of  God,  in  the  fire,  that  shall  burn  the  earth  and  the  works  that 
are  on  it  1  and  howbeit  Christ  have  the  hardest  part  of  it  now,  yet  in 
the  presence  of  my  Lord  whom  I  serve  in  the  Spirit,  I  would  not 
niffer  or  exchange  Christ's  prison,  bonds,  and  chains,  with  the  gold 
chains  and  lordly  rents,  and  smihng  and  happy-like  heavens  of  the 
men  of  this  world.  I  am  far  from  thoughts  of  repenting,  because  of 
my  losses  and  bonds  for  Christ.  I  wish  all  my  adversaries  were  as  I 
am,  except  my  bonds.  Worthy,  worthy,  worthy  for  evermore  is 
Christ,  for  whom  we  should  suffer  pains  like  hell's  pains ;  far  more 
the  short  hell  the  saints  of  God  have  in  this  life.  Sir,  I  wish  your 
soul  may  be  more  acquainted  with  the  sweetness  of  Christ.  Grace, 
grace,  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  liis  only  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLVIIL 

To  his  Parishoners  at  Anwoth. 
DEARLY    BELOVED    IN    OUR    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  long  exceedingly  to  hear  of 
your  on-going  and  advancement  in  your  journey  to  the  kingdom  of 
God :  my  only  joy  out  of  heaven  is  to  hear  that  the  seed  of  God 
sown  among  you  is  growing  and  coming  to  an  harvest ;  for  I  ceased 
not  while  I  was  among  you,  in  season  and  out  of  season  (according  to 
the  measure  of  grace  given  unto  me)  to  warn  and  stir  up  your  minds  ; 
and  I  am  free  from  the  blood  of  all  men ;  for  I  have  communicated 
to  you  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  And  I  now  again  charge  and  warn 
you,  in  the  great  and  dreadful  name,  and  in  the  sovereign  authority  of 
the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords ;  and  I  beseech  you  also  by  the 
mercies  of  God,  and  by  the  bowels  of  Christ,  by  your  appearance 
before  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  by  all  the  plagues  that  are  written  in 
God's  book,  by  your  part  of  the  holy  city,  the  New  Jerusalem,  that  ye 
keep  the  truth  of  God,  as  I  delivered  it  to  you  before  many  witnesses, 
in  the  sight  of  God  and  his  holy  angels ;  for  now  the  last  days  are 
come  and  coming,  when  many  forsake  Christ  Jesus,  and  he  saith  to 
you,  WUl  ye  also  go  away  ?  Remember  that  I  forewarned  you  to  for- 
bear the  dishonouring  of  the  Lord's  blessed  name,  in  swearing,  blas- 
pheming, cursing,  and  the  profaning  of  the  Lord's  sabbath ;  willing 
you  to  give  that  day  from  morning  till  night  to  praying,  praising, 
hearing  of  the  word,  conferring,  and  speaking  not  your  own  word?. 


214  LETTER  CXLVIII.  PART  I. 

but  God's  words  ;  thinking  and  meditating  on  God's  nature,  word 
and  works  :  and  that  every  day  at  morning  and  at  night  (at  least)  ye 
should  sanctify  the  Lord,  by  praying  in  your  houses  publicly,  in  the 
hearing  of"  all ;  that  ye  should  in  any  sort  forbear  the  receiving  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  but  after  the  form  that  I  delivered  it  to  you,  according 
to  the  example  of  Christ  our  Lord  ;  that  is,  that  ye  should  sit  as  ban- 
queters at  one  table  with  our  King,  and  eat  and  drink,  and  divide  the 
elements  one  to  another ;  the  timber  and  stones  of  the  church  walls 
shall  bear  witness,  that  my  soul  was  refreshed  with  the  comforts 
of  God  in  that  supper :  and  that  crossing  in  baptism  was  unlawful, 
and  against  Christ's  ordinance ;  and  that  no  day  (besides  the  sabbath 
which  is  of  his  own  appointment)  should  be  kept  holy,  and  sanctified 
with  preaching  and  the  public  worship  of  God,  for  the  memory  of 
Christ's  birth,  death,  resurrection  and  ascension  :  seeing  such  days  so 
observed  are  unlawful,  will-worship,  and  not  warranted  in  Christ's 
word :  and  that  every  thing  in  God's  worship,  not  warranted  by 
Christ's  testament  and  word  was  unlawful :  and  also,  that  idolatry,  wor- 
shipping of  God  before  hallowed  creatures,  and  adoring  of  Christ,  by 
kneeling  before  bread  and  wine,  was  unlawful :  and  that  ye  should  be 
humble,  sober,  modest,  forbearing,  pride,  envy,  malice,  wrath,  hatred, 
contention,  debate,  lying,  slandering,  stealing,  and  defrauding  your 
neighbours  in  grass,  corn  or  cattle,  in  buying  or  selling,  borrowing  or 
lending,  taking  or  giving,  in  bargains  or  covenants  :  and  that  ye 
should  work  with  your  own  hands,  and  be  content  with  that  which 
God  hath  given  you  :  that  ye  should  study  to  know  God  and  his  will, 
and  keep  in  mind  the  doctrine  of  the  catechism,  which  I  taught  you 
carefully,  and  speak  of  it  in  your  houses  and  in  the  fields,  when  ye  lie 
down  at  night,  and  when  ye  rise  in  the  morning  :  that  ye  should  be- 
lieve in  the  Son  of  God,  and  obey  his  commandments,  and  learn  to 
make  your  accounts  in  time  with  your  Judge ;  because  death  and 
judgment  are  before  you.  And  if  ye  have  no  penury  and  want  of 
that  word,  which  I  delivered  to  you  in  abundance ;  yea,  (to  God's 
honour  I  speak  it,  without  arrogating  any  thing  to  myself,  who  am 
but  a  poor  empty  man)  ye  had  as  much  of  the  word,  in  nine  years 
while  I  was  among  you,  as  some  others  have  had  in  many ;  mourn 
for  your  loss  of  time,  and  repent.  My  soul  pitieth  you,  that  you 
should  suck  dry  breasts,  and  be  put  to  draw  at  dry  wells.  0  that  ye 
would  esteem  highly  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  your  Well-beloved  Christ 
Jesus,  whose  virtues  and  praises  I  preached  unto  you  with  joy,  and 
which  he  did  countenance  and  accompany  with  some  power ;  and  that 
ye  would  call  to  mind  the  many  fair  days  and  glorious  feasts  in  our 
Lord's  house  of  wine,  that  ye  and  I  have  had  with  Christ  Jesus ! 
But  if  there  be  any  among  you  that  take  liberty  to  sin,  because  I  am 
removed  from  amongst  you,  and  forget  that  word  of  truth  which  ye 
heard,  and  turn  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness ;  I  here  under  my 
hand,  in  the  name  of  Christ  my  Lord,  write  to  such  persons  all  the 
plagues  of  God,  and  all  the  curses  that  ever  I  preached  in  the  pulpit 
of  Anworth  against  the  children  of  disobedience :  and,  as  the  Lord 
liveth,  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  make  good  what  I  write  unto  you. 
Therefore,  dearly  beloved,  fulfil  my  joy ;  fear  the  great  and  dreadful 


i'ART  I.  LETTER    CXLIX.  115 

name  of  the  Lord  :  seek  God  with  me.  Scotland's  judgment  sleep- 
eth  not ;  awake  and  repent :  the  sword  of  the  Lord  shall  go  from  the 
north  to  the  south,  from  the  east  to  the  west,  and  through  all  the  cor- 
ners of  the  land ;  and  that  sword  shall  be  drunk  with  your  blood 
among  the  first ;  and  I  shall  stand  up  as  a  witness  against  you,  if  ye 
do  not  amend  your  ways  and  your  doings,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all 
your  heart.  I  beseech  you  also,  my  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  my 
joy  and  my  crown,  offend  not  at  the  sufferings  of  me,  the  prisoner  of 
Jesus  C'hrist :  I  am  filled  with  joy  and  with  the  comforts  of  God. 
Upon  my  salvation,  I  know  and  am  persuaded,  it  is  for  God's  truth, 
and  the  honour  of  my  King  and  royal  Prince,  Jesus,  I  now  suffer : 
and  howbeit  this  town  be  my  prison,  yet  Christ  hath  made  it  my  pa- 
lace, a  garden  of  pleasures,  a  field  and  orchard  of  delights.  I  know 
likewise,  albeit  I  be  in  bonds,  that  yet  the  word  of  God  is  not  in 
bonds ;  my  spirit  also  is  in  free-ward.  Sweet,  sweet  have  his  com- 
forts been  to  my  soul ;  my  pen,  tongue  and  heart  have  not  words  to 
express  the  kindness,  love  and  mercy  of  my  Well-beloved  to  me,  in 
this  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  I  charge  you  to  fear  and  love  Christ; 
and  to  seek  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  but  your  Father's  house 
above.  This  laughing  and  white-skinned  world,  beguileth  you ;  and 
if  ye  seek  it  more  than  God,  it  shall  play  you  a  slip,  to  the  endlesa 
sorrow  of  your  heart.  Alas,  I  could  not  make  many  of  you  fall  in 
love  with  Christ,  howbeit  I  endeavoured  to  speak  much  good  of  him, 
and  to  commend  him  to  you  (which,  as  it  was  your  sin  so  it  is  my 
sorrow ;  yet  once  again  suffer  me  to  exhort,  beseech,  and  obtest  you 
in  the  Lord,  to  think  of  his  love,  and  to  be  dehghted  with  him,  who  is 
altogether  lovely  :  I  give  you  the  word  of  a  King,  ye  shall  not  repent 
it.  Ye  are  in  my  prayers  night  and  day,  I  cannot  forget  you  :  I  do 
not  eat,  I  do  not  drink,  but  I  pray  for  you  all :  I  intreat  you  all,  and 
every  one  of  you,  to  pray  for  me.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  23,  1637. 


LETTER  CXLIX. 

To  the  Lady  Cardoness. 
MISTRESS, 

I  BESEECH  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  make  every  day  more  and  more 
of  Christ ;  and  try  your  growth  in  the  grace  of  God,  and  what  new 
ground  ye  win  daily  on  corruption ;  for  travellers  are  day  by  day 
either  advancing  farther  on,  and  nearer  home,  or  else  they  go  not 
right  about  to  compass  their  journey.  I  think  still  the  better  and  bet- 
ter of  Christ :  alas,  I  know  not  where  to  set  him,  I  would  so  fain 
have  him  high !  I  cannot  set  heavens  above  heavens,  till  I  were  tired 
with  numbering,  and  set  him  upon  the  highest  step  and  story  of  the 
highest  of  them  all ;  but  I  wish  I  could  make  him  great  through  the 
world,  suppose  my  loss,  and  pain,  and  shame,  were  set  under  the 
soles  of  his  feet,  that  he  might  stand  upon  me.  I  request  that  ye 
faint  not,  because  this  world  and  ye  are  at  yea  and  nay,  and  because 
this  is  not  a  home  that  laugheth  up' n  you ;  the  wise  Lord  who  know- 


216  LETTER    CL.  PART  I. 

eth  you,  will  have  it  so,  because  he  casteth  a  net  for  your  love,  to 
catch  it  and  gather  it  in  to  himself :  therefore  bear  patiently  the  loss 
of  children,  and  burdens,  and  other  discontentments,  either  within  or 
without  the  house  ;  your  Lord  in  them  is  seeking  you,  and  seek  ye 
him.  Let  none  be  your  love  and  choice,  and  the  flower  of  your  de- 
lights, but  your  Lord  Jesus.  Set  not  your  heart  upon  the  world, 
since  God  hath  not  made  it  your  portion  ;  for  it  will  not  fall  you  to  get 
two  portions,  and  to  laugh  twice,  and  to  be  happy  twice,  and  to  have 
an  upper  heaven  and  an  under  heaven  too  ;  Christ  our  Lord  and  his 
saints  were  not  so  ;  and  therefore  let  go  your  grip  of  this  life,  and  of 
the  good  things  of  it.  I  hope  your  heaven  groweth  not  hereaway. 
Learn  daily  both  to  possess  and  miss  Christ,  in  his  secret  Bridegroom- 
smiles  ;  he  must  go  and  come,  because  his  infinite  wisdom  thinketh  it 
best  for  you  :  we  will  be  together  one  day  ;  we  shall  not  need  to  bor- 
row light  from  sun,  moon,  or  candle ;  there  shall  be  no  complaints  on 
either  side  in  heaven ;  there  shall  be  none  there,  but  he  and  we,  the 
Bridegroom  and  bride  ;  devils,  temptations,  trials,  desertions,  losses, 
sad  hearts,  pain  and  death,  shall  be  all  put  out  of  play  ;  and  the  devil 
must  give  up  his  office  of  tempting.  0  blessed  is  the  soul,  whose 
hope  hath  a  face  looking  straight  out  to  that  day.  It  is  not  our  part 
to  make  a  treasure  here  ;  any  thing  under  the  covering  of  heaven  we 
can  build  upon,  is  but  ill  ground,  and  a  sandy  foundation  ;  every  good 
thing,  except  God,  wanteth  a  bottom,  and  cannot  stand  its  alone  ;  how 
then  can  it  bear  the  weight  of  us  1  Let  us  not  lay  a  load  on  a  windle- 
straw ;  there  shall  nothing  find  my  weight,  or  found  my  happiness, 
but  God.  I  know  all  created  power  should  sink  under  me,  if  I  should 
lean  down  upon  it ;  and  therefore  it  is  better  to  rest  on  God,  than  sink 
or  fall ;  and  we  weak  souls  must  have  a  bottom  and  a  being-place, 
for  we  cannot  stand  our  alone  ;  let  us  then  be  wise  in  our  choice,  and 
choose  and  wale  our  own  blessedness,  which  is  to  trust  in  the  Lord. 
Each  one  of  us  hath  a  whore  and  idol,  besides  our  Husband,  Christ : 
but  it  is  our  folly  to  divide  our  narrow  and  little  love  ;  I  will  not  serve 
two  :  it  is  best  then  to  hold  it  whole  and  together  and  to  give  it  to 
Christ ;  for  then  we  get  double  interest  for  our  love,  when  we  lend  it 
to,  and  lay  it  out  upon  Christ ;  and  we  are  sure  besides,  that  the 
stock  cannot  perish.  Now  I  can  say  no  more ;  remember  me.  I 
have  God's  right  to  that  people ;  howbeit  by  the  violence  of  men 
stronger  than  I,  I  am  banished  from  you  and  chased  away.  The 
Lord  give  you  mercy  in  the  day  of  Christ.  It  may  be  God  will  clear 
my  sky  again  ;  howbeit  there  is  small  appearance  of  my  deliverance  ; 
but  let  him  do  with  me  what  seemeth  good  in  his  own  eyes  ;  I  am  his 
clay,  let  my  Potter  frame  and  fashion  me  as  he  pleaseth.  Grace  be 
with  you.         Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 


LETTER  CL. 

To  Sibila  Macadam. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  can  bear  witness  in  my 
bonds,  that  Christ  is  still  the  longer  the  better  and  no  worse,  vea.  in- 


PART  I.  LETTER   OLI.  217 

conceivably  better  than  he  is  or  can  be  called  ;  I  think  it  half  an  hea- 
ven to  have  my  fill  of  the  smell  of  his  sweet  breath,  and  to  sleep  in 
the  arms  of  Christ  my  Lord,  with  his  left  hand  under  my  head,  and  his 
right  hand  embracing  me.  There  is  no  great  reckoning  to  be  made 
of  the  withering  of  my  flower,  in  comparison  of  the  foul  and  manifest 
wrongs  done  to  Christ ;  nay,  let  never  the  dew  of  God  lye  upon  my 
branches  again,  let  the  bloom  fall  from  my  joy,  and  let  it  wither,  let 
the  Almighty  blow  out  my  candle,  so  being  the  Lord  might  be  great 
among  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  his  oppressed  church  delivered.  Let 
Christ  farewell,  suppose  I  should  eat  ashes ;  I  know  he  must  be 
sweet  himself,  when  his  cross  is  so  sweet.  And  it  is  the  part  of  us 
all,  if  we  marry  himself,  to  marry  the  crosses,  losses,  and  reproaches 
also  that  follow  him  :  for  mercy  followeth  Christ's  cross.  His  prison 
for  beauty  is  made  of  marble  and  ivory  ;  his  chains,  that  are  laid  on 
his  prisoners,  are  golden  chains ;  and  the  sighs  of  the  prisoners  of 
hope  are  perfumed  with  comforts,  the  like  whereof  cannot  be  bred 
or  found  on  this  side  of  sun  and  moon.  Follow  on  after  his  love,  tire 
not  of  Christ,  but  come  in  and  see  his  beauty  and  excellency,  and 
feed  your  soul  upon  Christ's  sweetness.  This  world  is  not  yours, 
neither  would  I  have  your  heaven  made  of  such  metal  as  mire  and 
clay.  Ye  have  the  choice  and  wale  of  all  lovers  in  heaven  or  out  of 
heaven,  when  ye  have  Christ,  the  only  delight  of  God  his  Father. 
Climb  up  the  mountain  with  joy,  and  faint  not ;  for  time  will  cut  off 
the  men  who  pursue  Christ's  followers.  Our  best  things  here  have  a 
worm  in  them  ;  our  joys  besides  God,  in  the  inner  half,  are  but  woes 
and  sorrows  :  Christ,  Christ  is  that  which  our  love  and  desires  can 
sleep  sweetly  and  rest  safely  upon.  Now  the  very  God  of  peace  es- 
tablish you  in  Christ.  Help  a  prisoner  with  your  prayers,  and  entreat 
that  our  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  visit  me  with  a  sight  of  his  beauty 
in  his  house,  as  he  has  sometimes  done.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLL 

To  the  Laird  of  Cally, 
WORTHY  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long,  I  con- 
fess, in  writing  to  you.  My  suit  now  to  you  in  paper,  since  I  have 
no  access  to  speak  to  you  as  formerly,  is,  that  ye  would  lay  the  foun- 
dation sure  in  your  youth  ;  when  ye  begin  to  seek  Christ,  try,  I  pray 
you,  upon  what  terms  ye  covenant  to  follow  him,  and  lay  your  ac- 
counts what  it  may  cost  you ;  that  summer  nor  winter,  nor  well  nor 
woe,  may  not  cause  you  change  your  Master,  Christ.  Keep  fair  to 
him,  and  be  honest  and  faithful,  that  he  find  not  a  crack  in  you. 
Surely  ye  are  now  in  the  throng  of  temptation ;  when  youth  is  come 
to  its  fairest  bloom,  then  the  devil,  and  the  lusts  of  a  deceiving 
world,  and  sin  are  upon  horse-back,  and  follow  with  up-sails.  If  this 
were  not  so,  Paul  needed  not  to  have  written  to  sanctified  and  holy 
vouth,  Timothy,  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  gospel,  flee  the  lusts  of 

28 


218  LETTER  CLI.  PART  I, 

youth.  Give  Christ  your  virgin  love,  you  cannot  put  your  love  and 
heart  into  a  better  hand.  0  if  ye  knew  him,  and  saw  his  beauty ! 
Your  love,  your  heart,  your  desires  would  close  with  him,  and  cleave 
to  him.  Love  by  nature,  when  it  seeth,  cannot  but  cast  out  its  spirit 
and  strength  upon  amiable  objects,  and  good  things,  and  things  love 
■worthy;  and  what  fairer  thing  than  Christ?  0  fair  sun,  and  fair 
moon,  and  fair  stars,  and  fair  flowers,  and  fiiir  roses,  and  fair  lilies, 
and  fair  creatures  :  but  O  ten  thousand  times  fairer  Lord  Jesus  !  Alas, 
I  wronged  him  in  making  the  comparison  this  way  !  0  black  sun  and 
moon,  but  O  fair  Lord  Jesus  !  0  black  flowers,  and  black  lilies  and 
roses,  but  0  fair,  fair,  ever  fair  Lord  Jesus  !  O  all  fair  things,  black 
and  deformed  without  beauty,  when  ye  are  beside  that  fairest  Lord 
Jesus!  0  black  heaven,  but  O  fair  Christ!  O  black  angels,  but  sur- 
passingly fair  Lord  Jesus !  I  would  seek  no  more  to  make  me  happy 
for  evermore,  but  a  thorough  and  clear  sight  of  the  beauty  of  Jesus 
my  Lord  ;  let  my  eyes  enjoy  his  fairness,  and  stare  him  for  ever  in 
the  face,  and  I  have  all  that  can  be  wished.  Get  Christ  rather  than 
gold  or  silver  ;  seek  Christ,  howbeit  ye  should  lose  all  things  for  him. 
They  take  their  marks  by  the  moon,  and  look  a-squint,  in  looking  to 
fair  Christ,  who  resolve  for  the  world  and  their  ease,  and  for  their 
honour  and  court  and  credit ;  or  for  fear  of  losses  and  a  sore  skin, 
will  turn  their  back  upon  Christ  and  his  truth.  Alas,  how  many  blind 
eyes  and  squint  lookers  look  this  day  in  Scotland  upon  Christ's 
beauty,  and  they  sec  a  spot  in  Christ's  fair  face :  Alas  they  are  not 
woithy  of  Christ,  who  look  this  way  upon  him,  and  see  no  beauty  in 
him  why  tiiey  should  desire  him !  God  send  me  my  fill  of  his  beauty, 
if  it  be  possible  that  my  soul  can  be  full  of  his  beauty  here ;  but 
much  of  Christ's  beauty  needeth  not  abate  the  eager  appetite  of  a 
soul,  sick  of  love  for  himself,  to  see  him  in  the  other  world,  where 
he  is  seen  as  he  is.  I  am  glad  with  all  my  heart,  that  ye  have  given 
your  greenest  morning  age  to  this  Lord  Jesus  :  hold  on,  and  weary 
not,  faint  not,  resolve  upon  suflering  for  Christ ;  but  fear  not  ten  days' 
tribulation,  for  Christ's  sour  cross  is  sugared  with  comforts,  and  hath 
a  taste  of  Christ  himself.  I  esteem  it  my  glory,  my  joy  and  my 
crown,  and  I  bless  him  for  this  honour,  to  be  yoked  with  Christ,  and 
married  with  him  in  suflering,  who  therefore  was  bora,  and  therefore 
came  into  the  world,  that  he  might  bear  witness  to  the  truth.  Take 
pains  above  all  things  for  salvation  ;  for  without  running,  fighting, 
sweating,  wrestling,  heaven  is  not  taken.  0  happy  soul,  that  crosseth 
nature's  stomach,  and  delighteth  to  gain  that  fair  garland  and  crown 
of  glory  !  What  a  feckless  loss  is  it  for  you,  to  go  through  this  wil- 
derness, and  never  taste  sin's  sugared  pleasures !  what  poorer  is  a 
soul  to  want  pride,  lust,  love  of  the  world,  and  the  vanities  of  this 
vain  and  worthless  world  ?  Nature  hath  no  cause  to  weep  at  the  want 
of  such  toys  as  these.  Esteem  it  your  gain  to  be  an  heir  of  glory  ; 
O  but  that  is  an  eye-look  to  a  fair  rent !  The  very  hope  of  heaven, 
under  troubles,  is  like  wind  and  sails  to  the  soul,  and  like  wings,  when 
the  feet  come  out  of  the  snare.  O  !  for  what  stay  we  here  1  Up,  up, 
after  our  Lord  Jesus  :  this  is  not  our  rest,  nor  our  dwelling :  what 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXLII.  219 

have  we  to  do  in  this  prison,  except  only  to  take  meat  and  house  room 
in  it,  for  a  time  ?  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  soul's  well  wisher  and  Christ's  prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLII. 

To  William  Gordon,  at  Kenmure. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  long  in  answer- 
ing your  letter,  which  came  in  good  time  to  me.  It  is  my  aim  and 
hearty  desire,  that  my  furnace,  which  is  of  the  Lord's  kindling,  may 
sparkle  tire  upon  standcrs-by,  to  the  warming  of  their  hearts  with 
God's  love.  The  very  dust  that  falleth  from  Christ's  feet,  his  old 
ragged  clothes,  his  knotty  and  black  cross,  is  sweeter  to  me,  than 
king's  golden  crowns,  and  their  time-eaten  pleasures  :  I  should  be  a 
liar  and  false  witness,  if  I  should  not  give  my  Lord  Jesus  a  fair  testi- 
monial, with  my  whole  soul ;  my  word,  I  know,  will  not  heighten  him  ; 
he  needeth  not  such  props  under  his  feet,  to  raise  his  glory  high  : 
But  0  that  I  could  raise  him  the  height  of  heaven,  and  the  breadth 
and  length  of  ten  heavens,  in  the  estimation  of  all  his  young  lovers  ! 
For  we  have  all  shapen  Christ  but  too  narrow  and  too  short,  and 
formed  conceptions  of  his  love  in  our  conceit  very  unworthy  of  it. 
Oh  that  men  were  taken  and  catched  with  his  beauty  and  fairness ! 
they  would  give  over  playing  with  idols,  in  which  there  is  not  half 
room  for  the  love  of  one  soul  to  expatiate  itself;  and  man's  love  is 
but  heart- hungered  in  gnawing  upon  bare  bones,  and  sucking  at  dry 
breasts ;  it  is  well  wared  they  want,  who  will  not  come  to  him  who 
hath  a  world  of  love  and  goodness  and  bounty  for  all.  We  seek  to 
thaw  our  frozen  hearts  at  the  cold  smoke  of  the  short  timed  creature, 
and  our  souls  gather  neither  heat  nor  life,  nor  light :  for  these  cannot 
give  to  us  what  they  have  not  in  themselves.  O  that  we  could  thrust 
in  through  these  thorns  and  this  throng  of  bastard-lovers,  and  be 
ravished  and  sick  of  love  for  Christ!  We  should  tind  some  footing 
and  some  room,  and  sweet  ease  for  our  tottering  and  witless  souls  in 
our  Lord.  I  wish  it  were  it\  my  power,  after  this  day,  to  cry  down 
all  love  but  the  love  of  Christ,  and  to  cry  down  all  gods  but  Christ, 
all  saviours  but  Christ,  all  well-beloveds  but  Christ,  and  all  soul-suit- 
ers, all  love  beggars  but  Christ.  Ye  complain,  that  ye  want  a  mark 
of  the  sound  work  of  grace  and  love  in  your  soul.  For  answer,  con- 
sider for  your  satisfaction  (till  God  send  more)  Job  i.  3,  14.  And  as 
for  your  complaint  of  deadness  and  doubtings,  Christ  I  hope,  will 
take  your  deadness  and  you  together :  they  are  bodies  full  of  holes, 
running  boils,  and  broken  bones  that  need  mending,  that  Clirist  the 
Physician  taketh  up;  whole  vessels  are  not  for  the  Mediator  Christ's 
art :  publicans,  sinners,  whores,  harlots,  are  ready  market-wares  for 
Christ :  the  only  thing  that  will  bring  sinners  within  a  cast  of  Christ's 
drawing  arm,  is  that  which  ye  write  of,  some  feeling  of  death  and  sin, 
that  bringeth  forth  complaints ;  and  therefore  out  of  sense  complain 
more,  and  be  more  acquaint  with  all  the  cramps,  stitches  and  soul 


220  LETTER  CLIII.  PART  I. 

swoonings  that  trouble  you :  the  more  pain  and  the  more  night-watch- 
ing, and  the  more  fevers,  the  better ;  a  soul  bleeding  to  death,  till 
Christ  were  sent  for,  and  cried  for  in  all  haste,  to  come  and  stem  the 
blood,  and  close  up  the  hole  in  the  wound,  with  his  own  hand  and 
balm,  were  a  very  good  disease,  when  many  are  dying  of  a  whole 
heart.  We  have  all  too  little  of  hell-pain  and  terrors  that  way  :  nay 
God  send  me  such  a  hell,  as  Christ  hath  promised  to  make  a  heaven 
of.  Alas,  I  am  not  come  that  far  on  in  the  way,  as  to  say  in  sad 
earnest,  '  Lord  Jesus,  great  and  sovereign  Physician,  here  is  a  pained 
patient  for  thee.'  But  the  thing  that  we  mistake  is  the  want  of  vic- 
tory ;  we  hold  that  to  be  the  mark  of  one  that  hath  no  grace ;  nay,  I 
say,  the  want  of  fighting  were  a  mark  of  no  grace ;  but  I  shall  not 
Say,  the  want  of  victory  is  such  a  mark.  If  my  fire  and  the  devil's 
water  make  crackling  like  thunder  in  the  air,  I  am  the  less  feared  ; 
for  where  there  is  fire,  it  is  Christ's  part,  that  I  lay  and  bind  upon  him, 
to  keep  in  the  coal,  and  to  pray  the  Father  that  my  faith  fail  not,  if  I 
in  the  mean  time  be  wrestling,  and  doing,  and  fighting,  and  mourn- 
ing :  for  prayer  putteth  not  Paul's  thorn  in  the  flesh — the  messenger 
of  Satan — to  the  door  at  first ;  but  our  Lord  will  have  them  trying 
every  one  another,  and  let  Paul  fend  for  himself,  by  God's  help,  God 
keeping  the  stakes,  and  moderating  the  play  ;  and  ye  do  well  not  to 
doubt,  if  the  ground-stone  be  sure,  but  to  try  if  it  be  so  ;  for  there  is 
great  odds  between  doubting  that  we  have  grace,  and  trying  if  we 
have  grace  :  the  former  may  be  sin,  but  the  latter  is  good.  We  are 
but  loose  in  trying  our  free-holding  of  Christ,  and  making  sure  work 
of  Christ.  Holy  fear  is  a  searching  the  camp,  that  there  be  no 
enemy  within  our  bosom  to  betray  us,  and  a  seeing  that  all  be  fast  and 
sure:  for  I  see  many  leaking  vessels  fair  before  the  wind,  and  pro- 
fessors who  take  their  conversion  upon  trust,  and  they  go  on  securely, 
and  see  not  the  under  water,  till  a  storm  sink  them  :  each  man  had 
need  twice  a  day,  and  oftener,  to  be  riped  and  searched  with  candles. 
Pray  for  me,  that  the  Lord  would  give  me  house-room  again  to  hold 
a  candle  to  this  dark  world.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  and  Master,  xS.  R. 

Alxiidcen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLIH. 

To  Margaret  FuUerton. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  glad  that  ever  ye  did 
cast  your  love  on  Christ ;  fasten  more  and  more  love  every  day  on 
him.  O  if  I  had  a  river  of  love,  a  sea  of  love,  that  would  never  go 
dry  to  bestow  upon  him !  But  alas  the  pity !  Christ  hath  beauty  for 
me,  but  I  have  not  love  ibr  him.  O  what  pain  is  it,  to  see  Christ  ia 
his  beauty,  and  then  to  want  a  heart  and  love  for  him !  but  I  see  want, 
we  must,  till  Christ  lend  us  ;  never  to  be  paid  again.  0  that  he 
would  empty  these  vaults  and  lower  houses  of  these  poor  souls,  of 
these  bastard  and  base  lovers,  which  we  follow !  and  verily,  I  see  no 
object  in  heaven  or  in  earth,  that  I  could  ware  this  much  of  love  upon 


PART   I.  LETTER  CLIV.  221 

that  I  have,  but  upon  Christ.  Alas !  that  clay,  and  time,  and  sha- 
dows run  away  with  our  love,  which  is  ill  spent  upon  any  but  upon 
Christ :  each  fool  at  the  day  of  judgment  shall  seek  back  his  love 
from  the  creatures,  when  he  shall  see  them  all  in  a  fair  fire  :  but  they 
shall  prove  irresponsible  debtors :  and  therefore  it  is  best  here,  we 
look  ere  we  leap,  and  look  ere  we  love.  I  find  now  under  his  cross, 
that  I  would  fain  give  him  more  than  I  have  to  give  him,  if  giving  were 
in  my  power  :  but  I  rather  wish  him  my  heart  than  give  him  it ;  ex- 
cept he  take  it,  and  put  himself  in  possession  of  it  (for  I  hope  he 
hath  a  market-right  to  me,  since  he  hath  ransomed  me)  I  see  not  how 
Christ  can  have  me.  O  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  be  more  homely 
with  my  soul's  love,  and  lo  come  in  to  my  soul,  and  take  his  own  ! 
but  when  he  goeth  away  and  hideth  himself,  all  is  to  me  that  I  had  of 
Christ,  as  if  it  had  fallen  in  the  sea-bottom.  Oh  that  I  should  be  so 
fickle  in  my  love,  as  to  love  him  only  by  the  eyes  and  the  nose !  that 
is,  to  love  him  only  in  as  far  as  food  and  foohsh  sense  carrieth  me, 
and  no  more.  And  when  I  see  not,  and  smell  not,  and  touch  not, 
then  I  have  all  to  seek.  I  cannot  love  parquier,  nor  rejoice  parquier ; 
but  this  is  our  weakness,  till  we  be  at  home,  and  shall  have  aged  men's 
stomachs  to  bear  Christ's  love.  Pray  for  me,  that  our  Lord  would 
bring  me  back  to  you,  with  a  new  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
I  forget  not  you.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLIV. 

To  William  Glendinning. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Ye  are  heartily  welcome  to  that  honour,  that  Christ  hath  made 
common  to  us  both,  which  is  to  suffer  for  his  name.  Verily  I  think 
it  my  garland  and  crown  ;  and  if  the  Lord  should  ask  of  me  my 
blood  and  life  for  this  cause,  I  would  gladly,  in  his  strength,  pay  due 
debt  to  Christ's  honour  and  glory,  in  that  kind.  Acquaint  yourself 
with  Christ's  love,  and  ye  shall  not  miss  to  find  new  golden  mines  and 
treasures  in  Christ,  nay  truly,  we  but  stand  beside  Christ,  we  go  not 
in  to  him  to  take  our  fill  of  him.  But  if  he  should  do  two  things,  1 . 
Draw  the  curtains,  and  make  bear  his  holy  face  ;  and  then,  2.  Clear 
our  dim  and  bleared  eyes,  to  see  his  beauty  and  glory  ;  he  should  find 
many  lovers.  I  would  seek  no  more  happiness,  but  a  sight  of  him  so 
near  hand,  as  to  see,  hear,  smell,  and  touch,  and  embrace  him :  but 
oil,  closed  doors ;  and  vails,  and  curtains,  and  thick  clouds  hold  me 
in  pain,  while  I  find  the  sweet  burning  of  his  love,  that  many  waters 
cannot  quench !  O  what  sad  hours  have  I,  when  I  think,  that  the  love 
of  Chris*  scarreth  at  me,  and  bloweth  by  me !  if  my  Lord  Jesus 
would  come  to  bargaining  for  his  love,  I  think,  he  should  make  price 
himself;  I  should  not  refuse  ten  thousand  years  in  hell,  to  have  a  wide 
soul  enlarged  and  made,  wider,  that  I  might  be  exceedingly  (even  to 
the  running  over)  filled  with  his  love.  O  what  am  I  to  love  such  an 
one,  or  to  be  loved  by  that  high  and  lofty  One !  I  think  the  angels 


222  LETTER   CLV.  PART  I. 

may  blush  to  look  upon  him :  and  what  am  I  to  defile  such  infinite 
brightness  with  my  sinful  eyes !  0  that  Christ  would  come  near,  and 
stand  still  and  give  me  leave  to  look  upon  him  !  for  to  look  seemeth 
the  poor  man's  privilege,  since  he  may,  for  nothing,  and  without  hire, 
behold  the  sun.  I  should  have  a  king's  life,  if  I  had  no  other  thing  to 
do,  but  for  evermore  to  behold  and  eye  my  fair  Lord  Jesus  :  nay,  sup- 
pose I  were  holden  out  at  heaven's  fair  entry,  I  should  be  happy  for 
evermore,  to  look  through  an  hole  in  the  door,  and  see  rny  dearest 
and  fairest  Lord's  face.  0  great  King,  why  standest  thou  aloof? 
Why  remainest  thou  beyond  the  mountains  ?  O  Well-beloved,  why 
dost  thou  pain  a  poor  soul  with  delays  1  A  long  time  out  of  thy  glo- 
rious presence  is  two  deaths  and  two  hells  to  me ;  we  must  meet,  I 
must  see  him,  I  will  not  want  him.  Hunger  and  longing  for  Christ, 
hath  brought  on  such  a  necessity  of  enjoying  Christ,  that,  cost  me 
what  it  will,  I  cannot  but  assure  Christ  I  will  not,  I  cannot  want  him ; 
for  I  cannot  master  or  command  Christ's  love  ;  nay,  hell  (as  I  now 
think)  and  all  the  pains  in  it  laid  on  me  alone,  would  not  put  me  from 
loving  :  yea,  suppose  my  Lord  Jesus  would  not  love  me,  it  is  above 
my  strength  and  power  to  keep  back  or  imprison  the  weak  love  I 
have,  but  it  must  be  out  to  Christ :  I  would  set  heaven's  joy  aside, 
and  live  upon  Christ's  love  alone ;  let  me  have  no  joy  but  the  warm- 
ness  and  fire  of  Christ's  love,  I  seek  no  other,  Cod  knoweth  ;  if  this 
love  be  taken  from  me,  the  bottom  is  fallen  out  of  all  my  happiness 
and  joy ;  and  therefore  I  believe  Christ  will  never  do  me  that  much 
harm,  as  to  bereave  a  poor  prisoner  of  his  love ;  it  were  cruelty  to 
take  it  from  me ;  and  he  who  is  kindness  itself,  cannot  be  cruel. 
Dear  brother,  weary  not  of  my  sweet  Master's  chains ;  we  are  so 
much  the  sibber  to  Christ  that  we  suffer  :  lodge  not  a  hard  thought  of 
my  royal  King ;  rejoice  in  his  cross.  Your  deliverance  sleepeth  not. 
He  that  will  come  is  not  slack  of  his  promise  :  wait  on  for  God's 
timeous  salvation ;  ask  not  when,  or  how  long  1  I  hope  he  shall  lose 
nothing  of  you  in  the  furnace,  but  dross  :  commit  your  cause  in  meek- 
ness (forgiving  your  oppressors)  to  God  and  your  sentence  shall  come 
back  from  him  laughing.  Our  Bridegroom's  day  is  coming  fast  on  ; 
and  this  world  that  seemeth  to  go  with  a  long  and  a  short  foot,  shall 
be  put  in  two  ranks  :  wait  till  your  ten  days  be  ended,  and  hope  for 
the  crown  ;  Christ  will  not  give  you  a  blind  in  the  end.  Commend 
me  to  your  wife  and  father,  and  to  Bailie  M.  A.  and  send  this  letter  to 
him.  The  prayers  of  Christ's  prisoner  be  upon  you,  and  the  Lord's 
presence  accompany  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  Gth,  1637. 


LETTER  CLV. 

To  Robert  Lenox  of  Disdove. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord 
Jesus,  make  fast  and  sure  work  of  life  eternal :  sow  not  rotten  seed  ; 
every  man's  work  will  speak  for  itself;  what  his  seed  Jiath  been.     O 


PART   I.  LETTER   CLV.  223 

how  many  see  I,  who  sow  to  the  flesh !  Alas,  what  a  crop  will  that  be 
when  the  Lord  shall  put  in  his  hook  to  reap  this  world,  that  is  ripe 
and  white  for  judgment  ?  I  recommend  to  you  holiness  and  sanctifi- 
cation,  and  that  you  keep  yourself  clean  from  this* present  evil  world. 
We  delight  to  tell  our  own  dreams,  and  to  flatter  our  own  flesh  with 
the  hope  we  have  :  it  were  wisdom  for  us  to  be  free,  plain,  honest  and 
sharp  with  our  own  souls,  and  to  charge  them  to  brew  better,  that 
they  may  drink  well,  and  fare  well,  when  time  is  melted  away  like 
snow  in  a  hot  summer.  0  how  hard  a  thing  it  is  to  get  the  soul  to 
give  up  with  all  things  on  this  side  of  death  and  doomsday  !  We  say, 
we  are  removing  and  going  from  this  world  ;  but  our  heart  stirreth  not 
one  foot  off"  its  seat.  Alas !  I  see  few  heavenly  minded  souls,  that 
have  nothing  upon  the  earth,  but  their  body  of  clay  going  up  and 
down  this  earth,  because  their  soul  and  the  powers  of  it  are  up  in  hea- 
ven, and  there  their  hearts  live,  desire,  enjoy,  and  rejoice.  Oh  ! 
men's  souls  have  no  wings,  and  therefore  night  and  day  they  keep 
their  nest,  and  are  not  acquaint  with  Christ.  Sir,  take  you  to  your 
one  thing,  to  Christ,  that  ye  may  be  acquainted  with  the  taste  of  his 
sweetness  and  excellency,  and  charge  your  love  not  to  dote  upon  this 
world ;  for  it  will  not  do  your  business  in  that  day,  when  nothing  will 
come  in  good  stead  to  you,  but  God's  favour  :  build  upon  Christ  some 
good,  choice  and  fast  work  ;  for  when  your  soul  for  many  years  hath 
taken  the  play,  and  hath  posted,  and  wandered  through  the  creatures, 
ye  will  come  home  again  with  the  wind  :  they  are  not  good,  at  least 
not  the  soul's  good ;  it  is  the  infinite  God-head  that  must  allay  the 
sharpness  of  your  hunger  after  happiness  ;  otherwise  there  shall  still 
be  a  want  of  satisfaction  to  your  desires  :  and  if  he  should  cast  in  ten 
worlds  in  your  desires,  all  shall  fall  through,  and  your  soul  shall  still 
cry,  red  hunger,  black  hunger :  but  I  am  sure  there  is  sufficient  for 
you  in  Christ,  if  ye  had  seven  souls  and  seven  desires  in  you.  Oh  if 
I  could  make  my  Lord  Jesus  market-sweet,  lovely,  desirable,  and  fair 
to  all  the  world,  both  to  Jew  and  Gentile  !  O  let  my  part  of  heaven  go 
for  it,  so  being  he  would  take  my  tongue  to  be  his  instrument,  to  set 
out  Christ  in  his  whole  braveries  of  love,  virtue,  grace,  sweetness  and 
matchless  glory,  to  the  eyes  and  hearts  of  Jews  and  Gentiles !  but 
who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  !  O  for  the  help  of  angels'  tongues, 
to  make  Christ  eye-sweet  and  amiable  to  many  thousands !  O  how 
httle  doth  this  world  see  of  him,  and  how  far  are  they  from  the  love 
of  him,  seeing  there  is  so  much  loveliness,  beauty,  and  sweetness 
in  Christ,  that  no  created  eye  did  ever  yet  see  !  I  would  that  all  men 
knew  his  glory,  and  that  1  could  put  many  in  at  the  Bridegroom's 
chamber-door  ;  to  see  his  beauty,  and  to  be  partakers  of  his  high,  and 
deep,  and  broad,  and  boundless  love.  0  let  all  the  world  come  nigh 
and  see  Christ,  and  they  shall  then  see  more  than  I  can  say  of  him ! 
O  if  I  had  a  pledge  or  pawn  to  lay  down  for  a  sea-full  of  his  love ! 
that  I  could  come  by  so  much  of  Christ,  as  would  satisfy  all  my  long- 
ing for  him,  or  rather  increase  it,  till  I  were  in  full  possession  !  I  know 
we  shall  meet ;  and  therein  I  rejoice.  Sir,  stand  fast  in  the  truth  of 
Christ,  that  ye  have  received :  yield  to  no  winds  but  ride  out,  and  let 
Christ  be  your  anchor,  and  the  only  He,  whom  ye  shall  look  to  see 


2^4  LETTER   CLVI,  C'LVII.  PART  I. 

in  peace.     Pray  for  me  his  prisoner,  that  the  Lord  would  send  me 
among  you  to  feed  his  people.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLVL 

To  John  Fleming,  Baillie  of  Leith. 
WORTHY    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  Lord  hath  brought  me 
safe  to  this  strange  town ;  blessed  be  his  holy  name,  I  find  his  cross 
easy  and  light,  and  I  hope  he  will  be  with  his  poor  sold  Joseph,  who  is 
separated  from  his  brethren  :  his  comforts  have  abounded  towards  me, 
as  if  Christ  thought  shame  (if  I  may  speak  so)  to  be  in  common  of 
such  a  poor  man  as  I  am,  and  would  not  have  me  lose  any  thing  in 
his  errands.  My  enemies  have,  beside  their  intention,  made  me  more 
blessed,  and  have  put  me  in  a  sweeter  possession  of  Christ  than  ever 
I  had  before :  only  the  memory  of  the  fair  days  I  had  with  my  Well- 
beloved,  amongst  the  flock  intrusted  to  me,  keepeth  me  low,  and 
soureth  my  unseen  joy ;  but  it  must  be  so,  and  he  is  wise  who  tutor- 
eth  me  in  this  way  :  for  that  which  my  brethren  have,  and  I  want,  and 
others  of  this  world  have,  I  am  content,  my  faith  will  frist  God  my 
happiness  :  no  son  ofiendeth,  that  his  father  gave  him  not  hire  twice 
a-year;  for  he  is  to  abide  in  the  house,  when  the  inheritance  is  to  be 
divided :  it  is  better  God's  children  live  upon  hope,  than  upon  hire. 
Thus,  remembering  my  love  to  your  worthy  and  kind  wife ;  I  bless 
you  and  her,  and  all  yours,  in  the  Lord's  name. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  20,  1637. 


LETTER  CLYir. 

To  William  Glendimiing,  Baillie  of  Kirkcudbright, 
WORTHY  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  well,  honour  be  to 
God !  and  as  well  as  a  rejoicing  prisoner  of  Christ  can  be,  hoping 
that  one  day  he,  for  whom  I  now  suffer,  shall  enlarge  me,  and  put  me 
above  the  threatenings  of  men.  I  am  sometimes  sad,  heavy  and 
casten  down,  at  the  memory  of  the  fair  days  I  had  with  Christ,  in  An- 
woth,  Kirkcudbright,  &c.  The  remembrance  of  a  feast  increaseth 
hunger  in  a  hungry  man ;  but  who  knoweth,  but  our  Lord  will  yet 
cover  a  table  in  the  wilderness  to  his  hungry  children,  and  build  the 
old  waste  places  in  Scotland,  and  bring  home  Zion's  captives  ?  I  de- 
sire to  see  no  more  glorious  sight,  till  I  see  the  Lamb  on  his  throne, 
than  to  see  mount  Zion  all  green  with  grass,  and  the  dew  lying  upon 
the  tops  of  the  grass,  and  the  crown  put  upon  Christ's  head  in  Scot- 
land again  ;  and  I  believe  it  shall  be  so,  and  that  Christ  shall  mow 
down  his  enemies,  and  fill  the  pits  with  their  dead  bodies.  I  find 
people  here  dry  and  uncouth  :  a  man  pointed  at  for  suffering  dare  not 
be  countenanced ;  so  that  I  am  like  to  sit  mine  alone  upon  the  ground : 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLVIII.  225 

but  my  Lord  payeth  me  well  home  again  ;  for  I  have  neither  tongue, 
nor  pen,  nor  heart  to  express  the  sweetness  and  excellency  of  the  love 
of  Christ.  Christ's  honeycombs  drop  honey  and  floods  of  consola- 
tion upon  my  soul ;  my  chains  are  gold :  Christ's  cross  is  all  over- 
gilded and  perfumed ;  his  prison  is  the  garden  and  orchard  of  my  de- 
lights ;  I  would  go  through  burning  quick  to  my  lovely  Christ ;  I 
sleep  in  his  arms,  all  the  night,  and  my  head  betwixt  his  breasts  :  my 
Well-beloved  is  altogether  lovely  ;  this  is  all  nothing,  to  that  which 
my  soul  hath  felt.  Let  no  man,  for  my  cause,  scar  at  Christ's  cross  : 
if  my  stipend,  place,  country,  credit,  had  been  an  earldom,  a  king- 
dom, ten  kingdoms,  and  a  whole  earth  ;  all  were  too  little  for  the 
crown  and  sceptre  of  my  royal  King.  Mine  enemies,  mine  enemies 
have  made  me  blessed  :  they  have  sent  me  to  the  Bridegroom's  cham- 
ber ;  love  is  his  banner  over  me  :  I  live  a  King's  life  :  I  want  nothing 
but  heaven,  and  possession  of  the  crown  :  my  earnest  is  great,  Christ 
is  no  niggard  to  me.  Dear  brother,  be  for  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  his 
heart-broken  bride.  I  need  not  (I  hope)  remember  my  distressed 
brother  to  your  care.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife,  let  Christ 
want  nothing  of  us  :  his  garments  shall  be  rolled  in  the  blood  of  the 
slain  of  Scotland.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  Pray  for  Christ's  pri- 
soner. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  21,  1637. 


LETTER  CLVIII. 

To  Robert  Gordon,  of  Knockbrex. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  by  God's  mercy  come 
now  to  Aberdeen,  the  place  of  my  confinement,  and  settled  in  an 
honest  man's  house  :  I  find  the  town's  men  cold,  general,  and  dry  in 
their  kindness  ;  yet  I  find  a  lodging  in  the  heart  of  many  strangers. 
My  challenges  are  revived  again,  and  I  find  old  sores  are  bleeding  of 
new  ;  so  dangerous  and  painful  is  an  undercotted  conscience  ;  yet  I 
have  an  eye  to  the  blood  that  is  physic  for  such  sores  :  but  verily,  I 
see  Christianity  is  conceived  to  be  more  easy  and  lighter  than  it  is  ; 
so  that  I  sometimes  think,  I  never  knew  any  thing  but  the  letters  of 
that  name ;  for  our  nature  contenteth  itself  with  little  in  godliness. 
Our  Lord,  Lord,  seemeth  to  us,  ten  Lord  Lords  ;  little  holiness  in  our 
balance  is  much,  because  it  is  our  own  holiness  ;  and  we  love  to  lay 
small  burdens  upon  our  soft  natures,  and  to  make  a  fair  court-way  to 
heaven  ;  and  I  know  it  were  necessary  to  take  more  pains  than  we  do, 
and  not  to  make  heaven  a  city  more  easily  taken  than  God  hath  made 
it ;  I  persuade  myself,  many  runners  shall  come  short  and  get  a 
disappointment.  Oh !  how  easy  is  it  to  deceive  ourselves,  and  to 
sleep  and  wish  that  heaven  may  fall  down  in  our  laps  !  Yet,  for  all  my 
Lord's  glooms,  I  find  him  sweet,  gracious,  loving,  kind !  and  I  want 
both  pen  and  words  to  set  forth  the  fairness,  beauty  and  sweetness  of 
Christ's  love,  and  the  honour  of  this  cross  of  Christ,  which  is  glori- 
ous to  me,  though  the  world  thinketh  shame  thereof;  I  verily  think, 

29 


226  LETTER   CLIX.  PART  1. 

that  the  cross  of  Christ  would  blush  and  think  shame  of  these  thin- 
skinned  worldlings,  who  are  so  married  to  their  credit,  that  they  are 
ashamed  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ.  0  the  honour  to  be  scourged, 
stoned  with  Christ,  and  to  go  through  a  furious  faced  death  to  life 
eternal !  but  men  would  have  law-boiTows  against  Christ's  cross. 
Now,  my  dear  brother,  forget  not  the  prisoner  of  Christ ;  for  I  see 
very  few  here,  who  kindly  fear  God.  Grace  be  with  you.  Let  my 
love  in  Christ  and  hearty  affection  be  remembered  to  your  kind  wife, 
and  to  your  brother  John,  and  to  all  friends.  The  Lord  Jesus  be  with 
your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  E. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  20,  1636. 


LETTER  CLIX. 

To  Earlestoun,  Younger. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  well,  Christ  triumplieth 
in  me,  blessed  be  his  name  ;  I  have  all  things,  I  burden  no  man  :  I 
see,  this  earth  and  the  fulness  thereof  as  my  Father's :  sweet,  sweet 
is  the  cross  of  my  Lord.  The  blessing  of  God  upon  the  cross  of 
my  Lord  Jesus.  My  enemies  have  contributed  (beside  their  design) 
to  make  me  blessed.  This  is  my  palace,  not  my  prison  ;  especially, 
when  my  Lord  shineth  and  smileth  upon  his  poor  afflicted  and  sold  Jo- 
seph, who  is  separated  from  his  brethren  :  but  often  he  hideth  himself, 
and  there  is  a  day  of  law,  and  a  court  of  challenges  within  me ;  I 
know  not,  if  fenced  in  God's  name,  but  oh  my  neglects !  Oh  my  un- 
seen guiltiness !  I  imagined,  that  a  sufferer  for  Christ  kept  the  keys 
of  Christ's  treasure,  and  might  take  out  his  heart  full  of  comforts, 
when  he  pleased  ;  but  I  see  a  sufferer  and  witness  will  be  holden  at 
the  door,  as  well  as  another  poor  sinner,  and  glad  to  eat  with  the  chil- 
dren, and  to  take  the  by-board.  This  cross  hath  let  me  see,  that  hea- 
ven is  not  at  the  next  door,  and  that  it  is  a  castle  not  soon  taken :  I 
see  also,  it  is  neither  pain  nor  art  to  play  the  hypocrite.  We  have  all 
learned  to  sell  ourselves  for  double  price,  and  to  make  the  people,  who 
call  ten  twenty,  and  twenty  an  hundred,  esteem  us  half  gods,  or  men 
fallen  out  of  the  clouds ;  but  oh  sincerity,  sincerity,  if  I  knew  what 
sincerity  meaneth.  Sir,  lay  the  foundation  thus,  and  ye  shall  not 
soon  shrink,  nor  be  shaken  :  make  tight  work  at  the  bottom,  and  your 
ship  shall  ride  against  all  storms,  if  withal  your  anchor  be  fastened 
upon  good  ground,  I  mean  within  the  vail ;  and  verily  I  think  this  is 
all,  to  gain  Christ ;  all  other  things  are  shadows,  dreams,  fancies,  and 
nothing.  Sir,  remember  my  love  to  your  mother ;  I  pray  for  mercy 
and  grace  to  her  ;  I  wish  her  on-going  toward  heaven  ;  as  I  promised 
to  write,  so  shew  her  I  want  nothing  in  my  Lord's  service ;  Christ 
will  not  be  in  such  a  poor  man's  common  as  mine.  Grace,  grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  22,  1637. 


227 
LETTER  CLX. 

To  John  Gordon. 
WORTHY    AffD    PEAR    DROTHi:R, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long  in 
writing  to  you,  but  multitude  of  letters  taketh  much  time  from  me.  I 
bless  his  great  name,  whom  I  serve  in  the  spirit,  if  it  came  to  voting 
amongst  angels  and  men,  how  excellent  and  sweet  Christ  is,  even  in 
his  reproaches  and  in  his  cross,  I  cannot  but  vote  with  the  first,  that 
all  that  is  in  him,  both  cross  and  crown,  kisses  and  glooms,  embrace- 
ments,  and  frownings,  and  strokes,  are  sweet  and  glorious.  God 
send  me  no  more  happiness  in  heaven,  or  out  of  heaven  but  Christ : 
for  I  find  this  world,  when  I  have  looked  upon  it  on  both  sides,  within 
and  without,  and  when  I  have  seen  even  the  laughing  and  lovely  side 
of  it,  to  be  but  a  fool's  idol,  a  clay  prison  ;  Lord,  let  it  not  be  the  nest 
that  my  hope  buildeth  in.  I  have  now  cause  to  judge  my  part  of  this 
earth  not  worth  a  blast  of  smoke,  or  a  mouthful  of  brown  bread.  I 
wish  my  hope  may  take  a  running  leap,  and  skip  over  time's  pleasures, 
sin's  plaistering  and  gold-foil,  this  vain  earth,  and  rest  upon  my  Lord. 
O  how  great  is  our  night-darkness  in  this  wilderness !  to  have  any 
conceit  at  all  of  this  world,  is  as  a  man  would  close  his  handful  of 
water,  and,  holding  his  hand  in  the  river,  say,  all  the  water  of  the 
flood  is  his,  as  if  it  were  indeed  all  within  the  compass  of  his  hand  : 
who  would  not  laugh  at  thoughts  of  such  a  crack-brain  ]  Verily  they 
have  but  an  handful  of  water,  and  are  but  like  a  child  clasping  his  two 
hands  about  a  night-shadow,  who  idolize  any  created  hope,  but  God. 
X  now  lightly,  and  put  the  price  of  a  dream,  or  fable,  or  black  nothing, 
upon  all  things,  but  God,  and  that  desirable  and  love-worthy  One,  my 
Lord  Jesus  :  let  all  the  world  be  nothing,  for  nothing  was  their  seed 
and  mother,  and  let  God  be  all  things.  My  very  dear  brother,  know 
3'e  are  as  near  heaven,  as  ye  are  far  from  yourself,  and  far  from  the  love 
of  a  bewitching  and  whorish  world  ;  for  this  world,  in  its  gain  and  glory, 
is  but  the  great  and  notable  common  whore,  that  all  the  sons  of  men 
have  been  in  fancy  and  lust  withal  these  5000  years  :  the  children  that 
they  have  begotten  with  this  uncouth  and  lustful  lover,  are  but  vanity, 
dreams,  golden  imaginations,  and  night  thoughts  ;  for  there  is  no  good 
ground  here  under  the  covering  of  heaven,  for  men,  and  poor  wearied 
souls,  to  set  down  their  foot  upon.  0  !  he  who  is  called  God,  that 
One  whom  they  term  Jesus  Christ,  is  worth  the  having  indeed  :  even 
if  I  had  given  away  all  without  my  eye-holes,  my  soul,  and  myself  for 
sweet  Jesus  my  Lord  !  O  let  the  claim  be  cancelled,  that  the  creatures 
have  to  me,  except  that  claim  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  to  me  !  O  that  he 
would  claim  poor  me,  my  silly,  light  and  worthless  soul !  O  that  he 
would  pursue  his  claim  to  the  utmost  point,  and  not  want  me !  for  it 
is  my  pain  and  remediless  sorrow  to  want  him.  I  see  nothing  in  this 
life,  but  sinks,  and  mires,  and  dreams,  and  beguihng  ditches,  and  ill 
ground  for  us  to  build  upon.  I  am  fully  persuaded  of  Christ's  victory 
in  Scotland,  but  I  fear  this  land  be  not  yet  ripe  and  white  for  mercy  : 
yet  I  dare  be  halfer,  upon  my  salvation,  with  the  losses  of  the  church 
of  Scotland,  that  her  foes'  afternoon  shall  sing  dool  and  sorrow  for 
evermore,  and  that  her  joy  shall  once  again  be  cried  up,  and  her  sky 


228  LETTER    CLXI.  PART  I. 

shall  clear ;  but  vengeance  and  burning  shall  be  to  her  adversaries, 
and  the  sinners  of  this  land.  Oh  that  we  could  be  awakened  to  pray- 
ers and  humiliation  !  Then  should  our  sun  shine  like  seven  suns  in 
the  heaven,  then  should  the  temple  of  Christ  be  builded  upon  the  moun- 
tain tops,  and  the  land  from  coast  to  coast  should  be  filled  with  the  glory 
of  the  Lord.  Brother,  your  day-task  is  wearing  short,  your  hour- 
glass of  this  span-length  and  hand-breadth  of  life  will  quickly  pass ; 
and  therefore  take  order  and  course  with  matters  betwixt  you  and 
Christ,  before  it  come  to  open  pleading ;  there  are  no  quarters  to  be 
had  of  Christ,  in  open  judgment.  I  know,  ye  see  your  thread  wearing 
short,  and  that  there  are  not  many  inches  to  the  thread's  end  ;  and 
therefore  lose  not  time.  Remember  me  his  prisoner,  that  it  would 
please  the  Lord  to  bring  me  again  amongst  you  with  abundance  of 
the  gospel.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R,. 

AberLleen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXI. 

To  Mr.  Hugh  M'Kail. 
REVET^ENl)  AND  PEAR  BROTHEU, 

I  THANK  you  for  your  letter.  I  cannot  but  shew  you,  that  as  I 
never  expected  any  thing  from  Christ,  but  much  good  and  kindness  ; 
so  he  hath  made  me  to  find  it,  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage  ;  and 
believe  me,  brother,  I  gave  it  to  you  under  my  own  hand-writ,  that, 
whoso  looketh  to  the  white  side  of  Christ's  cross,  and  can  take  it  up 
handsomely  with  faith  and  courage,  shall  find  it  such  a  burden,  as  sails 
are  to  a  ship,  or  wings  to  a  bird.  I  find  my  Lord  hath  overgilded  that 
black  tree,  and  hath  perfumed  it,  and  oiled  it,  with  joy  and  consolation. 
Like  a  fool,  once  I  would  chide  and  plead  with  Christ,  and  slander 
him  to  others  of  unkindness :  but  I  trust  in  God,  not  to  call  his 
glooms  unkind  again  ;  for  he  hath  taken  from  me  my  sackcloth  ;  and 
I  verily  cannot  tell  you,  what  a  poor  sold  Joseph  and  prisoner,  with 
whom  my  mother's  children  were  angry,  doth  now  think  of  kigd 
Christ.  1  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-side 
of  Christ,  and  to  put  him  in  between  me  and  the  storm  ;  and  I  thank 
God,  I  walk  on  the  sunny  side  of  the  brae.  I  write  it  that  ye  may 
speak  in  my  behalf  the  praises  of  my  Lord  to  others,  that  my  bonds 
may  preach.  O  if  all  Scotland  knew  the  feats  and  love-blinks,  and 
visits,  that  the  prelates  have  sent  me  unto  !  I  will  verily  give  my 
Lord  Jesus  a  free  discharge  of  all,  that  I,  like  a  fool,  laid  to  his 
charge,  and  beg  him  pardon  to  the  mends.  God  grant,  that,  in  my 
temptations,  I  come  not  on  this  wrong  side  again,  and  never  again  fall 
a  raving  against  my  Physician,  in  my  fever.  Brother,  plead  with  your 
mother,  while  ye  have  time ;  a  pulpit  would  be  a  high  feas-t  to  mo ; 
but  I  dare  not  say  one  word  against  him,  who  hath  done  it ;  I  am  not 
out  of  the  house  as  yet ;  my  sweet  Master  saith,  I  shall  have  house- 
room  at  his  own  elbow,  albeit  their  synagogue  will  need  force  to  cast 


PART  I*  LETTER   CLXII,   CLXIII.  229 

me  out.     A  letter  were  a  work  of  charity  to  me.     Grace  be  with  you. 
Pray  for  me. 

Your  brother  and  Christ's  prisoner,  S.  E. 

Aberdeen,  Nov.  22,  1636. 


LETTER  CLXII. 

To  James  Murray. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter ;  I  am  in  good  health  of  body,  but  far  bet- 
ter in  my  soul.  I  find  my  Lord  no  worse  than  his  word  ;  I  will  be 
with  him  in  trouble,  is  made  good  to  me  now  ;  he  heareth  the  sighing 
of  the  prisoner.  Brother,  I  am  comforted  in  my  royal  Prince  and 
King  ;  this  world  knoweth  not  our  life,  it  is  a  mystery  to  them  ;  we 
have  the  sunny  side  of  the  world,  and  our  paradise  is  far  above  theirs, 
yea,  our  weeping  above  their  laughing,  which  is  but  like  the  crackling 
of  thorns  under  a  pot ;  and  therefore  we  have  good  cause  to  fight  it 
out,  for  the  day  of  our  laureation  is  approaching.  I  find  my  prison 
the  sweetest  place  that  ever  I  was  in;  my  Lord  Jesus  is  kind  to  me, 
and  hath  taken  the  mask  off  his  face,  and  is  content  to  quit  me  all  by- 
gones ;  I  dare  not  complain  of  him.  And  for  my  silence  I  lay  it  be- 
fore Christ ;  I  hope  it  shall  be  a  speaking  silence  ;  he  who  knoweth 
what  I  would,  knoweth  that  my  soul  desireth  no  more,  but  that  King 
Jesus  may  be  great  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  in  the  south,  and  in  the 
east,  and  west,  through  my  sufferings  for  the  freedom  of  my  Lord's 
house  and  kingdom.  If  I  could  keep  good  quarters  in  time  to  come 
with  Christ,  I  would  fear  nothing ;  but  oh !  oh !  I  complain  of  my 
woful  out-breakings  ;  I  tremble  at  the  remembrance  of  a  new  out-cast 
betwixt  him  and  me ;  and  I  have  cause,  when  I  consider  what  sick 
and  sad  days  I  have  had  for  his  absence,  who  is  now  come.  I  find 
Christ  cannot  be  long  unkind;  our  Joseph's  bowels  yearn  within 
him,  he  cannot  smother  love  long,  it  must  break  out  at  length. 
Praise,  praise  with  me,  brother,  and  desire  my  acquaintance  to  help 
me ;  I  dare  not  conceal  his  love  to  my  soul,  1  wish  you  all  a  part  of 
my  feast,  that  my  Lord  Jesus  may  be  honoured  ;  I  allow  you  not  to 
hide  Christ's  bounty  to  me,  when  ye  meet  with  such  as  know  Christ. 
Ye  write  nothing  to  me,  what  are  the  cruel  mercies  of  the  prelates  to- 
wards me.  The  ministers  of  this  town,  as  I  hear,  intend  that  I  shall 
be  more  strictly  confined,  or  else  transported,  because  they  find  some 
people  aflfect  me.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Nov.  21,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXIII. 

To  John  Fleming;,  Baillie  of  Leith. 
>1Y   VERY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter ;  I 
bless  my  Lord  through  Jesus  Christ,  I  find  his  word  good,  Isai.  xlviii. 
10.     I  have  chosen  thee  in  the  furnace  of  ajjiiciion,  and  Psal.  xci.  15. 


230  LETTER  CLXIV.  PART  I. 

I  loill  be  icith  him  in  trouble.  I  never  expected  other  at  Christ's 
hand,  but  much  good  and  comfort ;  and  t  am  not  disappointed  :  I  find 
my  Lord's  cross  overgilded  and  oiled  with  comforts.  My  Lord  hath 
now  shewn  me  the  white  side  of  his  cross ;  I  would  not  exchange  my 
weeping  in  prison  with  the  fourteen  prelates'  laughter,  amidst  their 
hungry  and  lean  joys.  This  world  knoweth  not  the  sweetness  of 
Christ's  love,  it  is  a  mystery  to  them.  At  my  first  coming  here,  I 
found  great  heaviness,  especially  because  it  had  pleased  the  prelates 
to  add  this  gentle  cruelty  to  my  former  sufferings,  (for  it  is  gentle  to 
them,)  to  inhibit  the  ministers  of  the  town  to  give  me  the  liberty  of  a 
pulpit :  I  said,  what  aileth  Christ  at  my  service  ?  but  I  was  a  fool,  he 
hath  chid  himself  friends  with  me :  if  ye  and  others  of  God's  chil- 
dren shall  praise  his  great  name,  who  maketh  worthless  men  wit- 
nesses for  him,  my  silence  and  sufferings  shall  preach  more  than  my 
tongue  could  do :  if  his  glory  be  seen  in  me  I  am  satisfied  ;  for  I 
want  no  kindness  of  Christ.  And  Sir,  I  dare  not  smother  his  libe- 
rality ;  I  write  it  to  you,  that  ye  may  praise  and  desire  your  brother 
and  others  to  join  with  me  in  this  work.  This  land  shall  be  made 
desolate,  our  iniquities  are  full:  the  Lord  saith,  we  shall  drink,  and 
spue,  and  fall.  Remember  my  love  to  your  good  kind  wife.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Nov.  13,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXIV. 

To  Earlstoun,  Elder. 

Rev.  xii.  11.    And  they  overcame  the  dragon  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  tlie 

word  of  their  testimony  ;  and  they  loved  not  their  lives  unto  the  death. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  see  you  on  paper, 
and  to  be  refreshed  by  you.  I  cannot  but  desire  you,  and  charge  you 
to  help  me  to  praise  him,  who  feedeth  a  poor  prisoner  with  the  fatness 
of  his  house.  0  how  weighty  is  his  love  1  O  but  there  is  much  tell- 
ing in  Christ's  kindness  !  The  Amen  the  faithful  and  true  witness  hath 
paid  me  my  hundred  fold,  well  told,  and  one  to  the  hundred :  I  com- 
plained of  him,  but  he  is  owing  me  nothing  now.  Sir,  I  charge  you 
to  help  me  to  praise  his  goodness,  and  to  proclaim  to  others  my  Bride- 
groom's kindness,  whose  love  is  better  than  wine.  I  took  up  an  ac- 
tion against  Christ  my  Lord  1  and  I  said.  This  is  my  death,  he  hath 
forgotten  me  :  but  my  meek  Lord  held  his  peace,  and  beheld  me,  and 
would  not  contend  for  the  last  word  of  flyting,  and  now  he  hath  chided 
himself  friends  with  me  :  and  now  I  see  he  must  be  God,  and  I  must 
be  flesh.  I  pass  from  my  summons.  I  acknowledge  he  might  have 
given  me  my  fill  of  it  and  never  troubled  himself:  but  now  he  hath 
taken  away  the  mask  ;  I  have  been  comforted  ;  he  could  not  smother 
his  love  any  longer  to  a  prisoner  and  a  stranger.  God  grant  that  I 
may  never  buy  a  plea  against  Christ  again,  but  may  keep  good  quar- 
ters with  him.  I  want  no  kindness,  no  love-tokens  ;  but  oh,  wise  is 
his  love !  for  notwithstanding  of  this  hot  summer  blink,  1  am  kept  low 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXV.  231 

with  the  grief  of  my  silence ;  for  his  word  is  in  me  as  a  fire  in  my 
bowels ;  and  I  see  the  Lord's  vineyard  laid  waste,  and  the  heathen 
entered  into  the  sanctuary  ;  and  my  belly  is  pained,  and  my  soul  in 
heaviness,  because  the  Lord's  people  are  gone  into  captivity,  and  be- 
cause of  the  fury  of  the  Lord,  and  that  wind  but  neither  to  fan  nor  to 
purge  that  is  coming  upon  apostate  Scotland.  Also  I  am  kept  awake 
with  the  late  wrong  done  to  my  brother ;  but  I  trust  ye  will  counsel 
and  comfort  him.  Yet  in  this  mist,  I  see,  and  believe,  the  Lord  will 
heal  this  halting  kirk,  and  loill  lay  her  stones  iviih  fair  colours,  and  her 
foundations  ivilh  sapphires,  and  ivill  make  her  windows  of  agates,  and 
her  gates  carbuncles,  lsa.i.  \iv.  11.  12.  And  for  brass  he  will  bring 
gold :  he  hath  created  the  smith  that  formed  the  sword,  no  weapon  in 
war  shall  prosper  against  us.  Let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
for  his  salvation  is  near  to  come.  Remember  me  to  your  wife  and 
your  son  John  ;  and  I  intreat  you  to  write  to  me.  Grace,  grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Dec.  30,  1636. 


LETTER  CLXV. 

To  Mr.  John  Fergushill. 
REVEREND    AND    WELL-BELOVED    IN    OUR    LORD    JESUS, 

I  MUST  still  provoke  you  to  write  by  my  lines,  whereat  ye  need  not 
wonder ;  for  the  cross  is  full  of  talk,  and  speak  it  must,  either  good  or 
bad :  neither  can  grief  be  silent.  I  have  no  ditty  nor  inditement  to 
bring  against  Christ's  cross,  seeing  he  hath  made  a  friendly  agree- 
ment betwixt  me  and  it,  and  we  are  in  terms  of  love  together.  If  my 
former  miscarriages,  and  my  now  silent  sabbaths,  seem  to  me  to  speak 
wrath  from  the  Lord,  I  dare  say,  it  is  but  Satan  borrowing  the  use 
and  loan  of  my  cowardly  and  feeble  apprehensions,  which  start  at 
straws.  I  know  faith  is  not  so  faint  and  tbolish  as  to  tremble  at  every 
false  alarm ;  yet  I  gather  this  out  of  it,  '  Blessed  are  they  who  are 
graced  of  God  to  guide  a  cross  well,  and  that  there  is  some  art  requi- 
red therein.'  I  pray  God  I  may  not  be  so  ill  friend-stead,  as  that 
Christ  my  Lord  should  leave  me  to  be  my  own  tutor,  and  my  own 
physician.  Shall  I  not  think,  but  my  Lord  Jesus,  who  deserveth  his 
own  place  very  well,  will  take  his  own  place  upon  him  as  it  becometh 
him,  and  that  he  will  fill  his  own  chair  ?  for  in  this  is  his  office,  to 
comfort  us,  and  those  that  are  casten  down  in  all  their  tribidations,  2 
Cor.  i.  4.  Alas !  I  know  I  am  a  fool  to  seek  an  hole  or  defect  in 
Christ's  way  with  my  soul.  If  I  have  not  a  stock  to  present  to 
Christ,  at  his  appearance,  yet  I  pray  God  I  may  be  able,  with  joy, 
faith  and  constancy,  to  shew  the  Captain  of  my  salvation,  in  that  day, 
a  bloody  head  that  I  received  in  his  service.  Howbeit  my  faith  hang 
by  a  small  thread,  I  hope  the  thread  shall  not  break  }  and  howbeit  my 
Lord  get  no  service  of  me  but  broken  wishes,  yet  I  trust  these  shall 
be  accepted  upon  Christ's  account.  I  have  nothing  to  comfort  me, 
but  that  I  say,  Oh!  will  the  Lord  disappoint  an  hungry  on-waiter? 
The  smell  of  Christ's  wine  and  apples,  which  surpass  the  up-taking  of 


232  LETTER  CLXV.  PART  I. 

dull  sense,  bloweth  upon  my  soul,  and  I  get  no  more  for  the  mean 
time.  I  am  sure,  to  let  a  famishing  body  see  meat,  and  give  him 
none  of  it,  is  a  double  pain  ;  our  Lord's  love  is  not  so  cruel,  as  to  let 
a  poor  man  see  Christ  and  heaven,  and  never  give  him  for  want  of 
money  to  buy  ;  nay,  I  rather  think  Christ  such  fair  market  wares,  as 
buyers  may  have  without  money  and  without  price  :  and  thus  I  know, 
it  shall  not  stand  upon  my  want  of  money  ;  for  Christ  upon  his  own 
charges,  must  buy  my  wedding  garment,  and  redeem  the  inheritance 
which  I  have  forfeited,  and  give  his  word  for  one  the  like  of  me,  who 
am  not  law-bidding  of  myself;  poor  folks  must  either  borrow  or  beg 
from  the  rich ;  and  the  only  thing  that  commendeth  sinners  to  Christ, 
is  extreme  necessity  and  want ;  Christ's  love  is  ready  to  make  and 
provide  a  ransom  and  money  for  a  poor  body,  who  hath  lost  his  purse  ; 
Ho  ye  that  have  no  money,  come  and  buy,  Isa.  Iv.  1.  that  is  the  poor 
man's  market.  Now,  brother,  I  see  old  croses  would  have  done 
nothing  at  me,  and  therefore  Christ  hath  taken  a  new  fresh  rod  to  me, 
that  seemeth  to  talk  with  my  soul,  and  make  me  tremble.  I  have 
often  more  ado  now  with  faith,  when  I  lose  my  compass,  and  ara 
blown  on  a  rock,  than  those  who  are  my  beholders,  standing  upon  the 
shore,  are  aware  of.  A  counsel  to  a  sick  man  is  sooner  given  than 
taken.  Lord  send  the  wearied  man  a  borrowed  bed  from  Christ :  I 
think  often  it  is  after  supper  with  me,  and  I  am  heavy  ;  O  but  I  would 
sleep  soundly  with  Christ's  left  hand  under  my  head,  and  his  right 
hand  embracing  me ;  the  devil  could  not  spill  that  bed.  When  I 
consider  how  tenderly  Christ  hath  cared  for  me  in  this  prison,  I  think 
he  hath  handled  me  as  the  child  that  is  pitied  and  bemoaned ;  I  desire 
no  more  till  I  be  in  heaven,  but  such  a  feast  and  fill  of  Christ's  love  as 
I  would  have  ;  this  love  would  be  fair  and  adorning  passments,  which 
would  beautify  and  set  forth  my  black  unpleasant  cross.  I  cannot  tell, 
my  dear  brother,  what  a  great  load  I  would  bear,  if  I  had  a  hearty  fill 
of  the  love  of  that  lovely  One,  Christ  Jesus  ;  oh  if  he  would  seek  and 
pray  for  that  to  me  !  I  would  give  Christ  all  his  love-styles  and 
titles  of  honour,  if  he  would  give  me  but  this  ;  nay,  I  would  sell 
myself  (if  I  could)  for  that  love.  I  have  been  waiting  to  see  what 
friends  of  place  and  power  would  do  for  us ;  but  when  the  Lord 
looseth  the  pins  of  hig  own  tabernacle,  he  will  have  himself  to  be 
acknowledged  as  the  only  builder  up  thereof;  and  therefore  I  would 
take  back  again  my  hope  that  I  lent  and  laid  in  pawn  in  men's  hands, 
and  give  it  wholly  to  Christ.  It  is  no  time  for  me  now  to  set  up  idols 
of  my  own ;  it  were  a  pity  to  give  an  ounce  weight  of  hope  to  any 
besides  Christ ;  I  think  him  well  worthy  of  all  my  hope,  though  it 
were  as  weighty  as  both  heaven  and  earth.  Happy  were  I,  if  I  had 
any  thing  that  Christ  would  seek  or  accept  of;  but  now,  alas,  I  sec 
not  what  service  I  can  do  to  him,  except  it  be  to  talk  a  little,  and 
babble  upon  a  piece  of  paper,  concerning  the  love  of  Christ.  I  am 
often  as  if  my  faith  were  wadset  so  that  I  cannot  command  it :  and 
then,  when  he  hideth  himself,  I  run  to  the  other  extreme,  in  making 
each  wing  and  toe  of  my  case  as  big  as  a  mountain  of  iron  :  and  then 
misbelief  can  spin  out  an  hell  of  heavy  and  desponding  thoughts  ; 
then  Christ  seeketh  law-borrows  of  my  unbelieving  apprehensions,  and 


PART   I.  LETTER  CLXVI.  ^33 

chargeth  me  to  believe  his  day-light  at  mid-night.  But  I  make  pleas 
with  Christ,  though  it  be  my  ill  common  so  to  do ;  it  were  my  happi- 
ness, when  I  am  in  this  house  of  wine,  and  when  I  find  a  feast  day, 
if  I  could  hearken  and  hear  for  the  time  to  come,  Isa.  xlii.  23.  But  I 
see,  we  must  be  off  our  feet  in  wading  a  deep  water ;  and  then 
Christ's  love  findeth  timeous  employment  at  such  a  dead  lift  as  that ; 
and  besides,  after  broken  brows,  children  learn  to  walk  more  circum- 
spectly. If  I  come  to  heaven  any  way,  howbeit,  like  a  tired  traveller, 
upon  my  Guide's  shoulder,  it  is  good  enough  for  those  who  have  m* 
legs  of  their  own  for  such  a  jou  rney.  I  never  thought  there  had  been 
need  of  so  much  wrestling  to  win  to  the  top  of  that  steep  mountain  as 
I  now  find.  Wo  is  me  for  this  broken  and  backsliding  Church  ;  it  is 
like  an  old  bowing  wall  leaning  to  the  one-side,  and  there  are  none  of 
all  her  sons  who  will  set  a  prop  under  her.  I  know,  I  need  not  be- 
moan Christ ;  for  he  careth  for  his  own  honour,  more  than  I  can  do  ; 
but  who  can  blame  me  to  be  wo  (if  I  had  grace  so  to  do)  to  see  my 
Well-beloved's  fair  face  spitted  upon,  and  his  crown  pluck'd  off  his 
head,  and  the  ark  of  God  taken,  and  carried  in  the  Philistines'  cart, 
and  the  kine  put  to  carry  it,  who  will  let  it  fall  to  the  ground  ?  The 
Lord  put  to  his  own  helping  hand.  I  would  desire  you  to  prepare 
yourself  for  a  fight  with  beasts  ;  ye  will  not  get  leave  to  steal  quietly 
to  heaven,  in  Christ's  company,  without  a  conflict  and  a  cross.  Re- 
member my  bonds,  and  praise  my  second  and  fellow-prisoner,  Christ. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXVL 

To  William  Glendinning^. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  case  is  unknown  to  mc, 
whether  ye  be  yet  our  Lord's  prisoner  at  Wigton,  or  not ;  however  it, 
be,  I  know  our  Lord  Jesus  hath  been  inquiring  for  you  ;  and  that  he 
hath  honoured  you  to  bear  his  chains,  which  is  the  golden  end  of  his 
cross  ;  and  so  hath  wailed  out  a  chosen  and  honourable  cross  for  you  ; 
I  wish  you  much  joy  and  comfort  of  it ;  for  I  have  nothing  to  say  of 
Christ's  cross  but  much  good  ;  I  hope  my  ill  word  shall  never  meet 
either  Christ,  or  his  sweet  and  easy  cross.  I  know  he  seeketh  of  us 
an  out-cast  with  this  house  of  clay,  this  mother-prison,  this  earth, 
that  we  love  full  well ;  and  verily,  when  Christ  snuffeth  my  candle, 
and  causeth  my  light  to  shine  upward,  it  is  one  of  my  greatest  won- 
ders, that  dirt  and  clay  hath  so  much  court  with  a  soul  not  made  of 
clay ;  and  that  our  soul  goeth  out  of  kind  so  far,  as  to  make  an  idol 
of  this  earth,  such  a  deformed  harlot,  as  that  it  should  wrong  Christ  of 
our  love.  How  fast,  how  fast  doth  our  ship  sail !  And  how  fair  a 
wind  hath  time,  to  blow  us  off"  these  coasts,  and  this  land  of  dying 
and  perishing  things !  and  alas,  our  ship  saileth  one  way,  and  fleeth 
many  miles  in  one  hour,  to  hasten  us  upon  eternity  ;  and  our  love  and 
hearts  are   sail  ing  close  back-over,  and  swimming  towards  ease,  law- 

30 


234  LETTER  CLXVII.  PART  X. 

less  pleasure,  vain  honour,  perishing  riches,  and  to  build  a  fool's  nest, 
I  know  not  where,  and  to  lay  our  eggs  within  the  sea-mark,  and  fasten 
our  bits  of  broken  anchors  upon  the  worst  ground  in  the  world,  this 
fleeting  and  perishing  life ;  and  in  the  mean  while,  time  and  tide  carry 
us  upon  another  life,  and  there  is  daily  less  and  less  oil  in  our  lamp, 
and  less  and  less  sand  in  our  watch-glass.  O  what  a  wise  course 
were  it  for  us,  to  look  away  from  the  false  beauty  of  our  borrowed 
prison,  and  to  mind,  and  eye,  and  lust  for  our  country  !  Lord,  Lord  take 
us  home.  And  for  myself,  I  think,  if  a  poor,  weak,  dying  sheep,  seek 
for  an  old  dyke,  and  the  lee  side  of  an  hill  in  a  storm,  I  have  cause 
to  long  for  a  covert  from  this  storm  in  heaven  ;  I  know  none  will  take 
my  room  over  my  head  there.  But  certainly,  sleepy  bodies  would  be 
at  rest  and  a  well  made  bed,  and  an  old  crazed  bark  at  a  shore,  and  a 
wearied  traveller  at  home,  and  a  breathless  horse  at  the  rink's  end. 
I  see  nothing  in  this  life  but  sin  and  the  sour  fruits  of  sin :  and  O 
what  a  burden  is  sin !  and  what  a  slavery  and  miserable  bondage  is  it, 
to  be  at  the  nod,  and  yeas  and  nays  of  such  a  lord-master  as  a  body 
of  sin  !  truly,  when  I  think  of  it,  it  is  a  wonder  that  Christ  maketh  not 
fire  and  ashes  of  such  a  dry  branch  as  I  am.  I  would  often  lye 
down  under  Christ's  feet,  and  bid  him  trample  upon  me,  when  I  con- 
sider my  guiltiness  :  but  seeing  he  hath  sworn,  that  sin  shall  not  loose 
his  unchangeable  covenant,  I  keep  house-room  amongst  the  rest  of 
the  ill-learned  children,  and  must  cumber  the  Lord  of  the  House, 
with  the  rest,  till  my  Lord  take  the  fetters  off  legs  and  arms,  and  de- 
stroy this  body  of  sin,  and  make  a  hole  or  a  breach  in  this  cage  of 
earth,  that  the  bird  may  flee  out,  and  the  imprisoned  soul  be  at  lib- 
erty. In  the  mean  time,  the  least  intimation  of  Christ's  love  is  sweet, 
and  the  hope  of  marriage  with  the  Bridegroom  holdeth  me  in  some 
joyful  on-waiting,  that  when  Christ's  summer-birds^.shall  sing  upon 
the  branches  of  the  tree  of  life,  I  shall  be  turned  by  God  himself,  to 
help  them  to  sing  the  home-coming  of  our  Well-beloved  and  his  bride 
to  their  house  together.  When  I  think  of  this,  I  think  winters  and 
summers,  and  years  and  days,  and  time  do  me  a  pleasure,  that  they 
shorten  this  untwisted  and  weak  thread  of  my  life,  and  that  they  put 
sin  and  miseries  by  hand,  and  that  they  shall  carry  me  to  my  Bride- 
groom within  a  clap.  Dear  brother,  pray  for  me,  that  it  would  please 
the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  to  give  me  room  to  preach  his  righteousness 
again  to  the  great  congregation.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  Re- 
member me  to  your  wife. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXVIL 

To  the  Lady  Culross. 

Rev.  viii.  14.     These  are  they  -which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have 

■washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you.     I  greatly  long 
to  be  refreshed  with  your  letter.     I  am  now  (all  honour  and  glory  to 


PART    I.  LETTER   CLXVIII.  235 

the  King  eternal,  immortal,  and  invisible !)  in  better  terms  with  Christ 
than  I  was.  I,  like  a  fool,  summoned  my  Husband,  and  Lord,  and 
libelled  unkindness  against  him  ;  but  now  I  pass  from  that  foolish  pur- 
suit, T  give  over  the  plea  :  he  is  God,  and  I  am  man.  I  was  loosing; 
a  fast  stone,  and  digging  at  the  ground-stone,  the  love  of  my  Lord,  to 
shake  and  unsettle  it ;  but,  God  be  thanked,  it  is  fast :  all  is  sure. 
In  my  prison  he  hath  shewed  me  day-light ;  he  could  not  hide  his  love 
any  longer.  Christ  was  disguised  and  masked,  and  I  apprehended"  it 
was  not  he  ;  and  he  hath  said,  It  is  I,  be  not  afraid  ;  and  now  his  love 
is  better  than  wine.  0  that  all  the  virgins  had  part  of  the  Bride- 
groom's love,  whereupon  he  maketh  me  to  feed !  Help  me  to  praise. 
I  charge  you.  Madam,  help  me  to  pay  praises ;  and  tell  others,  the 
daughters  of  Jerusalem,  how  kind  Christ  is  to  a  poor  prisoner :  he 
hath  paid  me  my  hundred-fold,  it  is  well  told  me,  and  one  to  the  hun- 
dred :  I  am  nothing  behind  with  Christ.  Let  not  fools,  because  of 
their  lazy  and  soft  flesh,  raise  a  slander  and  an  ill  report  upon  the 
cross  of  Christ ;  it  is  sweeter  than  fair.  I  see  grace  groweth  best  in 
winter :  this  poor  persecuted  kirk,  this  lily  among  the  thorns,  shall 
blossom  and  laugh  upon  the  Gardener  ;  the  Husbandman's  blessing 
shall  light  upon  it.  Oh  if  I  could  be  free  of  jealousies  of  Christ, 
after  this  ;  and  believe,  and  keep  good  quarters  with  my  dearest  Hus- 
band !  for  he  hath  been  kind  to  the  stranger :  and  yet  in  all  this  fair 
hot  summer-weather,  I  am  kept  from  saying.  It  is  good  to  be  here, 
with  my  silence,  and  with  grief  to  see  my  mother  wounded,  and  her 
vail  taken  from  her  and  the  fair  temple  casten  down  ;  and  my  belly  is 
pained,  my  soul  is  heavy  for  the  captivity  of  the  daughter  of  my  peo- 
ple, and  because  of  the  fury  of  the  Lord,  and  his  fierce  indignation 
against  apostate  Scotland.  I  pray  you.  Madam,  let  me  have  that 
which  is  my  prayer  here,  that  my  sufferings  may  preach  to  the  four 
quarters  of  this  land ;  and  therefore  tell  others,  how  open  handed 
Christ  hath  been  to  the  prisoner,  and  the  oppressed  stranger :  why . 
should  I  conceal  it  ?  I  know  no  other  way  how  to  glorify  Christ,  but 
to  make  an  open  proclamation  of  his  love,  and  of  his  soft  and  sweet 
kisses  to  me  in  the  furnace,  and  of  his  fidelity  to  such  as  suffer  for 
him.  Give  it  me  under  your  hand,  that  ye  will  help  me  to  pray  and 
praise  ;  but  rather  to  praise,  and  rejoice  in  the  salvation  of  God, 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  dearest  and  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Dec.  30,  1636. 


LETTER  CLXVIIL 

To  the  Lady  Cardoness. 
MY    DEARLY    BELOVED    AND    LONGED    FOR    IN    THE    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your  sou! 
prospereth,  and  how  the  kingdom  of  Christ  thriveth  in  you.  I  exhort 
you  and  beseech  you  in  the  bowels  of  Christ,  faint  not,  weary  not. 
There  is  a  great  necessity  of  heaven  ;  ye  must  needs  have  it : 
all  other  things,  as  houses,  lands,  children,  husband,  friends,  country, 
credit,  health,  wealth,  honour,  may  be  wanted ;  but  heaven  is  your 


236  LETTER  CLXVIII.  PART  I. 

one  thing  necessary,  the  good  part  that  shall  not  be  taken  from  you. 
See  that  you  buy  the  field  were  the  Pearl  is  ;  sell  all  and  make  a  pur- 
chase of  salvation  ;  think  it  not  easy,  for  it  is  a  steep  ascent  to 
eternal  glory ;  many  are  lying  dead  by  the  way,  that  are  slain  with 
security.  I  have  now  been  led  by  my  Lord  Jesus  to  such  a  nick  in 
Christianity,  as  I  think  little  of  former  things.  0  what  I  want !  I 
•want  so  many  things,  that  I  am  almost  asking  if  I  had  any  thing  at  all. 
Every  man  thinketh  he  is  rich  enough  in  grace,  till  he  take  out  his 
purse,  and  tell  his  money,  and  then  he  findeth  his  pack  but  poor  and 
light  in  the  day  of  heavy  trial.  I  found,  I  had  not  to  bear  my  expen- 
ces,  and  should  have  fainted,  if  want  and  penury  had  not  chased  me 
to  the  Store-house  of  all.  I  beseech  you  make  conscience  of  your 
■ways  ;  deal  kindly,  and  with  conscience,  with  your  tenants ;  to  fill  a 
breach,  or  an  hole,  make  not  a  greater  breach  in  the  conscience.  I 
wish  plenty  of  love  to  your  soul ;  let  the  world  be  the  portion  of 
bastards,  make  it  not  yours  ;  after  the  last  trumpet  is  blown,  the  world 
and  all  its  glory  will  be  like  an  old  house,  that  is  burnt  to  ashes,  and 
like  an  old  fallen  castle,  without  a  roof.  Fy,  fy  upon  us,  fools,  who 
think  ourselves  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  kind- 
ness ;  I  wonder  that  men  long  after,  love,  or  care  for  these  feathers  ; 
it  is  almost  an  uncouth  world  to  me,  to  think,  that  men  are  so  mad  as 
to  block  with  dead  earth ;  to  give  out  conscience,  and  to  get  in  clay 
again,  is  a  strange  bargain.  I  have  written  my  mind  at  length  to  your 
husband ;  write  to  me  again  his  case  ;  I  cannot  forget  him  in  my 
prayers  :  I  am  looking,  Christ  hath  some  claim  to  him.  My  counsel 
is,  that  ye  bear  with  him  when  passion  overtaketh  him  ;  a  soft  answer 
putteth  away  wrath ;  answer  him  in  what  he  speaketh,  and  apply 
yourself  in  the  fear  of  God  to  him  ;  and  then  he  will  remove  a  pound 
weight  of  your  heavy  cross,  that  way,  and  so  it  shall  become  light. 
When  Christ  hideth  himself,  wait  on,  and  make  din  till  he  return ;  it 
is  not  time  then  to  be  carelessly  patient.  I  love  it,  to  be  grieved  when 
he  hideth  his  smiles  ;  yet  believe  his  love  in  a  patient  on-waiting  and 
beheving  in  the  dark.  You  must  learn  to  swim  and  hold  up  your  head 
above  the  water,  even  when  the  sense  of  his  presence  is  not  with  you,  to 
hold  up  your  chin  :  1  trust  in  God  he  shall  bring  your  ship  safe  to  land. 
I  counsel  you  study  sanctification,  and  to  be  dead  to  this  world  :  urge 
kindness  on  Knockbrex  ;  labour  to  benefit  by  his  company  ;  the  man  is 
acquaint  with  Christ.  1  beg  the  help  of  your  prayers,  for  I  forget  not 
you.  Counsel  your  husband  to  fulfil  my  joy,  and  to  seek  the  Lord's 
face  ;  shew  him  from  me,  that  my  joy  and  desire  is  to  hear  he  is  in  the 
Lord.  God  casteth  him  often  in  my  mind,  I  cannot  forget  him.  I 
hope,  Christ  and  he  have  something  to  do  together.  Bless  John  from 
me.  I  write  blessings  to  him,  and  to  your  husband,  and  the  rest  of 
your  children.  Let  it  not  be  said,  I  am  not  in  your  house,  through 
neglect  of  the  sabbath-exercise. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor,  in  his  only,  only  Lord,  S.  B. 
Aberdeen,  Feb.  20, 1637. 


PART  I.  LETTER   CLXIX,  CLXX.  267 

LETTER  CLXIX. 

To  Janet  Mackculloch. 
DEAR   SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your  soul 
prospereth.  I  am  as  well  as  a  prisoner  of  Christ  can  be,  feasted  and 
made  fat  with  the  comforts  of  God  :  Christ's  kisses  are  made  sweeter 
to  my  soul  than  ever  they  were.  I  would  not  change  my  Master 
with  all  the  kings  of  clay  upon  the  earth.  O  !  my  Well-beloved  is 
altogether  lovely  and  loving.  I  care  not  what  flesh  can  do.  I  per- 
suade my  soul,  I  delivered  the  truth  of  Christ  to  you  ;  slip  not  from 
it,  for  no  boasts  or  fear  of  men :  if  ye  go  against  the  truth  of  Christ 
that  I  now  suffer  for,  I  shall  bear  witness  against  you  in  the  day  of 
Christ.  Sister,  fasten  your  grips  fast  on  Christ ;  follow  not  the  guises 
of  this  sinful  world ;  let  not  this  clay  portion  of  earth  take  up  your 
soul ;  it  is  the  portion  of  bastards,  and  ye  are  a  child  of  God,  and 
therefore  seek  your  father's  heritage.  Send  up  your  heart  to  see  the 
dwelling  house  and  fair  rooms  in  the  new  city.  Fy,  fy,  upon  those, 
who  cry,  Up  whh  the  world,  and  down  with  conscience  and  heaven. 
We  have  children's  wits,  and  therefore  we  cannot  prize  Christ  aright. 
Counsel  your  husband  and  mother  to  make  them  ready  for  eternity  : 
that  day  is  drawing  nigh.  Pray  for  me,  the  prisoner  of  Christ.  I 
cannot  forget  you. 

Your  lawful  pastor  and  brother,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  20,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXX. 

To  My  Lord  Craighall. 
MY    LORD, 

I  RECEIVED  Mr.  L's  letter,  with  your  lordship's,  and  his  learned 
thoughts  in  the  matter  of  ceremonies.  I  owe  respect  to  the  man's 
learning,  for  that  I  hear  him  opposhe  to  Arminian  heresies  ;  but  with 
reverence  of  that  worthy  man,  I  wonder  to  hear  such  popish  like 
expressions  as  he  hath  in  his  letter,  as,  Your  lordship  may  spare 
doublings,  when  the  king  and  the  church  have  agreed  in  settling  of 
orders ;  and,  the  church's  direction  in  things  indifferent  and  circum- 
stantial, (as  if  indifferent  and  circumstantial  were  all  one,)  should  be 
the  rule  of  every  private  Christian.  I  only  viewed  the  papers  two 
hours  since,  the  bearer  hastening  me  to  write.  I  find  the  worthy  man 
not  so  seen  in  this  controversy,  as  some  turbulent  men  of  our  country, 
as  he  calls  refusers  of  conformity :  and  let  me  say  it,  I  am  more  con- 
firmed in  nonconformity,  when  I  see  such  a  great  wit  play  the  agent 
so  slenderly :  but  1  will  lay  the  blame  on  the  weakness  of  the  cause, 
not  on  the  meanness  of  Mr.  L's  learning.  I  have  ever  been  and  still 
am  confident,  that  Britain  cannot  answer  one  argument  a  scandlo ! 
and  1  longed  much  to  hear  Mr.  L.  speak  to  the  cause ;  and  I  would 
say,  if  some  ordinary  divine  had  answered  as  Mr.  L.  doth,  that  he 
understood  not  the  nature  of  scandal ;  but  1  dare  not  vilify  that  worthy 
man  so.  I  am  now  upon  the  heat  of  some  other  employment :  1  shall 
(God  willing)  answer  this  to  the  satisfying  of  any  not  prejudiced.     I 


238  LETTER  CLXXI.  PART  I. 

will  not  say  that  every  one  is  acquaint  with  the  reason,  in  my  letter, 
from  God's  presence  and  bright  shining  face,  in  suffering  for  this 
cause  :  Aristotle  never  knew  the  medium  of  the  conclusion  :  and 
Christ  saith  few  know  it.  See  Rev.  ii.  17.  I  am  sure,  a  conscience 
standing  in  awe  of  the  Almighty,  and  fearing  to  make  a  little  hole  in 
the  bottom  for  fear  of  under- water,  is  a  strong  medium,  to  hold  off  an 
erroneous  conclusion  in  the  least  wing  or  lith  of  sweet,  sweet  truth, 
that  concerneth  the  royal  prerogative  of  our  kingly  and  highest  Lord 
Jesus ;  and  my  witness  is  in  heaven.  I  saw  neither  pleasure,  nor 
profit,  nor  honour,  to  hook  me,  or  catch  me,  in  entering  in  prison  for 
Christ,  but  the  wind  on  my  face  for  the  present ;  and  if  I  had  loved 
to  sleep  in  a  whole  skin,  with  the  ease  and  present  delight  that  I  saw 
on  this  side  of  sun  and  moon,  I  should  have  lived  at  ease,  and  in  good 
hopes  to  fare  as  well  as  others.  The  Lord  knoweth,  I  preferred 
preaching  of  Christ,  and  still  do,  to  any  thing  next  to  Christ  himself: 
and  their  new  canons  took  my  one,  my  only  joy  from  me,  which  was 
to  me  as  the  poor  man's  one  eye  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  straws  and 
things,  as  the  mean,  off  the  way  to  heaven.  I  desire  not  that  my 
name  take  journey,  and  go  a  pilgrim  to  Cambridge,  for  fear  I  come  in 
the  ears  of  authority ;  I  am  sufficiently  burnt  already.  In  the  meaa 
time,  be  pleased  to  try  if  the  bishop  of  St.  Andrews,  and  Glasgow, 
(Galloway's  Ordinary)  will  be  pleased  to  abate  from  the  heat  of  their 
wrath,  and  let  me  go  to  my  charge.  Few  know  the  heart  of  a  prison- 
er ;  yet  I  hope  the  Lord  shall  hew  his  own  glory  out  of  as  knotty 
timber  as  I  am.  Keep  Christ,  my  dear  and  worthy  lord  ;  pretended 
paper  arguments  from  angering  the  mother  church,  that  can  reel  and 
nod  and  stagger,  are  not  of  such  weight  as  peace  with  the  Father  and 
Husband  :  let  the  wife  gloom,  I  care  not,  if  the  Husband  laugh. 
Remember  my  service  to  my  lord  your  father,  and  mother,  and  youv 
lady.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  24,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXL 

To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother,  Mr.  Robert  Blair. 
REVEREND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

The  reason  ye  gave  for  not  writing  to  me,  affecteth  me  much,  and 
giveth  me  a  dash,  when  such  an  one  as  ye  conceive  an  opinion  of  me, 
or  any  thing  in  me  ;  the  truth  is,  when  I  come  home  to  myself,  O 
what  penury  do  I  find,  and  how  feckless  is  my  supposed  stock,  and 
how  little  have  I !  He  to  whom  I  am  as  crystal,  and  who  seeth  through 
me,  and  perceiveth  the  least  mote  that  is  in  me,  knoweih  that  I  speak 
what  1  think  and  am  convinced  of;  but  men  cast  me  through  a  gross 
and  wide  sieve.  My  very  dear  brother,  Ihe  room  of  the  least  of  all 
saints  is  too  great  for  the  like  of  me  ;  but,  lest  this  should  seem  art, 
to  fetch  home  reputation,  I  speak  no  more  of  it ;  it  is  my  worth,  to  be 
Christ's  ransomed  sinner  and  sick  one  :  his  relation  to  mo  is  tliat  I  am 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXI.  239 

sick,  and  he  is  the  Physician  of  whom  I  stand  in  need.  Alas,  how 
often  play  I  fast  and  loose  with  Christ ;  he  bindeth,  I  loose  ;  he 
buildeth,  I  cast  down ;  he  trimmeth  up  a  salvation  for  me,  and  I  mai- 
it ;  I  cast  out  with  Christ,  and  he  agreeth  with  me  again,  twenty  times 
a-day ;  I  forfeit  my  kingdom  and  heritage ;  I  lose  what  I  had ;  but 
Christ  is  at  my  back,  and  following  on,  to  stoop  and  take  up  what 
falleth  from  me.  Were  I  in  heaven,  and  had  the  crown  on  my  head, 
if  free  will  were  my  tutor,  I  should  lose  heaven  ;  seeing  I  lose  myself, 
what  wonder  I  should  let  go  and  lose  Jesus  my  Lord  ?  0  well  to  me 
for  evermore,  that  I  have  cracked  my  credit  with  Christ,  and  cannot 
by  law  at  all  borrow  from  him,  upon  my  feckless  and  worthless  bond 
and  faith !  For  my  faith  and  reputation  with  Christ,  is,  that  I  am  a 
creature  that  God  will  not  put  any  trust  into ;  I  was,  and  am  bewil- 
dered with  temptations,  and  wanted  a  guide  to  heaven.  0  what  have 
I  to  say  of  that  excellent,  surpassing  and  super-eminent  thing,  they 
call.  The  grace  of  God,  the  way  of  free  redemption  in  Christ !  And 
Avhen  poor,  poor  I,  dead  in  law,  was  sold,  fettered  and  imprisoned  in 
justice's  closet  ward,  which  is  hell  and  damnation  :  when  I,  a  wretch- 
ed one,  lighted  upon  noble  Jesus,  eternally  kind  Jesus,  tender-hearted 
Jesus  ;  nay,  when  he  lighted  upon  me  first,  and  knew  me  ;  I  found 
that  he  scorned  to  take  a  price,  or  any  thing  like  hire,  of  angels  or 
seraphims,  or  any  of  his  creatures  ;  and  therefore  I  would  praise  him 
for  this,  that  the  whole  army  of  the  redeemed  ones  sit  rent  free  in 
heaven  :  our  holding  is  better  than  blench  ;  we  are  all  free-holders  ,• 
and  seeing  our  eternal  feu-duty  is  but  thanks,  O  woeful  me !  that  I 
have  but  spilt  thanks,  lame  and  broken  and  miscarried  praises  to  give 
him,  and  so  my  silver  is  not  good  and  current  with  Christ,  were  it  not 
that  free  merits  have  stamped  it,  and  washen  it  and  me  both !  and  for 
my  silence,  I  see  somewhat  better  through  it  now :  if  my  high  and 
lofty  One,  my  princely  and  royal  Master,  say,  Hold,  hold  thy  peace, 
I  lay  bonds  on  thee,  thou  must  speak  none  ;  I  would  fain  be  content, 
and  let  my  fire  be  smothered  under  ashes,  without  light  or  flame  !  I 
cannot  help  it :  I  take  laws  from  my  Lord,  but  I  give  none.  As  for 
your  journey  to  F.  ye  do  well  to  follow  it :  the  camp  is  Christ's  ordi- 
nary bed  ;  a  carried  bed  is  kindly  to  the  Beloved,  down  in  this  lower 
house.  It  may  be,  and  who  knoweth  but  our  Lord  hath  some  centu- 
rions, ye  are  sent  to,  seeing  your  angry  mother  denieth  you  lodging 
and  house-room  with  her.  Christ's  call  to  unknown  faces  must  be 
your  second  wind,  seeing  ye  cannot  have  a  first.  0  that  our  Lord 
would  water  again,  with  a  new  visit,  this  piece  withered  and  dry  hill  of 
our  widow  mount  Zion !  My  dear  brother,  I  will  think  it  comfort,  if 
ye  speak  my  name  to  our  Well-beloved.  Wherever  ye  are,  I  am 
mindful  of  you.  O  that  the  Lord  would  yet  make  the  light  of  the 
moon  in  Scotland  as  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  the  light  of  the  sun 
seven  fold  brighter.  For  myself,  as  yet  I  have  received  no  answer 
whether  to  go  ;  I  wait  on  :  0  that  Jesus  had  my  love  !  Let  matters 
frame  as  they  list,  I  have  some  more  to  do  with  Christ ;  yet  I  would 
lain  we  were  nearer.  Now,  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  the 
\ery  God  of  peace,  establish  and  confirm  you,  till  the  day  of  his 
coming.  Your's  in  his  lovely  and  sweet  Lord  Jesus,      S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  9, 1637. 


240 
LETTER  CLXXIl. 

To  the  Lady  Carleton. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  My  soul  longcth  once  again 
to  be  amongst  you,  and  to  behold  that  beauty  of  the  Lord,  that  I  would 
see  in  his  house :  but  I  know  not  if  he,  in  whose  hands  are  all  our 
ways,  seeth  it  expedient  for  his  glory.  I  owe  my  Lord,  I  know,  sub- 
mission of  spirit,  suppose  he  should  turn  me  into  a  stone  or  pillar  of 
salt.  Oh  that  I  were  he  in  whom  my  Lord  could  be  glorified  ;  sup- 
pose my  little  heaven  were  forfeited,  to  buy  glory  to  him  before  men 
and  angels  ;  suppose  my  want  of  his  presence,  and  separation  from 
Christ  were  a  pillar,  as  high  as  ten  heavens  for  Christ's  glory  to  stand 
upon,  above  all  the  world  !  What  am  I  to  him  1  how  little  am  I,  though 
my  feathers  stood  out  as  broad  as  the  morning  light,  to  such  a  high, 
to  such  a  lofty,  to  such  a  never-enough  admired  and  glorious  Lord ! 
My  trials  are  heavy,  because  of  my  sad  sabbaths  ;  but  I  know  they 
are  less  than  my  high  provocations ;  I  seek  no  more,  but  that  Christ 
may  be  the  gainer,  and  I  the  loser ;  that  he  may  be  raised  and  height- 
ened, and  I  cried  down,  and  my  worth  made  dust  before  his  glory. 
Oh  that  Scotland,  all  with  one  shout,  would  cry.  Up  Christ,  and  that 
his  name  were  high  in  this  land  !  I  find  the  very  utmost  borders  of 
Christ's  high  excellency  and  deep  sweetness,  heaven  and  earth's  won- 
der. O  what  is  he,  if  I  could  win  in  to  see  his  inner-side !  Oh  I  am 
run  dry  of  loving,  and  wondering  and  adoring  of  that  greatest  and 
most  admirable  One !  Wo,  wo  is  me,  I  have  not  half  love  for  him ! 
Alas,  what  can  my  drop  do  to  his  great  sea  !  what  gain  is  it  to  Christ, 
that  I  have  casten  my  little  spark  in  his  great  fire  !  what  can  I  give  to 
him  !  O  that  I  had  love  to  fill  a  thousand  worlds,  that  I  might  empty 
my  soul  of  it  all  upon  Christ !  I  think  I  have  just  reason  to  quit  my 
part  of  any  hope  or  love  that  I  have  to  this  scum,  and  the  refuse  of 
the  dross  of  God's  workmanship,  this  vain  earth :  I  owe  to  this 
stormy  world,  whose  kindness  and  heart  to  me  hath  been  made  of 
iron,  or  of  a  piece  of  a  wild  sea-island,  that  never  a  creature  of  God 
yet  lodged  in,  not  a  look  :  I  owe  it  no  love,  no  hope ;  and  therefore, 
oh  if  my  love  were  dead  to  it,  and  my  soul  dead  to  it !  what  am  I 
obliged  to  this  house  of  my  pilgrimage  1  a  straw  for  all  that  God  hath 
made,  to  my  soul's  hking,  except  God,  and  that  lovely  One  Jesus 
Christ.  Seeing  I  am  not  this  world's  debtor,  I  desire  I  may  be  strip- 
ped of  all  confidence  in  any  thing,  but  my  Lord,  that  he  may  be  for 
me,  and  I  for  my  only,  only,  only  Lord  ;  that  he  may  be  the  morning 
and  evening  tide,  the  top  and  the  root  of  my  joys,  and  the  heart  and 
flower  and  yolk  of  all  my  soul's  delights.  O  let  me  never  lodge  any 
creature  in  my  heart  and  confidence  !  let  the  house  be  for  him  :  I  re- 
joice, that  sad  days  cut  off  a  piece  of  the  lease  of  my  short  life  ;  and 
that  my  shadow,  even  while  I  suffer,  weareth  long,  and  my  evening 
hasteneth  on.  I  have  cause  to  love  home  with  all  my  heart,  and  to 
take  the  opportunity  of  the  day  to  hasten  to  the  end  of  my  journey, 
before  the  night  come  on,  wherein  a  man  cannot  see  to  walk  or  work ; 
that  once  after  my  falls,  I  may  at  night  fall  in,  weary  and  tired  as  I 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXlIf.  241 

am,  in  Christ's  bosom,  and  betwixt  his  breasts.  Our  prison  cannot 
be  our  best  country  :  this  world  looketh  not  hke  heaven  and  the  hap- 
piness that  our  tired  souls  would  be  at ;  and  therefore  it  were  good  to 
seek  about  for  the  wind,  and  hoise  up  our  sails  towards  our  new  Jeru- 
salem, for  that  is  our  best.  Remember  a  prisoner  to  Christ.  Grace 
grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  only  Lord  and  Master,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXIIL 

To  my  Lord  Craig;hall. 
PIY  LORD, 

I  RECEIVED  one  letter  of  your  Lordship's  from  C.  and  another  of 
late  from  A.  B.  wherein  I  find  your  Lordship  in  perplexity  what  to 
do  ;  but  let  me  intreat  your  Lordship  not  to  cause  yourself  mistake 
truth  and  Christ,  because  they  seem  to  encounter  with  your  peace 
and  ease.  My  Lord,  remember  that  a  prisoner  hath  written  it  to 
you  :  '  As  the  Lord  liveth,  if  ye  put  to  your  hand  with  other  apostates 
in  this  land,  to  pull  down  the  sometime  beautiful  tabernacle  of  Christ 
in  this  land,  and  join  hands  with  them  in  one  hair-breadth,  to  welcome 
Antichrist  to  Scotland,  there  is  wrath  gone  out  from  the  Lord  ao^ainst 
you  and  your  house.'  If  the  terror  of  a  king  hath  overtaken  you, 
and  your  Lordship  looketh  to  sleep  in  your  nest  in  peace,  and  take 
the  nearest  shore,  there  are  many  ways,  too,  too  many  ways,  how  to 
shift  Christ  with  some  ill  washen  and  foul  distinctions  ;  but  assure 
yourself,  suppose  a  king  should  assure  you,  he  would  be  your  god, 
as  he  shall  never  be,  for  that  piece  of  service,  your  clay-god  shall  die, 
and  your  carnal  counsellors,  when,  your  conscience  shall  storm 
against  you,  and  ye  complain  to  them,  they  will  say.  What  is  that  to 
lis  ]  believe  not  that  Christ  is  weak,  or  that  he  is  not  able  to  save  : 
of  two  fires  that  ye  cannot  pass,  take  the  least.  Some  few  years 
will  bring  us  all  out  in  our  blacks  and  whites,  before  our  Jud(Te  ;  eter- 
nity is  nearer  to  you  than  ye  are  aware  of.  To  go  in  a  course  of  de- 
fection, when  an  enlightened  conscience  is  stirring,  and  looking  you 
in  the  face  and  crying  within  you,  That  ye  are  going  in  an  evil  way,  is 
a  step  to  the  sin  against  the  Ploly  Ghost ;  either  many  of  this  land  are 
near  that  sin,  or  else  I  know  not  what  it  is.  And  if  this,  for  which 
I  now  suffer,  be  not  the  way  of  peace  and  the  king's  high  way  to  sal- 
vation, I  believe  there  is  not  a  way  at  all :  there  is  not  such  breadtU 
and  elbow-room  in  the  way  to  heaven  as  men  believe  ;  howbeit  this 
day  be  not  Christ's,  the  morrow  shall  be  his.  I  believe  assuredly, 
our  Lord  shall  repair  the  old  waste  places,  and  his  ruined  house  in 
Scotland  ;  and  this  wilderness  shall  yet  blossom  as  the  rose.  My 
very  worthy  and  dear  Lord,  wait  upon  him  who  hideth  his  face  from 
the  house  of  Jacob,  and  look  for  him  :  wait  patiently  a  little  upon  the 
Bridegroom's  return  again,  that  your  soul  may  live,  and  ye  may  re- 
joice with  the  Lord's  inheritance  :  I  dare  pawn  my  soul  and  life  for  it, 
if  ye  take  this  storm  with  borne  down  Christ,  your  sky  shall  quickly 
clear,  and  your  fair  morning  dawn.     Think  (as  the  truth  is)  that 

31 


242  LETTER    CLXXIII.  t*ART  I. 

Christ  Is  just  now  saying,  and  will  ye  also  leave  me  ?  Ye  have  a  fair 
occasion  to  gratify  Christ  now,  if  ye  will  stay  with  him,  and  want  the 
night's  sleep  with  your  suffering  Saviour,  one  hour,  now  when  Scot- 
land hath  fallen  asleep,  and  leaveth  Christ  to  fend  for  himself.  I 
profess  myself  but  a  weak  feeble  man  ;  when  I  came  first  to  Christ's 
camp,  I  had  nothing  to  maintain  this  war,  or  to  bear  me  out  in  this 
encounter,  and  I  am  little  better  yet.  But  since  I  find  furniture,  ar- 
mour, and  strength  from  the  consecrated  Captain,  the  Prince  of  our 
salvation,  who  was  perfected  through  suffering ;  I  esteem  suffering 
for  Christ  a  king's  life.  I  find  that  our  wants  qualify  us  for  Christ ; 
and  howbeit  your  Lordship  write,  ye  despair  to  attain  to  such  a  com- 
munion and  fellowship,  which  I  would  not  have  you  to  think,  yet  would 
ye  nobly  and  courageously  venture,  to  make  over  to  Christ,  for  his 
honour,  now  lying  at  the  stake,  your  estate,  place,  and  honour,  he 
would  lovingly  and  largely  requite  you,  and  give  you  a  king's  word  for 
a  recompence  ;  venture  upon  Christ's  come,  and  I  dare  swear  ye 
shall  say,  as  it  is,  Psal.  xvi.  7.  I  bless  the  Lord  who  gave  me  coun- 
sel. My  very  worthy  Lord,  many  eyes  in  both  the  kingdoms  are 
upon  you  now,  and  the  eye  of  our  Lord  is  upon  you  ;  acquit  yourself 
manfully  for  Christ :  spill  not  this  good  play  :  subscribe  a  blank  sub- 
mission, and  put  it  in  Christ's  hands  :  win,  win  the  blessings  and  pray- 
ers of  your  sighing  and  sorrowful  mother-church,  seeking  your  help  : 
■win  Christ's  bond  (who  is  a  king  of  his  word)  for  a  hundred-fold 
more  even  in  this  life.  If  a  weak  man  hath  passed  a  promise  to  a 
king,  to  make  a  slip  to  Christ  (if  we  look  to  flesh  and  blood,  I  wonder 
not  of  it ;  possibly  I  might  have  done  worse  myself,  but)  add  not  fur- 
ther guiltiness,  to  go  on  in  such  a  scandalous  and  foul  way ;  remem- 
ber that  there  is  a  wo,  wo  to  him  by  whom  offences  come  ;  this  wo 
came  out  of  Christ's  mouth,  and  if  is  heavier  than  the  wo  of  the  law  ; 
it  is  the  Mediator's  vengeance,  and  that  is  two  vengeances  to  those 
who  are  enlightened.  Free  yourself  from  unlawful  anguish,  about 
advising  and  resolving :  when  the  truth  is  come  to  your  hand,  hold 
it  fast,  go  not  again  to  make  a  new  search  and  inquiry  for  truth ;  it  is 
easy  to  cause  conscience  believe  as  ye  will,  not  as  ye  know  :  it  is 
easy  for  you  to  cast  your  light  into  prison,  and  detain  God's  truth  in 
unrighteousness  ;  but  that  prisoner  will  break  ward,  to  your  incompa- 
rable torture.  Fear  your  light  and  stand  in  awe  of  it ;  for  it  is  from 
God  :  think  what  honour  it  is  in  this  hfe  also,  to  be  enrolled  to  the 
succeeding  ages,  amongst  Christ's  witnesses,  standing  against  the  re- 
entry of  antichrist.  I  know  certainly,  your  light  looking  to  two  ways, 
and  to  the  two  sides,  crieth  shame  upon  the  course  that  they  would 
counsel  you  to  follow  :  the  way,  that  is  halfer  and  co-partner  with  the 
.smoke  of  this  fat  world,  and  with  ease,  smelleth  strong  of  a  foul  and 
false  way.  The  Prince  of  peace,  he  who  brought  again  from  the 
dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  his  sheep,  by  the  blood  of  the  eternal 
covenant,  establish  you,  and  give  you  sound  light,  and  counsel  you  to 
follow  Christ.  Remember  my  obliged  service  to  my  Lord  your  fa- 
ther, and  mother,  and  your  lady.  Grace  be  with  you.  Your  Lord- 
ship's at  all  obliged  obedience,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 
Aberdeen,  August  10th,  1G37. 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXIV,  CLXXV.  243 

LETTER  CLXXIV. 

To  Jean  Gordon. 
MY  VERY  DEAR  AND  LOVING  SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you  ;  I 
exhort  you  to  set  up  the  brae  to  the  King's  city,  that  must  be  taken 
by  violence  ;  your  afternoon's  sun  is  wearing  low  ;  time  will  eat  up 
your  frail  life,  like  a  worm  gnawing  at  the  root  of  a  May-flower  ;  lend 
Christ  your  heart,  set  him  as  a  seal  there  ;  take  him  in  within,  and 
let  the  worlds  and  children  stand  at  the  door ;  they  are  not  yours, 
make  you  and  them  for  your  proper  owner,  Christ ;  it  is  good,  he 
is  your  Husband  and  their  Father.  What  missing  can  there  be  of  a 
dying  man,  when  God  filleth  his  chair  l  Give  hours  of  the  day  to 
prayer  ;  fash  Christ  (if  I  may  speak  so)  and  importune  him  ;  be  often 
at  his  gate  ;  give  his  door  no  rest.  I  can  tell  you,  he  will  be  found. 
0  what  sweet  fellowship  is  betwixt  him  and  me !  I  am  imprisoned, 
but  he  is  not  imprisoned,  he  hath  ashamed  me  with  kindness  ;  he  hath 
come  to  my  prison,  and  run  away  with  my  heart  and  all  my  love  ; 
well  may  he  brook  it !  I  wish  my  love  get  never  an  owner  but  Christ: 
fy,  fy  upon  old  lovers,  that  held  us  so  long  asunder !  we  shall  not  part 
now  :  he  and  I  shall  be  heard,  before  he  win  out  of  my  grips  ;  I  re- 
solve to  wrestle  with  Christ,  ere  I  quit  him.  But  my  love  to  him 
hath  casten  my  soul  in  a  fever,  and  there  is  no  cooling  of  my  fever, 
till  I  get  real  possession  of  Christ :  O  strong,  strong  love  of  Jestrs, 
thou  hast  wounded  my  heart  with  thine  arrows !  O  paip !  0  pain  of 
love  for  Christ !  who  will  help  me  to  praise  "?  Let  me  have  your  pray- 
ers.    Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  March  13,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXY. 

To  Grissel  FuUerton. 
DEAR  SISTER, 

I  EXHORT  you  in  the  Lord,  to  seek  your  one  thing,  Mary's  good 
part,  that  shall  no*  be  taken  from  you.  Set  your  heart  and  soul  on 
the  children's  inheritance ;  this  clay  idol,  the  world,  is  but  for  bas- 
tards, and  ye  are  his  lawful  begotten  child.  Learn  the  way,  (as  your 
dear  mother  hath  gone  before  you)  to  knock  at  Christ's  door :  many 
an  alms  of  mercy  hath  Christ  given  to  her,  and  hath  abundance  be- 
hind to  give  to  you.  Ye  are  the  seed  of  the  faithful,  and  born  within 
the  covenant ;  claim  your  right.  I  would  not  exchange  Christ  Jesus 
for  ten  worlds  of  glory  :  I  know  now  (blessed  be  my  Teacher  !)  how 
to  shut  the  lock,  and  unbolt  my  Well -beloved's  door  ;  and  he  maketh 
a  poor  stranger  welcome  when  he  cometh  to  his  house.  I  am  swelled 
up  and  satisfied  with  the  love  of  Christ,  that  is  better  than  wine  ;  it  is 
a  fire  in  my  soul  ;  let  hell  and  the  world  cast  water  on  it,  they  will  not 
mend  themselves.  I  have  now  gotten  the  right  gate  of  Christ :  I  re- 
commend him  to  you  above  all  things :  come  and  find  the  smell  of 
liis  breath :  see  if  his  kisses  be  not  sweet ;  he  desireth  no  better  than 


244  LETTER  CLXXVI,  CLXXVII.       PART  I. 

fo  be  much  made  of;  be  homely  with  him,  and  ye  shall  be  the  more 
welcome  ;  ye  know  not  how  fain  Christ  would  have  all  your  love. 
Think  not  this  is  imagination's  and  bairn's  play,  we  make  din  for  ;  I 
would  not  suffer  for  it,  if  it  were  so  ;  I  dare  pawn  my  heaven  for  it, 
that  it  is  the  way  to  glory.  Think  much  of  truth,  and  abhor  these 
ways  devised  by  men  in  God's  worship.  The  grace  of  Christ  be 
with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXVL 

To  Patrick  Carsen. 
BEAR  AND  LOVING  FRIEND, 

I  CANNOT  but,  upon  the  opportunity  of  a  bearer,  exhort  you  to  re- 
sign the  love  of  your  youth  to  Christ,  and,  in  this  day,  while  your  sun 
is  high,  and  your  youth  serveth  you,  to  seek  the  Lord  and  his  face ; 
for  there  is  nothing  out  of  heaven  so  necessary  lor  you  as  Christ ; 
and  ye  cannot  be  ignorant,  but  your  day  will  end,  and  the  flight  of 
death  will  call  you  from  the  pleasures  of  this  life,  and  a  doom  given 
out  in  death  standeth  for  ever,  as  long  as  God  liveth.  Youth  ordina- 
rily is  a  post  and  ready  servant  for  Satan,  to  run  errands  ;  for  it  is  a 
nest  for  lust,  cursing,  drunkenness,  blaspheming  of  God,  lying,  pride, 
and  vanity.  O  that  there  were  such  an  heart  in  you,  as  to  fear  the 
Lord,  and  to  dedicate  your  soul  and  body  to  his  service  !  When  the 
time  Cometh  that  your  eye-strings  shall  break,  and  your  face  wax 
pale,  and  legs  and  arms  tremble,  and  your  breath  grow  cold,  and  your 
poor  soul  look  out  at  your  prison  house  of  clay,  to  be  set  at  liberty ; 
then  a  good  conscience,  and  your  Lord's  favour  shall  be  worth  all  the 
world's  glory  ;  seek  it  as  your  garland  and  crown.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXYIL 

To  John  Carsen. 
MY  WELL-BELOVED  AND  DEAR  FRIEND, 

Every  one  seeketh  not  God  ;  and  far  fewer  find  him,  because  they 
seek  amiss  ;  he  is  to  be  sought  for  above  all  things,  if  men  would 
find  what  they  seek.  Let  feathers  and  shadows  alone  to  children, 
and  go  seek  your  well-beloved  ;  your  only  errand  to  the  world,  is,  to 
woo  Christ :  therefore  put  other  lovers  from  about  his  house,  and  let 
Christ  have  all  )our  love,  without  mincing  or  dividing  it;  it  is  little 
enough,  if  there  were  more  of  it.  The  serving  of  the  world  and  sin 
hath  but  a  base  reward  and  smoke,  instead  of  pleasures  ;  and  but  a 
night-dream,  for  true  ease  to  the  soul.  Go  where  ye  will,  your  soul 
shall  not  sleep  sound  but  in  Christ's  bosom  ;  come  in  to  him,  and  lie 
down,  and  rest  you  on  the  slain  Son  of  God,  and  inquire  for  him  ;  I 
sought  him  and  now  a  fig  for  all  the  worm-eaten  pleasures  and  mofli^ 


PART  I.  LETTER    CLXXVIII.  245 

eaten  glory  out  of  heaven,  since  I  have  found  him,  and  in  him  all  I 
can  want  or  wish  ;  he  hath  made  me  a  king  over  the  world  ;  princes 
cannot  overcome  me ;  Christ  hath  given  me  the  marriage-kiss,  and 
he  hath  my  marriage  love  ;  we  have  made  up  a  full  bargain,  that  shall 
not  go  back  on  either  side ;  0  if  ye,  and  all  in  that  country,  knew 
what  sweet  terms  of  mercy  are  betwixt  him  and  me !  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  11, 1637. 


LETTER  CLXXVIIL 

To  the  Lady  Boyd. 
MADAM, 

I  WOULD  have  written  to  your  Ladyship  ere  now,  but  people's  be- 
lieving there  is  in  me  that  which  I  know  there  is  not,  hatli  put  me  out 
of  love  witii  writing  to  any ;  for  it  is  easy  to  put  religion  to  a  market 
and  public  fair,  but  alas !  it  is  not  so  soon  made  eye-sweet  for  Christ. 
My  Lord  seeth  me  a  tired  man  far  behind  ;  I  have  gotten  much  love 
from  Christ  but  I  give  him  little  or  none  again.  My  white  side 
cometh  out  on  paper  to  men,  but  at  home  and  v,ithin,  I  find  much 
black  work,  and  great  cause  of  a  low  sail,  and  of  little  boasting  ;  and 
yet  howbeit  I  see  challenges  to  be  true,  the  manner  of  the  tempter's 
pressing  of  them  is  unhonest,  and,  in  my  thoughts,  knavish-like  :  my 
peace  is,  that  Christ  may  find  sale  and  outing  of  his  wares  in  the  like 
of  me,  I  mean,  for  saving  grace.  I  wish  all  professors  to  fall  in  love 
with  grace  ;  all  our  songs  should  be  of  his  free  grace  :  we  are  but  too 
lazy  and  careless  in  seeking  of  it ;  it  is  all  our  riches  we  have  here, 
and  glory  in  the  bud  ;  I  wish  I  could  set  out  free  grace.  I  was  the 
law's  man,  and  under  the  law,  and  under  a  curse  ;  but  grace  brought 
me  from  under  that  hard  lord,  and  I  rejoice  that  I  am  grace's  free- 
holder. I  pay  tribute  to  none  for  heaven,  seeing  my  land  and  heritage 
holdeth  of  Christ,  my  new  King :  infinite  wisdom  hath  devised  this 
excellent  way  of  free-holding  for  sinners ;  it  is  a  better  way  to  hea- 
ven than  the  old  way  that  was  in  Adam's  days  :  it  hath  this  fair  ad- 
vantage, that  no  man's  emptiness  and  want  layeth  an  inhibition  upon 
Christ,  or  hindereth  his  salvation,  (and  that  is  far  best  for  me,)  but 
our  new  Landlord  putteth  the  names  of  dyvours,  and  Adam's  forlorn 
heirs,  and  beggars,  and  the  crooked  and  blind,  in  the  free  charters. 
Heaven  and  angels  may  wonder  that  we  have  got  such  a  gate  of  sin 
and  hel! ;  such  a  back  entry  out  of  hell,  as  Christ  made  and  brought 
out  the  captives  by,  is  more  than  my  poor  shallow  thoughts  can  com- 
prehend. I  would  think  suiTerings,  glory,  (and  I  am  sometimes  not 
far  from  it,)  if  my  Lord  would  give  me  a  new  alms  of  free  grace.  I 
hear  that  the  prelates  are  intending  banishment  for  me  ;  but  for  more 
grace,  and  no  other  hire  I  would  make  it  welcome.  The  bits  of  this 
clay-house,  the  earth,  and  the  other  side  of  the  sea,  are  my  Father's. 
If  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus  would  bud  my  sufferings  with  a  new  measure 
of  grace,  I  were  a  rich  man  ;  but  I  have  not  now  of  a  long  time  found 
such  high  spring  tides  as  formerly.     The  sea  is  out,  and  the  wind  of 


246  LETTER  CLXXIX.  PART  I. 

liis  Spirit  calm ;  and  I  cannot  buy  a  wind,  or,  by  requesting  the  sea, 
cause  it  to  flow  again ;  only,  I  wait  on,  upon  the  banks  and  shore- 
side,  till  the  Lord  send  a  full  sea,  that  with  up-sails  I  may  lift  up 
Christ :  yet  sorrow  for  his  absence  is  sweet ;  and  sighs,  with,  Saw 
ye  him  whom  my  soul  loveth  ?  have  their  own  delights.  Oh  that  I 
may  gather  hunger  against  his  long  looked-for  return  !  Well  were  my 
soul,  if  Christ  were  the  element,  mine  own  element,  and  that  I  loved 
and  breathed  in  him,  and  if  I  could  not  live  without  him.  I  allow 
not  laughter  upon  myself,  when  he  is  away  ;  yet  he  never  leaveth  the 
house,  but  he  leaveth  drink-money  behind  him,  and  a  pawn  that  he 
will  return :  wo,  wo  to  me,  if  he  should  go  away,  and  take  all  his 
flitting  with  him  ;  even  to  dream  of  him  is  sweet.  To  build  a  house 
of  pining  wishes  for  his  return,  to  spin  out  a  web  of  sorrow,  and  care, 
and  languishing,  and  sighs,  either  dry  or  wet,  as  they  may  be,  because 
he  hath  no  leisure  (if  I  may  speak  so,)  to  make  a  visit,  or  to  see  a 
pcK)r  friend,  sweeteneth  and  refresheth  the  thoughts  of  the  heart.  A 
misty  dew  will  stand  for  rain,  and  do  some  good,  and  keep  some 
greenness  in  the  herbs,  till  our  Lord's  clouds  rue  upon  the  earth,  and 
send  down  a  watering  of  rain  :  truly  I  think  Christ's  misty  dew  a 
welcome  message  from  heaven,  till  my  Lord's  rain  fall.  Wo,  wo  is 
me  for  the  Lord's  vineyard  in  Scotland.  Hov  beit  the  Father  of  the 
house  embrace  a  child,  and  feed  him,  and  kiss  him ;  yet  it  is  sorrow 
and  sadness  to  the  children,  that  our  poor  mother  hath  gotten  her 
leave,  and  that  our  Father  hath  given  up  house  ;  it  is  an  unheartsome 
thing,  to  see  our  Father  and  mother  agree  so  ill ;  yet  the  bastards,  if 
they  be  fed,  care  not.  O  Lord,  cast  not  water  on  Scotland's  smoking 
coal.  It  is  a  strange  gate  the  saints  go  to  heaven  ;  our  enemies  of- 
ten eat  and  drink  us,  and  we  go  to  heaven  through  their  bellies  and 
stomachs,  and  they  vomit  the  church  of  God,  undigested,  among 
their  hands ;  and  even  while  we  are  shut  up  in  prisons  by  them,  we 
advance  in  our  journey.  Remember  my  service  to  my  Lord  your 
kind  son,  who  was  kind  to  me  in  my  bonds,  and  was  not  ashamed  to 
own  me  :  I  would  be  glad  that  Christ  got  the  morning  service  of  his 
life  now  in  his  young  years  :  it  would  suit  him  well,  to  give  Christ  his 
young  and  green  love.  Christ's  stamp  and  seal  would  go  far  down 
in  a  young  soul,  if  he  would  receive  the  thrust  of  Christ's  stamp. 
I  would  desire  him  to  make  search  for  Christ ;  for  nobles  now  are 
but  dry  friends  to  Christ.  The  peace  of  God  our  Father,  and  the 
good-will  of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  bush,  be  with  your  Ladyship. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXIX. 

To  the  Lady  Cardoness,  Elder. 
WORTHY  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  soul  prospereth.  My  desire  and 
longing  is,  to  hear  that  ye  walk  in  the  truth,  and  that  ye  are  content 
to  follow  the  despised,  but  most  lovely  Son  of  God ;  I  cannot  but 


FART  I.  LETTER  CLXXX.  247 

recommend  him  unto  you,  as  your  Husband,  your  Well-beloved,  your 
Portion,  your  Comfort,  and  your  Joy ;  I  speak  this  of  that  lovely 
One,  because  I  praise  and  commend  the  ford  (as  we  use  to  speak)  as 
I  find  it.  He  hath  watered  with  his  sweet  comforts  an  oppressed 
prisoner ;  he  was  always  kind  to  my  soul,  but  never  so  kind  as  now, 
in  my  greatest  extremities  ;  I  dine  and  sup  with  Christ ;  he  visiteth 
my  soul  with  the  visitations  of  love,  in  the  night  watches.  I  persuade 
my  soul  that  this  is  the  way  to  heaven,  and  his  own  truth,  I  now  suf- 
fer for.  I  exhort  you  in  the  name  of  Christ,  to  continue  in  the  truth, 
which  I  delivered  to  you  :  make  Christ  sure  to  your  soul ;  for  yom" 
day  draweth  nigh  to  an  end.  Many  slide  back  now,  who  seemed  to 
be  Christ's  friends,  and  prove  dishonest  to  him  ;  but  be  ye  faithful  to 
the  death,  and  ye  shall  have  the  crown  of  life.  This  span  length  of 
your  days,  whereof  the  Spirit  of  God  speaketh,  Psal.  xxxix.  will 
within  a  short  time  come  to  a  finger-breadth,  and  at  length  to  nothing. 
O  how  sweet  and  comfortable  shall  the  feast  of  a  good  conscience  be 
to  you,  when  your  eye-strings  shall  break,  your  face  wax  pale,  and 
the  breath  turn  cold,  and  your  poor  soul  come  sighing  to  the  windows 
of  the  house  of  clay  of  your  dying  body,  and  shall  long  to  be  out, 
and  to  have  the  jailor  to  open  the  door,  that  the  prisoner  may  be  set 
at  liberty ;  ye  draw  nigh  the  water-side ;  look  your  accounts ;  ask 
for  your  Guide  to  take  you  to  the  other  side :  let  not  the  world  be 
your  portion ;  what  have  ye  to  do  with  dead  clay  ?  ye  are  not  a  bas- 
tard, but  a  lawful  begotten  child ;  therefore  set  your  heart  on  the  in- 
lieritance  ;  go  up  before-hand  and  see  your  lodging  ;  look  through  all 
3'our  Father's  rooms  in  heaven ;  in  your  Father's  house  are  many 
dwelling  places ;  men  take  a  sight  of  lands  ere  they  buy  them.  I 
know  Christ  hath  made  the  bargain  already  ;  but  be  kind  to  the  house 
you  are  going  to,  and  see  it  often  ;  set  your  heart  on  things  that  are 
above,  where  Christ  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  Stir  up  your  hus- 
band to  mind  his  own  country  at  home  ;  counsel  him  to  deal  merci- 
fully with  the  poor  people  of  God  under  him ;  they  are  Christ's  and 
not  his  ;  therefore  desire  him  to  shew  them  merciful  dealing  and  kind- 
ness, and  to  be  good  to  their  souls.  I  desire  you  to  write  to  me.  It 
may  be,  that  my  parish  forget  me  :  but  my  witness  is  in  heaven,  I 
cannot,  I  do  not  forget  them :  they  are  my  sighs  in  the  night,  and  my 
tears  in  the  day.  I  think  myself  like  a  husband  plucked  from  the 
wife  of  his  youth  ;  0  Lord  be  my  Judge,  what  joy  it  would  be  to  my 
soul,  to  hear  that  my  ministry  hath  left  the  Son  of  God  among  them, 
and  that  they  are  walking  in  Christ !  Remember  my  love  to  your  son 
and  daughter;  desire  them  from  me  to  seek  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  prisoner 
of  Christ :  in  my  heart  I  forget  you  not. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  Pastor  in  his  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

LETTER  CLXXX. 

To  Mr.  James  Hamilton. 
KEVEUEND  AND  DEARLY  BELOVED  IN  OUR  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     Our  acquaintance  is  neither 
in  bodily  presence,  nor  on  paper ;  but  as  sons  of  the  same  Father, 


248  LETTER  CLXXX.  PART  1. 

and  sufferers  for  the  same  truth.  Let  no  man  doubt,  but  the  state  of 
our  question,  we  are  now  forced  to  stand  to  by  suffering,  exile,  and 
imprisonment,  is,  If  Jesus  should  reign  over  his  kirk  or  not  ?  O  if  my 
sinful  arm  could  hold  the  crown  on  his  head,  howbeit  it  should  be 
stricken  off  from  the  shoulder  blade  ?  For  your  ensuing  and  feared 
trial,  my  very  dearest  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  alas !  what  am  I,  to  speak, 
to  comfort  a  soldier  of  Christ,  who  hath  done  a  hundred  times  more 
for  that  worthy  and  honourable  cause  than  I  can  do  !  but  I  know  those 
of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy,  wandered  up  and  down  in  deserts, 
and  in  mountains,  and  in  dens,  and  caves  of  the  earth  ;  and  that 
while  there  is  one  member  of  mystical  Christ  out  of  heaven,  that 
member  must  suffer  strokes,  till  our  Lord  Jesus  draw  in  that  member 
within  the  gates  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  which  he  will  not  fail  to  do  at 
last ;  for  not  one  toe  or  finger  of  that  body,  but  it  shall  be  taken  in 
within  the  city.  What  can  be  our  part,  in  this  pitched  battle  betwixt 
the  Lamb  and  the  dragon,  but  to  receive  the  darts  in  patience,  that  re- 
bound off  us  upon  our  sweet  Master  ;  or  rather  light  first  upon  him, 
and  then  rebound  off  him  upon  his  servants  ?  I  think  it  a  sweet  north 
wind,  that  bloweth  first  upon  the  fair  face  of  the  Chief  among  ten 
thousand,  and  then  lighteth  upon  our  sinful  and  black  faces ;  when 
once  the  wind  bloweth  off  him  upon  me,  I  think  it  hath  a  sweet  smell 
of  Christ ;  and  so  must  be  some  more  than  a  single  cross.  I  know, 
ye  have  a  guard  about  you,  and  your  attendance  and  train  for  your 
safety,  is  far  beyond  your  pursuers'  force  or  fraud  ;  it  is  good  under 
feud  to  be  near  our  war-house  and  strong  hold.  We  can  do  but  little 
to  resist  them,  who  persecute  us  and  oppose  him,  but  keep  our  blood 
and  our  wounds  to  the  next  court  day,  when  our  complaints  will  be 
read.  If  this  day  be  not  Christ's,  I  am  sure  the  morrow  shall  be  his. 
As  for  any  thing  I  do  in  my  bonds,  when  now  and  then  a  word  falleth 
from  me,  alas  it  is  very  little  ;  I  am  exceedingly  grieved  that  any 
should  conceive  any  thing  to  be  in  such  a  broken  and  empty  reed  : 
let  no  man  impute  it  to  me,  that  the  free  and  unbought  wind  (for  I 
gave  nothing  for  it)  bloweth  upon  an  empty  reed,  I  am  his  over-bur- 
dened debtor ;  I  cry,  Down  with  me,  down,  down  with  all  the  excel- 
lency of  the  world  :  and  up,  up  with  Christ ;  long,  long  may  that  fair 
One,  that  holy  One  be  on  high ;  my  curse  be  upon  them  that  love 
him  not.  0  how  glad,  would  I  be,  if  his  glory  would  grow  out,  and 
spring  up  out  of  my  bonds  and  sufferings!  certainly  since  I  became 
his  prisoner,  he  hath  won  the  yolk  and  heart  of  my  soul :  Christ  is 
even  become  a  new  Christ  to  me,  and  his  love  greener  than  it  was  ; 
and  now  I  strive  no  more  with  him,  his  love  shall  carry  it  away ;  I 
lay  down  myself  under  his  love :  1  desire  to  sing,  and  to  cry,  and  to 
proclaim  myself,  even  under  the  water,  in  his  common,  and  eternally 
indebted  to  his  kindness  ;  I  will  not  offer  to  quit  commons  with  him 
(as  we  use  to  say)  lor  that  will  not  be.  All,  all  for  evermore  be 
Christ's.  What  further  trials  are  before  me,  I  know  not;  but  I  know- 
Christ  will  have  a  saved  soul  of  me,  over  on  the  other  side  of  the 
water,  on  the  yonder-side  of  crosses,  and  beyond  men's  wrongs.  I 
had  but  one  eye,  and  that  they  have  put  out :  my  one  joy,  next  to  the 
flower  of  my  joys,  Christ,  was  to  preach  my  sweetest  sweetest  Mas- 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXXl.  249 

ter,  and  the  glory  of  liis  kingdom  ;  and  it  seemed  no  cruelty  to  them, 
to  put  out  the  poor  man's  one  eye.  And  now  I  am  seeking  about  to 
see  if  suffering  will  speak  my  fair  One's  praises  ;  and  I  am  trying  if 
a  dumb  man's  tongue  can  raise  one  note,  or  one  of  Zion's  springs,  to 
advance  my  Well-beloved's  glory ;  oh  if  he  would  make  some  glory 
to  himself  out  of  a  dumb  prisoner !  I  go  with  child  of  his  word ;  I 
cannot  be  delivered ;  none  here  will  have  my  Master ;  alas  what 
aileth  them  at  him  ?  I  bless  you  for  your  prayers  :  add  to  them  praises  ; 
as  I  am  able,  I  pay  you  home.  I  commend  your  diving  to  Christ's 
testament :  I  would  I  could  set  out  the  dead  man's  good  will  to  his 
friends,  in  his  sweet  testament ;  speak  a  prisoner's  hearty  commenda- 
tions to  Christ :  fear  not  your  ten  days  will  over.  Those  that  are 
gathered  against  mount  Zion,  their  eyes  shall  melt  away  in  their  eye- 
holes, and  their  tongue  consume  away  in  their  mouths,  and  Christ's 
withered  garden  shall  grow  green  again  in  Scotland :  my  Lord  Jesus 
hath  a  word  hid  in  heaven  for  Scotland,  not  yet  brought  out.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  7,  J 637. 


LETTER  CLXXXL 

To  Mrs.  Stewart. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  sorry  that  ye  take  it  so 
hardly,  that  I  have  not  written  to  you.  I  am  judged  to  be  that  which 
I  am  not :  I  fear, -if  I  were  put  into  the  fire,  I  should  melt  away,  and 
fall  down  in  sheards  of  painted  nature ;  for  truly  I  have  little  stuff  at 
home,  that  is  worth  the  eye  of  God's  servants.  If  there  be  any  thing 
of  Christ  in  me  (as  I  dare  not  deny  some  of  his  work)  it  is  but  a 
spunk  of  borrowed  fire,  that  can  scarce  warm  myself,  and  hath  little 
heat  for  standers-by  :  I  would  fain  have  that,  which  ye  and  others  be- 
lieve I  have  ;  but  ye  are  only  witnesses  to  my  outer  side,  and  to  some 
words  on  paper:  0  that  he  would  give  me  more  than  paper-grace  or 
tongue-grace !  were  it  not  that  want  paineth  me,  I  should  have  skail- 
ed  house,  and  gone  a  begging  long  since ;  but  Christ  hath  left  me 
with  some  hunger,  that  is  more  hot  than  wise,  and  is  ready  often  to 
say,  '  If  Christ  longed  for  me,  as  I  do  for  him,  we  should  not  be  long 
in  meeting :  and  if  he  loved  my  company  as  well  as  I  do  his,  even 
while  I  am  writing  this  letter  to  you,  we  should  flee  in  each  other's 
arms :'  but  I  know,  there  is  more  will  than  wit,  in  this  languor  and 
pining  love  for  Christ :  and  no  marvel,  for  Christ's  love  would  have 
hot  harvest,  long  ere  midsummer.  But,  if  I  have  any  love  .to  Him. 
Christ  hath  both  love  to  me  and  wit  to  guide  his  love  ;  and  I  see,  the 
best  thing  I  have  hath  as  much  dross  beside  it,  as  might  curse  me  and 
it  both ;  and  if  it  were  for  no  more,  we  have  need  of  a  Saviour  to 
pardon  the  very  faults,  and  diseases,  and  weakness  of  the  new  man, 
and  to  take  away  (to  say  so)  our  godly  sins,  or  the  sins  of  our  sancti- 
fication,  and  the  dross  and  scum  of  spiritual  love.  Wo,  wo  is  me !  O 
Mhat  need  is  there  then  of  Christ's  calling  to  scour,  and  cleanse,  and 

32 


250  LETTER  CLXXXI.  PART  I. 

wash  away  an  ugly  old  body  of  sin,  the  very  image  of  Satan  !  T  know 
nothing  surer,  than  that  there  is  an  office  for  Christ  amongst  us  :  I 
wish  for  no  other  heaven  on  this  side  of  the  last  sea  that  I  must  cross, 
than  this  service  of  Christ,  to  make  my  blackness  beauty,  my  dead- 
ness  life,  my  guiltiness  sanctification.  I  long  much  for  that  day,  when 
I  will  be  holy  :  0  what  spots  are  yet  unwashen  !  0  that  I  could  change 
the  skin  of  the  leopard  and  the  moor,  and  nifTer  it  with  some  of  Christ's 
fairness!  were  my  blackness  and  Christ's  beauty  carded  through  other, 
(as  we  use  to  speak)  his  beauty  and  holiness  would  eat  up  my  filthi- 
ness :  but  oh,  I  have  not  casten  old  Adam's  hue  and  colour  yet !  I 
trow  the  best  of  us  hath  a  smell  yet  of  the  old  loathsome  body  of  sin 
and  guiltiness  :  happy  are  they  for  evermore,  who  can  employ  Christ, 
and  set  his  blood  and  death  on  work,  to  make  clean  work  to  God,  of 
foul  souls.  I  know,  it  is  our  sin  that  would  have  sanctification  on  the 
sunny-side  of  the  hill,  and  holiness  with  nothing  but  summer,  and  no 
crosses  at  all.  Sin  hath  made  us  as  tender,  as  if  we  were  made  of  pa- 
per or  glass.  I  am  often  thinking,  what  1  would  think  of  Christ  and 
burning  quick  together,  of  Christ  and  torturing,  and  hot  melted  lead 
poured  in  at  my  mouth  and  navel ;  yet  I  have  some  weak  experience, 
(but  very  weak  indeed)  that  suppose  Christ  and  hell's  torments  were 
married  together,  and  if  there  were  no  finding  of  Christ  at  all,  except 
I  went  to  hell's  furnace,  that  there,  and  in  no  other  place,  I  could  meet 
with  him ;  I  trow,  if  I  were  as  1  have  been  since  I  was  his  prisoner, 
I  would  beg  lodging  for  God's  sake  in  hell's  hottest  furnace,  that  I 
might  rub  souls  with  Christ.  But  God  be  thanked,  I  shall  find  him  in  a 
better  lodging  :  we  get  Christ  better  cheap  than  so  :  when  he  is  roup- 
ed  to  us,  we  get  him  but  with  a  shower  of  summer-troubles  in  this 
life,  as  sweet  and  as  soft  to  believers  as  a  May-dew.  I  would  have 
you  and  myself  helping  Christ  mystical  to  weep  for  his  wife  ;  and  O 
that  we  could  mourn  for  Christ  buried  in  Scotland,  and  for  his  two 
slain  witnesses  killed,  because  they  prophesied !  If  we  could  so  im- 
portune and  solicit  God,  our  buried  Lord  and  his  two  buried  witnesses 
siiould  rise  again  ;  earth,  and  clay,  and  stone  will  not  bear  down  Christ 
and  the  gospel  in  Scotland.  I  know  not,  if  I  will  see  the  second  tem- 
ple and  the  glory  of  it ;  but  the  Lord  hath  deceived  me,  if  it  be  not  to 
be  reared  up  again.  I  would  wish  to  give  Christ  his  welcome  home 
again  :  my  blessing,  my  joy,  my  glory  and  love  be  on  the  home- 
comer.  I  find  no  better  use  of  suffering,  than  that  Christ's  winnowing 
putteth  chaff  and  corn  in  the  saints  to  sundry  places,  and  discovereth 
our  dross  from  his  gold,  so  as  corruption  and  grace  are  so  seen,  that 
Christ  saith  in  the  furnace, '  That  is  mine,  and  this  is  yours  ;  the  scum 
and  the  grounds,  thy  stomach  against  the  persecutors,  thy  impatience, 
thy  unbelief,  thy  quarrelling,  these-  are  thine ;  and  faith,  on-waiting, 
love,  joy,  courage,  are  mine.'  O  let  me  die  one  of  Christ's  on-wait- 
ers,  and  one  of  his  attendants !  I  know  your  heart  and  Christ  are 
married  together,  it  were  not  good  to  make  a  divorce.  Rue  not  of 
that  meeting  and  marriage  with  such  a  husband.  Pray  for  me  his 
prisoner.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Abercleeu,  1637. 


251 


LETTER  CLXXXIL 

To  .Air.  Hugh  M'Kail, 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter,  I  bless 
you  for  it ;  my  dry  root  would  take  more  dew  and  summer-rain  than 
it  getteth,  were  it  not  Christ  will  have  dryness  and  deadness  in  us  to 
work  upon ;  if  there  were  no  timber  to  work  upon,  art  would  die,  and 
never  be  seen.  I  see  grace  hath  a  field  to  play  upon,  and  to  course 
up  and  down  in  our  wants ;  so  that  I  am  often  thanking  God,  not  for 
guiltiness,  but  for  guiltiness  for  Christ  to  whet  and  sharpen  his  grace 
upon  ;  I  am  half  content  to  have  boils  for  my  Lord  Jesus'  plasters. 
Sickness  hath  this  advantage,  that  it  draweth  our  sweet  Physician's 
hand,  and  his  holy  and  soft  fingers,  to  touch  our  withered  and  leper 
skins :  it  is  a  blessed  fever  that  fetcheth  Christ  to  the  bed-side.  I 
think  my  Lord's  How  dost  thou  with  it,  sick  body  1  is  worth  all  my 
pained  nights.  Surely,  I  have  no  more  for  Christ,  but  emptiness  and 
want ;  take  or  leave,  he  will  get  me  no  otherwise.  I  must  sell  my- 
self and  my  wants  to  him,  but  I  have  no  price  to  give  for  him ;  if  he 
would  put  a  fair  and  real  seal  upon  his  love  to  me,  and  bestow  upon 
me  a  larger  share  of  Christ's  love,  which  I  would  fainest  be  in  hands 
with  of  any  thing,  I  except  not  heaven  itself,  I  should  go  on  sighing 
and  singing  under  his  cross  ;  but  the  worst  is,  many  take  me  for  some- 
body, because  the  wind  bioweth  upon  a  withered  prisoner ;  but  the 
truth  is,  I  am  both  lean  and  thin  in  that,  wherein  many  believe  I 
abound.  I  would,  if  bartering  were  in  my  power,  niffer  joy  with 
Christ's  love  and  faith  ;  and  instead  of  the  hot  sun-shine,  be  content 
to  walk  under  a  cloudy  shadow  with  more  grief  and  sadness,  to  have 
more  faith,  and  a  fair  occasion  of  setting  forth  and  commending  Christ, 
and  to  make  that  lovely  One,  that  fair  One,  that  sweetest  and  dearest 
Lord  Jesus,  market-sweet  for  many  ears  and  hearts  in  Scotland  ;  and 
if  it  were  in  my  power  to  roup  Christ  to  the  three  kingdoms,  and 
withal  to  persuade  buyers  to  come,  and  to  take  such  sweet  wares  as 
Christ ;  I  would  think  to  have  many  sweet  bargains  betwixt  Christ 
and  the  sons  of  men.  I  would  I  could  be  humble,  and  go  with  a  low 
sail ;  I  would  I  had  desires  with  wings,  and  running  upon  wheels ; 
swift  and  active,  and  speedy,  in  longing  for  Christ's  honour ;  but  I 
know  my  Lord  is  as  wise  here,  as  I  can  be  thirsty ;  and  infinitely 
more  zealous  of  his  honour,  than  I  can  be  hungry  tor  the  manifesta- 
tion of  it  to  men  and  angels  ;  but  O  that  my  Lord  would  take  my  de- 
sires off  my  hand,  and  a  thousand-fold  more  unto  them,  and  sow  spi- 
ritual inclinations  upon  them,  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom  to 
the  sons  of  men !  that  they  might  be  higher,  and  deeper,  and  longer, 
and  broader  ;  for  my  longest  measures  are  too  short  for  Christ ;  my 
depth  is  ebb,  and  the  breadth  of  my  affections  to  Christ,  narrowed  and 
pinched.  O  for  an  engine  and  a  wit,  to  prescribe  ways  to  men,  how 
Christ  might  be  all,  in  alF  the  world !  wit  is  here  behind  affection,  and 
affection  behind  obligation.  O  how  little  can  I  give  to  Christ,  and 
how  much  hath  he  given  me !  O  that  I  could  sing  grace's  praises, 
and  love's  praises !  seeing  I  was  like  a  fool,  soliciting  the  law,  and 


252  LETTER   CLXXXIII.  PART  I. 

making  moyen  to  the  law's  court  for  mercy,  and  found  challenges 
that  way ;  but  now  I  deny  that  judge's  power,  for  I  am  a  grace's 
man  :  I  hold  not  worth  a  drink  of  water  of  the  law,  or  of  any  lord, 
but  Jesus ;  and  till  I  bethought  me  of  this,  I  was  slain  with  doubtings, 
and  fears,  and  terrors.  I  praise  the  new  court,  and  the  new  Land- 
lord, and  the  new  salvation,  purchased  in  Jesus,  his  hame,  and  at  his 
instance.  Let  the  old  man,  if  he  please,  go  make  his  moan  to  the 
Jaw,  and  seek  acquaintance  thereaway,  because  he  is  condemned  in 
that  court ;  1  hope  the  new  man  and  I,  and  Christ  together,  shall  not 
be  heard  :  and  this  is  the  more  soft  and  the  more  easy  way  for  me 
and  for  my  cross  together  ;  seeing  Christ  singeth  my  welcome-home, 
and  taketh  me  in,  and  maketh  short  counts  and  short  work  ol"  reckon- 
ing betwixt  me  and  my  Judge.  I  must  be  Christ's  man,  and  his 
tenant,  and  subject  to  his  court ;  I  am  sure,  suffering  for  Christ  could 
not  be  borne  otherwise ;  but  I  give  my  hand  and  my  faith  to  all  who 
would  suffer  for  Christ ;  they  shall  be  well  handled,  and  fare  well 
in  the  same  way,  that  I  have  found  the  cross  easy  and  light.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R . 

Aberdeen,  July  8,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXXIIL 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Garlock. 
DEAR    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  If  Christ  were  as  I  am,  that 
time  could  work  upon  him  to  alter  him,  or  that  the  morrow  could 
bring  a  new  day  to  him,  or  bring  a  new  mind  to  him  as  it  is  to  me  a 
new  day,  I  could  not  keep  a  house  or  a  covenant  with  him  :  but  I  find 
Christ  to  be  Christ,  and  that  he  is  tar,  far,  even  infinite  heavens  height 
above  men  ;  and  that  is  all  our  happiness,  sinners  can  do  nothing,  but 
make  wounds  that  Christ  may  heal  them  ;  and  make  debts  that  he 
may  pay  them ;  and  make  falls,  that  he  may  raise  them  ;  and  make 
deaths,  that  he  may  quicken  them  ;  and  spin  out  and  dig  hells  for 
themselves,  that  he  may  ransom  them.  Xow  I  will  bless  the  Lord, 
that  ever  there  was  such  a  thing  as  the  free  grace  of  God,  and  a  free 
ransom  given  for  sold  souls  :  only  alas,  guiltiness  maketh  me  ashamed 
to  apply  Christ,  and  to  think  it  pride  in  me,  to  put  out  my  unclean  and 
withered  hand  to  such  a  Saviour !  But  it  is  neither  shame  nor  pride, 
for  a  drowning  man  to  swim  to  a  rock,  nor  for  a  ship-broken  soul  to 
run  himself  ashore  upon  Christ.  Suppose  once  I  be  guilty,  need  force 
I  cannot,  I  do  not  go  by  Christ ;  we  take  in  good  part  that  pride,  that 
beggars  beg  from  the  richer ;  and  who  is  so  poor  as  we  1  and  who  is 
so  rich  as  He  who  selleth  fine  goldl  Rev.  iii.  18.  I  see,  then,  it  is 
our  best,  let  guiltiness  plead  what  it  lisieth,  that  we  have  no  mean 
under  the  covering  of  heaven,  but  to  creep  in  lowly  and  submissively 
with  our  wants  to  Christ ;  I  have  also  cause  to  give  his  cross  a  good 
name  and  report.  O  how  worthy  is  Christ  of  my  feckless  and  light 
suffering  !  and  how  hath  he  deserved  it  at  my  hands,  that  for  his 
lionour  and  glory,  I  should  lay  my  back  under  seven  hells'  pains  in 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXXIV.  253 

one,  if  he  call  me  to  that !  But  alas  !  my  soul  is  like  a  ship,  run  on 
ground  through  ebbness  of  water  ;  I  am  sanded,  and  my  love  is  sand- 
ed ;  I  find  not  how  to  bring  it  on  float  again  ;  it  is  so  cold  and  dead, 
that  I  see  not  how  to  bring  it  to  a  flame :  fy,  fy,  upon  the  meeting 
that  my  love  hath  given  Christ,  wo,  wo  is  me,  I  have  a  lover  Christ, 
and  yet  I  want  love  for  him  :  I  have  a  lovely  and  desirable  Lord,  who 
is  love-worthy,  and  who  beggeth  my  love  and  heart,  and  I  have 
nothing  to  give  him.  Dear  brother,  come  further  in  on  Christ,  and 
see  a  new  treasure  in  him :  come  in,  and  look  down,  and  see  angels' 
wonder,  and  heaven  and  earth's  wonder  of  love  sweetness,  majesty 
and  excellency  in  him.  I  forget  you  not :  pray  for  me,  that  our  Lord 
would  be  pleased  to  send  me  among  you  again,  fraughted  and  full  of 
Christ.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXXIV. 

To  John  Bell,  Elder. 
MY  VERY  LOVING  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  very  often  and  lonf^ 
expected  your  letter :  but  if  ye  be  well  in  soul  and  body,  I  am  the 
less  solicitous.  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus  to  mind  your  coun- 
try above ;  and  now,  when  old  age,  the  twilight  going  before  the 
darkness  of  the  grave,  and  the  falhng  low  of  your  sun  before  your 
night,  is  now  come  upon  you,  advise  with  Christ,  ere  ye  put  your  foot 
in  the  ship,  and  turn  your  back  on  this  life.  Many  are  beguiled  with 
this,  that  they  are  free  of  scandalous  and  crying  abominations  :  but 
the  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is  for  the  fire ;  the  man 
that  is  not  born  again,  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God :  com- 
mon honesty  will  not  take  men  to  heaven  :  alas  that  men  should  think 
they  ever  met  with  Christ,  who  had  never  a  sick  night,  through  the 
terrors  of  God  in  their  souls,  or  a  sore  heart  for  sin.  I  know  the 
Lord  hath  given  you  light,  and  the  knowledge  of  his  will ;  but  that  is 
not  all,  neither  will  that  do  your  turn.  I  wish  you  an  awakened  soul, 
and  that  ye  beguile  not  yourself,  in  the  matter  of  your  salvation.  My 
dear  brother,  search  yourself  with  the  candle  of  God,  and  try  if  the 
life  of  God  and  Christ  be  in  you  ;  salvation  is  not  casten  to  every 
man's  door  ;  many  are  carried  over  sea  and  land,  to  a  far  country  in  a 
ship,  while  as  they  sleep  much  of  the  way  ;  but  men  are  not  landed  at 
heaven  sleeping:  the  righteous  are  scarcely  saved ;  and  many  run  as  fast 
as  either  you  or  I,  who  miss  the  prize  and  the  crown :  God  send  me  sal- 
vation, and  save  me  from  a  disappointment,  and  I  seek  no  more.  Men 
think  it  but  a  stride,  or  step  over  to  heaven ;  but  when  so  iew  are 
saved,  even  of  a  number  like  the  sand  of  the  sea,  but  a  handful  and 
a  remnant,  as  God's  word  saith,  what  cause  have  we  to  shake  our- 
selves out  of  ourselves,  and  to  ask  our  poor  soul.  Whither  goest  thou  ? 
where  shalt  thou  lodge  at  night  I  where  are  thy  charters  and  writs  of 
thy  hea,venly  inheritance  1  I  have  known  a  man  turn  a  key  in  a  door, 
and  lock  it  by :  many  men  leap  over,  as  they  think,  and  leap  in.     O 


254  LETTER  CLXXXV.  PART  I. 

see  !  see  that  ye  give  not  your  salvation  a  wrong  cast,  and  think  all 
is  well,  and  leave  your  soul  loose  and  uncertain :  look  to  your  build- 
ing, and  to  your  groundstone,  and  what  signs  of  Christ  are  in  you, 
and  set  this  world  behind  your  back.  It  is  time,  now  in  the  even- 
ing to  cease  from  your  ordinary  work,  and  high  time  to  know  of  your 
lodging  at  night ;  it  is  your  salvation  that  is  in  dependance,  and  that  is 
a  great  and  weighty  business,  though  many  make  light  of  the  matter. 
Now,  the  Lord  enable  you  by  his  grace  to  work  it  out. 

Your  lawful  and  loving  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXXV. 

To  William  Gordon,  of  Robertoun. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  So  often  as  I  think  on  our 
case,  in  our  soldiers  night-watch,  and  of  our  fighting  life  in  the  fields, 
while  we  are  here,  I  am  forced  to  say,  prisoners  in  a  dungeon,  con- 
demned by  a  judge  to  want  the  light  of  the  sun  and  moon  and  candle 
till  their  dying  day,  are  no  more,  nay  not  so  much  to  be  pitied  as  we 
are  ;  for  they  are  weary  of  their  life,  they  hate  their  prison ;  but  we 
fall  to,  in  our  prison,  where  we  see  little,  to  drink  ourselves  drunk  with 
the  night  pleasures  of  our  weak  dreams  ;  and  we  long  for  no  better 
life  than  this  :  but  at  the  blast  of  the  last  trumpet,  and  the  shout  of 
the  archangel,  when  God  shall  take  down  the  shepherd's  tent  of  this 
fading  world,  we  shall  not  have  so  much  as  a  drink  of  water,  of  all 
the  dreams  that  we  now  build  on.  Alas !  that  the  sharp  and  bitter 
blasts  on  face  and  sides,  which  meet  us  in  this  life,  have  not  learned 
us  mortification,  and  made  us  dead  to  this  world !  we  buy  our  own 
sorrow,  and  we  pay  dear  for  it,  when  we  spend  out  our  love,  our  joy, 
our  desires,  our  confidence,  upon  a  handful  of  snow  and  ice,  that  time 
will  melt  away  to  nothing,  and  go  thirsty  out  of  the  drunken  inns, 
when  all  is  done ;  alas  that  we  inquire  not  for  the  clear  fountain  :  but 
are  so  ibolish,  as  to  drink  foul,  muddy  and  rotten  waters,  even  till  our 
bed  time  ;  and  then  in  the  resurrection,  when  we  shall  be  awakened, 
our  yesternight's  sour  drink  and  swinish  dregs  shall  rift  up  upon  us  ; 
and  sick,  sick  shall  many  a  soul  be  then ;  I  know  no  wholesome 
fountain  but  one  ;  I  know  not  a  thing  w  orth  the  buying,  but  heaven. 
And  my  own  mind  is,  if  comparison  were  made  betwixt  Christ  and 
heaven,  I  would  sell  heaven  with  my  blessing,  to  buy  Christ.  Oh  if 
I  could  raise  the  market  for-  Christ,  and  heighten  the  market  a  pound 
for  a  penny,  and  cry  up  Christ  in  men's  estimation,  ten  thousand  talents 
more  than  men  thmk  of  him  !  but  they  are  shaping  him,  and  crying 
him  down,  to  valuing  him  at  their  unworthy  half-penny ;  or  else  ex- 
changing and  bartering  Christ  with  the  miserable  old  fallen  house  of 
this  vain  world  :  or  then  they  lend  him  out  upon  interest,  and  play  the 
viserers  with  Christ :  because  they  profess  him,  and  give  out  before 
men,  that  Christ  is  their  treasure  and  stock ;  and  in  the  mean  time, 
praise  of  men,  and  a  name,  and  ease,  and  the  summer-sun  of  the  gos- 
pel, is  the  usury  they  would  be  at ;  so  when  the  trial  cometh,  they 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXXYI.  255 

quit  the  stock  for  the  interest,  and  lose  all.  Happy  are  they  who  can 
keep  Christ  by  himself  alone,  and  keep  him  clean  and  whole,  till  God 
come  and  count  with  them.  I  know,  in  your  hard  and  heavy  trials 
long  since,  ye  thought  well  and  highly  of  Christ ;  but  truly  no  cross 
should  be  old  to  us  ;  we  should  not  forget  them,  because  years  are 
come  betwixt  us  and  them,  and  cast  them  by  hand,  as  we  do  old 
clothes  ;  we  may  make  a  cross,  old  in  time,  new  in  use,  and  as  fruit- 
ful, as  in  the  beginning  of  it.  God  is  where  and  what  he  was,  seven 
years  ago,  whatever  change  be  in  us,  I  speak  not  this,  as  if  I 
thought  ye  had  forgotten  what  God  did  to  have  your  love  long  since  ; 
but  that  ye  may  awake  yourself,  in  this  sleepy  age,  and  remember 
fruitfully  of  Christ's  first  wooing  and  suiting  of  your  love,  both  with 
fire  and  water ;  and  try  if  he  got  his  answer,  or  if  ye  be  yet  to  give 
him  it ;  for  I  find  in  myself  that  water  runneth  not  faster  through  a 
sieve,  than  our  warnings  slip  from  us ;  for  I  have  lost  and  casten  by- 
hand  many  summonses,  the  Lord  hath  sent  me ;  and  therefore  the 
Lord  hath  given  me  double  charges,  that  I  trust  in  God,  shall  not 
rive  me.  I  bless  his  great  name,  who  is  no  niggard  in  holding  in 
crosses  upon  me,  but  spendeth  largely  his  rods,  tliat  lie  may  save  me 
from  this  perishing  world.  How  plentiful  God  is  in  means  of  this 
kind,  is  esteempd  by  many,  one  of  God's  unkind  mercies ;  but 
Christ's  cross  is  neither  a  cruel  nor  an  unkind  mercy,  but  the  love  to- 
ken of  a  father.  I  am  sure,  a  lover  chasing  us  for  our  well,  and  to 
have  our  love,  should  not  be  run  away  from,  or  fled  from.  God  send 
me  no  worse  mercy,  than  the  sanctified  cross  of  Christ  portendeth ; 
and  I  am  sure,  I  should  be  happy  and  blest.  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may 
find  house-room  in  the  Lord's  house,  to  speak  in  his  name.  Remem- 
ber my  dearest  love  in  Christ  to  your  wife.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXXVL 

To  my  Lady  Boyd. 
3IADAiM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  have  reasoned  with  your  son 
at  large  ;  I  rejoice  to  see  him  set  his  face  in  the  right  airth,  now  when 
the  nobles  love  the  sunny-side  of  the  gospel  best,  and  are  afraid  that 
Christ  want  soldiers,  and  shall  not  be  able  to  do  for  himself.  Madam, 
our  debts  of  obligation  to  Christ  are  not  small ;  the  freedom  of  grace 
and  salvation  is  the  wonder  of  men  and  angels  ;  but  mercy  in  our 
Lord  scorneth  hire  ;  ye  are  bound  to  lift  Christ  on  high,  who  hath 
given  you  eyes  to  discern  the  devil,  now  coming  out  in  his  whites, 
and  the  idolatry  and  apostacy  of  the  time  well  washen  with  fair  pre- 
tences ;  but  the  skin  is  black,  and  the  water  foul :  It  were  art  I  con- 
fess, to  wash  a  black  devil  and  make  him  white.  I  am  in  strange  ups 
and  downs,  and  seven  times  a  day  I  lose  ground ;  I  am  put  often  to 
s\vimming,  and  again  my  feet  are  set  on  the  rock  that  is  higher  than 


^5(J  LETTER  CLXXXVr.  PART  1. 

myself;  he  hath  now  let  me  see  four  things  I  never  saw  before ;  1. 
The  supper  shall  be  great  cheer,  that  is  up  in  the  great  hall,  with  the 
Royal  King  of  glory,  when  the  four  hours,  the  standing  drink,  in  this 
dreary  wilderness,  is  so  sweet ;  when  he  bloweth  a  kiss  afar  off  to 
his  poor  heart-broken  mourners  in  Zion,  and  sendeth  me  but  his 
hearty  commendation,  till  we  meet,  I  am  confounded  with  wonder  to 
think  what  it  shall  be,  when  the  fairest  among  the  sons  of  men  shall 
lay  a  king's  sweet  soft  cheek  to  the  sinful  cheeks  of  poor  sinners. 

0  time,  time,  go  swiftly,  and  hasten  that  day !  sweet  Lord  Jesus, 
post,  come  flying  like  a  young  hart  or  a  roe  upon  the  mountain^  of 
separation.  I  think,  we  should  tell  the  hours  carefully,  and  look  often 
how  low  the  sun  is ;  for  love  hath  no  ho,  it  is  pained,  pained  in  itself, 
till  it  come  in  grips  with  the  party  beloved.  2.  I  find  Christ's  ab- 
sence, love's  sickness,  and  love's  death  ;  the  wind  that  bloweth  out  of 
the  airth,  where  my  Lord  Jesus  reigneth,  is  sweet-smelled,  soft,  joy- 
ful, and  heartsome  to  a  soul  burnt  with  absence.  It  is  a  painful  bat- 
tle, for  a  soul  sick  of  love  to  fight  with  absence  and  delays ;  Christ's 
not  yet,  is  a  stounding  of  all  the  joints  and  hths  of  the  soul ;  a  nod  of 
his  head,  when  he  is  under  a  mask,  would  be  half  a  pawn ;  to  say, 
Fool,  what  aiieth  thee  1  he  is  coming,  would  be  life  to  a  dead  man.  I 
am  often  in  my  dumb  sabbaths  seeking  a  new  plea  with  my  Lord  Je- 
sus, God  forgive  me ;  and  I  care  not  if  there  be  not  two  or  three 
ounce  weight  of  black  wrath  in  my  cup.  3.  For  the  third  thing,  I 
have  seen  my  abominable  vileness ;  if  I  were  well  known,  there 
would  none  in  this  kingdom  ask  how  I  do.  Many  take  my  ten  to  be 
an  hundred,  but  I  am  a  deeper  hypocrite  and  shallower  professor  than 
every  one  believeth  ;  God  knoweth  I  feign  not ;  but  I  think  my  reck- 
onings on  the  one  page  written  in  great  letters,  and  his  mercy  to  such 
a  forlorn  and  wretched  creature  on  the  other,  more  than  a  miracle.     If 

1  could  get  my  finger-ends  upon  a  full  assurance,  I  trow,  I  should 
grip  fast ;  but  my  cup  wanteth  not  gall ;  and  upon  my  part,  despair 
might  be  almost  excused,  if  every  one  in  this  land  saw  my  inner  side  ; 
but  I  know  I  was  one  of  them  who  have  made  great  sale  and  a  free 
market  to  free  grace ;  if  I  could  be  saved,  as  I  would  fain  believe, 
sure  I  am,  I  have  given  Christ's  blood,  his  free  grace,  and  the  bowels 
of  his  mercy,  a  large  field  to  work  upon,  and  Christ  hath  manifested 
his  art,  I  dare  not  say,  to  the  uttermost ;  for  he  can,  if  he  would,  for- 
give all  the  devils  and  damned  reprobates,  in  respect  of  the  wideness 
of  his  mercy ;  but  I  say  to  an  admirable  degree.  4.  I  am  stricken 
with  fear  of  unthankfulness.  This  apostate  kirk  hath  played  the  har- 
lot with  many  lovers  ;  they  are  spitting  in  the  face  of  my  lovely  King, 
and  mocking  him,  and  I  cannot  mend  it ;  and  they  are  running  away 
from  Christ  in  troops,  and  I  do  not  mourn  and  be  grieved  for  it.  I 
think  Christ  lieth  like  an  old  forecasten  castle,  forsaken  of  the  inha- 
bitants ;  all  men  run  away  now  from  him  ;  truth,  innocent  truth,  goeth 
mourning,  and  wringing  her  hands  in  sackcloth  and  ashes.  Wo,  wo, 
wo  is  me,  for  the  virgin  daughter  of  Scotland !  wo,  wo  to  the  inha- 
bitants of  this  land !  for  they  are  gone  back  with  a  perpetual  back- 
sliding. These  things  take  me  so  up,  that  a  borrowed  bed,  another 
man's  fire  side,  the  wind  upon  my  face,  I  being  driven  from  my  lov- 


PART  I.  LETTER  CLXXXVII.  257 

ers,  and  dear  acquaintance,  and  my  poor  flock  find  no  room  in  my 
sorrow.  I  have  no  spare  or  odd  sorrow  for  these  ;  only  I  think,  the 
sparrows  and  swallows,  that  build  their  nests  in  the  kirk  of  Anwoth, 
blessed  birds.  Nothing  hath  given  my  faith  a  harder  back-set  till  it 
crack  again,  than  my  closed  mouth.  But  let  me  be  miserable  myself 
alone,  God  keep  my  dear  brethren  from  it ;  but  still  I  keep  breath, 
and  when  my  royal,  and  never,  never-enough  praised  King  returneth  to 
his  sinful  prisoner,  I  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  Jacob.  I  divide 
Shechem,  I  triumph  in  his  strength.  If  this  kingdom  would  glorify 
the  Lord,  in  my  behalf,  I  desire  to  be  weighed  in  God's  even  balance 
in  this  point,  if  I  think  not  my  wages  paid  to  the  full ;  I  shall  crave  no 
more  hire  of  Christ.  Madam,  pity  me  in  this,  and  help  me  to  praise 
him :  for,  whatever  I  be,  the  chief  of  sinners,  a  devil,  and  a  most 
guilty  devil :  yet  it  is  the  apple  of  Christ's  eye,  his  honour  and  glory, 
as  the  head  of  the  church,  that  I  suffer  for  now,  and  that  I  will  go  to 
eternity  with.  I  am  greatly  in  love  with  Mr.  M.  M.  I  see  him 
stamped  with  the  image  of  God.  I  hope  well  of  your  son,  my  Lord 
Boyd.  Your  Ladyship  and  your  children  have  a  prisoner's  prayers. 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience,  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

LETTER  CLXXXVIL 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Garven. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  rejoice,  that  ye  cannot  l>e 
quit  of  Christ,  if  I  may  speak  so,  but  he  must,  he  will  have  you.  Be- 
take yourself  to  Christ,  my  dear  brother.  It  is  a  great  business  to 
make  quit  of  superfluities,  and  of  those  things  which  Christ  cannot 
dwell  with.  I  am  content  with  my  own  cross,  that  Christ  hath  made 
mine  an  eternal  lot,  because  it  is  Christ's  and  mine  together.  I  mar- 
vel not,  that  winter  is  without  heaven  ;  for  there  is  no  winter  within 
it ;  all  the  saints  therefore  have  their  own  measure  of  winter,  before 
their  eternal  summer.  Oh  for  the  long  day,  and  the  high  sun,  and  the 
fair  garden,  and  the  King's  great  city  up  above  these  visible  heavens  I 
What  God  layeth  on,  let  me  suffer ;  for  some  have  one  cross,  some 
seven,  some  ten,  some  half  a  cross :  yet  all  the  saints  have  whole 
and  full  joy,  and  seven  crosses  have  seven  joys.  Christ  is  cumbered 
with  me,  to  speak  so,  and  my  cross,  but  he  falleth  not  off  me,  we  are 
not  at  variance.  I  find  the  very  glooms  of  Christ's  wooing  a  soul 
sweet  and  lovely  ;  I  had  rather  have  Christ's  buffet  and  love-stroke, 
than  another  king's  kiss  :  speak  evil  of  Christ  who  will,  I  hope  to  die 
with  love  thoughts  of  him.  Oh,  that  there  are  so  few  tongues  ire 
heaven  and  earth  to  extol  him  !  I  wish  his  praises  go  not  down  aznongst 
us ;  let  not  Christ  be  low  and  lightly  esteemed  in  the  midst  of  us  ; 
but  let  all  hearts  and  all  tongues  cast  in  their  portion,  and  contribute 
something,  to  make  him  great  in  mount  Zion.  Thus  recommending 
you  to  his  grace,  and  remembering  my  love  to  your  wife  and  mother, 
and  your  kind  brother  R.  B.  and  entreating  you  to  remember  my 
bonds,  I  rest, 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

33 


258 
LETTER  CLXXXVIII. 

To  the  Laird  of  Moncrief. 
31UCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Although  not  acquaint,  yet 
at  the  desire  of  your  worthy  sister,  the  Lady  Leys,  and  upon  the  report 
of  your  kindness  to  Christ,  and  his  oppressed  truth,  I  am  bold  to  write 
to  you,  earnestly  desiring  you  to  join  with  us  (so  many  as  in  these 
bonds  profess  Christ,)  to  wrestle  with  God,  one  day  of  the  week, 
especially  Wednesdays,  for  mercy  to  this  fallen  and  decayed  kirk, 
and  to  such  as  suffer  for  Christ's  name,  and  for  your  own  necessities, 
and  the  necessities  of  others,  who  are  by  covenant  engaged  in  that 
business  ;  for  we  have  no  other  armour  in  these  evil  times  but  pray- 
ers, now  when  wrath  from  the  liOrd  is  gone  out  against  this  backsli- 
ding land  ;  for  ye  know  we  can  have  no  true  public  fasts,  neither  are 
the  true  causes  of  our  humiliation  ever  laid  before  the  people.  Now, 
very  worthy  Sir,  I  am  glad  in  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  reserveth  any 
of  your  place,  or  of  note,  in  this  time  of  common  apostacy,  to  come 
forth  in  public  to  bear  Christ's  name  before  men,  when  the  great  men 
think  Christ  a  cumbersome  neighbour,  and  that  religion  carrieth 
hazards,  trials,  and  persecutions  with  it.  I  persuade  myself,  it  is  your 
glory  and  your  garland,  and  shall  be  your  joy  in  the  day  of  Christ,  and 
the  standing  of  your  house  and  seed  to  inherit  the  earth,  that  you 
truly  and  sincerely  profess  Christ :  neither  is  our  King,  whom  the 
Father  hath  crowned  in  mount  Zion,  so  weak,  that  he  cannot  do  for 
himself,  and  his  own  cause.  I  verily  believe,  they  are  blessed  who 
can  hold  the  crown  upon  his  head,  and  carry  up  the  train  of  his  robe- 
royal,  and  that  he  shall  yet  be  victorious  and  triumph  in  this  land.  It 
is  our  part  to  back  our  royal  King  howbeit  there  were  not  six  in  al! 
the  land  to  follow  him.  It  is  our  wisdom  now  to  take  up,  and  discern 
the  Devil  and  the  Antichrist  coming  out  in  their  whites,  and  the  apos- 
tacy and  idolatry  of  this  land  washen  with  foul  water.  I  confess  it  is 
art  to  wash  the  devil  till  his  skin  be  white.  For  myself.  Sir,  I  have 
bought  a  plea  against  Christ,  since  I  came  hither,  in  judging  my 
princely  Master  angry  at  me,  because  I  was  cast  out  of  the  vineyard 
as  a  withered  tree,  my  dumb  sabbaths  working  me  much  sorrow  :  but 
I  see  now  sorrow  hath  not  eyes  to  read  love  written  upon  the  cross 
of  Christ ;  and  therefore  I  pass  from  my  rash  plea  :  wo,  wo  is  mc, 
that  I  should  have  received  a  slander  of  Christ's  love  to  my  soul. 
And  for  all  this,  my  Lord  Jesus,  hath  forgiven  all,  as  not  willing  to  be 
heard  with  such  a  fool,  and  is  content  to  be,  as  it  were,  confined  with 
me,  and  to  bear  me  company  ;  and  to  feast  a  poor  oppressed  prisoner. 
And  now  I  write  it  under  my  hand,  worthy  Sir,  that  I  think  well  and 
honourably  of  this  cross  of  Christ.  I  wonder  that  he  will  take  any 
glory  from  the  like  of  me  ;  I  find  when  he  but  sendeth  his  hearty  com- 
mendations to  me,  and  but  bloweth  a  kiss  afar  off,  I  am  confounded 
with  wondering  what  the  supper  of  the  Lamb  will  be,  up  in  our  Fa- 
ther's dining-palace  of  glory,  since  the  four  hours  in  this  dismal  wil- 
derness, and  when  in  prisons,  and  in  our  sad  days,  a  kiss  of  Christ  is 
so  comfortable.  O  how  sweet  and  glorious  shall  our  case  be,  when 
that  fairest  among  the  sons  of  men  shall  lay  his  fair  face  to  our  now 


PART  r^  LETTER   CLXXXIX.  259 

sinful  faces,  and  wipe  away  all  tears  from  our  eyes  !  0  time,  time,  run 
swiftly  and  hasten  this  day !  0  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  come  tlyino;  like  a 
roe  or  a  young  ha'rt !  Alas  !  that  we,  blind  fools,  are  fallen  in  love  with 
moonshine  and  shadows.  How  sweet  is  the  wind  that  bloweth  out  of 
the  airth  where  Christ  is !  Every  day  we  may  see  some  new  thing  in 
Christ ;  his  love  hath  neither  brim  nor  bottom.  O  if  I  had  help  to 
praise  him  !  He  knoweth,  if  my  sufferings  glorify  his  name,  and  en- 
courage others  to  stand  fast  tor  the  honour  of  our  supreme  Lawgiver, 
Christ,  my  wages  then  are  paid  to  the  full.  Sir,  help  me  to  love  that 
never-enough  praised  Lord.  I  find  now,  that  the  faith  of  the  saints, 
under  suffering  for  Christ,  is  fair  before  the  wind,  and  with  full  sails 
carried  upon  Christ ;  and  I  hope  to  lose  nothing  in  this  furnace  but 
dross ;  for  Christ  can  triumph  in  a  weaker  man  than  I  am,  if  there  be 
any  such  :  and  when  all  is  done,  his  love  paineth  me,  and  leaveth  me 
under  such  debt  to  Christ,  as  I  can  neither  pay  principal  nor  interest. 
Oh  if  he  would  comprize  myself,  and  if  I  were  sold  to  him  as  a  bond- 
man, and  that  he  would  take  me  home  to  his  house  and  fire-side  ;  for 
I  have  nothing  to  render  to  him !  Then,  after  me,  let  no  man  think 
hard  of  Christ's  sweet  cross  :  for  I  would  not  change  my  sighs  with 
the  painted  laughter  of  all  my  adversaries.  I  desire  grace  and  pa- 
tience, to  wait  on,  and  to  ly  upon  the  brink,  till  the  water  fill  and  flow. 
I  know  he  is  fast  coming.  Sir,  ye  will  excuse  my  boldness  ;  and,  till 
it  please  God  I  see  you,  ye  have  the  prayers  of  a  prisoner  of  Christ,  to 
whom  I  recommend  you,  and  in  whom  I  rest. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  May  14,  1637. 


LETTER  CLXXXIX. 

To  John  Clark. 
JLOVING    BROTHER, 

Hold  fast  Christ  without  wavering,  and  contend  for  the  faith, 
because  Christ  is  not  easily  gotten  or  kept.  The  lazy  professor  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  so  easy 
a  thing  as  most  men  believe  ;  Christ  himself  did  sweat  ere  he  won  this 
city,  howbeit  he  was  the  free-born  Heir.  It  is  Christianity,  my  heart, 
to  be  sincere,  unfeigned,  honest,  and  upright-hearted  before  God  ;  and 
to  live  and  serve  God,  suppose  there  was  not  one  man  or  woman  in 
all  the  world  dwelling  beside  you,  to  eye  you.  Any  little  grace  that 
ye  have,  see  that  it  be  sound  and  true.  Ye  may  put  a  difference 
betwixt  you  and  reprobates,  if  ye  have  these  marks :  1.  If  ye  prize; 
Christ  and  his  truth  so,  as  ye  will  sell  all  and  buy  him,  and  suffer  for 
it.  2.  If  the  love  of  Christ  keepeth  you  back  from  sinning,  more  than 
the  law,  or  fear  of  hell.  3.  If  ye  be  humble,  and  deny  your  own  will, 
wit,  credit,  ease,  honour,  the  world,  and  the  vanity  and  glory  of  it. 
4.  Your  profession  must  not  be  barren,  and  void  of  good  works.  5. 
Ye  must  in  all  things  aim  at  God's  honour  ;  ye  must  eat,  drink,  sleep, 
buy,  sell,  sit,  stand,  speak,  pray,  read,  and  hear  the  word,  with  a  heart- 
purpose  that  God  may  be  honoured.     6.  Ye  must  shew  yourself  an 


260  LETTER    €XC.  PART  I. 

enemy  to  sin,  and  reprove  the  works  of  darkness,  such  as  drunken- 
ness, swearing,  and  lying,  albeit  the  company  should  hate  you  for  so 
doing.  7.  Keep  in  mind  the  truth  of  God,  that  ye  heard  me  teach, 
and  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  corruptions  and  new  guises  entered 
into  the  house  of  God.  8.  Make  conscience  of  your  calling,  in  cove- 
nants, in  buying  and  selling.  9.  Acquaint  yourself  with  daily  praying  ; 
commit  all  your  ways  and  actions  to  God,  by  prayer,  supplication,  and 
thanksgiving  ;  and  count  not  much  of  being  mocked,  for  Christ  Jesus 
was  mocked  before  you.  Persuade  yourself,  that  this  is  the  way  of 
peace  and  comfort  I  now  suffer  for  ;  I  dare  go  to  death  and  into  eter- 
nity with  it,  though  men  may  possibly  seek  another  way.  Remember 
me  in  your  prayers,  and  the  state  of  this  oppressed  church.  Grace 
be  with  you. 

Your  soul's  Avell-wisher,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXC. 

To  Cardoness,  Elder. 
MUCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

I  LONG  to  hear  how  your  soul  prospereth  :  I  wonder  that  yc  write 
not  to  me  ;  for  the  Holy  Ghost  beareth  me  witness,  I  cannot,  I  dare 
not,  I  dow  not  forget  you,  nor  the  souls  of  those  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  Christ.  O 
Lord,  bear  me  witness,  if  my  soul  thirsteth  for  any  thing  out  of  hea- 
ven, more  than  for  your  salvation,  let  God  lay  me  in  an  even  balance, 
and  try  me  in  this.  Love  heaven,  let  your  heart  be  on  it :  up,  up, 
and  visit  the  new  land,  and  view  the  fair  city,  and  the  white  throne, 
and  the  Lamb,  the  Bride's  husband  in  his  Bridegroom's  clothes,  sit- 
ting on  it ;  it  were  time,  your  soul  cast  itself  and  all  your  burdens 
upon  Christ.  I  beseech  you  by  the  wounds  of  your  Redeemer,  and 
by  your  compearance  before  him,  and  by  the  salvation  of  your  soul, 
Jose  no  more  time  ;  run  fast,  for  it  is  late  :  God  hath  sworn  by  him- 
self who  made  the  world  and  time,  that  time  shall  be  no  more,  Rev. 
X.  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  Christ  to  you,  and  delivered  unto  you  the  whole  counsel  of  God ; 
and  I  have  stood  before  the  Lord  for  you,  and  I  shall  yet  still  stand. 
Awake,  awake  to  do  righteously.  Think  not  to  be  eased  of  the  bur- 
dens and  debts  that  are  on  your  house,  by  oppressing  any,  or  being 
rigorous  to  those  that  are  under  you  ;  remember  how  1  endeavoured 
to  walk  before  you  in  this  matter,  as  an  example.  "  Behold,  here  am 
1,  witness  against  me,  before  the  Lord  and  his  anointed,  whose  ox  or 
whose  ass  have  1  taken  1  whom  have  I  defrauded  1  whom  have  I  op- 
pressed T'  Who  knoweth  how  my  soul  feedeth  upon  a  good  con- 
science, when  I  remember  how  I  spent  this  body  in  feeding  the  lambs 
of  Christ  1  At  my  first  entry  hither,  I  grant,  I  took  a  stomach 
against  my  Lord,  because  he  had  casten  me  over  the  dyke  of  the 
vineyard,  as  a  dry  tree,  and  would  have  no  more  of  my  service ;  my 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXC.  261 

dumb  Sabbaths  broke  my  heart,  and  I  would  not  be  comforted  ;  but 
now  he  whom  my  soul  loveth  is  come  again,  and  it  pleaseth  him  to 
feast  me  with  the  kisses  of  his  love  ;  a  King  dineth  with  me,  and  his 
spikenard  casteth  a  sweet  smell.  The  Lord  my  witness  is  above, 
that  I  write  my  heart  to  you.  I  never  knew,  by  my  nine  years' 
preaching,  so  much  of  Christ's  love,  as  he  has  taught  me  in  Aberdeen, 
by  six  months'  imprisonment.  I  charge  you  in  Christ's  name  help 
me  to  praise,  and  show  that  people  and  country  the  loving-kindness 
of  the  Lord  to  my  soul,  that  so  my  sufferings  may  someway  preach  to 
them,  when  I  am  silent.  He  hath  made  me  know  now  better  than  be- 
fore, what  it  is  to  be  crucified  to  the  world.  I  would  not  now  give  a 
drink  of  cold  water  for  all  the  world's  kindness  :  I  owe  no  service  to 
it ;  I  am  not  the  flesh's  debtor ;  my  Lord  Jesus  hath  dawted  his  pri- 
soner, and  hath  thoughts  of  love  concerning  me.  I  would  not  ex- 
change my  sighs  with  the  laughing  of  adversaries.  Sir,  I  write  this 
to  inform  you,  that  ye  may  know,  it  is  the  truth  of  Christ  I  now  suffer 
for,  and  he  hath  sealed  my  suffering  with  the  comforts  of  his  Spirit  on 
my  soul ;  and  now,  he  putteth  not  his  seal  upon  blank  paper.  Now, 
Sir,  I  have  no  comfort  earthly,  but  to  know,  that  I  have  espoused,  and 
shall  present  a  bride  to  Christ,  in  that  congregation.  The  Lord  hath 
given  you  much,  and  therefore  he  will  require  much  of  you  again ; 
number  your  talents,  and  see  what  you  have  to  render  back  again ; 
ye  cannot  be  enough  persuaded  of  the  shortness  of  your  time.  I 
charge  you  to  write  to  me,  and  in  the  fear  of  God  be  plain  with  me, 
whether  or  not  ye  have  made  your  salvation  sure  :  I  am  confident,  and 
hope  the  best ;  but  I  know  your  reckonings  with  your  Judge  are 
many  and  deep.  Sir,  be  not  beguiled  ;  neglect  not  your  one  thing, 
(Phil.  iii.  13.)  your  one  necessary  thing,  (Luke  x.  42.)  the  good  part 
that  shall  not  be  taken  from  you.  Look  beyond  time  ;  things  here 
are  but  moon-shine  ;  they  have  but  children's  wit,  who  are  delighted 
with  shadows,  and  deluded  with  feathers  flying  in  the  air.  Desire 
your  children  in  the  morning  of  their  life,  to  begin  and  seek  the  Lord, 
and  to  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth,  (Eccles. 
xii.  1.)  to  cleanse  their  way,  by  taking  heed  thereto  according  to 
God's  word,  (Psal.  cxix.  9.)  Youtli  is  a  glassy  age  ;  Satan  finds  a 
swept  chamber,  for  the  most  part,  in  youthhood,  and  a  garnished 
lodging  for  himself  and  his  train.  Let  the  Lord  have  the  flower  of 
their  age  :  the  best  sacrifice  is  due  to  him  :  instruct  them  in  this,  that 
they  have  a  soul,  and  that  this  life  is  nothing  in  comparison  of  eter- 
nity ;  they  will  have  much  need  of  God's  conduct  in  this  world,  to 
guide  them  by  those  rocks  upon  which  most  men  split ;  but  far  more 
need  when  it  cometh  to  the  hour  of  death,  and  their  compearance  be- 
fore Christ.  "  O  that  there  were  such  an  heart  in  them,  to  fear  the 
name  of  the  great  and  dreadful  God,  who  hath  laid  up  great  things 
for  those  that  love  and  fear  him  !''  I  pray  that  God  may  be  their  por- 
tion. Show  others  of  my  pari.^hioners  that  I  write  to  them  my  best 
wishes,  and  the  blessings  of  their  lawful  pastor.  Say  to  them  from 
me,  that  I  beseech  them,  by  the  bowels  of  Christ,  to  keep  in  mind 
the  doctrine  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  1  taught  them  ;  that  so 
they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  striving  together  for  the  faith  of  the 


2Q2  LETTER    CXCI.  PART  I. 

gospel,  and  making  sure  salvation  to  themselves.  Walk  in  love,  and 
do  righteousness  ;  seek  peace,  love  one  another,  wait  for  the  coming 
of  our  Master  and  Judge  ;  receive  no  doctrine  contrary  to  that  which 
I  delivered  to  you ;  if  ye  fall  away,  and  forget  it,  and  that  catechism 
which  I  taught  you,  and  so  forsake  your  own  mercy,  the  Lord  be 
judge  betwixt  you  and  me,  I  take  heaven  and  earth  to  witness,  that 
such  shall  eternally  perish ;  but  if  they  serve  the  Lord,  great  will 
their  reward  be,  when  they  and  I  shall  stand  before  our  Judge.  Set 
forward  up  the  mountain,  to  meet  with  God ;  climb  up,  for  your  Sa- 
viour calleth  on  you.  It  may  be,  God  will  call  you  to  your  rest,  when 
I  am  far  from  you  ;  but  ye  have  my  love,  and  the  desires  of  my  heart, 
for  your  soul's  welfare.  He  that  is  holy,  keep  you  from  falling,  and 
establish  you,  till  his  own  glorioms  appearance. 

Your  affectionate  and  lawful  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCL 

To  Cardoness,  Younger. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

I  LONG  to  hear,  whether  or  not  your  soul  be  hand-fasted  with 
Christ.  Lose  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  summoned  you,  and  now  I  summon  you  again,  to  compear 
before  your  Judge,  to  make  a  reckoning  of  your  hfe ;  while  ye  have 
time,  look  upon  your  papers,  and  consider  your  ways  :  '  O  that  there 
were  such  an  heart  in  you,  as  to  think  what  an  ill  conscience  will  be 
to  you,  when  ye  are  upon  the  border  of  eternity,  and  your  one  foot 
out  of  time  !'  O  then,  ten  thousand  thousand  floods  of  tears  cannot 
extinguish  these  flames,  or  purchase  to  you  one  hour's  release  from 
that  pain !  O  how  sweet  a  day  have  ye  had  !  but  this  is  a  fair-day 
that  runneth  fast  away ;  see  how  ye  have  spent  it,  and  consider  the 
necessity  of  salvation ;  and  tell  me,  in  the  fear  of  God  if  ye  have 
made  it  sure :  I  am  persuaded,  ye  have  a  conscience  that  will  be 
speaking  somewhat  to  you :  why  will  ye  die,  and  destroy  yourself? 
I  charge  you,  in  Christ's  name,  to  rouse  up  your  conscience,  and  begin 
to  indent  and  contract  with  Christ  in  time,  while  salvation  is  in  your 
offer :  this  is  the  accepted  time,  this  is  the  day  of  salvation :  play  the 
merchant,  for  ye  cannot  expect  another  market-day,  when  this  is 
done :  therefore  let  me  again  beseech  you,  to  consider,  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  seek  the  Lord 
while  he  may  be  found ;  forsake  the  folhes  of  deceiving  and  vain 
youth ;  lay  hold  upon  eternal  hfe.  Whoring,  night-drinking,  and 
mis-spending  the  Sabbath,  and  neglecting  of  prayer  in  your  house, 
and  refusing  of  an  oftered  salvation,  will  burn  up  your  soul  with  the 
terrors  of  the  Almighty,  when  your  awakened  conscience  shall  flee  in 
your  face.  Be  kind  and  loving  to  your  wife ;  make  conscience  of 
cherishing  her,  and  not  being  rigidly  austere.  Sir,  I  have  not  a 
tongue  to  express  the  glory  that  is  laid  up  for  you,  in  yoin-  Father's 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXCII.  26i5 

house,  if  ye  reform  your  doings,  and  frame  your  heart  to  return  to  the 
Lord.  Ye  know,  this  world  is  but  a  shadow,  a  short-hving  creature, 
under  the  law  of  time  ;  within  less  than  fifty  years,  when  ye  look  back 
to  it,  ye  shall  laugh  at  the  evanishing  vanities  thereof,  as  feathers 
flying  in  the  air,  and  as  the  houses  of  sand  within  the  sea-mark,  which 
the  children  of  men  are  building.  Give  up  with  courting  of  this  vain 
world ;  seek  not  the  bastard's  moveables,  but  the  son's  heritage  in 
heaven.  Take  trial  of  Christ,  look  unto  him,  and  his  love  shall  so 
change  you,  that  ye  shall  be  so  taken  with  him,  and  never  choose  to 
go  from  him.  I  have  experience  of  his  sweetness,  in  this  house  of 
my  pilgrimage  here ;  my  witness,  who  is  above,  knoweth,  I  would 
not  exchange  my  sighs  and  tears,  with  the  laughing  of  the  fourteen 
prelates :  there  is  nothing  will  make  you  a  Christian  indeed,  but  a 
taste  of  the  sweetness  of  Christ ;  come  and  see,  will  speak  best 
to  your  soul.  I  would  fain  hope  good  of  you  ;  be  not  discouraged  at 
broken  and  spilt  resolutions  ;  but  to  it,  and  to  it  again.  Woo  about 
Christ  till  ye  get  your  soul  espoused  as  a  chaste  virgin  to  him  ;  use 
the  means  of  profiting  with  your  conscience,  pray  in  your  family,  and 
read  the  word.  Remember  how  our  Lord's  day  was  spent  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  house  on  the 
Lord's  days,  and  if  ye  turn  aside  after  the  fashions  of  this  world,  and 
if  ye  go  not  in  time  to  the  kirk,  to  wait  on  the  public  worship  of  God, 
and  if  ye  tarry  not  at  it,  till  all  the  exercises  of  religion  be  ended. 
Give  God  some  of  your  time,  both  morning  and  evening  and  after- 
noon ;  and  in  so  doing,  rejoice  the  heart  of  a  poor  oppressed  prisoner. 
Rue  upon  your  own  soul,  and  from  your  heart  fear  the  Lord.  Now, 
he  that  brought  again  from  the  dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  his  sheep, 
by  the  blood  of  the  eternal  covenant,  establish  your  heart  with  his 
grace,  and  present  you  before  his  presence  with  joy. 

Your  affectionate  and  loving  Pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCII. 

To  Carlctoun. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

I  WILL  not  impute  your  not  writing  to  me  to  forgetfulness  ;  how- 
ever, I  have  one  above,  who  forgetteth  me  not ;  nay,  he  groweth  in 
his  kindness  :  it  hath  pleased  his  holy  Majesty,  to  take  me  from  the 
pulpit,  and  teach  me  many  things,  in  my  exile  and  prison,  that  were 
mysteries  to  me  before;  as,  1.  I  see  his  bottomless  and  boundless 
love  and  kindness,  and  my  jealousies  and  ravings,  which,  at  my  first 
entry  into  this  furnace,  were  so  foolish  and  bold  as  to  say  to  Christ, 
who  is  truth  itself,  in  his  face.  Thou  liest.  I  had  well  nigh  lost  my 
grips  :  I  wondered  if  it  was  Christ  or  not ;  for  the  mist  and  smoke  of 
my  perturbed  heart  made  me  mistake  my  Master,  Jesus ;  my  faith 
was  dim,  and  hope  frozen  and  cold ;  and  my  love,  which  caused  jea- 
lousies, had  some  warmness,  and  heat,  and  smoke,  but  no  flame  at 
all :  yet  I  was  looking  for  some  good  of  Christ's  old  claim  to  me. 


264  LETTER   OXCII.  PART   I. 

I  thought  I  had  forfeited  all  my  rights  ;  but  the  tempter  was  to  much 
upon  my  counsels,  and  was  still  blowing  the  coal ;  alas  !  I  knew  not 
well  before,  how  good  skill  my  Intercessor  and  xidvocate,  Christ,  hath 
of  pleading  and  of  pardoning  me  such  follies.  Now  he  is  returned  to 
my  soul,  with  healing  under  his  wings  ;  and  I  am  nothing  behind  with 
Christ  now,  for  he  hath  overpaid  me,  by  his  presence,  the  pain  I  was 
put  to  by  on-waiting,  and  any  little  loss  I  sustained  by  my  witnessing 
against  the  wrongs  done  to  him.  I  trow,  it  was  a  pain  to  my  Lord 
to  hide  himself  any  longer ;  in  a  manner,  he  was  challenging  his  own 
unkindness  and  repented  him  of  his  glooms ;  and  now,  what  want  I 
on  earth,  that  Christ  can  give  to  a  poor  prisoner !  O  how  sweet 
and  lovely  is  he  now  !  Alas,  that  I  can  get  none  to  help  me  to  lift  up 
my  Lord  Jesus  upon  his  throne,  above  all  the  earth !  2.  T  am  now 
brought  to  some  measure  of  submission,  and  I  resolve  to  wait  till  I  see 
what  my  Lord  Jesus  will  do  with  me.  I  dare  not  now  nick-name  or 
speak  one  word  against  the  all-seeing  and  over-watching  providence 
of  my  Lord.  I  see,  providence  runneth  not  on  broken  wheels  ;  but  I, 
like  a  fool,  carved  a  providence  for  mine  own  ease,  to  die  in  my  nest, 
and  to  sleep  still  till  my  grey  hairs,  and  to  lie  on  the  sunny  -side  of  the 
mountain,  in  my  ministry  at  Anwoth  ;  but  now,  I  have  nothing  to  say 
against  a  borrowed  fire-side,  and  an  other  man's  house,  nor  Kedar's 
tents,  where  I  live,  being  removed  far  from  my  acquaintance,  my 
lovers,  and  my  friends  ;  I  see,  God  hath  the  world  on  his  wheels,  and 
casteth  it  as  a  potter  doth  a  vessel  on  the  wheel.  I  dare  not  say  that 
there  is  any  inordinate  or  irregular  motion  in  providence ;  the  Lord 
hath  done  it ;  I  will  not  go  to  law  with  Christ,  for  1  would  gain  no- 
thing of  that.  3.  1  have  learned  some  greater  mortification,  and  not 
to  mourn  after,  or  seek  to  suck  the  world's  dry  breasts ;  nay,  my 
Lord  hath  filled  me  with  such  dainties,  that  I  am  like  to  a  full  banquet- 
er, who  is  not  for  common  cheer.  What  have  1  to  do,  to  fall  down 
upon  my  knees,  and  worship  mankind's  great  idol,  the  world?  I 
have  a  better  God  than  any  clay-god ;  nay,  at  present,  as  I  am  now 
disposed,  I  care  not  much  to  give  this  wortd  a  discharge  of  my  life- 
rent of  it,  for  bread  and  water ;  I  know,  it  is  not  my  home,  nor  my 
Father's  house  ;  it  is  but  his  foot-stool,  the  outer-close  of  his  house, 
his  out-fields,  and  muir-ground  ;  let  bastards  take  it ;  I  hope  never  to 
think  myself  in  its  common,  for  honour  or  riches ;  nay,  now  I  say  to 
laughter,  thou  art  madness.  4.  I  find  it  most  true,  that  the  greatest 
temptation  out  of  hell,  is,  to  live  without  temptations ;  if  my  waters 
should  stand  they  would  rot ;  faith  is  the  better  of  the  free  air,  and  of 
the  sharp  winter  storm  in  its  face  ;  grace  withereth  without  adversity  : 
the  devil  is  but  God's  master-fencer,  to  teach  us  to  handle  our  weapons. 
5.  I  never  knew  how  weak  I  was,  till  now,  when  he  hideth  himself,  and 
when  I  have  him  to  seek  seven  times  a-day.  I  am  a  dry  and  withered 
branch,  and  a  piece  of  a  dead  carcase,  dry  bones,  and  not  able  to  step 
over  a  straw  ;  the  thoughts  of  my  old  sins  are  as  the  summons  of  death 
to  me ;  and  of  late  my  brother's  case  hath  stricken  me  to  the  heart ; 
when  my  wounds  are  closing,  a  little  rifle  causeth  them  to  bleed 
afresh  ;  so  thin-skinned  is  my  soul,  that  I  think  it  is  like  a  tender 
man's  skin,  that  may  touch  nothing  :  ye  see,  how  short  I  would  shoot 


PAUT  I.  LETTEU    CXCIII.  265 

of  the  prize,  if  his  grace  were  not  sufficient  for  me.  Wo  is  me  for 
the  day  of  Scotland ;  wo,  wo  is  me  fur  my  harlot  mother,  for  the 
decree  is  gone  forth  :  women  of  this  land  shall  call  the  childless  and 
miscarrying  wombs  blessed.  The  anger  of  the  Lord  is  <Tone  forth 
and  shall  not  return,  till  he  perform  the  purpose  of  his  heart  against 
Scotland  ;  yet  he  shall  make  Scotland  a  new  sharp  instrument,  havino- 
teeth,  to  thresh  the  mountains,  and  fan  the  hills  as  chaff.  The  pri^ 
soner's  blessing  be  upon  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeeu,  March  14,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCin. 

To  the  Lady  Busbie. 
MISTRESS, 

I  KNOW  you  are  thinking  sometimes  what  Christ  is  doing  iu  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  these  many 
years  by-gone.  O  that  this  nation  would  be  awakened,  to  cry  mightily 
unto  God,  for  the  setting  up  of  a  new  tabernacle  to  Christ  in  Scotland. 
O  if  this  kingdom  knew  how  worthy  Christ  were  of  his  room !  His 
worth  was  ever  above  man's  estimation  of  him.  And  for  myself,  I 
am  pained  at  the  heart,  that  I  cannot  find  myself  disposed  to  leave? 
myself,  and  go  wholly  in  to  Christ :  alas,  that  there  should  be  one  bit 
of  me  out  of  him,  and  that  we  leave  too  much  liberty  and  latitude  for 
ourselves,  and  our  own  ease,  and  credit,  and  pleasures,  and  so  little 
room  for  all  love-worthy  Christ!  O  what  pains  and  charges  it  costeth 
Christ,  ere  he  get  us !  and  when  all  is  done,  we  are  not  worth  the 
having :  it  is  a  wonder,  that  he  should  seek  the  like  of  us ;  but  love 
overlooketh  blackness  and  fecklessness ;  for  if  it  had  not  been  so, 
Christ  would  never  have  made  so  fair  and  blessed  a  bargain  with  us, 
as  the  covenant  of  grace  is.  I  find,  that  in  all  our  sufferings,  Christ 
is  but  ridding  marches,  that  every  one  of  us  may  say,  mine  and  thine, 
and  that  men  may  know  by  their  crosses,  how  vveak  a  bottom  nature 
is  to  stand  upon  in  a  trial ;  that  then,  which  our  Lord  intendeth,  in  all 
our  sufferings,  is  to  bring  grace  in  court  and  request  amongst  us  :  I 
would  succumb,  and  come  short  of  heaven,  if  I  had  no  more  but  my 
own  strength  to  support  me  ;  and  if  Christ  should  say  to  me,  either 
do  or  die,  it  were  easy  to  df  ■lermine,  what  should  become  of  me :  (he 
choice  were  easy,  for  I  behoved  to  die,  if  Christ  should  pass  by  with 
straitened  bowels  ;  and  who  then  would  take  us  up  in  our  straits  ?  I 
know,  we  may  say,  Christ  is  kindest  in  his  love,  when  we  are  at  our 
weakest ;  and  that  if  Christ  had  not  been  to  the  fore,  in  our  sad  days, 
the  waters  had  gone  over  our  soul.  His  mercy  hath  set  a  period,  and 
appointed  a  place,  how  far,  and  no  further,  the  sea  of  affliction  shall 
flow,  and  where  the  waves  thereof  shall  be  stayed  :  he  prescribeth 
how  much  pain  and  sorrow,  both  for  weight  and  measure,  we  must 
have  :  ye  have  then  good  cause  to  recal  your  love  from  all  lovers,  and 
give  it  to  Christ :  he  who  is  afflicted  in  all  your  afllictions,  looketh  not 
on  you,  in  your  sad  hours,  with  an  insensible  heart,  or  dry  eyes.     All 

34 


266  LETTEPw  CXCIV.  PART  I. 

the  Lord's  saints  may  see  that  it  is  lost  love,  which  is  bestowed  upon 
this  perishing  world  :  death  and  judgment  will  make  men  lament,  that 
ever  their  miscarrying  hearts  carried  them  to  lay  and  lavish  out  their 
love,  upon  false  appearances  and  night-dreams.  Alas !  that  Christ 
should  fare  the  worse,  because  of  his  own  goodness,  in  making  peace 
and  the  gospel  to  ride  together ;  and  that  we  have  never  yet  weighed 
the  worth  of  Christ  in  his  ordinances  ;  and  that  now  we  are  hke  to  be 
deprived  of  the  well,  ere  we  have  tasted  the  sweetness  of  the  water ; 
it  may  be  with  watery  eyes,  and  a  wet  face,  and  wearied  feet,  we  seek 
Christ,  and  shall  not  find  him.  O  that  this  land  were  humbled  in  time, 
and  by  prayers,  cries  and  humiliation,  would  bring  Christ  in  at  the 
church-door  again,  now  when  his  back  is  turned  towards  us,  and  he  is 
gone  to  the  threshold,  and  his  one  foot  (as  it  were)  is  out  of  the  door ! 
I  am  sure,  his  departure  is  our  deserving,  we  have  bought  it  with  our 
iniquities ;  for  even  the  Lord's  own  children  are  fallen  asleep ;  and 
alas !  professors  are  made  all  of  shows  and  fashions,  and  are  not  at 
pains  to  recover  themselves  again.  Every  one  hath  his  set  measure 
of  faith  and  holiness,  and  contenteth  himself  with  a  stinted  measure 
of  godliness,  as  if  that  were  enough  to  bring  them  to  heaven  ;  we  forget 
that  as  our  gifts  and  light  grow,  so  God's  gain  and  the  interest  of  his 
talents  should  grow  also ;  and  that  we  cannot  pay  God  with  the  old 
use  and  wont  (as  we  use  to  speak)  which  we  gave  him  seven  years 
ago  ;  for  this  were  to  mock  the  Lord,  and  to  make  price  with  him  as 
we  hst.  O  what  difficulty  is  there  in  our  Christian  journey  !  and  how 
often  come  Ave  short  of  many  thousand  things  that  are  Christ's  due  ! 
and  "we  consider  not  how  far  our  dear  Lord  is  behind  with  us.  Mis- 
tress, I  cannot  render  you  thanks,  as  I  would,  for  your  kindness  to  my 
brother,  an  oppressed  stranger  ;  but  I  remember  you  unto  the  Lord, 
as  I  am  able  :  I  entreat  you,  think  upon  me  his  prisoner,  and  pray  that 
the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  give  me  room  to  speak  to  his  people  iu 
his  name.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  and  master,  S.  R» 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCIY. 

To  Fulwood,  Younger. 
MUCH  HONOUUED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Upon  the  report  of  this  wor- 
thy bearer  concerning  you,  I  thought  good  to  speak  a  word  to  you  :  it 
is  enough  for  acquaintance,  that  we  are  one  in  Christ.  My  earnest 
desire  to  you  is,  that  ye  would,  in  the  fear  of  God,  compare  your  inch 
and  hand-breadth  of  time  with  vast  eternity,  and  your  thoughts  of 
this  now  fair,  blooming  and  green  world,  with  the  thoughts  ye  shall 
have  of  it,  when  corruption  and  worms  shall  make  their  houses  in 
your  eye-holes,  and  shall  eat  your  flesh,  and  make  that  body  dry 
benes  :  if  ye  so  do,  I  know  then,  that  your  light  of  this  world's  vanity 
shall  be  more  clear,  than  now  it  is  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  ye  shall  then 
think,  that  men's  labours  for  this  clay-idol  are  to  be  laughed  at» 
Therefore  come  near,  and  take  a  view  of  that  transparent  beauty  that 


PART  I.  LETTER    CXCV.  267 

is  in  Christ,  wliich  would  busy  the  love  of  ten  thousand  millions  of 
worlds  and  angels,  and  hold  them  all  at  work  :  surely  I  am  grieved, 
that  men  will  not  spend  their  whole  love  upon  that  royal  and  princely 
Well-beloved,  that  high  and  lofty  One ;  for  it  is  cursed  love  that  run- 
neth another  way  than  upon  him.  And  for  myself,  if  I  had  ten  loves 
and  ten  souls,  O  how  glad  would  I  be,  if  he  Avould  break  in  upon  me, 
and  take  possession  of  them  all !  Wo,  wo  is  me,  that  he  and  I  are  so 
far  asunder  !  I  hope,  we  shall  be  in  one  country  and  one  house  toge- 
ther. Truly  pain  of  love-sickness  for  Jesus,  maketh  me  think  it  long, 
long,  long  to  the  dawning  of  that  day.  Oh  that  he  would  cut  short 
years  and  months  and  hours,  and  over-leap  time,  that  we  might  meet ! 
And  for  this  truth.  Sir,  that  ye  profess,  I  avow  before  the  world  of  men 
and  angels,  that  it  is  the  way,  and  the  only  way,  to  our  country,  the 
rest  are  by-ways  ;  and  that  what  1  suffer  for,  is  the  apple  of  Christ's 
eye,  even  his  honour  as  Lawgiver  and  King  of  his  church.  I  think 
death  too  little  ere  1  forsook  it.  Do  not.  Sir,  I  beseech  you  in  the 
Lord,  make  Christ's  court  thinner  by  drawing  back  from  him ;  it  is 
too  thin  already  ;  for  I  dare  pledge  my  heaven  upon  it,  he  shall  win 
this  plea,  and  the  fools  that  plea  against  him,  sliall  lose  the  wager,  which 
is  their  part  of  salvation,  except  they  take  better  heed  to  their  ways. 
Sir,  free  grace  that  we  give  no  hire  for,  is  a  jewel  our  Lord  giveth  to 
few.  Stand  fast  in  the  hope  you  are  called  unto :  our  Master  will 
rend  the  clouds,  and  will  be  upon  us  quickly,  and  clear  our  cause,  and 
bring  us  all  out  in  our  blacks  and  whites.  Clean,  clean  garments  in 
the  Bridegroom's  eye,  are  of  great  worth  :  step  over  this  hand-breadth 
of  world's  glory,  in  to  our  Lord's  new  world  of  grace,  and  ye  will 
laugh  at  the  feathers  that  children  are  chasing  in  the  air.  I  verily 
judge,  that  this  inns,  men  are  building  their  nest  in,  is  not  worth  a 
drink  of  cold  water.  It  is  a  rainy  and  smoky  house  ;  best  we  come 
out  of  it,  lest  we  be  choked  with  the  smoke  thereof  O  that  my  ad- 
versaries knew  how  sweet  my  sighs  for  Christ  are,  and  what  it  were 
for  a  sinner  to  lay  his  head  between  Christ's  breasts,  and  to  be  over 
head  and  ears  in  Christ's  love !  Alas,  I  cannot  cause  paper  speak  the 
height  and  breadth  and  depth  of  it !  I  have  not  a  balance  to  weigh  my 
Lord  Jesus'  worth :  heaven,  ten  heavens  would  not  be  the  beam  of 
a  balance,  to  weigh  him  in.  I  must  give  over  praising  of  him  ;  an- 
gels see  but  little  of  him  :  O  if  that  fair  one  would  take  off  the  mask 
off  his  fair  face,  that  I  might  see  him  :  a  kiss  of  him  through  his  mask 
is  half  a  heaven.  '  O  day  dawn  !  O  time,  run  fast !  O  Bridegroom, 
post,  post  fast  that  we  may  meet !  O  heavens,  cleave  in  two,  that  that 
bright  face  and  head  may  set  itself  through  the  clouds  !'  0  that  the 
corn  were  ripe,  and  this  world  prepared  for  his  hook !  Sir,  be  pleased 
to  remember  a  prisoner's  bonds.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 


LETTER  CXCV. 

To  Mr.  Hugh  Mackail.  * 

yVi  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Ye  know,  that  men  may  take  their  sweet  fill  of  the  sour  law,  iu 
grace's  ground  ;  and  betwixt  the  Mediator's  breasts,  and  this  is  sin- 


268  LETTER  CXCVI.  PART  I. 

Ber's  safest  way ;  for  there  is  a  bed  for  wearied  sinners  to  rest  them 
in,  in  the  new  covenant,  though  no  bed  of  Christ's  making  to  sleep  in. 
The  law  shall  never  be  my  doomster,  by  Christ's  grace,  if  I  get  no 
more  good  of  it ;  I  shall  find  a  sore  enough  doom  in  the  gospel,  to 
humble  and  to  cast  me  down :  it  is  (I  grant)  a  good  rough  friend,  to 
follow  a  traitor  to  the  bar,  and  to  back  him,  till  he  come  to  Christ. 
We  may  blame  ourselves,  who  cause  the  law  to  crave  well  paid  debt, 
to  scar  us  away  from  Jesus,  and  dispute  about  a  righteousness  of  our 
own,  a  world  in  the  moon,  a  chimera,  and  a  night-dream,  that  pride  is 
father  and  mother  to  :  there  cannot  be  a  more  humble  soul  than  a  be- 
liever :  it  is  no  pride  for  a  drowning  man  to  catch  hold  of  a  rock.  I 
rejoice  that  the  wheels  of  this  confused  world,  are  rolled,  and  cogged, 
and  driven  according  as  our  Lord  will.  Out  of  whatever  airth  the 
wind  blow,  it  will  blow  us  on  our  Lord  ;  no  wind  can  blow  our  sails 
overboard  ;  because  Christ's  skill,  and  honour  of  his  wisdom,  are  em- 
pawned  and  laid  down  at  the  stake  for  the  sea-passengers,  that  he  shall 
put  them  safe  off  his  hand  on  the  shore,  in  his  Father's  known  bounds, 
our  native  home  ground.  My  dear  brother,  scar  not  at  the  cross  of 
Christ :  it  is  not  seen  yet  what  Christ  will  do  for  you,  when  it  cometh 
to  the  worst ;  he  will  keep  his  grace  till  ye  be  at  a  strait,  and  then 
bring  forth  the  decreed  birth  for  your  salvation.  Ye  are  an  arrow  of 
his  own  making,  let  him  shoot  you  against  a  wall  of  brass,  your  point 
shall  keep  whole.  I  cannot  for  multitude  of  letters,  and  distraction  of 
friends,  prepare  what  I  would  for  the  limes  ;  I  have  not  one  hour  of 
spare  time,  suppose  the  day  were  forty  hours  long.  Remember  me 
in  prayer.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sppt.  5,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCVL 

To  his  Reverend  and  dear  Brother,  Mr.  David  Dickson. 
SIY  REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER. 

I  FEAR  ye  have  never  known  me  well :  if  ye  saw  my  inner-side,  i£ 
is  possible  ye  would  pity  me,  but  you  would  hardly  give  me  either  love 
or  respect ;  men  mistake  me  the  whole  length  of  the  heavens ;  mj 
sins  prevail  over  me,  and  the  terrors  of  their  guiltiness.  I  am  put  oft- 
en to  ask,  if  Christ  and  I  did  ever  shake  hands  together  in  earnest ; 
I  mean  not,  that  my  feast-days  are  quite  gone,  but  I  am  made  of  ex- 
tremities. I  pray  God,  ye  never  have  the  woful  and  dreary  experi- 
ence of  a  closed  mouth  ;  for  then  ye  shall  judge  the  sparrows,  that 
may  sing  in  the  church  of  Irvine,  blessed  birds ;  but  my  soul  hath 
been  refreshed  and  watered,  when  I  hear  of  your  courage  and  zeal 
for  your  never  enough-praised,  praised  Master,  in  that  ye  put  the  men 
of  God  chased  out  of  Ireland,  to  work.  O  if  I  could  confirm  you ! 
1  dare  say  in  God's  presence,  '  That  this  shall  never  hasten  your  suf- 
fering, but  shall  be  David  Dickson's  feast  and  speaking  joy,  that  while 
he  had  time  and  leisure,  he  put  many  to  work,  to  lift  up  Jesus  his 
sweet  Master,  high  in  the  skies.'  O  man  of  God,  go  on,  go  on,  be 
xaliant  for  that  plant  of  Renown,  for  that  Chief  among  ten  thousands, 


PART  I.  LETTER  CXCVII.  269 

lor  that  Prince  of  the  kings  of  tlie  earth.  It  is  but  little  that  I  know 
of  God,  yet  this  I  dare  write,  Christ  shall  be  glorified  in  David  Dick- 
son, howbeit  Scotland  be  not  gathered.  I  am  pained,  pained,  that  I 
have  not  more  to  give  my  sweet  Bridegroom ;  his  comforts  to  me  are 
not  dealt  with  a  niggard's  hand,  but  I  would  fain  learn  not  to  idolize 
comfort,  sense,  joy,  and  sweet  felt  presence  ;  all  these  are  but  crea- 
tures, and  nothing  but  the  kingly  robe,  the  gold  ring  and  the  brace- 
lets of  the  Bridegroom  :  the  Bridegroom  himself  is  better  than  all 
the  ornaments  that  are  about  him.  JVow,  I  would  not  so  much  have 
these,  as  God  himself,  and  to  be  swallowed  up  of  love  to  Christ.  I 
see  in  delighting  in  a  communion  with  Christ,  we  may  make  more  gods 
than  one  ;  but  however,  all  was  but  children's  play  between  Christ 
and  me,  till  now.  If  one  would  have  sworn  unto  me,  I  would  not 
have  believed  what  may  be  found  in  Christ,  I  hope,  ye  pity  my  pain 
that  much,  in  my  prison  as  to  help  me  yourself,  and  to  cause  others 
help  me,  a  dyvour,  a  sinful  wretched  dyvour,  to  pay  some  of  my  debts 
of  praise  to  my  great  King.  Let  my  God  be  judge  and  witness,  if 
my  soul  would  not  have  sweet  ease  and  comfort,  to  have  many  hearts 
confirmed  in  Christ,  and  enlarged  with  his  love,  and  many  tongues  set 
on  work  to  set  on  high  my  royal  and  princely  Well-beloved.  0  that 
jny  sufferings  could  pay  tribute  to  such  a  king  !  I  have  given  over  won- 
dering at  his  love  ;  for  Christ  hath  manifested  a  piece  of  art  upon  me, 
that  I  never  revealed  to  any  living  ;  he  hath  gotten  fair  and  rich  em- 
ployment, and  sweet  sale,  and  a  goodly  market  for  his  honourable 
calling  of  showing  mercy  on  me  the  chi«f  of  sinners.  Every  one 
knoweth  not  so  well  as  I  do,  my  wofully  often  broken  covenants,  my 
sins  against  light,  working  in  the  very  act  of  sinning,  have  been  met 
with  admirable  mercy  ;  but  alas !  he  will  get  nothing  back  again,  but 
wretched  unthankfulness.  I  am  sure,  if  Christ  pity  any  thing  in  me, 
next  to  my  sin,  it  is  pain  of  love  for  an  arm-ful  and  soul-ful  of  him- 
self, in  faith,  love,  and  begun  fruition ;  my  sorrow  is,  that  I  cannot 
get  Christ  lifted  off  the  dust  in  Scotland,  and  set  on  high,  above  all 
the  skies,  and  heaven  of  heavens. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

Aberdeen,  May  1,  1637. 


LETTER  CXCVII. 

.  To  his  Reverend  and  dear  Brother,  Mr.  John  Livingston. 
MY  REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you  and 
to  be  refreshed  with  the  comforts  of  the  bride  of  our  Lord  Jesus  in 
Ireland.  I  sutler  with  you  in  grief,  for  the  dash  that  your  desires  to 
be  at  N.  E.  have  received  of  late  ;  but  if  our  Lord  who  hath  skill  to 
bring  up  his  children,  had  not  seen  it  your  best,  it  should  not  have  be- 
fallen you ;  hold  your  peace  and  stay  yourself  upon  the  holy  One  of 
Israel :  hearken  what  he  hath  said  in  crossing  of  your  desires,  he  will 
speak  peace  to  his  people.  I  am  here  removed  from  my  flock,  and 
silenced,  and  confined  in  Aberdeen,  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus ;  and 
I  have   been  confined  in  spirit  also  with  desertions  and  challenges ; 


270  LETTER  CXCVIII.  PART  I. 

I  gave  in  a  bill  of  quarrels,  and  complaints  of  unkindness  against 
Christ,  who  seemed  to  cast  me  over  the  dyke  of  the  vineyard,  as  a 
dry  tree,  and  separated  me  from  the  Lord's  inheritance  ;  but  high, 
high  and  loud  praises  be  to  our  royal  crowned  King  in  Zion,  that  he 
hath  not  burnt  the  dry  branch :  I  shall  yet  live  and  see  his  glory. 
Your  mother-church,  for  her  whoredom,  is  like  to  be  cast  off:  the 
children  may  break  their  hearts,  to  see  such  chiding  betwixt  the  hus- 
band and  the  wife.  Our  clergy  are  upon  a  reconciHation  with  the 
Lutherans,  and  the  doctors  are  writing  books,  and  drawing  up  a  com- 
mon confession,  at  the  council's  command.  Our  service  book  is  pro- 
claimed with  sound  of  trumpet ;  the  night  is  fallen  down  upon  the 
prophets ;  Scotland's  day  of  visitation  is  come  :  it  is  time  for  the 
bride  to  weep,  while  Christ  is  a  saying,  he  will  choose  another  wife 
but  our  sky  will  clear  again ;  the  dry  branch  of  cut  down  Lebanon 
will  bud  again  and  be  glorious,  and  they  shall  yet  plant  vines  upon  our 
mountains.  Now,  my  dear  brother,  I  write  to  you  for  this  end,  that 
ye  may  help  me  to  praise,  and  seek  help  of  others  with  you,  that  God 
may  be  glorified  in  my  bonds.  My  Lord  Jesus  hath  taken  the  with- 
ered dry  stranger,  and  his  broken-in-heart  prisoner,  into  his  house  of 
wine.  O  !  O  !  if  ye  and  all  Scotland,  and  all  our  brethren  with  you, 
knew  how  I  am  feasted !  Christ's  honey-combs  drop  comforts :  he 
dineth  with  his  prisoner,  and  the  King's  spikenard  casteth  a  smell. 
The  devil  cannot  get  it  denied,  but  we  suffer  for  the  apple  of  Christ's 
eye,  his  royal  prerogatives,  as  King  and  Law-giver ;  let  us  not  fear 
or  faint.  He  will  have  his  gospel  once  again  rouped  in  Scotland,  and 
have  the  matter  going  to  voices,  to  see  who  will  say, '  Let  Christ  be 
crowned  King  in  Scotland  :'  it  is  true,  Antichrist  stirreth  his  tail ;  but 
I  love  a  rumbling  and  raging  devil  in  the  kirk  (since  the  church  mili- 
tant cannot  or  may  not  want  a  devil  to  trouble  her)  rather  than  a  sub- 
tile or  sleeping  devil :  Christ  never  yet  got  a  bride  without  stroke  of 
sword ;  it  is  now  nigh  the  Bridegroom's  entering  into  his  chamber,  let 
us  awake  and  go  in  with  him  ;  1  bear  your  name  to  Christ's  door  ;  I 
pray  you,  dear  brother,  forget  me  not ;  let  me  hear  from  you  by  a  let- 
ter, and  I  charge  you  smother  not  Christ's  bounty  towards  me  ;  I 
write  what  I  have  found  of  him  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  Re- 
men4>er  my  love  to  all  our  brethren  and  sisters  there.  The  keeper  of 
the  vineyard  watch  for  his  besieged  city,  and  for  you. 

Your  brother  and  fellow-sufferer,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Feb.  7,  ]637, 

LETTER  CXCVIIL 

To  Mr,  Ephraim  Melvill. 
REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter,  and  am  contented  with  all  my  heart,  that 
our  acquaintance  in  our  Lord  continue.  I  am  wresthng,  as  I  can,  up 
the  mount  with  Christ's  cross  :  my  second  is  kind,  and  able  to  help. 
As  for  your  questions,  because  of  my  manifold  distractions,  and  letters 
to  multitudes,  I  have  not  time  to  answer  them  :  what  shall  be  said  in 
common  for  that,  shall  be  imparted  to  you  :  for  I  am  upon  these  ques- 


PARTI.  LETTER  CXCIX.  271 

tions  :  therefore  spare  me  a  little,  for  the  Service-book  would  take  a 
great  time,  but  I  think,  Sicut  deosculatio  religiosa  imaginis,  aut  etiam 
elementorum,  est  in  se  idolatria  externa,  etsi  intentio  deosculandi,  tota, 
quanta  in  actu  est,  feratur  in  Deum  'rf^oroTutov  •  ita  geniculatio  coram 
pane,  quando,  nempe,  ex  institutio  totus  homo  externus  et  internus 
versari  debeat  circa  elementaria  signa,  est  adoratio  relativa,  et  adoratio 
ipsius  panis.  Ratio;  intentio  adorandi  objectum  materiale,  non  est 
de  essentia  externae  adorationis,  ut  patet  in  deosculatione  religiosa. 
Sic  geniculatio  coram  imagine  Babylonica  est  externa  adoratio  imagi- 
nis,  etsi  tres  pueri  mente  intendissent  adorare  Jehovam.  Sic  qui  ex 
metu  solo,  aut  spe  pretii,  aut  inanis  glorise,  geniculatur  coram  aureo 
vitulo  Jeroboami,  (quod  ab  ipso  rege,  qui  nulla  rehgione  inductus, 
sed  libidine  dominandi  tantum  vitulum  erexit,  factitatum  esse  textus 
satis  luculenter  clamat)  adorat  vitulum  externa  adoratione  ;  esto  quod 
putaret  vitulum  esse  meram  creaturam,  et  honore  nuUo  dignum  :  quia 
geniculatio,  sive  nos  nolumus,  sive  volumus  ex  instituto  Dei  et  natural, 
in  actu  religiose,  est  symbolum  religiosse  adorationis  :  ergo,  sicut  panis 
significat  Corpus  Christi,  etsi  ab  sit  actus  omnis  nostrse  intentionis  : 
sic  religiosa  geniculatio,  sublata  omni  intentione  humana,  est  externa 
adoratio  panis,  coram  quo  adoramus,  ut  coram  signo  vicario  et  repre- 
sentative Dei.  Thus  recommending  you  lo  God's  tender  mercy,  I 
desire  that  ye  would  remember  me  to  God.  Sanctification  shall 
settle  you  most  in  the  truth.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637, 


LETTER  CXCIX. 

To  a  Gentlewoman,  upon  the  death  of  her  Husband. 
3IISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  but  rejoice,  and  withal 
be  grieved,  at  your  case :  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  remove  your 
husband  (my  friend,  and  this  kirk's  faithful  professor)  soon  to  his 
rest,  but,  shall  we  be  sorry  that  our  loss  is  his  gain,  seeing  his  Lord 
would  want  his  company  no  longer  1  Think  not  much  of  short  sum- 
mons ;  for  seeing  he  walked  with  his  Lord  in  his  life,  and  desired 
that  Christ  should  be  magnified  in  him  at  his  death,  ye  ought  to  be 
silent  and  satisfied.  When  Christ  cometh  for  his  own,  he  runneth 
fast :  mercy,  mercy  to  the  saints  goeth  not  at  leisure  ;  love,  love  in 
our  Redeemer  is  not  slow,  and  withal  he  is  homely  with  you,  wha 
cometh  at  his  own  hand  to  your  house,  and  intromitteth,  as  a  friend, 
with  any  thing  that  is  yours  ;  I  think  he  would  fain  borrow  and  lend 
with  you.  Now  he  shall  meet  with  the  solacious  company,  the  fair 
flock,  and  blessed  bairn-time  of  the  first-born,  banqueting  at  the  mar- 
riage supper  of  the  Lamb.  It  is  a  mercy  that  the  poor  wandering 
sheep  get  a  dyke-side  m  this  stormy  day,  and  a  leaking  ship  a  safe 
harbour,  and  a  sea-sick  passenger  a  sound  and  soft  bed  ashore. 
Wrath,  wrath,  wrath  from  the  liord,  is  coming  upon  this  land,  that  he 
hath  left  behind  him  :  know  therefore,  that  your  Lord  Jesus  his 
wounds  are  the  woimds  of  a  lover,  and  that  he  will  have  compassion 


272  LETTER    CC.  PART  I. 

upon  a  sad-liearted  servant :  and  that  Christ  hath  said,  he  will  have 
the  husband's  room  in  your  heart :  he  loved  you  in  your  first  hus- 
band's time,  and  he  is  but  wooing  you  still :  give  him  heart  and 
chair,  house  and  all ;  he  will  not  be  made  companion  with  any  other ; 
love  is  full  of  jealousies ;  he  will  have  all  your  love  and  who  should 
get  it  but  he  ?  I  know  ye  allow  it  upon  him ;  there  are  comforts, 
both  sweet  and  satisfying,  laid  up  for  you  ;  wait  on.  First  Christ ; 
he  is  an  honest  debtor.  Now  for  mine  own  case,  I  think  some  poor 
body  would  be  glad  of  a  dawted  prisoner's  leavings.  I  have  no 
scarcity  of  Christ's  love :  he  hath  wasted  more  comforts  upon  his 
poor  banished  servant,  than  would  have  refreshed  many  souls.  My 
burden  was  once  so  heavy,  that  one  ounce-weight  would  have  casten 
the  balance,  and  broken  my  back :  but  Christ  said,  hold,  hold,  to 
to  my  sorrow,  and  hath  wiped  a  bluthered  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-swier,  (as  we 
used  to  say,)  my  cross  is  both  my  cross  and  my  reward.  O  that  men 
would  sound  his  high  praises  !  I  love  Christ's  worst  reproaches,  his 
glooms,  his  cross,  better  than  all  this  world's  plaistered  glory ;  my 
heart  is  not  longing  to  be  back  again  from  Christ's  country  ;  it  is  a 
sweet  soil  I  am  come  to.  I  (if  any  in  the  world)  have  good  cause  to 
speak  much  good  of  him.  O  !  hell  were  a  good  cheap  price  to  buy 
him  at.  Oh  if  all  three  kingdoms  were  witnesses  to  my  pained, 
pained  soul,  overcome  and  wounded  with  Christ's  love  ;  I  thank  you 
most  kindly,  my  dear  sister,  for  your  love  to,  and  tender  care  of  my 
brother.  I  will  think  myself  obliged  to  you,  if  ye  continue  his  friend  : 
he  is  more  to  me  than  a  brother  now,  being  engaged  to  sufter  for  so 
honourable  a  Master  and  cause.  Pray  for  Christ's  prisoner;  and 
grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  7,  1637. 


LETTER  CC. 

To  his  Reverend  and  dear  Brother,  Mr,  John  Neva}'. 
MV    REVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  exceeding  many  I 
write  to,  else  I  would  be  kinder  in  paper.  I  rejoice  that  my  sweet 
Master  hath  any  to  back  him  :  thick,  thick  may  my  royal  King's  court 
be.  O  that  his  kingdom  might  grow !  it  were  my  joy  to  have  his 
house  full  of  guests.  Except  that  I  have  some  cloudy  days,  for  the 
most  part  I  have  a  king's  life  with  Christ ;  he  is  all  perfumed  with  the 
powders  of  the  merchant :  he  hath  a  king's  face  and  a  king's  smell ; 
his  chariot,  wherein  he  carrieth  his  poor  prisoner,  is  of  the  wood  of 
Lebanon,  it  is  paved  with  love  ;  is  not  that  soft  ground  to  walk  or  lye 
on  1  I  think  better  of  Christ  than  ever  I  did  ;  my  thoughts  of  his 
love  grow  and  swell  on  me  ;  I  never  write  to  any  of  him  so  much  as 
I  have  felt.  Oh  if  I  could  write  a  book  of  Christ  and  his  love  !  Sup- 
pose I  were  made  white  ashes,  and  burnt  for  this  same  truth,  that 
men  count  but  as  knots  of  straws,  it  were  mv  gain,  if  my  ashes  could 


It 

PART    I.  LETTER  CCI.  273 

proclaim  the  worth,  excellency,  and  love  of  my  Lord  Jesus ;  there  is 
much  telling  of  Christ ;  I  give  over  the  weighing  of  him,  heaven 
would  not  be  the  beam  of  a  balance  to  weigh  him  in.  What  eyes  be 
on  me,  or  what  wind  of  tongues  be  on  me,  I  care  not :  let  me  stand 
in  this  stage,  in  the  fool's  coat,  and  act  a  fool's  part  to  the  rest  of  this 
nation  ;  if  I  can  set  my  Well-beloved  on  high,  and  witness  fair  for  him, 
a  fig  for  their  hosanna ;  if  I  can  roll  myself  in  a  lap  of  Christ's  gar- 
ment, I  will  lye  there,  and  laugh  at  the  thoughts  of  dying  bits  of  clay. 
Brother,  we  have  cause  to  weep  for  our  harlot-mother ;  her  husband 
is  sending  her  to  Rome's  brothel-house,  which  is  the  gate  she  liketh 
well ;  yet  I  persuade  you,  there  shall  be  a  fair  after-growth  for  Christ 
in  Scotland,  and  this  church  shall  sing  the  Bridegroom's  welcome 
home  again  to  his  own  house ;  the  worms  shall  eat  them  first,  ere 
they  cause  Christ  take  good-night  at  Scotland.  I  am  here  assaulted 
with  the  doctors'  guns  ;  but  I  bless  the  Father  of  lights,  they  draw 
not  blood  of  truth.  I  find  no  lodging  in  the  hearts  of  natural  men, 
who  are  cold  friends  to  my  Master.  I  pray  you,  remember  my  love 
to  that  gentleman,  A.  C.  My  heart  is  knit  to  him,  because  he  and  I 
have  one  Master.  Remember  my  bonds,  and  present  my  service  to 
my  Lord  and  my  Lady  ;  I  wish  Christ  may  be  dearer  to  them  than  to 
many  in  their  place.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  B. 

Aberdeen,  July  5,  1637. 


LETTER  CCL 

To  My  Lady  Boyd. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Few,  I  believe,  know  the 
pain  and  torment  of  Christ's  fristed  love  ;  fristing  of  Christ's  presence 
is  a  matter  of  torment.  I  know  a  poor  soul  that  would  lay  all  oara 
in  the  water,  for  a  banquet  or  feast  of  Christ's  love.  I  cannot  think, 
but  it  must  be  up-taking  and  sweet,  to  see  the  white  and  red  of  Christ's 
fair  face  ;  for  he  is  white  and  ruddy,  and  the  chiefest  among  ten  thou- 
sands. Cant.  v.  10.  1  am  sure,  that  must  be  a  well  made  face  of  his, 
heaven  must  be  in  his  visage  ;  glory,  glory  for  evermore,  must  sit  on 
his  countenance.  I  dare  not  curse  the  mask  and  covering  that  is  on 
his  face  ;  but  0  if  there  were  a  hole  in  it !  O  if  God  would  tear  the 
mask !  Fy,  fy  upon  us,  we  were  never  ashamed  till  now,  that  we  do 
not  proclaim  our  pining  and  languishing  for  him  !  I  am  sure,  never 
tongue  spake  of  Christ  as  he  is.  I  am  still  of  that  mind,  and  still 
will  be,  that  we  wrong  and  undervalue  that  holy,  holy  One,  in  having 
such  short  and  shallow  thoughts  of  his  weight  and  worth.  O  if  I 
could  but  have  leave  to  stand  beside,  and  see  the  Father  weigh  Christ 
the  Son,  if  it  were  possible !  but  how  every  one  of  them  compre- 
hendeth  another,  we,  who  have  eyes  of  clay,  cannot  comprehend ; 
but  it  is  pity  for  evermore,  and  more  than  shame,  that  such  an  one  as 
Christ  should  sit  in  heaven  his  alone  for  us ;  to  go  up  thither  anes 
errand,  and  on  purpose  to  see,  were  no  small  glory.  0  that  he  would 
strike  out  windows,  and  fair  and  great  lights  in  this  old  house,  this 

35 


274  LETTER  ecu..  PART  I. 

fallen  down  soul,  and  then  set  the  soul  near-hand  Christ,  that  the 
rays  and  beams  of  light,  and  the  soul-cielighting  glances  of  the  fair, 
fair  Godhead,  might  shine  in  at  the  windows,  and  fill  the  house  !  a 
fairer,  and  more  near  and  direct  sight  of  Christ  would  make  room  for 
his  love  ;  for  we  are  but  pinched  and  straitened  in  his  love.  Alas,  it 
were  easy  to  measure  and  weigh  the  love  that  we  have  for  Christ,  by 
inches  and  ounces.  Alas,  that  we  should  love  by  measure  and 
weight,  and  not  rather  have  floods  and  feasts  of  Christ's  love  !  0  that 
Christ  would  break  down  the  old  narrow  vessels  of  these  narrow  and 
ebb  souls ;  and  make  fair,  deep,  wide,  and  broad  souls,  to  hold  a  sea 
and  a  full  tide,  flowing  over  all  its  banks,  of  Christ's  love  !  O  that  the 
Almighty  would  give  me  my  request !  that  I  might  see  Christ  come  to 
his  temple  again,  as  he  is  minting,  and,  it  is  like  minding  to  do,  and 
if  the  land  were  humbled  :  the  judgments  threatened  are  .vith  this  re- 
servation, I  know,  '  If  ye  shall  turn  and  repent'  O  what  a  heaven 
should  we  have  on  earth,  to  see  Scotland's  moon,  like  the  light  of  the 
sun,  and  Scotland's  sun-light  seven-fold,  like  the  light  of  seven  days, 
in  the  day  that  the  Lord  bindeth  up  the  breach  of  his  people,  and 
healeth  the  stroke  of  their  wound  !  Isa.  xxx.  26.  Alas,  that  we  will 
not  pull  and  draw  Christ  to  his  old  tents  again,  to  come  and  feed 
among  the  lilies,  till  the  day  break,  and  the  shadow?  flee  away !  O 
that  the  nobles  would  go  on,  in  the  strength  and  courage  of  the  Lord, 
to  bring  our  lawful  King  Jesus  home  again !  I  am  persuaded  he  shall 
return  again  in  glory  to  this  land  ;  but  happy  were  they,  who  could 
help  to  convoy  him  to  his  sanctuary,  and  set  him  again  up  upon  the 
mercy-seat  betwixt  the  cherubims.  O  sun,  return  to  darkened  Bri- 
tain !  O  fairest  among  all  the  sons  of  men,  0  most  excellent  One, 
come  home  again,  come  home,  and  win  the  praises  and  blessings  ot 
the  mourners  in  Zion,  the  prisoners  of  hope,  that  wait  for  thee !  I 
know,  he  can  also  triumph  in  sutfering,  and  weep  and  reign,  and  die 
and  triumph,  and  remain  in  prison,  and  yet  subdue  his  enemies  ;  but 
how  happy  were  I  to  see  the  coronation-day  of  Christ ;  to  see  his 
mother,  who  bare  him,  put  the  crown  upon  his  head  again,  and  cry 
with  shouting,  till  the  earth  should  ring,  '  Let  Jesus  our  King  live  and 
reign  for  evermore  !'     Grace,  grace  be  with  your  Ladyship. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CCIL 

To  Mr.  Alexander  Colvil,  of  Blair. 
2V1UCH  HONOUUED  SIR, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  would  desire  ta  know  how 
my  Lord  took  my  letter  I  sent  him,  and  how  he  is  ;  I  desire  nothing, 
but  that  he  may  be  fast  and  honest  to  my  royal  Master  and  King.  I 
am  well  every  way,  all  praise  to  him,  in  whose  books  I  must  stand  for 
ever  as  his  debtor !  only  my  silence  paineth  me.  I  had  one  joy  out 
of  heaven,  next  to  Christ,  my  Lord,  and  that  was,  to  preach  him  to 
this  faithless  generation  ;  and  they  have  taken  that  from  me  ;  it  was 
to  me,  as  the  poor  man's  one  eye,  and  they  have  put  out  that  eye.     I 


PART  I.  LETTER    CCllI.  275 

know,  the  violence  done  to  me,  and  his  poor  bereft  bride,  is  come  up 
before  the  Lord  ;  and  suppose  I  see  not  the  other  side  of  my  cross, 
or  what  my  Lord  will  bring  out  of  it,  yet  I  believe  the  vision  shall  not 
tarry,  and  that  Christ  is  on  his  journey  for  my  deliverance  ;  he  goeth 
not  slowly,  but  passeth  over  ten  mountains  at  one  stride  ;  In  the  mean 
time,  1  am  pained  with  his  love,  because  I  want  real  possession. 
When  Christ  cometh,"  he  stayeth  not  long  ;  but  certainly  the  blowing 
of  his  breath  upon  a  poor  soul,  is  heaven  upon  earth  ;  and  when  the 
wind  turneth  into  the  North,  and  he  goeth  away,  I  die,  till  the  wind 
change  into  the  West,  and  he  visit  his  prisoner ;  but  he  holdeth  me 
not  often  at  his  door.  I  am  richly  repaid  for  suffering  for  him.  0  if 
all  Scotland  were  as  I  am,  except  my  bonds  !  0  what  pain  1  have,  be- 
cause I  cannot  get  him  praised  by  my  sufferings !  O  that  heaven, 
within  and  without,  and  the  earth  were  paper,  and  all  the  rivers,  foun- 
tains and  seas  were  ink,  and  I  able  to  write  all  the  paper  within  and 
without,  full  of  his  praises,  and  love  and  excellency,  to  be  read  by 
man  and  angel !  Nay  this  is  little  ;  I  owe  my  heaven  to  Christ ;  and 
to  desire,  howbeit  1  should  never  enter  in  at  the  gates  of  the  new 
Jerusalem,  to  send  my  love  and  my  praises  over  the  wall  to  Christ. 
Alas !  that  time  and  days  lye  betwixt  him  and  me,  and  adjourn  our 
meeting  ;  it  is  my  part  to  cry,  '  O  when  will  the  night  be  past  and  the 
day  dawn,  that  we  shall  see  one  another !'  Be  pleased  to  remember 
my  service  to  my  lord,  to  whom  I  wrote ;  and  shew  him  that,  for  his 
affection  to  me,  I  cannot  but  pray  for  him  and  earnestly  desire  that 
Christ  miss  him  not  out  of  the  roll  of  those  who  are  his  witnesses, 
now  when  his  kingly  honour  is  called  in  question ;  it  is  his  honour  to 
hold  up  Christ's  royal  train,  and  to  be  an  instrument  to  hold  the  crown 
upon  Christ's  head.  Shew  him  because  I  love  his  true  honour  and 
standing,  that  this  is  my  earnest  desire  for  him.  Now  I  bless  you  j 
and  the  prayers  of  Christ's  prisoner  come  upon  you  ;  and  his  sweetest 
presence,  whom  ye  serve  in  the  Spirit,  accompany  you. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  lU 

Aberdeen,  23d  June,  1637. 


LETTER  CCm. 

To  Mr.  John  Row. 
HEVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  RECEIVED  yours.  I  bless  his  high  and  great  name,  I  like  my 
sweet  Master  still  the  longer  the  better ;  a  sight  of  his  cross  is  more 
awsome  than  the  weight  of  it.  I  think  the  worst  things  of  Christ, 
even  his  reproaches  and  his  cross,  when  I  look  on  these  not  with 
bleared  eyes,  far  rather  to  be  chosen  than  the  laughter  and  worm  eaten 
joys  of  my  adversaries.  O  that  they  were  as  I  am,  except  my  bonds  ! 
My  witness  is  above,  my  ministry,  next  to  Christ,  is  dearest  to  me  of 
any  thing^:  but  I  lay  it  down  at  Christ's  feet,  for  his  glory  and  his  ho- 
nour as  supfeme  Law-giver,  which  is  dearer  to  me.  My  dear  brother, 
if  ye  will  receive  the  testimony  of  a  poor  prisoner  of  Christ,  who  dare 
not  now  dissemble  for  the  world,  I  believe  certainly,  and  expect  thanks 
from  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  for  my  poor  hazards,  suchv 


276  LETTER   CCrV.  PART  I. 

as  they  are,  for  his  honourable  cause,  whom  I  can  never  enough  ex- 
tol, for  his  running-over  love  to  my  sad  soul,  since  I  came  hither.  O 
that  I  could  get  him  set  on  high  and  praised !  I  seek  no  more,  as  the 
top  and  root  of  my  desires,  but  that  Christ  may  make  glory  to  him- 
self, and  edification  to  the  weaker,  out  of  my  sufferings.  I  desire  ye 
would  help  me  both  to  pray  and  praise.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Yours,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  8,  1637. 


LETTER  CCIV. 

To  my  Lady  Culross. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  much  refreshed  with 
your  letter,  now  at  length  come  to  me.  I  find  my  Lord  Jesus  cometh 
not  irj  that  precise  way  that  I  lay  wait  for  him,  he  hath  a  gate  of  his 
own ;  0  how  high  are  his  ways  above  my  ways  !  I  see  but  little  of 
him ;  it  is  best  not  to  offer  to  learn  him  a  lesson,  but  to  give  him  ab- 
solutely his  own  will,  in  coming,  going,  ebbing,  flowing,  and  in  the 
manner  of  his  gracious  working.  I  want  nothing  but  a  back  burden 
of  Christ's  love  ;  I  would  go  through  hell,  and  the  thick  of  the  damn- 
ed devils,  to  have  a  hearty  feast  of  Christ's  love  ;  for  he  hath  fettered 
me  with  his  love,  and  run  away  and  left  me  a  chained  man.  Woe  is 
me,  that  I  was  so  loose,  rash,  vain,  and  graceless,  in  my  unbelieving 
thoughts  of  Christ's  love  ;  but  what  can  a  fool  under  a  non  entry,  when 
my  rights  were  wadset  and  lost,  do  else,  but  make  a  false  libel  against 
Christ's  love  !  I  know  yourself  madam,  and  many  more,  will  be  wit- 
nesses against  me,  if  I  repent  not  of  my  unbelief;  for  I  have  been 
seeking  the  pope's  wares,  some  hire  for  grace  within  myself.  I  have 
not  learned,  as  I  should  do,  to  put  my  stock,  and  all  my  treasure  in 
Christ's  hand  ;  but  I  would  have  a  stock  of  mine  own  ;  and  ere  I  was 
aware,  I  was  taking  hire  to  be  the  law's  advocate,  to  seek  justification 
by  works.  I  forgot,  that  grace  is  the  only  garland  that  is  worn  in  hea- 
ven, upon  the  heads  of  the  glorified.  And  now  I  half  rejoice,  that  I 
have  sickness  for  Christ  to  work  upon :  since  I  must  have  wounds, 
well  is  my  soul,  I  have  a  day's  work  for  my  Physician,  Christ ;  I  hope 
to  give  Christ  his  own  calling,  it  setteth  him  full  well  to  cure  diseases. 
My  ebbings  are  very  low,  and  the  tide  is  far  out  when  my  Beloved 
goeth  away  ;  and  then  I  cry,  Oh  cruelty  !  to  put  out  the  poor  man's 
one  eye ;  and  that,  that  was  my  joy,  uext  to  Christ,  to  preach  my 
Well-beloved  :  then  I  make  a  noise  about  Christ's  house,  looking  un- 
couth-like in  at  his  window,  and  casting  my  love  and  my  desires  over 
the  wall,  till  God  send  better.  I  am  oflen  content,  my  bill  lie  in  hea- 
ven, till  the  day  of  my  departure,  providing  I  had  assurance,  that  mercy 
shall  be  written  on  the  back  of  it.  I  would  not  care  for  on- waiting ; 
but  when  I  draw  in  a  tired  arm,  and  an  empty  hand  withal,  it  is  much 
to  me  to  keep  my  thoughts  in  order :  but  I  will  not  get  a  gate  for 
Christ's  love,  when  I  have  done  all  I  can.  I  would  fain  yield  to  his 
stream,  and  row  with  Christ,  and  not  against  him.  But  while  I  live, 
I  see  that  Christ's  kingdom  in  me  will  not  be  peaceable,  so  many 


PART  I.  LETTER  CCIV.  277 

thoughts  in  me  rise  up  against  his  honour  and  kingly  power.  Surely, 
I  have  not  expressed  all  his  sweet  kindness  to  me ;  I  spare  to  do  it, 
lest  I  be  deemed  to  seek  myself;  but  his  breath  hath  smelled  of  the 
powders  of  the  merchant  and  of  the  king's  spikenard.  I  think  I  con- 
ceive new  thoughts  of  heaven,  because  the  card  and  the  map  of  hea- 
ven, that  he  letteth  me  now  see,  is  so  fair,  and  so  sweet ;  I  am  sure, 
we  are  niggards,  and  sparing  bodies  in  seeking.  I  verily  judge,  we 
know  not  how  much  may  be  had  in  this  life ;  there  is  yet  something 
beyond  all  we  see,  that  seeking  would  light  upon.  0  that  my  love- 
sickness  would  put  me  to  a  business,  when  all  the  world  are  found 
sleeping,  to  cry  and  knock !  but  the  truth  is,  since  I  came  hither,  I 
have  been  wondering,  that  after  my  importunity  to  have  my  fill  of 
Christ's  love,  I  have  not  gotten  a  real  sign,  but  have  come  from  him, 
crying,  hunger,  hunger.  1  think  Christ  letteth  me  see  meat,  in  my 
extremity  of  hunger,  and  giveth  me  none  of  it :  when  I  am  near  the 
apple,  he  draweth  back  his  hand,  and  goeth  away  to  cause  me  follow ; 
and  again  when  I  am  within  an  arm  length  to  the  apple,  he  maketh  a 
new  break  to  the  gate,  and  I  have  him  to  seek  of  new ;  he  seemeth 
not  to  pity  my  dwining  and  my  swooning  for  his  love.  I  dare  some- 
times put  my  hunger  over  to  him  to  be  judged,  if  I  would  not  buy  him 
with  a  thousand  years  in  the  hottest  furnace  in  hell,  so  being  I  might  en- 
joy him  ;  but  my  hunger  is  fed  with  want  and  absence  ;  I  hunger,  and  I 
have  not ;  but  my  comfort  is  to  lye  and  wait  on,  and  to  put  my  poor 
soul  and  my  sufferings  in  Christ's  hand ;  let  him  make  any  thing  out 
of  me,  so  being  he  be  glorified  in  my  salvation ;  for  I  know  I  am 
made  for  him.  O  that  my  Lord  may  win  his  own  gracious  end  in 
in  me  :  I  w  ill  not  be  at  ease,  while  I  but  stand  so  far  aback  ;  0  if  I 
were  near  him,  and  with  him,  that  this  poor  soul  might  be  satisfied 
with  himself!  Your  son-in-law,  W.  G.  is  now  truly  honoured  for  his 
Lord  and  Master's  cause  :  when  the  Lord  is  fanning  Zion,  it  is  a  good 
token  that  he  is  a  true  branch  of  the  vine,  that  the  Lord  beginneth 
first  to  dress  him  :  he  is  strong  in  his  Lord,  as  he  hath  written  to  me, 
and  his  wife  is  his  encourager,  which  should  make  you  rejoice.  For 
your  son,  who  is  your  grief,  your  Lord  waited  on  you  and  me,  till  we 
were  ripe,  and  brought  us  in.  It  is  your  part  to  pray  and  wait  upon 
him  :  when  he  is  ripe  he  will  be  spoken  for.  Who  can  command  our 
Lord's  wind  to  blow  1  I  know  it  shall  be  your  good  in  the  latter  end  ; 
that  is  one  of  your  waters  to  heaven,  ye  could  not  go  about  it ;  there 
are  the  fewer  behind.  I  remember  you,  and  him,  and  yours,  as  I  am 
able :  but  alas,  I  am  believed  to  be  something,  and  I  am  nothing  but 
an  empty  reed  :  wants  are  my  best  riches,  because  I  have  these  sup- 
plied by  Christ.  Remember  my  dearest  love  to  your  brother  :  I  know 
he  pleadeth  with  his  harlot-mother  for  her  apostacy.  I  know  also,  ye 
are  kind  to  my  worthy  Lady  Kenmure,  a  woman  beloved  of  the  Lord, 
who  hath  been  very  mindful  of  my  bonds  ;  the  Lord  give  her,  and  her 
child,  to  find  mercy  in  the  day  of  Christ !  Great  men  are  dry  and  cold 
in  doing  for  me  ;  the  tinkling  of  chains  for  Christ  affrighteth  them  : 
but  let  my  Lord  break  all  my  idols,  I  will  yet  bless  him.  I  am  obliged 
to  my  Lord  liorn :  I  wish  him  mercy.     Remember  my  bonds  with 


278  LETTER  CCV.  PART  I. 

praises,  and  pray  for  me,  that  my  Lord  may  leaven  the  North,  by  my 
bonds  and  sufferings.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  9, 1637. 


LETTER  CCV. 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Kaockgray. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     There  is  no  question  but  our 
mother  church  hath  a  Father,  and  that  she  shall  not  die  without  an 
heir,  that  her  enemies  shall  not  make  mount  Zion  their  heritage.     Wo 
see,  whithersoever  Zion's  enemies  go,  suppose  they  dig  many  miles  un- 
der the  ground,  yet  our  Lord  findeth  them  out,  and  he  hath  vengeance 
laid  up  in  store  for  them,  and  the  poor  and  needy  shall  not  always  be 
forgotten.     Our  hope  was  drooping  and  withering,  and  man  was  say- 
ing. What  can  God  make  out  of  the  old  dry  bones  of  this  buried  kirk  ? 
the  prelates  and  their  followers  were  a  grave  above  us :  it  is  like  our 
Lord  is  to  open  our  graves,  and  purposeth  to  cause  his  two  slain  wit- 
nesses rise  the  third  day.     0  how  long  wait  I,  to  hear  our  weeping 
Lord  Jesus  sing  again,  and  triumph  and  rejoice,  and  divide  the  spoil ! 
I  find  it  hard  work  to  believe,  when  the  course  of  providence  goeth 
cross-ways  to  our  faith,  and  when  misted  souls  in  a  dark  night  cannot 
know  east  by  west,  and  our  sea-compass  seemeth  to  fail  us.     Every 
man  is  a  believer  in  day-light :  a  fair  day  seemeth  to  be  made  all  of 
faith  and  hope.     What  a  trial  of  gold  is  it,  to  smoke  it  a  little  above 
the  fire  1  but  to  keep  gold  perfect  yellow  coloured  amidst  the  flames, 
and  to  be  turned  from  vessel  to  vessel,  and  yet  to  cause  our  furnace 
sound,  and  speak,  and  cry  the  praises  of  the  Lord,  is  another  matter. 
I  know  my  Lord  made  me  not  for  fire,  howbeit  he  hath  fitted  me  in 
some  measure  for  the  fire.     I  bless  his  high  name,  that  I  wax  not 
paler,  neither  have  I  lost  the  colour  of  gold,  and  that  his  fire  hath 
made  me  somewhat  thin,  and  that  my  Lord  may  pour  me  in  any  ves- 
sel he  pleaseth  :  for  a  small  wager,  I  may  justly  quit  my  part  of  this 
world's   laughter,  and   give   up  with  time,  and  cast   out   with   the 
pleasures  of  this   world.      I  know  a   man,   who   wondered  to  see 
any  in  this  life   laugh  or  sport :  surely   our   Lord   seeketh  this  of 
us,  as  to  any  rejoicing  in  present  perishing  things.     I  see  above  all 
things,  and  that  we  may  sit  down,  and  fold  legs  and  arms,  and  stretch 
ourselves  upon  Christ,  and  laugh  at  the  feathers  that  children  are 
chasing  here  ;  for  I  think  the  men  of  this  world,  like  children  in  a 
dangerous  storm  in  the  sea,  that  play  and  make  sport  with  the  white 
foam  of  the  waves  thereof,  coming  in  to  sink  and  drown  them  ;  so 
are  men  making  fool's  sports  with  the  white  pleasures  of  a  stormy 
world,  that  will  sink  them.     But  alas  !  what  have  we  to  do  with  their 
sports  that  they  make  ?  If  Solomon  said  of  laughter  that  it  was  mad- 
ness, what  may  we  say  of  this  world's  laughing  and  sporting  them- 
selves with  gold  and  silver,  and  honours,  and  court,  and  broad  large 
conquests,  but  that  they  are  poor  souls,  in  the  height  and  rage  of  a 


PART   I.  LETTER  CCVI.  279 

fever  gone  mad  ?  then  a  straw,  a  fig  for  all  created  sports  and  rejoicing 
out  of  Christ :  nay,  I  think,  that  this  world  at  its  prime  and  perfection, 
when  it  is  come  to  the  top  of  its  excellency,  and  to  the  bloom,  might 
be  bought  with  an  halfpenny ;  and  that  it  would  scarce  weigh  the 
worth  of  a  drink  of  water ;  there  is  nothing  better  than  to  esteem  it 
our  crucified  idol,  that  is  dead  and  slain,  as  Paul  did,  Gal.  vi.  14. 
Then  let  pleasures  be  crucified,  and  riches  be  crucified,  and  court 
and  honour  be  crucified  ;  and  since  the  apostle  saith,  the  world  is 
crucified  to  him,  we  may  put  this  world  to  the  hanged  man's  doom, 
and  to  the  gallows,  and  who  will  give  much  for  a  hanged  man  1  and 
as  little  should  we  give  for  an  hanged  and  crucified  world  ;  yet  what 
a  sweet  smell  hath  this  dead  carrion,  to  many  fools  in  the  world  ;  and 
how  many  wooers  and  suiters  findeth  this  hanged  carrion  1  fools  are 
pulling  it  off  the  gallows,  and  contending  for  it.  0  when  shall  we 
learn  to  be  mortified  men,  and  to  have  our  fill  of  those  things  that 
have  but  their  short  summer-quarter  of  this  life  !  If  we  saw  our  Fa- 
ther's bouse,  and  that  great  and  fair  city,  the  New  Jerusalem,  which 
is  up  above  sun  and  moon,  we  would  cry  to  be  over  the  water,  and  to 
be  carried  in  Christ's  arms  out  of  this  borrowed  prison.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CCVL 

To  the  Laird  of  Carletoun. 
WORTHY    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  of  this  oppressed  kirk ;  O  that  salvation  would  come  for 
Zion  !  I  am  for  the  present,  hanging  by  hope,  waiting  what  my  Lord 
will  do  with  me,  and  if  it  will  please  my  sweet  Master  to  send  me 
amongst  you  again,  and  keep  out  a  hireling  from  my  poor  flock ;  it 
were  my  heaven  till  I  come  home,  even  to  spend  this  life  in  gathering 
in  some  to  Christ.  I  have  ^still  great  heaviness  for  my  silence,  and 
my  forced  standing  idle  in  the  market,  when  this  land  hath  such  a 
plentiful  thick  harvest ;  but  1  know  his  judgments,  who  hath  done  it, 
pass  finding  out ;  I  have  no  knowledge  to  take  up  the  Lord,  in  all  his 
strange  ways  and  passages  of  deep  and  unsearchable  providences  :  for 
the  Lord  is  before  me,  and  I  am  so  bemisted,  that  I  cannot  follow  him  ; 
he  is  behind  me,  and  following  at  the  heels,  and  I  am  not  aware  o£ 
him ;  he  is  above  me,  but  his  glory  so  dazzleth  my  twillight  of  short 
knowledge,  that  I  cannot  look  up  to  him  ;  he  is  upon  my  right 
hand,  and  I  see  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  compasseth  all  my  goings,  and  still  I  have  him 
to  seek  ;  he  is  every  way  higher,  and  deeper,  and  broader,  than  the 
shallow  and  ebb  hand-breadth  of  my  short  and  dim  light  can  take 
up ;  and  therefore  1  would  my  heart  could  be  silent,  and  sit  down  in 
the  learuedly-ignorant  wondering  at  that  Lord,  whom  men  and  angeh 


280  LETTER  CCVII.  PART  I. 

cannot  comprehend.  I  know  the  noon-day  hght  of  the  highest 
angels,  who  see  him  face  to  face,  seeth  not  the  borders  of  his  infinite- 
ness  ;  they  apprehended  God  near-hand,  but  they  cannot  comprehend 
him.  And  therefore  it  is  my  happiness  to  look  afar  oft',  and  to  come 
near  to  the  Lord's  back  parts,  and  to  hght  my  dark  candle  at  his 
brightness,  and  to  have  leave  to  sit  and  content  myself  with  a  travel- 
ler's light,  without  the  clear  vision  of  an  enjoyor.  I  would  seek  no 
more  till  I  were  in  my  country,  but  a  little  watering  and  sprinkling  of 
a  withered  soul,  with  some  lialf  out-breakhigs,  and  half  out-lookings 
of  the  beams,  and  small  ravisliing  smiles  of  the  fairest  face  of  a  re- 
vealed and  believed-on  God-head  :  a  httle  of  God  would  make  my 
soul  bank-full.  O  that  I  had  but  Christ's  odd  off-fallings,  that  he 
would  let  but  the  meanest  of  his  love-rays  and  love-beams  fall  from 
him,  so  as  I  might  gather  and  carry  them  with  me  !  I  would  not  be  ill 
to  please  with  Christ,  and  vailed  visions  of  Christ ;  neither  would  I  be 
dainty  in  seeing  and  enjoying  of  him  :  a  kiss  of  Christ  blown  over  his 
shoulder,  the  parings  and  crumbs  of  glory  that  fall  under  his  table  in 
heaven,  a  shower,  like  a  thin  May-mist,  of  his  love  would  make  me 
green  and  sappy,  and  joyful,  till  the  summer-sun  of  an  eternal  glory 
break  up.  O  that  I  had  any  thing  of  Christ !  0  that  I  had  a  sip,  or 
half  a  drop,  out  of  the  hollow  of  Christ's  hand,  of  the  sweetness  and 
excellency  of  that  lovely  One  !  0  that  my  Lord  Jesus  would  rue  upon 
me,  and  give  me  but  the  meanest  alms  of  felt  and  believed  salvation ! 
O  how  little  were  it  for  that  infinite  Fountain  of  love  and  joy,  to  fill  as 
many  thousand  thousand  little  vessels  the  like  of  me,  as  there  are 
minutes  of  hours  since  the  creation  of  God  !  I  find  it  true,  that  a  poor 
soul  finding  half  a  smell  of  the  God-head  of  Christ,  hath  desires  pain- 
ing and  wounding  the  poor  iicart  so,  with  longings  to  be  up  at  him, 
that  make  it  sometimes  think,  were  it  not  better  never  to  have  felt  any 
thing  of  Christ,  than  thus  to  lye  dying  twenty  deaths,  under  these  felt 
V'ounds,  for  the  want  of  him !  '  O  where  is  he  ?  0  Fairest,  where 
dwellest  thou  t  0  never-enough  admired  God-head,  how  can  clay  win 
np  to  thee  ?  how  can  creatures  of  yesterday  be  able  to  enjoy  thee  !' 
O  what  pain  is  it,  that  time  and  sin  should  be  so  many  thousand  miles 
betwixt  a  loved  and  longed-for  Lord,  and  a  dwining  and  love-sick 
soul,  who  would  rather  tlian  all  the  world  have  lodging  with  Christ ! 
O  let  this  bit  of  love  of  ours,  this  inch  and  half-span  length  of  hea- 
venly longing  meet  with  thy  infinite  love  !  0  if  the  little  I  have  were 
swallowed  up  with  the  infiniteness  of  that  excellency  which  is  in 
Christ !  O  that  we  little  ones  were  in  at  the  greatest  Lord  Jesus  ! 
♦Our  wants  should  soon  bo  swallowed  up  with  liis  fullness.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Muy  10,  1637. 


LETTER  CCVn. 

To  Robejt  Gordon,  of  Knockbrex. 
PEAR   BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  received  your  letter  from 
Edinburgh.     I  would  not  wish  to  see  another  heaven,  while  I  get 


PART  I.  LETTER  CCVII.  281 

mine  own  heaven,  but  a  new  moon,  like  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  a 
new  sun  hke  the  light  of  seven  days  shining  upon  my  poor  self,  and 
the  church  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  upon  my  withered  and  sun-burnt 
mother,  the  church  of  Scotland,  and  upon  her  sister-churches  Eno-- 
land  and  Ireland  ;  and  to  have  this  done,  to  the  setting  on  high  our 
great  King :  it  maketh  not,  howbeit  I  were  separate  from  Christ,  and 
had  a  sense  of  ten  thousand  years'  pain  in  hell,  if  this  were.     O 
blessed  nobility !  0  glorious  renowned  gentry !  O  blessed  were  the 
tribes  in  this  land,  to  wipe  my  Lord  Jesus'  weeping  face,  and  to  take 
the  sackcloth  off  Christ's  loins,  and  to  put  his  kingly  robes  upon  nim  ! 
O  if  the  Almighty  would  take  no  less  wager  of  me  than  my  heaven  to 
have  it  done  !  but  my  fears  are  still  for  wrath  once  upon  Scotland  : 
but  I  know  her  day  shall  clear  up,  and  glory  shall  be  upon  the  top  of 
the  mountains,  and  joy  at  the  noise  of  the  married  wife,  once  again. 
O  that  our  Lord  would  make  us  to  contend,  and  plead,  and  wrestle  by 
prayers  and  tears,  for  our  Husband's  restoring  of  his  forfeited  heritage 
in  Scotland !     Dear  brother,  I  am  for  the  present  in  no  small  battle, 
betwixt  felt  guiltiness,  and  pining  longings  and   high  tevers  i'or  my 
Well-beloved's  love.      Alas  !  I  think  Christ's  love  playeth  the  niggard 
to  me,  and  I  know,  it  is  not  for  scarcity  of  love,  there  is  enough  in 
him  :  but  my  hunger  prophesieth  of  in-holding  and  sparingness  in 
Christ ;  for  I  have  but  little  of  him,  and  little  of  his  sweetness  ;  it  is  a 
dear  summer  with  me  ;  yet  there  is  such  joy  in  the  eagerness  and 
working  of  hunger  for  Christ  that  I  am  often  at  this,  that  if  1  had  no 
other  heaven,  but  a  continual  hunger  for  Christ,  such  a  heaven  of 
ever-working  hunger,  were  still  a  heaven  to  me.     I  am  sure  Christ's 
love  cannot  be  cruel ;  it  must  be  a  rueing,  a  pitiful,  a  melting-hearted 
love :  but  suspension  of  that  love,  I  think  it  half  a  hell,  and  tue  want 
of  it  more  than  a  whole  hell.     When  I  look  to  my  guiltuiess,  I  see  my 
salvation  one  of  our  Saviour's  greatest  miracles,  either  in  heaven  or 
earth ;  I  am  sure  I  may  defy  any  man  to  shew  me  a  greater  wonder ; 
but  seeing  I  have  no  wares,  no  hire,  no   money  for  Christ,  he   must 
either  take  me  with  want,  misery,  corruption,  or  then  want  me.     0  if 
he  would  be  pleased  to  be  compassionate  and  pitiful-hearted  to  my 
pining  fevers  of  longing  for  him ;  or  then  give  me  a  real  pawn  to 
keep,  out  of  his  own  hand,  till  God   send  a  meeting  betwixt  him 
and  me ;  but   I  find  neither  as  yet ;  howbeit  he  who  is  absent  be 
not  cruel  nor  unkind  ;    yet   his   absence  is  cruel  and  unkind  ;    his 
love   is   like   itself;    his   love   is   his   love ;    but  the  covering   and 
the  cloud,  the   vail   and  the  mask  of  his  love,  is  more  wise  than 
kind    if  I  durst  speak  my  apprehensions.     I  lead  no  process  now 
against  the  suspension  and  delay  of  God's  love ;  I  would,  with  all 
my  heart,  frist  till  a  day  ten  heavens,  and  the  sweet  manifestations  of 
his  love.     Certainly  I  think,  I  could  give  Christ  much  on  his  word  ! 
but  my  whole  pleading  is  about  intimated  and  born-in  assurance  of 
his  love.     O  if  he  would  persuade  me  of  my  heart's  desire  of  his  love 
at  all,  he  should  have  the  term-day  of  payment  at  his  own  making. 
But  I  know,  raving  unbelief  speaketh  its  pleasure,  while  it  looketh 
upon  guiltiness,  and  this  body  of  corruption.     O  how  loathsome  and 
burdensome  is  it  to  carry  about  a  dead  corpse,  this  old  carrion  of  cor- 
ruption !     O  how  steadable  a  thing  is  a  Saviour,  to  make  a  sinner  rid 

36 


282  LETTER  CCVIIl,  CCIX.  PART  1. 

of  his  chains  and  fetters !  I  have  now  made  a  new  question,  whether 
Christ  be  more  to  be  loved  for  giving  sanctitication,  or  for  free  justifi- 
cation 1  and  I  hold  he  is  more  and  most  to  be  loved  for  sanctification  ; 
it  is  in  some  respect  greater  love  in  him,  to  sanctify  than  to  justify ; 
for  he  maketh  us  most  like  himself,  in  his  own  essential  portraiture 
and  image  in  sanctifying  us :  justification  doth  but  make  us  happy, 
which  is  to  be  like  the  angels  only ;  neither  is  it  such  a  misery  to  lye 
a  condemned  man,  and  under  unforgiven  guiltiness,  as  to  serve  sin, 
and  work  the  works  of  the  devil ;  and  therefore,  I  think  sanctification 
cannot  be  bought,  it  is  above  price.  God  be  thanked  for  ever,  that 
Christ  was  a  told-down  price  for  sanctification.  Let  a  sinner  (if  possi- 
ble) lye  in  hell  for  ever,  if  he  make  him  truly  holy,  and  let  him  lye 
there,  burning  in  love  to  God,  rejoicing  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  hanging 
upon  Christ,  by  faith  and  hope  ;  that  is  heaven  in  the  heart  and  bottom 
of  hell.  Alas  !  I  find  a  very  thin  harvest  here,  and  few  to  be  saved. 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  lovely  and  longed  for  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


LETTER  CCVIIL 

To  My  Lord  Craighall. 
JMY    LORD, 

I  PERSUADE  myself,  notwithstanding  of  the  greatness  of  this  temp- 
tation, ye  will  not  let  Christ  want  a  witness  of  you,  to  avow  him  before 
this  evil  generation.  And  if  ye  advise  with  God's  truth,  (the  perfect 
testament  of  Christ,  that  forbiddeth  all  men's  additions  to  his  worship,) 
and  with  the  truly  learned,  and  with  all  the  sanctified  in  this  land,  and 
with  that  Warner  within  you,  (that  will  not  fail  to  speak  against  you, 
in  God's  name,  if  ye  be  not  now  fast  and  fixed  for  Christ,)  I  hope 
then,  your  Lordship  will  acquit  yourself  as  a  man  of  courage  for 
Christ,  and  refuse  to  bow  your  knee  superstitiously  and  idolatrously 
to  wood  or  stone,  or  any  creature  whatsoever.  I  persuade  myself, 
when  ye  shall  take  good  night  at  this  world,  ye  shall  think  it  God's 
truth  I  now  write.  Some  fear  your  lordship  have  obliged  yourself  to 
his  Majesty  by  promise,  to  satisfy  his  desire.  If  it  be  so,  my  dear 
and  worthy  Lord,  hear  me  for  your  soul's  good.  Think  upon  swim- 
ming ashore  after  this  shipwreck,  and  be  pleased  to  write  your  humble 
apology  to  his  Majesty  ;  it  may  be,  God  give  you  favour  in  his  eyes. 
However  it  be,  far  be  it  from  you  to  think  a  promise  made  out  of 
weakness,  and  extorted  by  the  terror  of  a  king,  should  bind  you  to 
WTong  your  Lord  Jesus.  But  for  myself,  I  give  no  faith  to  that 
report,  but  I  believe  ye  shall  prove  fast  to  Christ :  to  his  grace  I 
recommend  you. 

Your  Lordship's  at  all  obedience,  in  Christ,  S.  R. 


LETTER  CCIX. 

To  My  Lord  Craighall. 
MY    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  am  not  only  content,  buf 
I  exceedingly  rejoice,  that  I  find  any  of  the  rulers  of  this  land,  and 


PART  r.  LETTER   CCIX.  283 

especially  your  Lordship,  so  to  affect  Christ  and  his  truth,  as  ye  dare, 
for  his  name,  come  to  yea  and  nay  with  monarchs  in  their  face.  I 
hope,  he  who  hath  enabled  you  for  that,  will  give  more,  if  ye  shew 
yourself  courageous,  and  (as  his  word  speaketh)  a  man  in  the  streets 
for  the  Lord ;  but  I  pray  your  Lordship  give  me  leave  to  be  plain 
with  you,  as  one  who  loveth  both  your  honour  and  your  soul.  I 
verily  believe,  there  was  never  idolatry  at  Rome,  never  idolatry  con- 
demned in  God's  word  by  the  prophets,  if  religious  kneeling  before  a 
consecrate  creature,  standing  in  room  of  Christ  crucified,  in  that  very 
act,  and  that  for  reverence  of  the  elements,  (as  our  act  cleareth,)  be 
not  idolatry.  Neither  will  your  intention  help,  which  is  not  of  the 
essence  of  worship  ;  for  then  Aaron,  saying,  To-morrow  shall  be  a 
feast  for  Jehovah,  that  is  for  the  golden  calf,  should  not  have  been 
guilty  of  idolatry  ;  for  he  intended  only  to  decline  the  lash  of  the  peo- 
ple's fury,  not  to  honour  the  calf.  Your  intention  to  honour  Christ  is 
nothing,  seeing  religious  kneeling,  by  God's  institution,  doth  necessa- 
rily import  religious  and  Divine  adoration,  suppose  our  intention  were 
both  dead  and  sleeping  ;  otherwise  kneeling  before  the  image  of  God, 
directing  prayer  to  God,  were  lawful,  if  our  intention  go  right.  My 
Lord,  I  cannot  in  this  bounds  dispute,  but  if  Cambridge  and  Oxford, 
and  the  learning  of  Britain  will  answer  this  argument,  and  the  argu- 
ment from  active  scandal,  which  your  Lordship  seems  to  stand  upon, 
I  will  turn  a  formalist,  and  call  myself  an  arrant  fool,  by  doing  what  I 
have  done,  in  my  suffering  for  this  truth.  I  do  much  reverence  Mr. 
L's  learning ;  but,  my  Lord,  I  will  answer  what  he  writes  in  that,  to 
pervert  you  from  the  truth  ;  else  repute  me  beside  an  hypocrite,  an  ass 
also :  I  hope  ye  shall  see  something  upon  that  subject,  if  the  Lord 
permit,  that  no  sophistry  in  Britain  shall  answer.  Courtiers'  argu- 
ments, for  the  most  part,  are  drawn  from  their  own  skin,  and  are  not 
worth  a  straw  for  your  conscience  ;  a  marquis'  or  a  king's  word,  when 
ye  stand  before  Christ's  tribunal,  shall  be  lighter  than  the  wind.  The 
Lord  knoweth,  I  love  your  true  honour,  and  the  standing  of  your 
house :  but  I  would  not,  your  honour  or  house  were  established  upon 
sand,  and  hay,  and  stubble.  But  let  me,  my  very  dear  and  worthy 
Lord,  most  humbly  beseech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  conso- 
lations of  his  Spirit,  by  the  dear  blood  and  wounds  of  your  lovely 
Redeemer,  by  the  salvation  of  your  soul,  by  your  compearance  before 
the  awful  face  of  a  sm-revenging  and  dreadful  judge,  not  to  set  in 
comparison  together  your  soul's  peace,  Christ's  love,  and  his  kingly 
honour,  now  called  in  question,  with  your  place,  honour,  house,  or 
ease,  that  an  inch  of  time  will  make  out  of  the  way.  I  verily  believe, 
Christ  is  now  begging  a  testimony  of  you  ;  and  is  saying,  And  will  ye 
also  leave  me  ?  It  is  possible,  the  wind  shall  not  blow  so  fair  for  you 
all  your  hfe,  for  coming  out  and  appearing  before  others,  to  back  and 
countenance  Christ,  the  fairest  among  the  sons  of  men,  the  prince  of 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  Isa.  li.  7.  "  Fear  not  the  reproach  of  men, 
neither  be  afraid  of  their  revilings."  ver.  S.  "  For  the  moth  shall  eat 
them  up  like  a  garment,  and  the  worm  shall  eat  them  like  wool." 
When  the  Lord  shall  begin,  he  shall  make  an  end,  and  mow  down 
his  adversaries ;  and  they  shall  lye  before  him  like  withered  hay,  and 


284  LETTER    CCIX.  PART  I. 

their  bloom  shaken  off  them.  Consider  how  many  thousands  in  this 
kingdom  ye  shall  cause  to  lall  and  stumble,  if  ye  go  with  them ;  and 
that  ye  shall  be  out  of"  the  prayers  of  many  who  do  stand  before  the 
Lord  for  you  and  your  house  ;  and  further,  when  the  time  of  your  ac- 
counts Cometh,  and  your  one  foot  shall  be  within  the  border  of  eter- 
nity, and  the  eye-strings  shall  break,  and  the  face  wax  pale,  and  the 
poor  soul  shall  look  out  at  the  windows  of  the  house  of  clay,  longing 
to  be  out,  and  ye  shall  find  yourself  arraigned  before  the  Judge  of 
quick  and  dead,  to  answer  for  your  putting  to  your  hand  with  the  rest, 
confederate  against  Christ,  to  the  overturning  of  his  ark,  and  the 
loosing  of  the  pins  of  Christ's  tabernacle  in  this  land,  and  shall  cer- 
tainly see  yourself  mired  in  a  course  of  apostacy  ;  then,  then  a  king's 
favour  and  your  worm-eaten  honour  shall  be  miserable  comforters  to 
you.  The  Lord  hath  enlightened  you  with  the  knowledge  of  his  will ; 
and  as  the  Lord  Hveth,  they  lead  you  and  others  to  a  communion 
with  great  Babel,  the  mother  of  fornications  ;  and  God  said  of  old, 
and  continueth  to  say  the  same  to  you.  Come  out  of  her,  my  people, 
lest  ye  be  partakers  of  her  plagues.  Will  ye,  then,  go  witli  them,  and 
set  up  your  lip  to  the  whore's  golden  cup,  and  drink  of  the  wine  of  the 
wrath  of  God  Almighty  with  them  ?  O  poor  hungry  honour !  O 
cursed  pleasure  !  and  O  damnable  ease,  bought  with  the  loss  of  God  ! 
How  many  shall  pray  for  you !  what  a  sweet  presence  shall  ye  find 
of  Christ  under  your  sufferings,  if  ye  shall  lay  down  your  honours  and 
place  at  the  feet  of  Christ !  what  a  fair  recompence  of  reward !  I 
avouch  before  the  Lord,  that  I  am  now  shewing  you  a  way  how  the 
house  of  Craighall  may  stand  on  sure  pillars ;  if  ye  will  set  it  on  rot- 
ten pillars,  ye  cruelly  wrong  your  posterity  ;  ye  have  the  word  of  a 
King  for  an  hundred  fold  more  in  this  life  (if  it  be  good  for  you,)  and 
for  life  everlasting  also.  Make  not  Christ  a  liar,  in  distrusting  his 
promise.  Kings  of  clay  cannot  back  you,  when  you  stand  before 
him  :  a  straw  for  them  and  their  hungry  heaven,  that  standeth  on  this 
side  of  time ;  a  fig  for  the  day's  smile  of  a  worm.  Consider  who 
have  gone  before  you  to  eternity,  and  would  have  given  a  world  for  a 
new  occasion  of  avouching  that  truth  :  it  is  true,  they  call  it  not  sub- 
stantial, and  we  are  made  a  scorn  to  those  that  are  at  ease,  for  suffer- 
ing these  things  for  it ;  but  it  is  not  time  to  judge  of  our  losses  by  the 
morning :  stay  till  the  evening,  and  we  shall  count  with  the  best  of 
them.  I  have  found  by  experience,  since  the  time  of  my  imprison- 
ment, (my  witness  is  above,)  Christ  sealing  this  honourable  cause 
with  another,  and  a  nearer  fellowship  than  ever  I  knew  before,  and  let 
God  weigh  me  in  an  even  balance  in  this,  if  I  would  exchange  the  cross 
of  Christ  or  his  truth,  with  the  fourteen  prelacies,  or  what  else  a  king 
can  give.  My  dear  Lord,  venture  to  take  the  wind  on  your  face  for 
Christ ;  I  believe,  if  he  should  come  from  heaven  in  his  own  person, 
and  seek  the  charters  of  Craighall  from  you,  and  a  dismission  of  your 
place,  and  ye  saw  his  face,  ye  would  fall  down  at  his  feet,  and  say. 
Lord  Jesus,  it  is  too  little  for  thee.  If  any  man  think  it  not  a  truth  to 
die  for,  I  am  against  him  :  I  dare  go  to  eternity  with  it,  that  this  day 
the  honour  of  our  royal  Lawgiver  and  King,  in  the  government  of 
his  own  free  kingdom  (who  should  pay  tribute  to  no  dying  king)  is  the 


PART    I.  LETTER  CCX.  285 

true  slate  of  the  question.  My  lord,  be  ye  upon  Christ's  side  of  it, 
and  take  the  word  of  a  poor  prisoner ;  nay  the  Lord  Jesus  be  surety 
for  it,  ye  have  incomparably  made  the  wisest  choice !  for  my  own 
part  I  have  been  in  this  prison  that  I  would  be  half  ashamed  to  seek 
more  till  I  be  up  at  the  well  head.  Few  know  in  this  world  the  sweet- 
ness of  Christ's  breath,  the  excellency  of  his  love,  which  hath  neither 
brim  nor  bottom  ;  the  world  hath  raised  a  slander  upon  the  cross  of 
Christ,  because  they  love  to  go  to  heaven  by  dry  land,  and  love  not 
sea  storms ;  but  I  write  it  under  my  hand  (and  would  say  more,  if 
possibly  a  reader  would  not  deem  it  hypocrisy)  my  obligation  to  Christ 
for  the  smell  of  his  garments,  for  his  love  kisses,  these  thirty  weeks, 
standeth  so  great,  that  I  should,  and  I  desire  also  to  choose  to  suspend 
my  salvation,  to  have  many  tongues  loosed  in  my  behalf  to  praise 
him ;  and  suppose  in  person  I  never  entered  within  the  gates  of  the 
new  Jerusalem,  yet  so  being  Christ  may  be  set  on  high,  and  I  had  the 
liberty  to  cast  my  love  and  praises  for  ever  over  the  wall  to  Christ,  I 
would  be  silent  and  content.  But  0  he  is  more  than  my  narrow 
praises !  O  time,  time,  flee  swiftly,  that  our  communion  with  Jesus 
may  be  perfected  !  I  wish  your  Lordship  would  urge  Mr.  L.  to  give 
his  mind  in  the  ceremonies,  and  be  pleased  to  let  me  see  it  as  quickly 
as  can  be,  and  it  shall  be  answered.  To  his  rich  grace  I  recommend 
your  Lordship,  and  shall  remain, 

Your's  at  all  respective  obedience  in  Christ, '  S.  K. 

Aberdeen,  July  8,  1637. 


LETTER  CCX. 

To  the  Lady  Culross. 
MADAM, 

Your  letter  came  in  due  time  to  me,  now  a  prisoner  of  Christ,  and 
in  bonds  for  the  gospel.  I  am  sentenced  with  deprivation  and  con- 
finement within  the  town  of  Aberdeen :  but  oh  my  guiltiness,  the  fol- 
lies of  my  youth,  the  neglects  in  my  calling,  and  especially  in  not 
speaking  more  for  the  kingdom,  crown  and  sceptre  of  my  royal  and 
princely  King  Jesus,  do  so  stare  me  in  the  face,  that  I  apprehend  dan- 
ger in  that  which  is  a  crown  of  rejoicing  to  the  dear  saints  of  God  ! 
This,  before  my  compearance,  which  was  three  several  days,  did  trou- 
ble me,  and  burdeneth  me  more  now :  howbeit  Christ,  and,  in  him 
God  reconciled,  met  me  with  open  arms,  and  trysted  me,  precisely  at 
the  entry  of  the  door  of  the  chancellor's  hall,  and  assisted  me  to  an- 
swer so,  as  the  advantage  that  is,  is  not  theirs,  but  Christ's.  Alas  ! 
that  is  no  cause  of  wondering,  that  I  am  thus  borne  down  with  chal- 
lenges ;  for  the  world  hath  mistaken  me,  and  no  man  knoweth  what 
guiltiness  is  in  me,  so  well  as  these  two,  who  keep  my  eyes  now  wa- 
king, and  my  heart  heavy,  I  mean,  my  heart  and  conscience,  and  my 
Lord,  who  is  greater  than  my  heart.  Shew  your  brother,  that  I  de- 
sire him  w  hile  he  is  on  the  watch  tower,  to  plead  with  his  mother,  and 
to  plead  with  this  land,  and  spare  not  to  cry,  for  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus, 
his  fair  crown,  that  the  interdicted  and  forbidden  lords  are  plucking  oft' 
his  royal  head.     If  I  were  ii:ec  of  challenges  and  a  high  commission 


286  LETTER  CCXI.  PART  I, 

witljin  my  soul,  I  would  not  give  a  straw  to  go  to  my  Father's  house, 
through  ten  deaths,  for  the  truth  and  cause  of  my  lovely,  lovely  one, 
Jesufl  !  but  I  walk  in  heaviness  now.  If  ye  love  me,  and  Christ  in  me, 
my  dear  Lady,  pray,  pray  for  this  only,  that  bygones  betwixt  my  Lord 
and  me,  may  be  bygones  ;  and  that  he  would  pass  from  the  summons  of 
his  high  commission,  and  seek  nothing  from  me,  but  what  he  will  do  for 
me,  and  work  in  me.  If  your  Ladyship  knew  me,  as  I  do  myself,  ye 
would  say.  Poor  soul,  no  marvel.  It  is  not  my  apprehension  that 
createth  this  cross  to  me ;  it  is  too  real,  and  hath  sad  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  forbiddeth  to  add  affliction 
to  affliction,  will  he  do  it  himself?  why  should  he  pursue  a  dry  leaf 
and  stubble?  Desire  him  to  spare  me  now.  Also  the  memory  of  the 
fair  feast  days  that  Christ  and  I  had  in  his  banqueting-house  of  wine, 
and  the  scattered  flock  once  committed  to  me,  and  now  taken  off  my 
hand  by  himself,  because  1  was  not  so  faithful  in  the  end,  as  I  was  in 
the  first  two  years  of  my  entry,  when  sleep  departed  from  my  eyes, 
because  my  soul  was  taken  up  with  a  care  for  Christ's  lambs ;  even 
these  add  sorrow  to  my  sorrow.  Now  my  liOrd  hath  only  given  me 
this  to  say,  and  I  write  it  under  mine  own  hand,  (be  ye  the  Lord's 
servant's  witness,)  welcome,  welcome  sweet,  sweet  cross  of  Christ : 
welcome,  welcome,  fair,  fair,  lovely,  royal  King,  with  thine  own  cross  : 
let  us  all  three  go  to  heaven  together.  Neither  care  I  much  to  go 
from  the  South  of  Scotland  to  the  North  ;  and  to  be  Christ's  prisoner 
amongst  uncouth  faces  ;  a  place  of  this  kingdom,  which  I  have  little 
reason  to  be  in  love  with.  I  know,  Christ  shall  make  Aberdeen  my 
garden  of  delights.  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  Scotland  shall  eat  Eze- 
kiel's  book,  that  is  written  within  and  without,  lamentation  and  mourn- 
ing, and  woe,  Ezck.  ii.  10.  but  the  saints  shall  get  a  drink  of  the  well 
that  goeth  through  the  streets  of  the  new  Jerusalem,  to  put  it  down. 
Thus,  hoping  ye  will  think  upon  the  poor  prisoner  of  Christ,  I  pray, 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edinburgh,  July  30,  1636. 


LETTER  CCXL 

To  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Earlstoun. 
MUCH    HONOURED    SIR, 

I  FIND  small  hopes  of  Q's  business.  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,  sweet,  and  easy  is  the  cross  of  my  Lord :  all  men 
I  look  in  the  face,  (of  whatsoever  rank,  nobles  and  poor,  acquaintance 
and  strangers,)  are  friendly  to  me.  My  Well-beloved  is  some  kinder 
and  more  warmly  than  ordinary,  and  cometh  and  visiteth  my  soul ; 
my  chains  are  over-gilded  with  gold.  Only  the  remembrance  of  my 
fair  days  with  Christ  in  Anwoth,  and  of  my  dear  flock,  whose  case  is 
my  heart's  sorrow,  is  vinegar  to  my  sugared  wine  ;  yet  both  sweet  and 
sour  feed  my  soul.     No  pen,  no  words,  no  engine,  can  express  to  you 


PART  I.         LEtTER  CCXII,  CCXIII.  287 

the  loveliness  of  my  only,  only  Lord  Jesus.  Thus  in  haste,  making 
for  my  palace  at  Aberdeen,  I  bless  you,  your  wife,  your  eldest  son, 
and  other  children.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edinburgh,  Sept.  3,  1G3G. 


LETTER  CCXIL 

To  Robert  Gordon,  of  Knockbrex, 
MY  DEAREST  BROTHER, 

I  SEE  Christ  thinking  shame  (if  I  may  speak  so)  to  be  in  such  a 
poor  man's  common  as  mine.  I  burden  no  man  ;  I  want  nothing  ;  no 
face  hath  gloomed  upon  me  since  I  left  you  :  God's  sun  and  fair  wea- 
ther conveyeth  me  to  my  time-paradise  in  Aberdeen ;  Christ  hath  so 
handsomely  fitted  for  my  shoulders  tliis  rough  tree  of  the  cross,  as 
that  it  hurteth  me  no  ways.  My  treasure  is  up  in  Christ's  coffers ; 
my  comforts  are  greater  than  ye  can  believe  ;  my  pen  shall  lye  for 
penury  of  words  to  write  of  them.  God  knoweth,  I  am  filled  with 
the  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Only  the  memory  of  you,  my  dearest  in 
the  Lord,  my  flock  and  others,  keepeth  me  under,  and  from  being  ex- 
alted above  measure  ;  Christ's  sweet  sauce  hath  this  sour  mixed  with 
it ;  but  0  such  a  sweet  and  pleasant  taste  !  I  find  small  hopes  of  Q's 
matter.  Thus  in  haste.  Remember  me  to  your  wife,  and  to  William 
Gordon.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edinburgh,  Sept.  5,  1636. 


LETTER  CCXIIL 

To  my  Lord  Lowdon. 
RIGHT  HONOURABLE  AND  VERY  WORTHY  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Hearing  of  your  Lordship's 
zeal  and  courage  for  Christ  our  Lord,  in  owning  his  honourable  cause, 
I  am  bold  (and  I  plead  pardon  for  it)  to  speak  on  paper  by  a  line  or 
two  to  your  Lordship,  since  I  have  not  access  any  other  way,  be- 
seeching your  Lordship  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  by  the  everlasting 
peace  of  your  soul,  and  by  the  tears  and  prayers  of  our  mother-church, 
to  go  on  as  ye  have  worthily  begun,  in  purging  the  Lord's  house  in 
this  land,  and  pulling  down  the  sticks  of  Antichrist's  filthy  nest,  this 
wretched  prelacy,  and  that  black  kingdom,  whose  wicked  aims  have 
ever  been,  and  still  are,  to  make  this  fat  world  the  only  compass  they 
would  have  Christ  and  rehgion  to  sail  by  ;  and  to  mount  upon  the  man 
of  sin,  their  godfather  the  pope  of  Rome,  upon  tlie  highest  stair  of 
Christ's  throne,  and  to  make  a  velvet  church,  (in  regard  of  parliament 
grandeur  and  worldly  pomp,  whereof  always  their  stinking  breath 
smelleth)  and  put  Christ  and  truth  in  sackcloth  and  prison,  and  to  eat 
the  bread  of  adversity,  and  drink  the  water  of  alHiction  :  half  an  eye 
of  any,  not  misted  with  the  darkness  of  Antichristian  smoke,  may  -see 
it  thus  in  this  land  ;  and  now  our  Lord  hath  begun  to  awalicn  the  no- 
bles and  others,  to  plead  for  borne-down  Christ,  and  his  weeping  gos- 


288  LETTER  CCXIII.  PART  I. 

pel.     My  dear  and  noble  Lord,  the  eye  of  Christ  is  upon  you ;  the 
eyes   of  many  noble,  many  holy,  many  learned  and  riorthy  ones,  ia 
our  neighbour  churches  about,  are  upon  you      This  poor  church,  your 
mother  and  Christ's  spouse,  is  holding  up  her  hands  and  heart  to  God 
for  you,  and  doth  beseech  you  with  tears,  to  plead  for  her  husband,  his 
kingly  sceptre,  and  for  the  liberties  that  her  Lord  and  King  hath  given 
to  her  as  to  a  free  kingdom,  that  oweth  spiritual  tribute  to  none  on 
earth,  as  being  the  free-born  princess  and  daughter  to  the  King  of 
kings.     This  is  a  cause  that,  before  God,  his  angels,  the  world,  before 
sun  and  moon,  needeth  not  to  blush.     0  what  glory  and  true  honour 
is  it,  to  lend  Christ  your  hand  and  service,  and  to  be  amongst  the  re- 
pairers of  the  breaches  of  Zion's  walls,  and  to  help  to  build  the  old 
waste  places,  and  stretch  forth  the  curtains,  and  strengthen  the  stakes 
of  Christ's  tent  in  this  land !   0  blessed  are  they,  who,  when  Christ  is 
driven   away,  will  bring  him  back  again,  and  lend  him  lodging !  and 
blessed  are  ye  of  the  Lord  !  your  name  and  honour  shall  never  rot  nor 
wither  in  heaven  at  least,  if  ye  dehver  the  Lord's  sheep,  that  have  been 
scattered  in  the  dark  and  cloudy  day,  out  of  the  hands  of  strange  lords 
and  hirelings,  who  with  rigour  and  cruelty  have  caused  them  to  eat 
the  pastures  trodden  upon  with  their  foul  feet,  and  to  drink  muddy 
water,  and  who  have  spun  out  such  a  world  of  yards  of  indifferencies 
in  God's  worship,  to  make  and  weave  a  web  for  the  Antichrist,  (which 
shall  not  keep  any  from  the  cold,)  as  they  mind  nothing  else,  but  that, 
by  the  bringing  in  of  the  pope's  foul  tail  first  upon  us,  (their  wretched 
and  beggarly  ceremonies,)  they  may  thrust  in  after  them  the  Anti- 
christ's legs  and  thighs,  and  his  belly,  head,  and  shoulders  ;  and  then 
cry  down  Christ  and  the  gospel,  and  up  the  merchandize  and  wares  of 
the  great  whore.     Fear  not,  my  worthy  Lord,  to  give  yourself,  and  all 
ye  have,  out  for  Christ  and   his  gospel :  no  man  dare  say,  whoever 
did  thus  hazard  for  Christ,  that  Christ  paid  him  not  his  hundred  fold  in 
this  life,  duly,  and  in  the  life  to  come,  life  everlasting.     This  is  his 
own  truth  ye  now  plead  for  ;  for  God  and  man  cannot  but  commend 
you,  to  beg  justice  from  a  just  prince  for  oppressed  Christ ;  and  to 
plead  that  Christ,  who  is  the  king's  Lord,   may  be  heard  in  a  free 
court  to  speak  for  himself,  when  the  standing  and  established  laws  of 
our  nation  can  strongly  plead  for  Christ's  crown  in  the  pulpits,  and  his 
chair,  as  Lawgiver  in  the  free  government  of  his  own  house ;  but 
Christ  shall  never  be  content  and  pleased  with  this  land,  neither  shall 
his  hot  fiery  indignation  be  turned  away,  so  long  as  the  prelate,  (the 
man  that  lay  in  Antichrist's  foul  womb,  and  the  Antichrist's  Lord- 
bailiff,)  shall  sit  lord-carver  in  the  Lord  Jesus  his  courts ;  the  prelate 
is  both  the  egg  and  the  next  to  deck  and  bring  forth  popery :  plead, 
therefore,  in  Christ's  behalf,  for  the  plucking  down  of  the  nest,  and 
the  crushing  of  the  egg ;  and  let  Christ  s  kingly  office  sutVer  no  more 
unworthy  indignities.     Be  valiant  for  your  royal  King  Jesus ;  con- 
tend for  him  :  your  adversaries  shall  be  moth-eaten  worms,  and  die  as 
men.     Christ  and  his  honour  now  lieth  on  your  shoulders,  let  him  not 
fall  to  the  ground  ;  cast  your  eye  upon  him,  who  is  quickly  coming  to 
decide  all  the  controversies  in  Zion  ;  and  remember,  the  sand  in  your 
night-glass  ^^ ill  run  out ;  time  with  wings  will  flee  away,  eternity  is 


PART  I.  LETTER  CCXIV.  289 

hard  upon  you  ;  and  what  will  Christ's  love-smiles,  and  the  light  of 
his  lovely  and  soul-delighting  countenance  be  to  you  in  that  day,  when 
God  shall  take  up  in  his  right  hand  this  little  lodge  of  heaven,  (Hke  as 
a  shepherd  lifteth  up  his  little  tent,)  and  fold  together  the  two  leaves 
of  this  tent,  and  put  the  earth  and  all  the  plenishing  of  it  into  a  fire, 
and  turn  this  clay-idol,  the  God  of  Adam's  sons,  into  smoke  and  white 
ashes  !  O  !  what  hire  and  how  many  worlds  would  many  then  give  to 
have  a  favourable  decreet  of  the  Judge  ?  or  what  moneys  would  they 
not  give,  to  buy  a  mountain,  to  be  a  grave  above  both  soul  and  body, 
to  hide  them  from  the  awsome  looks  of  an  angry  Lord  and  Judge  ?  I 
hope,  your  Lordship  thinketh  upon  this,  and  that  ye  mind  loyalty  to 
Christ,  and  to  the  king  both.  Now  the  very  God  of  peace,  the  only 
wise  God,  establish  and  strengthen  you  upon  the  Rock  laid  in  Zion. 
Your  lordship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  4,  1638. 


LETTER  CCXIV. 

To  a  Christian  Gentlewoman. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  not  acquainted,  yet, 
at  the  desire  of  a  Christian  brother,  I  thought  good  to  write  a  hne  unto 
you,  intreating  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  under  your  trials,  to  keep  an 
ear  open  to  Christ,  who  can  speak  for  himself,  howbeit  your  visita- 
tions, and  your  own  sense,  should  dream  hard  things  of  his  love  and 
favour.  Our  Lord  never  getteth  so  kind  a  look  of  us,  nor  our  love 
in  such  a  degree,  nor  our  faith  in  such  a  measure  of  steadfastness,  as 
he  getteth  out  of  the  furnace  of  our  tempting  fears  and  sharp  trials. 
I  verily  believe,  (and  too  sad  proofs  in  me  say  no  less,)  that  if  our 
Lord  would  grind  our  whorish  lust  in  powder,  the  very  old  ashes  of 
our  corruption  should  take  life  again,  and  live,  and  hold  us  under  so 
much  bondage,  that  may  humble  us,  and  make  us  sad,  till  we  be  in 
that  country  where  we  shall  need  no  physic  at  all.  O  what  violent 
means  doth  our  Lord  use  to  gain  us  to  him,  as  if  indeed  we  were  a 
prize  worthy  his  lighting  for !  And  be  sure,  if  leading  would  do  the 
turn,  he  would  not  use  pulling  of  the  hair,  and  drawing  :  but  the  best 
of  us  will  bide  a  strong  pull  of  our  Lord's  right  arm,  ere  we  will  fol- 
low him.  Yet  I  say  not  this,  as  if  our  Lord  always  measured  afflic- 
tions by  so  many  ounce-weights,  answerable  to  the  grain-weights  of 
our  guiltiness  :  I  know  he  doth  in  many,  (and  possibly  in  you,)  seek 
nothing  so  much  as  faith,  that  can  endure  summer  and  winter  in  their 
extremity.  0  how  precious  to  the  Lord  is  faith  and  love,  that  when 
threshed,  beaten,  and  chased  away,  and  boasted,  as  it  were,  by  God 
himself,  doth  yet  look  warm-like,  love-like,  kind-like,  and^ife-like 
home  over  to  Christ,  and  would  be  in  at  him,  ill  and  well  as  it  may 
be !  Think  not  much,  that  your  husband,  or  the  nearest  to  you  in  the 
world,  proveth  to  have  the  bowels  and  mercy  of  the  ostrich,  hard,  and 
rigorous,  and  cruel ;  for  Psalm  xxvii.  10,  the  Lord  taketh  up  such 
fallen  ones  as  these.  I  could  not  wish  a  more  sweet  life,  nor  more 
satisfying  expressions  of  kindness,  till  I  be  up  at  that  Prince  of  kind- 

37 


290  LETTER  CCXIV.  PART  I. 

ness,  than  the  Lord's  saints  find,  when  the  Lord  taketh  up  men's 
refuse,  and  lodgeth  this  world's  outlaws,  whom  no  man  seeketh  after. 
His  breath  is  never  so  hot,  his  love  casteth  never  such  a  flame,  as 
when  this  world,  and  those  who  should  be  the  helpers  of  our  joy,  cast 
water  on  our  coal.  It  is  a  sweet  thing  to  see  them  cast  out,  and  God 
take  in ;  and  to  see  them  throw  us  away,  as  the  refuse  of  men,  and 
God  take  us  up  as  his  jewels  and  treasure.  Often  he  maketh  gold  of 
dross,  as  once  he  made  the  cast-away  stone,  the  stone  rejected  by  the 
builders,  the  Head  of  the  corner.  The  princes  of  this  world  would 
not  have  our  Lord  Jesus  a  pinning  in  the  wall,  or  to  have  any  place  in 
the  building  ;  but  the  Lord  made  him  the  Master-stone  of  power  and 
place.  God  be  thanked,  that  this  world  has  not  power  to  cry  us  down 
so  many  pounds,  as  rulers  cry  down  light  gold,  or  light  silver ;  we 
-shall  stand  for  as  much  as  our  Master-coiner,  Christ,  whose  coin, 
arms,  and  stamp  we  bear,  will  have  us  ;  Christ  hath  no  miscarrying 
balance.  Thank  your  Lord,  who  chaseth  your  love  through  two 
kingdoms,  and  followeth  you  and  it  over  sea,  to  have  you  for  himself, 
as  he  speaketh,  Hos.  iii.  For  God  layeth  up  his  saints,  as  the  wail 
and  the  choice  of  all  the  world,  for  himself;  and  this  is  like  Christ  and 
his  love.  O  what,  in  heaven  or  out  of  heaven,  is  comparable  to  the 
smell  of  Christ's  garments  !  Nay,  suppose  our  Lord  would  manifest 
his  art,  and  make  ten  thousand  heavens  of  good  and  glorious  things, 
and  of  new  joys,  devised  out  of  the  deep  of  infinite  wisdom,  he  could 
not  make  the  like  of  Christ ;  for  Christ  is  God,  and  God  cannot  be 
made  :  and,  therefore,  let  us  hold  us  with  Christ,  howbeit  we  might 
have  our  wail  and  will  of  a  host  of  lovers,  as  many  as  three  heavens 
could  contain ;  O  that  he  and  we  were  together !  O !  when  Christ 
)  and  ye  shall  meet  about  the  utmost  march  and  borders  of  time,  and 
\  the  entry  into  eternity,  ye  shall  see  heaven  in  his  face  at  the  first  look, 
and  salvation  and  glory  sitting  in  his  countenance,  and  betwixt  his 
eyes.  Faint  not ;  the  miles  to  heaven  are  but  few  and  short :  he  is 
making  a  green  bed  (as  the  word  speaketh,  Cant,  i.)  of  love,  for  him- 
self and  you  ;  there  are  many  heads  lying  in  Christ's  bosom,  but  there 
is  room  for  your's  among  the  rest ;  and  therefore  go  on,  and  let  hope 
go  before  you.  Sin  not  in  your  trials,  and  the  victory  is  your's.  Pray, 
wrestle,  and  beheve,  and  ye  shall  overcome  and  prevail  with  God,  as 
Jacob  did  :  no  windlestraws,  no  bits  of  clay,  no  temptations,  which 
are  of  no  longer  life  than  an  hour,  will  then  be  able  to  withstand  you, 
when  once  ye  have  prevailed  with  God.  Help  me  with  your  prayers, 
that  it  would  please  the  Lord  to  give  me  house-room  again,  to  speak 
of  his  righteousness  in  the  great  congregation,  if  it  may  seem  good 
m  his  sight.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  1637. 


PART  SECOND, 


CONTAINING 


Some  letters  of  the  same  author,  from  Axwoth,  before  his 

CONFINEMENT  AT  ABERDEEN  ;  ARD  OTHERS  FROM  St.  AndrEw's, 

London,  &c.  after  his  enlargement. 


LETTER  L 

To  the  Viscountess  of  Kenmuie. 
MADAM, 

All  dutiful  obedience  in  the  Lord  remembered  :  I  have  heard  of 
your  Ladyship's  infirmity  and  sickness,  with  grief;  yet  I  trust  ye  have 
learned  to  say.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  whatsoever  seemeth  good 
in  his  eyes.  It  is  now  many  years  since  the  apostate  angels  made  a 
question,  whether  their  will  or  the  will  of  their  Creator  should  be 
done  ;  and  since  that  time,  froward  mankind  hath  always  in  that  same 
suit  of  law  compeared  to  plead  with  them  against  God,  in  daily  repin- 
ing against  his  will :  but  the  Lord  being  both  party  and  judge,  hath 
obtained  a  decreet,  and  saith,  Isa.  xlvi.  10.  *  My  counsel  shall  stand, 
and  I  will  do  all  my  pleasure.'  It  is  then  best  for  us,  in  the  obedience 
of  faith,  and  in  an  holy  submission,  to  give  that  to  God,  which  the 
law  of  his  Almighty  and  just  power  will  have  of  us.  Therefore, 
Madam,  your  Lord  willeth  you,  in  all  states  of  life,  to  say.  Thy  will 
be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven ;  and  herein  shall  ye  have  comfort, 
that  he  who  seeth  perfectly  through  all  your  evils,  and  knoweth  the 
frame  and  constitution  of  your  nature,  and  what  is  most  healthful  for 
your  soul,  holdeth  every  cup  of  affliction  to  your  head,  with  his  own 
gracious  hand.  Never  believe,  that  your  tender-hearted  Saviour,  who 
knoweth  the  strength  of  your  stomach,  will  mix  that  cup  with  one 
drachm-weight  of  poison.  Drink  then  with  the  patience  of  the 
saints ;  and  the  God  of  patience  bless  your  physic.  I  have  heard 
your  Ladyship  complain  of  deadness,  and  want  of  the  bestirring 
power  of  the  life  of  God ;  but  courage  ;  he  who  walketh  in  the 
garden,  and  made  a  noise  that  made  Adam  hear  his  voice,  will  also  at 
some  times  walk  in  your  soul,  and  make  you  hear  a  more  sweet  word  ; 
yet  ye  will  not  always  hear  the  noise  and  the  din  of  his  feet,  when  he 
walketh.  Ye  are  at  such  a  time  like  Jacob  mourning  at  the  supposed 
death  of  Joseph,  when  Joseph  was  living.  The  new  creature,  the 
image  of  the  second  Adam,  is  living  in  you  ;  and  yet  ye  are  mourn- 
ing at  the  supposed  death  of  the  life  of  Christ  in  you.  Ephraim  is 
bemoaning  and  mourning,  Jer.  xxxi.  18.  when  he  thinketh  God  is  far 
off  and  heareth  not ;  and  yet  God  is  like  the  Bridegroom,  Cant.  ii. 
standing  only  behind  a  thin  wall,  and  laying  to  his  ear  ;  for  he  saith 
himself,  ver.  18.  I  have  surely  heard  Ephraim  bemoaning  himself. 
I  have  good  confidence.  Madam,  that  Christ  Jesus,  whom  your  soul 
through  forests  and  mountains  is  seeking,  is  within  you :  and  yet  I 
speak  not  this,  to  lay  a  pillow  under  your  head,  or  to  dissuade  you 


292  LETTER    I.  PART  11, 

from  an  holy  fear  of  the  loss  of  your  Christ,  or  of  provoking  and  stir- 
ring up  the  Beloved  before  he  please,  by  sin.  I  know,  in  spiritual 
confidence,  the  devil  will  come  in,  as  in  all  other  good  works,  and  cry, 
half  mine  ;  and  so  endeavour  to  bring  you  under  a  fearful  sleep,  till 
he  whom  your  soul  loveth  be  departed  from  the  door,  and  have  left  oft' 
knocking ;  and  therefore,  here  the  Spirit  of  God  must  hold  your 
soul's  feet  in  the  golden  mid-line,  betwixt  confident  resting  in  the 
arms  of  Christ,  and  presumptuous  and  drowsy  sleeping  in  the  bed  of 
fleshly  security.  Therefore,  worthy  Lady,  so  count  little  of  yourself, 
because  of  your  own  wretchedness  and  sinful  drowsiness,  that  ye 
count  not  also  little  of  God  in  the  course  of  his  unchangeable  mercy ; 
for  there  be  many  Christians,  most  like  unto  young  sailors,  who  think 
the  shore  and  the  whole  land  doth  move,  when  the  ship  and  they 
themselves  are  moved ;  just  so,  not  a  few  do  imagine  that  God  mov- 
eth  and  faileth,  and  changeth  places,  because  their  giddy  souls  are 
under  sail,  and  subject  to  alteration,  to  ebbing  and  flowing  ;  but  the 
foundation  of  the  Lord  abideth  sure.  God  knoweth,  that  ye  are  his 
own  ;  wrestle,  fight,  go  forward,  watch,  fear,  believe,  pray  ;  and  then 
ye  have  all  the  infallible  symptoms  of  one  of  the  elect  of  Christ 
within  you.  Ye  have  now,  Madam,  a  sickness  before  you  ;  and  also 
after  that,  a  death  :  gather  then  now  food  for  the  journey.  God  give 
you  eyes  to  see  through  sickness  and  deatli,  and  to  see  something 
beyond  death.  I  doubt  not,  but  if  hell  were  betwixt  you  and  Christ, 
as  a  river  which  ye  behoved  to  cross,  ere  ye  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  himself  in  the  deepest  of  the  river, 
and  lend  you  his  hand.  Now  I  believe,  your  hell  is  dried  up,  and  ye 
have  only  these  two  shallow  brooks,  sickness  and  death,  to  pass 
through  ;  and  ye  have  also  a  promise,  that  Christ  shall  do  more  than 
meet  you,  even  that  he  shall  come  himself  and  go  with  you  foot  for 
foot,  yea,  and  bear  you  in  his  arms.  O  then !  O  then,  for  the  joy 
that  is  set  before  you,  for  the  love  of  the  man  (who  is  also  God  over 
all,  blessed  for  ever)  that  is  standing  upon  the  shore  to  welcome  you, 
run  your  race  with  patience.  The  Lord  go  with  you.  Your  Lord 
will  not  have  you,  nor  any  of  his  servants,  to  exchange  for  the  worse. 
Death  in  itself  includeth  both  the  death  of  the  soul,  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  compass  :  so  that  when 
ye  die,  a  piece  of  death  shall  only  seize  upon  you,  or  the  least  part  of 
you  shall  die,  and  that  is  the  dissolution  of  the  body  :  for  in  Christ  ye 
are  delivered  from  the  second  death :  and  therefore,  as  one  born  of 
God,  commit  not  sin,  although  ye  cannot  live  and  not  sin,  and  that 
serpent  shall  but  eat  your  earthly  part.  As  for  your  soul,  it  is  above 
the  law  of  death  ;  but  it  is  fearful  and  dangerous,  to  be  a  debtor  and 
servant  to  sin ;  lor  the  count  of  sin  ye  will  not  be  able  to  make  good 
before  God,  except  Christ  both  count  and  pay  for  you.  I  trust  also. 
Madam,  that  ye  will  be  careful  to  present  to  the  Lord  the  present 
estate  of  this  decaying  kirk ;  for  what  shall  be  concluded  in  parlia- 
ment anent  her,  the  Lord  knoweth  :  sure  I  am,  the  decree  of  a  most 
fearful  parliament  in  heaven  is  at  the  very  point  of  coming  forth,  be- 


PART  11.  LETTER  II.  293 

cause  of  the  sins  of  the  land  :  for  *  we  have  cast  away  the  law  of  the 
Lord,  and  despised  the  words  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,'  Isa.  v.  24. 
'  Judgment  is  turned  away  backward,  and  justice  standeth  afar  off; 
truth  is  fallen  in  the  streets,  and  equity  cannot  enter,'  Isa.  lix.  14. 
Lo,  the  prophet,  as  if  he  had  seen  us  and  our  kirk,  resembleth  justice 
to  be  handled  as  an  enemy,  holden  out  at  the  ports  of  our  city,  so  is 
she  banished  :  and  truth  to  a  person  sickly  and  diseased,  fallen  down 
in  a  deadly  swooning  fit,  in  the  streets,  before  he  can  come  to  an 
house.  The  priests  have  caused  many  to  stumble  at  the  law,  and 
have  corrupted  the  covenant  of  Levi,  Mai.  ii.  8.  But  what  will  they 
do  in  the  end  ?  Jer.  v.  31.  Therefore  give  the  Lord  no  rest  for 
Zion.  Stir  up  your  husband,  your  brother,  and  all  with  whom  ye  are 
in  favour  and  credit,  to  stand  upon  the  Lord's  side,  against  Baal.  I 
have  good  hope,  your  husband  loveth  the  peace  and  prosperity  of 
Zion  :  the  peace  of  God  be  upon  him,  for  his  intended  courses,  anent 
the  establishment  of  a  powerful  ministry  in  this  land.  Thus,  not 
willing  to  weary  your  Ladyship  farther,  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  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  Ladyship's  servant  at  all  dutiful  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Aiiwoth,  July  27,  1628. 


LETTER  II. 

To  the  Parishioners  of  Kilmacolme. 
WORTHY  AND  WELL-BELOVED  IN  CHRIST  JESUS  OUR  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  letters  could  not  come 
to  my  hand  in  a  greater  throng  of  business,  than  I  am  now  pressed 
with  at  this  time,  when  our  kirk  requireth  the  public  help  of  us  all ; 
yet  I  cannot  but  answer  the  heads  of  both  your  letters,  with  provision 
that  ye  choose,  after  this,  a  fitter  time  for  writing.  1.  I  would  not 
have  you  pitch  upon  me,  as  the  man  able  by  letters  to  answer  doubts 
of  this  kind,  while  there  are  in  your  bounds  men  of  such  great  parts, 
most  able  for  this  work.  I  know  the  best  are  unable  ;  yet  it  pleaseth 
that  spirit  of  Jesus,  to  blow  his  sweet  wind  through  a  piece  of  dry 
stick,  that  the  empty  reed  may  keep  no  glory  to  itself;  but  a  minister 
can  make  no  such  wind  as  this  to  blow,  he  is  scarce  able  to  lend  it  a 
passage  to  blow  through  him.  2.  Know  that  the  wind  of  this  Spirit 
hath  a  time,  when  it  bloweth  sharp,  and  pierceth  so  strongly,  that  it 
would  blow  through  an  iron  door  ;  and  this  is  commonly  rather  under 
suffering  for  Christ,  than  at  any  other  time.  Sick  children  get  of 
Christ's  pleasant  things,  to  play  them  withal,  because  Jesus  is  most 
tender  of  the  sufferer,  for  he  was  a  sufferer  himself.  0  if  I  had  but 
the  leavings  and  the  drawing  of  the  by-board  of  a  sufferer's  table  ! 
But  I  leave  this  to  answer  yours.  1.  Ye  write,  That  God's  vows  are 
lying  on  you ;  and  security  strong,  and  sib  to  nature,  stealing  on  you 
who  are  weak.  I  answer,  1.  Till  we  be  in  heaven,  the  best  have 
heavy  heads,  as  is  evident.  Cant.  v.  1.  Psal.  xxx.  6.  Job  xxix.  18, 
Matth.  xxvi.  33.  Nature  is  a  sluggard,  and  loveth  not  the  labour  of 
religion  :  therefore  rest  should  not  be  taken,  till  we  know  the  disease 


'i94  LETTER  II. 


PART    II. 


be  over,  and  in  the  way  of  turning,  and  that  it  is  like  a  fever  past  the 
cool  ;  and  the  quietness  and  calms  of  the  faith  of  victory  over  cor- 
ruption, would  be  entertained  in  the  place  of  security  ;  so  that  if  I 
sleep,  I  would  desire  to  sleep  faith's  sleep  in  Christ's  bosom.  2. 
Know  also,  none  that  sleep  sound  can  seriously  complain  of  sleepi- 
ness :  sorrow  for  a  slumbering  soul,  is  a  token  of  some  watchfulness 
of  spirit ;  but  this  is  soon  turned  into  wantonness  as  grace  in  us  too 
often  is  abused,  therefore  our  waking  must  be  watched  over,  else  sleep 
will  even  grow  out  of  watching  ;  and  there  is  as  much  need  to  watch 
over  grace,  as  to  watch  over  sin  :  full  men  will  soon  sleep,  and 
sooner  than  hungry  men.  3.  For  your  weakness  to  keep  off  secu- 
rity, that  like  a  thief  stealeth  upon  you,  I  would  say  two  things  :  1. 
To  want  complaints  of  weakness,  is  for  heaven,  and  angels  that  never 
sinned,  not  for  Christians  in  Christ's  camp  on  the  earth  :  I  think  our 
weakness  maketh  us  the  church  of  the  redeemed  ones,  and  Christ's 
field  that  the  Mediator  should  labour  in.  If  there  were  no  diseases 
on  earth,  there  needed  no  physicians  on  earth.  If  Christ  had  cried 
down  weakness,  he  might  have  cried  down  his  own  calling ;  but 
weakness  is  our  Mediator's  world  :  sin  is  Christ's  only,  only  fair  and 
market.  No  man  should  rejoice  at  weakness  and  diseases ;  but  I 
think,  we  may  have  a  sort  of  gladness  at  boils  and  sores,  because, 
without  them,  Christ's  fingers,  as  a  slain  Lord,  should  never  have 
touched  our  skin.  I  dare  not  thank  myself,  but  I  dare  thank  God's 
depth  of  wise  providence,  that  I  have  an  errand  in  me,  while  I  five, 
for  Christ  to  come  and  visit  me,  and  bring  with  him  his  drugs  and  his 
balm.  O  how  sweet  is  it  for  a  sinner  to  put  his  weakness  in  Christ's 
strengthening  hand,  and  to  father  a  sick  soul  upon  such  a  Physician, 
and  to  lay  weakness  before  him,  to  weep  upon  him,  and  to  plead  and 
pray  !  Weakness  can  speak  and  cry,  when  we  have  not  a  tongue, 
Ezek.  xvi.  6.  '  And  when  I  passed  by  thee,  and  saw  thee  polluted  in 
thine  own  blood,  I  said  unto  thee,  when  thou  Avas  in  thy  blood,  live.' 
The  kirk  could  not  speak  one  word  to  Christ  then;  but  blood  and 
guiltiness  out  of  measure  spake,  and  drew  out  of  Christ  pity,  and  a 
word  of  life  and  love.  2.  For  weakness,  we  have  it,  that  we  may 
employ  Christ's  strength  because  of  our  weakness  :  weakness  is  to 
make  us  the  strongest  things ;  that  is,  when  having  no  strength  of 
our  own,  we  are  carried  upon  Christ's  shoulders,  and  walk  as  it  were 
upon  his  legs  :  if  our  sinful  weakness  swell  up  to  the  clouds,  Christ's 
strength  will  swell  up  to  the  sun,  and  far  above  the  heaven  of  heavens. 
2.  Ye  tell  me,  that  there  is  need  of  counsel  for  strengthening  of  new 
beginnners.  I  can  say  little  to  that,  who  am  not  well  begun  myself: 
but  I  know,  honest  beginnings  are  nourished  by  him,  even  by  lovely 
Jesus,  who  never  yet  put  out  a  poor  man's  dim  candle,  who  is  wrest- 
ling betwixt  light  and  darkness.  I  am  sure,  if  new  beginners  would 
urge  themselves  upon  Christ,  and  press  their  souls  upon  him,  and  im- 
portune him  for  a  draught  of  his  sweet  love,  they  could  not  come 
wrong  to  Christ ;  come  once  in  upon  the  right  nick  and  step  of  his 
lovely  love,  and  I  defy  you  to  get  free  of  him  again  :  If  any  begin- 
ners fall  off"  Christ  again,  and  miss  him,  they  never  lighted  upon 
Christ  as  Christ ;  it  was  but  an  idol,  like  Jesus,  they  took  for  him. 


PART  II.  LETTER  II.  295 

3.  Whereas  ye  complain  of  a  dead  ministry  in  your  bounds ;  ye 
are  to  remember  that  the  Bible  among  you  is  the  contract  of  mar- 
riage ;  and  the  manner  of  Christ's  conveying  his  love  to  your  heart 
is  not  so  absolutely  dependent  upon  even  lively  preaching,  as  that 
there  is  no  conversation  at  all,  no  life  of  God,  but  that,  that  is  tied 
to  a  man's  lips  :  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem  have  done  often  that 
which  the  watchmen  could  not  do.  Make  Christ  your  minister,  he 
can  woo  a  soul  at  a  dyke-side  in  the  field ;  he  needeth  not  us,  how- 
beit  the  flock  be  obliged  to  seek  him  in  the  shepherds'  tents.  Hun- 
ger of  (  hrist's  making  may  thrive,  even  unto  stewards  who  mind  not 
the  feeding  of  the  flock.  O  blessed  soul,  that  can  leap  over  a  man, 
and  look  above  a  pulpit  up  to  Christ,  who  can  preach  home  to  the 
heart,  howbeit  we  are  all  dead  and  rotten  !  4.  So  to  complain  of 
yourself,  as  to  justify  God,  is  right ;  providing  ye  justify  his  Spirit  in 
yourself:  for  men  seldom  advocate  against  Satan's  work  and  sin  in 
themselves,  but  against  God's  work  in  themselves  :  some  of  the  peo- 
ple of  God  slander  God's  grace  in  their  souls,  as  some  wretches  use 
to  do,  who  complain  and  murmur  of  want :  I  have  nothing,  say  they, 
all  is  gone,  the  ground  yieldeth  but  weeds  and  windlestraws  ;  when 
as  their  fat  harvest,  and  their  money  in  bank  maketh  them  liars.  But 
for  myself,  alas  !  I  think  it  is  not  my  sin,  I  have  scarce  wit  to  sin  this 
sin ;  but  I  advise  you  to  speak  good  of  Christ  for  his  beauty  and 
sweetness,  and  speak  good  of  him  for  his  grace  to  yourselves.  5. 
Light  reraaineth,  ye  say,  but  ye  cannot  attain  to  painfulness  :  See  if 
this  complaint  be  not  booked  in  the  New  Testament ;  and  the  place 
Rom.  vii.  18.  is  like  this,  '  To  will  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  per- 
form that  which  is  good  I  know  not.'  But  every  one  hath  not  Paul's 
spirit  in  complaining ;  for  often  in  us  complaining  is  but  an  humble 
back-biting  and  traducing  of  Christ's  new  work  in  the  soul.  But  for 
the  matter  of  the  complaint,  I  would  say,  the  light  of  glory  is  per- 
fectly obeyed  in  loving,  and  praising,  and  rejoicing,  and  resting  in  a 
seen  and  known  Lord  :  but  that  light  is  not  hereaway  in  any  clay- 
body  ;  for,  while  we  are  here,  light  is  in  the  most  part  broader  and 
longer  than  our  narrow  and  feckless  obedience  ;  but  if  there  be  light, 
with  a  fair  train  and  a  great  back,  I  mean,  armies  of  challenging 
thoughts,  and  sorrow  for  coming  short  of  performance  in  what  we 
know  and  see  ought  to  be  performed,  then  that  sorrow  for  not  doing 
is  accepted  of  our  Lord  for  doing :  our  honest  sorrow  and  sincere 
aims,  together  with  Christ's  intercession,  pleading  that  God  would 
welcome  that  which  we  have,  and  forgive  what  we  have  not,  must  be 
our  life,  till  we  be  over  the  bound  road,  and  in  the  otiier  country, 
where  the  law  will  get  a  perfect  soul.  6.  In  Christ's  absence,  there 
is  (as  ye  write)  a  willingness  to  use  means,  but  heaviness  after  the 
use  of  them,  because  of  the  formal  and  slight  performance.  In 
Christ's  absence,  I  confess,  the  work  lyeth  behind  ;  but  if  ye  meaa 
absence  of  comfort,  and  absence  of  sense  of  his  sweet  presence,  I 
thmk  that  absence  is  Christ's  trying  of  us,  not  simply  our  sin  against 
him  ;  therefore,  howbeit  our  obedience  be  not  sugared  and  sweetened 
with  joy  ;  (which  is  the  sweet-meat  children  would  still  be  at ;)  yet 
the  less  sense,  and  the  more  wiUingness  in  obeying,  the  less  formalitv 


296  LETTER   11.  PART  II. 

in  our  obedience,  howbeit  we  think  not  so  ;  for  I  believe,  many  think 
obedience  formal  and  lifeless,  except  the  wind  be  fair  in  the  west,  and 
sails  filled  with  joy  and  sense,  till  souls,  like  a  ship,  fair  before  the 
wind,  can  spread  no  more  sail :  but  I  am  not  of  their  mind,  who  think 
so.  But  if  ye  mea.n,  by  absence  of  Christ,  the  withdrawing  of  his 
working  grace,  I  see  not  how  willingness  to  use  means  can  be  at  all 
under  such  an  absence  :  therefore,  be  humbled  for  heaviness  in  that 
obedience,  and  thankful  for  willingness  ;  for  the  Bridegroom  is  busk- 
ing his  spouse  oftentimes,  while  she  is  half  sleeping  ;  and  your  Lord 
is  working  and  helping  more  than  ye  see.  Also  I  recommend  to  you 
heaviness  for  formality,  and  for  lifeless  deadness  in  obedience  :  be 
casten  down,  as  much  as  ye  will  or  can,  for  deadness  ;  and  challenge 
that  slow  and  dull  carcase  of  sin,  that  will  neither  lead  nor  drive,  in 
your  spiritual  obedience.  O  how  sweet  to  lovely  Jesus  are  bills  and 
grievances,  given  in  against  corruption  and  the  body  of  sin !  I  would 
have  Christ,  in  such  a  case  !  fashed,  if  I  may  speak  so,  and  deaved 
with  our  cries,  as  ye  see  the  apostle  doth.  Rom.  vii.  24.  '  O  wretched 
man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  1" 
Protestations  against  the  law  of  sin  in  you,  are  law  grounds  why  sin 
can  have  no  law  against  you  :  seek  to  have  your  protestation  dis- 
cussed and  judged,  and  then  shall  ye  find  Christ  on  your  side  of  it. 
7.  Ye  hold,  that  Christ  must  either  have  hearty  service,  or  no  service 
at  all.  If  ye  mean,  he  will  not  half  a  heart,  or  have  feigned  service, 
such  as  the  hypocrites  give  him,  I  grant  you  that ;  Christ  must  have 
honesty  or  nothing :  but  if  ye  mean,  he  will  have  no  service  at  all, 
where  the  heart  draweth  back  in  any  measure  ;  I  would  not  that  were 
true,  for  my  part  of  heaven,  and  all  that  I  am  worth  in  the  world.  If 
)'e  mind  to  walk  to  heaven,  without  a  cramp  or  a  crook,  I  fear  you 
must  go  your  alone  :  he  knoweth  our  dross  and  defects ;  and  sweet 
Jesus  pitieth  us,  when  weakness  and  deadness  in  our  obedience  is  our 
cross,  and  not  our  darling.  8.  The  liar,  as  ye  write,  challengeth  the 
work  as  formal ;  yet  ye  bless  your  Cautioner  for  the  ground-work  he 
hath  laid,  and  dare  not  say,  but  ye  have  assurance  in  some  measure. 
To  this  I  say,  1.  It  shall  be  no  fault  to  save  Satan's  labour,  and  chal- 
lenge it  yourself,  or  at  least  examine  and  censure ;  but  beware  of 
Satan's  ends  in  challenging,  for  he  mindeth  to  put  Christ  and  you  at 
odds.  2.  Welcome  home  faith  in  Jesus,  who  washeth  still,  when  we 
have  defiled  our  souls,  and  made  ourselves  loathsome,  and  seek  still 
the  blood  of  atonement  for  faults  little  or  meikle.  Know  the  gate  to 
the  well,  and  lye  about  it.  3.  Make  meikle  of  assurance,  for  it 
keepeth  your  anchor  fixed.  9.  Out-breakings,  ye  say,  discourage 
you,  so  that  ye  know  not,  if  ever  ye  shall  win  again  to  such  overjoy- 
ing consolations  of  the  Spirit  in  this  life,  as  formerly  ye  had ;  and 
therefore  a  question  may  be.  If,  after  assurance  and  mortification,  the 
children  of  God  be  ordinarily  fed  with  sense  and  joy  1  I  answer,  I  see 
no  inconvenience  to  think  it  is  enough,  in  a  race,  to  see  the  gold  at 
the  starting  place,  howbeit  the  runners  never  get  a  view  of  it,  till  they 
come  to  the  rinks  end ;  and  that  our  wise  Lord  thinketh  it  fittest  we 
should  not  always  be  fingering  and  playing  with  Christ's  apples. 
Our  well-beloved,  I  know,  will  sport  and  play  with  his  bride,  as  much 


PART  II.  LETTER    III.  297 

as  he  thinketh  will  allure  her  to  the  rink's  end  :  yet  I  judge  it  not  un 
lawful  to  seek  renewed  consolations,  providing,  1.  The  heart  he  sub- 
missive, and  content  to  leave  the  measure  and  timeing  of  them  to 
him.  2.  Providing  they  be  sought,  to  excite  us  to  praise,  and 
strengthen  our  assurance,  and  sharpen  our  desires  after  himself.  3. 
Let  them  be  sought,  not  for  our  humours  or  swelling  of  nature,  but 
as  the  earnest  of  heaven ;  and  I  think  many  do  attain  to  greater  con- 
solations after  mortification,  than  ever  they  had  formerly.  But  I 
know,  our  Lord  walketh  here  still  by  a  sovereign  latitude,  and  keep- 
eth  not  the  same  way,  as  to  one  hair-breadth,  without  a  miss,  toward 
all  his  children.  As  for  the  Lord's  people  with  you,  I  am  not  the 
man  fit  to  speak  to  them.  I  rejoice  exceedingly,  that  Christ  is 
engaging  souls  amongst  you  :  but  I  know,  in  conversion  all  the  win- 
ning is  in  the  first  buying,  as  we  use  to  say,  for  many  lay  false  and 
bastard  foundations,  and  take  up  conversion  at  their  foot,  and  get 
Christ  for  as  good  as  half  nothing,  and  had  never  a  sick  night  for  sin, 
and  this  maketh  loose  work  :  I  pray  you  dig  deep  ;  Christ's  palace- 
work,  and  his  new  dweUing,  laid  upon  hell  felt  and  feared,  is  most 
firm  :  and  heaven,  grounded  and  laid  upon  such  a  hell,  is  surest  work, 
and  will  not  wash  away  with  winter  storms.  It  were  good  that  pro- 
fessors were  not  like  young  heirs  that  come  to  their  rich  estate,  long 
ere  they  come  to  their  wit ;  and  so  is  seen  on  it ;  the  tavern,  and  the 
cards,  and  the  harlots  steal  their  ridges  from  them,  ere  ever  they  be 
aware  what  they  are  doing.  I  know  a  Christ  bought  with  strokes  is 
sweetest.  4.  I  recommend  to  you  conference  prayers  at  private 
meetings  :  for  warrant  whereof,  see  Isa.  ii.  3.  Jer.  1,  4,  5.  Hos. 
ii.  1,  2.  Ezek.  viii.  20,  21,  22,  23.  Mai.  iii.  16.  Luke  xxiv.  13,  14, 
15,  16,  17.  John  xx.  19.  Acts  xii.  12.  Col.  iii.  16.  and  iv.  6. 
Ephes.  iv.  29.  1  Pet.  iv.  10.  1  Thes.  v.  14.  Heb.  iii.  13.  and  x.  25. 
Many  coals  make  a  good  fire,  and  that  is  a  part  of  the  communion  of 
saints.  I  must  entreat  you,  and  your  Christian  acquaintances  in  the 
parish,  to  remember  me  to  God  in  your  prayers,  and  my  flock  and 
ministry,  and  my  transportation  and  removal  from  this  place,  which  I 
fear  at  this  assembly  ;  and  be  earnest  with  God  lor  our  mother-kirk. 
For  want  of  time,  I  have  put  you  all  in  one  letter.  The  rich  grace 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anworth,  Aug.  15,  1629. 


LETTER  IIL 

To  a  Christian  Gentlewoman. 
JMISTRESS, 

Mr  love  in  Christ  remembered  to  you  :  I  was  indeed  sorrowful  at 
iTiy  departure  from  you,  especially  since  ye  were  in  such  heaviness 
after  your  daughter's  death  ;  yet  I  do  persuade  myself,  ye  know,  that 
the  weightiest  end  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  that  is  laid  upon  you,  lyeth 
upon  your  strong  Saviour ;  for  Isaiah  saith,  chap.  Ixiii.  9.  *  In  all 
your  afflictions  he  is  afflicted.'  O  blessed  Second,  who  suffereth  with 
vou !  and  glad  may  your  soul  be,  even  to  walk  in  the  fiery  furnace, 

3S 


298  LETTER  III.  PART  II. 

with  one  like  unto  the  Son  of  Man,  who  is  also  the  Son  of  God. 
Courage,  up  your  heart ;  when  ye  do  tire,  he  will  bear  both  you  and 
your  burden,  Psal.  Iv.  22.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  ye  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  God.  Remember  of  what  age  your  daughter  was,  so 
long  was  your  lease  of  her ;  if  she  was  eighteen,  nineteen,  or  twenty 
years  old,  I  know  not ;  sure  I  am,  seeing  her  term  was  come,  and 
your  lease  run  out,  ye  can  no  more  justly  quarrel  your  great  Superior 
for  taking  his  own,  at  his  just  term  day,  than  a  poor  farmer  can  com- 
plain, that  his  master  taketh  a  portion  of  his  own  land  to  himself, 
when  his  lease  is  expired.  Good  Mistress,  if  ye  would  not  be  con- 
tent that  Christ  would  hold  from  you  the  heavenly  inheritance,  which 
is  made  your's  by  his  death,  shall  not  that  same  Christ  think  hardly  of 
you,  if  you  refuse  to  give  him  your  daughter  willingly,  who  is  a  part 
of  his  inheritance  and  conquest  1  I  pray  the  Lord  to  give  you  all  your 
own,  and  to  grace  you  with  patience,  to  give  God  his  also :  he  is  an 
ill  debtor,  who  payeth  that  which  he  hath  borrowed  with  a  grudge ; 
indeed  that  long  loan  of  such  a  good  daughter,  an  heir  of  grace,  a 
member  of  Christ,  as  I  believe,  deserveth  more  thanks  at  your  Credi- 
tor's hand,  than  that  ye  should  gloom  and  murmur,  when  he  craveth 
but  his  own  ;  I  believe  ye  would  judge  them  to  be  but  thankless 
neighbours,  who  would  pay  you  a  sum  of  money  after  this  manner. 
But  what  1  do  ye  think  her  lost,  when  slie  is  but  sleeping  in  the  bo- 
som of  the  Almighty  1  Think  not  her  absent,  who  is  in  such  a  friend's 
house.  Is  she  lost  to  you,  who  is  found  to  Christ?  If  she  were  with 
a  dear  friend,  although  ye  should  never  see  her  again,  your  care  of 
her  would  be  but  small.  Oh,  now,  is  she  not  with  a  dear  friend,  and 
gone  higher,  upon  a  certain  hope  that  ye  shall,  in  the  resurrection,  see 
lier  again,  when,  be  ye  sure,  she  shall  neither  be  hectic,  nor  con- 
sumed in  body !  Ye  would  be  sorry  either  to  be,  or  be  esteemed,  an 
atheist;  and  yet  not  I,  but  the  apostle,  1  Thess.  iv.  13.  thinketh 
those  to  be  hopeless  atheists,  who  mourn  excessively  for  the  dead. 
But  this  is  not  a  challenge  on  my  part ;  I  do  speak  this  only  fearing 
your  weakness  ;  for  your  daughter  was  a  part  of  yourself ;  and,  there- 
fore, 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  self  love  in  us,  that  maketh  us  mourn  for  them 
that  die  in  the  Lord.  Why  ?  Because  for  them  we  cannot  mourn, 
since  they  are  never  happy,  till  they  be  dead  ;  therefore  we  mourn  for 
our  own  private  respect.  Take  heed  then,  that  in  showing  your  affec- 
tion in  mourning  for  your  daughter,  ye  be  not,  out  of  self-affection, 
mourning  for  yourself.  Consider  what  the  Lord  is  doing  in  it ;  your 
daughter  is  plucked  out  of  the  fire,  and  she  resteth  from  her  labours  ; 
and  your  Lord  in  that  is  trying  you,  and  casting  you  in  the  fire  ;  go 
through  all  fires  to  your  rest :  and  now  remember,  that  the  eye  of 
God  is  upon  the  burning  bush  and  not  consumed  ;  and  he  is  gladly 
content,  that  such  a  weak  woman  as  ye  should  send  Satan  away 
frustrate  of  his  design  :  now  honour  God,  and  shame  the  strong  roar- 
ing lion,  when  ye  seem  weakest.  Should  such  an  one  as  ye  faint  in 
the  day  of  adversity  1  Call  to  mind  the  days  of  old :   the  Lord  yet 


PART  II.  LETTER    IV.  299 

liveth  ;  trust  in  him,  although  he  should  slay  you.  Faith  is  exceed- 
ing charitable,  and  believeth  no  evil  of  God.  Now  is  the  Lord  lay- 
ing in  the  one  scale  of  the  balance,  your  making  conscience  of  sub- 
mission to  his  gracious  will  ;  and  in  the  other,  your  affection  and 
love  to  your  daughter  ;  which  of  the  two  will  ye  then  choose  to  sat- 
isfy ■?  Be  wise  then  ;  and  as  I  trust  ye  love  Christ  better  than  a  sinful 
woman,  pass  by  your  daughter,  and  kiss  the  Lord's  rod.  Men  do  lop 
the  branches  off  their  trees  round  about,  to  thd  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  ye  should  grow  upward,  like  one 
of  the  Lord's  cedars,  setting  your  heart  above,  where  Christ  is  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  Father.  What  is  next,  but  that  your  Lord  cut 
down  the  stock,  after  he  hath  cut  the  branches  ?  Prepare  yourself;  ye 
are  nearer  your  daughter  this  day,  than  you  were  yesterday  :  while  ye 
prodigally  spend  time  in  mourning  for  her,  ye  are  speedily  posting 
after  her.  Run  your  race  with  patience  ;  let  God  have  his  own,  and 
ask  of  him,  instead  of  your  daughter,  whom  he  hath  taken  from  you, 
the  daughter  of  faith,  which  is  patience  ;  and  in  patience  possess 
your  soul.  Lift  up  your  head  ;  ye  do  not  know  how  near  your 
redemption  doth  draw.  Thus,  recommending  you  to  the  Lord,  who 
is  able  to  establish  you,  I  rest, 

Your  loving  and  affectionate  friend  in  the  Lord  Jesus,     S.  R. 
Anwotb,  April  23.  1628. 


LETTER  ly. 

To  the  elect  and  noble  Lady,  my  Lady  Ketiraure. 
MADAM, 

Saluting  your  Ladyship  with  grace  and  mercy  from  God  our 
Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  I  was  sorry  at  my  depar- 
ture, leaving  your  Ladyship  in  grief;  and  would  still  be  grieved  at  it, 
if  I  were  not  assured,  that  ye  have  One  with  you  in  the  furnace,  whose 
visage  is  like  unto  the  Son  of  God.  I  am  glad  that  ye  have  been 
acquainted  from  your  youth  with  the  wrestlings  ofi  God  ;  and  that  ye 
get  scarce  liberty  to  swallow  down  your  spittle,  being  casten  from 
furnace  to  furnace,  knowing  if  ye  were  not  dear  to  God,  and  if  your 
health  did  not  require  so  much  of  him,  he  would  not  spend  so  much 
physic  upon  you.  All  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  Christ  must  be 
conform  to  his  image  and  copy,  in  suffering,  Rom.  viii.  and  some  do 
more  vively  resemble  the  copy  than  others.  Think,  Madam,  that  it 
is  a  part  of  your  glory,  to  be  enrolled  among  those  whom  one  of  the 
elders,  Rev.  vii.  14,  pointed  out  to  John,  '  These  are  they  which  came 
out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.'  Behold  your  tbrerunner  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 
afflictions  of  Christ,  in  your  body.  Ye  have  lost  a  child  ;  nay,  she  is 
not  lost  to  you,  who  is  found  to  Christ ;  she  is  not  sent  away,  but  only 
sent  before ;  like  unto  a  star,  which,  going  out  of  our  sight,  doth  not 
die  and  vanish,  but  shineth  in  another  hemisphere ;  yc  see  her  not. 


300  LETTER  IV.  PART   11. 

yet  she  doth  shine  in  another  country.  If  her  glass  was  but  a  short 
hour,  what  she  wanteth  of  time,  that  she  hath  gotten  of  eternity ; 
and  ye  have  to  rejoice,  that  ye  have  now  some  plenishing  up  in  hea- 
ven. Build  your  nest  upon  no  tree  here  ;  for  ye  see  God  hath  sold 
the  forest  to  death  ;  and  every  tree,  whereupon  we  would  rest,  is 
ready  to  be  cut  down,  to  the  end  we  might  flee  and  mount  up,  and 
build  upon  the  Rock,  and  dwell  in  the  holes  of  the  Rock.  What 
ye  love  besides  Jesus  your  husband,  is  an  adulterous  lover  :  now 
it  is  God's  special  blessing  to  Judah,  that  he  will  not  let  her  find 
her  paths  in  following  her  strange  lovers,  Hos.  ii.  6.  '  Therefore,  be- 
hold, I  will  hedge  up  her  way  with  thorns,  and  make  a  wall,  that  she 
shall  not  find  her  paths,  ver.  7.  And  she  shall  follow  after  her  lovers, 
but  she  shall  not  overtake  them.'  O  thrice  happy  Judah,  when  God 
buildeth  a  double  stone-wall  betwixt  her  and  the  fire  of  hell !  The 
world,  and  the  things  of  the  world.  Madam,  is  the  lover  ye  naturally 
afTect,  beside  your  own  husband,  Christ :  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,  loss  of  children,  weakness  of  body, 
iniquity  of  the  time,  uncertainty  of  estate,  lack  of  worldly  comfort, 
fear  of  God's  anger  for  old  unrepented-of  sins.  What  lose  ye,  if 
God  twist  and  plait  the  hedge  daily  thicker  ?  God  be  blessed,  the 
Lord  will  not  let  you  find  your  paths  :  return  to  your  first  husband  ; 
do  not  weary,  neither  think  that  death  walketh  toward  you  with  a 
slow  pace  :  ye  must  be  riper  ere  ye  be  shaken  ;  your  days  are  no 
longer  than  Job's,  that  were  swifter  than  a  post,  and  passed  away  as 
the  ships  of  desire,  and  as  the  eagle  that  hasteth  for  the  prey,  Job  ix. 
25,  26.  There  is  less  sand  in  your  glass  now,  than  there  was  yester- 
day ;  this  span-length  of  ever- posting  time  will  soon  be  ended  :  but 
the  greater  is  the  mercy  of  God,  the  more  years  ye  get  to  advise  upon 
what  terms,  and  upon  what  conditions,  ye  cast  your  soul  into  the  huge 
gulf  of  never-ending  eternity.  The  Lord  hath  told  you  what  ye 
should  be  doing  till  he  come  ;  wait  and  hasten,  saith  Peter,  for  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  ;  all  is  night  that  is  here,  in  respect  of  ignorance 
and  daily  ensuing  troubles,  one  always  making  way  to  another,  as  the 
ninth  wave  of  the  sea  to  the  tenth ;  therefore,  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  shadows  shall  flee  away.  Persuade 
yourself  the  King  is  coming  ;  read  his  letter  sent  before  him,  Rev. 
iii.  11.  Behold,  I  come  quickly:  wait  with  the  wearied  night-watch 
for  the  breaking  of  the  eastern  sky,  and  think  that  ye  have  not  a  mor- 
row ;  as  the  wise  father  said,  who,  being  invited  against  to-morrow 
to  dine  with  his  friends,  answered,  Those  many  days  I  had  no  morrow 
at  all.  I  am  loath  to  weary  you ;  shew  yourself  a  Christian,  by  suf- 
fering without  murmuring,  for  which  sin  fourteen  thousand  and  seven 
hundred  were  slain,  Numb.  xvi.  49.  In  patience  possess  your  soul ; 
they  lose  nothing,  who  gain  Christ.  Thus,  remembering  my  brother's 
and  my  wife's  humble  service  to  your  Ladyship ;  I  commend  you  to 
the  mercy  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  assuring  you,  that  your  day 
is  coming,  and  that  God's  mercy  is  abiding  you.  The  Lord  Jesus  bQ 
Avith  your  spirit. 

Yours  in  the  Lord  Jesus  at  all  dutiful  obedience,  S.  R. 


301 
LETTER  V. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Saluting  you  in  Jesus  Christ,  to  my  grief  I  must  bid  you,  (it  may 
be,)  for  ever  farewell  on  paper,  having  small  assurance  ever  to  see 
your  face  again,  till  the  last  general  assembly,  where  the  whole  church 
universal  shall  meet :  yet  promising  by  his  grace,  to  present  your 
Ladyship,  and  your  burdens,  to  him  who  is  able  to  save  you,  and  give 
you  an  inheritance  with  the  saints,  after  a  more  special  manner  than 
ever  I  have  done  before.  Ye  are  going  to  a  country  where  the  Sun 
of  righteousness  in  the  gospel  shineth  not  so  clearly  as  in  this  king- 
dom ;  but  if  ye  would  know  where  he  whom  your  soul  loveth  doth 
rest,  and  where  he  feedeth  at  the  noontide  of  the  day,  wherever  ye  be, 
get  ye  forth  by  the  footsteps  of  the  flock,  and  feed  yourself  beside  the 
shepherds'  tents,  Cant.  i.  7.  that  is,  ask  for  some  of  the  watchmen 
of  the  Lord's  city,  who  will  tell  you  truly,  and  will  not  lie,  where  ye 
shall  find  him  whom  your  soul  loveth.  I  trust  ye  are  so  betrothed  in 
marriage  to  the  true  Christ,  that  ye  will  not  give  your  love  to  any  false- 
Christ :  ye  know  not  how  soon  your  marriage-day  will  come  ;  nay,  is 
not  eternity  hard  upon  you  1  it  were  time  then,  that  ye  had  your  wed- 
ding-garment in  readiness  :  be  not  sleeping  at  your  Lord's  coming ; 
I  pray  God,  ye  may  be  upon  your  feet  standing,  when  he  knocketh. 
Be  not  discouraged  to  go  from  this  country  to  another  part  of  the 
Lord's  earth  ;  The  earth  is  his,  and  the  fullness  thereof,  Psal.  xxiv.  1. 
This  is  the  Lord's  lower  house  ;  while  we  are  lodged  here,  we  have 
no  assurance  to  lye  ever  in  one  chamber,  but  must  be  content  to  re- 
move from  one  corner  of  our  Lord's  nether-house  to  another,  resting 
in  hope,  that,  when  we  come  up  to  the  Lord's  upper  city,  Jerusalem 
that  is  above,  we  shall  remove  no  more  ;  because  then  we  shall  be  at 
home.  And.  go  whithersoever  ye  will,  if  your  Lord  go  with  you,  ye 
are  at  home  ;  and  your  lodging  is  ever  taken  before  night,  so  long  as 
he,  who  is  Israel's  dwelling-house,  is  j^our  home,  Psal.  xc.  1.  Believe 
me.  Madam,  my  mind  is,  that  ye  are  well  lodged,  and  that  in  your 
house  there  are  fair  ease-rooms  and  pleasant  lights,  if  ye  can  in  faith 
lean  down  your  head  upon  the  breast  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  till  this 
be,  ye  shall  never  get  a  sound  sleep.  Jesus,  Jesus,  be  your  shadow 
and  your  covering  :  it  is  a  sweet  soul-sleep  to  lye  in  the  arms  of 
Christ,  for  his  breath  is  very  sweet.  Pray  for  poor  friendless  Zion  ; 
alas !  no  man  will  speak  for  her  now,  although  at  home  in  her  own 
country  she  hath  good  friends,  her  Husband,  Christ,  and  his  Father, 
her  Father-in-law  :  beseech  your  husband  to  be  a  friend  to  Zion,  and 
pray  for  her.  I  have  received  many  and  divers  dashes  and  heavy 
strokes,  since  the  Lord  .called  me  to  the  ministry  ;  but  indeed  I  esteem 
your  departure  from  us  amongst  the  weightiest :  but  I  perceive  God 
will  have  us  to  be  deprived  of  whatsoever  we  idolize,  that  he  may 
have  his  own  room.  1  see  exceeding  small  fruit  of  my  ministry,  and 
would  be  glad  to  know  of  one  soul,  to  be  my  crown  and  rejoicing  in 
the  day  of  Christ.  Though  I  spend  my  strength  in  vain,  yet  my  la- 
bour is  with  my  God,  Isa.  xlix.  4.     I  wish  and  pray,  that  the  Lord 


302  LETTER   VI.  PART  II. 

■would  harden  my  face  against  all,  and  make  me  to  learn  to  go  with  my 
face  against  a  storm.     Again,  I  commend  you  body  and  spirit,  to  him 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood. 
Grace,  grace,  grace  for  ever  be  with  you.     Pray,  pray  continually. 
Your  Ladyship's  at  all  dutiful  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Sept.  14,  1629. 


LETTER  VL 

To  John   Kennedy. 
IMV  LOVING  AND  MOST  AFFECTIONATE  BROTHER  IN  CHRIST, 

I  SALUTE  you  with  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father, 
and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  promised  to  write  to  you,  and  al- 
though late  enough,  yet  I  now  make  it  good.  I  heard  with  grief  of 
your  great  danger  of  perishing  by  the  sea,  but  of  your  merciful  deli- 
verance with  joy.  Sure  I  am,  brother,  Satan  will  leave  no  stone  un- 
rolled, as  the  proverb  is,  to  roll  you  off  your  Rock,  or  at  least  to  shake 
and  unsettle  you :  for  at  the  same  time,  the  mouths  of  wicked  men 
•were  opened  in  hard  speeches  against  you,  by  land  ;  and  the  prince  of 
the  power  of  the  air  was  angry  with  you,  by  sea.  See  then  how 
much  ye  are  obliged  to  that  malicious  murderer,  who  would  beat  you 
with  two  rods  at  one  time  ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  his  arm  is  short ;  if 
the  sea  and  winds  would  have  obeyed  him,  ye  had  never  come  to  land. 
Thank  your  God,  who  saith.  Rev.  i.  11.  'I  have  the  keys  of  hell  and 
of  death,'  Deut.  xxxii.  39.  '  I  kill  and  make  alive,'  1  Sam.  ii.  6.  *  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  should  be 
stored  with  more  prisoners.  Ye  were  knocking  at  these  black  gates, 
and  ye  found  the  doors  shut ;  and  we  do  all  welcome  you  back  again. 
I  trust,  ye  know  it  is  not  for  nothing,  that  ye  are  sent  to  us  again ; 
the  Lord  knew  that  ye  had  forgotten  something  that  was  necessary  for 
your  journey  ;  that  your  armour  was  not  as  yet  thick  enough  against 
the  stroke  of  death.  Now,  in  the  strength  of  Jesus,  dispatch  your 
business  ;  that  debt  is  not  forgiven,  but  fristed  ;  death  hath  not  bidden 
you  farewell,  but  hath  only  left  you  for  a  short  season.  End  your 
journey,  ere  the  night  come  upon  you ;  have  all  in  readiness  against 
the  time  that  ye  must  sail  through  that  black  and  impetuous  Jordan  ; 
and  Jesus,  Jesus,  who  knoweth  both  these  depths  and  the  rocks,  and 
all  the  coasts,  be  your  pilot :  the  last  tide  will  not  wait  for  you  one 
moment ;  if  ye  forget  any  thing,  when  your  sea  is  full,  and  your  foot 
in  that  ship,  there  is  no  returning  again  to  fetch  it.  What  ye  do  amiss 
in  your  life  to  day,  ye  may  amend  it  to  morrow  :  for  as  many  suns  as 
God  maketh  to  arise  upon  you,  ye  have  as  many  new  lives ;  but  ye 
can  die  but  once ;  and  if  ye  mar  or  spill  that  business,  ye  cannot 
come  back  to  mend  that  piece  of  work  again :  no  man  sinneth  twice 
in  dying  ill ;  as  we  die  but  once,  so  we  die  but  ill  or  well  once.  Ye 
see  how  the  number  of  your  months  is  written  in  God's  book  ;  and  as 
one  of  the  Lord's  hirelings,  ye  must  work  till  the  shadow  of  the  even- 
ing come  upon  you,  and  ye  shall  run  out  your  glass  even  to  the  last 
grain  of  sand  ;  fulfil  your  course  with  joy  ;  for  we  take  nothing  to  the 


PART  II.  LETTER    VI.  303 

grave  with  us,  but  a  good  or  evil  conscience.  And  although  the  sky 
clear  after  this  storm,  yet  clouds  will  engender  another.  Ye  con- 
tracted with  Christ,  I  hope,  when  first  ye  began  to  follow  him,  that  ye 
would  bear  his  cross.  Fulfil  your  part  of  the  contract  with  patience, 
and  break  not  to  Jesus  Christ ;  be  honest,  brother,  in  your  bargaining 
with  him  ;  for  who  knoweth  better  how  to  bring  up  children  than  our 
God  ?  For,  to  lay  aside  his  knowledge,  of  the  which  there  is  no  find- 
ing out,  he  hath  been  practised  in  bringing  up  his  heirs  these  five 
thousand  years,  and  his  children  are  all  well  brought  up,  and  many  of 
them  are  honest  men  now  at  home,  up  in  their  own  house  in  heaven, 
and  are  entered  heirs  to  their  Father's  inheritance.  Now,  the  form 
of  his  bringing-up  was  by  chastisements,  scourging,  correcting,  nur- 
turing: see  if  he  maketh  exception  of  any  of  his  children,  Rev.  iii. 
19.  Heb.  xii.  7.  8.  No  :  his  eldest  Son,  and  his  Heir,  Jesus,  is  not 
excepted,  Heb.  ii.  10.  Suffer  we  must :  ere  we  were  born,  God  de- 
creed it ;  and  it  is  easier  to  complain  of  his  decree,  than  to  change  it. 
It  is  true,  terrors  of  conscience  cast  us  down  ;  and  yet,  without  ter- 
rors of  conscience  we  cannot  be  raised  up  again  ;  fears  and  doubtings 
shake  us ;  and  yet  without  fears  and  doubtings  we  would  soon  sleep, 
and  lose  our  grips  of  Christ :  tribulation  and  temptations  will  almost 
loose  us  at  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  say,  and  cry  in  our  ear,  that  we  have  a 
hard  reckoning  to  make  in  judgment ;  and  yet  none  of  these  three, 
except  they  lie,  dare  say  in  our  face,  that  our  sin  can  change  the  tenor 
of  the  new  covenant.  Forward  then,  dear  brother,  and  lose  not  your 
grips  ;  hold  fast  the  truth ;  for  the  world,  sell  not  one  drachm-weight 
of  God's  truth,  especially  now,  when  most  men  measure  truth  by  time, 
like  young  seamen  setting  their  compass  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  estabUsh  us  ;  for  alas  !  now  there  are  none 
to  comfort  the  prisoners  of  hope,  and  the  mourners  in  Zion :  we  can 
do  little,  except  pray  and  mourn  for  Joseph  in  the  stocks ;  and  let 
their  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  their  mouth,  who  forget  Jerusalem 
now  in  her  day  ;  and  the  Lord  remember  Edom,  and  render  to  him  as 
he  bath  done  to  us.  Now,  brother,  I  will  not  weary  you  ;  but  I  en- 
treat you,  remember  my  dearest  love  to  Mr.  David  Dickson,  with 
whom  I  have  small  acquaintance  ;  yet  I  bless  the  Lord,  I  know,  he 
both  prayeth  and  doth  for  our  dying  kirk.  Remember  my  dearest 
love  to  John  Stewart,  whom  I  love  in  Christ ;  and  shew  him  from  me, 
I  do  always  remember  him,  and  hope  for  a  meeting :  the  Lord  Jesus 
establish  him  more  and  more,  though  he  be  already  a  strong  man  in 
Christ.  Remember  my  heartiest  affection  in  Christ  to  William 
Rodger,  whom  I  also  remember  to  God  ;  I  wish  the  first  news  I  hear 
of  him,  and  you,  and  all  that  love  our  common  Saviour,  in  those 
bounds,  may  be,  that  they  are  so  knit  and  linked,  and  kindly  fastened 
in  love  with  the  Son  of  God,  that  ye  may  say,  '  Now  if  we  would 
never  so  fain  escape  out  of  Christ's  hands,  yet  love  hath  so  bound  us, 
that  we  cannot  get  our  hands  free  again ;  he  hath  so  ravished  our 
hearts,  that  there  is  no  loosing  of  his  grips  ;  the  chains  of  his  soul- 


304  LETTER   VII.  PART  II. 

ravishing  love  are  so  strong,  that  the  grave  nor  death  will  not  break 
them.'  I  hope,  brother,  yea,  I  doubt  not  of  it,  but  ye  lay  me,  and 
my  first  entry  to  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and  my  flock,  before  him  who 
hath  put  me  in  his  work  :  as  the  Lord  knoweth,  since  first  I  saw  you, 
I  have  been  mindful  of  you.  Marion  Macknaught  doth  remember 
most  heartily  her  love  to  you,  and  to  John  Stewart :  blessed  be  the 
Lord,  that  in  God's  mercy,  I  found  in  this  country  such  a  woman,  to 
whom  Jesus  is  dearer  than  her  own  heart,  when  there  be  so  many 
that  cast  Christ  over  their  shoulder.  Good  brother,  call  to  mind  the 
memory  of  your  worthy  father,  now  asleep  in  Christ ;  and,  as  his  cus- 
tom was,  pray  continually,  and  wrestle  for  the  life  of  a  dying  breath- 
less kirk  :  and  desire  John  Stewart  not  to  forget  poor  Zion  ;  she  hath 
few  friends,  and  few  to  speak  one  good  word  for  her.  Now  I  com- 
mend you,  your  whole  soul  and  body  and  spirit,  to  Jesus  Christ  and  his 
keeping,  hoping  ye  will  die  and  live,  stand  and  fall,  with  the  cause  of 
our  Master,  Jesus.  The  Lord  Jesus  himself  be  with  your  spirit. 
Your  loving  brother  in  our  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Feb.  2,  1632. 


LETTER  VIL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure, 
MADAM, 

I  HAVE  longed  exceedingly  to  hear  of  your  lite  and  health,  and 
growth  in  the  grace  of  God.  I  lacked  the  opportunity  of  a  bearer,  in 
respect  I  did  not  understand  of  the  hasty  departure  of  the  last,  by 
whom  I  might  have  saluted  your  Ladyship  ;  and  therefore  1  could  not 
write  before  this  time.  I  entreat  you.  Madam,  let  me  have  two  lines 
from  you,  concerning  your,  present  condition ;  I  know  ye  are  in  grief 
and  heaviness ;  and  if  it  were  not  so,  ye  might  be  afraid,  because 
then  your  way  should  not  be  so  like  the  way  that  our  Lord  saith  lead- 
eth  to  the  New  Jerusalem.  Sure  I  am,  if  ye  knew  what  were  before 
you,  or  if  ye  saw  but  some  glances  of  it,  ye  would  with  gladness  swim 
through  the  present  floods  of  sorrow,  spreading  forth  your  arms  out 
of  desire  to  be  at  land.  If  God  have  given  you  the  earnest  of  the 
Spirit,  as  part  of  payment  of  God's  principal  sum,  ye  have  to  rejoice  : 
for  our  Lord  will  not  lose  his  earnest,  neither  will  he  go  back  or  repent 
him  of  the  bargain.  If  ye  find  at  some  time  a  longing  to  see  God, 
joy  in  the  assurance  of  that  sight,  (howbeit  that  feast  be  but  like  the 
passover,  that  cometh  about  only  once  a  year,)  peace  of  conscience, 
liberty  of  prayer,  the  doors  of  God's  treasure  casten  up  to  the  soul, 
and  a  clear  sight  of  himself  looking  out,  and  saying  with  a  smiling 
countenance,  welcome  to  me,  afllicted  soul ;  this  is  the  earnest  that 
he  giveth  sometimes,  and  which  maketh  glad  the  heart,  and  is  an  evi- 
dence that  the  bargain  will  hold.  But  to  the  end  ye  may  get  this  ear- 
nest, it  were  good  to  come  oft  in  terms  of  speech  with  God,  both  in 
prayer  and  hearing  of  the  word  ;  for  this  is  the  house  of  wine,  where 
ye  meet  with  your  Well-beloved ;  here  it  is  where  he  kisseth  you 
with  the  kisses  of  his  mouth,  and  where  ye  feel  the  smell  of  his  gar- 
ments ;  and  they  have  indeed  a  most  fragrant  and  glorious  smell ;  ye 


PART  II.  LETTER  VII.  305 

must,  I  say,  wait  upon  him,  and  be  often  communing  with  him,  whose 
hps  are  as  hllies,  dropping  sweet  smeUino;  myrrh,  and  by  the  moving 
thereof  he  will  assuage  your  grief;  for  the  Clirist  that  saveth  you,  is  a 
speaking  Christ,  the  church  knowetii  him.  Cant.  ii.  by  his  voice,  and 
can  discern  his  voice  among  a  thousand.  I  say  this,  to  the  end  ye 
should  not  love  those  masks  of  Anticiiristian  ceremonies,  that  the 
church,  where  ye  are  for  a  time,  hath  casten  over  the  Christ,  whom 
your  soul  loveth  ;  this  is  to  set  before  you  a  dumb  Christ :  but  when 
our  Lord  cometh,  he  speaketh  to  the  heart  in  the  simplicity  of  the 
gospel.  I  have  neither  tongue  nor  pen,  to  express  to  you  the  happi- 
ness of  such  as  are  in  Christ ;  when  ye  have  sold  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  :  '  there- 
fore because  he  liveth,  yc  shall  live  also,'  John  xiv.  19.  And  what  is 
that  else,  but  as  if  the  Son  had  said,  '  I  will  not  have  heaven,  except 
my  redeemed  ones  be  with  me  ;  they  and  I  cannot  live  asunder,  abide 
in  me  and  I  in  you,'  John  xv.  5.  0  sweet  communion,  when  Christ 
and  we  are  through  other,  and  are  no  longer  two !  '  Father,  I  will  that 
those  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me  where  I  am,  to  behold 
my  glory,  that  thou  hast  given  me,'  John  xvii.  24.  Amen  ;  dear 
Jesus,  let  it  be  according  to  that  word.  I  wonder  that  ever  your 
heart  should  be  casten  down,  if  ye  believe  this  truth  ;  and  they  are 
not  worthy  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  not  sullbr  forty  years  trouble  for 
him,  since  they  have  such  glorious  promises  :  but  we  fools  believo 
those  promises  as  the  man  that  read  Plato's  writings  concerning  the 
iuunortahty  of  the  soul ;  so  long  as  the  book  was  in  his  hand,  he  be- 
lieved all  was  true,  and  that  the  soul  could  not  die  ;  but  so  soon  as  he 
laid  by  the  book,  presently  he  began  to  imagine,  that  the  soul  is  but  a 
smoke  or  airy  vapour,  that  pcrisheth  with  the  expiring  of  the  breath  ; 
so  we  at  starts  do  assent  to  the  sweet  and  precious  promises  ;  but  lay- 
ing aside  God's  book,  we  begin  to  call  all  in  question.  It  is  faith 
indeed  to  believe  without  a  pledge,  and  to  hold  the  heart  constant  at 
this  work,  and  when  we  doubt,  to  run  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony, 
and  stay  there.  Madam,  hold  you  here  ;  here  is  yonr  Father's  testa- 
ment, read  it ;  in  it  he  hath  left  to  you  remission  of  sins  and  life  ever- 
lasting. If  all  that  ye  have  here  be  crosses  and  troubles,  down-cast- 
ings, frequent  desertions,  and  departure  of  the  Lord,  who  is  suiting 
you  in  marriage,  courage  ;  he  who  is  wooer  and  suiter  should  not  be 
an  household-man  with  you,  till  ye  and  he  come  up  to  his  Father's 
house  together  :  he  purposeth  to  do  you  good  at  your  latter  end,  Deut. 
viii.  16.  and  to  give  you  rest  from  the  days  of  adversity,  Psal.  xciv. 
13.  '  It  is  good  to  bear  the  yoke  of  God  in  your  youth,'  Lam.  iii.  27. 
'  Turn  in  to  your  strong  hold  as  a  prisoner  of  hope,'  Zech.  ix.  12. 
'  For  the  vision  is  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the  end  it  shall  speak 
and  not  lie  :  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it,  because  it  will  surely  come,  it 
will  not  tarry,'  Hab.  ii.  3.  Hear  himself,  saying,  Isa.  xxvi.  20.  '  Come 
my  people,  (rejoice,  he  calleth  on  you,)  enter  thou  into  thy  chambers, 
and  shut  thy  doors  about  thee  ;  hide  thyselt",  as  it  were  for  a  little  mo- 
ment, till  the  indignation  be  past.'  Believe  then,  believe  and  be 
saved  :  think  it  not  hard,  if  ve  get  not  your  will,  nor  vour  delights  in 

39 


306 


LETTER   Vlll.  PART    II. 


this  life ;  God  will  have  you  to  rejoice  in  nothing  but  himself.  *  God 
forbid  that  ye  should  rejoice  in  any  thing  but  in  the  cross  of  Christ,' 
Gal.  iv.  16.  Our  church,  Madam,  is  decaying :  she  is  Hke  Ephraim's 
cake,  and  gray  hairs  are  here  and  there  upon  her,  and  she  knoweth  it 
not,'  Hos.  vii.  9.  She  is  old  and  gray-headed,  near  the  grave,  and  no 
man  layeth  it  to  heart ;  her  wine  is  sour,  and  is  corrupted.  Now,  if 
Phineas'  wife  did  live,  she  might  travail  in  birth  and  die,  to  see  the 
ark  of  God  taken,  and  the  glory  departing  from  our  Israel ;  the  power 
and  life  of  religion  is  away ;  '  Wo  be  to  us.  for  the  day  goeth  away, 
for  the  shadows  of  the  evening  are  stretched  out,'  Jer.  vi.  4.  Madam, 
Zion  is  the  ship  wherein  ye  are  carried  to  Canaan  ;  if  she  suffer  ship- 
wreck, ye  will  be  casten  overboard  upon  death  and  life,  to  swim  to 
land  upon  broken  boards :  it  were  time  for  us,  by  prayer,  to  put  upon 
our  Master-pilot  Jesus,  and  to  cry.  Master,  save  us,  we  perish.  Grace, 
grace  be  with  you.  We  would  think  it  a  blessing  to  our  kirk,  to  see 
you  here ;  but  our  sins  withhold  good  things  from  us.  The  great 
messenger  of  the  covenant  preserve  you  in  body  and  in  spirit. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Feb.  1,  1630. 


LETTER  VIIL 

To  the  Ludy  Kenmurt. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  received  your 
Ladyship's  letter,  in  the  which  I  perceive  your  case  in  this  world 
smelleth  of  worship  and  communion  with  the  Son  of  God  in  his  suf- 
ferings. Ye  cannot,  ye  must  not  have  a  more  pleasant  or  more  easy 
condition  here,  than  He  had,  who  through  afflictions  was  made  per- 
fect, Heb.  ii.  10.  We  may  indeed  think,  cannot  God  bring  us  to 
heaven  with  ease  and  prosperity  ?  Who  doubteth  but  he  can  1  but  his 
infinite  wisdom  thinketh,  and  decreeth  the  contrary ;  and  we  cannot 
see  a  reason  of  it,  yet  he  hath  a  most  just  reason.  We  never  with 
our  eyes  saw  our  own  soul,  yet  we  have  a  soul ;  we  see  many  rivers, 
but  we  know  not  their  first  spring  and  original  fountain,  yet  they  have 
a  beginning.  Madam,  when  ye  are  come  to  the  other  side  of  the  wa- 
ter, and  have  set  down  your  foot  on  the  shore  of  glorious  eternity,  and 
look  back  again  to  the  waters,  and  to  your  wearisome  journey,  and 
shall  see  in  that  clear  glass  of  endless  glory,  nearer  to  the  bottom  of 
God's  wisdom  ;  ye  shall  then  be  forced  to  say,  if  God  had  done  other- 
wise 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  sufter,  and 
hope,  and  wait  on  :  for  I  protest  in  the  presence  of  that  all-discern- 
ing Eye,  who  knoweth  what  I  write,  and  what  I  think,  that  I  would 
not  want  the  sweet  experience  of  the  consolations  of  God,  for  all  the 
bitterness  of  affliction :  nay,  whether  God  come  to  his  children  with 
a  rod  or  a  crown,  if  he  come  himself  with  it,  it  is  well ;  welcome, 
welcome  Jesus,  what  way  soever  thou  come,  if  we  can  get  a  sight  of 
thee.  And  sure  I  am,  it  is  better  to  be  sick,  providing  Christ  come 
to  the  bed-side,  and  draw  by  tlie  curtains,  and  say,  Courage,  I  am  thy 


PART  U.  LETTER  IX.  307 

salvation,  than  to  enjoy  health,  being  lusty  and  strong,  and  never  to  be 
visited  of  God.  Worthy  and  dear  lady,  in  the  strength  of  Christ,  fight 
and  overcome  :  ye  are  now  your  alone  ;  but  ye  may  have  for  the  seek- 
ing, Three  always  in  your  company,  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spi- 
rit ;  I  trust  they  are  near  you.  Ye  are  now  deprived  of  the  comfort 
of  a  Uvely  ministry,  so  was  Israel  in  their  captivity  ;  yet  hear  God's 
promise  to  them,  Ezek.  xi.  16.  '  Therefore  say,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
Although  1  have  cast  them  far  off  among  the  heathen,  and  although  I 
have  scattered  them  among  the  countries,  yet  will  I  be  to  them  as  a 
little  sanctuary,  in  the  countries  where  they  shall  come ;  behold  a  sanc- 
tuary !  for  a  sanctuary  God  himself,  in  the  place  and  room  of  the  tem- 
ple of  Jerusalem  :  I  trust  in  God,  carrying  this  temple  about  with  you, 
ye  shall  see  Jehovah's  beauty  in  his  house.  We  are  in  great  fears  of 
a  great  and  fearful  trial  to  come  upon  the  kirk  of  God  ;  for  these,  who 
would  build  their  houses  and  nests  upon  the  ashes  of  mourning  Jeru- 
salem, have  drawn  our  King  upon  hard  and  dangerous  conclusions, 
against  such  as  are  termed  Puritans,  for  the  rooting  of  them  out. 
Our  prelates,  the  Lord  take  the  keys  of  his  house  from  these  bastard 
porters,  assure  us,  that  for  such  as  will  not  conform,  there  is  nothing 
but  imprisonment  and  deprivation.  The  spouse  of  Jesus  will  ever  be 
in  the  fire  ;  but  1  trust  in  my  God,  she  shall  not  consume,  because  of 
the  good-will  of  him  who  dwelleth  in  the  bush,  for  he  dwelleth  in  it 
with  good  will.  AH  sorts  of  crying  sins  without  controulment  abound 
in  our  land ;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  departing  from  Israel,  and  the 
Lord  is  looking  back  over  his  shoulder,  to  see  if  any  will  say,  Lord 
tarry,  and  no  man  requesteth  him  to  stay.  Corrupt  and  false  doctrine 
is  openly  preached  by  the  idol  shepherds  of  the  land.  For  myself,  I 
have  daily  griefs,  through  the  disobedience  unto,  and  contempt  of  the 
•word  of  God.  I  was  summoned  before  the  high  commission  by  a 
profligate  person  in  this  parish,  convicted  of  incest :  in  the  business, 
Mr.  Alexander  Colvil,  for  respect  to  your  Ladyship,  was  my  great 
friend,  and  wrote  a  most  kind  letter  to  me  ;  the  Lord  give  him  mercy 
in  that  day.  Upon  the  day  of  my  compearance,  the  sea  and  winds 
refused  to  give  passage  to  the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrews.  I  entreat  your 
Ladyship  to  thank  Mr.  Alexander  Colvil  with  two  lines  of  a  letter. 
My  wife  now,  after  a  long  disease  and  torment,  for  the  space  of  a  year 
and  month,  is  departed  this  life  ;  the  Lord  hath  done  it,  blessed  be 
his  name.  I  have  been  deceased  of  a  fever  tertian  for  the  space  of 
thirteen  weeks,  and  am  yet  in  that  sickness,  so  that  I  preach  but  once 
on  the  sabbath  with  great  difiiculty  ;  I  am  not  able  either  to  visit  or 
examine  the  congregation.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience,  S,  R. 

Anwoth,  June  26,  1630. 


LETTER  IX. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
Madam, 

Having  saluted  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  I  thought  it  my  duty,  hav- 
ing occasion  of  this  bearer,  to  write  again  unto  your  Ladyship. 
Though  I  have  no  new  purpose,  but  what  I  wrote  of  before ;  yet  ye 


308  LETTER    IX.  PART  II. 

cannot  be  too  often  awakened  to  go  forward  toward  your  city,  since 
your  way  is  long,  and  for  any  thing  we  know,  your  day  is  short ;  and 
vour  Lord  requireth  of  you,  as  you  advance  in  years,  and  steal  for- 
ward insensibly  towards  eternity,  that  your  faith  may  grow  and  ripen 
for  the  Lord's  harvest ;  for  the  great  Husbandman  giveth  a  season  to 
his  fruits,  that  they  may  come  to  maturity  ;  and  having  got  their  fill 
of  the  tree,  they  may  be  then  shakeii  and  gathered  in  for  liis  use  ; 
whereas  the  wicked  rot  upon  the  tree,  and  their  branch  shall  not  be 
green,  Job,  xv.  32,  33.  He  shall  shake  ofl"  his  unripe  grapes  as  the 
vine,  and  shall  cast  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  satisfied 
banqueter,  long  for  the  drawing  of  the  table  ;  and  at  last,  having 
trampled  under  your  feet  all  the  rotten  pleasures  that  are  under  sun 
and  moon,  and  having  rejoiced  as  though  ye  rejoiced  not,  and  having 
bought  as  though  ye  possessd  not,  1  Cor.  vii.  30.  ye  may  like  an  old 
crazy  ship,  arrive  at  your  Lord's  harbour,  and  be  made  welcome,  as 
one  of  those  who  have  ever  had  one  foot  loose  from  this  earth,  long- 
ing for  that  place  where  your  soul  shall  feast  and  banquet  for  ever  and 
ever  upon  a  glorious  sight  of  the  incomprehensible  Trinity,  and  where 
ve  shall  see  the  fair  face  of  the  man  Christ,  even  the  beautiful  face, 
that  was  once,  for  your  cause,  more  marred  than  any  of  the  visages 
of  the  sons  of  men,  Isa.  v.  2,  14.  and  was  all  covered  with  spitting 
and  blood.  Be  content  to  wade  through  the  waters  betwixt  you  and 
glory  with  him,  holding  his  right  hand  fast ;  for  he  knoweth  all  the 
fords  ;  hoAvbeit  ye  may  be  duckt,  yet  ye  cannot  drown,  being  in  his 
company ;  and  ye  may,  all  the  way  to  glory,  see  the  way  bedewed 
with  his  blood,  who  is  the  fore  runner ;  be  not  afraid,  therefore,  when 
ye  come  even  to  the  black  and  swelling  river  of  death,  to  put  in  your 
foot  and  wade  after  him  ;  the  current,  how  strong  soever,  cannot 
carry  you  down  the  water  to  hell  ;  the  Son  of  God  his  death  and 
resurrection  are  stepping-stones  and  a  stay  to  you  ;  set  down  your 
feet  by  faith  upon  these  stones,  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  ye  come  up  to  the  well 
head,  and  drink,  yea  drink  abundantly  of  the  pure  river  of  the  water 
of  Ufe,  that  proceedeth  out  from  the  throne  of  God,  and  from  the 
Lamb,  Rev.  x.xii.  1.  Madam,  tire  not,  Aveary  not;  I  dare  find  you 
the  Son  of  God  caution,  when  ye  are  got  up  thither,  and  have  casten 
your  eyes  to  view  the  golden  city,  and  the  fair  and  never  withering 
tree  of  life,  that  bearcth  twelve  manner  of  fruits  every  month  ;  ye 
shall  then  say.  Four  and  twenty  hours  abode  in  that  place  is  worth  ^ 
threescore  and  ten  years  sorrow  upon  earth.  If  ye  can  but  say,  ye 
long  earnestly  to  be  carried  up  thither  (as  I  hope  ye  cannot  for  shame 
deny  him  the  honour  of  having  wrought  that  desire  in  your  soul,)  then 
hath  your  Lord  given  you  an  earnest :  and,  Madam,  do  ye  believe  that 
our  Lord  will  lose  his  earnest,  and  rue  of  the  bargain,  and  change 
liis  mind,  as  if  he  were  a  man  that  can  lie,  or  the  son  of  man  that  can 
repent?  Nay  he  is  unchangeable,  and  the  same  this  year  that  he  was 
the  former  year  :  and  his  Son  Jesus,  who  upon  earth  ate  and  drank 


I'AitT  ir. 


LETTER    X.  5309 


with  publicans  and  sinners,  and  spake  and  conferred  with  whores  and 
harlots,  and  put  out  his  holy  hand,  and  touclied  the  leper's  filthy  skin, 
and  came  ever  more  nigh  sinners,  even  now  in  glory,  is  yet  that  same 
Ijord :  his  honour  and  his  great  court  in  heaven  hath  not  made  him 
forget  his  poor  friends  on  earth  ;  in  him  honours  change  not  manners, 
and  lie  doth  yet  desire  your  company.  Take  him  for  the  old  Cinist, 
and  claim  still  kindness  to  him,  and  say,  Oh  it  is  so,  he  is  not 
chansred,  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 
dispone  him  nor  sell  him ;  he  hath  not  played  fast  and  loose  with  us, 
in  the  covenant  of  grace ;  so  that  we  may  run  from  him  at  our  plea- 
sure ;  his  love  hath  made  the  bargain  surer  than  so  ;  for  Jesus  as  the 
cautioner  is  bound  for  us,  Heb.  vii.  22.  and  it  cannot  stand  with  his 
lionour  to  die  in  the  burrows,  as  we  use  to  say,  and  lose  thee, 
whom  we  must  render  again  to  the  Father,  when  he  shall  give  up  the 
kingdom  to  him.  Consent  and  say  amen  to  the  promises,  and  ye 
liave  sealed  that  God  is  true,  and  Christ  is  yours ;  this  is  an  easy 
market ;  ye  but  look  on  with  faith  ;  for  Christ  suffered  all,  and  paid 
all.  Madam,  fearing  I  be  tedious  to  your  Ladyship,  I  must  stop  here, 
desiring  always  to  hear  that  your  Ladyship  is  well,  and  that  ye  have 
still  your  face  up  the  mountain.  Pray  for  us.  Madam,  and  for  Zion, 
whereof  ye  are  a  part ;  we  expect  a  trial ;  God's  wheat  in  this  land 
must  go  through  Satan's  sieve,  but  their  faith  shall  not  fail.  I  am 
still  wrestling  in  our  Lord's  work,  and  have  been  tried  and  tempted 
with  brethren,  who  look  awry  to  the  gospel.  Now  he  that  is  able  to 
keep  you  until  that  day,  preserve  your  soul,  body,  and  spirit,  and 
present  you  before  his  face  w  ith  his  own  bride,  spotless  and  blameless. 
Your  Ladyship's  to  be  commanded  always  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R. 
Ainvotli/iNov.  2G,  1631. 


LETTER  X. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
JMADAM, 

I  AM  grieved  exceedingly  that  your  Ladyship  should  think,  or  have 
cause  to  think,  that  such  as  love  you  in  God,  in  this  country,  are  for- 
getful of  you  :  for  myself.  Madam,  I  owe  to  your  Ladyship  all  evi- 
dences of  my  high  respect  (in  the  sight  of  my  Lord,  whose  truth  I 
preach,  I  am  bold  to  say  it^  for  his  rich  grace  in  you.  My  com- 
munion is  put  off  till  the  end  of  a  longsome  and  rainy  harvest,  and 
the  presbyterial  exercise,  (as  the  bearer  can  inform  your  Ladyship,) 
hindered  me  to  see  you  :  and  for  my  people's  sake  finding  them  like 
hot  iron  that  cooleth  being  out  of  the  fire,  and  that  is  pliable  to  no 
work,  I  do  not  stir  abroad,  neither  have  I  left  them  at  all,  since  your 
Ladyship  was  in  the  country,  save  at  one  time  only,  about  two  years 
ago  ;  yet  I  dare  not  say  but  it  is  a  fanit,  howbeit  no  defect  in  my  af- 
fection ;  and  I  trust  to  make  it  up  again,  so  soon  as  possibly  I  am  able 
to  wait  upon  you.  Madam,  1  have  no  new  purpose  to  write  unto  you, 
but  of  that  which  I  think,  nay,  which  our  l^ord  thinketh  needful,  that 
one  thing,  Mary's  good  part,  which  ye  have  chosen,  Luke  x.  42. 


310  LETTER  X.  TART  II. 

Madam,  all  that  God  hath,  both  himself  and  the  creatures,  he  is  deal- 
ing and  parting  amongst  the  sons  of  Adam ;  there  are  none  so  poor, 
as  that  they  can  say  in  his  face,  he  hath  given  them  nothing ;  but 
there  is  no  small  odds  betwixt  the  gifts  given  to  lawful  children,  and 
to  bastards  :  and  the  more  greedy  ye  are  suiting,  the  more  willing  is 
he  to  give,  delighting  to  be  called  open-handed.  I  hope  your  Lady- 
ship laboureth  to  get  assurance  of  the  surest  patrimony,  even  God 
himself.  Ye  will  find  in  Christianity,  that  God  aimeth,  in  all  his  deal- 
ings with  his  children,  to  bring  them  to  a  high  contempt  of,  and  deadly 
feud  with  the  world  :  and  to  set  an  high  price  upon  Christ,  and  to 
think  him  one  who  cannot  be  bought  for  gold,  and  well-worthy  the 
fighting  for  ;  and  for  no  other  cause,  Madam,  doth  the  Lord  withdraw 
from  you  the  childish  toys,  and  the  earthly  delights,  that  he  giveth 
unto  others  ;  but  that  he  may  have  you  wholly  to  himself ;  think 
therefore  of  the  Lord,  as  of  one  who  cometh  to  woo  you  in  marriage, 
when  ye  are  in  the  furnace  ;  he  seeketh  his  answer  of  you  in  afflic- 
tion, to  see  if  ye  will  say.  Even  so  I  take  him.  Madam,  give  him  this 
answer  presently,  and  in  your  mind  do  not  secretly  grudge  nor  mur- 
mur. When  he  is  striking  you  in  love,  beware  to  strike  again,  that  is 
dangerous  ;  for  those  who  strike  again,  shall  get  the  last  blow.  If  I 
hit  not  upon  the  right  string,  it  is  because  I  am  not  acquainted  with 
your  Ladyship's  present  condition  ;  but  I  believe  your  Ladyship  goeth 
on  foot  laughing,  and  putting  on  a  good  countenance  before  the 
world,  and  yet  ye  carry  heaviness  about  with  you.  Ye  do  well,  Ma- 
dam, not  to  make  them  witnessess  of  your  grief,  who  cannot  be 
curers  of  it ;  but  be  exceeding  charitable  of  your  dear  Lord.  As 
there  be  some  friends  worldly,  of  whom  ye  will  not  entertain  an  ill 
thought ;  far  more  ought  ye  to  believe  good  overcome  of  your  dear 
friend,  that  lovely  fair  person,  Jesus  Christ.  The  thorn  is  one  of  the 
most  cursed  and  angry  and  crabbed  weeds,  that  the  earth  yieldeth  : 
and  yet  out  of  it  springeth  the  rose,  one  of  the  sweetest  smelled 
flowers,  and  most  delightful  to  the  eye,  that  the  earth  hath ;  your 
Lord  shall  make  joy  and  gladness  out  of  your  afflictions  ;  for  all  his 
roses  have  a  fragrant  smell.  Wait  for  the  time,  when  his  own  holy 
hand  shall  hold  them  to  your  nose :  and  if  ye  would  have  present 
comfort  under  the  cross,  be  much  in  prayer  ;  for  at  that  time  your 
faith  kisseth  Christ,  and  he  kisseth  the  soul.  And  0  if  the  breath  of 
his  holy  mouth  be  sweet !  1  dare  be  caution,  out  of  some  small  expe- 
rience, that  ye  shall  not  be  beguiled  ;  for  the  world  yea,  not  a  small 
number  of  God's  children,  know  not  well  what  that  is,  which  they 
call  a  God-head.  But,  Madam,  come  near  to  the  God-head,  and 
look  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  well ;  there  is  much  in  him,  and 
sweet  were  that  death  to  drown  in  such  a  well ;  your  grief  taketh 
liberty  to  work  upon  your  mind,  when  ye  are  not  busied  in  the  medi- 
tation of  the  ever-delighting  and  all-blessed  God-head,  if  ye  would 
lay  the  price  ye  give  out  which  is  but  some  i'ew  years  pain  and  trouble, 
beside  the  commodities  ye  are  to  receive,  ye  would  see  they  were 
not  worthy  to  be  laid  in  the  balance  together ;  but  it  is  nature  that 
maketh  you  look  what  ye  give  out,  and  weakness  of  faith  that  hinder- 
eth  you  to  see  what  ye  shall  take  in.     Amend  your  hope,  and  frist 


PART  II.  LETTER  XI.  311 

your  faithful  Lord  a  while  ;  he  maketh  himself  your  debtor  in  the 
new  covenant ;  he  is  honest,  take  his  word,  Nahum  i.  9.  Affliction 
shall  not  spring  up  the  second  time,  Rev.  xxi.  7.  '  He  that  over- 
cometh  shall  inherit  all  things.'  Of  all  things  then  which  ye  want  in 
this  life,  Madam,  I  am  able  to  say  nothing,  if  that  be  not  believed 
which  ye  have,  Rev.  ii.  7.  and  Rev.  iii.  5.  The  overcomer  shall  be 
clothed  in  white  raiment,  &c.  and  v.  28.  '  To  the  overcomer  I  will 
give  to  sit  with  me  in  my  throne,  as  I  overcame  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  in  his  throne.'  Consider,  Madam,  if  ye  are  not  high  up 
now,  and  far  ben  in  the  palace  of  our  I^ord,  when  ye  are  upon  a 
throne  in  white  raiment,  at  lovely  Christ's  elbow.  0  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  sweet  hand 
square  us  and  hammer  us,  and  strike  off  the  knots  of  pride,  self-love, 
and  world-worship,  and  infidelity,  that  he  may  make  us  stones  and 
pillars  in  his  Father's  house,  Rev.  iii.  12.  Madam,  what  think  ye  to 
take  binding  with  the  fair  corner-stone,  Jesus  1  The  Lord  give  you 
wisdom  to  believe  and  hope,  your  day  is  coming.  I  hope  to  be  wit- 
ness of  your  joy,  as  I  have  been  a  hearer  and  beholder  of  your  grief. 
Think  ye  much  to  follow  the  heir  of  the  crown,  who  had  experience 
of  sorrows,  and  was  acquainted  with  grief?  Isa.  liii.  It  were  pride 
to  aim  to  be  above  the  King's  Son  ;  it  is  more  than  we  deserve,  that 
we  are  equals  in  glory,  in  a  manner.  Now  commending  you  to  the 
dearest  grace  and  mercy  of  God,  I  rest, 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Jan.  4,  1632. 


LETTER  XL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Understanding  a  little  after  the  writing  of  my  last  letter,  of  the 
going  of  this  bearer,  I  would  not  omit  the  opportunity  of  remember- 
ing your  Ladyship,  still  harping  upon  that  string,  which  in  our  whole 
life-time  is  never  too  often  touched  upon ;  nor  is  our  lesson  well 
enough  learned,  that  there  is  a  necessity  of  advancing  in  the  way  to 
the  kingdom  of  God,  of  the  contempt  of  the  word,  of  denying  our- 
self,  and  bearing  of  our  Lord's  cross ;  which  is  no  less  needful  for 
us,  than  daily  food  ;  and  among  many  marks  that  we  are  on  this 
journey,  and  under  sail  toward  heaven,  this  is  one,  when  the  love  of 
God  so  fiUeth  our  hearts  that  we  forget  to  love,  and  care  too  much 
for  the  having  or  wanting  of  other  things  ;  as  one  extreme  heat  burn- 
eth  out  another.  By  this  Madam,  ye  know  ye  have  betrothed  your 
soul  in  marriage  to  Christ,  when  ye  do  but  make  small  reckoning  of 
all  other  suiters  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 
precise  a  reckoning,  as  servants :  because  his  hope  is  upon  the  in- 
heritance :  for  this  cause,  God's  children  '  take  well  with  the  spoiling 
of  their  goods,'  Heb.  xi.  34.  •  knowing  in  themselves,  that  they  have 


312  LETTER    XI.  PART    if. 

in  heaven  a  better  and  an  enduring  substance.'     That  day  that  the 
earth  and  the  works  therein  shall  be  burnt  with  fire,  2  Pet.  iii.  10.  your 
hidden  hope  and  your  hidden  life  shall  appear ;  and  therefore,  since 
ye  have  not  now  many  years  of  your  endless  eternity,  and  know  not 
how  soon  the  sky  above  your  head  will  burst  and  the  Son  of  Man  will 
be  seen  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  ;  what  better  and  wiser  course  can  ye 
take,  than  tp  think  that  your  one  foot  is  here,  and  your  other  foot 
in  the  life  to  come,  and  to  leave  off  loving,  desiring,  or  grieving  for 
the  wants,  that  shall  be  made  up,  when  your  Lord  and  ye  shall  meet, 
and  when  ye  shall  give  in  your  bill  that  day  of  all  your  wants  here  ? 
If  your  losses  be  not  made  up,  ye  have  place  to  challenge  the  Al- 
mighty ;  but  it  shall  not  be  so,  *'  Ye  shall  then  rejoice  with  joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory,  and  your  joy  shall  none  take  from  you,'' 
John  xvi.  22.     It  is  enough,  that  the  Lord  hath  promised  you  great 
things ;  only  let  the  time  of  bestowing  them  be  in  his  own  carving. 
It  is   not  for  us  to  set  an  hour-glass  to  the  Creator  of  time,  since  he 
and  we  differ  only  in  the  term  of  payment ;   since  he  hath  promised 
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  seller 
seeketh,  useth  at  last  to  refer  the  difference  to  his  will,  and  so  cutteth 
off*  the  course  of  mutual  prigging.     Madam,  do  not  prig  with  your 
frank-hearted  and  gracious  Lord,  about  the  time  of  the  fulfilling  of 
your  joys  :  it  will  be — God  hath  said  it ;  bide  his  harvest,  wait  upon 
his  Whitsunday  :  his  day  is  better  than  your  day  ;  he  putteth  not  the 
hook  in  the  corn,  till  it  be  ripe,  and  full-eared.     '  The  great  Angel  of 
the  covenant  bear  you  company  till  the  trumpet  shall  sound  and  the 
voice  of  the  arch  angel  awaken  the  dead.'     Ye  shall  find  it  your  only 
happiness,  under  whatever  thing  disturbeth  and  crosseth  the  peace  ot 
your  .mind  in  this  life,  to  love  nothing  for  itself,  but  only  God  for  him- 
self: it  is  the  crooked  love  of  some  harlots,  that  they  love  bracelets, 
ear-rings,  and  rings,  better  than  the  lover  that  sendeth  them  :  God  will 
not  be  so  loved :  for  that  were  to  behave  as  harlots,  and  not  as  the 
chaste  spouse,  to  abate  from  our  love  when  these  things  are  pulled  away. 
Our  love  to  him  should  begin  on  earth,  as  it  shall  be  in  heaven  :  for 
the  bride  taketh  not  by  a  thousand  degrees  so  much  delight  in  her 
Avedding-garment,  as  she  doth  in  her  Bridegroom  ;  so  we,  in  the  life 
to  come,  howbeit  clothed  with  glory  as  with  a  robe,  shall  not  be  so 
much  affected  with  the  glory  that  gocth  about  us,  as  with  the  Bride- 
groom's joyful  face  and  presence.     Madam,  if  ye   can   win  to  this 
here,  the  field  is  won  ;  and  your  mind,  for  any  thing  ye  want,  or  for 
any  thing  your  Lord  can  take  from  you,   shall  soon  be  calmed  and 
quieted ;  get  himself  as  a  pawn,  and  keep  him,  till  your  dear  Lord 
come  and  lose  the  pawn,  rue  upon  you,  and  give  you  all  again,  that  he 
took  from  you,  even  a  thousand  talents  for  one  penny.     It  is  not  ill  to 
lend  God  willingly,  who  otherwise  both  will  and  may  take  from  you 
against  your  will  :  it  is  good  to  play  the  usurer  Avith,   and  take   in, 
instead  of  ten  of  the  hundred,  an  hundred  of  ten,  often  an  hundred  of 
one.     Madam,  fearing  to  be  tedious  to  you,  I  break  oft"  here,  com- 
mending you,  as  I  trust  to  do  while  I  live,  your  person,  ways,  bur- 
dens, and  all  that  concerneth  vou,  to  that  Almighty,  who  is  able  to 


PART    II.  LETTEIl    XII.  313 

bear  you  and  your  burdens  ;  I  still  remember  you  to  him,  who  will 
cause  you  one  day  to  laugh,  I  expect  that,  whatever  ye  can  do  by 
word  or  deed,  for  the  Lord's  friendless  Zion,  ye  will  do  it  ;  she  is 
your  mother,  forget  her  not,  for  the  Lord  intendetli  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  Christ.  It  is  like  the  Bridegroom 
will  be  taken  from  us,  and  then  we  shall  mourn.  Dear  Jesus  re- 
move not,  else  take  us  with  thee  !  Grace,  grace  be  v.ith  you  forever. 
Your  Ladyship's  at  all  dutiful  obedience,  S.  R. 

Ainvoth,  Jan.  14,  1632. 


LETTER  XIL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Your  Ladyship  will  not,  I  know,  weary  nor  offend,  though  I  trouble 
you  with  many  letters  ;  the  memory  of  what  obligations  I  am  under 
to  your  Ladyship  is  the  cause  of  it.  I  am  possibly  impertinent  in 
what  I  write,  because  of  my  ignorance  of  your  present  estate ;  but 
for  all  that  is  said,  I  have  learned  of  Mr.  W.  D.  that  ye  have  not 
changed  upon,  nor  wearied  of  your  sweet  Master,  Christ,  and  his  ser- 
vice ;  neither  were  it  your  part  to  change  upon  him,  who  resteth  in  his 
love.  Ye  are  among  honourable  company,  and  such  as  affect  gran- 
deur and  court.  But,  Madam,  thinking  upon  your  estate,  I  think  I 
see  an  improvident  wooer,  coming  too  late  to  seek  a  bride,  because 
she  is  contracted  already,  and  promi.-^ed  away  to  another ;  and  so  the 
wooer's  busking  and  bravery  (who  cometh  to  you,  as  who  but  he)  is 
in  vain  ;  the  outward  pomp  of  this  busy  wooer,  a  beguiling  world,  is 
now  coming  in  to  suit  your  soul  too  late,  when  ye  have  promised  away 
your  soul  to  Christ  many  years  ago.  And  I  know  Madam,  what  an- 
swer ye  may  justly  make  to  the  late  suiter,  even  this,  '  Ye  are  too  long 
of  coming ;  my  soul  the  bride  is  away  already,  and  the  contract  with 
Christ  subscribed ;  and  I  cannot  choose,  but  I  must  be  honest  and 
faithful  to  him.'  Honourable  Lady,  keep  your  tirst  love,  and  hold  the 
first  match  with  that  soul-delighting  lovely  Bridegroom,  our  sweet, 
sweet  Lord  Jesus,  fairer  than  all  the  children  of  men,  the  rose  of 
Sharon,  and  the  fairest  and  sweetest  smelled  rose  in  all  his  Father's 
garden  ;  there  is  none  like  him  ;  I  would  not  exchange  one  smile  of 
his  lovely  face  with  kingdoms.  Madam,  let  others  take  their  silly 
feckless  heaven  in  this  life,  envy  them  not ;  but  let  your  soul,  like  a 
tarrowing  and  mislearned  child,  take  the  dorts,  as  we  use  to  speak,  or 
cast  at  all  things  and  disdain  them,  except  one  only ;  either  Christ  or 
nothing.  Your  Well-beloved  Jesus  will  be  content,  that  ye  be  here 
devoutly  proud,  and  ill  to  please,  as  one  that  contemueth  all  husbands 
but  himself;  either  the  king's  son  or  no  husband  at  all ;  this  is  humble 
and  worthy  ambition.  What  have  ye  to  do  to  dally  with  a  whorisli 
and  foolish  world?  your  jealous  husband  will  not  be  content  that  ye 
look  by  him  to  another ;  he  will  be  jealous  indeed,  and  offended,  if  ye 
kiss  another  but  himself.  \A  hat  weights  do  burden  you.  Madam,  I 
know  not ;  but  think  it  great  mercy  that  your  Lord  from  your  youth 

40 


314  LETTER    XIII.  PART  II. 

hath  been  hedging  in  your  out-straying  afTections,  that  they  may  not 
go  a  whoring  from  himself;  if  ye  were  his  bastard,  he  would  not  nur- 
ture you  so  :  if  ye  were  for  the  slaughter,  ye  would  be  fattened ;  but 
be  content,  ye  are  his  wheat  growing  in  our  Lord's  field,  Matth.  xiii. 
25,  38.  And  if  wheat,  ye  must  go  under  our  Lord's  threshing  instru- 
ment, in  his  barn-floor,  and  go  through  his  sieve,  Amos  ix.  9,  and 
through  his  mill  to  be  bruised,  as  the  Prince  of  our  salvation  Jesus 
was,  Isa.  liii.  9.  that  ye  may  be  found  good  bread  in  your  Lord's 
house.  Lord  Jesus,  bless  the  spiritual  husbandry,  and  separate  you 
from  the  chaff,  that  can  not  abide  the  wind.  I  am  persuaded,  your 
glass  is  spending  itself  by  little  and  little  ;  and  if  ye  knew  who  is  be- 
fore you,  ye  would  rejoice  in  your  tribulation.  Think  ye  it  a  small 
honour  to  stand  before  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  and  to  be 
clothed  in  white,  and  to  be  called  to  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb, 
and  to  be  led  to  the  Fountain  of  living  waters,  and  to  come  to  the 
well-head,  even  God  himself,  and  get  your  fill  of  the  clear,  cold, 
sweet,  refreshing  Water  of  life,  the  King's  own  well,  and  to  put  up 
your  own  sinful  hand  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  take  down  and  eat  the 
sweetest  apple  in  all  God's  heavenly  paradise.  Jesus  Christ  your 
Life  and  your  Lord  !  Up  your  heart  shout  for  joy,  your  King  is  com- 
ing to  fetch  you  to  his  Father's  house.  Madam,  I  am  in  exceeding 
great  heaviness,  God  thinking  it  best  for  my  own  soul  thus  to  exer- 
cise me  thereby  it  may  be  to  fit  me  to  be  his  mouth  to  others.  I  see 
and  hear,  at  home  and  abroad,  nothing  but  matter  of  grief  and  dis- 
couragement, which  indeed  maketh  my  life  bitter ;  and  I  hope  in  God 
never  to  get  my  will  in  this  world  :  and  I  expect  ere  long  a  fiery  trial 
upon  the  church  ;  for  as  many  men  almost  in  England  and  Scotland, 
as  many  false  friends  to  Christ,  and  as  many  pulling  and  drawing  to 
pull  the  crown  off  his  holy  head  ;  and  for  fear  that  our  Beloved  stay 
amongst  us,  as  if  his  room  were  more  desirable  than  himself,  men 
are  bidding  him  go  seek  his  lodging.  Madam,  if  ye  have  a  part  in 
silly  friendless  Zion,  as  I  know  ye  have,  speak  a  word  on  her  behalf 
to  God  and  man  :  if  ye  can  do  nothing  else,  speak  for  Jesus,  and  yo 
shall  thereby  be  a  witness  against  this  declining  age.  Now,  from  my 
very  soul,  laying  and  leaving  you  on  the  Lord,  and  desiring  a  part  in 
your  prayers  (as  my  Lord  knoweth  I  remember  you)  I  deliver  over 
your  body,  spirit,  and  all  your  necessities  to  the  hands  of  our  Lord, 
and  remain  for  ever 

Your  Ladyship's  in  your  sweet  Lord  Jesus  and  mine,         S.  R. 

Anwoth.  Feb.  13,  1632. 


LETTER  Xin. 

To  the  same. 
MADAM, 

The  cause  of  my  not  writing  to  your  Ladysliip,  is  not  my  forget- 
fulness  of  you,  but  the  want  of  the  opportunity  of  a  convenient 
bearer ;  for  I  am  under  more  than  a  simple  obligation  to  be  kind,  on 
paper  at  least,  to  your  Ladyship.  I  bless  our  Lord  through  Christ, 
who  hath  brought  you  l«ome  again  to  your  country  from  that  place. 


PART  II.  LETTER    Xlll.  315 

where  ye  have  seen  with  your  eyes  that  wliich  our  Lord's  truth  taught 
you  before,  to  wit,  that  worldly  glory  is  nothing  but  a  vapour,  a  sha- 
dow, the  foam  of  the  water,  or  some  less  and  lighter,  even  nothing  ; 
and  that  our  Lord  hath  not  without  cause  said  in  his  word,  1  Cor. 
vii.  3L  *  The  countenance  or  fasliion  of  this  world  passeth  away.' 
In  which  place,  our  Lord  compareth  it  to  an  image  in  a  looking  glass, 
for  it  is  the  looking  glass  of  Adam's  sons  :  some  come  to  the  glass, 
and  see  in  it  the  picture  of  honour,  and  but  a  picture  indeed  ;  for  true 
honour  is  to  be  great  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  and  others  see  in  it  the 
shadow  of  riches,  and  but  a  shadow  indeed  ;  for  durable  riches  stand, 
as  one  of  the  maids  of  wisdom,  upon  her  left  hand,  Pro  v.  iii.  16.  and 
a  third  sort  see  in  it  the  face  of  painted  pleasures,  and  the  beholders 
will  not  believe,  but  the  image  they  see  in  this  glass  is  a  living  man, 
till  the  Lord  come  and  break  the  glass  in  pieces,  and  remove  the 
face ;  and  then,  like  Pharaoh  awakened,  they  say.  And  behold  it  was 
a  dream.  I  know  your  Ladyship  tliinketh  yourself  little  in  the  com- 
mon of  this  world,  for  the  favourable  aspect  of  any  of  these  three 
painted  faces  ;  and  blessed  be  our  Lord  that  it  is  so ;  the  better  for 
you  :  Madam,  they  are  not  worthy  to  be  wooers  to  suit  in  marriage 
your  soul,  that  looks  to  an  higher  match  than  to  be  married  upon 
painted  clay.  Know  therefore  Madacn,  the  place  vhither  our  Lord 
Jesus  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  question,  since 
I  first  had  occasion  to  see  in  your  Laiiyship  such  pregnant  evidences 
of  the  grace  of  God)  the  Lord,  who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion,  and  his 
furnace  in  Jerusalem,  Isa.  xxxi.  9.  is  purilying  you  in  the  furnace  : 
and  therefore  be  content  to  live  in  it,  and  every  day  to  be  adding  and 
sewing  to  a  pasment  to  your  wedding  garment,  that  ye  may  be  at  last 
decorated  and  trimmed  as  a  bride  for  Christ,  a  bride  of  his  own  busk- 
ing, beautified  in  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  '  forgetting  your  fa- 
ther's house,  so  shall  the  King  greatly  desire  your  beauty,'  Psal.  xlv. 
IL  If  your  Ladyship  be  not  changed,  as  I  hope  ye  are  not,  I  believe 
ye  esteem  yourselves  to  be  of  those,  whom  God  hath  tried  these 
many  years,  and  refined  as  silver.  But,  Madam,  I  will  shew  your 
Ladyship  a  privilege  that  others  want,  and  ye  have,  in  this  case  :  such 
as  are  in  prosperity,  and  are  fatted  with  earthly  joys,  and  increased 
with  children  and  friends,  though  the  word  of  God  is  indeed  written 
to  such  for  their  instruction  ;  yet  to  you  who  are  in  trouble,  (spare  me 
Madam,  to  say  this,)  from  whom  the  Lord  hath  taken  many  children, 
and  whom  he  hath  exercised  otiierwise,  there  are  some  chapters, 
some  particular  promises  in  the  word  of  God,  made,  in  a  most  special 
manner,  which  should  never  have  been  yours  so  as  they  now  are,  if 
ye  had  your  portion  in  this  lile,  as  others  :  and  therefore  all  the  com- 
forts, promises,  and  mercies,  God  otfereth  to  the  afflicted,  they  are  as 
many  love-letters  written  to  you ;  take  them  to  you,  Madam,  and 
claim  your  right,  and  be  not  robbed.  It  is  no  small  comfort,  that 
God  hath  written  some  scriptures  to  you  which  he  hath  not  written  to 
others ;  ye  seem  rather  in  this  to  be  envied  than  pitied  ;  and  ye  are 
indeed  in  this  like  people  of  another  world,  and  those  that  are  above 
the  ordinary  rank  of  mankind,  whom  our  King  and  Lord,  our  Bride- 


316 


LETTER  Xlll.  PART  11. 


groom  Jesus,  in  his  love-letter  to  his  well-beloved  spouse,  hath  nam- 
ed, beside  all  the  rest,  and  hath  written  comforts  and  his  hearty  com- 
mendations, in  the  56th  of  Isaiah  ver.  4,  5.  Ps.  cxlvii.  2,  3,  to  you  ; 
read  these  and  the  like,  and  think  your  God  is  like  a  friend,  that  send- 
eth  a  letter  to  a  whole  house  and  family,  but  speaketh  in  his  letter  to 
some  by  name,  that  are  dearest  to  him  in  the  house  ;  ye  arc  then,  Ma- 
dam, of  the  dearest  friends  of  the  Bridegroom  ;  if  it  were  lawful,  I 
would  envy  you,  that  God  honoured  you  so  above  many  of  his  dear 
children.  Therefore,  Madam,  your  part  is,  in  this  case,  (seeing  God 
taketh  nothing  from  you,  but  that  which  he  is  to  supply  with  his  own 
presence,)  to  desire  your  Lord  to  know  his  own  room,  and  to  take  it 
even  upon  him  to  come  in,  in  the  room  of  dead  children ;  Jehovah 
know  thy  own  place,  and  take  it  to  thee,  is  all  you  have  to  say.  Ma- 
dam, I  persuade  myself,  that  this  world  is  to  you  an  uncouth  inns ; 
and  that  ye  are  like  a  traveller,  who  hath  his  bundle  upon  his  back,  and 
his  staff  in  his  hand,  and  his  feet  upon  the  door-threshold  ;  go  for- 
ward, honourable  and  elect  Lady,  in  the  strength  of  your  Lord,  (let 
the  world  bide  at  home  and  keep  the  house)  with  your  face  toward 
him,  who  longeth  more  for  a  sight  of  you  than  ye  can  do  for  him  ; 
ere  it  be  long  he  will  see  us.  I  hope  to  see  you  laugh  as  cheerfully 
after  noon,  as  ye  have  mourned  betore  noon  ;  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  be  with  you  in  your  journey.  What  have  ye  to 
do  here  1  This  is  not  your  mountain  of  rest ;  arise  then,  and  set  your 
foot  up  the  mountain  :  go  up  out  of  the  wilderness  leaning  upon  the 
shoulder  of  your  Beloved,  Cant.  viii.  5.  If  ye  knew  the  welcome 
that  abideth  you  when  ye  come  home,  ye  would  hasten  your  pace ; 
for  ye  shall  see  your  Lord  put  up  his  own  holy  hand  to  your  face,  and 
wipe  all  tears  from  your  eyes ;  and  I  trow,  then  ye  shall  have  some 
joy  of  heart.  Madam,  paper  willeth  me  to  end  before  affection. 
Remember  the  estate  of  Zion  :  pray  that  Jerusalem  may  be  as  Zech- 
ariah  prophesied  chap.  xii.  13.  A  burdensome  stone  for  all,  that 
whosoever  boweth  down  to  roll  the  stone  out  of  the  way,  may  hurt 
and  break  the  joints  of  their  back,  and  strain  their  arms,  and  disjoint 
their  shoulder-blades  ;  and  pray  Jehovah,  that  the  stone  may  lie  still 
in  its  own  place,  keep  bond  with  the  Corner-stone,  I  hope  it  shall 
be  so  ;  he  is  a  skilled  Master-builder  who  laid  it.  I  would.  Madam, 
under  great  heaviness  be  refreshed  with  two  lines  from  your  Lady- 
ship, which  I  refer  to  your  own  wisdom.  Madam,  I  would  seem  un- 
dutiful  not  to  shew  you,  tliat  great  solicitation  is  made  by  the  town  of 
Kirkcudbright,  for  to  have  the  use  of  my  poor  labours  amongst  them. 
If  the  Lord  shall  call  and  his  people  cry,  who  am  I  to  resist  ?  But 
without  his  seen  fcalling,  and  till  the  flock,  whom  I  now  oversee,  be 
planted  with  one,  to  whom  I  dare  intrust  Christ's  spouse ;  gold  nor 
silver,  nor  favour  of  men,  I  hope,  shall  not  lose  me.  I  leave  your 
Ladyship,  praying  more  earnestly  for  grace  and  mercy  to  be  with  you, 
and  multiphed  upon  you,  here  and  hereafter,  than  my  pen  can  express. 
The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  the  Lord,  S.  R, 

Kirfudbriffht. 


317 
LETTER  XIY. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmiue. 
>IADAM, 

Having  saluted  you,  with  grace  and  mercy  from  God  our  Father, 
and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  long  to  see  your  Ladyship,  and  to 
hear  how  it  goeth  with  you.  I  do  remember  you,  and  present  you, 
and  your  necessities  to  him,  who  is  able  to  keep  you,  and  present  you 
blameless  before  his  face  with  joy ;  and  my  prayer  to  our  Lord  is, 
that  ye  may  be  sick  of  love  for  him,  who  died  of  love  for  you ;  I 
mean  your  Saviour,  Jesus  :  and  0  sweet  were  that  sickness,  to  be 
soul-sick  for  him !  and  a  living  death  it  were,  to  die  in  the  tire  of  the 
love  of  that  soul  lover,  Jesus  !  And,  Madam,  if  ye  love  him,  ye  will 
keep  his  commandments  ;  and  this  is  not  one  of  the  least,  to  lay 
your  neck  cheerfully  and  willingly  under  the  yoke  of  Jesus  Christ : 
for,  I  trust,  your  Ladysliip  did  first  contract  and  bargam  with  the  Son 
of  God,  to  follow  him  upon  these  terms,  that  by  his  grace  ye  should 
endure  hardship,  and  sutler  affliction  as  the  soldier  of  Christ ;  they 
are  not  worthy  of  Jesus,  who  will  not  take  a  blov.'  for  their  Master's 
sake.  For  our  glorious  peace-maker,  when  he  came  to  make  up  the 
friendship  betwixt  God  and  us,  God  bruised  him,  and  struck  him,  the 
sinful  world  also  did  beat  him,  and  crucify  him  ;  yet  he  took  buffets 
of  both  the  parties :  and  honour  to  our  Lord  Jesus,  he  would  not 
leave  the  field  for  all  that,  till  he  had  made  peace  betwixt  the  parties. 
I  persuade  myself,  your  sufferings  are  but  like  your  Saviour's  (yea, 
incomparably  less  and  lighter,)  which  are  called  but  a  bruising  of  his 
heel,  Gen.  iii.  15.  a  wound  far  from  the  heart.  Your  life  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God,  Col.  iii.  3.  tind  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  short  arms  of  children, 
else  children  would  put  up  their  hands,  and  take  them  down, 
and  lose  them  soon :  so  hath  our  Lord  done  with  our  spiritual  life  ; 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  high  coffer,  in  the  which  our  Lord  hath  hid  our 
life;  we  children  are  not  able  to  reach  up  our  arm  so  high  as  to  take 
down  that  life  and  lose  it ;  it  is  in  our  Christ's  hand  :  O,  long,  long- 
may  Jesus  be  lord-keeper  of  our  life !  and  happy  are  they  that  can, 
with  the  apostle,  2  Tim.  i.  lay  their  soul  in  pawn  in  the  hand  of 
Jesus  ;  for  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  is  committed  in  pawn  to 
him  against  that  day.  Then,  Madam,  so  long  as  this  life  is  not  hurt, 
all  other  troubles  are  but  touches  in  the  heel :  I  trust  ye  will  soon  be 
cured.  Ye  know.  Madam,  kings  have  some  servants  in  their  courts, 
that  receive  not  present  wages  in  their  hand,  but  live  upon  their 
hopes  ;  the  King  of  kings  also  hath  servants  in  his  court,  that  for  the 
present  get  little  or  nothing,  but  the  heavy  cross  of  Christ,  troubles 
without,  and  terrors  within  ;  but  they  hve  upon  hope  ;  when  it  cometh 
to  the  parting  of  the  inheritance,  they  remain  in  the  house  as  heirs : 
it  is  better  to  be  so,  than  to  get  present  payment,  and  a  portion  in  this 
life,  an  inheritance  in  this  world  ;  (God  forgive  me,  that  I  should 
honour  it  with  the  name  of  an  inheritance,  it  is  rather  a  farm-room,) 
and  then  in  the  end  to  be  casten  out  of  God's  house,  with  this  word. 


318  LETTER   XV.  PART   II. 

ye  have  received  your  consolation,  ye  will  get  no  more.  Alas !  what 
get  they?  The  rich  glutton's  heaven.  O  but  our  Lord,  Luke  xvi. 
maketh  it  a  silly  heaven!  he  fared  well,  (saith  our  Lord,)  and  deli- 
cately every  day  :  Oh  !  no  more  ?  a  silly  heaven  !  truly  no  more,  ex- 
cept that  he  was  clothed  in  purple,  and  that  is  all.  I  persuade  my- 
self. Madam,  ye  have  joy,  when  ye  think  that  our  Lord  hath  dealt 
more  graciously  with  your  soul.  Ye  have  gotten  little  in  this  Hfe,  it  is 
true,  indeed:  ye  have  then  the  more  to  crave  ;  yea,  ye  have  all  to 
crave;  for,  except  some  tastings  of  the  first  fruits,  and  some  kisses 
of  his  mouth,  whom  your  soul  loveth,  ye  get  no  more.  But  I  cannot 
tell  you  what  is  to  come  ;  yet  I  may  speak  as  our  Lord  doth  of  it : 
the  foundation  of  the  city  is  pure  gold,  clear  as  crystal ;  the  twelve 
ports  are  set  with  precious  stones ;  if  orchards  and  rivers  commend 
a  soil  upon  earth,  there  is  a  paradise  there,  wherein  groweth  the  tree 
of  life,  that  beareth  twelve  manner  of  fruits  every  month,  which  is 
seven  score  and  four  harvests  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  sun  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  sec  and 
enjoy.  Jesus  is  saying  in  the  gospel,  Come  and  see  ;  and  he  is  come 
down  in  the  chariot  of  truth,  wherein  he  rideth  through  the  world,  to 
conquer  men's  souls,  Psal.  xlv.  4.  and  is  now  in  the  world  saying, 
'  Who  will  go  with  me  1  will  ye  go  1  My  Father  will  make  you  wel- 
come, and  give  you  house-room  ;  for  in  my  Father's  house  are 
many  dwelling-places.'  Madam,  consent  to  go  with  him.  Thus  I 
rest,  commending  you  to  God's  dearest  mercy. 

Yours  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


LETTER  XV. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmuro. 
MADAM, 

I  AM  afraid  now,  (as  many  others  are,)  that  at  the  sitting  down  of 
our  parliament,  our  Lord  Jesus  his  spouse  shall  be  roughly  handled  ; 
and  it  must  be  so,  since  false  and  declining  Scotland,  whom  our  Lord 
took  off  the  dunghill,  and  out  of  hell,  and  made  a  fair  bride  to  him- 
self, hath  broken  her  faith  to  her  sweet  Husband,  and  hath  put  on  the 
forehead  of  a  whore  ;  and  therefore  he  saith,  he  will  remove.  Would 
to  God  we  could  stir  up  ourselves  to  lay  hold  upon  him,  who,  being 
highly  provoked  with  the  handling  he  hath  met  with,  is  ready  to  de- 
part. Alas,  we  do  not  importune  him,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  to 
abide  amongst  us !  If  we  could  but  weep  upon  him,  and,  in  the  holy 
pertinacy  of  faith,  wrestle  with  him,  and  say,  We  will  not  let  thee  go  ; 
it  may  be  that  then  he  who  is  easy  to  be  entreated,  would  yet,  not- 
withstanding of  our  high  provocations,  condescend  to  stay,  and  feed 
among  the  lilies,  till  that  fair  and  desirable  day  break,  and  the  shadows 
fllee  away.  Ah  !  what  cause  of  mourning  is  there,  when  our  gold  is 
become  dim,  and  the  visage  of  our  Nazarites,  sometimes  whiter  than 


PART  II.  LETTER    XVI.  319 

snow,  is  become  blacker  than  a  coal ;  and  Levi's  house,  once  compa- 
rable to  fine  gold,  is  now  changed,  and  become  like  vessels  in  whom 
he  hath  no  pleasure  ?  Madam,  think  upon  this,  that  when  our  Lord, 
who  hath  his  handkerchief  to  wipe  the  face  of  the  mourners  in  Zion, 
shall  come  to  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes,  he  may  wipe  your's 
also,  in  passing  amongst  others.  I  am  confident,  Madam,  that  our 
Lord  will  yet  build  a  new  house  to  himself,  of  our  rejected  and  scat- 
tered stones ;  for  our  Bridegroom  cannot  want  a  wife :  can  he  live 
a  widow  1  nay,  he  will  embrace  both  us,  the  little  young  sister,  and 
the  elder  sister,  the  church  of  the  Jews ;  and  there  will  yet  be  a  day 
of  it :  and  therefore  we  have  cause  to  rejoice,  yea,  to  sing  and  shout 
for  joy.  The  church  hath  been,  since  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
ever  hanging  by  a  small  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  sweet  fingers  of  Christ  our  Lord  have  spun  and  twisted  it :  Lord, 
hold  the  thread  whole.  Madam,  stir  up  your  husband,  to  lay  hold 
upon  the  covenant,  and  to  do  good.  What  hath  he  to  do  with  the 
world  1  it  is  not  his  inheritance  :  desire  him  to  make  home  over,  and 
put  to  his  hand  to  lay  one  stone  or  two  upon  the  wall  of  God's  house, 
before  he  go  hence.  I  have  heard  also.  Madam,  that  your  child  is 
removed  ;  but  to  have  or  want  is  best,  as  he  pleaseth.  Whether  she 
be  with  you,  or  in  God's  keeping,  think  it  ail  one ;  nay,  think  it  the 
better  of  the  two  by  far,  that  she  is  with  him.  I  trust  in  our  Lord, 
that  there  is  something  laid  up  and  kept  for  you  ;  for  our  kind  Lord, 
who  hath  wounded  you,  will  not  be  so  cruel,  as  not  to  allay  the  pain 
of  your  green  wound ;  and  therefore  claim  Christ  still  as  your  own, 
and  own  him  as  your  One  thing.  So  resting,  I  recommend  your 
Ladyship,  your  soul  and  spirit  in  pawn  to  him,  who  keepeth  his  Fa- 
ther's pawns,  and  will  make  an  account  of  them  faithfully,  even  to 
that  Fairest  amongst  the  sons  of  men,  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  the 
fairest,  the  sweetest,  the  most  delicious  Rose  of  all  his  Father's 
great  field.     The  smell  of  that  Rose  perfume  your  soul. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweetest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  April  1,  1633. 


LETTER  XVL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

I  DETERMINED,  and  was  desirous  also  to  have  seen  your  Ladyship^ 
but  because  of  a  pain  in  my  arm  I  could  not.  I  know  ye  will  not  im- 
pute it  to  any  unsuitable  forgctfulness  of  your  Ladyship,  from  whom, 
at  my  first  entry  to  my  calling  in  this  country,  and  since  also,  I  re- 
ceived such  comfort  in  my  affliction,  as,  I  trust  in  God  never  to  for- 
get, and  shall  labour  by  his  grace  to  recompence  it,  the  only  way 
possible  to  me,  and  that  is,  by  presenting  your  soul,  person,  house, 
and  all  your  necessities,  in  prayer  to  him,  whose  I  hope  you  are,  and 
who  is  able  to  keep  you  till  that  day  of  appearance,  and  to  present 
you  before  his  face  with  joy.     I  am  confident  your  Ladyship  is  going 


320  LETTER  XVI. 


PART  II, 


forward,  in  the  begun  journey  to  your  Lord  and  Father's  home  and 
kingdom  ;  hovvbeit  ye  want  not  temptations  within  and  without  :  and 
who  among  the  saints  hath   ever  taken   that  castle   without  stroke 
of  sword  ?     The  chief  of  the  house,  our  Elder  brother,  our  Lord 
Jesus,  not  being  excepted,  who  won  his  own  house  at  home,  due  to 
him  by  birth,  with  much  blood  and  many  blows.     Your  Ladyship  hath 
the  more  need  to  look  to  yourself,  because  our  Lord  hath  placed  you 
higher  than  the  rest,  and  your  way  to  heaven  lieth  through  a  more 
wild  and  waste  wilderness,  than  the  way  of  many  of  your  iellow-tra- 
vellers ;  not  only  through  the  midst  of  this  wood  of  thorns,  the  cum- 
bersome world,  but  also  through  these  dangerous  paths,  the  vain- 
glory of  it :  the  consideration  whereof  hath  often  moved  me  to  pity 
your  soul,  and  the  soul  of  your  worthy  and  noble  husband.     And  it  is 
more  to  you  to  win  heaven,  being  ships  of  greater  burden,  and  in  the 
main  sea,  than  for  little  vessels,  that  are  not  so  much  in  the  mercy  and 
reverence  of  the  storms  ;  because  they  may  come  quietly  to  their  port 
by  launching  along  the  coast ;  for  the  which  cause  ye  do  much,  if  in 
the  midst  of  such  a  tumult  of  business,  and  crowd  of  temptations,  ye 
shall  give  Christ  Jesus  his  own  court,  and  his  own  due  place  in  your 
soul.     I  know   and  am  persuaded,  that  that  lovely  One,  Jesus,  is 
dearer  to  you  than  many  kingdoms  ;  and  that  ye  esteem  him  your 
Well-beloved,  and  the  Standard-bearer  among  ten  thousand,  Cant.  v. 
10.     And  it  becometh  him  full  well  to  take  the  place,  and  the  board- 
head  in  your  soul,  before  all  the  world :  1  knew  and  saw  him  with  you 
in  the  furnace  of  affliction  :  for  there  ho  wooed  you  to  himself,  and 
chose  you  to  be  his ;  and  now  he  craveth  no  other  hire  of  you  but 
your  love,  and  that  he  get  no  cause  to  be  jealous  of  you.     And  there- 
fore dear  and  worthy  Lady,  be  like  to  the  fresh  river,  that  kcepeth  its 
own  fresh  taste   in  the  salt-sea.     This  world  is  not  worthy  of  your 
soul  ;  give  it  not  a  good  day,  when  Christ  cometh  in  competition  with 
it.     Be  like  one  of  another  country  :  home  and  stay  not ;  for  the  sun 
is  fallen  low,  and  nigh  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  and  the  shadows 
are  stretched  out  in  great  length.     Linger  not  by  the  way  ;  the  world 
and  sin  would  train  you  on,  and  make  you  turn  aside  :  leave  not  the 
way  for  them,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  be  at  the  voyage  !  Madam,  many 
eyes  are  upon  you,  and  many  would  be  glad  your  Ladyship  should 
spill  a  Christian,  and  mar  a  good  professor.      Lord  Jesus  mar  their 
godless  desires,  and  keep  the  conscience  whole  without  a  crack !  If 
there  be  a  hole  in  it,  so  that  it  take  in  water  at  a  leak,  it  will  with  diffi- 
culty mend  again.     It  is  a  dainty  delicate  creature,  and  a  rare  piece 
of  the  workmanship  of  your  Maker;  and  therefore  deal  gently  with 
it,  and  keep  it  entire,  that  amidst  this  world's  glory,  your   Ladyship 
may  learn  to  entertain  Christ ;  and  whatsoever  creature  your  Ladyship 
findeth  not  to  smell  of  him,  it  may  have  no  better  relish  to  you  than 
the  white  of  an  egg.     Madam  it  is  a  part  of  the  truth  of  your  pro- 
fession, to  drop  words  in  the  ears  of  your  noble  husband  continually, 
of  eternity,  judgment,  death,  hell,  heaven,  the  honourable  profession, 
the  sins  of  his  father's  house  :  he  must  reckon  with  God  tor  his  fa- 
ther's debt ;  Ibrgetting  of  accounts  payeth  not  debt ;  nay,  the  interest 
of  a  forgotten  bond  runneth  up  with  God,  to  interest  upon  interest. 


PAKT  II.  LETTER    XVlf.  ^21 

I  know,  he  looketh  homeward,  and  loveth  the  truth :  but  I  pity  him, 
with  my  soul,  because  of  his  many  temptations  ;  Satan  layeth  upon 
men  a  burden  of  cares  above  a  load,  and  maketh  a  pack-horse  of 
men's  souls,  when  they  are  wholly  set  upon  this  world.  We  owe  the 
devil  no  such  service ;  it  were  wisdom  to  throw  off  that  load  into  a 
mire,  and  cast  all  our  cares  over  upon  God.  Madam,  think  ye  have 
no  child  ;  subscribe  a  bond  to  your  Lord,  that  she  shall  be  his,  if  he 
take  her ;  and  thanks  and  praise  and  glory  to  his  holy  name,  shall  be 
the  interest  for  a  year's  loan  of  her.  Look  for  crosses  ;  and  while  it 
is  fair  weather,  mend  the  sails  of  the  ship.  Now,  hoping  your  Lady- 
ship will  pardon  my  tediousness,  I  recommend  your  soul  and  person 
to  the  grace  and  mercy  of  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  in  whom  I  am 
Your  Ladyship's  at  all  dutiful  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Nov.  15,  1633. 

LETTER  XVn. 

To  the  same. 
MADAM, 

Having  received  a  letter  from  some  of  the  worthiest  of  the  minis- 
try in  this  kingdom,  the  contents  whereof  I  am  desired  to  communi- 
cate to  such  professors  in  these  parts,  as  I  know  love  the  beauty  of 
Zion,  and  are  afflicted  to  see  the  Lord's  vineyard  trodden  under  foot 
by  the  wild  boars  out  of  the  wood,  who  lay  it  waste  ;  I  could  not  but 
also  desire  your  Ladyship's  help,  to  join  with  the  rest,  desiring  you  to 
impart  it  to  my  lord,  your  husband  ;  and  if  ye  think  it  needful,  I  shall 
write  to  his  Lordship,  as  Mr.  G.  G.  shall  advertise  me.  Know  there- 
fore, that  the  best  affected  of  the  ministry  have  thought  it  convenient 
and  necessary,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  that  all  who  love  the  truth  should 
join  their  prayers  together,  and  cry  to  God  with  humiliation  and  fast- 
ing ;  the  times  which  are  agreed  upon,  are  the  first  two  sabbaths  of 
February  next,  and  the  six  days  intervening  betwixt  these  sabbaths,  as 
they  may  conveniently  be  had,  and  the  first  sabbath  of  every  quarter  ; 
and  the  causes,  as  they  are  written  to  me,  are  these  ;  1.  Besides  the 
distresses  of  the  reformed  churches  abroad,  the  many  reigning  sins  of 
uncleanness,  ungodliness,  and  unrighteousness  in  this  land  :  the  pre- 
sent judgments  on  the  land,  and  many  more  hanging  over  us  whereof 
few  are  sensible,  or  yet  know  the  right  and  true  cause  of  them.  2. 
The  lamentable  and  pitiful  estate  of  a  glorious  church,  in  so  short  a 
time,  against  so  many  bonds,  in  doctrine,  sacrament  and  disciphne,  so 
sore  persecuted,  in  the  persons  of  faithful  pastors  and  professors,  and 
the  door  of  God's  house  kept  so  strait,  by  bastard-porters  in  so  much 
that  worthy  instruments,  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  shall  be  enjoined  by  authority.  3.  In  our 
humiliation,  besides  that  we  are  under  a  necessity  of  deprecating 
God's  wrath,  and  vowing  to  God  sincerely  new  obedience  ;  the  weak- 
ness, coldness,  silence  and  luke-warmness,  of  some  of  the  best  of 
the  ministry  and  the  deadness  of  professors,  who  have  suffered  the 
truth  both  secretly  to  be  stolen  away,  and  openly  to  be  plucked  from 

41 


322  LETTER  XVI 1 1.  PART    II. 

lis,  would  be  confessed.  4.  Atheism,  idolatry,  profanity,  and  vanity 
would  be  confessed  ;  our  king's  heart  recommended  to  God  ;  and 
God  intreated,  that  he  would  stir  up  the  nobles  and  the  people  to  turn 
from  their  evil  ways.  Thus,  Madam,  hoping  that  your  Ladyship  will 
join  with  others,  that  such  a  work  be  not  slighted  at  such  a  necessary 
time,  when  our  kirk  is  at  the  overturning,  I  will  promise  to  myself 
your  help,  as  the  I^ord  in  secrecy  and  prudence  shall  enable  you,  that 
your  Ladyship  may  rejoice  with  the  Lord's  people,  when  deliverance 
shall  come  :  for  true  and  sincere  humiliation  comes  always  speed  with 
God  ;  and  when  authority,  king,  court,  and  churchmen  oppose  the 
truth,  what  other  armour  have  we  but  prayer  and  faith  1  whereby  if 
we  wrestle  with  him,  there  is  groimd  to  hope  that  those  who  would 
remove  the  burdensome  stone  out  of  its  place,  shall  but  hurt  their 
back,  and  the  stone  shall  not  be  moved,  at  least  not  removed,  Zech. 
xii.  3.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you,  Irom  him  who  hath  called  you  to 
the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  submissive  obedience  in  his  sweet  Lord 
Jesus,  S.  R. 

AiiwoUi,  Jan.  23,  1G34. 


LETTER  XYin. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

All  submissive  and  dutiful  obedience  in  our  Lord  Jesus  remem- 
bered ;  I  trust  I  need  not  much  entreat  your  Ladyship  to  look  to  him, 
who  hath  stricken  you  at  this  time  ;  but  my  duty,  in  the  memory  of 
that  comfort  I  found  in  your  Ladyship's  kindness,  when  I  was  no  less 
heavy,  in  a  case  not  unlike  that,  speaketh  to  me,  to  say  something 
now ;  and  I  wish  I  could  ease  your  Ladyship  at  least  with  words  : 
I  am  persuaded,  your  Physician  will  not  slay  you,  but  purge  you  ; 
and  seeing  he  callcth  himself  the  Chirurgcon,  who  maketh  the  wound 
and  bindetli  it  up  again,  for  to  lance  a  wound  is  not  to  kill,  but  to  cure 
the  patient,  Deut.  xxxii.  30.  1  Sam.  ii.  C.  Job  vi.  18.  Hos.  vi.  1.  I 
believe,  faith  will  teach  you  to  kiss  a  striking  Lord,  and  so  acknow- 
ledge the  sovereignty  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  roses, 
and  pull  down  sour  and  green  fruit  before  the  harvest,  who  can  chal- 
lenge him  :  For  he  sendeth  us  to  his  world,  as  men  to  a  market, 
wherein  some  stay  many  hours,  and  eat  and  drink,  and  buy  and  sell, 
and  i)ass  through  the  fair,  till  tliey  be  weary  ;  and  such  are  those  who 
live  long,  and  get  a  hearty  till  of  this  lite  :  and  others  again  come 
slipping  into  the  morning  market,  and  do  neither  sit  nor  stand,  nor 
buy  nor  sell,  but  look  about  them  a  little,  and  pass  presently 
home  again  ;  and  these  are  infants  and  young  ones,  who  end  their 
short  market  in  the  morning,  and  get  but  a  short  view  of  the  fair. 
Our  Lord,  who  hath  numbered  man's  months,  and  set  him  bounds 
that  he  cannot  pass,  Job  xiv.  5.  hath  written  the  length  of  our  mar- 
ket ;  and  it  is  easier  to  complain  of  the  decree,  than  to  change  it.     I 


PART  II.  LETTER  XIX.  323 

verily  believe,  when  I  write  this,  your  Lord  hath  taught  your  Lady- 
ship to  lay  your  hand  on  your  mouth  :  but  I  shall  be  far  from  desiring 
your  Ladyship  or  any  others  to  cast  by  a  cross,  like  an  old  useless 
bill,  that  is  only  for  the  tire  ;  but  rather  would  wish,  each  cross  were 
looked  in  the  lace  seven  times,  and  were  read  over  and  over  again. 
It  is  the  messenger  of  the  Lord,  and  s|)eaks  something  ;  and  the  man 
of  understanding  will  hear  the  rod,  and  him  that  hath  appointed  it  : 
try  what  is  the  taste  of  the  Lord's  cup,  and  drink  with  God's  blessing, 
that  ye  may  grow  thereby.  I  trust  in  God,  whatever  speech  it  utter 
to  your  soul,  this  is  one  word  in  it.  Job  v.  17.  '  Behold  blessed  is  the 
man  whom  God  correcteth  ;'  and  that  it  saith  to  you,  ye  are  from 
home  while  here  ;  ye  are  not  of  this  world,  as  your  Redeemer,  Christ, 
was  not  of  this  world.  There  is  something  keeping  for  you,  which 
is  worth  the  having.  All  that  is  here  is  condemned  to  die,  to  pass 
away  like  a  snow-ball  before  a  summer-sun  ;  and  since  death  took 
first  possession  of  something  of  yours,  it  hath  been  and  daily  is 
creeping  nearer  and  nearer  to  yourself,  howbeit  with  no  noise  of  feet. 
Your  husbandman  and  Lord  hath  lopped  off  some  branches  already, 
the  tree  itself  is  to  be  transplanted  to  the  high  garden  ;  in  a  good  time 
be  it,  our  Lord  ripen  your  Ladyship.  All  these  crosses,  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  har- 
vest hook.  I  have  seen  the  Lord  weaning  you  from  the  breasts  of 
this  world  ;  it  was  never  his  mind,  it  should  be  your  patrimony,  and 
God  be  thanked  for  that ;  ye  look  the  hker  one  of  the  heirs  ;  let  the 
moveables  go,  why  not  I  they  are  not  yours  ;  fasten  your  grips  upon 
the  heritage  ;  and  our  Lord  Jesus  make  the  charters  sure,  and  give 
your  Ladyship  to  grow  as  a  palm-tree  on  God's  mount  Zion  ;  how- 
beit shaken  with  winds,  yet  the  root  is  fast.  This  is  all  I  can  do,  to 
recommend  your  case  to  the  Lord,  who  hath  you  written  upon  the 
palms  of  his  hands.  If  I  were  able  to  do  more,  your  Ladyship  may 
believe  me,  that  gladly  I  would.  I  trust  shortly  to  see  your  Ladyship. 
Now  he  who  hath  called  you,  confirm  and  establish  your  heart  in 
grace  unto  the  day  of  the  hberty  of  the  sons  of  God. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  submissive  obedience  in  his  sweet  Lord 
Jesus,  S.  11. 

Ardwel,  April  29,  1G34. 


LETTER  XIX. 

To  the  same. 
MY  VERY  NOBLE  AND  WORTHY  LADY, 

So  oft  as  I  call  to  mind  the  comforts,  that  I  myself,  a  poor  friend- 
less stranger,  received  from  your  Ladyship  here  in  a  strange  part  of 
the  country,  when  my  Lord  took  from  me  the  desire  of  mine  eyes, 
as  the  word  speaketh,  Ezek.  xxiv.  16.  (which  wound  is  not  yet  fully 
healed  and  cured,)  I  trust  your  Lord  shall  remember  that,  and  give 
you  comfort  now,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  wherein  your  dearest  Lord 
hath  made  you  a  widow,  that  ye  may  be  a  free  woman  for  Christ, 
who  is  now  suiting  for  marriage-love  of  you  ;  and,  therefore,  since 


324  LETTER  XIX.  PART  II. 

vou  lye  alone  in  your  bed,  let  Christ  be  as  a  bundle  of  myrrh,  to 
sleep  and  lye  all  the  night  l3etwixt  your  breasts,  Cant.  i.  13.  and  then 
your  bed  is  better  filled  than  before  :  and  seeing,  among  all  crosses 
spoken  of  in  our  Lord's  word,  this  giveth  you  a  particular  right  to 
make  God  your  husband,  (which  was  not  so  your's,  while  your  hus- 
band was  alive,)  read  God's  mercy  out  of  this  visitation.  And  albeit 
I  must  out  of  some  experience  say,  the  mourning  for  the  husband  of 
your  youth  be  by  God's  own  mouth  the  heaviest  worldly  sorrow, 
Joel  i.  8.  and  though  this  be  the  weightiest  burden  that  ever  lay  upon 
your  back,  yet  ye  know  when  the  fields  are  emptied,  and  your  hus- 
band now  asleep  in  the  liord,  if  ye  shall  wait  upon  him,  who  hideth 
his  face  for  a  while,  that  it  lyeth  upon  God's  honour  and  truth  to  fill 
the  field,  and  to  be  a  husband  to  the  widow  :  see  and  consider  then 
what  ye  have  lost,  and  how  little  it  is.  Therefore  Madam,  let  me 
entreat  you  in  the  bowels  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  by  the  comforts  of  his 
Spirit,  and  your  appearance  before  him,  let  God,  and  men,  and  angels 
now  see  what  is  in  you  ;  the  Lord  hath  pierced  the  vessel,  it  w  ill  be 
known  whether  there  be  in  it  wine  or  water :  let  your  faith  and  pa- 
tience be  seen,  that  it  may  be  known  your  only  beloved  first  and  last 
hath  been  Christ :  and  therefore  now,  were  your  whole  love  upon 
him,  he  alone  is  a  suitable  object  for  your  love  and  all  the  affections 
of  your  soul.  God  hath  dried  up  one  channel  of  your  love,  by  the 
removal  of  your  husband  :  let  now  that  speat  run  upon  Christ :  your 
Lord  and  Lover  hath  graciously  taken  out  your  husband's  name,  and 
your  name,  out  of  the  summonses,  that  are  raised  at  the  instance  of 
the  terrible  sin-revenging  Judge  of  the  world,  against  the  house  of 
Kenmure  :  and  I  dare  say  that  God's  hammering  of  you  from  your 
youth,  is  only  to  make  you  a  fair  carved  stone,  in  the  high  upper 
temple  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  Your  Lord  never  thought  this 
world's  vain  painted  glory  a  gift  worthy  of  you  ;  and  therefore  would 
not  bestow  it  on  you,  because  he  is  to  propine  you  with  a  better  por- 
tion: let  the  moveables  go,  the  inheritance  is  your's.  Ye  are  a  child 
of  the  house,  and  joy  is  laid  up  for  you  ;  it  is  long  in  coming,  but  not 
the  worse  for  that.  I  am  now  expecting  to  see,  and  that  with  joy  and 
comfort,  that  which  I  hoped  of  you,  since  I  knew  you  fully  ;  even 
that  ye  have  laid  such  strength  upon  the  Holy  One  of  Lsrael,  that  ye 
defy  troubles  ;  and  that  your  soul  is  a  castle  that  may  be  besieged, 
but  cannot  be  taken.  What  have  you  to  do  here  1  This  world  never 
looked  like  a  friend  upon  you  ;  ye  owe  it  little  love,  it  looked  ever 
sour  like  upon  you ;  howbeit  ye  should  woo  it,  it  will  not  match  with 
you  ;  and  therefore  never  seek  warm  fire  under  cold  ice.  This  is  not 
a  field  where  your  happiness  groweth  ;  it  is  up  above,  where,  Rev. 
vii.  9.  there  are  a  great  multitude,  which  no  man  can  number,  of  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues,  standing  before  the 
throne  and  before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in 
their  hands  ;  what  ye  could  never  get  here,  ye  shall  find  there.  And 
withal  consider,  how  in  all  these  trials  (and  truly  they  have  been 
many)  your  Lord  hath  been  loosing  you  at  the  root  from  perishing 
things,  and  hunting  after  you,  to  grip  your  soul.  Madam,  for  the 
Son  of  God's  sake,  let  him  not  miss  his  grip,  but  stay  and  abide  in 


MRT  IT.  LETTER    XX.  325 

the  love  of  God,  as  Jude  saith,  ver.  21.  Now,  Madam,  I  hope 
3'our  Ladyship  will  take  these  Hnes  in  good  part :  and  wherein  I  have 
iallen  short  and  failed  to  your  Ladyship,  in  not  evidencing  what  I  was 
obliged  to  your  more  than  undeserved  love  and  respect,  I  request  for 
a  full  pardon  for  it.  Again,  my  dear  and  noble  Lady,  let  me  beseech 
you  to  lift  up  your  head,  for  the  day  of  your  redemption  draweth 
near  ;  and  remember  that  star  that  shined  in  Galloway  is  now  shining 
in  another  world.  Now  1  pray  that  God  may  answer  his  own  stile 
to  your  soul ;  and  that  he  may  be  to  you  the  God  of  all  consolations. 
Thus  I  remain 

Your  Ladyship's'  at  all  dutiful  obedience  in  the  Lord,     S.  R. 
Anwoth,  Sept,  14,  1634. 


LETTER  XX. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

All  dutiful  obedience  in  our  Lord  remembered ;  I  know  ye  are 
now  near  one  of  those  straits  in  which  ye  have  been  before  :  but  be- 
cause your  outward  comforts  are  fewer,  I  pray  him,  whose  ye  are,  to 
supply  what  ye  want,  another  way  :  for  howbeit  we  cannot  win  to  the 
bottom  of  his  wise  providence,  who  ruleth  all ;  yet  it  is  certain,  this 
is  not  only  good,  which  the  Almighty  hath  done,  but  it  is  best ;  and 
he  hath  reckoned  all  your  steps  to  heaven ;  and  if  your  Ladyship 
were  through  this  water,  there  are  the  fewer  behind ;  and  if  this  were 
the  last,  I  hope  your  Ladyship  hath  learned  by  on-waiting  to  make 
your  acquaintance  with  death,  which  being,  to  the  Lord,  the  woman's 
Seed,  Jesus,  only  a  bloody  heel,  and  not  a  broken  head.  Gen.  iii.  15. 
cannot  be  ill  to  his  friends,  who  get  far  less  of  death  than  himself. 
Therefore,  Madam,  seeing  ye  know  not  but  the  journey  is  ended,  and 
ye  are  come  to  the  water-side,  in  God's  wisdom,  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  haughtiness  and  much 
humihty.  I  would  be  far  from  discouraging  your  Ladyship  ;  but  there 
is  an  absolute  necessity,  that,  near  eternity,  we  look  ere  we  leap,  see- 
ing no  man  winneth  back  again  to  mend  his  leap.  I  am  confident 
your  Ladyship  thinketh  often  upon  it,  and  that  your  old  Guide  shall 
go  before  you  and  take  your  hand  :  his  love  to  you  will  not  grow  sour, 
nor  wear  out  of  date,  as  the  love  of  men,  which  groweth  old  and  gray- 
headed  often  before  themselves.  Ye  have  so  much  the  more  reason 
to  love  a  better  life  than  this,  because  this  world  hath  been  to  you  a 
cold  fire,  with  little  heat  to  the  body,  and  as  little  light,  and  much 
smoke  to  hurt  the  eyes.  But,  Madam,  your  Lord  would  have  you 
thinking  it  but  dry  breasts,  full  of  wind,  and  empty  of  food.  In  this 
late  visitation  that  hath  befallen  your  Ladyship,  ye  have  seen  God's 
love  and  care,  in  such  a  measure,  that  I  thought  our  Lord  brake  the 
sharp  point  off  the  cross,  and  made  us  and  your  Ladyship  see  Christ 
take  possession  and  infeftment  upon  earth  of  him  who  is  now  reigning 
and  triumphing  with  the  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand,  who 
stand  with  the  Lamb  on  mount  Zion.     I  know,  the  sweetest  of  it  i?5 


326  LETTER   XXI,    XXII.  PART   II. 

bitter  to  yovi ;  but  your  Lord  will  not  give  you  painted  crosses  :  he 
pareth  not  all  the  bitterness  from  the  cross,  neither  taketh  he  the  sharp 
edge  quite  from  it ;  then  it  should  be  of  your  wailing,  and  not  of  his, 
which  should  have  as  little  reason  in  it,  as  it  should  have  profit  for  us. 
Only,  Madam,  God  commandeth  you  now  to  beheve,  and  cast  anchor 
in  the  dark  night,  and  climb  up  the  mountain  :  he  who  hath  called 
you,  establish  you  and  confirm  you  to  the  end.  I  had  a  purpose  to 
have  visited  your  Ladyship  ;  but  when  I  thought  better  upon  it,  the 
truth  is,  I  cannot  see  what  my  company  could  profit  you  :  and  this 
hath  broken  off  my  purpose,  and  no  other  thing.  I  know  many  ho- 
nourable friends  and  worthy  professors  will  see  your  Ladyship  ;  and 
that  the  son  of  God  is  with  you,  to  whose  love  and  mercy,  from  my 
soul,  I  recommend  your  Ladyship,  and  remain 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  '  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Nov.  29,  1634. 


LETTER  XXL 

To  the  same. 
MADAM, 

Mv  humble  obedience  in  the  Lord  remembered.  Know  it  hath 
pleased  the  Lord,  to  let  me  see,  by  all  appearance,  my  labours  in 
God's  house  here  are  at  an  end  ;  and  I  must  now  learn  to  suffer,  in 
the  which  1  am  a  dull  scholar.  By  a  strange  providence,  some  of  my 
papers  anent  the  corruptions  of  this  time  are  come  to  our  king's  hand  ; 
I  know  by  the  wise  and  well-affected,  I  shall  be  censured,  as  not  wise 
nor  circumspect  enough  ;  but  it  is  ordinary  that  that  should  be  a  part 
of  the  cross  of  those  who  suffer  for  him  :  yet  I  love  and  pardon  the 
instrument ;  I  would  commit  my  Ufe  to  him,  howbeit  by  him  this  hath 
befallen  me  ;  but  I  look  higher  than  to  him.  I  make  no  question  of 
your  Ladyship's  love  and  care  to  do  what  ye  can  for  my  help  ;  and  I 
am  persuaded  that  in  my  adversities  your  Ladyship  will  wish  me  well. 
I  seek  no  other  thing,  but  that  my  Lord  may  be  honoured  by  me  in 
giving  a  testimony,  I  was  willing  to  do  him  more  service  ;  but  seeing 
he  will  have  no  more  of  my  labours,  and  this  land  will  thrust  me  out, 
I  pray  for  grace  to  learn  to  be  acquaint  with  misery,  if  I  may  give  so 
rough  a  name  to  such  a  mark  of  those  who  shall  be  crowned  with 
Christ :  and  howbeit  I  will  possibly  prove  a  faint-hearted  unwise  man 
in  that,  yet  I  dare  say,  I  intend  otherwise  :  and  1  desire  not  to  go  on 
the  lee-side  or  sunny-side  of  religion,  to  put  truth  betwixt  me  and  a 
storm  ;  my  Saviour  did  not  so  for  me,  who  in  his  suftering  took  the 
windy  side  of  the  hill.  No  turther,  but  the  Son  of  God  be  with  you. 
Your  Ladyship's  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Dec.  5,  16o4. 


LETTER  XXIL 

To  the  same. 
MADAM, 

I  RECEIVED  your  Ladyship's  letter  from  J.  G.     I  thank  our  Lord 
ve  are  as  well,  at  least,  as  one  may  be,  who  is  not  come  home  :  it  is 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXII.  '621 

a  mercy  in  this  stormy  sea,  to  get  a  second  wind  ;  for  none  of  the 
saints  get  a  first,  but  they  must  take  the  winds  as  the  Lord  of  the  seas 
causeth  them  to  blow  ;  and  the  inn,  as  the  Lord  and  Master  of  the 
inns  hath  ordered  it :  if  contentment  were  here,  heaven  were  not 
heaven.  Whoever  seek  the  world  to  be  their  bed,  shall  at  best  find 
it  short  and  ill  made,  and  a  stone  under  their  side  to  hold  them  waking, 
rather  than  a  soft  pillow  to  sleep  upon.  Ye  ought  to  bless  your 
Lord,  that  it  is  not  worse  :  we  live  in  a  sea  where  many  have  suffered 
shipwreck,  and  have  need  that  Christ  sit  at  the  helm  of  the  ship.  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 
swimming  and  wet  through  our  waters,  than  drown  by  the  way  ;  es- 
pecially now  when  truth  suffereth,  and  great  men  bid  Christ  sit  lower, 
and  contract  himself  in  less  bound,  as  if  he  took  too  much  room.  I 
expect  our  new  Prelate  shall  try  my  sitting.  I  hang  by  a  thread,  but 
it  is  (if  I  may  speak  so)  of  Christ's  spinning :  there  is  no  quarrel 
more  honest  or  honourable  than  to  suffer  for  truth  ;  but  the  worst  is, 
that  this  kirk  is  like  to  sink,  and  all  her  lovers  and  friends  stand  afar 
o^,  none  mourn  with  her,  and  none  mourn  for  her.  But  the  Lord 
Jesus  will  not  be  put  out  of  his  conquest  so  soon  in  Scotland  :  it  will 
be  seen,  the  kirk  and  truth  will  rise  again  within  three  days,  and 
Christ  again  shall  ride  upon  his  white  horse  ;  howbeit  his  horse  seem 
now  to  stumble,  yet  he  cannot  fall :  the  fullness  of  Christ's  harvest 
in  the  end  of  the  earth  is  not  yet  come  in.  I  speak  not  this,  because 
I  would  have  it  so,  but  upon  better  grounds  than  my  naked  liking. 
But  enough  of  this  sad  subject.  I  long  to  be  fully  assured  of  your 
Ladyship's  welfare,  and  that  your  soul  prospereth,  especially  now  in 
your  solitary  life,  when  your  comforts  outward  are  few,  and  when 
Christ  hath  you  for  the  very  uptaking.  I  know  his  love  to  you  is  still 
running  over,  and  his  love  hath  not  so  bad  a  memory  as  to  forget  yoii 
and  your  dear  child,  who  hath  two  fathers  in  heaven,  the  one  the  An- 
cient of  days.  I  trust  in  his  mercy,  he  hath  something  laid  up  for 
him  above,  however  it  may  go  with  him  here.  I  know  it  is  long  since 
your  Ladyship  saw  this  world  turned  your  step-mother,  and  did  for- 
sake you.  Madam,  ye  have  reason  to  take  in  good  part  a  lean  din- 
ner and  spare  diet,  in  this  life,  seeing  your  large  supper  of  the  Lamb's 
preparing  will  recompense  all  :  let  it  go,  which  was  never  yours,  but 
only  in  sight,  not  in  property  :  the  time  of  your  loan  will  wear 
shorter  and  shorter,  and  time  is  measured  to  you  by  ounce-weights  : 
and  then  I  know,  your  hope  shall  be  a  full  ear  of  corn,  and  not  blasted 
with  wind  :  it  may  be  your  joy,  tliat  your  anchor  is  up  within  the  vail, 
and  that  the  ground  it  is  cast  upon,  is  not  false  but  firm.  God  hath 
done  his  part :  1  hope  ye  will  not  deny  to  fish  and  fetch  home  all  your 
love  to  himself;  and  it  is  but  too  narrow  and  short  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  forgiveth  you  :  he  hath  done  now  all  that  can  be  done,  to  win  be- 
yond it  all,  and  hath  left  little  to  woo  your  love  from  himself,  except 
one  only  child :  what  is  his  purpose  herein,  he  knoweth  best,  who 
hath  taken  your  soul  in  tutoring.     Your  faith  may  be  boldly  charitable 


328  .     LETTER  XXI II,  XXI V.  PART  II. 

of  Christ,  that,  however  matters  go,  the  worst  shall  be  a  tired  travel- 
ler, and  a  joyful  and  a  sweet  welcome  home.  The  back  of  your 
winter  night  is  broken ;  look  to  the  east,  the  day  sky  is  breaking ; 
think  not  that  Christ  loseth  time,  or  lingereth  unsuitably.  0  fair,  fair 
and  sweet  morning !  We  are  but  as  sea-passengers  ;  if  we  look  right 
we  are  upon  our  country  coast ;  our  Redeemer  is  fast  coming,  to  take 
this  old  worm-eaten  world,  like  an  old  moth-eaten  garment,  in  his  two 
hands,  and  to  roll  it  up,  and  lay  it.  by  him.  These  are  the  last  days, 
and  an  oath  is  given.  Rev.  x.  by  God  himself,  that  time  shall  be  no 
more  :  and  when  time  itself  is  old  and  gray-haired,  it  were  good  we 
were  away.  Thus,  Madam,  ye  see  I  am,  as  my  custom  is,  tedious 
in  my  lines  ;  your  Ladyship  will  pardon  it.  The  Lord  Jesus  be  with 
your  spirit. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Jan.  18,  1636. 


LETTER  XXin. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
3IADAM, 

I  CANNOT  find  a  time  for  writing  some  things  I  intended  on  Job,  I 
have  been  so  taken  up  with  the  broils  that  we  are  incumbered  with  in 
our  calling  :  for  Prelates  will  have  us  either  to  swallow  our  light  over, 
and  digest  it,  contrary  to  our  stomachs,  howbeit  we  should  vomit  our 
conscience  and  all,  in  this  troublesome  conformity ;  or  then  he  will 
try  if  deprivation  can  convert  us  to  the  ceremonial  faith.  I  write  to 
your  Ladyship,  Madam,  not  as  distrusting  your  affection,  or  willing- 
ness to  help  me,  as  your  Ladyship  is  able  by  yourself,  or  others,  but 
to  advertise  you,  that  I  hang  by  a  small  thread  :  for  our  learned  Pre- 
late because  we  cannot  see  with  his  eyes,  so  far  in  a  mill-stone,  as  his 
light  doth,  will  not  follow  his  Master,  meek  Jesus,  who  waited  upon 
the  wearied  and  short  breathed  in  the  way  to  heaven :  and  where  all 
see  not  alike,  and  some  are  weaker,  he  carrieth  the  lambs  in  his  bo- 
som, and  leadeth  gently  those  that  are  with  young.  But  we  must 
either  see  all  the  evil  of  ceremonies  to  be  but  as  indifferent  straws,  or 
suffer  no  less  than  to  be  casten  out  of  the  Lord's  inheritance.  Madam, 
if  I  had  time,  1  would  write  more  at  length  ;  but  your  Ladyship  will 
pardon  me,  till  a  fitter  occasion.  Grace  be  with  you  and  your  child, 
and  bear  you  company  to  your  best  home. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  June  8,  1636. 


LETTER  XXIV. 

To  Eailstoun,  Elder. 
>1UCH  HONOURED  SIR, 

I  HAVE  heard  of  the  mind  and  malice  of  your  adversaries  against 
you ;  it  is  like  they  will  extend  the  law  they  have,  in  length  and  breadth, 
answerable  to  their  heat  of  mind  ;  but  it  is  a  great  part  of  your  glory, 
that  the  cause  is  not  your?,  but  your  Lord's  whom  ye  sCTve  ;  and  I 


PART  II.  LETTER    XXIV.  329 

doubt  not  but  Christ  will  count  it  his  honour  to  back  his  weak  ser- 
vant ;  and  it  were  a  shame  for  him,  with  reverence  to  his  holy  name, 
that  he  should  suffer  himself  to  be  in  the  coinmon  of  such  a  poor  man 
as  ye  are,  and  that  ye  should  give  out  for  him,  and  not  get  in  ao-ain ; 
write  up  your  disbursements  for  your  Master  Christ,  and  keep  the  count 
what  ye  give  out,  whether  name,  credit,  goods,  or  life,  and  suspend 
your  reckoning  till  nigh  the  evening  ;  and  remember  that  a  poor  weak 
servant  of  Christ  wrote  it  to  you,  ye  shall  have  Christ,  a  King,  caution 
for  your  incomes  and  all  your  losses.  Reckon  not  from  tho  forenoon  ; 
take  the  word  of  God  for  your  warrant,  and  for  Christ's  act  of  cau- 
tionry,  howbeit  body,  life  and  goods  go  for  Christ  your  Lord,  and 
though  ye  should  lose  the  head  for  him ;  yet  Luke  xxi.  18,  There 
shall  not  one  hair  of  your  head  perish  ;  ver.  19,  In  patience  therefore 
possess  your  soul.  And  because  ye  are  the  first  man  in  Galloway 
called  out,  and  questioned  for  the  name  of  Jesus,  his  eye  hath  been 
upon  you,  as  upon  one  whom  be  designed  to  be  among  his  witnesses. 
Christ  hath  said,  Alexander  Gordon  shall  lead  the  ring,  in  witnessing 
a  good  confession  ;  and  therefore  he  hath  put  the  garland  of  suffering 
for  himself  first  upon  your  head  ;  think  yourself  so  much  the  more 
obliged  to  him,  and  fear  not ;  for  he  layetii  his  right-hand  on  your 
head.  He  who  was  dead  and  is  alive,  will  plead  your  cause,  and  will 
look  attentively  upon  the  process  from  the  beginning  to  the  end :  and 
the  Spirit  of  glory  shall  rest  upon  you.  Rev.  ii.  10.  Fear  none  of 
these  things  which  thou  shalt  suffer  ;  behold  the  devil  shall  cast  some 
of  you  into  prison,  that  ye  may  be  tried,  and  ye  shall  have  tribulation 
ten  days.  I3e  thou  faithful  uuto  the  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  the 
crown  of  life.  This  lovely  One  Jesus,  who  also  became  the  Son  of 
man,  that  he  might  take  strokes  for  you,  write  the  cross-sweetening 
and  soul-supporting  sense  of  these  words  in  your  heart.  These  rum- 
bling wheels  of  Scotland's  ten  days  tribulation  are  under  his  looks, 
who  hath  seven  eyes.  Take  an  house  on  your  head,  and  slip  your- 
self by  faith  under  Christ's  wings,  till  the  storm  be  over  ;  and  remem- 
ber, when  they  have  drunk  us  down.  Jerusalem  will  be  a  cup  of  trem- 
bling and  of  poison,  Zech.  xii.  2.  They  shall  be  fain  to  vomit  out 
the  saints ;  for  Judah,  ver.  6  shall  be  an  hearth  of  fire  in  a  sheaf,  and 
they  shall  devour  all  the  people  round  about,  on  the  right  hand,  and  on 
the  left.  Wo  to  the  enemies  of  Zion,  they  have  the  worst  of  it :  for 
we  have  writ  for  the  victory.  Sir,  Ye  were  never  so  honourable  as 
ye  are  now ;  this  is  your  glory,  that  Christ  hath  put  you  in  the  roll 
with  himself,  and  the  rest  of  the  witnesses,  who  are  come  out  of  great 
tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  garments,  and  made  them  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Be  not  cast  down,  for  what  the  servants  of 
Antichrist  cast  in  your  teeth.  That  ye  are  a  head  to,  and  favourer  of 
the  Puritans,  and  leader  to  that  sect.  If  your  conscience  say,  Alas, 
here  is  much  din  and  little  done,  as  the  proverb  is,  because  ye  have 
not  done  so  much  service  to  Christ  that  way  as  ye  might  and  should  : 
take  courage  from  that  same  temptation  ;  for  your  Lord  Christ  look- 
cth  upon  that  very  challenge,  as  an  hungering  desire  in  you  to  have 
done  more  than  ye  did ;  and  that  filleth  up  the  blank,  and  he  will  ac- 
cept of  what  ve  have  done  m  that  kind.     If  great  men  be  kind  to 

42 


330  LETTER  XX\ .  PART  II. 

you,  I  pray  you  overlook  them :  if  they  smile  on  you,  Christ  but  bor- 
roweth  their  face,  to  smile  through  them  upon  his  afflicted  servant ; 
know  the  Well-head  :  and  for  all  that,  learn  the  way  to  the  well  itself. 
Thank  God  that  Christ  came  to  your  house  in  your  absence,  and  took 
with  him  some  of  your  children ;  he  presumeth  that  much  on  your 
love,  that  ye  would  not  offend  ;  and  howbeit  he  should  take  the  rest, 
he  cannot  come  upon  your  wrong  side  ;  T  question  not,  if  they  were 
children  of  gold,  but  ye  think  them  well  bestowed  upon  him.  Ex- 
pound well  two  rods  on  you,  one  in  your  house  at  home,  another  on 
your  own  person  abroad  ;  love  thinketh  no  evil ;  if  ye  were  not  Christ's 
wheat,  appointed  to  be  bread  in  his  house,  he  would  not  grind  you. 
But  keep  the  middle  line,  neither  despise  nor  faint,  Heb.  xii.  6.  Ye 
see  your  Father  is  homely  with  you  :  strokes  of  a  father's  evidence, 
kindness  and  care  ;  take  them  so.  I  hope  your  Lord  hath  manifested 
himself  to  you,  and  suggested  these  or  more  choice  thoughts  about 
his  dealing  with  you  :  we  are  using  our  weak  moyen  and  credit  for  you, 
up  at  our  own  court ;  as  we  can,  we  pray  the  king  to  hear  us,  and  the 
Son  of  Man  to  go  side  for  side  with  you,  and  hand  in  hand,  in  the 
fiery  oven,  and  to  quicken  and  encourage  your  unbelieving  heart,  when 
ye  droop  and  despond.  Sir,  to  the  honour  of  Christ  be  it  said,  my 
faith  goeth  with  my  pen  now  :  I  am  presently  believing  Christ  shall 
bring  you  out.  Truth  in  Scotland  shall  keep  the  crown  of  the  cause- 
way yet,  the  saints  shall  see  religion  go  naked  at  noon-day,  free  from 
shame  and  fear  of  men  :  we  shall  divide  Shechem,  and  ride  upon  the 
high  places  of  Jacob.  Remember  my  obliged  respects  and  love  to 
my  Lady  Kenmure  and  her  sweet  child. 

Your's  ever  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  July  6,  1636. 


LETTER  XXV. 

To  the  Viscountess  of  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Gracc,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  T  know  yc  are  near  nrauy 
comforters,  and  that  the  promised  Comforter  is  near  hand  also ;  yet 
because  I  found  your  Ladyship  comfortable  to  myself,  in  my  sad 
days,  that  are  not  yet  over  my  head,  it  is  my  part,  and  more  in  many 
respects  (howbeit  I  can  do  little,  God  knowcth,  in  that  kind)  to  speak 
to  you  in  your  wilderness  lot.  I  know,  dear  and  noble  Lady,  this 
loss  of  your  dear  child  came  upon  you,  one  piece  and  part  of  it  after 
another  :  and  that  ye  were  looking  for  it,  and  that  now  the  Almighty 
hath  brought  on  you  that  which  ye  feared  ;  and  that  your  Lord  gave 
you  lawful  warning  :  and  I  hope,  for  liis  sake,  who  brewed  and  mask- 
ed this  cup  in  heaven,  ye  will  gladly  drink,  and  salute  and  welcome 
the  cross.  I  am  sure,  it  is  not  your  Lord's  mind  to  feed  you  with 
judgment  and  worm-wood,  and  to  give  you  waters  of  gall  to  drink, 
Ezek.  xxxiv.  16.  Jer.  ix.  15.  1  know  your  cup  is  sugared  with 
mercy ;  and  that  the  withering  of  the  bloom,  the  flower,  even  the 
white  and  red  of  worldly  joys,  is  tor  no  other  end,  but  to  buy  out  at 
the  ground  the  reversion  of  your  heart  and  love.     3Iadam,  subscribe 


PART  II.  LETTER    XXV.  331 

to  the  Almighty's  will ;  put  your  hand  to  tlie  pen,  and  let  the  cross  of 
your  Lord  Jesus  have  your  submissive  and  resolute  Amen.  If  ye 
ask  and  try  whose  this  cross  is  ?  I  dare  say,  it  is  not  all  your  own,  the 
best  half  of  it  is  Christ's ;  then  your  cross  is  no  born-bastard,  but 
lawfully  begotten,  it  sprang  not  out  of  the  dust,  Job  v.  6.  If  Christ 
and  ye  be  halvers  of  this  suffering,  and  he  say,  half-mine,  what  should 
ail  you  ?  And  I  am  here  right  upon  the  stile  of  the  word  of  God, 
Phil.  iii.  10.  The  fellowship  of  Christ's  sufferings.  Col.  i.  29.  The 
remnant  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ,  Heb.  xi.  28.  reproach  of  Christ. 
It  were  but  to  shit't  the  comforts  of  God,  to  say,  Christ  had  never  such 
a  cross  as  mine,  he  had  never  a  dead  cliild,  and  so  this  is  not  his 
cross,  never  can  he  in  that  meaning  be  the  owner  of  this  cross ;  but 
I  hope,  Christ  when  he  married  you,  married  you  and  all  the  crosses 
and  wo-hearts  that  folloAv  you  :  and  the  word  maketh  no  exception, 
Isa.  Ixiii.  9.  In  all  their  afflictions  he  was  afflicted  ;  then  Christ  bore 
the  first  stroke  of  this  cross,  it  rebounded  off  him  upon  you,  and  ye 
get  it  at  the  second  hand,  and  ye  and  he  are  halves  in  it :  and  I  shall 
believe,  for  my  part,  he  mindeth  to  distill  heaven  out  of  this  loss,  and 
all  others  the  like ;  for  wisdom  devised  it,  and  love  laid  it  on,  and 
Christ  owneth  it  as  his  own,  and  putteth  your  shoulder  only  beneath 
a  piece  of  it.  Take  it  with  joy,  as  no  bastard-cross,  but  as  a  visita- 
tion of  God  well-born  ;  and  spend  the  rest  of  your  appointed  time, 
till  your  change  come,  in  the  work  of  believing  ;  and  let  faith,  that 
never  yet  made  a  lie  to  you,  speak  for  God's  part  of  it,  *  He  will  not, 
he  doth  not  make  you  a  sea  or  a  whale-fish,  that  he  keepeth  you  in 
ward,'  Job  vii.  12.  It  may  be,  ye  Ihink  not  many  of  the  children  of 
God  in  such  a  hard  case  as  yourself;  but  what  would  ye  think  of 
some,  who  would  exchange  afflictions,  and  give  you  to  the  boot ;  but 
I  know  your's  must  be  your  own  alone,  and  Christ's  together.  I  con- 
fess it  seemed  strange  to  me,  that  your  Lord  should  have  done  that 
which  seemeth  to  ding  out  the  bottom  of  your  worldly  comforts  ;  but 
we  see  not  the  ground  of  the  Almighty's  sovereignty  ;  he  goeth  by  on 
our  right  hand,  and  on  our  left  hand  and  we  see  him  not :  we  see  but 
pieces  of  the  broken  links  of  the  chains  of  his  providence,  and  he 
coggeth  the  wheels  of  his  own  providence,  that  we  see  not.  O  let 
the  Former  work  his  own  clay  in  what  frame  he  pleaseth !  Shall  any 
teach  the  Almighty  knowledge  ?  if  he  pursue  dry  stubble,  who  dare 
say,  what  dost  thou  1  do  not  wonder  to  see  tiie  Judge  of  the  world 
weave  in  one  web,  your  mercies  and  the  judgments  of  the  house  of 
Kenmure  :  he  can  make  one  web  of  contraries.  But  my  weak  ad- 
vice, with  reverence  and  correction,  were  for  you,  dear  and  worthy 
Lady,  to  see  how  far  mortification  goeth  on,  and  what  scum  the 
Lord's  fire  casteth  out  of  you.  I  know,  ye  see  your  knottiness,  since 
our  Lord  vvhyteth  and  heweth  and  plaineth  you  ;  and  the  glancing  of 
the  furnace  is  to  let  you  see  what  scum  or  refuse  ye  must  want,  and 
what  froth  is  in  nature,  that  must  be  boiled  out,  and  taken  ofT  in  the 
fire  of  your  trials.  I  do  not  say,  heavier  afflictions  prophesy  heavier 
guiltiness  ;  a  cross  is  often  but  a  false  prophet  in  this  kind  :  but  I  am 
sure  our  Lord  would  have  the  tin,  and  the  bastard  metal  in  you  re- 
jnoved  ;  lest  the  Lord  sav,  '  The  bellows  are  burnt,  the  lead  is  ^on- 


LETTER  XXVI.  PART  II. 

Slimed  in  the  fire,  the  founder  melteth  in  vain,  Jer.  vi.  29.  And  I 
shall  hope,  that  grief  shall  not  so  far  smother  your  light,  as  not  to 
practice  this  so  necessary  a  duty,  to  concur  with  him  in  this  blessed 
design.  I  would  gladly  plead  for  the  Comforter's  part  of  it,  not 
against  you  Madam  (for  I  am  sure  ye  are  not  his  party)  but  against 
your  grief,  which  will  have  its  own  violent  incursions  in  your  soul : 
and  I  think  it  be  not  in  your  power  to  help  it :  but  I  mtist  say,  there 
are  comforts  allowed  upon  you  ;  and  therefore  want  them  not.  When 
ye  have  gotten  a  running-over  soul,  joy  now,  that  joy  will  never  be 
missed  out  of  the  infinite  ocean  of  delight,  which  is  not  diminished 
by  drinking  at  it,  or  drawing  out  of  it.  It  is  a  Christian  art,  to  com- 
fort yourself  in  the  Lord  ;  to  say,  I  was  obliged  to  render  back  again 
this  child  to  the  Giver  :  and  if  I  have  had  four  years  loan  of  him,  and 
Christ  eternity's  possession  of  him,  the  Lord  hath  kept  condition 
with  me :  if  my  Lord  would  not  have  him  and  me  to  tryst  both  in 
one  hour,  at  death's  door-threshold  together,  it  is  his  wisdom  so  to 
do,  I  am  satisfied  :  my  tryst  is  suspended,  not  broken  off,  nor  given 
up.  Madam,  I  would  I  could  divide  sorrow  with  you,  for  your  ease ; 
but  I  am  but  a  beholder,  it  is  easy  to  me  to  speak  ;  the  God  of  com- 
fort speak  to  you,  and  allure  you  with  his  feasts  of  love.  My  remo- 
val from  my  flock,  is  so  heavy  to  me,  that  it  maketh  my  life  a  burden 
to  me ;  I  had  never  such  a  longing  for  death  :  the  Lord  help  and 
hold  up  sad  clay.  I  fear  ye  sin  in  drawing  Mr.  WiUiam  Dalgleish 
from  this  country  where  the  labourers  are  few,  and  the  harvest  great. 
Madam,  desire  my  Lord  Argyle  to  see  for  provision  to  a  pastor  for 
this  poor  people.      Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Kirkudbright,  Oct.  1,  1649. 


LETTER  XXVL 

To  the  persecuted  church  in  Ireland. 
JMUCH    HONOURED,    REVERED    AND    DEARLY    BELOVED    IN    OUU    LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  all.  I  know  there  are  many  in 
this  nation  more  able  than  I  to  speak  to  the  sufierers  for,  and  wit- 
nesses of  Jesus  Christ ;  yet  pardon  me  to  speak  a  little  to  you,  who 
are  called  in  question  for  the  gospel  once  committed  to  you.  I  hope 
ye  are  not  ignorant,  that  as  peace  was  left  to  you  in  Christ's  testa- 
ment, so  the  other  haif  of  the  testament  was  a  legacy  of  Christ's 
sufferings,  John  xvi.  35.  '  These  things  have  I  spoken,  that  in  me 
ye  might  have  peace  ;  in  the  world  ye  shall  have  trouble.'  Because 
then  ye  are  made  assigns  and  heirs  to  a  hfe-rent  of  Christ's  cross, 
think  that  fiery  trial  no  strange  thing  :  for  the  liOrd  Jesus  shall  be  no 
loser  by  purgusg  the  dross  and  tin  out  of  his  church  in  Ireland !  his 
wine  press  is  but  squeezing  out  the  dregs,  the  scum,  the  froth  and 
refuse  of  that  church.  I  had  once  the  proof  of  the  sweet  smell,  and 
the  honest  and  honourable  peace,  of  that  slandered  thing,  the  cross 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  :  but  though  alas  tluit  these  golden  days  that  then 
I  had,  be  now  in  a  great  part  gone  ;  yet  I  dare  say,  that  the  issue  and 
outgate  of  your  sufferings  shall  be  the  advantage,  the  golden  reign 


TART  11. 


LETTER    XXVI.  333 


and  dominion  of  the  gospel,  and  the  high  glory  of  the  never-enough- 
piaised  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  the  changing  of  the  brass 
of  the  Lord's  temple  among  you  into  gold,  and  the  iron  into  silver, 
and  the  wood  into  brass  :  your  officers  shall  yet  be  peace,  and  your 
exactors  righteousness,  Isa.  Ix.  ver.  17,  18.     Your  old  fallen  walls 
shall  get  a  new  name,  and  the  gates  of  your  Jerusalem  shall  get  a 
new  stile  ;  they  shall  call  your  walls  salvation,  and  your  gates,  praise. 
I  know  that   Deputy-Prelates,  Papists,  temporizing  Lords,  and  proud 
mockers  of  our  Lord,  crucifiers  of  Christ  for  his  coat,  and  all  your 
enemies,  have  neither  fingers  nor  instruments  of  war  to  pick  out  one 
stone  out  of  yoi:;  wall ;  for  each  stone  of  your  wall  is  salvation.     I 
dare  give  you  my  royal  and  princely  Master's  word  for  it,  that  Ireland 
shall  be  aVair  bride  to  Jesus,  and  Christ  shall  build  on  her  a  palace  of 
silver,  Cant.  viii.  9.     Therefore  weep  not,  as  if  there  were  no  hope  ; 
fear  not,  put  on  strength,  put  on  your  beautiful  garments,  Isa.  Hi.  1. 
your  foundation  shall  be  sapphires,  Isa.  liv.  11,  12.  your  windows  and 
gates  precious  stones.     Look  over  the  water,  and  behold  and  see, 
>vho  is  on  the  dry-land  waiting  for  your  landing  :  your  deliverance  is 
concluded,  subscribed  and   sealed  in  heaven  ;  your  goods  tl^at  are 
taken  from  you,  for  Christ  and  his  truth's  sake,  are  but  arrested  and 
laid  in  pawn,  and  not  taken  away  :  there  is  much  laid  up  for  you  in 
his  store-house,  whose  the  earth  and  the  fulness  thereof  isl  your 
garments  are  spun,  and  your  flocks  are  feeding  in  the  fields,  your  bread 
is  laid  up  for  you,  your  drink  is  brewn,  your  gold  and  silver  is  at  the 
bank,  and  the  interest  goeth  on  and  groweth ;  and  yet  I  hear,  that 
your  task-masters  do  rob  and  spoil  you,  and  fine  you.     Your  prisons 
(my  brethren)  have  two  keys ;  the  deputy-prelates  and  officers  keep 
but  the  iron  keys  of  the  prison,  wherein  they  put  you  :  but  he  that 
hath  created  the  smith,  hath  other  keys  in  heaven ;   therefore  ye  shall 
not  die   in  the  prison  :  other  men's  ploughs  are  labouring  for  your 
bread,  your  enemies  are  gathering  in  your  rents.     He  that  is  kissing 
his  bride  on  this  side  of  the  sea  in  Scotland,  is  beating  her  beyond 
the  sea  in  Ireland,  and  feeding  her  with  the  bread  of  adversity  and  the 
water  of  affliction  ;  and  yet  he  is  the  same  Lord  to  both.     Alas !  I 
fear  that  Scotland  be  undone  and  slain  with  this  great  mercy  of  refor- 
mation, because  there  is  not  here  that  life  of  religion,  answerable  to 
the  huge  greatness  of  the  work,  that  dazzleth  our  eyes  ;  for  the  Lord 
is  rejoicing  over  us  in  this  land,  as  the  bridegroom  rejoiceih  over  the 
bride  ;  and  the  Lord  hath  changed  the   name  of  Scotland  ;  they  call 
us  now  no  more  forsaken  nor  desolate,  but  our  land  is  called  tleph- 
zibah  and  Reulah,  Isa.  Ixii.  4.  for  the  Lord  delighteth  in  us,  and  this 
land  is  married  to  himself:   there  is  now  an  high  way  made  through  our 
Zion,  and  it  is  called  the  way  of  holiness  ;  the  unclean  shall  not  pass 
over  it:  the  way-faring  men,  though  fools,  shall  not  err  in  it:  the 
wilderness  doth  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose  :  '  The  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  are  returned  back  unto  Zion,  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy 
upon  their  heads,  Isa.  xxxv.  10.'     The  Canaanite  is  put  out  of  our 
Lord's  house ;  there  is  not  a  beast  left  to  do  hurt  (at  least  profess- 
edly) in  all  the  holy  mountain  of  the  Lord.     Our  Lord  is  fallen  to 
wrestle  with  his  enemies,  and  hath  brought  us  out  of  Egvjit :  we  have 


•334  LETTER    XXVI.  PART  II. 

the  strength  of  an  unicorn,  Num.  xxiii.  22.  The  Lord  hath  eaten  up 
the  sons  of  Babel,  he  hath  broken  their  bones,  and  hath  pierced  them 
through  with  his  arrows  ;  we  take  them  captives  whose  captives  wc 
were,  and  we  rule  over  our  oppressors,  Isa.  xiv.  2.  It  is  not  brick, 
nor  clay,  nor  Babel's  cursed  timber  and  stones,  that  is  in  our  second 
temple  ;  but  our  princely  King  Jesus  is  building  his  house  all  palace- 
work  and  carved  stones ;  it  is  the  habitation  of  the  Lord.  We  do 
welcome  Ireland  and  England  to  our  Well-beloved  :  we  invite  you,  O 
daughters  of  Jerusalem,  to  come  down  to  our  Lord's  garden,  and 
seek  our  Well-beloved  with  us  ;  for  his  love  will  suffice  both  you  and 
us  :  we  do  send  you  love  letters  over  the  sea,  to  request  you  to  come 
and  to  marry  our  King,  and  to  take  part  of  our  bed  ;  and  we  trust  our 
Lord  is  fetching  a  blow  upon  the  beast  and  the  scarlet  coloured  whore, 
to  the  end  he  m.iy  bring  in  his  ancient  widow-wife,  our  dear  sister, 
the  church  of  the  Jews.  0  what  a  iieavenly  heaven  were  it  to  see 
them  come  in  by  this  mean,  and  suck  the  breasts  of  their  little  sister, 
and  renew  their  old  love  with  their  first  husband,  Cbrist  our  Lord ! 
They  are  booked  in  God's  word,  as  a  bride  contracted  upon  Jesus ! 
O  for  a  sight,  in  this  flesh  of  mine,  of  the  prophesied  marriage  be- 
tween Christ  and  them  !  '  The  kings  of  Tarshish  and  the  Isles  must 
bring  presents  to  our  Lord  Jesus,  Psal.  Ixxii.  10.'  And  Britain  is 
one  of  the  chiefest  isles  :  why  then  but  we  may  believe,  that  our 
kings  of  this  island  shall  come  in,  and  bring  their  glory  to  the  New 
Jerusalem,  wherein  Christ  shall  dwell  in  the  latter  days  ?  It  is  our 
part  to  pray.  That  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  may  become  Christ's. 
Now  I  exhort  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  not  to  be  dismayed  nor  afraid 
for  the  two  tails  of  these  smoking  fire-brands,  the  fierce  anger  of  the 
deputy  with  civil  power,  and  of  the  bastard  prelates  with  the  power  of 
the  beast ;  for  they  shall  be  cut  off:  they  may  well  eat  you  and  drink 
you,  but  they  shall  be  forced  to  vomit  you  out  again  alive.  If  two 
things  were  firmly  believed,  sufferings  would  have  no  weight :  if  the 
fellowship  of  Christ's  sufferings  were  well  known,  who  would  not 
gladly  take  part  with  Jesus  1  for  Christ  and  we  are  halvers  and  joint 
owners  of  one  and  the  same  cross :  and  therefore  he  that  knew  well 
what  sufferings  were,  as  he  esteemed  all  things  but  loss  for  Christ, 
and  did  judge  them  but  dung,  so  did  he  also  judge  of  them,  that  he 
might  know  the  fellowship  of  his  suftermgs,  Phil.  iii.  10.  O  how 
sweet  a  sight  is  it,  to  see  a  cross  betwixt  Christ  and  us ;  to  hear  our 
Redeemer  say,  at  every  sigh,  and  every  blow,  and  every  loss  of  a 
believer,  half  mine  !  so  they  are  called.  '  The  sufferings  of  Christ, 
and  the  reproach  of  Christ,  Col.  ii.  24.  Heb.  xi.  26.  As  when  two 
are  partners  and  owners  of  a  ship,  the  half  of  the  gain  and  half  of  the 
loss  belongeth  to  either  of  the  two ;  so  Christ  in  our  sufferings  is 
half-gainer  and  half-loser  with  us  ;  yea  the  heaviest  end  of  the  black 
tree  of  the  cross  lieth  on  your  Lord,  it  falleth  first  upon  him,  and  it 
but  reboundeth  off  him  upon  you  :  The  reproaches  of  them  that 
reproached  thee  are  fallen  upon  me,  Psal.  Ixix.  9.  Your  sufferings 
are  your  treasure,  and  are  greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt, 
Heb.  xi.  26.  And  if  your  cross  come  through  Christ's  fingers  ere  it 
come  to  vou,  it  receiveth  a  fair  lustre  from  him.  it  getteth  a  taste  and 


PART   II.  LETTER    XXVI.  335 

relish  of  the  King's  spikenard,  and  of  heaven's  perfume  ;  and  the 
half  of  the  gain,  when  Christ's  ship  full  of  gold  cometh  home,  shall 
be  yours  :  it  is  an  augmenting  of  your  treasure  to  be  rich  in  suffer- 
ings, '  to  be  in  labours  abundant,  in  stripes  above  measure,  2  Cor.  xi. 
ver.  23.  and  to  have  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abounding  in  you,  2  Cor. 
i.  5.  is  a  part  of  heaven's  stock.  Your  goods  are  not  lost  which  they 
have  plucked  from  you,  for  your  Lord  hath  them  in  keeping  ;  they 
are  but  arrested  and  seized  upon,  he  shall  loose  the  arrest :  ye  shall 
be  fed  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  your  father,  for  the  mouth  of  the 
Lord  hath  spoken  it,  Isa.  Iviii.  14.  Till  I  shall  be  in  the  hall  floor  of 
the  highest  palace,  and  get  a  draught  of  glory  out  of  Christ's  hand, 
above  and  beyond  time  and  beyond  death,  I  will  never  (it  is  like)  see 
fairer  days,  than  I  saw  under  that  blessed  tree  of  my  Lord's  cross  : 
his  kisses  then  were  king's  kisses,  these  kisses  were  sweet  and  soul- 
reviving  ;  one  of  them  at  the  same  time  was  worth  two  and  a  half  (if 
I  may  speak  so)  of  Christ's  week-days  kisses.  O  sweet,  sweet  for 
evermore,  to  see  a  rose  of  heaven  growing  in  as  ill  ground  as  hell ; 
and  to  see  Christ's  love,  his  embracements,  his  dinners  and  suppers 
of  joy,  peace,  faith,  goodness,  long-suffering  and  patience,  growino 
and  springing,  like  the  flowers  of  God's  garden,  out  of  such  stony  and 
cursed  ground  as  the  hatred  of  the  prelates,  and  the  malice  of  their 
high  commission,  and  the  Antichrist's  bloody  hand  and  heart !  Is  not 
here  art  and  wisdom?  Is  not  here  heaven  indented  in  hell  (if  I  may 
say  so)  like  a  jewel  set  with  skill  in  a  ring  with  the  enamel  of  Christ's 
cross  1  the  ruby  and  riches  of  glory,  that  groweth  up  out  of  the  cross, 
is  beyond  telling.  Now  the  blackest  and  hottest  wrath  and  most 
fiery  and  all-devouring  indignation  of  the  Judge  of  men  and  angels, 
shall  come  upon  them  who  deny  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  and  put  their 
hand  to  that  oath  of  wickedness  now  pressed.  The  Lord's  coal  at 
their  heart  shall  burn  them  up  both  root  and  branch  ;  the  estates  of 
great  men  that  have  done  so,  if  they  do  not  repent,  shall  consume 
away,  and  the  ravens  shall  dwell  in  their  houses  and  their  glory  shall 
be  shame.  Oh,  for  the  Lord's  sake,  keep  fast  by  Christ,  and  fear 
not  man  that  shall  die,  and  wither  as  the  grass.  The  deputy's  bloom 
shall  flill,  and  the  prelates  shall  cast  their  flower,  and  the  east  wind  of 
the  Lord,  of  the  Lord  strong  and  mighty,  shall  blast  and  break  them  : 
therefore  fear  them  not :  they  are  but  idols,  that  can  neither  do  evil 
nor  good.  Walk  not  in  the  way  of  those  people  that  slander  the  foot- 
steps of  our  royal  and  princely  anointed  king,  Jesus,  now  riding  upon 
his  white  horse  in  Scotland  ;  let  Jehovah  be  your  fear.  That  decree 
of  Zion's  deliverance,  passed  and  sealed  up  before  the  throne,  is  now 
ripe  and  shall  bring  forth  a  child,  even  the  ruin  and  fall  of  the  black 
kingdom,  and  the  Antichrist's  throne,  in  these  kingdoms  ;  the  Lord 
hath  begun,  and  he  shall  make  an  end.  Who  did  ever  hear  the  like 
of  this  t  Before  Scotland  travailed,  she  brought  forth ;  and  before 
her  pain  came,  she  was  delivered  of  a  man-child,  Isa.  Ixvi.  7,  8. 
And  when  all  is  done,  suppose  there  were  no  sweetness  in  our  Lord's 
cross,  yet  it  is  sweet  for  his  sake,  for  that  lovely  One,  Jesus  Christ : 
whose  crown  and  royal  supremacy  is  the  question  this  day  in  Great 
Britain,  betwixt  us  and  our  adversaries  ;  and  who  would  not  think 


336  LETTEU    XXVI.  PART   II. 

him  worthy  of  the  suftering  for  ?  What  is  burning  quick  ?  what  is 
drinking  of  our  own  heart's-blood  ?  and  what  is  a  draught  of  melted 
lead  for  his  glory  1  less  than  a  draught  of  cold  water  to  a  thirsty  man, 
if  the  right  price  and  due  value  were  put  on  that  worthy,  worthy 
Prince,  Jesus.  Oh,  who  can  weigh  him  !  Ten  thousand  thousand 
heavens  would  not  be  one  scale,  or  the  half  of  the  scale  of  the 
balance  to  lay  him  in.  Oh,  black  angels,  in  comparison  of  him ! 
Oh,  dim  and  dark  and  lightless  sun,  in  regard  of  that  fair  Sun  of 
righteousness  !  Oh,  feckless  and  worthless  heaven  of  heavens,  when 
they  stand  beside  my  worthy  and  lofty,  and  high  and  excellent  AVell- 
beloved !  Oh,  weak  and  infirm  clay-kings !  Oh  soft  and  feeble 
mountains  of  brass,  and  weak  created  strength,  in  regard  of  our 
mighty  and  strong  Lord  of  armies  !  Oh,  foolish  wisdom  of  men  and 
angels,  when  it  is  laid  in  the  balance  beside  that  spotless  substantial 
wisdom  of  the  Father  !  if  heaven  and  earth,  and  ten  thousand  heavens, 
even  round  about  these  heavens  that  now  are,  were  all  in  one  para- 
dise, decked  with  all  the  roses,  flowers,  and  trees  that  can  come  fortli 
from  the  art  of  the  Almighty  himself;  yet  set  but  our  one  Flower,  that 
groweth  out  of  the  root  of  Jesse,  beside  that  orchard  of  pleasure,  one 
look  of  him,  one  view,  one  taste,  one  smell  of  his  God-head,  would 
infinitely  exceed  and  go  beyond  the  smell,  colour,  beauty  and  loveli- 
ness of  that  paradise.  O  to  be  with  child  of  his  love  !  and  to  be  suf- 
focated (if  that  could  be)  with  the  smell  of  his  sweetness,  were  a 
sweet  fill  and  lovely  pain.  Oh,  worthy,  worthy  loveliness !  Oh, 
less  of  the  creatures,  and  more  of  thee  !  Oh,  open  the  passage  of  the 
well  of  love  and  glory  on  us,  dry  pits  and  withered  trees !  Oh,  that 
Jewel  and  Flower  of  heaven !  If  our  beloved  were  not  mistaken  by 
us,  and  unknown  to  us,  he  would  have  no  scarcity  of  wooers  and  suit- 
ors ;  he  would  make  heaven  and  earth  both  see,  that  they  cannot 
quench  his  love,  for  his  love  is  a  sea :  oh,  to  be  a  thousand  fathoms 
deep  in  this  sea  of  love  !  He,  he  himself,  is  more  excellent  than  hea- 
ven ;  for  heaven,  as  it  cometh  into  the  souls  and  spirits  of  the  glorified, 
is  but  a  creature  ;  and  he  is  something,  and  a  great  something  more 
than  a  creature.  Oh,  what  a  life  were  it,  to  sit  beside  this  well  of 
love,  and  drink  and  sing,  and  sing  and  drink  ;  and  then  to  have 
desires  and  soul-faculties  stretched  and  extended  out  many  thousand 
fathoms  in  length  and  breadth,  to  take  in  seas  and  rivers  of  love  !  I 
earnestly  desire  to  recommend  this  love  to  you,  that  this  love  may 
cause  you  to  keep  his  commandments,  and  to  keep  clean  fingers,  and 
make  clean  feet,  that  ye  may  walk  as  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord. 
Wo,  wo  be  to  them  that  put  on  his  name,  and  shame  this  love 
of  Christ  with  a  loose  and  profane  life  :  their  feet,  tongue,  and  hands, 
and  eyes,  give  a  shameless  lye  to  the  holy  gospel,  which  they  profess. 
I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord,  keep  Christ,  and  walk  with  him  ;  let  not 
his  fairness  be  spotted  and  stained  by  godless  living.  Oh  !  who  can 
find  in  their  heart  to  sin  against  love  l  and  such  a  love  as  the  glorified 
in  heaven  shall  delight  to  dive  into,  and  drink  of  for  ever ;  tor  they 
are  evermore  drinking  in  love,  and  the  cup  is  still  at  their  head,  and 
yet  without  lothing ;  for  they  still  drink,  and  still  desire  to  drink  for 
ever  and  over  :  is  not  this  a  long-lasting  supper  ?    Now  if  any  of  our 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXVII.  337 

country-people,  professing  Christ  Jesus,  have  brought  themselves 
under  the  stroke  and  wrath  of  the  Almighty,  by  yieldin<2;  to  Antichrist 
in  an  hair-breadth,  but  especially  by  swearing  and  subscribing  that 
blasphemous  oath,  (which  is  the  church  of  Ireland's  black  hour  of 
temptation)  I  would  entreat  them,  by  the  mercies  of  God  at  their  last 
summons,  to  repent  and  openly  confess  before  the  world,  to  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  their  denial  of  Christ :  or  otherwise,  if  either  man  or 
woman  will  stand  and  abide  by  that  oath,  then,  in  the  name  and  au- 
thority of  the  Lord  Jesus,  I  let  them  see  that  they  forfeit  their  part  of 
heaven,  and  let  them  look  for  no  less  than  a  back-burden  of  the  pure 
unmixed  wrath  of  God,  and  the  plague  of  apostates  and  dcniers  of 
our  Lord  Jesus.  Let  not  me,  a  stranger  to  you,  who  never  saw  your 
face  in  the  flesh,  be  thought  bold  in  writing  to  you  :  for  the  hope  I 
have  of  a  glorious  church  in  that  land,  and  the  love  of  Christ  con- 
straineth  me.  1  know  the  worthy  servants  of  Christ,  who  once 
laboured  among  you,  cease  not  to  write  to  you  also,  and  I  shall  desire 
to  be  excused  that  I  do  join  with  them.  Pray  for  your  sister  church 
in  Scotland,  and  let  me  entreat  you  for  the  aid  of  your  prayers  for 
myself  and  flock  and  ministry,  and  my  fear  of  transportation  from  this 
place  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  Now  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify 
you  throughout.     Grace  be  with  you  all. 

Your  brother  and  companion  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus 
Christ,  S.  R. 

Aawoth,  1639. 


LETTER  XXVIL 

To  his  reverend  and  much  honoured  brother,  Dr.  Alexander  Leighton,  Christ's 
Prisoner  in  bonds  at  London. 

REVEREND  AND  MUCH   HONOURED  PRISONER  OF  HOPE, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     It  was  not  my  part  whom 
our  Lord  hath  enlarged,  to  forget  you  his  prisoner.     When  I  consider 
how  Ipng  your  night  hath  been,  I  think  Christ  hath  a  mind  to  put  you 
in  free  grace's  debt  so  much  the  deeper,  as  your  sufterings  have  been 
of  so  long  continuance.     But  what  if  Christ  mind  you  no  joy  but 
public  joy  with  enlarged  and  triumphing  Zion ;   I  think.  Sir,  ye  would 
love  it  best  to  share  and  divide  your  song  of  joy  with  Zion,  and  to 
have  mystical  Christ  in  Britain  halver  and  compartner  with  your  en- 
largement.    I  am  sure,  your  joy  bordering  and  neighbouring  with  the 
joy  of  Christ's  bride,  would  be  so  much  the  sweeter  that  it  were  pub- 
lic.    I  thought  if  Christ  had  halved  my  mercies,  and  delivered  his 
bride  and  not  me,  that  his  praises  should  have  been  double  to  what 
they  are  :  but  now  two  rich  mercies  conjoined  in  one  have  stolen  from 
our  Lord  more  than  half  praises  :   Oh  that  mercy  should  so  beguile  us, 
and  steal  away  our  counts  and  acknowledgments  !  Worthy  Sir,  I  hope 
I  need  not  exhort  you  to  go  on,  in  hoping  for  the  salvation  of  God  : 
there  hath  not  been  so  much  taken  from  your  time  of  ease  and  created 
joys  as  eternity  shall  add  to  your  heaven  :  ye  know  when  one  day  in 
heaven  hath  paid  you,  yea,  and  over-paid  your  blood,  bonds,  sorrow 
and  sufferings,  that  it  would  trouble  angels'  understanding  to  lay  the 

43 


338  LETTER  XXVll.  PART   II. 

count  of  that  supeiplus  of  glory,  which  eternity  can  and  will  give 
you.  O  but  your  sand-glass  of  sufferings  and  losses  cometh  to  little, 
when  it  shall  be  counted  and  compared  with  the  glory  that  abideth  you 
on  the  other  side  of  the  water !  Ye  have  no  leisure  to  rejoice  and 
sing  here  while  time  goeth  about  you,  and  where  your  psalms  will  be 
short :  therefore  ye  will  think  eternity  and  the  long  day  of  heaven 
that  shall  be  measured  with  no  other  sun  nor  horologe  than  the  long 
life  of  the  Ancient  of  days,  to  measure  your  praises  Httle  enough  for 
you  :  if  your  span  length  of  time  be  cloudy,  ye  cannot  but  think,  your 
Lord  can  no  more  take  your  blood  and  your  bands  without  the  income 
and  recompence  of  free  grace,  than  he  would  take  the  sufferings  of 
Paul  and  his  other  dear  servants  that  were  well  paid  home  beyond 
counting,  Rom.  viii.  18.  If  the  wisdom  of  Christ  hath  made  you 
Antichrist's  eye-sore  and  his  envy,  ye  are  to  thank  God  that  such  a 
piece  of  clay  as  ye  are  is  made  the  field  of  glory  to  work  upon :  it 
was  the  Potter's  aim  that  the  clay  should  praise  him,  and  I  hope  it 
satisfieth  you  that  your  clay  is  for  his  glory.  Oh  who  can  suffer 
enough  for  such  a  Lord  !  and  who  can  lay  out  in  bank  enough  of  pain, 
shame,  losses,  and  tortures,  to  receive  in  again  the  free  interest  of 
eternal  glory !  2  Corinthians  iv.  17.  Oh  how  advantageous  a  bar- 
gaining is  it  with  such  a  rich  Lord  !  If  your  hand  and  pen  had  been 
at  leisure  to  gain  glory  on  paper,  it  had  been  but  paper-glory ;  but  the 
bearing  of  a  public  cr.r.ss  so  long  for  the  now  controverted  privileges 
of  the  crown  and  sceptre  of  free  King  Jesus,  the  Prince  of  the  kings 
of  the  earth,  is  glory  booked  in  heaven.  Worthy  and  dear  brother, 
if  ye  go  to  weigh  Jesus  his  sweetness,  excellency,  glory  and  beauty, 
and  lay  fore  gainst  him  your  ounces  or  drachms  of  suffering  for  him, 
ye  shall  be  straitened  two  ways,  1.  it  will  be  a  pain  to  make  the  com- 
parison, the  disproportion  being  by  no  understanding  imaginable  :  nay, 
if  heaven's  arithmetic  and  angels  were  set  to  work,  they  should 
never  number  the  degrees  of  difference.  2.  It  should  straiten 
you  to  find  a  scale  for  the  balance  to  lay  that  high  and  lofty 
One,  that  overtranscending  Prince  of  excellency  info  :  if  your 
Blind  could  fancy  as  many  created  heavens  as  time  hath  had 
minutes,  and  trees  have  had  leaves,  and  clouds  have  had  rain 
drops,  since  the  first  stone  of  the  creation  was  laid,  they  should 
not  make  half  a  scale  to  bear  and  weigh  boundless  excellency  into. 
And  therefore  the  King  whose  marks  ye  are  bearing,  and  whose 
dying  ye  carry  about  with  you  in  your  body,  is  out  of  all  cry  and 
consideration,  beyond  and  above  all  our  thoughts.  For  myself,  I  am 
content  to  feed  upon  wondering  sometimes,  at  the  beholding  but  of 
the  borders  and  skirts  of  the  incomparable  glory  which  is  in  that  ex- 
alted Prince  ;  and  I  think,  ye  could  wish  for  more  ears  to  give  than 
ye  have,  since  ye  hope  these  ears  ye  now  have  given  him  shall  be 
passages  to  take  in  the  music  of  his  glorious  voice.  I  would  faiu 
both  believe  and  pray  for  a  new  bride  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  to  our 
Lord  Jesus,  after  the  land  of  graven  images  shall  be  laid  waste  ;  and 
that  our  Lord  Jesus  is  on  horse-back,  hunting  and  pursuing  the  beast; 
and  that  England  and  Ireland  shall  be  well  sweeped  chambers  for 
Christ  and  his  righteousness  to  dwell  in ;  for  he  hath  opened  our 
graves  in  Scotland,  and  the  two  dead  and  buried  witnesses  are  risen 


PART  ir.  LETTER  XXVIlf.  339 

again,  and  are  prophesying.  Oh  that  Princes  would  glory  and  boast 
themselves  in  carrying  the  train  of  Christ's  robe  royal  in  their  arms  ! 
Let  me  die  within  half  an  hour  after  I  have  seen  the  Son  of  God  his 
temple  enlarged,  and  the  cords  of  Jerusalem's  tent  lengthened,  to 
take  in  a  more  numerous  company  for  a  bride  to  the  Son  of  God. 
Oh,  if  the  corner  or  foundation-stone  of  that  house,  that  new  house, 
were  laid  above  my  grave  !  Oh  !  who  can  add  to  him,  who  is  that 
great  All "?  If  he  would  create  suns  and  moons,  new  heavens,  thou- 
sand thousand  degrees  more  perfect  than  these  that  now  are;  and  again, 
make  a  new  creation  ten  thousand  thousand  degrees  in  perfection  be- 
yond that  new  creation ;  and  again,  still  for  eternity  mvdtiply  new 
heavens :  they  should  never  be  a  perfect  resemblance  of  tliat  infinite 
excellency,  order,  weight,  measure,  beauty  and  sweetness  that  is  in 
him.  Oh,  how  little  of  him  do  we  see  !  oh  how  shallow  are  ou^- 
thoughts  of  him !  Oh  !  if  I  had  pain  for  him,  and  shame  and  losses 
for  him,  and  more  clay  and  spirits  for  him ;  and  that  I  could  go  upon 
earth  without  love,  desire,  hope,  because  Christ  hath  taken  away  my 
love,  desire  and  hope  to  heaven  with  him !  I  know,  worthy  Sir,  your 
sufferings  for  him  are  your  glory  ;  and  therefore  weary  not :  his  sal- 
vation is  near  at  hand,  and  shall  not  tarry.  Pray  for  me.  His  grace 
be  with  you. 

Yours  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Nov.  22,  1639. 


LETTER  XXVIIL 

To  Mr.  Henry  Stewart,  his  wife,  and  two  daughters,  all  prisoners  of  Christ  at 

Dublin. 

Rev.  iii.  10.  Fear  none^of  these  things,  ivhich  ye  shall  suffer,  &:c. 

TRULY"  HONOURED  AND  DEARLY  BELOVED, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  from  God  our  Father,  and  ouv 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Think  it  not  strange,  beloved  in  our  Lord  Jesus, 
that  Satan  can  command  keys  of  prisons,  and  bolts,  and  chains  ; 
this  is  a  piece  of  the  devil's  princedom  that  he  hath  over  the  world. 
Interpret  and  understand  our  Lord  well  in  this  ;  be  not  jealous  of  his 
love,  though  he  make  devils  and  men  his  under-servants  to  scour  the 
rust  off  your  faith,  and  purge  you  from  your  dross.  And  let  me 
charge  you,  0  prisoners  of  hope,  to  open  your  window,  and  to  look 
out  by  faith  :  behold  heaven's  post,  that  speedy  and  swift  salvation  of 
God,  that  is  coming  to  you.  It  is  a  broad  river  that  faith  will  not 
look  over  :  it  is  a  mighty  and  a  broad  sea,  that  they  of  a  lively  hope 
cannot  behold  the  farthest  bank  and  other  shore  thereof:  look  over 
the  water,  your  anchor  is  fixed  within  the  vail;  the  one  end  of  the 
cable  is  about  the  prisoner  of  Christ,  and  the  other  is  entered  within 
the  vail,  whither  the  Forerunner  is  entered  for  you,  Heb.  vi.  19,  20. 
It  can  go  straight  through  the  flames  of  the  fire  of  the  wrath  of  men, 
devils,  losses,  tortures,  death,  and  not  a  thread  of  it  be  singed  or 
burnt ;  men  and  devils  have  no  teeth  to  bite  it  in  two.  Hold  fast  till 
he  come :  your  cross  is  of  the  colour  of  heaven  and  Christ,  and  pas- 


^40  LETTER    XXVIII.  PART   lU 

mented  over  with  the  faith  and  comforts  of  the  Lord's  faithful  cove- 
nant with  Scotland ;  and  that  dye  and  colour  can  abide  fair  weather, 
and  neither  be  stained  nor  cast  the  colour ;  yea,  it  reflects  a  scad, 
like  the  cross  of  Christ,  whose  holy  hands  many  a  day  Hfted  up  to 
God,  praying  for  sinners,  were  fettered  and  bound,  as  if  these  blessed 
hands  had  stolen,  and  shed  innocent  blood  :  when  your  lovely,  lovely 
Jesus  had  no  better  than  the  thief's  doom,  it  is  no  wonder  that  your 
process  be  lawless  and  turned  upside  down  ;  for  he  was  taken,  fetter- 
ed, buffeted,  whipped,  spitted  upon,  before  he  was  convicted  of  any 
fault,  or  sentenced.  Oh  such  a  pair  of  sufferers  and  witnesses,  as 
high  and  royal  Jesus,  and  a  poor  piece  of  guilty  clay  marrowed  to- 
gether under  one  yoke !  oh  how  lovely  is  the  cross  with  such  a 
second  !  I  believe  that  your  prison  is  enacted  in  God's  court,  not  to 
keep  you  till  your  hope  breathe  out  its  life  and  last ;  your  cross  is 
under  law  to  restore  you  again  safe  to  your  brethren  and  sisters  in 
Christ :  take  heaven  and  Christ's  back-bond  for  a  fair  back-door  out 
of  your  suffering.  The  Saviour  is  on  his  journey  with  salvation  and 
deliverance  for  mount  Zion ;  and  the  sword  of  the  Lord  is  drunk 
with  blood,  and  made  fat  with  fatness  ;  his  sword  is  bathed  in  heaven 
against  Babylon,  for  it  is  the  day  of  the  Lords  vengeance,  and  the 
year  of  recompence  for  the  controversy  of  Zion  :  and  persuade  your- 
selves, '  the  streams  of  the  river  of  Babylon  shall  be  pitch,'  and  the 
dust  of  the  land  brimstone  and  burning  pitch,  Isa.  xxxiv.  8.  And  if 
your  deliverance  be  joined  with  the  deliverance  of  Zion,  it  shall  be 
two  salvations  to  you.  It  were  good  to  be  armed  before  hand  for 
death  or  bodily  tortures  for  Christ  ;  and  to  think  what  a  crown  of 
honour  it  is,  that  God  hath  given  you  pieces  of  living  clay,  to  be  tor- 
tured witnesses  for  saving  truth  ;  and  that  ye  are  so  happy,  as  to  have 
some  pints  of  blood  to  give  out  for  the  crown  of  that  royal  Lord,  who 
hath  caused  you  to  avouch  himself  before  men  :  if  ye  can  lend  fines 
of  three  thousand  pounds  sterling  for  Christ,  let  heaven's  register  and 
Christ's  count-book  keep  in  reckoning  your  depursements  for  him  : 
it  shall  be  engraven  and  printed  in  great  letters  upon  heaven's  throne, 
what  you  are  willing  to  give  for  him  ;  Christ's  papers  of  that  kind 
cannot  be  lost  or  fall  by.  Do  not  wonder  to  see  clay  boast  the  great 
Potter,  and  to  see  blinded  men  threaten  the  gospel  with  death  and 
burial,  and  to  raze  out  truth's  name.  But  where  will  they  make  a 
grave  for  the  gospel  and  the  Lord's  bride  1  earth  and  hell  shall  be  but 
little  bounds  for  their  burial ;  lay  all  the  clay  and  rubbish  of  this  inch 
of  the  whole  earth  above  our  Lord's  spouse,  yet  it  will  never  cover 
her,  nor  hold  her  down  ;  she  sliall  live  and  not  die,  she  shall  behold 
the  salvation  of  God.  Let  your  faith  frist  God  a  little,  and  not  be 
afraid  for  a  smoking  fire-brand  ;  there  is  more  smoke  in  Babylon's 
furnace  than  there  is  fire  :  till  doom's-day  shall  come,  they  shall  never 
see  the  kirk  of  Scotland  and  our  covenant  burnt  to  ashes  ;  or  ifit 
should  be  thrown  in  the  fire,  yet  it  cannot  be  so  burnt  or  buried,  as 
not  to  have  a  resurrection :  angry  clay's  wind  shall  shake  none  of 
Christ's  corn  :  he  will  gather  in  all  his  wheat  into  his  barn  :  only  let 
your  fellowship  with  Christ  be  renewed.  Ye  are  sibber  to  Christ 
now,  when  you  are  imprisoned  for  him,  than  before,  for  now  the 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXVIII.  341 

strokes  laid  on  you  do  come  in  remembrance  before  our  Lord,  and  he 
can  own  his  own  wounds  :  a  drink  of  Christ's  love,  which  is  better 
than  wine,  is  the  drink-silver  which  suffering  for  his  Majesty  leaves 
behind  it.  It  is  not  your  sins  which  they  persecute  in  you,  but  God's 
grace  and  lovalty  to  King  Jesus  ;  they  see  no  treason  in  you  to  your 
prince  the  king  of  Britain,  albeit  they  say  so  ;  but  it  is  heaven  in  you 
that  earth  is  fighting  against,  and  Christ  is  owning  his  own  cause : 
grace  is  a  party  that  fire  will  not  burn,  nor  water  drown  :'  when  they 
have  eaten  and  drunken  you,  their  stomach  shall  be  sick,  and  they 
shall  spue  you  out  alive  ;  0  what  glory  is  it,  to  be  suffering  objects 
for  the  Lord's  glory  and  royalty  !  Nay,  though  his  servants  had  a 
body  to  burn  forever  for  this  gospel,  so  being  that  triumphing  and 
exalted  Jesus  his  high  glory  did  rise  out  of  these  flames,  and  out  of 
that  burning  body.  Oh,  what  a  sweet  fire  !  Oh  what  soul-refreshing 
torment  should  that  be  !  what  if  the  pickles  of  dust  and  ashes  of  the 
burnt  and  dissolved  body  were  musicians  to  sing  his  praises,  and  the 
highness  of  that  never  enough  exalted  Prince  of  ages !  O  what  love 
is  it  in  him,  that  lie  will  have  such  musicians  as  we  are,  to  tune  that 
psalm  of  his  everlasting  praises  in  heaven  ;  Oh  what  shining  and 
burning  flames  of  love  are  those,  that  Christ  will  divide  his  share  of 
life,  of  heaven  and  glory  with  you !  Luke  xxii.  29.  John  xvii.  24. 
Rev.  iii.  21.  A  part  of  his  throne,  one  draught  of  his  wine  (his 
wine  of  glory  and  life,  that  comes  from  under  the  throne  of  God  and 
the  Lamb)  and  one  apple  of  the  tree  of  life,  will  do  more  than  make 
up  all  the  expenses  and  charges  of  clay,  lent  out  for  heaven.  Oh  ! 
Oh  !  but  we  have  short,  and  narrow,  and  creeping  thoughts  of  Jesus, 
and  do  but  shape  Christ  in  our  conceptions,  according  to  some 
created  portraiture  !  O  angels,  lend  in  your  help  to  make  love-books 
and  songs  of  our  fair,  and  white,  and  ruddy  Standard-bearer  amongst 
ten  thousand  !  O  heavens  !  O  heaven  of  heavens !  O  glorified  ten- 
ants, and  triumphing  householders  with  the  Lamb,  put  in  new  psalms 
and  love  sonnets  of  the  excellency  of  our  Bridegroom,  and  help  us 
to  set  him  on  high  !  0  indwellers  of  earth  and  heaven,  sea  and  air, 
and  0  all  ye  created  beings,  within  the  bosom  of  the  utmost  circle  of 
this  great  world,  0  come  help  to  set  on  high  the  praises  of  our  Lord  ! 
O  fairness  of  creatures,  blush  before  his  uncreated  beauty  !  O  created 
strength,  be  amazed  to  stand  before  your  strong  Lord  of  hosts !  O 
created  love,  think  shame  of  thyself  before  this  unparalleled  love  of 
heaven  !  O  angel  of  wisdom,  hide  thyself  before  our  Lord,  whose 
understanding  passeth  finding  out!  O  sun  in  thy  shining  beauty,  for 
shame  put  on  a  web  of  darkness  and  cover  thyself  before  thy  bright- 
est Master  and  Maker !  Oh,  who  can  add  glory,  by  doing  or  suffering 
to  this  never-enough  admired  and  praised  Lover !  Oil,  we  can  but 
bring  our  drop  to  this  sea,  and  our  candle,  dim  and  dark  as  it  is,  to 
this  clear  and  lightsome  Sun  of  heaven  and  earth  ?  Oh,  but  we  have 
cause  to  drink  ten  deaths  in  one  cup  dry,  to  swim  through  ten  seas  to 
be  at  that  land  of  praises,  where  we  shall  see  that  wonder  of  wonders, 
and  enjoy  this  Jewel  of  heaven's  jewels  !  O  death,  do  thy  utmost 
against  us  !  O  torments,  O  malice  of  men  and  devils,  waste  thy 
strength  on  the  witnesses  of  our  Lord's  testament !  0  devils,  bring 


M2  LETTER   XXVIII.  PART  IT. 

hell  to  help  you,  in  tormenting  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  !  we  will 
defy  you  to  make  us  too  soon  happy,  and  to  waft  us  too  soon  over  the 
water,  to  the  land  where  the  noble  Plant,  the  Plant  of  renown, 
groweth.  O  cruel  time,  that  torments  us,  and  suspends  our  dearest 
enjoyments,  that  we  wait  for,  when  we  shall  be  bathed  and  steeped, 
soul  and  body,  down  in  the  depths  of  this  love  of  loves  !  0  time,  I 
say,  run  fast !  0  motions,  mend  your  pace  !  O  Well-beloved,  be  like 
a  young  rde  on  the  mountains  of  separation !  Post,  post,  and  hasten 
our  desired  and  hungered-for  meeting ;  love  is  sick  to  hear  tell  of 
to-morrow :  and  what  then  can  come  wrong  to  you,  0  honourable 
witnesses  of  his  kingly  truth  ?  Men  have  no  more  of  you  to  work 
upon,  but  some  inches  and  span-lengths  of  sick,  coughing  and  phleg- 
matic clay :  your  spirits  are  above  their  benches,  courts,  or  high 
commissions ;  your  souls,  your  love  to  Christ,  your  faith  cannot  be 
summoned,  nor  sentenced,  nor  accused,  nor  condemned  by  pope, 
deputy  prelate,  ruler  or  tyrant ;  your  faith  is  a  free  lord,  and  cannot 
be  a  captive  :  all  the  maUce  of  hell  and  earth  can  but  hurt  the  scab- 
bard of  a  believer  ;  and  death  at  the  worst  can  get  but  a  clay  pawn 
in  keeping  till  your  Lord  make  the  king's  keys,  and  open  your  graves. 
Therefore  upon  luck's  head,  as  we  use  to  say,  take  your  fill  of  his 
love,  and  let  a  post-way  or  cause-way  be  laid  betwixt  your  prison  and 
heaven,  and  go  up  and  visit  your  treasure.  Enjoy  your  Beloved,  and 
dwell  upon  his  love,  till  eternity  come  in  time's  room,  and  possess 
you  of  your  eternal  happiness.  Keep  your  love  to  Christ,  lay  up 
your  faith  in  heaven's  keeping,  and  follow  the  chief  of  the  house  of 
the  martyrs  that  witnessed  a  fair  confession  before  Pontius  Pilate  ; 
your  cause  and  his  is  all  one.  The  opposers  of  his  cause  are  like 
drunken  judges  and  transported,  who  in  their  cups  would  make  acts 
and  laws  in  their  drunken  courts,  that  the  sun  should  not  rise  and 
shine  on  the  earth  ;  and  send  their  officers  and  pursuivants,  to  charge 
the  sun  and  moon  to  give  no  more  light  to  the  world ;  and  would  en- 
act in  their  court  books,  that  the  sea,  after  once  ebbing,  should  never 
flow  again  :  but  would  not  the  sun,  moon  and  sea  break  these  acts, 
and  keep  their  Creator's  directions  1  The  devil,  the  great  fool,  and 
father  of  these  under-fools,  is  older  and  more  malicious  than  wise, 
that  sets  the  spirits  in  earth  on  work,  to  contend  and  clash  with  hea- 
ven's wisdom,  and  to  give  mandates  and  law-summons  to  our  Sun, 
to  our  great  Star  of  heaven,  Jesus,  not  to  shine  in  the  beauty  of  his 
gospel,  to  the  chosen  and  bought  ones.  *  0  thou  fair  and  fairest  Sun 
of  righteouness,  arise  and  shine  in  thy  strength  whether  earth  or  hell 
will  or  not :  O  victorious,  O  royal,  0  stout,  princely  Soul-conqueror, 
vide  prosperously  upon  truth  ;  stretch  out  thy  sceptre  as  far  as  the  sun 
shines,  and  the  moon  waxeth  and  waineth.  Put  on  thy  glittering 
crown,  O  thou  Maker  of  kings,  and  make  but  one  stride,  or  one  step 
of  the  whole  earth,  and  travel  in  the  greatness  of  thy  strength,  Isa. 
Ixiii.  1.  2.  And  let  thy  apparel  be  red,  and  all  dyed  with  the  blood  of 
thy  enemies  :  thou  art  fallen  righteous  Heir  by  line  to  the  kingdoms 
of  the  world.'  Laugh  ye  at  the  giddy  headed  clay  pots,  and  stout- 
brain  sick  worms,  that  dare  say  in  good  earnest,  This  man  shall  not 
reign  over  us  ;  as  though  they  were  casting  the  dice  for  Christ's 


PART  ir.  LETTER    XXIX.  343 

crown,  who  of  them  should  have  it.  I  know  ye  heHeve  the  coming 
of  Christ's  kingdom ;  and  that  there  is  a  hole  out  of  your  prison, 
through  which  ye  see  day-light ;  let  not  faith  be  dazzled  with  the 
temptations  from  a  dying  deputy,  and  from  a  sick  prelate ;  believe 
under  a  cloud,  and  wait  for  him,  when  there  is  no  moon-light  nor  star- 
light ;  let  faith  live  and  breathe,  and  lay  hold  on  the  sure  salvation  of 
God,  when  clouds  and  darkness  are  about  you,  and  appearance  of 
rotting  in  the  prison  before  you.  Take  heed  of  unbelieving  hearts, 
which  can  father  lies  upon  Christ ;  beware  of.  Doth  his  promise  fail 
for  evermore  ?  Psal.  Ixxvii.  S.  For  it  was  a  man  and  noi  God, 
that  said  it,  who  dreamed  that  a  promise  of  God  could  fail,  fall 
a  swoon  or  die.  We  can  make  God  sick,  or  his  promises  weak, 
when  we  are  pleased  to  seek  a  plea  with  Christ.  O  sweet,  O  stout 
word  of  faith,  Job  xiii.  15.  '  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in 
him  !'  O  sweet  epitaph,  written  upon  the  grave-stone  of  a  dying  be- 
liever, viz.  I  died  hoping,  and  my  dust  and  ashes  believe  hfe  !  Faith's 
eyes  that  can  see  through  a  mill-stone,  can  see  through  a  gloom  of 
God,  and  under  it  read  God's  thoughts  of  love  and  peace.  Hold 
fast  Christ  in  the  dark ;  surely  ye  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. 
Your  adversaries  are  ripe  and  dry  for  the  fire  ;  yet  a  little  while  and 
they  shall  go  up  in  a  flame ;  the  breath  of  the  Lord,  like  a  river  of 
brimstone,  shall  kindle  about  them,  Isa.  xxx.  33.  What  I  write  to 
one,  I  write  to  you  all,  that  are  sound-hearted  in  that  kingdom,  whom, 
in  the  bowels  of  Christ,  I  would  exhort  not  to  touch  that  oath  ; 
albeit  the  adversaries  put  a  fair  meaning  on  it,  yet  the  swearer  must 
swear  according  to  the  professed  intent  and  godless  practice  of  the 
oath  makers,  which  is  known  to  the  world ;  otherwise  I  might  swear 
that  the  creed  is  false,  according  to  this  private  meaning  and  sense 
put  upon  it.  Oh  let  them  not  be  beguiled,  to  wash  perjury,  and  the 
denial  of  Christ  and  the  gospel,  with  ink-water,  some  foul  and  rotten 
distinctions.  Wash,  and  wash  again  and  again  the  devil  and  the  lie, 
it  shall  be  long  ere  their  skin  be  white.  I  profess,  it  should  beseem 
men  of  great  parts  rather  than  me,  to  write  to  you  :  but  I  love  your 
cause,  and  desire  to  be  excused  ;  and  must  entreat  for  the  help  of 
your  prayers,  in  this  my  weighty  charge  here  for  the  university  and 
pulpil,  and  that  ye  would  entreat  your  acquaintance  also  to  help  me. 
Grace  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 

Your   brother  and  companion  in  the   patience   and  kingdom  of 
Jesus  Christ,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  1G40. 


LETTER  XXIX. 

To  Mrs.  Pont,  Prisoner  at  Dublin. 
AVORTHY  AND  DEAR  MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  cause  ye  sufier  for,  and 
your  willingness  to  suffer,  is  ground  enough  of  acquaintance  for  me  to 
write  to  you ;  although  I  do  confess  myself  unable  to  speak  for  a 
prisoner  of  Christ's  encouragement.  I  know,  ye  have  advantage  be- 
yond us,  who  are  not  under  sufferings :  for  your  sighing  (Psal.  cxx. 


o44  LETTER    XXIX.  PART    II. 

20.)  it  is  a  written  bill,  for  the  ears  of  your  head,  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  and 
your  breathing,   Lam.  iii.  51.  and  your  looking  up,  Psal.  v.  3.  and 
Ixix.  3.     And  therefore  your  meaning  half-spoken,  half-unspoken,  will 
seek  no  jailor's  leave,  but  will  go  to  heaven  without  leave  of  prelate 
or  deputy,  and  be  heartily  welcome  ;  so  that  ye  may  sigh  and  groan 
out  your  mind  to  him,  who  hath  all  the  keys  of  the  king's  three  king- 
doms and  dominions.     I  dare  believe  your  hopes  sha  1  not  die  ;  your 
trouble  is  a  part  of  Zion's  buri«ing,  and  ye  know  who  guides  Zion's 
furnace,  and  who  loves  the  ashes  of  his  burnt  bride,  because  his  ser- 
vants love  them,  Psal.  cii.  14.     I  believe  your  ashes,  if  ye  were  burnt 
for  this  cause,  shall  praise  him  :  for  the  wrath  of  men  and  their  malice 
shall  make  a  psalm  to  praise  the  Lord,  Psal.  Ixxvi.  10.     And  there- 
fore stand  still,  and  behold,  and  see  what  the  Lord  is  to  do  for  this 
island ;  his  work  is  perfect,  Deut.  xxxii.  4.     The  nations  have  not 
seen  the  last  end  of  his  work,  his  end  is  more  fair  and  more  glorious 
than  the  beginning.     Ye  have  more  honour  than  ye  can  be  able  to 
guide  well,  in  that  your  bonds  are  made  heavy  for  such  an  honourable 
cause.     The  seals  of  a  controuled  gospel,  and  the  seals  by  bonds,  and 
blood  and  sufferings,  are  not  committed  to  every  ordinary  professor. 
Some  that  would  back  Christ  honestly  in  summer-time,  would  but 
spill  the  beauty  of  the  gospel,  if  they  were  put  to  suffering.     And 
therefore  let  us  believe,  that  Wisdom  dispenseth  to  every  one  here,  as 
he  thinks  good,  who  bears  them  up  that  bear  the  cross  :  and  since  our 
Lord  hath  put  you  to  that  part,  which  was  the  flower  of  his  own  suf- 
ferings, we  all  expect  that  as  ye  have  in  the  strength  of  our  Captain 
begun,  so  ye  will  go  on  without  fainting.     Providence  maketh  use  of 
men  and  devils,  for  the  refining  of  all  the  vessels  of  God's  house, 
small  and  great ;  and  for  doing  of  two  great  works  at  once  in  you, 
both  for  smoothing  a  stone,  to  make  it  take  bond  with  Christ,  in  Jeru- 
salem's wall ;  and  for  witnessing  to  the  glory  of  this  reproached  and 
borne-down  gospel  which  cannot  die,  though  hell  were  made  a  grave 
about  it.     It  shall  be  timeous  joy  for  you,  to  divide  joy  betwixt  you 
and  Christ's  laughing  bride  in  these  three  kingdoms :  and  what  if 
your  mourning  continue  till  mystical  Christ  in  Ireland  and  in  Britain, 
and  ye,  laugh  both  together?     Your  laughing  and  joy  were  the  more 
blessed,  that  one  sun  should  shine  upon  Christ,  the  gospel,  and  you, 
laughing  altogether  in  these  three  kingdoms.     Your  time  is  measured, 
and  your  da}  s  and  hours  of  suffering  from  eternity  were  by  infinite 
Wisdom  considered  ;  if  heaven  recompense  not  to  your  own  mind 
inches  of  sorrow,  then  I  must  say,  that  infinite  Mercy  cannot  get  you 
pleased ;  but  if  the  first  kiss  of  the  white  and  ruddy  cheek  of  the 
Standard  bearer  and  Chief  among  ten  thousand.  Cant.  v.  10.  shall 
over-pay  your  prison  at  Dublin  in  Ireland,  then  ye  shall  have  no 
counts  unanswered,  to  give  in  to  Christ :  if  your  faith  cannot  see  a 
nearer  term  day,  yet  let  me  charge  your  hope  to  give  Christ  a  new  day, 
till  eternity  and  time  meet  in  one  point.     A  paid  sum,  if  ever  paid,  is 
paid,  if  no  day  be  broken  to  the  hungry  creditor  ;  take  heaven's  bond 
and  subscribed  obligation  for  the  sum,  John  xiv.  3.     If  hope  can  trust 
Christ,  I  know  he  can,  and  will  pay  :  but  when  all  is  done  and  suffered 
by  you,  ten  hundred  deaths  for  lovely,  lovely  Jesus,  is  but  eternity's 


PART    II.  LETTER    XXX.  345 

half-penny  ;  figures  and  cyphers  cannot  lay  the  proportion.  Oh  but 
the  superplus  of  Christ's  glory  is  broad  and  large  !  Christ's  items  of 
eternal  glory  are  hard  and  cumbersome  to  tell ;  and  if  ye  borrow  by 
faith  and  hope  ten  days,  or  ten  hundred  years  from  that  eternity  of 
glory  that  abides  you,  ye  are  paid,  and  more  in  your  hand.  There- 
fore, 0  prisoner  of  hope,  wait  on  ;  posting,  hasting  salvation  sleeps 
not.  Antichrist  is  bleeding,  and  in  the  way  to  death  ;  and  he  bites 
sorest,  when  he  bleeds  fastest.  Keep  your  intellignnce  betwixt  you 
and  heaven,  and  your  court  with  Christ;  he  hath  in  heaven  the  keys 
of  your  prison,  and  can  set  you  at  liberty  when  he  pleaseth  :  his  rich 
grace  support  you,  I  pray  you  help  me  witli  your  prayers.  Grace  be 
with  you. 

Your  brother  in  the  patience  and  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,     S.  R. 
St.  Andrew's,  1640. 


LETTER  XXX. 

To  Mr.  James    Wilson. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  bless  our  rich 
and  only  wise  Lord,  who  careth  so  for  his  new  creation,  that  he  is 
going  over  it  again,  and  trying  every  piece  in  you,  and  blowing  away 
the  motes  of  his  new  work  in  you.  x\las  !  I  am  not  so  fit  a  physician 
as  your  disease  requireth  :  sweet,  sweet,  lovely  Jesus  be  your  physi- 
cian, where  his  under-chirurgeon  cannot  do  any  thing  for  putting  in 
order  the  wheels,  paces  and  goings  of  a  married  soul.  I  have  little 
time  ;  but  yet  the  Lord  hath  made  me  so  concern  myself  in  your 
condition,  that  I  do  not,  I  dare  not  be  altogether  silent.  First,  Ye 
doubt  from  2  Cor.  xiu.  5.  whether  ye  be  in  Christ  or  not]  and  so, 
whether  ye  be  a  reprobate  or  not?  I  answer  three  things  to  the 
doubt :  1.  Ye  owe  charity  to  all  men,  but  most  of  all  to  lovely  and 
loving  Jesus,  and  some  also  to  yourself,  especially  to  your  renewed 
self;  because  your  new  self  is  not  yours,  but  another  Lord's,  even 
the  work  of  his  own  Spirit :  therefore  to  slander  his  work  is  to  wronw 
himself.  Love  thinketh  no  evil  ;  if  ye  love  grace,  think  not  ill  of 
grace  in  yourself  ;  and  ye  think  ill  of  grace  in  yourself  when  ye  make 
it  but  a  bastard  and  a  work  of  nature.  For  a  holy  fear  that  ye  be 
not  Christ's,  and  withal  a  care  and  a  desire  to  be  his,  and  not  your 
own,  is  not,  nay  cannot  be  bastard  nature.  The  great  Advocate 
pleadeth  hard  for  you  ;  be  upon  the  Advocate's  side,  0  poor  feared 
client  of  Christ !  Stay  and  sid^  with  such  a  Lover,  who  pleadeth  for 
no  other  man's  goods  but  his  own ;  (for  he  if  I  may  say  so,  scorneth 
to  be  enriclied  with  an  unjust  conquest)  and  yet  he  pleadeth  for  you, 
whereof  your  letter  (though  too  full  of  jealousy)  is  a  proof;  for  if  ye 
were  not  his,  your  thoughts,  which  I  hope  are  but  the  suggestions  of 
his  spirit,  (that  only  bringeth  the  matter  in  debate,  to  make  it  sure  to 
you,)  would  not  be  such,  nor  so  serious  as  these,  Am  I  his  ?  or, 
Whose  am  I  ?  2.  Dare  ye  forswear  your  Owner,  and  say  in  cold 
blood,  I  am  not  his  1  What  nature  or  corruption  saith  at  starts  in  you, 
I  regard  not :  your  thoughts  of  yourself  when  sin  and  guiltiness  round 

41 


346  LETTER    XXX.  PART    II. 

you  in  the  ear,  and  when  you  have  a  sight  of  your  deservings,  are 
apocrypha,  and  not  scripture,  I  hope.  Hear  what  the  Lord  saith  of 
you,  He  will  speak  peace :  if  your  Master  say,  I  quit  you,  I  shall 
then  bid  you  eat  ashes  for  bread,  and  drink  waters  of  gall  and  worm- 
wood. But,  howbeit  Christ  out  of  his  own  mouth  should  seem  to 
say,  I  come  not  for  thee,  as  he  did,  Matth.  xv.  24.  yet  let  me  say  the 
words  of  tempting  Jesus  are  not  to  be  stretched  as  scripture  beyond 
his  intention,  seeing  his  intention  in  speaking  them  is  to  strengthen, 
not  to  deceive  ;  and  therefore  here  faith  may  contradict  what  Christ 
seemeth  at  first  to  say,  and  so  may  ye.  I  charge  you,  by  the  mercies 
of  God,  be  not  that  cruel  to  grace  and  the  new  birth,  as  to  cast  water 
on  your  own  coal  by  misbelief:  if  ye  must  die  (  as  1  know  ye  shall 
not)  it  were  a  folly  to  slay  yourself.  3.  I  hope  ye  love  the  new  birth 
and  a  claim  to  Christ,  howbeit  ye  do  not  make  it  good ;  and  if  ye 
were  in  hell,  and  saw  the  heavenly  tace  of  lovely,  ten  thousand  times 
lovely  Jesus,  that  hath  God's  hue,  and  God's  fair,  fair  and  comely  red 
and  white,  wherewith  it  is  beautified  beyond  comparison  and  imagina- 
tion, ye  could  not  forbear  to  say.  Oh  if  I  could  but  blow  a  kiss  from 
my  sinful  mouth  from  hell  up  to  heaven,  upon  his  cheeks,  that  are  a 
bed  of  spices,  as  sweet  flowers.  Cant.  v.  13.  I  hope  ye  dare  say, 
'  O  fairest  sight  of  heaven  !  O  boundless  mass  of  crucified  and  slain 
Love  for  me,  give  me  leave  to  wish  to  love  thee  !  O  Flower  and  Bloom 
of  heaven  and  earth's  love  !  O  angels'  Wonder !  O  thou,  the  Father's 
eternal  sealed  Love  !  and  O  thou,  God's  old  Delight !  give  me  leave 
to  stand  beside  thy  love,  and  look  in  and  wonder,  and  give  me  leave 
to  wish  to  love  thee,  if  I  can  do  no  more.'  4.  We  being  born  in 
atheism,  and  children  of  the  house  that  we  are  come  of,  it  is  no  new 
thing,  my  dear  brother,  for  us  to  be  under  jealousies  and  mistakes 
about  the  love  of  God.  What  think  ye  of  this,  that  the  man  Christ 
•was  tempted  to  believe  there  were  but  two  persons  in  the  blessed 
Godhead,  and  that  the  Son  of  God,  the  substance  and  co-eternal  Son, 
was  not  the  lawful  Son  of  God  1  Did  not  Satan  say.  If  thou  be  the 
Son  of  God  ?  5.  Ye  say,  that  ye  know  not  what  to  do.  Your  Head 
said  once  that  same  word,  or  not  far  from  it,  John  xii.  27.  Now  is 
my  soul  troubled,  and  what  shall  I  say  1  And  faith  answered  Christ's 
What  shall  I  say  ^  with  these  words,  O  tempted  Saviour,  askest  thou, 
What  shall  I  say  1  Say,  Pray,  Father,  save  me  from  this  hour.  What 
course  can  ye  take  but  pray  and  frist  Christ  his  own  comforts  1  He  is 
no  dyvour,  take  his  word.  Oh  (say  ye)  I  cannot  pray.  Answ. 
Honest  sighing  is  faith  breathing  and  whispering  in  the  ear  ;  the  hfe  is 
not  out  of  faith,  where  there  is  sighing,»looking  up  with  the  eyes,  and 
breathing  toward  God.  Lam.  iii.  36.  Hide  not  thine  ear  at  my 
breathing.     But  what  shall  I  do  in  spiritual  exercises  1  ye  say.   Answ. 

1.  If  ye  knew  particularly  what  to  do,  it  were  not  a  spiritual  exercise. 

2.  In  my  weak  judgment  ye  would  first  say,  I  would  glorify  God  in 
beheving  David's  salvation,  and  the  bride's  marriage  with  the  Lamb, 
and  love  the  church's  slain  Husband,  although  I  cannot  for  the  pre- 
sent beheve  mine  own  salvation.  3.  Say,  1  will  not  pass  from  my 
claim  ;  suppose  Christ  would  pass  from  his  claim  to  me,  it  shall  not 
go  back  upon  my  side  :  howbeit  my  love  to  him  be  not  worth  a  drink 


PAUT   II.  LETTER   XXXI.  347 

of  water,  yet  Christ  shall  have  it  such  as  it  is.  4.  Say,  I  shall  rather 
spill  twenty  prayers,  than  not  pray  at  all  :  let  my  broken  words  go  up 
to  heaven ;  when  they  come  up  into  the  great  Angel's  golden  censer, 
that  compassionate  Advocate  will  put  together  my  broken  prayers,  and 
perfume  them  :  words  are  but  accents  of  prayer.  Oh  (say  ye)  I  am 
slain  with  hardness  of  heart,  and  troubled  with  confused  and  melan- 
cholious  thoughts.  Answ.  My  dear  brother,  What  would  ye  conclude 
thence,  that  ye  knew  not  well  who  aught  you  !  I  grant :  Oh,  my  heart 
is  hard  !  Oh,  my  thoughts  of  faithless  sorrow  !  Ergo,  I  know  not  who 
aught  me,  were  good  logic  in  heaven  amongst  angels  and  the  glorified ; 
but  down  in  Christ's  hospital,  where  sick  and  distempered  souls  are 
under  cure,  it  is  not  worth  a  straw  ;  give  Christ  time  to  end  his  work 
in  your  heart  ;  hold  on  in  feeling  and  bewailing  your  hardness ;  for 
that  is  softness  to  feel  hardness.  2.  I  charge  you  to  make  psalms  of 
Christ's  praises  for  his  begun  work  of  grace  ;  make  Christ  your  music 
and  your  song  ;  for  complaining  and  feeling  of  want  doth  often  swal- 
low up  your  praises.  What  think  ye  of  those  who  go  to  hell  never 
troubled  with  such  thoughts  1  If  your  exercises  be  the  way  to  hell, 
God  help  me  ;  I  have  a  cold  coal  to  blow  at,  and  a  blank  paper  for 
heaven :  I  give  you  Christ's  caution,  and  my  heaven  surety  for  your 
salvation.  Lend  Christ  your  melancholy,  for  Satan  hath  no  right  to 
make  a  chamber  in  your  melancholy  ;  borrow  joy  and  comforts  from 
the  Comforter ;  bid  the  Spirit  do  his  office  in  you ;  and  remember, 
that  faith  is  one  thing,  and  the  feeling  and  notice  of  faith  another  ; 
God  forbid  that  feeling  were  proprium  quarto  modo  to  all  the  saints ; 
and  that  this  were  good  reasoning,  no  feeling,  no  grace.  I  am  sure, 
ye  were  not  always,  these  twenty  years  by-past,  actually,  knowing  that 
ye  live  ;  yet  all  this  time  ye  are  living  so  it  is  with  the  life  of  faith. 
But,  alas  !  dear  brother,  it  is  easy  for  me  to  speak  words  and  syllables 
of  peace;  but  Isa.  Ivii.  19.  telleth  you,  I  create  peace;  there  is  but 
one  Creator  ye  know.  Oh,  that  ye  may  get  a  letter  of  peace  sent 
you  from  heaven !  Pray  for  me,  and  for  grace  to  be  faithful,  and  gifts 
to  be  able  with  tongues  and  pen  to  glorify  God,  I  forget  you  not. 
Yours  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

St.  Andrews  Jan.  ii,  1640. 


LETTER  XXXL 

To  my  Lady  Boyd, 
M.\DAM, 

I  RECEIVED  your  Ladyship's  letter  ;  but  because  I  was  still  going 
through  the  country  for  the  affairs  of  the  church,  I  have  had  no  time 
to  answer  it.  I  had  never  more  cause  to  fear  than  I  have  now,  when 
my  Lord  hath  restored  me  to  my  second  created  heaven  on  earth,  and 
hath  turned  my  apprehended  fears  into  joys,  and  great  deliverance  to 
his  church,  whereof  I  have  my  share  and  part.  Alas  that  weeping 
prayers,  answered  and  sent  back  from  heaven  with  joy,  should  not 
have  laughing  praises  !  O  that  this  land  would  repent,  and  lay  burdens 
of  praises  upon  the  top  of  the  fair  mount  Zion  !  Madam,  except  this 
land  be  humbled,  a  reformation  is  rather  my  wonder  than  belief  a 


$48  LETTER  XXXI.  PART  II. 

this  time  :  but  surely  it  must  be  a  wonder,  and  what  is  done  already  is 
a  wonder ;  our  Lord  must  restore  beauty  to  his  churches  without 
hire ;  for  we  were  sold  without  money,  and  now  our  buyers  repent 
them  of  the  bargain,  and  would  gladly  give  again  better  cheap  than 
they  bought  us  ;  they  devoured  Jacob,  and  ate  up  his  people  as 
bread  ;  now  Jacob  is  growing  a  living  child  in  their  womb,  and  they 
would  fain  be  deHvered  of  the  child,  and  render  the  birth  ;  our  Lord 
shall  be  Midwife.  Oh  that  this  land  be  not  like  Ephraim,  an  unwise 
son,  that  stayeth  too  long  in  the  place  of  breaking  forth  of  children ! 
Your  Ladyship  is  blessed  with  children,  who  are  honoured  to  build  up 
Christ's  waste  places  again  ;  I  believe  your  Ladyship  will  think  them 
well  bestowed  on  that  work,  and  that  Zion's  beauty  is  your  joy  ;  this 
is  a  mark  and  evidence  from  heaven,  which  helpeth  weak  ones  to  hold 
their  grip,  when  other  marks  fail  them.  I  hope  your  Ladyship  is  at  a 
good  understanding  with  Christ ;  and  that,  as  becometh  a  Christian, 
ye  take  him  up  aright  (for  many  mistake  and  mishape  Christ)  in  his 
comings  and  goings ;  your  wants  and  falls  proclaim,  ye  have  nothing 
of  your  own,  but  what  ye  borrow  ;  (nay,  yourself  is  not  your  own) 
but  Christ  hath  given  himself  to  you  ;  put  Christ  to  the  bank,  and 
heaven  shall  be  your  interest  and  income  ;  love  him,  for  ye  cannot 
over-love  him  ;  take  up  your  house  in  Christ,  let  him  dwell  in  you,  and 
abide  in  him ;  and  then  ye  may  look  out  of  Christ,  and  laugh  at  the 
clay  heavens,  that  the  sons  of  men  are  seeking  after  on  this  side  of 
the  water.  Christ  mindeth  to  make  your  losses  grace's  great  advan- 
tage ;  Christ  will  lose  nothing  of  you  ;  nay,  not  your  sins,  for  he  hath 
an  use  for  them,  as  well  as  tor  your  service  ;  howbeit  ye  are  to  lothe 
yourself  for  these.  I  hope  ye  fetch  all  the  heaven  ye  have  here  in 
this  life  from  that  which  is  up  above  ;  and  that  your  anchor  is  casten 
as  high  and  deep  as  Christ :  oh,  but  it  is  far  and  many  a  mile  to  his 
bottom !  If  I  had  known  long  since,  as  I  do  now,  (though  still  alas  ! 
I  am  ignorant)  what  was  in  Christ,  I  would  not  have  been  so  late  in 
starting  to  the  gate  to  seek  him.  Oh,  what  can  I  do  or  say  to  him, 
who  hath  made  the  north  render  me  back  iigain  !  A  grave  is  no  sure 
prison  to  him  for  the  keeping  of  dry  bones.  Wo  is  me,  that  my  fool- 
ish sorrow  and  unbelief,  being  on  horseback,  did  ride  so  proudly  and 
witlessly  over  my  Lord's  providence ;  but  when  my  faith  was  asleep, 
Christ  was  awake  ;  and  now,  when  I  am  awake,  I  say,  he  did  all 
things  well.  Oh,  infinite  wisdom  !  Oh,  incomparable  loving  kind- 
ness !  Alas,  that  the  heart  I  have,  is  so  little  and  worthless  for  such  a 
Lord  as  Christ  is !  Oh,  what  otids  find  the  saints  in  hard  trials,  when 
they  feel  sap  at  their  roots,  betwixt  them  and  sun-burnt  withered  pro- 
fessors !  crosses  and  storms  cause  them  to  cast  their  blooms  and 
leaves.  Pour  worldiings,  what  will  ye  do,  when  the  span-length  of 
your  forenoon  s  laughter  is  ended,  and  when  the  weeping  side  of  pro- 
vidence is  turned  to  you  f  (  put  all  the  favours  ye  have  bestowed  on 
my  brother  upon  Christ's  score,  in  whose  books  are  many  such  counts, 
and  who  will  requite  them ;  I  wish  you  to  be  builded  more  and  more 
upon  the  stone  laid  in  Zion,  and  then  ye  shall  be  the  more  fit  to  have 
a  hand  in  rebuilding  our  Lord's  fallen  tabernacle  in  this  land,  in  which 
ye  shall  find  great  peace,  when  ye  come  to  grips  with  death  the  king 


PART  IT.  LETTER  XXXII.  349 

of  terrors.  The  God  of  peace  be  with  your  Ladyship,  and  keep  you 
blameless  till  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  Your  Ladyship's  at  all 
obedience  in  his  sweet  Lord  and  Master,  >S.  R. 

St.  Andrews. 


LETTER  XXXIL 

To  his  very  dear  friend  John  Fennick. 
MUCH  HONOURED  AND  DEAR  FRIEND, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  the  necessary  impediments 
of  my  calling  have  hitherto  kept  me  from  making  a  return  to  your 
letter,  the  heads  whereof  I  shall  now  briefly  answer ;  as,  1.  I  approve 
your  going  to  the  Fountain,  when  your  own  cistern  is  dry  :  a  diflTer- 
ence  there  must  be  betwixt  Christ's  well  and  your  borrowed  water  ; 
and  why  but  ye  have  need  of  emptiness  and  drying  up,  as  well  as  ye 
have  need  of  the  well  1  want,  and  a  hole,  there  must  be  in  our  vessel, 
to  leave  room  to  Christ's  art ;  his  well  hath  its  own  need  of  thirsty 
drinkers,  to  commend  infinite  love,  wiiich  from  eternity  did  brew  such 
a  cellar  of  living  water  for  us.  Ye  commend  his  tree  love  ;  and  it  is 
well  done  :  oh,  if  I  could  help  you,  and  if  I  could  be  master-con- 
veener,  to  gather  an  earth  full  and  an  heaven  full  of  tongues,  dipped 
and  steeped  in  my  Lord's  well  of  love,  or  his  wine  of  love,  even 
tongues  drunken  with  his  love,  to  raise  a  song  of  praises  to  him,  be- 
twixt the  east  and  west  end,  and  furthest  points  of  the  broad  heavens ! 
If  I  were  in  your  case  (as  alas  !  my  dry  and  dead  heart  is  not  now  in 
that  garden)  I  would  borrow  leave  to  come,  and  stand  upon  the  banks 
and  coasts  of  that  sea  of  love,  and  be  a  feasted  soul,  to  see  love's 
fair  tide,  free  love's  high  and  lofty  waves,  each  of  them  higher  than 
ten  earths,  flowing  in  upon  pieces  of  lost  clay.  O  welcome,  wel- 
come, great  sea  !  Oh,  if  I  had  as  much  love  for  wideness  and  breadth, 
as  twenty  outmost  shells  and  spheres  of  the  heaven  of  heavens,  that 
I  might  receive  in  a  little  flood  of  his  free  love  !  Come,  come,  dear 
friend,  and  be  pained,  that  the  king's  wine  cellar  of  free  love  and  his 
banqueting  house  (0  so  wide,  so  stately !  O  so  God-like,  so  glory- 
like!) should  be  so  abundant,  so  overflowing,  and  your  shallow  ves- 
sel so  little,  to  take  in  some  part  of  that  love  :  but  since  it  cannot 
come  unto  you,  for  want  of  room,  enter  yourself  into  this  sea  of 
love,  and  breatlie  under  these  waters,  and  die  of  love,  and  live  as  one 
dead  and  drowned  of  this  love.  But  why  do  ye  complain  of  waters 
going  over  }'our  soul,  and  that  the  smoke  of  the  terrors  of  a  wrathful 
Lord  doth  almost  suflocate  you,  and  bring  you  to  death's  brink'?  I 
know  the  fault  is  in  your  eyes,  not  in  him ;  it  is  not  the  rock  that 
fleeth  and  moveth,  but  the  green  sailor ;  if  your  sense  and  apprehen- 
sion be  made  judge  of  his  love,  there  is  a  graven  image  made  present- 
ly, even  a  changed  god,  and  a  foe-god,  who  was  once  (when  ye 
washed  your  steps  with  butter,  and  the  rock  poured  you  out  rivers  of  oil, 
Job  xxix.  6.)  a  Friend-God.  Either  now  or  never  let  God  work: 
ye  had  never,  since  ye  was  a  man,  _such  a  fair  field  for  faith  ;  for  a 
painted  hell,  and  an  apprehension  of  wrath  in  your  Father,  is  faith's 
opportunity  to  try  what  strength  is  in  it.     Now,  give  God  as  large  a 


^50  LETTER    XXXII.  PART  II. 

measure  of  charity  as  ye  have  of  sorrow :  now  see  faith  to  be  faitli 
indeed,  if  ye  can  make  your  grave  betwixt  Christ's  feet,  and  say, 
'  Though  he  should  slay  me,  I  will  trust  in  him ;  his  beheved  love 
shall  be  my  winding-sheet,  and  all  my  grave-clothes  ;  I  shall  roll  and 
sew  in  my  soul,  my  slain  soul,  in  that  web,  his  sweet  and  free  love  :' 
and  let  him  write  upon  my  grave,  '  Hei-e  lieth  a  believing  dead  man, 
breathing  out  and  making  an  hole  in  death's  broad-side,  and  the  breath 
of  faith  Cometh  forth  through  the  hole.'  See  now  if  ye  can  over- 
come and  prevail  with  God,  and  wrestle  God's  tempting  to  death 
quite  out  of  breath,  as  that  renowned  wrestler  did,  Hos.  xii.  3. 
*  And  by  his  strength  he  had  power  with  God ;  ver.  4.  Yea,  he  had 
power  over  the  Angel,  and  prevailed.'  He  is  a  strong  man  indeed, 
who  overmatcheth  heaven's  strength,  and  the  holy  One  of  Israel, 
the  strong  Lord,  which  is  done  all  by  a  secret  supply  of  divine 
strength  within,  wherewith  the  weakest  being  strengthened,  overcome 
and  conquer.  It  shall  be  great  victory,  to  blow  out  the  flame  of  that 
furnace  ye  are  now  in,  with  the  breath  of  faith  :  and  when  hell,  men, 
malice,  cruelty,  falsehood,  devils,  the  seeming  glooms  of  a  sweet 
Lord,  meet  you  in  the  teeth,  if  ye  then  as  a  captive  of  hope,  as  one 
fettered  in  hope's  prison,  run  to  your  strong  hold,  even  from  God's 
glooming  to  God  glooming  ;  and  believe  the  salvation  of  the  Lord  in 
the  dark,  which  is  your  only  victory  :  your  enemies  are  but  pieces  of 
malicious  clay  ;  they  shall  die  as  men,  and  be  confounded.  But  that 
your  troubles  are  many  at  once,  and  arrows  come  in  from  all  airts, 
from  country,  friends,  wife,  children,  foes,  estate,  and  right  down  from 
God,  who  is  the  hope  and  stay  of  your  soul,  I  confess  is  more,  and 
very  heavy  to  be  borne  :  yet  all  these  are  not  more  than  grace  ;  all 
these  bits  of  coals,  casten  in  your  sea  of  mercy,  cannot  dry  it  up. 
Your  troubles  are  many  and  great,  yet  not  an  ounce-weight  beyond 
the  measure  of  infinite  wisdom,  1  hope,  nor  beyond  the  measure  of 
grace  that  he  is  to  bestow ;  for  our  Lord  never  yet  brake  the  back 
of  his  child,  nor  spilt  his  own  work  :  nature's  plai:4ering  and  counter- 
feit-work he  doth  often  break  in  shreads  and  putteth  out  a  candle  not 
lighted  at  the  Sun  of  righteousness  :  but  he  must  cherish  his  own 
reeds,  and  handle  them  softly ;  never  a  reed  getteth  a  thrust  with  the 
Mediator's  hand,  to  lay  togetlier  the  two  ends  of  the  reed.  O  what 
bonds  and  ligaments  hath  our  Chirurgeon  of  broken  spirits,  to  bind 
up  all  his  lame  and  bruised  ones  with  !  cast  your  disjointed  spirit  in 
his  lap,  and  lay  your  burden  upon  One,  who  is  so  willing  to  take  your 
cares  and  your  fears  oft'  you,  and  to  exchange  and  nitTer  your  crosses, 
and  to  give  you  new  for  old,  and  gold  for  iron,  even  to  give  you  gar- 
ments of  prai.^e  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  It  is  true  in  a  great  part 
what  ye  write  of  this  kirk,  that  the  letter  of  religion  only  is  reformed, 
and  scarce  that :  I  do  not  believe,  our  Lord  will  build  his  Zion  in  this 
land,  upon  this  skin  of  reformation  :  so  long  as  our  scum  remaineth, 
and  our  heart  idols  are  keeped,  this  work  must  be  at  a  stand ;  and 
therefore  our  Lord  must  yet  sift  this  land,  and  search  us  with  candles  ; 
and  1  know,  he  shall  give  and  not  sell  us  his  kingdom.  His  grace 
and  our  remaining  guiltiness  must  be  compared,  and  the  one  must  be 
seen  in  the  glory  of  it,  and  the  other  in  the  sinfulness  of  it :  but  I 


PART  II.  LETTER    XXXII.  351 

desire  to  believe,  and  would  gladly  hope  to  see,  that  the  glancing  and 
shining  lustre  of  glory  coming  from  the  diamonds  and  stones  set  in 
the  crown  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  shall  cast  rays  and  beams  many  thou- 
sand miles  about.  I  hope  Christ  is  upon  a  great  marriage  ;  and  that 
his  wooing  and  suiting  of  his  excellent  bride  doth  take  its  beginning 
from  us,  the  ends  of  the  earth.  O  what  joy  and  what  glory  would  I 
judge  it,  if  my  heaven  should  be  suspended  till  I  might  have  leave  to 
run  on  foot  to  be  a  witness  of  that  marriage-glory,  and  see  Christ 
put  on  the  glory  of  his  last  married  bride,  and  his  last  marriage  love 
on  earth,  when  he  shall  enlarge  his  love-bed,  and  set  it  upon  the  top 
of  the  mountains,  and  take  in  the  elder  sister,  the  Jews,  and  the  ful- 
ness of  the  Gentiles  !  It  were  heaven's  honour  and  glory  upon  earth, 
to  be  his  lackey,  to  run  at  his  horse's  foot,  and  hold  up  the  train  of 
his  marriage-robe  royal,  in  the  day  of  our  high  and  royal  Solomon's 
espousals.  But  O  what  glory  to  have  a  seat  or  bed  in  Jesus's 
chariot,  that  is  bottomed  with  gold,  and  paved  and  lined  over,  and 
floored  within  with  love  for  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem !  Cant.  iii. 
10.  To  lye  upon  such  a  King's  love,  were  a  bed  next  to  the  flower 
of  heaven's  glory.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  you  speak,  in  your  letter,  of  a 
God  angry  at  you,  and  of  the  sense  of  his  indignation,  which  only 
ariseth  from  suffering  for  Jesus,  all  that  is  now  come  upon  you.  In- 
deed, apprehended  wrath  flameth  out  of  such  ashes  as  apprehended 
sin,  but  not  from  suffering  for  Christ :  but,  suppose  ye  were  in  hell, 
for  by-gones  and  for  old  debt,  I  hope  ye  owe  Christ  a  great  sum  of 
charity,  to  believe  the  sweetness  of  his  love.  I  know  what  it  is  to 
sin  in  that  kind  ;  it  is  to  sin  out  (if  it  were  possible)  the  unchangea- 
bleness  of  a  God-head  out  of  Christ,  and  to  sin  away  a  lovely  and 
unchangeable  God.  Put  more  honest  apprehensions  upon  Christ, 
put  on  his  own  mask  upon  his  face,  and  not  your  veil  made  of  unbe- 
lief which  speaketh  as  if  he  borrowed  love  to  you  from  you,  and 
your  demerits  and  sinful  deservings.  Oh,  no!  Christ  is  man,  but  he  is 
not  like  man  ;  he  hath  man's  love  in  heaven,  but  it  is  lustred  with 
God's  love,  and  it  is  very  God's  love  ye  have  to  do  with  :  when  your 
wheels  go  about,  he  standeth  still.  Let  God  be  God,  and  be  ye  a 
man,  and  have  ye  the  deserving  of  man,  and  the  sin  of  one,  who  hath 
suffered  your  Well-beloved  to  slip  away,  nay,  hath  refused  him  en- 
trance, when  he  was  knocking,  till  his  head  and  locks  were  frozen  : 
yet,  what  is  that  to  him?  His  book  keepeth  your  name,  and  is  not 
printed  and  reprinted,  and  changed  and  corrected  ;  and  why,  but  he 
should  go  to  his  place  and  hide  himself]  howbeit  his  departure  be 
his  own  good  work,  yet  the  belief  of  it  in  that  manner-is  your  sin ; 
but  wait  on  till  he  return  with  salvation,  and  cause  you  to  rejoice  in  the 
latter  end.  It  is  not  much  to  complain  ;  but  rather  believe  than 
complain,  and  sit  in  the  dust,  and  close  your  mouth,  till  he  make  your 
sown  light  grow  again  ;  for  your  afflictions  are  not  eternal,  time  will 
end  them,  and  so  shall  ye  at  length  see  the  Lord's  salvation ;  his 
love  sleepeth  not,  but  is  still  in  working  for  you ;  his  salvation  will 
not  tarry  nor  linger  ;  and  suffering  for  him  is  the  noblest  cross  that  is 
out  of  heaven.  Your  Lord  hath  the  wail  and  choice  of  ten  thousand 
other  crosses,  beside  this,  to  exercise   you  withal ;  but  his  wisdom 


352  LETTER  XXXin.  FART  II. 

and  his  love  wailed  and  choosed  out  this  for  you,  beside  them  all  ; 
and  take  it  as  a  choice  one,  and  make  use  of  it,  so  as  ye  look  to  this 
world  as  your  step-mother,  in  your  borrowed  prison  ;  for  it  is  a  love- 
look  to  heaven,  and  the  other  side  of  the  water,  that  God  seeketh ; 
and  this  is  the  fruit,  the  flower  and  bloom  growing  out  of  your  cross, 
that  ye  be  a  dead  man  to  time,  to  clay,  to  gold,  to  country,  to  friends, 
wife,  children,  and  all  pieces  of  created  nothings  ;  for  in  them  there 
is  not  a  seat  nor  bottom  for  soul's  love.  O  what  room  is  for  your 
love  (if  it  were  as  broad  as  the  sea)  up  in  heaven  and  in  God !  and 
what  would  not  Christ  give  for  your  love  ?  God  gave  so  much 
for  your  soul :  and  blessed  are  ye  if  ye  have  a  love  for  him,  and  can 
call  in  your  soul's  love  from  all  idols,  and  can  make  a  God  of  God, 
a  God  of  Christ,  and  draw  a  line  betwixt  your  heart  and  him.  If 
your  deliverance  come  not,  Christ's  presence  and  his  believed  love 
must  stand  as  caution  and  surety  for  your  deliverance,  till  your  Lord 
send  it  in  his  blessed  time  ;  for  Christ  hath  many  salvations,  if  we 
could  see  them ;  and  I  would  think  it  better  born  comfort  and  joy, 
that  Cometh  from  the  faith  of  deliverance,  and  the  faith  of  his  love, 
than  that  which  cometh  from  deliverance  itself.  It  is  not  much  mat- 
ter, if  ye  find  ease  to  your  afllicted  soul,  what  be  the  means  either  of 
your  own  wishing  or  of  God's  choosing  ;  the  latter,  I  am  sure,  is 
best,  and  the  comfort  strongest  and  sweetest ;  let  the  Lord  absolutely 
have  the  ordering  of  your  evils  and  troubles,  and  put  them  off  you, 
by  recommending  your  cross  and  your  furnace  to  him,  who  hath 
skill  to  melt  his  own  metal,  and  knoweth  well  what  to  do  with  his 
furnace  ;  let  your  heart  be  willing,  that  God's  fire  have  your  tin,  and 
brass,  and  dross  ;  to  consent  to  want  corruption,  is  a  greater  mercy 
than  many  professors  do  well  know  ;  and  to  refer  the  manner  of 
God's  physic  to  his  own  wisdom,  whether  it  be  by  drawing  blood,  or 
giving  sugared  drinks  ;  that  he  cureth  sick  folks  without  pain,  it  is  a 
great  point  of  faith  ;  and  to  believe  Christ's  cross  to  be  a  friend,  as 
he  himself  is  a  Friend,  is  also  a  special  act  of  faith  ;  but  when  ye 
are  over  the  water,  this  case  shall  be  a  yesterday,  past  an  hundred 
years  ere  ye  were  born  ;  and  the  cup  of  glory  shall  wash  the  memory 
of  all  this  away,  and  make  it  as  nothing ;  only  now  take  Christ  in 
with  you  under  your  yoke,  and  let  patience  have  her  perfect  work  ; 
for  this  haste  is  your  infirmity.  The  Lord  is  rising  up  to  do  you 
good  in  the  latter  end ;  put  on  the  faith  of  his  salvation,  and  see  bim 
posting  and  hasting  towards  you.  Sir,  my  employments  being  so 
great,  hinder  me  to  write  at  more  length  ;  excuse  me  ;  I  hope  to  be 
mindful  of  you.  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  ye  help  me  with  your 
prayers  for  this  people,  this  college,  and  my  own  poor  soul.  Grace 
be  with  you.     Remember  my  love  to  your  wife. 

Yours  in  Christ  Jesus.  S.  R. 


LETTER  XXXIII. 

To  the  much  honoured  Peter  Stirling. 
3IUCH  HONOURED  AND  WOUTHV  SIR, 

I  RECEIVED  yours,  and  cannot  but  be  ashamed  that  mistaking  love 
hath  brought  nic  in  court  and  account  in  the  heart  of  God's  children^ 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXXIV.  353 

especially  of  another  nation.  I  should  not  make  a  lie  of  the  grace  of 
God,  if  I  should  think  I  have  little  share  of  it  myself;  O  how  much 
better  were  it  for  me,  to  stand  in  the  counting-table  of  many  for  a 
halfpenny,  and  to  be  esteemed  a  liker,  rather  than  a  lover  of  Christ ! 
If  I  were  weighed,  vanity  should  bear  down  the  scale,  as  having 
weight  in  the  balance  above  me,  except  ray  lovely  Saviour  should  cast 
in  beside  me  some  of  his  borrowed  worth.  And,  oh,  if  I  were  writing 
now  sincerely  in  this  extenuation,  which  may  be,  and  I  fear  is,  subtle 
and  cozening  pride !  I  would  I  could  love  something  of  heaven's 
worth,  in  you  and  all  of  your  metal.  O  how  happy  were  I,  if  I  could 
regain  and  conquer  back  from  the  creature  my  sold  and  lost  love,  that 
I  might  lay  it  upon  heaven's  Jewel,  that  ever,  ever  blooming  Flower 
of  the  highest  garden,  even  my  soul-redeeming  and  never-enough 
prized  Lord  Jesus  !  O  that  he  would  wash  my  love,  and  put  it  on  the 
Mediator's  wheel,  and  refine  it  from  its  dross  and  tin,  that  I  might 
propine  and  gift  that  Lord,  so  love-vvorthy,  with  all  my  love !  O  if  I 
could  set  a  lease  of  thousands  of  years,  and  a  suspension  of  my  part 
of  heaven's  glory,  and  frist  till  a  long  day  my  desired  salvation,  so 
being  I  could  in  this  lower  kitchen  and  under-vault  of  his  creation,  be 
feasted  with  his  love,  and  that  I  might  be  a  foot-stool  to  his  glory,  be- 
fore men  and  angels !  Oh  if  he  would  let  out  heaven's  fountain 
upon  withered  me,  dry  and  sapless  me !  If  I  were  but  sick  of  love 
for  his  love,  (and  oh,  how  would  that  sickness  delight  me !)  how 
sweet  would  that  easing  and  refreshing  pain  be  to  my  soul  ?  I  shall  be 
glad  to  be  a  witness  to  behold  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  become 
Christ's  :  I  could  stay  out  of  heaven  many  years,  to  see  that  victori- 
ous triumphing  Lord  act  that  prophesied  part  of  his  soul-conquering 
love,  in  taking  into  his  kingdom  the  greater  sister,  that  kirk  of  the 
Jews,  who  sometimes  courted  our  well-beloved  for  her  little  sister. 
Cant.  viii.  8.  to  behold  him  set  up  as  an  ensign  and  banner  of  love,  to 
the  ends  of  the  world.  And  truly,  we  are  to  believe  that  his  wrath  is 
ripe  for  the  land  of  graven  images,  and  for  the  falling  of  that  millstone 
in  the  midst  of  the  sea.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R . 

St.  Andrews,  March  6th,  1640. 


LETTER  XXXIV. 

To  the  Lady  Fingask. 
1MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  though  not  acquainted,  yet, 
at  the  desire  of  a  Christian,  I  make  bold  to  write  a  line  or  two  to  you. 
by  way  of  counsel,  (howbeit  I  be  most  unfit  for  that.)  I  hear,  and  I 
bless  the  Father  of  lights  for  it,  that  ye  have  a  spirit  set  to  seek  God, 
and  that  the  posture  of  your  heart  is  to  look  heaven-ward,  which  is  a 
work  and  cast  of  the  Mediator  Christ's  right-hand,  who  putteth  on  the 
heart  a  new  frame,  for  the  which  I  would  have  your  Ladyship,  to  see 
a  tye  and  bone  of  obedience  laid  upon  you,  that  all  may  be  done,  not 
so  much  from  obligation  of  law,  as  from  the  tye  office  love  ;  that  the 
law  of  ransom-paying  by  Christ  may  be  the  chief  ground  of  all  your 

45 


354  LETTER    XXXIV.  PART   II. 

obedience,  seeing  that  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace. 
Withal,  know  that  unbelief  is  a  spiritual  sin,  and  so  not  seen  by  na- 
ture's light ;  and  that  all  conscience  saith  is  not  scripture  :  suppose 
your  heart  bear  witness  against  you,  for  sins  done  long  ago  ;  yet,  be- 
cause many  have  pardon  with  God,  that  have  not  peace  with  them- 
selves, ye  are  to  stand  and  fall  by  Christ's  esteem  and  verdict  of  you, 
and  not  by  that  which  your  heart  saith.  Suppose  it  may  by  accident 
be  a  good  sign,  to  be  jealous  of  your  heavenly  Husband's  love,  yet  it 
is  a  sinful  sign  ;  as  there  be  some  happy  sins  (if  I  may  speak  so)  not 
of  themselves,  but  because  they  are  neighboured  with  faith  and  love. 
And  so,  worthy  Lady,  I  would  have  you  hold  by  this,  that  the  ancient 
love  of  an  old  husband  standeth  firm  and  sure  ;  and  let  faith  hang  by 
this  small  thread,  that  he  loved  you  before  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of 
the  world  ;  and  therefore  he  cannot  change  his  mind,  because  he  is 
God,  and  rests  in  his  love.  Neither  is  sin  in  you  a  good  reason, 
wherefore  ye  should  doubt  of  him,  or  think,  because  sin  hath  put  you 
in  the  courtesy  and  reverence  of  justice,  that  therefore  he  is  wrotli 
with  you  ;  neither  is  it  presumption  in  you  to  lay  the  burden  of  your 
salvation  upon  One  mighty  to  save  ;  so  being  ye  lay  aside  all  conti- 
dence  in  yourself,  your  worth  and  righteousness.  True  faith  is  hum- 
ble, and  seeth  no  way  to  escape  but  only  in  Christ ;  and  I  believe  ye 
have  put  an  esteem  and  high  price  upon  Christ ;  and  they  cannot  but 
believe,  and  so  be  saved,  who  love  Christ,  and  to  whom  he  is  precious; 
for  the  love  of  Christ  hath  chosen  Christ  as  a  Lover ;  and  it  were  not 
like  God,  if  ye  should  choose  him  as  your  liking,  and  he  not  choose 
you  again ;  nay,  he  hath  prevented  you  in  that  ;  for  ye  have  not 
chosen  him,  but  he  hath  chosen  you.  0  consider  his  loveliness  and 
beauty,  and  that  there  is  nothing  which  can  commend  and  make  fair 
heaven  or  earth,  or,  the  creature,  that  is  not  in  him,  in  infinite  perfec- 
tion ;  for  fair  sun  and  fair  moon  are  black,  and  think  shame  to  shine 
before  his  fairness,  Isa.  xxiv.  23,  Base  heavens  and  excellent  Jesus; 
weak  angels,  and  strong  and  mighty  Jesus :  foolish  angel-wis- 
dom, and  only  wise  Jesus ;  short  living  creature,  and  long  living, 
and  ever-living  Ancient  of  days  :  miserable  and  sickly,  and 
wretched  are  those  things  that  are  within  time's  circle,  and  only, 
only  blessed  Jesus !  if  ye  can  wind  in  his  love  (and  he  giveth  you 
leave  to  love  him,  and  allurements  also)  what  a  second  heaven's  para- 
dise, a  young  heaven's  glory  is  it  to  be  hot  and  burned  with  fevers  of 
love-sickness  for  him?  and  the  more  your  Ladyship  drinks  of  this 
love,  there  is  the  more  room,  and  the  greater  delight  and  desire  for 
this  love.  Be  homely  and  hunger  for  a  feast  and  fill  of  his  love  ;  for 
that  is  the  borders  and  march  of  heaven ;  nothing  hath  a  nearer  re- 
semblance to  the  colour  and  hue  and  lustre  of  heaven  than  Christ 
loved,  and  to  breathe  out  love-words,  and  love-sighs  for  him.  Remem- 
ber what  he  is ;  when  twenty  thousand  millions  of  heaven's  lovers 
have  worn  their  hearts  threadbare  of  love,  all  is  nothing,  yea,  less  than 
nothing  to  his  matchless  worth  and  excellency  :  0  so  broad  and  so 
deep  as  the  sea  of  his  desirable  loveliness  is  !  glorified  spirits,  tri- 
umphing angels,  the  crowned  and  exalted  lovers  of  heaven,  stand 
without  his  loveliness,  and  cannot  put  a  circle  on  it.  Oh,  if  sin  and 
time  were  from  betwixt  us  and  that  royal  nd  King'a  slovcjthat  high 


PART  II.  LETTER    XXXV.  355 

Majesty,  eternity's  Bloom,  and  Flower  of  high  lustred  beauty,  might 
shine  upon  pieces  of  created  spirits,  and  might  bedew  and  overflow 
us,  who  are  portions  of  endless  misery,  and  lumps  of  redeemed  sin ! 
Alas,  what  do  I  ?  I  but  spill  and  lose  words  in  speaking  highly  of  him, 
who  will  bide  and  be  above  the  music  and  songs  of  heaven,  and  never 
be  enough  praised  by  us  all ;  to  whose  boundless  and  bottomless  love 
I  recommend  your  Ladyship,  and  am 

Your  Ladyship's  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  iVIarch  27th,  1640. 


LETTER  XXXV. 

To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother,  Mr.  David  Dickson. 
REVEREND   AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Ye  look  like  the  house  whereof  ye  are  a  branch  ;  the  cross  is  a 
part  of  the  life-rent,  that  lieth  to  all  the  sons  of  the  house.     I  desire 
to  suffer  with  you,  if  I  could  take  a  lift  of  your  house-trial  off  you  ; 
but  ye  have  preached  it,  ere  I  knew  any  thing  of  God :  and  your 
Lord  may  gather  his  roses,  and  shake  his  apples,  at  what  season  of 
the  year   he  pleaseth  ;  each  husbandman  cannot  make  harvest  when 
he  pleaseth,  as  he  can  do  :  ye  are  taught  to  know  and  adore  his  sove- 
reignty, which  he  exerciseth  over  you,  which  yet  is  lustred  with  mer- 
cy.    The  child  hath  but  changed  a  bed  in  the  garden,  and  is  planted 
up  higher  nearer  the  sun,  where  he  shall  thrive  better  than  in  this 
out-field  moor-ground  ;  ye  must  think  your  Lord  would  not  want  hun 
one  hour  longer ;  and  since  the  date  of  your  loan  of  him  was  ex- 
pired (as  it  is  if  you  read  the  lease)  let  him  have  his  own  with  gain, 
as  good  reason  were.     I  read  on  it  an  exaltation  and  a  richer  mea- 
sure of  grace,  as  the  sweet  fruit  of  your  cross  ;  and  I  am  bold  to 
say,  that  that  college  where  your  Master  hath  set  you  now,  shall  find 
it.     I  am  content,  that   Christ  is  so   homely  with  my  dear  brother, 
David  Dickson,  as  to  borrow  and  lend,  and  take  and  give  with  him ; 
and  ye  know,  what  are  called  the  visitations  of  such  a  IViend  ;  it  is  to 
come  to  the  house,  and  be  homely  with  what  is  yours.     I  persuade 
myself  upon  his  credit,  he  hath  left  drink-money,  and  that  he  hath 
made  the  house  the  better  of  him  :  I  envy  not  his  waking  love,  who 
saw  that  this  water,  was  to  be  passed  through,  and  that  now  the  num- 
ber of  crosses  lying  in  our  way  to  glory  are  fewer  by  one  than  when 
I   saw  you ;   they  must  decrease.     It  is  better  than  any  ancient  or 
modern  commentary  on  your  text,  that  ye  preach  upon,  in  Glasgow : 
read  and  spell  right,  for  he  knoweth  what  he  doth  ;  he  is  only  lopping 
and  snedding  a  fruitful  tree,  that  it  may  be  more  fruitful.     I  congratu- 
late heartily  with  you  his  new  welcome  to  your  new  charge.     Dearest 
brother,  go  on  and  faint  not;  something  of  yours  is  in  heaven,  beside 
the  flesh  of  your  exalted   Saviour,  and  ye  go  on  after  your  own. 
Time's  thread  is  shorter  by  one  inch  than  it  was  :  an  oath  is  sworn 
and  past  the  seals,  whether  afflictions  will  or  not,  ye  must  grow  and 
swell  out  of  your  shell,  and  live,  and  triumph,  and  reign,  and  be  more 
than  a  conqueror  :  for  your  Captain,  who  leadeth  you  on,  is  more 
than  a  Conqueror,  and  he  makes  you  partaker  of  his  conquest  and 


356  LETTER  XXXVI.  PART  11. 

victory.  Did  not  love  to  you  compel  me,  I  would  not  fetch  water  to 
the  well,  and  speak  to  one  v/ho  knoweth  better  than  I  can  do  what 
God  is  doing  with  him.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife,  to  Mr. 
John,  and  all  friends  there.  Let  us  be  helped  by  your  prayers,  for  I 
eease  not  to  make  mention  of  you  to  the  Lord  as  I  can.  Grace  be 
with  you. 

Your's,  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus.  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  May  2Sth,  1640. 

LETTER  XXXVL 

To  my  Lady  Boyd, 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  Impute  it  not  to  a  disre- 
ppective  forgetfulness  of  your  Ladyship ;  who  ministered  to  me  in 
my  bonds,  that  I  write  not  to  you  ;  I  wish  I  could  speak  or  write  what 
might  do  good  to  your  Ladyship  ;  especially  now,  when  I  think  we 
cannot  but  have  deep  thoughts  of  the  deep  and  bottomless  ways  of 
bur  Lord,  in  taking  away  with  a  sudden  and  wonderful  stroke,  your 
brethren  and  friends.  Ye  may  know,  all  that  die  for  sin,  die  not  in 
sin  :  and  that  none  can  teach  the  Almighty  knowledge  :  he  answereth 
none  of  our  courts,  and  no  man  can  say,  What  doest  thou  1  It  is  true, 
vour  brethren  saw  not  many  summers,  but  adore  and  fear  the  sove- 
reignty of  the  great  Potter,  who  maketh  and  marreth  his  clay  vessels, 
Avhcn  and  how  it  pleaseth  him.  The  under-garden  is  absolutely  his 
own,  and  all  that  groweth  in  it :  his  absolute  liberty  is  lawbiding ; 
the  flowers  are  his  own  ;  if  some  be  but  summer-apples,  he  may  pluck 
them  down  before  others.  O  what  wisdom  is  it  to  believe,  and  not 
to  dispute ;  to  subject  the  thoughts  of  his  court,  and  not  to  repine  at 
any  act  of  his  justice  1  he  hath  done  it  all  flesh  be  silent.  It  is  im- 
possible to  be  submissive  and  religiously  patient,  if  ye  stay  your 
thoughts  down  among  the  confused  rollings  and  wheels  of  second 
causes ;  as.  Oh,  the  place  !  Oh,  the  time  !  Oh,  if  this  had  been,  this 
had  not  followed !  Oh,  the  linking  of  this  accident  with  this  time  and 
place  !  Look  up  to  the  master-niOtion  and  first  wheel ;  see  and  read 
the  decree  of  heaven  and  the  Creator  of  man,  who  breweth  death  to 
his  children  and  the  manner  of  it ;  and  tliey  see  far  in  a  mill-stone, 
and  have  eyes  that  make  a  hole  to  see  through  the  one  side  of  a 
mountain  to  the  other,  who  can  take  up  his  ways  ;  how  unsearchable 
are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out !  his  providence 
halteth  not,  but  goeth  with  even  and  equal  legs  ;  yet  are  they  not  the 
greatest  sinners  upon  whom  the  tower  of  Siloam  fell.  Was  not  time's 
lease  expired,  and  the  sand  of  heaven's  sand-glass,  set  by  our  Lord, 
run  out?  Is  not  he  an  unjust  debitor,  who  payeth  due  debt  with  chi- 
ding? I  beheve,  Christian  Lady,  your  faith  leaveth  that  much  charity 
to  our  Lord's  judgments,  as  to  believe,  howbeit  ye  be  in  blood  sib  to 
that  cross,  that  yet  ye  are  exempted  and  freed  from  the  gall  of  wrath 
that  is  in  it.  I  dare  not  deny  but  (Job  xviii.  15.)  The  king  of  ter- 
rors dwelleth  in  the  wicked  man's  tabernacle  ;  brimstone  shall  be 
scattered  on  his  habitation ;  yet,  Madam,  it  is  safe  for  you  to  live 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXXVf.  357 

upon  the  faith  of  his  love,  whose  arrows  are  over-watered  and  pointed 
with  love  and  mercy  to  his  own,  and  who  knoweth  how  to  take  you 
and  yours  out  of  the  roll  and  book  of  the  dead.  Our  Lord  hath  not 
the  eyes  of  flesh,  in  distributing  wrath  to  the  thousandth  generation 
without  exception.  Seeing  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace, 
and  married  to  another  Husband  ;  wrath  is  not  the  court  that  ye  are 
liable  to.  As  I  would  not  wish,  neither  do  I  believe,  your  Ladyship 
doth  despise,  so  neither  faint.  Read  and  spell  aright  all  the  words 
and  syllaljles  in  the  visitation,  and  miscall  neither  letter  nor  syllable  in 
it.  Come  along  with  the  Lord,  and  see,  and  lay  no  more  weight 
upon  the  law  than  your  Christ  hath  laid  upon  it.  If  the  law's  bill  get 
an  answer  from  Christ,  the  curses  of  it  can  do  no  more  ;  and  I  hope 
you  have  resolved,  that  if  he  should  grind  you  to  powder,  your  dust 
and  powder  shall  believe  his  salvation.  And  who  can  tell  what 
thoughts  of  love  and  peace  our  Lord  hath  to  your  children  1  I  trust 
he  shall  make  them  famous  in  executing  the  written  judgments  upon 
the  enemies  of  the  Lord  :  this  honour  have  all  his  saints,  Psal.  cxlix. 
9.  and  that  they  shall  bear  stones  on  their  shoulders  for  building  that 
fair  city,  that  is  called,  Ezek.  xlvi.  35.,  The  Lord  is  there.  And 
happy  shall  they  be  who  have  a  hand  in  the  sacking  of  Babel,  and 
come  out  in  the  year  of  vengeance,  for  the  controversy  of  Zion, 
against  the  land  of  graven  images.  Therefore,  Madam,  let  the  Lord 
make  out  of  your  father's  house  any  work,  even  of  judgment,  that  he 
pleaseth  ;  what  is  wrath  to  others,  is  mercy  to  you  and  your  house. 
It  is  t'aith's  work,  to  claim  and  challenge  loving  kindnejis  out  of  all  the 
roughest  strokes  of  God.  Do  that  for  the  Lord,  whicli  ye  will  do  for 
time  ;  time  will  calm  your  heart  at  that  which  God  hath  done,  and  let 
our  Lord  have  it  now.  What  love  ye  did  bear  to  friends  now  dead, 
seeing  they  stand  now  in  no  need  of  it,  let  it  fall  as  just  legacy  to 
Christ.  Oh,  how  sweet  to  put  out  many  strange  lovers,  and  to  put  in 
Christ !  It  is  much  for  our  half-slain  affections,  to  part  with  that  which 
we  believe  we  have  right  unto :  but  the  master's  will  should  be  our 
will,  and  he  is  the  best  servant  who  retaineth  least  of  his  own  will, 
and  most  of  his  master's.  That  much  wisdom  must  be  ascribed  to 
our  Lord,  that  he  knoweth  how  to  lead  his  own  in-through  and  out- 
through  the  little  time-hells,  and  the  pieces  of  time-during  wraths  in 
this  life  ;  and  yet  keep  safe  his  love  without  any  blur  upon  the  old 
and  great  seal  of  free  election  ;  and  seeing  his  mountains  of  brass, 
the  mighty  and  strong  decrees  of  free  grace  in  Christ,  stand  sure,  and 
the  covenant  standeth  fast  for  ever  as  the  days  of  heaven,  let  him 
strike  and  nurture  :  his  striking  must  be  a  very  act  of  saving  ;  seeing 
strokes  upon  his  secret  ones  come  from  the  soft  and  heavenly  hand 
of  the  Mediator,  and  his  rods  are  steeped  and  watered  in  that  flood 
and  river  of  love  that  cometh  from  the  God-man's  heart  of  our  soul- 
loving  and  soul-redeeming  Jesus.  I  hope  ye  are  content  to  frist  the 
Cautioner  of  mankind  his  own  conquest,  heaven,  till  he  pay  it  to  you, 
and  bring  you  to  a  state  of  glory,  where  he  shall  never  crook  a  finger 
upon,  nor  litl  a  hand  to  you  again  ;  and  be  content,  and  withal  greedily 
covetous  of  grace,  the  interest  and  pledge  of  glory.  If  I  did  not 
believe  your  crop  to  be  on  the  ground,  and  your  part  of  that  heaven  of" 


'358  LETTER   XXXVII.  TART   II. 

tiie  saints'  heaven,  white  and  ruddy,  fair,  fair  and  beautiful  Jesus  were 
come  to  the  bloom  and  the  flower,  and  near  your  hook,  I  would  not 
write  this :  but  seeing  time's  thread  is  short,  and  ye  are  upon  the 
entry  of  heaven's  harvest,  and  Christ,  the  field  of  heaven's  glory  is 
white  and  ripe  like,  the  losses  that  I  wrote  of  to  your  Ladyship  are 
but  summer  showers,  that  will  only  wet  your  garments  for  an  hour  or 
two,  and  the  sun  of  the  New  Jerusalem  shall  quickly  dry  the  wet 
coat ;  especially  seeing  the  rains  of  affliction  cannot  stain  the  image 
of  God,  or  cause  grace  to  cast  the  colour.  And  since  ye  will  not 
alter  upon  him,  who  will  not  change  upon  you,  I  durst  in  weakness 
think  myself  no  spiritual  seer,  if  I  should  not  prophesy  that  dayhght  is 
near,  when  such  a  morning-darkness  is  upon  you  ;  and  that  this  trial 
of  your  Christian  mind  towards  him,  whom  you  dare  not  leave,  how- 
beit  he  should  slay  you,  shall  close  with  a  doubled  mercy.  It  is  time 
for  faith  to  hold  fast  as  much  of  Christ  as  ever  ye  had,  and  to  make 
the  grip  stronger,  and  to  cleave  closer  to  him  ;  seeing  Christ  loveth  to 
be  believed  in,  and  trusted  to.  The  glory  of  laying  strength  upon 
One  that  is  mighty  to  save,  is  more  than  we  can  think :  that  peice  of 
service  of  believing  in  a  smiting  Redeemer  is  a  precious  part  of  obe- 
dience. 0  what  glory  to  him,  to  lay  over  the  burden  of  our  heaven 
upon  him  that  purchased  for  us  an  eternal  kingdom !  0  blessed  soul, 
who  can  adore  and  kiss  his  lovely  free  grace.  The  rich  grace  of 
Christ  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Oct.  15,  1640. 


LETTER  XXXVIL 

To  Agness  Mackmath. 
BEAR    SISTER, 

If  our  Lord  hath  taken  away  your  child,  your  lease  of  him  is  ex- 
pired :  and  seeing  Christ  would  wait  for  him  no  longer,  it  is  your  part 
to  hold  your  peace,  and  worship  and  adore  the  sovereignty  and  liberty 
that  the  Potter  hath  over  the  clay,  and  pieces  of  clay-nothings,  that 
he  gave  life  unto  :  and  what  is  man,  to  call  and  summon  the  Almighty 
to  his  lower  court  down  here  ?  for  he  giveth  account  of  none  of  his 
doings.  And  if  ye  will  take  a  loan  of  a  child,  and  give  him  back 
again  to  our  Lord,  laughing,  as  his  borrowed  goods  should  return  to 
him,  believe  he  is  not  gone  away,  but  sent  before  ;  and  that  the 
change  of  the  country  should  make  you  think,  he  is  not  lost  to  you, 
who  is  found  to  Ciirist ;  and  that  he  is  now  before  you,  and  that  the 
dead  in  Christ  shall  be  raised  again.  A  going-down  star  is  not  anni- 
hilate, but  shall  appear  again  :  if  he  hath  casten  his  bloom  and  flower, 
the  bloom  is  fallen  in  heaven,  in  Christ's  lap  ;  and  as  he  was  lent  a 
while  to  time,  so  is  he  given  now  to  eternity,  which  will  take  your- 
self: and  the  difference  of  your  shipping  and  his  to  heaven  and  Christ's 
shore,  the  land  of  life,  is  only  in  some  few  years,  which  weareth  every 
day  shorter,  and  some  short  and  soon-reckoned  summers  will  give 
you  a  meeting  with  him  ;  but  what,  with  him  1  nay,  with  better  com- 
pany, with  the  Chief  and  Leader  of  the  heavenly  troops,  that  are 


PART  II.  LETTER  XXXVIII. 


35^ 


riding  on  white  horses,  that  are  triumphing  in  glory.  If  death 
Avere  a  sleep  that  had  no  wakening,  we  might  sorrow  :  but  our 
Husband  shall  quickly  be  at  the  bedsides  of  all  that  lye  sleeping 
in  the  grave,  and  shall  raise  their  mortal  bodies.  Christ  was 
death's  Cautioner,  who  gave  his  word  to  come  and  loose  all 
the  clay-pawns,  and  set  them  at  his  own  right-hand ;  and  our 
Cautioner,  Christ,  hath  an  act  of  law-surety  upon  death,  to 
render  back  his  captives :  and  that  Lord  Jesus,  who  knoweth  the 
turnings  and  windings  that  are  in  that  black  trance  of  death,  hath 
numbered  all  the  steps  of  the  stair  up  to  heaven ;  he  knoweth  how 
long  the  turnpike  is,  or  how  many  pair  of  stairs  high  it  is  ;  for  he 
ascendeth  that  way  himself.  Rev.  i.  18.,  I  was  dead  and  am  alive. 
And  now  he  liveth  at  the  right-hand  of  God,  and  his  garments  have 
not  so  much  as  a  smell  of  death.  Your  afflictions  smell  of  the  chil- 
dfen's  case  ;  the  children  of  the  house  are  so  nurtured  :  and  suffering 
is  no  new  life,  it  is  but  the  rent  of  the  son's  ;  bastards  have  not  so 
much  of  the  rent.  Take  kindly  and  heartsomely  with  his  cross,  who 
never  yet  slew  a  child  with  the  cross.  He  breweth  your  cup  ;  there- 
fore drink  it  patiently,  and  with  the  better  will.  Stay  and  wait  on  till 
Christ  loose  the  knot  that  fasteneth  his  cross  on  your  back  ;  for  he  i:^ 
coming  to  deliver :  and  I  pray  you,  sister,  learn  to  be  worthy  of  his 
pains,  who  correcteth  ;  and  let  him  wring,  and  be  ye  washen  ;  for  he 
hath  a  Father's  heart  and  a  Father's  hand,  who  is  training  you  up, 
and  making  you  meet  for  the  high  hall.  This  school  of  suffering  is  a 
preparation  for  the  King's  higher  house  ;  and  let  all  your  visitations 
speak  all  the  letters  of  your  Lord's  summons.  They  cry,  1.  0  vain 
world !  2.  0  bitter  sin !  3.  O  short  and  uncertain  time !  4.  O  fair 
eternity,  that  is  above  sickness  and  death !  5.  0  kingly  and  princely 
Bridegroom!  hasten  glory's  marriage,  shorten  time's  short-spun  and 
soon  broken  thread,  and  conquer  sin !  6.  O  happy  and  blessed  death, 
that  golden  bridge  laid  over  by  Christ  my  Lord,  betwixt  time's  clay- 
banks  and  heaven's  shore  !  And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say.  Come! 
and  answer  ye  with  them,  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly  ! 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Oct.  15.  1640. 


LETTER  XXXVHL 

To  Mr.  Matthew  Mowat. 
IIEVEREND    AND    DEAR    BROTHER, 

What  am  I  to  answer  you  !  Alas  !  my  books  are  all  bare,  and  shew 
me  little  of  God :  I  would  fain  go  beyond  books  into  his  house  of 
love,  to  himself.  Dear  brother,  neither  ye  nor  I  are  parties  worthy  of 
his  love  or  knowledge.  Ah  how  hath  sin  bemisted  and  blinded  us,  that 
we  cannot  see  him  1  But  for  my  poor  self,  I  am  pained  and  like  to  burst, 
because  he  will  not  take  down  the  wall,  and  fetch  bis  uncreated  beauty, 
and  bring  his  matchless,  white  and  ruddy  face  out  of  heaven  one's 
errand,  that  I  may  have  heaven  meeting  me  ere  I  go  to  it,  in  such  a 
wonderful  sight.  Ye  kno*v  that  majesty  and  love  do  humble,  because 
homely  love  to  sinners  dwelleth  in  him  with  majesty  :  ye  should  give 


o60  LETTER  XXXIX.  PART   II. 

Iiim  all  his  own  court-stiles,  his  high  and  heaven  names.  What  am  I, 
to  shape  conceptions  of  my  highest  Lord  ?  How  broad,  and  how 
high,  and  how  deep  he  is,  above  and  beyond  what  these  conceptions 
are,  I  cannot  tell !  but  for  my  own  weak  practice  (which,  alas  !  can 
be  no  rule  to  one  so  deep  in  love-sickness  with  Christ  as  ye  are)  I 
would  fain  add  to  my  thoughts  and  esteem  of  him,  and  make  him 
more  high,  and  would  wish  an  heart  and  love  ten  thousand  times 
wider  than  the  utmost  circle  and  curtain  that  goeth  about  the  heaven 
of  heavens,  to  entertain  him  in  that  heart,  and  with  that  love.  But 
that  which  is  your  pain,  my  dear  brother,  is  mine  also  ;  I  am  con- 
founded with  the  thoughts  of  him.  I  know  God  is  casten  (if  I  may 
speak  so)  in  a  sweet  mould,  and  lovely  image,  in  the  Person  of  that 
heaven's  Jewel,  the  Man  Christ ;  and  that  the  steps  of  that  steep 
ascent  and  stair  to  the  God-head  is  the  flesh  of  Christ,  the  new  and 
living  Way ;  and  there  is  footing  for  faith  in  that  curious  ark  of  the 
humanity  ;  therein  dwelleth  the  God-head,  married  upon  our  human- 
ity. I  would  be  in  heaven,  suppose  I  had  not  another  errand,  but  to 
see  that  dainty  golden  ark,  and  God  personally  looking  out  at  ears 
and  eyes  and  a  body,  such  as  we  sinners  have,  that  I  might  wear  my 
sinful  mouth  in  kisses  on  him  for  evermore  ;  and  I  know  all  the  three 
blessed  Persons  should  be  well  pleased  that  my  piece  of  faint  and 
created  love  should  first  coast  upon  the  Man  Christ ;  I  should  see 
them  all  through  him.  1  am  called  from  writing  by  my  great  employ- 
ments in  this  town,  and  have  said  nothing  :  but  what  can  I  say  of 
him  ■?     Let  us  go  and  see. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R 

St.  Andrews,  1640. 


LETTER  XXXIX. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship.  I  am  heartily  sorrv 
that  your  Ladyship  is  deprived  of  such  an  husband,  and  the  Lord's 
kirk  of  so  active  and  faithful  a  friend.  I  know  your  Ladyship  long 
ago  made  acquaintance  with  that,  wherein  Christ  will  have  you  joined 
in  a  fellowship  with  himself,  even  with  his  own  cross  ;  and  hath  taught 
you  to  stay  your  soul  upon  the  Lord's  good-will,  who  giveth  not  ac- 
count of  his  matters  to  any  of  us  :  when  he  hath  led  you  through  this 
water,  that  was  in  your  way  to  glory,  there  are  fewer  behind  ;  and  his 
order  m  dismissing  us,  and  sending  us  out  of  the  market,  one  before 
another,  is  to  be  reverenced.  One  year's  time  of  heaven  shall  swal- 
low up  all  sorrows,  even  beyond  all  comparison  :  what  then  will  not  a 
duration  of  blessedness  so  long  as  God  shall  live,  fully  and  abundantly 
recompense  1  It  is  good  that  our  Lord  hath  given  us  a  Debitor,  obli- 
ged by  gracious  promises,  for  more  in  eternity  than  time  can  take 
from  you ;  and  I  believe  your  Ladyship  hath  been  now  many  years 
advising  and  thinking  what  that  glory  will  be,  which  is  abiding  the  pil- 
grims and  strangers  on  the  earth,  when  they  come  home,  and  which 
we  may  think  of,  love,  and  thirst  for,  but  tve  cannot  comprehend  it. 


PART  II.  LETTER  XL.  361 

nor  conceive  of  it  as  it  is,  far  less  can  we  over-think  or  over-love  it. 
O  so  long  a  Chapter,  or  rather  so  long  a  Volume  as  Christ  is,  in  that 
divinity  of  glory !  There  is  no  more  of  him  let  down  now,  to  be  seen 
and  enjoyed  by  his  children,  but  as  much  as  may  feed  hunger  in  this  life, 
but  not  satisfy  it.  Your  Ladyship  is  a  debitor  to  the  Son  of  God's  cross, 
that  is  wearing  out  love  and  affiance  in  the  creature  of  your  heart  by 
degrees  ;  or  rather  the  obligation  standeth  to  his  free  grace,  who  careth 
for  your  Ladyship  in  this  gracious  dispensation,  and  who  is  preparing 
and  making  ready  the  garments  of  salvation  for  you  ;  and  who  call- 
eth  you  with  a  new  name,  that  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  named, 
and  purposeth  to  make  you  a  crown  of  glory,  and  a  royal  diadem  iu 
the  hand  of  your  God,  Isa.  Ixii.  2,  3.  Ye  are  obliged  to  frist  him 
more  than  one  heaven  ;  and  yet  he  craveth  not  a  long  day  ;  it  is  fast 
coming  and  is  sure  payment.  Though  ye  give  no  hire  for  him,  yet 
hath  he  given  a  great  price  and  ransom  for  you  :  and  if  the  bargain 
were  to  make  again,  Christ  would  give  no  less  for  you,  than  what  he 
liath  already  given  ;  he  is  far  from  rueing.  I  shall  wish  you  no  more 
till  time  be  gone  out  of  the  way,  than  the  earnest  of  that  which  he 
hath  purchased  and  prepared  for  you,  which  can  never  be  fully  preach- 
ed, written,  or  thought  of,  since  it  hath  not  entered  into  the  heart  to 
consider  it.  So,  recommending  your  Ladyship  to  the  rich  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus,  I  am,  and  rest 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  respective  observance,  in  Christ  Jesus,   S.  R. 

St.  Andrews, 


LETTER  XL. 

To  Mrs.  Taylor. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  I  have  no  relation 
worldly  or  acquaintance  with  you,  yet  (upon  the  testimony  and  impor- 
tunity of  your  elder  son  now  at  London,  where  I  am,  but  chiefly  be- 
cause I  esteem  Jesus  Christ  in  you  to  be  in  place  of  all  relations,)  I 
make  bold  in  Christ  to  speak  my  poor  thoughts  to  you  concerning 
your  son  lately  fallen  asleep  in  the  Lord  (who  was  some  time  under 
the  ministry  of  the  worthy  servant  of  Christ,  my  fellow-labourer,  Mr. 
Blair,  by  whose  ministry,  I  hope,  he  reaped  no  small  advantage.)  I 
know,  grace  rooteth  not  out  the  affections  of  a  mother,  but  putteth 
them  on  his  wheel,  who  maketh  all  things  new,  that  they  may  be  refi- 
ned ;  therefore  sorrow  for  a  dead  child  is  allowed  to  you,  though  by 
measure  and  ounce  weights :  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  hath  not  a 
dominion  or  lordship  over  their  sorrow  and  other  affections,  to  lavish 
out  Christ's  goods  at  their  pleasure :  for  ye  are  not  your  own,  but 
bought  with  a  price  ;  and  your  sorrow  is  not  your  own,  nor  hath  he 
redeemed  you  by  halves  ;  and  therefore  ye  are  not  to  make  Christ's 
cross  no  cross.  He  commandeth  you  to  weep :  and  that  princely 
One,  who  took  up  to  heaven  with  him  a  man's  heart  to  be  a  compas- 
sionate High-priest,  became  your  Fellow  and  Companion  on  earth, 
by  weeping  for  the  dead,  John  xi.  35.  And  therefore  ye  are  to  love 
that  cross,  because  it  was  once  on  Christ's  shoulders  before  you  :  so 

46 


362  LETTER    XL.  PART  If. 

that  by  his  own  practice,  he  hath  over-gilded  and  covered  your  cross 
with  the  Mediator's  lustre ;  the  cup  ye  drink  was  at  the  lip  of  sweet 
Jesus,  and  he  drank  of  it ;  and  so  it  hath  a  smell  of  his  breath  and  I 
conceive  ye  love  it  not  the  worse  that  it  is  thus  sugared  ;  therefore 
drink,  and  believe  the  resurrection  of  your  son's  body.  If  one  coal 
of  hell  should  fall  off  the  exalted  Head,  Jesus ;  Jesus  the  Prince  of 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  burn  me  to  ashes,  knowing  T  were  a  part- 
ner with  Christ,  and  a  fellow-sharer  with  him,  (though  the  unworthiest 
of  men)  I  think  I  should  die  a  lovely  death  in  that  fire  with  him.  The 
worst  things  of  Christ,  even  his  cross,  have  much  of  heaven  from 
himself;  and  so  hath  your  Christian  sorrow,  being  of  kin  to  Christ's 
in  that  kind  ;  if  your  sorrow  were  a  bastard,  and  not  of  Christ's  house, 
(because  of  the  relation  ye  have  to  him  in  conformity  to  his  death  and 
sufferings)  I  should  the  more  compassionate  your  condition  ;  but  kind 
and  compassionate  Jesus,  at  every  sigh  you  give  for  the  loss  of  youv 
now  glorified  child,  (so  I  believe,  as  is  meet)  with  a  man's  heart  crieth, 
Half-mine.  I  was  not  a  witness  to  his  death,  being  called  out  of  the 
kingdom,  but  ye  shall  credit  those  whom  I  do  credit,  (and  I  dare  not 
lie)  he  died  comfortably.  It  is  true,  he  died  before  he  did  so  much 
service  to  Christ  on  earth,  as  I  hope  and  heartily  desire,  your  son  Mr. 
Hugh  (very  dear  to  me  in  Jesus  Christ)  shall  do ;  but  that  were  a 
real  matter  of  sorrow :  if  this  were  not  to  counterbalance  it,  that  he 
hath  changed  service-houses,  but  hath  not  changed  service  or  Mas- 
ter. Rev.  xxii.  3,  '  And  there  shall  be  no  more  curse  ;  but  the  throne 
of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it,  and  his  servants  shaU  serve 
him.'  What  he  could  have  done  in  this  lower  house,  he  is  now  upon 
that  same  service,  in  the  higher  house  ;  and  it  is  all  one,  it  is  the  same 
service,  and  the  same  Master,  only  there  is  a  change  of  conditions  : 
and  ye  are  not  to  think  it  a  bad  bargain  for  your  beloved  son,  where 
he  hath  gold  for  copper  and  brass,  eternity  for  time.  I  believe  Christ 
hath  taught  you  (for  I  give  credit  to  such  a  witness  of  you,  as  your 
son  Mr.  Hugh)  not  to  sorrow  because  he  died  :  all  the  knot  must  bo, 
he  died  too  soon,  he  died  too  young,  he  died  in  the  morning  of  his 
life  ;  this  is  all ;  but  sovereignty  must  silence  your  thoughts.  I  was 
in  your  condition  ;  I  had  but  two  children,  and  both  are  dead  since  I 
came  hither.  The  supreme  and  absolute  Former  of  all  things  giveth 
not  an  account  of  any  of  his  matters ;  the  good  Husbandman  may 
pluck  his  roses,  and  gather  in  his  hHes  at  mid-summer,  and,  for  ought 
I  dare  say,  in  the  beginning  of  the  first  summer  month,  and  he  may 
transplant  young  trees  out  of  the  lower  ground  to  the  higher,  where 
they  may  have  more  of  the  sun,  and  a  more  free  air,  at  any  season  of 
the  year  :  what  is  that  to  you  or  me  !  The  goods  are  his  own.  The 
Creator  of  time  and  winds  did  a  merciful  injury  (if  1  dare  borrow  the 
word)  to  nature,  in  landing  the  passenger  so  early.  They  love  the 
sea  too  well,  who  complain  of  a  fair  wind  and  a  desirable  tide,  and  a 
speedy  coming  ashore,  especially  a  coming  a-shore  in  that  land  where 
all  the  inhabitants  have  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads.  He  cannot 
be  too  early  in  heaven  ;  his  twelve  hours  were  not  short  hours  ;  and 
withal,  if  ye  consider  this  had  ye  been  at  his  bed-side  ;  and  should 
liave  seen  Christ  coming  to  him,  ye  would  not,  ye  could  not  have  ad- 


PART  II.  LETTER  XLI.  363 

journed  Christ's  free  love,  who  would  want  him  no  longer.  And  dy- 
ing in  another  land,  where  his  mother  could  not  close  his  eyes  is  not 
much  :  Who  closed  Moses'  eyes  1  and  who  put  on  his  winding  sheet? 
for  ought  I  know,  neither  father  Jior  mother,  nor  friend,  but  God 
only  :  and  there  is  as  expedite,  fair  and  easy  a  way  betwixt  Scotland 
and  heaven,  as  if  he  liad  died  in  the  very  bed  he  was  born  in.  The 
whole  earth  is  his  Father's  ;  any  corner  of  his  Father's  house  is 
good  enough  to  die  in.  It  may  be,  the  living  child,  (I  speak  not  of 
Mr.  Hugh)  is  more  grief  to  you  than  the  dead  :  you  arc  to  wait  on, 
if  at  any  time  God  shall  give  him  repentance  ;  Christ  waited  as  long 
possibly  on  you  and  me,  certainly  longer  on  me  :  and  if  he  should 
deny  repentance  to  him,  I  could  say  something  to  that ;  but  I  hope 
better  things  of  him.  It  seemeth  that  Christ  will  have  this  world 
your  step-dame ;  I  love  not  your  condition  the  worse  ;  it  may  be  a 
proof  that  ye  are  not  a  child  of  this  lower  house,  but  a  stranger ; 
Christ  seeth  it  not  good  only,  but  your  only  good  to  be  led  thus  to 
heaven  ;  and  think  this  a  favour,  that  he  hath  bestowed  on  you  free, 
free  grace,  that  is,  mercy  without  hire ;  ye  paid  nothing  for  it,  and 
who  can  put  a  price  upon  any  thing  of  royal  and  princely  Jesus 
Christ  1  And  God  hath  given  to  you  to  suffer  for  him  the  spoiling  of 
your  goods  ;  esteem  it  as  an  act  of  free  grace  also  ;  ye  are  no  loser, 
having  himself;  and  1  persuade  myself',  if  ye  could  prize  Christ, 
nothing  could  be  bitter  to  you.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  brother  and  well  wisher,  S.  E- 

London,  1645. 


LETTER  XLI. 

To  Barbara  Hamilton. 
WORTHY  FRIEND, 

Grace  be  to  you.  I  do  unwillingly  write  unto  you  of  that  which  God 
hath  done  concerning  your  son-in-law  ;  only  I  believe,  ye  look  not 
below  Christ,  and  the  highest  and  most  supreme  act  of  providence, 
which  moveth  all  wheels.  And  certainly,  what  came  down  enacted 
and  concluded  in  the  great  book  before  the  throne,  and  signed  and 
subscribed  with  the  Hand  which  never, did  wrong,  should  be  kissed 
and  adored  by  us.  We  see  God's  decrees,  when  they  bring  forth 
their  fruits,  all  actions,  good  and  ill,  sweet  and  sour,  in  their 
time ;  but  we  see  not  presently  the  after-birth  of  God's  decree,  viz. 
his  blessed  end,  and  the  good  that  he  bringeth  out  of  the  womb  of 
his  holy  and  spotless  counsel  ;  we  see  his  working,  and  sorrow  ;  the 
end  of  his  counsel  and  working  lieth  hidden  and  underneath  the 
ground,  and  therefore  we  cannot  beHeve.  Even  amongst  men,  we 
see  hewn  stones,  timber,  and  an  hundred  scattered  parcels  and  pieces 
of  an  house,  all  under  tools,  hammers,  and  axes,  and  saws ;  yet  the 
house,  the  beauty  and  ease  of  so  many  lodgings  and  ease  rooms,  we 
neither  see  nor  understand  tor  the  present :  these  are  but  in  the 
mind  and  head  of  the  builder,  as  yet.  We  see  red  earth,  unbroken 
elods,  furrows  and  stones ;  but  we  see  not  summer  lilies,  roses,  and 
the  beauty  of  a  garden.     If  ye  give  the  Lord  time  to  work  (as  often 


364  LETTER    XLII.  PART    II. 

he  that  believeth  not  maketh  haste,  but  not  speed)  his  end  is  under 
ground  ;  and  ye  shall  see  it  was  your  good,  that  your  son  hath 
changed  dwelling-places,  but  not  his  Master ;  Christ  thought  good  to 
have  no  more  of  his  service  here ;.  yet  Rev.  xxii.  3.  His  servants 
shall  serve  him  :  he  needeth  not  us  nor  our  service,  either  in  earth  or 
in  heaven  :  but  ye  are  to  look  to  him,  who  giveth  the  hireling  both 
his  leave  and  his  wages,  for  his  naked  aim  and  purpose  to  serve 
Christ,  as  well  as  for  his  labours ;  it  is  put  up  in  Christ's  account, 
such  a  labourer  did  sweat  forty  years  in  Christ's  vineyard  ;  howbeit 
he  got  not  leave  to  labour  so  long,  because  he  who  accepteth  of  the 
will  for  the  deed  counteth  so  :  none  can  teach  the  Lord  to  lay  an  ac- 
count ;  he  numbereth  the  drops  of  rain,  and  knoweth  the  stars  by 
their  names  :  it  would  take  as  much  studying,  to  give  a  name  to  every 
star  in  the  firmament,  great  or  small.  See  Lev.  x.  3.  And  Aaron 
held  his  peace  ;  ye  know  his  two  sons  were  slain,  whilst  they  offered 
strange  fire  to  the  Lord.  Command  your  thoughts  to  be  silent :  if 
the  soldiers  of  Newcastle  had  done  this,  ye  might  have  stomached  ; 
but  the  weapon  was  in  another  hand  :  hear  the  rod  what  it  preacheth, 
and  see  the  name  of  God,  Micah,  vi.  9.  and  know  that  there  is  some- 
what of  God  and  heaven  in  the  rod.  The  majesty  of  the  unsearch- 
able and  bottomless  ways  and  judgments  of  God  is  not  seen  in  the 
rod,  and  the  seeing  of  them  requireth  the  eyes  of  the  man  (JF  wisdom. 
If  the  sufferings  of  some  other  with  you  in  that  loss  could  ease  you, 
ye  want  them  not.  But  he  can  do  no  wrong,  he  cannot  halt ;  his 
goings  are  equal,  who  hath  done  it.  I  know  our  Lord  aimeth  at  mor- 
tification ;  let  him  not  come  in  vain  to  your  house,  and  lose  the  pains 
of  a  merciful  visit.  God,  the  Founder,  never  melteth  in  vain,  how- 
beit to  us  he  seemeth  often  to  lose  both  fire  and  metal :  but  I  know 
ye  are  more  in  this  work  than  I  can  be  :  there  is  no  cause  to  faint  or 
weary.  Grace  be  with  you,  and  the  rich  consolations  of  Jesus  Christ 
sweeten  your  cross,  and  support  you  under  it.     I  rest 

Your's  in  his  Lord  and  Master,  S.  H. 

London,  Oct,  15th,  1645. 


LETTER  XLIL 

To  Mrs.  Hume. 
LOVING  SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  if  ye  have  any  thing  better 
than  the  husband  of  your  youth,  ye  are  Jesus  Christ's  debtor  for  it ; 
pay  not  then  your  debts  with  grudging.  Sorrow  may  diminish  from 
the  sweet  fruit  of  righteousness  ;  but  quietness,  silence,  submission, 
and  faith,  put  a  crown  upon  your  sad  losses :  ye  know  whose  voice 
the  voice  of  crying  rod  is,  Micah  vi.  9.  The  name  and  majesty 
of  the  Lord  is  written  on  the  rod  ;  read  and  be  instructed.  Let 
Christ  have  the  room  of  the  husband :  he  hath  now  no  need  of  you, 
or  of  your  love  ;  for  he  enjoyeth  as  much  of  the  love  of  Christ,  as 
his  heart  can  be  capable  of.  I  confess,  it  is  a  dear-bought  expe- 
rience, to  teach  you  to  undervalue  the  creature  ;  yet  it  is  not  too 
dear  if  Christ  think   it  so.      1  know,   that  the  disputing  of  your 


PART  II.  LETTER   XLIII.  365 

thoughts  against  his  going  thither,  the  way  and  manner  of  his  death, 
the  instruments,  the  place,  the  time,  will  not  ease  your  spirits,  except 
ye  rise  higher  than  second  causes,  and  be  silent  because  the  Lord 
hath  done  it ;  if  we  measure  the  goings  of  the  Almighty  and  his 
ways,  the  bottom  whereof  we  see  not,  we  quite  mistake  God.  O 
how  little  a  portion  of  God  do  we  see  !  He  is  far  above  our  ebb  and 
narrow  thoughts  :  he  ruled  the  world  in  wisdom,  ere  we,  creatures  of 
yesterday,  were  born,  and  shall  rule  it  when  we  shall  be  lodging  beside 
the  worms  and  corruption.  Only  learn  heavenly  wisdom,  self-denial, 
and  mortification  by  this  sad  loss ;  I  know  that  is  not  for  nothing 
(except  ye  deny  God  to  be  wise  in  all  he  doth)  that  ye  have  lost  one 
in  earth.  There  hath  been  too  little  of  your  love  and  heart  in  hea- 
ven, and  therefore  the  jealousy  of  Christ  hath  done  this  :  it  is  a 
mercy  that  he  contendeth  with  you  and  all  your  lovers  :  I  should  de- 
sire no  greater  favour  for  niyself  than  that  Christ  laid  a  necessity, 
and  took  on  such  bonds  upon  himself;  such  an  one  I  must  have,  and 
such  a  soul  I  cannot  live  in  heaven  without,  John  x.  16.  And  be- 
lieve it,  it  is  incomprehensible  love,  that  Christ  saith,  *  If  I  enjoy  the 
glory  of  my  Father,  and  the  crown  of  heaven  far  above  men  and 
angels,  I  must  use  all  means,  though  never  so  violent,  to  have  the 
company  of  such  an  one  for  ever  and  ever.'  If  with  the  eyes  of 
wisdom,  as  a  child  of  wisdom,  ye  justify  your  mother,  the  wisdom  of 
God  (whose  child  ye  are)  ye  shall  kiss  and  embrace  this  loss,  and  see 
much  of  Christ  in  it.  Believe  and  submit,  and  refer  the  income  of 
the  consolations  of  Jesus,  and  the  event  of  the  trial,  to  your  heavenly 
Father,  who  numbereth  all  your  hairs ;  and  put  Christ  in  his  own 
room  in  your  love  ;  it  may  be  he  hath  either  been  out  of  his  own 
place,  or  in  a  place  of  love  inferior  to  his  worth.  Repair  Christ  in 
all  his  wrongs  done  to  him,  and  love  him  for  a  Husband  ;  and  he  that 
is  a  Husband  to  the  widow,  shall  be  that  to  you  which  he  hath  taken 
from  you.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  sympathizing  brother,  S,  R. 

London,  Oct.  15th,  1645. 


LETTER  XLIIL 

To  Biirbara  Hamilton. 
LOVING    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  have  heard  with  grief,  that 
Newcastle  hath  taken  one  more  in  a  bloody  account,  than  before, 
even,  your  son-in-law,  and  my  friend ;  but  I  hope  ye  have  learned 
that  much  of  Christ  as  not  to  look  to  wheels  rolled  round  about  on 
earth  :  earthen  vessels  are  not  to  dispute  with  their  Former  :  pieces 
of  sinning  clay  may,  by  reasoning  and  contending  with  the  Potter, 
mar  the  work  of  him  who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion,  and  his  furnace  in 
Jerusalem ;  as  bullocks  sweating  and  wrestling  in  the  furrow,  make 
their  yoke  more  heavy :  in  quietness  and  rest  ye  shall  be  saved :  if 
men  do  any  thing  contrary  to  your  heart,  we  may  ask  both  who  did  it  ? 
and,  what  is  done  1  and  why  t  When  God  hath  done  any  such  thing, 
we  are  to  inquire,  who  hath  done  it  1  and  to  know  that  this  cometh 


;566  LETTER   XLIV.  PART  II. 

from  the  Lord,  who  is  wonderful  in  counsel ;  but  we  are  not  to  ask 
what  or  why  ?  If  it  be  from  the  Lord  (as  certainly  there  is  no  evil  in 
the  city  without  him,  Amos  iii.  6.)  it  is  enough  ;  the  fairest  face  of 
his  spotless  way  is  but  coming,  and  ye  are  to  believe  his  works 
as  well  as  his  word.  Violent  death  is  a  sharer  with  Christ  in  his 
death,  which  was  violent ;  it  maketh  not  much  what  way  we  go  to 
heaven  ;  the  happy  home  is  all,  where  the  roughness  of  the  way  shall 
be  forgotten.  He  is  gone  home  to  a  Friend's  house,  and  made  wel- 
come, and  the  race  is  ended  ;  time  is  recompensed  with  eternity,  and 
copper  with  gold.  God's  order  is  in  wisdom,  the  husband  goes  home 
before  the  wife,  and  the  throng  of  the  market  shall  be  over  ere  it  be 
long,  and  another  generation  where  we.  now  are;  and  at  length,  an 
empty  house  and  not  one  of  mankind  shall  be  upon  the  earth,  within 
the  sixth  part  of  an  hour,  after  the  earth  and  the  works  that  are  therein 
shall  be  burnt  up  with  fire.  I  fear  more  that  Christ  is  about  to 
remove,  when  he  carrieth  home  so  much  of  his  plenishing  beforehand. 
We  cannot  teach  the  Almighty  knowledge  ;  when  he  was  directing 
the  bullet  against  his  servant,  to  fetch  out  the  soul,  no  wise  man 
could  cry  to  God,  Wrong,  wrong.  Lord,  for  he  is  thine  own.  There 
is  no  mist  over  his  eyes,  who  is  wonderful  in  counsel ;  if  Zion  be 
be  builded  with  your  son-in-law's  blood,  the  Lord  (deep  in  counsel) 
can  glue  together  the  stones  of  Zion  with  blood,  and  with  that  blood 
which  is  precious  in  his  eyes,  Christ  hath  fewer  labourers  in  his  vine- 
yard than  he  had,  but  some  more  v^itnesses  for  his  cause,  and  tho 
Lord's  covenant  with  the  three  nations.  What  is  Christ's  gain  is  not 
your  loss ;  let  not  that  which  is  his  holy  and  wise  will  be  your  unbe- 
lieving sorrow.  Though  I  really  judge  I  had  interest  in  his  dead 
servant,  yet,  because  he  now  liveth  to  Christ,  I  quit  the  hopes  I  had 
of  his  successful  labouring  in  the  ministry;  I  know  he  now  praiseth 
the  grace  that  he  was  to  preach  ;  and  if  there  were  a  better  thing  on 
his  head  now  in  heaven  than  a  crown,  or  any  thing  more  excellent 
than  heaven,  he  would  cast  it  down  before  his  feet  who  sitteth  on  the 
throne.  Give  glory  therefore,  to  Christ,  as  he  now  doth,  and  say, 
Thy  will  be  done.  The  grace  and  consolation  of  Christ  be  with  you. 
Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  8.  K. 

London,  Nov.  1,5,  1645. 


LETTER  XLIV. 

To  the  Viscountess  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship.  Though  Christ 
lose  no  time,  yet  when  sinful  men  drive  his  chariot,  the  wheels  of  his 
chariot  move  slowly  :  the  woman,  Zion,  as  soon  as  she  travailed, 
brought  forth  her  children  ;  yea,  Isa.  Ixvi.  7,  '  Before  she  travailed, 
she  brought  forth  ;  before  her  pain  came  she  was  delivered  of  a  man- 
child  ;,  yet  tlie  deliverance  of  the  people  was  with  the  woman's  going 
with  child  seventy  years,  that  is  more  than  nine  months.  There  be 
many  oppositions  in  carrying  on  the  work :  but  I  hope  the  Lord  will 
build  his  own  Zion,  and  evidence  to  us  that  it  is  done,  not  by  might 


PART  II.  LETTER    XLV.  367 

nor  by  power,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  Madam,  I  have  heard 
of  your  infirmities  of  body  and  sickness  :  I  know  the  issue  shall  bo 
mercy  to  you ;  and  that  God's  purpose,  which  lyeth  hidden  under 
ground  to  you,  is,  to  commend  the  sweetness  of  his  love  and  care  to 
you  from  your  youth.  And  if  all  the  sad  losses,  trials,  sicknesses, 
infirmities,  griefs,  heaviness,  and  inconstancy  of  the  creature  be  ex- 
pounded (as  sure  I  am  they  are,)  the  rods  of  the  jealousy  of  an  Hus- 
band in  heaven,  contending  with  all  your  lovers  on  earth  (though 
there  were  millions  ofihem)  for  your  love,  to  fetch  more  of  your  love 
home  to  heaven  to  make  it  single,  unmixt,  and  chaste  to  the  fairest 
in  heaven  and  earth,  to  Jesus  the  Prince  of  ages ;  ye  will  forgive  (to 
borrow  that  word)  every  rod  of  God,  and  not  let  the  sun  go  down 
on  your  wrath,  against  any  messenger  of  your  afflicting  and  correcting 
Father.  Since  your  Ladyship  cannot  but  see  that  the  mark  at  which 
Christ  hath  aimed,  these  twenty-four  years  and  above,  is,  to  have  the 
company  and  fellowship  of  such  a  sinful  creature,  in  heaven  with  hini, 
for  all  eternity ;  and  because  he  will  not  (such  is  the  power  of  his 
love)  enjoy  his  Father's  glory,  and  that  crown  due  to  him  by  eternal 
generation,  without  you  by  name,  John  xxvii.  24.  John  x.  16.  John 
xiv.  3.  Therefore,  Madam,  believe  no  evil  of  Christ :  listen  to  no 
hard  reports  that  his  rods  make  of  him  to  you  :  he  hath  loved  you, 
and  washed  you  from  your  sins  and  what  would  ye  have  more  ?  Is 
that  too  little,  except  he  adjourn  all  crosses,  till  ye  be  where  ye 
shall  be  out  of  all  capacity  to  sigh,  or  be  crossed  1  I  hope  ye  can 
desire  no  more,  no  greater,  nor  more  excellent  suit,  than  Christ, 
and  the  fellowship  of  the  Lamb  for  evermore  ;  and  if  that  desire  be 
answered  in  heaven  (as  I  am  sure  it  is,  and  ye  cannot  deny  but  it  is 
made  sure  to  you)  the  want  of  these  poor  accidents,  of  a  living  hus- 
band, of  many  children,  of  an  healthful  body,  of  a  life  of  ease  in  the 
world,  without  one  knot  in  the  rush,  are  nobly  made  up,  and  may 
be  comfortably  borne.     Grace,  grace  be  with  your  Ladyship. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

London,  Oct.  16,  1645. 


»  LETTER  XLV. 

To  a  Christian  Friend  upon  the  death  of  his  Wife. 
WORTHY   FRIEND, 

I  DESIRE  to  suffer  with  you,  in  the  loss  of  a  loving  and  good  wife, 
now  gone  before  (according  to  the  method  and  order  of  Him,  of  whose 
understanding  there  is  no  searching  out)  whither  ye  are  to  follow. 
He  that  made  yesterday  to  go  before  this  day,  and  the  former  genera- 
tion in  birth  and  life,  to  have  been  before  this  present  generation,  and 
hath  made  some  flowers  to  grow,  and  die,  and  wither  in  the  month  of 
May,  and  others  in  June,  cannot  be  challenged  in  the  order  he  hath 
made  of  things  without  souls  :  and  some  order  he  must  keep  also  here, 
that  one  might  bury  another  ;  therefore,  I  hope,  ye  shall  be  dumb  and 
silent,  because  the  Lord  hath  done  it :  what  creatures,  or  under- 
causes  do  in  sinful  mistakes,  are  ordered  in  wisdom  by  your  Father, 
at  whose  fe«t  your  own  soul  and  your  heaven  lieth,  and  so  the  days  of 


368  LETTER  XLVI.  PART  II. 

your  wife.  If  the  pTace  she  hath  left  were  any  other  than  a  prison  of 
sin,  and  the  home  she  is  gone  to  any  other  than  where  her  Head 
and  Saviour  is  King  of  the  land,  your  grief  had  been  more  rational  ; 
but  I  trust  your  faith  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  in  Christ  to 
glory  and  immortality,  will  lead  you  to  suspend  your  longing  for  her, 
till  the  morning  and  dawning  of  that  day,  when  the  archangel  shall 
descend  with  a  shout,  to  gather  all  the  prisoners  out  of  the  grave  up 
to  himself.  To  believe  this  is  best  for  you,  and  to  be  silent,  because 
he  hath  done  it,  is  your  wisdom.  It  is  much  to  come  out  of  the  Lord's 
school  of  trial  wiser  and  more  experienced  in  the  ways  of  God  :  and 
it  is  our  happiness  when  Christ  openeth  a  vein,  he  taketh  nothing  but 
ill  blood  from  his  sick  ones.  Christ  hath  skill  to  do,  and  (if  our  cor- 
ruption mar  not)  the  art  of  mercy  in  correcting.  We  cannot  of  our- 
selves take  away  the  tin,  the  lead,  and  the  scum  that  remaineth  in  us  ; 
and  if  Christ  be  not  Master-of-work,  and  if  the  furnace  go  its  alone, 
he  not  standing  nigh  the  melting  of  his  own  vessel,  the  labour  were 
lost,  and  the  founder  should  melt  in  vain  :  God  knoweth,  some  of  us 
have  lost  much  fire,  sweating  and  pains  to  our  Lord  Jesus  ;  and  the 
vessel  is  almost  marred,  the  furnace  and  rod  of  God  split,  and  day- 
light burnt,  and  the  reprobate  metal  not  taken  away,  so  as  some  are 
to  answer  to  the  Majesty  of  God  for  the  abuse  of  many  good  crosses, 
and  rich  afflictions  lost  without  the  quiet  fruit  of  righteousness  :  and 
it  is  a  sad  thing,  when  the  rod  is  cursed,  that  never  fruit  shall  grow  on 
it :  and,  except  Christ's  dew  fall  down,  and  his  summCi-sun  shine, 
and  his  grace  follow  afflictions,  to  cause  them  bring  forth  fruit  to 
God,  they  are  so  fruitless  to  us,  that  our  evil  ground  (rank  and  fat 
enough  for  briars)  casteth  up  a  crop  of  noisome  weeds.  The  rod, 
(as  the  prophet  saith,  Ezek.  vii.  10,  IL)  blossometh,  pride  buddeth 
forth,  violence  riseth  up  into  a  rod  of  wickedness  :  and  all  this  hath 
been  my  case  under  my  rods  since  I  saw  you.  Grace  be  with  you. 
Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  •  S.  R. 

London,  1645. 


LETTER  XLVL 

To  a  Christian  Brother. 
UEVEREND  AND  BELOVED  IN  THE  LORD, 

It  may  be  I  have  been  too  long  silent,  but  I  hope  ye  will  not  im- 
pute it  to  Ibrgetfulness  of  you.  As  I  have  heard  of  the  death  of 
your  daughter,  with  heavinesss  of  mind  on  your  behalf;  so  am  I  much 
comforted,  that  she  hath  evidenced  to  yourself  and  other  witnesses 
the  hope  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  As  sown  corn  is  not  lost, 
(for  there  is  more  hope  of  that  which  is  sown  than  of  that  which  is 
eaten,  1  Cor.  xv.  42.)  so  also  is  it  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  ; 
the  body  is  sown  in  corruption,  it  is  raised  in  incorruption  ;  it  is  sown 
in  dishonour  it  is  raised  in  glory.  I  hope  ye  wait  for  the  crop  and  har- 
vest, 1  Thess.  iv.  14.  For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose 
again,  even  so  also  them  that  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him. 
Then  they  are  not  lost,  who  are  gathered  into  that  congregation  of 
the  fisrt-born,  and  the  general  assembly  of  the  saints.     Though  we 


PART   II.  LETTER   XLVII.  ;>69 

cannot  outrun  nor  overtake  them  that  are  gone  before,  yet  we  shall 
quickly  follow  them  ;  and  the  difference  is,  that  she  hath  the  advan- 
tage of  some  months  or  years  of  the  crown,  before  you  and  her 
mother  ;  and  we  do  not  take  it  ill,  if  our  children  out-run  in  the  life 
of  grace  ;  why  then  are  we  sad,  if  they  outstrip  us  in  the  attainment 
of  the  life  of  glory  1  It  would  seem,  that  there  is  more  reason  to 
grieve  that  children  live  behind  us,  than  that  they  are  glorified 
and  die  before :  all  the  diffeJ^ce  is  in  some  poor  hungry  accidents 
of  time,  less  or  more,  sooner  or  later ;  so  the  godly  child,  though 
young,  died  an  hundred  years  old  ;  and  ye  could  not  now  have  be- 
stowed her  better,  though  the  choice  was  Christ's,  not  yours.  And  I 
am  sure,  Sir,  ye  cannot  now  say,  she  is  married  against  the  will  of 
her  parents  ;  she  might  more  readily,  if  aUve,  fall  into  the  hands  of  a 
worse  husband  :  but  can  ye  think  that  she  could  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  a  better  1  And  if  Christ  marry  with  your  house,  it  is  your 
honour,  not  any  cause  of  grief,  that  Jesus  should  portion  any  of 
yours,  ere  she  enjoy  your  portion  ;  is  it  not  great  love  1  The  patrimo- 
ny is  more  than  any  other  could  give  ;  as  good  a  husband  is  impossi- 
ble ;  to  say  a  better,  is  blasphemy.  The  King  and  Prince  of  ages 
can  keep  them  better  than  ye  can  do.  While  she  was  alive,  ye  could 
intrust  her  to  Christ,  and  recommend  her  to  his  keeping:  now  by  an 
after-faith,  ye  have  resigned  her  unto  him,  in  whose  bosom  do  sleep 
all  that  are  dead  in  the  Lord  :  ye  would  have  lent  her  to  glorify  the 
Lord  upon  earth,  and  he  hath  borrowed  her  (with  promise  to  restore 
her  again,  1  Cor.  xv.  53.  1  Thess.  iv.  15,  16.)  to  be  an  organ  of  the 
immediate  glorifying  of  himself  in  heaven.  Sinless  glorifying  of 
God  is  better  than  sinful  glorifying  of  him.  And  sure  your  prayers 
concerning  her  are  fulfilled.  I  shall  desire,  if  the  Lord  shall  be 
pleased  the  same  way  to  dispose  of  her  mother,  that  ye  have  the 
same  mind.  Christ  cannot  multiply  injuries  upon  you  ;  if  the  foun- 
tain be  the  love  of  God,  (as  I  hope  it  is)  ye  are  enriched  with  losses. 
Ye  knew  all  I  can  say  better,  before  I  was  in  Christ,  than  I  can  ex- 
.  press  it.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ  Jesus.  jS.  Jl. 

LondoQ,  Jan.  6,  1646. 


LETTER  XLVII. 

To,a  Christian  Gentlewoman. 
MISTRESS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  If  death,  which  is  b^ore  you 
and  us  all,  were  any  other  thing  but  a  friendly  dissolution,  and  a 
change,  not  a  destruction  of  life,  it  would  seem  a  hard  voyage,  to  go 
throuo-h  such  a  sad  and  dark  trance,  so  thorny  a  valley,  as  is  the 
wacres  of  sin  ;  but  I  am  confident,  the  way  ye  know,  though  your  foot 
never  trod  in  that  black  shadow  ;  the  loss  of  life  is  gain  to  you  :  If 
Christ  Jesus  be  the  Period,  the  End  and  Lodging-home,  at  the  end 
of  your  journey,  there  is  no  fear,  ye  go  to  a  Friend  ;  and  since  yo 
have  had  a  communion  with  him  in  this  life,  and  he  hath  a  pawn  or 
pledge  of  yours,  even  the  largest  share  of  your  love  and  heart,  ye  m-'jy 

47 


370  LETTER  XLVII.  PART  II. 

look  death  in  the  face  with  joy.  If  the  heart  be  in  heaven,  the  rem- 
nant of  you  cannot  be  kept  the  prisoner  of  the  second  death  ;  but  though 
he  be  the  same  Christ  in  the  other  hfe,  ye  found  him  to  be  here,  yet 
he  is  so  far  in  his  excellency,  beauty,  sweetness,  irradiations  and 
beams  of  majesty,  above  what  he  appeared  here,  when  he  is  seen  as 
he  is,  that  ye  shall  misken  him,  and  he  shall  appear  a  new  Christ ; 
and  his  kisses,  breathings,  embracementg,  the  perfume,  the  ointment 
of  his  name  poured  out  on  you,  shall  appear  to  have  more  of  God, 
and  a  stronger  smell  of  heaven,  of  eternity,  of  a  God-head,  of  majesty 
and  glory  there  than  here ;  as  water  at  the  fountain,  apples  in  the 
orchard  and  beside  the  tree,  have  more  of  their  native  sweetness,  taste 
and  beauty,  than  when  transported  to  us  some  hundered  miles.  I 
mean  not  that  Christ  can  lose  any  of  his  sweetness  in  the  carrying,  or 
that  he  in  his  God-head  and  loveliness  of  presence  can  be  changed  to 
the  worse,  betwixt  the  little  spot  of  the  earth  ye  are  in,  and  the  right 
hand  of  the  Father,  far  above  all  heavens ;  but  the  change  will  be  in 
you,  when  ve  shall  have  new  senses,  and  the  soul  shall  be  a  more 
deep  and  more  capacious  vessel,  to  take  in  more  of  Christ ;  and  whea 
means,  the  chariot,  the  gospel  that  he  is  now  carried  in,  and  ordi- 
nances that  convey  him  shall  be  removed.  Sure  ye  cannot  now  be 
said  to  see  him  face  to  face,  or  to  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  highest 
fountain,  or  to  take  in  seas  and  tides  of  fresh  love  immediately,  with- 
out vessels,  midses  or  messengers,  at  the  Fountain,  itself,  as  ye  shall 
do  a  few  days  hence,  when  ye  shall  be  so  near  as  to  be  with  Christ, 
Luke  xxiii.  43.  John  xvii.  24.  Phil.  i.  23.  1  Thess.  iv.  17.  Ye 
would  (no  doubt)  bestow  a  day's  journey,  yea,  many  days'  journey  on 
earth  to  go  up  to  heaven,  and  fetch  down  any  thing  of  Christ ;  how 
much  more  may  ye  be  willing  to  make  a  journey  to  go  in  person 
to  heaven,  (it  is  not  lost  time,  but  gained  eternity)  to  enjoy  the  full 
God-head  1  and  then  in  such  a  manner,  as  he  is  not  there  in  his  week 
days'  apparel,  as  he  is  here  with  us,  in  a  drop  or  the  tenth  part  of  a 
night's  dewing  of  grace  and  sweetness  ;  but  he  is  there  in  his  marriage- 
robe  of  glory,  richer,  more  costly,  more  precious,  in  one  hem  or  but- 
ton of  that  garment  of  Fountain-majesty  than  a  million  of  worlds. 
Oh  the  well  is  deep !  ye  shall  then  think  that  preachers,  and  sinful 
ambassadors  on  earth,  did  but  spill  and  mar  his  praises,  when  they 
spoke  of  him  and  preached  his  beauty.  Alas !  we  but  make  Christ 
black,  and  less  lovely,  in  making  such  insignificant,  and  dry,  and 
cold,  and  low  expressions  of  his  highest  and  transcendent  super-ex- 
cellency, to  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem.  Sure,  I  have  often,  for  my 
own  part  sinned  in  this  thing :  no  doubt  angels  do  not  fulfil  their  task 
according  to  their  obligation,  in  that  Christ  kept  their  feet  from  falling 
with  the  lost  devils  ;  though  I  know,  they  are  not  behind  in  going  to 
the  utmost  of  created  power :  but  there  is  sin  in  our  praising,  and  sin 
in  the  quantity,  besides  other  sins.  But  I  must  leave  this  ;  it  is  too 
deep  for  me.  Go  and  see,  and  we  desire  to  go  with  you ;  but  we  are 
not  masters  of  our  own  diet.  If  in  that  last  journey  ye  tread  on  a  ser- 
pent in  the  way,  and  thereby  wound  your  heel,  as  Jesus  Christ  did 
before  you,  the  print  of  the  wound  shall  not  be  known  at  the 
resurrection  of  the  just.     Death  is  but  an  awsome  step  over  time  and 


PART  II.  LETTER   XLVIII.  371 

sin  to  sweet  Jesus  Christ,  who  knew  and  felt  the  worst  of  death  ;  for 
death's  teeth  hurt  him  :  we  know  death  hath  no  teeth  now,  no  jaws, 
for  they  are  broken  ;  it  is  a  free  prison,  citizens  pay  nothing  for  the 
grave  ;  the  gaoler,  who  had  the  power  of  death,  is  destroyed  :  praise 
and  glory  be  to  the  First  begotten  of  the  dead.  The  worst  possibly  that 
may  be,  is,  that  ye  leave  behind  you  children,  husband,  and  the  church 
of  God  in  miseries  ;  but  ye  cannot  get  them  to  heaven  with  you  for 
the  present ;  ye  shall  not  miss  them,  and  Christ  cannot  miscount  one 
of  the  poorest  of  his  lambs :  no  lad,  no  girl,  no  poor  one  shall  be 
araissing,  ere  ye  see  them  again  in  the  day  that  the  Son  shall  render 
up  the  kingdom  to  his  Father.  The  evening  and  the  shadow  of  every 
poor  hireling  is  coming  ;  the  church  of  Christ's  sun  in  this  life  is  de- 
clining low :  not  a  soul  of  the  militant  company  will  be  here  within 
few  generations ;  our  Husband  will  send  for  them  all.  It  is  a  rich 
mercy,  we  are  not  married  to  time,  longer  than  the  course  be  finished. 
Ye  may  rejoice  that  ye  got  not  to  heaven,  till  ye  knew  that  Jesus  is 
there  before  you,  that  when  ye  come  thither,  at  your  first  entry,  ye 
may  find  the  smell  of  his  ointments,  his  myrrh,  aloes,  and  cassia. 
And  this  first  salutation  of  his,  will  make  you  find  it  is  no  uncomfortable 
thing  to  die.  Go  and  enjoy  your  gain  ;  live  on  Christ's  love  while 
ye  are  here,  and  all  the  way.  As  for  the  church  ye  leave  behind  you, 
the  government  is  upon  Christ's  shoulders,  and  he  will  plead  for  the 
blood  of  his  saints  ;  the  bush  hath  been  burning  above  five  thousand 
years,  and  we  never  yet  saw  the  ashes  of  this  fire  :  yet  a  little  while,  and 
the  vision  shall  not  tarry  ;  it  shall  speak  and  not  lie.  I  am  more  afraid 
of  my  duty,  than  of  the  Head,  Christ's  government :  he  cannot  fail  to 
bring  judgment  to  victory.  O  that  we  could  wait  for  our  hidden  life ! 
0  that  Christ  would  remove  the  covering,  draw  aside  the  curtain  of 
time,  and  rend  the  heavens  and  come  down !  0  that  shadows  and 
night  were  gone,  that  the  day  would  break,  and  he  that  feedeth  among 
the  lilies  would  cry  to  his  heavenly  trumpeters.  Make  ready,  let  us  go 
down  and  fold  together  the  four  corners  of  the  world,  and  marry  the 
bride  !  His  grace  be  with  you.  Now,  if  I  have  found  favour  with 
you,  and  if  ye  judge  me  faithful,  my  last  suit  to  you  is  that  ye  would 
leave  me  a  legacy,  and  that  is,  that  my  name  may  be  at  the  very  last 
in  your  prayers  ;  as  I  desire  also  it  may  be  in  the  prayers  of  those 
of  your  Christian  acquaintance  with  whom  ye  have  been  intimate. 
Your  brother  in  his  own  Lord  Jesus,  '  S.  R. 

London,  Jan.  9th,  1646. 


LETTER  XLVHI. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
3IADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  It  is  the  least  of  the  princely 
and  royal  bounty  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  pay  a  king's  debts,  and  not  to 
have  his  servants  at  a  loss.  His  gold  is  better  than  yours,  and  his 
hundred  fold  is  the  income  and  rent  of  heaven  and  far  above  your 
revenues :  ye  are  not  the  first  who  have  casten  up  your  accounts  that 
>yay.     Better  have  Christ  your  Factor  than  any  other ;  for  he  trndetli 


">72  LETTER    XLIX.  PART   II. 

to  the  advantage  of  his  poor  servants.  But  if  the  hundred  fold  in  this 
life  be  so  well  told,  as  Christ  cannot  pay  you  with  miscounting  or  de- 
ferred hope,  0  what  must  the  rent  of  that  land  be,  which  rendereth 
every  day  and  hour  of  the  years  of  long  eternity,  the  whole  rent  of  a 
year,  yea,  of  more  than  thousand  thousands  of  ages,  even  the  weighty 
income  of  a  rich  kingdom,  not  every  summer  once,  but  every  mo- 
ment !  That  sum  of  glory  will  take  you  and  all  the  angels  telling. 
To  be  a  tenant  to  such  a  Landlord,  where  every  berry  and  grape  of 
the  large  field  beareth  no  worse  fruit  than  glory,  fulness  of  joy,  and 
pleasures  that  endure  for  evermore  ;  I  leave  it  to  yourself  to  think 
what  a  summer,  what  a  soil,  what  a  garden  must  be  there ;  and  what 
must  be  the  commodities  of  that  highest  land,  where  the  sun  and  the 
moon  are  under  the  feet  of  the  inhabitants.  Surely  the  land  cannot 
be  bought  with  gold,  blood,  banishment,  loss  of  father  and  mother, 
husband,  wife,  children.  We  but  dwell  here,  because  we  can  do  no 
better  ;  it  is  need,  not  virtue,  to  be  sojourners  in  a  prison  ;  to  weep, 
and  sigh,  and  alas !  to  sin  sixty  or  seventy  years  in  a  land  of  tears  ; 
the  fruits  that  grow  here  are  all  seasoned  and  salted  with  sin.  0  how 
sweet  is  it,  that  the  company  of  the  First  born  should  be  divided  in 
two  great  bodies  of  an  army,  and  some  in  their  country,  and  some  in 
the  way  to  their  country  !  If  it  were  no  more  but  to  see  once  the  face 
of  the  Prince  of  this  good  land,  and  to  be  teasted  for  eternity  with  the 
-fatness,  sweetness,  dainties  of  the  rays  and  beams  of  matchless  glory, 
and  incomparable  fountain-love,  it  were  a  well-spent  journey  to  creep 
hands  and  feet,  through  seven  deaths  and  seven  hells,  to  enjoy  him 
up  at  the  well-head.  Only  let  us  not  weary,  the  miles  to  that  land  are 
fewer  and  shorter  than  when  we  first  believed  ;  strangers  are  not  wise 
to  quarrel  witli  their  host,  and  complain  of  their  lodging ;  it  is  a  foul 
way,  but  a  fair  home.  0  that  I  had  but  such  grapes  and  clusters  out 
of  the  land  as  I  have  sometimes  seen  and  tasted  in  the  place  whereof 
your  Ladyship  maketh  mention !  but  the  hope  of  it  in  the  end  is  an 
heartsome  convoy  in  the  way.  If  I  see  little  more  of  the  gold  till 
the  race  be  ended,  I  dare  not  quarrel ;  it  is  the  Lord  :  I  hope  his  cha- 
riot shall  go  through  these  three  kingdoms,  after  our  suffering  shall 
be  accomphshed.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R.- 

London, Jan.  26,  1646. 


LETTER  XLIX. 

To  Mr.  J.  G. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  SHALL  with  my  soul  desire  the  peace  of  these  kingdoms,  and  I  do 
believe  it  shall  at  last  come,  as  a  river  and  as  the  mighty  waves  of  the 
sea ;  but  O  that  we  were  ripe  and  in  readiness  to  receive  it !  The 
preserving  of  two  or  three  or  four  or  five  berries,  in  the  outmost 
boughs  of  the  olive-tree,  after  the  vintage,  is  like  to  be  a  great  mat- 
ter ere  all  be  done ;  yet  I  know  a  cluster  in  both  kingdoms  shall  be 
saved,  for  a  blessing  is  in  it ;  but  it  is  not  (1  fear)  so  near  to  the 
dawning  of  the  day  of  salvation,  but  the  clouds  must  send  down  more 


PART  II.  LETTER    L.  373 

showers  of  blood  to  water  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  and  to  cause  it 
to  blossom.  Scotland's  scum  is  not  yet  removed  ;  nor  is  England's 
dross  and  tin  taken  away  ;  nor  the  filth  of  our  blood  purged  by  the 
spirit  of  judgment,  and  the  spirit  of  burning :  but  I  am  too  much  .on 
this  sad  subject.  As  for  myself,  I  do  esteem  nothing  out  of  heaven, 
and  next  to  communion  with  Jesus  Christ,  more  than  to  be  in  the 
hearts  and  prayers  of  the  saints  ;  I  know  he  feedeth  there  among  the 
lilies,  till  the  day  break  ;  but  I  am  at  a  low  ebb,  as  to  any  sensible 
communion  with  Christ ;  yea  as  low  as  any  soul  can  be,  and  do  scarce 
know  where  I  am :  and  do  now  make  it  a  question,  if  any  can  go  to 
him,  who  dwelleth  in  light  inaccessible,  through  nothing  but  darkness  ? 
Sure,  all  that  come  to  heaven,  have  a  stock  in  Christ ;  but  I  know  not 
where  mine  is.  It  cannot  be  enough  for  me  to  beUeve  the  salvation 
of  others,  and  to  know  Christ  to  be  the  honey-comb,  the  rose  of  Sha- 
ron, the  paradise  and  Eden  of  the  saints  and  first-born  written  in  hea- 
ven, and  not  to  see  after  the  borders  of  that  good  land.  But  what 
shall  I  say  1  either  this  is  the  Lord  making  grace  a  new  creation, 
where  there  is  pure  nothing  and  sinful  nothing  to  work  upon,  or  I  am 
gone.  I  should  count  my  soul  engaged  to  yourself,  and  others  there 
■with  you,  if  ye  would  but  carry  to  Christ  for  me  a  letter  of  cyphers 
and  nonsense  ;  (for  I  know  not  how  to  make  language  of  my  condi- 
tion) only  shewing  that  I  have  need  of  his  love  :  for  I  know  many  fair 
and  washen  ones  stand  now  in  white  before  the  throne,  who  were  once 
as  black  as  I  am.  If  Christ  pass  his  word  to  wash  a  sinner,  it  is  less 
to  him  than  a  word  to  make  fair  angels  of  black  devils  ;  only  let  the 
art  of  free  grace  be  engaged.  I  have  not  a  cautioner  to  give  surety, 
nor  doth  a  Mediator,  such  as  he  is  in  all  perfection,  need  a  mediator  : 
but  what  I  need,  he  knoweth  ;  only,  it  is  his  depth  of  wisdom,  to  let 
some  pass  millions  of  miles  over  score  in  debt,  that  they  may  stand 
between  the  winning  and  the  losing,  in  need  of  more  than  ordinary 
free  grace.  Christ  hath  been  multiplying  grace  by  mercy  above  these 
five  thousand  years ;  and  the  latter-born  heirs  have  so  much  greater 
guiltiness,  that  Christ  hath  passed  more  experiments  and  multiplied 
essays  of  heart-love  on  others,  by  misbelieving,  after  it  is  past  all 
question,  many  hundreds  of  ages,  that  Christ  is  the  undeniable  and 
now  uncontroverted  Treasurer  of  multiphed  redemptions  ;  so  now  he 
is  saying,  The  more  of  the  disease  there  is,  the  more  of  the  Physi- 
cian's art  of  grace  and  tenderness  there  must  be  :  only  I  know,  no 
sinner  can  put  infinite  grace  to  it,  so  as  the  Mediator  shall  have  diffi- 
culty or  much  ado,  to  save  this  or  that  man  ;  millions  of  hells  of  sin- 
ners cannot  come  near  to  exhaust  infinite  grace.  I  pray  you  (remem- 
bering my  love  to  your  wife,  and  friends  there)  let  me  find  that  I  have 
solicitors  there  amongst  your  acquaintance  ;  and  forget  not  Scotland. 
Your  brother  in  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R. 


LETTER  L. 

To  the  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

It  is  too  like,  the  Lord's  controversy  with  these  two  nations  is  but 
vet  beginning,  and  that  we  are  ripened  and  white  for  the  Lord's 


374  LETTER   LI.  PART   II. 

sickle.  For  the  particular  condition  your  Ladyship  is  in,  another 
might  speak  (if  they  would  say  all)  of  more  sad  things.  If  there 
was  not  a  fountain  of  free  grace  to  water  dry  ground,  and  an  un- 
created wind  to  breathe  on  withered  and  dry  bones,  we  were  gone. 
The  wheels  of  Christ's  chariot  to  pluck  us  out  of  the  womb  of  manj? 
deaths,  are  winged  like  eagles.  All  I  have,  is,  to  desire  to  believe, 
that  Christ  will  show  all  good-will  to  save  :  and  as  for  your  Lady- 
ship, I  know  that  our  Lord  Jesus  carrieth  on  no  design  against  you, 
but  seeketh  to  save  and  redeem  you  :  he  lieth  not  in  wait  for  your 
falls,  except  it  be  to  take  you  up.  His  way  of  redeeming  is  ravishing 
and  taking  ;  there  are  more  miracles  of  glorified  sinners  in  heaven, 
than  can  be  on  earth.  Nothing  of  you.  Madam,  nay,  not  your  leaf, 
can  wither.  Verily,  it  is  a  king's  life  to  follow  the  Lamb  ;  but  when 
ye  see  him  in  his  own  country  at  home,  ye  will  think  ye  never  saw 
him  before  :  '  He  shall  be  admired  of  all  them  that  beUeve,'  2  Thess. 
i.  12.  Ye  may  -judge  how  far  all  your  now  sad  days  and  tossings, 
changes,  losses,  wants,  conflicts,  shall  then  be  below  you.  Ye  look 
to  the  cross,  now  it  is  above  your  head,  and  seems  to  threaten  death, 
as  having  a  dominion  ;  but  it  shall  then  be  so  far  below  your  thoughts, 
or  your  thoughts  so  far  above  it,  that  ye  shall  have  no  leisure  to  lend 
one  thought  to  old  dated  crosses,  in  youth,  in  age,  in  this  country  or 
in  that,  from  this  instrument  or  from  another ;  except  it  be  to  the 
heightning  of  your  consolation,  being  now  got  above  and  beyond  all 
these.  Old  age,  and  waxing  old  as  a  garment,  is  written  on  the  fairest 
face  of  the  creation,  Psal.  cii.  26,  27.  Death,  from  Adam  to  the 
second  Adam's  appearance,  playeth  the  king  and  reigneth  over  all ; 
the  prime  Heir  died,  his  children,  which  the  Lord  hath  given,  follow 
him:  and  we  may  speak  freely  of  the  life  which  is  here;  were  it 
heaven,  there  were  not  much  gain  in  godhness  :  but  there  is  a  rest  for 
the  people  of  God.  Christ-man  possesseth  it  now  one  thousand  six 
hundred  years  before  many  of  his  members  ;  but  it  weareth  not  out. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  Christ  Jesus,  S.  B. 

London,  Feb.  leUi,  1640. 


LETTER  LI. 

To  the  Lady  Ardross. 
JIADAai, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  it  hath  seemed  good  (as  I 
hear)  to  him  who  hath  appointed  a  bounds  for  the  number  of  our 
months,  to  gather  in  a  sheaf  of  ripe  corn  (in  the  death  of  your  Chris- 
tian mother)  into  his  garner :  it  is  the  more  evident,  that  winter  is 
near,  when  apples,  without  violence  of  wind,  do  of  their  own  accord 
fall  off  the  tree.  She  is  now  above  the  winter  with  a  little  change  of 
place,  not  of  a  Saviour;  only  she  enjoyeth  him  now  without  mes- 
sages, and  in  his  own  immediate  presence,  irom  whom  she  heard  b}^ 
letters  and  messengers  before.  1  grant  death  is  to  her  a  very  new 
thing,  but  heaven  was  prepared  of  old ;  and  Christ  enjoyed  in  his 
highest  throne,  and  as  loaded  with  glory,  and  incomparably  exalted 


PART  II.  LETTER   LII.  375 

above  men  and  angels,  having  such  a  heavenly  circle  of  glorified 
harpers  and  musicians  above,  compassing  the  throne  with  a  song,  is 
to  her  a  new  thing  :  but  so  new,  as  the  first  summer-rose,  or  the 
first  fruits  of  that  heavenly  field  ;  or  as  new  paradise  to  a  traveller, 
broken  and  worn  out  of  breath  with  the  sad  occurrences  of  a  long 
and  dreary  way.  Ye  easily  judge,  Ma  Jam,  what  a  large  recompence 
is  made  to  all  her  service,  her  walking  with  God,  and  her  sorrows, 
with  the  first  cast  of  the  soul's  eye  upon  the  shining  and  admirably 
beautiful  face  of  the  Lamb,  that  is  in  the  midst  of  that  fair  and  white 
army  that  is  there,  and  with  the  first  draught  and  taste  of  the  foun- 
tain of  life,  fresh  and  new  at  the  well-head  to  say  nothing  of  the 
enjoying  of  that  face,  without  date,  for  more  than  this  term  of  life 
which  we  now  enjoy.  And  it  cost  her  no  more  to  go  thither,  but  to 
suffer  death  to  do  her  this  piece  of  service  :  for  by  him,  who  was 
dead,  and  is  alive,  she  was  delivered  from  the  second  death  ;  what 
then  is  the  first  death  to  the  second  ?  Not  a  scratch  of  the  hide  of  a 
finger,  to  the  endless  second  death.  And  now  she  sitteth  for  eter- 
nity mail-free,  in  a  very  considerable  land,  which  hath  more  than 
four  summers  in  the  year.  O  what  spring-time  is  there !  even  the 
smelling  of  the  odours  of  that  great  and  eternally  blooming  Rose  of 
Sharon  for  ever  and  ever  1  What  a  singing  fife  is  there  1  there  is  not 
a  dumb  bird  in  all  that  large  field,  but  all  sing  and  breathe  out  heaven, 
joy,  glory,  dominion,  to  the  high  Prince  of  that  new-found  land  ;  and 
verily  the  land  is  sweeter,  that  Jesus  Christ  paid  so  dear  a  rent  for 
it,  and  he  is  the  glory  of  the  land  :  all  which,  I  hope,  doth  not  so 
much  mitigate  and  allay  your  grief  for  her  part  (as  truly  this  should 
seem  sufiicient)  as  the  unerring  expectation  of  the  dawning  of  that 
day  upon  yourself,  and  the  hope  ye  have  of  the  fruition  of  that  same 
King  and  kingdom  to  your  own  soul.  Certainly  the  hope  of  it,  when 
things  look  so  dark  like  on  both  kingdoms,  must  be  an  exceeding 
great  quickening  to  languishing  spirits,  who  are  far  from  home  while 
we  are  here.  What  misery,  to  have  both  a  bad  way  all  the  day,  and 
no  hope  of  lodging  at  night !  but  he  hath  taken  up  your  lodging  for 
you.  I  can  say  no  more  now ;  but  I  pray,  that  the  very  God  of 
peace  may  establish  your  heart  to  the  end.  I  rest,  Madam,  your 
Ladyship's  at  all  respective  obedience,  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

London,  Feb.  24th,  1646- 


LETTER  LIL 

To  M.  O. 
SIR, 

I  CAN  write  nothing  for  the  present  concerning  these  times  (what- 
ever others  may  think)  but  that  which  speaketh  wrath  and  judgment 
to  these  kingdoms.  If  ever  ye,  or  any  of  that  land,  received  the 
gospel  in  the  truth,  (as  I  am  confident  ye  and  they  did)  there  is  here 
a  great  departure  from  that  faith,  and  our  sufferings  are  not  yet  at  an 
end  :  however,  I  dare  testify  and  die  for  it,  that  once  Christ  was  re- 
vealed in  the  power  of  his  excellency  and  glory  to  the  saints  there, 
and  in  Scotland,  of  which  I  was  a  witness :  I  pray  God  none  deceive 


376  LETTER  LI  I.  PART  II. 

you,  or  take  the  crown  from  you.  Hell  or  the  gates  of  hell  cannot 
ravel,  mar,  or  undo  what  Christ  hath  once  done  amongst  you  :  it  may 
be,  that  I  am  incapable  of  new  light,  and  cannot  receive  that  spirit 
whereof  some  vainly  boast ;  but  that  which  was  from  the  beginning, 
which  we  have  heard,  which  we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  which  we 
have  looked  upon,  and  our  hands  have  handled,  even  the  word  of 
life,  John  i.  2,  3.  hath  been  declared  to  you.  Thousands  of  thou- 
sands, walking  in  that  light  and  that  good  old  way,  have  gone  to  hea- 
ven, and  are  now  before  the  throne  ;  truth  is  but  one,  and  hath  no 
numbers.  Christ  and  Antichrist  are  both  now  in  the  camp,  and^  are 
come  to  open 'blows:  Christ's  poor  ship  saileth  in  the  sea  of  blood, 
the  passengers  are  so  sea-sick  of  a  high  fever,  that  they  miscal  one 
another ;  Christ  (I  hope)  shall  bring  the  broken  bark  to  land  :  I  had 
rather  swim  for  life  and  death  on  an  old  plank,  or  a  broken  board,  to 
land  with  Christ,  than  enjoy  the  rotten  peace  we  have  hitherto 
had.  It  is  like,  the  Lord  will  take  a  severe  course  with  us,  to  cause 
the  children  of  the  family  to  agree  together.  I  conceive  that  Christ 
hath  a  great  design  of  free  grace  to  these  lands  ;  but  his  wheels  must 
move  over  mountains  and  rocks.  He  never  yet  wooed  a  bride  on 
earth,  but  in  blood,  in  fire,  and  in  the  wilderness.  A  cross  of  our 
own  choosing,  honeyed  and  sugared  with  consolations,  we  cannot  have : 
I  think  not  much  of  a  cross,  when  all  the  children  of  the  house  weep 
with  me  and  for  me  ;  and  to  suffer  when  we  enjoy  the  communion 
of  the  saints,  is  not  much  ;  but  it  is  hard  when  saints  rejoice  in  the 
suffering  of  saints,  and  redeeming  ones  hurt,  yea,  even  go  nigh  to 
hate  redeemed  ones.  I  confess,  I  imagined,  there  had  no  more  been 
such  an  affliction  on  earth,  or  in  the  world,  as  that  one  elect  angel 
should  fight  against  another ;  but,  for  contempt  of  the  communion  of 
saints,  we  have  need  of  new-born  crosses,  scarce  ever  heard  of  be- 
fore ;  the  saints  are  not  Christ,  there  is  no  misjudging  in  him,  there  is 
much  in  us  ;  and  a  doubt  it  is,  if  we  shall  have  fully  one  heart,  till  we 
shall  enjoy  one  heaven  :  our  star-light  hideth  us  from  ourselves,  and 
hideth  us  from  one  another,  and  Christ  from  us  all ;  but  he  will  not 
be  hidden  from  us.  I  shall  wish  that  all  the  sons  of  our  Father  iu 
that  land  be  of  one  mind,  and  that  they  be  not  shaken  nor  moved 
from  the  truth  once  received.  Christ  was  in  that  gospel,  and  Christ 
is  the  same  now  that  he  was  in  the  prelates'  time  ;  that  gospel  can- 
not sink,  it  will  make  you  free,  and  bear  you  out :  Christ,  the  subject 
of  it,  is  the  ciiosen  of  God,  and  cometh  from  Bozrah  with  garments 
dyed  in  blood.  Ireland  and  Scotland  both  must  be  his  field,  in  which 
he  shall  feed  and  gather  lilies  :  suppose  (which  yet  it  is  imposssible) 
that  some  had  an  eternity  of  Christ  in  Ireland,  and  a  sweet  summer 
of  the  gospel,  and  a  feast  of  fat  things  for  evermore  in  Ireland,  and 
one  should  never  come  to  heaven,  it  should  be  a  desirable  life  ;  the 
King's  spikenard,  Christ's  perfume,  his  apples  of  love,  his  ointments, 
even  down  in  this  lower  house  of  clay,  are  a  choice  heaven  :  O  what 
then  is  the  King  in  his  own  land,  where  there  is  such  a  throne,  so 
many  king's  palaces,  ten  thousand  thousands  of  crowns  of  glory,  that 
want  heads  yet  to  fill  them !  O  so  much  leisure  as  shall  be  there  to  sing  ! 
O  such  a  tree  as  groweth  there  in  the  midst  of  that  paradise,  when?. 


PART  II.  LETTER   LIII.  .  ^377 

the  inhabitants  sing  eternally  under  its  branches  !  To  look  in  at  a 
window  and  see  the  branches  burdened  with  the  apples  of  life,  to  be 
the  last  that  man  shall  come  in  thither,  were  too  much  for  me.  I 
pray  you  remember  me  to  the  Christians  there,  and  remember  our 
private  covenant.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  friend  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

London,  April  17th,  1646. 

LETTER  LIIL 

To  EarUtoun,  Elder. 
SIR, 

I  KNOW  ye  have  learned  long  ago,  ere  I  knew  any  thing  of  Christ, 
that  if  we  had  the  cross  at  our  own  election,  we  would  either  have  law- 
surety  for  freedom  from  it,  or  then  we  would  have  it  honeyed  and 
sugared  with  comforts,  so  as  the  sweet  should  overmaster  the  gall 
and  wormwood.  Christ  knoweth  how  to  breed  the  sons  of  his 
house,  and  ye  will  give  him  leave  to  take  his  own  way  of  dispensa- 
tion with  you  ;  and  though  it  be  rough,  forgive  him  ;  he  defieth  you 
to  have  as  much  patience  to  him,  as  he  hath  borne  to  you.  I  am 
sure  there  cannot  a  drachm-weight  of  gall  be  less  in  your  cup  :  and 
ye  would  not  desire  he  should  afflict  you,  and  hurt  your  soul. 
When  his  people  cannot  have  a  providence  of  silk  and  roses,  they 
must  be  content  with  such  an  one  as  he  carveth  out  for  them  ;  ye 
would  not  go  to  heaven  but  with  company  ;  and  ye  may  perceive 
that  the  way  of  those  who  went  before  you  was  through  blood,  suf- 
ferings, and  many  afflictions  ;  nay,  Christ,  the  Captain,  went  in  over 
the  door-threshold  of  paradise,  bleeding  to  death.  I  do  not  think 
but  ye  have  learned  to  stoop,  though  ye  (as  others)  be  naturally 
stiff;  and  that  ye  have  found  that  the  apples  and  sweet  fruits,  which 
grow  on  that  crabbed  tree  of  the  cross,  are  as  sweet  as  it  is  sour  to 
bear  it ;  especially  considering,  that  Christ  hath  borne  the  whole 
complete  cross,  and  his  saints  bear  but  bits  and  chips  ;  as  the  apostle 
saith,  The  remnants  or  leavings  of  the  cross.  I  judge  you  ten  thousand 
times  happy,  that  ever  ye  was  grace's  debtor ;  for  certainly  Christ 
hath  engaged  you  over  head  and  ears  to  free  grace  :  and  take  the 
debt  with  you  to  eternity,  Immanuel's  highest  land,  where  ye  find 
before  you  a  house  full  of  Christ's  everlasting  debtors,  the  less  shame 
to  you:  yea,  and  this  lower  kingdom  of  grace  is  but  Christ's  hospital  and 
guest-house  of  sick  folks,  whom  the  brave  and  noble  Physician  Christ 
hath  cured,  upon  a  venture  of  life  and  death ;  and  if  ye  be  near  the 
water-side  (as  I  know  ye  are)  all  I  can  say  is  this,  Sir,  that  I  feel  by 
the  smell  of  that  land  which  is  before  you,  that  it  is  a  goodly  coun- 
try, and  it  is  well  paid  for  to  your  hand  ;  and  he  is  before  you,  who 
will  heartily  welcome  you.  0  to  suck  those  breasts  of  full  consola- 
tion above,  and  to  drink  Christ's  new  wine  up  in  his  Fathers  house, 
is  some  greater  matter  than  is  believed !  Since  it  was  brewed  from 
eternity  for  the  Head  of  the  house,  and  so  many  thousand  crowned 
kings ;  rubs  in  the  way,  where  the  lodging  is  so  good,  are  not  much. 
He  that  brought  again  from  the  dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  the 
sheep,  by  the  blood  of  the  eternal  covenant,  establish  you  to  the  end. 
Your  friend  and  servant  in  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R. 

48 


378 
LETTER  LIV. 

I'o  Ills  rcvereud  and  worthy  brother,  Mr.  George  Gillespie. 
REVERKND  AND  WORTHY  BROTHER, 

I  CANNOT  speak  to  you.  The  way  ye  know,  the  passage  is  free 
and  not  stopped,  the  print  of  the  footsteps  of  the  Forerunner  is  clear 
and  manifest,  many  have  gone  before  you  :  ye  will  not  .sleep  long  in 
the  dust  before  the  day  break  ;  it  is  a  far  shorter  piece  of  the  hinder- 
end  of  the  night  to  you,  than  to  Abraham  and  Moses  ;  beside  all  the 
time  of  their  bodies  resting  under  corruption,  it  is  as  long  yet  to  their 
day  as  to  your  morning-light  of  awaking  to  glory ;  though  their 
spirits,  having  the  advantage  of  yours,  have  had  now  the  fore-start  of 
the  shore  before  you.  I  dare  say  nothing  against  his  dispensation  ;  I 
hope  to  follow  quickly  :  the  heirs,  that  are  not  there  before  you,  are 
posting  with  haste  after  you,  and  none  shall  take  your  lodging  over 
your  head.  Be  not  heavy  :  the  life  of  faith  is  now  called  for  ;  doing 
was  never  reckoned  in  your  account,  (though  Christ  in  and  by  you 
hath  done  more,  than  by  twenty,  yea,  an  hundred  gray-haired  and 
godly  pastors)  believing  now  is  your  last :  look  to  that  word,  Gal.  ii. 
20.  JYevertheless  I  live,  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me.  Ye  know 
the  I  that  liveth,  and  the  I  that  liveth  not ;  it  is  not  single  ye  that 
liveth,  Christ  by  law  liveth  in  the  broken  debtor ;  it  is  not  a  life  by 
doing  or  holy  walking,  but  the  living  of  Christ  in  you.  If  ye  look  to 
to  yourself  as  divided  from  Christ,  ye  must  be  more  than  heavy :  all 
your  wants  (dear  brother)  be  upon  him  :  ye  are  debtor,  grace  must 
sum  and  subscribe  your  accounts  as  paid  :  stand  not  upon  items  and 
small  or  little  sanctification  ;  ye  know,  inherent  holiness  must  stand 
by,  when  imputed  is  all.  I  fear  the  clay-house  is  a  taking  down  and 
undermining  ;  but  it  is  nigh  the  dawning,  look  to  the  east,  the  dawning 
of  the  glory  is  near ;  your  Guide  is  good  company,  and  knoweth  all 
the  miles,  and  the  ups  and  downs  in  the  way  ;  the  nearer  the  morn- 
ing, the  darker.  Some  traveller  seeth  the  city  twenty  miles  off,  and 
at  a  distance  :  and  yet  within  the  eighth  part  of  a  mile  he  cannot  see 
it.  It  is  all  keeping,  that  ye  would  now  have,  till  ye  need  it ;  and  if 
sense  and  fruition  come  both  at  once,  it  is  not  your  loss  ;  let  Christ 
tutor  you  as  he  thinks  good,  ye  cannot  be  marred  nor  miscarry  in  his 
hand.  Want  is  an  excellent  qualification ;  and  no  money,  no  price, 
to  you  (who  I  know,  dare  not  glory  in  your  own  righteousness)  is 
fitness  warrantable  enough  to  cast  yourself  upon  him,  who  justifieth 
the  ungodly.  Some  see  the  gold  once,  and  never  again  till  the 
race's  end ;  it  is  comiqg  all  in  a  sum  together,  when  ye  are  in  a 
more  gracious  capacity  to  tell  it  than  now  :  '  Ye  are  not  to  come  to 
the  mount  that  burnetii  with  fire,  nor  unto  blackness,  darkness,  and 
tempest ;  but  ye  are  come  to  mount  Zion,  unto  the  city  of  the  living 
God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable  company  of 
angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born  which 
are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling,'  &c.  Ye  must  leave  the 
wife  to  a  more  choice  Husband,  and  the  children  to  a  better  Father. 


PART    II.  LETTER  LV.  379 

If  ye  leave  any  testimony  to  the  Lord's  work  and  covenant,  against 
both  malignants  and  sectaries,  (which  I  suppose  may  be  needful)  let 
it  be  under  your  hand  and  subscribed  before  faithful  witnesses. 

Your  loving  and  afflicted  brother,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Sept.  27th,  1648. 


LETTER  LY. 

To  Mrs.  Gillespie. 
DEAR    SISTER, 

I  HAVING  heard  how  the  Lord  hath  visited  you,  in  removing  the 
child  Archibald ;  1  hope  ye  see  the  setting  down  of  the  weight  of 
your  confidence  and  affection  upon  any  created  thing,  whether  hus- 
band or  child,  is  a  deceiving  thing  ;  and  that  the  creature  is  not  able 
to  bear  the  weight,  but  sinketh  down  to  very  nothing  under  your  con- 
fidence :  and  therefore  ye  are  Christ's  debtor  for  all  providences  of 
this  kind,  even  in  that  he  buildeth  an  hedge  of  thorns  in  your  way  : 
for  so  ye  see  his  gracious  intention  is  to  save  you  (if  I  may  say  so) 
whether  ye  will  or  not.  It  is  a  rich  mercy,  that  the  Lord  Christ  will 
be  Master  of  your  will  and  of  your  delights,  and  that  his  way  is  so 
fair,  for  landing  of  husband  and  children  before-hand  in  the  country 
whitherto  ye  are  journeying.  No  matter  how  little  ye  be  engaged  to 
the  world,  since  ye  have  such  experience  of  cross  dealing  in  it ;  had 
ye  been  a  child  of  the  house,  the  world  would  have  dealt  more  warmly 
with  its  own :  there  is  less  of  you  out  of  heaven,  that  the  child  is 
there,  and  the  husband  is  there,  but  much  more  that  your  Head  Kins- 
man and  Redeemer  doth  fetch  home  such  as  are  in  danger  to  be  lost : 
and  from  this  time  forward  fetch  not  your  comforts  from  such  broken 
cisterns  and  dry  wells  ;  if  the  Lord  pull  at  the  rest,  ye  must  not  be 
the  creature  that  shall  hold  when  he  draweth.  Truly,  to  me  your  case 
is  more  comfortable,  than  if  the  fireside  were  well  plenished  with  ten 
children :  the  Lord  saw  ye  was  able,  by  his  grace  to  bear  the  loss  of 
husband  and  child  ;  and  that  ye  are  that  weak  and  tender  as  not  to  be 
able  to  stand  under  the  mercy  of  a  gracious  husband  living  and  flou- 
rishing in  esteem  with  authority,  and  in  reputation  for  godliness  and 
learning :  for  he  knoweth  the  weight  of  these  mercies  would  crush 
you  and  break  you  ;  and  as  there  is  no  searching  out  of  his  under- 
standing, so  he  hath  skill  to  know  what  providence  will  make  Christ 
dearest  to  you  ;  and  let  not  your  heart  say,  It  is  an  ill-wailed  dispen- 
sation. Sure  Christ,  who  hath  seven  eyes,  had  before  him  the  good 
of  a  living  husband  and  children  for  Margaret  Murray,  anit  the  good 
of  a  removed  husband  and  children  translated  to  glory ;  now  he  hath 
opened  his  decree  to  you,  say,  Christ  hath  made  me  for  a  wise  and 
gracious  choice,  and  1  have  not  one  word  to  say  to  the  contrary.  Let 
not  your  heart  charge  any  thing,  nor  unbehef  libel  injuries  upon  Christ ; 
because  he  will  not  let  you  alone,  nor  give  you  leave  to  play  the  ido- 
latress with  such  as  have  not  that  right  to  your  love  that  Christ  hath. 
I  should  wish  at  the  reading  of  this  that  ye  may  fall  down  and  make  u 
surrender  of  those  that  are  gone,  and  those  that  are  yet  alive,  to  him  : 
and  for  you.  let  him  have  all ;  and  wait  for  himself,  for  he  will  come 


380  LETTER  LVI.  PART  II. 

and  will  not  tarry  :  live  by  faith,  and  the  peace  of  God  guard  your 
heart ;  he  cannot  die  whose  ye  are.  My  wife  suffers  with  you,  and 
remembereth  her  love  to  you. 

Your  brother  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Aug;.  1659. 


LETTER  LYI. 

To  the  worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker. 
MUCH  HONOURED  AND  TRULY  WORTHY, 

I  HOPE  I  shall  not  need  to  shew  you,  that  ye  are  in  greater  hazard 
from  yourself  and  your  own  spirit,  which  would  be  watched  over,  (that 
your  actings  for  God  may  be  clean,  spiritual,  purely  for  God,  for  the 
Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth)  than  ye  can  be  in  danger  from  your 
enemies.  O  how  hard  is  it,  to  get  the  intentions  so  cut  off  from,  and 
raised  above  the  creature,  as  to  be  without  mixture  of  creature  and 
carnal  interest,  and  to  have  the  soul  in  heavenly  actings,  only  eyeing 
himself,  and  acting  from  love  to  God,  revealed  to  us  in  Jesus  Christ ! 
Ye  will  find  yourself,  your  delights,  your  solid  glory  (far  above  the  air 
and  breathings  of  mouths,  and  the  thin,  short  poor  applauses  of  men) 
before  you  in  God.  All  the  creatures,  all  the  swords,  all  the  hosts  in 
Britain,  and  in  this  poor  globe  of  the  habitable  world,  are  but  under 
liim  single  cyphers  making  no  number,  the  product  being  nothing  but 
painted  men,  and  painted  swords  in  a  brod,  without  influence  from 
him  :  and,  O  what  a.  God  is  in  Gideon's  sword,  when  it  is  the  sword 
of  the  Lord  !  I  wish  a  sword  from  heaven  to  you,  and  orders  from 
heaven  to  you  to  go  out,  and  as  much  peremptoriness  of  a  heavenly 
will,  as  to  say  and  abide  by  it,  '  I  will  not,  I  shall  not  go  out  unless 
thou  goest  with  me.'  I  desire  not  to  he  rash  in  judging ;  but  I  am  a 
stranger  to  the  mind  of  Christ,  if  our  adversaries,  who  have  unjustly 
invaded  us,  be  not  now  in  the  camp  of  those  that  make  war  with  the 
Lamb  ;  but  the  Lamb  shall  overcome  them  at  length  ;  for  he  is  the 
Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings,  and  they  who  are  with  him  are 
called,  and  chosen,  and  faithful,  and  though  ye  and  I  see  but  the  dark 
side  of  God's  dispensations  this  day  towards  Britain,  yet  the  fair, 
beautiful  and  desirable  close  of  it  must  be  the  confederacy  of  the  na- 
tions of  the  world  with  Britain's  Lord  of  armies.  And  let  me  die  in 
the  comforts  of  the  faith  of  this,  that  a  throne  shall  be  set  up  for 
Christ  in  this  island  of  Britain  (which  is  and  shall  be  a  garden  more 
fruitful  of  trees  of  righteousness,  and  payeth  and  shall  pay  more  thou- 
sands to  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  than  is  paid  in  thrice  the  bounds  of 
Great  Britain  upon  earth)  and  then  there  can  be  neither  Papist,  Pre- 
late, Malignant,  nor  Sectary,  who  dare  draw  a  sword  against  him  that 
sitteth  upon  the  throne.  Sir,  I  shall  wish  a  clean  army,  so  far  as  may 
be,  that  the  shout  of  a  King  who  hath  many  crowns,  may  be  among 
you ;  and  that  ye  may  fight  in  faith,  and  prevail  with  God  first.  Think 
it  your  glory,  to  have  a  sword  to  act,  and  suffer,  and  die  (if  it  please 
him)  so  being  ye  may  add  any  thing  to  the  declarative  glory  of  Christ, 
the  Plant  of  renown,  Immanuel,  God  with  us  :  happy  and  thrice  bless- 
ed are  they  by  whose  actings,  or  blood,  or  pain,  or  loss,  the  diadems 


PART   II.  LETTER    LVII,  '381 

and  rubies  of  his  highest  and  glorious  crown  (whose  ye  are)  shall 
glister  and  shine  in  this  quarter  of  the  habitable  world :  though  he 
need  not  Gilbert  Ker,  nor  his  sword  ;  yet  this  honour  have  ye  with 
his  redeemed  soldiers,  to  call  Christ  high  Lord-general,  of  whom  ye 
hope  for  pay,  and  all  arrears  well  told.  Go  on,  worthy  Sir,  in  the 
courage  of  faith,  following  the  Lamb  :  make  not  haste  unbelievingly  ; 
but  in  hope  and  silence  keep  the  watch-tower  and  look  out ;  he  will 
come  in  his  own  time,  his  salvation  shall  not  tarry,  he  shall  place  sal- 
vation in  Britain's  Zion  for  Israel's  glory.  His  good-will  who  dwelt 
in  the  bush  and  it  burnt  not,  be  your's,  and  with  you.     I  am 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Aug.  10,  1660. 


LETTEF  LVIL 

To  the  worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker. 
MUCH    HONOURED   AND    WORTHY   SIR, 

What  I  wrote  to  you  before,  I  spake  not  upon  any  private  warrant : 
I  am  where  I  was ;  Cromwell  and  his  army,  (I  shall  not  say,  but 
there  may  be  and  are  several  sober  and  godly  among  them,  who  have 
either  joined  through  misinformation,  or  have  gone  alongst  with  the 
rest  in  the  simplicity  of  their  hearts,  not  knowing  any  thing)  fight  in  an 
unjust  cause,  against  the  Lord's  secret  ones  ;  and  now,  to  the  tramp- 
ling of  the  worship  of  God,  and  persecuting  the  people  of  God  in 
England  and  Ireland,  he  hath  brought  upon  his  score  the  blood  of  the 
people  of  God  in  Scotland.  I  entreat  you,  dear  Sir,  as  ye  desire  to 
be  serviceable  to  Jesus  Christ,  whose  free  grace  prevented  you,  when 
ye  were  his  enemy,  go  on  without  fainting,  equally  eschewing  all  mix- 
tures with  Sectaries  and  Malignants  ;  neither  of  the  two  shall  ever  be 
instrumental  to  save  the  Lord's  people,  or  build  his  house  ;  and  with- 
out prophesying,  or  speaking  further  than  he,  whose  I  am,  and  whom 
I  desire  to  serve  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son,  shall  warrant  I  desire  to 
hope,  and  to  believe,  there  is  a  glory  and  a  majesty  of  the  Prince  of 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  that  shall  shine  and  appear  in  Great  Britain, 
which  shall  darken  all  the  glory  of  men,  confound  Sectaries  and  Ma- 
lignants ;  and  rejoice  the  spirits  of  the  followers  of  the  Lamb,  and 
dazzle  the  eyes  of  the  beholders.  Sir,  I  suppose  that  God  is  to 
gather  Malignants  and  Sectaries,  ere  all  be  done,  as  sheaves  in  a 
barn-floor  ;  and  to  bid  the  daughter  of  Zion  arise  and  thresh  :  I  hope 
ye  will  mix  with  none  of  them  :  1  am  abundantly  satisfied,  that  our 
army  through  the  sinful  miscarriage  of  men,  hath  fallen ;  and  dare 
say,  it  is  a  better  and  a  more  comfortable  dispensation,  than  if  the  Lord 
had  given  us  the  victory,  and  the  necks  of  the  reproachers  of  the  way 
of  God,  because  he  hath  done  it:  for,  L  More  blood,  blasphemies, 
cruelty,  treachery,  must  be  upon  the  accounts  of  the  men,  whose  land 
the  Lord  forbid  us  to  invade.  2.  Victory  is  such  a  burdening  and 
weighty  mercy,  that  we  have  not  strength  to  bear  it  as  yet.  3.  That 
was  not  the  army,  nor  Gideon's  three  hundred,  by  whom  he  is  to 
save  us  :  we  must  have  one  of  our  Lord's  carving.     4.  Our  enemies 


382  LETTER   LVIII.  PART  II. 

on  both  sides  are  not  enough  hardened,  nor  we  enough  mortified  to 
multitude,  valour  and  creatures.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your  friend  and  servant  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,         S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Sept.  5th,  1650 


LETTER  LVin. 

To  the  same. 
MUCH    HONOURED    AND    WORTHY    SIR, 

It  is  considerable,  that  the  Lord  may,  and  often  doth  call  to  a 
work,  and  yet  hide  himself  and  try  the  faith  of  his  own  ;  if  I  conceive 
aright,  the  Lord  hath  called  you  to  act  against  that  enemy  ;  and 
the  withdrawers  of  theur  sword,  in  my  weak  apprehension,  add 
their  zeal  unto,  and  take  upon  them  the  guilt  of  that  unjust  inva- 
sion of  this  land  made  by  Cromwell's  army,  and  of  the  blood  of 
the  Lord's  people  in  this  kingdom ;  since  the  sword,  put  into 
the  hands  of  his  children,  is  to  execute  wrath  and  vengeance 
upon  evil  doers  :  the  Lord's  time  of  appearing  for  his  broken  land  is 
reserved  to  the  breathings  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  such  as  came 
upon  Gibeon  and  Samson,  and  that  is  an  act  of  princely  and  royal 
sovereignty  in  God.  Ye  are.  Sir,  to  lay  hold  on  opportunities  of 
providence,  and  to  wait  for  him ;  as  for  your  particular  treating  by 
yourselves  with  the  invaders  of  our  land,  I  have  no  mind  to  it,  and  do 
look  upon  their  way  as  a  carrying  on  of  the  mystery  of  iniquity  (for 
Babylon  is  a  seat  of  many  names)  Sir,  let  this  controversy  stand  un- 
decided till  the  second  appearance  of  Jesus  Christ  and  our  appeal  lye 
before  the  throne  undiscussed  till  that  day  ;  I  hope  to  lye  down  in 
the  grave  in  the  faith  of  the  justness  of  our  cause.  I  speak  nothing 
of  the  maintaining  the  greatness  of  men,  not  subordinate  to  the  Prince 
of  the  kings  of  the  earth.  I  judge  that  the  blood  of  the  witnesses  of 
Jesus  is  found  upon  the  skirts  of  this  society,  as  well  as  in  Babylon's 
skirts :  I  believe  the  way  of  the  Lord  is  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker's 
strength  and  glory ;  and  I  should  be  content  to  want  my  part  of  him, 
(which  is  1  confess,  precious  and  dear  in  Christ)  so  he  be  spent  in  the 
service  of  him,  who  will  anon  make  inquisition  for  the  blood  of  the 
trtily  godly,  which  these  men  have  shed,  after  fair  warning  that  they 
were  the  godly  of  Scotland.  Worthy  Sir,  believe,  faint  not,  set  your 
shoulder  under  the  glory  of  Jesus,  that  is  misprised  in  Scotland,  and 
give  a  testimony  for  him  ;  he  hath  many  names  in  Scotland,  who  shall 
walk  with  him  in  white.  This  despised  covenant  shall  ruin  Malig- 
nants.  Sectaries,  and  Atheists :  yet  a  little  while,  and  behold  he 
cometh,  and  walketh  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength,  and  his  garments 
dyed  with  blood.  Oh  for  the  sad  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  upon 
England,  their  ships  of  Tarshish,  tiieir  fenced  cities,  &c.  because  of 
a  broken  covenant !  A  conference  with  the  enemy,  not  to  hinder 
acting,  (0  that  the  Lord  would  thereby,  or  some  other  way  remove 
the  cloud  that  is  over  you)  if  authority  would  concur,  were  to  be  de- 
sired ;  but  it  can  hardly  be  expected  :  however,  in  the  way  of  duty, 
and  in  the  silence  of  faith  go  on ;  if  ye  perish,  ye  are  the  first  of  the 
creation  with  whom  the  Lord  hath  taken  that  dispensation.     I  should 


PART  II.  LETTER   LIX.  883 

humbly  desire  you,  Sir,  to  look  to  that,  '  Dying,  and  behold  we  live ; 
killed  all  the  day  long,  and  yet  more  than  conquerors.'  There  shall 
be  the  heat  and  warmness  of  life  in  your  graves,  and  buried  bones : 
but  look  not  for  the  Lord's  coming  the  higher  way  only,  for  he  may 
come  the  lower  way.  0  how  little  of  God  do  we  see  and  how  myste- 
rious is  he !  Christ  known  is  among  the  greatest  secrets  of  God. 
Keep  yourself  in  the  love  of  God,  and  in  order  to  that  as  far  in  obe- 
dience and  subjection  to  the  king  (whose  salvation  and  true  happiness 
my  soul  desireth)  and  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord's  sake, 
and  to  the  fundamental  laws  of  this  kingdom,  as  your  Fjord  requireth. 
Sir,  ye  are  in  the  hearts  and  prayers  of  the  Lord's  people  in  this  king- 
dom, and  in  the  other  two  :  the  Lord  hath  said,  There  is  a  blessincr 
in  the  cluster  of  grapes,  destroy  it  not.  Grace,  grace  be  upon  the 
head  of  him  that  is  separated  from  his  brethren ;  and  the  good-will  of 
him  that  dwelt  in  the  bush  be  with  you. 

^'our  servant  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Perth,  Nov.  23,  1750. 


LETTER  LIX. 

To  the  worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker. 
JklUCH  HONOURED  AND  WORTHY  SIR, 

I  KNOW  not  why  the  people  of  God  should  not  take  notice  of  the 
bonds  of  any  who  have  blood  in  readiness  to  be  let  out  for  his  cause : 
and  I  judge  it  was  not  of  you,  that  ye  died  not  in  the  undecided  con- 
troversy which  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth  hath  with  the  men  whom 
he  hath  sent  against  us.  Dear  and  much  honoured  in  the  Lord,  let 
me  entreat  you  to  be  far  from  the  thoughts  of  leaving  this  land  :  I  see 
it,  and  find  it,  that  the  Lord  hath  covered  the  whole  land  with  a  cloud 
in  his  anger ;  but  though  I  have  been  tempted  to  the  like,  I  had 
rather  be  in  Scotland,  beside  angry  Jesus  Christ,  knowing  he  mindeth 
no  evil  to  us,  than  in  any  Eden  or  garden  in  the  earth.  If  we  can 
remain  united  witlvthe  Lord's  remnant  in  the  land,  he  layeth  up 
wrath  for  all  sorts  of  adversaries  in  Britain.  Though!  never  see  the 
glory  of  his  glistering  sword  in  Britain,  I  would  be  solaced  in  the  in- 
nocent thoughts  (  far  from  revenge)  that  the  saints  shall  dip  their  feet 
in  the  blood  of  the  slain  of  the  Lord.  And  truly.  Sir,  I  suppose,  ye 
cannot  but  come  to  these  thoughts  and  weak  desires  before  the  Hearer 
of  prayers,  for  as  httle  as  ye  think  of  and  value  yourself :  for  me,  if 
I  could  mind  you  in  your  bonds,  I  purpose  not  to  stand  to  the  account 
ye  give,  or  thoughts  ye  have  of  yourself ;  though  I  knew  ye  are  not 
a  whit  more  or  less  before  him  (who  weigheth  his  own  according  to 
the  weight  of  imputed  righteousness)  for  my  apprehensions.  Christ 
cannot  mistake  you,  men  may  ;  and  the  calculation  and  esteem  of 
free  grace  maketh  you  to  be  what  you  are.  I  hope  to  see  you  an 
everlastingly  obliged  debtor  to  him,  whom  ye  shall  praise,  but  never 
pay  :  and  truly  ye  have  no  riches  but  that  debt ;  and  I  know  ye  love 
to  be  engaged  to  Jesus  Christ,  the  most  excellent  of  creditors. 
Much  joy  and  sweetness  may  ye  have  in  standing  written  in  his  book  : 
I  desire  to  do  it  myself,  and  I  would  have  you  also  highly  to  esteem 
the  design  of  Christ,  who  hath  raised  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  so 


384  LETTER    LX.  PART  II. 

much  gi'ace  above  the  circle  of  the  heaven  of  heavens,  out  of  very 
nothings  ;  and  contrived  his  thoughts  of  love,  so  that  lumps  of  glo- 
rified clay  should  stand  before  him,  for  all  ages,  the  burdens  and 
loaden  debtors  of  free,  eternally  free  grace.  Sir,  y^.  cannot  cast  the 
count  of  the  rents  of  your  so  great  inheritance  of  glory.  Grace  bo 
with  you. 

Your  servant  in  his  own  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 


LETTER  LX. 

To  the  same. 
Hab.  ii.  verses  3, 4.  ' 

MUCH  HONOURED  AND  WORTHY  SIR, 

Your  chains  now  shine  as  much  for  Christ,  the  cause  being  his, 
as  your  sword  was  made  famous  in  acting  for  that  cause  ;  and  blessed 
are  such  as  can  willingly  tender  to  Christ  both  action  and  blood, 
doing  and  suffering.  Resisting  unto  blood  is  Ihtle  for  that  precious 
and  never-enough  exalted  Redeemer,  who,  when  ye  were  a  buying, 
gave  blood  somewhat  dearer  than  ye  gave  for  him,  even  the  blood  of 
God,  Acts  XX.  28.  I  know  a  man,  who,  upon  the  receipt  of  a  letter, 
that  ye  were  killed,  and  the  people  of  God  destroyed,  wished,  that  he 
might  be  quickly  under  the  wall  of  the  higher  palace,  from  under  the 
dint  of  tl>e  storm,  and  who  longed  to  have  the  weather-beaten  and 
crazy  bark  safely  landed  in  that  harbour  of  eternal  quietness.  What 
further  service  Christ  hath  for  you,  I  know  not ;  it  is  enough,  that  in 
your  caplivity  ye  offer  your  service  to  Christ:  but,  if  I  see  any  thing, 
it  looks  like  a  merciful  defeat.  I  see  the  nobles  and  the  state  falling 
off  from  Christ,  and  the  night  coming  upon  the  prophets,  which  we 
would  pray  to  prevent :  because  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  see  a  fallen  star 
win  ever  up  again  to  the  firmament  to  shine  ;  and  what  if  this  be  the 
thick  darknesss  going  before  the  break  of  day  ?  Sure,  Sir,  the  sun 
•  shall  rise  upon  Scotland ;  but  if  I  shall  see  it,  or  how  near  it  is  to 
that  day,  I  leave  that  to  Him,  even  unto  Jehovah,  who  creates  upon 
every  dwelling-place  in  mount  Zion,  and  upon  her  assemblies  a  cloud, 
and  a  smoke  by  day,  the  shining  of  a  flaming  fire  by  night.  But  Sir, 
the  wilderness  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  a  rose  :  and  happy  he  '.vho 
hath  a  bone  or  an  arm,  to  put  the  crown  upon  the  head  of  our  highest 
King,  whose  chariot  is  paved  with  love.  Were  there  ten  thousand 
millions  of  heavens  created  above  these  highest  heavens,  and  again 
as  many  above  them,  and  as  many  above  them  till  angels  were  wearied 
with  counting  it  were  but  too  low  a  seat  to  fix  the  princely  throne  of 
that  Lord  Jesus  (whose  ye  are)  above  them  all :  created  heavens  are 
too  low  a  seat  of  majesty  for  him.  Since  then  there  is  none  equal  to 
your  Master  and  Prince,  who  hath  chosen  out  for  you,  amongst  many 
sufferings  for  sin,  that  only  cross,  which  cometh  nearest  in  likeness  to 
his  own  cross,  watered  with  consolation,  take  courage,  and  comfort 
yourself  in  him,  who  hath  chosen  you  to  glory  hereafter,  and  to  con- 
formity with  him  here  :  we  fools  would  have  a  cross  of  our  own 
choosing,  and  would  have  our  gall  and  wormwood  sugared,  our  fire 
cold,  and  our  death  and  grave  warmed  with  heat  of  life  ;  but  he,  who 
hath  brought  many  children  to  glory,  and  lost  none,  is  our  best  Tutor. 


PART  II.  LETTER  LXI.  o85 

I  wish,  when  I  am  sick,  that  he  may  be  keeper  and  comforter.  1 
judge  it  a  blessed  fall,  that  we  are  forfeited  heirs,  broken  and  out  of 
credit,  and  that  Christ  is  become  a  Tutor  in  the  place  of  free-will,  and 
that  we  are  no  more  our  own.  I  am  broken  and  wasted  with  the 
wrath  that  is  on  the  land,  and  have  been  much  tempted  with  a  design 
to  have  a  pass  from  Christ,  which  if  I  had,  I  would  not  stay  to  be  a 
witness  of  our  defection,  for  no  man's  entreaty ;  but  1  know  it  is  my 
softness  and  weakness,  who  would  ever  be  ashore,  when  a  fit  of  sea- 
sickness Cometh  on ;  though  I  know,  I  shall  come  soon  enough  to 
that  desirable  country,  and  shall  not  be  displaced,  none  shall  take  my 
lodging.  Sir,  many  eyes  are  upon  you,  and  the  godly  are  exceeding- 
ly refreshed,  that  ye  listen  not  to  the  ways  of  many  about  you,  who 
with  fair  words  make  merchandize  of  souls.  Sir,  if  the  way  you  are 
in  be  not  the  way  of  Christ,  then  wo  to  me,  for  I  am  eternally  lost ; 
but  truly,  the  Lord  Christ's  dealing  with  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker  hath 
proven  to  me,  that  the  New  Testament,  and  the  covenant  of  graces 
is  a  piece,  that  a  solemn  meeting  and  assembly  of  all  created  angels, 
join  all  their  wits  together,  could  not  have  devised,  ^ince,  Sir,  ye 
paid  nothing  for  the  change  that  Christ  made,  and  ye  will  take  that 
debt  of  free  grace  to  heaven  with  you,  (for  what  was  Christ  Jesus 
indebted  to  yoa,  more  than  to  all  your  kindred  and  name !  there- 
fore, since  ye  are  made  his  own,  follow  no  other  way.  What  is 
my  salvation,  though  I  should  lay  it  in  pawn  (it  is  but  a  poor  pledge) 
that  this,  this  only  is  the  way  1  but  Christ  is  surety  himself  that  it  is 
the  way  ;  the  Fore-runner  went  before  you,  and  he  is  safely  landed, 
and  there  is  a  fair  company  before  you  of  such  as  have  come  out  of 
great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  garments,  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  to  whom  these  promises  are  now 
performed,  '  He  that  overcomes  shall  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  that  is  in 
the  midst  of  the  paradise  of  God ;  and  God  shall  M'ipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes  ;  and  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow, 
nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain  :  He  that  sitteth  on 
the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them  ;  they  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more,  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor 
any  heat ;  for  the  Lamb,  that  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  feed 
them,  and  shall  take  them  into  the  living  fountains  of  waters.'  I 
may.  Sir,  possibly  keep  you  from  better  work:  the  God  of  peace, 
that  brought  again  from  the  dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
through  the  blood  of  the  eternal  covenant,  make  you  perfect. 

Your's  in  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  Jan.  7th,  1651. 


LETTER  LXL 

To  the  same. 
MUCH    HONOURED    AND    WORTHY    SIR, 

I  HAVE  heard  of  your  continued  captivity  in  England,  as  well  as 
in  this  afflicted  land ;  but,  go  where  ye  will,  ye  cannot  go  from  under 
3'our  shadow,  which  is  broader  than  many  kingdoms;  ye  change 
lodging  and  countries  ;  but  the  same  Lord  is  before  vou :  if  ye  were 

49  '  ■ 


S86  LETTER   LXI. 


PART    II. 


carried  away  captive  to  the  other  side  of  the  sun,  or  as  far  as  the  rising 
of  the  morning  star  ;  it  is  spoken  to  your  mother,  who  hath  yet  re- 
ceived no  bill  of  divorce,  which  was  written  to  Judah,  Micah  iv.  10. 
'  Be  in  pain  and  labour  to  bring  forth,  0  daughter  of  Zion,  like  a 
woman  in  travail ;  for  now  shalt  thou  go  forth  out  of  the  city,  and 
thou  shalt  dwell  in  the  field,  and  thou  shalt  go  even  to  Babylon,  there 
shalt  thou  be  delivered,  there  the  Lord  shall  redeem  thee  from  the 
hand  of  thine  enemies.'  England  shall  be  countable  for  you,  to  ren- 
der you  back,  Isa.  xliv.  6.  *  I  will  say  to  the  north,  Give  up ;  and  to 
the  south.  Keep  not  back.'  It  is  a  sermon  that  flesh  and  blood  laugh- 
eth  at,  Ezek.  xxxvii.  4.  '  Prophesy  upon  these  dry  bones,  and  say 
unto  them,  O  ye  dry  bones,  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord  !'  it  is  a  preach- 
ing to  the  grave  :  '  Thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  the  bones,  Behold,  I 
will  cause  breath  enter  into  you,  and  ye  shall  live,  and  I  will  lay 
sinews  upon  you,  and  bring  flesh  upon  you,  and  cover  you  with  skin, 
and  put  breath  in  you,  and  ye  shall  hve.'  Rev.  xx.  13.  '  And  the  sea 
gave  up  the  dead  that  were  in  it.'  Berwick  must  render  back  the 
Scottish  captives,  and  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker  with  them.  Isa.  xliii.  14. 
'  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  your  Redeemer,  the  holy  One  of  Israel, 
For  your  sake,  I  have  sent  to  Babylon,  and  have  brought  down  all 
their  nobles,  and  the  Chaldeans,  whose  cry  is  in  the  ships.'  Deut. 
XXX.  4.  '  If  any  of  them  be  driven  out  to  the  utmost  parts  of  heaven, 
from  thence  will  the  Lord  thy  God  gather  thee,  and  from  thence  will 
he  fetch  thee.'  Zech.  viii.  7.  '  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  Behold, 
I  will  save  my  people  from  the  east  country,  and  from  the  west  coun- 
try, and  I  will  bring  them,  and  they  shall  dwell  in  the  midst  of  Jeru- 
salem, and  they  shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  their  God,  in  truth 
and  in  righteousness.'  Sir,  ye  are  both  booked  by  the  Lord,  '  who 
writeth  up  the  people,'  Psal.  Ixxxvii.  5,  6.  and  counted  to  the  Lord  as 
one  of  the  house  and  stock,  Psal.  xxii.  30.  Fear  not,  taint  not,  all 
your  hairs  are  numbered.  It  is  the  desire  of  the  people  of  God,  that 
as  your  bonds  hitherto  have  been  exemplary,  to  the  strengthening  of 
the  feeble,  and  to  the  stopping  of  the  mouth  of  the  adversary,  without 
any  declining  to  the  right  or  left  hand  ;  so  your  sufferings,  in  the 
place  ye  now  go  to,  may  be  (as  we  are  confident  in  the  Lord  of  you, 
and  in  humility  boast  of  his  grace  in  you)  savoury,  convincing,  and 
like  unto  this  honourable  cause,  that  will  prevail  in  Britain,  contrary 
to  all  the  machinations  and  counsels  of  devils  and  men ;  and  though 
there  were  no  other  ink  in  the  pen  I  now  write  with,  but  some  dewing 
of  my  last  cooling  blood,  this  I  purpose  (his  grace,  whose  I  am,  ena- 
bling me)  to  stand  to.  Sir,  we  desire  to  adore  no  instruments  :  yet 
we  conceive  the  shining  and  rays  of  grace,  from  the  fountain  Jesus 
Christ,  the  fulness  of  the  God-head,  bestowed  on  sinful  men,  hold 
forth  the  good  thoughts  of  Christ  to  this  poor  land,  whose  multiplied 
graves,  and  whose  souls  under  the  altar,  slain  by  Sectaries,  and  Ma- 
lignants,  cry  aloud  to  heaven.  I  see  nothing.  Sir,  if  the  Lord  be  not 
near,  though  I  dare  not  say  how  soon,  to  awake  for  the  year  of  Zion's 
controversy,  Isa.  xxxiv.  5.  '  For  my  sword  shall  be  bathed  in  hea- 
ven ;'  behold  it  shall  come  down  upon  England,  and  the  residue  of 
his  enemies  in  Scotland.     Wo  is  me,  for  England!  that  land  shall 


PART  II.  LETTER   LXI.  387 

be  soaked  with  blood,  and  their  dust  made  fat  with  fatness ;  that  plea- 
sant land  shall  be  a  wilderness,  and  the  dust  of  their  land  pitch ;  a 
judgment  upon  their  walled  towns,  their  pleasant  fields,  their  strong 
ships,  &c.  if  they  do  not  repent.     Ye  have  not,  I  conceive,  seen  such 
searching  and  trying  times  as  now  these  are ;  and  yet  tlie  question 
will  be  drawn  to  a  more  narrow  state,  and  multitudes  will  yet  leave 
the  cause  ;  for  we  took  all  into  the  covenant  that  offered  to  build  with 
lis :  but  Christ  must  have  but  a  small  remnant ;  few  nobles,  if  any, 
few  ministers,  few  professors,  though  our  way  standeth  unchanged,  2 
Cor.   vi.  8.     '  By  honour  and  dishonour,  by  good  report  and  evil 
report,  as  deceivers,  and  yet  true,  as  unknown,  and  yet  well  known  ; 
as  dying,  and  behold  we  hve ;    as  chastened,  and  yet  not  killed.' 
Neither  is  this  your  condition  alone,  but  the  experienced  lot  of  all  the 
•Faints  that  have  gone  before  you  :  it  is  one  and  the  same  cross  of 
Christ !  but  there  be  sundry  faces  and  diverse  circumstances  in  the 
eame  remnant,  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  your's.     Sir,  to  be  delivered 
to  soldiers,  and  in  captivity  looks  like  His  suffering,  of  whom  Isaiah 
saith,  chap.  liii.  8.     '  He  was  taken  from  prison,  and  from  judgment ; 
yea,  and  taken  bound,'  John  xvui.  1.     When  the  cause  is  the  truth 
of  God,  the  lustre  and  face  of  suffering  is  so  much  the  more  lovely, 
that  it  hath  the  hue  and  colour  of  Christ's  sufierings  :  who  endured 
contradiction  of  sinners,  and  despised  the  shame :    O  it  is  a  great 
■word,  Christ  shamed,  and   Christ  abased !  but  thus  was  the  Head, 
and  so  are  the  members  dealt  with  in  the  world  ;  and  truly  any  thing 
of  Christ,  even  the  worst  of  him,  to  speak  so,  his  reproach  and  shame, 
are  lovely.     Though  superstitious  love  to  the  material  cross  be  suf^ 
fered  upon  be  foolery,  and  doating  upon  the  holy  grave  be  cursed 
idolatry  :  yet  is  there  a  communion  with  him  in  his  sufferings  most 
desirable,  1  Pet.  iv.  15.     '  But  rejoice  in  as  much  as  ye  are  parta- 
kers  of  Christ's    sufferings  :'    in  which  sense    the  cup   that  his  lip 
touched  hath  sweeter  taste,  even  though  death  were  in  it ;  the  grave 
because  he  did  lye  in  it,  is  so  much  the  softer,  and  the  more  refreshed 
a  bed  of  rest ;  and  that  part  of  the  sky  and  clouds  that  the  Beloved 
shall  break  through,  and  come  to  judgment,  is  as  lovely  a  piece  of  the 
created  heaven  as  any  is,  if  we  may  love  the  ground  he  goeth  on  the 
better :  but  all  this  is  to  be  uncicrstood  in  a  spiritual  manner.     The 
Lord  calleth  you.  Sir,  upon  whom  the  spirit  of  God  and  his  glory 
resteth,  (o  put  your  soul's  Amen  to  this  dispensation:  and  requireth 
of  us,  that  our  desires  follow  the  now  declared  decree  of  God,  con- 
cerning the  desolation  of  our  sinful  land,  so  many  ways  guilty  of  a 
despised  gospel,  and  a  broken  covenant,  and  that  with  all  submission  : 
certainly  no  man  hath  failed  more  in  this  thing,  than  he  who  writeth 
to  you :  tor  I  have  brought  my  health  in  great  hazard,  and  tormented 
jny  spirit  with  excessive  grief,  for  our  present  provocations  and  the 
lentings  of  our  kirk ;  and  I  see  it  is  a  challenging  of,  and  a  bold 
pleading  against  him,  upon  whose  shoulder  the  government  is,  Isa, 
xxii.  22.     The  Father  hath  put  a  glorious  trust  upon  Christ,  ver.  23, 
'  And  I  wdl  fasten  him  as  a  nail  in  a  sure  place,  and  he  shall  be  lor  a 
glorious  throne  to  his  Father's  house,  ver.  24.     And  they  shall  hang 
upon  him  all  the  glory  of  his  Father's  house,  the  offspring  and  the 


S88  LETTER   LXII.  PART  II. 

issue,  all  vessels  of  small  quantity,  from  the  vessels  of  cups  even  to 
all  the  vessels  of  flagons.'  Our  unbeheving  apprehensions  do  so  quar- 
rel at  the  prosperity  of  enemies  in  an  evil  cause,  that  we  wrestle  with 
defeats,  spoiling,  captivity  of  the  godly,  killing  of  his  people,  the 
wasting  of  our  land,  starving  and  famishing  of  the  kingdom,  which  is 
worse  than  the  sword  ;  but  this  is  a  sinful  contradicting  of  the  Lord's 
revealed  decree  :  his  wisdom  saith,  Spoiling  and  desolation  is  best  for 
Scotland,  and  we  say,  Not;  and  so  accuse  Christ  of  misgovernment, 
and  of  not  being  true  to  the  trust  put  upon  him  ;  but  since  he  doth 
not  drag  the  government  at  his  heels,  but  hath  it  upon  his  shoulder ; 
and  since  the  nail  fastened  in  a  sure  place  cannot  be  broken,  nor  can 
the  smallest  vessel  fail  to  find  sweet  security  in  dependence  upon 
him  :  since  all  the  weight  of  heaven  and  earth,  of  redeemed  saints  and 
confirmed  angels  is  upon  his  shoulder,  I  am  a  fool,  and  brutish  to 
imagine,  that  I  can  add  any  thing  to  Christ's  special  care  of,  and  ten- 
derness to  his  people  :  he  who  keepeth  the  basons  and  knives  of  his 
house,  and  bringeth  tlie  vessels  again  to  the  second  temple,  Ezra  i. 
S,  9,  10.  must  have  a  more  tender  care  of  his  redeemed  ones,  than 
of  a  spoon  or  of  Peter's  old  shoes,  which  yet  must  not  be  lost  in  his 
captivity.  Acts  xii.  8.  0  for  grace  to  suffer  Christ  to  tutor  his  own 
minors  and  young  heirs  !  But  we  cannot  endure  to  be  under  the  act- 
ings of  his  government ;  we  love  too  much  to  be  our  own.  0  how 
sweet  to  be  wholly  Christ's,  and  wholly  in  Christ!  To  be  out  of  the 
creatures  owning,  and  made  complete  in  Christ,  to  live  by  faith  in 
Christ ;  and  to  be  once  for  all  clothed  with  the  created  majesty  and 
glory  of  the  Son  of  God,  wheiein  he  makes  all  his  friends  and  follow- 
ers sharers !  To  dwell  in  Immanuel's  high  and  blessed  land,  and  live 
in  that  sweetest  air,  where  no  wind  bloweth,  but  the  breathings  of  the 
Holy  Ghost :  no  seas  nor  floods  flow,  but  the  pure  waters  of  life,  that 
proceedeth  from  under  the  throne,  and  from  the  Lamb  ;  no  planting, 
but  the  tree  of  life,  that  yieldeth  twelve  manner  of  fruit  every  month  ! 
What  do  we  here  but  sin  and  sufl^er?  O  when  shall  the  nights  be 
gone,  the  shadows  flee  away,  and  the  mourning  of  that  long,  long 
day,  without  cloud  or  night,  dawn !  The  Spirit  and  the  bride  say 
Come  ;  O  when  shall  the  Lamb's  wife  be  really,  and  the  Bridegroom 
say.  Come!  Worthy  Sir,  I  mmd  you  to  the  Hearer  of  prayer:  O 
help  me  in  that  kind  !  The  Spirit  of  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  May  14,  1651. 


LETTER  LXn. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  We  are  fallen  in  winnowing 
and  trying  times  ;  I  am  glad  that  your  breath  serveth  you  to  run  to 
the  end,  in  the  same  condition  and  way  wherein  ye  have  walked  these 
twenty  years  past ;  it  is  either  the  way  of  peace,  or  we  are  yet  in  our 
sins,  and  have  missed  the  way.  The  Lord,  it  is  true,  hath  stamed 
the  pride  of  all  our  glory  ;  and  now,  last  of  all,  the  sun  hath  gone 


PART  II.  LETTER  LXIII.  389 

down  upon  many  of  the  prophets ;  but,  stumble  not,  men  are  men, 
and  God  appeareth  more  and  more  to  be  God,  and  Christ  is  still 
Christ.  Madam,  stronger  than  I  am,  had  almost  stumbled  me  and 
cast  me  down  ;  but  oh,  what  mercy  is  it,  to  discern  between  what  is 
Christ's  and  what  is  man's,  and  what  way  the  hue,  colour,  and  lustre 
of  gifts  and  grace  dazzle  and  deceive  our  weak  eyes !  Oh  to  be  dead 
to  all  things  that  are  below  Christ,  were  it  even  a  created  heaven  and 
created  grace !  Holiness  is  not  Christ ;  nor  are  the  blossoms  and 
flowers  of  the  tree  of  life  the  Tree  itself.  Men  and  creatures  may 
wind  themselves  between  us  and  Christ ;  and  therefore  the  Lord  hath 
done  much  to  take  out  of  the  way  all  betwixt  him  and  us ;  there  are 
not  in  our  way  now  kings,  or  armies,  or  nobles,  or  judicatories,  or 
strong  holds,  or  watchmen,  or  godly  professors :  the  fairest  things, 
and  most  eminent  in  Britain,  are  stained,  and  have  lost  their  lustre ; 
only,  only  Christ  keeps  his  greatness  and  beauty,  and  remaineth  what 
he  was ;  Oh !  if  he  were  more  and  more  excellent  to  our  apprehen- 
sions than  ever  he  was,  (whose  excellency  is  above  all  apprehen- 
sions,) and  still  more  and  more  sweet  to  our  taste.  1  care  for  no- 
thing, if  so  be  I  were  nearer  to  him,  and  yet  he  flyeth  not  from  me : 
I  flee  from  him,  but  he  pursueth.  I  hear  your  l-adyship  hath  the 
same  esteem  of  the  despised  cause  and  covenant  of  our  Lord,  ye 
had  before :  Madam,  hold  you  there ;  1  dare  and  would  gladly 
breathe  out  my  spirit  in  that  way,  with  a  nearer  communion  and  fel- 
lowship with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  would  seek  no  more,  but 
that  I  might  die  believing  ;  and  also  I  would  hope  that  the  earth 
should  not  cover  the  blood  of  the  godly  slain  in  Scotland;  but  that 
the  Lord  will  make  inquisition  for  their  blood,  when  the  sufferings  of 
the  saints  in  these  lands  shall  be  fuliilled.  The  good  will  of  him  that 
dwelt  in  the  bush  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  observance  in  the  Lord  Jesus,      S.  IT 
Glasgow,  Sept.  28, 1651. 


LETTER  LXILI 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  know  ye  think  of  an  out- 
going, and  that  your  quartering  in  time,  and  your  abode  in  this  life,  is 
short ;  for  we  flee  away  as  a  shadow ;  the  cieclining  of  the  sun,  and 
the  lengthening  of  the  shadow,  saith  our  journey  i:*  short  and  near 
the  end ;  1  speak  it,  because  I  have  warnings  of  my  removal.  Ma- 
dam, 1  know  not  any  against  whom  the  Lord  is  not ;  for  he  is  against 
the  proud  and  lofty  ;  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  upon  all  the  cedars,  upon 
all  the  high  mountains,  upon  every  high  tower,  and  upon  every  fbnced 
wall,  upon  all  the  ships  of  Tarshish,  and  upon  all  pleasant  pictures. 
I  know  not  any  thing  comparable  to  a  nearness  and  spiritual  com- 
munion with  the  Father  and  the  Son  Christ :  there  is  much  deadness 
and  witheredness  upon  many  spirits,  sometimes  near  to  God  ;  and  I 
wish  the  Lord  have  not  more  .to  say  and  to  do  against  the  land.  Ye 
have,  Madam,  in  your  accounts,  mercies,  deliverances,  rods,  warn- 


390  LETTER  LXIV,  LXV.  PART  II. 

ings,  plenty  of  means,  consolations  when  refuge  failed,  when  ye 
looked  on  the  risjht  hand,  and  behold  no  man  would  know  you,  nor 
care  for  your  soul,  when  young  and  weak,  manifestations  of  God,  the 
out-goings  of  the  Lord  for  you,  experiences,  answers  from  the  Lord  ; 
by  all  which,  ye  may  be  comforted  now,  and  confirmed  in  the  certain 
hope,  that  grace,  free  grace,  in  a  fixed  and  established  surety,  shall 
perfect  that  good  work  in  you  ;  happy  they  who  see  not  and  yet  be- 
lieve !  Grace,  grace  eternally  in  our  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  B. 

EdJn.  May  27,  1645. 


LETTER  LXIV. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
JVIADAM, 

I  HAVE  been  so  long  silent,  that  I  am  almost  ashamed  now  to 
speak.  I  hear  of  your  weakly  condition  of  body  which  speaketh 
some  warning  to  you,  to  look  for  a  longer  life,  where  ye  shall  have 
more  leisure  to  praise  than  time  can  give  you  here  :  it  shall  be  loss  to 
many ;  but  sure,  yourself.  Madam,  shall  be  only  free  of  any  loss. 
And  truly,  considering  what  days  we  are  now  fallen  into,  if  sailing 
were  not  serving  of  the  Lord,  (which  I  can  hardly  attain)  a  calm  har- 
bour were  very  good,  when  storms  are  so  high :  the  Fore-runner, 
who  hath  landed  first,  must  help  to  bring  the  sea-beaten  vessel  safe 
to  the  port,  and  the  sick  passengers  who  are  following  the  Fore-run- 
ner, safe  ashore.  Much  deadness  prevadeth  over  some  but  there  is 
much  life  in  Him,  who  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  to  quicken.  O 
what  of  our  hid  life  is  without  us,  and  how  little  and  poor  a  stock  is 
in  the  hand  of  some !  The  only  wise  God  supply  what  is  wanting ; 
the  more  ye  want,  and  the  more  your  joy  hath  run  on,  the  more  is 
owing  to  you  by  the  promise  of  grace :  bygones  of  waterings  from 
heaven  which  your  Ladyship  wanted  in  Kenmure,  Rusco,  the  West, 
Glasgow,  Edinburgh,  England,  &c.  shall  all  come  in  a  great  sum  to- 
gether ;  the  mairiage-supper  of  the  Lamb  must  not  be  marred  with 
too  large  a  four-hours'  refreshment. — Know,  Madam,  he  who  hath 
tutored  you  from  the  breasts,  knoweth  how  to  time  his  own  day-shi- 
nings  and  love-visits.     Grace  that  runs  on,  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  at  all  observance,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews. 


LETTER  LXV. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure, 
MADAM, 

I  CONFESS  I  have  cause  to  be  grieved  at  my  long  silence,  or  lazi- 
ness in  writing  :  I  am  also  afi^icted  to  hear,  that  such  who  were 
debtors  to  your  Ladyship  for  better  dealing,  have  served  you  with 
such  prevarication  :  ye  know  crookedness  is  neither  strong  nor  long 
enduring  ;  and  ye  know  likewise,  that  these  things  spring  not  out  of 
the  dust :  it  is  sweet  to  look  upon  the  lawless  and  sinful  stirrings  of 


PART  II.  LETTER    LXVI,    LXVII.  391 

the  creatures,  as  ordered  by  a  most  holy  Hand  in  heaven.  O  if 
some  could  make  peace  with  God  !  It  would  be  our  wisdom,  and  af- 
ford us  much  sweet  peace,  if  oppressors  were  looked  upon  as  passive 
instruments,  like  the  saw  or  ax  in  the  carpenter's  hand  ;  they  are  bid- 
den (if  such  a  distinction  may  be  admitted)  but  not  commanded  of 
God  (as  Shimei  was,  2  Sam.  xvi.  10.)  to  do  what  they  do.  Madam, 
these  many  years  the  Lord  hath  been  teaching  you  to  read  and  study 
well  the  book  of  holy,  holy  and  spotless  Sovereignty,  in  suftering 
from  some  nigh  hand  and  some  far  off.  Whoever  be  the  instruments, 
the  replying  of  clay  to  the  Potter,  the  Former  of  all,  is  unbeseeming 
the  nothing  creature :  I  hope  he  shall  clear  you :  but  when  Zion's 
public  evils  lie  not  nigh  some  of  us,  and  leave  no  impression  upon 
our  hearts,  it  is  no  wonder  that  we  be  exercised  with  domestic  trou- 
bles ;  but  I  know  ye  are  taught  of  God  to  prefer  Jerusalem  to  your 
chiefestjoy.  Madam,  there  is  no  cause  of.fainting:  wait  upon  the 
not-tarrying  vision,  for  it  will  speak.  The  only  wise  God  be  with 
you,  and  God  even  your  own  God  bless  you. 

Year's  at  all  observance  in  God,  S.  B. 


LETTER  LXVL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
BIADAM, 

I  SHOULD  not  forget  you  ;  but  my  deadness  under  a  threatening 
stroke,  both  of  a  falling  church,  a  broken  covenant,  a  despised  rem- 
nant, and  craziness  of  body  (that  I  cannot  get  a  piece  of  sickly  clay 
carried  about  from  one  house  or  town  to  another)  lies  most  heavy  on 
me :  the  Lord  hath  removed  Scotland's  crown,  for  we  owned  not  his 
crown  :  we  fretted  at  his  catholic  government  of  the  world,  and  fret- 
ted that  he  would  not  be  ruled  and  led  by  us,  in  breaking  our  adversa- 
ries ;  and  he  makes  us  suffer  and  pine  away  in  our  iniquities,  under 
the  broken  government  of  his  house.  It  is  hke  it  would  be  our  snare, 
to  be  tried  with  the  honour  of  a  peaceable  reformation  ;  we  might  mar 
the  carved  work  of  his  house,  worse  than  those  against  whom  we  cry 
out.  It  is  like  he  hath  bidden  us  lie  on  our  left-side  three  hundred 
and  ninety  days  ;  and  yet  so  astonishing  is  our  stupidity,  that  we  moan 
not  our  sore-side  ;  our  gold  is  become  dim,  the  visage  of  our  Naza- 
rites  is  become  black,  the  sun  is  gone  down  on  our  seers,  the  crown 
is  fallen  from  our  head,  we  roar  like  bears.  Lord  save  us  from  that, 
He  that  made  them  will  not  have  mercy  on  them.  The  heart  of  the 
scribe  meditates  terror.  Oh,  Madam,  if  the  Lord  would  help  us  to 
more  self-judging,  and  to  make  sure  an  interest  in  Christ !  Ah,  wo 
forget  eternity,  and  it  approacheth  quickly.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  the  Lord,  S.  B. 


LETTER  LXVII. 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
3MADAM, 

I  AM  ashamed  of  my  long  silence  to  your  Ladyship.     Your  tossings 
and  wanderings  are  known  to  him,  upon  whom  ye  have  been  cast  from 


392  LETTER  LXVIII.  PART  II. 

the  breasts,  and  who  hath  been  your  God  of  old.  The  temporal  loss 
of  creatures,  dear  to  yoju  there,  may  be  the  more  easily  endured,  that 
the  gain  of  One,  wlio  only  hath  immortality,  groweth.  There  is  an 
universal  complaint  of  deadness  of  spirit  on  all  that  know  God :  he 
that  writes  to  you.  Madam,  is  as  deep  in  this  as  any,  and  is  afraid  of  a 
strong  and  hot  battle,  before  time  be  at  a  close  ;  but  no  matter  if  the 
Lord  crown  all  with  the  victorious  triumphing  of  faith.  God  teacheth 
us  by  terrible  things  in  righteousness.  We  see  many  things,  but  we 
observe  nothing.  Our  drink  is  sour,  grey  hairs  are  here  and  there  on 
us,  and  we  change  many  Lords  and  Rulers ;  but  the  same  bondage 
of  soul  and  body  remains.  We  live  httle  by  faith,  but  much  by  sense, 
according  to  the  times,  and  by  human  policy.  The  watchmen  sleep, 
and  the  people  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge.  How  can  we  be  en- 
lightened, when  we  turn  our  back  on  the  Sun  ?  And  must  we  not  be 
withered  when  we  leave  the  Fountain  ?  It  should  be  my  only  desire 
to  be  a  minister,  gifted  with  the  white  stone,  and  the  new  name  writ- 
ten on  it.  I  judge  it  were  fit  (now  when  tall  professors,  and  when 
many  stars  fall  from  heaven,  and  God  poureth  the  isle  of  Great  Bri- 
tain from  vessel  to  vessel,  and  yet  we  sit  and  are  settled  on  our  lees) 
to  consider  (as  sometimes  I  do ;  but,  ah,  rarely)  how  irrecoverable  a 
woe  it  is,  to  be  under  a  beguile  in  the  matter  of  eternity  :  and  what  if 
I,  who  can  have  a  subscribed  testimony  of  many,  who  shall  stand  at 
the  right-hand  of  the  Judge,  shall  miss  Christ's  approving  testimony, 
and  be  set  upon  the  left  hand  among  the  goats  ?  There  is  such  a 
beguile,  Matth.  vii.  22  Matth.  xxv.  8,  9,  10,  11,  12.  Luke  xiii.  25, 
26  and  it  befals  many,  and  what  if  it  befal  me,  who  have  but  too 
much  art  to  cozen  my  own  soul  and  others,  with  the  flourish  of  minis- 
terial or  country  holiness. —  Dear  Lady,  I  am  atmid  of  prevailing 
security  ;  we  watch  little,  (I  have  mainly  relation  to  myself)  we 
wrestle  little :  I  am  like  one  travelling  in  the  night,  who  sees  a  spirit, 
and  sweats  for  fear,  and  dare  not  tell  it  to  his  fellow  for  fear  of  en- 
creasing  his  own  fear ;  however,  I  am  sure,  when  the  Master  is  nigh 
his  coming,  it  were  safe  to  write  over  a  double  and  a  new  copy  of  our 
accounts  of  .the  sins  of  nature,  childhood,  youth,  riper  years,  and  old 
age.  What  if  Christ  have  another  written  representation  of  me,  than 
I  have  of  myself?  sure  he  is  right ;  and  if  it  contradict  my  mistaking 
and  sinfully  erroneous  account  of  myself,  ah !  where  am  I  then  ? 
But,  Madam,  I  discourage  none  ;  I  know  Christ  hath  made  a  new 
marriage-contract  of  love,  and  sealed  it  with  his  blood,  and  the  tremb- 
ling behever  shall  not  be  confounded.     Grace  be  with  yoii. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  May  26,  1659. 


LETTER  XLVIIL 

To  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

I  SHOULD  be  glad  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  lengthen  out 
more  time  to  you,  that  ye  might,  before  your  eyes  be  shut,  see  more 
of  the  work  of  the  right-hand  of  the  Lord,  in  reviving  a  now  swooning 


PART  II.  LETTER  LXVIII.  393 

and  crushed  land  and  church.  Though  T  was  lately  knocking  at 
death's  gate,  yet  could  I  not  get  in,  but  was  sent  back  for  a  time.  It 
is  well,  if  I  could  yet  do  any  service  to  him  ;  but  ah,  what  deadness 
lieth  upon  the  spirit !  and  deadness  breedeth  distance  from  God. 
Madam,  these  many  years  the  Lord  hath  let  you  see  a  clear  differ- 
ence betwixt  those  who  serve  God.  and  love  his  name,  and  those  who 
serve  him  not ;  and  I  judge  ye  look  upon  the  way  of  Christ  as  the 
only  best  way,  and  that  ye  would  not  exchange  Christ  for  the  world's 
god,  or  their  mammon,  and  that  ye  can  give  Christ  a  testimony  of 
Chief  among  ten  thousand ;  true  it  is,  that  many  of  us  have  fallen 
from  our  first  love  ;  but  Christ  hath  renewed  his  first  love  of 
our  espousals  to  himself,  and  multiplied  the  seekers  of  God,  all 
the  country  over,  even  where  Christ  was  scarce  named,  east  and 
west,  south  and  north,  above  the  number  that  our  fathers  ever 
knew.  But  ah !  Madam,  what  shall  be  done  or  said  of  many 
fallen  stars,  and  many  near  to  God  complying  wofully,  and  sail- 
ing to  the  nearest  shore  ?  Yea,  and  we  are  consumed  in  the 
furnace,  but  not  melted ;  burnt,  but  not  purged ;  our  dross  is  not 
removed,  but  our  scum  remains  in  us ;  and  in  the  furnace  we  fret, 
we  faint,  and  (which  is  more  strange)  we  slumber :  the  fire  burnetii 
round  about  us,  and  we  lay  it  not  to  heart :  grey-hairs  are  upon  us, 
and  we  know  it  not.  It  were  now  a  desirable  life  to  send  away  our 
love  to  heaven ;  and  well  becometh  it  us  to  wait  for  our  appointed 
change,  yet  so  as  we  should  be  meditating  thus  :  Is  there  a  new 
world  above  the  sun  and  moon  1  and  is  there  such  a  blessed  company 
harping  and  singing  Hallelujah's  to  the  Lamb  up  above  ?  Why  then 
are  we  taken  up  with  a  life  of  sighing  and  sinning  ?  Oh,  where  is  our 
wisdom,  that  we  sit  still  laughing,  eating,  sleeping  prisoners,  and  do 
not  pack  up  all  our  best  things  for  the  journey,  desiring  always  to  be 
clothed  with  our  house  above  not  made  with  hands !  Ah,  we  favour 
not  the  things  that  are  above,  nor  do  we  smell  of  glory  ere  we  come 
thither ;  but  we  transact  and  agree  with  time,  for  a  new  lease  of  clay- 
mansions  :  behold  he  cometh,  we  sleep,  and  turn  all  the  work  of 
duties  into  dispute  of  events  for  deliverance  ;  but  the  greatest  haste 
to  be  humbled  for  a  broken  and  a  buried  covenant,  is  first  and  last  for- 
gotten :  and  all  our  grief  is,  the  Lord  lingers,  enemies  triumph,  godiv 
ones  suffer,  atheists  blaspheme.  Ah  !  we  pray  not,  but  wonder  that 
Christ  Cometh  not  the  higher  way,  by  might,  by  power,  by  garments 
rolled  in  blood  ;  what  if  he  come  the  lower  way  ?  sure  we  sin  in 
putting  the  book  in  his  hand,  as^  if  we  could  teach  the  Almighty 
knowledge ;  we  make  haste,  we  believe  not :  let  the  only  wise  God 
alone,  he  stirs  well,  he  draws  straight  lines,  though  we  think  and  say 
they  are  crooked  :  it  is  right  that  some  should  die  and  their  breasts  bo 
full  of  milk :  and  yet  we  are  angry  that  God  dealeth  so  with  them. 
Oh,  if  I  could  adore  him  in  his  hidden  ways,  when  there  is  darknegs 
under  his  feet,  and  darkness  in  his  pavilion,  and  clouds  are  about  his 
throne !  Madam,  hoping,  believing,  patient  praying  is  our  life ;  he 
loses  no  time.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Yours  at  all  obliged  observance  in  Christ.  S,  I?. 

Pt.  Andrew?,  Sept.  12,  lfi5P. 

50 


394 


LETTER  LXIX,  LXX.  PART  II. 


LETTER  LXIX. 

To  his  reverend  and  dear  Brethren,  Mr  Guthrie.  Mr.  Trail,  and  Ihe  rest  of  their 
Brethren  imprisoned  in  the  castle  of  Ediiihursjh. 

P.EV.  VERY  DEAR  AND  NOAV  MUCH  HONOURED  PRISONERS  FOR    CHRIST. 

I  AM,  as  to  the  point  of  light,  at  the  utmost  of  persuasion  in  that 
kind  that  this  is  the  cause  of  Christ  ye  now  suffer  for,  and  not  men's 
interest :  if  it  be  for  men,  let  us  leave  it ;  but  if  we  plead  for  God, 
our  own  personal  safety  and  man's  deliverance  will  not  be  peace. 
There  is  a  salvation  called  the  salvation  of  God,  which  is  cleanly, 
pure,  spiritual,  unmixed,  near  to  the  holy  word  of  God ;  it  is  that 
which  we  would  seek,  even  the  favour  of  God  that  he  bears  to  his 
people,  not  simple  gladness,  but  the  gladness  and  goodness  of 
the  Lord's  chosen.  And  sure  (though  I  be  the  weakest  of  his 
witnesses,  and  unworthy  to  be  among  the  meanest  of  them,  and  am 
afraid  the  cause  be  hurt  (but  it  cannot  be  lost)  by  my  unbelieving 
faintness)  I  should  not  desire  a  deliverance,  separated  from  the  de- 
liverance of  the  Lord's  cause  and  people  :  it  is  enough  to  me  to  sing, 
when  Zion  sings  ;  and  to  triumph,  when  Christ  triumpheth  :  I  should 
judge  it  an  unhappy  joy,  to  rejoice  when  Zion  sigheth.  Not  one 
hoof  will  be  your  peace.  If  Christ  doth  own  me,  let  me  be  in  the 
grave  in  a  bloody  winding  sheet,  and  go  from  the  scaffold  in  four 
quarters,  to  grave  or  no  grave,  I  am  his  debtor,  to  seal  with  suffer- 
ings this  precious  truth  :  but  oh !  when  it  comes  to  the  push,  I  dare 
say  nothing,  considering  my  weakness,  wickedness  and  faintness. 
But  fear  not  ye,  ye  are  not,  ye  shall  not  be  alone,  the  Father  is  with 
you ;  it  was  not  an  unseasonable,  but  a  seasonable  and  necessary 
duty  we  were  about.  Fear  him  who  is  sovereign,  Christ  is  Captain 
of  the  castle  and  Lord  of  the  keys.  The  cooling  well-spring,  and 
refreshment  from  the  promises,  is  more  than  the  frownings  of  the 
furnace.  I  see  snares  and  temptations  in  capitulating,  composing, 
ceding,  mincing  with  distinctions  of  circumstances,  formalities,  com- 
pliments and  extenuations  in  the  cause  of  Christ :  a  long  spoon,  the 
broth  is  hell's  hot.  Hold  a  distance  from  carnal  compositions,  and 
much  nearness  to  the  Fountain,  to  the  favour  and  refreshing  light 
from  the  Father  of  lights,  seeking  in  his  oracles ;  this  is  sound  health 
and  salvation.  Angels,  men,  Zion's  elders  eye  us  ;  but  what  of  all 
these  ?  Christ  is  by  us,  and  looks  on  us,  and  writes  up  all.  Let  us 
pray  more,  and  look  less  to  men.  Remember  me  to  Mr.  Scott,  and 
all  the  rest.  Blessings  be  upon  the  head  of  such  as  are  separated 
from  their  brethren :  Joseph  is  a  fruitful  bough  by  a  well.  Graco 
be  with  you.  Your  loving  brother  and  companion  in  the  kingdom 
and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ,  S.  P*. 

St.  Andrews,  1660. 


LETTER  LXX. 

To  Mr.  Robert  Campbell. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER. 

Ye  know  this  is  a  time  in  which  all  men  almost  seek  their  owa 
things,  and  not  the  things  of  Jesus  Christ :  ye  are  alone,  as  a  beacou 


PART  If.  LETTER  LXX.  395 

on  the  top  of  a  mountain  ;  but  faint  not,  Christ  is  a  numerous  muhi- 
tude  himself,  yea,  miUions  :  though  all  the  nations  were  convened 
against  him  round  about,  yet  doubt  not,  but  he  will,  at  last  arise  for 
the  cry  of  the  poor  and  needy.  For  me,  I  am  now  near  to  eternity, 
and  for  ten  thousand  worlds  I  dare  not  adventure  to  pass  from  the 
protestation  against  the  corruptionis  of  the  time,  nor  go  alongst  with 
the  shameless  apostacy  of  the  many  silent  and  dumb  watchmen  of 
Scotland ;  but  I  think  it  my  last  duty,  to  enter  a  protestation  in  hea- 
ven before  the  righteous  Judge,  against  the  practical  and  legal  breach 
of  covenant,  and  all  oaths  imposed  on  the  consciences  of  the  Lord's 
people,  and  all  Popish  superstitious  and  idolatrous  mandates  of  men. 
Know  that  the  overthrow  of  the  sworn  reformation,  the  introducing  of 
Popery  and  the  mystery  of  iniquity,  is  now  set  on  foot  m  tlie  three 
kingdoms  ;  and  whosoever  would  keep  their  garments  clean  are  under 
that  command,  Touch  not,  taste  not,  handle  not.  The  Lord  calls 
you,  dear  brother,  to  be  still  stedfast,  unmovable  and  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord.  Our  royal  kingly  Master  is  upon  his  journey,  and 
will  come  and  will  not  tarry ;  and  blessed  is  the  servant,  who  shall 
be  found  watching  when  he  cometh  :  fear  not  men,  for  the  Lord  is 
your  light  and  salvation.  It  is  true,  it  is  somewhat  sad  and  comfort- 
less that  ye  are  your  alone ;  but  so  it  was  with  our  precious  Master  : 
nor  are  ye  your  alone,  for  the  Father  is  with  you.  It  is  possible,  I 
shall  not  be  an  eye-witness  to  it  in  the  flesh  ;  but  I  believe  he  comes 
quickly,  who  will  remove  our  darkness,  and  will  shine  gloriously  in 
the  isle  of  Britain,  as  a  crowned  king,  either  in  a  formally  sworn 
covenant,  or  in  his  own  glorious  way,  which  I  leave  to  the  determina- 
tion of  his  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness ;  and  this  is  the  hope  and 
confidence  of  a  dying  man,  who  is  longing  and  fainting  for  the  salva- 
tion of  God.  Beware  of  the  ensnaring  bonds  and  obligations,  by 
any  hand-writ  or  otherways,  to  give  unlimited  obedience  to  any  au- 
thority, but  only  in  the  Lord  ;  for  all  innocent  self-defence  (which  is 
accuiding  to  the  covenant,  the  word  of  God,  and  the  laudable  exam- 
ple of  the  reformed  churches)  is  now  intended  to  be  utterly  subverted 
and  condemned :  and  what  is  taken  from  Christ,  as  the  flower  of  his 
prerogative  royal,  is  now  put  upon  the  head  of  a  mortal  power,  which 
must  be  that  great  idol  of  indignation  that  provoketh  the  eyes  of  his 
glory.  Dear  brother,  let  us  mind  the  rich  promises  that  are  made  to 
those  that  overcome,  knowing  t'i^t  those  that  endure  to  the  end  shall 
be  saved.  Thus  recommending  you  to  the  rich  grace  of  God,  I 
remain 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Ht.  Andrews.  1661. 


PART   THlRi). 


CONTAINING. 


Some  more  Letters  of  the  same  Author,  from  Anwoth  and 
Edinburgh,  before  his  confinement  at  Aberdeen  ;  from 
Aberdeen  during  his  confinement  ;  and  from  St.  Andrews, 
&c.  after  his  enlargement. 


LETTER  L 

To  Marion  Macnaught. 

well-beloved  and  dear  sister. 

My  love,  in  Christ  remembered.  I  have  sent  to  you  your  daugh- 
ter Grissel,  with  Robert  Gordon,  who  came  to  fetch  her :  I  am  in 
wood  hopes  that  the  seed  of  God  is  in  her,  as  in  one  born  of  God, 
and  God's  seed  will  come  to  God's  harvest.  I  have  her  promise,  she 
shall  be  Christ's,  for  1  have  told  her  she  may  promise  much  in  his 
worthy  name  ;  for  he  becomes  caution  to  his  Father  for  all  such  as 
resolve  and  promise  to  serve  him.  I  will  rem^  mber  her  to  God.  I 
trust  you  will  acquaint  her  with  good  company,  and  be  diligent  to 
know  with  whom  she  loveth  to  haunt.  Remember  Zion,  and  our 
necesshies.  I  bless  your  daughter  from  our  Lord,  and  pray  the  Lord 
to  give  you  joy  and  comfort  ol  her.  Remember  my  love  to  your 
husband,  to  W  lUiam  and  Samuel  your  sons.  The  Lord  Jesus  be 
with  your  spirit. 

Your's  at  all  power  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Amvoth,  Jutse  6th,  1624. 


LETTER  II. 

To  the  same. 
LOVING  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

If  ever  you  would  pleasure  me,  intreat  the  Lord  for  me,  now  when 
I  am  so  comfortless,  and  so  full  of  heaviness,  that  I  am  not  able  to 
stand  under  the  burden  any  longer.  The  Almighty  has  doubled  his 
stripes  upon  me  ;  for  my  wife  is  so  e;ore  tormented  night  and  day,  that 
I  have  wondered  why  the  Lord  tarrieth  so  long :  my  life  is  bitter  unto 
me,  and  I  fear  the  Lord  be  my  contrair  party.  It  is  (I  now  know  by 
experience)  hard  to  keep  sight  of  God  in  a  storm,  especially  when  he 
hides  himsell  for  the  trial  of  his  children.  If  he  would  be  pleased  to 
remove  his  hand,  I  have  a  purpose  to  seek  him  more  than  1  have  done  : 
happy  are  they  that  can  win  a  uay  with  their  soul ;  I  am  afraid  of  his 
judgements.  I  bless  my  God,  that  there  is  a  death  and  a  heaven  ;  I 
would  weary  to  begin  again  to  be  a  christian,  so  bitter  is  it  to  drink  of 
the  cup  that  Christ  drank  of,  if  I  knew  not  that  there  is  no  poison  in  it. 
God  give  us  not  of  it  whde  we  vomit  again,  for  we  have  sick  souls 
when  God's  physic  works  not.  Pray  that  God  would  not  lead  my  wife 
into  temptation.  Wo  is  my  heart  tliat  1  have  done  so  little  against 
the  kingdom  of  Satan  in  my  calling ;  for  he  would  fain  attempt  to 


PART  III,  LETTER    III.  397 

make  me  blaspheme  God  in  his  face  :  I  beheve,  in  the  strength  of 
him  who  hath  put  me  in  his  work,  he  shall  fail  in  that  which  he  seeks  : 
I  have  comfort  in  this,  that  my  Captain  Christ  hath  said,  I  must  fight 
and  overcome  the  world,  John  xvi.  33.  and  with  a  weak  spoiled  wea- 
ponless devil,  John  xiv.  30  '  The  prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and 
hath  nothing  in  me.'  Desire  Mr.  Robert  to  remember  me,  if  he  love 
me.  Grace  be  with  you,  and  all  yours  ;  remember  Zion.  There  is  a 
letter  procured  from  the  king  by  Mr.  John  Maxwell,  to  urge  con- 
formity, to  give  the  communion  at  Christmas  in  Edinburgh.  Hold 
fast  that  which  ye  have,  that  no  man  take  the  crown  from  you  :  Tho 
Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Nov.  l7th,  1629. 


LETTER  in. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    AND    DEAR    SISTER, 

My  love,  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  remembered ;  I  understand  that  you 
are  still  under  the  Lord's  visitation,  in  your  former  business  with  your 
enemies,  which  is  God's  dealing :  for,  till  he  take  his  children  out  of 
the  furnace,  that  knoweth  how  long  they  should  be  tried,  there  is  no 
deliverance ;  but  after  God's  highest  and  fullest  tide,  that  the  sea  of 
trouble  is  gone  over  the  souls  of  his  children,  then  comes  the  gracious 
long-hoped  for  ebbing,  and  drying  up  of  the  waters.  Dear  sister,  do 
not  faint ;  the  wicked  may  hold  the  bitter  cup  to  your  head,  but  God 
mixeth  it,  and  there  is  no  poison  in  it ;  they  strike,  but  God  moves 
the  rod  ;  Shimei  curseth,  but  it  is  because  the  Lord  bids  him.  I  tell 
you,  and  I  have  it  from  before  whom  I  stand  for  God's  people,  there 
is  a  decree  given  out,  in  the  great  court  of  the  highest  heavens,  that 
your  present  troubles  shall  be  dispersed  as  the  morning  cloud,  and 
God  shall  bring  forth  your  righteousness  as  the  light  at  noon-tide  of 
the  day  :  let  me  intreat  you  in  Christ's  name,  to  keep  a  good  con- 
science in  your  proceedings  in  that  matter,  and  beware  of  yourself; 
yourself  is  a  more  dangerous  enemy  than  I,  or  any  without  you  : 
innocence,  and  an  upright  cause,  is  a  good  advocate  before  God,  and 
shall  plead  for  you,  and  win  your  cause ;  and  count  much  of  your 
Master's  approbation,  and  his  smihng :  he  is  now  as  the  king  that  is 
gone  to  a  far  country ;  God  seems  to  be  from  home,  (if  I  may  say 
so)  yet  he  sees  the  ill  servants,  who  say.  Our  Master  deferreth  his 
coming,  and  so  strike  their  fellow-servants  :  but  patience,  my  belov- 
ed, Christ  the  king  is  coming  home,  the  evening  is  at  hand,  and  he 
will  ask  an  account  of  his  servants  ;  make  a  fair  clear  count  to  him  : 
so  carry  yourself,  as  at  night  you  may  say,  Master,  I  have  wronged 
none:  behold,  you  have  your  own  with  advantage.  0!  your  soul 
then  will  esteem  much  of  one  of  God's  kisses  and  embracements,  in 
the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience.  The  wicked,  howbeit  they  be 
casting  many  evil  thoughts,  bitter  words,  and  sinful  deeds  behind  their 
back,  yet  they  are,  in  so  doing,  clerks  to  their  own  process,  and 
doing  nothing  all  their  life,  but  gathering  dittays  against  themseh'es ; 


^98  LETTER    III.  PART   111. 

for  God  is  angry  at  the  wicked  every  day  ;  and  I  hope  your  present 
process  shall  be  sighted  one  day  by  him  who  knoweth  your  just 
cause  :  and  the  bloody  tongues,  crafty  foxes,  double  ingrained  hypo- 
crites, shall  appear  as  they  are  before  his  Majesty,  when  he  shall 
take  the  mask  off  their  faces :  and  0  thrice  happy  shall  your  soul  be 
then,  when  God  finds  you  covered  with  nothing  but  the  white  robe  of 
the  saints  innocence,  and  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ.  You 
have  been  of  late  in  the  King's  wine-cellar,  where  you  were  welcomed 
by  the  Lord  of  the  inns,  upon  a  condition  that  you  would  walk  in 
love  :  put  on  love,  and  brotherly  kindness,  and  long  suffering  :  wait 
as  long  upon  the  favour  and  fumed  hearts  of  your  enemies,  as  your 
Christ  waited  upon  you,  and  as  dear  Jesus  stood  at  your  soul's  door 
with  dewy  and  rainy  locks,  the  long  cold  night :  be  angry  but  sin  not : 
I  persuade  myself,  that  holy  unction  within  you,  which  teacheth  you 
all  things,  is  also  saying,  Overcome  evil  with  good.  If  that  had  not 
spoken  in  your  soul,  at  the  tears  of  your  aged  pastor,  you  would  not 
have  agreed,  and  forgiven  his  foolish  son  who  wronged  you  :  but  my 
Master  bade  me  tell  you,  God's  blessing  shall  be  upon  you  for  it ; 
and  from  him  I  say,  Grace,  grace,  and  everlasting  peace  be  upon 
you  :  it  is  my  prayer  for  you,  that  your  carriage  may  grace  and  adorn 
the  gospel  of  that  Lord  who  hath  graced  you.  I  hear  your  husband 
also  was  sick,  but  I  beseech  you  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus,  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  kiss  the  feet  of  an 
angry  God  ;  and  when  he  seems  to  put  you  away  from  him,  and 
loose  your  hands  that  grip  him,  to  look  up  in  faith,  and  say,  I  shall 
not,  I  will  not  be  put  away  from  thee:  howbeit  thy  Majesty  draw  to 
free  thyself  of  me,  yet  Lord  give  me  leave  to  hold  and  cleave  unto 
thyself.  I  will  pray  that  your  husband  may  return  in  peace  :  your 
decreet  comes  from  heaven,  look  up  thither :  for  many  (says  Solo- 
mon) seek  i:;e  face  of  the  ruler,  but  every  man's  judgment  cometh  of 
the  Lord  :  and  be  glad  that  it  is  so,  for  Christ  is  the  clerk  of  your 
process,  and  will  see  that  all  go  right :  and  I  persuade  myself,  he  is 
saying  yonder  servants  of  mine  are  wronged,  for  my  blood,  Fathei-, 
give  ihem  justice.  Think  you  not,  dear  sister,  but  our  High  Priest, 
our  Jesus,  the  Master  of  requests,  presents  our  bills  of  complaint  to 
the  great  Lord  Justice  ?  Yea,  I  believe  it,  since  he  is  our  Advocate, 
and  Daniel  calls  him  the  Spokesman,  wh  »se  hand  presents  all  to  the 
Father.  For  other  businesses,  I  say  nothing,  until  the  Lord  give  me 
to  see  your  face.  I  am  credibly  informed,  that  multitudes  of  England, 
and  especially  worthy  preachers,  and  silenced  preachers  of  London, 
are  gone  to  New-England ;  and  I  know  one  learned  holy  preacher, 
who  hath  written  against  the  Arminians,  who  is  gone  thither.  Our 
blessed  Lord  Jesus,  who  cannot  get  leave  to  sleep  with  his  spouse  in 
this  land,  is  going  to  seek  an  inn  where  he  will  be  better  entertained  ; 
and  what  niarvel  I  Wearied  Jesus,  after  he  had  travelled  from  Geneva, 
by  the  ministry  of  worthy  Mr.  Knox,  and  was  laid  down  in  his  bed, 
and  reformation  begun,  and  the  curtains  drawn,  he  had  not  gotten 
his  dear  eyes  well  together,  when  irreverent  Bishops  came  in,  and 
with  the  din  and  noise  of  ceremonies,  holy-days,  and  other  Romisl-. 


PART    III.  LETTER    IV.  399 

corruptions,  they  awake  our  beloved ;  others  came  to  his  bed-side, 
and  drew  the  curtains,  and  put  hands  on  his  servants,  banished, 
deprived  and  confined  them  ;  and  for  the  pulpit,  they  got  a  stool  and 
a  cold  fire  in  Blackness ;  and  the  nobility  drew  the  covering  off  him, 
and  have  made  him  a  poor  naked  Christ,  in  spoiling  his  servants  of 
the  tithes  and  kirk-rents ;  and  now  there  is  such  a  noise  of  crying 
sins  in  the  land,  as  the  want  of  the  knowledge  of  God,  of  mercy  and 
truth ;  such  swearing,  whoring,  lying,  arid  blood  touching  blood,  that 
Christ  is  putting  on  his  clothes,  and  making  him  like  an  ill-handled 
stranger,  to  go  to  other  lands.  Pray  him,  dear  sister,  to  lye  down 
again  with  his  beloved.  Remember  my  dearest  love  to  John  Gordon, 
to  whom  I  will  write  when  I  am  strong ;  and  to  John  Brown,  Grissel, 
Samuel,  and  William  ;  grace  upon  them.  As  you  love  Christ,  keep 
Christ's  favour,  and  put  not  upon  him  when  he  sleeps,  to  awake  him 
before  he  please.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  brother  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  July  21,  1630. 


LETTER  IV. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    SISTER, 

I  HAVE  been  thinking,  since  my  departure  from  you,  of  the  pride 
and  malice  of  your  adversaries,  and  ye  may  not  (since  ye  have  heard 
the  book  of  the  Psalms  so  often)  take  hardly  with  this ;  for  David's 
enemies  snuffed  at  him,  and  through  the  pride  of  their  hearts  said, 
'  The  Lord  will  not  require  it,'  Psal.  x.  13.  I  beseech  you  therefore, 
in  the  bowels  of  Christ,  set  before  your  eyes  the  patience  of  your 
Fore-runner  Jesus,  who,  when  he  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again  ; 
when  he  .-suffered  he  threatened  not,  but  committed  himself  to  him 
who  judgeth  righteously,  1  Pet.  ii.  23.  And  since  our  Lord  and  Re- 
deemer with  patience  received  many  a  black  stroke  on  his  glorious 
body,  and  many  a  buffet  of  the  unbelieving  world,  and  says  of  him- 
self, Isa.  1.  6.  'I  gave  my  back  to  the  smiters,  and  my  cheeks  to 
them  that  plucked  off  the  hair ;  I  hid  not  my  face  from  shame  and 
spitting,  follow  him,  and  think  not  hard  that  you  receive  a  blow 
with  your  Lord  ;  take  part  with  Jesus  of  his  sufferings,  and  glory  in 
the  marks  of  Christ.  If  this  storm  were  over,  you  must  prepare  your- 
self for  a  new  wound ;  for,  five  thousand  years  ago,  our  Lord  pro- 
claimed deadly  war  betwixt  the  seed  of  the  woman,  and  the  seed  of 
the  serpent ;  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  Esau  ;  one  house  could  not  keep  peaceably  together  Isaac 
the  son  of  the  promise,  and  Ishmael  the  son  of  the  hand-maid.  Be 
you  upon  Christ's  side  of  it,  and  care  not  what  flesh  can  do ;  hold 
yourself  fast  by  your  Saviour,  howbeit  you  be  buffeted,  and  those  that 
follow  him ;  yet  a  little  while  and  the  wicked  shall  not  be :  see  2 
Cor.  iv.  8.  '  We  are  troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  distressed :  we 
are  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair,'  ver.  9.  '  Persecuted,  but  not  forsa- 
ken, cast  down  but  not  destroyed.'     If  you  can  possess  your  soul  in 


400 


LETTER  V.  PART  III. 


patience,  their  day  is  coming.  Worthy  and  dear  sister,  know  how  to 
carry  yourself  in  trouble ;  and  when  ye  are  hated  and  reproached, 
the  Lord  shews  it  to  you,  Psal.  xliv.  17.  '  All  this  is  come  upon  us, 
yet  have  we  not  forgotten  thee,  neither  have  we  dealt  falsely  in  thy 
covenant.'  Psal.  cxix.  92.  •  Unless  thy  law  had  been  my  delight,  I 
had  perished  in  mine  afflictions.'  Keep  God's  covenant  in  your 
trials ;  hold  you  by  his  blessed  word,  and  sin  not ;  flee  anger,  wrath, 
grudging,  envying,  fretting  ;  forgive  an  hundred  pence  to  your  fellow- 
servant,  because  your  Lord  hath  forgiven  you  ten  thousand  talents  : 
for,  I  assure  you  by  the  Lord,  your  adversaries  shall  get  no  advantage 
against  you,  except  you  sin,  and  offend  your  Lord  in  your  suflTerings  ; 
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  shall  open  a  door  to  you  in  your  trouble  :  wait  upon  him,  as 
the  night  watch  waiteth  for  the  morning  ;  he  wiU  not  tarry,  go  up  to 
your  watch  tower,  and  come  not  down  but  by  prayer,  and  faith,  and 
hope,  wait  on  :  when  the  sea  is  full,  it  will  ebb  again  ;  and  so  soon 
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  haste.  Remember  Zion,  forget  her  not ;  for  her  enemies 
are  many,  for  the  nations  are  gathered  together  against  her  ;  '  But 
they  know  not  the  thoughts  of  the  Lord,  neither  understand  they  his 
counsel ;  for  he  shall  gather  them  as  the  sheaves  into  the  floor  ;  arise 
and  thresh,  O  daughter  of  Zion,'  Micah  iv.  12,  13.,  Behold,  God 
hath  gathered  his  enemies  together  as  sheaves  to  the  threshing  ;  let  us 
stay  and  rest  upon  these  promises.  Now  again  I  trust  in  our  Lord, 
you  shall  by  faith  sustain  yourself  and  comfort  yourself  in  your  Lord, 
and  be  strong  in  his  power  ;  for  you  are  in  the  beaten  and  common 
way  to  heaven,  when  you  are  under  our  Lord's  crosses  ;  you  have 
reason  to  rejoice  in  it  more  than  in  a  crown  of  gold,  and  rejoice  and 
be  glad  to  bear  the  reproaches  of  Christ.  I  rest  recommending  you 
and  yours,  for  ever,  to  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God. 

Your's  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Feb.  11.  1631. 


LETTER  V. 

To  the  Same. 
WELL-BELOVED    IN    THE    LORD, 

You  are  not  unacquainted  with  the  day  of  our  communion  ;  1  en- 
treat therefore  the  aid  of  your  prayers  for  that  great  work,  which  is 
one  of  our  feast-days,  wherein  our  Well-beloved  Jesus  rejoiceth,  and 
is  merry  with  his  friends  :  good  cause  have  we  to  wonder  at  his  love, 
since  the  day  of  his  death  was  such  a  sorrowful  day  to  him,  even  the 
day  when  his  mother  the  kirk  crowned  him  with  thorns,  and  he  had 
many  against  him,  and  compeared  his  alone  in  the  open  fields  against 
them  ail ;  yet  he  delights  with  us  to  remember  that  day  :  let  us  love 
him,  and  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  his  salvation.  I  am  confident  that 
you  shall  see  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 


PART    111.  LETTER    VI.  401 

his  house,  and  he  charges  not  upon  liip  friends,  nor  chides  them  for 
too  great  kindness  ;  yet  I  speak  not  this  to  make  you  leave  ofi'to  pray 
for  me,  who  have  nothing  of  myseh"  but  in  so  far  as  daily  I  receive 
from  him,  who  is  made  of  his  Father  a  running-cver  fountain,  at 
which  I  and  others  may  come  with  thirsty  souls,  and  fill  our  vessels : 
long  hath  this  well  been  standing  open  to  us  ;  Lord  Jesus,  lock  it  not 
up  again  upon  us.  I  am  sorry  for  our  desolate  kirk  ;  ypt  I  dare  not 
but  trust,  so  long  as  there  be  any  of  God's  lo^t  money  here,  he  shall 
not  blow  out  the  candle.  Lord  make  fair  candlesticks  in  thy  house, 
and  remove  the  blind  lights.  I  have  been  this  time  by-past  thinking 
much  of  the  incoming  of  the  kirk  of  the  Jews  ;  pray  for  them  :  when 
they  were  in  their  Lord's  house,  at  their  Father's  elbow,  they  were 
longing  for  the  incoming  of  their  litt'.^  sister,  the  kirk  of  the  Gentiles. 
They  said  to  their  Lord,  Cant.  viii.  ver.  8.  We  have  a  little  sister, 
and  she  hath  no  breasts  ;  what  shall  we  do  for  our  sister  in  the  day 
when  she  is  spoken  for  1  Let  us  give  them  a  meeting.  What  shall 
we  do  lor  our  elder  sister  the  Jews?  Lord  Jesus  give  them  breasts. 
That  were  a  glad  day,  to  see  us  and  them  both  set  down  at  one  table, 
and  Christ  at  the  head  of  the  table.  Then  would  our  Lord  come 
shortly  with  his  fair  guard,  to  hold  his  great  court.  Dear  sister,  be 
patient  for  the  Lord's  sake,  under  the  wrongs  that  you  suffer  of  the 
wicked  :  your  Lord  shall  make  you  see  your  desire  on  your  enemies  ; 
some  of  them  shall  be  cut  ofl",  Job.  xv.  ver.  33.  '  They  shall  shake 
off  their  unripe  grapes  as  the  vine,  and  cast  ofi'  the  flower  as  the 
ohve :'  God  shall  make  them  like  unripe  sour  grapes  shaken  off  the 
tree  with  the  blast  of  God's  wrath  ;  and  therefore  pity  them,  and  pray 
for  them  :  others  of  them  must  remain  to  exercise  you  ;  God  hath 
said  of  them,  '  Let  the  tares  grow  up  while  harvest,'  Mat.  xiii.  It 
proves  you  to  be  your  Lord's  wheat.  Be  patient,  Christ  went  to 
heaven  with  many  a  wrong ;  his  visage  and  countenance  was  all 
marred  more  than  the  sons  of  men  ;  you  may  not  be  above  your 
Master ;  many  a  black  stroke  received  innocent  Jesus,  and  he  re- 
ceived no  mends,  but  referred  them  ai.  to  the  great  court-day,  when 
all  things  shall  be  righted.  I  desini  to  hear  from  you  witain  a  day 
or  two,  if  Mr.  Robert  remain  in  his  purpose,  to  come  and  help  us  ; 
God  shall  give  you  joy  of  your  children.  I  pray  for  them,  by  their 
names  ;  I  bless  you  from  the  Lord,  your  husband  and  children. 
Grace,  grace  and  mercy  be  multiplied  upon  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord  for  ever,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  May  7,  1631. 


LETTER  VL 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    SISTER, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  I  have  received  a  letter  from 
Edinburgh,  certainly  informing  me,  that  the  English  service,  and  the 
organs,  and  King  James'  Psalms,  are  to  be  imposed  upon  our  kirk, 
and  the  Bishops  are  dealing  for  a  general  assembly :  A.  ii.  hat.i  con- 
firmed the  news  also,  and  says,  he  spoke  with  Sir  William  Alexander. 

.51 


402  LETTER   VI.  PART   III. 

who  is  to  come  down  with  his  prince's  warrant  for  that  effect.  I  am 
desired  in  the  received  letter,  to  acquaint  the  best  affected  about  me 
with  that  storm  ;  therefore,  I  entreat  you,  and  charge  you  in  the 
Lord's  name,  pray  ;  but  not  communicate  this  to  any  while  I  see  you. 
My  heart  is  broken  at  the  remembrance  of  it,  and  it  was  my  fear,  and 
answereth  to  my  last  letter  except  one,  that  I  wrote  unto  you. 
Dearly  beloved,  be  not  casten  down,  but  let  us,  as  the  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.  says,  the  worthiest  men  in 
England  are  banished  and  silenced,  about  the  number  of  sixteen  or 
seventeen  choice  gospel-preachers,  and  the  persecution  is  already 
begun :  howbeit  I  do  not  write  this  unto  you  with  a  dry  face,  yet  I 
am  confident  in  the  Lord's  strength,  Christ  and  his  side  shall  over- 
come ;  and  you  shall  be  assured,  the  kirk  were  not  a  kirk,  if  it  were 
not  so :  as  our  dear  Husband  in  wooing  his  kirk  received  many  a 
black  stroke,  so  his  bride  in  wooing  him  gets  many  blows,  and  in  this 
wooing  there  are  strokes  upon  both  sides  ;  let  it  be  so,  the  devil  will 
not  make  the  marriage  go  back,  neither  can  he  tear  the  contract,  the 
end  shall  be  mercy  :  yet  notwithstanding  of  all  this,  we  have  no  war- 
rant of  God  to  leave  off  all  lawful  means.  I  have  been  writing  to 
you  the  counsel  and  draughts  of  men  against  the  kirk  ;  but  they  know 
not,  as  Micah  says,  the  counsel  of  Jehovah.  The  great  men  of  the 
world  may  make  ready  the  fiery  furnace  for  Zion  1  but  trow  ye,  that 
they  can  cause  the  fire  to  burn  ?  No,  he  that  made  the  fire,  I  trust, 
shall  not  say  Amen  to  their  decreets.  I  trust  in  my  Lord,  God  hath 
not  subscribed  their  bill,  and  their  conclusions  have  not  yet  past  our 
Great  King's  seal :  therefore,  if  ye  think  good,  address  yourself  first 
to  the  Lord,  and  then  to  A.  R.  anent  the  business  that  you  know.  I 
am  most  unkindly  handled  by  the  presbytery ;  and  as  if  I  had  been 
a  stranger  and  not  a  member  of  that  seat,  to  sit  in  judgment  with 
them,  I  was  summoned,  by  their  order,  as  a  witness  against  B.  A.  but 
they  have  got  no  advantage  in  that  matter.  Other  particulars  you 
shall  hear,  God  willing,  at  meeting.  Anent  the  matter  betwixt  you 
and  J.  E.  I  remember  it  to  God :  I  entreat  you  in  the  Lord,  be  sub- 
missive to  his  will ;  for  the  higher  that  their  pride  mount  up,  they  are 
the  nearer  a  fall :  the  Lord  will  more  and  more  discover  that  man. 
Let  your  husband,  in  all  matters  of  judgment,  take  Christ's  part  for 
the  defence  of  the  poor,  and  needy,  and  oppressed,  for  the  maintain- 
ance  of  equity  and  justice  in  the  town  ;  and  take  you  no  fear,  he  shall 
take  your  part,  and  then  you  are  strong  enough.  What  ?  howbeit 
vou  receive  indignities  for  your  Lord's  sake,  let  it  be  so ;  when  he 
shall  put  his  holy  hand  up  to  your  face  in  heaven,  and  dry  your  face, 
and  wipe  the  tears  from  your  eyes,  judge  ye  if  ye  will  not  have  cause 
then  to  rejoice.  Anent  other  particulars,  if  you  would  speak  with 
me,  appoint  any  of  the  first  three  days  of  next  week  in  Carleton  when 
Carleton  is  at  home,  and  acquaint  me  with  your  desires  ;  and  remem- 
ber me  to  God,  and  my  dearest  affection  to  your  husband,  and  for 
Zion's  sake  hold  not  your  peace.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  be 
with  you,  and  your  husband,  and  children. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

Amvoth,  Jan.  2,  163]. 


PART    ill.  LETTER   VII,  VIII.  403 

LETTER  VII. 

To  Marion  Macnaiight. 
BEAR    MISTRESS, 

I  HAVE  not  time  this  day  to  write  to  you ;  but  God  knowing  my 
present  state,  and  necessities  of  my  calling,  I  hope  will  spare  my 
mother's  life  for  a  time,  for  the  which  I  have  cause  to  thank  my 
Lord.  I  entreat  you  be  not  cast  down,  for  that  which  I  wrote  before 
to  you,  anent  the  planting  of  a  minister  in  your  town.  Believe,  and 
you  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God.  I  write  this,  because  when  you 
suffer,  my  heart  suffereth  with  you.  I  do  believe,  your  soul  shall 
have  joy,  in  your  labours  and  holy  desires  for  that  work.  Giace 
upon  you,  and  your  husband,  and  your  children. 

Your's  ever  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Vnwoth. 


LETTER  VIIL 

To  the  same. 
BBLOVED    MISTRESS, 

My  dearest  love  in  Christ  remembered  to  you ;  know  that  Mr. 
Abraham  shewed  me  that  there  is  to  be  a  meeting  of  the  Bishops  at 
Edinburgh  shortly ;  the  causes  are  known  to  themselves ;  it  is  our 
part  to  hold  up  our  hands  for  Zion.  Howbeit  it  is  reported  they 
came  sad  from  court.  It  is  our  Lord's  wisdom  that  this  kirk  should 
ever  hang  by  a  thread,  and  yet  the  thread  breaketh  not,  bein<i  hanged 
upon  Him  who  is  the  sure  Nail  in  David's  house,  Isa.  xxii.  ver.  22. 
upon  whom  all  the  vessels,  great  and  small,  do  hang :  and  the  Nail 
(God  be  thanked)  neither  crooketh,  nor  can  be  broken  ;  Jesus,  that 
Flower  of  Jesse,  set  without  hands,  getteth  many  a  blast  and  yet 
withers  not,  because  he  is  his  Father's  noble  Rose,  casting  a  sweet 
smell  through  heaven  and  earth,  and  must  grow ;  and  in  the  same 
garden  with  him  grow  the  saints,  God  s  fair  and  beautiful  lilies,  under 
wind  and  rain,  and  all  sun-burned,  and  yet  hfe  remaineth  at  the  root ; 
keep  within  his  garden,  and  you  shall  grow  with  them,  till  the  great 
Husbandman,  our  dear  Master-gardener  come,  and  transplant  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,  sun,  or  wind ;  and  then 
wait  upon  the  times  of  the  blowing  if  the  sweet  South  and  North 
wind  of  his  gracious  Spirit,  that  may  make  you  cast  a  sweet  smell  in 
your  Beloved's  nostrils ;  and  bid  your  Beloved  come  down  to  his 
garden,  and  eat  of  his  pleasant  fruits,  Cant.  iv.  ver.  16.  and  he  will 
come.  You  will  get  no  more  but  this,  until  you  come  up  to  the  Well- 
head, where  you  shall  put  up  your  hand,  and  take  down  the  apples 
of  the  tree  of  life,  and  eat  under  the  shadow  of  that  Tree  ;  these  apples 
are  sweeter  up  beside  the  Tree,  than  they  are  down  here,  in  this  piece 
of  a  clay  prison-house.  I  have  no  joy  but  in  the  thoughts  of  these 
times.  Doubt  not  of  your  Lord's  part,  and  the  spouse's  part,  she 
shall  be  in  good  ease.  That  word  shall  stand,  Hos.  xiv.  5.  '  I  shall 
be  as  the  dew  to  Israel,  he  shall  grow  up  as  the  lily  ;  and  cast  out  his 


404  LETTER   VIII.  FART   III. 

roots  as  Lebanon.'  Ver.  6.  *  His  branches  shall  spread,  his  beauty 
shall  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  his  smell  as  Lebanon,  Isa.  xi.  ver.  12. 
Christ  shall  set  up  his  colours,  and  his  ensign  for  the  nations,  and 
shall  gather  together  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  Ezek.  xxxvii.  11.  '  Then 
the  Lord  said  to  me,  Son  of  man,  these  dead  bones  are  the  whole 
house  of  Israel ;  behold  they  say.  Our  bones  are  dried,  our  hope  is 
lost,  we  are  cut  off  for  our  parts,'  Ver.  12.  '  Therefore  prophesy 
unto  them,  and  say,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  Behold,  0  my  people, 
I  will  open  your  graves,  and  cause  you  come  up  out  of  your  graves, 
and  bring  you  unto  the  land  of  Israel.'  These  promises  are  not 
wind,  but  the  breast  of  our  Beloved  Christ,  which  we  must  suck,  and 
draw  comfort  out  of  We  have  cause  to  pity  those  poor  creatures, 
that  stand  out  against  Christ,  and  the  building  of  his  house :  silly 
men,  they  have  but  a  silly  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  shall  not  be  able  to  hinder  Christ's  building; 
he  that  is  Master  of  the  work  will  lead  stones  to  the  wall  over  their 
belly.  And  for  that  present  tumult,  that  the  children  of  this  world 
fraise,  anent  the  planting  of  your  town  with  a  pastor,  believe  and  stay 
upon  God  (as  you  still  shame  us  all  in  believing)  go  forward  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord,  and  from  my  Lord  I  say,  before  whom  I  stand, 
have  your  eyes  upon  none  but  tiie  Lord  of  armies ;  and  the  Lord 
shall  either  let  you  see  what  you  long  to  see,  or  then  fulfil  your  joy 
more  abundantly  another  way.  You  and  yours,  and  the  children  of 
God  whom  you  care  for  in  that  town,  shall  have  as  much  of  the  Son 
of  God's  supper,  cut  and  laid  down  upon  your  trenchers,  be  he  who 
he  will  that  carveth,  as  shall  feed  you  to  eternal  life :  and  be  not  cast 
down  for  ail  that  is  done,  your  reward  is  laid  up  with  God.  I  hope 
to  see  you  laugh  and  leap  for  joy.  Will  the  temple  be  built  without 
din  and  tumult  ?  ]No,  God's  stones  of  his  house  in  Germany  are  laid 
with  blood  ;  and  the  Son  of  God  no  sooner  begins  to  chop  and  hew 
stones  with  his  hammer,  but  as  soon  the  sword  is  drawn.  If  the 
work  were  of  men,  the  world  would  set  their  shoulders  to  yours  ;  but 
in  Christ's  work,  two  or  three  must  fight  against  a  presbytery  (through 
his  own  court)  and  a  city :  this  proveth  that  it  is  Christ's  errand,  and 
therefore  that  it  shall  thrive  ;  let  them  lay  iron  chains  cross  over  the 
door,  stay  and  believe,  and  \\  ait,  while  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah 
come  ;  and  he  that  comes  from  heaven  clothed  with  the  rainbow,  and 
iiath  the  little  book  in  his  hand,  when  he  takes  a  grip  of  their  chains, 
he  will  lay  the  door  upon  the  broad  side,  and  come  in,  and  go  up  to 
the  pulpit,  and  take  the  man  with  him  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his 
work :  therefore  let  me  hear  from  you,  whether  you  be  in  heaviness, 
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  also  as  my  own 
joy.  And  as  to  what  are  your  fears,  anent  the  health  or  life  of  your 
dear  children,  lay  it  upon  Christ's  shoulders,  let  him  bear  all ;  loose 
your  grips  of  them  all,  and  when  your  dear  Lord  puUeth,  let  them  go 
with  faith  and  joy  :  it  is  a  tried  faith  to  kiss  a  Lord  that  is  taking 
from  you.  Let  them  be  careful,  during  the  short  time  that  they  are 
here,  to  run,  and  get  a  grip  of  the  prize  ;  Christ  is  standing  in  the  end 


PART    III.  LETTER  IX.  405 

of  their  way,  holding  up  the  garland  of  endless  glory  to  their  eyes, 
and  is  crying,  run  fast,  and  come  and  receive  :  happy  are  they,  if  their 
breath  serve  them  to  run,  and  not  to  weary,  while  their  Lord  with  his 
own  dear  hand  put  the  crown  upon  their  head.  It  is  not  long  days, 
but  good  days,  that  make  the  life  glorious  and  happy  ;  and  our  dear 
Lord  is  gracious  to  us,  who  shortenelh,  and  hath  made  the  way  to 
glory  shorter  than  it  was  :  so  that  the  crown  that  Noah  did  fight  for 
five  hundred  years,  children  may  now  obtain  it  in  fifteen  years.  And 
heaven  is  in  some  sort  better  tor  us  now,  than  it  was  to  Noah  :  for 
the  man  Christ  is  there  now,  who  was  not  come  in  the  flesh  in  Noah's 
days.  You  shall  shew  this  to  your  children,  whom  my  soul  in  Christ 
blesseth ;  and  intreat  them  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  the  bowels  of 
Jesus  Christ,  to  covenant  with  Jesus  Christ  to  be  his,  and  to  make  up 
the  bond  of  friendship  betwixt  their  souls  and  their  Christ,  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  Christ,  and  your  Christ,  to  fulfil  our  joy,  and  more  graces 
and  blessings  from  our  sweet  Lord  Jesus  to  your  soul,  your  husband's 
and  children,  than  ever  I  wrote  of  A,  B,  C,  to  you.  Grace,  grace  bo 
with  you. 

Your's  in  my  sweet  Master  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  March  9,  1632. 


LETTER  IX. 

To  the  same. 
DEARLY    BELOVED  MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  You  are  not  ignorant  what  our 
Lord  in  his  love-visitation  hath  been  doing  with  your  soul,  even  let- 
ting you  see  a  little  sight  of  that  dark  trance  you  must  go  through 
ere  you  come  to  glory.  Your  life  hath  been  near  the  grave,  and  you 
was  at  the  door,  and  you  found  the  door  shut  fast ;  your  dear  Christ 
thinking  it  not  time  to  open  these  gates  to  you,  while  you  have  fought 
some  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  present 
world  ;  you  are  little  obliged  to  any  of  the  two  :  but  I  rejoice  in  this, 
that  when  any  of  the  two  come  to  suit  your  soul  in  marriage,  you 
have  an  answer  in  readiness  to  tell  them.  You  are  too  long  a  com- 
ing :  1  have  many  a  year  since  promised  my  soul  to  another,  even  to 
my  dearest  Lord  Jesus,  to  whom  I  must  be  true  ;  and  therefore  you 
are  come  back  to  us  again  to  help  us  to  pray  for  Christ's  fair  bride,  a 
marrow  dear  to  him.  Be  not  cast  down  in  heart  to  hear  that  the 
world  barketh  at  Christ's  strangers,  both  in  Ireland  and  in  this  land  ; 
they  do  it  because  their  Lord  hath  chosen  him  out  of  this  world  ;  and 
this  is  one  of  our  Lord's  reproaches,  to  be  hated  and  ill  intreated  by 
men  :  the  silly  stranger  in  an  uncouth  country  must  take  with  smokey 
inns,  and  coarse  cheer,  and  a  hard  bed,  and  a  barking  ill-totjgued 
host.  It  is  not  long  to-day,  and  he  will  to  his  journey  upon  the  mor- 
row, and  leave  them  all :  indeed  our  fair  morning  is  at  hand,  the  day- 
star  is  near  the  rising,  and  we  are  not  many  miles  from  home ;  what 


406  LETTER    IX.  PART  III. 

matter  of  ill  entertainment  in  the  smokey  inns  of  this  miserable  life  1 
we  are  not  to  stay  here,  and  we  will  be  deariy  welcome  to  him  whom 
we  go  to ;  and  I  hope,  when  I  shall  see  you  clothed  in  white  raiment, 
washen  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  shall  see  you  even  at  the 
elbow  of  your  dearest  Lord  and  Redeemer,  and  a  crown  upon  your 
head,  and  following  our  Lamb  and  lovely  Lord  whithersoever  he 
goeth,  you  will  think  nothing  of  all  these  days,  and  you  shall  then  re- 
joice, and  no  man  shall  take  your  joy  from  you :  and  it  is  certain, 
there  is  not  much  sand  to  run  in  your  Lord's  sand-glass,  and  that  day 
is  at  hand,  and  till  then  your  Lord  in  this  life  is  giving  you  some  little 
feasts.  It  is  true,  you  see  him  not  now,  as  you  shall  see  him  then  ; 
your  Well-beloved  standeth  now  behind  the  wall,  looking  out  at  the 
window.  Cant.  ii.  9.  and  you  see  but  a  little  of  his  face ;  then  you 
shall  see  all  his  face,  and  all  the  Saviour,  a  long  and  high  and  broad 
Lord  Jesus  the  most  lovely  Person  among  the  children  of  men.  O 
joy  of  joys  !  that  our  souls  know  there  is  such  a  great  supper  pre- 
paring for  us  ;  even  howbeit  we  be  but  half-hungered  of  Christ  here, 
and  many  a  time  dine  behind  noon,  yet  the  supper  of  the  Lamb  will 
come  in  time,  and  will  be  set  before  us,  before  we  famish,  and  lose 
our  stomachs.  You  have  cause  to  hold  up  your  heart  in  remem- 
brance and  hope  of  that  lair  long  summer-day ;  for  in  this  night  of 
your  life  wherein  you  are  in  the  body,  absent  from  the  Lord,  Christ's 
fair  moon-light  in  his  word,  and  sacraments,  in  prayer,  feehng,  and 
holy  conference,  hath  shined  upon  you  to  let  you  see  the  way  to  the 
city.  1  confess  our  diet  here  is  but  sparing,  we  get  but  tastings  of 
our  Lord's  comforts  ,  but  the  cause  of  that  is  not,  because  our  Stew- 
ard Jesus  is  a  niggard,  and  narrow- hearted,  but  because  our  stomachs 
are  weak,  and  we  are  narrow-hearted  :  but  the  great  teast  is  coming, 
when  our  hearts  shall  be  enlarged,  and  the  chambers  of  them  made 
fair  and  wide,  to  take  in  the  great  Lord  Jesus  :  come  in  then,  Lord 
Jesus,  to  hungry  souls,  gaping  for  thee.  In  this  journey  take  the 
Bridegroom,  as  you  may  have  him,  and  be  greedy  of  his  smallest 
crumbs ;  but,  dear  mistress,  buy  none  of  Christ's  delicates  spiritual 
with  sin,  or  fasting  against  your  weak  body ;  remember  you  ar^  in 
the  body,  and  it  is  the  lodging  house,  and  you  may  not,  without  ofiend- 
ing  the  Lord,  suffer  the  old  v/alls  of  that  house  to  fall  down,  through 
want  of  necessary  food  :  your  body  is  the  dwelling  house  of  the 
Spirit,  and  therefore,  for  the  love  you  carry  to  the  sweet  Guest,  give 
a  due  regard  to  his  house  of  clay  :  when  he  looseth  the  wall,  why 
not  1  welcome,  liOrd  Jesus  ;  but  it  is  a  fearful  sin  in  us,  by  hurting 
the  body  by  fasting,  to  loose  one  stone,  or  the  least  piece  of  timber 
in  it :  for  the  house  is  not  our  own,  the  Bridegroom  is  with  you  yet ; 
so  fast,  as  that  also  you  may  feast  and  rejoice  in  him.  I  think  upon 
your  magistrates  ;  but  he  that  is  clothed  in  linen,  and  hath  the  writer's 
inkhorn  by  his  side,  hath  written  up  their  names  in  heaven  already ; 
pray,  and  be  content  with  his  will ;  God  hath  a  council-house  in 
heaven,  and  the  end  will  be  mercy  unto  you  For  the  planting  of 
your  town  with  a  godly  mmistcr,  have  your  eye  jipon  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest ;  1  dare  promise  you,  God  in  this  life  shall  fill  your  soul  with 
the  fatness  of  his  house,  for  your  care  to  see  Christ's  children  fed ; 


PART  III.  LETTER  X,  XI.  407 

and  your  posterity  shall  know  it,  to  whom  I  pray  for  mercy,  and  that 
they  may  get  a  name  amongst  the  living  in  Jerusalem  ;  and  if  God 
portion  them  with  his  children,  their  rent  is  fair,  and  1  hope  it  shall  bo 
so.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  ever  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anworth,  Sept.  19,  1632. 


LETTER  X. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  SISTER  IN  CHRIST, 

You  shall  understand,  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Edinburgh  that 
it  is  suspected  that  there  will  be  a  general  assembly,  or  then  some 
meeting  of  the  bishops ;  and  that  at  this  synod  there  will  be  some 
commissioners  chosen  by  the  Bishop  ;  which  news  have  so  taken  up 
my  mind,  that  I  am  not  so  settled  for  studies  as  I  have  been  before ; 
and  therefore  was  never  in  such  fear  for  the  work.  But  because  it  is 
written  to  me  as  a  secret,  I  dare  not  reveal  it  to  any,  but  to  yourself, 
whom  I  know  ;  and  therefore  I  intreat  you,  not  for  any  comfort  of 
mine,  who  am  but  one  man,  but  for  the  glory  and  honour  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Master  of  the  banquet,  be  more  earnest  with  God,  and  in 
general  shew  others  of  your  Christian  acquaintance  my  fears  for  my- 
self. I  can  be  content  of  shame  in  that  work,  if  my  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter be  honoured ;  and  therefore  petition  our  Lord,  especially  to  see 
to  his  own  glory,  and  to  give  bread  to  his  hungry  children,  howbeit  I 
go  hungry  away  from  the  feast.  Request  Mr.  Robert  tiom  me,  if  he 
come  not  remember  us  to  our  Lord.  I  have  neither  time,  nor  a  free 
disposed  mind  to  write  to  you  anent  your  own  case.  Send  me  word, 
if  all  your  children  and  husband  be  well  :  seeing  they  are  not  yours, 
but  your  dear  Lord's,  esteem  them  but  as  borrowed,  and  lay  them 
down  at  God's  feet ;  your  Christ  to  you  is  better  than  they  all.  You 
will  pardon  my  unaccustomed  short  letter,  and  remember  me,  and  that 
honourable  feast  to  our  Lord  Jesus.  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  kindness  stand  !  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


LETTER  XL 

To  the  same. 
WELL  BELOVED  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

My  tender  affection  in  Christ  remembered.  I  left  you  in  as  great 
heaviness  as  I  was  in  since  I  come  to  this  county  :  but  I  know  you 
doubt  not,  but  (as  the  truth  in  Christ  is)  my  soul  is  knit  to  your  soul, 
and  to  the  souls  of  all  yours,  and  would,  if  I  could,  send  you  the 
largest  part  of  my  heart  inclosed  in  this  letter ;  but  by  fervent  calling 
upon  my  Lord,  I  have  attained  some  victory  over  my  heart,  which 
runneth  often  not  knowing  whither,  and  of  my  beguiling  hopes  which 
I  know  now  better  than  I  did ;  and  trust  in  my  Lord,  to  hold  aloof 
from  the  enticings  of  a  seducing  heart,  by  which  I  am  daily  cozened  ; 


4U8  LETTER    XI.  PART  III. 

and  minds  not,  by  his  grace,  who  hath  called  me  according  to  his 
eternal  purpose  to  come  so  far  within  the  grips  of  my  foolish  mind, 
gripping  about  any  folly  coming  its  way,  as  the  woodbine  or  ivy  goeth 
about  the  tree.  I  adore  and  kiss  the  providence  of  my  Lord,  who 
knoweth  well  what  is  most  expedient  tor  me,  and  for  you,  and  youv 
children ;  and  I  think  of  you,  as  of  myself,  that  the  Lord,  who  turn- 
eth  (in  his  deep  wisdom)  about  all  the  wheels  and  turnings  of  such 
changes,  shall  also  dispose  of  that  for  the  best  of  you  and  yours.  In 
the  presence  of  my  Lord,  I  am  not  able,  howbeit  I  would,  to  con- 
ceive amiss  of  you  in  that  matter :  grace,  grace  for  ever  upon  you 
and  your  seed ;  and  it  shall  be  your  portion  in  despite  of  all  the 
powers  of  darkness:  do  not  make  more  question  of  this.  But  the 
Lord  saw  a  nail  in  my  heart  loose,  and  he  hath  now  fastened  it,  ho- 
nour be  to  his  majesty.  I  hear  your  son  is  entered  to  the  school ;  if 
I  had  known  of  the  day,  1  would  have  begged  from  our  Lord  that  he 
would  have  put  the  book  in  his  hand,  with  his  own  hand  ;  I  trust  in 
my  Lord  it  is  so,  and  1  conceive  hope  to  see  him  a  star  to  give  light 
in  some  room  of  our  Lord's  house  ;  and  purpose,  by  the  Lord's  grace, 
as  I  am  able,  (if  our  Lord  call  you  to  rest  before  me)  when  you  are 
at  home,  to  do  the  uttermost  of  my  power  to  help  him  every  way,  in 
grace  and  learning,  and  his  brother,  and  all  your  children  ;  and  •-  hope 
you  would  expect  that  ol  me.  Further  you  shall  know,  that  Mr.  W. 
D.  is  come  home,  who  saith  it  is  a  miracle  that  youi  husband  m  this 
process  before  the  council,  escaped  both  discredit  and  damage  ;  let  it 
not  be  forgotten,  he  was  in  our  apprehension,  to  our  grief,  cast  down 
and  humbled  in  the  Lord's  work,  in  that  matter  betwixt  him  and  the 
baillie ;  now  the  Lord  hath  honoured  him,  and  made  him  famous  for 
virtue,  honesty  and  integrity,  two  several  times  before  the  nobles  of 
this  kingdom.  Your  Lord  livetn,  we  will  go  to  his  throne  of  grace 
again  ;  his  arm  is  not  shortened.-  The  king  is  certainly  expected. 
Ill  is  feared  ;  we  have  cause  for  our  sins,  to  tear  that  tlie  Bridegroom 
shall  be  taken  from  us  ;  by  our  sins,  we  have  rent  his  fair  garments, 
and  we  have  stirred  up  and  awakened  our  Beloved  ;  pray  him  to  tarry, 
or  then  to  take  us  with  him.  It  were  good  that  we  should  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  triends.  I  am  still  what  I  was 
ever  to  your  dear  children,  tendering  their  souls  happiness,  and  pray- 
ing that  grace,  grace,  grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God,  even  God 
our  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus,  may  be  their  portion  ;  and  that  now, 
while  they  are  green  and  young,  their  hearts  may  take  band  with  Jesus 
the  Corner-stone,  and  win  once  in,  in  our  Lord  and  Saviour's  house, 
and  then  they  will  not  get  leave  to  fl:t.  Pray  for  me,  and  especially 
for  humility  and  thankfulness.  1  have  always  remembrance  of  you 
and  your  husband,  and  dear  children  :  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your 
spirit. 

Your's  evermore  in  my  dear  Lord  .lesus  and  yours,         S.  R. 
Amvolh. 


PART  II  r.  LETTER  XII,   XIII.  409 

LETTER  X!I. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    AND    DEAR    SISTER, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  God  hath  brought  me  home  from 
a  place  where  I  have  been  exercised  with  great  heaviness,  and  I  have 
found  at  home  new  matter  of  heaviness,  yet  dare  not  but  in  all  things 
give  thanks  in  my  business  in  Edinburgh.  I  have  not  sinned,  nor 
wronged  my  party,  by  his  own  confession,  and  by  the  confession  of 
his  friends  ;  1  have  given  my  goods  for  peace,  and  the  saving  of  my 
Lord's  truth  from  reproaches,  which  is  dearer  to  me  than  all  I  have. 
My  mother  is  weak,  and  I  think  shall  leave  me  alone ;  but  I  am  not 
alone,  because  Christ's  Father  is  with  me.  For  your  business  anent 
your  town,  I  see  great  evidences  ;  but  Satan  and  his  instruments  are 
against  it,  and  few  set  their  shoulders  to  Christ's  shoulder  to  help 
him ;  but  he  will  do  all  his  alone  ;  and  I  dare  not  but  exhort  you  to 
believe,  and  persuade  you,  that  the  hungry  in  your  city  shall  be  fed, 
and  the  rest  that  want  a  stomach,  the  pairings  of  God's  loaf  will  suf- 
fice them ;  and  therefore  believe  it  shall  be  well.  I  may  not  leave 
my  mother  to  come  and  confer  with  you  of  all  particulars ;  I  have 
given  such  directions  to  our  dear  friend  as  I  can,  but  the  event  is  in 
our  Lord's  hand.  God's  Zion  abroad  flourishes,  and  his  arm  is  not 
shortened  with  us,  if  we  could  believe.  There  is  scarcity  and  famine 
of  the  word  of  God  in  Edinburgh.  Your  sister  Jean  laboureth  might- 
ily  in  our  business  ;  but  hath  not  as  yet  gotten  an  answer  from  J.  P. 
Mr.  A.  C.  will  work  what  he  can.  My  Lady  saith  she  can  do  little, 
and  that  it  suiteth  not  her  husband  well  to  speak  in  such  an  affair ;  I 
told  her  my  mind  plainly.  1  long  to  know  of  your  estate  ;  remember 
me  heartily  to  your  dear  husband  ;  grace  be  the  portion  of  your  chil- 
dren. I  know  you  are  mindful  of  the  green  wound  of  our  sister  kirk 
in  Ireland  :  bid  our  Lord  lay  a  plaister  to  it ;  he  hath  good  skill  to  do 
so,  and  set  others  to  work.  Grace,  grace  upon  your  soul  and  body, 
and  all  yours. 

Your's  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwolh. 


LETTER  Xm. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    AND    DEAR   SISTER, 

I  KNOW  your  heart  is  cast  down  for  the  desolation  like  to  come  upon 
this  kirk,  and  the  appearance  that  an  hireling  shall  be  thrust  in  upon 
Christ's  flock  in  that  town ;  but  send  a  heavy  heart  up  to  Christ,  it 
will  be  welcome.  These  who  are  with  the  beast  and  the  dragon  must 
make  war  with  the  Lamb  :  but  the  Lamb  shall  overcome  them  ;  for 
he  is  the  Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings  ;  and  they  who  are  with 
him  are  called,  and  chosen,  and  faithful,  Rev.  xvii.  14.  Our  ten  days 
will  have  an  end  ;  all  the  former  things  shall  be  forgotten,  when  we 
shall  be  up  before  the  throne ;  Christ  hath  been  ever  thus  in  the 
world,  he  hath  always  the  defender's  part,  and  hath  been  still  in  the 

52 


410 


LETTER    XIII.  PART    IIIo 


camp,  fighting  the  church's  battles.  The  enemies  of  the  Son  of  God 
will  be  fed  with  their  own  flesh,  and  shall  drink  their  own  blood  ;  and 
therefore  their  part  of  it  shall  at  last  be  found  hard  enough  ;  so  that  we 
may  look  forward  and  pity  them  Until  the  number  of  the  elect  be  ful- 
filled, Christ's  garments  must  be  rolled  in  blood :  he  cometh  from 
Edom,  from  the  slaughter  of  his  enemies,  Isa.  Ixiii.  1.  clothed  with  dyed 
garments,  glorious  in  his  apparel,  travelling  in  the  greatness  of  his 
strength.  Who  is  this  (saith  he)  that  appears  in  this  glorious  pos- 
ture 1  Our  great  He,  that  He  who  is  mighty  to  save  ;  whose  glory 
shineth,  while  he  sprinkleth  the  blood  of  his  adversaries  upon  his 
garments,  and  staineth  all  his  raiment.  The  glory  of  his  righteous 
revenges  shineth  forth  in  these  stains  :  but  seeing  our  world  is  not 
here  away,  we  poor  children,  far  from  home,  must  steal  through  many 
waters,  weeping  as  we  go,  and  withal  believing,  that  we  do  the  Lord's 
faithfulness  no  wrong,  seeing  he  hath  said,  Isa.  H.  12.  'I,  even  I,  am 
he  that  comforteth  you  :  who  art  thou  that  art  afraid  of  a  man 
that  shall  die,  and  of  the  son  of  man  that  shall  be  made  as  grass  ?  Isa. 
xliii.  2.  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee ; 
and  thro'  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee ;  when  thou  walkest 
through  the  tire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burnt,  neither  shall  the  flame  kin- 
dle upon  thee.'  There  is  a  cloud  gathering,  and  a  storm  coming  ; 
this  land  shall  be  turned  upside-down :  and  if  ever  the  Lord  spake  to 
me  (think  on  it)  Christ's  bride  will  be  glad  of  an  hole  to  hide  her  head 
in  ;  and  the  dragon  may  so  far  prevail,  as  to  chase  the  woman  and  her 
Man-child  over  sea :  but  there  shall  be  a  gleaning,  two  or  three  ber- 
ries left  in  the  top  of  the  olive  tree,  of  whom  God  shall  say.  Destroy 
them  not :  for  there  is  a  blessing  in  them.  Thereafter  there  shall  be 
a  fair  sun  blink  on  Christ's  old  spouse,  and  clear  sky,  and  she  shall 
smg  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth.  The  Antichrist  and  the  great  red 
dragon  will  lop  Christ's  branches,  and  bring  his  vine  to  a  low  stump, 
under  the  feet  of  those  who  carry  the  mark  of  the  beast ;  but  the 
Plant  of  Renown,  the  Man  whose  name  is  the  Branch,  will  bud  forth 
again  and  blossom  as  the  rose,  and  there  shall  be  fair  white  flourishes 
again,  with  most  pleasant  fruits  upon  that  Tree  of  life  :  a  fair  season 
may  he  have  !  Grace,  grace  be  upon  that  blessed  and  beautiful  Tree  I 
under  whose  shadow  we  shall  sit,  and  his  fruit  shall  be  sweet  to  our 
taste.  But  Christ  shall  woo  his  handful  in  the  fire,  and  choose  his 
own  in  the  furnace  of  affliction  :  but,  be  it  so,  he  cannot,  he  will  not 
slay  his  children  ;  love  will  not  let  him  make  a  full  end  ;  the  covenant 
will  cause  him  hold  his  hand.  Fear  not  then  (saith  the  First  and  the 
Last,  He  who  was  dead  and  is  ahve)  we  see  not  Christ  sharpening 
and  furbishing  his  sword  for  his  enemies  ;  and  therefore  our  faithless 
hearts  say,  as  Zion  did,  The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me.  But  God 
reproveth  her,  and  saith,  W'ell,  well,  Zion,  is  that  well  said  1  think 
again  on  it;  you  are  in  the  wrong  to  me,  Isa.  xlix.  15.  Can  a  wo- 
man forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  should  not  have  compassion  on 
the  fruit  of  her  womb  ?  Yea,  she  may :  yet  will  I  not  forget  thee. 
Ver.  16.  Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  of  my  hands. 
You  break  your  heart,  and  grow  heavy,  and  forget  that  Christ  hath 
your  name  engraven  on  the  palms  of  his  hands,  in  great  letters.     Iri 


PART  111.  LETTER   XIV.  411 

the  name  of  the  Son  of  God  believe,  buried  Scotland,  dead  and  buried 
in  her  dear  Bridegroom,  shall  rise  the  third  day  again,  and  there 
shall  be  a  new  growth  after  the  old  timber  is  cut  down.  I  recom- 
mend you  and  your  burdens,  and  heavy  heart  to  the  supportings 
of  his  grace  and  good-will  who  dwelt  in  the  bush,  to  him  who 
was  separate  from  his  brethren.  Try  your  husband  afar  off,  to 
see  if  he  can  be  induced  to  think  upon  going  to  America.  O  to 
see  the  sight  next  to  Christ's  coming  in  the  clouds,  the  most  joyful ! 
our  elder  brethren,  the  Jews,  and  Christ  fall  upon  one  another's  neck, 
and  kiss  each  other  !  They  have  been  long  asunder,  they  will  be 
kind  to  one  another  when  they  meet :  O  day  !  O  longed  for  and  love- 
ly day,  dawn !  O  sweet  Jesus,  let  me  see  that  sight  that  will  be  as 
life  from  the  dead.  Thee  and  thy  ancient  people  in  mutual  embraces ! 
Desire  your  daughter  to  close  with  Christ,  upon  terms  of  suffering 
for  him  :  for  the  cross  is  an  old  mailing,  and  plot  of  ground  that  lieth 
to  Christ's  house  :  our  Chief  had  ay  that  rent  lying  to  his  inheritance ; 
but  tell  her  the  day  is  near  the  dawning,  the  sky  is  reviving,  our 
Beloved  will  be  on  us,  ere  ever  we  be  aware ;  the  Antichrist,  and 
death,  and  hell,  and  Christ's  enemies  and  ours  will  be  bound,  and 
cast  into  the  bottomless  pit.  The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 
Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R, 

.Anwoth,  April  22d,  1635. 


LETTER  XIV. 

To  the  same. 
JLOVING  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

For  Zion's  sake  hold  not  your  peace,  neither  be  discouraged  for 
the  on-gomg  of  this  persecution ;  Jehovah  is  in  this  burning  bush. 
The  floods  may  swell  and  roar,  but  our  ark  shall  swim  above  the 
waters  ;  it  cannot  sink,  because  a  Saviour  is  in  it.  Because  our 
Beloved  was  not  let  in  by  his  spouse,  when  he  stood  at  the  doov 
with  wet  and  frozen  head,  therefore  he  will  have  us  to  seek  him  a 
while ;  and  while  we  are  seeking,  the  watchmen,  that  go  about  the 
walls,  have  stricken  the  poor  woman,  and  have  taken  away  her  vail 
from  her ;  but  yet  a  little  while  and  our  Lord  will  come  again  :  Scot- 
land's sky  will  clear  again ;  her  moment  must  go  over.  I  dare  in 
faith  say,  and  write  (I  am  not  now  dreaming)  Christ  is  but  seeking 
(what  he  will  have  and  make)  a  clean  glistering  bride  out  of  the  fire  : 
God  send  him  his  errand  ;  but  he  cannot  want  what  he  seeks.  In  the 
mean  time,  one  way  or  other,  he  shall  find  or  make  a  nest  for  his 
mourning  dove.  What  is  this  we  are  a  doing,  breaking  the  neck  of 
our  faith  1  We  are  not  come  as  yet  to  the  mouth  of  the  Red  sea  ; 
and  howbeit  we  were,  for  his  honour's  sake  he  must  dry  it  up.  It  is 
our  part  to  die  gripping  and  holding  fast  his  faithful  promise.  If  the 
beast  should  get  leave  to  ride  through  the  land,  and  to  seal  such  as 
are  his,  he  will  not  get  one  lamb  with  him  for  these  are  secured,  and 
sealed  as  the  servants  of  God.  In  Christ's  name,  let  Christ  take  his 
barn-floor,  and  all  that  is  in  it,  to  a  hill  and  winnow  it ;  let  him  sift  his 
corn,  and  sweep  his  house,  and  seek  his  gold.  The  Lord  shall  cog 
*hG  rumbling  wheels,  or  turn  them  :  for  the  remainder  of  wrath  doth 


412  LETTER    XV.  TART    HI. 

he  restrain  :  he  can  loose  the  belt  of  kings  :  to  God  their  belt,  where- 
with they  are  girt,  is  knit  with  a  single  draw-knot.  As  for  a  pastor  to 
your  town,  your  conscience  can  bear  you  witness,  you  have  done 
your  part ;  let  the  Master  of  the  vineyard  now  see  to  his  garden, 
seeing  you  have  gone  on,  till  he  hath  said,  Stand  still :  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  Christ,  I  find  the  force  of  my  temptation 
abated,  and  its  edge  blunted,  since  I  spoke  to  you  last :  I  know  not, 
if  the  tempter  be  hovering,  until  he  tind  the  dam  gather  again,  and  me 
more  secure  ;  but  it  hath  been  my  burden  ;  and  I  am  yet  more  confi- 
dent, the  Lord  will  succour  and  deliver.  I  intend,  God  willing,  that 
our  communion  shall  be  celebrated  the  first  sabbath  after  Pasch  ;  our 
Lord,  that  great  Master  of  the  feast,  send  us  one  hearty  and  heart- 
some  supper  ;  for  I  look  it  shall  be  the  last ;  but  we  expect,  when  the 
shadows  shall  flee  away,  and  the  day  dawn,  and  our  Lord  shall  come 
to  his  garden,  that  he  shall  feed  us  in  green  pastures  without  fear ;  the 
dogs  then  shall  not  be  hounded  out  amongst  the  sheep.  I  earnestly 
desire  your  prayers,  for  assistance  at  our  work ;  and  put  others  with 
you  to  do  the  same.  Remember  me  to  your  husband  ;  and  desire 
your  daughter  to  be  kind  to  Christ,  and  seek  to  win  near  him,  he  will 
give  her  a  welcome  into  his  house  of  wine,  and  bring  her  into  the 
king's  chambers :  0  how  will  the  sight  of  his  face  and  the  smell  of 
his  garments  allure  and  ravish  her  heart !  Now  the  love  of  the  lovely 
Son  of  God  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  l(i.]5. 


LETTER  XV. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  Having  appointed  a  meeting  with 
Mr.  D.  D.  and  knowing  that  B.  will  not  keep  the  presbytery,  I  cannot 
see  you  now  :  cominend  my  journey  to  God  ;  my  soul  blesseth  you 
for  your  last  letter.  Be  not  discouraged,  Christ  will  not  want  the 
isles-men ;  the  isles  shall  wait  for  this  law  :  we  are  his  inheritance, 
and  he  will  sell  no  part  of  his  inheritance.  For  the  sins  of  this  land, 
and  our  breach  of  the  covenant,  contempt  of  the  gospel,  and  our 
defection  from  the  truth  he  hath  set  up  a  burning  furnace  in  mount 
Zion :  but  I  say  it,  and  will  abide  by  it.  The  grass  shall  yet  grow 
green  on  our  mount  Zion  ;  there  shall  be  a  dew  all  the  night  upon  the 
lillies,  amongst  which  Christ  feedeth  until  the  day  break,  and  the 
shadows  flee  away  :  and  the  moth  shall  eat  up  the  enemies  of  Christ, 
Isa.  1.  9.  '  Let  them  make  a  fire  of  their  own,  and  walk  in  the  light 
thereof,  it  shall  not  let  them  see  to  go  to  their  bed ;  but  they  shall 
lye  down  in  sorrow ;'  therefore  rejoice  and  believe.  Thus  in  haste. 
Grace,  grace  be  with  you  and  yours. 

Yours  in  Christ.  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


41S 

LETTER  XVL 

To  the  same. 
LOVING  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

I  FEAR  that  you  be  moved  and  cast  down,  because  of  the  late  wrong 
that  your  husband  received  in  your  town  council  :  but  I  pray  you, 
comfort  yourself  in  the  Lord  :  for  a  just  cause  bides  under  the  water 
only  as  long  as  wicked  men  hold  their  hand  above  it ;  their  arm  will 
weary  and  then  the  just  cause  shall  swim  above,  and  the  light  that  is 
sown  for  the  righteous  shall  spring  and  grow  up.  If  ye  were  not 
strangers  here,  the  dogs  of  the  world  would  not  bark  at  you,  2  Cor. 
vi.  8.  You  shall  see  all  the  windings  and  turnings  that  are  in  youi- 
way  to  heaven,  out  of  God's  word  :  for  he  will  not  lead  you  to  the 
kingdom  at  the  nearest ;  but  you  must  go  through  honour  and  disho- 
nour, by  evil  report  and  good  report ;  as  deceivers,  and  yet  true  ;  ver. 
9.  As  unknown  and  yet  well  known ;  as  dying,  and  behold  we  live ; 
as  chastened,  and  not  killed  ;  ver.  10.  As  sorrowful,  and  yet  always 
rejoicing.  The  world  is  one  of  the  enemies  that  we  have  to  fight 
with,  but  a  vanquished  and  overcome  enemy,  and  like  a  beaten  and 
forlorn  soldier  ;  for  our  Jesus  hath  taken  the  armour  from  it ;  let  me 
then  speak  to  you  in  his  words  ;  Be  of  good  courage  saith  the  Cap- 
tain of  our  salvation,  for  I  have  overcome  the  world.  You  shall 
neither  be  free  of  the  scourge  of  the  tongue,  nor  of  disgraces,  even 
if  it  were  buffetings  and  spittings  upon  the  face,  as  was  our  Saviour's 
case,  if  you  follow  Jesus  Christ ;  1  beseech  you  in  the  bowels  of  our 
Lord  Jesus,  keep  a  good  conscience,  as  I  trust  you  do,  you  live  not 
upon  men's  opinion ;  gold  may  be  gold,  and  have  the  king's  stamp 
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,  stamped  with  the  King  of  heaven's  image,  and 
sealed  by  his  Spirit  unto  the  day  of  your  redemption.  Pray  for  the 
spirit  of  love,  1.  Cor.  xiii.  7.  'Love  beareth  all  things,  it  believeth  all 
things,  hopeth  all  things,  and  endureth  all  things.'  And  I  pray  you 
and  your  husband,  yea,  I  charge  you  before  God,  and  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  elect  angels,  pray  for  these  your  adversaries,  and  read 
this  to  your  husband  from  me ;  and  let  both  of  you  put  on,  as  the 
elect  of  God,  bowels  of  mercies.  And,  sister,  remember  how  many 
thousands  of  talents  of  sins  your  Master  hath  forgiven  you  ;  forgive 
ye  therefore  your  fellow  servants  one  talent ;  follow  God's  command 
in  this,  and  seek  not  after  your  own  heart,  and  after  your  own  eyes 
in  this  matter,  as  the  spirit  speaks.  Numb.  xv.  39.  Ask  never  the 
counsel  of  your  own  heart  here ;  the  world  will  blow  up  your  heart 
now,  and  cause  it  swell,  except  the  grace  of  God  cause  it  fall.  Jesus 
even  Jesus  the  eternal  Wisdom  of  the  Father,  give  you  wisdom ;  I 
trust  God  shall  be  glorified  in  you ;  and  a  door  shall  be  opened  unto 
you,  as  the  Lord's  prisoners  of  hope,  as  Zachariah  speaks.  It  is  a 
benefit  to  you,  that  the  wicked  are  God's  fan  to  purge  you ;  and  I 
hope  they  shall  blow  away  no  corn,  or  spiritual  graces,  but  only  your 
chaff";  I  pray  you,  in  your  pursuit,  have  so  recourse  to  the  law  of  men, 
that  you  wander  not  from  the  law  of  God.     Be  not  cast  down ;  if  vou 


414  LETTER  XVII.  PART  IH. 

saw  him  who  is  standing  on  the  shore,  holding  out  his  arms  to  wel- 
come you  to  land,  you  would  not  only  wade  through  a  sea  of  wrongs, 
but  through  hell  itself  to  be  at  him  :  and  I  trust  in  God,  you  see  him 
sometimes.     The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit,  and  all  yours. 
Your  brother  in  the  Lord,  6.  R. 

Anwoth. 

LETTER  XVIL 

To  tbe  same. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

My  dearest  love  in  Christ  remembei-ed.     As  to  that  business,  which 
I  know  you  would  so  fain  have  taken  effect,  my  earnest  desire  is,  that 
you  stand  still ;  haste  not,  and  you  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. 
The  great  Master  gardener,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in 
a  wonderful  providence,  with  his  own  hand,  (I  dare,  if  it  were  to  edi- 
fication, swear  it)  planted  me  here,  where  by  his  grace,  in  this  part  of 
his  vineyard,  1  grow  :   I  dare  not  say,  but  Satan  and  the  world  (one  of 
his  pages,  whom  he  sends  his  errands)  have  said  otherwise  ;  and  here 
I  will  abide  till  the  great  Master  of  the  vineyard  think  fit  to  transplant 
me  :  but  when  he  sees  meet  to  loose  ine  at  the  root,  and  to  plant  me 
where  1  may  be  more  useful,  both  as  to  fruit  and  shadow ;  and  when 
he  who  planted,  puUeth  up  that  he  may  transplant,  who  dare  put  to 
their  hand  and  hinder  1  If  they  do,  God  shall  break  their  arm  at  the 
shoulder  blade,  and  do  his  turn.     When  our  Lord  is  going  west,  the 
devil  and  world  go  east ;  and  do  you  not  know,  that  it  hath  been  ever 
this  way  betwixt  God  and  the  world,  God  drawing  and  they  holding ; 
God,  yea,  and  the  world,  nay  ?  but  they  fall  on  their  back  and  are 
frustrate,  and  our  Lord  holdeth  his  grip.     Wherefore  doth  the  world 
say,  that  our  Christ,  the  Goodman  of  this  house,  his  dear  kirk,  hath 
feet  like  fine  brass,  as  if  they  burned  in  a  furnace?     Rev.  i.  15.  for 
no  other  cause,  but  because  where  our  Lord  setteth  down  his  brazen 
feet,  he  will  forward  ;  and  whithersoever  he  looketh,  he  will  follow  his 
look ;  and  his  feet  burn  all  under  them,  like  as  fire  doth  stubble  and 
thorns.     1  think  he  hath  now  given  the  world  a  proof  of  his  exceed- 
ing great  power,  when  he  is  doing  such  great  things,  wherein  Zion  is 
concerned,  by  the  sword  of  the  Swedish  king,  as  of  a  Gideon.     As 
you  love  the  glory  of  God,  pray  instantly,  yea,  engage  all  youi  pray- 
ing acquaintance,  and  take  their  faithful  promise  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  loose  some  of  Baby- 
lon's corner  stones  ;  pray  him  to  hold  on  ;  for  that  city  must  fall,  and 
the  birds  of  the  air  and  the  beasts  of  the  earth  must  make  a  banquet 
of  Babylon ;  for  he  hath  invited  them  to  eat  the  flesh  of  that  whore, 
and  to  drink  her  blood  ;  and  the  cup  of  the  Lord's  right-hand  shall  be 
turned  unto  her,  and  shameful  spewing  shall  be  upon  her  glory  :  He, 
whose  word  must  stand,  hath  said,  '  Take  this  cup  at  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  and  drink,  and  be  drunken,  and  spew  and  fall,  and  rise  no  more.* 
Jer.  XXV.  27.     Our  Jesus  is  settmg  up  himself  as  his  Father's  En- 
sign, Isa.  xi  10.  as  God's  fair  white  colours,  that  his  poldiers  may 


PART  III.  LETTER    XVlf. 


415 


flock  about  him ;  long,  long  may  these  colours  stand !  It  is  long 
since  he  displayed  a  banner  against  Babylon,  in  the  sight  of  men  and 
angels  ;  let  us  rejoice  and  triumph  in  our  God,  the  victory  is  certain ; 
for  when  Christ  and  Babel  wrestle,  then  angels  and  saints  may  pre- 
pare themselves  to  sing,  Babylon  the  great  is  fallen,  is  fallen.  How- 
beit  that  Prince  of  renown,  precious  Jesus  be  now  weeping  and  bleed- 
ing in  his  members,  yet  Christ  will  laugh  again  ;  and  it  is  time  enough 
for  us  to  laugh  when  our  Lord  Christ  laugheth,  and  that  will  be  short- 
ly :  for  when  we  hear  of  wars  and  rumours  of  wars,  the  judge's  feet 
are  then  before  the  door,  and  he  must  be  in  heaven,  giving  order  to 
the  angels  to  make  themselves  ready,  and  prepare  their  hooks  and 
sickles  for  that  great  harvest.  Christ  will  be  upon  us  in  haste; 
watch  but  a  little,  and  ere  long  the  skies  will  rend,  and  that  fair  lovely 
Person,  Jesus,  shall  come  in  the  clouds,  freighted  and  loaded  with 
glory  ;  and  then  all  these  knaves  and  foxes,  that  destroyed  the  vines, 
shall  call  to  the  hills,  and  cry  to  the  mountains  to  cover  them,  and 
hide  them  from  the  face  of  him  who  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and 
from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb.  Remember  me  to  your  husband  ;  and 
desire  him  from  me  to  help  Christ,  and  to  take  his  part,  and  in  judg- 
ment side  ever  with  him,  and  receive  a  blow  patiently  for  his  sake  ; 
for  he  is  worthy  to  be  suffered  for,  not  only  to  blows  but  also  to  blood  : 
he  shall  find,  that  innocency  and  uprightness  in  judgment  shall  hold 
its  feet,  and  make  him  happy,  when  jouking  will  not  do  it.  I  speak 
this  because  a  person  said  to  me,  I  pray  God,  the  country  be  not  in 
worse  case  now,  when  the  provost  and  baillies  are  agreed,  than  for- 
merly ;  to  whom  I  replied,  I  trust  the  provost  is  agreed  with  the 
man's  person,  but  not  with  his  faults.  I  pray  for  you,  with  my  whole 
soul,  and  desire  that  your  children  may  walk  in  the  truth  :  and  that 
the  Lord  may  shine  upon  them,  and  make  their  faces  to  shine  when 
the  faces  of  others  shall  blush.  I  dare  promise  them  in  his  name, 
whose  truth  I  preach,  if  they  will  but  try  God's  service,  that  they 
shall  find  him  the  sweetest  Master  that  ever  they  served  :  and  desire 
them  from  me,  but  to  try  for  a  while  the  service  of  this  blessed  Mas- 
ter, and  then  if  his  service  be  not  sweet,  if  it  afford  not  what  is 
pleasant  to  the  soul's  taste,  change  him  upon  trial  and  seek  a  better. 
Christ  is  an  unknown  Christ  to  young  ones,  and  therefore  they  seek 
him  not,  because  they  know  him  not.  Bid  them  come  and  see,  and 
seek  a  kiss  of  his  mouth ;  and  then  they  will  find  his  mouth  is  so 
sweet,  that  they  will  be  everlastingly  chained  unto  him,  by  their  own 
consent.  If  I  have  any  credit  with  your  children,  I  entreat  them  in 
Christ's  name,  to  try  what  truth  and  reality  is  in  what  I  say,  and  leave 
not  his  service,  till  they  have  found  me  a  liar :  I  gave  you,  your  hus- 
band and  them,  to  his  keeping,  to  whom  I  have,  and  dare  venture 
myself  and  soul,  even  to  our  dear  Friend  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  I 
am 

Your's,  S.  B. 

Anwoth. 


416 
LETTER  XVIII. 

To  the  same. 
%SrELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

My  dearest  love  in  Christ  remembered  to  you ;  know  that  I  am  m 
great  heaviness  for  the  pitiful  case  of  our  Lord's  kirk.  I  hear  the 
cause  why  Dr.  Burton  is  committed  to  prison,  is,  his  writing  and 
preaching  against  the  Arminians  ;  I  therefore  entreat  the  aid  of  your 
prayers  for  myself,  and  the  Lord's  captives  of  hope,  and  for  Zion. 
The  Lord  hath  and  daily  lets  me  see  clearly,  how  deep  furrows  Ar- 
minianism,  and  the  followers  of  it  shall  draw  upon  the  back  of  God's 
Israel  (but  our  Lord  cuts  the  cords  of  the  wicked)  Isa.  xlix  14.  *  But 
Zion  said.  The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten 
me.'  Lam.  i.  2.  *  Zion  weepeth  sore  in  the  night,  and  her  tears  are 
upon  her  cheeks  ;  amongst  her  lovers  she  hath  none  to  comfort  her, 
all  her  friends  have  dealt  treacherously  with  her,  and  are  become  her 
enemies.'  Isa.  i.  22.  '  Our  silver  is  become  dross,  our  wine  is  mixed 
with  water.'  Lam.  iv.  1.  *  How  is  the  gold  become  dim  ?  How  is 
the  fine  gold  changed  ?  the  stones  of  the  sanctuary  are  poured  out  in 
the  top  of  every  street.'  ver.  2.  *  The  precious  sons  of  Zion,  com- 
parable to  fine  gold,  how  are  they  esteemed  as  earthen  pitchers,  the 
work  of  the  hands  of  the  potter?'  It  is  time  now  for  the  Lord's 
secret  ones,  who  favour  the  dust  of  Zion,  to  cry.  How  long,  Lord  ? 
and  to  go  up  to  their  watch-tower,  and  to  stay  there,  and  not  to  come 
down,  until  the  vision  speak  ;  for  it  will  speak,  Hab.  ii.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  just  shall  live  by  faith.  Let  us  wait  on,  and  not  weary.  I 
have  not  a  thread  to  hang  upon  and  rest,  but  this  one,  Isa.  xlix.  15. 
*  Can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  should  not  have 
compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb  ?  yea,  she  may  forget,  yet  will  I 
not  forget  thee  ?'  ver.  16.  'Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  upon  the 
palms  of  my  hands,  thy  walls  are  continually  before  me.'  For  all 
outward  helps  do  fail :  it  is  time  therefore  for  us  to  hang  ourselves, 
as  our  Lord's  vessels,  upon  the  nail  that  is  fastened  in  a  sure  place. 
We  would  make  stakes  of  our  own  fastening,  but  they  will  break. 
Our  Lord  will  have  Zion  on  his  own  nail.  Edom  is  busy  within  us, 
and  Babel  without  us,  against  the  handful  of  Jacob's  seed.  It  were 
best  that  we  were  upon  Christ's  side  of  it,  for  his  enemies  will  get  the 
stakes  to  keep,  as  the  proverb  is,  our  greatest  difficulty  will  be,  to  win 
on  upon  the  Rock  now,  when  the  wind  and  waves  of  persecution  are 
so  lofty  and  proud.  Let  sweet  Jesus  take  us  by  the  hand  ;  neither 
must  we  think  that  it  will  be  otherwise,  for  it  is  told  to  the  souls  under 
the  altar,  Rev.  vi.  *  That  their  fellow  servants  must  be  killed,  as  they 
were.'  Surely  it  cannot  be  long  till  day.  Nay,  hear  him  say,  Be- 
hold, I  come,  my  dear  bride ;  thmk  not  long,  I  shall  be  at  you  at 
once ;  I  hear  you,  and  am  coming.  Amen,  Even  so  come.  Lord 
Jesus,  come  quickly  ;  for  the  prisoners  of  hope  are  looking  out  at  the 
prison'windows,  to  see  if  they  can  behold  the  king's  ambassador 
coming  with  the  kings'  warrant,  and  the  keys.  I  write  not  to  you 
by  guess  now,  because  I  have  a  warrant  to  say  unto  you,  the  gar- 


PART  111.  LETTER    XIX.  417 

ments  of  Christ's  spouse  must  be  once  again  dyed  in  blood,  as  long 
ago  her  husband's  was  ;  but  our  Father  sees  his  bleeding  Son.  What 
I  write  unto  you,  shew  it  to  I.  G.  Grace,  grace,  grace  and  mercy  be 
with  you,  your  husband  and  children. 

Yours  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 


LETTER  XIX. 

To  the  same. 
AVET.L-BELOVED  AND  DEAR  SISTER,  IN  CHRIST, 

I  COULD  not  get  an  answer  written  to  your  letter  till  now,  in  respect 
of  my  wife's  disease,  and  she  is  yet  mi<;htily  pained  ;  I  hope  all  shall 
end  in  God's  mercy  :  I  know  that  an  afflicted  life  looks  very  like  the 
way  that  leads  to  the  kingdom ;  for  the  apostle,  Acts  xiv.  22.  hath 
drawn  the  line,  and  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  disposition,  how  their  hearts 
are  inclined  toward  the  man  you  know,  and  whom  you  desire  most 
earnestly  yourself.  He  would  most  gladly  have  the  Lord's  call  for 
transplantation ;  for  he  knows,  all  God's  plants,  set  by  his  own  hand, 
thrive  well ;  and  if  the  work  be  of  God,  he  can  make  a  stepping- 
stone  of  the  devil  himself,  for  setting  forward  the  work.  For  your- 
self, I  would  advise  you  to  ask  of  God  a  submissive  heart.  Your 
reward  shall  be  with  the  Lord.  AUhough  the  people  be  not  gathered, 
as  the  prophet  speaks,  and  suppose  the  word  do  not  prosper,  God 
shall  account  you  a  repairer  of  the  breaches.  And  take  Christ  cau- 
tion, ye  shall  not  lose  your  reward.  Hold  your  grip  fast.  If  ye 
knew  the  mind  of  the  glorified  in  heaven,  they  think  heaven  come  to 
their  hand  at  an  easy  market,  when  they  have  got  it  for  threescore  or 
fourscore  years'  wrestling  with  God.  When  ye  are  come  thither,  ye 
shall  think,  all  I  did  in  respect  of  my  rich  reward  now  enjoyed  of  free 
grace,  was  too  little.  Now  then,  for  the  love  of  the  Prince  of  your 
salvation,  who  is  standing  at  the  end  of  your  way,  holding  up  in  his 
hand  the  prize  and  the  garland  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  shall  be  the  welcomer  yourself.  Be 
no  niggard  or  sparing  churl  of  the  grace  of  God ;  and  employ  all 
your  endeavours  for  estabhshing  an  honest  ministry  in  your  town, 
now  when  ye  have  so  few  to  speak  a  good  word  for  you.  I  have 
many  a  grieved  heart  daily  in  my  calling :  I  would  be  undone,  if  I 
had  not  access  to  the  King's  chamber  of  presence,  to  shew  him  all 
the  business.  The  devil  rages  and  is  mad,  to  see  the  water  drawn 
from  his  own  mill ;  but  would  to  God,  we  could  be  the  Lord's  in- 
struments to  build  the  Son  of  God's  house.  Pray  for  me.  If  the 
Lord  furnish  not  new  timber  from  Lebanon,  to  build  the  house,  the 
work  will  cease.  I  look  to  him,  who  hath  begun  well  with  me  ;  I 
have  his  hand-writ,  he  will  not  change.  VTour  daughter  is  well,  and 
longs  for  a  Bible.  I'he  Lord  establish  you  in  peace.  The  Lord 
Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  at  all  power  in  Christ,  S.  R 

53 


4  IB  LETTER  XX,  XXI.  PART  III. 

LETTER  XX. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  Our  communion  is  on  sabbath 
come  eight  days,  1  will  intreat  you  to  recommend  it  to  God,  and  to 
pray  for  me  in  that  work.  I  have  more  sins  upon  me  now  than  the 
last  time  ;  therefore  I  will  beseech  you  in  Christ,  seek  this  petition  to 
me  from  God,  that  the  Lord  would  give  me  grace  to  vow  and  perform 
new  obedience.  I  have  cause  to  suit  this  of  you,  and  shew  it  to 
Thomas  Carsen,  Fergus  and  Jane  Brown,  for  I  have  been  and  am 
exceedingly  cast  down,  and  am  fighting  against  a  malicious  devil,  of 
whom  I  can  win  little  ground,  and  I  would  think  a  spoil  plucked  from 
him  and  his  trusty  servant  sin,  a  lawful  and  just  conquest ;  and  it  were 
no  sin  to  take  from  him.  In  the  name  of  the  Goodman  of  our  house, 
King  Jesus,  I  invite  you  to  the  banquet :  he  saith  ye  shall  be  dearly 
welcome  to  him.  And  I  desire  to  believe  (howbeit  not  without  great 
fear)  he  shall  be  as  hearty  in  his  own  house,  as  he  has  been  before. 
For  me  it  is  but  small  reckoning ;  but  I  would  fain  have  our  Father 
and  Lord  to  break  the  fair  Loaf,  Christ,  and  to  distribute  his  slain  Son 
amongst  the  children  of  his  house ;  and  that,  if  any  were  a  step- 
child, in  respect  of  comfort  and  sense,  it  were  rather  myself  than  his 
poor  children.  Therefore  bid  my  Well-beloved  come  to  his  garden, 
and  feed  among  the  lilies.  And  as  concerning  Zion,  I  hope  our 
Lord,  who,  Zech.  ii.  sent  his  angel  with  a  measuring-line  in  his  hand, 
to  measure  the  length  and  breadth  of  Jerusalem,  in  token  he  would 
not  want  a  foot  length  or  inch  of  his  own  free  heritage,  shall  take 
order  with  those  who  have  taken  away  many  acres  of  his  own  land 
from  him  ;  and  God  will  build  Jerusalem  in  the  old  stead  and  place, 
where  it  was  before  ;  in  this  hope,  rejoice  and  be  glad.  Christ's  gar- 
ment was  not  dipt  in  blood  for  nothing,  but  for  his  bride,  whom  he 
bought  with  strokes.  I  will  desire  you  to  remember  my  old  suits  to 
God,  God's  glory  and  mcrease  of  light,  that  I  dry  not  up.  For  your 
town,  hope  and  believe,  that  the  Lord  will  gather  in  his  loose  sheaves 
among  you  to  his  barn,  and  send  one  with  a  well-toothed  sharp  hook, 
and  strong  gardies,  to  reap  his  harvest.  And  the  Lord  Jesus  be 
Husbandmen,  and  oversee  the  growing.  Remember  my  love  to  your 
husband  and  to  Samuel :  grace  upon  you  and  your  children ;  Lord 
make  them  corner-stones  in  Jerusalem,  and  give  them  grace  in  their 
youth,  to  take  band  with  the  fair  chief  Corner-stone,  who  was  hewed 
out  of  the  mountain  without  hands,  and  got  many  a  knock  with  Iiis 
Father's  forehammer,  and  endured  them  all,  and  the  stone  did  neither 
cleave  nor  break ;  upon  that  stone  your  soul  doth  well  to  lie.  King 
Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  friend  in  his  well-beloved  Lord  Jesus,  S-  R. 


LETTER  XXI. 

To  the  same. 
MUCH  HONOURED  AND  DEAR  MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.     1  am  grieved  at  the  heart  to  write 
anv  thing  to  you,  to  breed  heaviness  to  you  ;  and  what  I  have  written, 


PART  III.  LETTER    XXII.  410 

I  wrote  it  with  much  heaviness.  But  T  intreat  you  in  Christ's  name, 
when  my  soul  is  under  wresthngs,  and  seeking  direction  from  our 
Lord  (to  whom  his  vineyard  belongeth)  whither  I  shall  go,  give  me 
liberty  to  advise,  and  try  all  airths  and  paths,  to  see  whether  he  goeth 
before  me  and  leadeth  me ;  for  if  I  were  assured  of  God's  call  to 
your  town,  let  my  arm  fall  from  my  shoulder  blade  and  lose  power, 
and  my  right  eye  be  dryed  up,  which  is  the  judgment  of  the  idol  shep- 
herd, Zech.  xi.  17.  if  I  would  not  swim  through  the  water  without  a 
boat,  ere  I  sat  his  bidding.  But  if  ye  knew  my  doubtings  and  fears 
in  that,  ye  would  suffer  with  me.  Whether  they  be  temptations,  or 
impediments  cast  in  by  God,  I  know  not ;  but  you  have  now  cause  to 
thank  God  ;  for,  seeing  the  Bishop  hath  given  you  such  a  promise, 
he  will  give  you  an  honest  man,  more  willingly  than  he  will  permit 
me  to  come  to  you.  And,  as  I  ever  intreated  you,  put  the  business 
out  of  your  hand  in  the  Lord's  reverence  ;  and  try  of  him  if  ye  have 
warrant  of  him  to  seek  no  man  in  the  world,  but  one  only,  when  there 
are  choice  of  good  men  to  be  had ;  howbeit  they  be  too  scarce,  yet 
they  are.  And  what  God  saith  to  me  in  the  business,  I  resolve  by  his 
grace  to  do  :  for  I  know  not  what  he  will  do  with  me,  but  God  shall 
fill  you  with  joy  ere  the  business  be  ended :  for  I  persuade  myself, 
our  Lord  Jesus  hath  stirred  you  up  already  to  do  good  in  the  busi- 
ness, and  ye  shall  not  loose  your  reward.  I  have  heard  your  husband 
and  Samuel  have  been  sick.  The  man  who  is  called  the  Branch  and 
God's  Fellow,  who  standeth  before  his  Father,  will  be  your  stay  and 
help,  Zech.  xiii.  7.  I  would  I  were  able  to  comfort  your  soul ;  but 
have  patience  and  stand  still ;  he  that  believeth  maketh  not  haste. 
This  matter  of  Crammond,  cast  in  at  this  time,  is  either  a  temptation, 
having  fallen  out  at  this  time,  or  then  it  will  clear  all  my  doubts,  and 
let  you  see  the  Lord's  will  But  I  never  knew  my  own  part  in  the 
business  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  resolve  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  shall  be  fed  by  the  Carver  of  the 
meat,  be  who  he  will,  and  these  who  are  liungry,  look  more  to  the 
meat  than  to  the  Carver.  I  cannot  see  you  the  next  week.  If  my 
lady  come  home,  I  must  visit  her.  The  week  thereafter  will  be  a 
presbytery  at  Girtoun ;  God  will  dispose  of  the  meeting.  Grace 
Upon  you,  and  your  seed  and  husband  :  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your 
spirit. 

Your's  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


LETTER  XXIL 

To  the  same. 


WOETUY    AND    WELL-BELOVED    MISTRESS, 

Mv  love  in  Christ  remembered.     I  have  sent  you  a  letter  from  Mr. 
TVavid  Dickson,  concerning  the  placing  of  Mr.  Hugh  MacKail  witli 


420  LETTER  XXni.  TART  III. 

themselves ;  therefore  I  write  to  you  now,  only  to  intreat  you  in 
Christ  not  to  be  discouraged  thereat :  be  submissive  to  the  will  of 
your  dear  Lord,  who  knoweth  best  what  is  good  for  your  soul  and 
your  town  both  ;  for  God  can  come  over  t^reater  mountains  than 
these,  we  believe,  for  he  worketh  his  greatest  works  contrary  to  carnal 
reason  and  means.  My  ways  are  not  (saith  our  Lord)  as  your  ways  : 
neither  are  my  thoughts  as  your  thoughts,  Isa.  Iv.  I  am  no  whit  put 
from  my  belief  for  all  that ;  believe,  pray,  and  use  means.  We  shall 
cause  Mr.  John  Ker,  who  convoyed  myself  to  Lochinvar,  to  use 
means  to  seek  a  man,  if  Mr.  Hugh  fail  us.  Our  Lord  has  a  Uttle 
bride  among  you,  and  I  trust  he  will  send  one  to  woo  her  to  our  sweet 
Lord  Jesus.  He  will  not  want  his  wife  for  the  suiting  ;  and  he  has 
means  abundance  in  his  hand,  to  open  all  the  slots  and  bars  that 
Satan  draws  over  the  door :  he  cometh  to  his  bride  leaping  over  the 
mountains,  and  skipping  over  the  hills.  His  way  to  his  spouse  is 
full  of  stones,  mountains,  and  waters  ;  yet  he  putteth  in  his  foot  and 
wadeth  through  ;  he  will  not  want  her :  and  therefore  refresh  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  bush  :  and  for  the  good  will  of  him  that  dwelleth  in  the 
bush,  the  bush  is  not  consumed.  It  is  better  to  weep  with  Jerusalem 
in  the  forenoon,  than  to  weep  with  Babel  afternoon,  in  the  end  of  the 
day.  Our  day  of  laughter  and  rejoicing  is  coming ;  yet  a  little  while 
and  ye  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God.  I  long  to  see  you,  and  to  hear 
how  your  children  are,  especially  Samuel.  Grace  be  their  heritage 
and  portion  from  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  be  their  lot,  and  then  their 
inheritance  shall  please  them  well.  Remember  my  love  to  your  hus- 
band :  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwotb. 


LETTER  XXHL 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

Mv  love  in  Jesus  Christ  remembered.  Your  daughter  is  well, 
thanks  be  to  God ;  I  trust  in  him  ye  shall  have  joy  of  her  ;  the  Lord 
bless  her.  I  am  now  presently  going  about  catechising.  The 
bearer  is  in  haste  ;  forget  not  poor  Zion,  and  the  Lord  remember  you, 
for  we  shall  be  shortly  winnowed  ;  Jesus,  pray  for  us,  that  our  faith 
fail  not.  I  would  wish  to  see  you  a  sabbath  with  us,  and  we  shall  stir 
up  one  another,  God  willing,  to  seek  the  Lord  ;  for  it  may  be,  he  hide 
liimself  from  us  ere  it  be  long  :  keep  that  which  you  have,  ye  will  get 
more  in  heaven.  The  Lord  send  us  to  the  shore  out  of  all  the  storms, 
with  our  silly  souls  whole  and  sound  with  us  :  for  if  liberty  ot"  con- 
science come  as  is  rumoured,  the  best  of  us  all  will  be  put  to  our  wits, 
to  seek  how  to  be  freed.  But  we  shall  be  with  those,  who  have  their 
chamber  to  go  unto,  spoken  of,  Isa.  xxvi.  20.  Read  the  place  your- 
self, and  keep  you  within  your  house  while  the  storm  be  past.  If 
you  can  learn  a  dittay  against  C.  try,  and  cause  try,  that  we  may  see 


PART   III.  LETTER    XXIV,  XXV .  421 

the  Lord's  righteous  judgment  upon  the  devil's  instruments.  We  are 
not  much  obhged  to  his  kindness  ;  I  wish  all  such  wicked  doers  were 
cut  off.  These  in  haste :  1  bless  you  in  God's  name  and  all  yours. 
Your  daughter  desires  a  Bible  and  a  gown  ;  1  hope  she  shall  use  the 
Bible  well,  which  if  she  do,  the  gown  is  the  better  bestowed.  The 
Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  for  ever  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


LETTER  XXIV. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Jesus  Christ  remembered.  I  am  in  good  health,  honour 
to  my  Lord ;  but  ray  wife's  disease  increaseth  daily,  to  her  great  tor- 
ment and  pain  night  and  day ;  she  has  not  been  in  God's  house  since 
our  communion,  neither  out  of  her  bed.  I  have  hired  a  man  to  Edin- 
burgh, to  Dr.  Jeally  and  to  John  Hamilton  :  I  can  hardly  believe  her 
disease  is  ordinary  ;  for  her  hfe  is  bitter  to  her  ;  she  sleeps  none,  but 
cries,  as  a  woman  travailing  in  birth  ;  what  will  be  the  event  he  that 
hath  the  keys  of  the  grave  knows ;  I  have  been  many  times,  since  I 
saw  you,  that  I  have  besought  the  Lord  to  loose  her  out  of  the  body, 
and  to  take  her  to  her  rest.  I  believe  the  Lord's  tide  of  affliction  will 
ebb  again  ;  but  at  present  I  am  exercised  with  the  wrestlings  of  God, 
being  afraid  of  nothing  more  than  this,  that  God  has  let  loose  the 
tempter  upon  my  house.  God  rebuke  him  and  his  instruments.  Be- 
cause Satan  is  not  cast  out  but  by  fasting  and  prayer,  I  entreat  you 
remember  our  estate  to  our  Lord,  and  intreat  all  good  Christians, 
whom  ye  know,  but  especially  your  pastor,  to  do  the  same.  It  be- 
comes us  still  to  knock,  and  to  lie  at  the  Lord's  door,  while  we  die 
knocking ;  If  he  will  not  open,  it  is  more  than  he  has  said  in  his 
word  ;  but  he  is  faithful.  I  look  not  to  win  away  to  my  home  with- 
out wounds  and  blood.  Welcome,  welcome  cross  of  Christ,  if  Christ 
be  with  it.  I  have  not  a  calm  spirit  in  the  work  of  my  calling  here, 
being  daily  chastised ;  yet  God  hath  not  put  out  my  candle,  as  he 
does  to  the  wicked.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you  and  all  yours. 

Your's  in  his  Lord,  S.  R. 

Anwoth, 


LETTER  XXV. 

To  the  same. 
WORTHY  AND  WELL-BELOVED  MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  I  know  ye  have  heard  of  the 
purpose  of  my  adversaries,  to  try  what  they  can  do  against  me  at  this 
synod,  for  the  work  of  God  in  your  town  when  I  was  at  your  com- 
munion. They  intend  to  call  me  in  question  at  the  synod,  for  trea- 
sonable doctrine  ;  therefore  help  me  with  your  prayers,  and  desire 
your  acquaintance  to  help  me  also.  Your  ears  heard  how  Christ  was 
there ;  if  he  suffer  his  servant  to  get  a  broken  head,  in  his  own  king- 


422  LETTER  XXVI,  PART  III. 

ly  service,  and  not  either  help  or  revenge  the  wrong,  I  never  saw  the 
like  of  it.  There  is  not  a  night-drunkard,  time-serving,  idle  idol-shep- 
herd to  be  spoken  against,  I  am  the  only  man  ;  and  because  it  is  so, 
and  I  know  God  will  not  help  them,  lest  they  be  proud,  I  am  confi- 
dent their  process  shall  fall  asunder.  Only  be  ye  earnest  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  shall  not,  who  n«.w  ride  highest,  put  Christ  out  of  his  king- 
ly possession  in  Scotland.  The  pride  of  man,  and  his  rage,  shall  turn 
to  the  praise  of  our  Lord.  It  is  an  old  feud,  that  the  rulers  of  the 
earth,  the  dragon  and  his  angel,  have  have  carried  to  the  Lamb  and 
his  followers  :  but  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  shall  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  shall  know,  howbeit  sto- 
len water's  be  sweet,  Esau's  portion  is  not  worth  his  hunting.  Com- 
mend me  to  your  husband,  and  send  me  word  how  Grissel  is.  The 
Son  of  God  lead  her  through  the  water.  The  Lord  Jesus  be  with 
your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth. 


LETTER  XXVL 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  At  the  desire  of  this  bearer,  whom 
I  love,  I  thought  to  request  you,  if  ye  can  help  his  wife  with  your  ad- 
vice, for  she  is  in  a  most  dangerous  and  deadly-like  condition  ;  for  I 
have  thought  she  was  far  changed  in  her  carriage  and  life  this  time 
bypast,  and  had  hope  that  God  would  have  brought  her  home  ;  and 
now  by  appearance  she  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  in  exceeding  great  torment  night  and  day. 
Pray  for  us,  for  my  life  was  never  so  wearisome  to  me.  God  hath 
filled  me  with  gall  and  worm-wood ;  but  I  believe,  which  holds  up 
my  head  above  the  water,  it  is  good  for  a  man,  saith  the  Spirit  of 
God,  Lam.  iii.  that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth.  I  do  remember 
you  ;  I  pray  you  be  humble  and  believe  ;  and  I  intreat  you  in  Jesus 
Christ,  pray  for  John  Stewart  and  his  wife,  and  desire  your  husband 
to  do  the  same.  Remember  me  heartily  to  Jane  Brown  ;  desire  her 
to  pray  for  me  and  my  wife  ;  I  do  remember  her.  Forget  not  Zion. 
Grace,  grace  upon  them  and  peace,  that  pray  for  Zion.  She  is  the 
ship  we  sail  in  to  Canaan  ;  if  she  be  broken  on  a  rock,  we  will  be  cast 
over-board,  to  swim  to  land  betwixt  death  and  life.  The  grace  of 
Jesus  be  with  your  husband  and  children. 

Your's  in  our  Christ.  S.  R. 

Anwnth , 


PART  III.  LETTER    XXVII,    XXVIII.  423 

LETTER  XXVIL 

To  the  same. 
DEAR  SISTER, 

I  LONGED  much  to  have  conferred  with  you  at  this  time  :  I  am 
grieved  at  any  thing  in  your  house  that  grieveth  you ;  and  shall,  by 
my  Lord's  grace,  suit  my  Lord  to  help  you  to  bear  your  burden,  and 
to  come  in  behind  you,  and  give  you  and  your  burdens  a  putt  up  the 
mountain.  Know  you  not  that  Christ  wooeth  his  wife  in  the  furnace, 
Isa.  xlviii.  ver.  10.  '  Behold  I  have  refined  thee,  but  not  with  silver  ; 
I  have  ohosen  thee  in  the  furnace  of  affliction  :  he  casteth  his  love 
on  you,  when  ye  are  in  the  furnace  of  affliction :  you  might  indeed 
be  casten  down,  if  he  brought  you  in  and  left  you  there  ;  but  when  he 
leadeth  you  through  the  waters,  think  ye  not  that  he  has  a  sweet  soft 
hand  ?  you  know  his  love  grip  already ;  you  shall  be  delivered  :  wait 
on ;  Jesus  will  make  a  road,  and  come  and  fetch  home  the  captive  : 
you  shall  not  die  in  prison,  but  your  strokes  are  such  as  were  your 
husband's,  who  was  wounded  in  the  house  of  his  friends ;  strokes 
were  not  newings  to  him,  and  neither  are  they  to  you  ;  but  your  win- 
ter-night is  near  spent ;  it  is  near  hand  the  dawning  ;  I  will  see  you 
leap  for  joy  ;  the  kirk  shall  be  delivered  ;  this  wilderness  shall  bud  and 
grow  up  like  a  rose  ;  Christ  got  a  charter  of  Scotland  from  his  Fa- 
ther, and  who  will  bereave  him  of  his  heritage,  or  put  our  Redeemer 
out  of  his  mailing,  until  his  tack  be  run  out  1  I  must  have  you  praying 
for  me  ;  I  am  black  shamed  for  evermore  with  Christ's  goodness  ;  and 
in  private,  on  the  17th  and  18th  of  August,  I  got  a  full  answer  of  my 
Lord  to  be  a  graced  minister,  and  a  chosen  arrow  hidden  in  his  own 
quiver.  But  know  this  assurance  is  not  kept  but  by  watching  and 
prayer ;  and  therefore  dear  mistress,  help  me.  I  have  gotten  now, 
honour  to  my  Lord,  the  gate  to  open  the  store,  and  shut  the  bar  of 
his  door ;  and  I  think  it  easy  to  get  any  thing  from  the  King  by  prayer, 
and  to  use  holy  violence  with  him.  Christ  was  in  Carsfarne  kirk, 
and  opened  the  people's  hearts  wonder  fully ;  Jesus  is  looking  up 
that  water,  and  minting  to  dwell  amongst  them.  I  would  we  could 
give  him  his  welcome  home  to  the  Muirs.  Now  peace  and  grace  be 
upon  you  and  all  yours. 

Your's  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Aug.  20,  1633. 


LETTER  XXVIII. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  I  am  in  care  and  fear  for  this 
work  of  our  Lord's  now  near  approaching,  because  of  the  danger  of 
the  time,  and  I  dare  not  for  my  soul  be  silent ;  to  see  my  Lord's 
house  burning,  and  not  cry,  Fire,  fire  :  therefore  seek  from  our  Lord 
wisdom  spiritual,  not  black  pohcy,  to  speak  with  liberty  our  Lord's 
truth.  I  am  cast  down,  and  would  fain  have  access  and  presence  to 
the  King  that  day,  even  howbeit  I  should  break  up  iron  doors.     I 


424  LETTER   XXIX.  PART   III. 

believe  you  will  not  forget  me,  and  you  will  desire  Jane  Brown, 
Thomas  Carsen,  and  Marion  Carsen  to  help  me.  Pray  for  well- 
cooked  meat,  and  an  heartsome  Saviour  with  joy,  crying,  Welcome 
in  my  Father's  name.  I  am  confident  Zion  shall  be  well ;  the  bush 
shall  burn  and  not  consume,  for  the  good  will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the 
bush.  But  the  Lord  is  making  on  a  fire  in  Jerusalem,  and  purposeth 
to  blow  the  bellows,  and  to  melt  the  tin  and  brass,  and  bring  out  a  fair 
beautiful  bride  out  of  the  furnace,  that  will  be  married  over  again  upon 
the  new  Husband,  and  sing  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  when  the 
contract  of  marriage  is  written  over  again ;  but  I  fear  the  bride  be 
hidden  for  a  time  from  the  dragon,  that  pursueth  the  woman  with 
child  ;  but  what,  howbeit  we  go  and  lurk  in  the  wilderness  for  a  time? 
for  the  Lord  will  take  his  kirk  to  the  wilderness,  and  speak  to  her 
heart.  Nothing  casteth  me  down,  but  only  I  fear  the  Lord  will  cast 
down  the  shepherd's  tents,  and  feed  his  own  in  a  secret  place ;  but 
let  us,  however  matters  frame,  cast  over  the  affairs  of  the  bride  upon 
the  Bridegroom ;  the  government  is  upon  his  shoulders,  and  he  can 
bear  us  all  well  enough  ;  that  fallen  star,  the  prince  of  the  bottomless 
pit,  knoweth  it  is  near  the  time  when  he  shall  be  tormented ;  and 
now  in  his  evening  he  has  gathered  his  armies  to  win  one  battle  or  two, 
in  the  edge  of  the  evening,  at  the  sun  going  down.  And  when  our 
Lord  has  been  watering  his  vineyards  in  France  and  Germany,  and 
Bohemia,  how  can  we  think  ourselves  Christ's  sister,  if  we  be  not 
like  him,  and  our  other  great  sisters  {  I  cannot  but  think,  seeing  the 
ends  of  the  earth  are  given  to  Christ,  Psal.  ii,  ver.  8.  and  Scotland  is 
the  end  of  the  earth  (and  so  we  are  in  Christ's  charter-tailzie)  but 
our  Lord  will  keep  his  possession ;  we  fall  by  promise  and  law  to 
Christ ;  he  won  us  with  the  sweat  of  his  brows,  (if  I  may  say  so)  his 
Father  promised  him  his  Ufe-rent  of  Scotland.  Glory,  glory  to  our 
King ;  long  may  he  wear  his  crown !  0  Lord,  let  us  never  see 
another  king.  O  let  him  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  new-mown 
grass.  I  had  you  in  remembrance  on  Saturday  in  the  morning  last, 
in  a  great  measure,  and  was  brought  thrice  on  end,  in  remembrance 
of  you  in  my  prayer  to  God.     Grace,  grace  be  your  portion. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Anwoth,  March  2d,  1634. 

LETTER  XXIX. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered.  Please  you  understand,  to  my 
grief,  our  communion  is  delayed  till  sabbath  come  eight  days ;  for 
the  Laird  and  Lady  have  earnestly  desired  me  to  delay  it,  because  the 
Laird  is  sick,  and  he  fears  he  be  not  able  to  travel,  because  he  has 
lately  taken  phy.sic.  The  Lord  bless  that  work  ;  commend  it  to  God., 
as  you  love  me.  For  I  love  not  Satan's  thorns  cast  in  the  Lord's 
way :  The  Lord  rebuke  him.  I  trust  in  God's  mercy,  Satan  has 
gotten  but  a  delay,  but  no  free  discharge  that  his  kingdom  shall  not  be 
hurt.     Commend  the  Laird  to  your  God.     I  pray  you  advertise  your 


PART  III.  LKTTER    XXX,  XXXI.  425 

people,  that  they  be  not  disappointed  in  coming  here.  Show  such  of 
them  as  you  love  in  Christ  from  me,  that  .Jesus  Christ  will  be  wel- 
comer  when  he  comes  in,  that  he  has  sharpened  their  desires  for 
eight  days'  space.  Your  daughter  is  well,  I  hope,  every  way.  For- 
get not  God's  kirk ;  they  are  but  bastards,  and  not  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, that  mourn  not  for  Zion :  Lord  hear  us.  No  further ;  Jesus 
Christ  be  with  your  spirit.  I  shall  remember  you  and  your  new 
house.     Lord  Jesus,  go  from  the  one  house  to  the  other. 

Your's  at  all  power  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

\nwoth. 


LETTER  XXX. 

To  tlie  same. 
AVELL-BELOVED    MISTRESS, 

My  love  in  Christ  remembered-  I  hear  tiiis  day,  your  town  is  to 
choose  a  commissioner  for  the  parhament,  and  I  was  written  to  from 
Edinburgh,  to  see  that  good  men  should  be  chosen  in  your  bounds  : 
and  I  have  heard  this  day,  that  Robert  Glendoning  or  John  Ewart 
look  to  be  chosen.  I  beseech  you  see  this  be  not ;  the  Lord's  cause 
craveth  other  witnesses  to  speak  for  him  than  such  men ;  and  there- 
lore  let  it  not  be  said,  that  Kircudbright,  which  is  spoken  of  in  this 
kingdom  for  their  religion,  hath  sent  a  man  to  be  their  mouth  that  will 
speak  against  Christ.  Such  a  time  as  this  will  not  fall  out  once  in 
half  an  age.  I  would  entreat  your  husband,  to  take  it  upon  him  ;  it  is 
an  honourable  and  necessary  service  for  Christ ;  and  shew  him  that  I 
wrote  unto  you  for  that  etiect.  I  fear  William  Glendoning  hath  not 
skill  and  authority.  I  am  in  great  heaviness  :  pray  for  me  ;  for  we 
must  take  our  life  in  our  hand  in  this  ill  time.  Let  us  stir  up  ourselves 
to  lay  our  Lord's  bride,  and  her  wrongs,  before  our  Husband  and 
Lord.     Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R- 

Ainvoth,  xMay  20. 


LETTER  XXXI. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED    SISTER, 

Mv  old  and  dearest  love  in  Christ  remembered.  Know  that  I  have 
been  visiting  my  Lady  Kenmure  ;  her  child  is  with  the  Lord  :  I  intreat 
you  visit  her  ;  and  desire  the  good-wife  of  Barcaple  to  visit  her,  and 
Knockbrex,  if  you  see  him  in  the  town.  My  Lord,  her  husband  is 
absent,  and  I  think  she  will  be  heavy :  you  know  what  Mr.  W.  Dal- 
gliesh  and  I  desired  you  to  deal  for,  at  my  Lord  Kircudbright's  hand. 
Send  me  word  if  you  obtained  any  thing  at  my  Lord's  hands,  anenl 
the  giving  up  of  our  names  to  the  high  commission  ;  for  I  hear  it  is 
not  for  nothing  that  the  Bishop  hath  taken  that  course ;  our  Lord 
knows  best  what  is  good  for  an  old  kirk,  that  is  fallen  from  her  first 
love,  and  hath  forgotten  her  Husband,  days  without  number  :  a  trial  is 
like  to  come  on  :  but  I  am  sure,  our  Husbandman  Christ  shall  lose 

54 


426  LETTER    XXXn.  PART  111. 

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  suffer  tentation  for  ten  days  :  but  those,  who 
are  faithful  to  the  death,  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life.  I  hear 
daily  what  hath  been  spoken  of  myself  most  unjust  and  falsely  ;  and 
no  marvel,  the  dragon  with  the  swing  of  his  tail,  hath  made  the  third 
part  of  the  stars  to  fall  from  heaven,  and  the  fallen  would  have  many 
to  fall  with  them.  If  ever  Satan  was  busy,  now  when  he  knowetU 
his  time  is  short,  he  is  busy  ;  yet  a  little  while,  and  he  that  shall  come, 
will  come,  and  will  not  tarry.  I  know,  ere  it  be  long,  the  Lord  shall 
come,  and  rid  all  pleas  betwixt  us  and  his  enemies  :  Now  welcome^ 
Lord  Jesus,  go  fast.  Send  me  word  about  Grissel  your  daughter, 
who  I  remember  in  Christ ;  and  desire  her  to  cast  herself  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  bro- 
ther Jesus  was  an  infant ;  it  was,  that  he  might  pity  infants  of  be- 
lievers, who  were  to  come  out  of  the  womb  into  the  world  ;  I  believe 
our  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  waiting  on  with  mercy,  mercy,  mercy  to  the 
end  of  that  battle,  and  bring  her  through  with  life  and  peace,  and  a 
sign  of  God's  favour.  I  will  expect  advertisement  from  you,  and  es- 
pecially if  you  fear  her.  Mistress,  you  remember  that  I  said  to  you, 
anent  your  love  to  me  and  my  brother  begun  in  Christ ;  you  know, 
we  are  here  but  strangers,  and  you  have  not  yet  found  us  a  dry  well, 
as  others  have  been ;  be  not  overcome  of  any  suspicion  ;  I  trust  iri 
God,  the  Lord,  who  knit  us  together,  shall  keep  us  together.  It  is 
time  now,  that  the  lambs  of  Jesus  should  all  run  together,  when  the 
wolf  is  barking  at  them  :  yet  I  know,  ere  God's  children  want  a  cross, 
their  love  amongst  themselves  shall  be  a  cross  ;  but  our  Lord  giveth 
love  for  another  end.  I  know  you  will  with  love  cover  infirmities  ; 
and  our  Lord  give  you  wisdom  in  all  things :  1  think  love  hath  broad 
shoulders,  and  will  bear  many  things,  and  yet  neither  faint,  nor  sweat, 
nor  fall  under  the  burden.  Commend  me  to  your  husband,  and  dear 
Grissel ;  I  think  on  her :  Lord  Jesus  be  in  the  furnace  with  her,  and 
then  she  will  but  smoke,  and  not  burn.  Desire  Mr.  Robert  to  ex- 
cuse my  not  seeing  of  him  at  his  house ;  I  have  my  own  reasons 
therefore.     Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R- 

Anwoth,  April  25th,  1634. 


LETTER  XXXn. 

To  the  same. 
MISTRESS, 

My  dearest  love  in  Christ  remembered :  I  intreat  you,  charge  your 
soul  to  return  to  rest,  and  to  glorify  your  dearest  Lord  in  believing : 
and  know,  that,  for  the  good  will  of  him  that  dwelleth  in  the  bush, 
the  burning  kirk  shall  not  be  consumed  to  ashes :  but,  Deut.  xxxiii. 
16.  '  Blessing  shall  come  on  the  head  of  Joseph,  and  upon  the  top 
of  the  head  of  him  who  was  separate  from  his  brethren  :  and  are  not 
the  saints  separate  from  their  brethren,  and  sold,  and  hated?  for.  Gen. 


PART  III.  LETTER  XXXII.  427 

xlis.  23.  '  The  archers  have  sorely  grieved  Joseph,  and  shot  at  hinij 
and  hated  him.'  Ver.  24.  *  But  his  bow  abode  in  strength,  and  the 
arras  of  his  hands  were  made  strong  by  the  hands  of  the  mighty 
God  of  Jacob  :  from  him  is  the  Shepherd  and  the  Stone  of  Israel ;' 
the  Stone  of  Israel  shall  not  be  broken  in  pieces  :  it  is  hammered 
upon  by  the  children  of  this  world,  and  we  shall  live,  and  not  die. 
Our  Lord  hath  done  all  this,  to  see  if  we  will  believe,  and  not  give 
over ;  and  I  am  persuaded,  you  must  of  necessity  stick  by  your 
work  :  the  eye  of  Christ  hath  been  upon  all  this  business ;  and  he 
taketh  good  heed  too,  who  is  for  him  and  who  is  against  him  ;  let  us 
do  our  part,  as  we  would  be  approved  of  Christ.  The  Son  of  God 
is  near  to  his  enemies  ;  if  they  were  not  deaf,  they  may  hear  the  din 
of  his  feet ;  and  he  will  come  with  a  start,  upon  his  weeping  children, 
and  take  them  on  his  knee  and  lay  their  head  in  his  bosom,  and  dry 
their  watery  eyes  ;  and  this  day  is  fast  coming ;  yet  a  little  time,  and 
the  vision  will  speak,  it  will  not  tarry,  Hab.  ii.  These  questions 
betwixt  us  and  our  adversaries  will  all  be  decided  in  yonder  day,  when 
the  Son  of  God  shall  come,  and  rid  all  pleas ;  and  it  will  be  seen 
whether  we  or  they  have  been  for  Christ,  and  who  have  been  pleading 
for  Baal.  It  is  not  known  what  we  are  now  ;  but  when  our  life  shall 
appear  in  glory,  then  we  shall  see  who  laughs  fastest  that  day ; 
therefore  we  must  possess  our  souls  in  patience,  and  go  in  to  our 
chamber,  and  rest  while  the  indignation  be  past :  we  shall  not  weep 
long,  when  our  Lord  shall  take  us  up  in  the  day  that  he  gathereth 
his  jewels:  and,  Mai.  iii.  16.  *  They  that  feared  the  Lord  spoke 
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.'  And  I  shall  never  be 
of  another  faith,  but  our  Lord  is  heating  a  furnace  for  the  enemies  of 
his  kirk  in  Scotland.  It  is  true,  the  spouse  of  Christ  hath  played  the 
harlot,  and  hath  left  her  first  Husband  ;  and  the  enemies  think  they 
offend  not,  for  we  have  sinned  against  the  Lord  :  but  they  shall  get 
the  devil  to  their  thanks,  the  rod  shall  be  cast  into  the  fire,  that  we 
may  sing  as  in  the  days  of  our  youth.  My  dear  friend,  therefore  lay 
down  your  head  upon  Christ's  breast :  weep  not,  the  Lion  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah  will  arise.  The  sun  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  Christ  standeth  but  behind  the  wall,  his 
bowels  are  moved  for  Scotland  :  he  waiteth  (as  Isaiah  saith)  that  he 
may  show  mercy.  If  we  would  go  home,  and  take  our  brethren  with 
ris,  weeping  with  our  faces  toward  Zion,  asking  the  way  thitherward, 
he  would  bring  back  our  captivity  :  we  may  not  think  that  God  has  no 
care  of  his  own  honour,  while  men  tread  it  under  their  feet ;  he  will 
clothe  himself  with  vengeance,  as  with  a  cloak,  and  appear  against 
oar  enemies  for  our  deliverance.  Ye  were  never  yet  beguiled,  and 
God  will  not  now  begin  with  you ;  wrestle  still  with  the  Angel  of  the 
covenant,  and  you  shall  get  the  blessing  :  fight,  he  delighteth  to  be 
overcome  by  wrestling.  Commend  me  to  Grissel ;  desire  her  to 
learn  to  know  the  adversaries  of  the  Lord,  and  to  take  them  as  her 
adversaries  ;  and  to  learn  to  know  the  right  gate  in  to  the  Son  of  God! 


428  LETTEll    XXXIII.  PART  III. 


IS 


O  but  acquaintance  with  the  Son  of  God,  to  say,  My  Well-beloved  i 
mine,  and  I  am  his,  is  a  sweet  and  glorious  course  of  life,  that  none 
know,  but  those  who  are  sealed,  and  marked  in  the  forehead  with 
Christ's  mark,  and  the  new  name  that  Christ  writeth  upon  his  own  ! 
Grace,  grace  and  mercy  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ,  >S.  R. 

Anwoth,  Sept.  25th,  1634. 


LETTER  XXXIII. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  MISTRESS, 

I  CHARGE  you,  in  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God,  to  rest  upon  your 
Rock,  that  is  higher  than  yourself;  be  not  afraid  of  a  man  who  is  a 
worm,  nor  for  the  son  of  man  who  shall  die ;  let  God  be  your  fear. 
Encourage  your  husband.  1  would  counsel  you  to  write  to  Edin- 
buii  h  to  some  advised  lawyers,  to  understand  what  your  husband,  as 
the  head  magistrate  may  do,  in  opposing  any  intruded  minister,  and 
his  carriage  toward  the  new  prelate,  if  he  command  him  to  imprison 
or  lay  hands  upon  any  ;  and  in  a  word,  how  far  he  may  in  his  office 
disobey  a  prelate,  without  danger  of  law  :  for  if  the  Bistiop  come  to 
your  town,  and  find  not  obedience  to  his  heart,  it  is  like  he  will  com- 
mand the  provOst  to  assist  him  against  God  and  the  truth.  Ye  will 
have  more  courage  under  the  persecution  .  fear  not,  take  Christ  cau- 
tion, who  said,  Luke  xxi.  18.  '  There  shall  not  one  hair  of  your  head 
perish.'  Christ  will  not  be  in  your  common,  to  have  you  giving  out 
any  thing  for  him,  and  not  give  you  all  incomes  with  advantage  :  it  is 
his  honour,  his  servants  should  not  be  berried  and  undone  in  his  ser- 
vice ;  you  were  never  honoured  till  now  ;  and  if  your  husband  be  the 
first  magistrate  who  shall  suffer  for  Christ's  name  in  this  persecution, 
he  may  rejoice  that  Christ  hath  put  the  first  garland  upon  his  head, 
and  upon  yours.  Truth  will  yet  keep  the  crown  of  the  causeway  in 
Scotland  ;  Christ  and  truth  are  strong  enough.  They  judge  us  now, 
we  shall  one  day  judge  them,  and  sit  on  twelve  thrones,  and  judge 
the  twelve  tribes  :  believe,  believe  ;  for  they  dare  not  pray,  they  dare 
not  look  Christ  in  the  face  ;  they  have  been  false  to  Christ,  and  he 
will  not  sit  with  the  wrong  ;  ye  know,  it  is  not  our  cause  ;  for  if  we 
would  quit  our  Lord,  we  might  sleep  for  the  present  in  a  sound  skin, 
and  keep  our  place,  means  and  honour,  and  be  dear  to  them  also. 
But  let  us  once  put  all  we  have  over  in  Christ's  hand  :  fear  not  for 
my  papers,  1  shall  dispatch  them  ;  but  ye  will  be  examined  for  them  : 
the  Spirit  of  Jesus  give  you  inward  peace.  Desire  your  husband 
from  me  to  prove  honest  to  Christ ;  he  shall  not  be  a  looser  at  Christ's 
hand. 

Your's  ever  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Amvoth,  Juiv  H,  l6Sf>. 


429 
LETTER  XXXn. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

Mv  love  in  Christ  remembered.  I  hear  of  good  news  auent  our 
kirk  ;  but  i  fear  that  our  king  will  not  be  resisted,  and  therefore  let  us 
not  be  secure  and  careless.  I  do  wonder  it  this  kirk  come  not 
through  our  Lord's  fan,  since  there  is  so  much  chaff  in  it ;  howbeit  I 
persuade  myself  the  Son  of  God's  wheat  will  not  be  blown  away. 
Let  us  be  putting  on  God's  armour,  and  be  strong  in  the  Lord ;  if  the 
devil  and  Zion's  enemies  strike  a  hole  in  that  armour,  let  our  Lord 
see  to  that ;  let  us  put  it  on  and  stand  :  we  have  Jesus  on  our  side, 
and  they  are  not  worthy  of  such  a  Captain,  who  would  not  take  a  blow 
at  his  back.  We  are  in  sight  of  his  colours  ;  his  banner  over  us  is 
love  :  look  up  to  that  white  banner  and  stand  ;  I  persuade  you  in  the 
Lord  of  victory.  My  brother  writeth  to  me  of  your  heaviness,  and 
of  temptations  that  press  you  sore.  I  am  content  it  be  so  ;  you  bear 
about  with  you  the  marks  of  the  Lord  Jesus :  so  was  it  with  our 
Lord's  apostle,  when  he  was  to  come  with  the  gospel  to  Macedonia, 
2  Cor.  vii.  5.  His  flesh  had  no  rest,  he  was  troubled  on  every  side, 
and  knew  not  what  side  to  turn  him  unto ;  without  were  fightings,  and 
within  were  fears.  In  the  great  work  of  our  redemption,  your  lovely, 
beautiful,  and  glorious  Friend  and  Well-beloved,  Jesus,  was  brought 
to  tears  and  strong  cries,  so  as  his  face  was  wet  with  tears  and  blood, 
arising  from  a  holy  fear  and  the  weight  of  the  curse.  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  poison  in  it.  I  wonder  many  times  that  ever 
a  child  of  God  should  have  a  sad  lieart,  considering  what  their  Lord 
is  preparing  for  them.  Is  your  mind  troubled  anent  that  business  that 
we  have  in  hand  in  Edinburgh  1  I  trust  in  my  Lord,  the  Lord  shall 
in  the  end  give  to  your  heart's  desire,  even  howbeit  the  business  frame 
not ;  the  Lord  shall  feed  your  soul,  and  all  the  hungry  souls  in  that 
town  :  therefore,  I  request  you  in  the  Lord,  pray  for  a  submissive  will: 
and  pray,  as  your  Lord  Jesus  bids  you.  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth, 
as  it  is  in  heaven.  And  let  it  be  that  your  faith  be  brangled  with 
temptations  :  believe  ye  that  there  is  a  tree  in  our  Lord's  garden  that 
is  not  often  shaken  with  the  wind  from  all  the  four  airths  ?  surely  there 
is  none.  Rebuke  your  soul,  as  the  Lord's  prophet  doth,  Psal.  xlii. 
'  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul !  why  art  thou  disquieted  within 
me  V  That  was  the  word  of  man,  who  was  at  the  very  overgoing  of 
the  brae  and  mountain  ;  but  God  held  a  grip  of  him.  Swim  through 
your  temptations  and  troubles,  to  be  at  that  lovely  amiable  Person, 
Jesus,  to  whom  your  soul  is  dear :  in  your  temptations,  run  to  the 
promises ;  they  be  our  Lord's  branches  hanging  over  the  water,  that 
our  Lord's  silly  half-drowned  children  may  take  a  grip  of  them ;  if 
you  let  that  grip  go,  you  will  go  to  the  ground.  Are  ye  troubled  with 
the  case  of  God's  kirk,  our  Lord  will  evermore  have  her  betwixt  the 
sinking  and  the  swimming  ;  he  will  have  her  going  through  a  thousand 
deaths,  and  through  hell,  as  a  cripple  woman,  halting  and  wanting  the 
power  her  own  side,  Micah  iv.  6,  7.  that  God  may  be  her  statf :  that 


430  LM'iTEB  XXXV.  PART  111. 

broken  ship  will  come  to  land,  because  Jesus  is  the  pilot :  faint  not, 
you  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God  ;  else  say,  that  God  never  spake 
his  word  by  my  mouth  :  and  I  had  rather  never  been  born,  ere  it  were 
so  with  me  :  but  my  Lord  hath  sealed  me.  I  dare  not  deny,  I  have 
also  been  in  heaviness  since  I  came  from  you,  fearing  for  my  un- 
thankfulness  that  I  am  deserted ;  but  the  Lord  will  be  kind  to  me, 
whether  I  will  or  not ;  I  repose  that  much  in  his  rich  grace,  that  he 
will  be  loth  to  change  upon  me.  As  you  love  me,  pray  for  me  in  this 
particular.  After  advising  with  Carletoun,  I  have  written  to  Mr. 
David  Dickson,  anent  Mr.  Hugh  Mackail,  and  desired  him  to  write 
his  mind  to  Carletoun,  and  Carletoun  to  Edinburgh,  that  they  may 
particularly  remember  Mr.  Hugh  to  the  Lord  ;  and  I  happened  upon 
a  convenient  trusty  bearer,  by  God's  wonderful  providence.  No 
further.  I  remember  you  to  the  Lord's  grace,  and  your  husband  and 
children  ;  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

Edinburgh. 

A  POSTSCRIPT. 

MISTRESS, 

I  H.4D  not  time  to  give  my  advice  to  your  daughter  Grissel,  yoU 
shall  carry  my  words  therefore  to  her  :  shew  her  now,  that  in  respect 
of  her  tender  age,  she  is  in  a  manner  as  clean  paper,  ready  to  receive 
either  good  or  ill ;  and  that  it  were  a  sweet  and  glorious  thing  for  her 
to  give  herself  up  to  Christ,  that  he  may  write  upon  her  his  Father's 
name,  and  his  own  new  name.  And  desire  her  to  acquaint  herself 
with  thft  book  of  God ;  the  promises  that  our  Lord  writes  upon  his 
own,  and  performeth  in  them  and  for  them,  are  contained  there.  I 
persuade  you,  when  1  think  that  she  is  in  the  company  of  such  parents, 
and  hath  occasion  to  learn  Christ,  I  think  Christ  is  wooing  her  soul ; 
and  I  pray  God  she  may  not  refuse  such  a  Husband  ;  and  therefore  I 
charge  her,  and  beseech  her  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  wounds 
and  blood  of  him  who  died  for  her,  by  the  word  of  truth,  which  she 
heareth  and  can  read,  by  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  God  to  judge  the 
world,  that  she  would  fulfil  your  joy,  and  learn  Christ,  and  walk  in 
Christ ;  she  shall  think  this  the  truth  of  God  many  years  after  this  ; 
and  I  will  promise  to  myself,  in  respect  of  the  beginnings  that  I  have 
seen,  that  she  shall  give  herself  to  him  that  gave  himself  for  her. 
Let  her  begin  at  prayer ;  for  if  she  remember  her  Creator  in  the  days 
of  her  youth,  he  will  claim  kindness  to  her  in  her  old  age.  It  shall 
be  a  part  of  my  prayers,  that  this  may  be  effectuate  in  her,  by  him 
who  is  able  to  do  exceedingly  abundantly  ;  to  whose  grace  again  I 
recommend  you  and  her,  and  all  yours. 


LETTER  XXXV. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

I  KNOW  ye  have  heard  of  the  success  of  our  business  in  Edinburgh  : 
I  do  every  presbytery  day  see  the  faces  of  my  brethren  smiling  upon 


.#■• 


PART   III.  LETTER    XXXV.  481 

me,  but  their  tongues  convey  reproaches  and  lies  of  me  a  hundred 
miles  off  and  have  made  me  odious  to  the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrews, 
who  said  to  Mr.  W.  D.  that  ministers  in  Galloway  were  his  informers  ; 
whereupon  no  letters  of  favour  could  be  procured  from  him  for  effec- 
tuating of  our  business ;  only  I  am  brought  in  the  mouths  of  men, 
who  otherwise  knew  me  not,  and  have  power  (if  God  shall  permit)  to 
harm  me  ;  yet  I  intreat  you  in  the  bowels  of  Christ  Jesus,  be  not  cast 
down.  I  fear  your  sorrow  exceed  because  of  this  ;  and  I  am  not  so 
careful  of  myself  in  the  matter,  as  for  you  :  take  courage,  your  dearest 
Lord  shall  light  your  candle,  which  the  wicked  would  fain  blow  out ; 
and  as  sure  as  our  Lord  liveth,  your  soul  shall  find  joy  and  comfort  in 
this  business  ;  howbeit  ye  see  all  the  hounds  in  hell  let  loose  to  mar 
it ;  there  iron  chains  to  our  dear  mighty  Lord  are  but  straws  which 
he  can  easily  break.  Let  not  this  temptation  stick  in  your  throat, 
swallow  it,  and  let  it  go  down  ;  our  Lord  give  you  a  drink  of  the  con- 
solations of  his  Spirit,  that  it  may  digest ;  you  never  knew  one  in 
God's  book,  who  put  their  hand  to  the  Lord's  work  for  his  kirk,  but 
the  world  and  Satan  did  bark  against  them,  and  bite  also  where  they 
ban  power.  You  will  not  lay  one  stone  on  Zion's  wall,  but  they  will 
labour  to  cast  it  down  again.  And  for  myself,  the  Lord  letteth  me  see 
now  greater  evidences  of  a  calling  to  K.  than  ever  he  did  before ; 
and  therefore  pray,  and  possess  your  soul  in  patience.  These  that 
were  doers  in  the  business  have  good  hopes  that  it  will  yet  go  forward 
and  prosper.  As  for  the  death  of  the  king  of  Sweden  (which  is 
thought  to  be  too  true)  we  can  do  nothing  else  but  reverence  our 
Lord,  who  doth  not  ordinarily  hold  Zion  on  her  rock  by  the  sword 
and  arm  of  flesh  and  blood,  but  by  his  own  might  and  out-stretched 
arm :  her  King,  that  reigneth  in  Zion,  yet  liveth ;  and  they  are  pluck- 
ing him  round  about  to  pull  him  off"  his  throne  ;  but  his  Father  hath 
crowned  him,  and  who  dare  say,  It  is  ill  done  1  the  Lord's  bride  will 
be  up  and  down,  above  the  water  swimming,  and  under  the  water 
sinking,  until  her  lovely  and  mighty  Redeemer  and  Husband  set  his 
head  through  these  skies,  and  come  with  his  fair  court  to  rid  all  their 
pleas,  and  give  them  the  hoped-for  inheritance  ;  and  then  we  shall 
lay  down  our  swords  and  triumph,  and  fight  no  more.  But  do  not 
think  for  all  this,  that  our  Lord  and  Chief  Shepherd  will  want  one 
weak  sheep,  or  the  silliest  dying  lamb  that  he  hath  redeemed  ;  he  will 
tell  his  flock,  and  gather  them  all  together,  and  make  a  faithful  account 
of  them  to  his  Father,  who  gave  them  him  :  let  us  now  learn  to  turn 
our  eyes  off"  men,  that  our  whorish  hearts  doat  not  on  them,  and  woo 
our  old  husband,  and  make  him  our  darling ;  for  Jer.  xxv.  27.  '  Thus 
saith  the  Lord  to  the  enemies  of  Zion,  drink  ye  and  be  drunk,  and 
spew,  and  fall,  and  rise  no  more,  because  of  the  sword  that  I  send 
among  you.'  Ver.  28.  '  And  it  shall  be,  if  they  refuse  to  take  the 
cup  in  thy  hand  to  drink,  then  shalt  thou  say  to  them,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts.  Ye  shall  certainly  drink.'  You  see  the  Lord  brewing 
a  cup  of  poison  for  his  enemies,  which  they  must  drink,  and  because 
of  this  have  sore  bowels  and  sick  stomachs,  yea,  burst ;  but  Jer.  1.  4. 
when  Zion's  captivity  is  at  an  end,  '  The  children  of  Israel  shall 
come,  they,  and  the  children  of  Judah  together,  going  and  weeping  i 


4S2  LETTER   XXXVI. 


PART   III. 


they  shall  go  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God.'  Ver.  5.  '  They  shall  ask 
the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  faces  thitherward,  saying,  Come  and  let 
us  join  ourselves  to  the  Lord,  in  an  everlasting  covenant  that  shall  not 
be  forgotten.'  This  is  spoken  to  us,  and  for  us,  who  with  wo  hearts 
ask,  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  Christ's 
slot,  and  shut  the  bar  of  his  chamber  door,  to  complain,  and  tell  him 
how  the  world  handleth  us,  and  how  our  King's  business  goeth,  that 
he  may  get  up  and  lend  them  a  blow,  who  are  tigging  and  playing  with 
Christ  and  his  spouse.  Ye  have  also,  dear  mistress,  house-troublesj 
in  sickness  of  your  husband  and  children,  and  in  spoiling  of  your 
house  by  thieves ;  take  these  rods  in  patience  from  your  Lord  :  he 
must  still  move  you  from  vessel  to  vessel,  and  grind  you  as  our 
Lord's  wheat,  to  be  bread  in  his  house ;  but  when  all  these  strokes 
are  over  your  head,  what  will  you  say  to  see  your  Well-beloved  Christ's 
white  and  ruddy  face,  even  his  face,  who  is  worthy  to  bear  the  colours 
amongst  ten  thousand.  Cant.  v.  Hope  and  believe  to  the  end.  Grace 
for  evermore  be  multiplied  upon  you,  your  husband  and  children. 
Your  own,  in  his  dearest  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edinburarh. 


LETTER  XXXVL 

To  the  same. 
MY  DEAR  AND  WELL-BELOVED  IN  CHRIST, 

I  AM  yet  under  trial,  and  have  appeared  before  Christ's  forbidden 
lords,  for  a  testimony  against  them.  The  Chancellor  and  the  rest 
tempted  me  with  questions  nothing  belonging  to  my  summons,  which 
I  wholly  declined,  notwithstanding  of  his  threats.  My  newly  printed 
book  against  the  Arminians  was  one  challenge,  not  lording  the  pre- 
lates another :  the  most  part  of  the  Bishops,  when  I  came  in,  looked 
more  astonished  than  I,  and  heard  me  with  silence.  Some  spoke  for 
me  ;  but  my  Lord  ruled  it  so,  as  I  am  filled  with  joy  in  my  sufferings, 
and  I  find  Christ's  cross  sweet.  What  they  intend  against  the  next 
day,  I  know  not.  Be  not  secure,  but  pray.  Our  bishop  of  Gallow 
said,  if  the  commission  should  not  give  him  his  will  of  me,  with  an 
oath,  (he  said)  he  would  write  to  the  king.  The  Chancellor  sum- 
moned me  in  judgment,  to  appear  that  day  eight  days.  My  Lord  has 
brought  me  a  friend  from  the  Highlands  of  Argyle,  my  Lord  of  Lorn, 
who  hath  done  as  much  as  was  within  the  compass  of  his  power. 
God  gave  me  favour  in  his  eyes.  Mr.  Robert  Glendoning  is  si- 
lenced, till  he  accept  a  colleague.  We  hope  to  deal  yet  for  him. 
Christ  is  worthy  to  be  entrusted ;  your  husband  will  get  an  easy 
and  good  way  of  his  business.  You  and  I  both  shall  see  the  salva- 
tion of  God  upon  Joseph,  separate  from  his  brethren.  Grace  bo 
with  you. 

Your's  in  Christ.  S.  R. 

Edinburgh. 


PART    III.  LETTER   XXXVII,  XXXVIII.  433 

LETTER  XXXVII. 

•  To  the  same. 

HONOURED  AND  DEAREST  IN  THE  LORD, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  well,  and  my  soul  pros- 
pereth  ;  I  find  Christ  with  me,  I  burden  no  man,  I  want  nothinof,  no 
face  looketh  on  me,  but  it  laugheth  on  me.  Sweet,  sweet  is  the  Lord's 
cross.  I  overcame  my  heaviness.  My  Bridegroom's  love-blinks 
fatten  my  weary  soul.  I  go  to  my  king's  palace  at  Aberdeen  ;  tongue, 
and  pen,  and  wit  cannot  express  my  joy.  Remember  my  love  to 
Jean  Gordon,  to  my  sister  Jean  Brown,  to  Grissel,  to  your  husband. 
Thus  in  haste,  Grace  be  Avith  you. 

Your's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Edinburgh,  April  5,  1636. 

A  POSTSCRIPT. 

My  charge  is  to  you  to  believe,  rejoice,  sing  and  triumph  ;  Chvisi 
has  said  to  me,  Mercy,  mercy,  grace  and  peace,  for  Marion  Mac- 
naught. 


LETTER  XXXVIIL 

To  the  same. 
WORTHY  AND  DEAREST  IN  THE  LORD, 

I  REJOICE,  you  are  a  partaker  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ ;  faint  not, 
keep  breath,  believe,  howbeit  men,  and  husband,  and  friends  prove 
weak,  yet  your  strength  faileth  not.  It  is  not  pride  for  a  drowning 
man  to  grip  to  the  rock.     It  is  your  glory  to  lay  hold  on  your  Rock. 

0  woman  greatly  beloved !  I  testify  and  avouch  it  in  my  Lord,  the 
prayers  you  sent  to  heaven  these  many  years  bygone  are  come  up  be- 
fore the  Lord,  and  shall  not  be  forgotten.     What  it  is  that  will  come, 

1  cannot  tell ;  but  1  know,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  these  cries  shall  bring 
down  mercy.  I  charge  you,  and  these  people  with  you,  to  go  on 
without  fainting  or  fear,  and  still  believe,  and  take  no  nay-say.  If  ye 
leave  off,  the  field  is  lost ;  if  ye  continue,  our  enemies  shall  be  a 
tottering  wall  and  a  bowing  fence.  I  write  it,  (and  keep  this  letter) 
utter,  utter  desolation  shall  be  to  your  adversaries,  and  to  the  haters 
of  the  virgin-daughter  of  Scotland.  The  bride  shall  yet  sing,  as  in 
the  days  of  her  youth ;  salvation  shall  be  her  walls  and  bulwarks. 
The  dry  olive-tree  shall  bud  again,  and  dry  dead  bones  shall  live  ;  for 
the  Lord  shall  prophesy  to  the  dry  bones,  and  the  Spirit  shall  come 
upon  them,  and  we  shall  live.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  John  Carsen  ;  I 
shall  not  forget  him.  Remember  me  to  Grissel,  and  Jane  Brown. 
Your  husband  hath  made  me  heavy  ;  but  be  courageous  in  the  Lord. 
I  send  blessings  to  Samuel  and  William  ;  shew  them  that  I  will  them 
to  seek  God  in  their  youth.     Grace  is  yours. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  July  3,  1637. 


55 


434  LETTER    XXXIX,    XL.  PART  III. 

LETTER  XXXIX. 

To  the  same. 
MUCH  HONOURED  AND  DEAREST  IN  OUR  SAVEET  LORD  JESUS, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  from  our  LortJ 
Jesus.  I  know  the  Lord  will  do  for  your  town.  I  hear  the  Bishop 
is  afraid  to  come  amongst  you  ;  for  so  it  is  spoken  in  this  town,  and 
many  now  rejoice  here  to  pen  a  supplication  to  the  council  for  bring- 
ing me  home  to  my  place,  and  for  repairing  other  wrongs  done  in  the 
country  ;  and  see  if  you  can  procure  that  three  or  four  hundred  in  the 
country,  noblemen,  gentlemen,  countrymen,  and  citizens  subscribe  it ; 
the  more  the  better.  It  may  be  it  will  affright  the  bishop,  and  by  law 
no  advantage  can  be  taken  against  you  for  it.  I  have  not  time  to 
write  to  Carletoun  and  Knockbrex  ;  but  I  would  you  did  speak  them 
in  it,  and  let  them  advise  with  Carletoun.  Mr.  A.  thinketh  well  of 
it,  and  I  think  others  shall  approve  it.  I  am  still  in  good  case  with 
Christ,  my  court  is  no  less  than  it  was,  the  door  of  the  Bride- 
groom's house  of  wine  is  open,  when  such  a  poor  stranger  as  I  came 
athort.  I  change,  but  Christ  abideth  still  the  same.  They  have  put 
out  my  one  poor  eye,  my  only  joy,  to  preach  Christ,  and  to  go  errands 
betwixt  him  and  his  bride.  What  my  Lord  will  do  with  me,  I  know 
not ;  it  is  like  I  shall  not  winter  in  Aberdeen,  but  where  it  shall  be  else, 
I  know  not.  There  are  some  blossomings  of  Christ's  kingdom  in 
this  town,  and  the  smoke  is  rising,  and  the  ministers  are  raging  ;  but 
I  love  a  rumbling  and  roaring  devil  best.  I  beseech  you  in  the  Lord, 
my  dear  sister,  wait  for  the  salvation  of  God.  Slack  not  your  hands 
in  meeting  to  pray,  fear  not  flesh  and  blood  ;  we  have  been  all  over- 
feared,  and  that  gave  lowns  the  confidence  to  shut  me  out  of  Galloway. 
Remember  my  love  to  John  Carsen,  and  Mr.  John  Brown ;  I  never 
could  get  my  love  off  that  man,  I  think  Christ  hath  something  to  do 
with  him.  Desire  your  husband  from  me,  not  to  think  ill  of  Christ 
for  his  cross ;  many  misken  Christ,  because  he  hath  the  cross  on  his 
back  ;  but  he  will  cause  us  all  laugh  yet.  I  beseech  you  as  ye  would 
do  any  thing  for  me,  remember  my  Lady  Marshall  to  God,  and  her 
son  the  Earl  of  Marshall,  especially  her  Christian  daughter,  my  Lady 
Pitsligo.  I  shall  go  to  death  with  it,  that  Christ  will  return  again  to 
Scotland,  with  salvation  in  his  wings,  and  to  Galloway.  Grace  be 
■with  you. 

Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XL. 

To  the  same. 

Zech.  xii.  o.  And  in  that  day  I  will  make  Jerusalem  a  burdensome  stone  lor  all 
the  people ;  all  that  burden  themselves  with  it  shall  be  cut  in  pieces,  thou»h  all 
the  people  of  the  earth  be  gathered  together  against  it. 

WELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

I  HAVE  been  sparing  to  write  to  you  because  I  was  heavy  at  tho 
proceedings  of  our  late  parliament,  where  law  should  have  been ;  they 


PART   III.  LETTER  XL.  435 

would  not  give  our  Lord  Jesus  fair  law  and  justice,  uor  the  benefit  of 
the  house,  to  hear  either  the  just  grievances,  or  the  humble  supplica- 
tions of  the  servants  of  God  :  nothing  rests,  but  that  we  lay  our  grie- 
vances before  our  crowned  King  Jesus,  who  reigns  in  Zion.  And 
howbeit  it  be  true,  that  the  acts  of  Perth  assembly  for  conformity  are 
established,  and  the  king's  power  to  impose  the  surplice,  and  other 
mass-appareJ,  upon  ministers,  be  confirmed  ;  yet  what  men  conclude, 
is  not  scripture  :  kings  have  short  arms  to  overturn  Christ's  throne, 
and  our  Lord  hath  been  walking  and  standing  upon  his  feet  at  this 
parliament,  when  fifteen  Earls  and  Lords,  and  forty-tour  commission- 
ers and  burrows,  with  some  Barons,  have  voted  for  our  kirk,  in  face 
of  a  king,  who,  with  much  awe  and  terror,  with  his  own  hand  wrote 
up  the  voters  for  or  against  himself.  Long  before  this  kirk,  in  the 
second  Psalm,  the  ends  of  the  earth,  Scotland  and  England,  were 
gifted  of  the  Father  to  his  Son  Christ ;  and  this  is  an  old  act  of  par- 
liament decreed  by  our  Lord,  and  primed  four  thousand  years  ago  ; 
their  acts  are  but  yet  printing.  The  first  act  shall  stand,  let  all  the 
potentates  of  the  world,  who  love  Christ's  room  better  than  himself, 
rage  as  they  please.  Though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst 
of  the  sea,  yet  there  is  a  river  that  cometh  out  of  the  sanctuary,  and 
the  streams  of  it  refresh  the  city  of  God  :  that  Well  is  not  yet  cried 
down  in  Scotland,  nor  can  it  dry  up  ;  therefore  still  believe  and  trust 
in  God's  salvation.  If  you  knew  the  whole  proceedings,  it  is  the 
Lord's  mercy  that  matters  have  gone  at  our  parliament  as  they  have 
gone.  The  Lord  Jesus  in  our  king's  ears,  to  his  great  provocation 
and  grief,  hath  gotten  many  witnesses  ;  and  we  saw  in  all,  the  Son  of 
God  overturning  their  policy,  and  making  the  world  know  how  well 
he  loveth  his  poor  sun-burnt  bride  in  Scotland  :  the  Lord  liveth,  and 
blessed  be  the  God  of  our  salvation.  For  the  matter  betwixt  your 
husband  and  C.  I  trust  in  God  it  shall  be  removed  ;  it  hath  grieved 
me  exceedingly.  I  have  dealt  with  Carletoun,  and  shall  deal ;  put  ife 
off  yourself  upon  the  Lord,  that  it  burden  you  not.  I  have  heard  of 
your  daughter's  marriage  ;  I  pray  the  Lord  Jesus  to  subscribe  the 
contract,  and  be  at  the  banquet,  as  he  was  at  the  marriage  in  Cana  of 
Galilee  :  shew  her  from  me  that  though  it  be  true  that  God's  children 
have  prayed  for  her,  yet  the  promise  of  God  is  made  to  her  prayers 
and  faith  especially  :  and  therefore  I  would  entreat  her  to  seek  the 
Lord,  to  be  at  the  wedding :  let  her  give  Christ  the  love  of  her  vir- 
ginity and  espousals,  and  choose  him  first  as  her  Husband,  and  that 
match  shall  bless  the  other.  It  is  a  new  world  she  entereth  into,  and 
therefore  hath  need  of  new  acquaintance  with  the  Son  of  God,  and  of 
a  renewing  of  her  love  to  him,  whose  love  is  better  than  wine.  1 
Cor.  vii.  29.  '  The  time  is  short,  let  the  married  be  as  though  they  were 
not  married  ;'  ver.  30.  '  They  that  weep,  as  though  they  weeped  not ; 
they  that  rejoice,  as  though  they  rejoiced  not ;  they  that  buy  as  though 
they  possessed  not;'  ver.  31.  '  They  that  use  this  world,  as  though 
they  used  it  not ;  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away.'  Grace, 
grace  be  her  portion  from  the  Lord.  I  know  you  have  a  care  on  you 
of  it,  that  all  be  right ;  but  let  Christ  bear  all,  you  need  not  pity  him, 


LETTER   XLI,  XLII.  PART   III. 

(if  I  may  say  so)  put  him  to  it,  he  is  strong  enough.     The  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you. 

Your  friend  in  his  dearest  friend  Christ  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  XLI. 

To  the  same. 
I\IY    DEAR    AND    WELL-EELOVED    SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  well,  honour  to  God. 
I  have  been  before  a  court  set  up  within  me  of  terrors  and  challenges  ; 
])ut  my  sweet  Lord  Jesus  hath  taken  the  mask  off  his  face,  and  said, 
Kiss  thy  fill ;  and  I  will  not  smother  nor  conceal  my  king  Jesus  his 
kindness  ;  he  hath  broken  in  upon  the  poor  prisoner's  soul,  like  the 
swelling  of  Jordon  :  I  am  bank  and  brimful,  a  great  high  spring-tide 
of  the  consolations  of  Christ  hath  overflowed  me.  I  would  not  give 
my  weeping  for  the  fourteen  prelates'  laughter  :  they  have  sent  me 
here  to  feast  with  my  king :  his  spikenard  casteth  a  sweet  smell. 
The  Bridegroom's  love  hath  run  away  with  my  heart :  0  love,  love, 
love !  0  sweet  are  my  royal  King's  chains !  I  care  not  for  fire  nor 
torture :  how  sweet  were  it  to  me  to  swim  the  salt  sea  for  my  new 
Lover,  my  second  Husband,  my  first  Lord !  I  charge  you  in  the 
name  of  God,  not  to  fear  the  wild  beasts  that  entered  into  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord  of  hosts  :  the  false  prophet  is  the  tail ;  God  shall 
cut  the  tail  from  Scotland.  Take  your  comfort,  and  droop  not,  de- 
spond not :  pray  for  my  poor  flock  :  1  would  take  a  penance  on  my 
soul  for  their  salvation.  I  fear  the  entering  of  a  hireling  upon  my  la- 
bours there,  cut  off  my  life  with  sorrow ;  there  I  wrestled  with  the 
angel,  and  prevailed  ;  wood,  trees,  meadows  and  hills  are  my  wit- 
nesses, 1  drew  on  a  fair  meeting  betwixt  Christ  and  Anwoth.  My 
love  to  your  husband,  to  dear  Careltoun,  to  my  beloved  brother 
Knockbrex ;  forget  not  Christ's  prisoner :  I  long  for  a  letter  under 
your  own  hand. 

Your  friend  and  Christ's  prisoner,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Nov.  22. 


LETTER  XLir. 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  AND  DEAR  SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  complain  that  Galloway  is 
not  kind  to  me  on  paper ;  I  have  received  no  letters  these  sixteen 
weeks,  but  two.  1  am  well ;  my  prison  is  a  palace  to  me,  and  Christ's 
banquettina  house.  My  Lord  Jesus  is  as  kind  as  they  jcall  him  ;  oh 
that  all  Scotland  knew  my  case,  and  had  part  of  my  feast !  1  charge 
you  in  the  name  of  God,  1  charge  you  to  believe  ;  fear  not  the  sons 
of  men,  the  worms  shall  eat  them.  To  pray  and  believe  now,  when 
Christ  seems  to  give  you  a  nay-say,  is  more  than  it  was  before  ;  die 
believing,  die  and  Christ's  promise  in  your  hand.  I  desire,  I  request, 
I  charge  your  husband,  and  that  town  to  stand  for  the  truth  of  the 
gospel  ;  contend   with  Christ's  enemies ;  and  1  pray  you  shew  all 


PART  III.  LETTER  XLIII,  XLIV.  457 

professors  you  know  my  case ;  help  me  to  praise.  The  ministers 
here  envy  me;  they  will  have  my  prison  changed.  My  mother 
hath  born  me  a  man  of  contention,  and  one  that  striveth  with  the 
whole  earth.  Remember  my  love  to  your  husband.  Grace  be  with 
you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Jan.  3d.  1637. 


LETTER  XLIIL 

To  the  same. 
WELL-BELOVED  SISTER, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  letter  hath  refreshed  my 
soul ;  you  shall  not  have  my  advice  to  make  haste  to  go  out  of  that 
town ;  for  if  you  remove  out  of  Kircudbright,  they  will  easily  undo 
all ;  y  lu  aie  at  God's  work,  and  in  his  way  there  ;  be  strong  in  the 
Lord  ;  the  devil  is  weaker  than  you  are  ;  because  stronger  is  he  that 
is  in  you,  than  he  that  is  in  the  world.  Your  care  of,  and  love  shewed 
towards  me,  now  a  prisoner  of  Christ,  is  laid  up  for  you  in  heaven, 
and  you  shall  know,  that  it  is  come  up  in  remembrance  before  God. 
Pray,  pray  for  my  desolate  flock,  and  give  them  your  counsel,  when 
you  meet  with  any  of  them.  It  shall  be  ray  grief  to  hear,  that  a  wolf 
enter  in  upon  my  labours  :  but  if  the  Lord  permit  it,  I  must  be  silent : 
ray  sky  will  clear ;  for  Christ  layeth  my  head  in  his  bosom,  and  ad- 
mitteth  me  to  lean  there.  I  never  knew  before  what  his  love  was  in 
such  a  measure  ;  if  he  leave  me  he  leaves  me  in  pain,  and  sick  of  love ; 
and  yet  my  sickness  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  cast  water 
on  it.  I  rejoice  at  your  courage  and  faith  :  pray  still,  as  if  I  were  on 
my  journey,  to  come  and  be  your  pastor.  What  iron-gates  or  bars 
are  able  to  stand  it  out  against  Christ  1  for  when  he  bloweth  they  open 
to  him.  I  remember  your  husband.  Grace,  grace  be  with  with  you. 
Your's  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  March  11,  1637. 


LETTER  XLIV. 

For  Grissel  Fullerton. 

MISTRESS, 

Remembering  well  what  relation  I  had  to  your  (now  blessed  and 
perfected  with  glory)  dear  mother,  and  being  confident  yourself  looks 
that  way,  which  (except  I  be  eternally  lost)  is  the  way  of  peace  and 
of  life ;  I  should  be  ungrateful  to  forget  those,  whom  by  the  cove- 
nant of  the  Lord,  i  cannot  but  remember  to  God.  I  will  speak  no- 
thing to  you  of  the  present  sad  differences  ;  but  if  I  have,  or  ever 
had  any  nea. ness  to  God,  that  other  way,  vvhich  I  trust  I  shall  never 
follow,  is  the  way  of  man.  And  for  the  present  powers,  I  suffer 
from  them,  and  look  for  more  :  God  hath  a  controversy  with  them : 
and,  my  soul  enter  not  into  their  secrets.  Only  I  should  beseech, 
request,  and  obtest  you  in  the  Lord,  and  by  yotir  appearance  before 


4Sd  LETTER  XLV,  XLVI.  PART  IIL 

Christ,  follow  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  the  steps  trode  by  the  gra- 
cious in  that  place,  which  the  Lord  followed  with  life  and  power. 
My  heart  is  filled  with  sorrow,  considering  what  communion  with  God 
some  of  that  country  had,  and  how  much  they  were  in  edifying  and 
helping  one  another  in  his  way,  and  how  httle  of  that  there  is  now  in 
that  country.  Your  mother  kept  in  life  in  that  place,  and  quickened 
many  about  her  to  the  seeking  of  God.  My  desire  to  you  is,  that  ye 
would  succeed  her  in  that  way,  and  be  letting  a  word  fall  to  your 
brethren  and  others,  that  may  encourage  them  to  look  toward  the 
way  of  God  ;  you  will  have  need  of  it  ere  it  be  long.  See  how  you 
may  have  a  gracious  minister,  and  no  neutral  there,  to  succeed  and 
follow  the  servant  of  God,  now  asleep  in  the  Lord.  There  is  a 
great  and  wide  difference  between  a  name  of  godhness,  and  the 
power  of  godliness ;  that  is  hottest  when  there  are  fewest  witnesses. 
The  deadness  upon  many,  and  the  defection  of  the  land,  is  great : 
blessed  are  they  who  seek  the  Lord  and  his  face.  I  shall  entreat  you 
to  remember  me  to  your  husband,  and  all  friends  :  I  desire  to  forge! 
none  who  are  in  Christ. 

Your  brother  in  the  Lord,  S.  JR.. 

Edinburgh,  March  14,  1653. 


LETTER  XLY. 

To  a  Gentlewoman. 
MISTRESS, 

I  BESEECH  you,  havc  me  excused,  if  the  daily  employments  of  my 
calling  shall  hinder  me  to  see  you  according  as  I  would  wish  ;  for  I 
dare  not  go  abroad,  since  many  of  my  people  are  sick,  and  the  time 
of  our  communion  draws  near  :  but  frequent  the  company  of  your 
worthy  and  honest-hearted  pastor  Mr.  Robert,  to  whom  the  Lord  hath 
given  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  to  minister  a  word  in  due  season  to 
the  weary.  Remember  me  to  him,  and  to  your  husband.  The  Lord 
Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your  affectionate  friend,  S.  B. 


LETTER  XLVL 

For  William  Fullerton,  Provost  of  Kirkcudbright. 
jSIUch  honoured  and  very  dear  friend, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  in  good  case,  blessed 
be  the  Lord,  remaining  here  in  this  uncouth  town,  a  prisoner  for 
Christ  and  his  truth ;  and  I  am  not  ashamed  of  his  cross,  my  soul  is 
comforted  with  the  consolations  of  his  sweet  presence,  for  whom  I 
suffer.  1  earnestly  entreat  you,  to  give  honour  and  authority  to 
Christ,  and  for  Christ;  and  be  not  dismayed  for  flesh  and  blood, 
while  you  are  for  the  Lord,  and  for  his  truth  and  cause.  And  how- 
beit  we  see  truth  put  to  the  worse  for  the  time  ;  yet  Christ  will  be  a 
friend  to  truth,  and  will  do  for  those  who  dare  hazard  all  that  they 
have  for  him,  and  for  his  glory.     Sir,  our  fair  day  is  coming,  and  the 


PART  III-.  LETTER  XLVIT.  439 

court  will  change,  and  wicked  men  will  weep  afternoon,  and  sorer 
than  the  sons  of  God,  who  weep  in  the  morning.  Let  us  beheve  and 
hope  for  God's  salvation.  Sir,  I  hope  I  need  not  write  to  you,  for 
your  kindness  and  love  to  my  brother,  who  is  now  to  be  distressed 
for  the  truth  of  God,  as  well  as  I  am.  I  think  myself  obhged  to 
pray  for  you  and  your  worthy  and  kind  bed-fellow  and  children,  for 
your  love  to  him  and  me  also.  I  hope  your  pains  for  us  in  Christ, 
shall  not  be  lost.  Thus  recommending  you  to  the  tender  mercy  and 
loving  kindness  of  God,  I  rest, 

Your  very  loving  and  affectionate  brother,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen,  Sept.  21,  1636. 


LETTER  XLVIL 

For  the  right  honourable,  my  Lady  ViscouHtess  of  Kemnme. 
SIADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyship.  I  long  to  hear 
from  you,  and  that  dear  child  ;  and  for  that  cause  I  trouble  you  with 
letters.  I  am  for  the  present  thinking  the  sparrows  and  the  swallows 
that  build  their  nests  in  Anwoth,  blessed  birds.  The  Lord  hath 
made  all  my  congregation  desolate.  Alas,  I  am  oft  at  this,  Shew  me 
wherefore  thou  contendest  with  me.  O  earth,  earth,  cover  not  the 
violence  done  to  me.  I  know  it  is  my  faithless  jealousy  in  this  my 
dark  night,  to  take  a  friend  for  a  foe  ;  yet  hath  not  my  Lord  made  any 
plea  with  me.  I  chide  with  him,  but  he  giveth  me  fair  words  :  seeing 
my  sins  and  the  sins  of  my  youth  deserved  strokes,  how  am  I  obliged 
to  my  Lord,  who  amongst  many  crosses  hath  given  me  a  wailed  and 
chosen  cross,  to  suffer  for  the  name  of  my  Lord  Jesus?  Since  I 
must  have  chains,  he  would  put  golden  chains  on  me,  watered  over 
with  many  consolations  :  seeing  I  must  have  sorrow  (for  I  sinned,  O 
Preserver  of  mankind)  he  hath  wailed  out  for  me  joyful  sorrow,  ho- 
nest, spiritual  and  glorious  sorrow.  My  crosses  come  through  mercy 
and  love's  fingers,  from  the  kind  heart  of  a  Brother,  Christ  my  Lord ; 
and  therefore  they  must  be  sweet  and  sugared.  O  what  am  I !  such 
a  lump,  such  a  rotten  mass  of  sin,  to  be  counted  a  child  worthy  to  be 
nurtured  and  stricken  with  the  best  and  most  honourable  rod  in  my 
Father's  house,  the  golden  rod,  wherewith  my  eldest  Brother,  the 
Lord,  heir  of  the  inheritance,  and  his  faithful  witnesses  were  stricken 
withal.  It  would  be  thought,  I  should  be  thankful  and  rejoice ;  but 
my  beholders  and  lovers  in  Christ  have  eyes  of  flesh,  and  have  made 
my  one  to  be  ten ;  and  I  am  somebody  in  their  books  :  my  witness  is 
above,  there  are  armies  of  thoughts  within  me  saying  the  contrary, 
and  laughing  at  their  wide  mistake.  If  my  inner-side  were  seen,  my 
corruption  would  appear  ;  I  would  lose  and  forfeit  love  and  respect  at 
the  hands  of  any  that  love  God  ;  pity  would  come  in  the  place  of 
these.  O  if  they  would  yet  set  me  lower,  and  my  Well-Beloved 
Christ  higher !  I  would  I  had  grace  and  strength  of  my  Lord,  to  be 
joyful  and  contentedly  glad  and  cheerful,  that  God's  glory  might  ride, 
and  openly  triumph  before  the  view  of  men,  angels,  devils,  earth,  hea- 
%'en,  hell,  siui,  moon,  and  all  God's  creatures,  upon  ray  pain  and 


440  LETTER   XLVII.  PART  IIT. 

sufferings ;  providing  always  I  felt  not  the  Lord's  hatred  and  displea- 
sure. But  I  fear  his  fair  glory  be  but  soiled  in  coming  through  such 
a  foul  creature  as  I  am.  If  I  could  be  the  sinless  matter  of  glorify- 
ing Christ,  howbeit  to  my  loss,  pain,  sufferings,  and  extremity  of 
wretchedness,  how  would  my  soul  rejoice  1  but  I  am  far  from  this  : 
he  knoweth,  his  love  hath  made  me  a  prisoner,  and  bound  me  hand 
and  foot ;  but  it  is  my  pain,  that  I  cannot  win  loose,  nor  get  loose 
hands,  and  a  loosed  heart,  to  do  service  to  my  Lord  Jesus,  and  to 
speak  his  love.  I  confess,  I  have  neither  tongue  nor  pen  to  do  it. 
Christ's  love  is  more  than  my  praises,  and  above  the  thoughts  of  the 
angel  Gabriel,  and  all  the  mighty  hosts  that  stand  before  the  throne  of 
God.  I  think  shame,  I  am  sad  and  cast  down  to  think,  that  my  foul 
tongue,  and  my  polluted  heart,  should  come  in  to  help  others  to  sing 
aloud  the  praises  of  the  love  of  Christ ;  all  I  now  do,  is  to  wish  the 
quire  to  grow  throng,  and  to  grow  in  the  extolling  of  Christ.  Wo,  wo 
is  me,  for  my  guiltiness  seen  to  few  ;  my  hidden  wounds,  still  bleed- 
ing within  me,  are  before  the  eyes  of  no  man  ;  but  if  my  sweetest 
Lord  Jesus  were  not  still  bathing,  washing,  balming,  healing,  and 
binding  them  up,  they  should  rot,  and  break  out  to  my  shame.  I 
know  not  what  will  be  the  end  of  my  suffering  :  I  have  but  seen  the 
one  side  of  my  cross  ;  what  will  be  the  other  side,  he  knoweth,  who 
hath  his  fire  in  Zion.  Let  him  lead  me,  if  it  were  through  hell.  I 
thank  my  Lord,  my  on-waiting  and  holding  my  peace  as  I  do,  to  see 
what  more  Christ  will  do  to  me,  is  my  joy.  Oh,  if  my  ease,  joy, 
pleasure  for  evermore,  were  laid  in  wadset,  and  in  pledge  to  buy 
praises  to  Christ !  but  I  am  far  from  this.  It  is  easy  for  a  poor  soul, 
in  the  deep  debt  of  Christ's  love,  to  spit  farther  than  he  does  leap  ov 
jump,  and  to  feed  upon  broad  wishes  that  Christ  may  be  honoured ; 
but  in  performance  1  am  truly  nought.  I  have  nothing,  nothing  to 
give  Christ  but  poverty ;  except  he  would  comprise  and  arrest  my 
soul,  and  my  love  (oh,  oh  if  he  would  do  that !)  I  have  nothing  for 
him.  He  may  indeed  seize  upon  a  debtor's  person,  soul  and  body ; 
but  he  hath  no  goods  for  Christ  to  meddle  with  :  but  how  glad  should 
my  soul  be,  if  he  would  forfeit  my  love  and  never  give  it  me  again. 
Madam,  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  that  Christ's  claim  to  you  were  still 
the  more,  and  that  you  were  still  going  forward,  and  that  you  were 
nearer  him.  I  do  not  honour  Christ  myself,  but  I  wish  all  others  to 
make  sale  to  Christ's  house :  I  would  I  could  invite  you  to  go  into 
your  Well-beloved's  house  of  wine,  and  that  upon  my  word,  you 
would  then  see  a  new  mystery  of  love  in  Christ  you  never  saw  before. 
I  am  somewhat  encouraged  that  your  Ladyship  is  not  dry  and  cold  to 
Christ's  prisoner,  as  some  are :  I  hope  it  is  put  up  in  my  Master's 
count-book.  I  am  not  much  grieved,  that  my  jealous  Husband 
break  in  pieces  my  idols,  that  either  they  dare  not,  or  will  not  do  for 
me.  My  Master  needeth  not  their  help,  but  they  need  to  be  that  ser- 
viceable as  to  help  him.  Madam,  I  have  been  that  bold  as  to  put 
you,  and  that  sweet  child,  in  the  prayers  of  Mr.  Andrew  Cant,  Mr. 
James  Martin,  the  Lady  Leyes,  and  some  others  in  this  country  that 
truly  love  Christ :  be  pleased  to  let  me  hear  how  the  child  is.  The 
blessings  that  came  upon  the  head  of  Joseph,  and  the  top  of  the 


PART  III.  LETTER  XLVIIT.  44 X 

head  of  him  who  was  separated  from  his  brethren,  and  the  good  will 
of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  bush,  be  seen  upon  him  and  you.  Madam, 
I  can  say,  by  some  little  experience,  more  now  than  before  of  Christ 
to  you.  I  am  still  upon  this,  that  if  you  seek,  there  is  a  pose,  a  hid- 
den treasure  and  a  gold  mine  in  Christ,  you  never  yet  saw  ;  then  come 
and  see.  Thus  recommending  you  to  God's  dearest  mercy,  I  rest 
Your  own  in  his  sweet  Lord  Jesus,  at  all  obedience,        S.  R. 

POSTSCRIPT. 

My  Lady  Marshall  is  very  kind  to  me,  and  her  son  also. 
Aberdeen,  June  17,  1637. 


LETTER  XLVin. 

For  the  right  honourable,  my  Lady  Viscountess  of  Keumure. 

:my  very  noble  and  dear  lady, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  Lord  hath  brought  me 
safely  to  Aberdeen  :  I  have  gotten  lodging  in  the  hearts  of  all  I  meet 
with  ;  no  face  that  hath  not  smiled  upon  me  ;  only  the  indwellers  of 
this  town  are  dry,  cold,  and  general ;  they  consist  of  Papists,  and 
men  of  Gallio's  metal,  firm  in  no  religion  :  and  it  is  counted  no  wis- 
dom here  to  countenance  a  confined  and  silenced  minister :  but  the 
shame  of  Christ's  cross  shall  not  be  my  shame.  Queensberry's  at- 
tempt seemeth  to  sleep,  because  the  Bishop  of  Galloway,  was  pleased 
to  say  to  the  Treasurer,  I  had  committed  treason  ;  which  word  blunted 
the  Treasurer's  borrowed  zeal.  So  I  thank  God,  who  will  not  have 
me  to  anchor  my  soul  upon  false  ground,  or  upon  flesh  and  blood ;  it 
is  better  it  be  fastened  within  the  vail.  I  find  my  old  challenges  revi- 
ving again,  and  my  love  often  jealous  of  Christ's  love,  when  I  look 
upon  my  own  guiltiness :  and  I  verily  think,  the  world  hath  too  soft 
an  opinion  of  the  gate  to  heaven,  and  that  many  shall  get  a  blind  and 
sad  beguile  for  heaven  ;  for  there  is  more  ado  than  a  cold  and  frozen. 
Lord,  Lord :  it  must  be  a  way  narrower  and  straiter  than  we  con- 
ceive, for  the  righteous  shall  scarcely  be  saved.  It  were  good  to 
take  a  more  judicious  view  of  Christianity  ;  for  I  have  been  doubting, 
if  ever  I  knew  any  more  of  Christianity  than  the  letters  of  the  name. 
I  will  not  lie  on  my  Lord :  I  find  often  much  joy,  and  unspeakable 
comfort,  in  his  sweet  presence,  who  sent  me  hither ;  and  I  trust,  this 
house  of  my  pilgrimage  shall  be  my  palace,  my  garden  of  delights  ; 
and  that  Christ  will  be  kind  to  poor  sold  Joseph,  who  is  separated 
from  his  brethren.  I  would  be  sometimes  too  hot,  and  too  joyful,  if 
the  heart  breaks  at  the  remembrance  of  sin,  and  fair,  fair  feast-day.s 
with  King  Jesus,  did  not  cool  me,  and  sour  my  sweet  joys.  Oh ! 
how  sweet  is  the  love  of  Christ !  and  how  wise  is  that  love  !  But  let 
faith  frist  and  trust  a  while  ;  it  is  no  reason  sons  offend,  that  the  father 
giveth  them  not  twice  a-year  hire,  as  he  doth  to  hired  servants :  bet- 
ter God's  heirs  hve  upon  hope  than  upon  hire.  Madam,  your  Lady- 
ship knoweth  what  Christ  hath  done,  to  have  all  your  love ;  and  that 
he  alloweth  not  his  love  upon  your  dear  child.  Keep  good  quarters 
with  Christ  in  your  love.     I  verily  think,  that  Christ  hath  said,  1  must 

56 


442  LETTER  XLTX.  PART  III» 

needs-force  have  Jane  Campbell  for  myself:  and  he  hath  laid  many 
oars  in  the  water,  to  fish  and  hunt  home  over  your  heart  to  heaven  : 
let  him  have  his  prey ;  he  will  think  you  well  won,  when  he  hath 
gotten  you.  It  is  good  to  have  recourse  often,  and  to  have  the  door 
open  to  our  strong-hold ;  for  the  sword  of  the  Lord  is  for  Scotland : 
and  yet  two  or  three  berries  shall  be  left  in  the  top  of  the  olive-tree. 
If  a  word  can  do  my  brother  good  in  his  distress,  I  know  your  Lady- 
ship will  be  willing  and  ready  to  speak  it,  and  more  also.  Now  the 
only  wise  God,  and  your  only,  only  One,  he  who  dwelt  in  the  bush, 
be  with  you.  I  write  many  kisses  and  many  blessings  in  Christ  to 
your  dear  child  ;  the  blessings  of  his  father's  God,  the  blessings  due 
to  the  fatherless  and  the  widow  be  yours  and  his. 

Your  Ladyship's  in  his  only,  only  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 

P.  S.  Madam,  Be  pleased,  at  a  fit  time,  to  try  my  Lord  of  Lorn 
his  mind,  if  his  Lordship  would  be  pleased,  that  I  dedicate  another 
work  against  the  Arminians  to  his  honourable  name  :  for  howbeit  I 
would  compare  no  patron  to  his  Lordship,  and  though  I  have  suffi- 
cient experience  of  his  love  ;  yet  it  is  possible  his  Lordship  think  it 
not  expedient  at  this  time  :  but  I  expect  your  Ladyship's  answer,  and 
I  hope  your  Ladyship  will  be  plain. 


LETTER  XLIX. 

I'or  the  right  honourahle  my  Lady  Boyd. 
iMAOAM,  • 

I  DOUBT  not  but  the  debt  of  many,  more  than  ordinary,  favours  to 
Ibis  land  layeth  guiltiness  upon  this  nation  :  the  Lord  hath  put  us  in 
bis  books  as  a  favoured  people,  in  the  sight  of  the  nations  :  but  we 
pay  not  to  him  the  rent  of  the  vineyard :  and  we  might  have  had  a 
gospel  at  an  easier  rate  than  this  gospel ;  but  it  should  have  had  but 
as  much  life  as  ink  and  paper  hath :  we  stand  obhged  to  him,  who 
hath  ill  a  manner  forced  his  love  on  us,  and  would  but  love  us  against 
our  will. 

Anent  read  prayers.  Madam,  I  could  never  see  precept,  promise  or 
practice  for  them  in  God's  word  ;  our  church  never  allowed  them,  but 
men  took  them  up  at  their  own  choice  :  the  word  of  God  maketh 
reading,  1  Tim.  iv.  13.  and  praying,  1  Thess.  v.  17.  two  different 
worships.  In  reading,  God  speaketh  to  us,  2  Kings  xxii.  10,  11.  in 
praying,  we  speak  to  God,  Psal.  xxii.  2.  Psal.  xxviii.  1.  I  had  never 
faith  to  think  well  of  them  ;  in  my  weak  judgment,  it  were  good  they 
were  out  of  the  service  of  God  ;  I  cannot  think  them  a  fruit  or  effect 
qf  the  spirit  of  adoption,  seeing  the  user  cannot  say  of  such  prayers, 
'  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the  meditations  of  my  heart  be  ac- 
ceptable in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  Strength  and  Redeemer;'  which 
the  servants  of  God  ought  to  say  of  their  prayers,  Psal.  xix.  14. 
For  such  prayers  are  meditations  set  down  on  paper  and  ink,  and 
cannot  be  his  heart-meditations  who  useth  them ;  the  saints  never 
used  them,  and  God  never  commanded  them ;  and  a  promise  to  hear 


PART  III.  LETTER  L,  LI.  443 

any  prayers,  except  the  pouring  out  of  the  soul  to  God,  we  can  never 
read.  As  for  separation  from  a  worship  for  some  errors  of  a  church, 
the  independency  of  single  congregations,  a  cl^urch  of  visible  saints, 
and  other  tenets  of  Brownists,  they  are  contrary  to  God's  word.  I 
have  a  treatise  at  the  press  at  London,  against  these  conceits,  as 
things  which  want  God's  word  to  warrant  them;  the  Lord  lay  it  not  to 
their  charge,  who  depart  from  the  covenant  of  God  with  this  land,  to 
follow  such  lying  vanities. 

I  did  see  lately  your  daughter  the  Lady  Ardross ;  the  Lord  hath 
given  her  a  child  and  deliverance.  Now,  recommending  your  Lady- 
ship to  the  rich  grace  of  Christ,  I  rest 

Yours,  at  all  respective  observance  in  Christ,  iS.  R. 

^•l.  Andrews. 


LETTER  L. 

To  John  Henderson  in  Rusco. 
LOVING  FRIEND, 

1  EARNESTLY  dcsire  your  salvation.  Know  the  Lord,  and  seek 
Christ :  you  have  a  soul  that  cannot  die  ;  see  for  a  lodging  for  your 
poor  soul :  for  that  house  of  clay  will  fall ;  heaven  or  nothing,  either 
Christ  or  nothing.  Use  prayer  in  your  house,  and  set  your  thoughts 
often  upon  death  and  judgment ;  it  is  dangerous  to  be  loose  in  the 
matter  of  your  salvation ;  few  are  saved  ;  men  go  to  heaven  in  one's 
and  two's,  and  the  whole  world  lieth  in  sin.  Love  your  enemies, 
and  stand  by  the  truth,  I  have  taught  you  in  all  things.  Fear  not 
men,  but  let  God  be  your  fear  ;  your  time  will  not  be  long  ;  make 
the  seeking  of  Christ  your  daily  task ;  ye  may,  when  ye  are  in  the 
fields,  speak  to  God  :  seek  a  broken  heart  for  sin  ;  for  without  that 
there  is  no  meeting  with  Christ.  I  speak  this  to  your  wife,  as  well  as 
to  yourself.  I  desire  your  sister,  in  her  fears  and  doublings,  to  fasten 
her  grips  on  Christ's  love  ;  I  forbid  her  to  doubt,  for  Christ  loves  her, 
and  hath  her  name  written  in  his  book  ;  her  salvation  is  fast  coming ; 
Christ  her  Lord  is  not  slow  in  coming,  nor  slack  in  his  promise. 
Grace  be  with  you. 

Your  loving  pastor,  S.  R. 

Aberdeen. 


LETTER  LL 

To  James  Murray's  wife. 
3iy  DEAR  AND  WORTHY  SISTER, 

You  are  truly  blessed  in  the  Lord,  however  a  sour  world  glooin 
and  frown  on  you,  if  ye  continue  in  the  faith,  settled  and  grounded, 
and  be  not  moved  away  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel.  It  is  good 
there  is  a  heaven,  and  it  is  not  a  night-dream  and  a  fancy  :  it  is  a  won- 
der tliat  men  deny  not  that  there  is  a  heaven,  as  they  deny  there  is 
any  way  to  it,  but  of  men's  making.  You  have  learned  of  Christ 
that  there  is  a  heaven  ;  contend  for  it,  and  for  Christ:  bear  well  and 
submissively  the  hard  thrust  of  this  step-mother  world,  which  God 
will  not  have  to  be  yours.     I  confess  it  is  hard,  and  would  to  God  7 


444  LETTER  LIX.  PART  111. 

were  able  to  lighten  you  of  your  burden  ;  but  believe  me,  this  world, 
which  the  Lord  will  not  have  to  be  yours,  is  but  the  dross,  refuse, 
and  scum  of  God's  creation,  the  portion  of  the  Lord's  poor  hired 
servants,  the  moveables,  not  the  heritage ;  a  hard  bone  cast  to  the 
dogs,  holden  out  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  whereupon  they  rather  break 
their  teeth,  than  satisfy  their  appetite.  It  is  your  Father's  blessings, 
and  Christ's  birth-right,  that  our  Lord  is  keeping  for  you  ;  and  per- 
suade yourself  also  (if  it  be  good  for  them  and  you)  your  seed  also 
shall  inherit  the  earth  ;  for  that  is  promised  to  them,  and  God's  bond 
is  as  good  as  if  he  would  give  every  one  of  them  a  bond  for  thousand 
thousands.  Ere  ye  were  born,  crosses  in  number,  measure,  and 
weight,  were  written  for  you  ;  and  your  Lord  will  lead  you  through 
them  :  make  Christ  sure,  and  the  world  and  the  blessings  of  the 
earth  shall  be  at  Christ's  back  and  beck.  I  see  many  professors  for 
the  fashion,  professors  of  glass  ;  I  would  make  a  little  knock  of  per- 
secution ding  them  in  twenty  pieces,  and  the  world  should  laugh  at  the 
shreds ;  therefore  make  fast  work ;  see  that  Christ  be  the  ground- 
stone  of  your  profession  :  the  sore  wind  and  rain  will  not  wash  away 
this  building ;  this  work  hath  no  less  date  than  to  stand  for  evermore. 
I  should  twenty  times  have  perished  in  my  affliction,  if  I  had  not  laid 
my  weak  back  and  pressing  burden  both  upon  the  stone,  the  Corner- 
stone laid  in  Zion :  I  am  not  twice  fain  (as  the  proverb  is)  but  once 
and  for  ever  of  this  Stone.  Now  the  God  of  peace  establish  you  to 
the  day  of  the  appearance  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Your's,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews. 


LETTER  LIL 

For  the  right  honourable,  my  Laily  Viscountess  of  Kenmore. 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your 
Ladyship  is  in  any  tolerable  health  ;  and  shall  pray  that  the  Lord  may 
be  your  Strength  and  Rock.  Sure  I  am,  he  took  you  out  of  the 
womb ;  and  you  have  been  casten  on  him  from  the  breasts :  I  am 
confident  he  shall  not  leave  you,  till  he  crown  the  begun  work  in  you. 
There  is  nothing  here  but  divisions  in  the  church  and  assembly  ;  for 
beside  Brownists  and  Independents  (who,  of  all  that  differ  from  us, 
come  nearest  to  walkers  with  God)  there  are  many  other  sects  here 
of  Anabaptists,  Libertines,  who  are  for  all  opinions  in  religion,  fleshly 
and  abominable  Antinomians,  and  Seekers,  who  are  for  no  church- 
ordinances,  but  expect  apostles  to  come  and  reform  churches ;  and  a 
world  of  others,  all  against  the  government  of  presbyteries.  Luther 
observed,  when  he  studied  to  relbrni,  that  two  and  thirty  sundry  sects 
arose;  of  all  which  (I  have  named  but  a  part)  except  these  called 
Seekers,  who  were  not  then  ariaen,  he  said,  God  should  crush  them, 
and  that  they  should  rise  again ;  both  which  we  see  accomplished. 
In  the  assembly,  we  have  well  near  ended  the  government,  and  are 
upon  the  power  of  synods,  and  I  hope  near  at  an  end  with  them,  and 
so  I  trust  to  be  delivered  from  this  prison  shortly.     The  king  hath 


PART  III.  LETTER  LIII.  445 

dissolved  the  treaty  of  peace  at  Uxbridge,  and  adheres  to  his  sweet 
prelates  ;  and  would  abate  nothing  but  a  little  of  the  rigour  of  their 
courts,  and  a  suspending  of  laws  against  the  ceremonies,  not  a  taking 
away  of  them.  The  not  prospering  of  your  armies  there  in  Scot- 
land, is  ascribed  here  to  the  sins  of  the  land,  and  particularly  to  the 
divisions  and  backslidings  of  many  from  the  cause,  and  the  not  exe- 
cuting of  justice  against  bloody  malignants.  My  wife,  here,  under 
the  physicians,  remembers  her  service  to  your  Ladyship.  So,  re- 
commending you  to  the  rich  grace  of  Christ,  I  rest, 

Yonr  Ladyship's  at  all  obedience  in  Christ,  S.  R. 

London,  March  4th,  1644. 


LETTER  LIIL 

For  the  right  honourable  my  Lady  Boyd. 
MADAM, 

Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  received  your  letter  on  May 
19th.  We  are  here  debating,  with  much  contention  of  disputes,  for 
the  just  measures  of  the  Lord's  temple.  It  pleaseth  God,  that  some- 
times enemies  hinder  the  building  of  the  Lord's  house :  but  now 
friends,  even  gracious  men  (so  I  conceive  of  them)  do  not  a  little 
hinder  the  work :  Thomas  Goodwin,  Jeremiah  Burroughs,  and  some 
others,  four  or  five,  who  are  for  the  Independent  way,  stand  in  our 
way,  and  are  mighty  opposites  to  presbyterial  government.  We  have 
carried  through  some  propositions  for  the  scripture-right  of  presbyte- 
ry ;  especially  in  the  church  of  Jerusalem,  Acts  ii.  iv.  v.  vi.  xv.  and 
the  church  of  Ephesus,  and  are  going  on  upon  other  grounds  of  truth  ; 
and  by  the  way  have  proven,  that  ordination  of  pastors  belongeth  not 
to  a  single  congregation,  but  to  a  college  of  presbyters,  whose  it  is 
to  lay  hands  upon  Timothy,  and  others,  1  Tim.  iv,  14.  1  Tim.  v.  17. 
Acts  xiii.  1,  2,  3.  Acts  viii.  5,  6.  We  are  to  prove.  That  one  sint^Ie 
congregation  hath  not  power  to  excommunicate,  which  is  opposed, 
not  only  by  Independent  men,  but  by  many  others  :  the  truth  is,  we 
have  many  and  grieved  s[)irits  with  the  work  ;  and  for  my  part,  I  often 
despair  of  the  reformation  of  this  land,  which  saw  never  any  thing 
but  the  high  places»of  their  fathers,  and  the  remnants  of  Babylon's 
pollutions ;  and  except  that,  not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord ;  I  should  think,  God  hath  not  yet  thought  it  time 
for  England's  deliverance  :  for  the  truth  is,  the  best  of  them  almost 
have  said,  An  half  reformation  is  very  fair  at  the  first ;  which  is  no 
other  thing  than.  It  is  not  yet  time  to  build  the  house  of  the  Lord : 
and  for  that  cause,  many  houses,  great  and  fair  in  the  land,  are  laid 
desolate.  Multitudes  of  Anabaptists,  Antinomians,  Familists,  Sepa- 
ratists are  here  ;  the  best  of  the  people  are  the  Independent  way  :  as 
for  myself,  I  know  no  more,  if  there  be  a  sound  Christian  (settino- 
aside  some,  yea,  not  a  few  learned,  some  zealous  and  faithful  ministers, 
whom  I  have  met  with)  at  London,  (though  I  doubt  not  but  there  are 
many)  than  if  I  were  in  Spain ;  which  maketh  me  bless  God,  that 
the  communion  of  saints,  how  desirable  soever,  yet  is  not  the  thino-, 
even  that  great  thing  Christ  and  remission  of  sins.     If  Jesus  were 


446  LETTER  LTV.  PART  111. 

uncouth,  as  his  members  are  here,  I  should  be  in  a  sad  and  heavy 
condition.  The  house  of  Peers  are  rotten  men,  and  hate  our  com- 
missioners and  our  cause  both  :  the  hfe  that  is,  is  in  the  house  of 
commons,  and  many  of  them  also  have  their  rehgion  to  choose.  The 
sorrows  of  a  travailing  woman  are  come  on  the  land  :  our  army  is 
lying  about  York,  and  have  blocked  up  them  of  Newcastle,  and  six 
thousand  papists  and  malignants,  with  Mr.  Thomas  Sydserf,  and 
some  Scottish  prelates ;  and  if  God  deliver  them  into  their  hands 
(considering  how  strong  the  parliament's  armies  are,  how  many  vic- 
tories God  hath  given  them  since  they  entered  into  covenant  with 
him,  and  how  weak  the  king  is)  it  may  be  thought  the  land  is  near  a 
deliverance  ;  but  I  rather  desire  it,  than  believe  it.  We  offered  this 
day  to  the  assembly  a  part  of  a  Directory  for  worship,  to  shoulder 
out  the  Service-Book  ;  it  is  taken  into  consideration  by  the  assembly. 
Your  son  Lindsey  is  well ;  I  receive  letters  from  him  almost  every 
"Week. 

Your's  at  all  obedience  in  God,  >S.  R. 

J.ondon,  May  25th. 


LETTER  LIV. 

For  the  right  honourable  Lady,  my  Lady  Kenmure. 
MADAM, 

I  AM  a  little  moved  at  your  infirmity  of  body  and  health  ;  I  hope  it 
is  to  you  a  real  warning :  And  if  in  this  life  only  we  had  hope,  we 
should  be  of  all  men  the  most  miserable.  Sure  the  huge  generations 
of  the  seekers  of  the  face  of  Jacob's  God  must  be  in  a  life  above  the 
things  that  are  now  much  taking  with  us ;  such  as  to  see  the  sun,  to 
enjo}'  this  life  in  health,  and  some  good  worldly  accommodations  too  : 
and  if  we  be  making  that  sure,  it  is  our  wisdom.  The  times  would 
make  any  that  love  the  Lord  sick,  and  faint,  to  consider  how  iniquity 
abounds,  and  how  dull  we  are  in  observing  sins  in  ourselves,  and  how 
quick-sighted  to  find  them  out  in  others,  and  what  bondage  we  are 
in ;  and  yet  very  often,  when  we  complain  of  times,  we  are  secretly 
slandering  the  Lord's  work  and  wise  government  of  the  world,  and 
raising  a  hard  report  of  him  ;  He  is  good,  and  does  good,  and  all  his 
ways  are  equal.  Madam,  1  have  been  to  some  others  (oh  if  I  could 
to  myself)  holding  out  some  more  of  this,  to  read  and  study  God  well, 
and  make  the  serious  thoughts  of  a  God-head  and  a  God-head  in 
Christ,  the  work,  and  tiie  only  work,  all  the  day.  Oh  we  are  little 
with  God !  and  do  all  without  God !  we  sleep  and  wake  without  him  ; 
we  eat,  we  speak,  we  journey,  we  go  about  worldly  business,  and  our 
calling  without  God !  and,  considering  what  deadness  is  upon  the 
hearts  of  many,  it  were  good  that  some  did  not  pray  without  God, 
and  preach  and  praise,  and  read  and  confer  of  God,  without  God.  It 
is  universally  complained  of,  that  there  is  a  strange  deadness  upon 
the  land,  and  on  the  hearts  of  his  people :  Oh  if  we  could  help  it ! 
but  he  that  waters  every  moment  his  garden  of  red  wine,  must  help 
it.     J  believe  he  will  burn  the  briers  and  the  thorns  that  come  against 


PART  Iir.  LETTER   LV,  LVl.  447 

him.     I  desire  to  remember  your  I^adyship  to  God,  but  little  can  I  do 
that  way  :  his  everlasting  good- will  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  g.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  24th  July. 


LETTER  LV. 

For  the  right  honomable  and  Christian  Lady,  the  Lady  of  Kenmui-e. 
3IADAM, 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  Lord  is  gracious,  who 
keeps  your  Ladyship  in  the  furnace,  when  many  put  out  their  hand  to 
iniquity  one  way  or  other.  We  are  now  shouldering  and  casting  down 
one  another  in  the  dark,  and  the  godly  hidden  from  the  godly.  We 
make  our  own  chains  heavier,  by  joining  with  the  Lord's  enemies ; 
hence  new  sufferings  to  all,  that  dare  not  say  a  confederacy,  to  those 
to  whom  this  people  say  a  confederacy,  nor  fear  their  fear.  As  that 
is  my  exercise  now,  who  am  not  very  far  from  being  my  alone  though 
I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  at  least  I  should  know  in  this  place  ; 
so  I  am  afraid  that  the  godly  there  comply  with  these  declared  ene- 
mies of  God ;  it  will  be  our  strength  to  walk  between  enemies  and 
malignants  on  either  side ;  this  is  the  day  of  Jacob's  trouble,  yet 
these  dry  bones  can  and  must  live.  I  know  not  if  I  shall  see  it,  but 
I  hope  to  take  this  quietness  and  silence  of  faith,  in  the  most  of  the 
noises  of  the  alarm  for  war,  to  the  grave  with  me,  that  the  Lord  shall 
build  upon  the  church  of  Britain,  and  Ireland,  a  palace  of  silver,  in- 
closed with  boards  of  cedar.  Dear  madam,  faint  not,  the  night  is  al- 
most gone  ;  for  the  vision  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the  end 
it  shall  speak,  and  not  lie  ;  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it,  because  it  will 
surely  come,  and  not  tarry.  Madam,  weary  not ;  none  can  out-bid 
your  lodging  in  heaven  ;  there  is  more  given  for  it  by  him,  who  hath 
bespoken  it  for  Jane  Campbell,  and  taken  it  for  her,  than  any  can  of- 
fer ;  the  ransom  of  blood  standeth.  My  wife  remembereth  her  re- 
spects to  your  Ladyship.  The  child  is  well ;  Mrs.  Gillespie  is  well, 
M'e  hear,  but  not  here.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  his  own  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  S.  R^ 

St.  Andrews,  Jan.  28,  1653. 


LETTER  LYL 

To  the  hoaonvable  and  truly  woilhy  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker, 
arUCH  HONOURED  IN  THE  LORD, 

How  it  is  with  you,  may  appear  by  your  letters  to  some  with  us. 
But  it  is  the  complaint  of  not  a  few  of  such,  who  were  in  Christ  be- 
fore me,  that  most  of  us  inhabit  and  dwell  in  a  parched  land.  The 
people  of  the  Lord  are  like  a  land  not  rained  upon  :  though  some  dare 
not  deny  but  this  is  the  garden  of  the  Beloved  and  the  vineyard  that 
the  Lord  doth  keep,  and  water  every  moment ;  yet  O  where  are  the 
sometimes  quickening  breathings  and  influences  from  heaven  that 
have  refreshed  his  hidden  ones  1  The  causes  of  his  withdi-awings  are 
imknown  to  us :  one  thing  cannot  be  denied,  but  that  ways  of  high 


448  LETTER  LVI.  PART  III, 

sovereignty,  and  dominion  of  grace,  are  far  out  of  the  sight  of  angels 
and  men  ;  yea,  and  so  above  the  fixed  way  of  free  promises,  such  as. 
This  do,  and  he  shall  breathe  and  blow  upon  his  garden,  as  he  hath 
put  forth  a  declaration  to  his  hidden  ones  in  Scotland,  that  smarting, 
wrestlings,  prayings,  complaining,  gracious  missing,  cannot  earn  the 
visits  from  on  high,  nor  fetch  down  showers  upon  the  desert.  It  may 
be,  when  we  are  saying  in  our  graves.  Our  bones  are  dry,  and  our 
hope  gone,  that  temporal  and  spiritual  deliverance  may  come  both. to- 
gether ;  and  that  he  shall  cause  us  feel,  both  the  one  way  and  the 
other,  the  good  of  his  reign  who  shortly  comes  to  the  throne,  Psal. 
Ixxii.  6.  '  He  shall  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass ;  as 
showers  that  water  the  earth.'  ver.  7.  '  In  his  days  shall  the  right- 
eous flourish ;  and  abundance  of  peace,  so  long  as  the  moon  endu- 
reth.'  ver.  12.  '  He  shall  deliver  the  needy  when  he  crieth,  and  the 
poor  also,  and  him  that  hath  no  helper.'  ver.  14.  '  He  shall  redeem 
their  soul  from  deceit  and  violence  ;  and  precious  shall  their  blood  be 
in  his  sight.'  And  though  we  cannot  pray  home  a  sweet  season  that 
way,  yet  Christ  must  bring  summer  with  him,  when  he  cometh.  ver. 
16.  '  There  shall  be  an  handful  of  corn  in  the  earth  upon  the  top  of 
the  mountains,  the  fruit  thereof  shall  shake  like  Lebanon.'  I  know 
not  if  I  apply  prophecies  as  I  would,  rather  than  as  they  are ;  when 
the  one  Shepherd  is  set  over  them,  even  he  who  shall  stand,  O  how 
much  do  we  lye  and  feed  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  the  isles  (and 
this  the  greatest  of  them)  who  wait  for  his  law,  are  to  look  for  that, 
Exek.  xxxiv.  26.  '  And  I  will  make  them,  and  the  places  round  about 
my  hill,  a  blessing,  and  I  will  cause  the  showers  to  come  down  in  his 
season.'  And  there  shall  be  showers  of  blessing  ;  how  desirable 
must  every  drop  of  such  a  shower  be  1  And  Hosea  xiv.  5.  '  I  will 
be  as  the  dew  to  Israel,  he  shall  grow  as  the  lily,  and  cast  forth  his 
roots  as  Lebanon.'  ver.  6.  '  His  branches  shall  spread,  and  his  beauty 
shall  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  his  smell  as  Lebanon.'  And  Isa.  Iv. 
13.  '  Instead  of  the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and  instead  of  the 
brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree ;  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a 
name,  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  cut  off.'  Isa.  xli.  19. 
*  I  will  plant  in  the  wilderness  the  cedar,  the  shittah  tree,  and  the  oil 
tree.'  Isa.  xliv.  3.  '  I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and 
floods  upon  the  dry  ground  ;  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and 
my  blessing  upon  their  offspring.'  And  it  shall  be  no  lost  labour,  nor 
fruitless  husbandry  ver.  6.  '  They  shall  spring  as  among  the  grass, 
as  willows  by  the  water-courses.'  But  when  this  shall  be  in  Scotland, 
(and  it  must  be)  is  better  to  believe  than  prophecy,  and  quietly  to 
hope  and  sit  still  (for  that  is  yet  our  strength)  than  quarrel  with  him, 
that  the  wheels  of  his  chariot  move  leisurely. 

Yet  this  can  hardly  say  any  thing  to  us,  who  do  so  much  please 
ourselves  in  our  deadness,  and  are  almost  gone  from  godly  thirst  and 
missing  too,  being  half-satisfied  with  our  witheredness  ;  no  doubt  we 
have  marred  his  influences,  and  have  not  seconded  nor  smiled  upon 
his  actings  upon  us,  nor  have  we  been  much  of  his  strain,  who,  Psal. 
exix.  doth  eight  times  breathe  out  that  suit,  quicken  me,  quicken  me. 
So  much  are  we  desirous  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  Lord  as  blocks  and 


PART  III.  LETTER  LVI.  449 

stones ;  and  so  prodigal  are  we  of  his  motions,  as  if  they  were  no 
better  to  be  husbanded  :  but  it  is  good,  that  it  is  not  in  our  power  to 
blast  and  undo  his  breathings  ;  but  his  wind  bloweth  where  he  Usteth. 
Could  we  but  learn,  anl  cast  a  quiet  spirit  under  the  dewings  and 
showrings  of  him,  that  every  moment  watereth  his  vineyard,  how 
happy  and  blessed  were  wel  we  neither  open,  nor  do  we  discern  his 
knocking,  nor  feel  his  hand  put  in  through  the  key-hole,  nor  can  we 
give  any  spiritual  account  of  the  walkings  and  motions  of  Christ, 
when  he  stands  behind  the  wall,  when  he  comes  skipping  over  the 
mountains,  when  he  comes  to  his  garden  and  feasts,  when  he  feeds 
among  the  lillies,  when  his  spikenard  casts  a  smell,  when  he  knocks 
and  withdraws,  and  is  no  where  to  be  found.  O  how  little  a  portion 
of  God  do  we  see !  how  little  study  we  God  !  how  rarely  read  wc 
God,  or  are  versed  in  the  lively  apprehensions  of  that  great  unknown 
All  in  All,  the  glorious  God-head,  and  the  God-head  revealed  in 
Christ !  We  dwell  far  from  the  well,  and  complain  but  dryly  of  our 
dryness  and  dulness  ;  we  are  rather  dry  than  thirsty. 

Sir,  There  may  be  artificial  pride  in  this  humility ;  but  for  me,  I 
neither  know  what  he  is,  nor  his  Son's  name,  nor  where  he  dwells  ; 
I  hear  a  report  of  Christ  great  enough,  and  that  is  all.  O  what  is 
nearness  to  him !  what  is  that,  to  be  in  God,  to  dwell  in  God !  what  a 
house  must  that  be,  1  John  iv.  13.  How  far  are  some  from  their 
house  and  home  1  how  ill  acquaint  with  the  rooms,  mansions,  safety 
and  sweetness  of  holy  security  to  be  found  in  God !  0  what  es- 
trangement !  what  wandering !  what  frequent  conversing  with  self 
and  the  creature !  Is  not  here  the  bed  shorter  than  that  a  man  can 
stretch  himself  on  it  1  and  the  covering  narrower  than  that  he  can 
wrap  himself  in  it  1  Isa.  xxviii.  20.  When  shall  we  attain  to  a  living 
in  only,  only  God !  and  be  estranged  from  all  the  poor  created  no- 
things, the  painted  shadow-beings  of  yesterday,  which  an  hour  and 
less  before  creation  were  dark  waste  negatives,  and  empty  nothings, 
and  should  so  have  been  for  eternity,  had  the  Lord  suffered  them  to 
lye  there  forever  1  It  is  He,  the  great  He,  who  sitteth  upon  the  circle 
of  the  earth  (of  the  world)  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  are  as  grass- 
hoppers ;  that  stretcheth  out  the  heavens  as  a  curtain,  and  spreadeth 
them  out  as  a  tent  to  dwell  in  ;  that  bringeth  the  princes  to  nothing, 
and  maketh  the  judges  of  the  earth  as  vanity,  Isa.  xl.  22,  23.  And 
He,  the  only  He,  and  there  is  no  He  beside  him,  Isa.  xliii.  10,  II. 
Isa.  xlv.  5.  Men  or  angels,  they  are  not  any  of  them  an  he  to  him  : 
but  a  living,  breathing,  dying  nothing  is  man  at  his  best,  a  sick  clay- 
vanity  ;  and  the  angel  to  him  but  a  more  excellent,  living,  and  under- 
standing nothing ;  yet  we  live  at  a  distance  from  him,  and  we  die  and 
wither,  when  we  are  out  of  God  :  oh  if  we  knew  how  nothing  we  are 
without  him.  Sir,  We  desire  to  mind  your  bonds,  and  are  cheered 
and  refreshed,  that  we  hear  of  any  of  his  manifestations,  and  his  out- 
goings, which  are  prepared  as  the  morning  to  you.  We  hope,  nor 
need  we  desire  you  not  to  faint,  and  are  confident  that  the  anointing 
that  abideth  in  you,  teacheth  you  so  much  :  wait  upon  the  speaking- 
vision  ;  behold  he  cometh,  behold  his  reward  is  with  him,  and  his 

57 


450  LETTER   LVII,  LVIII.  PART    III. 

■work  before  him.  The  only  wise  God  strengthen  you  with  all  might, 
according  to  his  glorious  power,  unto  all  patience  and  long-suffering 
with  joyfulness. 

Your's  at  all  obsei'vance  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  July,  1653. 


LETTER  LVIL 

To  Mr.  John  Scot  at  Oxname. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  SAW  from  C.  K.  a  testimony  of  your  presbytery  against  toleration., 
in  which  you  have  been  instrumental ;  the  Lord  give  strength  to  do 
more.  I  think  it  both  rare  and  necessary,  and  would  account  it  a 
great  mercy,  if  there  were  an  addition  of  a  postscript  from  divers  mi- 
nisters and  elders,  out  of  all  the  shires  of  Scotland  ;  it  is  really  the 
mind  of  all  the  godly  and  tender  in  this  land.  It  is  believed  by  some, 
that  the  protesting  party  hath  quite  given  over  the  cause  :  I  hope  it  is 
not  so ;  but  the  Lord  shall  be  yet  victorious  in  his  most  despised 
ones.  Our  darkness  is  great  and  thick,  and  there  is  much  deadness  ; 
yet  the  Lord  shall  be  our  light.  Thus  recommending  you  to  his  grace, 
whose  ye  are,  I  am  your  brother  in  the  Lord,  S.  R, 

St.  Andrews,  April  2,  1658. 


LETTER  LVIIL 

To  Mr.  John  Scot  at  Oxname. 
DEAR  BROTHER, 

Faint  not,  but  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might ;  I  look  on  it  as  a  rich  mercy,  that  the  Lord  is  with  you, 
strengthening  you  to  quicken  fainters,  to  warm  and  warn  any  that  are 
cold  or  dead,  or  who  deaden  others.  Believe  it,  it  will  be  your  peace 
in  the  end  ;  the  times  are  sad,  yet  I  persuade  myself  the  vision  will 
not  tarry,  but  will  speak.  The  Lord  will  loose  our  captive-bonds  ;  0 
blessed  he,  though  alone,  who  is  found  fast  and  constant,  for  the  de- 
sirable interest  of  Christ.  My  humble  advice  would  be,  that  you  see 
to  the  placing  of  the  deacon  and  the  ruling  elder,  or  to  any  thing  that 
may  weaken  the  disciphne  ;  our  second  book  of  discipline  would  be 
heeded,  sessions  purged.  Oh  !  catechising  and  personal  visiting,  and 
speaking  to  them  sigillatim,  concerning  their  interest  in  Christ,  and  a 
state  of  conversion,  is  little  in  practice.  The  practice  of  family-fasts 
is  scarce  known  to  be  an  ordinance  of  God.  It  were  good  you 
Avould  confer  with  godly  brethren  in  private,  concerning  the  promo- 
ting of  godliness,  concerning  Christian  conference,  and  praying  to- 
gether, worshipping  of  God  in  families,  and  solitary  fasts.  To  his 
grace,  who  can  direct,  quicken,  and  strengthen  you,  I  recommend 
you,  and  am 

Your  loving  brother,  S.  R-. 

St.  Andrewf. 


PART  III.  LETTER    LIX,  LX,  LXI.  451 

LETTER  LIX. 

To  Mr.  John  Scot  at  Oxname. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Your  letter  that  came  unto  me  of  August  2d,  to  be  at  Edinburo'h 
upon  August  2d,  was  unknown  to  me  by  the  subscription  ;  but  since  it 
was  written  for  so  honourable  and  warrantable  a  truth  of  Christ,  as  a 
testimony  agamst  toleration,  if  my  health  would  have  permitted,  and 
my  daily  menacing  gravel,  I  should  have  come  to  Edinburgh  ;  what 
either  counsel,  countenance,  or  clearing,  you  could  have  had  from  the 
like  of  me,  I  cannot  say,  nor  dare  I  speak  much.  But  with  a  reserve 
of  the  help  of  his  grace,  I  desire  to  desire,  and  purpose  by  strength 
from  above,  to  own  that  cause,  and  to  join  with  you  and  some  in  this 
church,  besides  your  presbytery,  who  will  own  that  cause.  Be  strong 
in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might.  This  cloud  will  over  ; 
could  we  live  by  faith,  and  wait  on  a  speaking  and  a  seeming-delaying 
vision,  the  Lord  will  not  tarry.  Grace  be  with  you.  Many  are  witli 
you,  but  there  is  One  who  is  above  millions. 

Your  own  brother  in  the  Lord,  S.  B. 

f^t.  Andrews,  June  15, 1658. 


LETTER  LX. 

To  the  same. 
REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BROTHER, 

No  man  oweth  more  to  the  church  of  God  with  you,  than  poor  and 
wretched  I ;  but  when  weakness  of  body,  and  the  Lord  by  it,  did  for- 
bid to  undertake  a  lesser  journey  to  Edinburgh,  I  am  forbidden  far 
more  to  journey  thither :  and,  believe  it,  nothing  besides  this  doth 
hinder.  I  am  unable  to  overtake  what  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon  me 
here  ;  and  therefore  [  desire  to  submit  to  Sovereignty,  and  must  be 
silent :  if  my  prayers  and  best  desires  to  the  Lord  could  contribute 
any  thing  for  promoting  of  his  work,  my 'soul's  desire  is.  That  the 
wilderness,  and  that  place,  to  which  I  owe  my  first  breathing,  in  which 
I  fear  Christ  was  scarce  named,  as  touching  any  reality  or  power  of 
godliness,  may  blossom  as  a  rose.  So  desiring  and  praying  that  his 
name  may  be  great  among  you,  and  entreating  that  you  may  believe 
that  the  names  of  the  Lord's  adversaries  shall  be  written  in  the  earth, 
and  that  whoso  will  not  come  up  of  all  the  families  of  the  earth  unto 
Jerusalem,  to  worship  the  King,  the  Lord  of  hosts,  even  upon  them 
shall  be  no  rain  ;  and  that  the  Lord  will  create  glory  upon  every  as- 
sembly in  mount  Zion  ;  1  rest 

Your  own  brother  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

^t,  Andrews,  June  15th,  1655. 


LETTER  LXL 

For  Mr.  James  Durham,  minister  of  the  afospel  at  Glasgow,  some  few  days  before 

his  death. 
SIR, 

I  WOULD  ere  now  have  written  you,  had  I  not  known  your  health, 
weaker  and  weaker,  could  scarce  permit  you  to  hear  or  read.     I  need 


452  LETTER  LXII.  PART  HI. 

not  speak  much ;  the  way  you  know,  and  have  preached  to  others 
the  skill  of  the  Guide,  and  the  glory  of  the  home  beyond  death. 
And  when  he  says,  come  and  see,  it  will  be  your  gain  to  obey,  and  go 
out  and  meet  the  Bridegroom  ;  what  accession  is  made  to  the  higher 
house  of  his  kingdom  should  not  be  our  loss,  though  it  be  real  loss 
to  the  church  of  God :  but  we  count  one  way,  and  the  Lord  counts 
another  way.  He  is  infallible,  and  the  only  wise  God,  and  needs 
none  of  us.  Had  he  needed  Moses  and  the  prophets  their  staying  in 
the  body,  he  could  have  taken  another  way.  Who  dare  bid  you  cast 
your  thoughts  back  on  wife  or  children,  when  he  hath  said.  Leave 
them  to  me,  and  come  up  hither  1  Or  who  can  persuade  you  to  die  or 
live  as  if  that  were  arbitrary  to  us,  and  not  his  alone,  who  hath  deter- 
mined the  number  of  your  months  ?  If  so  it  seem  good  to  him,  follow 
your  Forerunner  and  Guide  :  it  is  an  unknown  land  to  you,  who  was 
never  there  before  ;  but  the  land  is  good,  and  the  company  before  the 
throne  desirable,  and  he  who  sits  on  the  throne  is  his  alone  a  suffi- 
cient heaven.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  June  15,  1638. 


LETTER  LXn. 

"Mr.  Rutherford's  judgment  sent  to  some  brethren,  about  petitioning  his  Ma- 
jesty after  his  return,  and  for  owning  such  who  were  censured  while  about  that 
so  necessary  a  duty. 

REVEREND  AND  DEAR  BRETHREN, 

It  is  a  matter  of  difficulty  to  me  to  write  at  this  distance,  not  ha- 
ving heard  your  debates.  It  seems  the  Lord  calls  us  to  give  infor- 
mation to  the  king's  majesty  of  affairs.  The  Lord's  admirable  pro- 
vidence, in  bringing  him  to  his  throne,  and  laying  aside  others  who 
were  enemies  to  the  cause  and  sworn  covenant  of  God,  (so  that  now 
the  government  is  in  a  right,  line)  is  to  be  adored  ;  and  I  judge  (with- 
out prescribing)  that  some  should  be  sent  to  his  majesty  to  congratu- 
late that  providence,  and  the  reason  of  our  being  so  slow  in  sending 
would  be  rendered.  1.  We  would  write,  not  in  the  name  of  the  kirk 
of  Scotland,  but  in  the  name  of  the  most  considerable  number  of 
godly  ministers,  elders  and  professors,  who  both  pray  for  the  king,  are 
obedient  to  his  laws,  and  are  under  the  oath  of  God  for  the  sworn 
reformation.  2.  It  is  better  now,  than  after  sentences  and  trouble, 
to  have  recourse  to  him,  who  is  by  place  Pater  Patrice.  3.  Wc 
would  supplicate  in  all  humanity  for  protection,  countenance,  far  more 
for  lawful  liberty  to  fear  the  bond  of  the  oath  of  the  dreadful  and  most 
high  Lord,  avouching  to  his  majesty,  that  the  Lord,  his  holy  name 
being  interposed,  will  own  that  covenant,  and  bless  his  majesty  with  a 
happy  and  successful  reign,  in  the  owning  thereof  and  kissing  of  the 
Son  of  God.  And  when  the  Lord  shall  be  pleased  to  grant  that  to 
us,  which  concerns  religion,  the  beauty  of  his  house,  the  propagating 
of  the  gospel,  the  government  of  the  Lord's  kingdom,  without  popery, 
prelacy,  unwritten  traditions  and  ceremonies  ;  let  his  majesty  try  our 
loyplty  with  what  commands  he  shall  bo  pleased  to  lay  on  us,  and  see 


PART  III.  LETTER  LXIII.  453 

if  we  be  found  rebellious.  4.  We  would  disclaim  such  as  have  sin- 
fully complied  with  the  late  usurpers  ;  produce  our  written  testimonies 
against  them ;  our  not  accepting  of  offices  and  places  of  trust  from 
them  ;  our  testimonies  against  their  usurpation,  covenant-breaking, 
toleration  of  all  rehgions,  corrupt  Sectarian  ways,  for  which  the  Lord 
hath  broken  them.  5.  We  are  represented  to  his  Majesty  as  such 
who  would  not  consent  that  the  remonstrance  of  the  western  forces 
should  be  condemned  by  the  commission  of  the  General  Assembly : 
whereas,  (1.)  We  did  humbly  desire,  that  the  judicature  would  not 
condemn  nor  censure  that  remonstrance,  till  the  gentlemen  were 
heard,  and  their  reasons  discussed.  (2.)  Whatever  demur  was  as  to 
the  banding  or  combining  part  of  it,  we  were,  and  are  obliged  to  be- 
lieve, they  had  no  sectarian  design  therein,  nor  levellmg  ir.tention. 
(3.)  They  are  gentlemen  most  loyal,  and  never  were  enemies  to  his 
majesty's  royal  power ;  but  only  desired  that  security  might  be  had 
for  religion  and  the  people  of  God ;  persons  disaffected  to  religion 
and  the  sworn  covenant  abandoned  ;  otherwise  they  were  and  still 
are  willing  to  hazard  lives  and  estates,  for  the  just  greatness  and 
safety  of  his  majesty,  in  the  maintenance  of  the  true  religion,  cove- 
nant and  cause  of  God.  The  only  difficulty  will  be,  where  to  have 
fit  men  to  send.  But  as  it  will  be  both  sin  and  shame  for  us,  to  de- 
sert our  undeservedly  now  censured  brethren :  so  it  will  be  our  sin 
and  reproach,  sinfully  to  comply  with  such  things  and  courses,  as  we 
testified  against,  and  confessed  to  God.  I  can  say  no  more  at  pre- 
sent, but  I  am 

Your  loving  brother,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  1660. 


LETTER  LXIIL 

Mr.  Rutherford's  judgment  of  a  draught  or  minute  of  a  petition, 
to  have  been  presented  to  the  Committee  of  estates,  by  those 
ministers  who  were  then  prisoners  in  the  castle  of  Edinburgh,  for 
that  other  well-known  petition  to  his  majesty,  about  which  they 
were,  when  seized  upon  and  made  prisoners. 

But  that  no  man  may  mistake  or  judge  amiss  of  persons,  so  fixed  in  the  cause,  and 
faithful  in  their  generations ;  know,  that  this  draught  was  not  sent  to  Mr. 
Rutherford,  as  a  paper  concluded  and  condescended  upon  among  these  brethren, 
whose  love  to  triith  made  them  in  all  things,  so  tender,  that  they  were  ever  fond 
to  abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil ;  but  it  was  more  like  the  suggestion  of 
some  other  men  (wherem  was  laid  before  them  what  kind  of  address  would 
most  probably  please,  waving  the  just  measures  of  what  was  simply  duty  in 
their  circumstances)  than  any  ihing  flowing  from  themselves,  as  the  product  of  a 
mature  deliberation.  And  Secondly,  Know  (which  confirmeth  what  was  said) 
that  whatever  it  was,  or  whoever  gave  the  rise  to  it  yet  it  was  never  made  use 
of,  nor  presented  to  the  Committee  of  Estates,  by  any  of  these  faithful  men, 
whose  praise,  for  their  fidelity,  fixedness,  real  and  untainted  integrity,  is  in  the 
churches  of  Christ. 

DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  AM,  as  ye  know,  straitened  as  another  suffering  man ;  but  dare 
not  petition  this  Coir.mittee.     1.  Because  it  draws  us  to  capitulate 


454  LETTER   LXIII.  PART  III. 

with  such  as  have  the  advantage  of  the  mount,  the  Lord  so  disposing 
for  the  present ;  and  to  bring  the  matters  of  Christ  to  yea  and  no 
(you  being  prisoners,  and  they  the  powers)  is  a  hazard.  2.  A 
speaking  to  them  in  writ,  and  passing  in  silence  the  sworn  covenant, 
and  the  cause  of  God,  which  is  the  very  present  controversy,  is  con- 
trary to  the  practice  of  Christ  and  the  apostles,  who  being  accused, 
or  not  accused,  avouched  Christ  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  Mes- 
siias,  and  that  the  dead  must  rise  again,  even  when  the  adversary  mis- 
stated the  question.  Yea,  silence  of  the  cause  of  God  which  adver- 
saries persecute,  seems  a  tacit  deserting  of  the  cause,  when  the  state 
of  the  question  is  known  to  beholders  ;  and  I  know  the  brethren  intend 
not  to  leave  the  cause.  3.  I  know  no  offence  you  have  given  (I  will 
not  say  what  offence  may  be  taken)  either  as  to  the  matter  or  manner 
of  your  petition  :  for  if  what  you  have  done  be  a  necessary  duty,  laid 
aside  by  others,  a  duty  can  never  give  an  offence  to  Christ,  and  so 
none  to  men.  But  Christians  will  look  upon  a  pious,  harmless  and 
innocent  petition  to  the  prince,  in  the  matters  of  the  Lord's  honour 
and  good  of  his  church,  though  proffered  by  one  or  two,  when  they 
are  silent  whose  it  is  to  speak  and  act,  as  a  seasonable  duty.  4.  The 
draught  of  that  petition,  which  you  sent  me,  speaks  not  one  word  of 
the  covenant  of  God  ;  for  the  adhering  to  which  you  now  suffer,  and 
which  is  the  object  of  men's  hatred  :  and  the  destruction  whereof  is 
the  great  work  of  the  times :  and  your  silence,  in  this  nick  of  time, 
appears  to  be  a  non-confession  of  Christ  before  men  ;  and  you  want 
nothing  to  beget  an  uncleanly  deliverance,  but  the  profession  of  silence. 
5.  There  is  a  promise  and  real  purpose  (as  the  petition  saith)  to  live 
peaceably  under  the  king's  authority.  But,  (1.)  You  do  not  answer 
so  candidly  and  ingenuously  the  mind  of  the  rulers,  who  to  your  know- 
ledge mean  a  far  other  thing,  by  authority,  than  you  do :  for  you 
mean  his  just  authority,  his  authority  in  the  Lord,  and  his  just  great- 
ness, in  the  maintenance  of  true  religion,  as  the  Covenant,  Confession 
of  Faith,  and  Catechisms,  is  expressed,  from  the  word  of  God.  They 
mean  his  supreme  authority,  and  absolute  prerogative  above  laws,  as 
their  acts  clear,  and  as  their  practice  is ;  for  they  refused  to  such  as 
were  unwilling  to  subscribe  their  bond,  to  add  authority  in  the  Lord, 
or  just  and  lawful  authority,  or  authority  as  it  is  expressed  in  the  cove- 
nant. But  this  draught  of  a  petition,  under  your  own  hand,  yelds  the 
sense  and  meaning  to  them,  which  they  crave.  (2. )  That  authority, 
for  which  they  contend,  is  exclusive  of  the  sworn  covenant ;  so  that 
except  ye  had  said.  You  shall  be  subjects  to  the  king's  authority  in  the 
Lord,  or  according  to  the  sworn  covenant,  you  say  nothing  to  the 
point  in  hand;  and  that  sure  is  not  your  meaning.  (3.)  Who  ever 
promised  so  much  of  peaceable  living  under  his  majesty's  authority, 
leaving  out  the  exposition  of  the  fifth  commandment,  as  your  petition 
doth,  may  upon  the  very  same  ground  subscribe  the  bond  refused  by 
the  godly  ;  and  so  you  pass  from  the  covenant,  and  make  all  these  by- 
past  actings  of  this  kirk  and  state,  those  years  by-past,  to  be  horrid 
rebellion  ;  and  how  deep  that  guiltiness  draws,  consider.  6.  A  con- 
demning of  the  remonstrance,  simply  and  without  any  limitation  and 
distinction,  is  a  condemning  of  many  precious  ones  in  the  land,  and 


PART  III.  LETTER   LXIV.  455 

passing  from  the  causes  of  God's  wrath,  which  is  the  chief  matter  of 
the  Remonstrance.  7.  That  nothing  is  before  your  eyes  but  the  ex- 
oneration of  your  conscience,  is  indeed  behoved  by  the  godly,  who 
know  you  ;  but  a  passing  in  silence  of  the  honest  materials  in  your 
former  petition  to  his  majesty,  seems  to  be  a  deserting  thereof,  since, 
in  all  your  petition,  you  do  not  once  say,  you  cannot  but  adhere  to  that 
pious  petition,  as  your  necessary  duty ;  and  that  you  intend  in  the 
petition  the  happiness  of  his  majesty,  is  also  believed.  Dear  brother, 
shew  to  our  brethren,  the  Lord  Christ  in  your  persons,  hath  stated  a 
question  betwixt  him  and  the  powers  on  earth ;  the  only  wise  God 
lead  you  now,  when  he  hath  brought  you  forth  in  public,  so  to  act  as 
if  ye  did  see  Jesus  Christ  by  you,  and  beholding  you.  It  is  easy  for 
such  as  are  on  the  shore,  to  throw  a  counsel  to  those  that  are  tossed 
in  the  sea  ;  but  only  living  by  faith,  and  by  fetching  strength  and  com- 
fort from  Christ,  can  you  be  victorious,  and  have  right  to  the  precious 
promises  of  the  tree  of  life,  of  the  hidden  Manna,  of  the  gifted 
Morning-Star,  and  the  like,  made  to  those  who  overcome ;  to  whose 
strength  and  grace,  brethren,  who  desire  with  me  to  remember  you, 
do  recommend  you.     I  am. 

Dear  brother,  Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  1660. 


LETTER  LXIV. 

For  the  right  honourable,  my  Lady  Viscountess  of  Kenmuie. 
MADAM, 

It  is  not  my  part  to  be  unmindful  of  you ;  be  not  afflicted  for  your 
brother,  the  Marquis  of  Argyle ;  as  to  the  main,  in  my  weak  appre- 
hension, the  seed  of  God  being  in  him,  and  love  to  the  people  of  God 
and  his  cause,  it  will  be  well :  the  making  particular  reckoning  with 
the  Lord,  and  peace  with  God,  and  owning  his  cause  when  too  many 
disown  it,  will  make  his  peace  with  the  king  the  surer.  The  Lord  is 
beginning  to  reckon  with  such  as  did  forsake  his  cause  and  covenant ; 
and  until  we  return  to  him,  our  peace  shall  not  be  like  a  river  and  as 
the  waves  of  the  sea.  However,  the  opening  of  the  bosom,  to  take 
in  all  the  malignants,  can  produce  no  better  fruits.  The  Lord  calleth 
tis  to  flee  into  our  chambers,  and  shut  the  doors,  till  the  indignation 
be  over,  Isa.  xxvi.  20.  The  hly  among  the  thorns  is  so  served ;  he 
hideth  himself,  and  our  mountain  is  removed,  and  we  are  troubled  : 
but  the  Lord  reigns,  let  the  earth  tremble,  and  let  the  earth  rejoice. 
The  Lord  without  blood  broke  the  yoke  of  usurping  oppressors,  and 
laid  them  aside  ;  the  same  Lord  can  settle  throne  and  kingdom  on  the 
pillars  of  heaven ;  but  O  the  controversy  the  Lord  hath  with  Edom, 
and  those  who  covenanted  with  us,  and  then  sold  us ;  and  with  those 
of  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  speaks.  Lam.  ii.  14.  '  Thy  prophets  have 
seen  vain  and  foolish  things  for  thee  ;  they  have  not  discovered  thine 
iniquity  to  turn  away  thy  captivity,  but  have  seen  for  thee  false  bur- 
dens, and  causes  of  banishment.'  The  time  of  Jacob's  sufiering  is 
but  short,  and  the  vision  will  speak :  could  we  be  from  under  dead- 
ness,  and  watch  unto  wrestling  and  prayer  with  the  Lord,  and  live 


456  LETRER  LXV.  PART  III, 

more  by  faith,  we  should  be  more  than  conquerors.     Wait  upon  the 
Lord,  faint  not ;  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  your  spirit. 

Your's  at  all  respective  observance  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 

St.  Andrews,  July  24,  1660. 


LETTER  LXV. 

For  Mrs.  Crai"^,  upon  the  death  of  her  hopeful  Son,  who  was  drowned  washing 

himself  in  a  river  in  France. 
ailSTRESS, 

You  have  so  learned  Christ,  as  now  in  the  furnace,  what  dross, 
what  shining  of  faith  may  appear,  must  come  forth.  I'  heard  of  the 
removal  of  your  son  Mr.  Thomas  :  though  I  be  dull  enough  in  dis- 
cerning, yet  I  was  witness  to  some  spiritual  savourness  of  the  new 
birth  and  hope  of  the  resurrection,  which  I  saw  in  the  hopeful  youth, 
when  he  was,  as  was  feared,  a-dying  in  this  city.  And  since  it  was 
written  and  advisedly  appointed,  in  the  spotless  and  holy  decree  of 
the  Lord,  where,  and  before  what  witnesses,  and  in  what  manner, 
whether  by  a  fever,  the  mother  being  at  the  bed-side,  or  some  other 
way  in  a  far  country,  (dear  patriarchs  died  in  Egypt,  precious  to  the 
Lord  have  wanted  burials,  Psal.  Ixix.  3.)  your  safest  will  be,  to  be  si- 
lent, and  command  the  heart  to  utter  no  repining  and  fretting  thoughts 
of  the  holy  dispensation  of  God.  1.  The  man  is  beyond  the  hazard 
of  dispute,  the  precious  youth  is  perfected  and  glorified.  2.  Had  the 
youth  lain  year  and  day  pained  beside  a  witnessing  mother,  it  had 
been  pain  and  grief  lengthened  out  to  you  in  many  portions,  and  eve-' 
ry  parcel  would  have  been  a  little  death  ;  now  his  holy  Majesty,  hath 
in  one  lump  and  mass,  brought  to  your  ears  the  news,  and  hath  not 
divided  the  grief  in  many  portions.  3.  It  was  not  yesterday's  thought, 
or  the  other  year's  statute  ;  but  a  counsel  of  the  Lord  of  old  ;  and, 
who  can  teach  the  Almighty  knowledge  ?  4.  There  is  no  way  of 
quieting  the  mind,  and  of  silencing  the  heart  of  a  mother,  but  godly 
submission  :  the  readiest  way  for  peace  and  consolation  to  clay- ves- 
sels is,  that  it  is  a  stroke  of  the  Potter  and  Former  of  all  things ;  and 
since  the  holy  Lord  hath  loosed  the  grip,  when  it  was  fastened  sure  on 
your  part,  I  know  your  light,  and  I  hope  your  heart  also  will  yield  :  it 
is  not  safe  to  be  at  pulling  and  drawing  with  the  omnipotent  Lord  ; 
let  the  pull  go  with  him,  for  he  is  strong ;  and  say,  '  Thy  will  be  done 
on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.'  5.  His  holy  method  and  order  is  to  be 
adored :  sometime  the  husband  before  the  wife,  and  sometime  the 
son  before  the  mother ;  so  hath  the  only  wise  God  ordered :  and 
when  he  is  sent  before  and  not  lost,  in  all  things  give  thanks.  6. 
Meditate  not  too  much  on  the  sad  circumstances ;  the  mother  was 
not  witness  to  the  last  sight,  possibly  cannot  get  leave  to  wnd  the 
son,  nor  to  weep  over  his  grave,  and  he  was  in  a  strange  land ;  there 
is  a  Uke  nearness  to  heaven  out  of  all  the  countries  of  the  earth.  7. 
This  did  not  spring  out  of  the  dust ;  feed  and  grow  fat  by  this  medi- 
cine and  fare  of  the  only  wise  Lord :  it  is  art  and  the  skill  of  faith  to 
read  what  the  Lord  writes  upon  the  cross,  and  to  spell  and  construct 
right  his  sense ;  often  we  miscal  words  and  sentences  of  the  cros?. 


PART  111.  LETTER  LXVI.  457 

and  either  put  nonsense  on  his  rods,  or  burden  his  Majesty  with  slan- 
ders and  mistakes,  when  he  minds  tor  us  thoughts  of  peace  and  love, 
even  to  do  us  good  in  the  latter  end.  8.  It  is  but  a  private  stroke  on 
a  family,  and  little  to  the  public  arrows  shot  against  grieved  Joseph, 
and  the  afflicted  ;  but  ah  !  dead,  senseless  and  guilty  people  of  God  ; 
this  is  the  day  of  Jacob's  trouble.  9.  There  is  a  bad  way  of  wilful 
swallowing  of  a  temptation,  and  not  digesting  it,  or  laying  it  out  of 
memory  without  any  victoriousness  of  faith  ;  the  Lord,  who  forbids 
fainting,  forbids  also  despising  :  but  it  is  easier  to  counsel  than  to  suf- 
fer ;  the  only  wise  Lord  furnish  patience.  It  were  not  amiss  to  call 
home  the  other  youth.  I  am  not  a  little  afflicted  for  my  Lady  Ken- 
jmure's  condition ;  I  desire,  when  you  see  her,  remember  my  humble 
respects  to  her :  my  wife  heartily  remembers  her  to  you,  and  is 
wounded  much  in  mind  with  your  present  condition,  and  suffers  with 
you.     Grace  be  with  you. 

Your's  in  the  Lord,  S.  J{. 

St.  Andrews,  May  4,  1660. 


LETTER  LXVL 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Samuel  R-utherford  to  Mr.  Williiim  Guthry,  vihen  the  army 
was  at  Stirling,  after  the  defeat  at  Dunbar,  and  the  godly  in  the  West  were 
falsely  branded  with  intended  compliance  with  the  usurpei-s,  about  the  time 
when  these  debates,  and  that  difference  concerning  the  publio  resolutions  arose. 

REVEREND  BROTHER, 

I  DID  not  dream  of  such  shortness  of  breath,  and  fainting  in  the 
way  toward  our  country :  I  thought  I  had  no  more  to  do  but  die  iu 
my  nest,  and  bow  down  my  sinful  head,  and  let  him  put  on  the  crown, 
and  so  end.  I  have  suffered  much  ;  but  this  is  the  thickest  darkness, 
and  the  straitest  step  of  the  way  I  have  yet  trode.  I  see  more  suf- 
fering yet  behind,  and  I  fear  from  the  keepers  of  the  vine.  Let  me 
obtain  of  you,  that  you  would  press  upon  the  Lord's  people,  that  they 
would  stand  far  off  from  these  merchants  of  souls,  come  in  amongst 
you.  If  the  way  revealed  in  the  word  be  that  way,  we  then  know, 
these  soul-coupers  and  traffickers  show  not  the  way  of  salvation. 
Alas !  alas  ?  poor  I  am  utterly  lost,  my  share  of  heaven  is  gone,  and 
my  hope  is  perished,  and  I  am  cut  off  from  the  Lord,  if  hitherto  out 
of  the  way  :  but  I  dare  not  judge  kind  Christ ;  for  if  it  may  be  but 
permitted  (with  reverence  to  his  greatness  and  highness,  be  it  spoken) 
I  will  before  witnesses  produce  his  own  hand,  that  he  said,  This  is 
the  way,  walk  thou  in  it :  and  he  cannot  except  against  his  own  seal. 
I  profess  I  am  almost  broken  and  a  little  sleepy,  and  would  fain  put 
off  this  body ;  but  this  is  my  infirmity,  who  would  be  under  the  sha- 
dow and  covert  of  that  good  land,  once  to  be  without  the  reach  and 
blast  of  the  terrible  one.  But  I  am  a  fool ;  there  is  none  that  can 
overbid,  or  take  my  lodging  over  my  head,  since  Christ  hath  taken  it 
for  me.  Dear  brother,  help  me,  and  get  me  the  help  of  their  prayers 
who  are  with  you,  in  whom  is  my  delight.  You  are  much  suspected 
of  intended  compliance ;  I  mean  not  of  you  only,  but  of  all  the  peo- 
ple of  God  with  you.     It  is  but  a  poor  thing  the  fulfiUing  of  my  jov : 

58 


458  LlilTER  LXVII.  PART  III. 

but  let  me  obtest  all  the  serious  seekers  of  his  face,  his  secret  sealed 
ones,  by  the  strongest  consolations  of  the  Spirit,  by  the  gentleness  of 
Jesus  Christ,  that  Plant  of  renown,  by  your  last  accounts,  and  ap- 
pearing before  God,  when  the  white  throne  shall  be  set  up,  be  not  de- 
ceived with  their  fair  words :  though  my  spirit  be  astonished  at  the 
cunning  distinctions,  which  are  found  out  in  the  matters  of  the  cove- 
nant, that  help  may  be  had  against  these  men  ;  yet  my  heart  trembleth 
to  entertain  the  least  thought  of  joining  with  these  deceivers.  Grace,, 
giace,  be  with  you.     Amen. 

Your  own  brother  in  our  common  Lord  and  Saviour,     S.  R. 
St.  Andrews, 


LETTER  LXVn. 

For  my  reverend  broUier,  Christ's  soldier  in  bonds,  Mr,  James  GuUii-y,  minister  oi 
the  gospel  at  Stirling. 

DEAR  BROTUEIl, 

We  are  very  oft  comforted  with  the  word  of  promise ;  though  we 
stumble  not  a  little  at  the  work  of  holy  providence  ;  some  earthly 
men  flourishing  as  a  green  herb,  and  the  people  of  God  counted  as 
,sheep  for  the  slaughter,  and  killed  all  the  day  long ;  and  yet  both 
word  of  promise,  and  works  of  providence,  are  from  him,  whose 
ways  are  equal,  straight,  holy  and  spotless.  As  for  me,  when  I  think 
of  God's  dispensations,  he  might  justly  have  brought  to  the  market- 
cross,  and  to  the  light,  my  unseen  and  secret  abominations,  which 
would  have  been  no  small  reproach  to  the  holy  name,  and  precious 
(i-uths  of  Christ ;  but  in  mercy  he  hath  covered  these,  and  shapen  and 
carved  out  more  honourable  causes  of  suffering,  of  which  we  are  un- 
worthy. And  now,  dear  brother,  much  depends  upon  the  way  and 
manner  of  suffering,  especially,  that  his  precious  truth  be  owned  with 
all  heavenly  boldness,  and  a  reason  of  our  hope  given  in  meekness 
and  fear ;  and  the  royal  crown,  and  absolute  supremacy  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  avouched,  as  be- 
cometh  :  for  certain  it  is,  Christ  will  reign  the  Father's  King  in  mount 
Zion  ;  and  his  sworn  covenant  will  not  be  buried.  It  is  not  denied, 
but  our  practical  breach  of  covenant  first,  and  then  our  legal  breach 
thereof,  by  enacting  the  same  mischief,  and  framing  it  into  a  law,  may 
heavily  provoke  our  sweetest  Lord  :  yet  there  are  a  few  names  in  the 
land,  that  have  not  defiled  their  garments,  and  a  holy  seed,  on  whom 
the  Lord  will  have  mercy,  like  the  four  or  five  olive-berries  upon  the 
top  of  the  shaken  olive-tree,  and  their  eye  shall  be  toward  the  Lord 
their  Maker.  Think  it  not  strange,  that  men  devise  against  you : 
whether  it  be  to  exile,  the  earth  is  the  Lord's  ;  or  perpetual  imprison- 
ment, the  Lord  is  your  light  and  liberty  ;  or  a  violent  and  pubhc  deaths 
for  the  kingdom  oi  heaven  consists  in  a  fair  company  of  glorified 
martyrs  and  witnesses,  of  whom  Jesus  Christ  is  the  chief  witness, 
who  for  that  cause  was  born,  and  came  into  the  world.  Happy  are 
ye,  if  you  give  testimony  to  the  world  of  your  preferring  Jesus  Christ 
to  all  powers  ;  and  the  world  make  the  innocency  and  Christian  loyalty 
of  his  defamed  and  despised  witnesses  in  this  land  to  shine  to  after- 


PART  III.  LETTER   LXVIU.  459 

generations,  and  will  take  the  Man-child  up  to  God  and  to  his  throne, 
and  prepare  a  hiding  place  in  the  wilderness  for  the  mother,  and  cause 
the  earth  to  help  the  woman.  Be  not  terrified  ;  fret  not ;  forgive  your 
enemies  ;  bless  and  curse  not ;  for  though  both  you  and  I  should  be 
silent,  sad  and  heavy  is  the  judgment  and  indignation  from  the  Lord, 
that  is  abiding  the  unfaithful  wntchmen  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
The  souls  under  the  altar  are  crying  for  justice,  and  there  is  an  answer 
returned  already  :  the  Lord's  salvation  will  not  tarry.  Cast  the 
burden  of  wife  and  children  on  the  Lord  Christ,  he  cares  for  you  and 
them  :  your  blood  is  precious  in  his  sight.  The  everlasting  consola- 
tions of  the  Lord  bear  you  up,  and  give  you  hope  ;  for  your  salvation 
(if  not  dehverance)  is  concluded. 

Your  own  brother,  !^.  R. 

.^^t.  .Andrews,  Feb.  15,  1661. 


LETTER  LXVin. 

To  Aberdeen. 
REVEREND  AND  DEARLY  BELOVED  IN  THE  LORD, 

Grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  were  some  who  rendered  thanks,  with 
knees  bowed  to  him,  '  of  whom  is  named  the  whole  family  in  heaven 
and  earth,'  when  they  heard  of  your  work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love, 
and  patience  of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus ;  and  rejoiced  not  a  little, 
that  where  Christ  was  scarce  named  in  savouriness  and  power  of  the 
gospel,  even  in  Aberdeen,  that  there  Christ  hath  a  few  precious  names 
to  him  who  shall  walk  with  him  in  white.  We  looked  on  it,  (he 
knoweth,  whom  we  desire  to  serve  in  our  spirit,  in  the  gospel  of  his 
Son)  as  a  part  of  the  fulfilling  of  that,  '  The  wilderness  and  solitary 
place  shall  be  glad  for  them  ;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom 
as  a  rose  ;'  but  now  it  is  more  grievous  to  us  than  a  thousand  deaths, 
when  we  hear  that  you  are  shaken,  and  so  soon  removed  from  that, 
which  you  once  acknowledged  to  be  the  way  of  God.  Dearly  beloved, 
>he  sheep  follow  Christ,  who  calleth  them  by  name  ;  a  stranger  they 
will  not  follow  ;  but  they  flee  from  him,  for  they  know  not  the  voice  of 
a  stranger.  You  know  the  way,  by  which  you  were  sealed  to  the  day 
of  redemption ;  and  ye  received  the  Spirit  by  the  hearing  of  faith  : 
part  not  with  that  way,  except  ye  see  there  be  no  rest  for  your  soul 
therein  ;  neither  listen  to  them  that  say,  Many  were  converted  under 
Episcopal  as  well  as  under  Presbyterial  government :  and  yet  the 
godly  gave  testimony  against  the  Bishops  ;  for  the  instruments  of 
conversion  lothed  Episcopacy,  with  the  ceremonies  thereof,  and  never 
.sealed  it  with  their  sufferings.  But  we  shall  desire  instances  of  any 
engaged  by  oaths,  and  by  the  sufferings  of  the  faithful  messengers  of 
God,  and  the  manifestation  of  the  Lord's  presence,  in  the  way  you 
now  forsake,  who  yet  turned  from  it,  and  went  one  step  toward  sinful 
separation,  and  did  it  in  that  way  you  now  aim  at,  and  did  yet  flourish 
and  grow  in  grace  :  but  we  can  bring  proofs  of  many  who  left  it,  and 
went  further  on  to  abominable  ways  of  error.  And  you  have  it  not  in 
your  power,  where  you  shall  lodge  at  night,  having  once  left  the  wa}'^ 
r>f  God  ;  and  many  we  know  lost  peace  and  communion  with  God 


460  LETTER  LXVIII.  TART  III. 

and  fell  in  a  condition  of  withering,  and,  not  being  able  to  find  their 
lovers,  were  forced  to  return  to  their  first  Husband.  We  shall  entreat 
you,  consider  what  a  stumbling  it  is  to  malignant  opposers  of  the  way 
and  cause  of  God,  who  with  their  ears  heard  you,  and  with  their  eyes 
saw  you,  so  strenuously  take  part  with  the  godly  in  their  sufferings, 
and  profess  yourselves  for  religion,  truth,  doctrine,  government  of  the 
house  of  God,  his  covenant  and  cause  ;  if  now  you  build  again  what 
you  once  destroyed,  and  destroy  what  you  builded  ;  and  shall  you  not 
make  yourselves,  by  so  doing,  transgressors  1  how  shall  it  wound  the 
hearts  of  the  godly,  stain  the  profession,  darken  the  glory  of  the  gos- 
pel, shake  the  faith  of  many,  weaken  the  hands  of  all,  if  you,  and 
you  first  of  all  in  this  kingdom,  shall  stretch  out  the  hand  to  raze  the 
walls  of  our  Jerusalem,  by  reason  of  which  the  Lord  made  her  terri- 
ble as  an  army  with  banners ;  for,  when  kings  came,  and  saw  the 
palaces  and  bulwarks  thereof,  they  marvelled  and  were  troubled,  and 
hasted  away ;  fear  took  hold  of  them  there,  and  pain  as  of  a  woman 
in  travail.  And  we  shall  be  grieved,  if  you  shall  be  heirs  to  the  guilti- 
ness of  breaking  down  the  same  hedge  of  the  vineyard,  for  the  which 
the  sad  indignation  of  God  pursueth  this  day  the  royal  family,  many 
nobles,  houses  great  and  fair,  and  all  the  prelatical  party  in  these  three 
kingdoms.  And  when  your  dear  brethren  are  weak  and  fainting,  shall 
we  believe  that  you  will  leave  us,  and  be  divided  from  this  so  blessed 
a  conjunction?  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  trust,  shall  walk  in  the 
midst  of  the  golden  candlesticks,  and  be  with  us,  if  you  will  be  gone 
from  us.  Beloved  in  the  Lord,  we  cannot  but  be  persuaded  of  better 
things  of  you  ;  and  we  shall  not  conceal  from  you,  that  we  are  igno- 
rant what  to  answer,  when  we  are  reproved  on  your  behalf,  in  regard 
that  your  change  to  another  gospel-way  (which  the  Lord  avert)  is  so 
much  the  more  scandalous,  that  the  sudden  alteration,  unknown  to  us 
before,  now  overtaketh  you,  when  men  come  amongst  you,  against 
whom  the  furrows  of  the  field  of  Scotland  do  complain.  Forget  not, 
dear  brethren,  that  Christ  hath  now  the  fan  in  his  hand,  and  this  is 
also  the  day  of  the  Lord,  that  shall  burn  as  an  oven  ;  and  that  Christ 
now  sitteth  as  a  refiner  of  silver,  purifying  the  sons  of  Levi,  and 
purging  them  as  gold  and  silver,  that  they  may  offer  unto  the  Lord  an 
offering  of  righteousness :  and  these  that  keep  the  word  of  his  (not 
their  own)  patience,  shall  be  delivered  from  the  hour  of  temptation, 
that  shall  come  on  all  the  earth  to  try  them.  If  you  exclude  all  non- 
converts  from  the  visible  city  of  God,  in  which  daily  multitudes  in 
Scotland,  in  all  the  four  quarters  of  the  land,  above  whatever  our 
fathers  saw,  throng  into  Christ,  shall  they  not  be  left  to  the  lions  and 
w  ild  beasts  of  the  forest,  even  to  Jesuits,  Seminary-priests,  and  other 
seducers  ?  for  the  magistrate  hath  no  power  to  compel  them  to  hear 
the  gospel,  nor  have  you  any  church-power  over  them,  as  you  teach  : 
and  they  bring  not  love  to  the  gospel  and  to  Christ  out  of  the  womb 
with  them,  and  so  they  must  be  left  to  embrace  what  religion  is  most 
suitable  to  corrupt  nature  ;  nor  can  it  be  a  way  approven  by  the  Lord 
in  scripture,  to  excommunicate  from  the  visible  church  (which  is  the 
office-house  of  the  free  grace  of  Christ,  and  his  draw-net)  all  the 
multitudes  of  non-converts,  baptized,  and  visibly  within  the  covenant 
ctf  grace,  which  are  m  Great  Britain,  and  all  the  reformed  churches  r 


PART  in.  LETTER   LXVIII.  461 

and  so  to  shut  the  ^tes  of  the  Lord's  gracious  calling  upon  all  these, 
because  they  are  not,  in  your  judgment,  chosen  to  salvation,  when 
once  you  are  within  yourselves  ;  for  how  can  the  Lord  call  Egypt  his 
people,  and  Assyria  the  work  of  his  hands,  and  all  the  Gentiles  (who 
for  numbers  are  as  the  flocks  of  Kedar,  and  the  abundance  of  the  sea) 
the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ,  if  you  number  infants, 
as  many  do,  and  all  such  as  your  charity  cannot  judge  converts,  as 
others  do,  among  heathens  and  pagans,  who  have  not  a  visible  claim 
and  interest  in  Christ  1  The  candlestick  is  not  yours,  nor  the  house ; 
but  Christ  fixeth  and  removeth  the  one,  and  buildeth  or  casteth  down 
the  other,  according  to  his  sovereignty.  We  in  humility  judge  our- 
selves, though  the  chief  of  sinners,  the  sons  of  Zion,  and  of  the 
seed  of  Christ ;  if  you  remove  from  us,  and  carry  from  hence  the 
candlestick,  let  our  Father  be  judge,  and  show  us,  why  the  Lord  hath 
bidden  you  come  out  from  among  us.  We  look  upon  this  visible 
church,  though  black  and  spotted,  as  the  hospital  and  guest  house  of 
sick,  halt,  maimed,  and  withered,  over  which  Christ  is  Lord,  physician 
and  Master ;  and  we  would  wait  upon  those  that  are  not  yet  in  Christ, 
as  our  Lord  waited  upon  us  and  you  both.  We  therefore,  your  breth- 
ren, children  of  one  Father,  cannot  but,  with  tears  and  exceeding 
sorrow  of  heart,  earnestly  intreat,  beseech  and  obtest  you  by  the  love 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  his  sufferings  and  precious  ransom  he 
paid  for  us  both,  by  the  consolations  of  his  Spirit,  by  your  appearance 
before  the  dreadful  tribunal  of  our  Lord  Jesus  ;  yea,  and  charge  you 
before  God  and  the  same  Lord  Jesus,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead,  at  his  appearing,  and  in  his  kingdom  ;  break  not  the  spirits 
and  hearts  of  those  to  whom  you  are  dear  as  their  own  soul,  forsake 
not  the  assembUes  of  the  people  of  God,  let  us  not  divide.  Not  a 
few  of  the  people  of  God,  in  this  shire  of  Fife,  in  whose  name  I  now 
write,  dare  say,  if  you  depart,  you  shall  leave  Christ  behind  you  with 
us,  and  the  golden  candlesticks,  and  shall  cast  yourselves  (we  much 
fear)  out  of  the  hearts  and  prayers  of  thousands,  dear  to  Jesus  Christ 
in  Scotland ;  therefore  before  you  fix  judgment  and  practice  on  any 
untrodden  path,  let  a  day  of  humiliation  be  agreed  upon  by  us  all,  and 
our  Father's  mind  and  will  inquired,  through  our  one  common  Saviour; 
and  let  us  see  one  another's  faces  at  best  conveniency  ;  and  plead  the 
interest  of  Christ,  and  be  comforted,  and  not  stumble  at  your  ways. 
So,  expecting  your  answer,  we  shall  pray  that  the  God  of  peace  that 
brought  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shepherd  of 
the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  may  make 
you  perfect  in  every  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  m  you  that 
^vhich  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  shall 
remain 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord,  S,  R. 

St.  <^rK.1rPM'?. 


THE   ENB.